Book Review and Giveaway: The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand. Three Winners for This One!

Elin Hilderbrand has written nine novels and they all feature Nantucket as the setting for the story. Sounds like an excellent idea for this time of the year. Summer is right around the corner and I am ready to dig into a good beach read--even though I have no plans to go to the beach, but I digress. Let's hit the blurb on the back of the book...

With rumors of infidelity straining Greg and Tess MacAvoy's marriage, the couple head out on their sailboat one early summer day to celebrate their wedding anniversary, hoping the roughest waters are behind them. But in an accident off Nantucket, they mysteriously drown, leaving behind two small children as well as the three couples who have long been their closest friends. Tragedy brings to the surface long-simmering conflicts and emotions, and the MacAvoys' six grieving friends find themselves unprepared for the revelation of secret upon secret as the struggle to answer the question: What happened to Greg and Tess?


This is the first novel I've read that has eight major characters, and the story is told from the alternating viewpoints of six of them: the three remaining couples. Initially, I had a bit of trouble keeping track of who was married to who. I finally solved this problem by writing a cheat sheet and jotting down the names of the couples so I could glance at it as I read. I didn't need this prop for long because as I got pulled into the story, it became easier to connect the right husband with the right wife.

This story touches on a number of intimate themes: The relationship of each husband and wife and all of the eight individual's connections with and between each other. It explores how far should a "platonic" friendship go between friends who are married--but not to each other. Can two men really be friends when the most intimate relationship they've had is with the same woman? Can that woman juggle a husband and former fiance and keep everyone happy, especially herself? How long should a man live in a sexless marriage before his patience and his love run out? And most importantly: How the heck did Greg and Tess die?!?  I had a number of possible murderers in mind and I dreaded the possibility I may be right. That was the question foremost on my mind as I raced through the pages, and race I did.

Hilderbrand is a skillful writer who seamlessly weaves complex and intricate plot points from multiple characters into a cohesive and heartfelt story. You really get to know these people--their fears, desires, loves and hates. You may even be one of them.

I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear at the end...ahh...this thing called life...

There will be three winners chosen for this book. If you're interested in a chance to win one, become a follower if your not already and leave a comment about a great beach read-either one you've read or want to read. Please leave your email so you can be contacted in case you win. I  always tell you guys this, but invariably, someone doesn't do it. I try to track you down, but this is a busy time of year for me, so if you don't leave your email, I'm just going to select another winner.

The giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada at the publishers request. No PO boxes.

Winners will be chosen randomly via RANDOM.ORG

My sincere thanks to Valerie Russo of the Hachette Book Group for making the books available.

Giveaway ends Monday, July 5th. 


P.S. 
One of the followers who entered this giveaway asked an important question: Are people disqualified who don't follow the directions? I've given this a lot of thought and I have to say, I can't consider the entries of those who don't follow the directions. It's not fair to those who make the effort to do so. I try to make my giveaways as simple and easy as possible. If I ask you to comment about something and you want the book, please post the comment. If you don't have a beach read, just say so. At least it shows you're mindful of the instructions and you're following the protocol. I don't want to leave anyone out, so don't make me. Let's be thoughtful and fair to each other. Thanks. I hope you understand my position.


Toodles!