Atmospheric, gripping, and beautifully layered, this novel completely swept me away. I loved the way the glittering world of a wealthy Jersey Shore summer slowly gives way to something much darker beneath the surface. The setting felt almost like a character itself—the heat, the ocean, the lavish parties, the looming hurricane—all creating this delicious sense of tension and unease.

Edie is such a compelling protagonist. Her complicated history with Roger, her fascination with the world of privilege she's never quite been part of, and her growing uneasiness about the secrets surrounding his family made her journey impossible to put down. I especially appreciated the novel's exploration of class, privilege, complicity, and the uncomfortable ways that wealth can distort ideas of truth and justice.

The pacing builds wonderfully as the summer progresses, with the missing-girl mystery adding another layer of suspense while the approaching wedding and hurricane create an increasingly claustrophobic atmosphere. There’s a constant feeling that everything is about to break—and when it does, the emotional impact is powerful.

For me, this was the perfect combination of literary family drama, summer atmosphere, secrets, and suspense. If you enjoyed The Paper Palace or These Summer Storms, this should absolutely be on your reading list.

A lush, absorbing, emotionally charged read that kept me turning pages right to the end. Highly recommended!