THE CASTAWAYS

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Genre: Chick Lit, Standalone

Published: 2009

Personal Rating: 3/5 (just okay)

Yearly Count: 101

Please Note: While being thankful for the opportunity to receive and read this book, I feel the need to post the blurb from its cover. However, in my opinion there is usually too much disclosed. Read at your own discretion.

From the front cover:

On the tiny island of Nantucket, everybody's business is everyone's business. When the charming, talented music teacher Greg MacAvoy shares a rainy Sunday night with the beautiful high school senior April Peck, rumors swarm the island like tourists on Memorial Day. The stories strain Greg's marriage, and his wife, Tess, is torn between her love for her husband and a secret of her own. With their anniversary approaching, the MacAvoys head out on their sailboat to celebrate, hoping the roughest waters are behind them.

But instead comes heartbreaking news: Greg and Tess have mysteriously drowned, leaving behind two small children. Their closest friends - the Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers - are devastated. For as long as anyone can remember, the four couples have vacationed and celebrated together confided in and depended on one another. But tragedy brings long-simmering conflicts and emotions to the surface. The Six Friends, upended by grief and denial, set out to answer the question: What happened to Greg and Tess MacAvoy?

A page-turning story of passion and suspense, The Castaways is a masterful exploration of the boundaries of friendship and forgiveness, filled with the perfect details of summer life that have made Elin Hilderbrand's novels bestsellers nationwide.

The mystery component gave this book its backbone, otherwise it was pure soap opera. There were 8 characters (4 couples), and their stories were told in the present, as well as in the past, to help reveal what was going on in the lives of the couple that died. At first, it was difficult to keep everybody straight, but their personalities ended up being easily distinguishable. (I suggest taking notes, though.) Unfortunately, I never really connected with any of the 8, but didn't dislike any of them either.

The Castaways is truly a drama-filled novel. It has all the makings for a solid soap opera, so if that's what you like - this is perfect! I was hoping for something more, but still thought it was okay. The mystery is what kept me engaged. In the long run, I liked Elin Hilderbrand's writing style and am curious about her other books.

Thank you Miriam, from Hachette Book Group, for sending me a copy of the book, and Anna from Hachette Audio, for providing me with the audiobook.