Member Reviews

Port Anna is the debut novel by Libby Buck. First, let me say that I adored this novel and didn’t want it to end. Gwen Gilmore has recently lost everything of value to her, so she heads north to her family’s cottage on the coast of Maine. Her mother has recently passed away, leaving the cottage to her, but when Gwen arrives she finds the cottage in a sad state of disrepair. The ghosts of the cottage (The Misses) are still there, making noises, moans, and slamming doors and cabinets. Much about the town is the same, the fog still rolls in, but there are huge changes such as the new real estate built and the strange, strained relationships between her old friends. Gwen hopes to find a job, settle into the cottage, and live a quiet life. She has sad memories from Port Anna including the death of her sister at a young age and she wants to be left alone. However, life has other plans for her if she can find the courage to change. She reconnects with old friends, meets a charming artist named Leandro, and becomes a friend to an unlikely companion along the way.

The pacing of this novel felt just right. I was never bored. The novel was interesting and I was heavily invested in Gwen and her story. There is also a historical fiction slant to the novel that I loved. The descriptions of the trees and the sea were beautiful. I can tell the author loves Maine and I can’t believe this is her first novel. I will be recommending this book to everyone. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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Port Anna is a debut novel by Libby Buck, and it tells the story of Gwen who is starting over in her life by moving back to her hometown on the coast of Maine.

I am going to do this review in a pros-and-cons format. Looking at other reviews tells me I am in a minority of people who struggled with this story, which makes me happy. Writing a book is a feat, so I don’t like being meh about someone’s work.

First, the pros:

I love Maine, and the descriptions of the setting in this story took me back to my time spent there on the coast.

I loved that our main character, Gwen, is dedicated to saving her family cottage. The cottage is old and quaint and needs a lot of work. I can identify with the desire to save an old place from development by those who prefer new places. So, hats off to our main character on the historic preservation.

I also appreciated Gwen's journey as she moved back to her old hometown after losing her fiancé, her mother, and her job. I am all about new beginnings, so I was rooting for her.

Last, but certainly not least, in the pro column is the book cover. It’s gorgeous!

Now the cons:

This book suffers from having too many things going on. Just to name a few:

There are too many characters; it is hard to keep them straight.

There is a side story about a ghost that could have been left out entirely because it did nothing to further the story and ended up just being an odd distraction.

There is also a storyline about a love interest for Gwen who insists on referring to her by a ridiculous nickname, and he does so far too many times throughout the book.

We also have shady real estate deal intrigue, financial insecurity, a runaway teenager, the trauma over Gwen’s younger sister who drowned, unresolved daddy issues, and a seal. Yes, a seal. The kind that swims in the ocean, not the wax closure on an envelope.

It is not a bad book, but also not a great book. It is, however, a good enough book that I am looking forward to seeing what this author does in the future.

My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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First time I have read this author. Gwen Gilmore has had her worst year. She lost her mother , her job and her not so great boyfriend. She moves back to Periwinkle into her family's aging cabin as she thought she had a teaching job there but that fell through too. She did however get another job at the high school. She runs into some of her old friends and meets a runaway girl in the forest behind this. Follow Gwen's journey and see how the friend she has made try to help her. Does she loose her family cabin or does she finally get a happy ending.. A VERY GOOD READ

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Foremost, this book is a love letter to the state of Maine. You know the feeling when you visit a place once, fall in love with it, and then think about it every single day for the next ten years? That's the feeling I got reading "Port Anna". The way Libby Buck renders Maine took me right back to Elizabeth Strout's masterful "Olive Kitteredge". On its face, the book is about Gwen Gilmore, a woman who moves back to her childhood home in the fictional town of Port Anna after her life falls apart in North Carolina. But the clear, true protagonist is Maine.

The prose was beautiful (reminiscent of Marilynne Robinson's writing in "Housekeeping", in parts), but the plot was just too slow for me. For all the time the author spends describing Maine, Gwen's character felt underdeveloped to me. We never even get a description of what she looks like. We get only a tiny sliver of her life in North Carolina. Only a few paragraphs on the toxic ex. Not a ton of time spent on her family history (we know about the tragic loss of her sister and her mother's reaction, but there's gotta be more).

That said, there's a lot to like here. You'll like it too if you're okay with the fact that this is a book that's less about the plot and more about the atmosphere.

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Her entire life Gwen felt guilt and shame over the role she unwittingly played in the drowning death of her little sister. The pain over what she’d done decades earlier led to an unfulfilled life, poor relationships, and poor finances. After the death of her mother she travelled back to the small town of Port Anna in Maine where she’d grown up. At Periwinkle, the family cottage overlooking the sea, she expected to set down permanent roots and start a new life as an English teacher.

Gwen’s plans shattered when the promised job fell through. She knows her part-time job will barely cover her daily needs and won’t do anything to pay down her medical bills or cover house and car repairs. Though she’s in love with an artist and renews her friendship with a childhood friend and his husband, Gwen refuses to let anyone know of her many problems. Periwinkle is her sanctuary, and she’ll do anything to keep it. Unfortunately Gwen makes a deal with the devil so, with the threat of losing Periwinkle, Gwen will have to learn to accept help when it’s given and turn over the leaf of forgiveness.

Though I enjoyed this book I was often annoyed at Gwen’s insistence on doing things her way. Independence is a good trait, but she took it to a much higher, unnecessary level. Descriptions of Maine’s forested and oceanic beauty were breathtaking, making me want to take a longer journey to the state where I’d only visited long enough to run a marathon.

Recommended for Adults.

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Thank you Net Galley and Simon & Shuster for an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This book was delightful and a different type of book I would normally read but I loved it and didn’t want it to end.
Gwen goes back to Maine where she grew up after being fired from, her job in North Carolina. She has nowhere to go but the rundown cottage that her parents owned. She runs into old friends she went to school with and doesn’t know how much one of them has changed. She has no money or job and one of the old friends offers to loan her enough money for the cottage and her bills . The cottage is haunted by friendly ghosts and she meets a young girl that is living in the woods beside the cottage. This book was written so well I was surprised it was her first book.
I would highly recommend it.

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Port Anna by Libby Buck is a beautifully atmospheric debut set along the coast of Maine. I loved the rich sense of place and, surprisingly, even enjoyed the supernatural elements. “The Misses” were a fascinating presence, always watching over the cottage and each other, adding a unique layer to the story. While it took some time for the novel to fully hook me, and I found myself wanting a bit more by the end, I still appreciated its quiet charm. I’ll be keeping an eye on this author—her storytelling is promising, and I imagine her work will only get better from here.

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Port Anna focuses on main character, Gwen, who is down on her luck and decides to move back to her family’s summer home in Port Anna, Maine. In Port Anna, Gwen must confront the figurative and literal ghosts of her past while trying to get a fresh start in her life.

Gwen’s story contains themes of romance, mystery, grief, betrayal, growth, found family, and even some magical realism. I think author Libby Buck did a fantastic job of setting the scene of this story. Her depictions of this fictional town made me want to book a trip to Maine ASAP. The story kept me entertained and overall I really enjoyed it. I’m so glad I took a chance on this author debut and this book will definitely be on my recommendation list.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and of course Libby Buck for this advanced copy!

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Port Anna was a disappointment for me. I really expected to like it more than I did. There was way too much crammed into a fairly short book for my liking. I never could figure out what the true message was. There was climate change, new buildings replacing historical buildings, a missing teen, reuniting with old friends, local history/myths, mystery, romance, birds, grief, and even ghosts. In this case, I didn’t find more is better. About the time something had my interest, the story went off in another direction.

Gwen returned to her family cabin in Maine to begin a different life. She reunited with her high school friends - some to be trusted and others not so much. She gets herself into a real estate nightmare while figuring out her life in Maine.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy. This book is released on July 1, 2025. The ratings on Goodreads have been very high so come July give it a try.

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Set along the coast of Maine, Port Anna is a story about 2nd chances, about friendships - old and new - and about love and forgiveness of yourself and others.

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What a fantastic debut novel! "Port Anna" is both a heartbreaking and heartwarming story that many will find incredibly relatable.

This must-read centers around Gwen Gilmore, who finds herself at a crossroads both personally and professionally. After inheriting her mother’s home following her recent passing, she decides to return to her small hometown in Maine. Here, she embarks on the journey of creating a new normal in a very familiar place.

This novel is packed with depth and emotion on every page! As Gwen navigates her challenges, I appreciated how Libby Buck framed Periwinkle, Maine, as a healing balm for both the characters and the readers. I loved Gwen's journey, and I felt her character arc was incredibly organic. I'm amazed that this is Libby Buck’s first novel, and I will certainly read everything she writes in the future!

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Port Anna is a charming debut novel about hope and second chances. Fans of J. Courtney Sullivan and Sarah Addison Allen will enjoy Gwen's story of looking for a fresh start at her family's Maine coast cottage, with its resident spirits. At times, I found the myriad characters and subplots slightly confusing and overwhelming, and some of Gwen's choices (or lack thereof) frustrating, but the way everything (and almost everyone) came together in the end was a satisfying conclusion.

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This book had me confused. The plot felt like it was all over the place. I wasn't sure if this was a romance or a thriller. I feel like it had potential, it was just a little too chaotic for me.

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You should 100% read this when it’s released!

I’m such a fan! Going on this adventure with Gwen and watching as she makes her home in Port Anna was very heartwarming. There were instances where I got confused, and that calls for the 4 stars. I felt a little too confused through the story and was left with questions. Overall, I loved the concept of the Misses, Gwen’s backstory, and how the rest of characters come from that backstory. I loved Shina and how she was a pivotal part of this story! Hugh was something else and so was Leandro. I’m such a fan of Leandro. He seems so sweet and so handsome. I would love to visit this place and meet the characters. I feel like I connected with each one of them!

4/5 stars for friends, finding your home, and standing up to real estate injustice!

**Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy! I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

I LOVED this novel. This is reminiscent of Catherine Newman’s Sandwich (another awesome novel), as stated in the description. I would say this skewed a bit more serious, though, and there's nothing bad about that. This novel follows Gwen, a down-on-her luck 40-something with a tragic past. Gwen moves back to her family's summer cottage in Maine, totally unprepared for the harsh winters there. This is a story about coming to terms with trauma, with creating a found family, with learning to find your purpose. There are parts of this novel that are tough, but the writing is so good. Read this if you want a slow, simmering literary story with a great setting.

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Port Anna is the debut novel by Libby Buck. I really enjoyed reading Port Anna, lots of interesting and well written characters. The novel flowed well and held my attention.

Gwen comes back home to Maine and is reintroduced to many folks she hasn't interacted with since high school. A lot has changed, a lot hasn't.

Port Anna, Maine is a fictional location; but Libby Buck's family had a cottage in Maine and she seems very well versed with the fine folks from that area of the country.

Definitely a worth debut novel in my opinion.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Publishers for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Port Anna in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Jul 1, 2025. Approx 352 pages.

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Gwen Gilmore must cope with a life that has suddenly worsened. Her mother has passed away, and she lost her teaching job and long-term boyfriend. Anxious to get away and start a new life, she packs her ailing car and heads to the Maine coastal town of Port Anna, where Periwinkle, her family’s long-time home, is located.
Hoping that her childhood home will open up opportunities for a new life, she suddenly faces the old and painful memories she may never forget – old friends, dreams of a future that never happened, and a sister whose life tragically ended at such a young life.
Periwinkle is still the cozy she always remembered. Although it requires extensive repair, everything else is the same, including the friendly spirits she calls the Misses, who move about the cottage day and night. Unfortunately, the town is changing to meet the demands of its location and popularity with visitors to the coast. Condos are replacing many homes along the coast, and one relentless realtor is threatening Periwinkle. Gwen finds that her house has been condemned because of the repairs it needs, which she can’t afford. She now faces having to leave her childhood home.
Despite it all, Gwen continues to seek new possibilities and opportunities, but things in the town's past continue to haunt her. As the town prepares for the harsh winter ahead, Gwen soon finds the changes she will have to make in her life will lead her far astray from the life she had always dreamed of having.

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I really enjoyed this sweet tale of a woman trying to find her way in the world while dealing with loss, grief and how she takes charge of her life. The setting is lovely as are the friendships and relationships she makes in a new place. Cosy read.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, & the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I need time to really think before deciding on what to rate this one because it was beautifully written, but I never felt fully invested or captivated by the story. It felt like too much was going on at all times. There were so many characters, and none of them were very well developed in my opinion, mostly because I couldn’t picture them in my head or tell them apart for a while there. I couldn’t figure out friend or foe either for most of the story, but I think that may have been the point?!

I’m actually a fan of the paranormal, and I really enjoyed the sprinkles of that thrown in amongst the chaos of this book. I looked forward to it, and I almost wish there was a hint more depth to it. I wanted more of Anna’s story, and I actually wanted to hear more about the Misses!!! I just wanted more from this! It was exciting, and I was waiting for Molly the entire book…

I am not sure if it was the TINY font on my phone reading this arc or the story itself that kept me bobbing for (let’s just keep it clean here) apples…I nodded off almost every time I picked this arc up. I felt like it took me forever to finish, and it was not a long story at all. The last 20% I did not want to put down…


***possible spoilers?!? Don’t read beyond this if you are like me & never read the back of the book first lol…







Once Hugh’s true nature was discovered I was horrified. I knew something was up with all the hints dropped, but if all of these supporting characters were truly friends of Gwen’s…how did this happen?! It was too easy & too annoying for me. I felt so confused how no one warned her about him knowing she was spending time and knowing how he truly was. SHOCKED!

That ending is what has me really wanting to leave four stars. I just don’t think I can ultimately because the entire story as a whole was three stars for me. It was good!! I just wouldn’t read it again personally or run to tell everyone I know about it either. I did feel that it was a beautifully written story, and I genuinely enjoyed it. The ending was 4.5 stars, but the book was 2-3 for me, so I’m leaving 3.7 stars for this one as a whole. I will absolutely pick up her next book!!

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Gwen Gilmore is a woman whose life has recently fallen apart. 40ish, single, completely broke, and jobless, she moves into the small Maine summer cottage previously owned by her now-deceased mother. The cottage is haunted by the Misses, a pair of sassy women who built and lived in the cottage prior to Gwen's family owning it - a charming touch of magical realism. Overall, though, this is a very poignant story of a woman finding herself and a community. A colorful cast of characters (and an almost cartoonish villain) round out this easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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