I have never actually wondered what happened on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII, so everything in this book was a complete surprise, and quite fascinating. Martha Hall Kelly took many diverse aspects of life in this period and how the war affected the lives of everyone, and wrapped them into an amazing story of love and friendship, determination, and resilience. It did take me a while to get into the story—there is a lot going on at the beginning—but once the action heated up it was exhilarating! While it is a dual timeline tale, the modern timeline is much briefer; everything comes together very well at the end. Highly recommended! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

I received a free copy of, The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club, by Martha Hall Kelly, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Its 1942 WWII is going strong, and sisters Ginny and Briar are living in Martha's Vineyard. Its 2024 and Mari is on Martha's Vineyard to meet a painter, but thats not all she is there for. A really good read.

After Mari's mother passing, she discovers the well known artist's name; Elizabeth, in her mom's house. Her mom was planning to meet Elizabeth. Wondering why her mom wanted to travel to Martha's Vineyard to meet Elizabeth. Full of questions, Mari goes in her mother's place to find out some answers.
Upon arrival locals tell Mari that Elizabeth doesn't just teach anyone art. That it's a privilege that she was choosen. To Mari's surprise she is welcome with open arms from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth tells Mari the life story or two sisters who used to live in the very house they are at. War takes place and the sisters do their part to help the war effort. You meet a number of characters in Elizabeth's story. As the story continues, Mari has even more questions. Why is Elizabeth telling her this? From a previous family back in the 1940s to current times of 2016. Lives connected and questions answered.

I love Martha Hall Kelly’s precious books, but this one didn’t resonate with me as much. She wrote amazing characters and the plot was interesting, but something didn’t connect for me. It might have just been a timing issue. I’ll try again when it’s published.

Two sisters on Martha's Vineyard navigate life in World War II, dealing with fears for their brother overseas while trying to keep their grandmother's farm going and dealing with fears of spies, as well as potential romance. A modern-day thread ties the story together and fills in loose ends. Despite the serious subject matter, this had more humor than Kelly's previous works, and I enjoyed the look at Martha's Vineyard during the war.

Interesting history of Martha’s Vineyard. Enjoyed watching Briar’s character develop. I liked how the author connected the characters through the use of a bracelet.
I initially thought it would be a great beach read; however, as the plot developed it became more interesting. Lots of surprises at the end which were treats!

A world War II novel set on Martha's vineyard, where troups were stationed due to uboat activity in the surrounding ocean. Two sisters and their book club try to find out who is feeding a nearby uboat military secrets.

I must say that I love this author's books. This one is no exception. It is a dual timeline story, WWII era and present day, that is extremely easy to follow as both stories are intricately connected, The characters are well thought out and extremely likable. It is the story of a young woman grieving her mothers death traveling to Martha's Vineyard and her discovery of long ago family secrets.

Every time I read a novel by Martha Hall Kelly, I’m transported into the story. I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to read The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club and was thrilled to do so, as reading her work is such a pleasure.

Before they married my grandfather was a Marine in WWII and I’ve long been curious about what my grandmother’s younger life in an Eastern coastal town might have been like - she’s no longer here to ask, so I read this also for the relationships between the sisters and their friends, their grandmother, and neighbors.

A dual timeline story (2024 and 1942) - chapter one found me intrigued. By chapter two, I was already invested and looked forward to finding out what lay in store for Mari and Elizabeth, Briar, Cadence, and Bess - all the characters.

Although this left me with some unanswered questions, this was still an absolutely utterly enjoyable read.

A full recommendation from me.



Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the DRC

This is everything I want from historical fiction! The intertwined storylines all made sense and tied together throughout the story - not just at the end. I didn’t feel lost hopping between narrators and really enjoyed the alternating perspectives. All the characters were developed well and likable. I loved the sprinkle of romance, but none of the romance storylines overshadowed the rest of the story.

There were a few little breadcrumbs that made the ending a bit predictable, but that didn’t make it any less impactful.

Would highly recommend to readers fond of historical fiction, WWII era stories, and sisterhood.

Thank you to Random House and Ballantine Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a must-read in 2025! I LOVED this story from the author of the Lilac Girls, one of my all-time favorites. With a dual timeline between 2016 and World War II, this story follows two sisters on Martha's Vineyard who have to navigate the turmoil of wartime while trying to hold together their family, farm, and each other through their book club.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is Briar's introspections, specifically this one: "Why did people just believe everything they were told without questioning and not think for themselves? Hitler had done pretty well with that. The German people swallowed whatever he told them. Mr. Schmidt had always said that's what would eventually be Germany's downfall- hearing only what they wanted to believe."

Powerful, and poignant today, in my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books, Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thanks for my copy, NetGalley! Another interesting read by Martha Hall Kelly. This book was a compelling blend of historical and fiction. I'll be brutally honest, as a reader I am gritting pretty worn out of encountering historical fiction set during WWII, and feel that at this point, it's very hard to tell a new story that would keep my attention. Somehow, this book managed to exceed my skepticism and deliver. The story felt fresh, the characters well written, sympathetic and believable to the point I kind of race read through to find out that twist! Also, who knew there were U boats so near the coast of Eastern United States? I didn't! I also had very little understanding how many Nazi sympathizers and full on colonies there were in US during the pre war years. So this is 100% a read where not only you will learn quite a few things, but will also find rich, vibrant women whose stories you will want to see to the very end!

I did not think Martha Hall Kelly could top "Lilac Girls." She ended up surpassing my expectations. The characters were impeccably drawn, and the backdrop of Martha's Vineyard was the cherry on the sundae. I loved the romance and the way the author tied up the ending in a pretty bow. This is the BEST historical fiction novel that I have read in a long time. I have already preordered this book for my girls and two of my friends.

Two timelines done in an incredible way!

WWII timeframe (1942-1945) tells the story of two sisters, Cadence and Briar, living and working a farm on Martha's vineyard. They build their own book club, and are always trying to find ways to earn money to keep the farm going. All the while, paranoia about spies is gripping the nation, and the Army has moved onto the island for training and preparation.

The 2016 timeline tells of artist Mari Starwood coming to visit an esteemed painter (Elizabeth Deveraux) at the same farmhouse. After losing her mom recently, Mari is broke and barely able to scrape together enough for the trip. But considering her reclusiveness, she needs to jump at the chance. As the lessons begin, Mari begins to learn more about the history of the island and the farmhouse.

Extremely well done - each chapter is from one of the characters points of view, and most have a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, making the book SO hard to put down! I also really appreciated how she wrapped things up and included Author's notes at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books, and Martha Hall Kelly for the eARC.

Pub Date May 27 2025 | Archive Date Jul 27 2025 #TheMarthasVineyardBeachandBookClub #NetGalley

I love most all fiction books that are related to WWII. It's interesting to see how the war affected all kinds of people. This book will definitely tug on your heart strings and I LOVED the twist on the present day timeline as well!!

I received a free copy of, The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club, by Martha Hall Kelly, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Its 1942 WWII is going strong, and sisters Ginny and Briar are living in Martha's Vineyard. Its 2024 and Mari is on Martha's Vineyard to meet a painter, but thats not all she is there for. A really good read.

4.25. I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel . It was a dual timeline book, in WWII and in 2016 .in Martha’s Vineyard. One story focused on two sisters (Cadence and Briar), very different from each other, who were born and raised on a farm along with their brother in Martha’s Vineyard by their grandmother during the Depression and Workd War II. . They loved books and started a book club with their friend Bess, generally obtaining the discarded books from the summer islanders. The book also noted the economic and societal challenges for those who lived full time on the island versus those wealthy elites who converge in masses on the island in the summer. The other story, more in the present, focuses on Mari, who is searching for answers about her past after the death of her mother It was interesting to see the dynamic between the full-time residents and the wealthy summer elite. Most interesting to me was to find out how Martha’s Vineyard played an important and crucial role in WWII, searching for German U-boats, and how the military used the island as a test for the Normandy invasion. This is a captivating story, somewhat of a thriller, with many twists and turns, with a somewhat predictable ending, yet still kept me enthralled. Great character development and very well researched.. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for a candid and unbiased review.

Interesting story set in 2 time frames. During WW2 two sisters live on Martha's Vineyard. The younger sister swears that she sees a U boat off the coast, but cannot convince anyone. During present time, a young artist comes to Martha's Vineyard to paint with one of the best, who has a story to tell.

I cannot articulate enough how much I loved this story. This is a dual timeline told in WWII and 2024 present day. This is a lovely atmospheric story of women surviving during the war on US soil and making a difference in others lives. For all who enjoy WWII historical fiction this is a book I highly recommend for your reading enjoyment. Thank you to the author, to Net Galley and to the publisher for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. Martha Hall Kelly is a marvelous writer and a must read for me.

In 1942 two sisters left with their Grandmother on their family property in Martha's Vineyard are smart and savvy women. They love to read and adore books. They begin to read the Armed Forces Editions books and start a book club for women left behind. Soon they are finding ways to provide books for troops and their book club proves to be their saving grace during war time as a means of connection. They have a German boat come ashore and deal with the soldier as well as daily concern for their family fighting the war. These two women are a wonderful patriotic example to all Americans that proves what love of country stands for as well as the love of books.

The 2024 timeline is a story of family history. Mari is researching her family history during WWII and what their lives mean to her today. Each story told is poignant and beautifully told. I appreciate the narrative of Martha's Vineyard during WWII . A beautiful book you must read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC of The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by the always incredible Martha Hall Kelly in exchange for an honest review.

It’s always a good day when Martha Hall Kelly writes a new book and you should put this on your list right now for when it comes out in May 2025 because it is hands down one of the best novels I read this year.

Told through the perspective of sisters Briar and Cadence Smith, living with their grandmother, their brother Tom and his girlfriend Bess on a Martha’s Vineyard farm in 1942, the book tells the little known story of the Vineyard’s role as a war games location for the US Armed forces during WWII. With MV history and geography galore as its backdrop, readers will be rooting for the family to save the farm and for Mari Starwood, visiting a reclusive island painter in 2016, to finally learn her own connection to the farm, the family and the Vineyard. As a big Vineyard fan for my whole life - we started going on vacation there in the 1970s and Katama / South Beach is still my happy place - this is an absolute don’t miss novel from one of the best. Five stars and I wish I could give it more. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟