Fern Michaels’ Smuggler’s Cove brings a captivating idea that links to mystery and family secrets and new life possibilities. The story seems to have a lot of emotional depth and the kind of character development that fans of her work will be familiar with. But this particular book is not without its flaws; this one has some issues with pacing and a big difference between the two halves of the book.

While the second half of the book is definitely more engaging, it’s hard to ignore just how different it is from the first. Some characters get neglected in this uneven structure, and some of the emotional beats that are set up early on are not always paid off in a satisfying way.

Since I rated this less than three stars I did not post on my social channels out of respect to the publisher and the author.

If you love lots of drama, lots of twists and a little bit of mystery then this book is a must read. A definite recommend

Thanks publisher and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

Smuggler's Cove
by Fern Michaels
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I usually love Fern Michael's book but I'm sorry to say this one was a disappointment to me.
My biggest disappointment is the book ends in a quasi-cliffhanger. I like series books but appreciate when most storylines are wrapped up and then we get to re-visit in the next book. The back stories in this read really took up a lot of time and once the story got going all the details from them really weren't necessary in my opinion. I think the slow start bogged down the important parts of the book. The story at the marina is fun and I look forward to reading the next in the series and hope it has a great resolution.
I hope you enjoy this book. It just wasn't a good fit for what I enjoy.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This book starts out with quite a few different people giving background and it’s not until the middle of the book that it really starts with the current main characters. This goes through their life and uses the beginning background information to help you understand why that was needed at the beginning. The brother, sister and sister’s best friend go through life and this appears to be book one in a new series. Can’t wait for the next book!

I loved this book! It was a quick perfect read for me. The kind that brings you in and keeps you!! Can’t wait to read more by this author

This is book one in a new series by Fern Michaels.

I was not sure really if this book was going to be a cozy mystery or a suspense, and I think it started one way (cozy), and the lead up at the end of the book pushes it to suspense, with some romance mixed in.

To get to the present there is a lot of backstory, not all of which seemed to apply to the story, and Gwen (the "mom") basically just disappears from the book.

I do look forward to the next book, just to see how the author ties this all together

The beginning of the book Smuggler's Cove, the first book in Fern Michaels new Twin Lights series. Did have a semi hard time with the beginning of the book and where it was going. Meet Gwen first who finishes school, takes small jobs and then meets Jackson, marries and has kids, Madison and Lincoln. Madison and Lincoln grew up in a privileged environment until their father was arrested for fraud. They are close to their mother, but their father, Jackson, was cold and detached. The story follows Madison and Lincoln from little on attending boarding school to college years to present adult years. They have an Uncle Kirby, Jackson's brother who they are estranged from due to their father, who thought he was beneath them. As Madison and Lincoln are living their lives they get a call from their family attorney apparently their Uncle Kirby has died and has left them his marina. Madison and Lincoln visit this marina and discover it's in horrible shape. With water rights being an issue for a quick sell and the people in the neighborhood being friendly they decided to renovate the marina at least for the first year. They could make some money and perhaps sell later. Madison and Lincoln also find out there are treasure hunters out there looking for a map, that apparently points to where Uncle Kirby could have buried treasure and now the map has been stolen. Could there also be some romance blooming for Madison that she was not expecting to find.

Expected publication July 28, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley, Fern Michaels and the publisher for this ARC

This is the first book in a new series, Twin Lights, by the awesome Fern Michaels. As is true in most first books in a series, Michaels introduces us to the MC and their supporting cast. Each character is defined, setting them into the story arcs to come. The community of Smuggler's Cove is so detailed, I could draw you a map. And speaking of maps, the first mystery starts with a stolen map of the rumored treasure buried in Smuggler's Cove. This is a perfect read ofr those who love stories that mix a little cozy mystery with a little thriller and stir in some family drama. I predict another long line of successful titles in this winning series.

Madison and Lincoln grew up in a privileged environment until their father was arrested for fraud. They are close to their mother, but their father was cold and detached. They were estranged from their Uncle Kirby through no fault of their own but the father felt Kirby was beneath them. Madison and Lincoln were both starting new lives when they were told that Kirby died and left them his marina. They went to look at the marina and discovered it was in terrible shape. But the people in the neighborhood were friendly and they decided to renovate the marina at least for the first year. They could make some money and perhaps sell later. Romance seems to be on the cards for Madison so perhaps they will stay and not sell. I loved the characters and the story. I can’t wait for the next in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Who doesn't like a book title that just kind of grabs your attention? Add an author that has so many books under her belt that have been best sellers and you have my attention.

I was in a funk with my reading preferences and needed a change of pace!

While I love reading, lately my personal life has made sitting and reading a wish that was not going to come true. But, and here's the truth, I needed something to lift me out of the dark places that I was in.

A good story with characters that have grown and changed with all the curve balls life can sometimes throw at you, was what I needed!

Fern Michaels hit all of these points for me with her first book in the Twin Lights Series, Smuggler's Cove!

Madison and Lincoln are living a good life filled with every good thing you could think of. Their mother has sheltered them most of their lives even though they are privileged, they are not your typical spoiled rich kids. This works in their favor when their father is arrested and jailed for insider trading and fraud. Madison uses her keen sense of style to carve out a path in the fashion world as an editor for La Femme magazine. Her younger brother Lincoln goes into wealth management with a keen eye to doing the "right" things with money! Especially after witnessing the mayhem and hatred people had after his father's arrest and conviction.

Madison and Linc have left the past behind and worked hard to shed themselves of their father's image. Both change their names and go on to be very successful in their new reality. It wasn't easy, but both of them are happy with the work ethics and their lives as they work hard to be anything opposite to what their father was.

They now learn that their uncle (their dad's brother) has passed away and left them the marina at Smuggler's Cove.

Madison and Linc are hoping for a beautiful place that they can quickly sell and divest themselves of this marina. Neither one of them knows anything about fishing, clamming or anything else to do with boats. This is out of their scope of knowledge and selling it seems to be the right thing to do. That was until they arrived at the marina to find a dilapidated dock, some fishing boats and not much else.

Now I've set the background for you and it's time for you to get the book and read what happens next! Let's just say that all their plans are turned upside down and with it their lives will take a whole new direction. You will enjoy finding out all the ins and outs that Madison and Linc navigate as they make decisions that will have some lasting effects.

Smuggler’s Cove by Fern Michael is a heartwarming story of family survival. Siblings Madison and Lincoln.’s world of wealth and privilege crashes down around them when their father is sent to prison for fraud. The two are able to turn their lives around to become both very successful adults. They inherit a marina on the Jersey Shore shrouded in mystery., complete with the myth that Captain Kidd buried treasure there and hid the map.

This is the first and probably last Fern Michaels' book I'll read. Apparently, it's the first of a new series and basically an introduction to the town of Smuggler's Cove and the characters. The first half of the book was unnecessary to the story. As each character is introduced, their backstory is told. Most of the characters don't even make the final cut. I though it was kinda boring. Others clearly love this author. Just not for me.

Well…while this book, Smuggler’s Cove, ended up being a fun cozy as I had hoped, but I had a tough time trying to figure out what was going on through the first part of the book.

Madison and her brother Lincoln were raised in an elite setting. Money is nothing and they have everything they ever wanted. Don’t even realize there is any other lifestyle. Through it all, they have a mother that obviously loves them and a father who is distant and has no time for them. But his distant attitude is not even the beginning of the problem.

As you can see from what I remember, this story had a somewhat interesting plot. It is just that between the beginning of the book with Gwen and the time when young Madison must get away until she grows up and arrives in Smuggler’s Cove, I was lost. I got one generation mixed up with another and that’s because the story jumps decades without any cohesiveness. It made the whole beginning seem rather disjunct.

Amongst all this were good characters, some that you love and some that you hate. A story that begins to grab you but not til halfway through. As much as I would really like to complain, I kept reading all the way to the end. I think the reason was the writing and the characters. I think I was just so discombobulated at the beginning that I really thought I didn’t like the book. First impressions can mean a lot.

Smugglers Cove
Follow Madison and her brother Lincoln as they go from being privileged, to becoming successful in their chosen fields to inheriting a shabby, run-down marina. It's a very captivating book with many endearing characters! I truly enjoyed it and can't wait to read book 2 in the Twin Lights Series. 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc

The book begins with a short history introducing the reader to Smuggler’s Cove and the legend of a hidden treasure. The story then follows the life of Gwendolyn Wainwright and Jackson Taylor and their two children.

Gwendolyn Wainwright was born into a middle-class family in a small town in Connecticut, and her backstory follows her through college and later moving to New York where she gets her first job and meets Jackson Taylor, an up- and-coming hedge fund manager and scrappy young man determined to be rich. A little more than a year later they were married. Two years later Jackson has moved up in the financial and social world, and he tells Gwen it’s time to have children. Gwen bears two children two years apart, Madison and Jackson. While Gwen enjoyed the lavish life, she found herself in a loveless marriage. Jackson is dominating and controlling, concerned only with making money and interacting with the rich and affluent who can benefit him. After 20 years of marriage and the children are in college, Jackson is arrested for wire fraud, money laundering, securities fraud and false filings with the SEC. Their world, as they knew it, crashed.

From there the story follows the life of Lincoln and Madison and how they overcome adversity. They both live in New York and have successful careers. Lincoln, a successful financial consultant, marries Olivia, Madison’s best friend, and Madison becomes the Editor-in-Chief of a fashion magazine. After being notified that their uncle has died, the siblings learn he has left them a marina situated in Smuggler’s Cove in Navesink, New Jersey, between the Navesink and Shrewbury rivers along the Jersey shore. With thoughts of a lavish marina and summer beach get-away, Madison, Jackson and Olivia go to see their inheritance only to find it in shambles with a rundown shack, deteriorating dock and a few skiffs. They decide to rebuild the marina and over time gradually fall in love with the small town and its people. Renovations have been postponed due to the discovery of Dennis Farrell's body, who was the head of a treasure hunting group, found underneath the marina dock. It appears that Farrell was looking for the map and hidden treasure on the marina’s property when he died.

This is not a tense drama or a keep-you-on-the-edge of your seat story, but a book about the life of a family and the legend of a buried treasure. This is the first book of a new series. The characters are well developed and the plot interesting and sets the stage for a sequel. My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book.

A new series is unfolding from the much loved author Fern Michaels she introduces the little town of Smuggler’s Cove, quietly located on the bank of the Navesink River, just a ferry trip from the hustle and bustle of New Jersey.
Smugglers Cove has a fascinating history as it was the known haunt of pirates. It was also considered as a safe haven for the Dutch traders in the 1600’s before notoriety set in with pirates who operated in the area deliberately causing shipwrecks.
The most notorious of all was Captain William Kidd, whom legend has it, buried much of his stolen treasure somewhere along the shore; treasure hunters have been searching for it ever since!
When Madison Tylor and her brother Lincoln inherit a dilapidated marina from their Uncle they are in turns excited and horrified, but soon come to the conclusion that perhaps this is a gift which, while unexpected could be something they need to understand, in order to be able to give back to a community who rely heavily on the income derived from a place much beloved by their uncle.
Both Madison and Lincoln have had to rebuild their lives from a very young age, becoming successful in their chosen fields. Even though Madison has to come out from behind the wall she has established, Lincoln and Olivia, his wife and long-time friend of Madison find this legacy a breath of fresh air.
As always in their lives when things are looking almost too good to be true, an old map of the area on display in the refurbished marina is stolen, which looks like the work of a notorious treasure hunting gang operating in the area.
Where this will lead them, they have no idea, but they are determined that they will not back away for the challenge. Perhaps it is exactly what they need.
Fern Michael spends considerable time in forming her characters in Smugglers Cove, as she details them individually before bringing all the strands together to build a captivating story based on wealth, theft, destruction, rebirth and change which is also full of the very essence that creates a good story; survival and intrigue.
The Twin Light Series is set to become a great read when you want a little light relaxation set in the intriguing area of Smuggler’s Cove.

This was an enjoyable read - a solid 3.5 rounded up. I love Fern Michaels books and this one is right in the middle. My biggest disappointment is the book ends in a quasi-cliffhanger. I like series books but appreciate when most storylines are wrapped up and then we get to re-visit in the next book. The back stories in this read really took up a lot of time and once the story got going all the details from them really weren't necessary in my opinion. I think the slow start bogged down the important parts of the book. The story at the marina is fun and I look forward to reading the next in the series and hope it has a great resolution. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Many thanks to the Author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.

Although Fern Michael's has written more than 150 best-selling books, this was my first book by her.

I found it a bit slow moving with a lot of character development, but it is still a delightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC.

Smuggler's Cove by Fern Michaels
This story starts out with Gwen and she grew up in CT, moved to NY when she finished school and took on small jobs, met others who they liked and roomed together saving money.
Story goes back in time to their relatives lives over the generations. We end up with Lincoln and Madison, brother and sister to Jackson. Notice the presidents names, it's a family thing.
After their father is taken away for financial fraud and locked up their mother takes care of them and as they are in boarding school directs them to get their belongings and where to go from there.
Love that we then follow their lives over the years and how they end up in unlce Kirby's marina in NJ.
Love the small facts about flounder, winter and summer, the ferry from NY to NJ, the locations, the travel and how to renovate a marina, clothing industry and so much more.
There is something for everyone in this book.
Quite the read how it all turns out, never saw it happening as it did.
Received this review copy from Kensington Publishing a via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

#SmugglersCove #NetGalley.