Out of the Blue benefits from Hale's visual writing style. It unfolds like a Hallmark movie in your head. On the down side, I was often put off by the dynamics between the characters (especially around Ivy), it was frustrating at times which made it a bit annoying. But the backdrop is ideal for some light reading.

I absolutely adored this new release by Jenny Hale. I went into this story thinking it was another romance that I would devour but this story was so much more! With its underlying themes of grief, loss and trust, readers are taken on a journey with Nora and her grandmother, along with Ivy and Blaze. I wanted to reach through the pages and wrap everyone in a hug at different times throughout this story. I loved the slow burn romance and got so giddy while reading it. I would love to see more from these four characters and this story! Thank you to Jenny Hale and Harpeth Road for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Nora Jenkins is a high school guidance counselor at Oakland High School. She deals with a lot of students but there is one in particular that stands out to her and not in a good way. Ivy Ryman is the "trouble maker" and she is the daughter of famous music producer Blaze Ryman. Ivy feels that her father does not pay any attention to her and she is also not acting appropriately at school. Nora steps in to help Ivy behave correctly at school before summer lets out.
Nora can't wait for summer break as she is going to her happy place which is the Gulf Coast with her grandmother (also known as Gram in the book). Gram and Nora have a special relationship as they live together. They have both been through a lot in their lifetimes. They are so excited to relax at both of their happy places. Something unexpected happens as Blaze and Ivy show up unexpected at their beach house. Do they stay with Nora and Gram during their vacation? Does Ivy change her ways? Does Blaze give Ivy the attention she has always wanted from her father?
I absolutely LOVED this beach read! Even though I read this in May it was a great, early start to summer reading in my opinion! This book DEFINITELY NEEDS to be on your summer, beach reads, tbr list! Jenny Hale always hits it out of the park with her Hallmark like novels! They always get me teary-eyed (in a good way)! This novel had me in my feels and I did not want to put it down! Jenny made me feel like I had my toes in the sand and I was actually staying with Nora and Gram!

A HUGE Thank you to Harpeth Road Press and Jenny Hale for this e-ARC Copy in exchange for my honest review!

High school counselor Nora likes her job best when she can help the most troubled students and her latest challenge is Ivy, a girl who just lost her mother and is sent to live with her father, Blaze, who is a wealthy and successful music producer. Ivy had been living out-of-state with her mother, who had shielded her from her father. They don’t know each other well, and now Blaze is having to juggle his new role of fatherhood with his demanding work and travel schedule, often leaving Ivy alone with a nanny. The only person Ivy starts to feel comfortable with is Nora.

Nora lost her parents at a young age, and has relied on her grandparents since their death. She now lives with her widowed grandmother and the two of them have planned the vacation of a lifetime, renting a house on the Gulf Shores. This trip to the beach is something their grandfather would have loved to do, so they are splurging on this trip as a treat to themselves and in memory of him.

As the school year is coming to a close and Nora is planning for her much-needed vacation, she is working hard to settle Ivy and find her a counselor for the summer. Because of Ivy’s growing attachment to Nora, she is drawn into the dynamic between Ivy and Blaze, wanting to help them both adjust to this big change in their lives and this new normal. She now finds herself advising an out-of-his-element Blaze as he learns how to lean into this new fatherhood role. The trouble is, Nora finds she has a growing attraction to Blaze, which sets her up for heartache—how could a high-flying music executive fall for a lowly high school guidance counselor?

The school year can’t end fast enough, and, satisfied she has stabilized Ivy and Blaze, Nora and her grandmother leave for their beach trip. They are barely there a day when Ivy shows up at their rental, begging to be able to stay. Of course, Blaze shows up to retrieve his daughter, only they end up staying, sharing in the beach vacation. Ivy meets a boy her own age and this new friendship and budding romance give her an outlet she didn’t have at her high school. It settles her, and though her relationship with Blaze still has a ways to go, things slowly begin to improve. Blaze and Nora also spend more time together, giving the attracting between them some time to grow and flourish outside of their school relationship.

I found this book to be a sweet read, deftly navigating the subject of grief with which all of the characters grappled. Ivy showing up at the beach cottage seemed a little far-fetched, but the this change of setting allowed for healing to take place as well as romance to blossom.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect beach read for this summer!
Nora is a high school guidance counselor who lives with her grandmother. She becomes very attached and concerned for a student, Ivy, who is new to her school. Ivy is struggling with the recent death of her mom and having to move to a new town to live with a father she barely knows. Dad is a music producer in Nashville and has lived his busy life as a single guy and now he is also facing a new life with Ivy.
I’m sue by now you’ve guessed where this story is going, I did too! But let’s throw in a beach trip, a boyfriend for Ivy, some secrets about the grandmother and lots of confused emotions. A predicatable, but fun and easy- the perfect beach read!
3 1/2 rounded up to 4
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest review.

This was the first book I've read from Jenny Hale, but it definitely won't be my last. I loved all the characters and the way Nora and her grandmother took motherless Ivy and her struggling father under their wings. I highly recommend you add this one to your summer vacation reading list. Thanks to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

Nora Jenkins a school counselor is counting down the days to summer vacation. She has a beachside resort calling her name. She and her grandmother are planning to relax and enjoy the sun. Nora is a little concerned what will happen with one of her students, Ivy Ryman when school is over. Ivy lost her mother and is still grieving. She has been acting out since having to live with her father she barely knows. Nora seems to be the only one that can help Ivy. Ivy’s father turns to Nora as well to help him navigate how to bond with Ivy. Now all Nora has to do is find Ivy a counselor she likes and she can go enjoy the sun and surf.

Vacation finally arrives and Nora and her grandmother head to the coast. Just as they start to relax, they get an unexpected visitor which throws their vacation into a spin. One visitor is enough, but when the next one shows up, it’s hard to resist when he is not only kind but also handsome. Can Nora keep her relationship with the Rymans professional or will she take a chance on love?

Author Jenny Hale has done it again. Another amazing novel filled with friends, family and a blossoming romance. I loved all the characters from the start and my heart broke for Ivy. The plot was so interesting, I couldn’t put the book down. I laughed, I cried and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. My thanks to Harpeth Road Press and the author Jenny Hale for my advanced readers copy which I voluntarily read and reviewed. This is the perfect summer read.

I always love Jenny Hale's books. This is one of my favorite books of the year so far! loved it! perfect summer time book

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Out of the Blue is a summer escape story not only for the characters but also for the reader. By Jenny Hale it is a serious look at learning to be a father to a teenage daughter, a teenager who has lost her mother and the guidance counselor who starts to love them both. Summer vacation from school is a time of great learning for Nora, Ivy and her father. There are hard times, grief to be recognized, the accepted and a journey to loving life, enjoying each day given. The final couple of chapters are somewhat over the top but most would actually just consider it a dream come true. Still the perfect escapism read, of course, while sitting by the sea.

I enjoyed reading Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

This is a heartwarming, uplifting story that blends emotional depth with feel-good summer vibes. It is a charming narrative filled with hope, personal growth, and the power of unexpected connections.

Nora Jenkins, a dedicated high school guidance counselor, is instantly relatable with her caring nature and deep commitment to her students. Her much-needed escape to the Gulf Coast quickly turns into something more complicated—and more meaningful—when Blaze Ryman and his rebellious daughter Ivy show up uninvited. What unfolds is a tender, slow-burn story about second chances, healing, and opening your heart in unexpected places. The chemistry between Nora and Blaze is warm and believable, while Ivy’s transformation adds a touching layer of emotional payoff.

This is a wonderful summer read—hopeful, sincere, and cinematic in its appeal. Perfect for fans of Hallmark-style romance with a little more emotional weight.

In this book Ivy, an emotionally distraught teen, is acting out while she struggles with grief for her deceased mother and adjusts to living with her famous dad, Blaze, whom she believed abandoned them when Ivy was a child. Ivy bonds with Nora, her high school counselor, who lost her own parents at a young age and is able to understand and reach her. Blaze reaches out to Nora for assistance and an unexpected friendship develops between them. At the end of the school year, Ivy and her grandmother (one of my favorite characters) head to the beach to enjoy two weeks of stress-free relaxation and on the first day who shows up at their beachfront cottage? Runaway Ivy followed by Blaze in hot pursuit. This book demonstrates that sometimes the interruptions to our plans can change our lives for the better. In addition to the teenage drama and the appealing development of a new romance, this book posed existential questions—how can we best use the time we have on earth and what happens when our time is up? (no answers given for that second issue—this is a clean book but it is not faith-based). It will make you think. I loved the happy ending that is really just the beginning for all of the characters. Would be a great beach read! Rating 4.5 I received a complimentary copy thanks to Harpeth Road Press and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this book!

Nora is a guidance counselor at a high school who lives with her grandmother. The two of them have a wonderful relationship, they absolutely help each other out by providing emotional support. While Nora loves her life and her work at the school, one student, Ivy, is special to Nora. Ivy recently lost her mother, which brings up feelings in Nora. Ivy acts out a lot and it seems to Nora that everyone else has given up on Ivy, including her own father.

Ivy's father Blaze is famous in the Nashville recording scene. He's always busy and doesn't quite know how to be the father that Ivy needs. Nora and Blaze start working together to find a solution for Ivy, and become friends. When something unexpected happens during Nora's vacation, choices are made that have an impact on all of them.

This was a fast read, clean, romantic and family oriented. Beautiful scenery and deep connections. Highly recommend.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Out of the Blue" and all opinions expressed are my own. This is a great summer book. An easy read with some things predictable. I thought the characters were really good and likable. I would have liked to see more about the relationships, the end seemed rushed. Overall I liked the book.

Beach read season is calling! Pack this gem in your beach bag — you won’t regret it!! Stuck at home this year? No worries! This story will whisk you away to a dreamy seaside escape, no sunscreen required!

⛱️Hale’s books always pack an emotional punch with a story that grabs you from start to finish — and this one is no exception! You won’t be able to put it down!

⛱️The story centers on Nora Jenkins, a devoted high school guidance counselor, as she works to help Ivy Ryman, a grieving teenager, cope with the heartbreaking loss of her mother.

⛱️Nora heads to the Gulf Coast for a much-needed summer escape with her spirited Gram. Not long after they settle in, Ivy shows up at their cottage door, running away from her famous father, Blaze Ryman, who she's now forced to live with after the loss of her mother. Blaze, overwhelmed and buried in work, struggles to connect with Ivy. Nora, who understands the weight of grief all too well, truly sees Ivy for who she is — and soon, Ivy finds comfort and solace in Nora’s presence.

⛱️Hale's vivid and descriptive writing makes the characters, Nora, Blaze, Ivy, and Gram deeply relatable. I felt as if I was part of this heartwarming found family, enjoying their beach vacation while wholeheartedly rooting for a happily-ever-after.

⛱️This is a great book for fans of feel-good romances and stories that explore the complexities of human connections. It's a great reminder of the power of love and new beginnings when you least expect them.

Nora Jenkins loves her job as a high school guidance counselor. One student in particular is taking all of Nora’s time and testing her patience. Ivy Ryman is new to Oakland High School. Blaze Ryman, Ivy’s dad, can’t seem to get control of his daughter. And now with the school year coming to an end, Nora is ready for the summer break.

Nora heads out of town and goes directly to the Gulf Coast. It’s her oasis, her happy place, and she is desperate to unplug. As she is basking in the sun, she gets two unexpected visitors. What are Ivy and her dad Blaze doing here, and how in the world did they find her?

Out of the Blue, authored by Jenny Hale, is an amazing and inspirational story full of hope. Nora is a wonderful character that has a heart of gold. I loved that she would do whatever possible to help her students and encourage them. She was such a great influence on them.

I was quickly transported to the toasty sand of the Gulf Coast. This amazing beach read was unputdownable. I was immersed in this book and heard the lapping of the waves on the beach. Hale is an amazing writer that always gives the reader more than expected. This little gem of a story would make a fabulous movie. I highly recommend this phenomenal book.

A totally sweet romance about finding love when it’s least expected. Nora Jenkins moved away after the man she was engaged to cheated on her. She is now a high school guidance counselor and although she loves her job, there is never enough time to help the many students who need her. One student, Ivy Ryman, seems to find her way to Nora’s office almost daily. Ivy is dealing with the death of her mother and living with the father that she doesn’t know. Not only does she not know him, but he is a famous music producer who doesn’t seem to have time for her. Nora is living with her grandmother and is looking forward to their summer trip, to the beach, when she finally meets Ivy’s father, Blaze. She finds herself enjoying time spent with him as she offers ways for him to bond with Ivy. A scare over her grandmother’s health and missing Blaze when he no longer needs her help has her wondering what is next for her. As she begins to move towards the next chapter in her life, will that chapter contain the two people that she has lost her heart to, Ivy and Blaze? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (4.5, paytonpuppy)

Title: Out of the Blue
By: Jenny Hale
Pub. Day: April 29, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Women’s, Romance, Beach Read

Summary/Review:
I’m a new lover of all Jenny Hale novels! This is my first narrative written by Hale and I read it in one sitting!!! Hands down an excellent novel!

Ivy’s mom has recently passed and now Ivy is forced to move in with her nonexistent, rich, producer dad. As a new student, Ivy is struggling to make new friends, and seeking attention at school by acting out during classroom instruction. Nora, Ivy’s high school guidance counselor, has the ability to reach her on a level unmatched by anyone else. Out of the Blue leaves an undeniable impression, especially for educators, by powerfully illustrating the profound and lasting influence an adult can have on a student’s life.

Thank you to Jenny Hale, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving my review.

#OutoftheBlue
#JennyHale
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#BooksGoSocial
#NetGalley

Reading a book by Jenny Hale is always an enjoyable experience and Out of the Blue was another successful story.
The characters all fit together in a way that made me feel like I was right there with them as they all navigated the ups and downs in their lives.
This is a perfect beach read.
Thank you NetGalley, Jenny Hale and BooksGoSocial for the ARC of the book Out of the Blue.
This is my personal review.