A Heartwarming Escape to Cape Cod

In The Seaside Sisters, Brooklyn-based Hannah, a bestselling author, seeks solace in her aunt’s oceanfront house in Chatham. There, she reconnects with her older sister, Sara, who dreams of reigniting her love for literature. Amid family responsibilities and fizzling marriages, the sisters find friendship, romance, and the magic of books.

Kelley’s storytelling captures the essence of summer—warm, inviting, and filled with sisterly bonds. The Chatham setting is as charming as a sun-soaked beach, and the characters feel like friends you’d want to share a sunset with. If you’re a fan of Mary Kay Andrews or Susan Mallery, this delightful read awaits you.

The Seaside Sisters is a sweet, cozy, beachy read. I really loved the main characters, sisters Hannah and Sara. They are both struggling with different things in their everyday life, most of which are relatable, and they spend the summer with each other trying to work through their struggles. I really enjoyed the setting and the small town feel. The book store and little coffee shop was one of the best parts of the setting, second to the beach! There was a bit of romance, family connections, and it checks all the summer reading boxes! This book really focuses on these characters figuring out what truly makes them happy. Overall I really enjoyed The Seaside Sisters and would definitely recommend you add it to your summer beach read TBR!

Pamela M. Kelley has written an amazing book about a family and the things their lives go through.

Hannah and Sarah are sisters and their mom died a few months ago. Sarah is a mother of four boys ranging in age from 6 to 12. She is married to a man named Tom who takes her for granted. He doesn't really pay her much attention and doesn't help her with anything.

Hannah is is an author and she lives in Brooklyn. She and her sister grew up in Cape Cod, Chatham. Her mothers house is still there and they agreed to keep it for at least a year before they decided what to do with it. Hannah wasn't doing well with her writing or her health. She has been having a hard time with the fact that her mom a has died. So she has decided to go back to Chatham and is going to stay with her aunt Maddie.

Maddie has had a separation from her husband Richie. Maddie is at home in Chatham and Richie seems to be at home in New York. Maddie is having a hard time at the loss of her sister.

Joy and Ben are Maddies' neighbors. Spencer is their grandson and Hannah remembered him from when she was in high school.
He is a lawyer and Hannah has been invited to shadow him and his team for her book.

Sarah gets a job at the book store in town and Tom doesn't take to well to it as he thinks she is wasting her time. He, again doesn't help her. When they go on a date night Tom doesn't pay her much attention. He stays on his phone for the most part.

There really is so much to this book to unwrap it all here would be wrong to the you the reader. It is an amazing read and I highly recommend this book. Fun family and love!
Happy Reading!!!

This story follows three women: Hannah, her sister Sara, and their aunt Maddie. Hannah is a best-selling author that is struggling with her second book. Having lost her mother just weeks prior, Hannah decides to move back to her childhood home in Cape Cod for the summer. The story focuses on Hannah and Sara’s grief, in addition to Sara’s marriage struggles. I really enjoyed watching their stories unfold.

This was the quintessential beach read. The pace felt slow, there was not much drama, and the Cape Cod backdrop was delightful. Personally, I need a little more action than this one provided, but I still really enjoyed these characters and their stories!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this one!

The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley
Contemporary chick lit, women’s fiction with romance. Multiple POV.
After a personal loss and now suffering from panic attacks, Hannah Brewster is struggling to write her second book. She accepts an invite to return home to Chatham, Cape Cod for the summer. She’s hoping that being back in her home town will help her reconnect with life, family and hope. Plus, she’ll be able to spend time with her sister Sara.
Sara is married with four children and feels stuck in her life. So many family responsibilities and no time for herself. Sara gets a job at a local bookstore which puts pressure on other needed changes in her life.
Aunt Maddie is having her own marriage issues. Having Hannah and Sara back in her life for the summer helps her make some of her own changes.
It’s a summer of family.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook which was narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. There are distinct voices for the main three women in the story bit for me they did tend to blend together. I had to listen closely to the beginning of each section or chapter to make sure I knew who I was following. Of course, they lead very different lives with different issues so the content was easily allocated. There were no drastic emotions so the audiobook was smooth and well modulated with no discernible subsequent editing. It was a wonderful performance overall. I listened to this at 1.5 which is my preferred speed.

Choosing between an ebook and audiobook is really choosing between two different experiences. For this book, I would recommend the ebook simply because of the multiple POV’s and inconsistencies of when the POV changes occur.

Family and personal connections, self respect, confidence and most importantly, happiness in the one life we get to lead.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

Seaside Sisters is one of those books that will put you right in the middle of a cute little beach town as you read.

Hannah a write who is struggling with her latest book, travels to her aunts home in Chatham on Cape Cod to get a change of scenery hoping this will help. Hannah's stay at home sister also lives there. She is trying to break into the workforce with little help from her husband, who I thought was a selfish uninterested partner. Her aunt Maddie has separated from her long time husband, and trying to decided if she still wants to be married.

I enjoyed the setting of Chatham, the author did a fantastic job of describing the town, along with the quaint bookshop and coffee shop that is next door, and of course I enjoy any book that has a setting on a beach or in a beach town.

The characters for the most part were enjoyable, as I said above, I did not like the sisters husband at all. The characters were just everyday people with everyday problems. There was a slight romance with Hannah, but it was not anything steamy, as I mentioned, it was slight.

Maybe all this is the reason I found the story a bit slow. Maybe it was suppose to be. Mimic the feeling of a slow summer days you'd have in a small beach town, but it was just a bit to slow for me.

This was the perfect start-to-summer read. I enjoyed the characters and see where a couple of side-stories could happen! It was poignant, heart-felt and with just enough laughter and romance to keep things lively. I greatly enjoyed it!

Hannah is struggling writing her new novel, her mother just passed away and her 2 year relationship ended.  Since her sister and aunt still live on Cape Cod she decides that the best thing to do is to spend her summer there rather than alone in her Brooklyn apartment and try to heal and write her book.  Once there she realizes her aunt's marriage is on a break and her sister's is struggling.  The three women spend the summer supporting each other while Hannah begins a friendship with Spencer, a man with whom she went to high school, and is much more interesting to her now than he was then.

I listened to this one entirely.  Unfortunately while I thought it would be a nice sweet summer read, the story just didn't have enough complexity for me.  Everything was a bit too simple from the plot to the characters - nothing stood out or held my interest.  I also wonder if the author was on a diet when she wrote it (no judgement, we've all been there) because she described every meal (especially every dessert) the characters ate in detail (and they ate a lot of brownies).  The audio narrator read the novel in the breezy way that it was presented and she was great.  If you want a quick uncomplicated beach read this is for you, but I like a little more, even for my romance beach reads, to hold my interest.

3.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ARC to review

I recently had the opportunity to delve into Pamela M Kelley's charming novel, 'The Seaside Sisters'. This delightful read is set against the backdrop of the picturesque seaside town of Chatham on the Cape, and it introduces us to the world of Hannah, a writer who is experiencing a creative slump.
Seeking respite and inspiration, Hannah decides to spend her summer with her aunt and sister in Chatham. Her sister is undergoing a transition of her own, feeling a bit lost as all four of her children have started school, and she embarks on a new journey by deciding to get a job.
One of the pivotal moments occurs when Hannah discovers that her aunt and uncle are separated. This revelation adds an unexpected layer of complexity to her summer retreat. Despite the personal struggles and complications that the characters face, the book maintains a light-hearted and uplifting tone, making it an ideal beach read.
Hannah's story takes an interesting turn when she befriends Spencer. While there's a hint of a budding romance, Hannah grapples with the decision of whether she could become a full-time resident of Chatham.
The tale is beautifully narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, who brings a sense of wonder and charm to the story. Her narration enhances the overall reading experience, adding depth to the characters and the scenic landscape of Chatham.
'The Seaside Sisters' is a relaxing and enjoyable read that perfectly captures the essence of everyday struggles and the beauty of new beginnings. It's a testament to Kelley's talent as a storyteller. I feel grateful to Pamela M Kelley, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to review this heartwarming ARC.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a light-hearted, yet meaningful story that explores family dynamics, personal growth, and the power of new beginnings, 'The Seaside Sisters' should be your next pick. The book serves as a gentle reminder that no matter what life throws at you, there's always a silver lining waiting just around the corner.

❤️ Happy Reading!!! ❤️

Librarians, authors, and bookstores are all my favorite things! It is a great summer read, with good family connections, and minor drama with satisfying resolutions. I love listening to audiobooks because it allows me to enjoy a book while getting quiet chores finished.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in advance.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6555158404

This story revolves mainly around Hannah. She is a best-selling author (of one book) and is currently on deadline for her second book, but has NOT been able to write.
When her Aunt suggests she come back to Chatham, Cape Cod for the summer, she thinks that’s a terrific idea!
Her Aunt and her sister both live there…and being as she has just recently suffered a great loss, well, she thinks it’ll be good for all of them!

Hannah lives in Brooklyn (NY), my old stomping grounds…so I definitely relate to her on this! She has friends, an apt, and a life there.

But, when she returns home to Chatham for the summer, well, it’s kind of like an old glove…it just fits!

While there she forges many relationships with both family and friends…and some possible love interests…

Loved the setting/backdrop. Loved the closeness of her family. Loved how they all really care for each other… and LOVED when Sara (the sister) decides to let her husband handle their 4 kids for a short while! Eye opening!!

Sweet, yet sad at times too! But, realistic on so many levels…

Oh…and I loved how the author is having a hard time writing…and how she connects with other authors and goes to group meetings, etc… to try to muddle through. Very enlightening to see that it’s not all champagne and roses for our beloved authors either!! 😮

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me! Great summer read!!

#TheSeasideSisters by #PamelaKelley and narrated beautifully by #StephanieNemethParker.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released on 6/4/24 ( so just a few days from now!)

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The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley is about the summer after Hannah and Sara’s mom dies. Hannah returns to Cape Cod where they grew up and where Sara still lives with her husband and children. The story follows Hannah, Sara, and their Aunt Maddie through the ups and downs of relationships.

I found that nothing remarkable happened in this story. Sometimes the plot felt like it was following too many story lines. Honestly I was much more interest in Sara and Maddie’s storylines. Hannah was just kind of boring. I also feel like there have been a lot of romance books lately with a main character who is a romance writer and it’s not adding anything to the story.

I did enjoy that this book was light-hearted and easy to listen to. It felt very much like a palette cleanser and is good if you’ve been reading a lot of heavy stuff and want a break. Great beach read to reset.

Big thanks to @net and @mac for my advanced audiobook. I did enjoy the narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker. She had great intonation and it was easy to keep up with voices of different characters.

I went back and forth between giving it 2 or 3 stars, but because I did enjoy the narration and it gave me some escapism, which I enjoyed, I went with 3.

Love, loss, family relationships, endings, starting anew, and more. Hannah, an author struggling with a lot of emotions, She’s an author struggling with writer's block, is missing her beloved mother, dealing with the end of a relationship she knew wasn’t right for her, but left wondering what is next and panic attacks, decides to leave Brooklyn for the summer and head to her home town of Chatham to spend time with her aunt and sister. They too are struggling with issues in their personal and professional lives. All three women are feeling stuck and are each at somewhat of their own crossroads. Over the course of the summer with the loving support from each other they all find their way to their own personal happily ever afters. It was an easy lovely story about life. The narration added to the experience of the story.

I was intrigued by the premise and excited to download this book as soon as I read the burb and saw it was about a Cape Codder turned Brooklynite. Hannah is an author from Chatham, MA (on Cape Cod), which is coincidentally the same town where I grew up. Like the main character, I left the Cape and lived in NYC for several years, but still enjoy returning to my hometown for visits.

In the book, Hannah decides to spend the summer in Chatham to finish her next novel after a breakup and the passing of her mother. The story is definitely best characterized as a lighthearted/tame romance. Although Pamela Kelley is a prolific author of this genre, I had never read one of her books before.

Overall, I enjoyed the descriptions of Chatham and the real-life local businesses that Kelley included, but the plot itself was typical of this genre and predictable, and much of the book was limited to fairly simplistic and sometimes repetitive dialogue between the characters. If it hadn't been set in my hometown, I may not have rated this book as highly, but only because this type of book isn't really my cup of tea. However, if you're seeking a breezy beach read, and you are interested in learning more about the Cape, then I would certainly recommend you give this a go!

This is the perfect beach read or summer read, in my opinion. The story takes place in Chatham, MA which is a small town in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Hannah, a writer, rents an apartment in Brooklyn, NY, and is having trouble with writer's block, after losing her mother. Her two sisters convince her to spend the summer in Chatham where they all grew up, and still reside. Hannah takes them up on the offer and moves in with her aunt.

Pamela M. Kelley has a talent for writing easy reading, cozy, novels that put you in the place of her characters. From the start, I fell in love with each of them. The author also does such a great job in the way she describes the scenery, it gives the reader a perfect image of the sights and sounds of Chatham, MA.

The narrator is really good telling this story, using different voices, so it was easy to determine who was talking, without the need to say
"Said Spencer or said Hannah ..."

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books that are violent-free, easy reads, with some romance, friendship and family. and especially those who either want to learn about Cape Cod, MA or love Cape Cod. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in return for my honest review.

The Seaside Sisters by Pamela M Kelley is a cute romance which takes place near the ocean in Massachusetts. Hannah Brewster, published author of one romance, has returned to her childhood home of Chatham after experiencing a panic attack that took her to the emergency room. It had been a bad year: her mother had died, she had broken it off with her boyfriend of two years, and this next book would just not come to her. She decided to go to the beach. Her mother’s death was still too raw to stay in her house, her sister’s four boys kept her from staying there, but she had an aunt who was in a big house on the beach so it was there she went to recover. It was perfect. She found a coffee shop where she could go and write for several hours a day and she dug in. Slowly the words began to flow and she began to meet people. Her aunt’s next door neighbors had a grandson that she had gone to high school with. Spencer was a lawyer and his grandmother suggested Hannah shadow him for a week so she could write more authentically about lawyers. She’d found her people.

Hannah was determined to not fall in love. She was too raw from the past few months. She met another author and they went on a few dates but that went nowhere. She continued to see Spencer and the lawyers he worked with. What a great group of friends. Summer would be over soon and she would return to Brooklyn, her home. Hannah was a sympathetic character as in fact were most of the characters we got to know. She was essentially a light and happy person. The story was good, but like most romances, predictable, although the journey was different. It is a thoroughly modern romance. A feel-good story as we watch Hannah and her family negotiate rough relationship waters. A relaxing read.

Stephanie Nemeth-Parker was the narrator and listening to her reminded me why I like to read light romance rather than listen to it. Too often the voices of the women sound too young and vapid. The give women no credit audibly. I recommend you read this book rather than listen to it for full enjoyment.

I was invited to read The Seaside Sisters by Sr Martin’s Press and to listen by MacMillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #MacMillanAudio #PamelaMKelley #TheSeasideSisters.

I don't think The Seaside Sisters will disappoint. It's the perfect summer/beach read as its setting is the beautiful Cape Cod. It's got the feels...ocean, sun, and sand, along with love in all its forms...new love, rekindled love, and sister and family love. My favorite part is the bookish elements....the protagonist is a romance writer (perfect), and her sister was a librarian, now a bookseller. Feature a bookstore in any novel, and I'll own it. I really did enjoy Pamela Kelley's new novel.

2.5⭐️ This story was full of a bunch of characters all battling their own issues and how they worked through them over a summer in New England. It was just ok for me. I never really felt a real connection to any of the characters and I’m not sure if it’s because the cast was too big for my taste or if maybe I was just not the target audience. I listened on audiobook so it may have been easier to follow in physical book form. The narrator was just ok. Definitely not my favorite. Overall, it could be a mindless, easy, summer read if that’s what you are going for. But don’t expect much depth and it probably won’t be one you will remember in a few months.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

I have listened to a few Pamela Kelley audiobooks and I always enjoy them. Stephanie Németh-Parker narrated this cozy story about family and the struggles we go through. Stephanie had a very soothing voice that just held my attention through this book. The characters were well written and relatable. This book gives you feel-good summer vibes, a touch of romance, complicated, but realistic relationship situations, and friendships. I can't wait to see what Pamela writes next. I would definitely recommend this book and her other books.


Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

I loved The Seaside Sisters. I'm new to author Pamela M. Kelley, but I've already gotten more of her books to read because I enjoyed this one so much. The story is enchanting, the characters endearing, and the setting was beautiful. I know it was beautiful because of well the coastal town was described. This story was "clean" in that it didn't have any language or adult situations, which I appreciated. The characters were woven together yet had their own journeys. One of my favorite things about the book's setting was the lovely descriptions of local food and the fashion. I highly recommend this book. It's a perfect beach read as it was easy to read and flowed nicely. At no time was I bored with it. In fact, I listened via audiobook and had it playing at the gym, in the car, and while I cooked. It was that good.