Boardwalk Summer: A Novel

by Meredith Jaeger

Overview

In this new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Dressmaker’s Dowry, two young women two generations apart discover the joy and heartbreak of following their dreams. Aspiring Hollywood actress Violet makes a shocking choice in 1940, and seventy years later, Mari sets out to discover what happened on that long ago summer.

Santa Cruz, Summer 1940: When auburn-haired Violet Harcourt is crowned Miss California on the boardwalk of her hometown, she knows she is one step closer to her cherished dream: a Hollywood screen test. But Violet’s victory comes with a price—discord in her seemingly perfect marriage—and she grapples with how much more she is willing to pay.

Summer 2007: Single mother Marisol Cruz lives with her parents in the charming beach cottage that belonged to her grandfather, Ricardo, once a famed performer on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Drawn to the town’s local history and the quaint gazebo where her grandparents danced beneath the stars, Mari sells raffle tickets at the Beach Boardwalk Centennial Celebration, and meets Jason, a California transplant from Chicago.

When Mari discovers the obituary of Violet Harcourt, a beauty queen who died too young, she and Jason are sent on a journey together that will uncover her grandfather’s lifelong secret—his connection to Violet—a story of tragedy and courage that will forever transform them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062748072
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/16/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	360
Sales rank:	151,929
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Meredith Jaeger was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, the daughter of a Swiss father and an American mother. While working for a San Francisco start-up, Meredith fulfilled her dream of writing a novel, the result of which was The Dressmaker,s Dowry. Meredith lives in Alameda with her husband, their infant daughter, and their bulldog.

Editorial Reviews

04/15/2018
Aspiring actress Violet Harcourt wins the 1940 Miss California crown and immediately knows she made a huge mistake by even competing. Her abusive husband, Charles, is going hurt her even worse after her show of independence. In 2007, young single mother Marisol Cruz starts a new job at the local museum in Santa Cruz and explores her town's history. The mayor and his son are talking about condominium developments, which will block the waterfront and force the destruction of a gazebo where Mari's abuelo and abuela celebrated their wedding in the 1940s. As Mari works to try to block the construction and save the gazebo, she finds the obituary of Violet, who died too young. VERDICT The two storylines weave together in interesting ways. However, Jaeger (The Dressmaker's Dowry) packs the more emotional narrative in Violet's time line—saving a gazebo in 2007 just doesn't have the same impact as saving yourself from a violent spouse in the 1940s. Still, the romances are tender in both eras, and women's lit fans will enjoy.—Jennifer Mills, Shorewood-Troy Lib., IL

Library Journal

Boardwalk Summer is a joy to read, with an incredibly clever twist I never saw coming [...] had me hooked from page one. Punctuated with glamorous Hollywood details and a truly satisfying ending, Jaeger’s story is sure to delight.” — Lori Nelson, Spielman, New York Times Bestselling author of The Life List

“Meredith Jaeger creates a compelling story that channels both the glamour and big dreams of old Hollywood with the charm and thrills of Santa Cruz’s boardwalk as two daring women risk everything to find love.” — Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott

“Rich in historical detail, Meredith’s novel depicts the lives of two women who dare to dream beyond the roles in which they are cast. The powerful ending gave me goosebumps.” — Sally Hepworth, author of The Mother’s Promise and The Things We Keep

“In Boardwalk Summer, Meredith Jaeger expertly entwines two stories of two strong women living decades apart in Santa Cruz. By turns a gripping mystery, a richly-detailed exploration of history and family, and a beautiful love story – I was absolutely captivated.” — Jillian Cantor, author of Margot and The Lost Letter

“Boardwalk Summer‘s atmospheric and beautifully intertwined storylines kept me guessing until the very end. Mystery, history, and romance...Jaeger’s latest has it all!” — Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author of All the Summer Girls

“The two storylines weave together in interesting ways [...]women’s lit fans will enjoy.” — Library Journal

From the Publisher

Rich in historical detail, Meredith’s novel depicts the lives of two women who dare to dream beyond the roles in which they are cast. The powerful ending gave me goosebumps.

Sally Hepworth

In Boardwalk Summer, Meredith Jaeger expertly entwines two stories of two strong women living decades apart in Santa Cruz. By turns a gripping mystery, a richly-detailed exploration of history and family, and a beautiful love story – I was absolutely captivated.

Jillian Cantor

Boardwalk Summer is a joy to read, with an incredibly clever twist I never saw coming [...] had me hooked from page one. Punctuated with glamorous Hollywood details and a truly satisfying ending, Jaeger’s story is sure to delight.

Lori Nelson

Meredith Jaeger creates a compelling story that channels both the glamour and big dreams of old Hollywood with the charm and thrills of Santa Cruz’s boardwalk as two daring women risk everything to find love.

Elise Hooper

Boardwalk Summer‘s atmospheric and beautifully intertwined storylines kept me guessing until the very end. Mystery, history, and romance...Jaeger’s latest has it all!

Meg Donohue