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.

Talk about a refreshing ARC read! This is the book that shows me why I wanted to get into ARC reads in the first place! There is a deep storyline that is relatable for many people that come from divorce and are trying to navigate the different sides of life. I found it very interesting the way that they brought the romance in and the dynamic that was there between a school counselor and student. This read can be light and fun and a romance that is really just fun or you can really hang on the lessons within. The FMC really struggles to see her purpose and where she finds passion in what she does and to navigate that you have to dive into your inner feelings. If you grasp the lessons you really start to think about what your own purpose and passion is! I really think that anyone who enjoys romance can take away from this book and I will continue to share it moving forward to people looking for their next read!

I was so excited to receive this ARC for Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale. This book transported me to the beach with Nora, Ivy, Blaze and Gran. It was a cozy read that instantly made me smile. I loved getting to know Ivy, the teen struggling with her new life with her famous dad Blaze who definitely had no clue how to raise a teenager. The book was a little predictable but still very enjoyable!

This is my first read by Jenny Hale and I enjoyed Out of The Blue. I think the authors writing is good, the story flows well and I liked the characters. I felt the story was slow to begin with although it did pick up eventually. It didn't wow me though, at times I felt the story was a little too rushed for my liking and I wanted to shout at Nora, Blaze and Ivy to taĺk to each other! Issues surrounding grief are sensitively dealt with and I really liked the ending as it gives the story perfect closure. This, to me, is an ideal beach or holiday feel good read especially if you like a bit of escapism where you can lose yourself
escapism. Overall a good, easy, feel good and uplifting read.

3 stars

This was a cute, easy, beach read. I really liked it. There was great character development and no spice. Just what I like

I absolutely love Jenny Hale's books—they're always so sweet and heartwarming. I was thrilled to receive advance access to her upcoming novel, Out of the Blue, set to be released on April 29, 2025! It was fantastic, and I can’t wait to read more of her books soon!

#OutoftheBlue #NetGalley

I've enjoyed other Jenny Hale books but this one was a little unbelievable for me. I've worked in the school system and the way she handled her job was not realistic. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I didn't know those things. It's a quick and easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book to read.

Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale is a heartwarming, feel-good romance that offers the perfect blend of love and second chances.

The novel focuses on a teenager, Ivy, that has entered a new life following the death of her mother. Ivy must reconcile with her father, Blaze, who Ivy feels has abandoned her. Nora, Ivy's school counsellor, takes a leading role in helping Ivy navigate this new journey and the relationship that forms is heartwarming.


A romance, that is sweet develops between Nora and Blaze. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but it’s their emotional connection that makes their story so compelling. Both characters have baggage and insecurities, and their slow progression towards opening up to each other feels realistic and touching. What stands out is how their relationship doesn’t just serve as a romance plot—it’s also about healing, self-discovery, and learning to embrace the future with hope.


Overall, Out of the Blue is a delightful and refreshing read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance. It’s the kind of book that leaves you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. Whether you're looking for a light summer read or a story that explores love, healing, and new beginnings, Jenny Hale delivers a beautifully crafted novel that will surely leave an impression.

Out of the Blue is a lovely romance that is perfect to take to the beach and read for a escape from reality. Apart from the main character Nora they don't have much depth and I would have liked to learn more about Nora too. The plot is delightful and a storyline that is realistic. I enjoyed reading the romance and the emotional plot.

Out of the Blue was a light and fast read, perfect for the beach or as an escape from reality. I'd have loved to seen a bit more depth and POV from the other main characters aside from Nora, but overall, it was an enjoyable romance.
3.75 stars, rounded up to 4

“Out of the Blue” features a school counsellor with a student who is having trouble processing her mom’s death and ner new life with a father who she barely knows. Nora, the counsellor, also lost her mother at a young age and can identify with Ivy’s problems. The romance sparks when Ivy’s father enters the picture. After a stunt by Ivy, all parties end up in the same summer beach house. The characters are realisitically portrayed, all down to the description of the high school (former high school teacher here!) Ivy’s trauma and troubled behavior could have come direct from any high school. Readers will also identify with Nora as she questions her life and how it has turned out.
Highly recommended as your next beach read!

****Publishing April 29, 2025****

Nora is not only dealing with a broken heart, but working as a school counselor is not always easy! Nora is working with a delinquent teen, Ivy, and her dad, Blaze, to repair their relationship and help set up the services that Ivy needs. Can Nora help them both?

Nora’s grandmother is living with her and is pushing her to go on vacation with her as Nora’s job is stressful! Gram sees she needs a break! Will Nora take the time to relax and figure out what she wants in life?

Jenny Hale is an auto buy for me as her books are heartfelt, uplifting and, entertaining! Also, her books leave you feeling hopeful and satisfied. I love that Jenny Hale’s books are not only great to take on vacation, but also make great book club reads! If you need a heartfelt read with a happy ending, then I recommend this book!

Thanks to Harpeth Road Press for the gifted copy!

Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale is a delightful, feel-good read that will leave you with a smile. As a fan of Hale's work, I can confidently say this book is another great addition to her collection. The story is sweet and charming, perfect for a quick beach read or a light escape from everyday life. The plot flows quickly, making it an easy read, though there isn't much in the way of deep character development. At times the characters are a bit silly and overdramatic; however, it's a clean book—ideal for anyone looking to unwind with a light, enjoyable story. If you're in the mood for something breezy and light this one’s a winner!

Thank you for the free read in exchange for an honest review

To start, I love Jenny Hale. She does fantastic, light read romance stories that suck you in and make you crave the ocean/beach waves. This sotry was similar but also had a layer of emotional depth to it. Also, most of the beach novels of hers I have read are in outer banks but this one is actually where I go on annual vacations which was fun to see!

The characters were mostly good though I think that the instant connection between Nora and Blaze was a bit unbelievable simply because they didn't have many in depth conversations or interactions until the coffee shop.

The story itself was cute and fun to read a deadly I liked seeing the characters grow. I wish there was more written about the 30A beach area but was still thrilled to see my favorite florida location.