A glimpse into the social elite of Mexico’s ultra rich, Lorea Canales weaves a haphazard story that meanders through the past and the present simultaneously to define its central character primarily through her absence from the lives of those she is closest to. The story is rich with characters, each searching in their own way for their purpose in life. Some characters were captivating and interesting while others less so, but none were more intriguing than Marta herself, who I found myself often wanting to experience more of when the lives of the other characters became stale. The nonlinear leaps between characters and time periods takes some adjustment to get used to, but once you settle into being unsettled, the story takes you on a nice ride through the lives of these complex characters. I love writers who are adept at creating unique, three-dimensional characters that compel you to want to know more about their psyche and Canales does just that. In the end, though, I longed for more of Marta and find myself wondering whether the book truly satisfies in conveying who she becomes.