What a great book! I loved that there were so many mysteries all entwined, all unfolding together and then so suspenseful and satisfying at the conclusion.

It's such a skill of an author to have so many plotlines, timelines, character views, and mysteries going so believably at one time. It was flawless, and I loved the relationship between the girls and the men surrounding them.

Can't wait for the author's next book!

The story moves from 1942 during the war while on Martha's Vineyard, and 2016. Mari visits MV with the name of a person living there, while dealing with her grief of her mom's passing. Mrs Devereaux shares the history of the Smith girls and what they experienced during the war while living with their grandmother. The story moves along quickly and easily, with suspenseful moments. At the end, the both stories come together and Mari finds a way to move on. Love Ms Kelly's writing and look forward to reading more by her in the future. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Kelly and Random House-Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been recommended books by this author before but this is my first time reading Martha Hall Kelly. It had a sentimental ending but I think most readers will find it satisfying. It made me surprisingly emotional. I wish side characters were more developed because they either felt like caricatures or were indistinguishable from each other. But the two main perspectives in the novel (Cadence and Briar) were distinct and compelling.

This book is set against two time frames. 1942 when the US Army sets up camp on MV as German subs patrol the waters off the coast, and 2016: when Mari Starwood arrives on island to find Elizabeth Devereaux, the reclusive painter who knew the Smith Sisters who founded the book club. Secrets are revealed and Mari learns about a potential spy on the island. I found this book an interesting view point on WW II history. Recommended for all public librsries.

Martha Hall Kelly writes fantastic historical fiction and The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is another feather in her cap.

Alternating between present day and 1942 MV, we follow Mari and the Smith women as they navigate grief, family struggles, and secrets that could destroy everything. I loved the interweaving of the dual timelines & multiple character perspectives as well as romance and mystery often against the backdrop of war. I truly couldn’t stop reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. World War II fiction about a book club set at the beach!?? That’s my type of book. This one is written by the author of The Lilac Girls. Dual time zone book about two sisters living with their grandmother on Martha’s Vineyard. One dreams of escaping the island while one prefers her own company. Their brother ships out overseas, and the ladies pool their resources to share books. In the present day, we meet Marigold who is on the island to solve a mystery. In 1942, the reclusive sister is certain that she spots German U boats off shore but the military men who are there training for don’t want to hear her nonsense. Could there actually be a Nazi spy there on Martha’s Vineyard?! This story kept me interested until the very end! #bookstagram #netgalley #marthahallkelly #bookgram #whatiread #marthasvineyard #books #reading

A very sweet and satisfying read. This is the kind of book that you start reading and feel totally immersed in both the story and the setting. It's a feel good book because there's going to be a character who you identify with and you'll be cheering for her all the way. There's some amount of nostalgia for older readers and younger readers will discover an era that was both challenging and comforting.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's just plain lovely to read a book like this!

I just loved this story. I loved all the characters in this book. It was filled with strong women holding down the home front while their men were at war. I loved learning about the mini books they made for the soldiers to carry with them during the war and how they used Martha’s Vineyard beaches to train soldiers. Hearing about U boats off shore and German soldiers sending spies onshore just reminded me that this really was the greatest generation. A great story for lovers of historical fiction especially about World War 2. Also loved the authors note that gave so much background information about how this story was based heavily on the authors family. Definitely enjoyed this one and now have to put Lilac Girls on my TBR. Also nice to read a book that I can recommend to my teenage daughters that they would enjoy as well

“If we can’t move heaven, we’ll just raise hell”

Sometimes it can feel like I’ve read every way you can tell a WW2 story but this one felt completely unique.

I really enjoyed the different paths explored between all of the different women in this story. With headstrong and inquisitive Briar, to the fabulously interesting Winnie.

There were a few twists that I enjoyed and felt like they played out really well.

It was so fun to be traveling in NYC at the time of reading this book and two different places I visited were mentioned, Argosy bookstore and the Grand Central Oyster Bar.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly is such an amazing, intriguing and enjoyable story. It's a dual timeline story based mostly during 1942, World War II, on Martha’s Vineyard and the 2016 visit to the island, of a young woman, Mari, looking for answers about her family’s history.
In 1942, the story focuses on the Smith sisters, Cadence and Briar Smith, living with their Grandmother on the island struggling to keep their land and their home. Their brother Tom is shipped overseas, leaving the two sisters, the Grandmother and Tom’s fiancée, Bess to carry on with the family farm. There's a lot going on in Martha's Vineyard during the tumultuous time early in the war. Soldiers from all over are on the island doing training exercises. The sisters decide to form a book club to keep spirits up.
I enjoyed all the nuances of their book club. They also come up with a brilliant idea to get books to the soldiers in a size that will fit in their packs. I really loved this idea!!
This book also has subplots involving interesting characters, historical fiction, and the friendship and support these women had for each other. There's a bit of mystery which made this story extra fun.
I loved these characters so much. I will miss them and I will highly recommend this book.
I always appreciate the Author's Note where the author gives details about the story and the real people she based her characters on. I think this was one of my favorite chapters in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set against the tranquil yet turbulent backdrop of Martha's Vineyard during World War II, The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel about sisterhood, friendship, and the power of books in times of crisis. The story follows two sisters and their best friend, whose lives become intertwined in ways that reflect the era's challenges and the resilience of the human spirit.

The novel explores the close-knit bond between the three women, who, despite the war raging across the world, find solace and strength in each other's company and their community. As they navigate the personal and collective upheavals brought on by the war—ranging from family separations to difficult choices on the home front—they come to realize that family is the most important thing and the books they read together serve as both an escape and a tool for understanding the world around them.

The characters are well-drawn and relatable, with each woman facing her own struggles and growth throughout the novel. The two sisters, Candice and Briar, in particular, offer contrasting perspectives on love, duty, and personal ambition, and Bess provides the perfect balance of humor, wisdom, and loyalty. The small, intimate setting of Martha's Vineyard provides a unique contrast to the global conflict unfolding, offering a sense of community and connection amidst the chaos.

The Martha Hall Kelly does an excellent job of capturing the mood of the time, blending the personal with the historical in a way that feels authentic and engaging. The themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of supporting one another are poignantly explored, making this an emotionally resonant read. The book club serves as a symbol of how stories—whether fictional or real—help us make sense of our own lives and the world around us, especially in moments of hardship.

Overall, Martha's Vineyard B&BC is an enjoyable, moving, and beautifully written novel that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, character-driven narratives, or stories about the enduring power of friendship. It’s a wonderful reminder that even in the darkest of times, human connection and a shared love of books can provide light and hope.

Thanks to Netgalley, Martha Hall Kelly, and Random House Publishing for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I loved this book and was transported back in time to Martha’s Vineyard during WWII times ! The writing flowed well and felt so connected with the characters This should be a must read and loved all her books !

I loved this story, family drama, small towns and intrigue I wasn't ready for it to end. And of course I cried.

This was a very unique book. It had a dual timeline in someways however, most of the book takes place during World War II. I was unaware of there being so much military action off of Martha’s Vineyard during the war so I found this book Very interesting. There are a lot of female characters to keep track of initially, I did find myself very engaged with the story and interested to see where things went. This was a women’s novel, as well as a commentary on how things were during the war.

What a complex tale! I enjoyed hearing the story unfold from 4 different women. The end was a little obvious and saccharine, but I loved the journey of getting there. This story has it all: spies, intrigue, humor, and character growth. I would definitely read a sequel.

The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club starts off in present day time with Mari, mourning her mom’s passing, heads to MV to meet a famous painter for lessons. What isn’t clear is why this recluse painter takes an interest in Mari. The back story takes place during World War II. It was riveting. I loved the wartime stories, and the characters were well developed. The author brings the reader right in and you actually care and root for these characters. I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is an unforgettable blend of gripping historical fiction and the warmth of familial ties. Set against the picturesque Martha’s Vineyard in 1942, the story follows two sisters, their grandmother, and a prospective sister-in-law as they form a book club to find comfort amid the upheaval of World War II.
Kelly’s masterful storytelling seamlessly weaves personal struggles with the historical backdrop of the time. One sister faces disbelief after reporting U-boats spotted offshore, while the other finds herself caught between a blossoming romance with a soldier stationed on the island and her ambitions in publishing. The narrative is rich with suspense, heart, and joyful moments that highlight the enduring power of family.
What sets this book apart is Kelly’s talent for creating relatable characters and a vivid setting that captivates from the first page. Her flowing prose makes it hard to set the book aside. As secrets come to light and tensions mount, the emotional resonance lingers long after the story concludes.
For readers seeking a novel filled with themes of love, loyalty, and the resilience of community during challenging times, The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is an exceptional choice. Kelly’s enchanting storytelling and the heartfelt journey of her characters make this a must-read.

“The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club” by Martha Hall Kelly is a historical fiction set in Martha’s Vineyard during WWII. It is a dual timeline read centered around a young woman searching for answers about her past after the death of her mother. The story is about four strong women who form a book club to find some joy during the turmoil of the war with a subplot mystery which revolves around a German soldier who they find washed up on shore. With the threat of spies on the island and the sightings of U-boats off shore the subplot adds a good bit of suspense. I appreciate the extensive research and the detailed notes by the author at the end of the book which helped to bring the story full circle for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read many books by this author and loved them all. For whatever reason this book did not grab me at all, to the point that I had stopped reading anything. . It seemed to go on and on and I couldn’t make head nor tail out of the story. I will still look forward to her next book in hopes it will be more enjoyable. Because of this I will not review this book on any other platform.

Thought this was a good read by an author I haven’t read before. I liked hearing about places I am familiar with and being able to picture the characters in these places. I would recommend this.