The Beach At Summerly

Beatriz Williams is the author of the historical fiction novel called The Beach At Summerly. The story takes place on Winthrop Island. The story is told by the teenaged Emilia Winthrop, a descendent of the original settlers but now the daughter of a caretaker on an estate owned by others. Emilia is a year round resident while the estate owners on the island are only there for the summer. She is enthralled by the single young mother of three who is related to the estate owners. Emilia babysits for Olive Ransford who has lived in many countries and has had many experiences. Olive encourages Emilia to go to college, to travel, and most importantly, leave Winthrop Island. Emilia hesitates because she wants to care for her mother who has had a stroke and to help her father and younger sister. Emilia and Olive's lives become intertwined. Eight years later, when Emilia is a professor at Wellesley college, their lives become intertwined again in a surprising ending. This was a very entertaining story to read.