Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams My rating: 4 out of 5 ****
It’s 1969, and Miranda Schulyer quietly returns to Winthrop Island in a shroud of secrecy and disapproval. Why did she come back? And how will she ever face the islanders again?
Flashback to 1951 – Miranda first comes to summer on Winthrop because her gorgeous mother is going to marry the handsome and wealthy Hugh Fisher. Unused to such an extravagant lifestyle, Miranda finds herself relying on her new step-sister Isobel, who is more than happy to take her under her wing. Isobel introduces Miranda to Joseph Vargas, the lighthouse keeper’s son. She falls instantly in love and soon she realizes that he feels the same way. But when he is accused of murder, Miranda must make a choice between family and love.
This book toggles between three time periods – 1930, 1951 and 1969. It follows the lives of Miranda, the Fishers and the Vargas family while slowly unraveling the underlying secrets that have been kept dormant for so long. I enjoyed reading them all, but found myself wishing there had been more written from 1930. It was enough to help you understand the events that took place later, but the characters lives were interesting in themselves and I would have like to gotten to know them a little better.
I gave this book 5 stars. It is the perfect summer read, with everything I like in a novel – love, betrayal, mystery, murder and redemption. It was a historical fiction novel that kept you guessing and made you think – How far would you go for love? I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Ms. Williams.
Thanks for reading this review. Until next time, happy reading!
