Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand: Audiophile Review (briefly)



Get it - and give a free book to kids in need - at
betterworldbooks.


Thumbs up for this consistently engaging summer page-turner.  Sure, it's chick lit., the story of two childhood friends who help each other overcome their midlife challenges, then open to refreshed relationships and reinvigorated prospects.  But it's perfect for summer: set on a beautifully secluded Nantucket beach in an architect's stunning but understated home, plotted around the fall-out from a Bernie-Madoff-esque scandal, and offering us alternating glimpses into the interior lives of both Meredith, the lovely but gullible wife of the Ponzi schemer, and her recently widowed, previously estranged pal Connie. 

As we travel with these two women over twelve hours of well-acted audio, we discover how Meredith's crisis returns them both to a friendship well worth saving, and how the island itself helps heal both women and return them to more than one variety of true love.

It's just what you'd want at a beach on the Vineyard or on a long plane trip or on your bedside table each night: emotions rich and varied enough to keep you turning pages (or popping in CDs), characters dynamic and dimensional enough to feel true, and a story that feels dependable rather than predictable. 

I'd definitely recommend this book for a light but emotionally satisfying summer read, and the audio version made many hot summer car trips fly by.  I hope you'll consider picking up a copy yourself.

MFB,
L

n.b.: My thanks to the folks at Hachette Audio, who provided this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.  I can't wait to see what they put on offer next!

My Actions:  I'm going to spend an afternoon at the beach this week, something I've rarely indulged in these past few years.  Don't know why, exactly, but this book has certainly encouraged me to take advantage of the free, natural healing sand and sun can provide. 

This novel reminded me to keep a sharp eye on my investments; it's time for a financial check-up.