Once again, the author has taken something small and relatively incidental from his memories of his grandmother and has woven an intriguing, delightful story around it. This time it's buttons. We all have memories of our mother's, or grandmother's, button box, right? Well, here is a whole family saga wrapped around buttons, and sewing. And it is so, so good!

Sutton goes in search of answers after her mother's passing. Where did they come from and who was their family? Is she going to be happy with the answers she finds?

The Edge of Summer is the perfect read to take up this summer. I highly recommend it!

EXQUISITE!

Shipman's best yet. Prime for the small or big screen.

Master storyteller and my favorite bestselling author Viola Shipman beautifully renders an utterly captivating, and profoundly personal tale inspired by memories of the author's childhood and his grandmother's treasured buttons and button jars.

THE EDGE OF SUMMER is everything you want in a summer beach read from nostalgia, family heirlooms and connections, past dark secrets, new adventures in an idyllic lakeside town, suspense, mystery, and a little romance.

No one captures matters of the heart better than Viola Shipman!

Alternating from the remote Ozark, a small cabin where Sutton Douglas grew up with her hardworking but secretive mother, Miss Mabel —to the pristine Lake Michigan resort town where she is led by clues to discover the secrets of her past.

Sutton Douglas grew up in the Ozarks in a small cabin tucked amongst the bluffs outside Nevermore, Missouri, with a single mother, Miss Mabel. They did not have much, but they loved one another.

Her mother lived in solitude and sacrificed her whole life to improve her life and make it better. Miss Mabel was hardworking and very secretive. She was a skilled seamstress, and everyone loved her. She loved her Singer sewing machine, Ol'Betsy, God, her fabrics, and her buttons. She also taught Sutton the craft. Miss Mabel was a good woman, strong, and unyielding. Society did not always treat her fairly, hidden in a factory all day, plus sewing for wealthy women and helping take care of their children to make ends meet.

Sutton has always been curious about her past, her father, and her mother's past life. She led her to believe there was a fire, and nothing was saved but Sutton and her teddy bear, Dandy.

The pandemic hits, and her mother dies of COVID. She was not able to be with her as she planned, nor was she able to fulfill her mother's wishes for a proper burial and funeral. (this rings all so true). She leaves her with her buttons, her Singer, her sewing notions, and a letter.

Devastated, Sutton is grief-stricken and at loss, desiring to know more about where she came from and her mother. Before she can move forward she must learn about her past. Sutton is a top designer and fashion director for all women's apparel at Lindy's, one of the nation's oldest department stores. She made 1940s fashion trendy at Sutton's Buttons.

When going through her mom's things, she finds a clue that leads her to Lake Michigan. Her mom also leaves her a letter upon her death, informing her she was trying to protect her and the fire story was made up.

Confused and shocked, Sutton decides to take some time off, sublet her condo and rent a cottage in the charming little lakeside community.

What does Dandy Button Company have to do with her mom? Michigan was the button capital. Sutton begins her search.

When arriving in the beautiful small historic town she finds quaint shops, restaurants, inns, and of course a fabric store. There she meets the owner, a former baseball player which is a great help to guide her and turns out to be a true friend with a lot in common.

She soon learns her cottage in Douglas, Michigan is behind a mansion where a woman named Bonnie Lyons lives. She appears to be the wealthy matriarch of the town and her husband had passed recently. They were owners of the button company.

Soon Bonnie befriends Sutton and wants her to design her clothes. The woman is quite controlling and manipulative. Does she have a hidden agenda?

Sutton also meets her maid. Both these women are quite mysterious, and Sutton does not feel comfortable around her. They are hiding something. She feels there is something more. She has had enough of secrets and begins her sleuthing.

In doing so, she second-guesses her own life, her career, and what is important to her. She must solve her mother's past and at the same time her own identity. She begins to uncover the secrets about her family that Miss Mabel so carefully hid and about the role that Sutton herself unwittingly played in it all.

Now, that she is getting close to the truth, will it be something that she can live with. Was her mother right all along by keeping quiet?

I LOVED THIS BOOK and read it over the weekend! Unputdownable and the suspense will keep you glued to the pages to the final satisfying conclusion. You are even sad when it ends as the characters are too good.

Yes, it touched my heart and soul in so many ways. My own mother and grandmothers were skilled seamstresses and I was around sewing most of my life. I even learned the skill, but not as highly skilled as my mom (who did this as a career and more). I later became an interior designer so fabrics and design were always a part of my life. My mom would have loved this book (she was also an avid reader).

I adored the opening of each chapter with sewing notions and sprinklings! Brought back so many fond memories.

What I enjoy about Viola Shipman's books (so many things) but his vivid descriptions and settings are like no other. I can travel anywhere from the comfort of my home when reading one of (his/her) books. When I did travel it was to places like he uses as settings. It draws me in as if I were sitting there dining in the garden, the lush flowers, weather, quaint buildings, towns, decor, and the delicious food, desserts, and wine. And the lovely people. I want to get on a plane and visit now! This setting is divine.

An ideal book club pick, thought-provoking, and a tribute and love letter to the town of Saugatuck/Douglas and also to our mothers, grandmothers, elders, and the love of sewing. It also explores the sacrifices our parents and grandparents make for us. Often times as youth we do not appreciate them. Then as adults, they are dead and gone before we realize this and never thanked them. Time is precious. Appreciate them why you have a chance and ask them about their life.

I have read all of Viola Shipman's books and loved each one, but this is my personal FAVORITE!

Poignant, heartwarming, emotional, and awe-inspiring! Thank you for writing this book. You have a rare gift and so happy you pursued your dreams. You were born to write this story and your grandmother would be so proud!

I am currently reading/listening to Wade's memoir Magic Season: A Son's Story narrated by the author, which I am devouring. The book sheds a lot about his life and the importance of family and especially his grandmothers and the impact on his life.

A Top Book of 2022! In fact, this is my 127th book (2022 thus far --it is July 11) and this one will be in my Top 5 books for the first half of 2022. Highly recommend!

For fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Alice Monroe, and Mary Ellen Taylor. If you enjoyed THE EDGE OF SUMMER, check out Mary Ellen Taylor's recent The Brighter the Light. A granddaughter in search of her mother and grandmother's secret past.

A special thank you to #GraydonHouse and #NetGalley for an ARC to read, review, and enjoy. I also pre-ordered the hardcover for my personal home library.

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +++ 💙💙💙💙💙
Pub Date: July 12, 2022
July 2022 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2022

5 BIG BEAUTIFUL BUTTON FILLED STARS!🪡

5 reasons you should read this book.

1️⃣ Viola Shipman is a brilliant storyteller.
2️⃣ this is a beautiful yet heartbreaking story about the love of a mother, and a daughter beginning to understand.
3️⃣ Sutton is a likable relatable character. Her growth throughout the story was wonderful to see.
4️⃣ buttons! You will never learn so much about buttons and you will never have realized that you wanted to know all there is to know. I will honestly never look at a button the same way again.
5️⃣ The setting of Lake Michigan scream summer and the romance is slow and sweet.

2 reasons you should listen to this book.

🎧 Nancy Peterson did an amazing job bringing Viola Shipman‘s storytelling to life.
🎧 Nancy also set the perfect tone and pacing for this beautiful story.

It never fails to amaze me that Viola Shipman is a pen name for a male author. He really has such a firm grasp on the female psyche. I also really appreciated how the subject of Covid and the pandemic was handled and addressed in this book. I completely empathize with Sutton as she tries to navigate her “new normal“. The role that buttons played in the story was so unique, well done and interesting. This book seriously made me want to start sewing, something that has never happened before. Tug The love interest in the story is fabulous, you’ve got to love a man that loves baseball and fabric. Another beautiful story from this exceptional author set against the backdrop of Lake Michigan. A definite can’t miss summer read.

*** Big thank you to Grayden House & Harper Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

I have read a few wonderful stories by Viola Shipman but he broke my heart over and over again and he owes me a box of tissues. Viola Shipman is also known as Wade Rouse. THE EDGE OF SUMMER had me tearing up and trying to breathe past the huge lump in my throat over and over again. Every time Sutton asked her mom about her family, her mom would shut down the conversation. I just had to know what she was hiding. Learning about Sutton’s life is so moving and will make you fall in love with her as you are reading.



THE EDGE OF SUMMER brings Sutton Douglas to Douglas, Michigan searching for the family of her recently departed mom who passed from covid. Sutton grew up in the Ozarks and lived in a very isolated cabin. It was always just her and her mom. When she arrives in Michigan she learns so much about her mother and her family that she never knew before. I really loved learning about Miss Mabel, but I felt heartache like I never have before. Buttons play a huge part of THE EDGE OF SUMMER. My mom always had a tin of buttons by her sewing machine when I was a kid.



THE EDGE OF SUMMER is a beautiful but heartbreaking story. I became so emotionally invested in all of the characters and felt like they were lifelong friends. When they were sad, I felt sad. When they were happy I found myself smiling. I love when an author can do that to me and Viola Shipman did it perfectly. THE EDGE OF SUMMER is filled with love, life, hope, sadness, happiness, and learning to carry on when our loved ones pass on. Be prepared not to do anything else until you finish reading this beautiful story. Once I started I had a hard time putting it down, especially when Viola began to introduce all of the family Sutton never knew she had. She believed her mother when she told her they all died in a fire.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Graydon House through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book really spoke to me. My mother and grandmother both had button jars, and my mother passed away in March, so this story felt so personal to me. I laughed and I cried, it’s a beautiful story.

Several years ago, I first became captivated by the comforting writing style of Viola Shipman. Since then, I have read all her books and am always excited for a new one to be published. So when I received an advanced copy of The Edge of Summer, I added it to my TBR right away, knowing it would be another dose of TLC. I was not wrong.

I was at a gathering recently and my eyes were drawn to a woman's shirt that had all these pretty flower-shaped buttons sewn onto it. I never would have given the shirt much thought if not for this delightful story. I also recently bought a small jar of multi-colored buttons of various sizes to use in my Bookstagram photo. I then gave the jar to my daughter so she could do whatever she wants with the buttons. The Edge of Summer has me appreciating buttons in a whole new way!
This was a sweet story overall. There was a strong air of nostalgia throughout the story, especially with all the flashback scenes. It was also very idyllic, making me long for the summers of my childhood where I spent all day at the pool or going to lots of barbecues. The mystery factor was interesting and kept me wondering. I thought I was right about something, but then wasn't sure and kept going back and forth. There were also some answers that I wasn't expecting at all. I enjoyed the romantic aspect, as well. The descriptions and details brought the story to life so much that I felt like I was right there in Michigan with Sutton.

My main concern was that it felt too introspective. Sutton asked herself a lot of questions. Tug also would voice a lot of random thoughts about life in general. I also noticed that Sutton got bent out of shape too easily. I appreciated her standing up for herself and for others, but sometimes she could be a bit too extra.

The Edge of Summer was engaging and kept me turning the pages. It publishes this week and I definitely recommend enjoying a summer day (or night) with it, while sipping on a tall, cold glass of lemonade.

Movie casting suggestions:
Sutton: Melissa Rauch (I think Viola may have wanted me to go with Kristen Bell, based on a comment earlier in the book, but I decided to find someone similar looking instead.)
Tug: Ryan Hansen
Bonnie: Blythe Danner (Viola also made a Helen Mirren mention, which I was actually considering before that happened, but then decided to go a different route.)
Lauralei: Edie McClurg

When Sutton’s mother passes away from Covid, it sends her into a tail spin and she is lost. She loses her job because of the Covid shut down so she decides to find out her mysterious family history. She heads off to the shores of Lake Michigan is search of elusive buttons and long held secrets.

Sutton is a character in which my heart went out to on more than one occasion. But, she is tough. I love how she reinvents herself and her career. She has grown up poor in the Ozarks but she becomes a owner of her own brand called Sutton’s Buttons in Chicago. However, she has always known there is something her mother is not telling her. So, she takes advantage of her job loss to investigate her mothers past.

I have been a fan of Viola Shipman since I read my first book. And this book is so dang good! Now, I was a bit hesitant at the first. There is a lot of buttons and sewing going on but it all comes together. Nothing like family secrets to keep the story moving. The emotional tension which builds throughout this story is definitely intense and will keep your emotions all over the place!

Need a fabulous summer read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishers and Viola Shipman for an advanced copy of The Edge of Summer. It is perfect! I loved the story, the sense of place(s) was beautiful, the characters believable and relatable and the story moving. Perfect!

Solid Look At Family And Secrets. This is a book that instantly transports the reader into its setting, particularly once it gets to the small town Michigan shores of Lake Michigan. But here, things are not always exactly as they seem, and there is a dark family secret lying just beneath the surface. Shipman - a pseudonym using the actual person's own grandmother's name - does a phenomenal job here of showing how small town secrets can fester through generations, and that even when not actually knowing one's own history... history has a way of coming back around. Truly an excellent work, and the only reason for the star deduction is that this book deals pretty heavily with COVID - the reason our main character even travels to the small town is directly due to the insanities of COVID and that idiotic and chaotic period of living in the 21st Century. And, well, I have a personal war going on against any book that mentions COVID because *I DO NOT WANT TO READ ABOUT COVID*. Period. My only weapon in that one man war is a star deduction in my review of the book, and so I deploy it automatically no matter how strong the book may otherwise be. Still, truly a great book that Shipman's long time fans will enjoy and a great example of "her" (his) style of writing for anyone who may not be familiar with it. Very much recommended.

I loved this well written and poignant story. It kept me turning pages and moved me to tears more than once.
It's heartwarming and emotionally charged, the characters are fleshed out and relatable.
I loved the plot, the search for the root and the small details that talks you about everyday life.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Family secrets. Sutton grew up poor in the Ozark, despite the hard work of her mother Miss Mabel, a woman who worked as a seamstress to support them. Now, sadly, Miss Mabel has died of COVID and Sutton, bereft, sets out to find the family she's sure Miss Mabel had. Sutton herself is a designer and she's built her business into a good one. It's a package of buttons in her mother's things that changes everything. Sutton relocates to Douglas, Michigan and well, no spoilers from me. This is classic Shipman- a sympathetic protagonist searching for something, in this case family in addition to happiness. Is her wealthy neighbor Bonnie a relative? Sutton asks a lot of questions about her mother and at times is uneasy with the answers. But the truth is important and she finds it. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A good read.

If you are a fan of Viola Shipman, then I highly recommend you read his new one The Edge of Summer. Hard to believe this is my first read by this very talented author but it won’t be my last!! A highly emotional and intense story with some trying subjects, this story really touched my heart. An amazing journey of a woman trying to find out who she really is and who she wants to be. It has so much in it…..family, secrets, friendship, grief, loss, acceptance and just enough romance to complete this well written novel. The characters are wonderful, and it has that small town feel with all the small town residents you will love. I look forward to reading more from this wonderful author.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishers and Viola Shipman for an advanced copy of this fascinating story in exchange for my honest opinion.
#netgalley #harlequintradepublishers. #violashipman, #htpinfluencer #htpbooks
#arc

The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman is about a woman’s journey to learn more about her family’s history. Sutton Douglas lost her mother to COVID. Her mother was the only family she has left or so she thought. Her mother refused to answer questions about her past except to say she lost everyone in a house fire. Sutton’s mother leaves her a letter that sends her on a quest to learn more. Sutton gives up her job, sells her condo in Chicago, and moves a resort town in Michigan. Sutton is feeling lost since her mother’s death, and she is hoping that learning about the family’s history will help her figure things out. I thought The Edge of Summer was well-written with developed characters. The pacing is slower than I prefer as Sutton deals with her grief, moves, and remembers special times with her mother. Anyone who has suffered a loss or was impacted by COVID will find some of the scenes difficult to read. The Edge of Summer is an emotional story. We join Sutton on her quest for information and, hopefully, to find a family member. We also get to see how Sutton and her mother, Miss Mabel made it through challenging times. Sutton’s mother provided her with wisdom that can help guide her throughout the rest of her life. Buttons are featured prominently in the story. I could understand Miss Mabel’s fascination with buttons. There are some unique and beautiful buttons. They have an interesting history. There are good life lessons in this book. We get to see that a family can be more than people who are related to you by blood. You can create your own family that consists of those you love and who love you in return. The Edge of Summer is a story about secrets, grief, family, truth, acceptance, friendship, and romance. Pack your bag for your journey to lovely Lake Michigan in the touching tale The Edge of Summer.

Sutton has struggled with the shutdown, getting laid off and then the sickness of her mom. When her mom dies Sutton is devastated and finds a clue to her past that her mom has kept secret. She rents a small cottage on Lake Michigan in the small town of Douglas. There she discovers more than she ever thought even though she was warned that maybe she didn't want to know the whole truth. Great setting and wonderful characters make this a great read.

I did enjoy the setting of this, but some topics were a bit too much at this time (loss, Covid, etc). I may feel different about the story if I read it a few years down the road. However, characters are well-developed and the descriptions are vivid. The characters are enjoyable overall.

4.5 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.


Sutton Douglas grew up poor, living creekside in Nevermore, Missouri, which just happens to be in the Ozarks. Some people would say poor as dirt. Her mother was known as Miss Mabel, and was loved by most in the town. A pious woman who worked in the local factory stitching overalls. To make ends meet, she also did some occasional babysitting and sewing for the more prominent women of Nevermore.

While her mother was very good at bowing down to these wealthier women, Sutton was not. And as such, Sutton has battled through adversity to put herself through college and create a ready-to-wear line of women’s clothing called Sutton’s Buttons. Because buttons were and are Sutton’s touchstone.

When the pandemic hits, Miss Mabel contracts COVID. Sadly, Sutton cannot even visit her in the nursing home. Every day Sutton goes to the nursing home and stands outside her mother’s window to simply wave. Then the day comes that Miss Mabel is gone. Sutton is like a boat with no mooring. She doesn’t know how to survive or what to do with herself.

Sutton has never known her family history. Her mother told her that the entire family died in a fire at Christmas. That the only survivors were Sutton, her mother and a teddy bear named Dandy. Sutton asks and asks but her mother never divulges more than that. After her death, Sutton is a woman possessed to put together the pieces of her past. The first step is a button card she finds from Dandy Buttons in Michigan. So that’s where she will start. Michigan.

I truly loved this book. Putting together the pieces of Sutton’s life and life after her mother is a beautiful story of growth, acceptance, and finding where you belong in the world. For Sutton this is almost a coming-of-age novel, because her upbringing was so rigid and removed from normal child and teenage life. Sutton’s journey is slow and methodically presented, from her leaving Chicago on a whim to her interaction with the Widow Lyons whose family once owned the button factory.

This is one of those books I could read again and again, because I feel like I’d find bits and pieces that I missed the previous time.

Intensely moving and emotionally deep. This needs 10 stars! This writer can write!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to admit that this book had some really tough parts to read. Especially if you have suffered a loss of a parent or special person in your life. If you were impacted by Covid illnesses or deaths, it can be a difficult read.

But beyond that, the story is an amazing journey into uncovering a secret. Shipman really touched my soul many times throughout this book. I simply could not stop reading.

This book is a blend of women’s fiction with a lovely romance building. It’s a story of a fierce mom and daughter who persevered through tough times.

It’s the story of deep insight and learning who you are and what matters to you overall.

I have to say this is one of the best stories I’ve read this year and it truly impacted me in so many ways. Just thinking about it right now brings tears to my eyes.

The story is truly something special and its storyteller is brilliant. I know there will be more Shipman stories in my life!

Sutton and her Mother Miss Mabel lived a life of poverty in a small cabin in the Ozarks. Sutton’s mother told her that her entire family had died in a fire, and that her father died of a broken heart. They only had each other. They supported themselves by sewing clothes for the community around them. They both had a fondness for beautiful buttons. This story made me reminisce about my grandmother who was a brilliant seamstress and had a tin full of buttons that I often played with in my childhood.

Sutton grew up to be an extremely successful clothes designer. But something was always missing in her life. She wanted to know more about her family history.

After Sutton’s mom died of Covid 19, Sutton found a hidden sleeve of buttons made in Douglas, Michigan and set out for Michigan to research her family tree. During Sutton’s mission, she grew into the person she was meant to be and uncovered many life-changing secrets of her past.

I’ve read every book that Viola has written, and he is one of my all-time favorite authors. His stories come from his most precious memories of life spent with his grandmother, Viola Shipman. Each novel has deeply touched my heart as each reveal what truly matters in life.

I received this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review from author Viola Shipman, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley.

Sutton after loosing her mother and dealing with Covid quits her job. Based on a postcard she found she decides to spend the summer in Michigan on the lake. She hopes to maybe learn more about her family.
I like Sutton and her lifelong love affair with buttons. I really enjoyed the story. It brought back memories of my Grandma and her sewing. She made all her own dresses and then used her leftover dress material to make us all quilts.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.