The Awful Truth

by Melanie Summers

They have money. Status. And terrible judgment.

It was supposed to be the ultimate escape. A curated guest list. A luxury yacht. A week on the crystal-clear Adriatic, far from everyone’s real lives.
Except no one is there for the view. Careers, contracts, and futures are all quietly in play.

Antonia and Ted have built a global brand on their perfect marriage, which would be more convincing if they could still stand each other. Mercy has spent years smoothing over the worst instincts of her powerful husband, convinced the man she fell in love with is still there. Winslow is hiding a secret that could end his career, while his husband, Miguel, is carrying news that will change everything between them.

And then there’s Charlotte—the assistant everyone overlooks. Which gives her an excellent view of everything.

The first night, the drinks flow, the gossip gets vicious, and everyone shares far more than they should. But what’s a little indiscretion among new friends?

The trouble with a yacht is that there’s nowhere to go once you’ve said too much. No separate hotels. No quick exits. Just the same people, fewer places to hide, and another breakfast together in the morning.

By the third day, one marriage is as good as over. One guest is desperate enough to do something irreversible. And Mercy is realizing the man she loved was all for show—and the man she fears is who he really is.

Before any of them set foot on solid ground again, one of them will be dead in the water.

Privilege has protected them from consequences for years. But desperation can make even very comfortable people do terrible things.

The Awful Truth is a sharp, warm, wickedly funny domestic suspense novel about marriage, power, and the spectacularly bad decisions people make when they have everything to lose. For readers who love the wit and heart of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth, with the glamor and menace of The White Lotus.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Heat Level: Open door, spicy not explicit
Tone: A fast-paced, suspenseful, emotional, character-driven drama
Series Type: Standalone, part of a collection of domestic suspense novels
Ending: Emotionally satisfying, book club / upmarket resolution
POV: Multi-POV, third person
Content Notes: Infidelity, emotional abuse dynamics, death, suicidal ideation, brief sexual violence, psychological tension

426 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2026

About the author

Melanie Summers is a multi-award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of romantic comedies and women’s fiction. She’s written over thirty-five books for people who have 'had it up to here' with the real world and need to laugh, feel good, and sigh happily. When she’s not writing or reading, she's usually out for a walk with her adorable dog, Nelson, hanging out on the beach with her husband and their three almost-grown kiddos, or curled up on the couch for family movie night. Melanie resides on Vancouver Island, Canada where her life goal is to become one of those fabulous people who take daily ice baths in the ocean. So far, she can get in up to her ankles, which is not too shabby.

Melanie Summers also writes under the name M.J. Summers

Reviews

[Alicia]

The rich and famous, lies and deceit, a luxurious mega yacht…what could possibly go wrong?? Melanie Summers weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense that grabs you from the first page to the very last. Once you start reading, you won’t want to put the book down!

[Tanya]

Having finished Season 3 of White Lotus recently, this made me think of that...rich, powerful people with nothing but time and money and bad choices.

I enjoyed this book and the characters. I do love horrible characters so this was right up my alley! :) I love rich people problems that they create themselves.


****
It was supposed to be the ultimate escape. A curated guest list. A luxury yacht. A week on the crystal-clear Adriatic, far from everyone’s real lives.

Except no one is there for the view. Careers, contracts, and futures are all quietly in play.

[Nati]

Rich people, secrets kept from partners, lies, deception and so much more in a story that intertwines thee couples and their problems in a luxurious yacht in Croatia and some other side characters that keep you reading until the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paige D]

The Awful Truth is a sharp, character driven domestic suspense novel set aboard a luxury yacht, where secrets, power, and fractured relationships unravel over the course of a tightly contained journey. It delivers psychological tension and social drama with escalating stakes and a strong ensemble cast.

[Sue]

I am loving this series so far. You read this from multiple perspectives, but it is not confusing. I think Summers does a good job showing everyone's perspective and highlighting that we all have secrets to hide. The book was certainly exciting with twists and turns.

[Kristi]

One of my domestic suspense edits, available now!

https://www.editsbykristi.com/the-awf...

[Dani Doane]

Refreshing

Great plot and character development. I am new to the series and couldn’t get in to the first book so was happy to find this one was super engaging.