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.