Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an advanced read copy of The Page Turner by Viola Shipman. Katharine Chin did a beautiful job narrating my first Shipman novel!

Emma Page has always felt like an outsider within her own family. Her strong bond with her late grandmother caused her to form a different view of life compared to her wealthy publishing parents. A recent college grad, she is secretly hoping to publish a romance novel (something her parents would never put their stamp of approval on). A Page Turner, follows Emma’s journey as she finds her place in the world, comes out on the other side of family troubles and heartache, and points those closest to her back to what really matters in life.

It always surprises me when people have strong beliefs that certain types/genres of books are better than others. This book digs into that mindset with the daughter of best-selling non-fiction authors feeling like a black sheep for enjoying romance and having a closet romance novel that she dreams of publishing. This book was more heartfelt than I had anticipated, but also has a bit of mystery. It shows an interesting perspective in the publishing world and looks at how influence can make a huge difference with success. The one thing I did keep hoping for was some sort of love interest, which I think could have either added to the storyline or taken away from the main topics.

Emma has been a life long reader with hopes of one day being a published writer. With encouragement from her Gigi, she decided to chase that dream, without telling her book publisher parents. When her beloved grandmother passed, Emma graduates from college and mistakenly decide where she wants to work and if she is willing to risk it all to chase her dream. When Marcus Flair, a famous writer, threatens her family, she decides she will beat him at his own game and hopefully get her own dream fulfilled too.

I always enjoy the voice of Viola Shipman, a gay author that uses the pen name of his grandmother. This book hit a little closer to home for him and you could tell in the way he weaved the story. I enjoyed it and will recommend it!!

This was a very different book than the ones I typically read. Not to say it wasn’t good, it was good, but I was expecting some romance in it and there was none at all. I don’t know why I was expecting a love interest, I just was. This was a book about a female character who is interested in publishing a book but there are many obstacles in her way, including her family, a man hell-bent on destroying said family and various side characters throughout. There was a lot to follow in this book, but it was enjoyable and kept me intrigued the entire time. I will certainly read more from this author in the future and hopefully next time there will be a love plot!

What an enjoyable and intriguing read! I really liked this premise, and as a lover of romance novels I immediately connected with Emma Page’s love and respect for the romance genre. This was an easy listen, which was at times predictable, it was still fully enjoyable and did have a couple surprises that kept me on my toes.

That said, my favorite part of this book was Viola’s author’s note at the end of the book. This was the first novel I read about the author and I was so surprised and impressed to learn more about their history. After reading the author’s note, I appreciated the story even more.

I struggled with this one. I don't know what happened but I just kept putting it down and then trying again later. I could not get into it so have decided it's just not for me. The narrator did an ok job but since I didn't finish it I won't say she didn't do good. I won't even say the book isn't good. I only read about one-third and gave up. I may try again later on, but for now it's a DNF for me.

I’ve loved every Viola Shipman novel I’ve read, but The Page Turner might be a new favorite. It’s heartfelt, nostalgic, and full of that signature warmth Wade/Viola brings to every story. This one felt especially personal—like a love letter to books, family, and the memories that shape us.

The characters were layered and easy to connect with, and the story had that gentle, emotional pull that sticks with you long after it ends. The audiobook narration was a perfect match—calm and heartfelt without ever feeling overdone.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. This one will stay with me for a while.

This one was not a a hit or a total miss for me. Let me explain. There are parts of this story I quite liked such as our narrator’s relationship with her grandmother Gigi, the setting in Michigan (a place I also love to visit in the summer), and the general love of books throughout. However, there were parts that did not speak to me. The narrator wants us to believe that she would do anything to protect her family but her parents (especially her mother) and her sister treat her quite poorly for much of the book. The sort of big surprise at the end I saw coming from a mile away and the smart narrator couldn’t figure it out? The characters just came off as cardboard cutouts or caricatures much of the time for me. Now a bit about the plot for those curious. Emma Page grew up in with serious author parents who run their own vanity press, The Mighty Pages. They look down on authors of “silly” things like romance. Of course, Emma has written her own romance and is hiding it from her snobby parents. Her sister is a social media influencer for books. An author with a score to settle partners up with The Mighty Pages to expand their publishing business, but for reasons of his own actually plans to take down the business. Thank you to Net Galley for the ALC.

The Page Turner is the story of Emma, an aspiring romance writer who grew up in two different worlds. One: with her haughty, snooty, elitist author parents in NYC. The other: spending carefree sunny summers on the beach in Michigan at her grandma’s beach house. She finds that an extremely popular author is scheming to ruin her parents’ business, and although she does not condone their snobby ways, she also can’t let them go down in flames.

The Page Turner was okay to me. Honestly, other than Emma herself, whom was a little much at times with her reactions and the way she spoke to her family, there were no other redeemable characters at all! The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and honestly the characters felt like caricatures of what people should be. I predicted the “twist” right at the beginning. It was not surprising.

I kept waiting for something to actually happen, but ultimately, nothing much really does. This fell very flat for me. 2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for this ALC.

A Heartfelt, Uplifting Story About Family, Secrets, and Following Your Passion

Emma has always felt like the odd one out in her prestigious publishing family. While her sister shines as a social media star and her parents uphold rigid standards of “literary excellence,” Emma quietly grieves the loss of her beloved grandmother—and secretly writes a romance novel inspired by the “fluffy” paperbacks tucked away in her grandmother’s cozy cottage.

But when Emma stumbles upon a long-buried family secret that could shake the foundation of their publishing empire, she’s faced with an impossible choice: protect the legacy her parents built, or team up with the one person determined to bring it all down.

I absolutely loved this story! It has a little bit of everything—family drama, romance, mystery, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. Emma’s journey is emotional, empowering, and full of heart. The audiobook narration was spot-on, bringing the characters and emotions to life in such a captivating way. I was hooked from start to finish!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this gem. The Page Turner is a beautiful, feel-good read that will stay with you long after the final chapter. Highly recommend!

I loved the beginning of the book- it took me back to Michigan, a place I grew up and love dearly. I just felt like it fell flat for me and I didn’t want to continue reading. I found myself not able to pay attention and ultimately DNF.

📚 Title: The Page Turner
Author: Viola Shipman
Format: Audiobook (narrated by Katharine Chin)
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction / Family Drama

“Not everyone can handle the prologue…”

Bright, witty, and emotionally rich — a family saga about secrets, belonging, and the power of rewriting your story.
Emma Page, the black sheep of a literary family, returns to her grandmother’s lakeside cottage with a long-buried family secret. As she unravels the truth behind a scandal that nearly destroyed them, Emma learns to find her own voice — both on the page and in her life.

Mood: 👂📖🌊✨
👂 For audiobook lovers — warm narration and immersive listening
📖 A heartfelt tribute to books, writing, and literary families
🌊 Lake Michigan summer setting — cozy, breezy, with a touch of nostalgia
✨ Growth, forgiveness, and the magic of second chances

This audiobook is a perfect blend of heart and humor — ideal for beach days, road trips, or cozy afternoons. Fans of warm family dramas with a side of writing-industry insights will find Emma’s journey both soothing and satisfying.

Definitely one for book warms. It's so easy to hide from world in books that "save us." This one was a bit different from other Viola books. Full of mystery and insights into the publishing world. I love Enma and that she stayed true to herself despite all the family disbelief in her and drama. The narration was amazing.

A book about books and publishing, pick me. A book by Viola Shipman aka Wade Rouse, again, pick me. The Page Turner tells the story of the Page family. Emma is an unpublished romance writer, in fact noone but some classmates and university teachers know she wrote a book. Her parents are authors who also own their own publishing company, The Mighty Pages, where only serious literature is published. Her sister Jess is a book influencer who is quite well known and works for the company. Emma's grandmother was her greatest ally and was a huge lover of romance books. Her cottage was full of romance books, especially by her favourite author. When she dies, Emma was devastated and loved staying the cottage while going to school in Michigan. She has graduated and her parents want her to take her place in their firm, but Emma has other plans. When she finds out that someone has a secret that will destroy her parents and their publishing company, she digs in to see if she can help them. Will they be able to mend relationships and save the company or will the family secret take them down?

I really enjoyed this story about the publishing world, and the snobbish literary elite. I loved Emma. She was the most real of all the characters in the book. I wish she had more self-confidence in her talents, but with a mother who treated her the way she did, I could understand it. I had figured out part of the secret early in the book, but had no idea the depth of it. What people do for money, power and revenge is quite interesting. I liked seeing Jess and Emma heal their relationship, once they put themselves in each other's shoes. We also see the agents role in publishing shared by the character Vivi. She was disliked by Emma's parents and we learn why in the book, but was Emma's shot at getting a story published that she knows her family won't approve of. This was a wonderful story, one that shared the belief that everyone will find their reading niche, that all genres are valuable to someone and that the love of reading is a gift to give to others. I recommend you read the author's notes that share how his grandmothers and mother gave him the love of reading when he needed to find his place as a child, and gay teenager. I listened to this book narrated by Katherine Chin. I was very pleased with her performance, voices, tone and story telling. She gave the characters voices that enabled me to picture them as I listened to this one. If you enjoy books about books or the publishing world, I recommend you pick this book up in whatever format you enjoy.

Viola Shipman’s The Page Turner is a beautifully written, well-paced novel that pulls back the curtain on the publishing world while telling a heartfelt story about ambition, identity, and self-discovery. At the center of it all is Emma Page, a driven and talented woman navigating a world that often underestimates her—especially when it comes to the gendered expectations of the industry she loves.

The novel deftly explores timely issues like gender bias in publishing, revealing the challenges women face in getting their voices heard and respected. But it doesn’t stop there—Shipman delivers plenty of behind-the-scenes publishing “tea,” offering an insider’s look at the often cutthroat, image-driven, and politics-laced world of books. These elements are woven into the story in a way that feels natural and compelling, never overshadowing Emma’s emotional arc or the warmth that defines Shipman’s storytelling.

Narrator Katharine Chin brings Emma to life with clarity and nuance. Her performance is emotionally grounded, capturing Emma’s quiet strength and the undercurrents of frustration, hope, and determination that drive her. The audiobook production is polished and immersive, making this an easy and engaging listen from beginning to end.

The Page Turner is a smart, thought-provoking read with a lot of heart—and the audiobook edition only enhances the experience. A must-listen for book lovers, publishing insiders, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of having their voice heard.

Title: The Page Turner
Author: Viola Shipman
Narrated by: Katharine Chin
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Length: Approximately 9 hours and 49 minutes
Source: Audiobook and ebook review Copy from NetGalley. Thank-you!

Where is your favorite setting for a book? The Page Turner by Viola Shipman is set in South Haven Michigan with action also taking place in the Hamptons and New York City. I loved the South Haven, Michigan, setting as I grew up in southwest Michigan. Our family loved to visit South Haven and swim at the beach. My Great Uncle and Aunt lived in a beautiful historic home in South Haven. It’s a beautiful community. I now live in a Lake Michigan Community in Wisconsin. The lake vibes in this novel were very relatable.

Emma Page has just graduated from the University of Michigan and is trying to figure out what to do with her life. Her parents own The Mighty Pages publishing house, which prints literary fiction. Emma has secretly written a romance novel and loves romance just as her grandmother did. When Emma discovers a family secret, how will it affect them and the man who is trying to take their family down?

My thoughts on this novel:
• Viola Shipman is the pen name of Wade Rouse in honor of his beloved Grandma. He writes the best female characters that really speak to me. His Grandma taught him well!

• I read this novel in May as part of the Brenda Novak Book Group. I loved Wade Rouse’s interview as part of the Brenda Novak Book Group. He is delightful and his interview was so interesting.

• GiGi, Emma’s Grandmother, was a wonderful character. She is the type of loving and sassy Grandma everyone should have. I was blessed to have one myself. I loved how she loved to foster the love of reading in her kids and grandkids.

• There were interesting literary discussions and allusions throughout the novel. Who gets to decide what is the great American novel? Why is romance always looked down upon as a genre?

• The novel was a love letter to Michigan with blueberries, the state flag, roadside farms, lighthouses, Lake Michigan beaches, etc.

• Jonathan Livingston Seagull is mentioned a lot. I have never read it, but it has been on my TBR forever. Have you read this novel? If so, what do you think?

• This novel also highlighted family dysfunction and pulling together to protect your family overall.

• I am looking forward to his next book that will be set in Palm Springs. It is called Thank-you for Being a Friend and seems to be Golden Girls inspired.

• I enjoyed listening to this book on audiobook. It was entertaining and captured my interest on long drives.

Overall, The Page Turner by Viola Shipman was a perfect summer read with great characters, a love of literature, beaches, and a sinister villain.

Overall, The Page Turner is a breezy, bookish escape with a charming voice and feel-good moments. A great pick for fans of Elinor Lipman, Jennifer Weiner, or anyone craving a novel about writers, family expectations, and the stories that shape us.

Viola Shipman's The Page Turner is part romance, part hurt/comfort story, part family drama which adds up to all the things I enjoy in a nicely written novel. I also admit to choosing this book based on the title and cover alone.

I liked these characters and as the drama unfolds, the relationships between the family members becomes more and more interesting. Shipman also does a really nice job describing the homes and atmosphere throughout the story.

The audio version of The Page Turner is nicely performed by Katharine Chin.

Talk about book that makes you angry! The family is this is truly the worst! Thank goodness they got their redemption arc! Also Marcus is a total d, which I know he's meant to be, but he was definitely a great villain for the story. I really enjoyed Emma and that she not afraid to speak her mind, although I wanted her to stick up for herself more sometimes, especially when he family is treating her like she's a child, when she is really the most mature one of the group! I loved the stories about Gigi and her relationship with Emma and how that shaped who she was. The little bit of mystery was great and I liked how the sister came together to "protect their flock"

This was a DNF for me. I could not get into it no matter how much I tried. Not as a reflection on the writing, I just think it wasn’t MY thing. I would still try other books from this author.