This book was sent to me free from Netgalley for a review on Kindle...it is a heartwarming story with characters who are likeable...the shells that are found are intriguing and lend a hint of mystery to the book...it is easy to determine who is writing on the shells.

A beautiful beach on Welk's Island seems like the perfect place to start over and hopefully find healing. Amanda and her two children, Hailey and Jesse, have just moved to a little house by the beach. It has been two years since Jack, husband and father, was killed. This book brought me to tears at time. Equal parts hope and grief, joy and sorrow the story drew me in.

One day, on the beach, they met Maeve, an older lady who loved the ocean. She gathered Amanda and her children in and loved them and listened well to Amanda's story. She offered hope and healing and comfort. Of course, there was Paul Grant, who entered the picture as well, but in a sweet, gentle, healing way.

"Suffering is solitary, but you share your grief with good people. It's the way you release the pain and adjust to the loss."

"Suffering is solitary. It's a barrier to processing your loss."

Combined with the grief are the joy and beauty and vivaciousness that is Jesse and Hailey, You can't help but love them and their zest for life, though they might seem to be too well-behaved to be real-to-life.

I really enjoyed this book. The depth of friendship that is shown in this book is truly special.

I received this book from Waterbrook via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.

I can’t talk enough about this book! It was the perfect beach read, but touched my heart. After losing my dad I struggled with grief and hate, but Nancy’s words have helped me grow. I love the love story in this book, but the friendship between Amanda and Maeve is the best part of the whole book. We all need a Maeve in our life! Thank you Nancy for sharing this heartwarming story with us!

This is the first book by Nancy Naigle I am reading and I opted to read it, as I could see she is famous and I wanted to try some new authors in a light- hearted romantic story. The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle didn't disappoint me in that respect.

What we have here are three important characters Amanda, who is trying to get her footing back after suffering a big tragedy, Maeve, who is wise and liked by the whole community, and finally Paul, who is trying to find purpose in his life by giving back to the society. All these characters meet each other and that sets off a series of chain reactions in their lives, helping each other get through the cards they have been dealt with in their lives.

This is a sweet, poignant story of human relationships told in the backdrop of a small, tight-knit community full of mostly with good- hearted people. I know this is not realistic in many ways; but it does feels like a warm breath of air in a cold, frosty place. And the author has also inculcated many messages within the book, that can act as a balm to a troubled, lonely soul. The only problem for me with the book was that it just was not engaging and compelling enough. This book is worthy of 4 stars for me and is for anyone who like to read a warm, inspiring, soul- warming book.

I am a bit stingy with doling out 5 star reviews, a book really needs to touch me and/or knock my socks off, and that’s exactly what this book did! Have your tissues ready when reading this book!

When Amanda moves with her two kids to a small beach town in NC to start over after losing her husband she isn’t quite ready for all that she encounters. She spends her days on the beach with her kids where she meets another widow in her elder years, and they become fast friends. Also enter Paul, the best man and best friend of her late husband, who happens to have opened a business in this same beach town. There are also these mysterious shells that people find around town with sayings or quotes on them, and it is always when they need to hear those words the most that they appear.

The love, emotion, heartbreak, warmth, friendship in this book are really what makes this story so wonderful. I seriously cried for a good part of this book - both happy and sad tears. It read like a Hallmark movie and was so beautifully done that I would not be surprised if I see it one day on the Hallmark Channel. I highly recommend this book but be sure to have a box of tissues handy.

The Shell Collector is exactly what I expect from Nancy Naigle. It was great. I am giving it five plus stars.

This was a very sweet and touching story.
Amanda’s husband does not return home from the war and she relocates with her 2 small children to a house on the beach. A new start in a new town is what she needs. She becomes fast friends with a neighbor, another widow Maeve. Amanda coincidentally runs into her husband’s former best friend who is also new to the town after leaving the military. Sea shells with messages written in them pop up on the beach & town. Somehow the messages are just that the finder needs.
I loved this reconnection between Amanda & Paul. I also loved the friendship Amanda and her children have with Maeve. It is truly special book.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was light-hearted, fun and a cozy read. Yes, to some it might be on the heavy side with grief, but I really loved Amanda’s character and felt the author did a great job in making her grief acceptable with the help of Maeve’s character.

Amanda lost her husband two years ago and is still struggling- as to be expected. She has bought a fixer upper cottage and is wanting to give the kids a new start as well as herself. Although her mother is questioning her decisions, Amanda knows this is the right decision- it just feels right.

Maeve has lived on Whelk’s Island her whole life, and soon falls into being apart of Amanda and her two kids lives. Friendship seems to come very easily to them, and slowly Amanda opens up and Maeve is there to give her guidance and what advise she can- she is a widow herself.

The two quickly form a friendship and this is the type of relationship Amanda has been looking for in a mother figure, and Maeve has always wanted little ones to spoil and enjoy the rest of her days with. Children can see things so simply, and Maeve has quickly taken a liking to teaching and showing them all about the beach and the special shells.

With a little bit of nudging from Maeve, she has taught Amanda that it is ok to grieve, and take time for herself, and ask for help- and that she will find romance once again. It may not be the same as what she had with her husband, but she knows the right man will come along, and that man may just be from familiar to them both.

Thank you to the author for the free novel, and goodies and The Book Review Crew for the invite. I will be looking up more novels by Nancy, when I need something light and comforting. I really enjoyed this storyline, as well as Amanda and Maeve’s characters and relationship.

Heartwarming and moving story about friendship just as much about love. It was a little more serious than my usual fare (rom com, lighthearted, laugh out loud antics, etc.). I liken it to an old school Hallmark movie – comfortable and comforting.

I did an interview with Nancy for her book tour. Here's an excerpt.

If I were to ask a young Nancy what she wanted to be when she grew up, what would you have said and why?

LOL. Well, young Nancy wanted to be a zoologist and specialize in designing animal habitats. I still love the zoo! Somewhere around junior high I started dreaming of working for a big company in the city. Before I took early retirement to write full-time, I was a Senior Vice President with Ban of America. Writing was never on my radar as a career. When I turned 40 I decided I wanted to write one book to help one girl get through one bad day. That was the goal. It took me nine years to get that one book published, and it wasn’t until about book nine that I started thinking about making the leap to writing full-time as a realistic option.

What a sweet, wonderful book! Full disclosure – have tissues ready when reading this one! There were so many parts I loved about this book; I loved the wonderful relationship formed between Maeve and Amanda, multigenerational and so precious. I loved the beach descriptions. And the mystery of the shells that randomly showed up. Although there is some sweet romance, it did not seem like a romance book to me but rather a book on seeing people as they are, where they are. I loved it and highly recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh, this book. The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle takes you on a beautiful, heart-wrenching journey through grief and coming out on the other side of it. Amanda Whittier lost her husband and is struggling to find herself and some happiness two years later. She moves to a small house on Whelk's Island and meets Maeve - a lifelong resident and a quick friend to Amanda. Maeve lost her own husband several years ago and is determined to help Amanda see that her life can have joy in it again.

I loved every single character in this book. This is a book that had me crying multiple times - both tears of heartache and tears of joy. Nancy has written a perfect story. It is absolutely worth the sadness of reading it. There were so many wonderful moments. If you are looking for a moving story then this is it. I can totally see this being a Hallmark movie.

I'd give this more than five stars if I could. I received an advanced reader copy for review purposes. My honest review is not influenced in any way.

The Shell Collector has a little bit of everything - pain and heartache, resilience, deep friendships, and a little splash of romance. As the wife of a veteran Marine - this book caught my attention immediately. I loved how even the secondary characters felt like such a big part of the storyline - every individual and interaction moved the story along. When Amanda and Maeve meet, it is like they've known each other all along- their kindred spirits make the book all that more enjoyable.

Throughout the story, they never realize how much the other has helped them along their journey toward healing. Paul is a fantastic compliment to Maeve and Amanda - dealing with his own pain from the past. The moment you realize that Paul and Amanda had a connection through her late husband - suddenly the mentions of Paul's grief make more sense. I love how delicately the story moves toward their inevitable romance; and how genuine it all seems to be. There was no rushing into it, no over-night-commitments...it all seemed so believable. 

The book was a bit predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed the road Nancy Naigle took you down to get to those predictable bits.

I do not typically read books about loss and new starts. I signed up for this book tour thinking it was a different kind of book.

Amanda has lost her Marine husband and is suddenly now a single mom to two kids. She decided its time for a change and moved to a small island on the coast of North Carolina where she hopes to find a new start. While out one day she meets Maeve. She is an older widow and they quickly become close friends. Amanda is reconnected with an old friend there, Paul. He had been best friends with her husband, Jack. Paul had been in love with Amanda but didnt want to come between his friend and her so he let them be. Now with the passing of Jack, Paul sees this as second chance for them.

The story is one of love and loss and of second chances. One that reminds us that family is not always blood. I decided to give it 3 stars because it just wasnt my cup of tea. The writing is good and if you enjoy sad, Hallmark type stories then this one is for you.

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle
Publisher: WaterBrook & Multnomah
Publication Date: May 11, 2021
Genre: Romance

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle is a beautiful, heartwarming tale. I truly enjoyed reading this book and found it absolutely delightful!

This book is a great beach read!

I'm so grateful to Nancy Naigle, WaterBrook & Multnomah, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This story just warmed my heart. It’s about love, loss, grief, friendship and second chances. The author writes such great characters that you just fall in love with. The friendship between the older Maeve and the younger mother Amanda was so well written. It seemed they were destined to be friends. Amanda crossing paths with her late husband’s best friend and the flood of emotions jumped off the page.

I will usually avoid books that make me emotional, but for some reason, I just didn't mind with this one. I laughed and cried reading this one. This really reminded me of those Hallmark Hall of Fame movies that were on when I was growing up.

If you're ready to jump in and fall in love with some great characters and experience their love, loss and grief, I’d run out and get this one.

OMG!! A little warning I would need tissues to read this amazing and beautiful story. I haven’t cried this hard reading a book in forever. I thank the author for writing such an inspirational and moving story, even though my heart was ripped to shreds.

Amanda moved to Wilkes Cove in search of a fresh start. It has been two years since her husband’s death ripped her world apart. Shortly after moving into a run down cottage she meets the most wonderful woman named Maeve. She is wonderful and the children love her. Little did she know her life was about to change.

One day Amanda comes across a seashell on the beach with an inspiring note inside “All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.—Havelock Ellis”. It is a message with a lot of meaning. And this is where the story will take off.

I don’t know if I can properly describe how amazing this book is. I can just tell you how it affected me. As I sit here writing this review, I am still crying. I cannot express how much this book moved me. It was such a beautiful story, with amazing and inspiring characters. It is way more than a romantic story. It is a soul healing journey filled with inspiration and love.

This book is filled with precious moments and biblical aid. The characters are beautiful and awe inspiring. They each have had their own battles to overcome and each healing at the right pace with the perfect moment.

If you are looking for an inspirational story filled with an abundance of love, then this book is perfect for you. But be warned it will make you cry and really look at life with a whole new meaning. Awe inspiring and inspirational till the very last page.

What a powerful story of grief, healing, and finding love again. Sometimes friendship & love find you in the most unexpected ways. This book will warm your heart, make you smile, and also bring tears to your eyes. I loved the message of this book about living each day to the fullest, enjoying each moment, and not letting worry steal your joy.

What a wonderful book. It was sweet and touching. Amanda has lost her husband and has decided to move the Whelk Island. A place where she and Jack married and had wanted to raise their children. While on the beach one day, she meets Maeve. An older woman who is an instant friend. Maeve has also lost her husband (years before) and helps Amanda see the good in life and in the small things. Another surprise is reuniting with Paul. Her husband's best friend.

This story is so heartwarming. Amanda has struggled with her loss and trying to be strong for her little children. Maeve helps her to remember the good and see a future. Paul is kind and also helps Amanda as she tries to find a new normal.

I loved this book. It left me with a good feeling and was inspirational. People are kind and willing to help each other through this journey on earth.

Amanda is a widow with 2 kids. Paul rehabs military dogs. And Maeve helps them and the entire town.
This book is more than a romance. It’s about loss, female friendships and getting through grief.
I enjoyed it! The characters are well written and the setting is lovely.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.