Abbie Fox hasn't seen her father or two younger sisters in almost two years, during which she has jetted around the world and experienced life, if not love. But now Lily, the baby of the family, is sending Abbie urgent emails begging her to return home to Nantucket. Their middle sister, Emma, has taken to her bed, emotionally devastated both by the loss of her high-powered stockbroker's job and a shockingly unexpected break-up with her fiance. Also, Lily is deeply worried that Marina, the beautiful, enigmatic woman currently renting their guesthouse, has set her sights on the sisters' widowed father, Jim. The Fox girls had closed ranks many years ago after the haunting, untimely death of their mother, but seeing their dad move on with his life forces each of them to take stock.
Over the course of the summer, the sisters' lives grow as turbulent as the unpredictable currents which encircle Nantucket. When Abbie encounters an incredibly appealing married man, she breaks her own rules in the name of love, fearing all the while that she'll regret it. Meanwhile, type-A Emma learns a new definition of success, and strong-minded Lily must reconcile her dreams with reality. Even Marina, who came to Nantucket to forget heartbreak and betrayal, faces an astonishing turn of events that will find her torn between fate and freedom. At summer's end, these unforgettable women will face profound choices - and undergo personal transformations that will surprise even themselves.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was immediately drawn into the plot of a story that, in my opinion, was told by a born storyteller. I may have five books - perhaps several more than that - by Nancy Thayer already sitting on my bookshelf, however I think that Beachcombers: A Novel is the first book that I've read by this author. I may have read another book by Nancy Thayer in the very distant past, but I can't really remember. Anyway, I give this book a definite A+! and am placing it on my 'Bookshelf of Keepers' to read again at some point.
A quick read. A family story about sisters, women, friendships, and relationships. Perfect for the beach or a lazy summer afternoon.
Nancy Thayer does it once again! A page-turning magnificent summer read!! I had no brothers, just my two sisters and I, so I could relate on quite a few levels with the sisters. The characters are complex yet realistic, set against the interesting, yet wonderful background of Nantucket. Many issues are touched in the novel, family relations, romance, healing, and much, much more. Ms. Thayer's writing is so smooth, yet intricate that you can see the characters come to life from the pages. If your read one book this summer, read Beachcombers!! Absolutely fantastic!!
I found this book not very engaging or interesting. The three sisters don't have a profound bond to each other or anyone else. They are each faced with different romantic situations, 2 of which I found fake and irritating. (1 has an affair with a married man. 1 gets involved with a man that she clearly finds beneath her and then calls it love???) I have read other Nancy Thayer books which I have enjoyed, but with this one, I wish I wouldn't have wasted my time.
