Beautiful dual timeline story of 2 sisters growing up during WWII. This book had me captivated from the first page and the writing is beautiful!!!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the chance to read and review this wonderful book!

I really enjoyed The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club! Cadence and Briar were such compelling characters—especially Briar. I’ve always loved the name Briar Rose, and if only we could all be as bold as she is.

Martha Hall Kelly does a fantastic job of blending historical fact with engaging fiction. I had read about the German spies caught on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII, but I had no idea there were actual Nazi towns in the U.S.—a fascinating and unsettling piece of history.

My only small gripe is that I tend to prefer books with a bit more dialogue, but that’s just a personal preference. The dual timelines worked well, and the novel’s exploration of resilience, sisterhood, and the power of books made it a worthwhile read. A solid recommendation for fans of historical fiction with strong female leads!

*will post on instagram closer to pub date* THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD BEACH AND BOOK CLUB by Martha Hall Kelly ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book has such a unique approach to a WWII Novel. It takes place in Martha’s Vineyard (dreamy), and has a mystery mixed in that hooks you from the start! Cadence won me over so quickly. I think one of my favorite parts about this book are the articles she writes scattered throughout. So perfect and funny!

Cadence and Briar Smith form a book club and a come up with a great idea to create compact books for soldiers fighting in the war. While doing this, the family of women must work to keep their family farm afloat.

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025.

Perfect if you like:
•WWII in Martha’s Vineyard.
•Back and forth timeline.
•Mystery!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (implied intimacy)
Mood: 🍞🍷

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BallantineBooks for an ARC of Martha Hall Kelly's new novel.

I really enjoyed this book. The story flips timelines and character perspectives, first in 2016 we have Mari Starwood, she is traveling to Martha's Vineyard after the passing of her mom. She is following some trails her mom left before she passed. The other timeline is in 1942 Martha's Vineyard, spanning across the summer months. This timeline follows two Smith sisters, Cadence and Briar, as well as some family and friends they gather along the way. There are two major "mysteries" for the reader and characters to figure out. One involves the characters and the timelines converge nicely. Then there is also espionage and possible treason on the island and our Smith family ends up tied in the drama of it all.

Kelly notes that the Army and Navy were working on plans for D-Day on Martha's Vineyard, I enjoy when historical fiction includes some true events so this added to the atmosphere of the novel. The rest of the story is fictionalized which was fine as it allows for Kelly to tie all her points together.

This novel is a great summer read for historical fiction fans!

I do like a story within a story and this is one of those great storytelling books.

It is 2016 and Mari Starwood has lost her mother and is grieving. She finds the name Elizabeth Devereaux, a renowned artist who live on Martha’s Vineyard, among her mothers belongings and decides she needs to visit to find out what the relationship was.
We are taken on a journey back to Martha’s Vineyard during WWII and learn of the Smith sisters - Cadence and Briar, their brother Tom and their grandmother, Gram. Tom is in love with Bess and she now lives with the Smith family.
Elizabeth tells Mari a story of the family and their life on the Vineyard while German U-boats were seen off shore and military operations were being undertaken up in the hill.
There is mystery, intrigue, a spy among the Vineyard community, family secrets that all make this a great weekend read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly
Pub Date: May 27, 2024

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. This historical fiction war book is a great mix or modern and old, coming together to tell a story you could not believe. Melding 2024 and 1942 traversing time to tell a remarkable story of the power of literature to unite communities, acclaimed author Martha Hall Kelly's epic novel explores one of America's most renowned locales and its role at the forefront of the greatest war humankind has ever known.

The Book completely surprised me. I originally wanted to DNF a little bit in the beginning because I was bored and did not understand what was going on, but I am glad I did not. I loved every second of one my brain clicked with everything. It was about little in-between to the middle of book where I was sucked in. I could not stop reading!

I highly recommended his read if you are looking for a fresh take on historical fiction or a War World II book. I think this book will do great things this year!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book - historical fiction, dynamic characters, multi-POV, dual timelines, with Martha’s Vineyard as the backdrop. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cadence and Briar are two teenaged girls living on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII. There are military groups on the island and they are practicing for an invasion, while German uboats are patrolling off the coast. Lots going on in this story, based on the author’s family history on the island. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. Expected to publish in the US on May 27, 2025.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. I actually think the cover and title make it seem like it will be a lighthearted beach read. Instead it is a very well written story about what it was like to live on Martha's Vineyard during WW2 when residents were on the lookout for U-boats and dealing with military operations being practiced on their beaches. A piece of American history that is probably only known to those who lived in the area or who had family in the area during this time period.

Drawn to the vintage photo on the cover, I found myself compelled right from the start by this beautifully written time slip novel set on Martha's Vineyard.

Mari Starwood, grieving her mother, visits the island in 2016 to meet renown artist Elizabeth Devereaux after she finds the painter's name in her mother's belongings. What she learns ties her mother back to 1942 on the Vineyard, when German U-boats were spotted right offshore.

This glorious read features romance and suspense, irresistible characters, a war-time book club, a forbidden relationship with a member of the enemy, loving sisters fighting to safeguard the family farm, and gorgeous descriptions of the Vineyard that render it as important as any character. Histfic fans will adore it!

I am in the minority with book, that is why I kept reading. I kept thinking there must be something I am missing. I just could not get into this book. There were too may characters that blended into each other. I couldn't follow who was who and it just became too confusing. It was just so slow. I just didn't care about anyone or what was happening. It was a DNF for me.

- [ ] I DNF this book, I just couldn’t get into the story. Too slow moving for me. I have tried to read it two different times. Therefore, I will let other reviewers who enjoy this book promote it, so I will not be posting on social media or reviews on retail sites. That way, this book gets much deserved attention from those reviewers who loved it!

I havent finished this book yet. As a matter of fact I have just gotten started on it. But I have found an inaccuracy that I find warrants letting someone know now. In chapter 2, that takes places in 1942, Tom is being shipped out to war from Fort Moore, GA. Fort Benning, GA was not renamed Fort Moore until 2023. It was renamed Fort Moore after Hal Moore who wasn't even in the military in 1942. He started Westpoint, at 20 years old in 1942. He wasn't the famous Hal Moore that we all know and love now until the 1960s when he was in Vietnam.
I really love Martha Hall Kelly's books but this inaccuracy needs to be addressed. As an Armywife whose husband retired from Fort Benning in 2016 and a family that currently lives a few miles away from the current Fort Moore, this is a huge disrespect to the soldiers that have served at the army post..
I am going to finish the book solely because I love her books. I will do another review when I finish.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Ramey
Wife of a 100% disabled Retiree out of Fort Benning, GA

Martha Hall Kelly is one of my go-to authors of historical fiction. I was excited to receive an ARC of her newest release.

The book opens in 2016 and then switches to 1942. The 1942 has three main characters' point of view on Martha's Vineyard. Every chapter switches the POV and often leaves the reader with more questions. I know that I am in the minority and that this book is loved by most. I found that the main characters fell flat. There was not one character that I found myself rooting for or even enjoying. Besides too many POV there were too many different topics.

Maybe the author's note should be at the beginning of the story. I found the note more interesting than the book.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy of Mary Alice Monroe's The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a delightful escape into a world of friendship, self-discovery, and the joys of reading. Set on the charming Martha’s Vineyard, this novel combines the soothing allure of a beachside setting with the warmth of human connection, making it the perfect beach read.

The story follows a diverse group of women who come together at the local beach club. Each of them is dealing with their own life challenges and personal struggles, but their bond over a shared love of books creates a sense of camaraderie and healing. The novel weaves in themes of second chances, the power of literature to connect and inspire, and the importance of community.

One of the highlights of the book is its vibrant characters. Monroe does a fantastic job of developing multi-dimensional women, each with their own unique backstory and personality. The dynamic between the club members feels genuine, and readers will quickly find themselves invested in their lives. Whether it’s the mature and wise Eleanor, the free-spirited and adventurous Grace, or the more reserved and introspective Lila, there’s a character for everyone to root for.

Monroe’s writing is warm and engaging, and she excels at capturing the beauty and peacefulness of Martha’s Vineyard. The setting itself is almost like a character in the novel, with its scenic landscapes and quiet charm. It’s easy to imagine yourself lounging on the beach, surrounded by the sound of the waves and the scent of saltwater, as the women read and discuss their latest book.

The book club aspect is also a wonderful touch. The novels they read serve as both a source of entertainment and a means of exploring deeper life lessons. This gives the story a reflective quality as the characters’ lives mirror the themes of the books they read.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club isn’t just about fun in the sun; it’s about the transformative power of friendship, literature, and personal growth. There are emotional moments that tug at the heartstrings, but there’s also plenty of joy and humor to balance it out.

Overall, if you’re looking for a heartwarming and uplifting read that celebrates friendship, life’s challenges, and the magic of books, Mary Alice Monroe’s novel is a perfect choice. Whether you're lounging on a beach or curled up at home, this book

This is not your typical beach read. I found the time period and topic interesting. It moved a bit slow for me.

When we think of Martha’s Vineyard, we have this image of wealth with tourists and their huge yachts being seen at exclusive clubs.

Yet, there is another fascinating side of this 26-mile island when it was used partly as a military training base during WWII. I learned more about short-wave radios and everything they had to do to maintain normal lives like book clubs.

The story had two timelines. It started in 2016 when 34-year-old Mari departed from LA to Martha’s Vineyard to take a class taught by a famous female artist in her 90s. Then the chapters shifted into 1942 which was the bulk of the story at a farm next to a harbor on Vineyard Haven. This area was used as a lookout for any suspicious activity from the Germans.

It was well written and filled with unexpected twists and romance, keeping me reading late into the evening hours. It had excellent imagery of the women who didn’t find it easy when too many close friends and family members passed. It made me think of the days before the internet when people relied on each other in different ways – worthy of a book discussion.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 27, 2025.

I was drawn to this book by both its title and cover. I always look at books that are about books and the 1940s look of this one also appealed to me. True confession-I had never before read anything by this author. I will definitely be reading from her backlist as I very much enjoyed this title.

Martha’s Vineyard…WWII…Sisters…Relationships…Those who may want to stay or leave…Class distinctions…Publishing…Books…all excellent ingredients for (historical) fiction.

The story came to life as a character in the present travels to Martha’s Vineyard to learn more about her recently deceased mother. The artist with whom she connects, Elizabeth Devereaux, has a lot to say and this forms the part of the narrative set in the past. Much happens to Cadence and Briar as readers will discover.

Through this novel, I learned something about what life was like for the islanders during WWII. Think u-boats for one. This was interesting as it was a change from the many stories set in France during the period.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or good stories about women will want to pick this one up.

Of interest is the author’s note about what inspired her to write this novel.

Many thanks to Random House and Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.

The Martha’s Vineyard Beach & Book Report by Martha Hall Kelly was a fun trip back in time on the island! While so much has changed, the natural beauty and magic of the island remains. Despite summering on the island for over two decades, I knew very little about how World War 2 impacted Martha’s Vineyard. The many plot twists had me turning pages until the end! I would love to see a sequel about Mari!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

This was a really enjoyable story about WWII and the very real threat of German submarines off the eastern coast of the US. It brought together the characters with the situation in a way that brought more understanding about how the people who really lived through that time might have felt about the threat that existed. The people on the island and coast had a different level of threat and worry than others did and it was interesting to read about how that might have played out.

I loved the idea of the girls creating a book club on the beach and the dream that one of the characters had of working with a big publisher at some time. The fact that dreams can come true in various ways, including someone else's opportunity not working out, was explored well in this story. Opportunities looked different for the characters than we tend to envision and it meant the story was intriguing.

The story was a bit burdened by the dual timeline and I would have enjoyed it more without the present day portion of the storyline. The WWII setting would have been a great story all on its own. In fact, each time the present day came back, I found myself disoriented in the story and had to go back (difficult to do on an ebook) to figure out what was happening within the current day portion and who the people were.

This was a really good story, despite the dual timeline, and I would be pleased to recommend it.