A Best Book of Summer The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post ""Bursting with humor, chaos, and raw tenderness."" Oprah Daily ""Pieces of Blue is a brilliant and bighearted page-turner."" Maria Semple, New York Times bestselling author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette From New York Times bestselling author Holly Goldberg Sloan, a compelling and heartfelt novel for fans of Maria Semple and Emma Straub about a family trying to restore a ramshackle beachside motel and their own lives What good was thinking the future only held cloudy skies Wasn't the reality that pieces of blue were always there, waiting to break through When Paul Hill drowns in a surfing accident, his broken-hearted wife, Lindsey, and their three children are left in huge financial trouble. Once Paul life insurance finally comes through, Lindsey impulsively uses the money to buy a charmingly ramshackle motel in Hawai hoping for a fresh start. Teenage Olivia quickly develops a crush on a handsome but monosyllabic skateboarder. Twelve-year-old Carlos reinvents himself as a popular kid named Carl. And Sena, the youngest, will do whatever it takes to protect her beloved motel chickens. But while the kids adjust, Lindsey is flailing, trying to pretend she knows how to bring a motel and herself back to life. Then a handsome stranger rolls into the motel parking lot.