Note that this is NOT a book that I would choose to read for pleasure. The incidents depicted in the book are R rated, in my opinion, making the book not suitable for general audiences.

First, I have to admit that I could not finish this book quickly enough and it wasn’t because it was so absorbing. I just wanted it to end and for me to find out the resolution. The story centers around the family dynamics of a teacher Ed, his wife Connie and their teen daughters Ann and Poppy. Add in their adopted teen son Michael and the family is complete. They all live in Milwaukee, but every summer they travel to their house on Cape Cod to spend the summer. The summer featured in the novel is one of many changes for the family and some really poor decisions. The mom and dad seemed very detached, not really caring or paying attention to what their children were doing. The result of their negligence and one terrible night is a teen pregnancy and a family torn apart. Many years later when the parents are killed in a car accident, Ann and Poppy have to do something about the summer house that they have not returned to for years. Poppy is a free, troubled spirit who really needs some help. Ann is finding success in her career. Neither of them has the funds to keep the house, so they want to sell it. Then Michael returns and wants to keep the house as well as restore his lost reputation, the reason he fled fifteen years before. I absolutely hated the way the plot was developed, with a hint here and there of what had happened. There were no redeeming characters, but if I have to pick one to like, I choose Michael. He made his life by himself, without help from his adopted family that spurned him. I didn’t like Ann and her weaknesses nor Poppy and all of her drug trips. That being said, the book was okay, but I would not consider it a good beach read since it includes all the reasons not to have a beach house and none of the real fun of having one. Just my opinion, of course, but I would put this in the category of a family drama rather than a beach read. Fans of that genre may like this book, but I did find it slow-paced at times and very frustrating to read.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”