Summer people is about two marriages and, almost equally, about life on Unity Island. Julie Cohen captures the claustrophobic nature of living in an tiny, enclosed community as well as the sense of belonging that comes with it.
Vee and Mike are a golden couple. ‘Summer people’ who visit the island and bring with them valuable tourist income. Except Vee isn’t a summer person, not really. She grew up on the island, running wild with her best friend Sterling. But she left to make a new life for herself and Sterling has never forgiven her for what she did.
Sterling’s wife, Rachel, doesn’t feel like she fits in on the island. She loves Sterling, but feels like she’s not enough.

As always, Julie Cohen does a brilliant job of getting under the skin of these characters. Summer people is immersive and compelling. I started reading on the train and when I got to my destination, I felt like I was resurfacing from being deep under water. It’s been a long time since I was so immersed in a story. I enjoyed this story a lot. Ideal summer holiday reading.

I got a free copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

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