Review by Booklist Review
Nicola Carr has left her boyfriend and lawyer job and is starting over as the oldest intern at the Block Island Maritime Institute off of Rhode Island. Despite her humble midwestern roots, Nicola is surrounded by the wealthy--Taylor, her beloved cousin David's wife; Jack, an injured pro golfer and David and Taylor's frequent house guest; and Juliana George, Nicola's next-door-neighbor, who starts the summer as a nuisance because of her loud, lavish parties. Juliana's life started out much differently than that of her rich counterparts, as is revealed in sections from her perspective. But if the IPO for her online fashion portal is to go off without a hitch, her past, including a connection with David, must stay hidden. The reader knows from the beginning of the novel that someone has died, but it's not revealed who until the heartbreaking end of the book. Moore (Summer Stage, 2023) combines Elin Hilderbrand's knack for details with a slightly more cynical point of view, presenting the careless cruelty of the ultrarich in a compelling, beachy tale.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
For her ninth novel, Moore (Summer Stage) draws inspiration from Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, but set in present times. Nicola Carr arrives on picturesque Block Island, RI, for a fresh start. Having just quit her job as a lawyer and ended a long-term relationship, she plans to spend her summer healing and working at the island's marine sanctuary. However, she quickly becomes embroiled in local drama. Her wealthy next-door neighbor Juliana George throws endless parties that keep Nicola up at night, while Nicola's cousin's marriage to high-profile developer Taylor seems to be collapsing. Meanwhile, Nicola is harboring a major crush on Jack Baker, a professional golfer who appears to be taking an extended break from the tour circuit and always has time for a drink--or three--with her. As the summer unfolds, readers learn more about the secrets that Nicola, Juliana, and Taylor carry with them and see how far each woman will go to achieve her own version of happiness. VERDICT Though the plot sometimes moves a little slowly, Moore deftly addresses questions of wealth and privilege and paints a picturesque portrait of an island caught between eras.--Elizabeth Walline
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