Body Surfing - Anita Shreve

At the age of twenty-nine, Sydney has already been divorced and once widowed. Trying to find her footing again, she answers an advertisement to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage.

But when the Edwards’ two grown sons arrive at the house, Sydney finds herself caught up in old tensions and bitter divisions. As they brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt is threatened.

With a brilliant insight into real emotions, Shreve weaves a story about risk, family and the supreme courage that it takes to love.