Publisher: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks
Published: June 1, 2021 (First published July 2020)
Source: Saichek Publicity
Summary:
Over the course of one summer that begins with a shocking tragedy, three generations of the Adler family grapple with heartbreak, romance, and the weight of family secrets in this stunning debut novel that’s perfect for fans of Manhattan Beach and The Dollhouse.
Atlantic City, 1934. Every summer, Esther and Joseph Adler rent their house out to vacationers escaping to “America’s Playground” and move into the small apartment above their bakery. Despite the cramped quarters, this is the apartment where they raised their two daughters, Fannie and Florence, and it always feels like home.
Now Florence has returned from college, determined to spend the summer training to swim the English Channel, and Fannie, pregnant again after recently losing a baby, is on bedrest for the duration of her pregnancy. After Joseph insists they take in a mysterious young woman whom he recently helped emigrate from Nazi Germany, the apartment is bursting at the seams.
Esther only wants to keep her daughters close and safe but some matters are beyond her control: there’s Fannie’s risky pregnancy—not to mention her always-scheming husband, Isaac—and the fact that the handsome heir of a hotel notorious for its anti-Semitic policies, seems to be in love with Florence.
When tragedy strikes, Esther makes the shocking decision to hide the truth—at least until Fannie’s baby is born—and pulls the family into an elaborate web of secret-keeping and lies, bringing long-buried tensions to the surface that reveal how quickly the act of protecting those we love can turn into betrayal.
Based on a true story and told in the vein of J. Courtney Sullivan’s Saints for All Occasions and Anita Diamant’s The Boston Girl, Beanland’s family saga is a breathtaking portrait of just how far we will go to in order to protect our loved ones and an uplifting portrayal of how the human spirit can endure—and even thrive—after tragedy.
My thoughts:
I somehow missed this book when it was first released, so I’m so glad I finally had the opportunity to read it because I absolutely loved it. I sat down to start reading it and ended up reading it in one sitting…I love when that happens. You know it means it’s the sign of a good book!
Of course, this is the type of book that’s tricky to write a review on without giving any spoilers, but I will do my best. I went into this one pretty blind, not even re-reading the synopsis before I started the book and I really think that is the best way to fully experience the book. I had no idea what to expect and while there is some sadness at the beginning, I don’t think overall this book is a downer in anyway. This is very much a character-driven story and I loved that we hear from everyone’s viewpoint as it makes for a deeper, more layered read. They all have their secrets and not only that, but over the course of this one summer, we see them all change in some way.
I love a good dysfunctional family and I totally became attached to this one as they navigate the unthinkable in an era that I haven’t read too much about. The author really did her homework here, allowing the sense of time and place to shine. And make sure to read the author’s note where you find out just how much this story is based on her own family history…I love that and am so glad she shared this with us!
This is the type of book that I think would make an excellent bookclub pick because there is so much to unpack. There are so many layers to this story and I always think these types of books make for the best discussions. This was Rachel Beanland’s debut novel and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. I for sure will be lining up to read it.
