The Cousins by Karen M. McManus Summary
Overview of The Cousins
Three estranged cousins receive mysterious invitations to their wealthy grandmother's island resort, unraveling dark family secrets that made this #1 New York Times bestseller win the Garden State Teen Award. What truth awaits when inheritance meets deception?
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A Mysterious Summons to Gull Cove Island
Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story have never met their wealthy grandmother Mildred, who mysteriously cut off all contact with her four children twenty-four years ago. When they each receive letters inviting them to work at her luxury resort for the summer, their reactions couldn't be more different. Milly, the confident fashionista from New York, initially refuses until bribed with a diamond necklace. Aubrey, the quiet swimmer from Connecticut, sees it as an escape from her crumbling family life. And then there's Jonah-except the person who arrives on Gull Cove Island isn't actually Jonah Story at all. Their first meeting on the ferry sets the tone for their complicated relationships. Milly immediately clashes with the handsome "Jonah," while forming a tentative bond with the reserved Aubrey. Their arrival brings the first of many surprises: their grandmother had no idea they were coming. The invitation was a forgery, and someone has deliberately orchestrated their presence on the island. As they settle into their summer jobs at the resort, they begin forming genuine bonds despite their suspicions. What starts as a reluctant alliance gradually transforms into something deeper, as they realize they'll need each other to uncover the truth about why their parents were disowned and what dark secrets lie buried in the Story family history.
Masks Fall Away: True Identities Revealed
Echoes of Tragedy: Two Suspicious Deaths
The Impostor: A Grandmother's Shocking Secret
"Family First, Always": The Price of Toxic Loyalty
Breaking the Cycle: Hope Beyond Inheritance
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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