The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

The Castaways is the name of their group; four Nantucket couples who are great friends.

Greg and Tess MacAvoy are the envy of the three other couples. They both are teachers, have two beautiful children, and are deeply in love. That love is put to the test when one of Greg's high school students slaps him with a sexual harassment suit. Greg denies touching the young, beautiful teenager, but Tess finds it hard to trust him again.

Jefferey and Delilah own a farm. Delilah gourmet cooks, spends a few evenings a week hostessing at a local bar, and comes home trashed a few times a week. Jefferey used to date Andrea back in the day, but that romance fizzled out when Jefferey chose farming over her. Delilah has always been a little bit in love with Greg MacAvoy, but no one knows.

Andrea and Ed's children are finally old enough to branch out from the nest, leaving them to spend more time together. Ed is the local police chief, and Andrea spends her days swimming and reading. Andrea is Tess's best friend, confidente, sister and mother all rolled into one, but in reality they are first cousins.

Addison and Phoebe are the wealthiest couple in their group. Addison works in real estate, and spends many of his commissions on high class living for their group when they vacation. He worries constantly about his wife, who has pop pilled to get her through the day ever since her twin died in 911. But Addison has found love in the least likely place, and he isn't worrying so much about Phoebe anymore.

When Greg and Tess decide to go on a sailing trip on their anniversary, the other couples are happy for them. But the outing ends in tragedy with Greg and Tess dead, and the remainder of the group is devastated. When the tox screen shows Tess was using and a hunk of her hair is pulled out, they speculate. What happened out on that boat?

The Castaways is an engaging read that draws you into the lives of the four couples. What happened in the past and how it reflects on the present, their triumphs and tragedies, and how friendship can be closely knit like an afghan or snapped in an instant like a thin string. A perfect beach read this summer!