Helpful Score: 15
Great story, altho I didn't like any of the ladies when I first started reading. They all seemed so whiny. But as you learn their stories, and get to know them, they become real people. I'll definitely look for more of Ms. Hilderbrand's books.
First book I have ever read by this author. I enjoyed this book. It made me laugh & cry. The sisters & friends in this book. Had so much in life to deal with. I found myself pulling for these woman. I also think the male babysitter Josh added alot to the book also. I plan on reading more by this author.
Helpful Score: 10
At first I trouble getting into this book, very slow start. But after a chapter or two I couldn't put the book down and finished it in one night!!! Great characters and intertwined storyline. Touching story.
Helpful Score: 8
Fantastic summer beach read. The plot lines seemed mildly implausible but the characters were great and lovable. Makes you want to grab your closest girlfriends and your kids and give them a big hug.
Helpful Score: 7
Barefoot was a story about friendships, family, love and death that touches all of us in different ways. My emotions were all over the board while reading this story. Compelling characters pulled me in so much that I couldn't put the book down!
Helpful Score: 6
I was amazed how quickly I tore through the first 100 pages. The author does a great job quickly introducing the main characters and the main theme. It drew you in and made you want to learn more about the story.
My only disappointment was the ending. I don't want to say too much but I thought it could have been written better.
I am looking forward to reading another title by Elin Hilderbrand.
My only disappointment was the ending. I don't want to say too much but I thought it could have been written better.
I am looking forward to reading another title by Elin Hilderbrand.
THis book was great. I laughed and cried with each turn of the pages.
Helpful Score: 6
I kept putting this book to the back of my pile of books to read. I thought it was just another romance story. Boy was I wrong! This book was so good I did not want it to end. It has everything, love, hate, poison, sisters, beaches and above all a great story line.
I identified the most with Vicki, the older sister. She is the sun in this book that all the other characters revolve around. As I was reading this book I could almost feel the Nantucket beach sand in my shoes.
I am passing this book along so that other people may feel it also.
I identified the most with Vicki, the older sister. She is the sun in this book that all the other characters revolve around. As I was reading this book I could almost feel the Nantucket beach sand in my shoes.
I am passing this book along so that other people may feel it also.
Helpful Score: 6
I really liked this story. I am not a what you call a fast reader. However, I read this book in 4 days and it is over 400 pages long. I also like the author's writing style. I guarantee that you will not be bored with this book.
Helpful Score: 6
It was difficult for me to put this down and even more difficult to accept that it was over! I thought the writing was done very well, and the complex story involving all of the different characters was compelling. It was a feel-good story, despite the sadness and trials that each character goes through. The unique relationships and bonds that each character forms throughout the story kept the narrative moving forward. I was able to read through it very quickly, even though it was a fairly sizeable story. Definitely recommend.
Helpful Score: 4
This was a wonderful novel. I couldn't put it down! It such a great story to it. I have heard it described as a mixture of The Beaches and The Graduate. That is so true!!
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this story. The characters seemed so real, and it seemed that you knew them all personally. I don't normally like books with cancer in them, but I think I learned from this one. I hope that I could be so brave as Viki.
Helpful Score: 2
Just okay - didn't love it - didn't hate it - just thought that it was okay. Would be good summer reading on the beach.
Helpful Score: 1
This was my very first book by Hilderbrand. I can't say that I liked it or disliked it...just neutral. Some bits were great but I felt the book dragged a little bit.
Helpful Score: 1
Just loved it. All her books are great.
Helpful Score: 1
I had never read anything by Elin Hilderbrand. This was a great read! The three women and a fourth character kept the anticipation going. They all had great stories going but not too much information to make it a more indepth read.
A fun book to read!
A fun book to read!
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. Interesting characters and situations... Funny, tearjerking at times... Great summer read. Enjoy.
Helpful Score: 1
A fascinating story of 3 young women who spend the summer together on an island, & the men they love. Not just a chick book, as I'm a guy who enjoyed this book. Good one to read on the beach or while traveling.
Helpful Score: 1
I chose this book because I liked the cover! I do that a lot, and I am usually pleasantly surprised. Barefoot was no different! I found it a little hard to get into, but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I was so wrapped up in the lives of the characters that I almost needed to grieve a little when it was over. It is a little sad, but it's worth it in the end. I completely I identified with the struggles that Vickie was going through, but instead of being depressing, it was so uplifting. I was not a huge fan of Melanie. I felt like she was a little vapid, but then that might have been the point. Overall, this is a good beach book or even just a sit in the backyard on a nice day book.
Helpful Score: 1
Amazing book.....Elin Hilderbrand is a wonderful author who truly captures the spirit of all of her characters and enables you to visualize them along every step of their journey!
Helpful Score: 1
I am now hooked on Elin Hilderbrand's books. This is the 2nd one I've read, and I loved it. Perfect summer read!
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely loved this book. Loved the characters and the setting. Great read would highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book!
I had a wonderful journey reading this book and quickly became engrossed in the lives of these women. The story also delves into the emotional horror of dealing with cancer and undergoing chemo. Emotional at times - yes - but not depressing. A really great book!
Helpful Score: 1
One of the main characters was a 31-year-old mother of two young boys. The similarities between us essentially ended there, but her battle with cancer struck a nerve with me just the same. The internal and external struggles of her sister and best friend also captured my interest.
While this qualifies as beach chick lit, it wasn't predictable.
Also, it made me want to move to Nantucket, or at least a small beach town somewhere.
While this qualifies as beach chick lit, it wasn't predictable.
Also, it made me want to move to Nantucket, or at least a small beach town somewhere.
Helpful Score: 1
Though I enjoyed the book, it was slow moving & just didn't grab me as I had hoped. Light reading.
Helpful Score: 1
Really enjoyed this book, especially the character of Vicki, the sister with lung cancer. The author did a great job of making the characters seem real.
I've never visited Nantucket, but this book definitely made me want to spend a summer there!
I've never visited Nantucket, but this book definitely made me want to spend a summer there!
Helpful Score: 1
I did enjoy this book and the relationships between these three women during their summer on Nantucket.
If gave a very realistic view of Vicki who is going through chemo treatment and her sister, Brenda, who reluctantly becomes the caregiver for Vicki and her young son and baby. Brenda realises she needs help and her remedy is part of the fun.
This book has everything ... girlfriends, beach, romance gone wrong, new love, romance gone right, sadness and joy.
If gave a very realistic view of Vicki who is going through chemo treatment and her sister, Brenda, who reluctantly becomes the caregiver for Vicki and her young son and baby. Brenda realises she needs help and her remedy is part of the fun.
This book has everything ... girlfriends, beach, romance gone wrong, new love, romance gone right, sadness and joy.
I wasn't impressed with the characters or the storyline. I felt it was poorly written.
Great summer beach book. Flowed well. Ws just a great feel good book.
Was not what I was expecting, but a good summer read!
Cute story, easy to read. Would make the PERFECT book for reading on vacation. I liked it!
When I began this book I thought it was "chick lit", and maybe it is (not my thing) but this was as engaging a story as I've read recently.
Unusual circumstances, great surroundings and interesting characters. I enjoyed it.
Unusual circumstances, great surroundings and interesting characters. I enjoyed it.
Enjoyable, as all of Hilderbrand's novels that I've read so far. An easy read, hard to put down.
This book is about a family who have had their difficult times but when they need each other they all go to their childhood summer home on the beach and mend their problems and nurse one sister who has cancer.
Loved this book, great summer beach read!!
I read this book just as spring was showing its last legs and summer was just beginning to creep in an it put me in that perfect state of mind for a summer getaway. It is a wonderful book that makes you feel like you are with the women on thier trip, expieriencing the things they go through right along with them. It is a very intimate look at the three womens lives, two are sisters with life altering problems, and one is a best friend.
This is a great read... Grown up plot with characters you care about. The setting evokes a nice, warm feeling, which I appreciated since it is winter now. Liked it a lot and passed it on immediately.
I really enjoyed meeting the characters in this book.It made me long for some time at the beach. I did have mixed feelings while reading the book. I was anxious to see how the book ended but hated to get to the end...I really love Elin Hilderbrand's books.
Three women gather on Nantucket Island for a summer in which each is fighting a battle -- for health, for marriage, for career. A notch above the usual in this genre.
I enjoyed this story of sisters and friends, their challenge of struggling with cancer really hit home for me, in more ways than one.
Reality Check, when we think we have problems, and plenty of Faith in our maker, he tests us. Good Book.
Good chick lit read. Good character development. Protagonists struggle with some real life issue - cancer, infidelity, love... Enjoyable read without a whole lot of thinking necessary.
I am not a chick lit reader, but I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I read it about 3 years ago and I can't remember where or why I bought it, but I still find myself thinking about it after all these years. A very fast, easy read.
Another great book from my favorite author!
Three women, each one burdened with a different problem, decide to spend the summer in Nantucket. Vicki recently discovered lung cancer, is mother to Blaine, four years old, and Porter, a seven month old baby. Brenda, Vicki's younger sister, an English Professor, newly fired from her teaching position for sleeping with one of her students. Additionally, charged with vandalizing an original Jackson Pollock. Melanie, Vicki's friend, her husband, Peter, left her for a younger woman. Moreover, she just found out she is pregnant but has not told Peter.Â
Brenda originally agreed to babysit Vicki's children while she deals with the awful side effects of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, soon she finds out that attempting to supervise little boys while writing a script becomes a difficult task, so she decides to hire a part-time babysitter.
At this point, I am starting to get frustrated with Melanie because she is available to help with Vicki's kids, but her excuse is, she is suffering from terrible morning sickness and yearning over Peter.Â
Therefore, Brenda hires Josh, a young college student whom she meets at the hospital where Vicki is receiving her chemotherapy treatment. As predicted, Josh and Vicki end up having a summer affair.Â
Finally, even though the ending is not surprising, it is an easy, quick, enjoyable book, and I am looking forward to reading more by this author.Â
Three women, each one burdened with a different problem, decide to spend the summer in Nantucket. Vicki recently discovered lung cancer, is mother to Blaine, four years old, and Porter, a seven month old baby. Brenda, Vicki's younger sister, an English Professor, newly fired from her teaching position for sleeping with one of her students. Additionally, charged with vandalizing an original Jackson Pollock. Melanie, Vicki's friend, her husband, Peter, left her for a younger woman. Moreover, she just found out she is pregnant but has not told Peter.Â
Brenda originally agreed to babysit Vicki's children while she deals with the awful side effects of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, soon she finds out that attempting to supervise little boys while writing a script becomes a difficult task, so she decides to hire a part-time babysitter.
At this point, I am starting to get frustrated with Melanie because she is available to help with Vicki's kids, but her excuse is, she is suffering from terrible morning sickness and yearning over Peter.Â
Therefore, Brenda hires Josh, a young college student whom she meets at the hospital where Vicki is receiving her chemotherapy treatment. As predicted, Josh and Vicki end up having a summer affair.Â
Finally, even though the ending is not surprising, it is an easy, quick, enjoyable book, and I am looking forward to reading more by this author.Â
This was a good summer read. Didn't require a lot of thinking just enjoyment
If you like to read about summer/beach theme novels then this is a perfect book! Elin Hilderbrand is becoming one of my favorite authors! She writes with such detail about each character that it just draws you into them immediately. It makes you feel like you are right there living the stories. I could not hardly put this book down. This makes the 3rd book by this author that I have read & I already have requested more of her books! You will be truly delighted with this book!
This is the first book that i've read by this author, and it won't be the last!!!
Of course it's a great beach read, and it's also an anytime of the year book.
Friendship, lost love, new love, and hopefully a sequel.
Of course it's a great beach read, and it's also an anytime of the year book.
Friendship, lost love, new love, and hopefully a sequel.
This was the first book I have read by Elin Hilderbrand. I must say, the first handful of pages I wasn't really into the book very much. Everyone was referred to in the book by their full name, which irritated me for some reason... but as I kept reading, the characters began to develop and you really got to know them. It's a story about women, marriage, friendships, love and hearache, parenting and rough waters.
It's interesting to watch as the lives of strangers and friends begin to intertwine and how one summer can change the lives of everyone it touches.
It's interesting to watch as the lives of strangers and friends begin to intertwine and how one summer can change the lives of everyone it touches.
This book was great! Great story line and kept my interest all the way through; not just another "Harlequin Romance" book. I got this from a fellow PaperBack Swapper, am now finished so wanted to share with others. Definitely recommend. Will be looking for another Elin Hilderbrand book.
Not the ending I expected, but a great quick read, leaves you wanting more.
A tale of three women going through their own crisis in thier lives. Vicky's story gives you an idea what cancer is like and what it does to your body/life. Melanie's story is of a marriage that misses the focus of unity and they grow apart. You will have to read it to see if they will divorce or stay together. Brenda's story will she find peace with her life. It was an easy read and very enjoyable.
After 20 pages, I abandoned this---three women with a myriad of problems but no endearing characteristics. Just not my cup of tea.
Fabulous book - well written - characters SO vivid - great story line... will definitely read more from Hilderbrand.
this was a good book. It took me a few chapters to actually get into it, but once i did it was a decent read.
Way too slow, too much mental angst, I had a real problem getting through it and finally just skimmed the paragraphs to see what happens. I like her earlier books, but this one is not worth it.
do not enjoy this author's style. stopped reading after a couple of pages.
ENJOYABLE fast read. Poignant story that takes place on the island of Nantucket one summer with wonderfully developed characters.
Fantastic ! This is a QUICK read and a great read
very good summer read. started a little slow but worth it in the end!
Great book about three women whose lives change over one summer.
Very good. An easy read.
I was a bit disappointed in this book. It just wasn't as good as I thought it would be. Not on my list of recommendations.
Typical summer beach read book. The characters were very predictable,plot was predictable as well. If you are looking for a book that will not challenge and is easy to read for vacation you cant go wrong with this one.
Excellent book! could not put it down until I finished reading it.
I loved this book - the setting, the characters, the contemporary issues we all deal with. Once I finished the book, I was sad to not have the characters in my life anymore!
Very well written. Great characters. Great summer read!!!
Three women-burdened with small children, unwieldy straw hats and some obvious emotional issues. Vicki, the mother of two young boys, is trying to sort through the news that she has a serious illness. Her sister, Brenda, has just left her prestigious job as a professor after being caught in an affair with an older student. And their friend, Melanie, following seven failed in vitro attempts, is pregnant at last but only after learning that her husband is having an affair.
Having 3 sisters who vacation together made this a story I could relate to. My first elin book and it won't be my last. Love the storyline - comfortable and real. did not want it to end.....
this is book about family and amazing friend
Easy read and very enjoyable. I just wish it had ended with a little more energy or excitement or something. It just sort of stopped but still an enjoyable read.
This book was excellant. Very interesting group of characters.Loved it.
Great story about two sisters, and a friend, and what each of them are going through. Cancer, losing a dream job due to having an affair with a student (and it's not what you think!), and trying to get pregnant and then finding out you have a cheating husband! It's a great read, and can be interrupted as a love story as well.
A little slow in the beginning, but definitely picked up. A worthwhile read!
Great summer read. Or to get you ready for summer. Sad... and exciting at the same time.
Great book with interesting characters. This would definitely make a wonderful beach read!
Three sisters with three different emotinal issues live out the summer in Nantucket together. One is fighting cancer, the next lost her position as as a promisng professor for dating a student, the other is pregnant and running away from her cheating husband. Tempers flare and confidence flounders, but each makes a choice that brings them back into the fold of life after the summer.
Nicely paced and full of family troubles.
Nicely paced and full of family troubles.
I normally read suspense, thrillers or suspense romance novels so this was definitely out of my genre. I enjoyed the book but I must say when I finished it, I couldn't get it off my mind. I loved the characters but I wanted it to end differently, not that it ended badly. It left me unsettled which is not necessarily a bad thing. I just can't explain how I felt. I've read a lot of books over the years and this book just grabbed me. I immediately went out and purchased another book by Ms. Hilderbrand "A Summer Affair" and I felt the same way after I read it. It couldn't have ended any differently but I wanted it too. I know this is a weird review and I hope it doesn't discourage you from reading her books because I defintely recommend them. I have The Castaways on my "Wish List". Ms. Hilderbrand's unique writing style, subject matter and descriptions of Nantucket keep me wanting more.
This was my first book by this author, and I was looking for a summer read. I found it! She had me hooked as soon as these women got off the plane. Loved the characters, loved her writing!
Good story, chick lit, beach read! Compelling characters that are realistic and charming. The story revolves around this young man who becomes completely vital to each of the women in distinctive ways.
It was a good book. A little downer at times.
I was not as impressed with this book as I expected to be. As the reviews I read indicated it was hard to put down. I did not find that to be the case. I felt it dragged on. I also was disappointed in the immoral decision that was made. Two wrongs don't make a right. I don't want to leave the impression that it was all bad. There were some very interesting explorations of maturity and growth as well as letting go and not having to be in control of everything.
A good read. Some parts were a little slow. A good story!
Great book, thanks!
