While I didn't necessarily love the plot/storyline of the story, I did really enjoy the imagery. I want a summer by the sea in Montauk and fans of that area of the country will feel the same way.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this book. This is a very good debut novel! Beatrice Bordeaux goes to vacation for 12 week on Montauk. She is not all that excited about it, but her jet setter husband Harry tells her to go. Beatrice is a little different from all the gossipy, rich women and doesn't seem to really fit in. This is the story of how Beatrice finds herself and reaches out for what she really wants in life. I can't wait for the next story by this author!

This book was just okay for me. Kind of predictable. Wasn't awful, but not at all memorable. It was kind of interesting seeing how the upper class people wets to the lower. Obviously liked the main character cause she was different.

Nicola Harrison delivers a beautifully enriched historical fiction novel with aspects of romance.

The story takes place in 1938 on a beautiful island and we all step into a time period wrapped in male/female societal roles and norms.

I am always hesitant to read historical novels because they're not me favorite genre but I was so impressed with Nicola Harrison's debut. She truly has a way with her words and writing style!

I think alone I would read another book by her because I was truly so enamored with her writing!!

I was fascinated with the characters and how much the societal norms were ingrained in so many individuals back then.

I really liked the romance act to it as well..... if you're not a romance person than I may say this isn't for you?

My only minor issue with this one was it was a tad long for me a very slow slow burn. I was loving her writing but wanted something to pick up in the beginning.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and beautiful read.

3.75 stars rounded up!


Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Published to Goodreads: 2/8/19
Publication date: 6/4/19

Was interested in the title from story line and location. It was an enjoyable read but nothing exceptional.. if it wasn't for the location and my familiarity that I wouldnt have been able to finish.

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Nicola Harrison, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book was just lovely. The descriptions of the opulence of the time - 1938 rich New Yorkers in Montauk - was perfect. The characters were fully fleshed-out including foibles and flaws. The location was beautiful helped make the writing even more perfect. Just well-done for a first-time novelist. I cannot wait to read more by Nicola Harrison!

Highly recommend - this will be a GREAT summer read!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. Montauk by Nicola Harrison. This book was a very good period piece book. This book was hard to put down. It drew me in as for me means I’m up late reading. No spoilers. If you get the opportunity please check this one out. Highly recommend.

This was a wonderful period piece about Montauk in the late 1930's and its early popularity among the high society set. Montauk was just a simple fishing village when the wealthy decided to make it a go-to summer destination. This book examines the dynamics between the year-round Montauk residents and the society folk who bring jobs and money but also cause rifts in the normally peaceful village. It provides a detailed look into the life of the rich and prosperous - their clothes, children, marriages, and social codes. It's a wonderful love story as well that ties it all together. I loved reading about this time in history. The book is beautifully written and sucks you in from page 1. I would highly recommend this!

This book is soapy, and plucky, and fun. It was an unputdownable read until the very end. I thought that Beatrice's story was well told, and I was rooting for her as she made her way through society's rules to ultimately be true to herself. The ending is rather abrupt, I mean, I guess I get it, but it was just kind of done too quickly and I feel like it could have been fleshed out a little. The pacing of the rest of the book was good.

I could easily see this being one of Reese Witherspoon's book picks when the book comes out, and I also was casting the story in my head as I read it.

Well done. Thanks for the chance to read this one, Netgalley! I will be recommending it highly.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC ecopy for my Kindle.
Set during the depression in a fishing village on Long Island, the privilege families escape their busy city lives and vacation here during part or all of the summer. The main character Bea has married a wealthy man and even though she has a college education, women during this time and her social status do not work outside the home. Also, after being married 5 yrs., she has failed to give her husband a heir.
This is a romance novel including forbidden love along with heartaches. The ending was rushed but seems like Bea may have the life she wanted after all.

Beatrice Bordeaux has essentially been abandoned by her husband, Harry, at the resort called Montauk. The year is 1938, and Montauk is a playground for wealthy Manhattan wives. Beatrice is a wealthy Manhattan wife, but she doesn't fit in with these women. She is dismayed that her husband will spend most of his time in the city while she's stuck at Montauk. Their marriage is rocky, and Harry is likely having affairs. They have been unable to have children as well. Beatrice meets someone and begins to spend her time with him. And it's 1938, so there are many rules of society that Beatrice is breaking. Will this end well? Can a married couple survive living separate lives? It's a fascinating story with beautiful descriptions of the time period and place. It's like I was there. An excellent read for historical fiction fans. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just okay for me. It was a good debut and i would try this author again. I enjoy historical fiction so the setting and vivid descriptions were good but I didn’t like the characters. They felt superficial and I was unable to care about them which made the book feel a little too long. I am sure romance readers will enjoy but I would have liked a little more depth to the characters. #netgalley

The book that doesn't require to concentrate and pay full attention. Easy read, something to take on holiday and have by the pool while sipping cocktails.

First, thank you to NetGalley (St. Martin's Press) for a delightful e-book copy of this book to enjoy and review.
I found this first novel by Nicola Harrison delightful and fun to read. Takes place on Long Island in the fishing village of Montouk in 1938 , so all a win-win for me. Beatrice Bordeaux (Bea) is introduced to the elite of Long Island by her husband Harry showing her his "lifestyle" and a summer at the Montouk Manor. Her life changes rapidly, with many ups and down among her friends at the Manor - only to be attracted to another man, Thomas, who takes her on a different journey. The story has a happy ending, but not to be expected. You must read this one - and I look forward to Harrison's next.

This book grabbed me from the very first page it was engrossing to read how the other half lived. Probably before air conditioning!!
Thanks to net galley for a preview copy.

Montauk opens in 1938. Bea's husband unexpectedly changes their plans for summer. She will spend weekdays at a Montauk hotel with other privileged wives of Manhattan. Her husband will stay in the city and join her on weekends. That is the plan. She knows her marriage is troubled, but she lives in a society in which women are measured by their husbands wealth and position. It's important to keep up appearances. She is childless and searches for her identity. Never having been comfortable with society members, Bea explores the area and strikes up relationships that will change her life.

With engaging writing, the author introduces readers to a world of a different time. She brings to life vivid characters and seamlessly blends their stories together.
This is a poignant and memorable story. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through St. Martin's Press and NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received an ARC of this book and enjoyed it very much. It had mystery, romance and a look into the world of the wealthy of the 1930's. It gave a view of the early days of Montauk when it first became a summer resort area. The story and characters were well written and captivating. I couldn't put it down!

Beatrice Bordeaux, born lower/middle class, was college educated and married to wealthy Harry Bordeaux. Her story takes place the summer of 1938, in the fishing village of Montauk, the latest vacation hotspot for the wealthy. Beatrice and Harry's marriage is failing, not helped by the fact that Beatrice has still not gotten pregnant after five years of marriage. Thinking this summer vacation will be a new beginning for the two of them, Beatrice is dismayed to find that her husband plans to spend almost the entire summer back in the city, working, drinking, even conducting numerous affairs with other women, while Beatrice must pretend all is well with their marriage.

Beatrice is bored, unhappy, and has nothing in common with the rich, snobby, summering wives, most who have children, nannies, and want more and more despite all their wealth. Naive Beatrice inserts herself into the lives of the poor, struggling service workers of the village, not realizing that her interference can endanger their jobs, the only thing that brings food on their tables. She even finds herself up on the hill of the lighthouse and ends up very involved in the life of Thomas, the lighthouse keeper. Beatrice has to face what she wants from her life, as the summer draws to a close.

I enjoyed this predictable at times story although I was frustrated with Beatrice's intrusion in the lives of others, not thinking until it was too late, how her interference could hurt people in so many ways. I look forward to reading future books from Nicola Harrison. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a really great read, and reminded me a lot of the books by Beatriz Williams. I was really rooting for the main characters and I feel like the depiction of Montauk and its society was spot-on. I would really love to read a sequel to this book!

Nicola Harrison presents her debut novel, Montauk, nestled on the tip of Long Island. It's the summer of 1938 and we, as readers, step into a time period wrapped in social mores, societal webbings, and male/female designated roles.

Not one to be enamored with romance novels, this was a bit of a challenge for me, but through no fault of the writing skills of Nicola Harrison. She sets the tone precisely for the era and her complicated characters reflect that. My backbone arched a bit every time these individuals' actions demonstrated such tunnel vision in their societal roles. Yes, they were dancing fitfully to the beat of the music played on their dance cards. Right as rain.

But I wished for thunderstorms in Montauk. Our main character, Beatrice Bordeaux, has been landlocked on Long Island for the entire summer by her aloof husband, Harry, who has taken up quite the extracurricular activities in New York City. He peppers his trail with lie upon lie and as women it was to be taken with a grain of salt. (Oh, sorry about that!) Beatrice longs for a baby and sits within the ruination of her marriage. Let them see you smile, Sister.

My suggestion would be to take this one out for a spin and see what you think. Romance lovers will be enthralled as other reviewers gifted it with 5 Stars. It may ring the bell for your own sensibilities, but it left mine straining to hear more. We'll just have to see if Nicola Harrison continues in this particular genre or sets sail in a different direction next time around.

I received a copy of Montauk through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Nicola Harrison for the opportunity.