Boardwalk Summer - by Meredith Jaeger (Paperback)

About the Book

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 in that long-ago summer.

Book Synopsis

In this new novel from the USA Today bestselling 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.

From the Back Cover

What happened on that long-ago summer? In this riveting novel from the author of The Dressmaker's Dowry, an aspiring Hollywood actress makes a shocking choice in 1940, and seventy years later a young mother sets out to discover what happened . . .

Summer 1940: When Violet Harcourt is crowned Miss California in her hometown of Santa Cruz, she's determined to see herself on the silver screen. But Violet's pageant victory comes with a price--cracks appear in her seemingly perfect marriage--and she quickly discovers Hollywood is not the glittering escape she dreamed of. So she makes a bold decision, leaving her name in headlines and her fate a mystery.

Summer 2007: Single mother Marisol Cruz lives in a charming seaside cottage that belonged to her grandfather, Ricardo, once a famed performer on the Beach Boardwalk. Drawn to her town's local history, Mari embarks on a journey that uncovers her grandfather's lifelong secret--his connection to a beauty queen named Violet who died too young--and a story of tragedy and courage that will forever transform her.

Review Quotes

"With mystery, romance and a slice of history from San Francisco's infamous Barbary Coast, Jaeger's debut, The Dressmaker's Dowry, is sure to captivate. Comprising both a historical and contemporary story, Jaeger spins a tale of love, loss and a city divided by social class. Whether you read romance, mysteries, historical or contemporary fiction, there is something in the novel for everyone." - Sally Hepworth, author of The Secrets of Midwives and The Things We Keep
Praise for The Dressmaker's Dowry: "Meredith Jaeger deftly intertwines two tales of love and loyalty and the vast lengths to which some will go to protect those they hold dear. A compelling debut novel that sent me racing to its final, revealing pages." - Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost
"Jaeger's debut sends readers quickly and completely into San Francisco's history. Hanna, Margaret, and Sarah are the perfect storytellers, young women determined to find their place in the world. This gripping read is a satisfying exploration of the timeless nature of love and resilience." - Booklist (starred review)
"Jaeger weaves her mystery over two timelines, luring the reader into a riveting tale of intrigue and suspense. Blending the past and present together through strong descriptions and colorful, exciting characters, Jaeger creates an engrossing novel. Readers will be captivated by her voice, that of a good old-fashioned storyteller." - RT Book Reviews
"In this deliciously satisfying tale of love and resilience, Meredith Jaeger sweeps us into nineteenth century San Francisco, painting harrowing images of poverty alongside excesses of wealth, weaving a multi-generational novel impossible to put down." - Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List and Sweet Forgiveness
"Boardwalk Summer's atmospheric and beautifully intertwined storylines kept me guessing until the very end. Mystery, history, and romance...Jaeger's latest has it all!" - Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author of All the Summer Girls
"Rich in historical detail, Meredith's novel depicts the lives of two women who dare to dream beyond the roles in which they are cast. The powerful ending gave me goosebumps." - Sally Hepworth, author of The Mother's Promise and The Things We Keep
"The two storylines weave together in interesting ways [...]women's lit fans will enjoy." - Library Journal
"Boardwalk Summer is a joy to read, with an incredibly clever twist I never saw coming [...] had me hooked from page one. Punctuated with glamorous Hollywood details and a truly satisfying ending, Jaeger's story is sure to delight." - Lori Nelson, Spielman, New York Times Bestselling author of The Life List
"Meredith Jaeger creates a compelling story that channels both the glamour and big dreams of old Hollywood with the charm and thrills of Santa Cruz's boardwalk as two daring women risk everything to find love." - Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott
"In Boardwalk Summer, Meredith Jaeger expertly entwines two stories of two strong women living decades apart in Santa Cruz. By turns a gripping mystery, a richly-detailed exploration of history and family, and a beautiful love story - I was absolutely captivated." - Jillian Cantor, author of Margot and The Lost Letter