Vivian Howe is an author of popular beach-read novels set on Nantucket, where she lives. She is divorced, has three grown children and a wonderful best friend. A new book, Golden Girl, is about to be released. While she has struggles with her children and has just broken up with her boyfriend, she has a lot to live for. But while jogging one morning, a hit-and-run accident ends her life. She is sent to the Great Beyond and is greeted by Martha, her all-knowing guide in an Hermès scarf. Vivian is allowed to observe life through the summer and is granted three ”nudges” to provide some final guidance and ultimately change three outcomes on earth. As Vivian watches and tries to insure the happiness of those she loves, the local police are urgently trying to figure out who caused this terrible accident and fled the scene.
This type of fantastical premise is normally one that I wouldn’t seek out but I enjoy the books of author Elin Hilderbrand and couldn’t pass it up. I’m so glad I read it. Vivian watches her children and sees many truths she was unaware of while she was alive. The realization that she missed so much of what was truly going on was heartbreaking. Only now can she try and help. Her ex-husband takes the news of her death very hard. Even though he had long moved on, he has many regrets. As Vivian’s new book is published, the public’s interest is very high and a figure from her past emerges. The love interest in the book is based an old flame her family was unaware of and the book appears to reveal a dark secret. The man visits Nantucket to learn the truth. Vivian can only watch from above.
I found Golden Girl to be an emotional and worthwhile book. It was hard not to think about one’s own life and family, which made it especially poignant. A perfect beach-read.
Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Contemporary Fiction.
Publication Date: June 1, 2021.
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