Four couples from Nantucket form a friendship so strong, they’re almost like family to each other. When they take their first vacation together, they decide that they need a name, and come up with “The Castaways” since “they had all washed up on the shores of Nantucket, and they had stayed and made it their home.” The four couples lives intertwine constantly and they always support each other, even though they have their differences. One of the couples, Greg and Tess, decide to sail to the Vineyard to celebrate their anniversary. When their boat is found capsized and they’re found dead, each of the other members of The Castaways harbors feelings of guilt, because of secrets they’ve kept, and grief over the loss of their friends. They all wonder if it was an accident or murder/suicide.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand. (Click on the author’s name to join her fun ning group.) When I say this book is loaded with drama, I mean it in a good way. There’s lots of scandal in this book – affairs, drugs, cover ups and so on. The mystery aspect of this book was loads of fun and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I just had to know what happened to Greg and Tess and why. The real point of the story is how the remaining members deal with their guilt and grief, though, and I wanted to see how they’d cope. I love the way the story is told - in a non-linear fashion from the points of view of all six remaining Castaways. Through their stories you find out about the past of all eight members. The Castaways is deeper than I thought it would be and would make a fantastic beach read.
Other blogs on the tour today are:
http://booknaround.blogspot.com/
http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://www.bellasnovella.com/
http://www.acircleofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
http://abookishmom.blogspot.com/
I have an extra copy of The Castaways to give to one lucky reader. To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. Contest is open worldwide. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EST, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Winner will be announced on Thursday, July 16, 2009.
89 Comments
July 7, 2009 at 6:12 am
I really want to read this book and would love to win a copy!
July 7, 2009 at 6:44 am
I would love to be entered for this competition. I have seen a few reviews on this one and they all say how fabulous it is.
July 7, 2009 at 7:10 am
Great review! I definitely think a lot of people will want to read this book based on your teasers!
Don’t enter me!
July 7, 2009 at 7:11 am
I’m reading another book set in Nantucket (Summer House). Must be a great place. This one sounds good and I was surprised when you said it was deep. Enter my name for the giveaway.
July 7, 2009 at 8:08 am
I think this book sounds great! Please count me in. Thank you!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
July 7, 2009 at 8:12 am
What a nice review–it sounds good and juicy for summer! Please enter me too!
JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks.
July 7, 2009 at 8:21 am
I”d love this.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
July 7, 2009 at 9:05 am
I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on this one, so I’m glad to hear you like it. I have enjoyed all of her books (last season’s A Summer Affair least of all)…she’s good for a summer read!
July 7, 2009 at 9:20 am
I would love to read this one after all of the great reviews…
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
July 7, 2009 at 9:32 am
I would love to be entered for this drawing. This book definitely sounds intriguing. Thanks for the opportunity! Indigo
July 7, 2009 at 9:33 am
I really enjoyed this one too. Great review – you don’t have to include me in the giveaway.
July 7, 2009 at 9:47 am
The suspense kept me riveted as well! No need to enter me.
July 7, 2009 at 9:51 am
Sounds like an interesting book. Can’t wait to see what secrets and lies come out after their death. Seems there are always those hanging around.
rebecca dot cox at charter dot net
July 7, 2009 at 10:03 am
I would love to read this great summer read! Thanks!
July 7, 2009 at 10:18 am
Thanks for the great review — this book is getting a lot of praise this week!
July 7, 2009 at 10:24 am
This really looks like a fun summer read; i’ve enjoyed her books in the past. thanks for the post
July 7, 2009 at 10:52 am
I’ve got this on my wish list, so please enter me the giveaway. Thanks!
stacybooks at yahoo
July 7, 2009 at 11:29 am
Don’t enter me, please. I just skimmed your review because my will be up tomorrow, and I don’t want to be influence.
July 7, 2009 at 11:57 am
Sure, enter me! Sounds like a good read!
July 7, 2009 at 12:23 pm
This really sounds good. I just put myself on the library waiting list, because I never win anything
July 7, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I skipped this one, I was just too backed up and now I’m regretting it! Count me in!
We just got back from vacation, so I’m looking forward to getting all caught up on your blog.
July 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm
No need to enter me. Just wanted to say I’m glad to see you liked this one. It’s on my shelf and I hope to read it soon.
–Anna
July 7, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I would love to win THE CASTAWAYS!
July 7, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I’ll be spending time at a cottage later this summer, and if I wind up with this book, my wife will snatch it from me and curl up on the hammock to read it.
July 7, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I really like Elin Hilderbrand’s books and have been wanting to read The Castaways. It’s not at my library yet!
July 7, 2009 at 2:24 pm
No need to enter me. I am reading this book right now and hope to have a review up before I leave for Scotland.
July 7, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Glad to see you liked this, because it sounds good to me too! Please enter me.
jgbeads at gmail dot com
July 7, 2009 at 3:44 pm
This looks great, thanks for the chance!
July 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I adore Nantucket and really want to read this book! Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
Amy
Aimala02@yahoo.com
July 7, 2009 at 3:56 pm
No need to enter me, babe. I’m dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I’ve got this posted at Win a Book for you.
July 7, 2009 at 4:03 pm
No need to enter me. Nice review. I completely agree with your thoughts as I am reading.
July 7, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Sounds like a very interesting book.
July 7, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I keep hearing how great this one is. Please enter me!
July 7, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Book sounds interesting. Would love to win a copy.
July 7, 2009 at 5:37 pm
This was the first Elin Hilderbrand book I’ve read, and I was very impressed by her strong character development.
The only thing that would have made it better would be if I had been on a beach in Nantucket while I read it!
(no need to enter my name in your giveaway as I’ve read/reviewed the book)
July 7, 2009 at 5:58 pm
This is the kind of book I love to read. Drama, excitement, and a mystery compelling you to turn the page make for a great book
July 7, 2009 at 6:07 pm
A page turner for the beach! Sounds right up my alley! Count me in.
July 7, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I really would like to read this book!! I enjoyed your thoughts on this one!
July 7, 2009 at 10:32 pm
No need to enter me Kathy. Just wanted to say terrific review and I really enjoyed this one too!
July 7, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Nice review! One thing I really liked about the book is how “present” are the characters of Greg and Tess even though they have already died when the story begins.
P.S. I’ve added a link to your giveaway at the end of my review.
July 7, 2009 at 11:23 pm
This is right up my alley:)
July 8, 2009 at 1:37 am
This one sounds really good. Please so enter me.
July 8, 2009 at 1:38 am
oops, I meant please *do enter me.
July 8, 2009 at 2:35 am
Please count me in, thank you!
July 8, 2009 at 4:11 am
please enter me and im following you now yay!
tashiluvsu@live.com
July 8, 2009 at 6:26 am
I think the relationships of these couples will make for a good read. I’d like an entry please.
southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com
July 8, 2009 at 11:07 am
This is definitely on my summer TBr list please count me in
July 8, 2009 at 11:54 am
Would love to read this!
July 8, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I know! It is unexpectedly complex. Elin is such a great writer!
July 8, 2009 at 2:51 pm
By the way, that What’s On Your Desktop Wednesday meme?
Tagged you.
July 8, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I would love to read this.
July 8, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Sounds like a good book – enter me please and thanks for hosting the giveaway!
July 8, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I’d love to win + read this, please accept my entry!
July 8, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I passed on this book earlier but after seeing all the positive reviews I’m regretting it. Thanks for the fun review.
July 9, 2009 at 9:36 am
i just finished a book set on nantucket–and i really have to get up there one of these days! i live a few hours from there but the ferry ride will set my motion sickness reeling (i’m super sensitive) so i’ve avoided visiting.
great review–i’d love to be entered in the contest! thanks.
July 9, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I want to win. Please enter me. Also like the music. Thanks!
Skkmiller (at) live (dot) com
July 9, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I love to win this book. thanks for hosting this giveaway
July 9, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I would love to win this beach read.
Thanks for hosting.
Audrey
July 9, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I have a collection of books written in coastal locations and Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite!!! please enter me in : )
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
July 9, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Please enter me–this one looks great. Thanks so much!
July 10, 2009 at 10:16 am
This looks so good. It’s not my typical reading but I keep bumping into reviews of it and it is now on my TBR list. Also, Hilderbrand’s interviews are awesome; everyone should go watch them! Please enter me. Thanks for writing a great review.
July 10, 2009 at 10:30 am
No need to enter me in this give. But I have this in the TBR pile and everyone seems to have loved reading it. I guess it will have to move toward the top.
July 10, 2009 at 10:57 am
I loved her other books and would like to read this one as well.
July 10, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Nothing is ever as it seems to be. This book intermingles the lives of friends which will make for some good reading. I will definately have this book on my summer read list.
July 10, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Your review makes it sound so “delicious”!! I’d love to win. Thanks.
July 11, 2009 at 1:36 am
No need to enter me Kathy, just stopping by to say that I really enjoyed this book too. I was expecting a frothy chick lit novel and was pleased to find it much deeper than that.
July 11, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hi, I would love to win this book, I am a new
subscriber and would like to thank you for the
giveaway.
July 11, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Please count me in – Thanks!
July 11, 2009 at 5:28 pm
This sounds like a winner! Count me in!
July 11, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I’d love to read this! Thanks for sharing!
smickelson1993 at yahoo dot com
July 11, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I would love to be included in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
July 11, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Please enter me in this contest. The book sounds very nice.
July 12, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Definitely sounds interesting…would love to win a copy!
rlcohee@hotmail.com
July 13, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Please enter me in this giveaway.
July 13, 2009 at 6:25 pm
This sounds like a great book. I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
July 14, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Please enter me.
Thanks
July 14, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Please count me in for the giveaway.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
July 15, 2009 at 1:06 am
Thanks for the giveaway.
July 15, 2009 at 8:36 am
Please? Pretty please??
aitmama (at) gmail (dot) com
July 15, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I am just loving all the reviews of this book! It’s really cool to discover a book I would normally have not thought to read, actually looks totally fascinating
I’d love to be entered in your giveaway, and thank you for your great review!
shiloki[at]gmail[dot]com
July 15, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Count me in, great review:)
julyso@grandecom DOT net
July 16, 2009 at 2:25 pm
i have never read any of her books, but I’ve heard good things.
July 18, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Would love to win this book – Thanks for having the contest!
July 23, 2009 at 5:32 pm
This looks great – please count me in.
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
July 23, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Count me in too, thanks!
magenta 2 red [at] gmail [dot] com
July 23, 2009 at 10:54 pm
This looks like the perfect book for summer reading! Pick me, pick me!!
July 23, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Just received this contest and now I find out that this giveaway contest is over. So much for that!
Very disappointing.
July 25, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Would love to read this. Thanks for the chance.
July 25, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Would love to win this book, we read “Barefoot’ in my bookclub.
Thanks,
Sandra