“Truly stunning.” —Danielle Valentine, New York Times bestselling author of Delicate Condition
For fans of Nine Perfect Strangers and The Midnight Feast, a moody, atmospheric psychological suspense set in the secretive world of celebrity rehab centers, from New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Sheinmel.
Rush’s Recovery promises its wealthy guests the utmost discretion. But when a body is discovered, can the center’s secrets stay buried?
Off the coast of New York, tucked among the pristine and secluded beaches of Shelter Island sits Rush’s Recovery, a treatment center where ultra-high-net-worth clients can seek treatment away from prying eyes and paparazzi. The latest guests have just arrived: Lord Edward of Essex, a British aristocrat fighting his black-sheep status and a painful addiction; Amelia Blue Harris, the daughter of a grungy ’90s rock legend struggling with an eating disorder; and Florence Bloom, a pop star trying to lay low after her latest tabloid scandal. All three have been promised the highest standard of care, from daily therapy and a live-in chef, to acupuncture sessions and a personal care manager—available 24/7. Just so long as they stay put in their private cottages and never interact with the other guests.
But these self-destructive B-listers didn’t get where they are by following the rules. Edward, Amelia, and Florence are each at Rush’s for reasons all their own—but somewhere between their therapy sessions and cold plunges, will they confront more than their own demons? Celebrities check in to Rush’s to protect their privacy, but a mysterious death will reveal that the darkest secrets lie in the center’s own history.
Semi-Charmed Lives
"This story follows the lives of three (semi) celebrities who are guests at Rush’s Recovery. Rush’s Recovery is a rehabilitation centre on Shelter Island. The three guests: Amelia Blue Harris – Daughter of rock legend Scott Harris and Georgia Blue, Amelia is visiting for an eating disorder though she does have other motivations to be there. Lord Edward of Essex – The British aristocrat is visiting for a prescription pill addiction and other dodgy circumstances related to his poor behavior as a member of the royal family. Florence Bloom – A past her prime rocker, Florence is a guest dealing with exhaustion. Isn’t that what you call it when you're an alcoholic with a drug addiction and tend to fight with other pop stars? The story is told from the perspective of the three guests. Also dispersed throughout the novel are the perspectives from some of the locals in this small, but rich, community. Almost immediately, we hear from the coroner about the body that was found. We also hear from the maid, the dogwalker who found the body and others. This was a slow read as you learn about the guests, their past transgressions, and what their future may hold, if anything. What kept me reading is wanting to know who the body was and what happened to him or her. As that part of the story is peppered throughout, it’s unknown if it’s one of the three guests or someone else from the facility. Initially, I didn’t feel any connection to the characters or their celebrity status. Once the twists started to come, I began to appreciate the characters more and the journey they were on. The timeline of events made sense in the end. Absolutely enjoyable read."
