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    Boardwalk Summer: A Novel
    Boardwalk Summer: A Novel
    Boardwalk Summer: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    Boardwalk Summer: A Novel

    Written by Meredith Jaeger

    Narrated by Rebecca Gibel and Marisol Ramirez

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    In this new novel from the 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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateJun 19, 2018
    ISBN9780062850492
    Author

    Meredith Jaeger

    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.

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    Reviews for Boardwalk Summer

    4/5

    46 ratings14 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review as part of a TLC Book Tour.I absolutely loved everything about this book! I was so excited to read this because it takes place in Santa Cruz, California. I just so happen to live in nearby San Jose (which is mentioned in passing a few times in the book) and have been to Santa Cruz and the boardwalk myself. It was really cool reading about a place that I was familiar with. The beach boardwalk was the place for end of the field trips while I was in school. Whenever the Giant Dipper or the carousel was mentioned, I got exited and was like, I’ve been on that! This book has dual storylines: Violet’s story which takes place in 1940 and Mari’s story which takes place in 2007. I found both stories to be very compelling and I liked how they were connected. Usually when it comes to dual storylines, I’ll end up liking one story more than the other, but with this book, I loved them both! I was so happy to see that Mari was Mexican American. It gave the book a realness that was refreshing. There are a lot of Mexican Americans in the Bay Area so it was nice to see that representation. The whole tearing down the gazebo and building condos storyline in Mari’s part was so accurate. That happens so much in the Bay Area especially since the Silicon Valley tech boom. Developers are constantly trying to tear down things that have been here forever in order to build stuff the city doesn’t even need. I could relate to Mari’s opposition to it so much! As for Violet and her storyline, I enjoyed how it portrayed the reality of Hollywood. It showed both the glamour and the grime of it. It especially important now because of the #MeToo movement. Overall if you’re looking for a California beach read, then look no further, this book is for you! And from a local perspective, this was spot on!
    • 3/5
      It's 1940 and Violet Harcourt has entered the Miss California contest. Her ultimate goal is to become an actress in Hollywood. But there's one problem. You have to be single to be Miss California and well, she isn't. She is married to Charles, a good looking and wealthy businessman who seems to be perfect, but underneath the facade is an abusive jerk. Once he finds out that Violet is competing, he is going to make her pay. Fast forward to 2007 and we meet Mari Cruz, a young single mother who works with the local museum in Santa Cruz. Officials want to tear down the town's historic gazebo, but it holds a special place in Mari's heart as it's part of her family's history. When studying her family's history as well as the town's, she comes across information about her grandfather and his connection to a beauty queen, Violet Harcourt. Violet made headlines when she died an untimely death in Santa Cruz. How is her grandfather connected to Violet and what exactly happened to her? Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger has everything that I enjoy in a historical beach read.When authors have two different storylines that they weave together, I oftentimes find myself drawn to one character over another and that was the case here in Boardwalk Summer. I found Violet's storyline to be way more compelling than Mari's. Who doesn't love an Old Hollywood vibe and that was definitely present in Violet's plot. Once things start to become clear regarding who Charles really is and what kind of husband he is, I was hooked. I wanted Violet to escape his clutches, but I knew it wasn't going to be easy.Mari's storyline just wasn't as compelling, which is why I didn't give Boardwalk Summer a higher rating. It felt a little bit unbalanced. You can't really complete with a budding Hollywood starlet can you? So, Mari was definitely in Violet's shadow. What I did want to know was how Mari's grandfather had a connection with Violet and what exactly happened to her?I did like the coastal setting of Santa Cruz and I appreciated Mari's interest in the town's history as well as her family's history. Santa Cruz seems like the quintessential California coastal town steeped in history and beauty.Jaeger does weave togther the two storylines well and things do come together for the reader. While I didn't appreciate Mari's storyline as much as Violet's, I did like how she tied it all together. I think fans of historical beach reads will appreciate Boardwalk Summer the most.
    • 3/5
      As the days get hotter and you start to pack your beach bag, you'll want to find appropriate reading and what better to read than a book with a beach on the cover, set in Santa Cruz, California and its boardwalk? Meredith Jaeger's newest novel, Boardwalk Summer, is that book and good for women's fiction fans looking for an easy and quick read while parked on the sand with the sun on their faces.When Violet Harcourt is crowned Miss California in 1940, she's certain she's on her way to the Hollywood career she's dreamed of forever. There's just one problem. Violet is married to a wealthy and connected but abusive husband who will never agree to her pursuing her dreams. Of course, just being married disqualifies her from the pageant but she's willing to lie for a chance at being discovered. Until her husband Charles finds out, that is.In 2007, Marisol Cruz is a single mother, living at home with her parents, and waiting tables, having given up her dreams of graduate school after a drunken one night stand at the end of college resulted in a pregnancy. Four year old Lily is the love of Mari's life and while she mourns the loss of the life she thought she'd be leading, she adores her little girl. Mari has always loved history and when she has the chance, in addition to her waitress position, she takes on a part time job with the local museum in the run up to the area's Centennial Celebration. While staffing the museum's booth on the boardwalk, she learns of plans to tear down the old gazebo and replace it with expensive condos. She's outraged and determined to find a way to save the place that her grandparents once danced. In the course of her research, Mari learns more about her grandfather, a Mexican immigrant who was once a stunt diver on the boardwalk and his unexpected friendship with Violet Harcourt.The novel has a dual narrative structure, jumping back and forth between Violet in 1940 and Mari in 2007. As Violet runs away to Hollywood and encounters the soul destroying, seedy underbelly of the movie business, Violet is in a race against time to save the gazebo even as she is captivated by this talented beauty queen who died so young, researching Violet's life in between her research into the history of the gazebo. Violet narrates her own story line in first person while Mari's story is told in third person. This serves to make the abuse Violet suffers at her husband's hands and the terrible situations she finds herself in in Hollywood that much more visceral. Both characters are drawn as strong women, determined to make a life for themselves: Mari as a single mother who, while she might have temporarily lost her way, eventually finds her way back to her love of history and the preservation of the past, and Violet in escaping a controlling husband who might just kill her if she doesn't break away forever. The connection between the two women, through Mari's grandfather, is well done and resists the obvious although there is another enormous coincidence that does stretch credibility later on in the story. There are parts of the story where plot lines are raised and then dropped, such as when Mari thinks she should look into the unexpected charitable donation the late Charles Harcourt made during WWII and his sudden Quakerism. The story behind this is explained in Violet's narration so Mari never goes back to it, despite the fact that it is the reader, rather than her character who discovers the truth about it. Also, Mari's grant project concerning the gazebo is only mentioned very superficially but the idea behind it (its importance to the marginalized Latinx and working class community), had it been elaborated on even slightly, would have added some nice depth to the story. There are hard, discussion worthy topics here, spousal abuse, casual racism, chasing dreams, sexual politics, and single parenthood but they are handled lightly. The book reads quickly and although it isn't hard to guess most of the plot twists, readers will race through the pages to confirm that they are in fact right, to find out the end to Violet's story, and to see how Mari's life is changing. Definitely a book for summer beach blanket reading.
    • 5/5
      I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review as part of a TLC Book Tour.I absolutely loved everything about this book! I was so excited to read this because it takes place in Santa Cruz, California. I just so happen to live in nearby San Jose (which is mentioned in passing a few times in the book) and have been to Santa Cruz and the boardwalk myself. It was really cool reading about a place that I was familiar with. The beach boardwalk was the place for end of the field trips while I was in school. Whenever the Giant Dipper or the carousel was mentioned, I got exited and was like, I’ve been on that! This book has dual storylines: Violet’s story which takes place in 1940 and Mari’s story which takes place in 2007. I found both stories to be very compelling and I liked how they were connected. Usually when it comes to dual storylines, I’ll end up liking one story more than the other, but with this book, I loved them both! I was so happy to see that Mari was Mexican American. It gave the book a realness that was refreshing. There are a lot of Mexican Americans in the Bay Area so it was nice to see that representation. The whole tearing down the gazebo and building condos storyline in Mari’s part was so accurate. That happens so much in the Bay Area especially since the Silicon Valley tech boom. Developers are constantly trying to tear down things that have been here forever in order to build stuff the city doesn’t even need. I could relate to Mari’s opposition to it so much! As for Violet and her storyline, I enjoyed how it portrayed the reality of Hollywood. It showed both the glamour and the grime of it. It especially important now because of the #MeToo movement. Overall if you’re looking for a California beach read, then look no further, this book is for you! And from a local perspective, this was spot on!
    • 4/5
      Meredith Jaeger's novel Boardwalk Summer tells the story of two women in two different time periods. In 1940, Violet Harcourt longs to be in the movies, but her marriage to a violent man thwarts her dreams. In 2007, Marisol Cruz's hopes of a college education in history ended when she became pregnant.No one knows that Violet's husband Charles, a club owner in Santa Cruz, beats her physically and emotionally abuses her. When Violet decides she can no longer take it, she hitches a ride to Hollywood to try her luck at acting.The Hollywood she discovers is not the one where she is discovered in a soda shop. Jaeger shows us the seedier side of Hollywood in the 1940s. Thousands of young women, all vying for stardom, are taken advantage of by men who use them to get what they want, and then abandon them.Marisol is raising her young daughter Lily with the help of her parents. She waitresses at a diner, and when the opportunity arises to work for the local historical society, she is excited. Marisol's grandfather, Ricardo Cruz, grew up working on local farms with his family until he became a trapeze artist and performed at the boardwalk on Santa Cruz.Marisol idolized her grandfather and when she went through his personal papers, she discovered that he was friends with Violet Harcourt, the Miss California winner who left for Hollywood and died mysteriously a few months after her return home.With the help of a young man Marisol met at the diner, she discovers her family's connection to Violet and sets out to find out why Violet died.What I found most interesting about Boardwalk Summer is that the setting is unique. Not a lot of books are set in Santa Cruz, so we get to see a different place. You can almost smell the ocean and taste the cotton candy while reading. Marisol's interest in local history, and her grandfather's career as a trapeze artist, is fresh as well.I also liked the way Jaeger sprinkled real Hollywood figures into the storyline. Famed director Ernst Lubitsch has a cameo in the book, in a key scene involving Violet.The author drops in some hints as to where the story is going, so careful readers will pick up on those and be rewarded for their prowess. There are two big twists at the end- one I found a little too convenient- that the reader may or may not see coming.Some of Jaeger's storylines have relevance today. Marisol's grandfather is originally from Mexico, and she still faced nasty racially-charged comments from people, and the issue of women in Hollywood being sexually harassed back in the 1940s unfortunately still continues today as we see in the #MeToo movement.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book. I did not realize until after I finished the book that its author also wrote “The Dressmaker’s Dowry” which I really enjoyed. The story alternates between Violet Harcourt in the 1940s and Marisol (Mari) Cruz in 2007. Violet Harcourt was a beautiful California girl who dreamed of making it big in Hollywood. Although married at the time to an abusive, controlling husband, she entered a local beauty pageant in her hometown of Santa Cruz and won. This was her ticket to Hollywood. Violet found that the glittering world of Hollywood didn’t meet her expectations. So she made a shocking choice that left people to wonder why this beauty queen died so young.Then in 2007 single mother Mari, while researching the history of Santa Cruz, also her hometown, comes across the story of Violet’s death. She discovers that her grandfather Ricardo Cruz, once a famous Boardwalk performer, had a connection to Violet. So, of course, she had to find out what their connection was.Everyone is keeping secrets – Violet, Mari, Mari’s grandfather. Why? Who were they protecting? And who will be harmed when the secrets are revealed? This story of tragedy and courage kept me captivated. The characters were endearing – well, most of them. While there are moments of heartbreak, there are also moments of joy. Betrayal overcome by the bond of friendship. Cowardice excelled by love. It is a beautiful story that will linger with you like water lapping at your toes as the tide comes in.I received an advance e-galley from Edelweiss and HarperCollins, the opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      IMG_4252MY REVIEW OF “BOARDWALK SUMMER” BY Meredith Jaeger William Morrow, June 18, 2018I loved everything about “Boardwalk Summer” by Meredith Jaeger. Kudos to Meredith Jaegar for writing such a captivating, intriguing, riveting, mesmerizing, and romantic story. The author is an amazing storyteller and her detailed vivid descriptions of two timelines in history is memorable. There are layers in this story, and like a puzzle, when you put the pieces together, you get a stunning , surprising, and heartwarming conclusion. The genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance and Suspense and some mystery. There are two timelines, one in 1940 and one in 2007. Both take place in Santa Cruz and other places.In 1940, the dream of the young ladies is to win a beauty contest and be Miss California. Hopefully this will take the winner to Hollywood. Violet Harcourt is crowned the winner, and her friend is runner-up. The problem is Violet has entered the competition as a single lady but really is a married woman. Her husband Charles is very angry that she has done this, and Violet returns the crown, and resigns. No one realizes what Violet’s marriage is like. Violet does get to escape to Hollywood to find that all is not as it seems. Charles is furious finds and takes Violet home. Violet can’t see her friends from the Boardwalk.In the summer of 2007, single Mom Marisol Cruz lives in a charming seaside cottage with her young daughter and parents. They inherited this cottage from Marisol’s grandfather who was a great entertainer on the boardwalk years ago. Marisol works in a diner part-time. Marisol is fascinated by the town’s history and the quaint gazebo where her grandparents had once danced. She sells raffle tickets, and helps during the celebration. The town is informed that the gazebo is going to be taken down, and condos will be built. This angers Marisol and the other residents.While Marisol is going through papers, she discovers that her grandfather was once friends with Violet Harcourt. Marisol looks up the history and discovers the Violet Harcourt had committed suicide as a young woman. She also finds that a key in her grandfather’s belongs. Now she is intrigued.What can this all mean? Will Marisol find a way to stop the town from building the condominium?I appreciate that the author discusses important topics such as spousal abuse, unequal and threatening treatment of all minorities, the importance of family, friends, support, love and hope. There are some Kleenex moments, and I keep thinking about how amazing this story is. I highly recommend this story for readers that enjoy different genres, some suspense, intrigue, and romance. Happy Reading!
    • 4/5
      *I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.*Set partly in 1940 and partly in 2007, this dual timeline novel explores the intertwining stories of Violet Harcourt, a beauty pageant winner, and Mari Cruz, a single mother with a passion for local history. As Mari digs into the scattered documentation she discovers about Violet, past secrets come to light. This book is well written and is easy to read - I found myself quickly turning the pages as I engaged with the characters and rooted for things to work out for them. I didn't expect to like this book, but I'm glad to pleasantly surprised.
    • 4/5
      Thank you to Library Thing for sending me this enjoyable book. I loved the setting of Santa Cruz, California. What a great idea to go back and forth between the 40's and the 2000's. I felt like the characters were well rounded and believable. I especially liked all the history of Santa Cruz. Lots of information about the "boardwalk" that I didn't know before. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in California's rich history. A little love story and mystery thrown in doesn't hurt!
    • 4/5
      This is a sweet story that goes back and forth in time between the 1940's to the present day. In the past Violet Harcourt is trying to break free of an abusive husband and make it in Hollywood while in 2007 Marisol Cruz is trying to make it as a single mom as she struggles to preserve town history that has importance to her family. Violet and Marisol have a lot in common as they both struggle to bury secrets from the past. They share a connection that goes beyond Marisol's interest in the beauty queen that left an enduring mystery in town on the night she took her own life
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book thoroughly and recommend it to anyone that loves historical fiction!
    • 5/5
      This is a wonderful novel with a dual time line of modern day and 1940. I enjoyed both stories and loved the way that the author ended the novel.Marisol is a single mother living with her parents in Santa Cruz. As she is trying to find more about the history of her town for the historical society, she finds a picture of a woman who was trying to become an actress in 1940 but jumped to her death. There is a mystery behind Violet's death and when Marisol finds out that her beloved grandfather was somehow connected, she works to find out the real story about Violet, a Miss California, married to a controlling man who tried to escape her life in Hollywood but ended up as a suicide in Santa Cruz. This is a wonderful beach read. It has a little mystery, a bit of romance and two women who are trying to make life better for themselves and in Marisol's story, trying to make life better for her community. Thanks to librarything for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
    • 4/5
      This story is set in Santa Cruz and travels back and forth from 1940 to 2007. The two main characters are Violet Harcourt and Marisol Cruz. Violet wanted to be an actress and escapes her abusive and controlling husband and makes it to Hollywood to try to make it in the movies. Her plans fall through and she returns to Santa Cruz only to die soon after from an apparent suicide.Marisol is single, has a 4 year old daughter and lives with her parents in Santa Cruz. She works as a waitress to support her daughter and has a degree in history. She gets a chance to work at a local museum and discovers a picture of Violet from a 1940 beauty contest and this picture starts her on a journey to discover who Violet was and what her relationship was to Marisol's dear deceased abuelo, Ricardo Cruz. Along the way she meets Jason who figures more into the story than just as a new friend.This was pretty predictable chick lit but it had an interesting twist at the end. An easy fast summer read. I guess I was expecting a little more from it but I should learn to judge books by their covers more often.
    • 5/5
      A really great story. I didn't want to stop reading.Violet living in Santa Cruz, CA in the 1940's married to a rich abusive man, dreams of Hollywood runs off with the help of her friend a boardwalk performer Ricardo Cruz. Things don't work out for her as planned so her story takes an interesting turn.2007 Marisol Cruz,a single mom lives with her daughter and parents in the cottage once owned by her grandfather, Ricardo Cruz. Mari loves the rich history and heritage of her town, Santa Cruz and works to save the gazebo and boardwalk from being changed by the building of condos. There is history between Mari and the rich boy wanting to build the condos.So many stories of the people living in the 1940's and the ties to the families living in 2007. Secrets discovered and exposed. Past and present making for a really good read!