Viola, you wrote an absolutely fantastic story! I devoured this book. I could not put it down. I talked about it with everyone. My husband kept asking how things were going in the story. It was beautifully written, and just darling. I loved it! Highly, highly recommend this book. Viola, you have a gift for writing.

I've heard really great things about this author but haven't read any of his books until now. I liked the premise but the characters felt very basic - evil author, optimistic college grad, aloof mother, etc. I liked the South Haven, Michigan setting for Gigi's place and the love was clearly felt for "rom-com beach reads". Also, this is a minor thing but it felt weird that Emma's friends were referred to as "Gin and Juice". Why can't we just call them by their name?

2.5 stars, rounded up.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Violet shipman does not disappoint with this new story. I enjoyed the welleveloped characters and the interesting plot line. His loyal followers will enjoy this one!

Viola Shipman does not disappoint. I liked the family aspect of this book. A family in the book industry. It wasn't a typical Viola book but still had all the elements.

I adored this book with the themes of family and loyalty, and the insight into the publishing world. The characters lacked a bit of depth plus some parts were very far fetched so this is definitely a light-hearted read that is meant to not be taken seriously. Think of it as a good palate cleanser book.

I enjoyed this read. Set in South Haven, Michigan, the book also offers a charming look at the publishing industry, with a fun family mystery woven in. I especially enjoyed following Emma as she navigates her first year post-college, balancing her dreams of becoming an author with the realities of life. It delves into family, loyalty, strength, and the fight for what’s right, with characters who are complex yet lovable—just like life. The family at the heart of the story shares a vision for the future, but they each have very different ideas on how to achieve it. The dynamics are relatable, reflecting the challenges we all face in our own relationships.

This was my first Viola Shipman book. I enjoyed the insight into the publishing industry and how different genres of books are regarded. I loved the main character’s relationship with her grandmother. I found it hard to like several of the other characters, and I found their eventual transformations into nicer people somewhat unbelievable.

I loved this book!!! I have loved every book that has been written by Viola Shipman. This book is about family, loyalty, fighting for what is right, and strength.
The characters in this book, like all of life, are complicated, and lovable. It is about a family, who has a vision for their future, but they have very different ideas on how to reach that goal!! It is easy to see in the writing, how we all share a similar dynamic in our own relationships, which makes this book very relatable. I highly recommend this book!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved the cover and description of the book. The look behind the scenes of the publishing industry was very interesting. I alwayes love a look behind the curtain. The story and characters, though, I didn't connect with or understand a whole lot. It all felt a bit sensationalized.

This is a really cute book that digs deep into the publishing industry and a fun family mystery. I loved the South Haven, Michigan setting, the family dynamics, and the challenges of Emma as she navigated her first year post-college as an aspiring author.

An outstanding book that gives an interesting glimpse into the publishing world and books! The settings were amazing. This story captivated me. A great read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Easy read though ultimately unsatisfying. Cute enough but lacking depth. Still, the book industry background information will be interesting to many readers. 3 Stars.

I seem to be having issues with believability in the books I've read recently, and The Page Turner was definitely quite far-fetched in many ways for me. Since many of these issues relate to the main plotline, I will have to include spoilers here... Marcus Flare. His entire character is such a storybook villain for me. While unfortunately people like him undoubtedly exist in real life, he just seemed entirely too one-dimensional and trite. While I was reading, I kept picturing him as an evil cartoon character. Come to think of it, many of the characters were quite trite in my opinion. Viv, Emma's mom, the rarely mentioned but apparently pivotal in the final scheme best friends Gin and Juice (?!), etc. And of course we got the very predictable happy ending when Emma's sensational first novel becomes a huge success and saves her family's company. I'm just not buying it.

I loved this book. The family history, the secrets, the love of books and reading, the world of publishing, (who is Marcus Flare??), all set against the backdrop of our beloved Lake Michigan. My heart is so full, I didn't want it to end.

Viola Shipman has written a beautiful novel that's not just a love letter to books, but is also a powerful reminder of the strength of women despite all of the bs that we have to fight against every single day. It's a story of the true meaning of family - having each other's backs. It's a story of staying true to yourself, even when it's scary and the people around you aren't being supportive.
So many women will identify with Emma, a young woman just out of college and struggling with trying to figure out her place in "the real world". But all of the women in this book are women that we can cheer for, they're all women that we know in real life....the characters are so easily relatable.

And then there's the author's note at the end - it reduced me to tears. Viola Shipman is such a beautiful soul. That's all I'll say.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Viola Shipman for allowing me to read this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I deeply appreciate it.

I love everything that Viola Shipman has written. This novel touches on an area that is mostly unseen by readers. The agent, promoter, author, and publishing house have one goal in mind, a successful story. What makes a story sell? How do we learn about new books? Is there added value selling book rights to a movie company? Why do authors use a pen name? How much money goes to the author? Things have changed when publishing a book. Influencers, book clubs, Tik Tok, Bookstagrams, Goodreads, best seller lists, and even big box Meijer and Costco all play roles in getting a book into the readers hands. The Mighty Page publishing house has a storied past. Marcus Flare has become a force to be reckoned with. The complex relationships of GiGi, Phillip, Piper, Jess, and Emma Page drive the heart of The Page Turner. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Page Turner went above and beyond what the blurb promised, giving me a mystery wrapped up in a tale about family and finding one’s voice and self confidence.

Emma is newly graduated and living amongst parents who have a highbrow publishing company (that is struggling, not least because the books they publish are all like her father’s, possibly not making much sense in their struggle to be that ‘certain type of book’ critics gush over but goes over most’s heads). Her sister is an influencer sensation, and Emma is missing her place amongst them with her Grandmother’s death. When Emma discovers her Grandmother was the author of romances which struck a chord with many, bringing light into their lives, it inspires her own writing. Unfortunately she gets caught up in further mysteries about her Grandmother’s past and a sexist author on a mission to destroy her family.

This was extremely entertaining, not least because it was multi faceted and as a result kept Emma and her family from becoming one note. I enjoyed that the author was putting her own writing points into play, creating a novel that didn’t need a love interest to speak to the readers it’s written for. Highly recommend this!

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman is a witty and heartwarming family drama full of humor and tension. Emma Page, a romance writer in a family of elitist literary snobs, has always felt like the odd one out. As her parents and sister thrive in highbrow literary circles, Emma secretly writes romance. The author takes readers on a journey through the competitive world of publishing, with a focus on Emma’s discovery of a family secret hidden within her late grandmother’s fluffy summer romances. This is a beautiful and touching story about family, legacy, and self acceptance.

This is another winner from Viola Shipman! THE PAGE TURNER is full of charm, and the pages practically turn themselves (see what I did there ;)).
Emma is a winsome protagonist, and as readers we sympathize with her family struggles as she dreams of her own writing success. (I love the idea of a romance writer as a protagonist, especially in a family of literary snobs - genius!) As always, the settings are delectable, and Shipman does a wonderful job of inserting the reader into each scene. The writing is sweet and funny at times - always relatable. This is an immensely satisfying read. Fans of Viola Shipman (I know there are so many) will delight in this new offering.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.