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Arrivals and Departures: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26From the New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters comes a witty and wonderful new novel about one unforgettable family and the journeys we take—across oceans and through heartbreak—to find our way back to love.
The Perkins family has problems. They’re scattered across the globe. Lee, a glamorous reality-TV star, is struggling with her mental health in the spotlight. Reagan, her younger sister, has fallen for a romance scammer and vanished overseas. Cord, their charming brother, is one drink away from losing it all. And their mother, Charlotte, still longs for the love she let slip away a decade ago, a lover who sailed off with her heart to a remote island in Greece.
When Reagan disappears, Lee flies first-class to Athens to save her family—again. There, against the glittering Mediterranean and the shadow of the Acropolis, Lee contends with emotional nieces, relentless paparazzi, and her own fragile heart. Lee is desperately searching—for her sister, and for the hope and joy she thought was gone forever.
Across continents and crises, each member of the Perkins family must face the same is it ever too late to choose love?
Featuring characters from Ward’s bestselling novel The Jetsetters, Arrivals and Departures is brimming with humor, honesty, and hope. It’s the story of a family finding the courage to say the only words that can save us—I love you.
The Perkins family has problems. They’re scattered across the globe. Lee, a glamorous reality-TV star, is struggling with her mental health in the spotlight. Reagan, her younger sister, has fallen for a romance scammer and vanished overseas. Cord, their charming brother, is one drink away from losing it all. And their mother, Charlotte, still longs for the love she let slip away a decade ago, a lover who sailed off with her heart to a remote island in Greece.
When Reagan disappears, Lee flies first-class to Athens to save her family—again. There, against the glittering Mediterranean and the shadow of the Acropolis, Lee contends with emotional nieces, relentless paparazzi, and her own fragile heart. Lee is desperately searching—for her sister, and for the hope and joy she thought was gone forever.
Across continents and crises, each member of the Perkins family must face the same is it ever too late to choose love?
Featuring characters from Ward’s bestselling novel The Jetsetters, Arrivals and Departures is brimming with humor, honesty, and hope. It’s the story of a family finding the courage to say the only words that can save us—I love you.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
6 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Eyre Ward
16 books1,426 followersAmanda Eyre Ward’s new novel. LOVERS AND LIARS, will be published in May, 2024! It is the story of a librarian in love.
Here is a very long bio: Amanda was born in New York City in 1972. Her family mved to Rye, New York when she was four. Amanda attended Kent School in Kent, CT, where she wrote for the Kent News.
Amanda majored in English and American Studies at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. She studied fiction writing with Jim Shepard and spent her junior fall in coastal Kenya. She worked part-time at the Williamstown Public Library. After graduation, Amanda taught at Athens College in Greece for a year, and then moved to Missoula, Montana.
Amanda studied fiction writing at the University of Montana with Bill Kittredge, Dierdre McNamer, Debra Earling, and Kevin Canty, receiving her MFA. After traveling to Egypt, she took a job at the University of Montana Mansfield Library, working in Inter Library Loan.
In 1998, Amanda moved to Austin, Texas where she began working on Sleep Toward Heaven. Amanda finished Sleep Toward Heaven, which was published in 2003. Sleep Toward Heaven won the Violet Crown Book Award and was optioned for film by Sandra Bullock and Fox Searchlight. To promote Sleep Toward Heaven, Amanda, her baby, and her mother Mary-Anne Westley traveled to London and Paris.
Amanda moved to Waterville, Maine, where she wrote in an attic filled with books. Amanda’s second novel, How to Be Lost, was published in 2004. How to Be Lost was selected as a Target Bookmarked pick, and has been published in fifteen countries.
After one year in Maine and two years on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Amanda and her family returned to Austin, Texas.
To research her third novel, Forgive Me, Amanda traveled with her sister, Liza Ward Bennigson, to Cape Town, South Africa. Forgive Me was published in 2007.
Amanda's short story collection, Love Stories in This Town, was published in April, 2009.
Her fourth novel, Close Your Eyes, published in July, 2011, received a four-star reiew in People Magazine, won the Elle Lettres Readers' Prize for September, and inspired the Dallas Morning News to write, "With CLOSE YOUR EYES, Austin novelist Amanda Eyre Ward puts another jewel in her crown as the reigning doyenne of 'dark secrets' literary fiction."
Close Your Eyes was named in Kirkus' Best Books of 2011, and won the Elle Magazine Fiction Book of the Year. It was released in paperback in August, 2012.
Amanda's fifth novel, The Same Sky, was published on January 20, 2015. It was named one of the most anticipated books for 2015 by BookPeople and Book of the Week by People Magazine. Dallas Morning News writes, "Ward has written a novel that brilliantly attaches us to broader perspectives. It is a needed respite from the angry politics surrounding border issues that, instead of dividing us, connects us to our humanity."
The Same Sky was chosen as a Target Bookmarked pick.
Amanda's new novel, The Nearness of You, was published on Valentine's Day, 2017.
Amanda's new novel, THE JETSETTERS, was chosen by Reese's Book Club and Hello Sunshine and became a New York Times bestseller. Her novel THE LIFEGUARDS was published in 2022.
Ask me anything and stay tuned for news about LOVERS AND LIARS and TV and film projects based on Amanda's work!
Here is a very long bio: Amanda was born in New York City in 1972. Her family mved to Rye, New York when she was four. Amanda attended Kent School in Kent, CT, where she wrote for the Kent News.
Amanda majored in English and American Studies at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. She studied fiction writing with Jim Shepard and spent her junior fall in coastal Kenya. She worked part-time at the Williamstown Public Library. After graduation, Amanda taught at Athens College in Greece for a year, and then moved to Missoula, Montana.
Amanda studied fiction writing at the University of Montana with Bill Kittredge, Dierdre McNamer, Debra Earling, and Kevin Canty, receiving her MFA. After traveling to Egypt, she took a job at the University of Montana Mansfield Library, working in Inter Library Loan.
In 1998, Amanda moved to Austin, Texas where she began working on Sleep Toward Heaven. Amanda finished Sleep Toward Heaven, which was published in 2003. Sleep Toward Heaven won the Violet Crown Book Award and was optioned for film by Sandra Bullock and Fox Searchlight. To promote Sleep Toward Heaven, Amanda, her baby, and her mother Mary-Anne Westley traveled to London and Paris.
Amanda moved to Waterville, Maine, where she wrote in an attic filled with books. Amanda’s second novel, How to Be Lost, was published in 2004. How to Be Lost was selected as a Target Bookmarked pick, and has been published in fifteen countries.
After one year in Maine and two years on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Amanda and her family returned to Austin, Texas.
To research her third novel, Forgive Me, Amanda traveled with her sister, Liza Ward Bennigson, to Cape Town, South Africa. Forgive Me was published in 2007.
Amanda's short story collection, Love Stories in This Town, was published in April, 2009.
Her fourth novel, Close Your Eyes, published in July, 2011, received a four-star reiew in People Magazine, won the Elle Lettres Readers' Prize for September, and inspired the Dallas Morning News to write, "With CLOSE YOUR EYES, Austin novelist Amanda Eyre Ward puts another jewel in her crown as the reigning doyenne of 'dark secrets' literary fiction."
Close Your Eyes was named in Kirkus' Best Books of 2011, and won the Elle Magazine Fiction Book of the Year. It was released in paperback in August, 2012.
Amanda's fifth novel, The Same Sky, was published on January 20, 2015. It was named one of the most anticipated books for 2015 by BookPeople and Book of the Week by People Magazine. Dallas Morning News writes, "Ward has written a novel that brilliantly attaches us to broader perspectives. It is a needed respite from the angry politics surrounding border issues that, instead of dividing us, connects us to our humanity."
The Same Sky was chosen as a Target Bookmarked pick.
Amanda's new novel, The Nearness of You, was published on Valentine's Day, 2017.
Amanda's new novel, THE JETSETTERS, was chosen by Reese's Book Club and Hello Sunshine and became a New York Times bestseller. Her novel THE LIFEGUARDS was published in 2022.
Ask me anything and stay tuned for news about LOVERS AND LIARS and TV and film projects based on Amanda's work!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advance copy of Arrivals and Departures. I throughly enjoyed the storyline of each member of this family. The author had a realistic and sensitive insight into mental health and the effect on the individual as well as the family. I could not put this book down ( and also want to book a trip to Greece).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was...a book!
Arrivals and Departures is the third book I read from this author and it is easily my favourite.
Fun fact #1: this book contains several characters from one of Ward's previous novels: The Jetsetters. However, this isn't exactly a sequel to that book, and it can easily be read as a standalone.
To be frank, I read The Jetsetters 4 or 5 years ago. I barely remember that book. And it is also my least favourite that I've read from this author.
Yet, I feel like I missed nothing going into this new book. I recognised some names but it was perfectly readable without having the 'previous' book fresh in my mind.
Fun fact#2: out ouf those, now, 3 novels I've read from Amanda Eyre Ward, this one is easily the heaviest in tone and context. Don't be fooled by the cozy and sunny art cover! The content of this book is heavy! There are some very serious and dark topics being discussed here, such as depression, suicidal thoughts, addictions, underage sexual exploration, online scammers, and others. This is NOT a fun and cozy summer read! Be aware of that before going into this book.
The Greek islands setting do indeed bring a lighter tone to the narrative. But in general this book is not easy to read.
I personally cared for all the characters, so I could feel their pain and despair in certain moments. I would root for them constantly and be very annoyed when things went south and some characters kept making the wrong choices over and over again. But I'd say that is why these characters within these scenarios seem so realistic. Because what these people go through are real struggles and vices anyone can go through.
As I've said above, online scamming is one of the topics discussed in this book. And that hit harder for me, because I was once a victim of online scamming. It triggered me. And yet I couldn't stop reading it. I actually read this book in...a little more than 24 hours. I was emotionally invested in it all.
I picked this book up thinking I was going to read a light breezy summery, even maybe silly, romance-ish story about a family vacationing in Greece.
Well, I was wrong. LoL And yet, I felt happily wrong about my expectations. I really really liked this book. It spoke to me. It moved me. It bothered me. It triggered me. It even scared me a little, but I connected to these characters in such a level that I know I won't forget about them so soon.
And they are not so deep! This book is, in my opinion, too short to have such depth in character development. But it was enough to speak to me. I loved it!
However, I don't believe this book will speak to many other readers. So I would recommend this novel to readers who usually enjoy reading and following characters with realistic vices and struggles, and don't mind novels with heavy and dark topics. Read with caution.
*The conclusion is hopeful and sweet* - just so you'll know.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Arrivals and Departures is the third book I read from this author and it is easily my favourite.
Fun fact #1: this book contains several characters from one of Ward's previous novels: The Jetsetters. However, this isn't exactly a sequel to that book, and it can easily be read as a standalone.
To be frank, I read The Jetsetters 4 or 5 years ago. I barely remember that book. And it is also my least favourite that I've read from this author.
Yet, I feel like I missed nothing going into this new book. I recognised some names but it was perfectly readable without having the 'previous' book fresh in my mind.
Fun fact#2: out ouf those, now, 3 novels I've read from Amanda Eyre Ward, this one is easily the heaviest in tone and context. Don't be fooled by the cozy and sunny art cover! The content of this book is heavy! There are some very serious and dark topics being discussed here, such as depression, suicidal thoughts, addictions, underage sexual exploration, online scammers, and others. This is NOT a fun and cozy summer read! Be aware of that before going into this book.
The Greek islands setting do indeed bring a lighter tone to the narrative. But in general this book is not easy to read.
I personally cared for all the characters, so I could feel their pain and despair in certain moments. I would root for them constantly and be very annoyed when things went south and some characters kept making the wrong choices over and over again. But I'd say that is why these characters within these scenarios seem so realistic. Because what these people go through are real struggles and vices anyone can go through.
As I've said above, online scamming is one of the topics discussed in this book. And that hit harder for me, because I was once a victim of online scamming. It triggered me. And yet I couldn't stop reading it. I actually read this book in...a little more than 24 hours. I was emotionally invested in it all.
I picked this book up thinking I was going to read a light breezy summery, even maybe silly, romance-ish story about a family vacationing in Greece.
Well, I was wrong. LoL And yet, I felt happily wrong about my expectations. I really really liked this book. It spoke to me. It moved me. It bothered me. It triggered me. It even scared me a little, but I connected to these characters in such a level that I know I won't forget about them so soon.
And they are not so deep! This book is, in my opinion, too short to have such depth in character development. But it was enough to speak to me. I loved it!
However, I don't believe this book will speak to many other readers. So I would recommend this novel to readers who usually enjoy reading and following characters with realistic vices and struggles, and don't mind novels with heavy and dark topics. Read with caution.
*The conclusion is hopeful and sweet* - just so you'll know.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 26, 2026
This novel, a follow-up to one of the author’s earlier works (which I had not read), centers on Lee Perkins, a glamorous reality television star whose life has been shaped as much by public scrutiny as by her own ongoing mental health struggles. After a very public behavioral health crisis, Lee retreats to her mother Charlotte’s home in Savannah, hoping for quiet and recovery. That peace is quickly disrupted when her teenage nieces reach out, worried about their mother—Lee’s sister, Reagan—who has abruptly disappeared on a so-called “momcation,” cutting off all contact.
Recognizing that her fractured family once again needs her, Lee sets off for Greece to find Reagan and restore some sense of stability. What she uncovers is troubling: Reagan has fallen victim to an online romance scam, sending thousands of dollars to someone she believes is her true love. As Lee searches across Athens and beyond, she must navigate not only the physical challenge of locating her sister, but also the emotional strain of holding her family together.
Complicating matters further are Lee’s strained relationships with her nieces, who remain wary of her and are quick to weaponize her past mental health struggles—even as Lee begins to recognize similar issues emerging in one of them. Meanwhile, their brother Cord battles alcoholism, adding another layer of instability, and their 82-year-old mother Charlotte unexpectedly follows Lee to Greece, hoping to reconnect with a long-lost love on a remote island.
Set against the vivid backdrop of the Mediterranean, from the energy of Athens to the timeless presence of the Acropolis, the novel weaves together themes of family dysfunction, resilience, grief, and second chances. Lee must contend not only with intrusive paparazzi and her fragile emotional state, but also with the weight of being the one everyone depends on.
While the premise is compelling and the stakes—particularly Reagan’s disappearance—kept me wanting to know how it would all resolve, the pacing felt uneven at times. Despite the rich setting and layered characters, I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story, as certain sections moved slowly and lacked the emotional pull I expected.
Overall, the novel offers an engaging exploration of family bonds and personal redemption, even if it doesn’t entirely sustain its momentum throughout.
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Recognizing that her fractured family once again needs her, Lee sets off for Greece to find Reagan and restore some sense of stability. What she uncovers is troubling: Reagan has fallen victim to an online romance scam, sending thousands of dollars to someone she believes is her true love. As Lee searches across Athens and beyond, she must navigate not only the physical challenge of locating her sister, but also the emotional strain of holding her family together.
Complicating matters further are Lee’s strained relationships with her nieces, who remain wary of her and are quick to weaponize her past mental health struggles—even as Lee begins to recognize similar issues emerging in one of them. Meanwhile, their brother Cord battles alcoholism, adding another layer of instability, and their 82-year-old mother Charlotte unexpectedly follows Lee to Greece, hoping to reconnect with a long-lost love on a remote island.
Set against the vivid backdrop of the Mediterranean, from the energy of Athens to the timeless presence of the Acropolis, the novel weaves together themes of family dysfunction, resilience, grief, and second chances. Lee must contend not only with intrusive paparazzi and her fragile emotional state, but also with the weight of being the one everyone depends on.
While the premise is compelling and the stakes—particularly Reagan’s disappearance—kept me wanting to know how it would all resolve, the pacing felt uneven at times. Despite the rich setting and layered characters, I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story, as certain sections moved slowly and lacked the emotional pull I expected.
Overall, the novel offers an engaging exploration of family bonds and personal redemption, even if it doesn’t entirely sustain its momentum throughout.
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Perkins family is fractured. Each of them believes they have everything under control. It takes the disappearance of Regan to pull them back together. Regan is divorced and raising two daughters. Her fresh start involves selling her home and moving to Greece. The move doesn't have the desired effect. Regan is searching for a way to be seen again. She falls for a man online whom she believes really sees her. She is so blinded by this connection that she misses danger signs. When she fails to return home from a weekend crafting workshop, her daughters contact their grandmother for help. Regan's sister Lee arrives to care for the girls and work with the local authorities. Lee has baggage of her own. Regan's family reunites in Greece and begins the difficult work of healing.
The lure of the internet plays a major role in this book. Regan, her brother Cord, and her daughters all have unhealthy online obsessions. Regan's sister Lee is suicidal, and their mother, Charlotte, can't face reality. Each member of the family will reach a breaking point, and it is fascinating to see each person's solution. This is a timely story, as many families currently face technology addiction. While this is not a step-by-step recipe for overcoming addiction, there is encouragement and hope that healing is possible. In the end, family ties can unite again.
This modern-day family drama will appeal to readers concerned with or currently battling technology addiction in their lives. It is a cautionary tale, reminding us of how easy it is to be deceived. I appreciate the advanced reader copy from NetGalley, Ballentine Books, and Amanda Eyre Ward.
The lure of the internet plays a major role in this book. Regan, her brother Cord, and her daughters all have unhealthy online obsessions. Regan's sister Lee is suicidal, and their mother, Charlotte, can't face reality. Each member of the family will reach a breaking point, and it is fascinating to see each person's solution. This is a timely story, as many families currently face technology addiction. While this is not a step-by-step recipe for overcoming addiction, there is encouragement and hope that healing is possible. In the end, family ties can unite again.
This modern-day family drama will appeal to readers concerned with or currently battling technology addiction in their lives. It is a cautionary tale, reminding us of how easy it is to be deceived. I appreciate the advanced reader copy from NetGalley, Ballentine Books, and Amanda Eyre Ward.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Perkins family is back in Amanda Eyre Ward’s spectacular novel, “Arrivals and Departures.”
Ten years has passed since Charlotte and her kids went on a Mediterranean cruise. Charotte said no to true love, Paros, to remain in Savannah while Lee battles with gripping depression. Cord has found love but cannot let go of his work obsession (no turn away from the seduction of a drink). Regan, who escaped with her two daughters to Greece, has developed her own obsessed with an Internet lover who is not who he seems. When she suddenly disappears, Lee, who had helped to salvage her family after her father’s suicide, steps away from her own sadness to rescue her sister. But helping out others doesn’t help to solve her own problems, especially when she sees her niece, Flora, struggling with the darkness too.
Told in the alternating point of views of Charlotte and her children, I found this to be a delightful story. Ms. Ward knows her characters well. It’s hard to play favorites but I want to be matriarch, Charlotte, when I grow up. Do not be fooled by the bright and cheery cover of this novel. Though this novel has sweet (and funny) moments, it also skillfully wrestles with hefty topics such as alcoholism and suicide
For any fan of a memorable and well-written story with some picturesque Greece scenery, I highly recommend this book.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the author for providing me an advanced copy.
Ten years has passed since Charlotte and her kids went on a Mediterranean cruise. Charotte said no to true love, Paros, to remain in Savannah while Lee battles with gripping depression. Cord has found love but cannot let go of his work obsession (no turn away from the seduction of a drink). Regan, who escaped with her two daughters to Greece, has developed her own obsessed with an Internet lover who is not who he seems. When she suddenly disappears, Lee, who had helped to salvage her family after her father’s suicide, steps away from her own sadness to rescue her sister. But helping out others doesn’t help to solve her own problems, especially when she sees her niece, Flora, struggling with the darkness too.
Told in the alternating point of views of Charlotte and her children, I found this to be a delightful story. Ms. Ward knows her characters well. It’s hard to play favorites but I want to be matriarch, Charlotte, when I grow up. Do not be fooled by the bright and cheery cover of this novel. Though this novel has sweet (and funny) moments, it also skillfully wrestles with hefty topics such as alcoholism and suicide
For any fan of a memorable and well-written story with some picturesque Greece scenery, I highly recommend this book.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the author for providing me an advanced copy.
March 2, 2026
Amanda Eyre Ward revisits the Perkins family in this follow-up to Jetsetters, set ten years after Charlotte and her children’s Mediterranean cruise. Much has changed in that time. Charlotte chose to remain in Savannah rather than pursue love in Paros, staying close while her daughter Lee struggles with severe depression. Cord has found love but remains consumed by work and tempted by alcohol. Regan, living in Greece with her daughters, becomes entangled in an online relationship that turns out to be more troubling than it first appears.
When Regan suddenly disappears, Lee travels to Athens to find her, stepping away from her own pain to help her sister—something she has done before, ever since their father’s suicide left lasting scars on the family.
Told through alternating perspectives from Charlotte and her children, the novel offers an honest look at a family grappling with mental illness, addiction, and generational trauma. Ward balances these heavy themes with warmth and moments of humor, and the short chapters keep the story moving.
While the characters’ repeated poor decisions can be frustrating, their vulnerability feels authentic. The ending, however, felt somewhat abrupt and tonally different from the earlier chapters. Still, it’s a thoughtful exploration of family, resilience, and the complicated ways we try to save one another.
When Regan suddenly disappears, Lee travels to Athens to find her, stepping away from her own pain to help her sister—something she has done before, ever since their father’s suicide left lasting scars on the family.
Told through alternating perspectives from Charlotte and her children, the novel offers an honest look at a family grappling with mental illness, addiction, and generational trauma. Ward balances these heavy themes with warmth and moments of humor, and the short chapters keep the story moving.
While the characters’ repeated poor decisions can be frustrating, their vulnerability feels authentic. The ending, however, felt somewhat abrupt and tonally different from the earlier chapters. Still, it’s a thoughtful exploration of family, resilience, and the complicated ways we try to save one another.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of Arrivals and Departures by Amanda Eyre Ward.
This book is about a family, each family member with their own struggles. Regan and her two daughters, Isabelle and Flora have moved to Athens, Greece for a new start. Regan is the victim of a relationship scam and is now missing. Flora contacts her Aunt Lee in Savannah for help. Lee is reality star who had a mental breakdown and is now living at home with her mom, Charlotte. Charlotte is a feisty octogenarian who missed out on love many years ago to Paros, a Greek, she met on a cruise. Cord is Regan and Lee’s alcoholic and gay brother who runs a successful venture capital firm in New York. Just your typical America family right? Lee and Charlotte come to Athens for help find Regan.
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, the pages turned quickly. The chapters are super short which I loved, but it is the characters that keep you coming back for more.
This book is about a family, each family member with their own struggles. Regan and her two daughters, Isabelle and Flora have moved to Athens, Greece for a new start. Regan is the victim of a relationship scam and is now missing. Flora contacts her Aunt Lee in Savannah for help. Lee is reality star who had a mental breakdown and is now living at home with her mom, Charlotte. Charlotte is a feisty octogenarian who missed out on love many years ago to Paros, a Greek, she met on a cruise. Cord is Regan and Lee’s alcoholic and gay brother who runs a successful venture capital firm in New York. Just your typical America family right? Lee and Charlotte come to Athens for help find Regan.
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, the pages turned quickly. The chapters are super short which I loved, but it is the characters that keep you coming back for more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Amanda Eyre Ward has a talent for writing deeply flawed, emotionally-stunted characters that you can’t help but root for. Her new novel, Arrivals and Departures, centers on the Perkins family, where dysfunction and chaos rule. From the glitterati of LA to the Spanish moss of Savannah and across the ocean to the Mediterranean coolness of Greece, the family Perkins is scattered across the globe like confetti after a party. Each adult carries a burden mired in selfishness; unable to look up from their own personal wreckage to assist someone else. When push comes to shove, can this family check their egos to save one of their own? With multiple POV and REAL talk around mood disorders, Ward shows why she’s one of the freshest voices writing today.
Thank you, Ballantine Books, for allowing me the opportunity to read this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#amandaeyreward #BallantineBooks #libraryninja📚
Thank you, Ballantine Books, for allowing me the opportunity to read this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#amandaeyreward #BallantineBooks #libraryninja📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked this up expecting a light, jet setting family drama, and it ended up hitting way deeper! The Perkins family is such a mess. Everyone is scattered, emotionally and literally, and I loved how each character felt flawed but also understandable. The Greece setting was absolutely gorgeous, and the story moved quickly while still sitting with the emotional moments. It felt bingeable but thoughtful, and hopeful without being cheesy. If you like reading about messy families and second chances, add this one to your summer TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm so conflicted. On one hand, I flew through this but on the other, it felt so utterly ridiculous at points.
I liked The Jetsetters and at first, didn't realize this was somewhat of a sequel. But I found every character annoying in this book. I couldn't root for a single one of them, as they were all filled with problem, swindling away their lives. The writing wasn't the most eloquent but I finished it, as I had to know what happened in the end.
It wasn't bad - just wasn't that good.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I liked The Jetsetters and at first, didn't realize this was somewhat of a sequel. But I found every character annoying in this book. I couldn't root for a single one of them, as they were all filled with problem, swindling away their lives. The writing wasn't the most eloquent but I finished it, as I had to know what happened in the end.
It wasn't bad - just wasn't that good.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is an interesting read about a multigenerational family and their manic depression. Very well written storyline and characters. Three generations and different stages of dysfunction. Heartbreaking and heartwarming story. Recommend. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher and I am freely sharing my review.#NetGalley @netgalley #amandaeyreward @amandaeyreward #ballantinepublisher @ballantinepublisher
March 5, 2026
This book really surprised me, in a great way. I thought I was going into a bit of a “fluff” read. While the writing style was light hearted and easy breezy, the subject matter was raw and emotional. I loved all of the characters and their real life flaws. The style was so easy to read, and get sucked into, and I loved that. The chapters are short, which makes it such a quick read. I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the EArc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was so good! I didn't read the Jetsetters, so these characters were new to me. I was really surprised by how complex and complicated the Perkins family was. I felt like this book hooked me more than I expected, and it read pretty fast! The Greek setting was a stunning backdrop, as well. I would highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this escapist family saga!
A famous actress sister is missing after moving her entire family to Greece after a terrible divorce. If you love rich people making terrible decisions and everything works out, this book is for you!!
A famous actress sister is missing after moving her entire family to Greece after a terrible divorce. If you love rich people making terrible decisions and everything works out, this book is for you!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I started, I didn't realize it was a sequel to The Jetsetters and I wasn't sure if I was going to finish it as I didn't love the first book. Overall though it was an enjoyable read and honestly it feels like the Perkins family would translate well to the small screen.
February 23, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group. I loved the short chapters of this book, told from different perspectives. The vulnerability of these adult siblings trying to figure out their lives was very honest and humbling. Once I got about a third of the way in, I couldn’t put this book down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions:
This sounded like the perfect summer read, but the deeper I got into it, the more I felt like I was reading a made-for-TV movie, and that for me is not an enjoyable thing.
This sounded like the perfect summer read, but the deeper I got into it, the more I felt like I was reading a made-for-TV movie, and that for me is not an enjoyable thing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was ok. I liked the Greek setting and appreciate the author starting a conversation about mental health, but just couldn’t get into it. None of the characters were likable and the girls felt 2-dimensional. I didn’t really enjoy it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Perkins family is a mess. They all are struggling with their own battles with life. Addictions and depression (internet and substance). Fast forward to Greece and everything unraveled. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
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January 16, 2026RTC - close to publishing day.
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