This was a quick and enjoyable read! Set in Cape Cod, I could picture myself spending a summer by the shore. I love the exploration of friendships and familial relationships. Hannah, Sara and their aunt have a beautiful, loving relationship; it’s very heartwarming. Bonus points for Hannah being a writer!

When Hannah decides to visit her home town for the summer, to help her break writer’s block, she doesn’t expect to have so much more happen! Staying with an aunt, as her childhood home is filled with too many memories connected to her recently deceased mom, Hannah is able to grieve as well as find more of a purpose for herself and her book. Hannah’s sister Sara never left the town and is struggling to find her identity again after marriage and four children. The two women and their aunt, new friends and some characters from an earlier book The Bookshop by the Bay, find themselves having a summer filled with adventure, inspiration, and surprises, all leading towards a satisfying conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and have written an objective review.

A Delightful Beach Read
Pamela Kelly’s captivating book, The Seaside Sisters, transports readers to the beach in this endearing friends-to-lovers novel. The story is set against the picturesque backdrop of a coastal town, where the author skillfully weaves a tale of romance, friendship, and self-discovery.
Relatable Characters
One of the standout features of The Seaside Sisters is its relatable characters. Kelly crafts each protagonist with depth and nuance, allowing readers to connect with them on a personal level. Whether it’s the ambitious career woman seeking a break from city life or the charming local with a heart of gold, the characters' journeys resonate with anyone who has ever sought a change or found love in unexpected places.
Engaging Narration
The narration in the book is equally compelling, painting vivid images of the serene beach setting. Kelly’s descriptive prowess makes you feel as if you can see the waves crashing, feel the sand between your toes, and experience the warmth of the sun. This immersive quality adds a layer of enjoyment, making it an ideal read for those who wish to escape to a tranquil seaside haven.
Perfect Beach Read
The Seaside Sisters is an excellent choice for a quick, easy beach read. Its lighthearted yet touching narrative is perfect for a day by the shore or even for those times when you wish to feel like you are at the beach. The book’s ability to evoke the feeling of a seaside escape makes it a must-read for fans of romance and beach-themed novels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pamela Kelly’s The Seaside Sisters is a delightful addition to the friends-to-lovers genre. With its relatable characters, engaging narration, and enchanting setting, it promises a memorable reading experience. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt and enjoyable read, whether at the beach or elsewhere.

In The Seaside Sisters offers a coastal story that sometimes feels slow. The book spends a lot of time talking about wine, which can take away from the main story. The writing isn’t always the strongest, and there were moments when I found myself rolling my eyes. Overall, while the setting is appealing, the story could use a tighter focus and more engaging writing.
Big thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for this advanced copy of the book in exchange of my review.

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin’s Griffin and the author for a digital ARC of this book. Pamela Kelley has written another warm and uplifting book set on Cape Cod. Sisters Hannah and Sara lead very different lives. Hannah is a writer living in Brooklyn and Sara is a married mother of four still residing in their hometown of Chatham. After a bestselling debut novel, Hannah is struggling with her second book. Sara is feeling unfulfilled with her marriage and the day to day routine as the mother of four active sons. Hannah decides to take up her beloved aunt’s offer to spend the summer at her spacious home overlooking the ocean. There she hopes to spend time writing and reconnecting with her sister. Sara, meanwhile, is trying to get back into the workforce and rediscover the romantic relationship she once shared with her husband. This book is well written with likable, well developed and relatable main and secondary characters. The characters grow and evolve throughout the book. This is the perfect book for a beach vacation and would be a fun read if visiting Cape Cod. Fans of Debbie Macomber, Rachel Hanna and Melody Carlson would enjoy this book.

The Seaside Sisters is a light hearted contemporary fiction work with a little bit of romance mixed in. It has themes of grief, family love, 2nd chance romance and general introspection, so a little bit of everything for everyone. Overall it is an enjoyable read for any time of year. I do think the cover is a bit misleading as the beach is not really mentioned at all in the entirety of the book. The cover illustration is more of a marketing tactic to entice women to pick up a soothing, "summer read".

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the chance to read this novel.

A great Summer read. Taking me to a small beach town. One sister lives there, the other is coming for the Summer. THeir different lifestyles are meshedtogether this Summer, bringing them more joy thean they can imagine.

This was a lighthearted book. It is meant to be slow paced like a Summer day. I read it very quickly as I absorbed the words as it was the sun pouring down on me. I recommend this book.

The is a classic beach read since it is even set on a beach. Hannah, a published author, has a bit of writer’s block since the fairly recent death of her mother. Her aunt, who lives on the beach in the town where Hannah grew up, invites her to come and stay for the summer. This allows her to spend time with her sister Sarah, who still lives there with her husband and children. There isn’t a ton of suspense or drama, but pleasant characters and their interactions and a nice setting make for a pleasant read.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

After reading The Bookshop by the Bay in summer 2023, when a publicist from St. Martin’s sent me a Netgalley widget for The Seaside Sisters, I accepted it and added to my Kindle for reading.

I knew what to expect- a Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, Brenda Novak kind of vibe. Plus the cover is so heart eyes!

What I liked:

The cover! I feel so calm looking at that scene.

The relationship between Hannah and Sara. Sisters who are there for each other, but who also need their relationship shook up a bit and make each other more a priority (as opposed to letting things just float on)

Some Easter eggs from a previous book 🙂



Random thoughts: This book did check a lot of my boxes, but as in The Bookshop by the Bay, Pamela is not necessarily delving deep enough in conflict with these juicy subject matters she is presenting. Example: Sara’s marriage. She could have went a touch deeper there.

Bottom line: A light, easy-breezy read with a teensy amount of conflict before the satisfying ending. Perfect to enjoy with a cool, crisp glass of wine.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

Thank you so NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the chance to review this book.

This was my first Pamela Kelley book and so I didn't even notice the crossover with characters from a previous novel until afterwards. I really enjoyed the book! I love that it's focuses on 3 women in the same family. Hannah and Sara are sisters who at the beginning aren't as close as they'd like to be be due to distance and different lifestyles.
Their Aunt Maddie is the one who allows them to get that closeness back while all 3 women struggle to create that special bond in their own relationships.

Very well written, fantastic New England beach town setting, and a HEA for all. What's not to love?

3.5 stars. I don’t typically read romance, but wanted to try something more lighthearted. As predictable and cheesy as it was, I did enjoy this book. It’s a quick read that would be perfect for summer beach reading. I love New England so I was immediately drawn to a book set there, and the charm of the cape did not disappoint.

Really good read. Amazingly touching for every one who has a close sisterly bond. We can all relate to the drifting that naturally happens as adults and also the journey of finding yourself.

I picked this one just because the cover was so pretty!! This was a wonderful book about new friends, family and neighhors making it through life together in a coastal town. This book was a beautiful view of friendship and personal growth, as well as deep family dynamic. Thanks so much for this wonderful beach read!

The Seaside Sisters is a charming and sweet story about new friends, family, and neighbors navigating life together. Set in a cozy coastal town, the novel beautifully captures the essence of summer and the way one season can change everything. The relationships between the characters—both old and new—are heartwarming, and the sense of community adds an extra layer of warmth to the story.

What really stood out to me was the way the book explored themes of friendship, personal growth, and the complexities of family dynamics. It’s the perfect summer beach read, filled with a sense of hope and the reminder that we’re never alone as long as we have those who care about us.

The ending, however, felt a bit rushed, leaving me wanting a bit more time to savor the resolution of certain plot points. Despite that, I absolutely loved the book overall. It was cozy, uplifting, and exactly what I needed for a relaxing read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC. This one is definitely worth picking up for anyone looking for a feel-good, emotional journey by the sea.

The Seaside Sisters is a heartwarming tale about family, love, and second chances set against the charming backdrop of a small seaside town. The story revolves around three sisters—Maddie, Emma, and Nora—who reunite in their family’s beachside inn after their mother’s passing. As they navigate their shared grief, each sister faces her own challenges: rekindled romance, career decisions, and the rediscovery of long-lost dreams.

Pamela M. Kelley weaves a touching narrative filled with relatable characters and a cozy, nostalgic setting. The novel explores the complexities of sibling dynamics and the importance of family, making it a feel-good read.

This book is great for fans of romantic fiction, small-town stories, and readers who enjoy uplifting tales about family and fresh starts.

TOTALLY not a dig at Ms. Pamela M. Kelley, I'm just not a chick-lit girl, I guess... I like romance and romance was lacking in this storyline. Albeit, I'm sure this wasn't really one that was SUPPOSED to include romance, that's just who I am. As a story, though, this one was pretty good overall. Seeing the three family members go through it after grief from loss of a loved one and focus being on Cape Cod (to which I lived there for 4 years), it was a good storyline about relying on those around you and knowing that you can get through even the biggest struggles in life. Light-hearted wouldn't be what I would use to describe a majority of the story, but some of it was definitely down this alleyway to which the story then moved quickly and was over in a flash. I liked this one and would read more Pamela M. Kelley, just have to watch out for that chick-lit title! hah! Thanks for the opportunity to read.

Once again Pamela Kelley does not disappoint.
The Seaside Sisters is a heartwarming story of Hannah, Sara, and Aunt Maddie who are grieving the loss of their mom/sister as well as dealing with other issues in their personal lives. Hannah, who lives in NY, is suffering from writer's block on her second rom-com novel and decides to go back home to spend the summer with her aunt and sister. While back in town, her summer turned out to be so much more than she thought it would be - new friends, new writing routines, and more time with family.
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book. I love strong female characters who overcome and grow and this book did not disappoint. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

I had a hard time with the pacing in this novel. However I did love the anxiety rep within the pages and allowed me to relate to the main character a little more.

This story was engaging and the romance was swoonworthy. I feel like the characters had a great deal of depth to them and nothing was at surface level.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.