Cover Image: The Marvelous Monroe Girls

The Marvelous Monroe Girls

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Member Reviews

Cute, fast read. My first by Shirley jump and the first in the series. It took me a while to get invested but I liked it

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wow. this is exactly what I needed! it kept me interested and I loved learning about each woman. it kept me entertained and I really enjoyed the twist. I can't recommend this enough.

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This was a really sweet book about family, sisters in particular, but overall family. What we will fo for each other, tell each other, hide from each other for “their own good” and love. The Monroe sisters lost their mom a long time ago and were raised by their grandmother after their own father couldn’t deal and walked away without a look back. I’m not sure, but think and hope this may be the first in a trilogy as each sister has their own story. Its a small town, sweet story of love, figuring it all out, family and ultimately love and trust with a fabulous HEA. I found myself hoping and cheering for Gabby to let go a little, allow herself some happiness and let love in. Cannot wait for the next. This author is so much fun to read. Wonderful mental getaway that will leave you with a big smile and always hopeful.

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This was a good contemporary romance that felt like a Hallmark movie! It was sweet and beautiful. Filled with family drama but also just great characters. Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this character world series!

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Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title, but my reading interests have changed. I will not be finishing this book, but look forward to others in the future.

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This was a really enjoyable women's fiction novel. I always enjoy reading books about sisters and this one was well done. I also loved the romance piece of the story. Gabby was relatable so that made me engaged as well.

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I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Gabby is a fixer and wants to fix her sister's relationship and bring them back together. This story reminds me a lot of a Hallmark story, where it wraps up like a little bow.

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I don’t know if I was in a reading rutt or if I couldn't really get into these characters but this one fell slightly flat. I feel like I wanted to see more of the relationship between Jake and Gabriella and it felt a little too closed door for me. I did love the relationship the girls had with their grandma and I loved the way they all deep down cared about each other. If this becomes a series, i’d probably read about the other sisters because you know, I do love a series!

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A charming and delightful group of ladies. Some heartbreak, growth, realizations, and lots of meddling. I am eager to read the next one and discover Emma's tale. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

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This is book 1 in a new series, Harbor Cove. 3 sisters, slightly older than most major characters are helping their grandmother clean out the attic after the death of their mother. Gabriella is an great seamstress but fears losing her vintage clothing shop with the economy. Her sisters, Margaret and Emma both have secrets and problems of their own. (Hopefully books 2 and 3) and grandmother has the biggest secret of all when they discover a catch of old letters in the attic. A great read that was very enjoyable with the older women. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Shirley Jump’s The Marvelous Monroe Girls is the first of a contemporary romance series set in the town of Harbor Cove, Massachusetts. I found myself interested in this book because I am always down to read books about sisters — having two myself. It is a theme I am very easily able to relate to. Jump’s series opener is a sweet romance about two people who find their path in life and deal with family issues. It was a decent read with a quick pace.

The Marvelous Monroe Girls follows Gabriella Monroe, the middle sister. Gabby runs a vintage clothing shop. Unfortunately, her business isn’t doing too hot. So, she comes up with the idea to kick off the town’s centennial and have a commemorative event involving many local businesses in hopes of a boost to everyone’s bottom line. In addition to chairing the event, she notices her grandmother has been feeling down. Gabby and her sisters have figured out that their grandmother is behind the newspaper advice column Dear Amelia. And so, they figure out who the letters are from and start meddling for happy endings.

Meanwhile, Gabby’s dear friend Jack who considers her grandma his grandma has been toying with the idea of taking a risk and going for it with his photography. This would mean striking out beyond his job doing photography for the local newspaper and the graphic design. Jack also has been in love with Gabby for his whole life. She’s hesitant to be involved with him as she had dated his cousin Brad previously and Brad was a real ass to her in the end. There is some chemistry to be found between Jack and Gabby, they just need to take the leap.

I loved the small town of Harbor Cove. I am such a sucker for that kind of theme. After all, I love having small businesses to root for. Also, Gabby’s grandma is a gem and I would die for her. As for Gabby and Jack, it seemed that their romance was kind of slow paced. It took forever for them to figure out their feelings and make some moves. I get that character development is a thing and that fear is a thing, but come on.

The Marvelous Monroe Girls has no spice at all, so if you read romance for spice, be prepared. If you read for the relationship development as well as for things like family relationships, be sure to pick this book up. It’s not a bad series opener. I certainly look forward to checking out more from Shirley Jump as well as to getting the stories of Gabby’s sisters – Emma and Margaret.

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Books about sisters always interest me, and this one didn’t disappoint. Gabby and her sisters Margret and Emma, lost their mother when they were young and were brought up by their grandmother. Gabby always felt the need to try to solve everyone’s problems, even when meddling gets her in trouble. What she does get wrong is understanding her own feelings for Jake, the boy next door who wants to be so much more. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to the next book. The setting is a small town in Massachusetts, which adds to the homey feel. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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This is a story of three sisters who experience life, love and loss in a small town. Their path hasnt been an easy one - their mother has tragically passed, their father's coping didn't include them, however, they were fortunate to have a grandma who filled-in the blanks from youth into adulthood.

This is a must read book if:
1. You love your grandparents
2. You have sisters or wished you did
3. You love stories centered in small town America
4. You love a feel good Hallmark movie/story

Shirley Jump has written a sweet and endearing love story that should not be missed. This is a tale rich with emotions and clever banter. I liked that the Monroe girls seemed so real. They were not perfect but deep down they all loved each other and would look out for each other. This is a story with the comfort of home that leaves you happy and wanting more.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC. I look forward to returning to Harbor Cove.

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I strugggggled to get into this book. Which is kind of crazy because I love a good Hallmark/Lifetime movie which this had all the makings of. However, it felt like the story was dumbed down a little at times, a little too overexplained, and a little too drawn out. The conversations didn't feel organic. It was an okay story.

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This is my first Shirley Jump book and I really enjoyed it. And what family doesn’t have drama? The Monroe girls (three grown sisters) have seen it all - their mom died in a car wreck when they were young; their dad remarried and started a family without them; their maternal grandmother raised them; two of them started their own business and they have all been unlucky in the love department. It was fun getting to know them and watching them grow with each experience.

I could see being friends with them and I hope a 2nd book will be written that will pick up Emma’s story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

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There is something for everyone in this novel. If you don’t relate to Gabby you will definitely relate to one of the other characters. Jump has created a fun world that has room for everyone. Perfect for fans of Susan Mallery and Sarah Morgan.

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A new author for me and I am so glad I got the chance to read it. The author has a unique way of describing the characters and situations that draws you in. You'll laugh and cry along with the family as they face life without their mother/daughter/wife on the 20th anniversary of her death.

One thing shines through: communication is vital and talking imperative to Understanding mitiv s. Assuming is usually wrong, causing misunderstanding and hurt feelings.

I received a Free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

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The Marvelous Monroe Girls by Shirley Jump is the first book in the new contemporary romance Harbor Cove series. This series will change main characters from book to book, but will be set in Harbor Cove. I believe it will be the Monroe sisters series, so overall it will be best read in order. Could be read and understood as a standalone if need be. I love Shirley Jump, but for this being a brand new series - a lot of information was crammed into one book. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

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A quick, sweet story about three sisters who've grown apart but come back together in their hometown, Harbor Cove, to check up on their beloved grandmother. The issues they confront are relatable and there's a sweet small town romance. It's got a Hallmark vibe and I'll definitely read the next in the series!

Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for a copy to review.

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I absolutely LOVED this book! I was drawn in immediately to the family dynamic between the 3 sisters and their Grandmother. The story was absolutely delightful! Gabriella, Margaret, and Emma are sisters who have just grown apart through the years. Between managing a marriage, two storefronts, dating, and taking care of their grandmother, “the Monroe Musketeers” aren't the same as they once were. When cleaning out their grandmother's attic, the girls stumble upon a secret...and they'll do anything to find out if it's true.
A curveball into the sister's plan brings in Jake Maddox, who Gabby used to have a crush on until dating his cousin Brad spoiled everything. Fun, flawed, dynamic characters, and a plotline that kept me flipping the pages, my only question about the book is when is #2 coming out? Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this ARC! It was truly a great one!

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