From debut novelist Christina Clancy comes THE SECOND HOME, a pitch-perfect summer novel with a scintillating combination of drama, heart and lovely prose that will stay with you long into autumn.

Set on Cape Cod’s historic waterfront, the book follows the lives of siblings Ann and Poppy and their adopted brother, Michael. When we meet Ann, she is grieving the sudden loss of her parents and wandering through the family’s beloved Wellfleet home preparing to meet with a realtor. Though the house was in the Gordon family for generations, and Ann has many fond memories there, she and Poppy have decided to sell it and keep their plans from Michael, with whom they have lost touch. But Ann starts to realize that the beautiful, eclectic house that gave them so much now needs a little love from them if they are to prevent it from being razed. As she tallies up the work to be done, she remembers the disastrous summer that changed her relationship with the house forever.

Alternating among the three siblings’ perspectives, Clancy takes us back to 1999 and the first summer that Michael spends with the Gordons back East. An orphan who has seen the worst of what life has to offer, Michael was brought into the family first by Ann, a popular, independent girl who took him under her wing at school, and later by her parents, Connie and Ed. Immersing us fully into the landscape of Cape Cod through Michael’s eyes, Clancy reveals the deep ties that the Gordons have not only to the Wellfleet home, but also to one another. As overjoyed as he is to be included, Michael is equally dismayed by the differences between the Gordons and his own mother. Setting the scene with family squabbles and endearments, Clancy highlights the openness of the Gordon clan while making clear the ways that Michael is still so separate from their history. And then there’s his attraction to Ann.

Jumping ahead a year, we see that the Gordon family has continued to thrive and grow, but that Ann and Michael’s relationship has become strained. Michael is so desperate to maintain his place in the family that he must push Ann away or risk falling for her even more. At the same time, Ann has grown into herself and begun to seek higher ambitions, like babysitting for the wealthy Shaws, who live on the “good” side of the Cape, where they shuffle their gawky boys back and forth to tennis lessons and friends’ houses and attend galas and fancy soirees. Between nervous, aging Maureen and slick, big talker Anthony, the Shaws become a huge part of Ann’s summer --- in more ways than one. Unfortunately, they come to prove fatal for the Gordons’ well-being, and Ann’s interactions with them lead to a horrifying misunderstanding that severs the family forever, leaving their most vulnerable member, Michael, to deal with the brunt of the consequences.

Now, with Ann and Poppy preparing to sell the Wellfleet home, Michael reemerges in their lives. As an adopted son, he, too, has a say in the future of the house. Not only does he want to keep it, he would like to set the record straight about that fateful summer. Naturally, drama ensues, and Clancy keeps the pages turning at a shocking rate --- with miscommunication leading the plot in surprising directions. This comes to be a theme of the book, with family members frequently misinterpreting and misrepresenting one another, adding an “unreliable narrator” trope to the book --- only multiplied by three. In one particularly memorable instance, Michael fondly recalls his adoptive dad asking him to “speak his peace” when he is feeling upset, while Ann remembers her father’s phrase as “speak your piece,” and more a reflection of democracy and equality than of heart and compassion. Now imagine misunderstandings like these applied to years of emotional discord and secrecy.

With each of the Gordon siblings leading the way, THE SECOND HOME unfolds quickly, with some details a bit more glossed over than I would have liked. Some early plot elements require more explanation, or at least a suspension of disbelief, but if you can accept them, the story moves along smoothly and clearly from there. Ann, Poppy and Michael are distinct in their motivations and backgrounds, and Clancy balances their chapters well. Although I feel that many readers will find Ann unlikable and Poppy a little too flighty, they both serve the story well and make for plenty of interesting drama. Despite her ignorance and occasional lies, I actually loved Ann --- the toughest of the Gordon clan and the most sure of herself --- for her stalwartness. Michael, too, was a highlight, with his brokenness and desperate need for stability. And the tension between the two is positively engrossing.

For a novel about miscommunication, THE SECOND HOME is surprisingly astute and poignant. As a reader, you almost wish you could jump in and play telephone with the characters, but Clancy is in such full control of them that you don’t need to do that. This is indicative of a real talent, and I am sure that we will see many more dark dramas from her in the future. Masterfully plotted with fascinating, original characters, THE SECOND HOME is a riveting and dark family saga with plenty of vivid descriptions of the Cape Cod beaches and historic homes to keep you dreaming of sunny days.

I found the description of the story very compelling and couldn't wait to read this book. This author does not disappoint, and it was a great debut novel. The characters felt real, like people I knew, even to the point that I felt anger at the circumstances they faced. Sorting through the past is never easy. And with the death of loved ones, going through their estate always brings out issues. This book was very real. Lies and secrets always cause discord and pain. This book did a great job of showing family drama, love and forgiveness. I would definitely read another book by this author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020
A great book about family and the lace they call home. After years of estrangement, Three siblings are back together at the family beach house - ready to sift through old memories and bring the truth to light. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion

I was really intrigued by the family drama/mystery that was referred to early on in the book. While I enjoyed the book, I was so frustrated by what had happened, if they would have just talked to each other, then they would have known they were being played, and that really frustrated me. But they were young and naïve. Overall, a good family drama.

A family drama novel that was a bit heavy on the drama. We start off with a lovely, normal family who adopt an older child into their family. The family summers on the Cape, but this year something goes down that rips apart the relationships between the siblings Ann and Poppy, as well as with their adopted brother Michael. At this point, no one handled it well and they each took their bitterness and anger and scattered around the world without.really speaking to each other for many, many years. No character comes out looking good in the three narratives we have, so it was a bit frustrating to read. After the death of the parents, they all come back to the Cape to figure out what to do with the summer home and they slowly heal their wounds with each other. Not a super satisfying end when it was difficult to understand why they acted that way to begin with.

The Second Home by @clancychristi from @stmartinspress is a one of those family stories that sucks you in right from the start and doesn’t let go. A close-knit family, an adopted brother, an event that impacts their lives forever. Family secrets, multiple POVs and timelines, and layers that weave the story together beautifully by the end. Themes of second chances, found family, and finding home are where this one had me. And it was just what I needed yesterday for an escape. Oh, let’s not forget the setting- a cozy seaside town on Cape Cod.

The Second Home
By Christina Clancy

Clancy wrote an incredible family saga story full of drama, secrets, and trauma. Ann Gordon's family owns a summer home in Cape Cod and memories about her last summer there with her sister Poppy and newly adopted brother Michael , would change everything. Years later at the death of her parents, and decision to sell the home comes into play, siblings have come out of the woodwork to decide on the home. Told in two timelines of the past and in the present 15 years later, the story is about family dynamics, complex characters and their differing personalities and point of views, with issues in communication and misunderstanding causing a lot of the fracture in their relationships. Clancy writes a convincing story that I enjoyed reading about despite the heart wrenching and heavy issues addressed in the story. Clancy is an amazing writer and I loved the way she told the story, with the the two time lines in a beautiful Cape Cod setting.

A family tale about the complexities of coming of age and family dynamics.

I enjoyed this book. The characters felt real, in not always likeable. There were some insightful passages. I did feel that some sections of the book were drawn out, while others were rushed. I would have liked to read more about the intervening years between adolescence and when Anne and Michael's children were older.

I started this book and realized that it is not a genre that I am interested in reading more of. Thank you for this opportunity- the book seemed like a good one for people who are interested in this type of story.

I was pretty excited for this book, however, there's not much that I am excited about after reading it. I couldn't get into the story, I wasn't a fan of a single character in the book, and I felt like it just dragged on way too long. I wanted to stop reading it so many times, but I kept pushing through to fulfill my obligation.

Christina Clancy's debut is a gem! I loved the story of family and friendship and forgiveness. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

This book was okay. I found it hard to follow with the jumping around but some people may like that. Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Struggling to stick with this through all the backstory. Characters aren’t likeable and story bounces between all of them making it hard to develop any attachments.

While I enjoyed the writing and the overarching story, I found the plot to be a bit forced and over sensationalized.

Hireath is the word that sprang to mind when reading this novel. The feeling of longing and nostalgia for the places of your past. All three protagonists feel it to some extent.

This debut novel was skillfully written and though I didn't always agree with the characters they all became important to me and I felt invested in the outcome of their lives. Told via three narrators, giving the perspectives of all three Gordon siblings, the story gave a well-rounded view of how each of them felt.

The setting was for me quite idyllic. I have a personal strong affinity for settings near the ocean, so found the Cape Cod setting sublime.

The title was extremely apt as the old Wellfleet, Cape Cod house was the Gordon's 'second home' AND it was Michael's second chance at a family so was his second home as well. Of the three siblings, my personal favorite was Michael.

The story delved into many themes. Family secrets, miscommunication, betrayal, familial love, place attachment, emotional manipulation, loneliness, and heartbreak. The ending of the book was a very satisfying conclusion to the family drama.

I loved my time spent on Cape Cod with the Gordon clan and I expect I'll remember it for quite some time. It was a tale of complex family dynamics and strong and unique characters. I found "The Second Home" to be a very enjoyable read and can confidently recommend it to others.

3.5 stars!!

This year seems to be THE year for all the debut reads, and The Second Home was just as good as I’d hoped.

Long standing family drama and a Cape Cod setting quickly pulled me into the story and I wanted to see how things would play out for the Gordon family.

Siblings Ann, Poppy and Michael have had years of secrets and now they’re reunited they must decide if they can be a family.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the free copy for review. All opinions are my own

I LOVE books based on the Cape! I’ve been to Wellfleet and it is a wonderful town and great for a summer home. This is a good book about family relationships and how siblings get along with each other. Having three different points of view was presented well and it was great to get their differing opinions about the same incidences.

This is a tale that will expose you to trauma, love, hate, forgiveness…lots of emotional angst. But that’s life and especially life with family.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The Second Home is a surprising family drama that definitely took a turn I wasn't expecting! I enjoyed the story, and the characters, but did not really appreciate the revelation of a particular family secret (no spoilers!); having said that, it's perfect for those who enjoy messy, dysfunctional family relationships.

Wonderful debut novel!

Even though I've never been, I love a book set in Cape Cod. You really get to know the family through their love for summers on the cape and it makes me want to go! This family drama had some dark undertones for sure. I found myself very drawn to this sibling drama and was turning the pages to find out what would happen to this family.

An extremely powerful and emotional story of really just your average family. Everything looks perfect from the outside, but they are as flawed and screwed up as the rest of us. They make mistakes, they keep secrets, they make dumb decisions, they fail to communicate - and they pay dearly for those flaws. I wanted to hide my eyes behind my hands many times while reading this because I could see where it was headed, and yet I couldn't look away. I absolutely loved the story and recommend it to anyone who likes a messy family drama.