by Nina LaCour
First published 2014
Emi receives her brother's Los Angeles apartment as a graduation gift, but there's a catch. He wants something epic to happen there during his summer absence. She works as a production designer in Hollywood's film industry, where her career shows promise. Her romantic life tells a different story. When Emi and her friend Charlotte attend an estate sale for a deceased movie star, they discover a letter that changes everything. The mysterious correspondence launches Emi into investigating the film legend's secret past. She follows clues that reveal hidden aspects of the star's life spanning decades. Her search uncovers long-buried secrets while opening unexpected doors. The investigation becomes more than just solving a mystery. It leads Emi toward the epic experience her brother hoped she would find. Romance enters her life in ways she never anticipated, transforming her summer into something truly meaningful.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary, young-adult, contemporary-romance
Vibes: atmospheric, contemplative, heartwarming, introspective, romantic
Tropes: found-family, friends-to-lovers, mystery-investigation, summer-romance
Setting: Los Angeles, Hollywood
Period: Summer, 21st-century
336 pages · Paperback · Speak