Short Takes: Summer Women's Fiction

This summer brings a new crop of beach-ready women's fiction. Meet bakers, models, college girls, middle-aged heroines, and more. A surprising number of husbands, lovers, and fiancés are leaving—but a healthy number of women are finally “arriving.” Slather on that sunscreen and relax—a variety of story types gives readers a nice selection depending on the mood, but be sure to make room in the beach bag for the starred titles. [For other summer reads, see also Susanna Daniel's Stiltsville and Isabel Wolff's A Vintage Affair, reviewed on p. 64 and p. 73 of the May 1, 2010, issue, respectively.—Ed.]

When a waitress at Mary Hopkins's clam bar dies in a car accident, it sends Mary into a spiral of grief. Ever since the death of her husband over a decade ago, Mary's been moving around in a fog, and even a summer romance with one of her young cooks hasn't been enough to get her back into the land of the living. When her beloved great-aunt descends into Alzheimer's, Mary realizes it's time to wake up and enjoy her idyllic Cape Cod life in this second title by Bonasia (after Some Assembly Required). VERDICT For fans of New England fiction or readers planning to vacation on Cape Cod. [Ebook ISBN 978-1-4391-4952-2.]

Leah McMillan is having trouble because her daughter, Jordan, wants to spend the week after high school graduation at “Beach Week”—a tradition of general debauchery. It's not helping that Leah's marriage is falling apart and the bills are mounting up at the same time. When the original beach house rental falls through, Leah thinks she's saved from the stress…until a neighbor's ex comes up with a solution. What ensues is sheer madness, as the kids run wild while Leah's husband is lax in his chaperoning duties. Verdict Readers wanting an unflinching look at a marriage in trouble and the tribulations of raising a teenage daughter will enjoy this quick read from the author of Acceptance.

Nancy Carrington-Chambers has it all—grace, style, a large house, and a rich husband. What she doesn't have is any meaning in her life. When her husband agrees to a temporary separation so that she can build up her event-planning business, she flees to her backup home, an apartment in San Francisco. Enter Derek, a charming gay man who wants to be her assistant, and she thinks her life is all falling into place. But is Derek really who he seems? Coopersmith is the pen name for paranormal romance author Marta Acosta (“Casa Dracula” series). VERDICT Shallow but fun. [Ebook ISBN 978-1-4391-1575-6.]

Cassie and Peck are half sisters reunited when their aunt wills them her summer cottage in the Hamptons. Cassie is meek and grounded; Peck is an impetuous wannabe actress. When the sisters take over the home, long used as an artist's refuge, they learn about each other's quirks as well as discovering some of their own. VERDICT A beach read for the literary set from the author of Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him.

Holly and Nicola became fast friends at summer camp 20 years ago, united in their hatred of rich, spoiled Lexi, who loved making fun of the shy Nicola and the overweight Holly. Now in their late thirties, Holly is an art gallery owner, Nicola is a Hollywood star, and Lexi, well, she's just been tossed out of her home when her father dies and her stepmother seizes everything. When the three meet up again, secrets from summer camp come to the surface, and they realize it's time to grow up, each in her own way. VERDICT A fast and fun read by Harbison (Hope in a Jar; Shoe Addicts Anonymous), sure to appeal to anyone who came of age in the late 1980s. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/10.]

Two generations of women come together off the coast of Nantucket as they spend the summer in the family beach cottage. They're all there for different reasons: Chess is trying to mend her broken heart after her ex-fiancé dies in a tragic accident; her sister, Tate, is eager to escape boredom and figure out what she really wants from life; their mother, Birdie, is still coming to terms with her divorce; and Birdie's sister, India, is trying to help them all—while dealing with her own secret pain. VERDICT For those looking for a slower-paced novel to savor, this latest by Hilderbrand (The Castaways) will fit the bill. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/10.]

Otto and Eden, a painter and his model muse, have been the art world's hottest couple for two decades. On the brink of Eden's 40th birthday, she catches Otto in bed with another woman; she's always been able to turn a blind eye to it in the past, but at this point in her life, it's too much. She breaks away from Otto and soon starts up an affair of her own with a much younger man. It doesn't help that he comes from one of New York's most elite families, and they don't exactly take kindly to the older, artsy Eden. VERDICT Don't judge this latest by Kargman (The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund) by the goofy cover and deceptively light title—rich characters, a well-developed love story, and heart help this one rise above the usual frothy fare.

It's 1955 small-town Wisconsin, and precocious Isabella “Teaspoon” Marlene is ten years old. She lives with her mother's boyfriend, Teddy, after her mother ran away to Hollywood to become famous, but she can't concentrate on school because she wants to follow in her mother's footsteps and be a star. Various adults intervene and set Teaspoon up in the “Sunshine Sisters” program, where older teens mentor the younger girls. Lucky for Teaspoon, she gets paired with the most glamorous girl in town, whose family also owns the local theater. VERDICT Kring's fourth novel (Thank You for All Things) is nostalgic and charming and will appeal to readers who enjoy coming-of-age tales. [Library marketing; ebook ISBN 978-0-553-90758-2.]

Waverly's fiancé calls off the wedding at the last minute, and she finds her life spiraling downward. Bad dates, a bitchy coworker out for Waverly's job, and her dad's constant problems are starting to wear on her. To keep her head above water, Waverly starts to jot down “Honey Notes,” a pipe dream for a line of funny, self-deprecating greeting cards. Murnane's self-published debut novel, a 2009 National Indie Excellence Award finalist, has been given a boost by Amazon's new imprint, AmazonEncore. This was reissued in February but would make the perfect addition to any summer must-read list. VERDICT Readers looking for humorous chick lit will find plenty of laughs here.

Radish's latest ensemble tale (after The Shortest Distance Between Two Women) finds five very different women stuck together in a Florida hotel room after a terrible storm shuts down the entire area. Overtly sexy Cathy, stressed-out Nan, Vegas lounge singer Patti, stay-at-home-mom Margo, and shy hairdresser Holly have nothing in common but decide to bunk together anyway. Over the next few days, as the storm rages outside, so do tempers inside as the women drop their façades and get to know one another. VERDICT Radish deftly juggles the different personalities and throws in some wacky side story lines to boot. [Ebook ISBN 978-0-553-90778-0.]

Texas Southern belle Ansley is on the brink of getting engaged when her boyfriend reveals that he just doesn't like her very much. Her general cattiness and downright meanness have gotten the best of her, and she finds herself fiancé-less as well as friendless. When she runs off to New York City to live with her estranged grandmother, she realizes it's time to find a purpose for her life and turn things around. Cooking and baking skills run in the family, and she soon decides to open a cupcake bakery all on her own. VERDICT Debut author Ross shows real skill for realistic characters and funny situations. Chick-lit lovers and fans of food fiction will eat up this one, which includes cupcake recipes. [Ebook ISBN 978-0-345-51906-1.]

Real-life soap star Rowell (Drucilla from The Young and the Restless) spins a glitz-and-glamour tale in this debut. Calysta Jeffries, black diva of the daytime television world, has been impatiently waiting for years to win a Sudsy award. When she loses once again to her rival, she makes the mistake of letting a reporter know exactly how she feels. Uproar ensues. VERDICT Juicy, gossipy, and entirely fit for the beach. [Ebook ISBN 978-1-4391-6484-6.]

Shaffer is at her best here, mixing the contemporary story of Francesca, a writer whose marriage unexpectedly crumbles, with the story of a Depression-era husband-and-wife vaudeville team. Francesca, stuck with writer's block on her second novel, is eager to work her way out of her sorrows. Spry 90-year-old Chicky wants her parents' story to be told and hires Francesca to ghostwrite their memoirs. The two collaborate on a delightful love story as Francesca works out her own love life and family history. VERDICT As with her previous novels weaving contemporary and historical family stories (Family Acts; Serendipity), Shaffer, an accomplished actress, gets the artistic details just right and writes lovely characters. [Ebook ISBN 978-0-345-52177-4.]

The “Gossip Girl” author's first adult novel is really more for the college crowd than any actual adult. Shipley, a gorgeous blonde, is the standout hottie in the freshman class at preppy Dexter College. Sebastian and Damascus, two party boys, quickly become her pals, helping her deal with a slightly scary roommate. VERDICT Strictly fluff, with all the swearing, drugs, and sex you've come to expect from von Ziegesar.