Beneath the Book Club: It’s time to talk about The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand. I absolutely loved it!

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

Hey, book clubbers!

It’s time to talk about May’s book of the month, The Rumor, by Elin Hilderbrand.

One of the things I love most about this author is that her books are always set in or near Nantucket, where she reportedly resides.

In The Rumor, the “Queen of Beach Reads” weaves an entertaining tale of two best friends - Madeline King and Grace Pancik – whose perfect marriages and beautiful kids make them the envy of Nantucket.

But trouble, as they say, is coming.

Madeline is a novelist with a deadline looming and writer’s block.

Grace is working to transform her backyard into a garden oasis, and in the process, starts a torrid love affair with her gardener.

Her twin daughters are a constant worry and when her husband Eddie’s business takes a turn for the ugly, he turns to pimping.

When rumors begin swirling through Nantucket that there's trouble in paradise, Madeline and Grace are forced to face the difficult truths about their lives.

This is a great beach read, super entertaining, but with a story that, while extreme, highlights struggles that are relatable to the average woman.

I give it a nine.

What did you think?

1. Would you recommend this book to someone? Why or why not?

Yes. This is the second book I have read by this author. The Perfect Couple was the first.

2. What kind of reader would most enjoy this book?

Someone who enjoys reading for entertainment and likes a believable storyline.

3. Did you enjoy this author’s writing style?

I love it. Hilderbrand keeps the story moving with very few slow parts.

4. Which character did you find the most intriguing?

Grace. She went through it hard as a wife and mother.

5. What was the most satisfying or disappointing part of this story?

That Grace and the girls came through Eddie’s prison sentence and everyone seemed to learn important lessons that life dumped on them.

6. How relevant or relatable are the themes or messages of the book to your own life or to society today?

I think it proves that you never know what goes on between couples and families behind closed doors.

And that while life lessons can be hard, they can definitely make you stronger.

7. Rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10.