I read it in two days. Hardcover.

Many of Jennifer Weiner’s books are addictively engaging page-turners, and Big Summer did not disappoint. This frothy confection of a beach read was as delicious as some of the foods that are lovingly described by the main character. Since March, when I no longer had to drive to work, I’ve been able to return to one of my true loves: reading. I’ve devoured about a dozen books, both paper and online, and this title was an easy and delightful addition to the stack. It arrived Thursday. I started reading Friday, and by 2:00 pm Saturday, I was reading the acknowledgment page.

I tend to think of Jennifer Weiner’s books like Judy Blume for grown-ups. I loved Judy Blume’s books when I was a kid. The main character usually had a relatable perspective and a wry sense of humor even if their particular issue was not a concern of mine. They were confused young Jewish teens from New York City. Daphne Berg, the main character in Big Summer, hits all these same points, except she’s a young adult. Daphne is a full-figured gal (relatable) in New York City who loves crafting (unrelatable). She is making a name for herself as an influencer on the Internet. I’m just starting to learn about hashtags and blogging and Instagramming, so reading about how she was monetizing her blog, getting paid to try products and clothing, and how she was cultivating her online persona was interesting and educational. Daphne’s main issues of self-esteem and a complicated friendship with a former BFF are not my issues. Like a Judy Blume novel, I could read about her struggle and enjoy judging Daphne for her choices. Her world is very different than mine, granted, but she is such a sympathetic character that I wanted to root for her through the end.

The story is a bit of a summer vacation. A trip to New York, to Boston, to “the Cape.” With a high-profile wedding, mean girls, and glimpses into exclusive prep schools, there was enough to catch my interest. It was the plot twists that prevented me from putting the book down. Daphne’s amateur sleuthing brought Nancy Drew to mind. The mysteries to be unraveled are not reliant on brilliant intellectual puzzling, and there’s a little bit of predictability that is actually rewarding. Fans of Jennifer Weiner, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re new to the author, enjoy the ride!