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That Summer
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
31 posts | 20 read | 17 to read
2009: When Julia Conley hears that she has inherited a house outside London from an unknown great-aunt, she assumes it's a joke. She hasn't been back to England since the car crash that killed her mother when she was six, an event she remembers only in her nightmares. But when she arrives at Herne Hill to sort through the housewith the help of her cousin Natasha and sexy antiques dealer Nicholasbits of memory start coming back. And then she discovers a pre-Raphaelite painting, hidden behind the false back of an old wardrobe, and a window onto the house's shrouded history begins to open...1849: Imogen Grantham has spent nearly a decade trapped in a loveless marriage to a much older man, Arthur. The one bright spot in her life is her step-daughter, Evie, a high-spirited sixteen year old who is the closest thing to a child Imogen hopes to have. But everything changes when three young painters come to see Arthur's collection of medieval artifacts, including Gavin Thorne, a quiet man with the unsettling ability to read Imogen better than anyone ever has. When Arthur hires Gavin to paint her portrait, none of them can guess what the hands of fate have set in motion.From modern-day England to the early days of the Preraphaelite movement, Lauren Willig's That Summer takes readers on an un-put-downable journey through a mysterious old house, a hidden love affair, and one woman's search for the truth about her pastand herself.
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TaciturnWhenReading
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Snowing outside but it‘s summer in here. #escape

review
Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Pickpick

While I did not like this one as much as Ashford Affair, I still enjoyed it overall. Willig uses two time periods to tell a story of love. In 2009, Julia inherits the family home, one she has not seen in over 20 years. In 1849, Imogen feels trapped in a loveless marriage in this same house. But, a visit from some artists will change Imogen‘s life forever.

Thanks to @CouronneDhiver for co-hosting #ThatSummerRead with me!

Pamwurtzler Thanks for hosting, @Librarybelle & @CouronneDhiver ! It was fun! 6y
CouronneDhiver I agree @Pamwurtzler I‘d be happy to host or join in again anytime. Just say the word 😊 6y
See All 9 Comments
KarouBlue Thank you for hosting! I gotta say, I just picked up!! Perhaps another Willig inspired #buddyread is in our future! 6y
kspenmoll I had the same reaction; enjoyed this book & I am glad I read it, but The Ashford Affair wins. The Glass Ocean buddy read sounds great @MellieAntoinete thank you for organizing these buddy reads @Librarybelle @CouronneDhiver Am happy to have been introduced to this author by you both! 6y
Librarybelle @CouronneDhiver @Pamwurtzler @MellieAntoinete @kspenmoll I‘d love to do a buddy read with The Glass Ocean! What does everyone else think? Should that be our next one? @Melissa_J 6y
KarouBlue @Librarybelle I‘m in on the buddy read! 6y
kspenmoll Sounds wonderful to me! 6y
84 likes9 comments
review
Pamwurtzler
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Pickpick

I finished this afternoon. I won‘t spoil it, but am curious to see how you guys think this compares to The Ashford Affair. Thanks for hosting, @Librarybelle and @CouronneDhiver !! #thatsummerread

CouronneDhiver Awesome! 🙂 What‘s your vote? Which one did you prefer and why? (Maybe set it behind a spoiler shield and we can all peek when we‘re done reading). Any favourite character? or plot point? 6y
Pamwurtzler @CouronneDhiver maybe because I read it first, but I thought The Ashford Affair was better - it was less predictable. This was good though! I love the buddy read! 6y
See All 7 Comments
Librarybelle Hooray! 6y
KarouBlue Hooray! My goal is to finish next weekend like 15 min from the deadline! #procrastinatorsanonymous!!! 6y
Melissa_J I‘m only at the halfway mark, but after a slow start I‘m moving through it quickly now (I‘d be finished if only I didn‘t have to go to work 😂). Found this one slow to get into, but I‘m engaged with the story now. Like the modern story more than the historical one. Unless something changes in the 2nd half, I think Ashford Affair is the better Book. 6y
kspenmoll I am enjoying this read but think Ashford is better so far- 6y
55 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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We‘re on our final week of #ThatSummerRead ! I‘ve enjoyed reading everyone‘s comments about this book so far. I‘m still on the third section but hope to have everything completed by next weekend.

Thanks again to @CouronneDhiver for being a wonderful co-host!

Melissa_J I‘m now halfway through part two. I‘m catching up! 6y
52 likes1 comment
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Pamwurtzler
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Yikes! I read a chapter too far. I‘m really liking this! #thatsummerread

CouronneDhiver Nice work! 🤓 6y
Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
kspenmoll It‘s getting harder not to read on! (edited) 6y
KarouBlue Well done! 🧐 6y
47 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Reached the end of week two‘s reading. How is everyone doing?

I‘m liking this so far, though to me it‘s not as strong as The Ashford Affair. But, I think the story‘s mystery is about to unfold, so I‘m looking forward to the next section! #thatsummerread

Pamwurtzler It‘s a little slower than The Ashford Read, but I‘m liking it! 6y
CouronneDhiver I‘m about a third of the way through ... I only have the audiobook this time, so I‘ve listened to a couple bits twice to make sure I don‘t miss anything. I feel like it‘s pretty similar to Ashford in the formula/presentation. So far, so good. 😎 6y
kspenmoll So far I am enjoying it. Keeping pace- 6y
KarouBlue Willing us certainly an enjoyable writer. While this follows the same formula as Ashford, I feel like I‘m enjoying this a little more. Only about 1/4 of the way in though! 6y
Melissa_J I totally haven‘t started yet 😬 6y
61 likes5 comments
quote
kspenmoll
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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When at the Met in her younger years Julia thought: “Sometimes she would imagine herself taking up residence in one of those rooms, like the runaway children in From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.”

#bookinabook #theMet #ThatSummerRead #BuddyRead #porchreading

I realize you must all be thinking: that porch again?! I am back to work Tuesday so will have less porch reading time. 😥 so relief is in sight!

merelybookish That porch is lovely! No need to apologize! 6y
kspenmoll @merelybookish Thank you; you are so sweet! 6y
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Blueberry You must be a teacher. 😃 I go back Monday. 6y
kspenmoll @Blueberry Good guess, I am! #teachersofLitsy. Spec ed teacher in a HS; co-teach freshman English. (edited) 6y
kspenmoll @SandyW Thank you! 6y
Suet624 We missed an August visit. 😳😭 6y
75 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Continuing to read this one this afternoon. My right hand is trapped under #Zeke , making things a little difficult. 🐱 #catsoflitsy #thatsummerread

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kspenmoll
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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#ThatSummerRead #BuddyRead
“The woman‘s clothes made Julia think of the cover of her high school volume of Jane Eyre, tight-waisted dress in deep, dark blue, with a modest white collar and cuffs.

“ It was too ridiculously Nancy Drew.”

When you discover books alluded to that you have read in the book you are presently reading.😀📚

CouronneDhiver What a view! Is this your front porch? 😍😍😍 6y
kspenmoll @CouronneDhiver It is; I am lucky! I must say, it sold the house to me! 6y
74 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Starting on #ThatSummerRead this evening.

KarouBlue My copy still hasn‘t come in from the library. 😔 6y
Librarybelle @MellieAntoinete Join in whenever you can! Hope it comes in soon! 6y
kspenmoll Love your cover. ❤️ (edited) 6y
Librarybelle @kspenmoll ❤️ Thanks! 6y
80 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Next week starts #ThatSummerRead . @CouronneDhiver and I would be very happy to have you join our #buddyread !

Melissa_J Thanks for the reminder 👍🏻 6y
CouronneDhiver 👏🏽🎉📚 6y
kspenmoll Thanks- will join in too! Had such fun reading the Ashford Affair! 6y
55 likes4 comments
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Susanita
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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1. Garth Brooks
2. I increased my Goodreads goal, and now I‘m behind at 37/66.
3. It was a busy day. I only got scattered moments to read.
4. Just the occasional stuff stolen from cars.
5. When I was in elementary school, we lived across the street from the middle school. When I was in middle school, we lived across the street from the elementary school.
#humpdaypost

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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Here are the details for #ThatSummerRead ! This is a no pressure #buddyread . Hope you can join us!

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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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@CouronneDhiver and I had so much fun reading Lauren Willig‘s book The Ashford Affair as a #buddyread that we wanted to read another one by her!

Anyone wish to join in on #ThatSummerRead ? We‘re starting this no pressure buddyread on Sunday, August 19. I‘ll post the schedule tomorrow.

I‘m tagging everyone who joined us last time, in case you‘re interested in another round! And, of course, all are welcome to join!

kspenmoll Would live to join in! 6y
See All 10 Comments
Librarybelle @CouronneDhiver Thanks! Sorry I missed tagging you @Ashley_Nicoletto ! I knew I would forget someone!! 6y
Melissa_J Ok, I‘m in 😊 @CouronneDhiver 6y
Pamwurtzler I‘m in! Thanks for tagging me! 6y
KarouBlue @Librarybelle Thanks for tagging me! Yes, let‘s do it! 6y
75 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Redy2trvl
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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I‘m 2 book reviews behind, haven‘t finished my audiobook and have a ton of work to do. It only seems natural to take the next hour and start a new book. #priorities 😂

saresmoore Yes. 7y
Mommamanzi Is that a table or a huge plate under the book? Whatever it is I am so in love with the shapes and colors! 7y
Redy2trvl @Mommamanzi It is a garden table that I found (of all places) Cracker Barrel. The color scheme of the faux stained glass works perfectly with my family room decor. 7y
Mommamanzi Well it‘s beautiful! Haha I found one of the cutest outfits for my 2 year old at Cracker Barrel and I love their candy selections as well lol. 7y
37 likes4 comments
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SilversReviews
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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I just finished listening to this lovely book. Really enjoyed it. Has anyone read or listened to it?

LauraBrook I just bought a copy from BookOutlet! Glad you enjoyed it as I don't know anyone else who's read it! 7y
SilversReviews It was very good. Goes back and forth in time. The main character inherits a mansion in London, and there are lots of secrets about the family and the mansion. :) ENJOY! (edited) 7y
28 likes1 stack add2 comments
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SilversReviews
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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Listening to this book. Ohhh...I am loving it. :) Have you read or listened to it?

Reecaspieces Yes! I loved it!! 7y
SilversReviews :) Thanks for commenting - I truly am enjoying it. 7y
24 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Librarybelle
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
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#bookmail Book Outlet edition! And, in my haste to purchase books (?), I purchased a hardcover and paperback copy of the tagged title. At least there is a value on having both - the paperback had additional content.

Can you find any must reads from the stacks?

queerbookreader has always looked super interesting to me! That might be a good read to pursue soon 7y
Librarybelle I've been intrigued by that one too, @lemonlime799 . When I saw it for a bargain, I had to get it! 7y
Itchyfeetreader Villa America is on my summer to read list 7y
See All 6 Comments
Librarybelle That sounds good, @Itchyfeetreader ! 7y
Hooked_on_books That's hilarious. I've definitely bought the same book more than once by mistake, but I have yet to do so in the same order. I love book buying frenzies! 7y
Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books I must have been mesmerized by the deals. I have a few books I've purchased on purpose in different editions; definitely the first time in the same order! 7y
40 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
arlove723
That Summer: A Novel | Lauren Willig
Pickpick

I really loved this book! The dual story lines kept the plot fast paced. The story was not predictable.

2 likes1 stack add