A stunning, emotional novel of friendship, secrets and love. Your perfect beach read for summer 2025 

Four women

Annie has brought her three best friends and their families together for a long weekend away in a gorgeous seaside Airbnb. It should be idyllic – sun, sea, sand, cocktails and laughter.

One shocking secret

But below the surface, none of these friendships are quite what they seem. And Annie has a secret – and an earth-shattering favour to ask of one of her friends.

A life-changing decision

As the idyllic weekend turns sour – arguments, grudges and a boat trip that goes awry – Annie must make her devastating decision – and change everyone’s lives, forever.

‘Hannah Begbie has created a cast of characters so perfectly flawed I felt as though I knew them all personally. A thought-provoking and emotional story that had me laughing and crying in equal measure. One for book clubs everywhere.’ – Clare Mackintosh

‘Comic but so poignant. The end made me cry.’  – Jeremy Vine

‘These characters were such good company I half expected to find their names in my address book. A fierce and fearless tale of friendship, life and all its complications is told with such brio and good humour that I laughed, I cried- and I learned a lot.’  – Janet Ellis

‘An emotional rollercoaster you don’t want to end… made me laugh and cry in equal, excessive measure. A tale of friendship, love, loss, family, and life. Read it and be thankful that you did.’ – Charlotte Philby

‘A deep dive into the complexity of long-standing friendships… I went from laughing to crying in the turn of a page. Great stuff.’ – Harriet Tyce