28 Summers

Written by:
Elin Hilderbrand
Narrated by:
Erin Bennett

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
462
Narrator
96
Release Date
June 2020
Duration
15 hours 26 minutes
Summary
A "captivating and bittersweet" novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Summer of '69: Their secret love affair has lasted for decades—but this could be the summer that changes everything (People).

When Mallory Blessing's son, Link, receives deathbed instructions from his mother to call a number on a slip of paper in her desk drawer, he's not sure what to expect. But he certainly does not expect Jake McCloud to answer. It's the late spring of 2020 and Jake's wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is the frontrunner in the upcoming Presidential election.

There must be a mistake, Link thinks. How do Mallory and Jake know each other?

Flash back to the sweet summer of 1993: Mallory has just inherited a beachfront cottage on Nantucket from her aunt, and she agrees to host her brother's bachelor party. Cooper's friend from college, Jake McCloud, attends, and Jake and Mallory form a bond that will persevere—through marriage, children, and Ursula's stratospheric political rise—until Mallory learns she's dying.

Based on the classic film Same Time Next Year (which Mallory and Jake watch every summer), 28 Summers explores the agony and romance of a one-weekend-per-year affair and the dramatic ways this relationship complicates and enriches their lives, and the lives of the people they love.
Reviews
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Tracy B.

First and last time with this author. I read fiction to get away from political and social opinions, preferring to think for myself. I'm grown and woke. Very poor attempt to address what must surely be all her "hot buttons" Homosexuality, pro-choice, women's discrimination, and "Me Too" movement (with a long and boring chapter devoted to a character conveniently named "kavandish" who just happened to be nominated for supreme court judge in the year 2019. Uh, ringing any bells, Judge Kavanagh? Geez. I would have found it funny except I was too busy eye rolling and hoping she would just get on with the story. Of course, this said judge was accused of sexual assault in his past and the accuser was devastated when she wasn't believed. Bottom line, the story ended shortly after this ridiculous section that had absolutely nothing to do with the main characters. Very anti-climatic and disappointing. I kept thinking something would happen with the main couple who were engaging in a long term extramarital affair. Some sort of full circle or something??!! Nope. Basic message: Have yourself a "same time next year" partner. Makes life so much better and it's really cool, too. Don't waist a credit, regardless of your political or social feelings. Most of us who use this forum are over 16 years old. Narrator was ok, though:)

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Karen H.

A fabulous touching story.

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Anonymous

Perfect summer book! I do wish I had a book club to discuss what others thought. I thought the central characters brother summed it correctly "He has a wife and a marriage, and you have Labor Day dreams. I enjoyed listening to , and enjoyed the narrator, and enjoyed every minute of this book.

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Kacey D.

Elin Hilderbrand is my favorite summertime author!

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Anonymous

I wanted to love this book after enjoying Summer of 69, but the entire premise was ridiculous. My fault for selecting it given I did read the summary beforehand. The one positive was that the narration was very good.

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Nancy L.

Great easy summer read and good narration... hard to hit stop (vs. page turner)

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Anonymous

This book was a series of her books that I read! Great summer beach read! Extra fun for me with all the South Bend memories. I grew up there so all the places, references were extra touching, made me more invested in the story. Highly recommend!

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Patricia D.

amazing book that had me so captivated I didn't want to go to sleep! very sad as well so be prepared. I cried my eyes out of the end

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Megan

Not my favorite E.H. book… Started out with some promise, but the middle/end felt rushed through/vague

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MikeCruz

This audiobook is fantastic

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Janis H.

This book was hard for me to follow in the beginning but I quickly became hooked when I was able to focus on the story. Overall loved it. Can't wait to see what happens in the 6th wedding.

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Nancy S.

I know of the shortcomings, the reference to Judge Kavanaugh, etc, and the cowardness of Jake, but nevertheless, it tugged on my heartstrings, due to my own regrets.

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Nikwill1

Absolutely loved the entire book! Couldn't stop listening to it. Highly recommend!

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Anonymous

The story I give four stars, but I\'m tired of authors using their stories to push their political agenda. This is my fourth read from this author and it will be my last. I listen or read to get away from the garbage of politics.

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Randi B.

My favorite book in a while. Easy, light read. Page turned as well! Just wanted to keep seeing what happened next

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Shannon D.

I did not like this story at all. And I was annoyed by all of the rhetorical questions.

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Debbie J.

Another wonderful book by Elin Hildebrand! Kept me captivated until the very end!! Loved it! ❤️❤️

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Patty I

I liked this book. I just hated that a woman would give her whole life to be with someone for only 3 days a year. A waste of her life I thought. I was happy when her brother finally brought that up! And Jake what a weenie. Couldn’t leave to be with the woman he really loved.

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Anonymous

Great listen.

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Wendy W.

Nice summer read. If you like the Nantucket love stores, this is a good one.

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Lisa H.

Good beach read if you’re looking for something not too challenging or deep, but predictable and a little repetitive. And I just couldn’t really like any of the characters. Not even Jake or Mallory. Especially not Jake. And the best friend is just a waste. Fluff read.

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LaDonna L.

This book draws you in and holds you close! I Loved it!

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Jen C.

Great summer read. Actually better than the movie Same time next year- a family favorite. Tearful ending. Rounded characters. Just thoroughly enjoyable read.

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Carla K.

Amazing read! Captivating.

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Denise R.

Great summer book! Loved every minute of it!

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Anonymous

I totally agree with Tracy b. She /He summed it up quite well.

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Anonymous

I like my summer reads to be lightweight, and this did not disappoint. Unlike some reviewers, I was not bothered by the politics as current events added context and helped flesh out Ursula who would otherwise have been a cardboard character. My issue with 28 is that I simply couldn’t muster any sympathy for Jake and Mallory. Sorry- they were selfish and boring and their affair was just not credible. I liked the island atmosphere though.

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Nancy K.

Really fun story. I loved the characters and the same time next year theme. It was very enjoyable.

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Shelby W.

I wanted this book to be easy and indulgent, and it was. I also wanted to like the characters, which I didn’t. At all. The lead female characters lacked depth, and were either an ambitious, climbing, workaholic anorexic/bulemic, or a woman seemingly void of ambition who is content with what life floats to her shore. The author barely scratches the surface of how full these characters could be. The storyline is great. Same Time Next Year is one of my favorite movies, largely because of the actors and script. The characters in this book lack the depth they need to be tolerable.

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LCaldwell

I LOVED this book. It was so good!

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Anonymous

Extremely bad writing, language, etc.

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Siobhan F.

Very enjoyable and easy listening.

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Sandra H.

The same thing happened each year. It was sad on many fronts. The book was not worth reading unless you are a teenager. It offered nothing concerning good thinking and good choices especially for young women. It was not very well written.

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Vicki O.

Loved the book from start to finish! The author had so many fun details to keep it interesting for the reader. Narrator was great too! Highly recommend!!

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Tammy C.

This one of the very best books Iv ever listened to. Thank you so much.

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Teresa J.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Didn’t want to stop listening. Cried my eyes out at the end!

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Bonnie F.

Typical Elin Hildebrand style. Lightweight, fun summer read. Erin Bennett is a great narrator.

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