Elin Hilderbrand’s 15th novel, THE RUMOR, is ablaze with gossip, gossip and more gossip on Nantucket. No one can seem to mind their own business, and people are talking on street corners, in the dentist office, restaurants, public events and anywhere you can imagine on this small island. News certainly travels fast!

Madeline King and Grace Pancik have been best friends for 20 years; they share everything and chat often. Madeline, a novelist, has writer’s block and can’t think of a subject for her next book. She needs to come up with an idea fast as her publisher is getting quite impatient for her to deliver something. Meanwhile, Grace’s friendship with Benton Coe, her good-looking landscape architect, develops into a passionate love affair as they turn her yard into a “garden paradise.” As Grace dishes out the details of her blossoming romance, Madeline writes it down in full throttle as their relationship unfolds.

"Elin Hilderbrand, queen of the romance novel, never disappoints her readers --- and here she is at the top of her game once again. She details every character superbly, her themes and plotlines are well thought out, and you can picture every scene in your mind so vividly."

As the bills pile up, Madeline is desperate to write about anything, so she decides to base her next novel on their hot and steamy romance. But what about her friendship with Grace? What will happen when Grace finds out the truth? Madeline’s publisher is absolutely thrilled with the direction she’s taking, and there’s no turning back now. Rumors begin to fly that her forthcoming book is about Grace and Benton.

Madeline decides to rent an apartment seeking peace and solitude to write the novel. Eddie, Grace’s husband, visits her there; naturally, rumor has it that the two are having an afffair with each other. However, Madeline is happily married to Trevor, an airline pilot, and she’s the mother to Brick, their teenage son. Although Madeline and Trevor have financial problems, their marriage is solid.

Eddie, a realtor who needs to sell his spec homes, runs into financial troubles. He turns to Madeline and Trevor for “an investment” but knows he can’t double their money as promised. He sees no way out and asks the five young Russian women who clean the houses for him to perform the oldest profession in the world --- prostitution --- and they agree! As Hilderbrand gets her characters involved in more complex issues, she keeps the suspense compelling.

Meanwhile, Brick is dating one of Grace and Eddie’s twin daughters, Allegra, who is as selfish as they come and cares about nobody but herself. She and her twin, Hope, couldn’t be more opposite. When Allegra cheats on Brick, rumors abound once again. With all the humiliation and nasty comments from her close friends, it’s Hope who comes to her rescue. Even though Allegra and Hope are on the opposite end of the spectrum, there is nothing that can break their bond. Although the twins are not the main characters, their story exposes a lot about sibling rivalry and adds much to the book.  

Elin Hilderbrand, queen of the romance novel, never disappoints her readers --- and here she is at the top of her game once again. She details every character superbly, her themes and plotlines are well thought out, and you can picture every scene in your mind so vividly. I read THE RUMOR quickly because I needed to know what ultimately happens and had no idea how it was going to end. As I kept reading, I thought of different scenarios but turned out to be completely wrong. Rumor has it that you will enjoy this book as much as I did.