Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
I struggled at first with this one. Recently, the fiction market has had many books with main characters who are writers. There was a lot of family drama and an outsider trying to mess with that family. The beloved grandma and her cottage were lovely and very visual. The ending was a bit predictable because I am a cynical reader. However, the author's letter was heartfelt and prolific at the end. Thank you.

Emma Page longs to write real stories of love and romance that touch the hearts of readers . . . stories that would horrify her high-brow literary publishing parents. But when Emma stumbles across a secret that could destroy her parents and their publishing legacy, she knows she has to find a way to save them.
Intriguing and a bit dark, with unexpected twists and a clever game of cat-and-mouse make this a great summer read.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Graydon House for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A woman with a hidden dream has been caving to family pressure and expectation until she discovers a secret about her grandmother that just may be what she needs to let that dream loose and be true to herself. Viola Shipman’s warm and cozy women’s fiction tales have been anticipated go-to reads for a few years now and I was eager to read this latest set against the book industry and Michigan’s beautiful western coast.

The Page Turner begins with Emma recently graduating from university, losing her grandmother, and needing to head to the family vacation cottage where Gigi and Emma shared a love for those mushy mainstream romances that make Emma’s highbrow literary publishing parents’ hair stand on end. Emma, influenced by her favorite books has her own manuscript and plans use that private time at the cottage to good results.

Only, she discovers a secret among Gigi’s papers that will spell the end for The Mighty Pages, her parents publishing and literary agency and her influencer sister whose reviews can make or break a book. What she finds is also known by fake charmer, Marcus, an author who was just signed. Marcus is out for revenge and he’ll get it if Emma sits on what she knows and does nothing. Emma has always struggled with the way her parents look down on her favorite kind of fiction and wonders if it would really be a bad thing if The Mighty Pages went down. But, the dire situation, her grandmother’s legacy and the setting of the cottage work on her and Emma grows and figures out her life and what she wants in this tender and gently-paced page turner.

Like with all Viola Shipman books I’ve read, The Page Turner is all about the characters even the gorgeous Michigan setting as the unnamed character. Diving deep into Emma and the connected family and associate lives, drawing out truths that were hidden, and pains that need healing, the story presents a quandary and then a triumph in the end. Emma has to confront her family and that was never going to be easy- and wasn’t.

I found it interesting how The Page Turner gives an insider view into some facets of the book industry and explores some of the prejudices that don’t always make it a nice place like the book snobbery her family has for anything they deem isn’t ‘real literature’. I didn’t engage with this one as much as past works by the author, but it was still an emotionally satisfying read showcasing women’s relationships, figuring out self for Emma, and appreciating the glories of a lakeside cottage community setting in Michigan.

3.5/5

Emma is a recent college graduate, with aspirations of being a writer. Her parents own a publishing house that’s main focus are literary books, including ones written by her father. Her sister is a book influencer. This book is full of mystery, family drama, publishing intrigue and finding one’s voice.

I’ve read quite a few of Viola Shipman’s (aka Wade Rouse) and enjoyed all. His love for Michigan comes shining thru with his descriptive scenery, small town traditions, drama and, of course, romance. This book has a completely different feel. The beginning felt disjointed to me, not that relative to the situation and threw me off. I found it hard to empathize with the characters, most came off as entitled. I could not connect with them. The second part had a distinct switch that was welcoming, but happened so quickly that I had a hard time believing it. The ending was satisfactory on one situation but lacking in another. While I do love romance books, it was refreshing to find a book without a human love interest. While this wasn’t my favorite of the VS books, I do look forward to the next one. Make sure you read the Author’s Note.

Thanks to Grayson House Books and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

♡ Thank you for the free ARC, Graydon House, HTP Books, NetGalley, and author Viola Shipman.

Ok, the cover got me. I would have read this book just for that. But this little story was so full of heart. The author’s note made me a bit weepy, as the backstory for this book is just as sweet as the story itself. There was a lot to love about this book: our FMC, family dynamics and depth, literature and publishing references, a cozy mystery, and overall good storytelling. Pick this up if you are looking for a quick and happy read.

This book is brimming with inspiration for both readers and writers. Don’t miss the author’s personal letter to the reader. It’s a heartfelt and moving glimpse into the ‘why’ behind the story.

With strong Schitt’s Creek vibes, the narrative offers an entertaining and insightful peek behind the curtain of the publishing world. It’s packed with sharp observations on how we judge books: Is it by genre? The cover? The author’s voice? Each page is filled with witty, thought-provoking literary musings.

The plot unfolds beautifully, leading to an unexpected mystery, the revelation of long-buried family secrets, and a heartwarming character arc that lingers long after the final page.

Emma is the younger sister and doesn't fit in with the rest of the publishing family. She'd be happy at her Gigi's summer cottage, but they're calling her to NY to support them as they launch an author's book. Nothing makes sense, and Emma relies on her besties to get her through the drama as she pens her own novel.
But something is pulling her to the cottage, and as she digs into the past, she makes a pact with her sister Jess to create a united front. As they unearth secrets about their family, their beloved Gigi, they find out someone has a deep-seated beef with the family which threatens to destroy it and everything they have. 
Time is not on their side, and they enlist some unlikely help in uncovering the truth and hopes of saving the publishing house after finding out the most amazing thing was right under their purview all along. Time is ticking...
This book delivers on its title--it's a true page-turner. A fantastic read which will keep you up all night till you finish it, guaranteed to be a book you'll enjoy from beginning to end!

Emma is a young woman, fresh out of college, that wants to have her novel punished. It should be easy for her, since her parents own their own publishing business, but they don’t usually publish the type of book she wrote. They are “book snobs” and she wants it punished in her own. There’s a lot of talk in this book about different types of stories and what is considered better and whether or not a novel is written by a man or a woman really matters. It also talks about ghost writers and writers riding on their own coattails. This novel takes place on the shores of Lake Michigan during the summer, but don’t consider it a “beach read!
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC!

This is a book for people who love books and words.
It was beautifully written - a family that is a literary powerhouse between a writer, publisher, book influencer and then their black sheep, who is a newly graduated writer who is mourning her grandmother and trying to decide where she's going to fit in her family legacy. Unfortunately, she can also see where here family is making some disastrous deals that they seem blind to and she has to find a way to fix the problem without them knowing. While a lot of the conversations are very literary people talking to each other and it almost doesn't seem real, the unraveling of family mysteries, and unburying the buried acorns (it'll make sense when you read it!), it was absolutely a wonderful tribute to the original Viola Shipman.

Viola Shipman never fails to disappoint. Immediately you are drawn into Emma’s world as a college student, until she quickly graduates and gets involved in some high level drama within her family’s publishing house. While she endures all of the regular trials and tribulations that come with post-grad life - looking for a job, dealing with parents, moving away from friends - she is also trying to save her parents’ business. What it comes down to, though, is her strong desire to do right by the writing world in regards to women. As always, Shipman’s characters are well thought out, strongly connected to each other and easily relatable. The underlying message is clear - family is family.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

This story is so touching! It gives you such a behind the scenes look at all that goes into the publishing process while also spending its time exploring family relationships and history. When you finish, be sure to read the author letter for all the extra feels.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

Viola Shipman is a new to me author. I had heard so much about him and was so excited to finally be reading one of his books. The hopes I had for this book were so high. I started this book, got about 15% into it and had to stop. I had no clue what was happening and just could not follow the book. About 1 month later, I picked up the book again and I devoured it. I could not wait to have time to read, I stayed up late, got up early, and read at every chance I could.

I love Emma. She respects her parents and sister but still wants to be her own person, her own author. She understands that there are different types of books and readers. What her parents write is not what she wants to write. Emma stands up for herself while being respectful of those around her, unless they are named Marcus. I love her grit, her fearlessness, her strong opinions, her belief in herself, and most of all her love of family.

The Page Turner is a wonderful book. I am excited to continue reading Viola Shipman’s books.

When I first started this book I thought I was about to hit a book slump. But in true Viola fashion…I was pulled into this tale.

Emma is kind of the black sheep of the Page Family. Her family has been in the book publishing business for years but Emma just can’t seem to do anything right. And when her family signs a deal to help save the family business, but Emma has first hand knowledge that this is going to blow up in their faces, she has a big decision to make.

Emma is a character that my heart went out to. She is pushed around a bit by her family….but don’t worry…she comes into her own. And yes, she discovers a secret or two or three!

I love how this author can take a dysfunctional family and create a tale that is heartwarming.

I also loved the author’s note! If you don’t read anything else…READ THAT. Especially if you have loved books your whole life, it will give you strength and acceptance.


The narrator, Katharine Chin, could not have been better. I loved her as Jess!

Need a tale about power and family…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book. I am certain from the other reviews that plenty of people will enjoy The Page Turner but for me it was a miss. I just could not get pulled into this story.

The beautiful cover immediately caught my attention, and the words within were a wonderful companion. This story gives an inside look at the many struggles writers can face, especially when you have parents who are authors and publishers. I truly felt for Emma, as I grew up feeling like a black sheep in my family as well. This story gives us a taste of a beautiful relationship between a girl and her grandmother, the feud of sisters, the fear of disappointing your parents, how to deal with entitled scumbags, and a touch of uncovering a family mystery. This was my second book by this author, the first being The Heirloom Garden, and I will be reading more.

Ordinarily I would have been all about this book about a romance loving writer trying to defend her chosen profession and genre but ever since I learned the author is actually a man, reading about his feminist romance books just doesn't ring the same. Good on audio and okay overall, I liked but didn't love this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and Graydon House for the advanced reader's copy of The Page Turner by Viola Shipman.

I really enjoyed this engaging story of a romance writer who is the daughter of parents who run a publishing company but only publish high brow type books. She discovers her parent's business is in trouble and they've gotten in bed with this sleazy author who is popular and they think is going to help bail them out. Our main character finds something off about him. And she's right. I wasn't initially keen on the dynamics between the sisters. The sister of our main character was not likeable in the beginning however half way through the book that dynamic turned around.

Overall, I loved this story and found our main character really admirable.

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman is absolutely a "page-turner"! This book features a peek inside the publishing of the books we love to read. It also takes place in my home state of Michigan where Shipman's books are frequently set. But this is not your typical Lake Michigan cozy cottage chick lit beach read, this is next level up for Shipman and I absolutely enjoyed it! I see peaks of the author in the characters of this book (the running for one) and I can really identify with Emma's character. This book is about family and friendships, secrets, trust, revenge, forgiveness, and the power of women. A beautiful story so beautifully written, touching and definitely a page-turner! 4.5 ⭐s

Thank you first and foremost to net galley and viola shipman for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for an honest review! I gave it a 3.5