The characters were never developed. Years ago, I would have read a book of this size in a night.
Unfortunately for me, it took me two weeks to even get through the final chapters.
I’d pick it up; put it down, then watch something on tv.
The plot was totally unrealistic, with all the women ( who up until the summer in question never dealt with each other) all of a sudden becoming fast friends/family.
Throw in an “ extra “ character to further complicate the dynamic of a “ family “ that was never one…