Review: The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

Title:The Rumor

Author:Elin Hilderbrand

Published:June 2015, Little, Brown & Company

Format:Hardcover, 370 pages

Source:Personal Copy

Madeline King and Grace
Pancik are best friends and the envy of Nantucket for their perfect
marriages, their beautiful kids, their Sunday night double dates with
their devoted husbands. But this summer, something’s changed, and if
there’s anything Nantucket likes better than cocktails on the beach at
sunset, it’s a good rumor.

And rumor has it…

…that
Madeline, a novelist, is battling writer’s block, with a deadline
looming, bills piling up, and blank pages driving her to
desperation–and a desperately bad decision;

…that Grace, hard
at work to transform her backyard into a garden paradise, has been
collaborating a bit more closely than necessary with her ruggedly
handsome landscape architect;

…that Grace’s husband, successful
island real estate developer “Fast Eddie” Pancik, has embarked on quite
an unusual side project;

…that the storybook romance between Madeline’s son, Brick, and Grace’s daughter Allegra is on the rocks, heading for disaster.

As
the gossip escalates, and they face the possible loss of the happy
lives they’ve worked so hard to create, Grace and Madeline try mightily
to set the record straight–but the truth might be even worse than rumor
has it.

My thoughts:I so enjoy Elin Hilderbrand’s books – they are just the perfect reads for escaping the every-day craziness of life and they are set on one of my favorite places – a place I hope to one day get to – Nantucket! It just seems like the most perfect place to be.

This was such a fun book, filled with great characters. It takes a look at how rumors start and the negative impact on them. In a small town, rumors can has disastrous consequences, as Elin points out, though in a light, humorous way. Often times, these rumors take on a life of their own. I loved the way she had the townspeople telling the rumor – and how by the end of the story – not only did they not have the facts straight, but they couldn’t even tell you where they had originally heard the information from. How many times in our lives has this happened to us, where we hear something, but do not know the exact source?

This book is filled with more than just rumors. It’s also about loyalty, family, parenting, and of course secrets. Elin has a way of dealing with all these topics in a light, fun way that keeps your interest. She spins a tale that hooks you from the start and draws you in, with engaging characters and witty banter.

One of my favorite things about this book is that I could see bits of Elin herself in it! I know she writes all her novels out long-hand on legal pads and so I could only chuckle when I read that that was how Madeline was writing her novel. 

I have yet to read an Elin Hilderbrand book I haven’t liked…she is the master of the summer books (and now winter!) and to me, she is that slice of pure enjoyment! I’ve met her numerous times and always try to go to her signings – it’s always fun 🙂