Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand is my third read by this author. I read my first Elin Hilderbrand book earlier this year and I loved it. Ever since then I’ve been working on catching up on her backlist. Luckily, my local library has a bunch of the audiobooks that I can check out through Libby. I was obviously very excited when my hold for Golden Girl came in, earlier this month.

About the Book

On a perfect June day, Vivian Howe, author of thirteen beach novels and mother of three nearly grown children, is killed in a hit-and-run car accident while jogging near her home on Nantucket. She ascends to the Beyond where she’s assigned to a Person named Martha, who allows Vivi to watch what happens below for one last summer. Vivi also is granted three “nudges” to change the outcome of events on earth, and with her daughter Willa on her third miscarriage, Carson partying until all hours, and Leo currently “off again” with his high-maintenance girlfriend, she’ll have to think carefully where to use them.

From the Beyond, Vivi watches “The Chief” Ed Kapenash investigate her death, but her greatest worry is her final book, which contains a secret from her own youth that could be disastrous for her reputation. But when hidden truths come to light, Vivi’s family will have to sort out their past and present mistakes—with or without a nudge of help from above—while Vivi finally lets them grow without her.

With all of Elin’s trademark beach scenes, mouth-watering meals, and picture-perfect homes, plus a heartfelt message—the people we lose never really leave us—Golden Girl is a beach book unlike any other. (from Amazon.com)

My Thoughts

There’s just something about Elin’s writing style. She wrote a book about death, yet she handled it in such a caring way. I was worried, but I was also invested in the story. The sadness didn’t hit me until the end.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this story at first. Like all of Elin’s stories, the characters are flawed. As Vivi looked down on her children from above, I had concerns. Were her children going to be total messes? Was this going to be too difficult to read?

But I related a lot to Vivi’s family. They all had their own problems. And although they made mistakes, they also owned up to them and made things right. I rooted for Carson and her fellow bartender, Marshall. I was happy for Willa and Rip as they kept their secret from their families. And when Leo kicked Marissa to the curb? That deserved a slow clap, for sure.

I gave this book 4 stars on goodreads because there were parts that felt disjointed. There were a lot of sections that focused on Amy, which felt weird because she was clearly a side character. And I wish there had been some more closure from the events that occurred with Vivi’s ex boyfriend from highschool. (That’s as much as I’ll say, so as not to spoil anything for future readers!).

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand was another beautiful Nantucket story. I liked reader about the different characters. I felt like we got to know Nantucket even better. Not just the restaurants but also new businesses. Rip’s insurance line was interesting, as was Willa’s job at the historical society.

If you like Elin’s other books I’m sure you will like this one as well. It’s of course a difficult story to read, but also very enjoyable. It really reminded me of the importance of family. It also was a good reminder of how you should live your life exactly how you want to.

You should live your life in a way that is meaningful to you.

xo Marian