The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand

I enjoy a good summer read. Elin Hilderbrand's books always take place in a nice setting. I really don't know anything about Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, so it was interesting to read about the rivalry between the two islands - and how people prefer one over the other - even though they are only eleven miles apart. I would like to visit both and form my own opinion one day!

I had an issue with Tabitha blaming Harper for the death of Julian. Why on earth would Tabitha waste 14 years blaming her sister for her premature son's death when all Harper did was come to help? As far as splitting up the twins, that didn't bother me as much because people split up their children, twins or not, all the time for various reasons. Tabitha's REAL issue with Harper was that she "got to go" with their father while she was "forced to stay" with their mother. The odd thing about that is that I don't think Tabitha would have been happier with Billy. But maybe she wouldn't have been so uptight about everything if she had stayed with Billy more often. It's kind of ridiculous that they didn't spend more time with the opposite parent anyway, considering they were only miles a part. This is especially puzzling after we find out that Eleanor & Billy were getting it on anyway! I didn't really like Tabitha at all for most of the book. Instead of making changes to be happier, she just blamed other people for her unhappiness. Fortunately, Ainsley got a much needed break from her at a critical moment in her life.

I wasn't really sure who would end up with whom. Usually the woman doesn't end up with the married man, so that was a surprise. Maybe I wouldn't have been as surprised if I had known earlier that Sadie was such a witch - and in love with someone else anyway! It was a happy ending, with a few sad things along the way. I was sad about Billy dying in the first place. I was sad about Brendan. I was happy that Harper and Tabitha each had a chance to put a positive spin on the other's life: Harper taking over the store and making the necessary changes to turn a profit; Tabitha remodeling Billy's home. Both of these projects were too overwhelming for the sister that was mired in them.

All's well that ends well!

Wendy's Rating: ****