A Fortune of Sand

by Ruta Sepetys

The daughter of an automotive magnate escapes to an artistic retreat that holds more secrets—and more intrigue—than she could have ever imagined, in this Prohibition-era novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea.

Detroit, 1927. A city of smoke and ambition, where glittering wealth conceals a graveyard of secrets.

Marjorie Lennox is the youngest daughter of a powerful automotive dynasty, a family known for money, not manners. Artistic, impulsive, and always slightly out of step, Marjorie has long been dismissed by her controlling father and self-absorbed siblings. But when she secretly applies to an exclusive arts program funded by an elusive benefactor, she sees a chance to redefine herself on her own terms.

The building is grand. The participants are gifted. But something…is off.

The program is uncomfortably restrictive. Doors lock at odd hours. Strange sounds echo through the halls amid whispers that women are disappearing. And the handsome benefactor’s presence—mostly absent, yet somehow everywhere—begins to unnerve her. As Marjorie’s sense of self begins to slip, so does her grip on the truth. What happens to women who don’t fit neatly into a gilded frame?

Set against the crumbling grandeur of 1920s Detroit and inspired by actual, long-buried historical events, A Fortune of Sand is a haunting mosaic of glamour and grift—a novel about those who vanish, and those who demand to be seen.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Adult Fiction, Adult, Gothic

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2026

About the author

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Winner of the Carnegie Medal.
Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan in a family of artists, readers, and music lovers. The daughter of a refugee, Ruta is drawn to underrepresented stories of strength through struggle and hopes to give voice to those who weren't able to tell their story. Her award-winning historical novels are published in over sixty countries and have received over forty literary prizes.

For more information:
https://www.rutasepetys.com
https://www.facebook.com/rutasepetys
https://www.instagram.com/rutasepetys...
https://www.twitter.com/rutasepetys

Reviews

[Laura and Literature · Rating 1 out of 5]

To say I’m disappointed is a gross understatement. Ruta Sepetys has a true talent for writing wonderful, amazing stories. This story does not fall under that category, unfortunately.

This book falls into the category of an interesting story in the hands of a very talented story teller, who writes a good story and then taints it with content that takes away from the story and ruins the reading experience.

She did up the reading age from YA to adult.. so I’ll give her that I suppose.

Content: STDs, tons of alcohol abuse. Spouse abuse. Mentions of the FMCs friend having “fun” with her father when she dresses up as her deceased mother. 🤢 … which actually turns out to be her pedophile husband who married her at the age of 13 that requires her to call him “daddy” 🤮, crass innuendos, the MC observing an orgy through a window, nothing descriptive but leads us to use our imaginations.. (I don’t want my imagination going to the places she’s leading us to.)

I’m not sure what happened here but I definitely won’t be reading anymore from this author if this is the direction she is going to pursue with her writing. This story could have been SO good! Very disappointing.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the arc of this book.

I don’t even know what to rate this.. I’m just going to go with a 1 star for the pedophile being called daddy. It’s just too much.

[L A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The daughter of an automotive magnate escapes to an artistic retreat that holds more secrets—and more intrigue—than she could have ever imagined, in this Prohibition-era novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea."
"Detroit, 1927. A city of smoke and ambition, where glittering wealth conceals a graveyard of secrets."
What an interesting time period and fabulous storyteller! I love her books and this one was no exception. I did have trouble keeping up with the cast of characters and the slow build, but it did not deter me from finishing. Marjorie was born into a wealthy family of the automobile industry. She is the youngest daughter to a dirty dealing father who spends too much time drinking. He displays his disappointment for her. She begs for a separate lifestyle from her family and decides to apply to a private art school to study fashion design. The school she applies to is led under the mysterious Charles Bonafante. The school is housed in a huge mansion with only 3 students. At night, they must lock their doors because something sinister is going on. Then there is talk of women that have gone missing. Yet, she falls in love with Mr. Bonafante until she suspects foul play. With the short chapters, it is easy to move quickly through the book.
We have all heard of the Detroit automotive industry and the famous Ford family, but I haven't read much beyond it. A very intriguing lifestyle to read about the corrupt and wealthy people.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[ellie (semi ia) · Rating 2 out of 5]

➳ 2.5 ☆! ⏳ spoiler free + mini review
⤷ okay this was insightful. im already eager to see what ruta does next!
arc! @netgalley

⋆˚࿔ 42nd review of the year

book summary: marjorie lennox is the daughter of a wealthy automotive dynasty set in 1927 detroit. the arts program that she applies to has something fishy going on.. with self-centered siblings, complicated relationships with families, what will marjorie do when she finds women are expected to fit into a certain agenda? will she be the one to break through? find out the mystery with her!

₊‧꒰my thoughts꒱ ‧₊+
⤷ when i first received the email that i'd be able to read this book early, i was ELATED!! super excited because ruta sepetys is one of my all time favorite authors, especially for the historical fiction genre. i was also very intrigued because this was her adult debut and she hasn't released a new novel in a while. unfortunately, i didn't end up loving this one as much as her other works! but i think the writing was solid, the plot line was unique, and if anyone is interested in detriot 1920s with an intriguing family history.. it's worth a shot! 🤍

⤷ i believe the main reason i wasn't as immersed in this novel was because i couldn't connect to the characters. i didn't really care for them and i dont think i could understand them on a deeper level. imo, they felt a bit surface level and that can be a problem for me! (since characters make up one of the biggest reasons on why i love a book) other than that, the romance was okay. its not really the center of the book so dont expect much! 💫

⤷ for my favorite parts: i can always appreciate ruta for making her writing and chapters simple and sweet! it was a breeze flying through this and i loved some of the humor that was brought up. i also love how ruta was from detroit and that she decided to do this project to discover more. i will always appreciate an author who brings something from the past (whether that be good or bad) into the light! ⏳

~ with all the being said, i cannot wait for others to read it and i hope they love this! my main issue was that i just couldn't fully connect/get into the story. im also excited to see if ruta will publish something soon again 🤭 can't help the reader fan in me! until the next one 👀


tropes!
⋆ detroit 1920s
⋆ historical fiction
⋆ family drama/scandals
⋆ women led

₊‧꒰info!꒱ ‧₊
⤷ find my book review on goodreads @elliexreads
⤷ this is recommended for adult and new adult readers
⤷ adult historical fiction
publish date: may 26, 2026


₊‧ all ratings and opinions are my own ₊‧
⤷ thank you @netgalley and random house publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review !🫂

---------

₊‧꒰preview ᝰ.ᐟ꒱ ‧₊ ⏳

₊‧꒰5.1.26꒱ ‧₊
⤷ happy may everyone!! wow.. how are we already here?! anyways, thank you to netgalley and the author for providing this arc!! was elated when i got the email 🥹💫 i literally just read a book by ruta a few days ago and enjoyed it! i love that this is her debut adult novel, more thoughts soon

[Debbie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

4⭐️ I loved the setting of 1920’s Detroit in this historical fiction novel. The rich neighborhood of Gross Point comes to life with all the glitz and glamor, crime, scheming and backstabbing.

The MFC Marjorie is the youngest of the wealthy Lennox children. She’s bright and talented and different from the others, Cecile the oldest focused on social climbing, Charlotte “Chet” an aspiring writer, and Graham trying to make his way. The entire family lives in the family home with the grandparents and parents, Doug and Lilah. Doug’s first wife died under mysterious circumstances when Graham was a baby and Lilah is Marjorie’s mother.

Marjorie accepts an artistic internship at the Belfontane mansion to work on her fashion designing. She has designs of her own on the handsome and mysterious owner Luc.

It took a while to really get into the story as the first half was slow. I loved the character development and the extensively researched Detroit history. The last half really took off with many family secrets spilled and the development of Marjorie’s and Luc’s relationship.
The ending was left on a cliffhanger and I’m hoping for a follow up!


Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FORTUNE OF SAND
By Ruta Sepetys

4.5 stars rounded up
A strange and quirky read inspired by long-buried true stories from Detroit during the Prohibition era.

Set in Detroit during Prohibition, A Fortune of Sand follows Marjorie Lennox, the overlooked and whimsical daughter of a wealthy, eccentric, and deeply complicated automotive family. Hoping to find freedom and purpose, she secretly joins an exclusive arts residency called “Nightingale.” But when women begin disappearing and unsettling secrets come to light, Marjorie realizes the residency may be far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

Who’s really playing who in this unusual and atmospheric story?

Having lived my entire life in the northern suburbs of Detroit, I especially enjoyed the setting — the sprawling estates along Lakeshore Drive and in Grosse Pointe, along with references to the DIA and the famed Eloise Psychiatric Hospital — which made the reading experience even more engaging for me. I’ve often said of these mansions, “If only the walls could talk — the stories we might hear.”

The writing is straightforward, and the story itself is unique. The Lennox family is a nest of secrets, with the ruthlessness and manipulative games they play contributing to the family’s questionable morals and unethical behavior.

The tone is atmospheric and mysterious, and the quirky, eccentric personalities combined with the dark humor were particularly appealing to me. The Prohibition-era Detroit setting feels historically immersive. The pacing is more measured, with the layers unfolding gradually as secrets come to light. I also enjoyed the witty banter among the Lennox family members, which added genuinely comical moments throughout the story.

I’ve read a few of Ruta Sepetys’ other books and enjoyed them, but I loved this one. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC.

[Lexi]

DNF: 8%

SSSOOO…I restarted the audiobook 9 times only to still feel lost after reading 4 whole chapters. I’m sorry but, NO BOOK with 65 short chapters should feel this confusing. 😒😒😒. And then there is the FMC, Majorie Lennox, who felt too dingy and annoying. Just Nope!!! 🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️!!!
~~~~~~~
***Pre-Read:*** It’s been a minute since I’ve gravitated towards a Historical Fiction Novel. 😬😬😬.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley for the advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I first heard Ruta Sepetys was coming out with a new book in the adult fiction genre I was so excited. I have enjoyed her YA books so I assumed A Fortune of Sand would be just as good if not better. Boy was I in for a shock! I am about to give you my honest thoughts, so buckle up. 😉

Let me start with a short synopsis. The book is set in 1920s Detroit. The FMC, Marjorie Lennox, is the daughter of an automotive dynasty. She is creative and imaginative but dismissed and ignored by her father. She applies and is accepted into an art program that is funded by a secret benefactor. However, things are not as they seem and Marjorie starts to unravel the truth about her family and what happens to women who do not fit in.

My thoughts: to start there was so much cursing and vulgarity, so much! Not just “mild” words either, there are f bombs. There are sexual innuendos, alcohol consumption and abuse, spousal abuse, two bedroom scenes (while not described in detail one scene gave to much detail after the fact), one character that was very sexualized and was forced to marry at 13 and she calls her husband daddy. There is an orgy that takes place, while not described you know what is happening.

As far as the story and plot go I felt the characters were very poorly developed. There was so much going on in the story that it felt like she was rushing through every part of the story and not taking time to really draw readers in. It took me about 60% of the book before I felt invested and interested in the story. It took all that time to really grasp where the story was going and what was happening. Just when I was figuring it all out the book was suddenly over. The ending was so abrupt and incomplete. It was the most dissatisfying book ending I’ve ever read. It left so much of the story unfinished and left me with so many questions.

[Melodi | booksandchicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Major Ruta fan here and I’m so sad I didn’t love this more. Let me explain my rating without spoilers.

Loved the time period, it had a vibe of Great Gatsby but in Detroit, with big family money due to the automobile industry.

I enjoyed following our protagonist, Marjorie, as she navigates life, a young woman in her 20’s. The chapters rotate between her and her siblings.

A focus on the arts was interesting-but perhaps what made it falter for me?

A mixture of history with suspense that kept me wanting. The mystery aspect didn’t drop enough breadcrumbs for me.

Marjorie falls for a guy she meets once and can’t get him out of her mind. Seemed juvenile to me and not realistic.

It felt very slow. Not much happens until 70%, but once I got to that point it picked up and ended well. A lot of story development that took too long developing and not enough time for me to enjoy the story. It took forever for me to pick up where the story was going. That said, the chapters were short enough that it didn’t drag too much.

Loved the historical content once I knew it was historical in the authors note. I would have liked even more of the history.

If you’re a Ruta fan, you should read this, but it’s not as strong as her other works IMHO.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the gifted e-arc.

[Abby Nicole]

!!!!!! Can’t possibly wait for the SUMMER

[Renée | apuzzledbooklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Sepetys books. I believe I’ve read all of them except for The Bletchley Riddle. This book is set in Detroit during its Golden Age. It has such an interesting premise. At face value, it should have so many aspects that I would enjoy. The Lennox family has made their mark on the area and their fortune as well, in the automotive industry. They also have some dark secrets…

Marjorie Lennox is the youngest child in the family, and she is a big focus of the story, a bit of a wild child, an artist who applies to an exclusive arts program and is thrilled to be accepted by a very mysterious benefactor. But it is not at all what she would have expected.

There is another minor storyline, which kind of gets lost in the shuffle and honestly was very confusing. The story was frustrating in its entirety, and it felt so slow. This book has a completely different feel than any of her books that I have previously read. I could not get into the story, at all. I did not connect to the characters and found myself not wanting to return to reading. It makes me so sad.

[Rating • 2.75 ⭐️]

The author's note was one of the most interesting and informative parts of the book. Be sure to check it out.

[Thanks to the publisher, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.]

CA | Contains a few crass sexual descriptions, a bit of innuendo and a brief fade to black love scene. Also a couple of instances of strong language.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one is more upset than I am that this didn’t work for me. I grant this an unfortunate 2.5 stars.

As the daughter of a wealthy automative magnate, Marjorie Lennox and her artistic free spirit don’t fit in. Her selfish siblings and inattentive father constantly dismiss her. For a change of pace, Marjorie jumps at the chance to attend an exclusive artist’s retreat in Detroit and refine her fashion designs. However, nothing is as it seems at the Nightingale with locked doors, restrictive contracts, and disappearing artists. Meanwhile, her brother Graham navigates the family business and his father’s ambition.

I’ve been a fan of Ruta Sepetys for years, so I jumped at the opportunity to read and review her latest work set in the glamorous and smoky 1920s. This is her adult debut, so I expected changes in content, but this unfortunately did not feel like a Ruta Sepetys book.

My major issue is the characters. Most of them lacked depth and I found them insufferable. Aside from Marjorie and Ivy, I didn’t connect with anyone. I wish the book had been entirely from Marjorie’s perspective; Graham’s POV didn’t add anything aside from showing me again and again how terrible their family is. Reading about the Lennox’s filled me with dread and I had to keep putting the book down.

As for the plot, I felt like there was no true resolution. It felt unfinished and just… ends. The romance was simply there. I didn’t care for Bonafante.

I appreciate the topic Sepetys was trying to cover. She’s a master at bringing hidden pieces of history to light. I can’t say what it is without spoiling a major plot point, but I wish we had focused more on that worthy cause. Ivy’s story truly touched me and I wanted more of that and the Nightingale.

Readers who are not as familiar with Ruta Sepetys might enjoy this more than I did. If you like rich people drama, this might be for you.

Thank you to Ballantine for this ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A FORTUNE OF SAND

This story is set in Detroit and Grosse Pointe in 1927 and centers around the very wealthy Lennox family. In the automotive capital of the world, they’ve made their fortune in windshields and have become members of the Nouveau Riche.

Family dynamics range from bizarre to really bizarre, with three generations living in the magnificent Glen Arden estate. Secrets, lies, schemes, and crimes are plentiful. And of course there is a handsome, rich, reclusive bachelor who lives just down the road a ways.

Full of glitz, glamour, and humor, many important topics are also interwoven, including mental health, grief, decadence, trust, and changing societal norms. There is a lot of terrific information about the auto industry, prohibition, and Detroit and Grosse Pointe areas 100 years ago.

“The glamour of old Detroit is now eclipsed by the grit of its underworld.”

I would like to thank NetGalley, Ruta Sepetys, and Ballantine Books/ Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed everything I read by Ruta Sepetys because I always learn something and, while I did learn about 1920s Detroit, this didn’t charm me the way the others did. This has always been my least favorite time period to read about and the events in this book have reinforced that dislike as it all seems to boil down to rich people behaving badly. I don’t connect well with it and I found most of this book not to my taste; the characters were all unlikeable and underdeveloped, and the situations they found themselves in were all of their own making. This one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the review copy.

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sepetys is a great writer, and she’s been an auto-read author for me for a little while now. “I Must Betray You” was a fascinating window (although also horrifying) into the Romanian dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu at the end of the 1980s.

This new novel dives into 1920s Detroit and examines life for a rich young woman who doesn’t quite fit into the mold of how society thinks she should behave. This subject normally wouldn’t be something that I would pick to learn about, but I was willing to give it a try.

Prepare yourselves for a very slow burn. Marjorie Lennox applies to an arts program to prove herself when she annoys her father one too many times, but when she gets there, a lot of little things don’t add up. Why do the women have to lock their doors at all times? Why are they restricted from going outside much? Above all, why are there SO MANY RULES??

Sepetys does immerse the reader into the time period, and there are genuinely interesting tidbits about the 1920s, but I ultimately was disappointed in this story. It was hard to connect with the characters, and it took *forever* for anything to actually happen.

Unfortunately, I have to give this 3 stars as is, which pains me to give to such a talented writer. Here’s hoping that Ms. Sepetys’ next novel will be more engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one! I truly don’t understand the mixed reviews. The reviewers who were scandalized by some swearing and mentions of sex (honestly no open door..) what do you usually read?! Just a little baffled.

Anyway.. I was a big fan of the setting, 1920s Detroit. These rich heirs in the motor vehicle industry were endearing. I loved the siblings and how they took care of each other. Great family drama happening. And I loved Marjorie. She was sweet and quirky and whimsical. Everyone underestimated her, but she was smarter than they gave her credit.
I enjoyed the mysteries and twists as revealed.

During a time when I needed to be taken out of present day, Ruta Sepetys delivered.

Thank you to net galley for the eARC!
The audiobook was really good as well!

[Cal Luna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ruta Sepetys is an auto buy author for me, unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. I don’t like leaving reviews less than 3 stars. But I don’t want to be dishonest either. One of the main character was simply so ditsy and clueless and almost an airhead for most of the book. And I understand she grows in the story but it was just grinding my gears too much. There was no shocking twist for me like her other books and unless I was familiar with Detroit the descriptions of the setting weren’t helping me picture the city in the 20’s. I did laugh at some parts and the cover is five stars in itself. But I also don’t understand this insta love and trust between Marjorie and Luc. I know Sepety’s writing style also tends to be open ended but I didn’t find anything satisfactory about the conclusion. One other gripe I will mention, and I am aware it fits the roaring twenties pushing the boundary, but there was crude scenes and much more innuendos than I would have liked. This is one of the biggest factors in my rating. I will absolutely read what she will write in the future and still greatly enjoy her other works but simply this book was a miss for me.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fortune of Sand by Rita Sepetys is a dazzling and dangerous glimpse into the lifestyle of Detroit, Michigan in 1927. Her debut adult novel is a haunting historical tale set during Prohibition, weaving together gangsters, jewel heists, automobile dynasties, and stories long forgotten.

At the center is Marjorie Lennox, a bubbly, aspiring fashion designer determined to forge her own path despite her father’s harsh expectations. As the truth-to-a-fault daughter of a windshield developer during the height of the automobile boom…she longs to prove to her eccentric family that she can succeed if she only follows her heart. For Marjorie, fashion is her heartbeat. Yet part of her heart also beats for a mysterious, reserved man she has spoken to only once.

With the help of her dashing, Yale-educated, boisterous brother Graham, and her melancholy, death-obsessed sister Chet, Marjorie secretly attends a women-only artistic residency in a Detroit Mansion — hosted by the very man her heart longs for.

While the residency starts as a dream opportunity for her, slowly things start to darken. Women disappear in the night. Strange sounds echo throughout the halls. Rules are strictly enforced, and Marjorie senses that there might be something sinister lurking behind this residency. As secrets start to unravel in the mansion, her family is starting to come apart at the seams, as the years of hidden secrets start to come to light. Marjorie must face truths that threaten her dreams and more importantly, her life.

Rita Sepetys skillfully transports you to the glamour and grit of the 1920’s. She captures the tension between wealth and corruption, ambition and loyalty. This novel is a must-read for those who seek richly detailed historical fiction that is seamlessly weaved with mystery, family drama, and the timeless strength of self-determination. Marjorie’s story will stay with you long after the final sentence. Thank you to Ballentine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I loved this book and I will remember it for years to come.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Prohibition era Detroit, the story follows the Lennox family who provide the glass for car windows to all the auto magnates of the era. They've made their fortune this way (thus Fortunes of Sand), but each family member is keeping secrets. This is a quick read with somewhat of an abrupt ending. I loved the atmospheric writing & the description of the Gross Pointe area & society. I loved this book so much that I finished it in one day.

[Tyffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ADORE Ruta Sepetys’ books and regularly suggest them to my students to read. I love how she covers lesser known aspects of historical events. Her research is unmatched. So I was very excited for her adult debut. Overall, I loved the story. The setting is amazing. Clearly she has done her research again. I was 100% invested in the story, ready for Marjorie’s redemption arc. And then the book ended.

When I tell you I was shocked by the end of the book, I mean my flabbers were gasted. What do you mean, that’s the end?!?! Is there a sequel? I don’t know what went on behind the scenes to reach this point but the book feels incomplete. It didn’t leave me with this dreamy feeling that the future will be brighter for Marjorie and ‘the world is her oyster.’ It left me feeling like I received a pirated version of the book and the last 5 chapters are missing. 😑

If there’s not a sequel planned, what are we even doing? 4⭐️ because I love the author and am trusting her to make this right.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the arc.

[Elaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the setting and the feminist themes, but the ending fell flat for me.

[Carmen Liffengren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't go into A Fortune of Sand expecting one of Sepetys's well-researched YA historical novels. This new book is her first adult novel. It's set during the golden age of Detroit. It's glitz, glamour, and corruption. It's prohibition and auto empires. Sepetys does a good job of setting the scene of the Lennox family by focusing on the youngest daughter, Marjorie Lennox. What unfolds is a chess game that takes the reader to an "unusual" artist's residency, a jewel heist, and a Gatsby-esque party ruse. I am not sure all the pieces end up fitting together perfectly, but I was here for this 1920s Detroit game all the same. Sepetys always takes me to a new place and I had never been to gilded Detroit.

[Kelsey Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruta does it again 👏🏻 I swear every time I read one of her books I end up devouring the majority of it in a day!

Thank you so much to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC of A Fortune of Sand!

Vibes:
✨Gatsby-esque
✨Elite automotive family in 1920s Detroit
✨Artistic expression era
✨Prohibition and flapper era
✨Dirty money
✨Mystery man
✨Suspenseful twist

If I’m being honest, I kinda requested this blind because I love Ruta Sepetys and I totally forgot what the story was about before I started but WOW am I so glad I got to read this!

The banter between the Lennox siblings was what pulled me in from the beginning but the curiosity I had for Marjorie’s character and her mysterious artistic residency was what kept me interested! Up until the twist that I honestly wasn’t expecting 👏🏻 and what a good twist!! I know that Ruta always writes about times or issues in history that are important so I was really curious what she was going to focus on for this 1920s elite glamour-esque book!

Oh and can I just say “a fortune of sand” is the BEST title for this book!! I honestly thought that was so clever and brings the story full circle by the end of the book 🙂‍↕️

If you like Gatsby, the glitz and glam of the flapper era, secrets and lies of the rich elite and twisty stories… the 100% read A Fortune of Sand 💎

[WILL U READ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Publication date: June 2, 2026.

“A Fortune of Sand” is an atmospheric, ever-shifting historical novel that feels less like a single fixed story and more like a series of revealing character moments that gradually accumulate weight. Set against 1927 Detroit, the book captures an uncertain era shaped by ambition, wealth, performance, and the cost of progress.

Marjorie is written with warmth and complexity. She doesn’t always understand things immediately — and that delay feels intentional. Her growth comes from observation, lived experience, and emotional reckoning rather than quick realizations. Watching her piece things together gives the story its quiet momentum. When other characters are confronted by her presence, they often respond with unexpected vulnerability, seeking deeper connection in ways that feel authentic rather than tidy.

The narrative widens beyond Marjorie at times, giving space to her family and others, which enriches the emotional landscape and reinforces how interconnected personal choices and social expectations are. The story is constantly evolving, and while a few moments feel slightly forced, they are rare and never overpower the larger emotional truth.

Sepetys’ craft shines in the details — reflective chapter headings, period newspaper excerpts, and visual materials that ground the story in its historical moment. The acknowledgements and author’s note are especially thoughtful and add meaningful context to the work as a whole.

This is a layered, adult historical novel about perception, reputation, and the slow understanding of truth — one that lingers well beyond the final page.

[Sophia LB · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Ruta strikes again! What a magnificent book. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for the ARC. Ruta is my favorite writer, so it was a privilege to have early access.

I LOVED the plot. The mystery. I really felt the tension, and my curiosity was desperate. This book is very reminiscent of "Out of the Easy," which is my second favorite of Ruta's book, so this was right up my alley. It's not surrounding a big, flashy historical event like most of her books are, so it's got a very different vibe to it.

Marjorie is one of Ruta's best protagonists, and I'll say that with my full chest. She is vibrant, bubbly, fun, full of life, and her arc is fascinating. I love how she handles her situation, it was very satisfying. I also loved Graham. I love his sharp wit, and especially his dynamic with Chet. They're really funny together. I also LOVED Ivy and Bernice. Overall, such a colorful ensemble, really well-written. Even the odious characters, I still enjoyed reading them because they were really well done.

The dialogue is very fitting for the glamorous, Gatsby-like (there's even a dog named Daisy haha) setting the story is set in. I also love Bonafante and Marjorie's chemistry towards the end.

Overall, loved loved loved this book. It's criminal that one must wait a year or more for a Ruta Sepetys novel, but this one was well worth the wait. I rated it 4.5 stars for now just because I like to save my 5s, but this book definitely has potential to earn that extra .5 in the future.

Special shoutout to Granny. I strive to be like her when I'm old. What an icon.

#AFortuneofSand #NetGalley

[Jeni | StoryTimeReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher. A positive review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

Ruta Sepetys has long been one of my favorite historical fiction authors, so I was excited to read her first adult novel. Her writing remains strong, and as always, her research and ability to uncover lesser-known pieces of history are impressive.

That said, this one wasn’t quite my cup of tea.

Readers familiar with Sepetys’s previous books should know that A Fortune of Sand contains considerably more mature content than her earlier work, including strong language, sexual innuendo, bedroom scenes, and references to sexual situations. As someone who primarily reads and review clean fiction, that made this a less comfortable reading experience for me.

I also found it difficult to fully connect with the story for much of the book. There were numerous plot threads and mysteries unfolding at once, and it took me quite a while to understand where the story was headed. While I became more invested around the halfway point, I never felt as connected to the characters as I have in Sepetys’s previous novels.

The historical setting of 1920s Detroit was fascinating, and several of the ideas explored throughout the novel were intriguing. However, I found myself wishing for more character development and a more fully resolved ending. By the final page, I was left with a number of unanswered questions and wanted a bit more closure.

While this wasn’t a favorite for me, I continue to admire Ruta Sepetys as a storyteller and will absolutely read her future books. I suspect readers who enjoy literary historical fiction with multiple mysteries, family drama, and a more open-ended conclusion may connect with this one more than I did.

[Zinnia Bayardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that Detroit was once the Paris of the Midwest? This was an interesting history and now I think of Detroit Rock City a little differently.

This isn’t my favorite Sepetys book. It was a little clunky to start and took a while to take off. But eventually the story took shape and I liked it. 3.5⭐️

[Jamie Mirano · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 if I’m honest. I loveeee Ruta Sepetys, but I did not enjoy this book 😔 I was hooked for like 50 pages at the end, but then the ending was super unsatisfying for me.

[Kori Sulewski (korireads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars probably - I am a huge fan of Ruta’s other work so I was really excited for this. Unfortunately, it did not work for me and it really had so much potential (1920s Detroit?). The book is really short yet there are so many characters… which needless to say left them all feeling underdeveloped and one-dimensional. The “romance” is with a guy she met once but is in love with. And the ending is super abrupt. If this was 200 more pages, I bet it could have been amazing.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. I’m a HUGE Ruta Sepetys fan, and having this set in a city near me was so fun to read about, and I learned quite a bit about Detroit history! The historical and arts aspect were good, and the mystery did have me on my toes… but it was a bit of a slow start. I am someone who prefers more action/adventure/intensity to a book, so having most of the dialogue/plot surrounding the life and drama of a high status family was less aligned with my tastes leading to my rating!

[Miriam Simut]

Can't wait!!!!!