In 2016 Mari visits Martha's Vineyard to take a one day class with reclusive painter Elizabeth Devereaux, and the majority of the book is a flashback to 1942 as Elizabeth tells Mari the story of the Smith sisters, Cadence and Briar and their brother's girlfriend Bess and their experiences as the Army trains on the Martha's Vineyard beaches for the invasion of Europe and rumors of U-boats and spies sweep through the island. The girls struggle to keep their ailing grandmother's farm afloat and decide to start a book club to keep spirits high.

Mari's stay is extended as the story is told and she slowly begins to understand that her ties to the island run much deeper than she expected.

While the book club features prominently in the title, it is given very little space in the actual narrative. I wanted to like this book but found too much of the 1942 story to be unbelievable. 16 year old Briar seeks and finds U-boats and spies, 19 year old Cadence, a high school dropout who dreams of a literary career in New York becomes friends with a publishing executive who offers her several jobs, and when 19 year old Bess discovers she is pregnant, the baby is eagerly welcomed by everyone except her high society mother. The wartime story of life on Martha's Vineyard was very interesting but the modern timeline distracted. It allowed the author to explain what had become of all the main characters but I think the wartime story world have been stronger on its own, especially with more believable characters.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly

This story has a dual timeline which I didn't mind since the story focuses mostly on the WWII portion (1942) of the story with present day (2016) insertions playing a smaller role.. For me, the trips to the present day never took me away from the earlier part of the story and actually the present day informs us of some things I wanted to know about the past.

The story is steeped in book lovers although some of them, such as sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar, don't have time for fiction. Briar is made to attend her older sister, Cadence's, book club and the club is always reading fiction. Briar has better things to do, watching for signs of the enemy in the water or on land, her job making miniatures of enemy craft for ID training of the troops, spying on everyone for signs of those who might be backing the wrong side of the war and more. Briar has earned a very unsavory reputation as a liar because of the sightings of enemy craft she has reported. She has become a pariah among many of the folks in her community but she's not giving up her efforts to protect her homeland.

With their brother off to war, Cadence has more than ever on her shoulders. She responsible for their little farm, their ailing grandmother, Briar, her brother's fiancé, and her friends. Her responsibilities have kept her from moving on like so many of women her age would have done. No college for her, she is needed at home while she dreams that someday she can move to a big city and work in publishing.

The presence of troops on the island, training anywhere and everywhere, is a huge source of frustration. The farm's crops are trampled with no care for what they can garner for the family, crops will allow them to supplement scant rations and earn much needed money. The sharing of books with the troops might help relations between a grumpy officer and Cadence's family. Then there is the chance to help with the making of miniature paperbacks for the troops overseas. And of immediate importance is that grandmother needs surgery and there are not the funds for it.

There is everyday life during war time here and also the mystery of a rumored spy in their midst. Briar is an extremely smart young lady and she knows so much more than others will credit her with knowing. I love the cover of this book with the girls/women enjoying time on the beach but at this time in their lives, there is very little time to be carefree.

Of the four novels and one short story that I've read by Martha Hall Kelly, I think this is my favorite one. I'm a fan of WWII stories and this book touches on parts of that time that fascinate me. It has been through historical fiction that I came to know that people living in that area had to endure rumors of enemy presence and the very real presence of Allied troops living and training in the area. I also enjoyed the mention of making sure the service men had access to books on the island which actually morphed into a connection to the real life miniature paperback books for the troops project.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Super interesting, the setting of WW2 in Martha’s Vineyard, mostly from the perspective of two teenage sisters and their friends and family, and Cadence’s love of books and writing.

The characters of Briar and Cadence were well done had a great compliment to each other - Briar with her quirky, determined, and sleuthing mind, and Cadence as ambitious, family-centered, and levelheadedness - as they tried to keep their farm afloat and manage unexpected war-related curveballs.

I enjoyed the mystery and tension of U-boats off the New England coast, potential defectors and spies, Army camps and invasion drills along with family tensions with the sisters’ story, and how the women in the current timeline played into it all. And of course the books. Loved the thread of the books throughout!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

I have enjoyed two of Martha Hall Kelly's books quite a bit, so I had high hopes for this book, despite the fact that it's another WWII historical, a field I feel is oversaturated. I can't say that I loved this book, but I did like it. However, it wasn't quite the book I was expecting it to be. I was anticipating it to be more about the book club, but there wasn't much of that to be honest. I was able to guess a couple of the main plot points early on, which is fine, but I do like it when I'm taken by surprise. I found the friendship with Winnie to be stretching it a bit, and I did not buy the romance element at all between Cadence and Gil. That just came out of nowhere. As for the characters, I liked Cadence probably the most. I liked her columns that were interspersed, and would have liked more of those. Briar was someone I didn't connect with at all, and I found her to be really annoying. It's apparent without it ever being said that she's neurodivergent, and I felt that at times that was used to excuse her. Oh, and the whole Tyson story line (and its ending) I found wildly improbable.

Still, I think a lot of people who enjoy a beach read will really like this book. I just found it not quite beachy-read enough for me, and instead trying to throw in a mystery that only gets resolved in a 3 years later kind of chapter, which made the ending feel rushed for me.

Martha Stewart Beach and Book Club is a beautifully layered story that weaves together two timelines—2016 and 1942—on the evocative shores of Martha’s Vineyard. With atmospheric writing and richly drawn characters, this novel explores how the echoes of the past can shape the present in unexpected ways.

In the modern timeline, Mari Starwood is a woman adrift, grieving her mother and searching for answers that lead her to the enigmatic Elizabeth Devereaux. As Elizabeth slowly unspools the story of the Smith sisters, Mari begins to understand that her connection to the island runs deeper than she ever imagined.

The 1942 storyline is where the book really shines. Cadence and Briar Smith are compelling and vividly rendered—young women forced to grow up quickly during the pressures of World War II. The historical details feel authentic without being heavy-handed, and the idea of a small-town book club blossoming into something meaningful and powerful during wartime adds a heartwarming layer of hope. The romance, tension, and whispers of espionage keep the pace engaging.

The dual narrative is mostly well-balanced, though the modern storyline sometimes lags behind the emotional intensity of the historical one. Mari's arc, while touching, feels more subdued in comparison to the high stakes of the 1940s thread. Still, both stories come together in a satisfying, emotional conclusion.

Perfect for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society or The Paris Library, this novel is a tribute to the power of books, brave women, and the healing ties of family.

A heart-warming story about a family and the struggles and trial of living during WWII. I really enjoyed the connection between the sisters and their grandmother, townspeople, etc. Hearing about the servicemen being on the beaches and the camp being on the island…it really made the wartime seem real. The island itself was a wonderful character of simplicity and really depicted the joy of reading a book at the beach and enjoying days without all the modern technical influences that fill our world today. This book was a peak into the past and Martha Hall Kelly did an amazing job bringing the feeling of this time period to life—days without busy roads and the sounds of cars and days without modern disruptions. This is my second book I’ve ready from Martha Hall Kelly and she didn’t disappoint. I absolutely love the easiness of her writing and would highly recommend this book to any WWII fans.
P.S. It has a cute mystery in it, and that adds a super fun twist!

I enjoyed reading about the different generations of women and how they are alike and different. A good blend of historical fiction and a beach read.

This is a WWII story set in the states. It follows the story of several women from each of their points of view. I have loved previous books by this author but this was far from my favorite. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy

While a good story, I thought this book was too shallow and pretentious for the seriousness of the situation. Also, the unfolding was frustrating rather than compelling.

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick interesting read for me. I love WW2 fiction but I mostly have read about people internationally so it was interesting to see one from an American perspective. I never thought about the troops actively training and practicing for future possible invasions so that was an interesting perspective. I always loved dual timeline stories and was eager to find out where they connected down the line and solve the mysteries with the characters.

This was a captivating book! The dual timeline and POV was so well done. You’ll find mystery, family secrets, spies, betrayal, love and friendship.

2016- Mari who just lost her mother and travels to Martha’s Vineyard to meet a reclusive painter whose name was found in her mother’s things.

1942 - sisters Briar, who is war obsessed and Cadence, an aspiring writer, set in Martha’s Vineyard. Along with best friend Bess who is also dating their brother, they form a wartime bookclub and help get books to the soldiers. This timeline was my favorite and so detailed.

As I kept reading, I couldn’t help wondering how these characters were connected but I allowed myself to be patient and enjoy the mystery.

This was a hit and historical fiction fans will love.

Thank you to the publisher Random House, author & NetGalley for the arc.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story set during World War II, but this time in American shores.

Although there were no actual battle sites on the mainland, there were skirmishes and infiltrations that were made along the east coast, as Germany made the most of sumbarine warfare.

My full review can be found here, and I'm glad to see Martha Hall Kelly back wth her well-written historical novels.

This is a work of fiction, yet is an historically accurate depiction of war time on Martha’s Vineyard, with characters inspired by real people, and events inspired by what was happening in the world in 1942. The title and cover are a little misleading. They feel a lot lighter than the story. This is a WWII story and while we don’t see the battlefield, we see the impact that the war has on the people here and it’s not all light with German u boats seeking glimpses of Allied practice maneuvers, a spy on the island, young men sent off to war who don’t return home or return forever changed.

The story, in spite of the serious issues, was a pleasure to read. The Smith sisters, Cadence and Briar, along with their friend Bess stole my heart. The book club started by Cadence and Bess is a reader’s delight as they give away a book each month to someone to read and pass on, when they bring boxes of books to the soldiers . The author pays tribute to the Armed Services project to produce pocket books small enough to fit in a soldier’s knapsack by imagining its start on the island. I loved the literary references, especially the numerous mentions of The Great Gatsby. (A coincidence that I had celebrated the 100th anniversary of my favorite book by listening to the audiobook just before reading this novel .) Reading Cadence’s columns in the Vineyard Gazette was a joy . They were funny, gave such a feel for the island , its inhabitants and what was happening .

There’s a current time frame component in 2016 with Mari visiting the island to discover her mother’s past . I found I didn’t connect with her as much as the characters in the earlier time frame. Perhaps because we don’t see a lot of her life. I did however, very much enjoy the novel, the eventual revelation ( which I guessed ) of her connection to the characters.

I received a copy of this from Random House through NetGalley.

Absolutely loved! Definitely for the lovers of Kristin Harmel and Elian Hilderbrand! All the cozy love of Martha's vineyard and historical fiction nuggets of a story untold!

The perfect summer read for historical fiction fans, this story is a wonderful combination of history, mystery, family drama, and romance. The contemporary story line of Mari, who is visiting the Vineyard to try to find out more about her mother's past, sets the scene. Mari meets up with famous reclusive painter Mrs. Devereaux, who shares stories of the World War II years on the island, centering around Cadence and Briar Smith, who form a wartime book club and donate books to soldiers stationed there. The through line of the story is the power of books to comfort and connect us during tough times - a particularly timely message these days. But alongside, we get stories of spies and betrayal, family secrets, first love, and bonds of friendship and family that transcend it all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. Mari is mourning the loss of her mother and among her things, she finds the name Elizabeth Devereaux in Martha's Vineyard. Arriving to find out who this woman is, Mari receives more information than she ever imagined. Ms. Devereaux tells the story of Briar, her sister Cadence and Cadence's best friend Bess living on the Smith family farm with Gram during WW2. How even in Martha's Vineyard, they are affected by the war with their brother Tom called to duty and the many training exercises the Army and Navy have on their shorelines. Martha Hall Kelly writes a story loosely based on her family and friends on the Vineyard. A story of love, loss and mystery. #TheMartha'sVineyardBeachandBookClub #MarthaHallKelly #RandomHouseBallatine #May2025

4.5 stars!⭐ Thank you to @randomhouse and @ballantinebooks for the advanced copy of this beautiful novel!

📚 The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly
🗓 Publication Date: May 27, 2025

This was such a rewarding read. It blends historical fiction, mystery, romance, and women’s fiction into one layered and emotionally rich story. Most of the novel takes place in 1942 and follows two sisters trying to keep their family farm going on Martha’s Vineyard as the war begins to reach their doorstep. With U-boats spotted just offshore, rumors of spies, a forbidden romance, and the formation of a wartime book club, their quiet island life becomes anything but ordinary.

In the present day, Mari Starwood visits the island after her mother’s passing, hoping to uncover more about her family’s past. What she finds ties her to the Vineyard in ways she never expected.

Martha Hall Kelly’s writing pulled me right in. She brings Martha’s Vineyard to life in such a vivid way - the setting practically leaps off the page. I also loved the alternating perspectives. Each one felt distinct, heartfelt, and really well developed. The 1940s storyline was especially absorbing, full of tension, tenderness, and a strong sense of sisterhood. I’ve read a lot of WWII books, but I didn’t know much about the U-boats off the East Coast or how the war impacted this part of the U.S. That historical angle felt unique and informative.

It was also fascinating to learn that many of the plot points were inspired by real events. Don’t skip the author’s note! It adds some great context and I absolutely loved her personal connection to the story.

My only small critique is that I didn’t connect with the present-day storyline quite as much as the historical one, but it’s a smaller part of the novel and didn’t take away from the overall experience.

I really recommend this one and just loved the characters so much. If you enjoy historical fiction, stories about strong women, or books that truly transport you to another time and place, definitely add this to your list. I think book clubs will have a lot to talk about.

✨ Out May 27, 2025!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s a beautiful story. I do love the nostalgic cover, but I do worry others wouldn’t pick it up because of that.

Martha Hall Kelly has done it again with The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club! This novel delivers a compelling story with well-developed characters and an engaging plot that kept me hooked from start to finish. I especially loved immersing myself in the world of the Smith girls—it felt like I was right there alongside them. Kelly’s rich storytelling and attention to historical detail make this another unforgettable read. Highly recommend!

Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is inspired by the author’s family history and summers spent on the island off the coast of Massachusetts. Martha Hall Kelly blends the two timelines into a puzzling mystery sketched out for Mari Starwood by the local artist Mrs. Devereaux. The story of sisters Cadence and Briar Smith during 1942 is filled with historical details but the main spotlight is on those left behind on Martha’s Vineyard. The visual, aromatic descriptions of the community of Vineyard Haven, the honeysuckle hedges, and the local lore depict Martha’s special love for the island. This novel pays tribute to the bonds of sisterhood, familial relationships, and the profound impacts of war through the conflict involving Cadence and Briar, the plight of Tom and Bess, and the life-changing discovery on the North Shore.
My favorite character is Cadence, whose side hustle is writing summaries and reviews. The wealthy women involved in publishing who visit the island, support Cadence and add an unexpected suspenseful layer to her dreams of working in New York City; it’s an exhilarating but exasperating thread in the novel. Briar, the quirky, independent, brilliant 16-year-old sister is a font of war information for her family and the reader! I enjoyed the precocious banter between “Briar the Liar” and the FBI agent, McManus.
There are several characters who add uncertainty and excitement to the plot. The suspicious activities of Tyson and Sandra, along with the encouraging, pie-baking Gram, and mostly irritating, unlikeable Margaret-a Jane Austen fan, so she earns points there- all have parts in the story being told by Mrs. Devereaux. MHK has an uncanny sense of ending chapters at a point where one simply must keep reading.
As the title suggests, Martha’s Vineyard Beach & Book Club is at the heart of the book. Like most book clubs, the book choice and discussion are important, but so is connecting daily lives! I love how Cadence calls impromptu meetings and announces the book choice in her weekly column! It turns out the Putnam yacht, Never Moor, plays a delightful role, a treat for the book club and for readers. Yes, the Putnam that published Edgar Allen Poe-you’ll learn so much, plus the club’s fabulous classic book choices.
Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a puzzling mystery and love story. A bracelet of golden hearts links three generations through devotion to family and choices forced by war.