This is a coming of age novel for a young woman who has lived life to date somewhat naively, sheltered under the protection of a very wealthy friend. As with any coming of age novel, the costs of what she has enjoyed is something she needs to face before truly growing.

Elise's mother is deported to Brazil on the eve of her college graduation. Her younger sister is unable to hold the household together and she travels home quickly to reconcile with the childhood friends she left behind. There is a lot of familiar emotions and events related to outgrowing your childhood but Elise needs to also deal with structural racism and the classism highlighted by the ultra wealthy that share her Nantucket home.

I loved learning about Elise with Elise and you will too. A perfect novel for any young woman seeking themselves or any of us that remember those first growing pains. #Wait #GarbriellaBurnham .#Randomhouse

Elise is dancing the night away the eve before her college graduation. The culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifice. She is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her mother and sister from Nantucket Island, when her sister calls with the news that their mother is missing.
Elise immediately leaves for the island only to discover their mother has been deported back to Brazil.


Plans for the future are put on hold, as the girls do whatever they must to reunite with their mother.


A beautiful story of families, young women, immigration, and community.


Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC.


NetGalley/ RHPG/Random House May 21, 2024

What happens when a mother with two daughters lives in one of the wealthiest places in America, Nantucket Island, and she being an illegal immigrant, gets deported leaving her two daughters in America? Gilda is sent back to Brazil where she strengthens her family ties only to leave her children in America behind. This book is a conundrum, beautifully written, it is a heartbreaking story that can be one which plays out across the country. The girls grow up very fast and find where their allegiances are. They move into one of the wealthy family homes, financed by the success of Play-Doh! It's a quick read and heart felt. Read this and empathize with people who might be in that position.