Three sisters, whose mother died in childbirth, come every year to visit their grandmother in Coronado, California. Beginning in 1985, Julia, the eldest at twelve, is allowed to shepherd her nine year old sister Emily and six year old sister Nora, across the country to California from Chicago for one week in May. The one constant in their life is surfer dude, Nate, who lives next door to their grandmother. As the girls grow up, Nate becomes a central figure in their lives, especially for Julia as he goes from boyfriend to merely friend. The sisters follow different paths as they grow up-Julia gets perfect grades, has a perfect law practice and a seemingly perfect marriage. Emily becomes an underemployed art history student, and Nora tries to make it on the Broadway stage, with mixed results.
When grandma Vera dies, the sisters vow to continue meeting in May as a bonding event, and rent out the house at other times during the year-this way they can keep the house in the family while making some income from it. Nate takes on the job of rental agent/caretaker and stays in his family house through several unsuccessful relationships. Years later, in 2019, Emily and Nora return to the house but Julia isn't there yet. This was odd-it was always Julia there first to greet them with her list of scheduled events. As the days passed and they couldn't find anyone who knew where she was, they started to panic. Where was Julia and did her disappearance have anything to do with the stack of letters missing from their grandmother's living room bureau?
This is a good beach read, having all of the requisite elements-sister rivalries, family secrets, and the hunky but vulnerable guy next door. Having the setting be the peninsula of Coronado near San Diego doesn't hurt either. But it also has some good writing and a serious plot development that elevates it from summer fluff to something you have to think about. Spending some time in Coronado on the beach with your sisters is a great way to start your summer reading.
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
May 12, 2026
Reserve a physical copy - Coming soon
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