Our Place on the Island

March 20, 2023
Three generations of women reunite at their family’s beach house in this passionate tale of love and loss from Montgomery (A Summer to Remember). In 1948, working-class newlywed Cora Campbell struggles to fit in to her husband’s world of wealth. Her neighbors are judgy and her husband is often away on business. Then she meets Max Dempsey, the contractor hired to renovate her kitchen, and the pair develop a strong bond. In 1999, three years after Cora’s husband’s death, she and Max announce their engagement. Her daughter, Hedy, and granddaughter, Mickey, head to Cora’s home on Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate, but secrets threaten to derail the joyful gathering. Hedy is not pleased with someone replacing her father and suspects that her mother may have been having an affair with Max years ago. Mickey, who’s always had a close bond with her grandmother, is more supportive of the union, but she’s keeping a secret from her own boyfriend that casts a pall on her mood. Toggling between the two timelines, Montgomery tells a stirring, magnetic story about the tension between commitment and desire. The characters are as flawed as they are sweet, and their bond rings true. The result is a nostalgic tale that will warm the coldest hearts.

September 1, 2023

Three generations of Campbell women share food, drink, and secrets during a summer by the sea. They meet at the cottage where two generations grew up and where Cora spent her early married life. The family's annual gathering is disrupted when Cora, now a septuagenarian, announces her decision to remarry. Though Cora's daughter Hedy struggles to reconcile her mother's engagement with her grief for her recently deceased father, she must also support her own daughter Mickey through a crisis she's hidden from everyone. Star chef Mickey's culinary talents haven't translated into business success, so despite its acclaim, her restaurant, Piquant, is at risk of closing. For Mickey, visiting her grandmother's kitchen, where she learned her love of cooking, feels bittersweet. Montgomery (A Summer To Remember) courts fans of Elin Hilderbrand with this heartfelt beach read, a good choice for book groups. Unfortunately, audiobook listeners gain little, as Sara Hannan narrates in an unvaried and unobtrusive tone. She adds just enough vocal distinction to tell family members apart and tell the Vineyard locals from the seasonal residents, making for a solid, if unremarkable listen. VERDICT A charming story, but not mandatory in audio unless demand warrants. Includes discussion questions.--Lauren Kage

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