Where Snowbirds Play

by Gina Goldhammer

Was it pure chance that he had run into her so soon? Philip had never believed in destiny, and his father had believed in nothing but his own genius. And yet…

From the moment recent Oxford graduate Philip takes the helm of a new marine life institute in Palm Beach, his presence revives old feuds and sparks rivalries among the wealthy resident snowbirds, many of whom have invested heavily in a biotech company soon to be exposed for insider trading. It quickly becomes clear that Philip’s quest for atonement on the behalf of his father will embroil many of the community’s most prominent members.

Interwoven with snippets of real-life drama from an insider-trading scandal, Where Snowbirds Play paints a compelling portrait of the lives of the privileged, and what happens when their world is turned upside down.

'Gina Goldhammer’s Where Snowbirds Play offers an arresting and singular perspective on a lifestyle few experience firsthand. Taking readers into the heart of privilege, Goldhammer spins a compelling story that lays bare the tensions, frailties, desires and self-deceptions that drive human beings everywhere. Sumptuous, witty and surprising, this novel will transport you to a world that is at once absorbingly fresh, and a charming – and alarming – reflection of our own.' — Ann Morgan

Genres: Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2025

Reviews

[Tracie Cohee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Where Snowbirds Play” is a multi-layered read. It is based on multi-generational characters with three families plus a scholar from England looking to connect with his unknown brother. Set in Palm Beach, the is a factor of glamour and social climbing too. But it seems that all that shine can lead to many secrets. Old money, bio-tech scandals and family drama is thick with this read. The writing style of this story was colorful with fun & messy characters. This is a perfect read for your summer enjoyment! Thank you to NetGalley and Renard Press for this advance read.

[Christina C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Where the Snowbirds Play follows a wealthy family alongside Philip, a character searching for answers about his father while working closely with sea animals. The premise itself is intriguing, blending family dynamics, personal identity, and a unique marine-focused backdrop that initially holds promise.
The beginning sets things up well, introducing the characters and their connections in a way that makes you curious about how Philip’s journey and the family’s story will intersect. There are moments where the themes of belonging and self-discovery come through clearly.

However, the middle of the story significantly drags. The pacing slows down, with scenes that feel repetitive or overly drawn out, which makes it difficult to stay fully engaged. While the emotional beats and character development are present, they don’t always move the story forward in a meaningful way, causing the momentum to stall.

Overall, Where the Snowbirds Play has a solid concept and some thoughtful ideas, but uneven pacing. It may still appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories and slower narratives, but it didn’t quite work for me.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Where Snowbirds Play by Gina Goldhammer

🌴 Overview
Gina Goldhammer’s debut novel, Where Snowbirds Play, whisks readers into the glittering, sun-drenched world of Palm Beach’s elite, where privilege masks simmering scandals and personal reinvention. When a high-society insider-trading scandal erupts, the lives of the wealthy snowbirds—seasonal residents who flock to Florida’s warmth—are upended, exposing the fragile facades of power, loyalty, and identity. Goldhammer’s sharp prose and insider perspective craft a biting yet empathetic portrait of ambition and vulnerability beneath the designer sunglasses.

✨ Key Strengths
💰 Luxurious Atmosphere – Palm Beach’s opulent estates and high-stakes social maneuvering are rendered with vivid, almost cinematic detail.
🕵️♀️ Scandal-Driven Plot – The insider-trading thread adds a propulsive, Big Little Lies-esque tension to the character drama.
👒 Nuanced Social Commentary – Goldhammer skewers wealth and privilege without reducing her characters to caricatures.
🍸 Whip-Smart Dialogue – The verbal sparring among the elite crackles with wit and subtext.

⚠️ Considerations
🎭 Familiar Tropes – The “rich people behaving badly” framework may feel well-trodden to some readers.
⏳ Pacing Lulls – The sprawling cast occasionally slows momentum in favor of character depth.

⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★ (4/5) (Like a perfectly mixed cocktail—effervescent with a bitter twist.)
🌆 Setting & Atmosphere → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🎭 Character Complexity → ★★★★ (4/5)
⚡ Plot Momentum → ★★★☆ (3.5/5)

Overall: ★★★★ (4/5)
A gilded cage rattled by secrets—and the women who hold the key.

🎯 Perfect For Fans Of
📚 Crazy Rich Asians’ lavish escapism meets The Nest’s familial dysfunction
🍍 Stories of high society with a side of sharp social critique
🌺 Escapist reads with substance beneath the glamour

🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Gina Goldhammer for the advance copy. Where Snowbirds Play is a dazzling debut—a sun-soaked, scandal-packed exploration of the price of privilege and the resilience it can’t buy.

This is a May 2025 release primed for beach bags and book clubs alike.

[J Fearnley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst Philip is clearing out his father’s desk he find some letters which trigger a memory from years before and tell of his father’s infidelity with a young woman, a student of his father, who is pleading for help and which his father ignored.
Philip takes a position in Palm Beach, Florida not only for his career but because he has decided to seek out the woman who wrote the letters and her son – his father’s child, his half brother.
Hannah is married to a doctor, a cancer specialist, who offered Hannah a lifeline for her son Jesse – who has a congenital condition which affects his kidneys, eyesight and elsewhere – which she could not refuse. The treatment worked and Hannah’s husband and brother-in-law, a lawyer, went on to develop it into a drug which is being tested for imminent release.
We see how these characters relate to each other and other characters that have an interest in the ecological and oceanic environment in which Philip works and lives.
It has a slightly different take on the rich that fly south to Palm Beach, the snowbirds, to spend time living in properties along the beachfront. Yes, they are rich and they want to get richer, stay wealthy but they are also given a less harsh side as is reflected in the concern for family, their community, animals and the environment. It explores relationships between parent and child, brothers and how those relationships can become obsessive and ultimately harmful. What people do for their families, how something stupid done to protect threatens them more than they can imagine.
This is an evocative story that would easily translate to the small screen. It is also an emotional read as we learn about Hannah, Jesse, Sunny and the turtles who each in their own way have been damaged by uncaring human behaviour, loss or medical conditions. Philip’s ultimate rather shocking act belies his supposed love and exposes a man who is lost to his own obsession.
Where Snowbirds Play is an atmospheric and striking debut well worth reading.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where Snowbirds Play by Gina Goldhammer is set in the world of the Palm Beach elite in the early 1990's. Our MMC Philip has recently graduated from Oxford and has discovered letters from a woman his father had an affair with a long time ago. Apparently, he has a (much) younger brother, Jesse. Philip takes a lead role at a new marine life institute in Palm Beach to be near Jesse's family and learn more about them. Hannah, the FMC, is the boy's mother. Philip and the boy become close friends, but Philip doesn't disclose his identity. Jesse is sick, and his stepfather is a doctor working on experimental treatments to help him. Hannah's husband and their rich friends even founded a company and conducted research to develop new medicines. Things go awry with the company, however. While the husband is away on business trips, Hannah and Jesse grow increasingly close to Philip, but he still doesn't reveal his identity.

There are many layers to this story. There is the mystery of the affair and the resulting child/half-brother, Jesse, who doesn't know; the medical issues Jesse has; the society itself in Palm Beach; the three families that are primarily focused on and their issues; and then the insider trading scandal. There was a lot going on. I enjoyed the beginning and the end of the novel, but the middle became a little slow. The narrator was excellent, delivering the exact emotional tone needed in each setting.

I rated Where Snowbirds Play three out of five stars. There was a lot going on in this book. It sort of felt like it could have been two books. I would have liked more focus on the story of Philip and Jesse, since it seemed that was supposed to be the book's focus. Instead, we have the background noise of the snowbirds, insider trading, etc., and then rushing back to the story of Philip and Jesse at the end. However, there were moments I really enjoyed. The way the author wrote about the dual baptism was very interesting, and I found the chats between Philip and the priest notable and inspiring. I also thought the descriptions of the estates and the high-class people were fascinating. The banter between them was funny, too.

Thank you to Renard Press/Hay Press for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where the Snowbirds Play is an intriguing concept based on loneliness, family, intrigue and accountability presented in a manner that creates room for consideration, and captures as a snapshot, the deeply hollow nature of the world today.
Philip arrives at the Island to oversee the Institute founded by one of the Islands wealthy widows, Vanessa Vine. He is not there just to work but to follow a trail left by his father, a man who was a womaniser, to try and discover a young woman Hannah and her son, his half-brother.
As the complex story unfolds, Philip discovers Hannah, now Mrs Hannah Caulfield and her son, down on the beach as he struggles to secure a stranded Hawksbill Turtle. They work together to get the creature secure enough to allow it to be to pulled up to the Institution.
This sets the basis for the many layered story as Philip and Hannah grow to know and understand each other, he also finds he cares deeply for Jesse, a little boy with many serious health issues who is full of charm, wit and intelligence.
Clashing personalities, a small community of wealth and entitlement, fractured families and salvation play out as change comes to a strictly structured world; change that is long overdue, instigated by the Institute and a Hawksbill Turtle named Princess.
As Princess slowly recovers, each member of the community who has come to care and support Princess, discover their own pathway to salvation through caring for this beautiful creature.
Where the Snowbird’s Play has been constructed in three parts, all of which capture deep, fragmented emotion, all of which gently bring the many pathways travelled together to a heartbreaking but fitting conclusion.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to this on audio: Narrator was great, she spoke clearly, good pacing, and did well with unique character voices. She displayed good emotional tone which added to the story.

This is a nice story with many layers. You have the aspect of family dynamics mixed with all the usual trauma. We follow Phillip in a quest to find answers about his past and his fathers misgivings, all whilst working as a Marine Researcher. You also have a sense of eat the rich aspects and small town feel. Positives of this story are the characters, while they are very messy, they are believable and try to move the story forward. Another huge positive was the way the author set the world with beautiful descriptions and an atmospheric feel throughout. This story started out on a wonderful not. The stage was set, characters were introduced and brief histories given.
Although for me, overall, this story did not work (referring to spoiler review). However, I can see how some would enjoy it particularly if you enjoy a slower paced novel steeped with family secrets and beautiful settings.
<> This story quickly unravels for me, due to lack of cohesion. I loved that chapters were titled, however I was often confused by the jumping of timelines and characters, sometimes without even knowing which character was speaking. the story became very repetitive, with drawn out scenes that did not seem to add to the story and sometimes added to the confusion. The ending for me truly fell apart, it felt rushed and unfulfilling, with many aspects of the story unanswered. <>

[Lilli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Overview
Where the Snowbirds Play aims to be a contemporary drama with elements of family life, small-town dynamics, and personal reflection. It includes multi-perspective storytelling, fragmented timelines, and slice-of-life narration.

My Thoughts
Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. The writing itself was very difficult to get through due to poor formatting, frequent grammatical errors, and a noticeable lack of punctuation. In some places, there weren’t even spaces between words, which made reading feel like deciphering rather than enjoying.
The structure added to the confusion. Without chapters to provide a natural break, the story jumped abruptly between characters and timelines, which made it challenging to follow. I also struggled with the lack of a clear storyline—rather than building toward a plot, the book often felt like a stream of whatever came into the author’s mind at the time.
I kept reading in the hope that it would improve, or that the pieces would come together into something meaningful, but unfortunately it never did. While I can see the ambition behind the idea of a layered, character-driven narrative, the execution fell flat.

Overall, Where the Snowbirds Play was a disappointing read for me due to its technical issues and lack of cohesion. I would not recommend.

[J Kromrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Holly Watson and Netgalley for this high-brow eARC mystery...

Where Snowbirds Play by Gina Goldhammer is quietly confident in the story it wants to tell. It blends mystery, character drama, and a touch of wry humor into a narrative that feels slightly off‑kilter, and I found it difficult to follow (listened to the whole thing and I don't know what the mystery was or who solved it - give me a police procedural any day.

The heart of the story lies in its narrator whose voices attempts to anchor the entire experience. There’s a lived‑in quality to the storytelling, but it is as if it is attempting to "elevate" the typical mystery, thereby introducing confusion.

The audiobook narrator elevates the material. Their delivery has a warm, slightly sardonic edge that fits the tone perfectly. Character voices are distinct without ever feeling exaggerated, and the pacing is spot‑on—unhurried when the emotional beats need space, sharper when the plot tightens. It’s the kind of performance that makes you forget you’re listening to a recording rather than a confidante.

The setting—sun‑drenched, transient, Themes of identity, survival, and the blurry line between truth and performance run throughout the story. The book doesn’t moralize; instead, it invites you to sit with the characters’ choices and contradictions.

Where Snowbirds Play rewards listeners who enjoy nuance over noise, with a narrator who brings out the story’s emotional undercurrents.

[Krisi Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Gina Goldhammer, and the publisher for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Where the Snowbirds Play has an interesting premise, following the wealthy “royalty” on a small island and the characters/family members as the family grew. I think the beginning of this book did a good job setting up the characters, and the plot of the story… however, after that I really feel like the transitions are confusing, abrupt, and don’t connect to the characters. I felt like I was being force fed a story instead of feeling the story as it unfolded. There was….emotion and connection missing for me to connect with the characters. Even though I could see how things were connected, it didn’t feel that way. It felt stilted and disconnected. The theme of self-discovery is clear, but in my opinion done a little messily.
I also, didn’t love the American accents given by the narrator. It threw me off a bit, (no real shade, I cannot do accents either lol).

Overall, it dragged out too long for me, but I know that other people have thoroughly enjoyed it so these are just my subjective comments. It is a newer kind of mystery than I’ve read before and I appreciated a fresh topic, but this book just wasn’t for me.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Note: This review is for the audiobook version.

This author has a distinctly lovely writing style. Such a gorgeous flow of prose. And the author's deliberate crafting of chapter titles is in itself top notch! A gorgeous portrait of life, definitely different than my own, but painted in such a way that felt like traveling in person.

The plot contains a bit of mystery, political intrigue, but mostly, the novel is character-driven, by those with money and privilege, and those without.

I definitely got a Sabrina-vibe. (One of my all-time favorite films.) Perhaps this was intentionally done in the narrator's performance. The character of Hannah was my favorite. And the music interludes throughout the audiobook are perfectly chosen.

"She arrived at Kings Cross station by the overnight train on a clear midsummer morning. The chimneyed rooftops and red-brick buildings of Bloomsbury shone with the brightness of a landscape that seemed filled with promise."

This is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a slow-paced drama fueled by a variety of characters who prove the adage, "The rich are different." Fans of Lost Summers of Newport will feel right at home with this book.

[Melanie Ollila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1991 in Palm Beach, Where Snowbirds Play, is a book of family dynamics, deceit and life of privilege.

A major plot line for the MMC, Philip, is that his father has died and he finds out that he has a half brother from his professor father’s illicit affair with a college student. Philip takes a role at a sea research institute where he finds himself a neighbor to his half brother and father’s ex-lover. Great potential for a storyline.

There’s a subplot surrounding medical research, privileged investors, perceived obligations to name a few.

There were a few likeable/standout characters. I liked the widow character the best, she was sassy and a bit of a minx! She was a colorful side character with some great dialogue. Jesse was a difficult character, at the start I thought he was much younger, but then the story leads that he’s older but his behavior or conversations didn’t align to his age for me.

I listened to the this on audiobook and I struggled to keep up, the book was slow at times or felt incomplete. The narrator has a beautiful voice, but it seemed too formal or from a different era than the 1990s setting. So I felt distracted and I feel like I missed critical parts of the story.

The ending is tragic and left me wondering then what, or what then? So I was wanting more which is not necessarily a bad ending.

[CarolinaBookBliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where Snowbirds Play by Gina Goldhammer had an appealing concept and an eye catching cover, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I found the writing style challenging at times, which made it harder for me to fully settle into the story.

The narrative moves around quite a bit, and this sometimes interrupted the overall flow. The middle section felt longer than necessary. While there are thoughtful emotional moments and character exploration, these parts didn’t always keep the story moving forward, which affected my engagement.

One aspect I really appreciated was the audiobook narration. The narrator delivered a clear and steady performance, gave each character a distinct voice, and conveyed emotion well, adding depth to the listening experience.

Overall, while the premise showed promise and the narration was well done, the pacing and structure didn’t quite come together for me.
Thank You to Netgally and Renard Press/Hay Press for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

[Saritacita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to Where Snowbirds Play because of its themes and description, which I found genuinely interesting! The novel offers a different perspective on characters from a very affluent background, moving away from the usual portrayals we often see.

At first, the book felt very promising, especially in its ecological aspects, which I appreciated. I quickly found myself slowed down by the pacing of the narration: while the ideas were strong, the rhythm made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged.

That said, I do think the novel will appeal to readers who enjoy reflective, theme driven stories and who are less concerned with a fast paced plot.

Thank you to Renard Press/Hay Press for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a bit of a slow burn for me, but actually it eased me into this world and I soon settled in.

This puts a mirror up to some interesting and not always easy relationships. The intricacies of these were what the made the book for me, and seeing this exploration was not only a good people watch, but made an emotional impact at times.

Like a lot of books by this publisher, I am usually left feeling like this was something a little bit different, that annoyingly for reviews, I cant quite put my finger on what.

[Karen R-C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars because the author can put together reasonable prose. However, the story jumps about too much, sometimes leaving huge narrative gaps that the reader is left to make up themselves. At one point the timeline gets mixed up and an event is referenced before it has happened.

The story itself starts strongly, but then loses interest in itself. The author seems in a hurry to get it all over with, so it hurtles to a conclusion of sorts with many plot strands being left to dangle in the tropical storm.

Needed a better editor. Overall very disappointing.

[Julie Friar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip accepts a temporary post at a new marine life institute in Palm Beach. Many residents support this venture and he becomes part of the community. He has other reasons for being there, he wants to atone for his father abandoning a son born out of wedlock. Philip will be torn emotionally and spiritually. A moving novel reflecting on past and present.

Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Excellent complex characters in a well paced novel. Philip will find and lose love and be hurt in many ways. Complex relationships and sad at times.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for the ALC!

Unlike most cozy mysteries, this doesn't start out with the dead body on page 1, it takes it's time to ease the reader into the world. The author asks the reader to reflect on interesting, and often not easy, relationships. This really made the book for me, but left an emotional impact as well. There were some slow parts that broke up the pacing. And I cared for some characters more than others.

3.0 stars. Recommend to mystery readers who want something a little different.

[Harvee Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me think of The Great Gatsby, but set in the Palm Springs area and involving a marine biologist who falls in love with a woman in the wealthy family who owns a mansion in the area. Their love is not meant to be, and the ending vague. It seemed ominous, yet in keeping with the tenor of the entire book.

A book with intriguing characters and a marine setting that adds a lot to the atmosphere of the novel.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. I wanted to really like this book. The synopsis really intrigued me. “A contemporary fiction set in Palm Beach that explores the lives of wealthy seasonal residents (snowbirds) as an insider-trading scandal unfolds, intertwining personal dramas with financial intrigue and themes of privilege, loyalty, and redemption, centered around a new marine life institute.” I think the book was just too long and I lost the momentum in the characters.

[Felicity Ives · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am relatively new to audiobooks, but enjoyed listening while gardening
I'm not sure if it was the expansive cast of characters or the multiple accents required by the narrator - or perhaps both equally - but i found it hard to focus on the romantic plot.
Lots of floaty, flowing, descriptive prose stole some of the limelight from a love story with twists of fate, family and fortune
Perhaps the best audience for this read is those longing for a fabulous rich Florida lifestyle

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a complimentary review copy of this book via NetGalley; thank you to NetGalley, Gina Goldhammer, and Holly Watson.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at Palm Beach society, with layered characters and some subtle social commentary. Unfortunately, the pacing really dragged for me, and I kept wishing it had been a tighter, shorter read. I think this would have worked much better as a novella.

[Chiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for providing a copy of the audiobook.
In general I liked this book. Positives are the writing, the sciencey parts and the drama. I feel the book did what it came to do. What knocked it down a couple stars was the pacing. At times it got boring and some pov’s I cared about more than other.

[IngramSpark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!

[LG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging story. There's a lot packed into a not-very-long novel. From the start to the end, firmly rooting for Vanessa. Needs a sequel.

[the honeyed library · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something so quietly magnetic about stories set in sunny coastal towns that hide secrets under all that shine...and this one? Gave me exactly that, with a little extra bite. 🌴☀️📚

Philip...fresh out of Oxford...steps into Palm Beach thinking he’s just taking over a marine institute. But surprise! He walks straight into a tangled mess of old money, biotech scandals, and
personal redemption. 🧬⚖️
What really hit me was how deeply layered the story felt... family drama, insider trading, privilege, power, a sprinkle of destiny, and that one question that stuck with me: Was it really just chance,
or something more?
I felt like I was peeking into the lives of the elite, but from a lens that was raw, reflective, and honestly… a little haunting.

✨The writing? Gorgeous and immersive.
✨The characters? Messy and real.
✨The setting? Sun-drenched but with shadows...and
I loved every bit of it.