This novel blends a family saga with a mystery, set against the backdrop of Capri. Helen’s summers, haunted by her mother’s mysterious death, take a turn when Lorna, her uncle’s assistant, arrives. Told from both Helen’s and Lorna’s perspectives, secrets unravel as the island’s glamour hides dark truths, ending with a series of twists.

The pacing felt slow and didn’t hook me right away, with several twists stacked at the end were shocking!

Overall, outstanding!

Thank you NetGalley, Publisher and Author for sending over an arc in exchange for honest review!

Outstanding! I really enjoyed this family drama set in Capri. The characters were realistic, the action was taut and I would keep reading if it was longer. I was completely enthralled with the premise and its execution and will look for other books by Katy Hays to read.

Thank you to #netgalley, #ballantinebooks and the author for this arc ebook to read. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 3.25 stars/review contains spoilers
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

The premise is interesting--Helen's mother, Sarah is ruled an accident in 1992 while on vacation in Capri, Italy. Every year her family, The Lingates' return to prove they have nothing to hide. On the anniversary of her death, the family shows up for the annual vacation and Sarah's necklace is the catalyst for everything unravelling.

The pacing was very slow and really didn't grab my attention immediately. Also, several twists happen at the end back to back (maybe the last 90 % or so). The parallel "deaths" of Sarah and Lorena (faked, to escape the family) just felt a little pointless with how the delivery. It just seemed like everything was suddenly a little too neat and easily wrapped up.

This story line reminded of Bad Summer People, where you don't have much sympathy for any of the characters and they are all a bit ruthless/rich people on vacation doing shady things.

This gripping novel masterfully weaves a complex family saga with an intriguing mystery, maintaining suspense throughout. Helen's summers on Capri, where her mother's tragic death remains shrouded in uncertainty, take a surprising turn with the arrival of her uncle's enigmatic assistant, Lorna. Alternating between Helen's and Lorna's perspectives, the story unfolds against the island's stunning backdrop, where wealth and lavish parties conceal secrets and shocking revelations, culminating in an unexpected twist that redefines the narrative.

I really enjoyed this novel.

Storyline started out a little slow but I did love there element of the story being in different points of view.

Most of the characters were a little shady for my taste but eventual some leveled off to where you started wanting to cheer for them, The books could get a little wordy but not enough for me to give it a negative review. (it could have been my anxiety, LOL)

I will definitely ready more from this author. Her writing style was different than most authors I read, but again I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance ecopy of this title. The Lingate family is extremely wealthy and extremely private. They are still reeling from the death of Sarah Lingate in Capri 30 years ago. Sarah's daughter, Helen, has led a sheltered life due to this event, but wants to break away from her stifling family. She enlists her uncle's assistant to help her to do this. While the family is (again) visiting Capri, this assistant turns up dead. In the aftermath, Helen unravels the story of her mother's death, and proves she has been a Lingate through and through all along. A riveting story.

This book was well written with a lot of rich people behaving badly (one of my favorite tropes), but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I think it was the pacing that just felt off.

Such a good book! It had so many twists and turns. It was also hard to know who and what is correct, who to believe since they all had drama and beef with each other even though they are a "loving" family. It made me keep wondering who was actually the person who did it. I enjoyed this book and read it quickly since it was well written!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

A fast paced rollercoaster of a thriller that will have you doubting what you know at every turn. The characters are well developed, and like with any complex family dynamic it's hard to parse out who is on whose side because everyone is a little annoyed at each other even if they say they love each other.

A twisty family saga and mystery that keeps the reader guessing all the way to the end.

Helen, her father, aunt and uncle spend summers on the Island of Capri where Helen's mother died years ago. It was never determined if Sarah fell or was pushed. This year, Helen and her boyfriend Freddy are joined by her uncle's assistant Lorna. Everyone seems to have a secret the novel goes from Helen's story to Lorna's and back. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful island, the immense wealth and partying all play roles. Just when it seems as though the story has been told, a surprise turn comes up. Engaging and suspenseful.

This was a really good book, but I struggle to call it a thriller. It was much more family drama and suspense.

This is a story about a family filled with lies and deceit. The love of money and the status of being being rich can make you do things you never thought you would do.

"Saltwater" by Katy Hays offers an intriguing exploration of identity and the complexities of relationships, set against a vivid coastal backdrop. However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain sections feeling drawn out. The character development is compelling, but a few characters could have benefited from deeper exploration. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that resonates on many levels, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a tighter narrative.

3.75 stars

Saltwater is a slow burn. Much of the beginning is getting to know the characters through multiple viewpoints. Helen is the child of the very rich Lingate family. On a trip to Capri, she is determined to get out from under the family so she can live her own life. In addition, she wants to learn more about her mother - suspected to have been killed by Helen's father, but officially ruled a suicide.

Enter Lorna - Helen's uncle Marcus' assistant, who takes the trip with them. When a mysterious necklace is delivered to Helen on Capri, a whole new mystery enters the picture.

With twists and turns, Saltwater shows the dark side of money - and how different are we all really from each other when we're desperate?

I enjoyed this book - particularly the character building. I do wish we had some insight from a couple of the characters that were missing, but I really liked the multiple viewpoints telling the story. If you like thrillers, this could be a good one - just be aware it's not entirely fast-paced, but is satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Although there were alternating points of view along with alternating timelines and a a slow start this book became very interesting. With multiple twists this book provided a wow factor.

Going in, there are so many elements you anticipate. The mystery of is it murder, suicide, or accident? Can you trust anyone? Money does strange things to people. I enjoyed this book. I didn’t trust anyone and wonder what made people choose their choices.

This book was crazy but in a good way! At first, I did not like any of the characters at all, but as the story progressed and we continued to dive into the past and the mystery surrounding the past, I was invested! I love the rich people behaving badly! I love the twists and turns that I did not see coming! The characters were believable in that even when they were behaving badly you understood why they were doing what they were doing. Essentially we have a women who dies, we do not know if she killed herself, she was murdered, and if murdered was it a stranger or a close family member. There are secrets and love stories and discoveries along the way, but in the end everything gets resolved in a way that makes the heart happy. I will for sure be recommending this book and I will be looking for more books written by this author! SO GOOD!

Saltwater by Katy Hays is more of a family drama than a mystery/thriller, but it’s a captivating and atmospheric read nonetheless. Set against the stunning backdrop of Capri, the novel delves into complex family dynamics, secrets, and personal growth. The lush descriptions of the island add to the immersive experience, making you feel like you're right there with the characters. While it may not deliver the suspense some might expect, the emotional depth and exploration of relationships make it a rewarding read for fans of introspective dramas.

Going between the past and present, this book follows the mysterious disappearances of 2 women associated with the same family spread decades apart at the same vacation home. This book was so entertaining and I genuinely couldn’t figure out what was going to happen!

I think a lot of readers will enjoy this book but it didn’t quite do it for me. Fans of deeply rooted family drama, tension, and secrets will really enjoy this story.

I thought the story itself was written well and the alternating characters and timelines kept it interesting but I just don’t get much out of rich family drama.

I do have to give credit where it’s due, and I did enjoy the ending. There was one twist in particular that I really liked but won’t spoil that here.

Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!