I love a good sisterhood story, and this one was just meh. Nothing exciting but also nothing awful. A standard issue story of love and sisterhood that provides the bare minimum and not much more.

🌟🌟🌟/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Forever Grand Central, NetGalley, and Shirley Jump. ❤️

I remember requesting an early copy of this one and being excited about it. However, when I did finally pick this one up (way too much later), I couldn’t really get into the story. I know there are two more books in the series, but I almost would have preferred them all to be in one book?

I think I just wanted a little more closure on a lot of things since there were a lot of different storylines going on. And I really wanted more from the romance side of this. I never really felt like they gave it a full chance and I think there could have been some of that.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I adored this story about the Monroe sisters and their second chance at love! I loved getting to know each one of them and their personalities! It was so much fun!

The Marvelous Monroe Girls by Shirley Jump is a heartwarming and uplifting tale of sisterhood, second chances, and falling in love, making it a perfect fit for readers who adore contemporary romance and are looking for a lighthearted, emotional, and hopeful story that celebrates the power of family and relationships.

Such a fun read! Loved this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

This no steam romance took quite a bit time for me to get into. It just didn’t have the draw. I didn’t feel connected to any of characters.
The story tries to take too many themes and never really gets into the depth of any of them.
It is a quick read, perfect for the day on the beach or a nice relaxing day on the deck.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this story!

I did not end up getting around to this book but am trying to clear out my NetGalley account. I am auto-approved by this publisher and took more books than I could actually read.

Cute, fast read. My first by Shirley jump and the first in the series. It took me a while to get invested but I liked it

wow. this is exactly what I needed! it kept me interested and I loved learning about each woman. it kept me entertained and I really enjoyed the twist. I can't recommend this enough.

This was a really sweet book about family, sisters in particular, but overall family. What we will fo for each other, tell each other, hide from each other for “their own good” and love. The Monroe sisters lost their mom a long time ago and were raised by their grandmother after their own father couldn’t deal and walked away without a look back. I’m not sure, but think and hope this may be the first in a trilogy as each sister has their own story. Its a small town, sweet story of love, figuring it all out, family and ultimately love and trust with a fabulous HEA. I found myself hoping and cheering for Gabby to let go a little, allow herself some happiness and let love in. Cannot wait for the next. This author is so much fun to read. Wonderful mental getaway that will leave you with a big smile and always hopeful.

This was a good contemporary romance that felt like a Hallmark movie! It was sweet and beautiful. Filled with family drama but also just great characters. Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this character world series!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title, but my reading interests have changed. I will not be finishing this book, but look forward to others in the future.

This was a really enjoyable women's fiction novel. I always enjoy reading books about sisters and this one was well done. I also loved the romance piece of the story. Gabby was relatable so that made me engaged as well.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Gabby is a fixer and wants to fix her sister's relationship and bring them back together. This story reminds me a lot of a Hallmark story, where it wraps up like a little bow.

I don’t know if I was in a reading rutt or if I couldn't really get into these characters but this one fell slightly flat. I feel like I wanted to see more of the relationship between Jake and Gabriella and it felt a little too closed door for me. I did love the relationship the girls had with their grandma and I loved the way they all deep down cared about each other. If this becomes a series, i’d probably read about the other sisters because you know, I do love a series!

A charming and delightful group of ladies. Some heartbreak, growth, realizations, and lots of meddling. I am eager to read the next one and discover Emma's tale. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

This is book 1 in a new series, Harbor Cove. 3 sisters, slightly older than most major characters are helping their grandmother clean out the attic after the death of their mother. Gabriella is an great seamstress but fears losing her vintage clothing shop with the economy. Her sisters, Margaret and Emma both have secrets and problems of their own. (Hopefully books 2 and 3) and grandmother has the biggest secret of all when they discover a catch of old letters in the attic. A great read that was very enjoyable with the older women. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Shirley Jump’s The Marvelous Monroe Girls is the first of a contemporary romance series set in the town of Harbor Cove, Massachusetts. I found myself interested in this book because I am always down to read books about sisters — having two myself. It is a theme I am very easily able to relate to. Jump’s series opener is a sweet romance about two people who find their path in life and deal with family issues. It was a decent read with a quick pace.

The Marvelous Monroe Girls follows Gabriella Monroe, the middle sister. Gabby runs a vintage clothing shop. Unfortunately, her business isn’t doing too hot. So, she comes up with the idea to kick off the town’s centennial and have a commemorative event involving many local businesses in hopes of a boost to everyone’s bottom line. In addition to chairing the event, she notices her grandmother has been feeling down. Gabby and her sisters have figured out that their grandmother is behind the newspaper advice column Dear Amelia. And so, they figure out who the letters are from and start meddling for happy endings.

Meanwhile, Gabby’s dear friend Jack who considers her grandma his grandma has been toying with the idea of taking a risk and going for it with his photography. This would mean striking out beyond his job doing photography for the local newspaper and the graphic design. Jack also has been in love with Gabby for his whole life. She’s hesitant to be involved with him as she had dated his cousin Brad previously and Brad was a real ass to her in the end. There is some chemistry to be found between Jack and Gabby, they just need to take the leap.

I loved the small town of Harbor Cove. I am such a sucker for that kind of theme. After all, I love having small businesses to root for. Also, Gabby’s grandma is a gem and I would die for her. As for Gabby and Jack, it seemed that their romance was kind of slow paced. It took forever for them to figure out their feelings and make some moves. I get that character development is a thing and that fear is a thing, but come on.

The Marvelous Monroe Girls has no spice at all, so if you read romance for spice, be prepared. If you read for the relationship development as well as for things like family relationships, be sure to pick this book up. It’s not a bad series opener. I certainly look forward to checking out more from Shirley Jump as well as to getting the stories of Gabby’s sisters – Emma and Margaret.

Books about sisters always interest me, and this one didn’t disappoint. Gabby and her sisters Margret and Emma, lost their mother when they were young and were brought up by their grandmother. Gabby always felt the need to try to solve everyone’s problems, even when meddling gets her in trouble. What she does get wrong is understanding her own feelings for Jake, the boy next door who wants to be so much more. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to the next book. The setting is a small town in Massachusetts, which adds to the homey feel. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a story of three sisters who experience life, love and loss in a small town. Their path hasnt been an easy one - their mother has tragically passed, their father's coping didn't include them, however, they were fortunate to have a grandma who filled-in the blanks from youth into adulthood.

This is a must read book if:
1. You love your grandparents
2. You have sisters or wished you did
3. You love stories centered in small town America
4. You love a feel good Hallmark movie/story

Shirley Jump has written a sweet and endearing love story that should not be missed. This is a tale rich with emotions and clever banter. I liked that the Monroe girls seemed so real. They were not perfect but deep down they all loved each other and would look out for each other. This is a story with the comfort of home that leaves you happy and wanting more.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC. I look forward to returning to Harbor Cove.