This is definitely what many of us think as a quick and cozy "summer read" - the story starts with Nora, a high school counselor, trying to help her new student, Ivy" navigate high school along with her emotional struggles. As she works to help Ivy, she meets and builds a relationship with her father.

I really enjoyed the writing style and overall premise - it didn't take my long to read and I'd definitely pick up another book from Jenny Hale! That being said, as a teacher myself, Nora definitely came across as too much of a martyr being the only one who understood Ivy after all of her evil teachers cast her aside. I'm hopefult that wasn't the intention, but with teachers today dealing with class sizes of 30+ kids and more emotional and parenting responsibilities than ever before, it struck a wrong chord with me. And I love my student to death, but it felt like there were a lot of professional boundaries crossed here that didn't sit well with me either. It was more of a content issue than a writing style/development issue.

I can see how others might like this, but as someone who works in the profession, it didn't work for me. Thank you for the ARC!

I love Jenny hale and was looking for something easy to get out of a slump. Unfortunately this one was the definition of cringey. I get what the author was trying to do but I just felt like it was over the top, inappropriate at times and other moments immature.

I found this cozy story to be charming. I enjoyed its lightheartedness and down to earth content. Everyone needs a little of this and other Jenny Hale books in their life!
Thanks to the publishers for an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves sweet cozy stories with happy endings.

Out of the Blue is more than a love story--it includes stirring themes, like dealing with loss, parenting, work-life balance, family bonds, and finding purpose. While Hale's latest work is a quick and easy read that fuels summer vibes, it's a story that can be felt with the heart.

SEE MY WEBSITE FOR A FULL REVIEW: https://www.booknerdia.com/post/review-jenny-hale-s-out-of-the-blue-is-a-heartwarming-summer-read-packed-with-more-than-just-rom

Jenny Hale is a fantastic author. Her latest, Out of the Blue was a five star read. It comes out soon. Pick it up!

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this in exchange for an honest review! This book is the perfect beach read that pulls you in, but still offers a light and refreshing read. Nora, a school counselor, navigates a new student, Ivy, through the changing tides of grief with the loss of a parent. In the process, Nora builds a close relationship with Ivy and her father. Jenny Hale continues to build a story between them of compassion, unknown, and adventure. While Nora, Blaze, Gram, and Ivy clearly need to learn to communicate better, the story offers a view into life after loss and how relationships may change and adapt among grief. Jenny writes an easy breezy novel that is a perfect vacation read!

An enjoyable read perfect for a sunny beach day or on your back porch.
The characters are likeable, the story was easy to read and the “views” were described perfectly.

I was disappointed with the lack of romance though. There was so much time spent about Ivy’s struggles and hardly anything about the growing relationship between Nora and Blaze. This seemed more like an Ivy story than about Nora/Blaze.
Also, for me, there was too much religious referencing.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Out of the Blue is Jenny Hale’s newest novel and has the same feel-good vibes of her past books. Nora is a high school counselor and has one student in particular, Ivy, who has been going through a difficult time after losing her mother. Nora lives with her grandmother and they are going on a beach vacation when troubled Ivy shows up at their door. Ivy’s dad soon follows, and they invite them to vacation with them, but soon realize it’s more than just a trip to the beach - they are inviting them into their hearts. Very sweet read and highly recommend reading at the beach!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #OutoftheBlue by Jenny Hale!

Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale is the perfect blend of sun-soaked romance and emotional growth. On the surface, it’s a charming beach read: high school counselor Nora Jenkins tries to enjoy a peaceful summer getaway, only to have it interrupted by Ivy, her troubled student, and Ivy’s mega-famous father, Blaze. What follows is a story of healing and second chances.

Jenny Hale brings her signature warmth to the story, with beach scenes that feel like a mini vacation. The romance between Nora and Blaze is a slow-burn, while Ivy’s struggles—coping with the loss of her mom and adjusting to a new life with a distant father—bring a the real emotion.

Thank you Jenny Hale, Harpeth Road Press, and NetGalley for this ARC!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Jenny Hale is one of the best writers of this time that is still just too understated. I wish I could stand on rooftops and beg people to read her books!

I loved this book. While it wasn’t my favorite of hers, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the reason I look forward to reading her stories so is due to the plausibility of their plots. The way in which she writes is just natural, realistic, wholesome, and what relationships look like in real life. We all struggle with one identity crisis or another, but that’s all the more reason to surround yourself with the right people. What a beautiful story of repaired, found, and enduring relationships!

TW: grief, abandonment, cancer

O.M.G. What a book!
The story starts with Nora, who is a school counsellor for high school aged children finds herself with Ivy who is dealing with intense grief after her mother’s death and a father who is a famous music producer in Nashville that is always busy (too busy it seems to be with his daughter who until her death had been living with her mum. Ivy is doing everything physically possible to get in trouble so she doesn’t have to be in school but she finds herself being with Nora for counselling sessions.
After many previous sessions with other counsellors elsewhere it seems Nora is different as Ivy finds herself turning over a new leaf and is behaving and getting good grades at school. Then when summer break comes Ivy finds herself not wanting to be at home where she will be alone due to her dads work so she leaves in the middle of the night to drive for several hours and turns up on Nora’s holiday home doorstep carrying a duffle bag - so much for a relaxing 2week break away from it all to spend some valued time with her Grandmother.
After a phone call to Ivy’s father telling him when she is and she is safe can Nora and her Gran begin their holiday or will that all change now they have a guest?

I really enjoyed this book. A quick book with lots of twist that make you want to read more and hooks you in.

I have mixed feelings about this book. This is the first book I have read by Hale & I enjoyed her writing style and found the story to be a good, uplifting read, ideal for escapism. However, the beginning of the book was slow, and while the pacing picked up, it eventually felt rushed. I was so frustrated with the lack of communication between Nora, Blaze, and Ivy—especially in dealing with their grief. Ivy’s unwillingness to listen to Blaze was frustrating and made the book feel repetitive. The entire book could have been concluded in 50 pages. Some things were unrealistic, such as Ivy’s uninvited presence at the beach house and Jake living alone at 17.

Overall it is an easy beach side read.

Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale is a feel-good read with characters you grow to love right away. The story is very sweet and charming, which is what I love about Jenny's books.
We meet Nora, a high school counselor, who is tasked with helping a young girl named Ivy. Ivy lost her mom and acts out in defiance because she's so unhappy and feels abandoned by her dad. Then we meet the dad, Blaze, who works in the music industry and is never around for his daughter. Nora sure has her hands full with these two.
At home, Nora's grandmother helps keep Nora from personal catastrophe. I loved Nira and Grams close relationship. I love this enjoyable story. There may even be a romance brewing.. no spoilers here..
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy.

I loved this story about Nora and her student Ivy, attempting to help her through the grief of losing her mother and having to live with her father who she hadn't seen for a long while. Her father, Ryman is a music producer finding new talent . He works all the time. Ivy and Nora become close. At the end of the school year Nora and her Gram head for the beach . They are not even their for a day, when Ivy shows up and then Ryman calls to say he is on nhis way to get here. They end up staying for a week . See how all of this turns out. A GREAT READ. I have read all of Jenny Hale's book and loved them all.

Out of the Blue was a nice, quick, predictable beach read. Exactly what I was looking for. The story was slow moving at first, with more time spent on the buildup of getting to the summer vacation and beach, than any time when they were actually there. It wrapped up nicely.

I received an ARC from NetGalley
Ivy showing up at Nora's cottage door premeditated. Totally unacceptable. Both Blake and Nora couldn't draw the line with Ivy. Many aspects were a bit unbelievable. Jake was alone in a cottage at 17????? How difficult was it for Gram or Nora to say they had pizza the day before? Ivy is a unwanted guest and she decides what's for supper. I get that she was in mourning but she still needed limits in her life; her mother didn't give them to her - she was not the perfect mother - while she was alive, so now Blake was paying the price. Ivy never, ever, listened to Blake's story and I really felt for him; she didn't even try. I thought it was really cool - if it's true - that you can see the curvature of the earth when parasailing at 300 feet in the air. Too many repeats on how Nora knew how it felt to lose her mother and that Blake was nothing like his public persona. A bit of SPN, talk of God and Heaven. The story is slow at the beginning and then at the end, but it goes really fast in the middle. So much stuff was happening. I really liked Blake and Nora. Gram was a hoot and Jake seemed like a great guy.

A lovely happy sad Saturday afternoon read . The main character is a school councillor and she lives with her grandmother . How she helps a famous man’s daughter is amazing and the story that follows is great . The beach setting of the book was just perfect. We would all like a holiday like it.Everyone keeps secrets. . I loved the ending.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A school counselor and a grieving student form a bond that will be hard to break. Ivy is acting out just to be seen by her teachers and especially her father. When school breaks for the summer will ivy be able to handle situations without Nora?

This book walks through struggles but has a HEA ending for all. Sweet read with a romance and a great one to pick up for Spring/Summer..

This is a great read. Ivy is a high school student who is suddenly getting into trouble. Her mom died and she had to move to live with her father Blaze, who wasn't a part of her childhood. Blaze is a big deal in the Nashville music scene and is struggling to Ivy. Nora is a school counselor who is great with Ivy, and she does well when she is with Nora. Fast forward to the beginning of summer break. Nora and her grandma take a vacation to the Keys. Ivy runs away and shows up at their door. So much emotion and trauma as everyone tries to help Ivy adjust. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review. I really enjoyed it.