It starts in a rose tinted, lazy days of summer way: a family spending several weeks in a holiday rental by the sea and a lagoon. 10 year old Alix founds friendship with Kahu and it seems we will be following their adventures trying to find what happened to a missing girl.
But as the story develops we learn about family secrets, suspicious neighbours and rebellious teens.
Prose as shimmering as a spectacular sunlit day, with a storm clouds to add variety.

I enjoyed the New Zealand setting for this novel and found the family dynamics interesting. Told from the viewpoint of 10 year old Alix over a few weeks of a summer beach holiday, the mundane becomes unsettling as she and her new friend search for clues about a young girl who has gone missing. I found there were too many unnecessary details about day-to-day family life but, on the whole, this is a good debut.

3.5 stars ⭐

This was nicely nostalgic for summers past, and sibling relationships.
I was lulled into the story all sunshine and beaches, but it took a darker turn by the end.
I think it did a great job of describing family holidays, and family dynamics as a whole, even when there aren't secrets to uncover.
A few tense moment too.
Good debut.

I've read a few books recently where we hear though the eyes of children, its premise I find really insightful and interesting I really enjoy seeing the mystery or secrets come alive though their eyes. This book does that perfectly keeping your interest in the secrets and fall out which are told though the voices of such innocence. I really liked the writers style of writing and look forward to hearing more by them. Thanks for the ARC this one I will be buying upon publication