I absolutely love all the books Viola Shipman has written and it’s what got me into reading. The Page Turner is not like any other book written from this author. I give this book more than 5 stars if I could as it was such an amazing book. I felt this book was a billet-doux to their other books, to readers, and to family (especially their grandmothers). The personal letter to the readers at the end had me in tears as it was beautifully written and summed up how I feel when I read Viola Shipman books.

The Page Turner is about family, publishing, an inspiring writer, and secrets. Emma Page is a recent college graduate and is the black sheep of the family. Her family owns and runs a publishing house who only releases highbrow literacy and believes other genres are beneath them in order to keep their status and wealth. But their company isn’t doing so good, so they partnered with a famous author, Marcus Flare. Emma had a feeling about Marcus and discovered some secrets about her grandmother Gigi and how it tied to Marcus. This novel is captivating and it follows the journey of Emma to save her family, her grandmother’s legacy, and even publish her first novel.

Quotes
“We’re taught to hide our dreams, polish the edges off our uniqueness until our square peg becomes round. We’re told to fit in, be like everyone else, but that just robs the world of our power. You must love yourself unconditionally and completely or you cannot truly love another in the same way. You will not ever be able to become who you were meant to be. But when you do, when you take your own hand in life, you can change the world. Some will admire you for that, others’ hate will be just as strong.”

“Sometimes we forget why we read. Sometimes it’s to walk in someone else’s shoes for a while. Sometimes it’s to travel to a place or time we never will. Sometimes, it’s to get angry or more informed. And sometimes it’s simply to escape, smile and be offered a little bit of hope so it’s possible to go on in this world.”

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC from one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend this book and author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love books about writers and Viola’s books always pack that emotional punch. Sweet and emotive, these characters stay with you.

Viola Shipman writes from the heart relatable and heartwarming stories that will last a lifetime. This particular book pace is captured by the title The Page Turner I did not want it to end. The stories of Viola Shipman resonate with the readers in different ways and I find them heartwarming, timeless stories of family, childhood and underlying themes that need to be talked about and remind people today. This particular story explores a recent college graduate Emma and her challenge of the next phase in life and how to integrate into her family again with her own voice. Emma is an aspiring writer that is following her upbringing heavily influenced by her grandmother. The book talks about her challenged relationship with her mother and sister. The basis is great and the story so relatable. If you have not read a book by Viola I encourage you to seek one out and you will be hooked. These are great for many age groups, a present to yourself or gift to others. These books have something for everyone. Many thanks to Viola Shipman ((keep the books coming), the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

This was my first book by Viola Shipman but will not be my last. I love Emma she is so relatable- I am not an author but that struggle of making your name known and figuring out who you are is everyone. I love novels where family is front and center and this did not disappoint

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the advanced reader copy.

The premise of The Page Turner (a romance novelist who must hide her work from her snobbish "literary" family and then learns that her secret work might be the thing that can save her family from a nemesis, in the end) felt right up my alley. I love a chance to peek behind the curtain of the publishing industry. But the writing in this novel, from the very first page, felt scattered and the characters overly simplified (the fact that the MC's friends are called Gin and Juice felt incredibly outdated and culturally strange in a book full of white characters).

Viola Shipman’s *The Page Turner* is a sharp, clever, and utterly captivating family drama that delivers a heartfelt exploration of ambition, identity, and the messy dynamics of creative families. With its witty commentary on the publishing world, layered characters, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, this novel is as delightful as it is thought-provoking. Fans of Elinor Lipman and Jennifer Weiner will find themselves hooked from the very first page.

Emma Page has always been the odd one out in her family of self-proclaimed literary elites. Her parents, the founders of The Mighty Pages vanity press, have built their lives—and their egos—on the idea that only “serious” fiction is worth writing, while her sister Jess wields her influence as a social media book critic with ruthless precision. Meanwhile, Emma quietly pens her own romance manuscript, hiding it from her judgmental family as she takes solace in the whimsical summer romances left behind by her beloved Gigi.

Shipman’s portrayal of Emma is relatable and endearing, capturing the tension between living up to family expectations and finding your own voice. Emma’s world is turned upside down when she uncovers a secret hidden in her grandmother’s belongings—a discovery with the potential to upend her parents’ carefully curated reputations. What unfolds is a high-stakes, emotionally charged journey as Emma grapples with the ethics of protecting her family versus finally stepping out of their shadows.

The story brilliantly balances humor and heart. Shipman skewers the pretentiousness of literary snobbery with sharp, laugh-out-loud moments, particularly in the biting family dynamics and the ridiculous lengths to which The Mighty Pages will go to protect their image. But beneath the satire lies an earnest exploration of what it means to stay true to yourself, even when it feels like the odds—or your own family—are against you.

The settings are vivid and immersive, transporting readers from the glittering Hamptons to the serene shores of Lake Michigan. The contrast between these worlds mirrors the duality of Emma’s life—torn between the highbrow pretension of her family and the simple, genuine joy she finds in her grandmother’s world of “fluff.”

What truly sets *The Page Turner* apart is its love letter to stories in all their forms. Shipman doesn’t just champion romance as a genre; the book celebrates the joy, escapism, and connection that all kinds of storytelling can provide. The meta-narrative of the publishing world, from the power struggles to the pressures of social media, adds a fascinating layer, making the novel as insightful as it is entertaining.

The pacing is perfectly calibrated, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing without losing sight of the emotional depth of Emma’s journey. As secrets are revealed and family loyalties are tested, the resolution is both satisfying and heartwarming, leaving readers with a smile—and maybe a tear or two.

*The Page Turner* is a sparkling, witty triumph that reminds us of the power of embracing who we are and the stories we love. Viola Shipman has crafted a novel that is equal parts biting and tender, with characters who leap off the page and a plot that pulls you in from start to finish. This is a five-star gem for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, loves books about books, or simply enjoys a well-crafted, emotionally resonant story.

I really couldn’t find a character I liked in this very preachy book about morality and the role of authors. I am an avid reader and reviewer, but I felt like the plot was thin and designed to make a point of the moral compass within the world of publishing rather than engaging me as a reader.

Thank you Netgalley for this novel.

The Page Turner
by Viola Shipman
Pub Date: April 8, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have read many of Shipman's books and this one is just as good as the rest!
A young romance writer makes a discovery that throws her elitist family into chaos in this sharp, witty and entirely delightful family drama for fans of Elinor Lipman and Jennifer Weiner.
The Page Turner is a Viola Shipman novel like you've never read before. With biting social commentary on the ins and outs of the publishing world, the novel is a deeply personal exploration of not only the power of long held family secrets but also a think piece on how readers judge themselves for what we read, whether it be more literary or commercial fiction.

Many of Wade Rouse's novels, written under the pen name of Viola Shipman, are heartwarming tributes to family, love, and the challenge of following one's hopes and dreams in the face of others' disapproval. The Page Turner, by contrast, has so different a tone from other Shipman novels that I had a difficult time identifying empathetic characters, and I found little of it to be charming or heartwarming.

Emma is a recent college graduate whose parents own a publishing house, The Mighty Pages, that focuses mainly on highbrow literary novels, including the ones written by the patriarch himself. The exception is the romance novels of their highest-selling author, Marcus Flare. Emma prefers romances herself and has written a thoughtful one over the past four years, but she hasn't dared to tell her parents about it, knowing they will look down on her for writing in that genre. She was much closer to her grandma, GiGi, who introduced her to books that filled her heart and encouraged her ambition. But GiGi is no longer alive, and Emma is no longer close to her older sister, Jess, a prominent book influencer who has bought into their parents' literary tastes.

For the first half of the book, I couldn't tell where the plot was going. There were many pages of Emma's complaints and musings about her unsupportive family and the way men treat women in books, as exemplified by Flare's misogynistic romances. It felt to me like a feminist diatribe rather than a stimulating plot. As a result, I did not engage with the character of Emma. Several of the other characters also come across as one-note, in particular the odious Flare and Emma's seemingly clueless mother. There is some redemption late in the book for one of these, but not the other. I also consider the plot about how Emma's first novel was treated by the publishing world unconvincing.

There is more plot in the latter half of the book, and the ending is satisfying. However, this book is a miss overall for me. I would highly recommend other Viola Shipman books such as The Wishing Bridge (a charming 2023 Christmas-adjacent novel), The Heirloom Garden, and the Summer Cottage.

My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide na honest review of this book.

This was a fun cat and mouse book within the publishing world. There are family secrets, redemption and reconciliation. I liked the characters, especially the eccentric VV (who did not get enough screen time IMO.) I did feel it got a little silly at times and heavy handed at others, but it was enjoyable and definitely different.

I am a fan of Viola Shipman/Wade Rouse. This is the best book written by this author! The combination of family drama and the publishing industry brings the story to life. Throw in the references to Michigan, and it makes for a great read. This book sheds light on the publishing industry, while trying to maintain the struggles in families. I loved Emma and Gigi and wasn’t fond of Emma’s family until the story took a big turn. I figured out the twist early on, but was thrilled to learn the whole story. This is a must read! Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy!

I received an ARC copy of this for a review.

I have to admit, this was not my favorite book by this author. While I did enjoy it, it was not a top 10 read for me. I found it slow at the beginning and I never got invested in the characters like I do with many of this author's books. Still worth a read, especially if you are a Viola Shipman fan. Pick this one up April 2025.

My Mom and I love Viola Shipman's writing! We discovered their books through Brenda Novak's book club a few years ago and now Viola Shipman is a must read. The Page Turner was a personal favourite, all of the bookish content was wonderful.

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Harlequin Trade Publishing
Pub Date: 4-8-25

Thank you @netgalley, @htpbooks, and @viola_shipman for this eARC.

The Page Turner is an enjoyable novel set in the world of books - reading, writing, publicizing, and publishing.

Emma Page, recent college graduate and aspiring author, is at the center of this story focused on family dynamics, a mystery, and whether some writing genres are more worthy than others.

The relationship between Emma and her grandmother, GiGi, is the heart of the story. GiGi instilled a lifelong love of reading - and the value of all books - in Emma. I would love a follow up with GiGi as the main character. What a story that would be!

The Author's Notes and Acknowledgements are so valuable to the overall reading experience for me. This is true both inside and outside of this novel:

"Go now and read! Anything and everything! Hug your librarian! Support your local bookseller! And go to places you never imagined, be people you never dreamed, walk in shoes to places you thought you’d never travel, experience the world, and be changed. It is a privilege to evolve and change. We should never be the same people we were. Books help us on that journey." - S.I. Quaeris

"My grandma— my pen name, Viola Shipman— and my mother— a floor, ER and ICU nurse and, later, a hospice nurse— sensed I was “different,” and they swept me under their wings, loved me unconditionally and made sure I cherished my uniqueness. One of the ways they did this was by pushing books into my hands from the earliest of ages and making it clear that reading and education would not only change my life but quite possibly save it." - Viola Shipman

#thepageturner #violashipman #htpbooks #netgalley

Viola Shipman is a favorite author of mine. I was so excited to read The Page Turner. It was fabulous!!

Lovely, lovely!! Emma was adorable. I absolutely loved GiGi. This was everything the author hoped it would be, a testament to love and family. to unconditional love. This was definitely a feel good read.

The book is wonderfully written! I couldn't put it down!
Thank you for letting me read this book! Definitely recommend!

Viola Shipman has never disappointed me with any of her books and she once again hits a "home run". I always love her characters and her story lines. Shipman fans cannot miss her newest novel!! Thanks, as always, for the advance copy.

In this novel, Viola Shipman delves into the complexities of family secrets and the publishing world, but the execution sometimes fell flat. Emma deserves more than the one-dimensional characters surrounding her, like Marcus Flare and her clichéd mother. The story builds toward a predictable happy ending, I did like the characters quite a lot and found this to be quite enjoyable.

If asked, Emma Page, would tell you that she never really fit in, especially in her own family. She certainly would never tell you that her words, her courage, and her love of that family would be the things that will help them protect all that matters to them. Viola Shipman's new book is a tribute to books, and more importantly, the power of embracing our own voice.