Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

In the summer of 1977, Victoria Leonard’s world changes forever when Caitlin Somers chooses her as a friend. Dazzling, reckless Caitlin welcomes Vix into the heart of her sprawling, eccentric family, opening doors to a world of unimaginable privilege, sweeping her away to vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, an enchanting place where the two friends become “summer sisters.”

Now, years later, Vix is working in New York City. Caitlin is getting married on the Vineyard. And the early magic of their long, complicated friendship has faded. But Caitlin begs Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor. And Vix knows that she will go—because Vix wants to understand what happened during that last shattering summer. And, after all these years, she needs to know why her best friend—her summer sister—still has the power to break her heart.

- Synopsis from Goodreads

I loved this book, it was a story that I was all too familiar with. The story-line is frustrating, because you just want to shake Vix for putting up with Caitlin, because no one needs a friend who is so wrapped up in themselves that they aren't being a friend.


Of course I understood her dilemma. How do you cut off a friend who at one point meant so much to you? Coming back for this wedding Vix is looking for answers, because even with all the time that has passed and the space between them, it's still Caitlin, the girl who was her very best friend.


Judy Blume does a good job of portraying the dynamics of this unbalanced friendship. For the person who can relate to having a friendship that you know is unhealthy, and yet you can't bring yourself to turn your back on the person, this book will really speak to you. For others who don't understand that dynamic it will be a frustrating story-line with characters that you may not like very well.


In any event, the book was well written and I enjoyed it. 4 out of 5 cups.