This title is intriguing due to the unique setting. The author’s personal ties to Martha’s Vineyard show in the exceptional descriptions and fondness for the people. A WWII book set on the east coast of the US provides a rare look at the American home front experience. Worth a read for those interested in this time period.

This book was incredible! It is a 10 out of 5 stars. What a unique view of the war as it was occurring and how it affected Marthas Vineyard of the time. The multiple character stories brought this book to life. HIGHLY recommend. Especially for book loving friends or a book club. LOVED IT!

This was a good historical fiction piece that had a little bit of everything: Drama, mystery, romance, etc. I thought it was really predictable, especially the present day timeline, but the WWII era timeline had more suspense. I feel like the book club piece could have been more clever but I liked Candace’s pieces in the paper. And I thought gils storyline could have wrapped up better. But overall it was an enjoyable read.

Although a work of fiction, this story has characters inspired by real people. Starts in 2016 when 34 year old Mari Starwood in California finds the name of artist Elizabeth Devereaux amongst her moms’ belongings. She goes to Martha’s Vineyard to try to figure out the connection while pretending to attend an artist’s workshop run by Elizabeth who now lives on Martha’s Vineyard on a farm on the waterfront.

While there, Elizabeth is telling a story from years ago. Cadence and Briar Smith were sisters who ran the farm in 1942 during WWII with their grandmother. Cadence, the older sister dreams of a job in publishing and Briar the younger of the two is more of a tomboy and pretty spunky. Both of their parents had died. Their brother Tom was called to the war.

Bess (Cadence and Briar’s friend) and Cadence start a book club to donate to the soldiers stationed on Martha’s Vineyard. Bess fell in love with Tom, Cadence’s brother. Bess is estranged from her wealthy parents because of it and lives at the farm. Bess and Cadence were friends first. As the war continues, Briar believes there may be a spy on the island and believes she sees a German u-boat off the shore.

I really found this to be an enjoyable historical fiction novel. I love the idea of the book club for the service men which apparently was loosely based on the Books in Action: Armed Services Editions. I recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction especially in the era of WW II.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly – this is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love. We have the modern day story set in 2016 interwoven with the 1942 story, and honestly I couldn’t put this down. What’s not to love about strong female characters facing hardships head on, all without losing their love of books. It’s a beautiful read, wonderful setting and really is the perfect summer read.

For those of you assuming this is just a fluff book about a bunch of women in a book club in 1942...think again. It's so much more, alternating between WWII on Martha's Vineyard and 2016, telling the stories of these women's lives and wrapping around a mystery. It's actually a lovely story of love, loss, friendship, family and struggles during the war but uniquely set in this beautiful area that was very different during 1942 war time. You'll fall in love and root for the characters and want to hug them as well for their pain and sadness. The ending comes together nicely unfolding the mystery and answering the questions surrounding the family. I really enjoyed this one and recommend it as a great beach read this summer especially for fans of historical fiction! My thanks to Random House/Ballantine for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I only made it a third of the way through this one before I put it down. It was a snore.

WWII on Martha's Vineyard. The women are trying to keep the income flowing while they men are at war. The Germans are spotted off the coast, but no one believes it when it is called in. Troops are training and commandeering private homes and farms and now a man has fled the U-boat for safety in the US. What do they do? Help him and risk imprisonment themselves or turn him in which would likely kill him.

All this while trying to have a book club, collect book for the troops that don't weigh them down and try to get jobs in NY. I hope they achieved their goals, but didn't care enough to read any further.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a warm, satisfying read. Set during World War II, it follows two sisters on Martha’s Vineyard who start a book club that becomes their anchor in uncertain times. I loved the setting — it was cozy but not overly quaint, and the historical details were woven in beautifully. The characters felt real and relatable, and I appreciated how it explored sisterhood, community, and the power of storytelling. It made me want to start a book club with my own family. Perfect for fans of historical fiction with heart.

This was a wonderful book. Briar and Cadence were delightful characters. It would have been fun to spend time with them talking books, history, etc. The author does a great job of melding fact and fiction. The story has some pretty good surprises. I enjoyed the afterword, learning the inspiration for the characters and events featured in the book.

This book broke me of my reading slump. It was an easy and fun read about 2 sisters living on Martha's Vineyard during WW2, but from the perspective of Mrs. Devereaux. It's a group of sisters and their friends who start a book club. It's a great combination of fiction and history. I was attracted to this book based on the cover and the location. I have always wanted to go to Martha's Vineyard. Through this book, it felt like I was there.

I really like WW2 novels that focus on something unusual. This was an interesting story, and I loved the book club idea. The mystery and intrigue about who the Nazi was, was a nice touch. I also liked that Briar seemed to be almost autistic coded, but was still loved and accepted.

Present time has Mari visiting Martha's Vineyard to meet stranger Mrs. Devereaux, whom Mari believes has a connection to her mother. Getting to know each other, Mrs. Devereaux tells Mari about the history of a local home.

In the dual timeline, it's the 1940s and the U.S. is at war. Sisters Cadence and Briar, close friend Bess, and their grandmother are trying to hold things down and keep their family farm running. Concurrently, the girls' brother is deployed, and troops are in training on Martha's Vineyard, where it seems there also is a spy. Cadence and Bess start the titular book club as an attempt at normalcy, while life is anything but.

The book had really great storytelling about a time that I don't know much about. Obviously I know WWII but more what was happening in Europe. I don't know nearly enough about life in the States at that time so I was intrigued by the details Martha Hall Kelly provided, especially around books and publishing at that time. Because of rationing, budgeting and businesses closing, many libraries were forced to close so books were at a premium. In this story, for the bookclub, one book would be shared among all those who were interested in reading it. Setting aside the circumstances under which this came to be, the idea of an entire island sharing one book was so endearing and special. You could sense how worn a book would become simply from having so many hands on it.

I was completely engaged in the 1940s timeline that I almost forgot we had a present time story. You kind of know they are going to come together - as majority dual timelines do - but I lost interest in Mari and that side of the story.

My challenge with the book was each chapter alternating POVs of Cadence and Briar. The author didn't give enough time for each one so it felt choppy. At one point, they start coming together as one narrative but then abruptly changing POV broke the flow. I don't mind multiple POVs but would have given each sister more than one chapter at a time.

While I didn't get to read this in time for the launch date, I appreciate the advanced copy from NetGalley

First of all, I’d like to thank Ballentine Books for this ARC!
The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a wonderful story told from several points of views and in two different decades.
Mari, in 2016 has found herself on Martha’s Vineyard taking an art class with a famous french painter all because of her late mother. But Mari does have an ulterior motive for the visit.
In 1942, sisters Cadence and Briar live with their grandmother on their farm in Martha’s Vineyard. Tom, their brother , has recently been shipped off overseas to fight against hitler and his nazi’s.
There is so much more that lies beneath the simple story.
I adore multiple POV books. This story had me always had me captivated by the end of each chapter making me want to immediately start the next one. I originally thought the story was mostly going to consist of farm life, but as the story went on, there were so many twists and turns regarding cadence and briar time line. There were moments the story felt to chaotic but ultimately I did enjoy the plot and the mystery

I really enjoy this world war II story told from the perspective of three women. I don't generally choose historical fiction titles, but I loved this one. It jumps from past to present, but is mostly told in the past. It drew me in and had good character developement with a satisfying ending.

This was a great historical fiction novel - set during WWII in Martha’s Vinyard - with a small modern day setting sprinkled here and there.

A love of literature is the common bond shared by a group of young ladies and they form a book club. There is, however, intrigue surrounding a German submarine spotted offshore, and American troops training on the main land.

I always enjoy the author’s note at the end, and @marthahallkelly gives us extensive information about what is true and who inspired the characters in the book.

I breezed through this and was rooting for the girls in the club!

Thank you, @netgalley for my advance copy!

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Really enjoyed this new book by @marthahallkelly the author of one of my favorites, Lilac Girls! Perfect if you love historical fiction, specifically about WWII. This beautiful story captured my heart. If you have spent any time on The Cape and Islands you will love this historically accurate depiction of wartime on Martha’s Vineyard.

I’m lucky to call Cape Cod my second “home” and to enjoy a view of the Vineyard every time I visit my favorite beach. This story gives my beach view a whole new perspective.

Next up on my to-read list is another newly released Vineyard based book - Our Last Vineyard Summer.

Be sure to check out this perfect summer beach read! 🌊

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to @marthahallkelly @netgalley and @ballantinebooks for this opportunity!

I liked the beginning of the story and then it really lagged for me. I got the audiobook to help me finish it because I just wasn’t wanting to read the story. I liked the ending and the author’s note. I’ve liked her other books a lot. It this one fell flat for me.

**The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club** by Martha Hall Kelly is a comforting, sun-soaked escape perfect for summer-day reading. Kelly masterfully blends the warmth of lifelong friendships with the joy of discovering literary treasures, all set against the idyllic backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard. The characters are delightfully relatable—each with their own charms and quirks—and the way the book club brings them together is uplifting and feel-good. It's a heartfelt celebration of community, books, and second acts that leaves you smiling and thoroughly content.

2016 Martha’s Vineyard

Mari, a free spirit from Los Angeles, has just lost her mother and has come to the island to find out why her mother has been in contact with the reclusive painter, Elizabeth Devereaux. As far as Mari is aware, there is no connection between her mother, this artist, and this farm on Martha’s Vineyard. Elizabeth tells her she’s mistaken, and what unfolds is a thrilling WWII story involving U boats off the shore, a German spy amidst the island residents and vacationers, a start-up bookclub, a war-time reading challenge, and a mysterious man washed up on the beach. 

1942 Martha’s Vineyard.
Are there actually German U-Boats just off the shore? 16 year old Briar is convinced there are. She’s seen them.

Briar is the youngest of the three orphaned Smith children, who live on the family farm with their ailing grandmother. She’s curious and unconventional. Unsurprisingly, she’s also not a rule-follower and cares little about her reputation, including her nickname “Briar the Liar,” earned by continually reporting the U-boats she sees off-shore. When she discovers a mysterious box containing Nazi jewelry and photos, Briar is determined to expose the spy in their midst.

Cadence is Briar’s 19 year old sister and the complete opposite of Briar. She is beautiful, responsible, an avid reader, and dreams of a life in NYC as a book editor. Their brother Tom has just enlisted as an Army Ranger, leaving behind his pregnant fiancée, Bess, who lives on the farm with the other women, trying to protect it and its crops from the encroaching Army camp abutting the property.

WWII stories feel overdone at the moment, but as this story takes place in the US and concerns German spies among us, a subject not often covered in this genre, there was a freshness to it. I also have to say I LOVED Cadence’s spunk; this woman denied a college education charges each “richie” vacationer for every book summary she provides them so they aren’t outed as non-readers in their snobby island book club! A riot!

Thanks to NetGalley and to Ballantine Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What I continue to love about the historical fiction of Martha Hall Kelly is how she writes about historical events/times, but builds stories around happenings of that time that aren't as well known. I also love the women that she centers in her stories and the relationships they have. This was once again her doing what she does best. This book focuses on two sisters and shows the impacts and connections to World War II through their time on Martha's Vineyard. There is also a present-day connection (and I do love a dual time) about what happened back then that I really enjoyed. This book is full of so many things - of history, of feels, and just wonderful storytelling. A historical fiction read with beach read vibes was just the perfectly timed read in my life. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this May 2025 release!