The Storm by Elizabeth Hawkins

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Author Elizabeth Hawkins

Release date January 6th 2026

Previous Book The Heiress 

This story is packed with well-drawn characters who feel like people you might actually know—or at least gossip about over sweet tea. At the heart of the novel are Lo Bailey and Geneva Corliss, with Ellen Chambers and Frieda Mason rounding out a compelling supporting cast. We follow Lo, Ellen, and Frieda through their formative teenage years, watching friendships deepen, fractures form, and secrets quietly take root—until everything collides on one fateful August night in 1984.

Fast forward forty years, and we meet Geneva, now the owner of the Rosalie Inn, having stepped into the role as her mother Ellen slowly relinquishes control. One of the book’s strengths is how clearly Hawkins shows us how the past echoes into the present. Every decision, every regret, and every secret has shaped the women these characters have become.

Hawkins absolutely nails the setting. The Southern beach town feels authentic and lived-in—I could practically hear the waves crashing and smell the salt in the air. When the storm hits, it hits. The author pulls you right into the chaos, making you feel as though you’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the characters as the wind howls and emotions unravel.

The writing style is clean, modern, and accessible, making the story easy to slip into. Hawkins uses contemporary language that feels natural while still weaving in just enough 1980s detail to ground the past timeline without overdoing it. The balance between then and now works well and keeps the narrative from feeling dated or overly nostalgic.

This is a fast, engaging read that rarely slows down. Hawkins keeps the momentum moving, guiding the reader smoothly from scene to scene. There’s one brief stretch where the pacing dips slightly, but it’s clearly intentional—laying the groundwork for a reveal that pays off almost immediately. The plot is tight, cohesive, and refreshingly free of glaring holes or “wait, that makes no sense” moments.

While this wasn’t a book I felt compelled to pick up the moment I opened my eyes, it was one I consistently returned to whenever I had a quiet moment. The mystery hums steadily in the background, keeping you curious and invested without demanding total obsession.

Everything in this story fits together neatly. The motivations are believable, the choices make sense, and the ending feels earned. In fact, the conclusion is almost poetic—true to the story Hawkins set out to tell and respectful of the groundwork laid from the very beginning.

This isn’t a heavy or overly serious novel, but it doesn’t try to be. Hawkins delivers an entertaining, well-paced story that keeps you guessing and rewards your attention. It’s the kind of book that makes for a satisfying, enjoyable ride with a solid and sensible ending.

Rachel Hawkins spins a tale as old as time: love, jealousy, betrayal, and murder. In The Storm, we meet Lo, Ellen, Frieda, and Geneva—along with a not-so-subtle guest appearance August. Three young women have their lives forever altered by one stormy night on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, and its consequences continue to ripple outward forty years later.

This is a quick, engaging read with relatable, deeply human characters and just enough mystery to keep you guessing. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and can confidently say I’m quickly becoming a Rachel Hawkins fan.