Chapter 3 Summary: 8:00 a.m.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

At 8:00 a.m., Nina Riva is alone in the water at a tiny, exclusive cove, searching for the long, slow right-hand waves that allow her to ride her longboard with grace. The beach is quiet, protected by fifty-foot cliffs and accessible only to those with private stairs or willing to hike the jagged coastline. Two teenage girls sunbathe nearby, reading Jackie Collins and Stephen King, but Nina is the only surfer out. Floating on her board, she already feels a small slice of the peace she came for.

An hour earlier, Nina had been dreading the annual Riva party. She even fantasized about canceling it, but she knows she cannot disappoint her siblings—Jay, Hud, and Kit—who look forward to the event every year and talk about it for months afterward. The party began years ago as a wild kegger for local surfers and skateboarders, but as Nina's fame grew and she married Brandon, it attracted more and more celebrities: actors, pop stars, models, writers, directors, and even Olympians. It has become the party to be seen at, a place where people want to say they were there when something memorable happened.

Nina recalls notable past incidents: in 1979, Warren Rhodes and Lisa Crowne got naked in the pool; in 1981, supermodels Alma Amador and Georgina Corbyn made out in front of their husbands; last year, Bridger Miller and Tuesday Hendricks met for the first time, sharing a joint in Nina's backyard. They got engaged two weeks later, but Tuesday left him at the altar in May, prompting a tabloid headline. Nina also remembers rumors she isn't sure are true—Louie Davies discovering Alexandra Covington swimming topless and casting her in a film, Doug Tucker claiming proof that Celia St. James was gay, and neighbors Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez singing "Jack & Diane" in her kitchen. She doesn't always catch everything that happens in her own home; her main concern is whether her siblings have a good time. Last year, Jay and Hud smoked weed with every member of the Breeze, and Kit spent the night talking to Violet North, a week before Violet's debut album hit number one.

Nina knows she can't cancel a party that has no invitations—people are coming regardless. She hears from her close friend Tarine, whom she met at a Sports Illustrated shoot, that Vaughn Donovan plans to attend. Nina admits Vaughn is perhaps the hottest guy she's ever seen on-screen. As she watches a swell come in, she decides the party is not a curse but a blessing. She deserves a good time, to let loose, to share wine with Tarine, to flirt, to dance.

When the first wave in a set crashes just beyond her, peeling slowly and beautifully to the right, Nina paddles, catches the tide, and pops up. She moves with the water, thinking only of how to compensate, give and take in perfect measure. She does not think of future or past, only the present: how to stay, hold on, balance—better, longer, with more ease. As the wave speeds up, she hunches down; as it slows, she pumps her board. When she has her bearings, she dances lightly up to the nose, hovering on the tip with her arms out to steady her. Throughout it all, this grace has always saved her.

Key Events

Nina surfs alone in a secluded cove, seeking long, slow waves for graceful longboarding.
She reflects on her earlier dread of the annual Riva party and her fantasy of canceling it.
She remembers the party's origins as a small kegger and its growth into a celebrity magnet.
She recalls specific past incidents: naked swimming, supermodel make-outs, a celebrity engagement and breakup, and various rumors.
She learns from Tarine that Vaughn Donovan will attend.
Nina decides the party is a blessing, not a curse, and resolves to enjoy herself.
She catches a wave, cross-steps to the nose of her longboard, and rides with grace, finding peace in the present moment.

Character Development

This chapter deepens Nina's characterization by revealing her internal conflict between personal desire and family obligation. She initially wants to cancel the party, but her love for Jay, Hud, and Kit overrides that impulse. Her role as the eldest sibling and the family's anchor is clear—she feels responsible for maintaining their traditions, even when they have become overwhelming. The chapter also shows Nina's awareness of her own fame and its consequences; she knows the party has grown beyond her control, yet she accepts it as part of her life.

Nina's surfing serves as a counterpoint to her public persona. In the water, she seeks grace and peace, focusing only on the present moment. This contrasts with the chaos and rumor-filled world of the party. Her decision to reframe the party as a blessing rather than a curse demonstrates her resilience and her ability to find joy in difficult circumstances. The final image of her riding the wave with grace reinforces that this quality—grace—has always been her salvation, both in surfing and in life.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Surfing as escape: Nina's early-morning surf is a retreat from the pressures of her life and the upcoming party. The cove's exclusivity and quietness symbolize a private space where she can be herself.
Family traditions: The Riva party is a tradition that binds the four siblings together. Nina's reluctance to cancel it shows the weight of family loyalty and shared history.
Celebrity culture and rumors: The chapter is filled with stories and gossip about famous attendees, highlighting how the party has become a spectacle. Nina's uncertainty about what actually happened underscores the blur between reality and rumor in celebrity life.
Exclusivity and access: The cove's inaccessibility and the party's guest list both emphasize the theme of who gets in and who doesn't. The party's allure is partly based on being "there when" something happens.
Present-moment mindfulness: Nina's surfing is described as a state of pure presence, where she thinks only of balance and movement. This contrasts with her earlier anxiety about the future (the party).
Grace as salvation: The chapter ends with the idea that grace has always saved Nina. This can be read both literally (her surfing skill) and metaphorically (her ability to navigate life with poise).
Party as blessing vs. curse: Nina initially sees the party as a burden, but she consciously reframes it as a blessing, showing her agency in choosing her perspective.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 3 establishes Nina's emotional state just hours before the party, setting the stage for the events that will unfold. It provides crucial backstory on the party's origins and its significance to the Riva family, explaining why Nina feels compelled to host it despite her misgivings. The chapter also introduces key elements of Nina's character—her sense of duty, her desire for peace, and her reliance on grace—that will likely inform her actions later in the novel. By showing her decision to embrace the party as a blessing, the chapter creates a sense of anticipation and hints that something may disrupt this fragile optimism. The contrast between the serene surfing scene and the chaotic party world foreshadows the tension that will drive the narrative forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Nina consider canceling the party, and what prevents her from doing so?

Nina considers canceling because she dreads the event and the chaos it brings. However, she cannot disappoint her siblings Jay, Hud, and Kit, who look forward to the party every year and talk about it for months. Additionally, the party has no invitations—people simply show up—so canceling would be impractical. Her sense of family duty and tradition ultimately overrides her personal desire to avoid it.

2. How does Nina's surfing in this chapter contrast with her feelings about the party?

Nina's surfing is a solitary, peaceful activity that requires focus on the present moment. She seeks long, slow waves and rides with grace, thinking only of balance and movement. In contrast, the party represents chaos, celebrity gossip, and loss of control. Surfing offers her an escape from the pressures of her public life, while the party embodies those pressures. The chapter uses this contrast to highlight Nina's need for personal peace amid her responsibilities.

3. What does the Riva party symbolize for the family, and how does Nina's attitude toward it shift by the end of the chapter?

The party symbolizes family tradition and connection for the Riva siblings. It started as a small gathering and grew into a major event, but for Nina, its core meaning is giving her brothers and sister a good time. Initially, she sees the party as a curse—a burden she must endure. By the end of the chapter, she consciously reframes it as a blessing, deciding she deserves to enjoy herself. This shift shows her resilience and her ability to find positivity in a situation she cannot change.