The Invitation Arrives

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah—three cousins who barely know each other—are unexpectedly invited by their wealthy, reclusive grandmother, Mildred Story, to spend the summer working at her resort on Gull Cove Island. Their parents, once heirs to the Story fortune, were disinherited decades ago with a cryptic letter: "You know what you did." The cousins' parents, now struggling with fractured lives and finances, urge their children to accept, hoping for reconciliation or re-inheritance. The cousins, each with their own baggage and skepticism, reluctantly agree, setting the stage for a summer that promises answers to the family's greatest mystery.

Estranged Story Cousins

Milly, the ambitious New Yorker, Aubrey, the Oregon swimmer with a crumbling family, and Jonah, the prickly Rhode Islander, are strangers bound by a family legacy. Each cousin's life is marked by parental disappointment and secrets. Their group chat is filled with sarcasm and resentment, but also curiosity about the grandmother they've never met. The cousins' parents, once the glamorous "Four As" of Gull Cove, are now estranged, haunted by the unexplained banishment. The cousins' journey to the island is fraught with anxiety, hope, and the unspoken question: what did their parents do to deserve exile?

Gull Cove Island Bound

The cousins travel separately to Gull Cove Island, meeting awkwardly on the ferry. Their first impressions are colored by old family stories and social media stalking. Upon arrival, they are greeted not by their grandmother, but by a staff member who seems unaware of their true identities. The island is picturesque but filled with whispers about the Story family. An encounter with a local, Dr. Baxter, hints at deeper secrets and the island's obsession with the Storys. The cousins are unsettled by their grandmother's absence and the chilly reception, sensing that something is off from the start.

Grandmother's Cold Welcome

When the cousins finally meet Mildred, she is elegant, aloof, and clearly surprised by their presence. She offers no warmth or explanation, delegating their care to staff and quickly disappearing. The cousins are left to navigate their jobs at the resort and the island's social scene, all while being treated as both celebrities and outcasts. Their grandmother's indifference stings, especially for Milly, who hoped for a connection. The cousins begin to suspect that Mildred may not have invited them at all, and that someone else is pulling the strings behind their summer on Gull Cove.

Secrets and Suspicion

As the cousins settle in, they are drawn into the island's gossip and their own family's tangled history. Aubrey's family is falling apart, Milly's mother is obsessed with regaining favor, and Jonah is hiding something. The cousins are summoned to lunch by Donald Camden, Mildred's lawyer, who offers them a bribe to leave the island. The offer, and Mildred's continued absence, deepen their suspicions. The cousins begin to investigate, uncovering rumors about their parents, a mysterious death, and the possibility that their grandmother is being manipulated—or is manipulating them.

The Fake Jonah Reveal

Milly discovers that "Jonah" is actually Jonah North, a classmate of the real Jonah Story, paid to impersonate him so the real Jonah could attend science camp. The revelation shocks Milly and Aubrey, but they agree to keep his secret—for now. Jonah North's presence adds a new layer of deception to the summer, and his own motives are complicated by a family grudge against the Storys. The cousins' alliance is tested, but they realize that the real mystery is bigger than Jonah's impersonation: someone wanted them on the island for a reason.

The Real Reason They're Here

The cousins discover that their uncle Archer, long thought lost to addiction, is living on the island under an assumed name. Archer confesses that he orchestrated their invitation, hoping to reunite the family and force Mildred to confront the past. He enlisted the help of a resort staffer and tipped off the press to ensure the cousins' presence couldn't be ignored. Archer's motives are sincere, but his actions have unintended consequences, drawing the cousins deeper into the island's web of secrets and putting them at odds with powerful figures determined to keep the past buried.

Family History Unraveled

The cousins, with help from local student Hazel and her grandfather Dr. Baxter, dig into the Story family's history. They learn of two mysterious deaths: Matt Ryan, the assistant's son, drowned at Cutty Beach, and Kayla, a former girlfriend of one of the Story siblings, died in a car accident. Both deaths occurred around the time the Story children were disinherited. The cousins suspect a connection, especially as Dr. Baxter tries to confess something before his sudden, suspicious death. The family's legacy is revealed to be one of privilege, jealousy, and unresolved trauma.

The Archer Twist

Archer's reappearance and confession shake the cousins' understanding of their family. He reveals his own struggles and regrets, and his hope that the next generation can break the cycle of secrets and lies. The cousins, now united by shared purpose, confront the reality that their parents' exile was not just about a single event, but a culmination of betrayals, cover-ups, and the corrosive effects of wealth and expectation. Archer's vulnerability inspires the cousins to dig deeper, even as the island's power players close ranks to protect their own interests.

The Summer Gala Disaster

At the island's glamorous Summer Gala, everything unravels. Milly and Jonah, no longer pretending to be cousins, are caught kissing, sparking outrage and confusion. Uncle Anders crashes the party, publicly exposes Jonah North's impersonation, and spins a narrative that blames Archer and the cousins for fraud. The real Jonah Story is revealed, and the cousins are humiliated and expelled from the resort. The scandal rocks the island, and the cousins' hopes for reconciliation or inheritance seem dashed. But the chaos also brings long-buried truths to the surface, setting the stage for the final reckoning.

The Imposter Unmasked

As the cousins regroup, they piece together clues about their grandmother's behavior and the deaths of Matt and Kayla. Aubrey discovers that the woman living as Mildred is actually Theresa, the assistant, who assumed Mildred's identity after her death with the help of Donald Camden and Dr. Baxter. The real Mildred died years ago, and the impostor maintained the charade to control the Story fortune and exact revenge for her son's death. The cousins race to Catmint House to confront the impostor and save Aubrey, who is in grave danger.

The Truth About Catmint House

Aubrey, investigating alone, is captured by Theresa, who confesses to the elaborate scheme: she, Donald, and others covered up Mildred's death, manipulated the family, and killed to protect their secret. Theresa's motive is revenge for her son Matt's death, which she blames on the Story siblings' negligence and cruelty. As Catmint House is set on fire to destroy evidence, Aubrey and Uncle Archer narrowly escape, but Theresa dies in the blaze. The truth about the Story family's downfall is finally revealed, and the cousins are left to pick up the pieces.

Fire and Reckoning

The fire at Catmint House is both literal and symbolic, erasing the last vestiges of the Story family's grandeur and the evidence of decades of deception. The impostors' crimes are exposed, but some escape justice. The cousins, their parents, and the island are left reeling from the revelations. The Story fortune is gone, squandered by the impostors, and the family's reputation is in ruins. Yet, in the ashes, the cousins find a sense of freedom and the possibility of a new beginning, unburdened by the weight of secrets and expectations.

Aftermath and Consequences

In the wake of the fire and the exposure of the impostor, the Story family must confront the consequences of their actions and inactions. The parents are forced to reckon with their past, their complicity, and the loss of their inheritance. The cousins, once strangers, are now bonded by shared trauma and resilience. The island moves on, but the Story name is forever changed. Some villains escape, some are punished, and some, like Uncle Archer, find redemption. The cousins must decide what kind of legacy they want to create for themselves.

Forgiveness and Moving Forward

With the truth out, the cousins are left to process their experiences and decide how to move forward. They support each other through grief, anger, and the challenges of starting over. Forgiveness—of themselves, their parents, and even their enemies—becomes a central theme. The cousins realize that family is not defined by blood or money, but by the choices they make and the relationships they build. They leave Gull Cove Island changed, but hopeful, determined to break the cycle of secrets and create a better future.

The End of the Story Fortune

The Story fortune is gone, but the cousins have gained something more valuable: truth, self-knowledge, and genuine connection. The family's downfall is a cautionary tale about the dangers of secrets, privilege, and revenge. Yet, in the end, the cousins' courage and integrity offer a path to healing. They remain in touch, supporting each other as they pursue their own dreams, free from the shadow of Catmint House. The Story legacy, once defined by wealth and scandal, is now rewritten by the next generation's resilience and hope.

Characters

Milly Story-Takahashi

Milly is the daughter of Allison Story, named after her grandmother in a bid to secure favor and inheritance. Raised in New York, Milly is stylish, sharp-tongued, and driven, but deeply affected by her mother's emotional distance and the family's fall from grace. She craves connection and validation, both from her grandmother and her peers, but is wary of vulnerability. Over the summer, Milly's initial cynicism gives way to genuine care for her cousins and a willingness to confront painful truths. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, learning to value herself beyond family legacy or external approval.

Aubrey Story

Aubrey, the daughter of Adam Story, is a swimmer from Oregon whose life is upended by her father's infidelity and her parents' separation. She is the most empathetic of the cousins, often caught between wanting to please others and asserting her own needs. Aubrey's sense of self is challenged by her family's dysfunction and her own secrets, but she proves to be resourceful and brave, especially when the stakes are highest. Her relationship with her cousins, especially Milly, helps her find her voice and the strength to break free from toxic family patterns.

Jonah North (Fake Jonah)

Jonah North is not a Story by blood, but is hired to impersonate Jonah Story so the real cousin can attend science camp. Jonah's family was financially ruined by Anders Story, fueling his resentment and desire for revenge. Initially prickly and secretive, Jonah's tough exterior masks deep wounds and a longing for connection. His deception complicates his relationships with Milly and Aubrey, but his eventual honesty and willingness to risk himself for the truth earn their forgiveness. Jonah's arc is about moving from vengeance to healing, and finding a place where he belongs.

Archer Story

The youngest of the original Story siblings, Archer is a recovering addict who orchestrates the cousins' return to Gull Cove Island in hopes of reuniting the family and uncovering the past. Haunted by guilt and loss, Archer is both a victim and a perpetrator of the family's dysfunction. His vulnerability and honesty inspire the cousins to dig deeper, and his ultimate sacrifice to save Aubrey cements his redemption. Archer's journey is one of atonement, showing that even the most broken can find purpose and forgiveness.

Mildred Story / Theresa Ryan (Impostor)

The woman the cousins believe to be their grandmother is actually Theresa Ryan, the former assistant, who assumes Mildred's identity after her death. Motivated by grief and a desire for revenge over her son's death (which she blames on the Story siblings), Theresa orchestrates a decades-long deception, aided by Donald Camden and Dr. Baxter. Her actions are both monstrous and pitiable, driven by loss and the corrupting influence of power. Theresa's unraveling exposes the dangers of unchecked resentment and the lengths people will go to rewrite their own stories.

Donald Camden

Mildred's lawyer and confidant, Donald is complicit in the impostor scheme, motivated by greed and a desire for control. He manipulates the family, bribes the cousins, and covers up crimes to protect his interests. Donald represents the corrupting influence of money and the moral decay at the heart of the Story legacy. His eventual downfall is a small measure of justice in a world where many escape accountability.

Anders Story

The most enigmatic and destructive of the Story siblings, Anders is implicated in the deaths that haunt the family. His jealousy, manipulation, and lack of remorse set in motion the events that lead to the family's exile and the impostor's revenge. Anders is a cautionary figure, showing how privilege and entitlement can breed cruelty and self-destruction.

Adam Story

Aubrey's father, Adam is the golden boy whose charm masks deep flaws. His inability to act or take responsibility contributes to the tragedies that befall the family. Adam's relationship with Aubrey is strained by his selfishness and dishonesty, but her journey is ultimately about breaking free from his shadow and forging her own path.

Hazel Baxter-Clement

A local student and granddaughter of Dr. Baxter, Hazel helps the cousins investigate the family's history. Her research and personal connection to the island provide crucial clues, and her outsider perspective challenges the Storys to see themselves more clearly. Hazel represents the new generation's quest for truth and justice.

Paula Donahue

Theresa's sister, Paula assumes her identity to help maintain the impostor scheme. Her willingness to disappear and commit crimes for her sister highlights the destructive power of loyalty when untethered from morality. Paula's escape at the end leaves a lingering sense of unfinished business and the persistence of evil.

Plot Devices

Multi-POV Narrative Structure

The novel alternates between the viewpoints of Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah, with interludes from the past. This structure allows readers to see the same events through different lenses, building suspense and emotional complexity. The use of flashbacks and historical documents (letters, news articles) gradually reveals the truth, while the cousins' evolving relationships provide a counterpoint to the family's history of isolation and betrayal.

Foreshadowing and Red Herrings

The story is rich with foreshadowing—cryptic letters, suspicious deaths, and the ever-present question of "what did you do?"—that keeps readers guessing. Red herrings, such as the focus on Mildred's supposed cruelty or the cousins' own secrets, distract from the real villain and the true nature of the family's downfall. The gradual unveiling of the impostor plot is both surprising and inevitable in retrospect.

The Gothic Family Estate

Catmint House is more than a setting; it is a character in its own right, representing the grandeur and decay of the Story legacy. Its secrets, hidden rooms, and eventual destruction mirror the unraveling of the family's lies. The fire that consumes the house is both a literal and metaphorical cleansing, paving the way for a new beginning.

The Impostor Motif

The central plot device is the impostor—Theresa posing as Mildred—reflecting themes of identity, belonging, and the lengths people will go to claim or protect a legacy. The motif extends to Jonah's impersonation and the cousins' own struggles to define themselves outside their family's expectations. The impostor plot raises questions about what makes a family, the dangers of living a lie, and the possibility of redemption.

Analysis

The novel deconstructs the myth of the glamorous, untouchable dynasty, revealing the pain, jealousy, and moral rot beneath the surface. Through the eyes of Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah, we see how the sins of one generation poison the next, but also how courage, honesty, and connection can break the cycle. The impostor plot is a brilliant metaphor for the ways families rewrite their own histories, and the ultimate destruction of Catmint House signals the end of an era—and the possibility of a healthier, more authentic future. The book's lesson is clear: true inheritance is not money or status, but the ability to face the truth, forgive, and choose a better path.

Last updated: May 12, 2025