Heat Wave: Book summary and reviews of Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer

Heat Wave Summary

Unerringly perceptive, superbly written, every page packed with the warmth and compassionate wisdom that have become Nancy Thayer's trademark, Heat Wave tells the moving story of a woman who, after her seemingly perfect life unravels, must find the strength to live and love again.

Making the startling discovery that her family finances are in dire straits is only the latest shock endured by Carley Winsted after her husband's sudden death from a heart attack. Resisting her in-laws' well-meaning overtures to take in Carley and her two daughters, the young widow instead devises a plan to keep her family in their beloved home, a grand historic house on the island of Nantucket.

The solution is right at Carley's front door: transforming her expensive, expansive house into a bed-and-breakfast. Not everyone, however, thinks this plan prudent or quite respectable—especially not Carley's mother-in-law. Further complicating a myriad of challenges, a friend forces Carley to keep a secret that, if revealed, will undo families and friendships. 

When her late husband's former law partner keeps showing up at the most unexpected times, Carley must cope with an array of mixed feelings. And then, during a late-summer heat wave, the lives of Carley and her friends and family will be forever changed in entirely unexpected ways. Lyrical, emotional, dramatic, and ultimately wonderfully uplifting, Nancy Thayer's latest novel is compelling from its first page to its last.

Heat Wave Reviews

"This latest from the popular Thayer should make good beach reading." - Library Journal

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Heat Wave Reader Reviews

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Rated of 5 by Louise J
Beautiful Novel!!
I absolutely loved this story!

Nancy Thayer has written a real story about real women. She has an uncanny knack for taking real life situations and putting them in story mode. This novel is completely believable and I actually know someone who several of these issues happened too. I love her books and always highly recommend them. Well done, once again, Nancy!!

Rated of 5 by Sandra S. (Huntington Woods, Michigan)
Independence
Never knowing what life has in store for you, Carly falls in love and marries a wealthy lawyer she hardly knows. Within a few years of their marriage he has a mortal accident and she is left to raise her two children in the house he left her. She is left with decisions only she can make. I enjoyed this book, because it takes place on the east coast on Nantucket Sound where people populate the area in the summertime. Our family spends the summer in Northern Michigan, in a small town called Charlevoix. Recently, I had a decision, not unlike Carly's, to make. Consequently, the books main theme was very interesting to me. However, because, Nancy Thayer adds so many interesting characters, actions, and a little mystery, I think
"Heat Wave" would appeal to most people, but especially women.

Rated of 5 by Barbara J. (West Valley City, UT)
Heat Wave
Heat Wave was a good beach read. no surprises. However, there were some disconnect.

Rated of 5 by Carm D. (Omaha, NE)
Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer
This book is perfect for summer reading. It is fast paced, keeps you interested and the characters are likable. It's about loss and friendships who last through thick and thin. It's about trying to do the right thing for yourself and your family in trying times, and respecting the feelings of others in the process. The heroine is an admirable lady and I liked her immensely.

Rated of 5 by Carolyn S. (Decatur, GA)
Heat Wave
I found Heat Wave to be a light, airy, and very enjoyable book for personal summer reading. It has a fun, romantic and predictable plot line as well as a more serious unpredictable one.

Rated of 5 by Kimberly D. (Mount Airy, MD)
Good Beach Read
Heat Wave is an enjoyable book that deals with love, loss, and moving on. New widow Carley learns to transcend loss with the help of friends, family and a new love. Starting a new B&B in her home adds a different dimension of warmth and strength that I enjoyed. The ending seemed a bit rushed, but all in all a good beach read.

...19 more reader reviews

Nancy Thayer is the New York Times bestselling author of Moon Shell Beach, The Hot Flash Club, The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again, Hot Flash Holidays, The Hot Flash Club Chills Out, and Between Husbands and Friends. She lives on Nantucket. You can visit her online at nancythayer.com.