Thank you in advance to the publisher, Waterbrook, for providing an advanced review copy through the author’s launch team. A positive review was not required or requested, all words are my own.

I am definitely not new to the author’s writing. I had an opportunity to read Christmas Angels in December of 2019. I loved it! Through a “host” promotion, I won The Secret Ingredient along with The Christmas Shop (also known as Dear Santa). For my birthday in April 2020, I was given Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas. Those four books are still on my leisure TBR, but I do plant to get to them.

As a result, when I saw an opportunity to be on the launch team for this book – I jumped at it.

The cover is absolutely stunning and gorgeous. It looks like a relaxing beach read. And, over all while it is a beautiful story, this deals with a military death, grieving, mention of suicide, and cancer. Those sensitive to those elements might re-think reading this.

Descriptive, vivid, and realistic; Naigle’s writing puts the reader right into the heart of the story. It is almost like being right there with the characters as they go through their own life and adjustments. There were times I almost cried and found a few tears in reading this. It is THAT moving.

The Shell Collector, is a multi-faceted read – sad, heart-breaking, poignant, uplifting, inspiring, tragic, and beautiful. Every emotion can be felt – anger, sadness, happiness, relief. Told from three point of views – Amanda, the young military widow; Maeve, the older resident widow; and Paul, a returning war vet who feels like he failed his friend and his friend’s wife.

Amanda’s kids – Hailey (6) and Jesse (4) are adorable as can be as well. There’s also Tug and “The Wife” (a bird of all things). Even a mention of naked campers to add a laugh.

This definitely has a Hallmark movie vibe to it, and it is no wonder. Three of the Evergreen books are based on Hallmark Movies. Christmas Joy, Hope at Christmas, and The Secret Ingredient are also Hallmark movies. The Shell Collector definitely has that same vibe so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on The Hallmark Channel someday.

It begins with Amanda saying goodbye to her husband Jack as he is shipping out for a six (6) month deployment. And, no, he doesn’t make it home.

Chapter two begins with Amanda, widowed for two (2) years, starting over with daughter Hailey, who is now 6; and son Jesse who is now 4. Amanda’s is still grieving. She doesn’t want the memory of Jesse to fade. Admits that the first year she was on auto-pilot, second year was the worst.

It is clear that Amanda is managing on her own and has some issues with her parents who do not understand how to support her.

It is during a visit to the beach that Jesse nearly mows down poor 80 year old Maeve. But, rather than being upset by it, Maeve finds a new purpose. She and Amanda strike up an instant friendship that is endearing and inspiring.

Maeve is, as the title says, The Shell Collector. But, there is so much more to her. And, there is so much more to the shells being found on the beach.

Through Maeve, Amanda is learning to accept the help that is shown to her.

Paul Grant is in Whelk’s Island to open another Paws Town location; not only is is boarding kennel with indoor and outdoor trails, but it helps rehabilitate military dogs along with helping vets. He had one love – lost her, that was it. By chapter nine (9), I pretty much knew right away who it was. Paul even finds a shell with a message: “if you don’t give up, you still have a chance”.

Amanda and Maeve click right away, and it is as a result of the friendship that Amanda finally goes to a book her friend gave her just after losing Jack. The lessons are so spot on. She finds the art of living is a fine mingling of letting go and moving on.

Amanda’s admission about being a widow is a stark reality – whispers, being looked at, being felt sorry for. Maeve’s advice is to not let grief turn into suffering.

Maeve is the voice of reason and advice that Amanda has been needing. And, it is enough of a push without being forceful to get Amanda (and her kids) back into life. She does so through understanding, friendship, and conversation. Only listening, never telling.

A super sweet moment is at church when a little boy (Matthew) approaches Hailey. Their story someday might be just as cute and sweet. But, they are six (6) right now.

Amanda comes to a moment, about halfway into the story where she realizes it is okay to ask for help, want help, and accept help. And, it is just after that Paul enters her life.

I had a feeling from the beginning where this was going.

Amanda and Paul connect (or is that reconnect). Thanks to Maeve, Paul becomes an integral part of Amanda’s life; especially with the kids.

As I read this, it did become quite the predictable read. I knew where it was going, but it was still enjoyable and I found myself wanting to be wrong when it came to certain sub-plots.

At times this was difficult to read and yet hard to put down. After chapter 18, I couldn’t put it down and stayed up late just to finish it. It is one of those that you only want to read once because of the tone and certain themes, but will be drawn back to re-reading it.

By almost the end of the book, the title and message become clear. And, as Amanda learns – people come into our life for a season, however short or long it is.

I definitely understood Maeve when it came to the journal. I too don’t like using fancy ones despite collecting them, I prefer to use cheaper ones. And, I am drawn to those “BACK 2 SCHOOL” sales sadly. I still have supplies that are 15-20+ years old.

Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to get a physical copy of it. It is one to cherish.

There is SO much good stuff I’d love to share, but it would spoil some of the beautiful and endearing moments along with the story.

Maeve and Amanda’s friendship came along at the right time and was what each of them needed.

While distributed by Christian publisher Waterbrook/Multnomah, there will be references to God and some biblical quotes. There are no overt religious tones, and they are not central to the story.

Anyone who loves clean reads with good values, along with the author’s other works (and she is definite a “must read” author), won’t be disappointed in this latest release.

“Life is rarely predictable if we’re doing it right” – Maeve

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle is a touching story about love and second chances. This is a special book that will touch your heart. The characters and setting truly bring this book to life. The shells-- oh so many details bring life and hope to truly tragic situations. Maeve's character is my absolute favorite. If you are looking for a beach themed summer book with an inspiring message, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is a much more serious Naigle title than I’m used to. I enjoy her writing style, but expected more Christmas in Evergreen type storyline. Worth a read, but definitely a more heavy subject matter.

Make sure you have tissues ready when you read this. It is such a good story of love, grief and learning to live again. Maeve made such a difference for not only Amanda, but the kids and Paul too. She was a light for so many. When Amanda became a widow and was left with 2 small children, she knew she had to go on with her life, but didn't know how. After 2 years, she made a big change and moved to a cottage by the sea. When she and the children meet Maeve on the beach, all their lives were changed. Being a widow of many years helped Maeve to know what Amanda was going through and she was able to help Amanda. Amanda's children became the grandchildren Maeve never had. When Paul comes back into their lives, Maeve helps Amanda navigate her new feelings for him. Will Amanda be able to open her heart again to a new love?

I smiled and even shed a few tears reading this book. What a wonderful story of caring and sharing. You never really know what someone is in need of at anytime in their life. Just simple acts of kindness go a long way. I believe this is my favorite Nancy Naigle book yet. What a treasure this book is!

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this heartwarming novel prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.
The Shell Collector is another heartfelt story with endearing characters and a plot that will touch your heart. The pacing pulled me in from the first page to the last. Ms. Naigle has set this novel in a small coastal beach town with a close community.
Amanda Whittier is the heroine, and I quickly became enmeshed with her character from the start. I loved her courage, her stamina and determination. When she befriends Maeve, my heart melted. Her love of her adorable children is admirable, and although her grief is deep from the losing her husband, she doesn’t allow it to pull her under.
Paul Grant is the hero, and he has the characteristics I most admire. Not only is he ex-military, but he’s also a dog lover and has formed a company to rehabilitate ex-military animals. When he meets Amanda on the beach, it amazed him. The last time he’d seen her was at her husband, and his best friend’s, funeral, where she placed the blame on him for Jack’s death.
Maeve Lindsay is the third major character in this tale, and she’s feisty, quirky and will steal your heart. Her love and unconditional acceptance of Amanda is amazing, and her deep relationships with the folks in their community are heartwarming.
The romance between Amanda and Paul is not the central focus of this novel, but added to my enjoyment. While they have a good bit of angst to overcome from their past, they don’t antagonize each other. I enjoyed their romance and wanted them to find their happy ending.
If you enjoy novels that deal with grief, friendship and unconditional love, and with characters that will grab your heart, then you will love The Shell Collector as much as I did. I always know I’m in for an emotional reading experience with one of Ms. Naigle’s novels. Happy reading!

I literally read this book in two days. What a heartfelt charming story of overcoming pain and moving forward for a new life while holding on to what is important about the past. I absolutely loved the characters and ended up crying with snot and all at the end. This is my first book by this author and I would love to read more in the future.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

A great summer beach read. Nancy developed a loveable cast of characters.

Although, I don’t know personally Amanda’s grief in losing a husband I know heartache and the need to just rely on someone and cry. I can’t imagine the overwhelming responsibility of taking care of two little ones on your own.

It takes a long time for Amanda and Paul’s paths to cross, I was anxious to see what would happen when they would finally meet.

Mauve is wonderful character, someone I think all of should have in our lives.

If you want a heart provoking read I highly recommend this one.


A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderfully sweet story. I loved this story about friendships and second chance romance. Nancy Naigle has written a heartwarming story about the gift of new friends and old ones too in her newest book, The Shell Collector. Amanda and her two young children are dealing with the grief of losing their husband and father. Starting over seems like the right thing to do and yet there are struggles to overcome in their new situation too. Meeting Maeve is a God-send and the friendship evolves into such a special relationship. The characters are strong, realistic, and relatable, people I'd love to know in real life! People who breathe 'new joy in each other's lives.' Lots of interesting tidbits about life on the Whelk's Island in North Carolina, a trip to a Southern plantation to see the Spanish Moss, and shells with messages that seem to show up at just the right time to just the right person. I am so looking forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

The title immediately attracted me because I love collecting seashells.
The shell collector here is Maeve, an elderly woman who wears colorful gauzy outfits. She’s delighted when Amanda and her children become her neighbors. Amanda lost her Marine husband two years ago, and Maeve, a longtime widow, helps her grieve.
We meet Paul early on, but it takes a while to learn the connection between him and Amanda. Both have a ton of regret to overcome.
This is a sweet story that will be especially helpful for those lost in grief.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Oh this book deserves so many more stars than just five. I wished I could give them to it. T it the most heart felt and touching story that I have read in a while! We have all felt these feelings and that’s what makes this book so wonderful! I love Amanda, Maeve, Hailey, and Jess. Everyone should have a Maeve! She is such a spectacular character. Nancy I can’t say how much I love this book enough! Thank you for writing it for us! Oh and by the way, keep your tissues close!

The Shell Collector is author Nancy Naigle’s summer 2021 offering. Amanda Whittier was widowed a few years earlier when her Marine husband, Jack, didn’t make it home. She is finally in a place where she and their two children, Hailey and Jesse, can start over. Amanda chooses Whelk Island, where she and Jack were married on the beach.
As Amanda relocates, she purchases a small beachside cottage and has a new job teaching to begin at the end of summer. One of the first people Amanda bonds with is elderly Maeve Lindsay. Maeve has an instant rapport with Hailey and Jesse, as well as their bulldog Denali. The children are intrigued with Maeve’s treasure/shell collecting and want to follow suit.

Maeve is a cornerstone of the community, attending most town council meetings. She was the number 1 proponent for former marine Paul Grant when he sought community approval for his Paws Town Square, where Paul repurposed a desolate big box store and turned it into a combination dog park, pet store, kennel, and facility to rehab military dogs so they could be placed with families, especially the soldier they had already served with, as well as training veterans in the job positions for training and caring for the dogs.

Maeve is a wonderful influence on all she meets, especially Amanda and her children. An even a greater influence when Paul, who was once best friends with both Amanda and Jack, enters the picture after a serendipitous run on the beach from Maeve’s home past Amanda’s. Once Amanda and Paul reunite it isn’t long before their friendship amps up to more.

There is so much more to this story, especially the connection between Amanda and Maeve. There is a magic between the two ladies, no matter how many decades separate their ages. And that magic brings closure for one and a future for the other!

This is another well written story by Nancy Naigle. It taps deep emotions and offers hope. With wonderful characters and beautiful settings, Ms Naigle again gives her readers a treat. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

I asked for this book based on the cover (I know, I know) and what a sweet and wonderful story it was! Glad I chose it.

I love this author and her books. I'm always finding it hard to put it down. I like books that I don't have to think about. Just pick em up and get lost for awhile. Very awesome read

Nancy Naigle is another favourite author I like to read before bed with a hot cup of tea. Her books always entertain me and keep me wanting more books from this author. Some of her books have been made into holiday movies on Hallmark and were delightful. The Shell Collector does not disappoint and I highly recommend this story as a great summer read.👏📚👍❤️

What a wonderful story! Author Nancy Naigle has given us a beautiful, unforgettable character in Maeve Lindsay, an elderly widow who cares deeply for the people in her community. Maeve is compassionate, active, and wants to help everyone find their “happily ever after”. When she meets widow Amanda Whittier and her two young children, Maeve wants to do anything possible to help this little family to find a place to belong in their beach community. Both Amanda and Maeve form the friendship of a lifetime. Both will be surprised at how God works in their lives, and both Amanda and people in the community will be forever changed because of Maeve’s faith and influence.

This is a heart-touching story on several levels. I didn’t want the story to end, and I’m still thinking about the books days after I read it. I’ve read several of Nancy Naigle’s books and enjoyed them, but this book takes her to a different level of storytelling. It’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one nominated for an award.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book gave me ALL the feels! I really enjoyed this sweet story chock full of lots of heart and fantastic characters. From Amanda and Paul, to Tug and Maeve, to sweet Jesse and Hailey, these characters made the story. I was rooting for these characters from the first page and the ending was pretty much a perfect one for the characters and for me as the reader. I really really loved this story and I think it would make an excellent Hallmark movie. Here’s hoping!!

I purchased a copy of the audiobook on Audible and it was very well done. Great narrator and enjoyable listening experience.

I received a copy of the ebook as a member of the launch team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle is a sweet, inspiring story. It is one of those novels that makes you feel good. It is the perfect type of book to read while relaxing by the pool or while on vacation. We get to meet Amanda Whittier and her children along with Paul Grant and Maeve Lindsay. I just loved Maeve who is a free-spirited woman who enjoys life to the fullest. The friendship between Maeve and Amanda was touching. The point-of-view switches between Maeve, Amanda, and Paul. This allows readers to see things from each of their perspectives. The Shell Collector is an emotional story that will tug on your heartstrings. I thought The Shell Collector was well-written with developed characters and a beautiful setting. I just loved the sound of Whelk’s Island. I liked the small-town community as well as the beautiful beach. The shell descriptions allowed me to imagine what they looked like. I thought it was creative for someone to write inspirational messages inside shells and leave them where they can be found. It seemed the right shell was found by the person who needed it at that time. One of my favorite quotes from The Shell Collector is, “Unfortunately no life is free of sadness, be it from pain, loss, ill, or…, well, you get the idea. It’s all a necessary part of a life well lived.” In life we need both the good and the bad so that we have balance. The other is, “When the tide goes out, we get to appreciate the treasures it reveals. And when it comes in, new life is washed ashore. There’s beauty in both.” Faith is at the forefront of The Shell Collector. Our three main characters are Christians who knows God is there for them. They pray for his guidance and know that all things happen in His timing. This is a story about wisdom, friendship, a second chance at love, and finding joy in nature’s beauty. The Shell Collector is a touching tale with cute kids, a playful pooch, special seashells, a mournful mother, a free-spirited friend, superannuated soldier, and a gracious God.

The Shell Collector celebrates friendships, special moments, and the gifts each of us has to share with the world. Nancy Naigle shows readers how Maeve lives life to the fullest and how she cherishes the small things that make life worth living. I adored this charming story about receiving second chances in life and how to move on after a death. Whelks Island is a magical place I’d love to vacation to. Maeve reminded me of a special family friend we had that embraced life and made the ordinary magical. This story is thought-provoking and touched my heart with loveable characters I instantly connected with.

Shell collecting becomes meaningful to Maeve after the sudden death of husband Jarvis. Maeve wrote messages on the shells she found, …”I was just the shell collector. I found the treasures and shared them when I thought someone needed to be reminded of hope, but when and where those shells were found was out of my hands.” She continues, “Just something to make people pause for that split second it takes to get back to the reality of a situation and find hope. It’s all about hope.”

This is written by an author who knows grief, loss and how to take a chance and go on again. She says, “This story has been pressing on my heart to be told since the year I lost my husband, but I just couldn’t bring the words to the page until recently. Wishing you unexpected strength in your most difficult times.”

Maeve and this author wanted to encourage people with quotes, scriptures, or a simple word or two, things to believe, have faith in and give hope to the receiver of the shell. I had happy tears running down my face as this story came to a close and friends remember special times with loved ones.

This book is a treasure, one that makes you feel a wide range of emotions and is a reminder to smell the beautiful flowers of life and appreciate love and life with family and special friends. This author brilliantly navigates difficult subjects with great tenderness, talking about loneliness, wrenching loss, renewal, and healing. The author ideally shows how the compassion of strangers and the love of family makes all the difference in someone’s life. This is a bittersweet compelling novel I highly recommend. It’s a delightful and moving novel that makes you laugh, cry and everything in between. Readers will put this novel down knowing that it will stick with them for a long time to come. This is the first book I’ve read by this author it won’t be the last.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

The Shell Collector will stay with you long after you finish it. My first book by Nancy Naigle and it won't be my last. It is beautifully written and heartwarming. Would highly recommend.