28 Summers

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your overall impressions of 28 Summers? Discuss what you liked most and least about the book.
• Like this novel, many of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels, including The Perfect Couple (2018) and Summer of '69 (2019) are set primarily in Nantucket. Does this novel stand out in any way? What makes the setting appealing?
• Compare this novel to others in the romance genre. What distinguishes it?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Reflect on any part of the book that evoked a strong emotional response (for example, Mallory’s cancer returning or her son and Jake’s daughter bonding).
• Discuss how the novel’s characters and their decisions (for instance, the relationships among Mallory, Cooper, and Jake; the various infidelities and attitudes toward infidelity) resonate with your personal views or experiences.
• The novel’s symbols and motifs include food, the primary setting (Nantucket Island), and baseball. These things all figure significantly into the characters’ lives.