Title: Golden Girl

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Genre: Fiction

Main Characters:

• Vivian Howe – Nantucket author
• Martha – Vivian’s angel
• Willa, Carson and Leo – Vivian’s adult children
• Savannah – Vivian’s best friend
• Dennis – Vivian’s boyfriend
• John – Vivian’s ex-husband

Summary:

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 is also 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.

Verdict:

As with all Elin’s books, I loved it! I was a little thrown off with her crossing over ‘to the other side’ but I looked past the minor details, and thought big picture thinking. Imagine looking down one day on those you love, and that maybe it is our loved ones up above who have a hand in our fate. There was a lot going on in this story – many characters all with their own story line but I managed to keep it all together. And it was beautiful to watch this story unfold, and for Vivi to witness everyone after she had passed away…

Have you read it? What did you think?

Any other good book recommendations that you would share?

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