Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Summer just wouldn’t be summer to me without reading an Elin Hilderbrand book.  A fantastic storyteller, her books sweep me away to a beach location (usually Nantucket) where I imagine the sun, beach and crashing waves.  Golden Girl was recently released and certainly does not disappoint.

Plot Summary

Vivian Howe is a bestselling author and a single Mom to three grown children.  While out on a morning run, she struck by a car and killed in a hit and run accident. She is sent to an interim afterlife where she is provided with Martha to aid her through this part of her journey.  In this transitory place, she is able to view what is transpiring back in the land of the living. She is also granted three “nudges” which she can use over the course of the summer that can alter the outcome on what would happen back on earth.  She is also told that on Labour Day, she will ascend to the final destination in the afterlife – “the choir”!

Vivian observes her family’s grief on her passing and how each of her children is coping with this loss.  Her oldest daughter, Willa, has a history of miscarriages and is pregnant once again.  Her younger daughter, Carson, has a history of partying and she has observed her self-destructive behaviour.  Her son, Leo, has an on and off relationship with a girl who wants more from him than he wants to give.  Additionally, Vivian has her upcoming novel about to be released which contains secrets from her own youth that could ruin her reputation. How will Vivian choose to best use these nudges?

Book Review

I wasn’t sure how this book was going to unfold given the central character was not of this earth, but I really enjoyed it.  The characters were all very well developed and likeable. Despite Vivian dying, there were humourous moments as Martha introduces Vivian to the afterlife and the people she meets there.  It did, however, break my heart to think that Vivian was watching her children suffer as a result of their loss.  On a brighter note, it was heartwarming to see the three bond closer together after their mother’s death and at the same time become more independent, responsible adults.

The actual events of Vivian’s death slowly unfold throughout the course of the book and we find out who drove the car that fateful day. I appreciated the occasional progress report interspersed between other storylines which provided a sense of realism to the investigation.  The identity of the driver was believable and well disguised until the final chapters of the book.

Audiobook Review:

I chose the audiobook version of this book which was performed by one of my favourite narrators, Erin Bennett.  Her voice is crisp and expressive and a pleasure to listen to.  I would not hesitate to recommend this version of the book to those that appreciate this format.

What I Liked About Golden Girl:

• The premise of a transitory afterlife into a storyline
• Excellent character development
• The theme of buried secrets playing an influential role in future outcomes

I Recommend Golden Girl to:

Readers of General Fiction that appreciate great storytelling.

My Rating:

4.5/5 stars

Add Golden Girl to your Goodreads shelf

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

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