Wow - what an amazing book with so many twists and turns. This is definitely a great summer read and the magical aspects that tie the whole thing together are so wonderful. I would absolutely recommend to my friends and book lovers.

'The Secrets of Maiden's Cove' is a tender, evocative novel that explores the power of friendship, the pain of starting over, and the quiet magic that lingers in places we once called home. Erin Palmisano blends heartache and healing with a touch of folklore, creating a story that feels both grounded and gently enchanted.

Grace returns to her coastal hometown with her young daughter after leaving an emotionally abusive marriage. The familiarity of Maiden's Cove - its aging crab shacks, glowing night waters, and the steady rhythm of the tide - offers her a sense of refuge. But it's the unexpected reunion with her childhood best friend, Isla, that truly begins her process of healing. Their friendship, once fractured by time and distance, becomes the emotional anchor of the novel.

Palmisano's writing shines when she leans into sensory detail: the smell of salt air, the sizzle of seafood in a hot pan, the shimmer of bioluminescence in the bay at night. While the hinted mermaid mythology adds a mystical undercurrent, it's the human relationships that carry the real weight of the story.

Some plot threads - particularly around the struggling restaurant and romantic subplot - could have used more development, but overall, this is a heartfelt and immersive read. Readers who enjoy stories of resilience, coastal settings, and female friendship will find plenty to love here.

Recommended for fans of: Sarah Addison Allen, Elin Hilderbrand, and novels that combine emotional growth with subtle magical realism.

I wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did. At first it was giving Heather Webber vibes and I was really excited about that. There was all the talk of mermaids and had hints of magic woven throughout, but then nothing really came of that. There were also a lot of storylines and relationships that I feel got lost in everything going on, and those felt a little rushed in the end. I wish either some of those were dropped or were fleshed out better. Overall I did enjoy the book, and I would recommend it. It does have physical and mental/emotional DV in case you’d rather stay away from that.

Grace and Isla have the sweetest best friend relationship. It makes me nostalgic for my childhood best friend and all the memories we share.
Grace’s escape from an abusive relationship and the resulting growth and self discovery on her journey of healing was very refreshing! Well done.

This book exceeded my expectations; it was both emotional and heartwarming, and the characters were so memorable. I was totally engaged throughout the entire novel.
The book was full of vivid descriptions and vivid imagery to the point where I felt like I had slipped into the pages.

fun story about solidarity, rebuilding your life, and revitalizing your family restaurant. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

A small town women's fiction/summer romance story by a new to me author that was full of female friendship, a bit of mermaid magic and lots of heart. I liked this a lot and would recommend for fans of authors like Susan Mallory, Robyn Carr or Brenda Novak. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I branched out of my comfort zone when reading this book, and I was pleasantly surprised! The writing style was not really my vibe, so I did have a difficult time getting into it. It was a cute, hallmark vibe book with an elements of mermaids.

This delightful new to me author has a way of making me feel like I was a part of the family from the moment I opened this book! I love when and author does that!
I'm actually still thinking about Grace and Isla.
Yes, I actually did find myself looking up to see if this town was real and it is. I love how Palmisano mixes fact with fiction. It's so realistic that it's believable and very inviting.
The cover of this story is gorgeous!! It feels like a Mary Poppins picture
I finished this in one night around 3am. I had to let Grace and Isla tell me their story.
It's a can't put down book that will quickly make you turn the pages to see what happened next.
I didn't like Richard for what he did to Grace. In my opinion that was a bit much.
5 stars for a job well done in keeping me engaged. I loved every minute of it!
Some scenes were kind of tough to take so I kinda skipped over those and enjoyed the rest of the book.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

This isn't my usual cup of tea so this is a difficult one to rate, because I did think it was very sweet for the right reader regardless. I was looking for a cozy fantasy with mermaids and a small, charming coastal town, and it was more of a Hallmark movie and the speculative elements were a very small part of the overall plot.

I also found the writing style tended to tell more than show (especially in terms of romantic tension) and the romantic subplots were predictable and bland. Luckily they weren't the main part of the story. Ultimately this was just a little too corny for my taste.

Where this book really shone was that it really made me feel like I was summering in the Chesepeake Bay with this family. It also celebrated female friendships and was a realistic look at small town restaurants in tourist areas.

Grace moves back home after her father's death to escape an abusive marriage and take over her family's struggling crab shack. Along the way she rekindles a romance with her childhood crush, her brother's best friend, and renews a friendship with her soul sister childhood best friend, who may or may not be a mermaid. The found family elements in this were charming and the best part of the book.

It did offer a palate cleanser after the heavy stuff I had been reading and I felt my expectations were in line with what I got. But I was hoping for cozy fantasy instead of Virgin River. However, the right reader will love this sweet story of small towns, summers at the shore, delicious food and second chances.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"The Secrets of Maiden's Cove" by Erin Palmisano is a beautifully woven tapestry of resilience, love, and the enduring power of community, all set against the backdrop of a charming coastal town. From the very first pages, you're drawn into the heart of Grace's world, a world deeply rooted in the salty air and the close-knit bonds of Maiden's Cove.
One of the novel's strongest elements is the portrayal of Grace's childhood friendship with Isla, the fisherman's daughter. This isn't just a fleeting childhood bond; it's a deep, unwavering connection that shapes Grace's understanding of loyalty and belonging. Palmisano paints their friendship with a tender authenticity, capturing the carefree joy and unwavering support that only true childhood companions can provide. This foundation of friendship becomes a crucial anchor for Grace as she navigates the complexities of her adult life.
Grace's strength and resilience, particularly as a mother to Bayla, are truly inspiring. Palmisano skillfully portrays the challenges of single motherhood, highlighting Grace's unwavering dedication to her daughter. Bayla, in turn, reflects her mother's strength, creating a powerful dynamic that resonates deeply. You feel their struggles, their triumphs, and the unwavering love that binds them.
The small coastal town setting is more than just a backdrop; it's a character in its own right. Palmisano vividly brings Maiden's Cove to life, capturing the rhythm of its daily life and the warmth of its community. When Grace faces adversity, the town rallies around her, demonstrating the true meaning of solidarity. This sense of community is a breath of fresh air, reminding us of the power of human connection.
The novel also gracefully weaves in elements of romance and regret. Grace's past is filled with choices that have shaped her present, and Palmisano handles these themes with sensitivity and nuance. The exploration of regret is not about dwelling on the past, but about understanding how it influences our present and future. The romantic elements are tender and heartfelt, adding another layer of emotional depth to Grace's journey.
"The Secrets of Maiden's Cove" is a story that stays with you long after you turn the final page. It's a testament to the strength of female bonds, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring power of love and community. Erin Palmisano has crafted a truly captivating and heartwarming novel that I highly recommend."
With the help of AI
M.Roberts

One of the things I love most about Erin Palmisano is the way she captures the beauty of community in her writing and this book is no exception. She has crafted the town of Maiden’s Cove in such a way as to make it feel slightly magical yet fully real at the same time. The relationships between characters are a wonderful picture of what given and chosen families look like as well. Just a super sweet story!

First and foremost, for me, this was a story of friendship- Grace's and Isla's. I loved the flashbacks where I could see their friendship grow over the years. This is women's fiction at its finest and the fact that there are splashes of magical realism throughout made it all the more special for me.

It was heartening to see each of these women's lives transform over the course of the story, and I also loved the community that they were a part of.

Trigger warning- there are scenes with an angry and abusive ex-husband that might be hurtful for anyone who has dealt with someone like this in the past.

Thanks to Netgally, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A frequent visitor to the area where this story takes place peaks my interest in this book. If you are looking for a sweet romantic story with a predicatable ending, this is the book for you. Just a nice sweet story to take your mind off of things.