My first book by Jane Rosen and I was definitely impressed. I was expecting this one to be really sad, but the author handled these tough topics so well. I loved this book. The MC, Julia, has passed away from cancer at the age of 37. She decides to stay and watch over her loved ones for one last summer on Fire Island, a place that she had spent many summers. I loved reading about the impact Julia had made in so many people in her life. Sometimes you don't even realize how you can touch someone and become someone they'll remember and cherish. So yes, this book deals with grief, which was sad, but I also laughed a few times too. Such a beautiful book. I highly recommend it, if you are not sensitive to reading about cancer and grief of course!

Out May 23.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes.

A book editor spends one last summer on Fire Island in this sparkling and surprising new novel from the author of A Shoe Story.

As a book editor, Julia Morse lived and breathed stories. Whether with her pen to a manuscript or curled up with a book while at her beloved Fire Island cottage, her imagination alight with a good tale, she could anticipate practically any ending. The ending she’d never imagined was her own. To be fair, no one expects to die at thirty-seven. So when the unthinkable happens to Julia, rather than following the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, she chooses to spend one last summer near those she loves most. As she follows her adoring, novelist husband Ben to their—unexpectedly full—home on Fire Island, she discovers the ripple affect her life has had on the trajectory of so many: her baseball loving, young-at-heart neighbor who believes it’s best not to go it alone, two bright-eyed teenagers eager to become adults, and her best friend who must shake off heartbreak for a new chance at love. With poignant comedy and insight, On Fire Island is an ode to the stories all around us and to the brightest types of loves…for the people closest to you and the places that shape you.

This story was so beautiful and my heart hurt in the best way. I really thought I was going to ball through this whole book but I didn't. It was the perfect kind of ache. We have a lot of heavy topics here including, cancer, death, pregnancy loss, cheating and a lot of other triggers so be sure to check those out. But with that being said, I thought all of it was handled beautifully. Fire Island provided a fun summery backdrop. I feel like we don't get a lot of books set there. It's usually more Hamptons vibes. Having the narrator be this ever present being instead of a real person was an interesting twist and I liked it. It provided us to jump from one person's story to the next without it being multi-narrative. I loved the secondary characters who are mourning Julia's with her husband and brought together a really layered story. We see them through their mourning period. We get the ups and downs which overall provided a great story!

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 5/23

I absolutely fell in love with this book. As someone who’s on her own grief journey at the moment, the story gave me hope. Odd I know, since it’s about grief but it’s also about holding on and knowing when to let go. Not of the person, but of the pain, the guilt, the “never said’s” and “never did’s”.

Ben, a writer, has lost his wife Julia. He’s so lost himself that he escapes sitting Shiva in NYC to go to their home on Fire Island. He feels closest to her there. It’s a small, close knit town so everyone is grieving a bit with him.

For her part Julia doesn’t quite know how or why, but she’s still there. A ghost if you will. There’s no real supernatural element nor is this in any way campy. But there’s so much humor from flashes of their backstory to the present day antics of the town. Julia hopes that Ben can find joy and hopefully love again.
Ben wants his wife back so badly he’s almost despondent. Friends come to the rescue in ways they don’t even realize.

Fire Island itself is a character, so fully fleshed out and loved, I could see it vividly.
My sister passed and this has been my wish for so long, that somehow she’s still here, watching, loving. It’s the hope of everyone who’s desperately searching for their lost loved one in everything. I thank Berkley and Penguin Random House publishers as well as netgalley for my gifted copy. This in no way affected my review.

Thank you to Berkley for my complimentary eArc and PRHAudio for my complimentary audiobook. I paired the book with the audio and I am so glad I did!
Emily Lawrence is a very talented narrator and I enjoyed all her different voices.

On Fire Island is a heartwarming, wrenching, and romantic story. Julia, our MC, has died at the ripe old age of 37. She has chosen not to go into the light but rather to spend one last summer on Fire Island. She is able to look after all those she left behind and sees first hand how they handle grief.

While not necessarily a book you would think to grab for the beach, believe me, you will be pleasantly surprised.
While the heart wrenching experience of death and grief are portrayed with honesty, it is done in a very hopeful and imaginative way.
I did not want this one to end, but the tears I shed were not in sorrow, but in the hope that this is the way it really ends.

I have absolutely adored all of Jane Rosen's novels and On Fire Island is no exception. Filled with great Jewish representation and characters, On Fire Island is narrated by Julia, who has died at age 37. Given this, the book has a somber tone throughout and deals with themes of grief and loss, so if you are looking for a beach bag read, this is definitely something to keep in mind - however, I highly recommend this book if you are comfortable with those heavier topics!

Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This has quickly become my favorite Jane Rosen novel. Told from the perspective of Julia, who has recently passed away I thought for sure I would not like this book. I don't tend to like books that have any sort of supernatural aspect but this story was SO well written that it flowed so well and was incredibly readable. Julia has recently passed away at the age of 37 and is following around her husband at their beloved Fire Island and the rest of her summer friends. It sounds a little crazy but this story flows so well!

I was definitely fooled by the cover thinking this would be a more lighthearted beach read. I found this book to be more depressing than I thought it would be as the characters grapple with death and moving forward. I also felt at times it was a little too scattered for me.

I was not sure where On Fire island would take me. Initially I was surprised to learn that the narrator was dead, but at the same time, Jane L. Rosen provides a compelling narration about death and grief and how loved ones can fine a way forward when it feels as if life is over. The notion of having a dead narrator turned out to be a satisfying journey. Many of us wonder what happens when a loved one dies. Does he/she remain for a short period watching? Is there a transition period between leaving home and leaving permanently? For Rosen, the answer to these questions is yes. This view of death is satisfying and soothing.

On Fire island does not wallow in sadness and grief. Although On Fire island is about Julia's death and about her husband's grief, Rosen's novel is about so much more. There are layers upon layers of stories to tell, The characters who populate Fire Island are a mixed group in age and experience. Although readers get to know Julia and Ben best, we also meet Mattie and Dylan and Renee and Shep, plus so many more. Some of the humor is laugh-out-loud funny. The willingness of young and old to help Ben get through his grief is lovely and sweet. These are characters, I hated to leave. There are no easy answers and certainly many questions remain, but Rosen does a fine job of keeping readers interested. I know I will be looking for more Rosen novels to read.

Thanks you to the author and to Berkley Press for providing this ARC for me to read and review. Obviously, I loved Julia's story and loved getting to know these characters, Rosen satisfies without trying to create a happy, all-is-great resolution. Thank you to NetGalley for suggesting this novel.

I knew as soon as I started this book that it was going to be a solid hit for me. Obviously, there were moments where I sobbed. This was a story being told by a 37-year-old woman who died of cancer and was observing those important people in her life as they lived their first summer on Fire Island without her. So, yes, some sad parts, but Rosen injected this story with so much warmth and humor, and there were some moments of pure joy too. I loved the way I got to meet all the residents of the island and felt as though I was pulled into this cozy little community.

Ben's summer was the hardest, I feel. He lost his wife and was struggling with his grief. He found comfort on Fire Island and a cantankerous neighbor, Shep, unexpectedly walked along side him as he grieved. In fact, they were grieving together, as Shep had recently lost his wife of fifty years. The unlikely friendship which also included their teen neighbor was definitely one of the highlights for me, as was learning Julia and Ben's love story.

Overall: A beautiful story of love and loss which touched my heart.

On Fire Island
By Jane L. Rosen
May 23, 2023
Berkely
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Phenomenal Summer Read! I love Rosen’s fresh take on what would otherwise be heart wrenching experiences, if you’re looking for a beach read I highly recommend this one.
5 stars

Well this seals the deal, Jane L Rosen is now an auto-buy author for me, she excels at telling a story with both humor and heart. On Fire Island follows book editor, Julia Morse after she passes away and gets to spend one final summer watching over her husband, Benjamin, and her community on Fire Island. I loved her older neighbor Shep and how he (and other characters) were able to assist Ben through the grief process. I appreciated how the heavier moments in the book were counterbalanced by the fun times still to be had on Fire Island and how Fire Island was more than just a setting for the story. All I can say is, be sure to add this one to your Summer 2023 reading list now!

This was a #readspinrepeatbookclub book and we were lucky enough thanks to @elizabookworm to have @janelrosen on Zoom to discuss!

If you read the synopsis of this one you may think it's too sad for a summer read but Jane does such a great job of keeping things light while also creating such a heartwarming story of life and relationships.

I will let you know- I did cry, but in the best way. There were such sweet moments that had my breath hitching.

On the opposite spectrum- I was laughing out loud at a few points and my husband wanted to know what was so funny. I will just say: "Hubba bubba or tutti fruity?" 🤣

If you like character driven books with amazing atmosphere I strongly recommend this one.

Basically- after her death Julia spends one last Summer on Fire Island.

Thank you to @janelrosen and @netgalley @berkleypub for the advanced copy for our bookclub!

"𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩."

𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 is a funny and heartwarming story that celebrates life, love and the special places that shape who we are. It revolves around Julia, a book editor whose death at 37 (not a spoiler!) changes the lives of everyone who loved her. Before moving on to the afterlife, Julia spends one last summer in her favorite place watching her beloved husband, Benjamin, her best friend and all of the other people she's close to navigate their futures without her.

I know, I know. You probably think this sounds like a big downer but I promise you it's not. There are lots of emotional and poignant moments but I also found myself laughing out loud more than once. While it will tug at your heartstrings, the book is also beautifully hopeful.

If you're looking for a beach read with a lot of heart, this book is for you.

The narrator of ON FIRE ISLAND is Julia, who is recently deceased and is following her loving husband, Ben, and her family as they cope with their loss –their loss of Julia. It sounds sad, but it’s really uplifting, sweet and touching – book about life, loss, friendship and community. (Four of us cried, but , it wasn’t a devastating cry, more of a cry trigger by how touching some of the characters were.) I loved the sense of place – Fire Island is a character itself in this novel, on which the community is built. This should be a big book this summer.

On Fire Island begins in New York with the death of 38 year old book editor, Julia Morse. After she dies, Julia senses she is not quite ready to move on, wherever that may be. So she follows her grieving husband Ben, as he sneaks out of the city and heads to their home on Fire Island.

Julia narrates the book, as Ben spends the summer grieving and beginning to figure out life without her. The people of Fire Island all rally around Ben. I loved every character in this book, especially, Fire Island. I got such a great feeling of what a special place this island is. The love and support of the community that Ben and Julia had there was beautiful.

This is my favorite book of 2023!!! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

When Julia dies at 37, she leaves behind her famous author husband. As his fabulous wife and editor, she is very worried for how he will handle her loss. Upon her passing however, it seems she still has some time to “stick around” and spends one last summer on Fire Island.

Oh man, this book gripped me from page one and didn’t let go until the very end. While you go in expecting an insanely sad story of a husband losing his wife, and his wife following his grief, this book is so much more. The cast of characters on fire island is fantastic, and I loved seeing everything that happened that summer through Julia’s eyes. I also loved reading how the town huddled around Ben and was there to help him through his grief. There were two scenes that had me dying laughing, and when you read them I think you will know! This book was so beautifully done, I can’t even find the right words to review it. Don’t miss this one is all I will say!

Fans of Character Driven novels will fall in love with this touching novel from Jane L Rosen.

If follows a woman Julia, in her afterlife. As she finds is unable to cross over, she decides to spend one last summer on the locally famed Fire Island. Her journey is filled with watching how her death has effected her loved ones and how life continues on after she is gone. While also providing memories of her time living, especially with her husband Ben.

It was a beautiful novel, and really makes you think about life and death. And how so many life’s can be so interconnected.

I think so many people will be able to connect with this book and these characters. Jane gave them such an amazing real life feeling.

This novel starts with main character Julia passing away from cancer. But rather than move on, she ends up sticking around to observe her husband and some friends/neighbors for one last summer on their beloved Fire Island. So through Julia’s perspective, we focus primarily on her husband grieving and slowly learning how to move on, her best friend coping with single life after divorce, and her best friend’s teenage son dealing with watching his mom date and contemplating his changing relationship with the girl he’s been best friends with since they were kids - interspersed with Julia sharing stories of her life with Ben.

A friend of mine passed away quite recently, so I must admit I was a little nervous to pick this one up. And I cried at both the beginning and end of the book, but in between I’m happy to say that the book was lighter than the description might make you think. Julia is sort of a fun third party narrator to the lives of the people she is observing - not omniscient as she doesn’t know what they’re thinking, but providing her own commentary on their actions, making this book as much a portrait of small town life as a book about grief. And speaking of the setting, I’ve never been to Fire Island, but this book totally made me feel like I had - one of those books where the setting is almost a character in and of itself.

So, another winner from Jane L Rosen, who has become a must read author for me! Looking forward to discussing this one with my book club.

I thought this book was okay. I think because the main character has passed and is in limbo watching how her friends and family deal with the loss of her, makes it really hard to connect with her.

I would like to thank Netgalley for the ARC.

On Fire Island is a look at one woman’s life and her sphere after she passes away. Julia is a book publisher and marries a writer, Ben. They have a beautiful love story but we know from page one that Julia will die young. In some kind of purgatory, after death, Julia is allowed to watch her husband and family mourn on Fire Island. The first part of the book sets up the small town setting various characters.

I really enjoyed this book and while it covers heavier topics I think it’s still going to be a great summer read. The descriptions of the island, the people, the food all reminded me a lot of Jennifer Weiner’s beach series books, throw in a little of Hildenbrand’s Golden Girl which similarly has a woman in between death looking on at life carrying on and a bit of young love of Carly Fortune and you have On Fire Island.