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People Watching in the Desert
A funny and big-hearted novel for readers of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Remarkably Bright Creatures, about a lonely young woman who prefers to observe the world rather than participate in it, and the seismic repercussions that follow when she steps out of her own bubble.
Sonny Magee has spent most of her life alone, finding comfort in quiet solitude and scribbling in the private pages of her notebook. She lost her loving but troubled mother in childhood and was raised by an indifferent, sometimes cruel grandmother who left her scarred and naïve about life.
When Sonny mysteriously comes into a large sum of money, she finds herself in Arizona, at the luxury Sanctuary Resort & Spa. Out of her element and her comfort zone, she struggles with the spa’s doting staff and the unfamiliar wealth and constant small talk of her fellow guests.
Forced proximity introduces her to a cadre of eccentrics, and something akin to romance blossoms with a resort employee. Yet Sonny still feels most at peace when people watching from the margins, headphones on and scrawling in her notebook. But when a freak accident disturbs Sanctuary's carefully curated tranquility, a shocking twist crumbles Sonny’s inner world, and she finds herself unexpectedly—and maybe even pleasantly—surprised by the people around her.
Sonny Magee has spent most of her life alone, finding comfort in quiet solitude and scribbling in the private pages of her notebook. She lost her loving but troubled mother in childhood and was raised by an indifferent, sometimes cruel grandmother who left her scarred and naïve about life.
When Sonny mysteriously comes into a large sum of money, she finds herself in Arizona, at the luxury Sanctuary Resort & Spa. Out of her element and her comfort zone, she struggles with the spa’s doting staff and the unfamiliar wealth and constant small talk of her fellow guests.
Forced proximity introduces her to a cadre of eccentrics, and something akin to romance blossoms with a resort employee. Yet Sonny still feels most at peace when people watching from the margins, headphones on and scrawling in her notebook. But when a freak accident disturbs Sanctuary's carefully curated tranquility, a shocking twist crumbles Sonny’s inner world, and she finds herself unexpectedly—and maybe even pleasantly—surprised by the people around her.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
October 7, 2026
This book took me a little while to settle into, especially on audio. The beginning was a bit disorienting as I tried to figure out where the story was headed, but once it clicked, I was completely hooked!
There actually was a twist, and it’s such a unique concept. It completely changed the way I viewed the story and, more importantly, how I connected with the main character. I really appreciated how unconventional the storytelling was and how thoughtfully all the pieces came together.
I’m a sucker for eccentric and character-focused women’s fiction, so I couldn’t help but love Sonny. She’s such a quirky and compelling character, with trauma, neurodivergence, and self-perception all shaping the way she experiences the world.
What I loved most, though, was the exploration of the stories we create about ourselves, about other people, and about what we believe to be true. It touches on negative thought patterns, perception and snap judgments, and that fascinating space where reality and fiction blur.
Strange in all the right ways, thoughtful, and genuinely original. Once I found my footing, I really enjoyed this one!
There actually was a twist, and it’s such a unique concept. It completely changed the way I viewed the story and, more importantly, how I connected with the main character. I really appreciated how unconventional the storytelling was and how thoughtfully all the pieces came together.
I’m a sucker for eccentric and character-focused women’s fiction, so I couldn’t help but love Sonny. She’s such a quirky and compelling character, with trauma, neurodivergence, and self-perception all shaping the way she experiences the world.
What I loved most, though, was the exploration of the stories we create about ourselves, about other people, and about what we believe to be true. It touches on negative thought patterns, perception and snap judgments, and that fascinating space where reality and fiction blur.
Strange in all the right ways, thoughtful, and genuinely original. Once I found my footing, I really enjoyed this one!
August 2, 2026
This was a weird read for me. There were moments I was really enjoying it and others I was hating it. I almost DNF’d it a few times. But, I was constantly wondering where it was headed, was it going to go the happy heartwarming route, or was it going to turn to darkness? In my mind, I was mostly expecting a younger “Where’d you go Bernadette.” It’s not quite similar, but probably lands on the same shelf for readers who liked Bernadette. I think a few more rounds of editing would have really helped the story meander less and fixed the romance angle that felt shoehorned into the plot.
Ultimately, if you need a relaxed, not too stressful vacation read People Watching could fit the bill. If you’re looking for White Lotus level shenanigans this is not for you.
Ultimately, if you need a relaxed, not too stressful vacation read People Watching could fit the bill. If you’re looking for White Lotus level shenanigans this is not for you.
March 13, 2026
I read this as an ARC through my job and really loved it. It has slight White Lotus vibes, with a cast of messy, multidimensional characters that keep things entertaining. Sonny is a relatable and sympathetic main character, and it’s satisfying to watch her slowly come out of her shell and see how that ripples through the people around her. Loved the twist and am always here for weird girl representation!
January 28, 2026
People Watching in the Desert is a fantastic debut novel. The characters are intriguing, heartfelt and a bit odd, showcasing unique idiosyncrasies that speak in both a light hearted and serious way to what it means to be humans with different backgrounds and baggage.
The descriptions of the settings and environments make the images easily come to mind, but things are written in a way that one has freedom to dream and imagine as a reader what one is to be reading.
A must read for anyone who has ever asked What If? in any social setting, and a perfect novel to read to share with friends, just like Alanna would, or alone, like Sonny.
The descriptions of the settings and environments make the images easily come to mind, but things are written in a way that one has freedom to dream and imagine as a reader what one is to be reading.
A must read for anyone who has ever asked What If? in any social setting, and a perfect novel to read to share with friends, just like Alanna would, or alone, like Sonny.
August 9, 2026
Sonny Magee is a solitary young woman who prefers observing life from the sidelines, notebook in hand and headphones on. When she unexpectedly comes into money, she ends up at a luxury Arizona resort and spa, thrown into the company of an eclectic group of guests and staff
I struggled for a big portion of the book to get a real sense of Sonny. She was not necessarily the most likable person. Especially because she had a habit of making up elaborate stories of the people she observed and got really upset when reality does not match her made-up narrative.
I get that her background of a difficult childhood with a troubled mother and a cold grandmother shaped who she is but it took a long time for her to grow on me.
The book has a big-hearted message about loneliness and the messy business of letting people in, presented in a very light easy to read format.
I struggled for a big portion of the book to get a real sense of Sonny. She was not necessarily the most likable person. Especially because she had a habit of making up elaborate stories of the people she observed and got really upset when reality does not match her made-up narrative.
I get that her background of a difficult childhood with a troubled mother and a cold grandmother shaped who she is but it took a long time for her to grow on me.
The book has a big-hearted message about loneliness and the messy business of letting people in, presented in a very light easy to read format.
September 21, 2026
4 Stars for People Watching in the Desert (audiobook) by Cali Adeline read by Alexandra Hunter.
A sheltered young woman finally gets an opportunity to stay at an Arizona resort and spa. She slowly befriends the people around her and she may even have her eye on one guy in particular. This trip really helps change her perspective on life.
A sheltered young woman finally gets an opportunity to stay at an Arizona resort and spa. She slowly befriends the people around her and she may even have her eye on one guy in particular. This trip really helps change her perspective on life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is a really interesting book. The midpoint twist is something I'd genuinely never encountered before, and without giving anything away, it reframes the entire story and opens up a unique way of understanding Sonny as a character. On a craft level, it's ambitious and original in a way I enjoyed.
Where it fell short for me was the emotional connection. There's a lot of setup, and the first half of the book is quite slow. The book is positioned in the warm, big-hearted Eleanor Oliphant vein, but for me, it read cooler and more detached, lacking the emotional pulse that would have tipped it from interesting into unforgettable.
That detachment may be exactly right for the reader it's meant for. If you gravitate toward quieter, more cerebral fiction, this could really land for you.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Harper for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really interesting book. The midpoint twist is something I'd genuinely never encountered before, and without giving anything away, it reframes the entire story and opens up a unique way of understanding Sonny as a character. On a craft level, it's ambitious and original in a way I enjoyed.
Where it fell short for me was the emotional connection. There's a lot of setup, and the first half of the book is quite slow. The book is positioned in the warm, big-hearted Eleanor Oliphant vein, but for me, it read cooler and more detached, lacking the emotional pulse that would have tipped it from interesting into unforgettable.
That detachment may be exactly right for the reader it's meant for. If you gravitate toward quieter, more cerebral fiction, this could really land for you.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Harper for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2026
Think White Lotus, only boring.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
this book has officially pulled me out of my reading slump! i’m a big fan of this particular brand of fiction and really enjoyed titles like eleanor oliphant is completely fine, the cactus, a man called ove, remarkably bright creatures, and other quirky character-driven novels that peel back the MC’s harsh exterior to reveal a neurodivergent psyche damaged by past trauma. People Watching in the Desert took the best parts of this trope and wove them into a beautiful story about the stories we tell ourselves — the judgement of strangers based on nothing but vibes, the negative self-talk that hijacks personal narrative, and the thin line between fact and fiction. thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. the pleasure is all mine!
July 22, 2026
Kept waiting for it to grab me. Never really happened.
July 17, 2026
Chapter 10 and still no idea what this book is getting to Can’t spend any more time with it
September 22, 2026
Thank you Harper for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! #HarperBooksPartner
Sonny has spent most of her alone, quietly observing others and writing passages in her notebook. She unexpectedly comes into a large amount of money, and decides to push herself out of her comfort zone by going to a luxury spa and resort in Arizona. She’s definitely out of her element and not used to the wealthy people and doting staff around her. When a twist upends the solitude that Sonny is used to, she finds herself being surprised by the people around her.
I’ll admit that there were a number of pivots in the book that I was definitely not expecting, and that overall it became a heavier book than I was anticipating. That said, I found myself actually really enjoying learning about the lives of Sonny’s fellow spa attendees. It’s hard to say much without giving away the plot, but I admire Cali Adeline's creativity and ability to put so much detail into an otherwise mundane activity of people watching. It’s a beautifully written story with so much insight into the introvert’s mind, with mental health representation and some memorable quirky characters. While this is a debut novel, I’m already eager to read whatever Cali Adeline writes next!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from the publisher.
Read this book if you:
👨🏻👩🏻 love the iconic pop duo of Sonny & Cher
🥣 swear by off brand cereal
🦷 take your flossing and dental hygiene seriously
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Sonny has spent most of her alone, quietly observing others and writing passages in her notebook. She unexpectedly comes into a large amount of money, and decides to push herself out of her comfort zone by going to a luxury spa and resort in Arizona. She’s definitely out of her element and not used to the wealthy people and doting staff around her. When a twist upends the solitude that Sonny is used to, she finds herself being surprised by the people around her.
I’ll admit that there were a number of pivots in the book that I was definitely not expecting, and that overall it became a heavier book than I was anticipating. That said, I found myself actually really enjoying learning about the lives of Sonny’s fellow spa attendees. It’s hard to say much without giving away the plot, but I admire Cali Adeline's creativity and ability to put so much detail into an otherwise mundane activity of people watching. It’s a beautifully written story with so much insight into the introvert’s mind, with mental health representation and some memorable quirky characters. While this is a debut novel, I’m already eager to read whatever Cali Adeline writes next!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from the publisher.
Read this book if you:
👨🏻👩🏻 love the iconic pop duo of Sonny & Cher
🥣 swear by off brand cereal
🦷 take your flossing and dental hygiene seriously
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
June 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My review: It took me exactly 5 minutes to get into this book. Sonny Magee is the MC and she is in AZ at a fancy spa. Something she has never done before having grown up without money, and with a very cold grandmother. It takes a while to figure out where Sonny’s sudden wealth has come from, and she is even more confused how to handle it.
Sonny loves to watch people and write about them. She meets and observes several interesting fellow spa guests and creates a relationship of sorts with the spa bartender Jack.
Sonny’s sheltered life and introvert tendencies make it hard for her to engage with others, but as time moves on at the spa, she learns about people and how to actually talk to them. Making up stories about the spa guests takes up time and Sonny starts to realize that fact and fiction can converge, overlap, and maybe blow up in your face.
I found myself surprised at several points in the book and then not wanting to put the book down so I could find out more. I loved reading the inner workings of Sonny’s mind and imagination and her constant “what ifs…”.
A really thoughtful book with fascinating characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Publishing for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
Sonny loves to watch people and write about them. She meets and observes several interesting fellow spa guests and creates a relationship of sorts with the spa bartender Jack.
Sonny’s sheltered life and introvert tendencies make it hard for her to engage with others, but as time moves on at the spa, she learns about people and how to actually talk to them. Making up stories about the spa guests takes up time and Sonny starts to realize that fact and fiction can converge, overlap, and maybe blow up in your face.
I found myself surprised at several points in the book and then not wanting to put the book down so I could find out more. I loved reading the inner workings of Sonny’s mind and imagination and her constant “what ifs…”.
A really thoughtful book with fascinating characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Publishing for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
July 17, 2026
Should have been a DNF.
July 29, 2026
So many storylines and not one of them interesting 😰
August 3, 2026
“𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 … 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦.”
Sonny’s spending a week at an all-inclusive resort in the desert in Arizona where she’s observing all the guests while writing her own stories, and keeping to herself. Through short chapters the story weaves in and out from the perspectives of the guests she encounters.
This is what I regard as a “slice of life” novel. Character-driven, and not heavy on plot. Sonny’s awkward due in part to her unorthodox upbringing. She’s not quite up on all the social cues so interacting and making conversation is a lot of mental work for her. I think that anyone who’s struggled with small talk or has social anxiety will identify and empathize with her.
The second half of the story is where the momentum kicks in. It’s human behavior on display, and Sonny is trying to deconstruct it to understand it better. She doesn’t realize that this trip is also changing her.
This is a fascinating debut from Adeline. I agree that if you read and liked 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁, you’ll also enjoy this. It also reminds me a bit of Frederick Bakman’s writing. They both dive into their characters’ psyches, embracing the good and the flaws, illuminating us with very real thoughts and feelings. Things may not happen plot-wise, but you’re certainly being moved by these characters, especially Sonny!
Thanks @harperbooks for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Link to my review on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DblI7AuEa...
Sonny’s spending a week at an all-inclusive resort in the desert in Arizona where she’s observing all the guests while writing her own stories, and keeping to herself. Through short chapters the story weaves in and out from the perspectives of the guests she encounters.
This is what I regard as a “slice of life” novel. Character-driven, and not heavy on plot. Sonny’s awkward due in part to her unorthodox upbringing. She’s not quite up on all the social cues so interacting and making conversation is a lot of mental work for her. I think that anyone who’s struggled with small talk or has social anxiety will identify and empathize with her.
The second half of the story is where the momentum kicks in. It’s human behavior on display, and Sonny is trying to deconstruct it to understand it better. She doesn’t realize that this trip is also changing her.
This is a fascinating debut from Adeline. I agree that if you read and liked 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁, you’ll also enjoy this. It also reminds me a bit of Frederick Bakman’s writing. They both dive into their characters’ psyches, embracing the good and the flaws, illuminating us with very real thoughts and feelings. Things may not happen plot-wise, but you’re certainly being moved by these characters, especially Sonny!
Thanks @harperbooks for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Link to my review on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DblI7AuEa...
August 4, 2026
This story did not know what it wanted to be. Was it going to be dark, like “White Lotus” or “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine? Or odd and heartwarming like “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” I found it hard to believe that Sonny is as naive as she was and yet could write these involving stories in her journals. Didn’t she watch all these streaming shows after she became rich? And she worked in a fairly normal office environment, you think she could mature enough to survive in that workplace. Yet she was written like a stunted 10-year old. And did she really do those terrible things, like trip someone and frame another person for shoplifting? She did those things because of what she believed she’d made up about them in her stories? Are we supposed to still like her? And then toward the end when she wrote that last story because she was angry - the story went off the rails for me, but by then it was almost over and I stuck through it. I groaned audibly when reading that part of the story. I slogged through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2026
I loved this book! It was so entertaining and I never knew where it was going. Kudos to the author for creating such a unique and heartwarming story!
June 25, 2026
What a surprise! I think I was expecting something more exhilarating, slightly thrilling, but I’m not at all disappointed in where the book took me. The first part reminded me of the show White Lotus with all the eccentric and secretive resort members. I caught early signs of the twist that happens halfway through, however there were so many follow up twists that I was still entertained. In a one sentence summary, we follow an awkward 20 something take a trip to a luxurious resort, where she gets acquainted with the other guests and slowly opens up, ultimately becoming a better version of her unique self. Would recommend and so happy I got an advanced copy!!
June 10, 2026
(ARC) 5⭐️ This is like White Lotus meets Harriet the Spy. I know, I know…stay with me.
Meet Sonny, our lovable neurodivergent FMC. She suddenly comes into some unexpected money and decides to treat herself to a luxury resort stay, which is a world she’s never really had access to and one filled with people she doesn’t usually cross paths with. Sonny’s favorite hobby is people watching, but she takes it a teensy bit too far and finds herself in a bit of a predicament.
You’re probably going to start this book and think, “wtf, Maddi? This is your five-star read?” Trust the process. This is a quiet book that needs time to marinate. The stories within stories within stories are so bleeping good that by the end you’ll be chanting right alongside me: more weird girls, more luxury resorts, more unhinged plots.
You know how you’re always saying, “I wish I could read something different”? Well, congrats. Your search is over. This novel is fresh af.
Meet Sonny, our lovable neurodivergent FMC. She suddenly comes into some unexpected money and decides to treat herself to a luxury resort stay, which is a world she’s never really had access to and one filled with people she doesn’t usually cross paths with. Sonny’s favorite hobby is people watching, but she takes it a teensy bit too far and finds herself in a bit of a predicament.
You’re probably going to start this book and think, “wtf, Maddi? This is your five-star read?” Trust the process. This is a quiet book that needs time to marinate. The stories within stories within stories are so bleeping good that by the end you’ll be chanting right alongside me: more weird girls, more luxury resorts, more unhinged plots.
You know how you’re always saying, “I wish I could read something different”? Well, congrats. Your search is over. This novel is fresh af.
August 7, 2026
Maybe I should have run the other way as soon as I saw reference to Eleanor Oliphant. I was enticed by reference to Remarkably Bright Creatures. Oh, well—not every book is for every person.
July 26, 2026
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars
Thank you @harperbooks #harperpartner for the free book 💖.
This was a story about Sonny, a young woman with a lonely past, who prefers to observe the world rather than participate in it. She comes into a large sum of money, and decides to go on a little adventure totally out of her comfort zone at a luxury resort in Arizona, and we get to see the repercussions that follow when she steps out of her familiar life.
Sonny is quite a quirky and eccentric character. We get to watch as she little by little tries new things, decides to talk to people rather than just watch, and stops so actively controlling every little aspect and outcome in her life.
The story has a big cast of characters that at first I found a little challenging to keep up with, but as the story develops you get more acquainted with them and it all becomes more easily to follow. This is a slow burn, and it takes some time for the reader to figure out how Sonny got where she’s at in life, and truly not a lot happens, but it’s interesting to listen to Sonny’s inner dialogue, her observations on all the different characters and the way she becomes braver and a little more open, and how that manifests with the people around her. I enjoyed it, and appreciated the “odd girl” representation in this one. It’s a story that highlights how important connection can be.
3.5⭐️
Read if you like:
🏜️Short chapters
🏜️Arizona desert setting
🏜️Journeys of self discovery
🏜️Personal growth
🏜️Introspective characters
⚠️CW: Death of a parent, childhood trauma, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, mentions of drug overdose, mentions of sexual acts, suicidal thoughts, grief, loss, injury details.
Thank you @harperbooks #harperpartner for the free book 💖.
This was a story about Sonny, a young woman with a lonely past, who prefers to observe the world rather than participate in it. She comes into a large sum of money, and decides to go on a little adventure totally out of her comfort zone at a luxury resort in Arizona, and we get to see the repercussions that follow when she steps out of her familiar life.
Sonny is quite a quirky and eccentric character. We get to watch as she little by little tries new things, decides to talk to people rather than just watch, and stops so actively controlling every little aspect and outcome in her life.
The story has a big cast of characters that at first I found a little challenging to keep up with, but as the story develops you get more acquainted with them and it all becomes more easily to follow. This is a slow burn, and it takes some time for the reader to figure out how Sonny got where she’s at in life, and truly not a lot happens, but it’s interesting to listen to Sonny’s inner dialogue, her observations on all the different characters and the way she becomes braver and a little more open, and how that manifests with the people around her. I enjoyed it, and appreciated the “odd girl” representation in this one. It’s a story that highlights how important connection can be.
3.5⭐️
Read if you like:
🏜️Short chapters
🏜️Arizona desert setting
🏜️Journeys of self discovery
🏜️Personal growth
🏜️Introspective characters
⚠️CW: Death of a parent, childhood trauma, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, mentions of drug overdose, mentions of sexual acts, suicidal thoughts, grief, loss, injury details.
August 6, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Very torn on how to rate this one. There was an abrupt pivot on page 191 that left me completely confused and I had to reread that section over and over again. The writing continued to flip flop (I don’t want to elaborate because I don’t want to give anything away) and I found parts very hard to follow. I would have been utterly confused if I listened to this on audio. There was some beautiful writing and several passages made me laugh out loud. Characters were well-developed* (*with an asterisk because of the flip-flopping) and really came to life. Would definitely read future works by Cali Adeline!
September 7, 2026
The title of this book is so accurate. If you don’t like getting to know an array of characters bit by bit in a fairly quirky and meandering way you won’t like this book. Mild spoilers
July 16, 2026
Another 5 ⭐️ alert! Three in a row, how lucky am I? Thanks so much for this stellar debut Harper Books (available everywhere as of Tuesday!) I LOVED this book - it was equal parts funny, charming, quirky and heartwarming with a protagonist I loved.
Sonny Magee is a very sheltered introvert who finds happiness in writing. After a sudden windfall, she splurges on an extravagant vacation at a luxury spa in Arizona where she tries new things and meets a vast array of people, changing her forever.
This is such a perfect coming of age story! I really rooted for Sonny and loved Adeline’s portrayal of such a wide scope of characters at the spa. Her writing was also super atmospheric! This would make a fantastic tv show and I can’t wait to read what Adeline writes next. This was such a breath of fresh air and the PERFECT vacation read while I was in Peru! Highly recommend for fans of unlikely friendships and stories of personal growth.
✨Content Warnings: Suicidal Thoughts, Death of a Parent, Emotional Abuse
✨Themes: Coming of Age, Friendship, Growth
✨You May Like This If You Enjoyed:
-Wedding People (Alison Espach)
-This Close to Okay (Leesa Cross-Smith)
Sonny Magee is a very sheltered introvert who finds happiness in writing. After a sudden windfall, she splurges on an extravagant vacation at a luxury spa in Arizona where she tries new things and meets a vast array of people, changing her forever.
This is such a perfect coming of age story! I really rooted for Sonny and loved Adeline’s portrayal of such a wide scope of characters at the spa. Her writing was also super atmospheric! This would make a fantastic tv show and I can’t wait to read what Adeline writes next. This was such a breath of fresh air and the PERFECT vacation read while I was in Peru! Highly recommend for fans of unlikely friendships and stories of personal growth.
✨Content Warnings: Suicidal Thoughts, Death of a Parent, Emotional Abuse
✨Themes: Coming of Age, Friendship, Growth
✨You May Like This If You Enjoyed:
-Wedding People (Alison Espach)
-This Close to Okay (Leesa Cross-Smith)
July 24, 2026
A charming and unexpected story. It was a sweet tale revolving around observations about those around you turning into building a real connection with them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had me in a chokehold from the very first page because Sonny’s perception of the world was so relatable and funny. I liked the short chapters and although I saw the twist coming, I very much enjoyed it. These characters were realistic and flawed but also so endearing. I appreciated the honesty in which they spoke to each other and it was beautiful to watch their connections form and slowly change the way Sonny viewed the world. I’ll keep this short to avoid spoilers but I would definitely recommend this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 23, 2026
3.5 stars. Interesting story and character development but I’m not a big fan of unreliable narrators, even though that was part of the story’s premise.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
*I received an ARC copy of the book for free in a giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher."
I will admit that I was a bit confused in the first part of the book, but the second part of the book hooks you!
I truly enjoyed the mental image vs real image descriptions of things and people. Helps normalize how most if not all people think.
Very slice of life, but with a cherry on top.
I will admit that I was a bit confused in the first part of the book, but the second part of the book hooks you!
I truly enjoyed the mental image vs real image descriptions of things and people. Helps normalize how most if not all people think.
Very slice of life, but with a cherry on top.
August 16, 2026
I debated between giving this one 3 stars vs stars (would've preferred to give 3 1/2 stars). This novel wasn't super compelling for me, but there was something quirky about it that kept me reading and I found myself more engaged with the novel once I reached the last 50 pages or so. The protagonist is a lonely young lady with lots of baggage due to a sad childhood. Without giving away too many details, she finds herself at a fancy luxury spa in Arizona, where she struggles with connecting to others and she spends time observing other guests and creating stories about them based on her observations. The novel focuses on themes involving the complexities of human connection, empathy, loneliness, isolation, and the internal rewards of emotional risk taking. This is a novel where not a lot happens in terms of the plot. I did find myself struggling at times with the pacing of the novel, but I also enjoyed lots of the description and the character development was interesting. I think this novel is the first by this author and I am curious to see what she might write after this.
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