⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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!

This is a warm, feel-good summer read about friendship, fresh starts, and the healing power of a good book club. Set on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard, the story brings together a group of women, each facing her own challenges, who find comfort and connection through books and each other.

Easy to enjoy, the perfect beach read!

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

I adore spending time at the beach, nestled beneath a yellow beach umbrella with sand warm between my toes. The salty breeze carries the scent of the sea, mingling seamlessly with the familiar aroma of sunscreen, while a captivating book rests in my hands. If you’re searching for that ideal beach read, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Martha's Vineyard Beach & Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly.

This novel takes you on a journey that begins in present-day 2016 & swiftly transports you back to 1942. At its heart, it tells the story of the Smith sisters, Cadence & Briar & their friend Bess. Their remarkable journey is one you won't want to miss. The story is inspired by Martha Hall Kelly's family history on Martha's Vineyard. She spent a great deal of time researching WWII life on the island & all of that effort enriches the narrative. The novel kicks off with the intriguing Elizabeth Devereaux, a reclusive, aging icon of the art world residing on Martha's Vineyard, & 34-year-old Mari Starwood, who finds herself granted access to the icon through a private art class with Ms. Devereaux.

I truly appreciated how beautifully the past, present, & hints of the future intertwine throughout the story. The cast of characters is vividly portrayed, even those who grace the pages only briefly. You’re sure to find a favorite among the many fictional characters. Briar spoke to me with all her eccentricities.

By the end, the two stories weave masterfully into one, providing a satisfying glimpse into what lies ahead for our central character, Mari. The prose is exquisite, and the setting is simply ideal, transporting readers to another time and place. This book is a perfect choice for book clubs, brimming with themes ripe for discussion. I found myself reluctant to reach the end, but grateful for the journey. Who wouldn’t want to explore Martha’s Vineyard, whether in the past, the present, or simply through the pages of a beautifully crafted story?

Thanks are extended to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for ARC.

#TheMarthasVineyardBeachandBookClub
#NetGalley
#WWII
#bookstagram

I loved how the events unfolded, and the fact that they're based on a true story made them even more special. I loved the book club angle and the message that books can bind us and save us.

I was so excited to read this book as soon as I saw the title! Bookish books are so fun! I really enjoyed this book and the suspense leading up to the climax of the book. The last few chapters were kind of a let down for me as they weren't as exciting as the rest of the book. I loved the modern day storyline too and wish we could have had more of it. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it! Thanks to netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I have to admit that this is my first Martha Hall Kelly book. I’ve had LILAC GIRLS on my shelf for years, yet still haven’t read it. I was completely excited about this one, and I thought it would be the perfect read for me. It’s a sister story set during WWII, where they start a book club, and it features a dual timeline—all things I would typically love.

First, we meet Mari, traveling to Martha’s Vineyard in 2016 to try to find out more information about her deceased mother. The chapters with Mari were limited, and I often forgot there was even a present-day character. I actually think her story was fairly unnecessary.

The Smith family sisters are helping their Gram run their family farm right next to the ocean on Martha’s Vineyard. Since the war is going on, the area is used for training for the military, and their farm is in the center of the training. Young women and military men nearby mean there is likely to be a bit of romance as well as struggles due to the military’s demands and expectations.

“They say you should have one friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry, and Bess Stanhope was both.”

Cadence is an aspiring writer, and her sister, Briar, is a bit of a tomboy who sits in her tree watching for the German U-boat that she swears she keeps seeing offshore. Unfortunately, no one will believe her. Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club that, besides reading the classics, also includes creating books for the troops, including Cadence and Briar’s brother, Tom, who has been sent off to war. Bess and Tom are in love, but Bess’s wealthy mother does not approve of their relationship.

“Sometimes it was helpful to have an overly inquisitive sister.”

When a mysterious man washes ashore, possibly from the suspected U-boat, everything felt a bit far-fetched and over-the-top to me. I think there was just too much going on all at once, and I felt it took the enjoyment of the reading away from me.

“Celia lit a cigarette, ‘They say television will be the death of reading.'”

The one thing I will say about Kelly’s writing is that she does a really good job of leaving a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter. She makes you want to keep reading to know what will happen next, big or small. The author’s note at the end offered her reason for writing the story, her personal connection to it, and actual historical information used in the story. I appreciated knowing that Martha’s Vineyard was really a training area for the military, and many of the things mentioned in the story were based on fact.

Martha Hall Kelly definitely immerses you into the lives of her characters and the place. But I felt like the excessive details and constant drama took away from really enjoying the story. This isn’t a story you can just read a few chapters at a time. There are so many things happening, it can be hard to pick back up and remember all that was going on since the last time you read it. I am certain that there was extensive research done for this story, and the personal connection made this even more special for the author. I just think a few things could have been cut, including Mari’s story and Cadence’s articles, as well as some of the far-fetched happenings.

Loved this enjoyable beach read / summer book. I finished it while on the airplane and it transported me to another place and time. A fun one for book clubs as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me. It’s actually a DNF at 40%, but NetGalley wouldn’t allow me to not give any stars, so I gave it 3⭐️. It’s not a poorly written book, it just wasn’t good enough for me to continue. So sorry, but I do think others may like this book if you like more of a slow character story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.