FICTION

Big Summer

Atria. May 2020. 352p. ISBN 9781501133510. $28. F
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Weiner’s latest (after Mrs. Everything) introduces relatable Daphne Berg, a young, plus-size Instagram influencer making her way in her postcollege years in New York City. When Drue Cavanaugh, an old and estranged friend from high school, comes back into her life, Daphne must grapple with their checkered past. Drue was everything that Daphne wanted to be in high school: thin, blonde, and popular with a cruel streak. After their last friendship-ending fight, Daphne posted a righteous video about self-acceptance that launched her on the trajectory to online influencer. Drue lacks friends to be in her wedding. She begs her former best friend to be maid of honor at the big event on Cape Cod, and the thought of promoting her own new clothing partnership to the many influential guests convinces Daphne. The women bury the hatchet, but a big twist comes into play.
VERDICT Weiner is deft at plumbing the depths of female friendship and developing characters readers will care about. This highly recommended book will appeal not only to the author’s fans but also to a new audience looking for a fresh take on women’s fiction. [See Prepub Alert, 11/11/19.]
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