the setup…
Alice Storm left her family to go her own way five years ago and never thought she’d ever be back at the family’s private island off the coast of Rhode Island…until now. Her father Franklin has suddenly died and she dreads the return. Her intention is to attend the memorial and retreat back to New York as soon as possible. But her father has one last meddling play. In order for everyone to receive their inheritance, they have to complete the individual tasks he devised and remain on the island for a week. Believe me, not as easy as it sounds, even with Jack Dean, his second in command as referee.
the heart of the story…
Talk about family drama. Franklin used his children as pawns and weapons, dangling his money as the carrot and pitting them against each other for favor. Of the four siblings, Alice is the only one that bailed. Mother Elisabeth leaves much to be desired, older sister Greta has carried on a “secret” affair with Franklin’s driver for years, brother Sam is an entitled mess with a coarse and greedy wife and baby sister Emily lives in her own Zen world. They all in some way envy and resent Alice for breaking through but she gets more vinegar than sugar from all of them.
the narration…
Julia Whelan excels here in the tricky storytelling and carries the weight of all these characters magnificently (but of course!).
the bottom line…
The family dynamics may have been entertaining but underneath it all is a family struggling to find balance, themselves and an identity beyond the ones their father carved out for them. It’s not gratuitous drama and it’s clear it comes from pain and insecurity. I had no idea how or if things could be worked out or if new pathways could be created. This is an extraordinary story about a family of privilege who had anything but when it came to emotional wealth.
Book Info
- Release Date: July 8, 2025
- Narrator: Julia Whelan
- Audio Length: 13 hour, 17 minutes
- Publisher: Random House Audio
Listen to a Sample!
Blue Mood Café 
Fab review, Jo. I can imagine how brilliant Julia Whelan would be for this!
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Thank you, Nicki💜 This is that book where you’d normally use multiple narrators. But when you’ve got Julia…
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Wonderful review. The synopsis feels familiar – a book I’ve read recently shares a similar plotline. Julia Whelan is one of my favourite narrators too.
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Thank you, Jodie💜 I’m used to family drama but this was different. Julia is so countonable!
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Fab review! I’m not a fan of family drama, but I do like the sound of that private island setting.
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Thanks, Yvo💜 You wouldn’t like this one, island and all😏
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Good to know. 😉
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Ah. Isn’t that the problem? Having everything you need except the most essential. I’ll add this to my list. Thank you!
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Thank you, Lux💜 Hope you enjoy!
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Great premise and it has Julia Whelan. Great review!
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thank you, Anne💜
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This is on my list. I know very little about the story, this was a great summary.
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Thank you, Rolé💜 I think you’ll enjoy it!
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Great review, Jo. It sounds like it might be a bit too much drama for me, but I love listening to Julia Whelan, so maybe.
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Thanks, Carla💜 It’s a lot of drama but it fits the characters and the narrative.
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