Smuggler’s Cove is clearly the first book in what will be a series. The book provides the background of Madison and Lincoln (and Lincoln’s wife, Olivia). After years of affluent living, the siblings are forced to readjust their lives when their father is convicted of fraud and family assets are seized. They move in with their grandparents and change both of their career aspirations. They struggle to successfully establish themselves in their new careers.

Next the story shifts to when an almost forgotten uncle leaves them a rundown marina in Smugglers Cove New Jersey. The last half of the book deals with their pivot to take over the marina and establish themselves in the community. Although this could have provided plot interest, it is never developed. Truly, this is not a stand alone story which is even more frustrating since there is no current follow up books.

Thank you to Fern Michaels, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Smuggler's Cove begins with an intriguing and fast-paced introduction, focusing on the history of the family. The initial focus on Madison and Lincoln's parents was rich with detail, emotion and promise. However, about a third of the way through, the narrative shifts abruptly to focus on Madison and Lincoln as middle aged adults and unfortunately, much of the emotional depth and complexity that was established in the beginning was left behind.

The writing is polished and the setting, both in terms of geography and history is vividly portrayed. However, the story feels more like a family saga than a mystery or thriller. While a dead body is discovered mid-way through, it's resolved quickly and with little impact on the characters, resulting in a lack of suspense or tension. The romance is minimal and conflict is underdeveloped.

The themes of emotional abandonment, family obligation, and stress of legacy were touched on but not explored as deeply as they could have been. Supporting characters, including Olivia, Madison's friend and Lincoln's wife, had potential but weren't given enough space to develop. By the end, the story feels like it's just getting started when ends, but without a strong enough hook to draw me into the next book.

Overall, Smuggler's Cove may appeal to fans of Fern Michaels' work or readers of light family dramas in the style of Danielle Steel. Personally, I was hoping for more mystery, suspense and emotional connection. The book had potential but ultimately didn't resonate with me.

It was a decent book but you can tell that it’s the first book of a new series. It’s laying the groundwork for books to come. By itself it’s so so but read along with the books to come I’ll bet it’s much better.

Family dynamics are at the heart of this novel and how relationships change people. After their father is arrested and mother virtually disappears from the lives of her children a brother sister bond is cemented that carries them into being adults. Readers are left hanging and will have to wait for another book to continue the story

Fern Michaels' Smuggler's Cove earns a middling three stars from me. The premise—siblings Madison and Lincoln inheriting a run-down marina tied to family secrets—had potential, but the first half is muddled by constant shifts in timelines and perspectives, making it difficult to connect with the plot or characters. This fragmented storytelling feels more distracting than engaging and undercuts the book's momentum.

As the story enters its second half, tension seems to build, hinting at bigger developments, but everything stalls before it gets interesting. The narrative lays groundwork for future intrigue, only to leave readers hanging for the next installment, with very little resolved within this volume.

Frankly, I struggled to find a compelling reason for this book to exist as a standalone story. The experience was disappointing overall, and I can't recommend *Smuggler's Cove* to others seeking a satisfying mystery or family drama.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a free copy to review.

Smuggler’s Cove, the first book in the Twin Lights series by Fern Michaels, is a generational story of a family's development, shame, grit, and determination that builds a sturdy bedrock foundation for the books to come.
Character development in paramount in this book, and we not only come to know the main characters of the book, but what made them the way that they are. The setting of Smuggler's Cove doesn't actually appear until later in the book, but again, Michaels takes her time laying the groundwork for future stories set there.
This book is a superbly written slow burn that captures your imagination and keeps you turning the pages. I look forward to more in the series.
Thank you for the ARC of #SmugglersCove to #NetGalley.

Title: Family Drama, Pirate Legends & Murder—Oh My!

Fern Michaels kicks off her Twin Lights series with Smuggler’s Cove, a mystery-lite read wrapped in sibling tension, small-town charm, and a dash of dead bodies. The premise is fun: two siblings inherit a dilapidated marina and are immediately thrown into a murder mystery involving their family’s murky past. Add in pirate lore and a potential treasure map, and you’ve got a recipe for light intrigue.

This one is definitely for fans of low-stakes, cozy-adjacent drama. The pacing is leisurely, the characters likable (if a bit surface-level), and the mystery is just suspenseful enough to keep the pages turning. I appreciated the themes of second chances and sibling reconnection, though some moments felt a bit too neat or underdeveloped.

My biggest gripe? I was hoping for more depth, tension, or grit—especially with such a promising setup. Still, Fern Michaels delivers exactly what longtime readers love her for: escapism, family dynamics, and just enough trouble to keep things interesting.

3/5 stars – A solid start for readers who enjoy their mysteries more Hallmark than Hitchcock.

This book was all over the place, so be prepared. It moves along quickly, thankfully jumping weeks/months ahead vs slogging through day by day. Madison and Lincoln find that they have inherited a marina from an uncle they haven't had contact with in years. The story flips back and forth from their father's incarceration, their mother leaving them to save her own face, to present day. Predictable at every turn, but a good read to fill space and not suspenseful. There is hardly any mystery concerning the victim who plays a minor roll in the story. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Michaels, and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Madison and Lincoln had grown up in the lap of luxury, but when their father was arrested for fraud, their life changed. It took a while before the Smuggler's Cove appeared in the story. The first half of the book is the background for the Taylor family and tells the story of their resilience. Dad was not much, but mom had instilled a sense of values in her children. When their Uncle Kirby died and left them a fishing dock, the family opens a new stage in their life, including some romance. A good read. even if it is a bit predictable, and appropriate for teens. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review.

The book is the first in series and it shows. Lengthy unnecessary back stories on multiple generations. This is not a suspense or a murder mystery. There was no murder to solve, it was an drowning accident. I'm not sure why it was listed in suspense category.
That said, with the family history out of the way it has legs and hopefully the next book will focus on the present and the two siblings running the dock instead of random great-grandparents.

Wow! I absolutely devoured Smuggler's Cove. This book has everything I look for in a great story. The mystery surrounding the town's pirate past and the hidden treasure had me completely hooked from beginning to end. I loved following along as Isa and her new friends pieced together the clues.

But the suspense is perfectly balanced with one of the most charming and genuine romances I've read in a long time. The chemistry between Isa and Mitch is undeniable, and their relationship develops in such a natural, heartwarming way. Fern Michaels is a master at weaving together different genres, and this book is a testament to her talent. It’s a true page-turner that’s full of heart, adventure, and community. Five brilliant stars!

The description of the book sounds exciting indeed, yet, it’s not so much. Actually, the book does get off to an exciting start when Madison and Lincoln’s lives are ripped out from under them. Everything they know is shattered when their father is arrested and the families assets are seized by the Feds.
Fortunately, their mother instilled the values of hard work and good character in her children.
All is well until their uncle passes and leaves them a marina in Smuggler’s Cove, NJ. The plan, sell the marina great idea but that comes to a halt when a dead body is discovered under the dock…

Yes, a dead body. However after that the pace is slow and a bit stagnant for the remainder of the book.
I received this gallery in exchange for my thoughtful and honest review.

Perfect beach read -- especially when you read it at the Jersey shore like I did!!
Ms. Michaels makes her characters so appealing, and I appreciated the counter balance of the first, darker portion of the book with the hopeful and fun second half.
Will definitely be recommending this to fellow beachgoers and library patrons alike.

This is a story within a story, within yet another story! Follows a family through generations and a couple decades. Nice set up at the end for what must be an anticipated sequel. Will be watching for it, as know I need to know what else happens to the characters.

I loved this book! Entertaining and captivating storyline will keep you turning the pages to see what will happen next.

This is the premiere of Fern Michaels’ new Twin Lights series. The privileged lives of Madison and Lincoln Taylor are upended when they are in college; their father is arrested for fraud and the family loses everything. Now adults living in New York with successful careers, they inherit a derelict marina along the Navesink River in New Jersey from their estranged uncle. When their desire to sell it quickly is thwarted by the discovery of a dead body floating under a dock as well as some legal issues, they decide to renovate and operate it as a business. Will this lead to new adventures and rewards for them?

Although this is labeled as a thriller, I believe it is more women’s fiction with some romance and a mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the background history of these two characters. Fern Michaels is a skilled storyteller, and I couldn’t put the book down. Despite the siblings’ hardships, this was a heartwarming story.

This is the first book by this author that I’ve read, and I was initially unsure if her writing style would resonate with me. However, this was a great introduction to the series, and I cannot wait for the next installment.

Now’s your chance to get in on the ground floor of what appears to be a charming new series.

SO SO GOOD!!! This new series of Fern Michaels is, in my honest opinion, the best one she’s ever done. (And I’ve been reading her since before the Vegas and Texas series!) I am very grateful to the publisher and Netgalley gave me the chance to read and review Smuggler’s Cove

This is my first book I’ve read of Fern Michaels, and I like the way he writes, which looks like is going to be a series and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Loved the characters in this book and where it is going.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a great ARC read.

Another great read from this author, but I don’t enjoy a cliffhanger!
This story was told from a few character points of view- how they grew up and what caused them to be who they are today. It was a tad slow in places but look forward to the next in the series

This book would be difficult to classify. It claims to be a thriller. A couple of genres are covered. Sweet romance and not sure what the fraud portion would be other than background material. A wide variety of characters and I am not particularly fond of the main one at the end. I will probably read the next one in this new series. I am curious about the treasure map. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.