This novel takes place in one 24 hour period but covers many years with two backstories. Marguerite Beale was a renowned chef with her own restaurant. She meets Porter in Paris as a young women after which they live together during the summers on Nantucket. When her best friend Candace, Porter's half-sister, was killed, she ended up in a mental institution and later became a recluse in her home on Quince Avenue because she felt responsible for Candance's death. Enter her 19-year old god-daughter, Renata, who she has not seen or talked to in 14 years. Renata calls to tell her that she is engaged to Cade Driscoll and wants to meet with her. Marguerite invites her for dinner and plans and cooks a real gourmet meal for the occasion. Renata is having her own problems when she is left on her own at the Driscoll house and goes to the beach with Miles, the hired help. The history of the two women is told as reminisces by the two women: Marguerite from the time she was a ballet student as a child, through her relationship with Porter, Candice's half-brother, and then her friendship with Candace; Renata from her time being raised by a single father, Don, up to the current time. ( )

Intriguing book that unfolds over the course of one day, with flashbacks to the mysterious history of the characters. The Nantucket island setting is perfect for summer. ( )

Marguerite Beale receives a phone call from her goddaughter, Renata Knox that she is on Nantucket and coming to visit. Renata has been forbidden to see Marguerite by her father for her whole life. Renata’s father has always loved her too much and felt too responsible for her and Renata feels as though he is weighing her down. Renata’s mother, Candace died when she was only three years old. Marguerite was Candace’s best friend.
Renata, recently engaged is on the island to visit her fiancé, Cade’s parents. She has overlooked the obvious objections that it was too soon and she was too young to get married, but can she continue to overlook these things?
Marguerite has pretty much been the island recluse for the last fourteen years. She used to be a famous chef and have a very popular restaurant, but after Candace’s death, Marguerite punished herself by becoming a hermit.
When Renata calls, old feelings rise to the surface for Marguerite. “There was a twinge on Marguerite’s heart, like someone tugging on the corner of a blanket, threatening to throw back the covers and expose it all.” Marguerite begins to feel all the things she has forbidden herself to feel for the past fourteen years.
There is a lot of drama on the island and secrets are revealed one by one. This is your typical juicy, summer read from one of my favorite author’s, Elin Hilderbrand. ( )

Ah, kind of sad, definitely.
The story is told over a 24 hour time span. It's also split into two stories, Renata who has just gotten engaged and decides to visit her godmother who she hasn't seen since her mom died 15 years earlier.
Then, Marguerite, who is Renata's godmother. Renata's father has forbidden her to contact Marguerite her entire life. But Renata is 19 now and feels like it's time she has questions answered about her mom and her mom's death.

Renata contacts Marguerite about meeting up for dinner and this causes a lot of reminiscing about the past. ( )

Great read from awesome author - I have read all her books! ( )