THE VACATION HOUSE by Jane Shemilt

5 stars

This is a gripping novel of psychological suspense and revenge served mostly cold – all emanating from the paradise setting of Paxos island in Greece at a luxurious vacation house for an uber wealthy, upper class English family. The longtime Greek family caretakers of the house are used to being ignored and not thanked by the owners. Their innocent young teen daughter Sofie bumps into two drunken teen boys, houseguests at the vacation home, on the house’s private beach one summer night. They assault her and leave her profoundly damaged, with her life and the caretaker family’s reputation in ruins. She later learns that her beloved young brother witnessed the whole thing happen.  Julia, the older-teen spoiled daughter of the English family pays little attention: to the Sofie, to what’s going on around her, and to what’s behind the sudden departure one day of the entire caretaker family. This past story continues to unfold in the novel told from Sophia’s perspective.

Fast forward 10 years, and Julia is on her second marriage to James, a charismatic private school master. Julia narrates this alternative narrative. Her young teen daughter Lottie boards at his school, and dislikes this second husband intensely. With good reason it turns out, as he expects Julia, in exchange for financial security, to present at all times as the perfect wife: slim and perfectly. He also expects her to organize his daily schedule, write all his speeches and letters, cater all the private school events, and entertain his friends at their home. Behind the outward charisma, the school master has a cold heart and little interest in Julia herself, including her desire to take back up her former teaching career. Julia feels stuck, as she relies on him for her daughter’s place in the school, but comes to question both his scruples and his close friendship with a teacher at his school who’s been accusing of coming on sexually to both his students and interviewees.

Julia meets Laurel at a school function: a newcomer to town who turns out to be a talented therapist. Julia starts seeing Laurel, and therapy clarifies for her how toxic her marriage has become. Feeling overwhelmingly unhappy, Julia begins to dream of different future. But what Julia misses a possible and dramatic connection between Laurel, her husband and the past.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.