love this book about a widow who moves to an island after her husband dies. she meets a veteran who has recently moved there. there is a much older woman named Maeve who collects sea shells, seashells start appearing with messages written on them, love this story.

This story was inspirational and emotional. It was a wonderfully written story with a lot of heart behind the words. I loved the characters in this story, and their relationships with each other. It opens with a back story on grief in the main character's life, which can be a trigger for some people. But the result is a fabulous book you won't want to miss.

The story felt slow to me. There was never any confrontation between any of the characters. It appeared that nothing negative happened in this beach town. Even the children were unrealistic. The 6 year old sister and 4 year old brother never fought with each other, self-corrected when they weren't quite perfect, and the mom, Amanda, never got frustrated or angry with them.
Even with the negatives the Shell Collector was an easy, cleanly written read with some emotional, even tear creating, along with happy scenes.
One note I would like to add that should have been included in the book's synopsis is that there is a fairly big religious reference throughout the story. Not a favourite of mine and probably would not have read it if I had known this. I later learned that the publisher focuses on this genre.

Thanks to Waterbrook and Multnomah and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

You know you are reading an excellent book when you have tears in your eyes and a smile in your heart. Such is The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle.
A widowed mother of two and an elderly, free spirited woman meet on the beach where the widow had been married. This meeting brings to both more than they could ever have expected.
Secret messages, wisdom, love and second chances come together to give you a reading journey not to be missed.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher Waterbrook and Multnomah foe an advanced copy of this novel. The comments and review are my honest opinion.

What can I say? Nancy Naigle is a master and writing books is her medium. Amanda and her children are trying to put their lives together and doing okay when they move to Whelk Island. When they meet Maeve and find those mysterious shells the true path is revealed. I read this book without expectation other than the knowledge that I have enjoyed every single book I have read by Nancy and continue to look forward to everything else she writes. You cannot go wrong with this one.

Every now and then, I come across a story that simply fills my heart. The Shell Collector is a beautiful, heartwarming, and inspirational story. When I started reading, I soon realized I was following a journey of God’s love as I watched and listened to all the characters as their lives were unveiled through the author’s beautiful characterizations. I felt their heartbreak and pain; and their faith, joy, and love as Author Nancy Naigle so eloquently penned the words of this magical story. Keep a soft tissue close by because you’ll need it. The writing shines as bright as the stars twinkling in the sky making this book a keeper to read again and again. “Your presence is a gift”.

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Waterbrook & Multnomah. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

I would like to preface this review by saying that I want to grow up to be just like Maeve, the wise and caring surrogate grandmother figure and the shell collector of Nancy Naigle's latest tale of the intersection between grief and survival. Amanda and her young children are still struggling through the grief of their heartbreaking loss when they move into the fixer-upper bungalow on Whelk's Island. And although her children are the first to meet their shell collecting neighbor, they are hardly the only ones to benefit from the way Maeve rolls in like the tide to bring new joy to those around her. Maeve's own learning experiences with heartache and her gentle pull allow Amanda to open up and begin the process of learning to be who she is in this life after loss. Her experience in life and razor sharp intuition are a bountiful source of insight. Her care for the people around her is great, and I absolutely adore the way Naigle uses these relationships to express the precious treasure our elderly neighbors have to offer, if we will only open ourselves to the gifts that surround us.

Romance, restoration, and a fair amount of serendipity enter the story through Paul. Another Whelk's Island newcomer. A man who knows his own grief and struggle. And another beneficiary of Maeve's interest. The relationship between Amanda and Paul is a tenderly crafted element that shines beautifully to further illustrate our shell collector's ability to know true beauty when she sees it.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

I joined the launch team of Nancy Naigle to read The Shell Collector for my review. I have read several of Nancy‘s books and I have enjoyed them. I would recommend this book!. This book is about faith, love, friendship, second chances and grief. You shed some tears along the way so have Kleenex ready. Amanda and her 2 kids made friends with Maeve who collects seashells on the beach on Whelks Island. I like how Amanda and Paul honor their friend Maeve at the end of her journey.
Thanks to Net Galley and Waterbrook and Multnomah for their advanced digital copy.

This was such a beautiful story that had me wiping tears more than once. Loss and unbearable grief lead to a new home that brings a very special person into Amanda and her children's life. As the friendship grows an old friend that had been lost also finds his way back to Amanda. Together they heal and come to terms with another impending loss that will lead Amanda, Paul, Hailey and Jesse to a life that honors two very special people lost but never forgotten

This book is full of emotions, it will make you laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. This is a beautifully written story with beautiful scenery, wonderful characters and a small town I feel in love with.
Thank you WaterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love a good hallmark movie and this book fits the bill for that. An enjoyable read with an interesting story. This story shows some hard parts of life yet how kindness can still be found.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. I really enjoyed it.

This book will put you in touch with your emotions, so much love and loss.

A young mother trying to keep life a bit normal for her two young children after the loss of her husband, and we are here to walk in her shoes.

Add a wonderful seasoned woman who lost her husband at a young age, and we are in for a page turner of a read.

God's hand placed Amanda where she would meet Maeve, and they blessed one another, in more ways than one. We are given unconditional love at all levels, and the gifts keep giving.

When Paul enters this book, you will need the tissues handy, oh, how I wished it could have been whom the little one wanted it to be, but again Paul blesses all we come to love.

You don't want to miss this beautifully written story of love and loss, and love again.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher WaterBrook & Multnomah, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Shell Collector is a beautiful emotional filled read and I loved every moment of this. Maeve owns a piece of my heart and once you read you will see why. Amanda and her kids just make me want to gather them all up and give them all a big hug. The Wife will put a smile on your face and give you those moments of giggles. Paul is a welcome joy in this. He has loved Amanda for years and has been a best friend to her and her late husband. You feel how he just wants to take care and love Amanda like she deserves. Maeve and Amanda's relationship just melts my heart. I love how they learn from each other and Maeve is given a family she did not know she was missing. This is a sweet story of losing someone, love and beginning again. You will have tears and smiles on your face all at the same time. This has been such an incredible journey that you must take. I could not put this one down.

A simple and lovely summer novel of friendship, family, and loss. While somewhat predictable, the story of the friendships (and romance) among the characters is heartwarming and full of deep connection. Thanks to Netgalley and Waterbrook & Multnomah for the advance digital copy.

This book drew me in from the first page and kept me happily turning pages until the end. I loved everything about it this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Solid, Maybe Not 'Real' For Everyone. This is one of those Hallmarkie type books - from an author who apparently has had a few of her books become Hallmark movies - that goes a bit deep into the whole pro-military, pro-say-your-prayers portrayal of a "small town" that many will love and many others will find doesn't exactly reflect their own experiences with small towns. But working within that Hallmarkie / conservative Christian / Christian Fiction type niche, this is one that will likely be beloved. And don't get me wrong, as an overall story it is genuinely solid for *anyone*. It does a great job as it explores some deep issues - including loss of a spouse, second chance romance, unrequited love, and other issues - that many experience well outside of the *exact* target demo for this effort, and thus it opens itself to a much wider audience... as long as you can stomach the not-*quite*-constant rah rah Go Military! type. There is nothing objectively here to hang any star reduction on, as, again, it is a solid story well told. Thus, it is very much recommended.

This is one of those books that from the very first page, you know it's going to be emotional and memorable. It will be hard to write this review without spoilers for you, but I will not ruin your experience with this book.
Amanda knows she needs to move forward and be strong for her two sweet children. When she finds the perfect house for them, little signs tell her it is the right place for them to be. (I have goosebumps just remembering that part of the story !) Despite her mother's wish for her to live closer, she knows this little fixer upper and Whelks Island is where she needs to start over.
Paul is new to the area and renovated an older area and started a business rehabilitating former military dogs and gives work to former soldiers with PTSD. A cause that warms my heart! He is handsome and kind hearted but not looking for more than friendships.
Now, Maeve.....she is a spunky, sweet, carefree, spirited elderly woman that has a story of her own to share. She is a character in this story that you will long remember.
Do yourself a favor and read this book. It is emotional, inspirational and one you will remember long after you've turned the last page. It's about love lost, love found, healing and mending hearts, family , friendships and second chances. Characters you will love , amazing dogs, beautifully described scenery and just an all around beautiful story.

The Shell Collector
Such a good story! At times, bittersweet, yet good to read. One to be re-read.

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle is a delight to read. If you are looking for a summer beach read-- this is your 2021 top pick! It has everything you need: friendship, love and loss, romance and the most beautiful described beach life full of shells and sea glass. This is a beautiful story, a bit predictable- but in the best beach read way. I haven't read Nancy Naigle before but she is a masterful storyteller. I read this in one day because I just couldn't put it down!

The publisher made a copy of this book available via Netgalley. This personal review is my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley, Nancy Naigle and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the ARC of The Shell Collector. This is my personal review.
Amanda and her two children have moved to the Whelk’s Island, North Carolina after the death of her husband. Maeve Lindsay has lived her entire life on Whelk’s Island.
Maeve is well known and gives so much to the town she loves. When Maeve meets Amanda and her children, Hailey & Jesse she forms an instant bond with them.
With a little nudge from Maeve, she helps Amanda see that there can be love in her life without forgetting her husband.
Thank you Nancy Nagle for giving us this book about second chances in life.