Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand
☀️ One unforgettable summer. Four siblings. A nation—and a family—on the brink of change.
Summer of '69 is a New York Times bestselling novel by Elin Hilderbrand, the queen of the summer beach read. Set against the backdrop of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard during the historic summer of 1969, this richly layered story follows the Levin family as they navigate a season of personal and national upheaval.
While the world watches the moon landing, protests the Vietnam War, and embraces cultural revolution, the Levis are facing changes of their own:
Blair, pregnant with twins and stuck in Boston
Kirby, breaking free in Martha’s Vineyard amid civil rights unrest
Tate, finally allowed to join the adults in Nantucket
And Jessie, just 13, experiencing a summer she’ll never forget—while worrying about her brother Tiger, deployed in Vietnam
As secrets surface and family bonds are tested, each character must confront the past, face the future, and find their place in a changing world.
Why You’ll Love Summer of '69
✔ Historical Fiction with Heart – A moving look at family, identity, and transformation during a pivotal moment in American history
✔ Elin Hilderbrand at Her Best – Emotionally rich, character-driven, and full of nostalgia and warmth
✔ A Perfect Beach Read – Ideal for fans of family dramas, historical fiction, and summer escapes
News & Reviews
"The grande dame of beach reads...Hilderbrand shifts among characters with her usual ease, weaving a saga that will make you forget the dynamics of your own dysfunctional people as you crowd into a too-small vacation rental."―Liz Egan, New York Times Book Review
"An engrossing tale of an iconic American summer"―People Magazine
"Overall this novel is an entertaining bagatelle . . . There won't be a single transistor radio this summer on Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea, nor on Madaket Beach in Nantucket. But there almost certainly will be multiple copies of Summer of '69. It's this year's beach-reading cure for . . . the summertime blues."―The Boston Globe
"Superb...Hilderbrand hits all the right notes about life in a tightly knit family, and this crowd-pleaser is sure to satisfy both her fans and newcomers alike."―Publishers Weekly, starred review
"HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Hilderbrand's first foray into historical fiction will rouse curiosity in new readers as well as devotees of her annual summer smashes."―Susan Maguire, Booklist
"Hilderbrand's characters are utterly convincing and immediately draw us into their problems, from petty to grave...To use the parlance of the period, a highly relevant retrospective."
―Kirkus
"Misunderstandings, secrets, and wrong choices are revealed in this completely satisfying novel that is the beach read of the summer, sure to appeal to Hilderbrand's fans while earning her new readers. A must buy."―The Library Journal
"She presents another breezy yet gritty novel with Summer of '69... Simple, sassy, and continuously engaging, Summer of '69 fits neatly into the nostalgic reader's beach bag."―NPR
"Hilderbrand's books keep getting better and better."―Bookreporter
"With vivid descriptions of the songs, fashions and other details of the era woven throughout, it's a true nostalgia trip."―AARPProduct Info
Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Condition: Like New
- Publisher : Little, Brown and Company; First Edition (June 18, 2019)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 432 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0316420018
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316420013
- Item Weight : 1.33 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.4 x 1.75 x 9.55 inches