Nancy Naigle's, The Shell Collector is a perfect beach read. It combines love, loss, family, friendship, sand, and the ocean: just the right combo. The Shell Collector introduces sweet characters in a lovely little beach town that readers will completely find relateable. I highly recommend this book!

I usually read and review anything Nancy Naigle writes as soon as it comes out on the other platforms. As always I forgot to leave my review here. I really loved the book.

This is a wonderful read that is Christian and wholesome. The references to prayer and church going on Sunday help make the story a great read. I will look for Nancy Naigle in the future. Amanda moves to Whelks Island to raise her two young children when her husband is killed while in the Marines. She buys a small cottage on the beach and becomes friends with an older woman, Maeve who lives near by. She teaches Amanda to live again and in turn has a wonderful relationship with the children who love her as a grandmother figure. Paul was best friend to Amanda's husband and they are both surprised when they run into each other on the beach. An emotional read but so worth the tears. Would recommend this to anyone and everyone. Loved it. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have been a fan of Nancy Nails for many years and I feel this is one of her best. Filled with inspiration, friend ship and hope after loss. It's A touching story of finding a friend when you need one and miracles too. Such a wonderful book!

An amazing story of friendship across all generations, a story of moving on after the death of a spouse. Amanda has lost her spouse and decides to relocate to Whelk's Island with her two small children. She buys a fixer upper small cottage on the beach where she meets long time resident, Mauve. Mauve has many words of wisdom and shares her inspirations. Paul is also new to town, but is a long time friend of Amanda's deceased husband. Mauve, Amanda and Paul will gain so much in life from this friendship that is formed.

A true delight to read, Ms. Naigle has poured her heart into this book. I had a hard time putting it down, so much love that forms from this friendship. Everyone needs a little bit of Mauve in their lives. I shed so many tears, happy and sad through this story. One of the best books that I have read this year, I highly recommend.

This was a really good book by Nancy Naigle. The story is about a woman who moves to a small cottage by the ocean with her two children. Her husband died two years prior and she’s trying to move on with her life without him. After she moves to the area, she meets up with Maeve Lindsay, an older woman who meets up with Amanda Whittier. This woman is like a lifeline for Amanda as she interweaves her life into her own.

In the meantime, Maeve has met up with a newcomer to the area who is rehabbing former military dogs. With her friendship with Paul, they find themselves surprisingly intertwined with Amanda. Amazing things occur.

First off, I forgot while reading the book that it was a book by WaterBrook & Multnomah, which is typically a Christian based publisher. This book, didn’t have any of those typical Christian vibes through out it. In fact, I thought I was reading a well written general novel for the masses, one that was written very clean.

This was my first time reading a book by Nancy Naigle, and it is pretty much guaranteed that I will read more of her books in the future. Also kudos to the book designer!

Up until this point, all of the Nancy Naigle novels that I have had the chance to read have been her Christmas novels... and I absolutely loved them. So, when I saw her newest release- The Shell Collector, I was excited to go on a different type of holiday with her. I am happy to say that it was every bit as enjoyable.

If you enjoy a good Hallmark-style romance in a book, that is certainly what you get in this one... and as a huge Hallmark fan, I mean that in the absolute best way possible. A fantastic beach setting, a great cast of characters that draw you into the story and a beautifully written story that will pull at all of your emotions! I couldn't get enough. If you are looking for a great beach read, this is certainly one worth checking out!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

The Shell Collector was one of those books I picked up on a whim and it turned out to be exactly what I was needing in my reading life. I so enjoyed my time with this one and soaked it all up in a way I’m not sure I would have had the timing been different. I think they call that “book serendipity”?

Amanda, Paul, and Maeve have all been through a lot, both recently and in the past, and are simply doing their best to carry on and make the most of the life they’ve been given, through both the hardships and the unexpected blessings. Their lives come together and intertwine in a lovely beach town one summer in North Carolina, and they begin to find what they’re seeking and needing in each other and other surprising places, like the shells with inspirational sayings or quotes they stumble upon which seem to say exactly they need to hear.

I will be honest that I felt the plot itself was just a bit lacking here, as I just kept expecting “more” to unfold but which never came. It was almost like the book could have been shortened into a novella and had the same effect, telling the same story in many less words. Regardless, what really brought it all together for me story-wise were the uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging messages behind it, of faith, hope, and joy in times of loss and healing. It was an emotional ride of tears and laughter.

Besides the picturesque beach/ocean setting and close knit, small town camaraderie which I loved, the characters were a definite highlight and worked their way into my heart. We get three different POV’s and what I so enjoyed was just how relatable and real these characters were. It was great to get to come alongside characters of different ages and life circumstances and experiences. They truly lit up the pages!

All in all a great summertime read that offers that perfect blend of sweet, light, heartfelt, and endearing. Reading it was like taking a breath of fresh air. This book is a blend of women’s fiction and romance so if you’re into that or already a fan of this authors books, I think it’s a wonderful one to pick up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Waterbrook Multnomah for the gifted e-copy!

A good summer read, The Shell Collector shows us that friendship and love are great healers of wounds. Amanda is trying to move on after losing her husband, Paul has been hurt in love, and Maeve loves her town and its people. Wrap them all together and you have a story that tugs on the heart. Think of a sweet Hallmark movie.

Will all the emotions, you’ll want to head for Whelk’s Island, walk the beach, and look for shells. And maybe you should.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

“Live. Love. Laugh. And keep that sand under your feet.”

“The Shell Collector” is such a beautiful story that it will stay in my heart for years to come. It makes me want to move to a beach immediately, wiggle my toes in the sand, and collect seashells. Most especially I’d love to be a part of this seaside community. Poignant, beautiful, and heartwarming, Naigle builds story that will stay with you. She inspires you to live in the moment and yet to build new hopes and carry out your dreams.

“Honey, unfortunately no life is free of sadness, be it from pain, loss, illness, or…well, you get the idea. It’s all a necessary part of a life well lived.”

Another beauty of this novel is learning to overcome grief in a healthy way and helping others do the same. It’s about how much God is with us in the midst of it all even when we don’t feel Him. This novel will stay with me as a story filled with hope in the midst of pain. The characters are engaging and will make you want to move to a small beach town. When an unexpected friend shows up, the past meets the present in a second chance relationship that brings about hope. The friendships and romance are a treasure to unveil and so inspiring. I loved every moment and hope you will too.

“When the tide goes out, we get to appreciate the treasures it reveals. And when it comes in, new life is washed ashore. There’s beauty in both.”

I was given a copy of this book by the author. All opinions are my own and are given honestly.

I read this book as a review copy and I could hardly put it down.
I loved the ways the "Shell Collector" passed along her life experiences to a mother and her children who were starting a new life after the death of her husband.
I highly recommend this book to readers at any stage of life.
It is a story of human connection and finding purpose in life after change.
It is one of my favorite books ever...I liked it so much I have read other books by Nancy Naigle as a result.

A friend compared the experience of reading The Shell Collector to watching a heart-warming Hallmark movie, and I wholeheartedly agree. The concept of shells with special messages found just when they are needed is captivating, and the fact that no one knows who is responsible for them gives it a neat twist.

This story also touches on the idea that sometimes someone comes into your life for a short time, but there is a sweetness to the friendship despite its brevity. I have found that to be true in life as well, when there is a certain closeness with someone, but then, for one reason or another, that season of life has passed.

Amanda has moved to Welk Island after a devastating loss and meets the local Shell Collector, Maeve. Maeve bonds instantly with Amanda and her young children, while Amanda navigates what is next for her and her family. Though the story is not without loss, it’s gently told, and there is ultimately a happily ever after. Things do feel a bit too easy, and I could have used a bit of higher stakes, but not every story has that, and that’s okay. The romance is not the main focus, but rather friendship, which is a welcome change of pace.

I recommend this novel for readers looking for an easy, breezy summer read, with a lot of heart behind it.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; this review is my honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is one of the few I have given five stars to this year. it held my interest from start to finish.

My Review: I have come to really count on Nancy Naigle to give me a great book when I need it, and she did not disappoint with this one. Forewarning, be prepared with tissues for this emotional journey, I was in tears within the first half hour of picking this book up and I can't tell you how many times they came back while reading it. With that said it isn't just a said story, it is also beautifully hopeful and uplifting. I absolutely loved the mentor feel in this book, I seriously loved Maeve! I also really enjoyed Paul and Amanda's characters though the romance does come on rather quick and strong but the back story is developed though we find it later in the book. It was definitely an emotional book but (now give me a bit of freedom with my words here) a cleansing emotional book, it felt good to cry with the characters. I definitely recommend picking this one up and it makes such a great summer read.

My Rating: While I have loved every other one of Nancy Naigle's books I have read, this might be my favorite! It was beautiful, emotional, hopeful and just a perfect book to kick off summer. I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

This book was so good. I laughed and I cried. Get a box of tissues and settle in for an emotional read. The book spoke to me on so many levels, I will forever be looking for messages in seashells!

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I may read it in the future. You may like it. Give the book a try. I do like this authors other books

This is such a lovely story, and I found myself feeling many of the emotions that a well-written novel can evoke. I was washed in sadness as Amanda and her children adjusted to life without a husband and father, and I rejoiced as they began to feel moments of joy even in their grieving. I also loved the friendship that developed between Amanda and Maeve, despite the fact that they were years apart in age. Maeve had lived through much of what Amanda was experiencing, and the fact that she'd never had her own children, made the love and attention that she lavished on Hailey and Jesse even more poignant. Watching her patiently show them the satisfaction in searching for shells along the beach warmed my heart, and her kindness and wisdom was special, indeed. We all need a Maeve in our lives!

"I'm an excellent listener. I won't ask or push. Just let be there for you a you're ready. Don't make the mistakes I made. I wasted so many years buried in suffering."

The Shell Collector has a perfect setting, an assurance that, even after loss, life does go on, and a faith-revealing message that God is always with us. It also reminds us that love comes in many forms, and each one is equally important. Romantic love is wonderful, but the love between friends can be life-altering and life-sustaining! Nancy Naigle has written an exceptional book and I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary women's fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

Not my type of book was requested for my mother to read I will never be reading this type of book. Did not read at all

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle is an outstanding story. I’ve never read a book by Naigle before, so I wasn’t sure what I was going to get. What I got were all the feels. I cried quite a few times so make sure you have a box of Kleenex when you read this one. I also laughed, hoped, self-reflected, and felt so inspired. So, what did I love about this story? First, the setting is magical. I want SO badly to move to Whelk’s Island. I experienced the beach as if I was there with the characters. The feel of the sand under my feet, the sound of the waves crashing onshore, the heat of a humid morning, and the sudden onset of a summer storm — I experienced it all and it was glorious. Now I need a beach getaway myself. Second, I adore the characters in this story. Maeve is my favorite character. She is the beautiful and wise grandma everyone should have in her life. I love her zeal for life, her loyalty to her hometown and community, and her innate ability to help others through their tough times. What a wonderful example of a Titus 2 woman! Amanda and Peter are good as heroine and hero. I appreciate that they already had an established and deep friendship before this story begins as it allows for their somewhat quick romance to be more realistic and believable. My favorite aspect of their relationship is how much they want to help each other and their ability to consider each other’s needs before their own. It’s a great illustration of a solid relationship. The final thing I loved about this novel is how it got me to self-reflect on my own feelings of grief. Both Maeve and Amanda have grief issues they deal with in this story. I LOVE how they become strong towers of support for one another. It’s such a beautiful picture of that deep friendship discussed in Proverbs 18:24b: “There is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” And, this is actually a theme explored quite a bit — the fact that sometimes “family” is created by the friends you surround yourself with rather than by the people you share DNA with. Maeve’s and Amanda’s dynamics as best friends reminded me of my relationship with my best friend, Lara. Lara was always there for me, always gave it to me straight, and never let me get away with anything. She made me a better woman, mother, and friend. I will always love her for her Titus 2 illustration to me. Lara was the Maeve to my Amanda. We should all be fortunate to have a Maeve in our lives.

There is so much to love about The Shell Collector. Honestly, I hardly covered a thing in this review. This book must be experienced and my words can’t do it justice. Purchase yourself a copy today! You won’t be disappointed that you did.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, WaterBrook Press, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Waterbrook, for providing an advanced review copy through the author’s launch team. A positive review was not required or requested, all words are my own.

I am definitely not new to the author’s writing. I had an opportunity to read Christmas Angels in December of 2019. I loved it! Through a “host” promotion, I won The Secret Ingredient along with The Christmas Shop (also known as Dear Santa). For my birthday in April 2020, I was given Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas. Those four books are still on my leisure TBR, but I do plant to get to them.

As a result, when I saw an opportunity to be on the launch team for this book – I jumped at it.

The cover is absolutely stunning and gorgeous. It looks like a relaxing beach read. And, over all while it is a beautiful story, this deals with a military death, grieving, mention of suicide, and cancer. Those sensitive to those elements might re-think reading this.

Descriptive, vivid, and realistic; Naigle’s writing puts the reader right into the heart of the story. It is almost like being right there with the characters as they go through their own life and adjustments. There were times I almost cried and found a few tears in reading this. It is THAT moving.

The Shell Collector, is a multi-faceted read – sad, heart-breaking, poignant, uplifting, inspiring, tragic, and beautiful. Every emotion can be felt – anger, sadness, happiness, relief. Told from three point of views – Amanda, the young military widow; Maeve, the older resident widow; and Paul, a returning war vet who feels like he failed his friend and his friend’s wife.

Amanda’s kids – Hailey (6) and Jesse (4) are adorable as can be as well. There’s also Tug and “The Wife” (a bird of all things). Even a mention of naked campers to add a laugh.

This definitely has a Hallmark movie vibe to it, and it is no wonder. Three of the Evergreen books are based on Hallmark Movies. Christmas Joy, Hope at Christmas, and The Secret Ingredient are also Hallmark movies. The Shell Collector definitely has that same vibe so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on The Hallmark Channel someday.

It begins with Amanda saying goodbye to her husband Jack as he is shipping out for a six (6) month deployment. And, no, he doesn’t make it home.

Chapter two begins with Amanda, widowed for two (2) years, starting over with daughter Hailey, who is now 6; and son Jesse who is now 4. Amanda’s is still grieving. She doesn’t want the memory of Jesse to fade. Admits that the first year she was on auto-pilot, second year was the worst.

It is clear that Amanda is managing on her own and has some issues with her parents who do not understand how to support her.

It is during a visit to the beach that Jesse nearly mows down poor 80 year old Maeve. But, rather than being upset by it, Maeve finds a new purpose. She and Amanda strike up an instant friendship that is endearing and inspiring.

Maeve is, as the title says, The Shell Collector. But, there is so much more to her. And, there is so much more to the shells being found on the beach.

Through Maeve, Amanda is learning to accept the help that is shown to her.

Paul Grant is in Whelk’s Island to open another Paws Town location; not only is is boarding kennel with indoor and outdoor trails, but it helps rehabilitate military dogs along with helping vets. He had one love – lost her, that was it. By chapter nine (9), I pretty much knew right away who it was. Paul even finds a shell with a message: “if you don’t give up, you still have a chance”.

Amanda and Maeve click right away, and it is as a result of the friendship that Amanda finally goes to a book her friend gave her just after losing Jack. The lessons are so spot on. She finds the art of living is a fine mingling of letting go and moving on.

Amanda’s admission about being a widow is a stark reality – whispers, being looked at, being felt sorry for. Maeve’s advice is to not let grief turn into suffering.

Maeve is the voice of reason and advice that Amanda has been needing. And, it is enough of a push without being forceful to get Amanda (and her kids) back into life. She does so through understanding, friendship, and conversation. Only listening, never telling.

A super sweet moment is at church when a little boy (Matthew) approaches Hailey. Their story someday might be just as cute and sweet. But, they are six (6) right now.

Amanda comes to a moment, about halfway into the story where she realizes it is okay to ask for help, want help, and accept help. And, it is just after that Paul enters her life.

I had a feeling from the beginning where this was going.

Amanda and Paul connect (or is that reconnect). Thanks to Maeve, Paul becomes an integral part of Amanda’s life; especially with the kids.

As I read this, it did become quite the predictable read. I knew where it was going, but it was still enjoyable and I found myself wanting to be wrong when it came to certain sub-plots.

At times this was difficult to read and yet hard to put down. After chapter 18, I couldn’t put it down and stayed up late just to finish it. It is one of those that you only want to read once because of the tone and certain themes, but will be drawn back to re-reading it.

By almost the end of the book, the title and message become clear. And, as Amanda learns – people come into our life for a season, however short or long it is.

I definitely understood Maeve when it came to the journal. I too don’t like using fancy ones despite collecting them, I prefer to use cheaper ones. And, I am drawn to those “BACK 2 SCHOOL” sales sadly. I still have supplies that are 15-20+ years old.

Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to get a physical copy of it. It is one to cherish.

There is SO much good stuff I’d love to share, but it would spoil some of the beautiful and endearing moments along with the story.

Maeve and Amanda’s friendship came along at the right time and was what each of them needed.

While distributed by Christian publisher Waterbrook/Multnomah, there will be references to God and some biblical quotes. There are no overt religious tones, and they are not central to the story.

Anyone who loves clean reads with good values, along with the author’s other works (and she is definite a “must read” author), won’t be disappointed in this latest release.

“Life is rarely predictable if we’re doing it right” – Maeve