I got the feeling this was hoping to be the American literary equivalent to the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society: a war time, island locale book-themed community.
Enjoyed this story, but I didn’t feel swept away by the plot or particularly convinced by the dialog. Clean and enjoyable though.

3.5 stars rounded up. I received a copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Since Lilac Girls, I’ve been a big fan of Martha Hall Kelly. She researchs everything and creates wonderful characters that she weaves into memorable stories. The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is another classic! I loved this story of family and friendship with suspense of the Vineyard during WW2.

Thank you Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I loved the storytelling of Mari and her connection to the Smith family. It was so interesting reading about Cadence and Briar in World War II. I’m a huge fan of that time. So it was so interesting to read that and have the flashbacks. I loved hearing about how the book club was formed back then and how it came about. This was a phenomenal book and I definitely will be putting this author on my list to keep an eye out for more books by them.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is my first book by Martha Hall Kelly, and I found it to be transfixing. Most of the action takes place in Martha’s Vineyard during World War II, through a story told in modern times. The Smith family runs a small farm on the island. No one makes it through the war unfazed, and they are no exception. Between the soldiers being trained at a camp above the farm, rumors of German spies and U-Boats right off shore, personal triumphs and challenges, and a community in a time of hardship and secrecy, the family’s strength and resolve are tested.

The titular book club is a bright spot in the girls’ lives and provides more than an escape through the pages of their books. The club does a volunteer project that lends support to the American service members and provides new opportunities further afield.

The tone and pacing of the book are just right. There is intrigue, friendship, love, and humanity. The backdrop of the war is treated with seriousness but not bleakness.

A perfect summer read for your own beach and book club!

War is an impenetrable force, reshaping and upending life. Sisterhood is equally powerful, especially in wartime. Martha Hall Kelly's novel The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club deals with how a military base takes over a quiet beach town during World War II and the effect that has on a particular family, even into the future. Tom Smith, an Army Ranger, is sent to the front leaving behind a grandmother, two sisters (Briar and Cadence) and a fiancee (Bess). Cadence and Bess form a book club, reading the novels tossed aside by the island's wealthy summer inhabitants. They come up with an idea to create small paperback books that soldiers can easily fit into their packs. Briar finds intrigue among a neighboring family.

Overall novel is an enjoyable read. Cadence and Bess' idea is rooted in Armed Services Books, a real program that gave readers the chance to read and trade books. Briar's story felt a little tacked on as if readers need to be reminded about exactly who we were fighting in World War II. Briar could have been a much more interesting character without that particular storyline holding her down. The novel is framed with a woman hearing the story of Bess and the Smith Girls after coming to the island for a short trip and finding out the truth behind a family secret. The novel is a beautiful look at friendship and family and the necessity of both in the worst times people can face.

Review: The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ✨ (4.5/5)

Two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club for women.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this one’s right up your alley. I loved Lilac Girls, and Kelly’s latest absolutely delivered. Inspired by real events and her own mother’s childhood, she paints such a vivid picture of the Vineyard during WWII—equal parts emotional, eye-opening, and heartwarming.

The family dynamics were layered and authentic, and I thought the dual timelines were really well done. My only complaint? I wanted just a bit more from the ending. But overall, I loved spending time on the Island and didn’t want it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cozy and cute, the perfect poolside read. Kelly does a great job with world-building and making character interactions relevant. I'll look for more of her books.

I absolutely love the way this author writes character. They are full and rich and easy to view the story through.
Strong women in complicated & dangerous situations.

A wonderful story set on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII. It’s the story of a family that is proud and hardworking, and a Bookclub they develop to pass the time during the war. However, as the Army descends upon the island for training, there are mysterious happenings all around - a sighting of a German Uboat off the coast, a mysterious death, an unknown visitor to the island that could be a spy. There’s also love - first love, familial love, love of country, and deep abiding friendship love. Thanks to NetGalley for the read!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I went into this book - I find that WWII historical fiction is extremely hit or miss for me, depending on how the books deals with the subject matter and what it chooses to focus on. I thought this book was extremely well written and well crafted, with a lot of great characters. I loved Cadence, Briar, and Bess and was rooting for them to succeed, and I got sucked into the mystery aspect of the story, as well as the small hint of romance.
I haven't read much WWII historical fiction that takes place in the United States, so I found this to be fascinating, because I didn't previously know about the troops that used Martha's Vineyard as a training ground. I loved the setting, I loved the troops storyline, and I loved the hint of espionage. The sisters were extremely loveable and had fun arcs, and I did get a little (okay, more than a little) emotional about the ending.
I think the only part of this book that keeps me from giving this five stars is the present day timeline - it wasn't present enough, and I think it either needed to be more frequent or not there at all. By the time Mari and her story came back into the fray, I had forgotten all about her and found the plot to be a nuisance getting in the way of the rest of the plot. It wasn't that I didn't like her or that I didn't find value in her part of the story, I just don't think her part was interjected often enough to keep me caring about her.
Overall, though, I really liked this story and these characters. I can't believe this was my first Martha Hall Kelly book (it's shocking that I haven't picked up Lilac Girls yet), but it certainly won't be my last!

🏖 BOOK / REVIEW 📚

Fresh off reading the fantastic new novel, #themarthasvineyardbeachandbookclub by @marthahallkelly.

And I absolutely loved it 🥹. I had the pleasure of meeting Martha in Pittsburgh when she spoke a few years ago at @riverstonebookstore. She was absolutely transfixing, and I gained a whole new level of appreciation for authors in the #historicalfiction genre.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club was a wonderful novel. It was WW2 focused, but such a different storyline than we are used to. There is romance, heartbreak, family secrets, and a lot of tension that ebb and flow throughout the whole book. Briar was probably my favorite character given her tenacity, but Cadence's story struck more of a cord for me.

This was a super quick read for me - there is enough "suspense" to keep you completely invested the entire time. I would describe this one as more character driven than knee deep in historical happenings of the time. Its a bit different from her other books, but still wonderful nonetheless!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - thank you so much @mbc_books for having me on tour. This one is OUT now!

Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls is one of my favorite historical fiction books so when I saw she had a new book coming out, I jumped to read it.
As with Lilac Girls, this book is very well researched and the fiction is weaved beautifully with the nonfiction. The story Ms. Kelly crafted is multi layered and has so much depth, but there were parts of it I just enjoyed more than others.
The way the historical part of the book is told, via two vastly different sisters, works beautifully. One tells the story of the book club and focuses on the army troops that used Martha’s Vineyard to practice the Normandy invasion and the other focuses on the American Hitler sympathizers who attempted to act as spies for Germany. I love that this book focuses on topics I haven’t heard about and it helps to solidify the fact that not every WW2 story has to take place in Europe and the concentration camps.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took so long for me to get to. The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club hit the shelves on May 27th.

I absolutely loved <i>The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club</i>—it’s the perfect blend of historical fiction, mystery, and emotional storytelling. As a historical fiction lover, the WWII timeline drew me in with its vivid setting and strong female characters, while the present-day story added heart and connection across generations. The Vineyard’s history comes to life throughout the book in such an engaging way, and the community of women and the hint of suspense kept me hooked.

What worked for me:

- The vivid historical setting—who knew Martha’s Vineyard was home to WWII landing rehearsals?

- Strong female relationships and a sense of community, from the wartime book club to Mari’s modern-day discoveries

- Engaging mystery and surprise twists (even in the last chapter)

What was a struggle for me:

- The present-day portions felt lighter and didn’t land as fully. They work, but the historical arc is the book’s real heart

- The pace is intentionally gentle—if you prefer tightly plotted thrillers, some chapters may feel leisurely

This was a perfect summer read with depth and charm—I highly recommend it to anyone who loves layered, character-driven historical fiction. And suddenly, I'm wondering if I too can move to a vineyard.

Don’t be fooled by the title and cover—while there is a book club, Martha Hall Kelly’s latest historical novel is far more about relationships, resilience, and wartime sacrifices.
Cadence and Briar Smith are doing everything they can to keep their family farm afloat on Martha’s Vineyard, with the help of their grandmother and close friend Bess. Their older brother, like so many local young men, has gone off to serve in World War II. Though Bess comes from wealth, the Smiths are no strangers to hardship, and together these women do their part to pay the bills and support the war effort.

Briar, imaginative and often dismissed, claims to have seen a German U-boat—an accusation that earns her the nickname "Briar the Liar." But she’s convinced something is amiss and refuses to let it go. Meanwhile, Cadence is falling for a British soldier stationed nearby to help train commandos for the D-Day landings. And Bess is forced to confront her future with some unexpected news. The book club itself begins as Cadence’s attempt to create a sense of normalcy in a chaotic, uncertain time.

Told through a frame narrative with a modern-day opening and closing, we gradually learn how Mari is connected to the Smith sisters and the island’s history. Though set during wartime, this is ultimately a story about the women left behind—their struggles, strength, and unbreakable bonds. Martha Hall Kelly once again reminds readers of the power of perseverance, community, and family in the face of adversity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballatine Books, and of course the author Martha Hall Kelly for the advanced copy of the book. The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is out now. All opinions are my own.

3.75 I really enjoyed this slice of life historical fiction set in ww2. In this book we follow the Smiths as their brother goes off to war and the two girls Cadence and Briar try to survive running the farm themselves with their brother’s fiancé and elderly grandma. We also follow Marci in 2016 as the story about the Smiths is being told to her. I really enjoyed the perspective of this ww2 novel about the women who had to be tough to survive while the men were away. The characters were so well fleshed out and I really cared what happened to them. My only complaint about the book was the modern day timeline kept pulling me out of the story. I really enjoyed this authors writing and have in the past as well. I hope to read more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

This was a great book touching on many relevant issues of the times. The characters were great - interesting and quirky! There was enough mystery to keep be guessing and the importance of family was appreciated. Thanks #NetGalley

Review will be posted on 6/13/25

Mari Starwood is going through her deceased mother's belongings and finds something very curious. She finds the name and address of Elizabeth Devereaux, a famous painter who lives on Martha's Vineyard. What is her mother's connection to this woman? Elizabeth, who is a known recluse, invites Mari to meet her on Martha's Vineyard and thus begins the journey of Mari learning more about her mother and her connection to the island. The story flashes back to two sisters, Cadence and Briar, who live on Martha's Vineyard during WWII. Their older brother, Tom, has been shipped off to the Navy, so it's up to the two women to run the family farm. Cadence is an aspiring writer and to raise spirits on Martha's Vineyard during the war, she starts a book club. Briar, on the other hand, is obsessed with locating German U-boats, which she spies off the coast of the island. There are many twists and turns in this novel as it isn't a light beach read, but rather, a heavier historical novel. Nonetheless, fans of historical fiction can't go wrong with Martha Hall Kelly and her latest, The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club.

Kelly uses two storylines from different time periods to weave her story and for the most part it works, but I will say I found myself more interested in the WWII plot. Cadence and Briar are very interesting characters and I especially liked Briar's interest in spotting U-boats off the coast. No one is taking her seriously, but readers know she is telling the truth. The plot thickens in The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club, especially concerning their brother Tom, and I was glued to the pages. While I usually like my beach reads heavy on the beach and low on stressful times in history, I will say this is a good option for those who like beach reads that include meaningful moments in history. Also, I recommend it to fans of Kate Quinn.

What a beautiful (and slightly tragic) story this was. It starts off in 2016, when Mari finds the name of a woman named Elizabeth Devereaux in her deceased mother's belongings. She travels to Martha's Vineyard to see what connection she may have to her family and boy was she in for a surprise! Most of the novel is set in 1942 during WWII and follows the Smith sisters, Cadence and Briar along with their best friend Bessy and how they are surviving when their brother is sent off to War.

They LOVE reading (hence the title) and start a Book Club that turns into so much more for themselves and the soldiers located near their farm.

This is a historical fiction book, but it does accurately depict what went on at Martha's Vineyard during the war and the characters are based on real people that the author knew.

I highly recommend!

I’ve long been a fan of Martha Hall Kelly. Her deep love of history, meticulous research, and vivid attention to detail shine through in everything she writes.

This novel unfolds in a dual timeline. In the present day, Mari travels from California to Martha’s Vineyard to meet reclusive painter Elizabeth Deveraux. Her reasons are unclear at first, though we learn she believes the island holds a connection to her recently deceased mother.

In 1942, Cadence and Briar Smith, along with Cadence's best friend Bess, are living on their grandmother's farm. The Army has taken over part of the shoreline for training exercises. Cadence dreams of a publishing career in New York City, but family responsibilities keep her anchored to the farm. With their brother Tom serving overseas as an Army Ranger, the women are left to manage things at home. Bess has given up her privileged life after falling in love with Tom, and Cadence’s younger sister, Briar, is grieving the loss of her dear friend, Conrad Schmidt, an elderly neighbor. As tensions rise, Briar becomes obsessed with uncovering the identity of a suspected Nazi spy on the island.

This novel opened my eyes to the little-known presence of Nazis in the U.S. during WWII and the German U-boats off the East Coast. I also had no idea that troops trained on Martha’s Vineyard for the D-Day landings in Normandy—fascinating historical context I wasn’t expecting.

While I found the historical storyline compelling and rich with tension, the modern-day narrative felt a bit underdeveloped and, at times, unnecessary. The 1942 timeline offered plenty of intrigue and emotion to carry the story on its own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to @netgalley and @ballantinebooks for an advanced reader copy of The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly. It’s out now!!

I love historical fiction novels, and this book was a unique twist on the typical WWII historical fiction that I typically read. Set in Martha’s Vineyard, with a dual timeline, this book kept me engaged and I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story. For me, this was a solid and enjoyable read!

#netgalley #themarthasvineyardbeachandbookclub #historicalfictionbooks #bookworm