There is a lot going on in this book, but thankfully, it all comes together in a way that makes sense. Interweaving the stories of four different women and two time periods is not easy, but Martha Hall Kelly has done it here and created a beautiful story. It is a story filled with the contradictions of following your heart while also taking care of your family.

I love that we have a World War Two story set entirely in the United States. I've read some that start here but end up in either Europe or the Pacific, but this one never leaves. Typically, we get a lot of post-war stories set in the US, so this was a nice change. We went through our own war efforts here, too, and I love that those stories are starting to have a more focused and deliberate place on the page.

I was totally engrossed in this story of the Smith family and how WW2 changed their lives forever on Martha's Vineyard. U=boats offshore, Nazi spies, rationing, love and romance, locals going off to war, sacrifices made. It is all here and your heart will burst for them.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club tells the story of what happens to a family when a live German soldier washes onto their property amidst World War II. As a big fan of Martha Hall Kelly's previous books, I really hoped this book would live up to some of its predecessors. The story was interesting, and I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen, but I did find it a bit all over the place, with different characters being pulled in many directions. I would recommend this book but caution it isn't the best one she's written.
Thank you to Martha Hall Kelly, Random House, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance reader copy.

I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed, each of Martha Hall Kelly’s books and this one is no exception! I love the thorough research she does for every book she writes and the pieces of actual history that she inserts into them. Be sure to read the author’s notes and you will see what I mean!
This particular book is a bit different from her others. It’s a nod to her mother’s past, as she grew up on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s quite descriptive (bit not overly!) and puts you in the right time and place of the story. You get the feeling that you’re in a small, tight knit community with some kindhearted people (although there are a few exceptions!). I loved learning about the pieces of WWII tied to this area. I definitely didn’t know about how close the war actually was to the northeastern part of our country! If you don’t follow Martha Hall Kelly on Instagram, I highly recommend it as she has done some videos talking about her research for this book and it’s incredible to hear!
The chapters give us mainly 2 points of view, of each of the sisters in this story and the cliffhanger endings of each chapter kept me reading on!
The other piece of this story that is a change from other books the author has written is that it is also a mystery, one that keeps you guessing throughout.
I really enjoyed getting to know the Smith family and their friends. I now want to go to Martha’s Vineyard and do some exploring!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Uboats off Cape Cod in 1942? Soldiers on maneuvers, an annoyingly hot British lieutenant, possible spies on Martha's Vineyard and two sisters drawn into all the wartime intrigue make this wonderful historical fiction book by Martha Hall Kelly a must read for the upcoming Summer season. Beautifully written, it will keep readers turning pages to see what will all unfold. For readers who loved the Lilac Girls and reminiscent of Beatriz Kelly's wonderful works.

Martha Hall Kelly transported me to Martha's Vineyard during WWII. What a fabulous story and well researched. The Smith family grows potatoes on their farm and sell baked goods at the farm stand. The sisters are all so different. Cadence writes for the local paper and is making a name for herself in the publishing world. The mysterious soldiers enjoy the Smith's land and and their Mother's bake goods.
Don't think cozy beach read on this one. Enjoy a whole new historical adventure on Island, you will not be disappointed.
Thank you for the ARC!

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly is a wonderful contribution to the genre of World War II historical fiction. The novel is somewhat suspenseful on multiple levels with a satisfying resolution at the end. The characters were very well drawn, including the island of Martha's Vineyard, which serves as a kind of character in the story. I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction and especially to novels with strong female characters.

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!

Unfortunately there were issues sending this book to my kindle. I reached out for assistance and was told it was showing up as all set. I did not get the opportunity to read via Netgalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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!