When I saw Montauk on NetGallery I thought it was just what I needed - a fluffy romance! And that'what I got.

The story centres on Bea, a young but unhappy woman who is married to a high rolling banker and enjoys a luxe life. Her one desire however is to have a child, and that isn't happening. She feels like a fish out of water among society, especially when she commences a Summer-long holiday in a beautiful hotel in Montauk. Once there she finds an affinity with the locals, especially one, a handsome and mysterious lighthouse keeper.

The writing style of this book is pretty pedestrian but I've certainly read worse. It was never going to be a mentally taxing read, so if you are looking for high literature this is not for you. I found the storyline developed quite slowly and predictably. You could see what was going to happen from the outset, so it was just a matter of watching it unfold and guessing the ending. Because of this I found myself skim reading the story to just get it done.

The characters were a bit meh, you didn't feel any great pull to any - the main character and her love interest included. They were just a bit 2D. I do wish writers would stop using grief as a personality type!! It's not one and yet all we know about this woman is that her brother has died and she is sad - how about building an actual character?

The plot points were a bit farcical. Actually really fascicle. For instance this rich young woman (married five years, so not new to society and it's standards!!) starts waiting with her bag of dirty clothes on the lawn of the motel for the washing woman so that she can talk to her and then she starts going to her home and for long drives with her. Unlikely I'm going to say. And then there is the whole 'poor lighthouse man fell in a hole and I must care for him day and night' plot line which is again so cringey. None of this stuff would actually happen.

Oops I meant for this to be a somewhat positive review, and then realised how I actually feel. I'll just say it's pure fluff. Perfect holiday reading and gifting.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review (thanks NetGalley!). Montauk will be the perfect summer read and the style reminds the reader of Beatriz Williams. Since this is the unedited version, I did find one section that wasn't consistent- Bea describes getting a blackberry pie and shortly after mentions a blueberry pie. It's a minor detail, but just a heads up. I loved this book and did not to put it down and think that others will too.

Solid historical fiction book that takes place in the 1930's-which I really love to read about. For the most part, I enjoyed reading about Beatrice and her struggle to live the carefree and flighty life of the rich socialite while missing her middle class, hard working roots. She is still reeling from an accident that killed her brother years ago and is sensitive and kind. I think the romance between her and Thomas was overly melodramatic and that is really the only flaw I found with this story. The ending was just over the top--I still would recommend as a beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

This was just an okay read for me. It took me a while to get into it. I could relate to certain parts of it though. This one wasn't bad, but not sure it was really for me.

Montauk | NetGalley
By Nicola Harrison

NetGalley
Book 3

Spoilers...

Had me at page 2!

A bit Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies) with the women’s social club. A little bit Kathryn Stockett (The Help) with Elizabeth and Beatrice. This novel is so beautifully written. I loved the innocence of Beatrice. The adventure she insisted upon regardless of the risk. This book is so refreshing!

There are quite a few things going on through out but they tie together seamlessly! The characters steal your heart, well with the exception of a few obvious ones.

I was really holding out hope that Thomas would see Beatrice’s bruises as a result of her violent encounter with Harry. I wanted him to step in and take action as a result but I guess that would have been too predictable. And then...

This was going to be my favorite book EVER and then... the ending came. I’m so upset at the way the author chose to end this book. I went from a 5 to a 3 star rating. So disappointed at the last 5% of this book.

I am so grateful for my advanced reader copy from NetGalley!

This is a novel that draws you in and doesn't let go. The author wonderfully describes the mores of the rich and famous of NYC who spend their summers in Montauk L.I. She touches on many social issues of the 1930's, but she is especially adept at painting a portrait of a woman who is finding her true place in the world.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for review.
I started out think why did I pick this book in the first chapter or two. But after that it was really good.
Could not stop reading after making it through the first few chapters.

I loved this book Montauk a place I’d love to spend a summer enjoying.The atmosphere the people the strong characters the differences in the levels of society the wealthy summer dwellers the locals considered less then.A character driven literary feat a novel that draws you right in to a different place a different time.Highly recommend, #netgalley #st.martins

Received a vopy of this book through netgalley.
Loved the story line and the different descriptions of the characters,well thought out about the social structure st the time between the city people and locals.Points out the social norm of the times parties,affairs, dress code.
Liked the way the story developed,as seen through the eyes of the main character,and the development of her,did not see the ending coming taken by surprise.
A must on your reading list.

I am a huge fan of Beatriz Williams and Amor Towles, and Nicola Harrison certainly is a worthy successor. Montauk takes the reader to the newest playground for the ultra rich society denizens of New York City in 1938. Through the eyes of the abused wife, Beatrice Bordeaux, the reader enters the chic resort built by Carl Fisher which was going to catapult Montauk to the level of an international luxury resort.

The summer of 1938 is a tumultuous one, not just for Beatrice but for the world. She discovers unpleasant truths about her marriage and finds life-changing love during these weeks. She also discovers her inner resources and strength.

Harrison manages to create an atmosphere redolent of the snobby WASP society of the era. I pictured the cast of Claire Booth Luce’s THE WOMEN transported to Montauk. Her descriptions of the people, clothing, and dynamic totally engrossed me from the moment I opened the novel.

Having read so many books about this time period, the year immediately brought the massive hurricane of 1938 to mind, especially A HUNDRED SUMMERS by Beatriz Williams. These books are very different, but that historic storm loomed large in both.

The author skillfully iinjects subjects like anti-Semitism, fertility issues and nascent femininism into the book. This will provide rich fodder for book club discussions and seminars.

I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to more writing by this author. I am grateful to NETGALLEY for this opportunity, and look forward to discussions about the magic that this author created.

This book did not resonate with me, although I'm sure it will be successful and garner a large following.

Beatrice, a naive and sheltered young woman, is somehow swept off her feet by the dashing society young man, Harry Bordeaux, and, to the surprise of everyone who knows her, married him and moves to Manhattan, where she tried to fit into Harry's world. The summer after they marry, Harry announces that they will be spending the summer at Montauk Manor, a deluxe resort that sounds like Gurney's, but isn't. And when he says THEY will be spending the summer there, he means Beatrice will be there four days a week by herself, and Harry, like every other working husband, will come out for the weekend.

Beatrice is not so sure about that; as a recent entrant into.High Society and Nouveau Riche, she hasn't yet made any friends, and despite the multiple recreational opportunities and social outings, she feels like she doesn't for in.

And, she doesn't fit in, Harry being the only common denominator in the In Crowd. Eventually, though, she makes some friends.

Childless and haunted by Harry's infidelity, discovered before the summer venture, Beatrice discovers that she has more in common with the locals, the lighthouse keeper in particular, who knew her late brother and who sweeps her off her feet and into his bed.

Meanwhile, Harry proves himself to an abusive, drunken, blowhard, who we all hope gets washed out to sea in The Big Storm.

What will become of Beatrice and her unborn child in the midst of all this turmoil? You will have to read it yourself to find out all the.details.

This is an engrossing story which had me hooked from the very first page. It brings to life what it was like to live in the high society world of the 1930's and the descriptions of the beauty of Montauk make it seem so real. When Beatrice Bordeaux ,a secretary to an editor at Fortune Magazine, met and married Harry she stepped into a new and exciting world of luxury. But when Harry arranges for her to spend the summer at Montauk Manor she realizes that the world beyond the gates of the rich and famous may be more important to her. I loved reading about Beatrice's life and cheered for her.