Big Summer

3.5 stars. After the deeply personal [b:Mrs. Everything 41592780 Mrs. Everything Jennifer Weiner https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542050003l/41592780.SY75.jpg 64930505], Weiner returns with a novel that reads like a cross between her earlier work and the popular suspense-lite novels from authors like Liane Moriarty. I agree with reviewers who didn't find the second half of the novel as strong as the first. The characters basically solve a mystery by interviewing people who are happy to spill all of their secrets, and the romance doesn't work at all (the love interest disappears the night after the sleep together and lets the heroine deal with the fallout of the crime, but is forgiven almost immediately, leading to the promise of a long-term relationship that is primarily based on one night of flirting and sex). Still, I read the entire book in less than 24 hours, and it featured lots of Weiner trademarks such as plus-sized heroine, cute dog and wry humor that kept me turning the pages. Also appreciated the fact that the heroine's parents had a strong, loving marriage, which I think is rare for this author. So while it's not my favorite Weiner (that is still reserved for [b:In Her Shoes 14758 In Her Shoes Jennifer Weiner https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435252471l/14758.SY75.jpg 964332]), it's still a strong summer read.