Viola Shipman’s *The Page Turner* is a captivating blend of family drama and self-discovery, centered around Emma Page, who feels out of place in her family of literary elitists. While her parents run a struggling publishing house focused on highbrow literature, and her sister Jess is a prominent book influencer, Emma secretly writes romance—the genre her family looks down on. Things take a turn when she discovers her late grandmother’s hidden legacy as a beloved romance author, revealing a family secret that could threaten their reputation.

As she grapples with her writing identity, Emma faces a vindictive industry insider eager to expose her family’s hypocrisy. The novel sheds light on the publishing world, addressing the biases against commercial fiction and capturing Emma's relatable frustrations with elitism in literature. The characters are well-crafted, with Emma being witty and self-aware, her sister Jess balancing confidence and insecurity, and their parents exhibiting a complex blend of pretentiousness and love for their craft.

Shipman mixes humor, warmth, and keen insights, making *The Page Turner* more than just a story about books. It’s a compelling narrative about self-acceptance, resilience, and the joy of storytelling in all its forms. Whether you're a romance fanatic or just in for a great story about chasing dreams, this one's definitely worth your time.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and synopsis. I've never read this author so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I found this to be an engaging family drama story with interesting tidbits about publishing, pseudonyms, and secrets. I thought some of the story didn't flow well, but I enjoyed the happy ending and the reunification of the family members. It falls firmly into the contemporary fiction genre when you'd maybe initially think it could be a cutie romance based on the cover. All in all, I'd try this author again!

What an interesting idea for a book!
And please, make sure you read the epilogue! Viola Shipman speaks of growing up and the many problems she faced, and how her grandmother, and family in general, so helped her through those difficult times! Beautifully written!!

Emma Page has graduated from college. She wants to be/is a writer. BUT, her family does not recognize her as a writer, as they are pretty snobbish when it comes to books. They are NOT interested in any mainstream, dreamy, romance-y, types of books. Those are sooooo beneath them! 😮🫢🤪😄🤣
Oh, and did I mention, they are one of the top publishing companies in the country!!

And, all their money came from Emma’s grandma…who came from nothing. She has left it all to them, but Emma misses her so much…. 😢 Sh wish she she could talk to her again… if only for a moment…

So, when Emma’s parents decide to sign with a questionable guy to help them through a rough patch, Emma doesn’t understand why?? He’s a sleezeball…. But they are not listening 🙉…

And then the plot thickens…. And another shoe drops…

This one will definitely keep you on your toes and guessing… right until the last page! 😮

Terrific story that gives a little insight into the world of writing and publishing!

4 big, bright, shining ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

#ThePageTurner by #ViolaShipman. Narrated beautifully by #KatharineChin.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date is TODAY, 4/8/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves now !! ***

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This is a book for people who love books and words.
It was beautifully written - a family that is a literary powerhouse between a writer, publisher, book influencer and then their black sheep, who is a newly graduated writer who is mourning her grandmother and trying to decide where she's going to fit in her family legacy. Unfortunately, she can also see where here family is making some disastrous deals that they seem blind to and she has to find a way to fix the problem without them knowing. While a lot of the conversations are very literary people talking to each other and it almost doesn't seem real, the unraveling of family mysteries, and unburying the buried acorns (it'll make sense when you read it!), it was absolutely a wonderful tribute to the original Viola Shipman.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

When I first started this book I thought I was about to hit a book slump. But in true Viola fashion…I was pulled into this tale.

Emma is kind of the black sheep of the Page Family. Her family has been in the book publishing business for years but Emma just can’t seem to do anything right. And when her family signs a deal to help save the family business, but Emma has first hand knowledge that this is going to blow up in their faces, she has a big decision to make.

Emma is a character that my heart went out to. She is pushed around a bit by her family….but don’t worry…she comes into her own. And yes, she discovers a secret or two or three!

I love how this author can take a dysfunctional family and create a tale that is heartwarming.

I also loved the author’s note! If you don’t read anything else…READ THAT. Especially if you have loved books your whole life, it will give you strength and acceptance.

The narrator, Katharine Chin, could not have been better. I loved her as Jess!

Need a tale about power and family…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Ordinarily I would have been all about this book about a romance loving writer trying to defend her chosen profession and genre but ever since I learned the author is actually a man, reading about his feminist romance books just doesn't ring the same. Good on audio and okay overall, I liked but didn't love this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book was awful. The author created a know-it-all, haughty brat to make the main character feel sophisticated and knowledgeable. She thought so highly of herself that I didn't care about the story. I usually like books by Shipman, but this was a total miss.

To start with the best positives - I liked the narrator. She did a good job with the story. Now, for the story - oh boy. This was a big miss for me. The plot is fine and I was very drawn in by the title and cover. But the substance is lacking and downright infuriating. Every character is over the top and so stereotypical. The villain literally lurks in corners sneering and mouthing threats, the snobby parents are apparently so snobby they can’t even listen to their adult children and only care about Botox and expensive property to a point of ridiculousness. The main character, who is meant to be the antithesis of her parents and the champion of the story, is utterly annoying and frustrating. This was almost a DNF and I unfortunately cannot recommend it.

This book started out a little slow but picked up about halfway through. There are so many topics people will be able to relate in this book: feeling like the family outcast, missing a family member who has passed away, wanting to follow your dreams even if your parents don’t approve. I loved all the Gigi quotes throughout the book. Gigi was a very wise woman and I’m glad we got to learn about her throughout the book. This book is very different from my normal reads but I did enjoy it.

TikTok end of month review coming April 30.

🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧

2 ⭐️⭐️

Thank you harlequin audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC!

First of all the audio was audio was fine. The narrator was good. I didn’t have any issue with the audio portion of the book.

The actual story was terrible. I only gave it two stars cause I did review it as an audiobook and the audio was fine. The MC was annoying and can’t make a decision to save her soul and that’s like 80% of the book. Also I was like did a man write this? And then I found out it’s a man writing under a female name so makes sense 🙄 this was my first by this author and I’m afraid it will be my last way too many great authors out there to waste time on bad ones.

Viola Shipman’s The Page Turner is a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery, artistic ambition, and the quiet power of women’s voices in a world that too often sidelines them. Emma’s journey—interwoven with her grandmother Gigi’s past—offers rich emotional depth and thoughtful commentary on legacy, creativity, and the literary world’s biases, especially against genre fiction. While the novel shines in its themes and smart pop culture nods, I found the pacing uneven, the plot leaning more toward fluff than substance at times, and some characters hard to connect with emotionally. The repetition in the writing occasionally dulled the impact of what could have been truly powerful moments. Still, the story held my attention, and the audiobook narration was a standout—engaging, warm, and perfectly attuned to the novel’s emotional core. The Page Turner may not have delivered the punch I was hoping for, but it’s a tender, witty read that will resonate with anyone drawn to stories about finding your voice and rewriting your own narrative. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced listener copy!

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman is a sharp and refreshingly contemporary novel, full to the brim of Michigan references that the author is known for. One again, Viola Shipman has delivered a heartwarming tale that masterfully blends family drama with literary intrigue.

At its center is Emma Page, a young romance writer whose success in her chosen genre becomes the catalyst for upheaval in her intellectually elitist family. The story follows Emma, a recent college graduate who has secretly written an entire novel, as she navigates the complex dynamics of being the black sheep in a family of literary snobs. What makes this novel particularly engaging is its timely nature, peppered with relevant pop culture references that ground the narrative firmly in our present moment.

Shipman's greatest triumph lies in the authentic exploration of family relationships, particularly the touching bond between Emma and her grandmother, Gigi. The novel serves as both a love letter to complicated families and a reminder that books themselves can be family too, creating a multi-layered narrative that resonates on several levels. The author's wit shines through in the clever dialogue and situational humor, making what could have been a heavy family drama into something more digestible and entertaining. The plot, described as "sharp, witty and entirely delightful," delivers on its promise, offering readers a perfect blend of humor and heart. What's particularly noteworthy is how Shipman tackles the often-fraught subject of artistic legitimacy in the literary world. Through Emma's journey as a romance writer in a family that prizes traditional literary fiction, the novel raises interesting questions about the validity of different genres and the often arbitrary nature of literary elitism.

For me, a Shipman completist, this has proven to be one of Shipman's strongest work to date - serving not only as an ode to the written word but also as a powerful testament to female strength and the courage to follow one's passion despite familial expectations. I recommend The Page Turner to readers who enjoy family dramas with a contemporary edge, fans of books about books, and anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in their own family.

Special thanks to the narrator Katharine Chin. Her narration very much added to my reading pleasure. All in all, The Page Turner offers a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience that will likely leave you reflecting on your own family dynamics and the books that have shaped your life.

This book was lovely. I fell in love with GG and the rest of the pages. The story was a bit predictable in places but still an absolute joy to read in this season of life. The narration was lovely. I highly recommend!

The Page Turner
by: Viola Shipman
narrator: Katharine Chin
Harlequin Audio

Viola Shipman is a "go-to author" for me, with writing that is family oriented and gives homage to heritage and place. In The Page Turners, amidst the settings of the Hamptons and Lake Michigan, Shipman delivers a bookish plot heavy on literary themes, family drama, and secrets. I enjoyed this thought provoking and entertaining novel and its insight into the publishing and writing world. Shipman's writing voice, which I love, is always heartfelt and thoughtful. He really crafted the main character, Emma, well, with her aspiration to write romance.

The audiobook narrator, Katharine Chin, delivers the story in a manner that is very compatible with Shipman's style. Her voice captures the complexity and depth of the book, as well as its warmth.

I received a complimentary advance listener's copy from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio. My review is my own.

#ViolaShipman #ThePageTurners #HarlequinAudio #NetGalley

The beginning threw me off and seemed unnecessary and immediately turned me off from the story. I wasn’t invested and just kind of confused and just wanted to get through the book as fast as possible

Review: The Page Turner by Viola Shipman

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced listener copy!

Viola Shipman’s The Page Turner is, without a doubt, one of the most thought-provoking novels I’ve read this year. With a deft hand, Shipman explores the often-unseen, shadowy side of the publishing industry—shedding light on the quiet struggles women face in fighting to be heard, respected, and accepted in a space that so often sidelines their voices.

At the heart of the novel is Emma, whose journey of self-discovery is as moving as it is empowering. As she uncovers pieces of her beloved grandmother’s past, she begins to unearth her own voice—one that had been buried beneath fear, doubt, and societal expectations. That parallel narrative between generations adds a rich emotional layer to the story and emphasizes the importance of legacy, memory, and storytelling.

One of the unexpected delights of the novel was its smart use of pop culture references. These moments brought a sense of warmth and familiarity, making Emma’s world feel instantly relatable and vividly real.

While the novel delivers on emotional resonance and important commentary, it does suffer from occasional pacing issues. There were moments where the narrative lost some momentum and struggled to hold my attention—but even then, the strength of the themes pulled me back in.

I also listened to the audiobook version, and the narration was wonderfully done—thoughtful, engaging, and emotionally attuned to the story’s tone.

The Page Turner is a quiet but powerful celebration of women’s voices, the complexities of ambition, and the stories we inherit. If you’re drawn to novels that blend heart, heritage, and hard truths, this one belongs on your shelf.

I DNFd at 27%. I was really intrigued by the premise of this book, but by the time I stopped, I still had no idea what the plot was—which doesn't always bother me (I care more about the characters) but I couldn't connect with any of the characters, either. I disliked all of them AND found them all one-dimensional, which is a hard combination to push through. I stuck it out much longer than I wanted to in the hopes that it would turn around, but by the time I put it down, the only things keeping my attention were the narrator and some of the information we get about the grandmother.

Recognizing that not every book is for every reader, I’m always cognizant of an author’s hard work to put words to paper. I’m envious of their talent and courage to put their work out there for others to critique. That being said, this book was a big miss for me and I’ll be as kind as possible in telling you why.

If I wanted to spend time reading about or interacting with insufferable, detestable characters, I would focus on the news. Real life is full of them. The only character I even tolerated in this book is VV and that’s only because she is fully aware that she is an acquired taste. The main character, Emma Page? Horrid, whiny, spoiled. Emma’s parents and sister? Pretentious, miserable, demeaning. Marcus Flare, the villain? Sexist, abusive, creepy.

I am fully aware that Violet Shipman is the pen name for Wade Rouse. I’ve read other books by him and never got the misogynistic vibe this book gave me. Frankly, it was off putting.

I generously gave this book 2⭐️; one for Katherine Chin’s narration and one for the behind the scenes look at the publishing industry. I will say, however, that my interactions with authors and publishing professionals have been the polar opposite of what Shipman/Rouse portrays. Thank goodness.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.

This was a solid story about family dynamics and how one comes to find them elves under family expectations.