Katy Hays does not disappoint with her new twisty thriller. This is going to be great for your beach reading list this summer.

The Lingate family returns to Capri year after year for vacation. They are returning to the place where one of their family members lost their life. I was so baffled that they would continue to go back. This book is full of great twists and turns.

I thought this thriller would be for me with its captivating Capri setting and twisty plot points. However, I thought this one got too convoluted and could’ve been condensed for a more enjoyable reading experience. There were a lot of storylines and some of the characters seemed to be lacking discernible characteristics that left me confused as to who was who and their motivations. The ending is so twisty that I’ve since forgotten who did what.

I was so excited about this, but ultimately felt let down by the execution. The premise was incredibly appealing-- mystery in Capri, a little bit of suspense with the necklace waiting for them. I really had high hopes. But on the whole, I couldn't really get that "knot in the stomach" investment that I would like from books with a mystery/suspense element. I expected to feel a bit of a chill when they necklace was revealed at the beginning, but even that I felt lacked in the drama that I required to draw me into the story. Further I know the whole cast is horrible people-- and normally that doesn't prevent me from liking a story-- but a likeable character might have helped draw me in. To lack both the suspenseful feeling and a likeable character meant I was just waiting for the plot to pick up the whole time and I was ultimately left disappointed and I ended up not even able to finish the novel before it's publishing date (I was actively avoiding picking up my kindle, which is very unlike me).

This might be right for someone who desires an INCREDIBLY slow burn.

I really appreciate the opportunity to review the ARC and read it ahead. I will not request ARCs from this author in the future.

I wasn't a huge fan of this one unfortunately. I was intrigued by the cover of "Saltwater," but the summery cover was my favorite thing about the book. The plot of the story was slow moving, and I had a hard time getting interested in the plot because all of the characters were pretty dull.

Saltwater by Kathy Hays is a twisty, atmospheric read that had me second-guessing every character’s intentions from start to finish. With dual timelines and multiple points of view, the story weaves a complex web of secrets, lies, and hidden agendas — all set against the stunning backdrop of Capri. Though the characters are far from likable, they make for a fascinating cast that kept me hooked.

The premise itself is intriguing: imagine your boss offering you a trip to Capri — sounds like a dream, right? But what if you’re tagging along on a family’s yearly pilgrimage to honor a loved one who passed away… or was it murder? From the very beginning, the story teases out questions that make you want to read to the very last page.

Hays’ writing transports you straight to the Italian coast. The descriptions are so vivid I felt like I could taste the sea salt in the air and feel the Mediterranean sun on my skin. The dual timelines and multiple POVs add to the suspense, though they do require some focus to keep track of each thread. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist threw me off balance, making the mystery even more addictive.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense with hidden clues scattered throughout the narrative. It’s a story where you’ll question everyone and trust no one.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Thank you so much to the author, Kathy Hays, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine, and NetGalley for the eARC of Saltwater!

This was more of a slow burn family drama, but once the twists start they don’t stop coming! Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. There was one person I was right about the entire time BUT I can’t say more than that without spoiling. The setting of this was sooo beautiful, and the author did a great job at making you feel like you were really there! The rich family arrogance and toxicity was on point and pretty much every character is unlikable and cannot be trusted. There is multiple timelines which really helped to move the story along, and everyone intertwines in one way or another. I think this would be a great book club book!

Thank you to Random House Publishing group and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my review!

My favorite books are ones that make you feel the setting in such a way that you almost think you are actually there with the characters in the book. It is the highest compliment to say that Saltwater made me feel like I was there on the island of Capri along with the Lingates in the oppressive summer heat.
Saltwater is a twisty atmospheric story of a super wealthy family that seems to get away with everything. It is told mainly through the eyes of Helen, the 30 something daughter, and Lorna, the personal assistant, sometimes showing us the perspective of Sarah, Helen׳s mother, who died on the island 30 years before. I found the story very gripping and propulsive, though some of the reveals are the end seemed pretty outlandish. If you are looking for an atmospheric, rich people behaving (very) badly story then this may be the book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book.

Perfect length read with dual tinelines and multiple points of view. Lots of twists and turns. Well written - I felt transported to Capri. Very unlikeable characters, but fun to read.

If your boss were paying for a trip to Capri for you, doesn’t it sound like a dream come true? But what if you were tagging along on a yearly family trip…because they like to visit to honor a family member that passed away…or were they killed?

There are so many questions that need to be answered and even just in the first bit, you just get a taste to make you want to continue to completion.

There are multiple POVs with a non-linear timelines; sometimes it can make you slow down to make sure you’re paying proper attention to each storyline.

Descriptions are very clear and easy to picture and feel like you’re there. I’ve never been to Capri, but I feel like I have a good feeling of what it would be like there.

Thank you so much to the author, Katy Hays, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine, and NetGalley for the eARC of Saltwater!

Saltwater is an atmospheric and incredibly slow-burn mystery with family drama.

Though the last few chapters had me on my edge of my seat, and pleasantly surprised by the unpredictable twists, I’m not sure it was worth the long build-up. It was really hard not to skim through most of the book- it was a struggle to stay immersed, especially with the format of the story, which jumped back and forth between timelines and unlikeable characters. There wasn’t a great distinction in the different characters’ voices, either, which made it difficult at times to differentiate between them.

Despite all of that, I’d be interested in giving this author another chance. While this story fell flat, I could definitely see the author’s potential, especially in the last few chapters.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for a NetGalley copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Well, daaamn!!! I did not expect all the twists this book had in store for me. Probably the most fun read I’ve encountered this year, so far!

I really think it is best to go into this book as blind as you can and just enjoy the ride!

If you love family dramas with murder and lots of secrets thrown in the mix, PICK THIS ONE UP!

Happy Release Day to author Katy Hays

Saltwater is out today! Are you looking for the perfect Spring Break Read?! Look no further! This one will have you mesmerized & guessing all the way to the very end! This is set on an island in Capri, Italy! The atmosphere, the characters - I mean rich people behaving badly. Say less! The drama I’m here for it all. The twist and turns were many! As one of my most anticipated books of 2025 - it didn’t disappoint!


A huge thank you to Random House Ballantine Books and Netgalley for my gifted e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend this one!

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was thrown in for a loop. This book goes back and forth between the past and the present. It might get a little confusing if you aren't paying attention. There are hidden details throughout the book that can give you hints the secrets the characters are keeping.
It was such an interesting story that I spent the whole book second-guessing the true intentions of each character.

Than you to the publisher and net galley for the e-arc

Wow! What a book! I loved this book by Katy Hays, Saltwater does not disappoint. I thought I had figured this book out several times and I was wrong every time. I am not sure anyone could have anticipated the journey this book takes you on. Its never about the money for the Lingate family only about protecting their precious family name. Helen is the only child of Sarah Lingate who died mysteriously on the island of Capri, yet her family returns every year to the summer villa. Helen wants to escape the family and enlists her friend Lorna to help her, who also happens to be her Uncle Marcus´s assistant. This book is told in multiple timelines and points of view which I loved getting to see this mystery unfold thru the eyes of the different characters. Hays descriptions of Capri were excellent I really felt like I was on the island myself. Get ready to devour this book.

This was a mystery with several twists that I did not see coming. The setting on Capri was nice but I did get confused with the multiple characters and the story was told by multiple narrators between 1992 and the present. Thank you Ballantine Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

Saltwater is the sophmore novel by Katy Hays.

In 1992 Sarah Lingate, wife of the wealthy Richard Lingate drowns off the island of Capri, though ruled an accident, rumors follow the wealthy Lingate familiy for years. In the present day Sarah and Richard’s daughter Helen joins the family and her uncle Marcus’ assistant, Lorna on the island for their annual holday trip. As the family gathers, another disappearance and “accidental” death opens old wounds and long buried secrets are revealed. Told from Lorna and Helen’s POV the novel goes back and forth in time to reveal the ultimate fate of what happened to Sarah Lingate all those years before.

This was a twisty psychological novel. There were quite a few suprises and not any really likeable characters, but that did not dissuade me from enjoying the book. This is a good pre-summer read and the descriptions of Capri make me eager to visit someday.

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing- Ballantine and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.

This book sucked me in right away. Family drama, secrets, and just enough twists to keep things interesting—it had me turning the pages. Now, I won’t lie, the characters? Pretty unlikeable (not exactly people you’d want to grab coffee with), but that actually made it even more fun to read. The real star, though, was Capri. The author’s writing made it feel so vivid, I could practically feel the sunshine and hear the waves. I picked it up and didn't put it down. If you love a good, messy family drama with a few surprises, this one’s worth picking up!

I uploaded my review to Goodreads and Amazon on release day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Katy Hays for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Saltwater coming out March 25, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really loved the first book I read by this author, so I was excited to check out this book. I really loved the setting in Italy. It’s a beautiful country. I definitely love psychological thrillers. I think the first half of the book was amazing. I loved it. I think there ended up being a little too many twists for me. I get having one big one or two. I can see how it’s compared to White Lotus. However, I wasn’t a fan of the ending. A lot of the characters weren’t very likable. I would check out more books by this author!

Thank you so much to Random House for the gifted book and PR box!

Title: Saltwater
Author: Katy Hays
Pub Date: March 25, 2025

This was the perfect book to read while craving warmer weather! It's been COLD here lately, so this was a very welcomed "trip" to the much warmer (and much deadlier) island of Capri!

The timeline alternated between 1992 and modern day with newspaper articles/media releases mixed in for a fun variety! The story was told from several perspectives and I didn't trust ANY of them! They all had secrets and hidden motives for everything it seemed.

While the pacing was slower at some times than others, it still held my interest. When the final twist were revealed, I was WAY more surprised than I anticipated being! I think the ending really made the book for me!

As far as believability goes, some things were definitely a STRETCH, but I'm happy to suspend reality when I need to, especially when reading fiction!

Overall, this was a fun one that I can see many adding to their spring break reading list!

Set on Capri, Hays’ sophomore effort is about the Lingate family, the heirs of a ruthless oil magnate that the author has said she modeled on the California oil tycoon Edward Doheny. In 1992, Sarah Lingate, a Pulitzer-prize nominated playwright, who had just completed a roman a clef of the powerful family that she married into, died on the island, her mangled body found beneath the cliffs. The authorities deemed her death an accident, but the family has remained under a veil of suspicion. They make an annual July pilgrimage to Capri seemingly as a homage to the late Sarah, but really as an attempt to control their public image.

On their latest trip to Capri, thirty years after Sarah’s death, the now-spiritualist widower, Richard, and his daughter, Helen, who was only three at the time of her mother’s death, and Helen’s boyfriend, Freddy, are accompanied by Richard’s brother, the materialist, Marcus, his wife, Naomi, and Marcus’s assistant, Lorna. Lorna had been a high-end escort (although she wouldn’t define herself as such), and she befriended Helen when she was working behind the counter of a bakery. It was Helen who recommended Lorna to her uncle who was seeking an assistant.

Helen “wasn’t allowed a world outside the family,” and the trust that her mother had left her had been dissipated by Richard. Helen tells Lorna that she wants to get out of the family’s grasp, but lacks the financial means. Within days of their arrival on Capri, a package arrives containing a distinctive necklace that Sarah had worn the night that she died and a typed letter demanding ten million in euros or threatening that information would be provided to the police. Lorna is tasked with taking the money to Naples, but then she disappears, leaving behind her clothes, medication, jewelry, her passport and a computer with a hard drive that has been wiped clean. With the investigation into Sarah’s death reopened, the family fractures under the intense scrutiny.

Replete with blackmail, extortion, breach of fiduciary duty, and love triangles, Hays has crafted an intricate and highly bingeable suspense novel exploring themes of privilege, family legacy, freedom, and parental abandonment. In it, she ramps up the intrigue and unknowns, interweaving stories of the present characters with those who came before them. Thank you Ballantine Books and Net Galley for an advance copy of this masterful and propulsive novel.