I love this town and all the people in it.
There is something so cozy about coming back to a coastal town and checking in with past friends and making new ones. Great sister story with some heartbreaking, laughter, and the reminder of being brave.

This is a slow burn with a lot of sweet layers. I would definitely read The Bookshop at the Bay First.

The Narrator (Stephanie Németh-Parker) does a great job of bringing the story to life.

Big thanks to Net Galley, MacMillian Audio, and Pamela Kelley for the opportunity to review this audiobook recording.

This book would be a great beach read/listen for the summer. It's set on Cape Cod and focuses on two sisters and their aunt. Hannah is a single author, while Sarah is a stay-at-home mom who's looking for a diversion from those duties. Their aunt is a literary agent who's separated from her husband. There's a nice mix of family relationships and romance, making for easy reading/listening. The characters are realistic and the narration is very well done. I'd highly recommend it for a fun read this summer. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

The Seaside Sisters by Pamela M. Kelley is a beach read set in Cape Cod where sisters Hannah and Sara are both struggling with their own lives. Hannah, an author, is finding inspiration for her next book difficult to come by. Sara, a mom of four, is beginning to feel that she needs something more in her life to feel balanced again. When Hannah decides to stay with her aunt in nearby Chatham for the summer, the sisters are able to lean on one another as they try to find the missing pieces to their happiness.

This was my first novel by Kelley, and I think it was a quick beach read for fans of Susan Mallery, Nancy Thayer, and Jenny Hale, to name a few. I honestly found the writing to be a bit dry, however, and felt there was not enough plot to hold my interest. It’s a cozy beach read with not a lot going on. It was difficult to be invested in the characters. The audio of the novel was fine, nothing outstanding, but that could have been due to the lack of excitement in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for allowing me to read this audiobook ARC ahead of the summer. I will definitely suggest this title as a read alike for library patrons when other books are checked out.

Cute story. Predictable but sometimes you just need a feel good story. I liked the characters and how it all wraps up in the end. 3.5 stars

I enjoyed the story , love , loss and new beginnings . The characters were amazing with their own stories to tell. Kept me intrigued and engaged

A sweet, easy, perfect, light beach read with a happily ever after and a mix of family drama.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my audiobook ARC. The narrator was fabulous!

Pamela Kelley’s newest novel, The Seaside Sisters, invites readers to spend a transformative summer with sisters Sarah and Hannah in the idyllic town of Chatham, Massachusetts. This heartfelt story of family, personal growth, and romance is a delightful addition to Kelley's repertoire and perfect for fans of warm, character-driven narratives.

Hannah, an up-and-coming author based in New York City, is grappling with a debilitating case of writer's block. After the recent loss of her mother, she finds herself grieving and unable to complete her next book, which is due soon to her editor. In search of solace and inspiration, Hannah decides to spend the summer in her hometown of Chatham. She stays at her aunt's spacious oceanfront house, which is conveniently empty as her aunt is currently separated from her husband.

In contrast, Sarah, Hannah’s sister, has a full house, which includes her husband and four young boys. With her youngest child now in school, Sarah seizes the opportunity to seek part-time employment and finds joy working at a local bookstore. However, her newfound independence creates tension at home, as her husband resents having to share household responsibilities. This tension forces Sarah to consider whether she might need to follow her aunt's path and contemplate a separation.

The bookstore, a familiar setting for fans of Kelley’s Bookshop by the Bay, serves as a pivotal place for both sisters. While Sarah thrives in her new job, Hannah discovers the attached coffee shop to be a perfect writing haven. Immersed in the supportive environment of a local creative writing group, Hannah begins to receive the feedback she needs to refine her legal romance manuscript. Additionally, her observational stint at a nearby law office provides both inspiration and two new friends for the summer, including Spencer, a grumpy yet handsome lawyer who was her high school crush.

As the story unfolds, Hannah meets a charming and popular author who is also visiting for the summer as she continues to become better friends with Spencer. This romantic tension adds a delightful layer to the narrative, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages to see where Hannah’s heart will lead her.

Pamela Kelley masterfully weaves together the personal and professional struggles of her protagonists, painting a vivid picture of life in a quaint seaside town. The supportive community, the enchanting coastal setting, and the evolving dynamics of the sisters' relationship make this novel a deeply engaging read.

As the summer draws to a close, both Sarah and Hannah face pivotal decisions about their futures. Will Sarah confront the growing rift in her marriage, and will Hannah's summer romance endure beyond the warm, lazy days of Chatham?

The Seaside Sisters is a beautifully written novel. Pamela Kelley’s skillful storytelling and rich character development ensure that readers will be captivated from start to finish. For those who choose the audio version, Stephanie Németh-Parker’s narration vividly brings the Cape to life, enhancing the immersive experience of escaping to Chatham with Hannah and Sarah.

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this enchanting novel.

When I read the description of this book I was really intrigued especially since I don't typically read this genre. I felt like it started off strong with Hannah returning home after dealing with panic attacks from stress and grief hoping to find her writing mojo again. Then her sister Sarah comes into the picture hoping to spend more time with Hannah while finding fulfillment outside of being a wife and SAHM. With those points I was really hoping this would be an incredible journey of discovery and happiness after loss. Honestly it fell a little flat for me.

I feel like the title is a bit deceiving being called The Seaside Sisters but there's hardly any interaction between the two. Then you also have the third POV of their aunt which I didn't understand why it was included. Nor was there much interaction between them as well.

Also, it's mentioned that there is romance. I found the romance department lacking. All the characters go on dates that just don't seem to end well. Sarah and Aunt Maggie's marriages are lacking. I felt like there was something off about the male characters like you don't really get much of their personalities or why the relationships happen. Hannah's happily ever after just didn't make sense there was no connection or moments where I was like YES.

However, I will say it was a very easy to listen too. The narration was good. There were funny moments and some emotional ones.

Thank you MacMillian Audio for the advanced listener's copy. All thoughts are my own.

Narrator Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did a great job of narrating the novel. I listened at 1.75x.

This is my first book by author Pamela Kelly and overall it was an entertaining book, a perfect accompaniment for the beach or pool. If you enjoy books by Mary Kay Andrews, Susan Mallery and Brenda Novak, then you will enjoy this one!

Likes:
Family Drama
Books about books
Satisfying ending
Likeable characters

Dislikes: Story dragged at times

This book is filled with likable characters. It starts out with Hannah who is a ROMCOM debut author with a case of writers block. She decides to take up the offer from her Aunt Maddie to get away from the city and stay with her for the summer in Chatham, Cape Cod to help end her writers block.

This story makes you feel like you’re part of the story. Makes you think of your past experiences and all your own fond memories. It’s has a light and cheery feeling and is a very enjoyable read! It’s not easy to stop listening to it! You get to know the characters and relate to them throughout the book. This deals with friendships, relationships and family. First novel by this author for me and I will definitely be listening to more of hers! A must read!

The narrator was fabulous! She was easy to listen to and had a pleasant voice. She brought it to life with her voice! Excellent!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me listen to this audiobook and allowing me to leave an honest review.

I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this review because I already feel like I lost too much time reading this book. This flat, robotic, endless description of what people ate at different restaurants.

My expectations for a “beach read” are low, but this one had me rolling my eyes and yawning on every single page. At one point, three different people shared a scene, all three of their outfits were describes in full detail, and all three of them were wearing pink and gray. Really? We’re going to go into description overload but can’t think of more than two colors?

Boring. Silly. Badly written. Barely finished.

Thank you Pamela M. Kelley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Griffin for my #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a sweet and simple summer-y read, but sadly it just didn’t give me what I needed it to. 

Thoughts:
-Focused on two sisters and their aunt dealing with their own issues in life as well as the sudden loss of their mother/sister, I was expecting an emotional read of grief and growth. I wish the grief aspect was explored in more than just one chapter 
-Unfortunately, both of the sister's storylines felt one-dimensional and the dilemmas they faced were wrapped up too neatly and quickly
-Hannah’s love felt forced and unneeded. It felt like it came out of nowhere and I felt no chemistry between the two. Individually they were fine characters, I just didn’t see them together
-Sara’s relationship with her husband irked me and I enjoyed reading about her standing up for herself, but the resolution seemed too easy 
-The setting definitely pulled me in with its beachy shores, bookshops, and coffee shops
-I did really enjoy the aunt and uncle's storyline. I wish the story focused more on them and dove into their relationship deeper

Overall, this wasn’t my favorite read, but it was giving all of the summer beach vibes.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was very cool how it was a multi-generational family story but instead of moms and daughters we had aunts, cousins, etc. And also plenty of friends! It did wrap up sort of abruptly, but overall I enjoyed it!

A great way to kick off summer! I absolutely loved being in Chatham! This story has a lovely cast of characters in such a fun setting!

You will have in love with Hannah, Aunt Maddie, and Sarah. Their paths to happiness are all intertwined and they are so supportive of each other!

definetely a fan of Pamela M. Kelley, I love her writing, easy listening, great story line, very relatable. Overall 5 star

Love, loved this audiobook. It was a sweet, clean romance but so much more than that. It was a quaint & cozy setting in Chatham, Mass. and the author made it feel like I knew the town for ages! This is the perfect beach read for summer 2024. Definitely recommend!

🎧🎧 Book Review 🎧🎧 In the elbow of Cape Cod sits the quaint and idyllic town of Chatham. Home of the Anglers and great white sharks, it is the quintessential summer spot. Countless people vacation there and a few are lucky enough to call it home. Like all home towns, some people stay and some leave, and some return home to heal or find inspiration. After losing her mother, Hannah returns home to Chatham to finish her second novel and spend the summer with her sister, Sarah. The summer is full of reuniting with old acquaintances and making new friends, finding hope and healing in these connections. Perhaps it is serendipity, the tie of friends or family, or something in the ocean air, but the women of summer form a special sisterhood that pulses from the love of books. This book perfectly encapsulates the charm of Chatham and the narration matches the spirit of the book delightfully! Go ahead and plant your toes in the sand or find somewhere calming to sit and enjoy this wonderful summer read!

Review is posted on Goodreads and the final review will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date.

I personally did not love this book as much as I wanted too. I had heard so many great things about this but I could not connect with the characters. It kept me interested enough to finish the book but not something that I felt drawn to pick up again.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced audiobook. The Seaside Sisters is a novel about a young author who goes back to the cape where she grew up to try and hone her writing skills. Once she’s fully moved into her aunt’s place, she meets Spencer and shadows in him at work. Throughout the story, Spencer and Hanna fall into a nice, easy friendship but will that friendship deepen to become something more? I felt the story started out rather good and, though the narrator told the story well, I felt it seemed to move too slow for my taste. Overall, a novel that I would recommend to others who like very descriptive books but just not for me.

I just finished this one right before we got to the beach and really enjoyed it. It was a good read that is perfect for grabbing while you put your feet in the sand and waste the day away. All the women in the story are just a little lost and find help in each other just when they need it. They all find the confidence to take the next steps in their lives and each one will bring a smile to your face! I recommend you check out @pamelamkelley if you haven’t yet.