Sunny Hostin's literary debut is your next summer beach read

     In her literary debut, Sunny Hostin takes readers to the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard to and one family’s life-changing summer in Summer on the Bluffs. This novel by the Emmy Award-winning, renowned lawyer and journalist, and View co-host, which comes out on May 4th, will give readers a glimpse into what happens when members of a found family take different paths in life and reveal long-kept family secrets.
   Welcome to Oak Bluffs, the most exclusive black beach community in the country. Known for its gingerbread Victorian-style houses and modern architectural marvels, this picturesque town hugging the sea is a mecca for the crème de la crème of black society. Every summer, Esperenza “Perry” Soto, a beautiful and talented Afro-Latina lawyer, escapes the fetid heat of New York City for the gorgeous weather, cool water, and stunning views Oak Bluffs offers. Sharing a cottage on the beach, owned by her “Ama”, with her husband and two god sisters, Perry is looking forward to trading meetings and clients for days of languor and fun. But this summer on the Bluffs is different. Ama is moving to the south of France to reunite with her college sweetheart. She is going to give the house to one of her goddaughters and she has invited all three of them to spend the summer with her the way they did when they were kids. Each of the women want the house desperately. Each is grappling with a secret that they fear will make them lose Ama’s approval and the house.
     If you’re looking for your next beach read, then look no further! This novel was super fast-paced, which made for an engaging and binge-able story that makes this the perfect book to add to your summer reading list. The novel talks about family, race, and love in honest ways and shows that sometimes a found family can be just as strong as a biological one.
     The narration style was a bit confusing at times which could’ve been in part because of the fast pace of the story. While I found certain parts very abrupt in alternating between who was experiencing the third person narrative, I still enjoyed seeing every character’s point-of-view on the events of both the past and present.
     As the title suggests, this is a fabulous summer read that will have you wishing you were spending time at Chateau Laveau with Ama and her goddaughters. Fans of family drama and some romance on the side, this is a great book whether you’re reading it poolside or in your next book club meeting!
​
*I received an ARC from William Morrow Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

---