How does Charles Harcourt fit the psychological profile of an abuser? Do you think that his wealth and power made him even more of a threat to Violet?
Mari and Violet are both young mothers who make difficult choices. Do you think that Mari was right to give up graduate school? Do you think that Violet regretted giving up her acting career? Are women today able to “have it all,” or are they forced to choose between rearing children and pursuing a successful career?
Anti-Semitism is expressed in Violet’s story line along with anti-Mexican sentiments. How have these negative attitudes toward minorities in the United States resurged recently, and why?
How do Violet’s priorities change over the course of the novel, and what is the catalyst for those changes?
Mari is intent on saving the gazebo because it is a historic structure and it has personal significance to her. How do you feel about historic preservation? Does it impede city development, or is it a good thing?
Ricardo Cruz saves Violet Harcourt’s life. What did you think of their friendship? Were you surprised that it was platonic?
Do you believe that Violet should have confided in Evie about Charles? How did withholding the truth affect their friendship?
Why did Violet continue to keep her identity a secret even after Charles’s death? Do you think she was wrong to tell her husband, Gene, the truth about her past, but not her grandson, Jason?
Did you admire Mari for how she talked to Lily about different types of families, or would you have handled this sensitive topic differently? Should she have told Lily the identity of Lily’s father?
Violet and Ricky both came from homes where their parents thought that dreams were foolish. Do you think that this strengthened their bond? Are there any dreams that you believe are too impractical to chase? Why?
Violet lies about being married in order to compete in the Miss America pageant. Mari says of the pageant, “Just one more opportunity single mothers were denied.” Do you agree with Mari? Is the rule that a contestant must be “unmarried, not pregnant and not the adoptive or biological parent of a child” unfair?
Of Hollywood, Violet says, “It’s . . . different than I imagined, darker and brighter at once.” Do you think that Violet’s perception of Hollywood changed after she arrived? What is your impression of Hollywood during its Golden Age?
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Praise for Meredith Jaeger and The Dressmaker’s Dowry
“With mystery, romance and a slice of history from San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast, Jaeger’s debut, The Dressmaker’s Dowry, is sure to captivate. Comprising both a historical and contemporary story, Jaeger spins a tale of love, loss and a city divided by social class. Whether you read romance, mysteries, or historical or contemporary fiction, there is something in the novel for everyone.”
—Sally Hepworth, author of The Secrets of Midwives and The Things We Keep
“In this deliciously satisfying tale of love and resilience, Meredith Jaeger sweeps us into nineteenth-century San Francisco, painting harrowing images of poverty alongside excesses of wealth, weaving a multigenerational novel impossible to put down.”
—Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List and Sweet Forgiveness
“Meredith Jaeger deftly intertwines two tales of love and loyalty and the vast lengths to which some will go to protect those they hold dear. A compelling debut novel that sent me racing to its final, revealing pages.”
“Jaeger’s debut sends readers quickly and completely into San Francisco’s history. Hanna, Margaret and Sarah are the perfect storytellers, young women determined to find their place in the world. This gripping read is a satisfying exploration of the timeless nature of love and resilience.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Jaeger weaves her mystery over two timelines, luring the reader into a riveting tale of intrigue and suspense. Blending the past and present together through strong descriptions and colorful, exciting characters, Jaeger creates an engrossing novel. Readers will be captivated by her voice, that of a good old-fashioned storyteller.”
—RT Book Reviews
Also by Meredith Jaeger
The Dressmaker’s Dowry
Copyright
P.S.TM is a trademark of HarperCollins Publishers.
This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity, and are used fictitiously. All other characters, and all incidents and dialogue, are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.
BOARDWALK SUMMER. Copyright © 2018 by Meredith Jaeger. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Cover design by Elsie Lyons
Cover photographs © George Marks/Getty Images (woman); © Jorge Villaba/Getty Images (beach); © Phollapat/Shutterstock (sky); © marchello74/Shutterstock (texture)
FIRST EDITION
Digital Edition JUNE 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06-274807-2
Version 04262018
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-274806-5
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