A warm, beachy setting with themes of healing and discovering love when you least expect it.

🥹​ Uplifting | ❤️‍ (Very) Slow-Burn Romance | 🇺🇸 Nashville / Florida

High school guidance counselor Nora Jenkins has her hands full. Her newest student, Ivy Ryman, has been wreaking havoc at Oakland High and is consuming all of Nora’s work hours. Ivy’s father, the wildly successful music producer Blaze Ryman, is too caught up in his demanding career to manage his daughter’s growing rebellion. Nora, however, has a soft spot for the troubled teen, who’s lost her mother and is now trying to navigate life with a distant, high-profile father.

When summer break finally arrives, Nora dreams of escaping to the Gulf Coast—of turquoise waters, sunny days, and cocktails on the beach. She’s just about to settle into her long-awaited retreat when Ivy and Blaze unexpectedly show up at her beachfront doorstep, bringing all the drama she had hoped to leave behind.

I’ve loved Jenny Hale’s books for years (especially her cozy, heartwarming Christmas ones!), so it pains me a little to say this… but this one just wasn’t for me.

As always, her writing style remains lovely—easy, uplifting, and perfect for escapism—but the story itself struggled to find its footing. The beginning felt slow and drawn out, but once the pacing picked up, it almost moved too quickly, rushing through important emotional beats. The biggest disappointment for me was the romance—or rather, the lack of it. The relationship between Nora and Blaze was barely developed; the focus remained almost entirely on Ivy’s struggles. I wanted to see a deeper, more natural build between Nora and Blaze, but instead, it felt like the story fast-forwarded to a neat, unrealistic ending where everything magically resolved. I needed more sparks!

I found myself frustrated with the lack of meaningful communication between Nora, Blaze, and Ivy, particularly when it came to working through their grief. Ivy’s constant rebellion, paired with Blaze’s inability to reach her, felt repetitive and exhausting. After so much estrangement, their sudden reconciliation felt unearned. A trip of a lifetime after barely speaking? It didn’t sit right with me.

I appreciated the exploration of Nora’s inner struggle—trying to find her purpose and reignite her passion. Also Nora’s Gram, June, was a wonderful addition to the story.

Overall, this was a slower, less satisfying read for me personally. However, I can still see how others might enjoy its warm, beachy setting and themes of healing and find love when you least expect it.

I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Netgalley, Harpeth Road Press, BooksGoSocial and Jenny Hale.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt beach read. The story follows Nora, a school counselor, who is dealing with new student, Ivy, who is acting out unable to deal with the grief after losing her mother. Ivy is now living with her father, Blaze Ryman, a successful music producer who is constantly away from home. Nora no stranger to loss herself connects with the young woman and knows Ivy needs someone to see her. Can Nora help Ivy and Blaze repair their relationship? When summer break comes Nora heads to the beach with Gram for a little rest and relaxation. But before Nora can begin to relax, a runaway Ivy shows up at her doorstep with Blaze not far behind. Can Nora help Ivy and Blaze connect? This was an enjoyable beach read. There is a touch of romance and I enjoyed the relationship between Nora and Gram. An overall feel good beach read .

Thank you to Netgalley, Harpeth Road Press and Jenny Hale for the advanced readers copy.

I’m not much of a romance reader, but decided to try this book as a recommendation from a friend. I enjoyed it and would pick up another book by this author if I need a light book to read. Thanks to #NetGalley for #OutOfTheBlue.

I really wanted to love this book but found it so hard to get into. This was my first Jenny Hale book and maybe it just wasn't the right one to start with?

Out of the Blue is the perfect beach read! I love Jenny Hale's books so much, and this was no exception. I absolutely loved the characters. They're very well-written, so I got attached to them easily. I felt so much heartache for Ivy who was trying to deal with the loss of her mom while navigating a new life with her dad. Nora brought out the best in her and her celebrity dad. Blaze is completely swoon-worthy, and he tries so hard to be what Ivy needs while having no idea what that was. I loved the summer beach vacation and seeing the characters develop deeper friendships. I'm so ready to head to the gulf coast now! If only I could rent that cottage... I highly recommend this book to those of you who love sweet, clean beach reads.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Everything is better at the beach. This book was a great escape, especially since a lot of the book was set at the white shores of the Gulf.

Nora Jenkins is a school guidance counselor. A student at the school, Ivy Ryman, keeps ending up in her office because of her different shenanigans. Some see Ivy as a troublemaker, but Nora sees a young woman who is in pain and just needs someone to see her. Ivy lost her mother and is now living with her father, Blaze Ryman. Blaze is a super successful music producer and is away from home a lot. These two need communication instead of avoidance, but it was if neither one knew where to start.

When Blaze and Ivy end up crashing Nora and her grandmother's beach vacation, none of them are prepared for the things that are about to happen to change each of their lives forever.

This book is a perfect beach read. It made me long for the white sandy beaches as the author described their little white cottage on the beach. Each character was special in their own way. Ivy was struggling mightily. I felt so sorry for her, but I also wanted to shake her at times. Being a teenage girl was hard enough for her, but also dealing with unprocessed grief was making her life miserable, and in turn she made everyone around her miserable. Suddenly the salty breeze, sunshine and sand are changing things for everyone in the house. I loved every single minute of this book. I smiled so much in the final 20 pages of this book that my face hurt. This author knows how to write a happily ever after story, but she also knows how to address real world issues with finesse.

Thank you to Harpeth Road, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I LOVED this story. Inspiring, feel-good, and uplifting! I became invested in the characters and their story.

Out Of The Blue written by Jenny Hale was a deeply emotional and inspiring beachy read. Jenny has become an auto buy author for me, I have read so many of her Christmas book and absolutely love them all, I have only read a few of her beach reads, but I definitely need to read more of them. Out Of The Blue is the type of book that should be in your beach bag or on your kindle for a day tanning in the sun at the beach or the pool. As always Jenny Hale is the QUEEN of happily ever afters and this one is no exception. If you haven't read a book by this author before, please go do yourself a favor and add every single one of her books to your to be read list, or even better, mark your calendars for April 29th, 2025 because this book better be a part of your summer reading. Jenny's words and writing style are so poetically pleasing. A few tears were shed along the way, but from page to page, I just couldn't stop smiling, I had the biggest smile on my face throughout the entire book, it was just THAT good. If you haven't added this book to your to be read list, please go do so right now, like actually run right now or I will haunt you until I see this book on every single person's lists. My cheeks literally hurt from cheesin' so much, I couldn't help but kick my feet up in the air and smile. When I first saw that beautiful beach cover, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy of this book immediately, and I'm so thankful I had the chance to read it early because I loved every single minute of it.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BOOKS GO SOCIAL FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

"I want you to know there are people in your corner. If you focus on those who lift you up, and let everything else fall away, life will get easier".

"Having someone to help you work through your emotions can be beneficial in your healing process".

"If you want an old woman's opinion, you need to let go of the rules you set for yourself".

"In our limited time on this earth, we will have lots of battles, and we will have to choose which ones are worth the fight".

"No life ever changed for the better by taking the easy way out".

Nora Jenkins is a high school guidance counselor and she has her hands full with a new student. Nora lost her parents in a car accident when she was in her twenties, so she became a counselor to help other student navigate their own grief. Nora has a master's degree in counseling so she can help other kids live better lives while they try to live their daily lives as they are struggling. Nora holds a dual license for private and school counseling, but she feels like she makes the most impacts working with students. Nora has three weeks until summer vacation until she can spend two weeks along the Golf Coast. Nora has never been to the beach before, but this time she's renting a gorgeous beach bungalow with her Gram. Nora and her Gram are so excited for the white sandy beach, turquoise water, and beautiful palm trees. Blaze Ryman is a famous music producer that works between Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles, so he's hardly ever home and now he's an absent father in his daughter Ivy's life. Blaze always seems so sure of himself like he's better than everyone else because he has money and he's famous, he's almost superior or self important. When Ivy first started at this new school, it was hard for the school to get in contact with Blaze because he never answered his phone, but he was always posting on social media. Blaze is also known as "Nashville Magazine's Most Eligible Bachelor.

Ivy Ryman is a seventeen year old senior at Oakland High School. Ivy isn't your average high school student, she has black lined lips and pink hair which was her mom's favorite color, and of course she gets bullied for it because high school kids are just mean. Ivy's mom, Candace died during a routine knee surgery procedure. Before living with her father, Ivy lived exclusively with her mom in Alabama where she was kicked out of two private schools. Ivy enrolled at Oakland High with only two months before the end of the school year. Ivy is an unruly student, she ran off the premises twice, skipped more classes than anyone could fathom, rumored Ivy had jammed the locks on a bunch of lockers but there's no proof she even did it. Ivy goes home to an empty house everyday because of her famous father. Ivy hadn't fully dealt with the grief of losing her mother before starting a new school. Ivy craves emotional acceptance, and she feels invisible. Throughout the book, Ivy has found a deep connection to Nora and their shared grief of both of them losing their parents. As the book goes on, Ivy makes progress when she works with Nora, she starts going to class and scoring high on her tests. During summer vacation, Ivy and Blaze turn up at Nora and her Gram's beach bungalow, but you will need to read this book to find out those details and fun memories. My heart broke for Ivy, she was just trying to navigate her grief, meanwhile kids bullied her because of her pink hair.

Jenny Hale’s *Out of the Blue* is a delightful, heartwarming novel. High school guidance counselor Nora already has her hands full when she meets troubled teen, Ivy. Ivy's dad, Blaze, has a busy career and is unable to get a handle on his daughter. Nora develops a soft spot for the girl as the school year comes to a close. Imagine Nora's surprise when, while at the beach with her grandmother for summer vacation, Ivy shows up. Does her dad know where she is? Can Nora help Blaze and Ivy? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC,

Sweet story about finding love when you least expect it. Wonderful characters and of course a happy ending.

A cute, easy read with lovable characters and a beautiful setting. The satisfying ending is the icing on the cake.

Nora is a high school guidance counselor who’s always looking out for others. When Ivy, a teen dealing with the loss of her mom and a dad who’s barely around, starts having a tough time, Nora steps in to help.

At the start of summer break, Nora and her fun, lovable grandma head to the Florida Keys for a little getaway. But their quiet trip takes a turn when Ivy runs away—and shows up at their door. Not far behind is Blaze, Ivy’s dad, who’s trying to be there for his daughter for the first time in a long time.

Nora didn’t expect to have feelings for Blaze, but something about him surprises her. As they spend more time together in the sunshine, things slowly start to change—for all of them.

Out of the Blue is a sweet, feel-good beach read about love, second chances, and finding family in unexpected places. Nora’s grandma totally steals the show with her big heart and fun personality. If you’re looking to escape into a cozy story that feels real and full of hope, this one’s for you.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Jenny Hale, and Harpeth Road Press for the opportunity to read Out of the Blue!

This was my first Jenny Hale book and I enjoyed it. Nora Jenkins is a high school guidance counselor working with a very troubled new student Ivy Ryman. Ivy's mom passed away and now she's unhappily living with her famous music producer dad Blaze who had been completely cut out of her life up until now. Ivy has been acting out in and out of school and Nora seems to be the only one who can connect with her and reach her on any level. When the school year ends, Nora heads off with her grandmother for a relaxing beach vacation, but shortly after they get there, a distraught Ivy shows up followed quickly by her dad Blaze. Everything that happens from there is totally predictable, but still light and easy to read. This book is perfect for a beach/vacation read. Thanks to #netgalley and #harpethroadpress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley Fiordland an arc. Such a fun beach read. I’ve, Nora, Blaze, and Gram are such great characters. Ivy’s relationship with her father is tumultuous at times but the heartwarming way they connect is sweet. Great summer beach read.

A really enjoyable read. Believable , likeable characters Nora , Gram, Ivy and Blaze and plenty of twists to the storyline , some predictable, some to make you think.
Overall a nice easy read , perfect for a holiday , which I would recommend .
Thank you to Netgalley , BooksGoSocial and Jenny Hale for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Such a good book!!! The main characters, Nora, Blaze, Ivy, and Gram, are knowledgeable about the areas of their lives that they want to change or help others with. I connected very much with Nora regarding her position as a counselor. I also enjoyed the music aspect of the story. There were times when the story was a little slow, but it picked up. Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to friends.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Books Go Social and Jenny Hale for the E Arc of this book.
We meet Nora who is a high school counsellor. Recently she has had a new pupil to deal with Ivy. Her father is a very busy and well known music producer and is having a hard time understanding, communicating and really getting to know his daughter. Ivy has taken a liking to Nora and is willing to open up to her, rather than a therapist. As the summer holidays draw closer, the more Nora is looking forward to spending time with her beloved grandmother in a beautiful beach cottage, her Gran has rented for them for 2 weeks, on the gulf coast. The thoughts of warm sun, lazing on the beach reading and wandering the quaint town nearby fill her days.
However, things do not go as planned. One night Ivy turns up at the beach cottage, having driven through many states to get there. She has had enough of living with her father, who is so busy he can’t spend much time with her. Nora phones Ivy’s Dad Blaze, to find out that he is driving to the cottage to get his daughter. Instead of a quiet time with her Gran, they both find themselves hosting Ivy and Blaze. As they all spend time together the more Ivy and Blaze open up to each other. Ivy also makes a friend in the boy, who is there for the summer, living in a cottage just along the beach. The more time Nora and Blaze spend together the more they are attracted to each other. Could this be more that a summer attraction?
I really enjoyed this book. Great characters and plot line, that had me turning the pages. I liked Ivy as a character, she was so guarded, it was lovely to see her come out of herself and really blossom. I thought the author did a great job of writing the struggle between Ivy and Blaze to actually get to know each other. Nora and her Grandmother were great foils for Ivy and Blaze, they were caring ladies who were able to add their knowledge and advice in a compassionate way.
This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I really hope you will pick it up.

Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale, for me the book was kind of slow moving in the very beginning but did pick up more as the story line progressed. Ivy is dealing with major issues, but at times I would have loved to turn her over my knee. Nora was placed in a bad situation being the school counselor, trying to help Ivy connect with her feelings and her dad whom had been absent her whole life. Overall I found this to be a good read, and would recommend it to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and Harpeth Road Press, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Out of the Blue is an ok summer read with just enough will they/won't they to keep you engaged. However, that being said this was not one of my favorites from Jenny Hale. I struggled to get through the first 30% of the book - it was slow. I also knew exactly what would end up happening within the first few chapters. There wasn't really anything to keep me reading other than the love interest between Nora and Blaze. Some of the scenarios were just unrealistic to me (I won't give spoilers) and the ending went so fast compared to the start of the book that I was almost left wanting to know more about the relationship. Overall, I think the timing was just off in this book.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing an ARC in exchange for honest thoughts.

I gave this book 3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review. Jenny Hale I’m so thankful I found you! I love all of your books. And WOW you wrote another winner and I was so excited to be chosen to read it early. Nora is a school counselor and becomes very attached to a student, Ivy, who is having a hard time dealing with the death of her mother, the only parent she’s ever known and now has been forced in to a whole new life with the father she never knew. That is so much for her to deal with at her age. But being that Nora lost her Mom when she was younger gives her and Ivy something in common. However, Ivy is very angry with her Dad as she believes he’s wanted nothing to do with her. So as Nora tries to help them through their journey of acceptance of each other, she begins to have feelings for Blaze. But being that he’s in the music producing business , she doesn’t feel she can fit in. This is a very heartfelt uplifting story of second chances, abandonment issues and overcoming grief. I highly recommend this beautiful beach story.