Last Summer at the Golden Hotel

By: Elyssa Friedland

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

A Good Morning America Buzz Pick
A Can’t-Miss Beach Read For Summer 2021 from The Skimm

A Best Beach Read of 2021 from Bustle
A Best Summer Read of 2021 from PopSugar

A family reunion for the ages when two clans convene for the summer at their beloved getaway in the Catskills - perfect for fans of Dirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - from the acclaimed author of The Floating Feldmans.

In its heyday, The Golden Hotel was the crown jewel of the hotter-than-hot Catskills vacation scene. For more than sixty years, the Goldman and Weingold families - best friends and business partners - have presided over this glamorous resort which served as a second home for well-heeled guests and celebrities. But the Catskills are not what they used to be - and neither is the relationship between the Goldmans and the Weingolds. As the facilities and management begin to fall apart, a tempting offer to sell forces the two families together again to make a heart-wrenching decision. Can they save their beloved Golden or is it too late?

Long-buried secrets emerge, new dramas and financial scandal erupt, and everyone from the traditional grandparents to the millennial grandchildren wants a say in the hotel’s future. Business and pleasure clash in this fast-paced, hilarious, nostalgia-filled story, where the hotel owners rediscover the magic of a bygone era of nonstop fun even as they grapple with what may be their last resort.

©2021 Elyssa Friedland (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Two families agonize over whether to sell their once-successful Catskills resort. Last Summer at the Golden Hotel promises snark, sass, and sunshine-filled fun." (Bustle)

"Friedland brings two families full circle over the fate of a storied hotel they've owned together for three generations.... Old tensions and new romances arise as they decide if the nostalgia and storied legacy of the hotel can save it, or if they're having their last summer at the Golden.... Episodes of intergenerational disconnect contrasted with unshakeable family bonds make Last Summer at the Golden Hotel a great choice for fans of Schitt's Creek and feel-good family dramedies." (Shelf Awareness)

“You will laugh out loud at the antics of two delightfully dysfunctional families as they fight, share secrets, and fall in love in the once-prosperous Catskills hotel that they own. Once again, Friedland brilliantly wields her rapier wit - if Dorothy Parker and Joan Rivers wrote a book, this would be it!" (Fiona Davis, New York Times best-selling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue)

Loved, great read to start the summer!

I loved this, such a fun quick read! Enjoyed every minute of the story. Thanks!

a really fun novel for audio

Narration is excellent, story is fun especially when the reader is familiar with the Catskills.

Perfect summer read

This was the perfect summer read- great theme, plot twists, hilarity and solemnity. I couldn’t stop listening to it.

I really needed this!

This book is exactly what I needed - a simple, beautiful book about a whole lotta love, traditionally and not!

Excellent. Highly entertaining

For those looking for a great story with interesting characters and an excellent ending, this is the book for you. Going to investigate other books by Julia Whelan. Highly recommended.

Definitely a "beach read"

If "exciting, couldn't- put-it- down" had a score of 10, and "bland and boring" had a score of 1, I'd give this book a 5.

As always, Julie Whalen gave a great performance (a 10 score)

A touching story with humor sprinkled throughout.

The characters in the story are flawed but lovable with multiple layers to them. It was such a delightful listen.

Funny and heartwarming

I just loved this story and the manner in which it was read. The characters came to life immediately, and if I had experienced the story in printed book form, I’d have to say it was a real page turner. I’ll be thinking of the characters from The Golden for awhile — the true mark of a well written story.

Dirty Dancing 2.0

What a fun read! If you liked Dirty Dancing, you will love this book. A really fun read.

Dirty Dancing Nostalgia at it's best!

I'd give 10 stars if I could. Julia Whelan is on point, as usual, and the story flows effortlessly. So much love for the Catskill's, Kellerman's Resort is still inspirational after all this time!  This family's love, honor, and tradition radiates through Julia Whelans portrayal of the characters. This author is new to me but this book has made me a fan! Smile on my face, laughing out loud, and tears in my eyes kind of book, I didn't want to stop listening. Oh how I wish this was a Series and there was a continuation of this beautiful story. God I love Grampa Amos and Grama Fanny! Amos, Fanny, Bernie, Louise, Amy, Brian, Peter, Greta, Maddie, Zach, Michael and Phoebe I will miss you all!! Buy this book, you will be so glad you did!