I usually love a good multiple POV story—it adds layers and perspective that make a book feel more immersive. Dead of Summer by Jessica Maxwell definitely had the potential for that, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite land for me. The story was too short to really give each character the depth they deserved. With so many voices and so little time, I found myself wanting more from each of them—more background, more emotion, more connection. The premise was intriguing and the pacing was solid, but the emotional impact just didn’t hit as hard as it could have. I wanted to feel for these characters, but I never got the chance to truly know them.

This was pretty good it kind of took a while for the bang to come Geoffrey was very unlikeo and I really wish fairy was not so gullible orla was very sneaky but it was pretty good over all

This is my third book by Jessa Maxwell and I have enjoyed them all! Dead of Summer is her newest, which will be out in late July of 2025 and it’s a fast-paced thriller that would be great to read on a beach (or an Island, like the book’s setting!)
There are multiple POVs, which I love, and the book tells a dual story in a flashback about the mostly privileged people who live on Hadley Island for the summer. In the flashback story you read about teenaged friends Orla and Alice, and their interactions with the rich boy David, which dramatically culminates in Alice’s drowning and the whole island’s belief that old timer Henry had something to do with it, though it was never solved.
In the current timeline, David is home for the summer with his glamorous almost fiancé, Faith and things are definitely not what they seem. This book unfolds slowly but never drags, and we learn a lot about each of the characters and the impact that Alice’s drowning had on them and how they are all trying to forget. There are some fun twists and turns and a satisfying ending.
Overall I enjoyed Dead of Summer a lot and recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries and thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free advanced e-copy in exchange for my review

Dead of Summer is an atmospheric, slow-burn thriller that pulls readers into its chilling mystery and complex characters. Orla’s return to Hadley Island to uncover the truth about her best friend’s disappearance is captivating, blending suspense with emotional depth. Maxwell masterfully builds tension with dark secrets, mysterious disappearances, and an eerie, watchful island setting. The multiple perspectives keep the plot engaging, though the pacing may feel a bit sluggish at times. Overall, it’s a compelling, twisty tale that keeps you guessing until the end.

4/5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this book! I was invested in the characters and learning more of their background stories. The story follows 3 main points of view and it’s all woven together nicely. I enjoyed the twists and the ending!

It’s a bit slow to start because it’s setting up the story.

Get ready for the July release because it’s a really great thriller beach read!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

FANTASTIC!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

100000000 STARS for this book!! If you are looking for your next "Beach Read" this is it!! It's twisty, fast paced, full of great characters, nothing is what it seems, AND YOU CANT PUT IT DOWN!
I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say that the characters in this book are very well-written. Some of them I instantly hated, so much so that I wanted to thrown my Kindle across the room. Some of them I pitied, and some of them I absolutely loved. They all have a past, and some morally gray areas, but at the end you feel extremely satisfied by the outcome.
DON'T SKIP THIS BOOK! I binge read it in a day, because it is that good. I might not have been on a beach while reading it, but I sure felt like I was!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Maxwell is back with her third title and while enjoyable, it’s your run of the mill thriller in a lot of ways. Old money in New England is a tale as old as time, and the continual smoke in mirrors vibes got a bit predictable throughout. A good summer read if you need a palate cleanser.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!

In this captivating read, Maxwell draws readers into a suspenseful world filled with the tangled mess of memories lingering from a tragedy that's over a decade old! A web of dangerous secrets and morally ambiguous choices will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Maxwell skillfully crafts a cast of characters that embodies the duality of human nature, with ulterior motives often expertly masked. The interplay between desperation and ambition drives the plot forward, inviting readers to explore themes of trust, deception, and the lengths one will go for a chance at keeping secrets hidden. This book is perfect for fans of multiple timelines, unreliable narrators, creepy characters with secrets to hide, and cold case investigations that place people in the crosshairs of danger!

Dead of Summer is the kind of beachy thriller that lures you in with sun-soaked nostalgia and then hits you with dark secrets and creeping suspense. Set in a gossipy coastal town where the rich think they're untouchable, this story unfolds through three POVs—each adding depth and intrigue to a missing girl mystery that refuses to stay buried.

It’s a slow burn, but a satisfying one. I loved the atmospheric writing and how the tension simmered throughout. Henry, in particular, stole the show for me—creepy, complex, and oddly compelling. While the plot was a bit predictable at times, I stayed hooked from beginning to end.

If you're in the mood for a quick, eerie read with summer vibes and a bit of bite, this one's worth packing in your beach bag.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I really enjoyed this book, there was an extra twist at the end that really did not work for me.
*SPOILER* She really did kill her friend, even though we just spent the entire book learning that she didn't. *END SPOILER*

It just didn't need it. Totally unnecessary, and for me ruined the book as a whole.

Loved this book! It's my favorite book I've read so far this year.

I rate it a 4.5 stars rounded up. I loved the writing, the setting, and the complexities and uniqueness of each character. The pacing was just right for me. I liked that it was evident from the start that everyone had something they were hiding, and it was fun getting all the answers to my questions.

The only reason I'm not giving it a solid 5 stars is because some of the twists were predictable and there was one character (I don't want to spoil anything so I won't reveal who here) that I just couldn't understand their motive for doing what they did, and I don't think it was explained in the book. I will be rereading it to see if I might have missed something.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who enjoys mysteries/thrillers.

A big thank you to Atria Books for this ARC!

Well this was a roller coaster ride of a book! Admittedly, a few parts of this seemed kind of drawn out, but the ending - holy cow! Definitely a twist that I didn't see coming! This book is told from differing points of view, which I love in books. There are some difficult topics covered in the book, but the way the whole story came together was really good. I had hot/cold feelings about Orla throughout the book, but Henry and Faith were both easy to connect to. I also enjoyed the bits of the dual timeline in the story, which really gave some great background for the characters and how they all connect later on. 4 stars from me, I really enjoyed this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read Dead of Summer—I devoured this one in a single sitting! Jessa Maxwell knows exactly how to pull readers in with atmosphere, tension, and just the right amount of suspicion. The isolated setting, buried secrets, and unraveling relationships made this such an addictive read.

I love a mystery that keeps me guessing, and this book had me questioning everything and everyone right up until the final reveal. The pacing was spot on, the twists were smart, and the ending completely stuck the landing. I’ve read all of Maxwell’s books and this one might be my favorite yet. Can’t wait to recommend it.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy of dead of Summer. This is a great Beach read, that keeps your attention. I read it in a day and a half and even though parts were predictable I still really enjoyed it.

First, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to review this ARC!

Second, HOLY?!!! I sped through this book (for someone who is a full time student). I found some of the “twists” to be a little predictable, but that’s coming from someone who reads A LOT of thrillers. The twist at the very end of the book??? Did NOT see that one coming & I am so happy to say it really enhanced the ending for me. I think you’ll find that Faith is a super likable character, all of the men are insufferable, and Orla is lowkey the worst as well. Thank goodness Faith had a happy ending - she was my favorite character throughout the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

Eeeek I was so excited to read this. I read her previous book and really enjoyed it. This book didn’t disappoint! Quick and fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Dead of Summer.

I didn't like the author's first book, The Golden Spoon, but I was curious to read her second.

The premise drew me in but sadly, it didn't hook me.

There are your standard tropes; a rich family with a boatload of secrets living on a small island of locals who resent them for their entitlement and arrogance, a young woman soon to be engaged to the scion of the wealthy family who doesn't know everything about her husband-to-be, and a young woman who has resentfully returned to her island hometown.

The three POVs include Faith, the bride-to-be; Orla, a local woman who escaped the island but has now returned, and Henry, the island's local weirdo offers their perspective of the wealthy Clarke family and how they all played a part in the disappearance of Orla's best friend, Alice.

The three POVs worked in tandem with each other though the flashbacks didn't work since they didn't appear in separate chapters.

The urgency and suspense is low and the pacing drags since exposition needs to be laid out via three POVs.

I didn't like anyone, Faith was painfully naive considering her background and Orla is one of those woman who chases after a guy who doesn't return her affections. She's a bad friend.

The wealthy family is, naturally, despicable, but despite these tropes, the coincidence bothered me more than anything.

What are the odds Faith would end up with David considering and have Elena as a friend?

This narrative took a level of disbelief suspension that I couldn't turn off including what David's terrible father was doing. Doing that on a small island where everyone knows everybody's business?

As Kevin McCallister in Home Alone said, "I don't think so."

Fantastic book! I would highly recommend both this book and other books by this author. Be sure to read this book!

Quick read and kept me on the edge of my seat. I went into it not knowing what to expect which I recommend you do because it added so much to the reading experience!

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for this ARC!

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the e-arc!

Orla returns to her childhood home on a remote New England island in Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell. Orla’s best friend Alice mysteriously disappeared from the island years ago. Although Alice was presumed drowned, her body was never found. Being back home stirs up memories for Orla about what really happened to Alice.

David, Orla’s former crush and son a very wealthy family, is also back on the island for the summer. David has brought along his girlfriend Faith to the island. While David spends most of his time talking business with his demanding father, Faith becomes interested in the story of the missing Alice. Looming above the island is lifelong resident Henry and his telescope. Henry’s lives in a house on a rock just off the island. He spends all his time watching the residents and tourists on the island. He lives in a self imposed exile because of rumors he was involved in Alice’s disappearance.

When another young girl goes missing after all these years, memories and secrets are stirred up. Orla, Faith, and Henry are pulled into the mystery.

This is a perfect summer beach or pool read! I was drawn right into the story. This is an atmospheric thriller with lots of summer vibes. The pace is good with lots of rising tension. I also enjoyed the multiple POV. There are twists, turns, and secrets galore. This is a quick read and entertaining thriller.