The Lost Summers of Newport: Book Review
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The Lost Summers of Newport brings together three things that are almost guaranteed to get my attention: historical fiction, multiple timelines, and Newport’s magnificent Gilded Age mansions. Written by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, the novel moves between 1899, 1958, and 2019 as secrets surrounding one Newport mansion gradually come to light.
I already knew these three authors could tell a good story together, but this one had me especially intrigued by its setting. Newport’s famous “summer cottages,” old family secrets, and more than a century of history? I was ready to move right in.
My Take: The Lost Summers of Newport gave me exactly the kind of historical escape I hoped for. I loved moving among three different time periods, but the Newport setting was the real star for me. The Gilded Age mansions, wealthy families, old secrets, and glimpses of life both upstairs and downstairs made me want to return to Newport and tour every “cottage” I missed the first time. My verdict? Read. This was a fast-moving historical mystery that had me turning the final pages as quickly as I could.
What The Lost Summers of Newport Is About
The Lost Summers of Newport centers on Sprague Hall, a once-grand Newport mansion whose history stretches across generations.
In 1899, Ellen Daniels arrives at the mansion to give singing lessons to young heiress Maybelle Sprague, who is being prepared for a socially advantageous marriage. In 1958, Lucia “Lucky” Sprague is living at the same Newport estate when events surrounding its old boathouse expose secrets about her family and her past.
Then, in 2019, television producer Andie Figuero arrives at the crumbling mansion to film a home renovation show. The elderly Lucky agrees to the project with some very specific restrictions — including that no one is to enter the boathouse.
As the three timelines unfold, the connections among the women – and the secrets Sprague Hall has been keeping for more than a century – gradually come together.
The Lost Summers of Newport – What I Liked
The Newport Setting
There are so many things I loved about this book, but the first is certainly the setting – Newport, Rhode Island, and specifically its famous summer mansions.
I’ve only visited Newport once, and during that visit I was fortunate enough to tour one of those fabulous Gilded Age “cottages.” This book completely rekindled my interest in Newport and made me want to go back, visit every mansion I missed the first time, and finally walk the famous Cliff Walk.
The setting also made it easy to imagine what it might have been like to live among Newport’s privileged families at the turn of the century, with real names such as the Vanderbilts sprinkled among the fictional characters.
The Three Timelines
I really enjoyed the way the story moves among 1899, 1958, and 2019. Almost every chapter shifts to another time period and another group of characters, which kept the story moving and gradually revealed how all three stories were connected.
It did take me a little while to keep everyone straight, but once I had spent a few chapters in each time period, I was completely invested.
Upstairs and Downstairs
One of the things I especially liked was that the book didn’t leave me imagining only the glamorous side of Newport society.
Of course, my imagination happily put me among the privileged people living in one of those magnificent cottages. But the story also made me think about the people who made that lifestyle possible — the kitchen staff, maids, gardeners, and countless others working quietly behind the scenes.
That contrast made the Newport setting much more interesting to me than simply reading about fabulous mansions and wealthy families.
The Mystery
And then there were the secrets.
The three timelines slowly begin to connect, and by the time I got near the end, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was desperate to find out what had happened and how everything fit together.
The Lost Summers of Newport – What I Didn’t Like
There really wasn’t much I disliked about this book. My only difficulty came at the beginning, when the three timelines and changing cast of characters made it a little tricky to remember who everyone was.
Once I had read a few chapters from each time period, though, that problem disappeared. By then I knew the characters well and was completely caught up in all three stories.
The Lost Summers of Newport – Read, Reread, or Reconsider?
And now, for my 3 Rs of book reviews. Should you read, reread, or reconsider The Lost Summers of Newport?
A Definite Read.
The Lost Summers of Newport was a page-turner for me. Between the Newport mansions, three interconnected timelines, family secrets, and historical atmosphere, it had so many elements I enjoy in historical fiction.
I also think it’s an especially good choice for readers who enjoy historical novels in which a present-day mystery gradually uncovers secrets from the past.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Lost Summers of Newport
Is The Lost Summers of Newport part of a series?
No. The Lost Summers of Newport is a standalone novel by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. However, readers familiar with other novels by the authors – particularly Beatriz Williams – may recognize occasional character connections.
How many timelines are in The Lost Summers of Newport?
The novel has three primary timelines: 1899, 1958, and 2019. Each centers on women connected to Sprague Hall, the Newport mansion at the heart of the story.
Is The Lost Summers of Newport historical fiction or a mystery?
I’d describe it primarily as historical fiction with a strong mystery element. Much of the suspense comes from discovering the secrets connecting the mansion and its inhabitants across the three timelines.
Is The Lost Summers of Newport Worth Reading?
Yes. If you enjoy multigenerational historical fiction, dual- or multiple-timeline stories, Gilded Age settings, and old family secrets, The Lost Summers of Newport is well worth reading.
The Newport mansions give the story a wonderful sense of place, while the three timelines add enough mystery to keep you wondering how everything will eventually connect. For me, it was the kind of historical fiction that entertains me while simultaneously making me want to go somewhere and learn more about the history behind the setting.
What To Read Next
- The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis – Another historical mystery built around secrets from the past and the present-day search for answers.
- The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel – Try this next if you enjoy emotional historical fiction centered on women, family, and long-hidden secrets.
- The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles – A good next choice for another historical novel that connects personal stories with a richly drawn sense of time and place.
- Explore Historical Fiction – Browse more historical fiction recommendations and reviews on Looks Like Books.
