Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner is the perfect beach read, set on a private beach at Cape Cod.

Daphne Berg, the heroine, is a plus sized “Influencer” on Instagram with many followers. (I was oblivious to the concept of influencers and Instagram followers until reading this book. I learned about the many perks involved and the huge amount of work and lack of privacy the position entails.) Her childhood friend, Drue Cavenaugh, of THE Cavenaughs, a fabulously rich and influential family approaches her after a long period of estrangement. A cruel act Drue causes Daphne to experience distanced the girls from each other, but ultimately caused Daphne to become an influencer in the first place. Drue wants Daphne to be her Maid of Honor because she “has no friends.” Out of pity and memories from their childhood, Daphne accepts thinking she can at least get a weekend at the Cape at a luxurious beach house out of the deal.

At the mansion on the beach, Daphne is excited about the number of “cute, single guys” in attendance. She is mortified for Drue when a family feud erupts into an embarrassing, humiliating argument at the rehearsal dinner, and she resolves to forgive Drue and be a comforting friend to unfortunate Drue as well as perform her Maid-of-Honor-duties.

What happens next is totally unpredictable and provides the mystery of the novel. From that point on, there are massive twists and turns in the plot, which lead to an exciting, adventurous climax. And, yes, Daphne figures it out with the help of a “cute, single” guy. The novel coverso the bases: female friendships, on- line life vs. reality, the influencer industry, and romance. It has it all.

After I had finished three fourths of the book, I couldn’t go to bed on time, but stayed up until the wee hours to find out the ending. I haven’t read previous or other books by this author, but I guarantee I will read her again!