Author: Jenny Jackson
Year published: 2026
Category: Adult fiction
Pages: 352
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location: (my 2026 Google Reading map): USA (MA, ME)
Summary: When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a kid: His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one.
Together, the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches, and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children, and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next—in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak—exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather.
Review: This feels like one of the "it" books of the summer. Or maybe not. I liked it even though it took me a bit to get into it. I think that's on me, though. The new puppy takes up a lot of time.
I do like the ensemble cast of characters, with each of the women getting to tell the story from their perspective as the story moves along. Caroline is obviously the main character, and the other perspectives are often reacting to her actions (talk about a ripple effect!). Caroline isn't difficult to like, but she also isn't a character that I instantly wanted to know more about. She feels a bit...hidden. From herself as much as from everyone around her.
As with any group of friends that have been together since their teens, this one has lots of secrets, inside jokes, and stories, and their lives are still totally intertwined. That's such a great thing, but it's also dangerous. If someone steps out of bounds, they all know about it, talk about it, and have opinions. Nothing is sacred or just for yourself. And they drink far too much. I like to think they'll grow out of it.
I think the author did a really good job of showing group dynamics, growing up and living in a small town, and how one person's actions can affect others, both in a positive and negative way.
Challenges for which this counts:
- 20 Books of Summer
- Alphabet (Author)--J
- Cover Lovers--umbrella (it's there, on the edge!)
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