The Page Turner was my first read by Viola Shipman, and it will definitely not be my last.
I absolutely adored this book and Emma Page's story. This book was cozy and cute and gave me all the feels.

Lots of aspects of reading, writing and publishing in this book, which I found very interesting. Otherwise it was a slow read, which I did finish. It was just OK.

Super cute, super fun book. It was a quick, easy read. I read through it in one sitting. Will read more from Viola Shipman in the future.

I love books that part the curtain into a new world—and The Page Turner does just that, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into publishing and the world of literary gatekeeping. Emma’s journey is layered with complexity: she’s caught between the popular romances she adores from her grandmother’s secret library and the “serious fiction” her prestigious literary family insists is worthy of publication. That tension, combined with a long-buried secret that could unravel her family’s legacy, creates a compelling blend of coming-of-age, women’s fiction, and quiet romance.

This was a fun read that also gave me plenty to think about. Don’t let the playful cover art fool you—and don’t underestimate Emma. She and this book have far more grit and backbone than first impressions suggest.

For anyone who’s ever felt torn between voice and expectation, this story offers both comfort and courage.

Thank you to Viola Shipman, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this unforgettable novel. This review reflects my personal response to the book.

Thank you net galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

It took me a long time to get to this book. It was a slow start but WOW. The message of this book was very clear to me, all books are worthy of being read. We all have our own cup of tea and it's ok to read what we like and shouldnt be ashamed by it. I am not sure why it took Gigi's granddaughter so long to figure out she was the mysterious author she loved so much, I figured it out within the first few chapters. But I loved their relationship and the familial relationship that the matriarch had with the rest of the family too. I grew up with a grandmother who read paperbacks with long haired men on the cover, I guess they are called bodice rippers now. I love the "beach read" "chick lit" genre and I am sure she would have too. I love them because I read for fun, I read for entertainment and I read for escape. Sometimes even the simplest books can speak to you and they don't have to be approved of by literary minds like the Parents in this story. The Author's Notes were also very touching and I am glad I took the time to read them. I am a big fan and will continue to seek out anything this author writes.

Emma Page appreciates fine literature, especially as she has come from a literary family. Not following her parents’ tradition, Emma has a love for romance, and penning a romance novel would not be in line with her parents’ vanity press. In fact, the family is known as the Mighty Pages, and to refer to them as literary snobs would be right on target. Emma stands out from her family, even her sister Jess, a well respected book reviewer.

But there was a much deeper story to be told other than Emma hoping that her publisher will buy her story. Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) touches on deep issues in this book. One of those serious issues is that of the Bechdel Test. As much as I read, this term was new to me. I didn’t realize that the simple way for this test to be passed is having two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. In this book, there are Emma and her sister Jess, and their conversations. Not only is this one of the issue explored, I love how the author gave great substance to their conversations.

Not only will the reader gain so much by reading this book, there is also his personal letter to his readers at the end of the story. There is also an excellent discussion guide included with this book. One discussion point that really stood out to me was this one: “Books written for, by or about women are often categorized as “beach reads” or “chick lit” which can diminish their value in many readers’ eyes before they even read the book. In addition, hopeful stories with happy endings are often deemed “less than” by literary critics who tend to prefer books with heavier or darker themes.” Serious food for thought.

Emma’s journey to publication also offers insights into the publishing industry, including submissions and acquisitions. The bad, as well as the good. I was thoroughly engaged in the story of Emma Page and her family, as I have been with every Viola Shipman book I’ve read.

Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.

I loved this book! I always enjoy books by Viola Shipman and this was as good as expected. I loved the interesting characters, the family tensions and the mysterious discoveries. This book kept me reading much later in the night than is good for me! Thanks #NetGalley

I just couldn’t get into this one, I kept trying and trying to care and I never really got around to it.

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman was a slow start for me. I wasn't so sure about it at the beginning of the book but after getting further into the book I actually started to enjoy it. It was a sort of different style for me. I actually got use to the authors writing style and laughed outloud a few times. I loved a few of the references like when it mentions Schitt's Creek. I absolutely loved that show! The story was full of quirky family members.... Like the grandmother. I fell in love with her and her advice she gave her granddaughter. I would say all in all I still enjoyed this book. If you start it and decide to DNF it in the beginning... My advice would be for you to hang on a few chapters in before you make your final decision. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Happy reading y'all! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc.

I loved the beginning of the book- it took me back to Michigan, a place I grew up and love dearly. I just felt like it fell flat for me and I didn’t want to continue reading. I found myself not able to pay attention and ultimately DNF.

📚 Title: The Page Turner
Author: Viola Shipman
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction / Family Drama

“Not everyone can handle the prologue…”

Bright, witty, and emotionally rich — a family saga about secrets, belonging, and the power of rewriting your story.
Emma Page, the black sheep of a literary family, returns to her grandmother’s lakeside cottage with a long-buried family secret. As she unravels the truth behind a scandal that nearly destroyed them, Emma learns to find her own voice — both on the page and in her life.

Mood: 📖🌊✨
📖 A heartfelt tribute to books, writing, and literary families
🌊 Lake Michigan summer setting — cozy, breezy, with a touch of nostalgia
✨ Growth, forgiveness, and the magic of second chances

This book is a perfect blend of heart and humor — ideal for beach days, road trips, or cozy afternoons. Fans of warm family dramas with a side of writing-industry insights will find Emma’s journey both soothing and satisfying.

This book had a slow start for me, but I was really enjoying the characters so I kept reading. I'm glad I kept reading! I liked the twist in the story and the ending of this book. The Page family really grew on me though the book.

This is a quick read and would be perfect to take on vacation with you.

In my humble opinion, The Page Turner by Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) is not only his best work, but the closest his fans have come to just how much his grandmother (the real Viola) meant to him. The story is a true heart and soul family love story! With a bit of mystery thrown into the mix.

Emma Page has just graduated from college. She wants desperately to be a writer. No surprise there, since her family owns a publishing company called The Mighty Pages. But Emma has always felt like an outsider on the ins and outs of the publishing world. She has always left that to her parents and her sister.

She has always identified more with her grandmother, Gigi who was her mentor. Gigi, with words of wisdom had an unheard-of work ethic. She would get up before everybody and work and cook and put in almost a full day before anyone was ever awake. Thus, making a vast fortune.

But Gigi is gone and now her parents are running the show, spending it seems way too much money. When her sister Jess and her parents ask her to join the company, Emma must make a decision feeling as if no matter what she decides, she will once again disappoint.

But when suddenly an author Emma thinks is very shady and sexist agrees to an imprint at The Mighty Pages, she decides she needs to intervene only to be told by her family that he is there to bail the company out as they are bleeding money.

But Emma discovers something which changes everything. Her grandmother had kept a secret from all of them. By signing this deal with the author, they will be headed for disaster. Now Emma must try and fight not only for her family but for her grandmother. How will she be able to convince them she knows what is going on and make them believe her?

Now is the time for the Page family to put all their arguments and jealousies aside and come together not only for their own good, but for Gigi.

The Page Turner is the essence of a family love story. Your heartstrings will be pulled at and will make you truly appreciate the beautiful dynamic of Viola Shipman and Wade Rouse. Please read the afterward by Wade Rouse for even more touching stories of his life with his grandmother.

Thank you #NetGalley #GraydonHouse #ViolaShipman #ThePageTurner for the advanced copy.

Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) is one of my go-to authors and wow The Page Turner didn't disappoint! This novel has some teeth to it showing not just the glamorous side of the publishing world, but the ugly side as well. The perfect summer beach read!

Due to medical reasons, I was unable to fully read this book but I throughly enjoyed what I did read, however I cannot write a proper review due to this. I apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Normally, I love books about authors, publishing, books, libraries, bookstores and anything else that has to do with the written word. And I have read another of the author's books and really enjoyed it. But I just couldn't get into "The Page Turner." no matter how hard I tried.

I made it 31% of the way through and then DNF. But up to that point, it was just repetitious banter. How many times do we have to be told about Gigi's romance collection or the snobbery of Emma's parents? I didn't even really like the main character, Emma, either. Gigi seemed to be the most likeable character, and she's dead!

Having only read this much of the story, I have a good sense that I know what the secret is that can destroy her parents' publishing company and reputation, since it's already been hinted at (multiple times!).

Thank you though to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

A book about books and publishing, pick me. A book by Viola Shipman aka Wade Rouse, again, pick me. The Page Turner tells the story of the Page family. Emma is an unpublished romance writer, in fact noone but some classmates and university teachers know she wrote a book. Her parents are authors who also own their own publishing company, The Mighty Pages, where only serious literature is published. Her sister Jess is a book influencer who is quite well known and works for the company. Emma's grandmother was her greatest ally and was a huge lover of romance books. Her cottage was full of romance books, especially by her favourite author. When she dies, Emma was devastated and loved staying the cottage while going to school in Michigan. She has graduated and her parents want her to take her place in their firm, but Emma has other plans. When she finds out that someone has a secret that will destroy her parents and their publishing company, she digs in to see if she can help them. Will they be able to mend relationships and save the company or will the family secret take them down?

I really enjoyed this story about the publishing world, and the snobbish literary elite. I loved Emma. She was the most real of all the characters in the book. I wish she had more self-confidence in her talents, but with a mother who treated her the way she did, I could understand it. I had figured out part of the secret early in the book, but had no idea the depth of it. What people do for money, power and revenge is quite interesting. I liked seeing Jess and Emma heal their relationship, once they put themselves in each other's shoes. We also see the agents role in publishing shared by the character Vivi. She was disliked by Emma's parents and we learn why in the book, but was Emma's shot at getting a story published that she knows her family won't approve of. This was a wonderful story, one that shared the belief that everyone will find their reading niche, that all genres are valuable to someone and that the love of reading is a gift to give to others. I recommend you read the author's notes that share how his grandmothers and mother gave him the love of reading when he needed to find his place as a child, and gay teenager. If you enjoy books about books or the publishing world, I recommend you pick this book up in whatever format you enjoy.

This one just wasn’t what I expected. I wanted it to be a lighthearted, flirty rom-com. Instead it was a glimpse into the injustices against female writers in the publishing world. It wasn’t my favorite.

Where is your favorite setting for a book? The Page Turner by Viola Shipman is set in South Haven Michigan with action also taking place in the Hamptons and New York City. I loved the South Haven, Michigan, setting as I grew up in southwest Michigan. Our family loved to visit South Haven and swim at the beach. My Great Uncle and Aunt lived in a beautiful historic home in South Haven. It’s a beautiful community. I now live in a Lake Michigan Community in Wisconsin. The lake vibes in this novel were very relatable.

Emma Page has just graduated from the University of Michigan and is trying to figure out what to do with her life. Her parents own The Mighty Pages publishing house, which prints literary fiction. Emma has secretly written a romance novel and loves romance just as her grandmother did. When Emma discovers a family secret, how will it affect them and the man who is trying to take their family down?

My thoughts on this novel:
• Viola Shipman is the pen name of Wade Rouse in honor of his beloved Grandma. He writes the best female characters that really speak to me. His Grandma taught him well!

• I read this novel in May as part of the Brenda Novak Book Group. I loved Wade Rouse’s interview as part of the Brenda Novak Book Group. He is delightful and his interview was so interesting.

• GiGi, Emma’s Grandmother, was a wonderful character. She is the type of loving and sassy Grandma everyone should have. I was blessed to have one myself. I loved how she loved to foster the love of reading in her kids and grandkids.

• There were interesting literary discussions and allusions throughout the novel. Who gets to decide what is the great American novel? Why is romance always looked down upon as a genre?

• The novel was a love letter to Michigan with blueberries, the state flag, roadside farms, lighthouses, Lake Michigan beaches, etc.

• Jonathan Livingston Seagull is mentioned a lot. I have never read it, but it has been on my TBR forever. Have you read this novel? If so, what do you think?

• This novel also highlighted family dysfunction and pulling together to protect your family overall.

• I am looking forward to his next book that will be set in Palm Springs. It is called Thank-you for Being a Friend and seems to be Golden Girls inspired.

• I enjoyed listening to this book on audiobook. It was entertaining and captured my interest on long drives.

Overall, The Page Turner by Viola Shipman was a perfect summer read with great characters, a love of literature, beaches, and a sinister villain.

Viola Shipman’s books are releases I always look forward to. They have strong female characters and a Michigan setting, a great combination.

In The Page Turner, Emma Page is the black sheep of her family. They own a publishing company and write “serious” books, not mainstream fiction. But Emma loves popular fiction and romance.

Then Emma discovers a secret among her Gigi’s belongings that might bring her family crashing down and ruin their reputation with the book community.

The Page Turner is set in South Haven which is where we spend our summers so I loved the references to places I knew. I was rooting for Emma the whole book to find her strength and stand up for what she loved. I also love a book about books.

My only complaint is that I felt the writing and message got a little heavy handed at times. While not my favorite by this author, it is a fun summer beach read.