Two sisters and a male friend grow up spending summers at the beach. The younger sister and the friend gradually realize they're in love, but don't know how to navigate a new relationship apart from the older sister.

Ann Brashares wrote the bestselling Traveling Pants series in which she explored friendship, first love, and first sex. Here, in her first novel for "adults," she seems to be assuring her fans that it's OK to grow up, that love (with sex) and commitment are possible even if parents haven't done it well, and that pain is part of life.