First I would like to thank the publisher, Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

If you've read my reviews in the last few years, you'll know I LOVED Katy Hays first book, so when I saw that she had a sophomore sstory coming out I was thrilled.

This book is part family drama, part past murder mystery, part current murder mystery. We bounce from POV's and different time lines to weave together a crazy, twisty story about the lengths a wealthy family will go to in order to protect their reputation.

I will say this book had a bit of a slow start for me but by the time I hit the halfway point it nearly impossible for me to put it down! The writing is so detailed and atmospheric, that you feel like you're there in Capri with this family.

Overall 4 stars on this one! Definitely recommended for almost everyone!

Katy Hays sophomore novel is both a family drama and a thriller. Set on the Isle of Capri, a playground for rich tourists and monstrous families who are the poster children for “Eat The Rich” monsters.

Written in both Then and Now timelines:
Then: 1992 when playwright Sarah Lingate goes missing and later found dead. Her oil heir husband is the chief suspect of this unsolved crime.
Now: present day where Sarah’s daughter Helen and family return to Capri on their annual vacation. Helen is straining against the overbearing constraints set on her by her family and trying to find out what really happened to her mother.

Both the setting and the secrets made for a claustrophobic read. Plenty of twists moved the story along but uneven pacing made for an up and down story. The slow setup was interesting but at times tedious then the ending was fast paced and intense.

My favorite part was the setting. Having been to Capri I thought the author did a fabulous job describing it. I could practically smell the lemons while reading. It was visually stunning which is a credit to the author.

Slow burn, family drama, a gorgeous island, and a rich family. While the first two-thirds of this book were slow, the last third was fast-paced and exciting. I had a good guess for the ending but loved the twists along the way. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy.

If you like mystery/thrillers, this one is for you!

This is an intricate story about an important family who suffers a family death on the island of Capri. Thirty years later, they return to Capri in remembrance of the loss of their loved one. However, someone else related to them dies! Are these deaths accidents? Murders? Suicides? And are they related?

At first, this one feels like a normal murder mystery -- but then, as more information comes out, you find that there is layer-upon-layer of story that must be excavated to get to the final truth. And you’ll feel kind of breathless at the end!

I really enjoyed this second book by Katy Hays!

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Katy Hays, and Random House/Ballantine Books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

So many twists and turns throughout that kept me turning the pages. Centered around a rich family full of secrets and lies who always vacation yearly on the island of Capri where Sarah Lingate died 30 years prior. Was it an accident or suicide? Multiple shocking revelations the final third of the book.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for my ARC!

I found this book to be interesting in theory but a bit lackluster in practice. The different timelines was my favorite aspect of the story for sure, although I wish there had been more of Sarah’s point of view. I found the past storyline much more interesting than the present one.

The ending did absolutely gag me — I pride myself in being able to guess endings pretty well, but I was pleasantly surprised to have not seen that coming at all.

The beginning and the end were quite interesting, but the middle bit just kind of dragged on and got a little boring.

A family thriller/mystery set in Capri, Italy gave me major White Lotus vibes. While the book was a bit slow, the author gave multiple perspectives into the life the Lingates and the lavish life they live. However never judge a book by it's cover, because this families secrete, deceit and backstabbing is what ultimately brings them down. The ending seemed a bit rushed, and not as neatly finished as the rest of the books details, but I was surely on a roller coaster of "Whodunnit"? Thank you for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

When Sarah Lingate dies in Capri in 1992, her 3-year-old daughter, Helen, is left with her secretive and dangerous family. Decades later, on yet another return trip to her family’s favorite secluded island, Helen is determined to untangle the mystery surrounding her mother’s death with the help of her father’s assistant, Lorna.

More death, more secrets, endless intrigue follows. Just as one family lie dissolves, another is discovered. Twists and turns are all over every page and definitely kept me guessing up until the final chapter.

This was one of those books that kept my mind ticking. I found days after finishing that I was still thinking about the characters. A wild ride that pays off at the end!

Thank you to @netgalley for the early copy in exchange for my review!

Saltwater is a domestic drama and thriller with some real teeth to it. Sarah Lingate is the wife of second son of the wealthy and powerful Lingate family, vacationing with her husband Richard, and hew brother-in-law Marcus, as well as his wife Naomi, on Capri, when she is discovered to have fallen to her death from one of the many cliffs on the island. Was it murder or suicide as the police eventually ruled? The Lingates are determined to show the world that no foul play was involved and continue to vacation on Capri, in the same villa, year after year, until finally Helen, Sarah's daughter, is so fed up with the status quo that she decides to shake things up this year, with the assistance of Marcus's assistant Lorna. As the book opens, we learn that Lorna has disappeared on Capri under similar circumstances to Sarah, and we must follow along with Helen as puts together the pieces of the mysteries of both Lorna's disappearance, and Sarah's death 30 years prior.
The story is told primarily from the points of view of Helen and Lorna, as the author slowly shows the audience the past and current timelines, helping the reader to slowly put together the pieces of what really happened to both women on Capri at the hands of the Lingate family. I typically don't enjoy traditional thrillers, but this one was well paced, and tightly plotted, and overall had enough character development and growth, as well as a surprising conclusion, that I was along for the ride and enjoyed it thoroughly from start to finish. This was the first book I've ready by Katy Hays, but I could see going back and picking up her debut based on my enjoyment of this book. Overall, solid 4 stars from me.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

The Italian island setting is the best part of this slow and suspenseful mystery/thriller. We start by following two perspectives - Helen and Lorna, both with connections to the wealthy and mysterious Lingate family while on a summer trip to Capri. The novel follows the shady parts of the wealthy family and mysterious death in their past, as well as one woman's quest to free herself from their grasps.
This novel definitely moves slowly, while still being well paced. If you are in the mood for suspense with a summer/beach vibe this is a great choice. We get a satisfying conclusion that mostly makes sense, while still being surprising and interesting. This would definitely be a great summer/spring break read!

Love this read, was not what I was expecting but was a good fast paced read. thank you for the copy in exchange for a fair review

Set in Capri, Saltwater bounced between Sarah Lingate in 1992 and her daughter Helen, then and now. In this hush-hush, old money doesn't speak family, Sarah's death in Capri is ruled as an accident but with a hint of suspicion. Helen is untrusting of her family and enlists the family assistant, Lorna, to flee the family while in Capri. But, when Lorna suddenly goes missing, Helen is left to reconcile all of the little signs bubbling to the surface about her mother's death. A page-turner set in the summer in beautiful Capri, this book had me captivated through to the last page.

This was a slow start for me. I struggled through the first half but so glad I stuck with it. Family drama / thriller/ mystery

This book has layers of family secrets and the setting is Capri. As the story progresses everything begins to be revealed and it made my head spin. So many twists and turns that I was in no way expecting!! You had all this dark drama happening while they are surrounded by the beauty of Capri.

Is it all believable.. ehhh !! Not always. Were the characters people you will like? Not really. Is the book good?? YES!

I would give this 3.5 stars. It was hard to like any of the characters, but I did enjoy the plot twist. Helen Lingate is on her way to her family’s annual trip to Capri. Her mother died there when she was three years old and they go there every year even though it is still a scandal all these years later. The story is full of drama and insecurities and a look into the lives of those with old wealth versus new wealth.

The plot from the beginning is tense, mysterious, claustrophobic and conspiratorial. It’s obvious a game of cat and mouse is underway, but the million dollar question is, who is the cat and who are the mice??A mystery where Helen’s mom disappeared many years ago and now they are back in Capri and someone else disappears. But not only that, the way Helen is treated by the family is just bizarre and very controlling. This is a wonderful mystery thriller. It is filled with twists and turns and ending I didn’t see coming.

THIS. BOOK. First, I would like to thank NetGalley and the author and publisher for an ARC for my honest review.

I loved this book. It wasn’t super fast-paced but sucked me in completely. I loved the multiple point of views and past/present chapters. My heart ached for certain characters and anger drew towards others. I saw a certain twist coming, but was incorrect on the specifics, but my jaw still dropped when I got to the end. Highly recommend this slow burn book.

#netgalley #saltwater

A mystery and family drama that started super slow. The dramatic twist ending almost made the trudge through worth it. Great writing style, though flat characters, and plot didn’t pick up until about the last 30%! Maybe worth a shot if you’re into rich family drama. It felt rather tired to me but maybe I’ve just read too much that’s similar recently.

I was surprised by this book - it wasn't at all what it seemed based on the description. I enjoyed it, but felt it lacked in actual mystery as promoted - it's more.... family?? BUT the one benefit, I really want to travel to Italy!!!!

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the copy of Saltwater by Katy Hayes. I’m not sure what to make of this book. The genre is mystery/thriller but it was more of a family drama. It was hard to get engaged with the story or the characters but I did like the location and the descriptions. I know some people will love the big reveal but it was just too slow for me. 3 stars

3.5⭐️ rounded up

I’ll say that I really wanted to like this one, it just didn’t hit for me. But that’s a personal issue. It is well written just a bit slow for the first half of the book and I couldn’t connect with the characters.

However, I think many people will connect and enjoy the mystery for those that like “mystery light”. I guess I wish there was more suspense as it’s more like a drama going on.
But I think those who like shows like Dallas and Dynasty will dig this as it reminds me of it.

Also the setting is unique and gorgeous.

I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Random House- Ballentine through NetGalley to enjoy which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again