Beautiful literary fiction perfect for beach reading

Beautifully written debut novel delving into the lives of Henry and Effie, fresh out of high school, newly married, and honeymooning in Cape May, New Jersey. Set in 1957, the novel has a nostalgic feel, but is also timeless in its look into a new marriage and how our choices can have repercussions that effect the rest of our lives. Henry and Effie are from a small town outside Macon, Georgia and spend their honeymoon in a cottage near the ocean in Cape May, where Effie spent some time as a girl. There she and Henry meet Clara, her lover Max and his sister Alma. They start spending their days and nights together, sailing, playing cards and drinking lots of gin. Henry is soon drawn to Alma and his commitment to his new wife is soon put to the test. The characters aren’t especially likable but that only makes the novel more interesting. Complicated and flawed characters are just so much more fun to read. The writing is gorgeous. This is one of those novels I love to read simply because the language is sublime. I got lost in the story and loved being there. This would make a great selection for a summer book club, there are so many angles of discussion and a lively discussion it would be. This is also the perfect book to pack in your tote bag to read on the beach with a drink in your hand and your toes in the sand. I will most definitely be checking out any forthcoming titles from Mr. Cheek. My thanks to the publisher and BookishFirst for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.