The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

Summer reading for me tends to be less worthy of book group discussions and more about just being lost in a good story that doesn't tax my brain.  The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand was a light fun read set on Nantucket that satisfied my curiosity about the title and cover of the book.  Definitely chic lit., where gossip is paramount, best friends Madeline and Grace are the envy of the island with their perfect husbands and children.  But rumor has it that Grace has been having an affair with her gorgeous landscape architect, Benton; that her husband, "Fast Eddie" Pancik is in over his head with a new real estate development; that Grace's daughter, Allegra, and Madeline's son, Brick, are not the storybook young couple everyone thinks they are; and that Madeline is struggling with writer's block and isn't meeting her editor's deadlines.  These story lines are explored along with the relationship between twin sisters, Allegra and Hope.  Rumors and realities converge when Madeline starts writing a novel based on what's happening to the people on the island.  Things escalate and the denouement isn't a perfect ending for the lives involved.   Strong female friendship wins out in the end and what would a good summer read be without a little sex to spice things up?  Too bad I'll be missing my Book Group's August selection, H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald, when I'm vacationing with my family in Estes Park for ten days.  Now what shall I take with me to read?  Hmmm....