Set against the backdrop of the opulent Derrymore Academy, the novel pulls no punches in exposing the subtle and overt ways wealth and whiteness shape the lives of its students—and the challenges faced by those who don’t fully belong.

The fraught, nuanced relationship between Emery Hooper and Lilah Chang is at the heart of the story. Emery, adopted into the world of country clubs and Mediterranean vacations, is a fascinating character: confident and seemingly untouchable, yet quietly navigating the alienation of being an Asian girl in a predominantly white world. On the other hand, Lilah is a painfully relatable outsider, grappling with the insecurities and cultural dissonance of being one of the few students of color at Derrymore. Their interactions are layered with tension, curiosity, and a slow-burning understanding that feels authentic and earned.

The novel excels in its depiction of the microaggressions and casual racism that permeate Derrymore, from dismissive comments to the weaponization of stereotypes. These moments are rendered with unflinching honesty, showing how they impact both Emery and Lilah in deeply personal ways. The exploration of white privilege—particularly its ability to shield the wealthy from accountability—is both scathing and insightful, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about systemic inequality.

While the story’s tone is often critical, it is also laced with moments of warmth and humor, particularly as Emery and Lilah’s bond develops. The pacing is tight, and the writing is razor-sharp, capturing the intricacies of Derrymore’s high-society bubble while delving into the emotional lives of its characters.

This is not just a story about privilege or race—it’s about identity, belonging, and the ways people connect despite the forces that divide them. I highly recommend.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m pleasantly surprised. Although this is tagged as adult fiction it reads as YA. I don’t say that disparagingly, just as an FYI. I generally don’t read YA, but once I got into this book, it just kept growing on me, it became increasingly fun and funny. Quite an enjoyable look into the boarding school world.

Sanibel writes with a witty knowing prose, she has obviously spent some time in this world. Emery, is the protagonist of this fast paced novel, We meet her in middle school as an accomplished and bright, popular student on her way to Derrymore, an elitist mostly white and old monied boarding school.

Emery is a flawed individual, she acts as though she is above it all, but desperately wants to be admired and viewed as top notch. One of the roadblocks she encounters is she is white, although her adoptive parents are, and quite active donors and voices at Derrymore, which provides her a status almost unrivaled.

Her parents are top of the food chain people who always manage to get what they want, and though Emery is still trying to figure out her relationship to richness, she is a conniving, self-centered, life-by-the-check-box witch. She doesn’t really form true friends, because she stays focused on the bottom line. Which for Emery means, how can this relationship help me or hinder my march to top popularity.

Sanibel has a lot too say about the haves and the have much mores. She also makes insightful remarks about Asian culture and Chinese vs. Korean idiosyncrasies. Lilah is a sycophant but as the novel progresses, she becomes less of one and finds her own voice and confidence. Her interaction and relationship with Emery make up the bulk of this novel, and though I thought we were heading for an explosive conclusion, the ending ultimately proved to be anti-climactic. Thanks to Netgalley and 8th Note press for an advanced DRC. Book will hit shelves in April 2025. A very pleasant surprise awaits readers who embrace this novel.

This is the book I knew I needed. I'm so glad Sanibel created this novel. My son was adopted from Guatemala and attends a mostly white high school. He has experienced racism, and this story is authentic and believable. It's also written incredibly well. I finished it with a lot to think about. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.