While I LOVE complex family stories, I was initially hesitant about this one. I think it’s great that there are currently so many more middle-aged main characters, but I worried about my ability to connect with Rocky, a middle-aged woman with adult children and aging parents. Fortunately, this could not have been farther from the truth!
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I absolutely devoured this book, and there were moments it spoke directly to my soul. I was able to connect with Rocky as a mother in a way that I didn’t expect and honestly, didn’t even know I needed. Her experiences, though fictional, feel real and incredibly validating. 
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I love the learning Rocky continues to do as she works to support her adult children in a healthy way. I also really appreciate the strong sense of duality throughout this story—both in Rocky’s present day and as she reflects on her past experiences. Two things can always be true, and it’s such a valuable life lesson.
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I have read critiques about the portrayal of menopause in this book. While this is something I personally cannot speak to, I think a lot of Rocky’s behavior and emotional state is also due to the unresolved/unprocessed trauma that she’s just beginning to unpack over the course of this week at the beach with her family. To expect this not to have an impact or to be resolved by the end of the book is absolutely unrealistic.
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The setting and readability of this story lends itself well to being the perfect summer read, though, you could really enjoy this book anytime of the year. It’s important to note that there are some BIG trigger warnings (many of which I was not aware of) so be sure to check those out before picking this one up!
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