This was a big miss for me. The plot is fine and I was very drawn in by the title and cover. But the substance is lacking and downright infuriating. Every character is over the top and so stereotypical. The villain literally lurks in corners sneering and mouthing threats and making lecherous comments, the snobby parents are apparently so snobby they can’t even listen to their adult children and only care about Botox and expensive property to a point of ridiculousness. The main character, who is meant to be the antithesis of her parents and the champion of the story, is utterly annoying and frustrating. This was almost a DNF and I unfortunately cannot recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is full of pretentious caricatures that at no point did I want to root for. Emma is what someone who has never been a 22 year old woman thinks 22 year old women are. She is naive, full of herself, and believes she is the savior of publishing and her entire family. Every other family member is given one trait and that’s it. Her mother: narcissistic snob. Her father: just give of there. Jess: bitchy older sister. Gigi: doting grandmother who only speaks in feminist rants and book quotes. Marcus: cartoon villain and misogynist.

The letter to readers at the end made all of this make sense when you find out Viola Shipman is a pen name and this is written by a man.

Also, why is the author obsessed with the Bechdel test? It’s referenced 15 separate times. I thought we left that behind in the 2010s.

This book can’t decide what it wants to be. Is it contemporary fiction? Is it a mystery thriller? The whole thing is repetitive and does more telling than showing.

This book is about a recent college graduate trying to save her parents' publishing company. There are so many implausible situations in this book that I can't begin to list them all. Additionally, I'm a big believer in "show, don't tell" writing, and all this book does is tell. I felt like the author was completely dismissive of his readers' intelligence (yes, Viola Shipman is a pseudonym for a male author.) Just when I thought I couldn't dislike this book more than I did, I got to the "Personal Letter to Readers" at the end of the book. The very long, unnecessary letter continued the "telling."

2.75 stars.

This one was not for me. I thought the first half was very pretentious with an unlikable main character who whined a lot. The second half got a bit better. There was a lot of commentary in the form of dialogue on the publishing industry which came across heavy-handed to me. The main character’s parents were one-dimensional as was the villiam of the piece, an unscrupulous author. I found the book lacked charm. Overall, this book just did not work for me but others may well like it.

Thanks to the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Emma is still in the depths of grief following her grandmother's passing when she finds herself at her family's cottage. She wants to sink into the familiar: the comfort of her grandmother's enormous romance novel collection. Her elitist family, famous for their own "serious author" press, The Mighty Pages, can't understand why Emma won't grow up and get on board. Emma can't understand why they can't simply live within their means, fearing that they will soon lose The Mighty Pages due to their carelessness. When she discovers an enemy trying to destroy her family from within, and uncovers secrets from her Grandmother's past hidden within the cottage, she is more determined than ever to save her family...even if that means telling her family that she wrote [and is seeking to publish] a romance novel of her own.

This was such a fun read. While some of the characters downright annoyed me, they were all absolutely necessary to the telling of the story. I loved how relatable Emma and her whole family were; so real and flawed. Also loved the Michigan setting...I feel like I haven't read a book set there before. Or if I have, it wasn't described well enough for me to remember it and this had me swooning for a state I never even wanted to visit before.

I would love a prequel and a sequel, if I am being perfectly honest. I am dying to know more about what happens with her family next, but also more about the generations before Emma.

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman is a sharp and refreshingly contemporary novel, full to the brim of Michigan references that the author is known for. One again, Viola Shipman has delivered a heartwarming tale that masterfully blends family drama with literary intrigue.

At its center is Emma Page, a young romance writer whose success in her chosen genre becomes the catalyst for upheaval in her intellectually elitist family. The story follows Emma, a recent college graduate who has secretly written an entire novel, as she navigates the complex dynamics of being the black sheep in a family of literary snobs. What makes this novel particularly engaging is its timely nature, peppered with relevant pop culture references that ground the narrative firmly in our present moment.

Shipman's greatest triumph lies in the authentic exploration of family relationships, particularly the touching bond between Emma and her grandmother, Gigi. The novel serves as both a love letter to complicated families and a reminder that books themselves can be family too, creating a multi-layered narrative that resonates on several levels. The author's wit shines through in the clever dialogue and situational humor, making what could have been a heavy family drama into something more digestible and entertaining. The plot, described as "sharp, witty and entirely delightful," delivers on its promise, offering readers a perfect blend of humor and heart. What's particularly noteworthy is how Shipman tackles the often-fraught subject of artistic legitimacy in the literary world. Through Emma's journey as a romance writer in a family that prizes traditional literary fiction, the novel raises interesting questions about the validity of different genres and the often arbitrary nature of literary elitism.

For me, a Shipman completist, this has proven to be one of Shipman's strongest work to date - serving not only as an ode to the written word but also as a powerful testament to female strength and the courage to follow one's passion despite familial expectations. I recommend The Page Turner to readers who enjoy family dramas with a contemporary edge, fans of books about books, and anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in their own family.

The Page Turner offers a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience that will likely leave you reflecting on your own family dynamics and the books that have shaped your life.

Something was…off about this book. It had all the makings of a good story, but it fell flat and felt hollow. I pushed through, hoping the ending would redeem it, but upon reading the author’s note at the end, it all made sense. This entire book is centered on women and their struggles, and yet it always missed the mark. Well, imagine my surprise when I realized the author was a man posing as a woman! No wonder it didn’t resonate. The very last thing we need right now is more men pretending to be women and acting as if they have any idea what the struggles are that we face. Wish I could unread, but instead I’ll give it one star.

Thanks to Graydon House for an advanced copy of The Page Turner by Viola Shipman/Wade .

The Page Turner is a women's fiction about family secrets and how we see ourselves all in a literary themed novel.

Emma grew up in a literary family - except that only fine literature counts. Her parents run a literary press and look down on anything mainstream and her sister is a social media influencer who can make or break a novel and Emma has a secret romance manuscript that she knows her family would disapprove of.

I loved the Michigan setting and seeing Emma challenge her family. While she was a little whiney and pretentious at times, she was 22 so I did keep that in mind. Most of the other characters weren't really likeable, and that distracted from my enjoyment.

One thing that was weird was the prologue. Not sure why that was even included.

I loved the author's note about why he writes and uses Viola Shipman as a pen name.

Recognizing that not every book is for every reader, I’m always cognizant of an author’s hard work to put words to paper. I’m envious of their talent and courage to put their work out there for others to critique. That being said, this book was a big miss for me and I’ll be as kind as possible in telling you why.

If I wanted to spend time reading about or interacting with insufferable, detestable characters, I would focus on the news. Real life is full of them. The only character I even tolerated in this book is VV and that’s only because she is fully aware that she is an acquired taste. The main character, Emma Page? Horrid, whiny, spoiled. Emma’s parents and sister? Pretentious, miserable, demeaning. Marcus Flare, the villain? Sexist, abusive, creepy.

I am fully aware that Violet Shipman is the pen name for Wade Rouse. I’ve read other books by him and never got the misogynistic vibe this book gave me. Frankly, it was off putting.

I generously gave this book 2⭐️; one for Katherine Chin’s narration and one for the behind the scenes look at the publishing industry. I will say, however, that my interactions with authors and publishing professionals have been the polar opposite of what Shipman/Rouse portrays. Thank goodness.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book, It was different than I thought it would be. I loved the family dynamic in this book. I look forward to reading the next book that Viola Shipman writes. The ending was really good. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

THE PAGE TURNER – Viola Shipman
Graydon House
ISBN: 978-1525804878
April 8, 2025
Contemporary Fiction

South Haven, Michigan – Present Day

Emma Page grew up as the black sheep in a publishing family. Her parents are both published and run a publishing house. Her older sister Jess runs the publicity for the publishing house. Unfortunately, her family lives beyond their means but can’t see it. Emma recently graduated from college and her family expects her to work for them. She would rather stay in Michigan at the beach house her grandmother owned and left to the family. Her grandmother was her idol. Emma has secretly written a romance novel, but she doesn’t feel comfortable telling her family. They disparage the romance book industry because they feel their books are “literacy masterpieces” and romances are trash. They recently signed to their publishing house Marcus Flare, who writes fiction that could lean toward being romance novels. But like her parents, Marcus dislikes romance books. Emma hates Marcus because he’s a smug bastard. As her family pressures Emma to come to New York to work for them, she ponders the past with her beloved grandmother and the books they both enjoyed, by an author named S. I. Quaeris, who wrote romance. The books continue to call to Emma and she can’t quite put her finger on why that is happening.

Secrets are revealed in the tantalizing new tale from Viola Shipman in THE PAGE TURNER. I figured out the one secret early on, but more are soon revealed by the end. In fact, the ending wasn’t quite what I expected. Emma would be what some people call having “her head in the clouds.” She loves reading books, especially romance books but it is frowned upon by her parents. Only her beloved grandmother shared her love. After her grandmother’s untimely death, the cottage was left to the family, and they occasionally spent time there. However, her parents want to sell it and buy a mansion on Long Island amongst the rich and influential. They can’t quite see that they are spending beyond their means. Oddly, Emma is the sensible one because she suspects the truth about their finances. She could walk away and let them fall apart but the publishing company was founded by her grandmother to help her father publish his first novel. It’s her legacy.

Meanwhile, Marcus continues to be a pain in the rear. He is not a likable person at all in THE PAGE TURNER and it’s confirmed time and time again. He finally backs Emma into a corner. She will have to choose family over truth because she has no other way out. It is about this time that this tale really takes off and readers will become engrossed in finding out what happens. Will Emma save the day…and the family business? She wants to tell her family about her romance manuscript but fears their derision. Will she finally get the gumption to submit it to either them or somewhere else? Will there be a happy ending?

An emotional tale that tugs at the heart, don’t miss THE PAGE TURNER.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I have read several of Viola Shipman novels, and always enjoy the setting in my home state with places that are very familiar and that I have very warm memories of visiting. The Page Turner takes place mostly at Emma Page's grandmother's home in South Haven, a favorite vacation spot for my family, which lent an almost nostalgic feel to the novel. It's always fun to read the 'name-dropping' about a familiar place, and this one made me hungry for Clementines' onion rings!

As an avid reader, I loved the insider's look at the publishing industry, how deals are made and the snobbery of some publishers and writers about 'chick-lit'. The venting feels a bit self-serving at times, as the author writes primarily the novels that are dismissed by Emma's parents as trivial. I get it, but me thinks thou dost protest too much! I struggled a bit with the pacing and the story really didn't capture my interest until about the 50% mark. I also didn't really buy into the revenge motivation and plot, I just kept thinking that there was no way Emma would agree to do it, and if she did, it would never work anyway.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Harlequin Audio for the digital and audio ARCs of The Page Turner by Viola Shipman. The opinions in this review are my own.

The Page Turner is a heartfelt story about chasing dreams, family expectations, and self-discovery. The book follows Emma, an aspiring author trying to carve out her own path under the shadow of her publishing powerhouse parents and her already-successful sister. When she uncovers a hidden secret about her grandmother, Emma begins to question whether the dream she's been chasing is truly her own.

What I enjoyed most was the behind-the-scenes look at the writing and publishing world—it felt authentic and engaging. The relationship between Emma and her sister was also a highlight, offering warmth and emotional depth.

That said, the book did feel slow at times, and I found the dialogue to be overwritten and repetitive in parts, which pulled me out of the story. While the plot has heart, it was fairly predictable and lacked the spark to make it truly stand out.

Overall, The Page Turner was a fine read with moments of insight and emotion, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression. A solid 3-star story for those who enjoy family-driven fiction and books about books.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 - "It's just sad that the world loves to destroy the unique when it's the only thing we have going that makes it so special."

The synopsis for this book is intriguing with Emma, a recent graduate, trying to find her place in the world while dealing with her author parents and influencer sister. Her parents own a publishing house, The Mighty Pages, but they only publish books they deem serious and literary, which excludes romance and anything else considered frivolous. As Emma navigates her future while still mourning the loss of her grandmother, she makes a shocking discovery in her grandmother's things and finds out that someone wants to destroy her parents' business. She is put in the middle of what feels like an impossible situation until she comes up with a plan.

This was a struggle to read. The prologue has nothing to do with the rest of the book and wasn't needed at all. The entire first half of the book feels like it's just there for Emma's parents and sister to make her feel bad. They're critical of everything from her personality and clothing to the books she reads. They come across as very cold and cruel, and it makes them incredibly unlikeable. Too much is happening between Emma grieving her grandmother and needing to find a job, the way her parents and sister treat her, and the new problem of Marcus Flare who wants to destroy the family's publishing house. It unfortunately reads as a story of what someone thinks a 22-year-old woman acts like. There is so much emphasis on the Bechdel test and how women are portrayed in the media, but in this book Emma's mother and sister are terrible to her and her friends go behind her back to tell her mother about her manuscript she's keeping to herself. There's zero good resolution for these issues and suddenly everything is ok.

I was frustrated early on when Emma's friends from college are nicknamed Gin and Juice with zero explanation. It comes later which makes it so confusing. It's also wild that they're so supportive of Emma and her secret romance manuscript but later it's revealed her parents knew about it because her friends told her mom. This made absolutely no sense, especially because "Juice" tells Emma to be confident and get her book published. Then there's Vivian Vandeventer, who's actually an interesting character, but then suddenly her name is abbreviated VV throughout the book and it feels so out of place. The resolution that happens with Emma and her sister comes out of nowhere. Her sister is awful to her at the beginning and they never have a real conversation that brings about their reconciliation. And it's the same with her parents.

Marcus Flare is a terrible villain and it feels so strange when this book almost becomes a thriller. He has some absolutely terrible lines that sound like they're right out of a cartoon. The scene where he feeds Emma at dinner is disgusting and creepy, and written in a way that felt icky. His purpose for blackmailing Emma and destroying her family's publishing house feels dumb and it's not well thought out. It's so connected to her grandmother which seems like the only way this story could come together. I understand writing a sleazy male character, but this was not it. He feels like a caricature instead of a realistic character.

I think without the Marcus Flare storyline, this would have been more enjoyable. I did like Emma, for the most part, and I think this would have worked better if it focused on her journey with her family. That story was more compelling and could have been more fleshed out and complete without the addition of Marcus. Because so much is going on and the book is trying to say so much, it all gets lost in the underdeveloped plot and characters. I also didn't appreciate the dig at influencers, saying that many of them are paid "for their adulation, either in cash or product." I'm sure there are some who pretend to love a book, but the vast majority of book influencers interact with provide their honest opinions and are not getting paid to say they like a book.

This was a disappointing read that had potential but tries to do and say too much so in the end it's not saying anything.

Shipman’s voice is heard throughout this novel and it refuses to let you go as you devour this book from beginning to end. Wonderful!

The Page Turner
By Viola Shipman
Release date 4.8.25

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for the e-ARC of this title.
The book begins with out main character, Emma, who is a recent college graduate from the University of Michigan. She is trying to find her place as she transitions into adulthood while dealing with her high-strung opinionate family members. Her Grandma Gigi had sent the family up financially after her passing allowing them to live a luxurious life. Emma, however, hopes to pave her own path as a writer and make her own living. In a family of writers, readers, and book influencers, you would think this would be easily attainable, however their negative speak, and cold personalities make it next to impossible.

My favorite part of this story is the character that is Gigi. I love how Gigi is an active part of the story while having been deceased through it all. There were so many ‘Gigi-isms’ that spoke to me. I wish I could quote some here but have to wait for the finished copy. I have been reading multiple books lately that reference the use of pseudonyms by female authors in order to ensure their safety and to be taken seriously which is both fascinating and devastating. I had no idea going into this book that it would partially be set in the town of South Haven, Michigan. I vacation here every year and enjoyed being transported back there. Some of the small local businesses that I have visited were even mentioned. I also love that book cover!
I struggled a lot with the FMC. I recognize that she is young and new to the job market, but I felt the author was trying to convey a strong young independent woman that wanted to be her own person. Yet, these toddler’esque reactions didn’t seem like they were coming from the same character. I think sassy reactions could have been written differently as to were it was more believable. This book is also full of unlikeable characters; some of which were over the top. With regards to the ended, I’m still confused as to how the ‘villian’ was able to walk away and everything smooth over in a flash. It didn’t feel complete to me.

All in all, I love books about books with a strong FMC. I wish it was more Gigi and Emma and less of the snooty self-centered family.

With classic style, Viola Shipman does it again. Pulls you in from the prologue, and weaves this enjoyable story which makes reading effortless. Whether you're losing yourself in Gigi's beach cottage nostalgic feels, or on the edge of your seat while reading of Marcus' antics, you'll love reading every page of this "Page Turner" novel. ;) Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to pre-read and review this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Emma feels like a black sheep in her elitest family who owns/runs a publishing house The Mighty Pages. Her parents, self-proclaimed “serious” authors who mingle in highbrow social circles that look down on anything too popular or mainstream.

Emma has to hide her own romance novel that she is deciding if/when to query and trying to figure out how to get her family to understand the true motives of a seemingly sleezy author who offers to "help," the suffering publishing house.

My thoughts:
I loved the storyline surrounding Emma and her late grandmother's love for romance and lighter novels and the feeling of needing to defend what we read and that all book and all reading will touch the right person. Emma's connection to her grandmother was well done especially in contrast to the uncomfortable relationship she has with her parents and her sister.

I enjoyed the quotes from other works being used to try to drive points home; however, at times they felt "plopped" into the story and therefore a little disjointed. The side characters were great: Marcus Flare was easy to hate AND I wanted MORE Vivian Vandeventer!! (a competitor in the publishing business that Emma interviews with).

A very good book to read on a day when you are sitting around and lounging. It's a story that includes interesting characters and a good plot. I would definitely recommend!

#ThePageTurner is simply that . A real page turner . Omggg the ways I loved this book !!!! 🥰❤️😭
I was annoyed , mad , sad , all fuzzy inside ,, worried.
This book had me feeling all the feels & that's EXACTLY what a good solid book should do.
All the stars !!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ugh it's just soooo good. Everyone needs to read this even if you don't know. You do .
I'll admit I wasn't super into it until about 25% in but after that I was completely hooked . This book had my soul.

This book is definitely an example of don't judge a book by its cover . At first everyone seemed dense & snobby & honestly annoying. " Oh another rich literary family "
Yes kinda but no not really .. there's always more to a story & people than we think.
This book was poetry & EXACTLY what I needed right now.
Isn't it weird how that happens? I had no idea what this book was about before I picked it up 🙊
I honestly just liked the title & I love a book about a book but omg it's so much more than that .
Love , sisterhood, family , GIRL POWER 🤘, loyalty, yes books & the whole book world, all the good feels but also a little revenge .
I needed all that right now ❤️

Going into this book I had zero idea that Viola Shipman is really a man writing under a female name .. his grandma. 🥺 How sweet .. I just can't 😭
But honestly I don't care .. I know some have strong feelings about this issue but he's an author who writes a beautiful poetic & amazing book that after receiving this arc im buying the book when it comes out APRIL 8 2025 ( go get it 🙃 )
The authors note was so beautiful & heartfelt.
This is my first book by this author but now I want to binge them allllll !!!!
& Honestly it's refreshing for a man to hide under a women's name for a change .

Also shout-out to Gin & Juice . Those are real friend goals right there & also VV .. I want to have several drinks with this woman 🤣🤣🤣
The characters & development in this book is top notch .

‼️Again read this book . Inhale everything. It's going to be a beautiful ride

Thank you #NetGalley for another amazing arc & allowing me to find a new author @viola_shipman