Let me start by saying this: The Paper Palace is NOT your typical breezy beach read. If you're expecting something light and fluffy like an Elin Hilderbrand novel, you're in for a shock. This book grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go.

The writing style is absolutely gorgeous - lyrical and packed with vivid descriptions that sometimes feel overwhelming (seriously, whole paragraphs about a fly?). But once you get used to it, the prose becomes hypnotic. I found myself rereading sentences just to savor the beauty of the language.

The story structure is brilliant but challenging. We follow 24 hours in real time while jumping through 50 years of memories. At times it's confusing, but when it clicks? Pure magic. You'll feel like you're right there in that decaying Cape Cod summer camp, smelling the salt air and feeling the weight of family secrets.

Warning: This book deals with heavy trauma - child abuse, rape, neglect. These scenes are graphic and necessary for the story, but they hit hard. Keep tissues nearby - I cried multiple times.

The characters are frustratingly human - flawed, complex, and sometimes downright unlikable. Elle especially got on my nerves with her self-absorption, but that's what makes them feel real. You'll find yourself arguing with them in your head!

Now... that ending! Some readers hate it (including me at first), but after sitting with it for days, I realized it's perfect. It leaves you exactly where Elle is - uncertain, questioning everything. Genius or maddening? You decide!

Final verdict? 4.5/5 stars. Not perfect (could've trimmed some descriptions), but one of the most memorable books I've read this year. Just know what you're getting into - this is emotional heavy lifting, not light vacation reading.