Rules of Summer

The daughter of former talk show host Regis Philbin continues to mine her roots, following her Daughters series with a similarly themed novel. Set among the chic country clubs and pristine beaches of East Hampton, this conventional but entertaining story follows two unlikely 17-year-old friends: Isabel Rule, the daughter of blue-blood millionaires, and Rory McShane, the niece of the Rules’ housekeeper. When Rory first arrives at the Rules’ beachside mansion to be their “errand girl” for the summer, it’s all she can do to keep from gawking at her posh surroundings and offending Isabel. But eventually, Isabel’s superficial needs throw the girls together, paving the way for a deeper connection. As they open up about their respective fears, they realize that while their circumstances are worlds apart, what they want out of life might not be. Though Rory’s transformation from insecure wallflower to outspoken critic of the rich and famous is rushed, and a last-minute twist feels tacked on, Philbin’s impressions of Hamptons’ etiquette—both the good and the deliciously nasty—remain as strong as ever. Ages 15–up. Agent: Rebecca Oliver, William Morris Endeavor. (June)