I loved this story Phoebe was engaged to Gavin and thought they had the same goals for the newspaper when he sold it without telling any of the employees in advance even Phoebe at that time she called off the enagagement when she called her Mom to tell her and ask if she could stay there her mother told her about their father leaving her. Neither knew where they were going to stay so off they went to Granna's house in Summer Island. See how everyone's life takes a change and whether it is a good or bad change. Meet all the new characters entering the story at this time. A VERY GOOD READ.

Summer Island is what the title evokes - an enjoyable, cozy beach read. It is about three generations of Sutton women navigating love and loss while they stay in the same house on Summer Island. Many of the characters are likeable though we don’t get too deep of a look into any on character in particular. Still, it was nice to read about the supportive relationship between Phoebe, her mother (Ruth), her grandmother (Alice), and great-aunt (Vera) among mother-daughter-granddaughter-great-aunt relationship. There is a romance sub-plot and I thought the two characters worked well together and I liked seeing their relationship grow. Recommended to readers looking for an easy, low-angst women’s fiction book with a dash of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is a beautiful book about relationships, and old and new love, and listening to your heart. It is a feel good, beach read, but not at all frivolous.

The beginning was a little slow, but I am so happy I stuck with it. This book did not disappoint.

This was the first book I’ve read from the author and This book wasn’t for me, I think it was the writing. The concept was good but felt short

Very repetitive. I feel like each chapter and perspective had the same thoughts and dialogue. At 31% I decided it was time to move on.

Phoebe’s life has taken a major turn and when she finds out her mom is having problems also, they decide to go to grandma’s for a break. This was a sweet story of family coming together in times of stress! Enjoyed!!!

eARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
4/5 stars
The writing really sucked me in, I truly struggled to put it down. I loved the characters and really connected to them. Overall I would say this was a delightful, feel-good, beach read. However, I would not call this much of a romance.

This was a quick and easy read, but I didn't really get into the story until about 40% in... It felt like there was too much going on and a lot getting glossed over and also a little chaotic at times. A good book to bring to the beach with you.

Thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A cute and fun summer beach read. It wasn’t my favorite read but I definitely enjoyed myself. The bakery subplot felt a little out of left field but overall I felt like the plot flowed fairly well.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book early. As expected, this was a great story about the dynamics of family life.

Author Shelley Noble pens a feel good; yet, emotional women’s fiction novel about mothers and daughters; and fathers and sons trying to reconnect after their lives have gone in all different directions. Phoebe Adams is an investigative reporter who finds out she’s been betrayed by her fiancé and lost her job all in one swoop. When she calls her parents to tell them the bad news, her father has left her mother, Ruth, and is having an affair. Phoebe and Ruth decide to visit Granna (Alice) at her beach house for some planning and thinking time. When they arrive, Ty Hardin is staying next door with his father, Lars, who’s been deeply depressed and uncooperative since his wife passed away. Lars treats Ty horribly and anyone else who try’s to get through to him.

The first third of this story was rather slow for me as the characters and their situations were established. I was afraid this plot wouldn’t have the depth of the usual Shelley Noble beach story. I needn’t have worried. The rest of the story deepens into each main character’s life and shows and tells the choices they are making at this major turning point in their journeys. I really enjoyed the main cast. They came across as very human with their pasts and baggage; however, their ambition shined and I was pleased by the happy endings and new beginnings! I highly recommend this novel. 4.5 Stars.

I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc proved by NetGalley and Avon Publishing. All opinions are my own.

The book was very entertaining and I enjoyed getting through the story. It may be a quick read for some and they will be able to connect.

Summer Island by Shelley Noble follows Phoebe after losing her job and fiancée in one day. She connects with her mother, Ruth, who is concurrently dealing with the loss of her marriage. The mother/daughter duo road trip to Granna Alice’s beach home to spend the summer, mend their broken hearts, and navigate their quickly changing lives. It is a story about starting over & self discovery.

I was lucky to read this advanced copy, thanks to the generosity of NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager. It will be released in May 2022.

Summer Island was an easy, light, and predictable read. The story was very cute, but unfortunately I just did not connect with the writing style. The banter between characters was so-so, in my honest opinion. I did love Granna Alice and her big, kind heart. I also loved the male lead, Ty, and his humility. Otherwise, this book was just not for me.

Overall, this book gets ⭐️⭐️🌟 (2.5 stars) from me!

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I though this book was super cute and such a fun read. I absolutely loved the nostalgia and characters. I found the flow of the book to be very relaxing and enjoyable!

Easy to read book and it was super cute. Definitely would recommend if your looking for a cute summer read


Thank you NetGalley for this Arc

"Summer Island "by Shelley Noble
Avon
May 3, 2033
10-0063118424
Contemporary Women’s Fiction



Phoebe Adams is a reporter for the "Weekly Sentinel," a small New England newspaper that is petering out, and she is trying desperately to save it. Since she was young, she was mentored by Simeon Cross, the owner of the paper. He was not only her advisor but more like a father to her. But Simeon died and the business reverted to his son, Gavin, to whom Phoebe is now engaged. As Phoebe works hard to salvage the publication, she also is facing the stress of planning her nuptials.

Exhausted and frustrated, Phoebe plugs a human interest story to Gavin as he packs for a symposium. Though she's needed at the office, she is disappointed she isn't going with Gavin, and suddenly she is concerned about his blasé attitude toward her ideas for the business.

Imagine her surprise and that of the other employees when Gavin arrives from his trip shocking them by his announcement:

"Gavin raised his voice. 'I have some bad news.'

"Phoebe's fingers slowed as her mind ricocheted from a hurricane barreling toward the New England coast to the death of someone they all knew and loved.

"'I'm closing the Sentinel.'

"Phoebe's fingers froze on the keyboard. Around the room all motion stopped, six Sentinel employees captured mid-movement—perched on the edge of a desk, gesturing to a colleague, reaching for a file drawer. All caught in time—death-of-a-newspaper time.

"They turned their heads until all eyes zeroed in on Gavin.

"He should have staggered back from the force of their disbelief. But Gavin merely lifted his chin and looked past them to the window.

"He's shutting down the paper. For a nanosecond Phoebe thought he must have lost his mind. Or she had. He couldn't do that. . . .

. . . "'You'll be paid for this week. You have until tonight to clean out your desks. After that, the offices will be closed, and everything will be sold. This hasn't been an easy decision.'

"Not an easy decision? Phoebe hadn't even known he was considering it."

When Phoebe tries to reason with Gavin, he is adamant, admitting he hadn't told her because she'd get upset. More shock sets in as he denigrates her position and skills. Upset isn't the word for how Phoebe feels. Who is this man she's supposed to marry?

Humiliated, hurt, and very angry, Phoebe returns her engagement ring, realizing she doesn't even know him. Her main concern is what happens now? She has given up her apartment, for she was due to move in with Gavin, but now she also wonders if she'll be able to get the deposits she gave to vendors for her wedding—a wedding no longer happening.

Her first thought is to call her mother, and when she does, she receives another shock. Her mother, Ruth, is preparing to divorce her father after 30-plus years of marriage. What else can go wrong? She thought she would live with Ruth temporarily until she found another job, but instead, the two head to the beach to stay with Phoebe's grandma, Alice.

Phoebe and Ruth plan to spend a weekend at the shore, and when they arrive, they find Alice's bohemian sister, Vera, already there in all her glory. Every day she plans some adventure not letting either of them, including Alice, sit around and have a pity party.

As Phoebe searches for answers to how to plan her future, she spies Ty Harken, the next-door neighbor. A few years her senior and one she always considered a geek, he is on this father's roof repairing some shingles. When Phoebe questions why he is there, Alice states Lars, Ty's dad, has been in an awful slump since Ty's mom passed away a year ago. His brothers insisted Ty be with him for the summer to watch over him. The only problem is, Ty and Lars do not get along, so things between them are tense.

Alice's household is in a whirlwind. Phoebe worries about what she will do next, Ruth is depressed, avoiding her husband's constant texts, and Vera is constantly having them going, doing things to take their minds of themselves. Alice seems to be the only calm one.

The days pass, and the weekend stay turns out to be longer. Phoebe is distraught upon hearing Gavin is working at the Boston Globe, no longer dealing with small-town news. Her mind cannot stop whirling, and she devises a feature article about a local resident who restores old vans into residences for homeless vets. Phoebe knows this would make a great human-interest story, and when she receives a call from the Globe about a job as an editor, she suggests this item for the paper. She interviews for the position and is undecided if she would take it if offered. She wants to in be the field and write and not checking others' work.

Meanwhile, Phoebe strikes up a friendship with Ty, discovering he's not the nerd she believed him to be. She becomes fascinated by him, his career, and his need to help his father—realizing he's honorable and totally humble. He develops feelings for her, too. But would a relationship be feasible? She doesn't want someone as a rebound, but the more she is with him, the more impressed she is by his thoughts and actions.

The two families bond, sharing meals and laughs. Phoebe, Ty, Ruth, and Lars discover things about themselves they never realized. Summer Island is more than a beach read, a tale about acceptance and finding one's way, no matter one’s age.

This one took me a while to get into, and even then I didn’t enjoy it. Mainly because Phoebe the main character got on my nerves for pretty much the whole book. I couldn’t any reason to like her.

UGH this book just made fall in love. I can not wait to read more of her books. The detail and the way she writes suck you in. I love love the whole selflove about this. I personally resonated with this since I went through a rough patch and this book hit my soul. (Thank you Netgalley!)

An engaging story of three generations of strong women who gather to support one another in challenging times. Phoebe loses her job, her fiance and basically her entire future on the same day her father walks out on her mother. Together, they go to the family beach house to regroup with Alice, the family matriarch. Relatable characters and genuine feelings make this a terrific read for summer or anytime. I look forward to recommending it.

I was drawn to this cover but in practice I didn’t connect with story or the writing style. Thank you for the chance to preview!