July 2025 Book of the Month - Jake's Surprising Pick

The Perfect Couple is a murder mystery penned by NY Times Best Seller, the Queen of Summer Beach Reads, Elin Hilderbrand. This page turner features plot twists that make you grasp onto the rails like riding Patriot on a windy day. Before we embark into the review I will address the elephant in the room. “How did Jake end up reviewing a chic beach read?” Well, I do admit it started out as a bit. I did giggle at how many references and fashion terms blew over my head like “Bandage dresses,” “Opening Ceremony,” “Ferragamo,” or “jersey dress.” On the contrary, there are multiple Pennsylvania references I did get. As a kid I shopped at the King of Prussia Mall, skied at Camelback, and of course went down the shore. References aside, the vivid writing, rich setting, fun characters to cheer for (or against), and plot lines that towed my emotions along such as Captain Cooper and the barge, kept me moored onto it throughout.

 The story takes place on Nantucket Island a couple days after Independence Day. Although I have yet to visit, the Queen described such an immersive setting I feel that I might as well have a whole wardrobe of Nantucket Reds. Our readers should be able to relate to Nantucket Island as it is only accessible via boat or flying. Indeed, Bald Head is sometimes referred to as the “Nantucket of the South.” Nantucket also hosts a fair share of weddings. 

The story centers on the nuptials of Celeste and Benji. A wedding theme intrigued me as I am preparing for my own wedding in December. I knew I was sunk into the story when I found out the mother of the bride, Karen, was dealing with cancer. As my father passed away of brain cancer five years ago, this topic is near to my heart. The engaged pushed the wedding forward in fear that Karen would not make it much longer. A sentiment I am sure my bride and I would've done if possible. Celeste and her parents, Karen and Bruce, are “salt of the earth” (as Benji described them to the chagrin of Celeste) from Easton, PA. Meanwhile, Benji and his parents, Thomas, aka “Tag,” and mystery novelist Greer, are wealthy London transplants to the Big Apple. Indeed, it is at Tag and Greer’s waterfront Nantucket Compound named “Summerland” that the wedding will take place. 

That is, until the morning of the wedding when the Maid of Honor, Celeste’s best friend/ PR agent/ social media influencer, Merrit (like the parkway), is found dead. Detective and undisputed hunk Nick (the Greek), and loveable family man Police Chief Ed Kapenash, are sent to investigate. Our detectives quickly find out that not all is sunshine at “Summerland” and that multiple alibis are murkier than the Cape Fear River after severe flooding. 

If you twist my arm I can pinpoint a couple small flaws in the book. It could be whittled down a bit. Coming in at 496 pages that is long for a beach read. In comparison, the Agatha Christie classic The Murder of Roger Ackroyd clocks in at 296. At some points I felt like I was on Adventure as it slows down to pass the barge. Perhaps, that is just the historian in me who values brevity. I appreciate a multitude of plot lines, yet, I fear the book devolved into the backside of a poorly done crochet as opposed to a Golden Orb Weavers web. Nonetheless, it comes together for a satisfying conclusion. Overall, this is a worthwhile read that you will steam through akin to a Blockade Runner passing by Ft. Holmes into the Old Inlet.