I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Prosper Redding: The Last Life of Prince Alastor. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Holy smokes! This book was not what I expected at all--it was SO MUCH MORE! As cliche as it is, I could not put this book down. I needed to know if Beatrice would find happiness. I was really rooting for the her to get a break and have it all... I felt all of her pain, humiliation, fear, love, and loss. (Her husband, Harry, was not "worth the skin he was in"! I truly loved to hate him!) Oh what a few tumultuous days I had--with such a contrast between the severely sweet highs and the devastating lows! There were some very unexpected turns which I refuse to spoil, but I must say that I wish some things had gone differently for her. (For this reason alone, I had to rate only 4 stars.) At the same time, I will happily read this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nicola Harrison for the ARC!

I typically don't read historical fiction, but I grew up on eastern Long Island and have spent quite a bit of time in Montauk. So how could I possibly refuse the opportunity to see what Montauk was like in 1938(I couldn't)? It was the beginning of the end of a quiet fishing town when wealthy NYC residents began arriving in droves for the summer.
Beatrice and Harry have been married for 5 years and have grown apart. The thought of spending the summer away from the city, gives Beatrice hope that she and Harry can reconnect. What she hadn't fully considered were the long lonely weekdays when Harry went back to work and she was left to make friends with the other wives. Many of these women are already mothers and Beatrice has very little in common with these society wives. Beatrice grew up in rural Pennsylvania far from the glitz and glamour of NYC and is more comfortable with those who work at the Manor. Will this summer in Montauk be good for Beatrice and Harry or will it tear them apart?
The author did a wonderful job describing not only Montauk but also what it was like to summer with high society. So many rules, so much extravagance, and so little actual love between so many of these characters. No spoilers here, but I will say I was hoping that Beatrice would find some way to belong.
The pace is slow, like a lazy summer day, but not at all boring. It is a look at a simpler time and place and the fact that I read this in front of a fire on a cold fall day, made me long for summer in Montauk. I have read so many wonderful debut novels in 2018 and Montauk is another one to add to that list.
I received a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

Unfortunately, this book never quite took off for me. I read about 40% before abandoning ship. There was a good deal of set up, and it’s just too slow to get to action for me.

Montauk is an amazing debut novel written by Nicola Harrison. The story opens at the beginning of summer in 1938. The well to do families are arriving at the Montauk Manor. This is the place to be seen and to see others who occupy the top echelon of New York's social and economic status. The husbands will stay the weekend and return to work during the week. This is their schedule for the rest of the summer. What follows shows the dichotomy between the rich and those who work to provide their comfort. Beatrice hopes to rekindle the desire she and her husband of 5 years shared earlier in the marriage. Harry seems more uninterested everyday and refuses to talk about whatever's happening. Beatrice doesn't know that the rich lead very different lives than the middle class family she came from.

The characters are well crafted and believable. The rich versus poor theme is skillfully brought to life when Beatrice tries to befriend Elizabeth who does everyone's laundry. Elizabeth is worried about losing her job if anyone sees them together and pleads with Beatrice to understand she is capable of doing the laundry on her own.. There are so many rich moments that show the difference between the haves and have nots that I could go on describing them but it's much better that you discover them for yourself. I think this book is good enough to be on next year's best seller list.


I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
#Montauk #NetGalley

Montauk, Long Island in the year 1938 is where anyone who is anyone will be summering. Away from the heat of the city. Fresh ocean breezes and a small fishing village and even a lighthouse.

Beatrice Bordeaux is a young woman from the countryside of Pennsylvania. 
Swept off of her feet by the charming Harry, they have been married five years and yet still have no children. 
The elite of society corral their nannies and children and head to the Manor for the summer. Beatrice thinks she may like being by the ocean all summer until her charming husband tells her he isn't staying. He will be coming on the week ends, which gradually just stop after she catches him cheating. 

While it looks as though the Junior League has just moved locations, with meetings and fund-raisers and a whole lot of back stabbing, cheating, drinking and behaving badly. Bea befriends Elizabeth, who lives in town and does laundry for the Manor. And through Elizabeth she meets a man unlike any she has ever met and before long things are getting pretty serious.

Beatrice is noticing the behavior of the city dwellers with their noses in the air and is not happy with it. As her love for her lighthouse keeper grows so does her guilt. But I did not expect that ending!

I did get upset with Beatrice a few times. But then I thought, it is 1938, and divorce wasn't looked on as well as just putting on a brave face and having affairs of one's own. At the beginning her timidness irritated me. Until she found a way to address the situation in Montauk and what was really going on there. At the end she was a strong and independent woman.

Well Done!

Netgalley/June 4th 2019 by St. Martin's Press

This was a slow burn for me, but once I got to the 50% point I was fully invested. It was very interesting to read about the beginning days of Montauk as a vacation destination for the more privileged. There was also a little Downton Abbey/upstairs, downstairs feel to it as well. I liked Beatrice. She was strong in her convictions and I respected her. I wasn't happy with the ending, but I respect the author's choice.

I was expecting more from this book -- it was good and I enjoyed it, but as a fan of Beatriz Williams, Fiona Davis and others this was just ok...

It was a quick read and I wished there was a little bit more to the main character Beatrice. It was predictable and all of a sudden it ended and left me wanting more. I did love the descriptions of those who summered in Montauk and the location.

Usually I'm not a huge fan of historical romances. This one though, I thoroughly enjoyed. It takes a look at the summer time in the late 30's living among the wealthy in a beach from front home.
Thanks for the Arc

I did not finish this book after 30% into it. I could not get into it and thought Bea was a very weak character. The other Ladies Who Lunch were just as vapid. I may try this again closer to release date to see if I can get through it. I am sorry this was not to my taste but thank you for the opportunity.

As an English major in college, I took a class on travel writing and had to write about a specific place and what made it so special to us. For Nicola Harrison, Montauk is her place and she does a magnificent job of sharing it with readers. Set in 1938, but with conversations and topics still happening today, this piece of historical fiction is bursting with everything from a local school damp and in need of repair to castle-like manors and a grand, but also useful lighthouse that will change Beatrice Bordeaux's life forever. Harry Bordeaux, Bea's husband, is a successful man and he, along with many others, send their wives to the hotspot, Montauk, for the summer. Since Bea has no children to care for and no job to keep her occupied, she's initially concerned when the summer begins. Very quickly, though, she finds friends and over the course of the twelve weeks spent in Montauk, finds herself as well. This Gatsby-esque tale is sprinkled with a hint of Gossip Girl and has everything: fashion, friends, affairs, feuds, and love. Harrison says it best: "No matter how perfect all these lives might have seemed from a distance, so full of possibilities and promise, we all wanted more" (364). Grab this one ASAP!

Normally I don't read romance type books/novels but found this one very interesting. Enjoyed the historical aspects of how a sleepy beach front community could have become the playground for upper society. How we can overlook the views of the local folks vs. the games of life the summer visitors may play.

I enjoy reading about this time frame from the 1930's, what life was like and how folks lived, their values, and way of life. Interesting twists and turns in the plot that kept me engaged and I felt well written.

Many thanks to NetGallery, the publisher and author, Nicola Harrison, for the opportunity to read and give a honest review of "Montauk."
A book about getting away from the city and vacationing at a lavish resort, Montauk Resort, Long Island. Looking into how the wealthy class spends their summer and what can happen when unpredictable truths come to light.
Main characters are Beatrice and her husband, Henry along with Elizabeth, the lady that does the laundry at the Resort and Thomas, the lighthouse keeper.
I felt it started out pretty slow and I was losing interest but, the story picked up about half way in and caught my interest again. It was interesting to read about the parties, dress codes and what was deemed socially acceptable.
A very touching story with a ending I knew was going to happen but hoped I was wrong. I felt the ending was a bit rushed. Overall, a touching beach read that I enjoyed reading.

Montauk by Nicola Harrison is an inside look at lifestyles of the rich and famous in the summer 1938. Not too much different from today except the whole world has access to see the extravagance and entitlement now.
The upper class of New York city are exiting for the summer to relocate to Montauk. Many are staying at the Manor including Harry Bordeaux and his wife, Beatrice. Harry and the other husbands will spend the week in New York and take the train to Montauk for weekends. He expects Beatrice to make friends with the other wives in hopes of creating new business connections. As summer progresses Harry spends more time in New York or focused on his investment possibilities for Montauk. The abused wife is finding more and more unpleasant truths about her marriage and the lives of those around her. She is strong and resourceful and reaches out to the locals to make true friendships that sustain her. What will happen when summer ends? Will Beatrice be able to continue her friendships year to year?
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are well-written and realistic. I know some snobs like many of them. I also know men like Harry. I was drawn in from page one and had difficulty putting the book down until I finished it. I was rooting for Beatrice and her strong inner self to triumph over all the fakeness and snobbery she was encountering. I give this book 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Lovely historical fiction with strong characters and an interesting plot. MONTAUK follows Bea Bordeaux, a small town girl who marries into New York society. Bea goes to spend the summer amongst the wives of the elite and struggles to find her place both in her marriage and the new society she inhabits. .Bea forms an unexpected friendship with some local townspeople and her luxurious summer takes a dangerous turn. Very good debut!

In the days leading up to World War II, the town of Montauk, on Long Island, was just coming into being as THE place to summer. Harry, a hopeful investor, chooses to bring his wife Beatrice to Montauk in anticipation of investing in the town. His philandering does tend to keep him from spending much time there so Beatrice has to amuse herself.

She enjoys the townspeople who also work for the Manor where she is staying. The locals seem more real to her than the society women who are pulling at her to serve on committees. One particular local really captures her attention, but the society women can be vindictive when you don't jump when they say jump.

Good story. I enjoyed it to the end. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a great book! I fell in love with Beatrice and Thomas. I wish I could visit Montauk! I'd love to see the lighthouse and the harbor. I will recommend this book to all my book club friends! #netgalley #montauk

A poignant,, thoughtful novel with gorgeously rendered characters and a rich sense of place. Nicola Harrison spins a web of betrayal, remorse, and love that will entangle the reader.

I loved this book!! What a stunning debut novel set in what was once the tiny fishing village of Montauk. A summer love story that took off like a roller coaster and ended with a twist! Great book!!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

1938 -- Montauk, Beatrice and her husband, Harry, are to be spending the summer at the lavish Montauk Resort. Beatrice is hoping to rekindle the passion in her marriage, but Harry has other ideas as he is going to be "working" during the week in the city. Beatrice, upon finding the wealthy woman at the resort to be not to her liking secretly befriends a local woman from the village. It's through this friendship that Beatrice meets lightkeeper, Thomas.
This story started out slow for me, but I am glad I stuck with it. It got more interesting when Beatrice met Thomas. I was disappointed with the end, though. I wish it went another way and it also felt rushed. Overall, the story was beautifully written with detailed descriptions of the resort and the strong characters.





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This type of book, romance, extra-marital affairs, love stories, especially amongst the rich and frivolous are not a genre I would normally read.
To be fair, I have to separate my preferences and rate the book for its vivid portrayal of its characters, its terrific sense of place and time, the visual descriptions of the luxurious resort, the glamorous attire and gourmet dining, with its dramatic, heartfelt conclusion. Highly recommended for those who enjoy romantic historical writing with some sadness and strong character growth.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review.