Thank you to Netgalley, Goodreads, and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Do you want a romantic generational family drama set on Martha’s Vineyard? Do you like cozy cooking books?

Pre-reading:
I am trying to read Vita Nostra and I hate it, so obviously, I will read literally anything else, but my Capricorn guilt says be productive, so let’s make some progress on the ARC list. I am a New England rom-com girlie, okay? They’re just better.

Thick of it:
Okay, so I work at a restaurant. I don’t like to read about it on my days off. Honestly, very triggering. Too real.

Aesthetically great, but wouldn’t an old bank vault be terrible for ventilation and thus the worst place to put a kitchen?

Oh baby, is she a local? (New England romcoms are superior. I don’t make the rules.)

See, this is good writing because I also got that low thrum in the belly of just like oh, man leaning. 👀 We’re such easy creatures.

Oh shoot, is Max her actual grandfather?

Oh my god, is grandpa having an affair with Lois?

I don’t know if liquid crackles like that.

Well, there’s your solution. Bring your bestie back to Baltimore, have her become the manager, and you go back to cooking as the chef, problem solved.

Oh Lois, you miserable cunt. There’s a special place in hell for women who go out of their way to make other women miserable.

Having to give up generational family homes makes me so sad.

Plongeur

Raffia

You know a metallic smell for a love interest is a new one.

But oh look, Harry is a minty boy.

Hedy and Tom have major chemistry, but also ew, because her mom is marrying his dad. Like I know, they’re not technically related, but it still icks me out. Like of all the people in the world, you really believe your soulmate is in your family tree? I don’t think so.

She’s pregnant.

It’s cute how all their romances parallel each other, but it also feels just a little like lazy writing. You had to come up with one device to give the audience warm and fuzzies rather than a bunch of unique ones.

Shims

Espagnole

Lois is such an interesting, complicated character.

I also believe that people’s driving styles say a lot about their personalities.

I really like Hedy. I feel like she’s got Sharky Blonde energy.

What do you mean she doesn’t seem like the type? She absolutely has dirty martini energy.

I repeat, I really like Hedy.

I feel like this book isn’t anything new, it’s just done well.

It’s loaded with food details, but it feels fitting when the majority of the characters have such a relationship with food, and it doesn’t take you out of the story. It adds to it, which is hard to do. I feel like a lot of the time you get food thrown in as some cultural spice and it just feels out of place.

The men in this book are so appealing.

This book is so sweet, like I’m not crying, but I definitely thought about it. What’s cute aggression but make it tears?

Oh, I do like them together. Honestly, give me more Hedy and Tom.

Post-reading:
This was really sweet. Is it the best book I’ve ever read? No. Is it an idea that’s been done over and over before? Absolutely, but it’s done well. It’s romantic. It’s cozy. It’s a perfect summer beach read. It feels authentically and charmingly true to Cape Cod. The characters are familiar archetypes, but nuanced. The romantic banter is so enjoyable. The love interests in this book are so fundamentally appealing. It tackles gender issues and classism and gentrification. Is the ending a little wholesome and tidy and too easy? Probably, but what did you want from a summer romance? For them to be miserable? It’s good escapist reading. It’s chock full of food like any cozy book, but it fits the story and it’s never jarring or so long that your eyes glaze over and you skim it to get back to the plot. I think the biggest criticisms of the book would be that it’s not diverse and that the romantic pairs kind of feel like a repeat of each other, but that’s pretty intentional. It’s generational wealth in Martha’s Vineyard-not exactly a beacon of diversity. And the couples are similar because the generations are supposed to parallel each other. I think if they were more distinct while keeping that parallelism, the book would be stronger and tip into lit fic territory, but I think it’s perfectly fine and cute and cozy as it is.

Who should read this:
Beach read fans
Cape Cod romance fans
Generational family drama fans
Emily Henry girlies
Cozy cooking book fans

Do I want to reread this:
No, but I would read more by the author

Similar books:
* The No-Show by Beth O’Leary-3 different couples, relationship parallels, romantic
* Beach Read by Emily Henry-beach town romance with family drama
* Book Lovers by Emily Henry-small town romance with family drama
* Happy Place by Emily Henry-New England romance, found family drama
* Off the Map by Trish Doller-travel romance in Ireland with family drama
* Too Wrong to be Right by Melonie Johnson-slow-burn family drama holiday romance
* Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score-small town romance
* For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa-cooking romance

Unhinged Summary:
Mickey has managed her restaurant into the ground so they are hemorrhaging money despite rave reviews. Obviously, she hasn’t told her business partner chef boyfriend. Mickey’s mom calls and is like Grandma’s getting married haul your ass back to our Martha’s Vineyard familial mansion. And Mickey’s like done. We love ignoring our problems. She gets to the island and her mom isn’t jazzed that grandma’s getting remarried. She’s like it’s a little soon don’t you think? Grandpa only died three years ago. And Mickey’s like mom, you’re 50 and single. Let grandma do what she wants. She’s 72. She could keel over at any second. She wants to marry a guy and have a sex life in her 70s? Kudos to her. But like also what do you know about this guy because I have never met him. And her mom’s like I’ve probably never met him. And Mickey’s like probably? And her mom’s Iike probably.

Jump back in time. Grandma is a spring chicken. She’s just moved to the island with her hot banker husband, grandpa. Grandpa‘s like hey grandma I know you loved cooking and working as a waitress, but now we have generational wealth so you don’t have to do anything but worry about redecorating our mansion after the war. And also fitting in with the Stepford wives. Peace. I’m going to Boston to do banker things. Also, no pressure, but like get pregnant. And grandma’s like I’m feeling some pressure. And she like tries to fit in with the other generational wealth families but like oh my god, they’re mean girls, and they make snide comments all day. Grandma’s like the only thing that makes me happy is my kitchen so let’s get that redone super fast. Oh look, the handyman is super hot.

Meanwhile, back in the present, Mickey’s best friend shows up. And she’s like oh my god, best friend, how is our childhood restaurant doing? And she’s like oh my god, best friend, gentrification sucks. They’re not gonna sell us the restaurant, but like at least yours is doing super well, right? And Mickey’s like right. Mom goes for a walk on the beach and runs into one of the neighbors. The neighbor is like oh my god isn’t it so cute how grandma and the handyman are getting married? I always knew they would get together. Like officially if you catch my drift. And Mom’s like that cheating skank. I knew grandpa didn’t chase carpenter man away from the house when I was a random seven-year-old for no reason. Now it’s nighttime. Mom’s going for a swim because admitting to liking things would be a weakness and also she has to wash off the adultery. She’s coming back home, and she’s like there’s definitely no murderers here in the dark, right? And some guy is like right. So she decks him in the face. And she’s like oh my god, who are you? And he’s like oh my god, definitely not your love interest and also your future stepbrother. And she’s like oh my god, please keep me away from washing machines. Also, isn’t it weird that our parents are getting married? And he’s like not really. They’re old. Let them do what they want. And mom’s like oh my god, no one understands me. I’m so unique and different.

Back in the past, hot carpenter man is like oh my god, do you want me to build you a super special custom kitchen? And grandma’s like oh my god, you would do that for me? And no one’s like oh my god, that is literally what he’s hired to do. And carpenter man is like thank me later babes. Also goddamn, you can cook.

Mickey has finally decided to come clean to her family that her restaurant is bankrupt. And her family is like oh my god is that why your love interest didn’t come with you? And Mickey is like no, actually, I haven’t told him. Her family is like oh my god, call him right now. We’re not doing this particular miscommunication trope for any more chapters. So she calls him and they fight because duh, and she’s like oh my god, he’ll never love me again. And mom and grandma are in the kitchen like well, her life sucks. We better not tell her that we’re also selling the family home.

Back in the past, grandma’s kitchen is finally finished and she wants to show it off to her friends, but they like don’t care. They’re like OK it’s a kitchen? Do you think we cook? Do you think we’re poor? And she’s like oh my god my new friends are rejecting my only personality trait. I’m so misunderstood and unique. Grandpa is like I don’t know why you can’t give up cooking now that you’re rich so that you would fit in better here on this island that you’re gonna be trapped on for the rest of your life. By the way, I’m going back to Boston for more business. Keep working on the friendship and the baby-making. And grandma’s like don’t you need to be here for that? And grandpa’s like probably not. Grandma gets some mail at the post office, and instead of waiting for the mailman to deliver it, she’s like I’m a strong, independent woman who don’t need no man. I will take this back to my house myself in the dark. On foot. And like this package is as big as me- maybe I do need a man. Oh look, the carpenter. So he brings her home and she’s like oh my god, you should totally not stay for dinner. And he’s like oh my god, I totally shouldn’t. What are we having? And she’s like you’re the only one who understands me. And he’s like I’m in love with you. And she’s like goddamn, but I am married. And he’s like goddamn. And then they’re like probably going to fuck, but then a car drives down the driveway definitely by mistake and leaves and carpenter man is like well that’s a sign. And like that was definitely just a random nobody. And grandma’s like yup, you’re completely right.

Back in the present, grandma called Mickey’s boyfriend and guilt-tripped him into coming for the wedding. And Mickey’s like oh my god, you’re here. You must not be mad at me. And the chef love interest somehow has a healthy mindset and is like babe I can be mad at you and still love you. And she’s like what? That’s so weird. I didn’t learn healthy relationships from my parents at all. And her mom is like why are you looking at me? So Mickey gives her chef boyfriend a tour of the vineyard and he’s like wow this place is really great. I can see why you love it. Why didn’t you ever open a restaurant here? And she’s like damn, I don’t know. And he’s like sorry your family is selling your mansion. And she’s like yeah it sucks. If only there was something we could do. And he’s like damn if only you knew how to manage your money so we could buy it. Except he doesn’t say that, but like that’s what we’re all thinking.

Once more into the past, I guess there’s some tennis tournament going on and grandma’s sitting with the mean girls being like well, I’ll never fit in. Regina George pulls her aside and is like I know you’re having a really hard time getting pregnant. And grandma is like OK bring it on, bitch. What terrible thing are you gonna say to me? And Regina’s like I had a hard time getting pregnant too. Don’t worry about it. I think you and I could be really good friends, even though we have different interests and personality traits. And we’re all like wait a minute. Is this a nuanced female character? So obviously Regina‘s husband gets drunk and goes up to grandma and he’s like I know what you did last summer. And grandma’s like did you mean this summer? And he’s like you’re a little slut and you’ll never fit in here. And grandma‘s like dang, I guess that wasn’t a random car. I’m gonna walk home now because I feel unsafe. Grandpa beats her home obviously because he has a car and he doesn’t walk all the way home barefoot like a weirdo. And he’s like grandma, you know I love you, right? I just have a bad way of expressing it. And she’s like I know, grandpa. I already hitched my wagon to yours, so we just have to make the best of it. Too bad there’s nothing I could do like divorce to live a happier life, so I’ll just have to live in the lap of luxury now. And grandpa is like do you love me? And grandma‘s like well you bought me a kitchen, so I guess so. Speaking of guessing, guess what I’ve been cooking up? And grandpa’s like is it pie? And she’s like no silly, a baby.

Back in the present, grandma is ready to get married to elderly carpenter man, except oh no, the caterers have canceled and they’re like oh my god, where could we find chefs and a restaurant staff so last minute? And Mickey’s like hi, and best friend is like hi, and chef love interest is like hi. And mom is like well, guess I’m gonna have to go get the alcohol. And stepbrother love interest is like well, guess I’ll have to go with you in case you get stuck anywhere. At the alcohol store, he’s like hey what’s your drink of choice? And she’s like a dirty martini. And he’s like man that’s such a weird drink. Who would drink those? And she’s like my dad. And he’s like oh I get it now. You’re probably just jealous of grandma because she’s getting married and you’re alone. And she’s like are you high? So mom comes back and finally confronts grandma like how are you gonna marry the man that you cheated on grandpa with? And grandma’s like you are so dumb. I never cheated on grandpa. That was just a rumor. And Mom‘s like who said the rumor? I’m gonna go make fun of them because nothing says boss ass bitch like bullying the elderly. Mickey and her chef boyfriend cook for the wedding and best friend manages them and they’re like oh my god, guys, it would be so weird if we like ran a business together. And they’re like oh my god, that would be so weird. If only we had a building to do it at. Too bad we don’t know anyone selling one of those. Mom and stepbrother dance at the wedding and she’s like damn, you were right. I was just jealous. And also I thought grandma cheated on grandpa, but she didn’t so I am okay with everything now. Well not now, but probably in the future like after therapy. And stepbrother is like oh my god, that’s great. Do you want to start a new rumor and or reason for therapy? And she’s like what rumor? And he’s like incest. And she’s like bet. And then grandma’s like oh my god, this wedding was so perfect. Now if only we didn’t have to sell the mansion. And Mickey’s like hey grandma, I know I ran my last restaurant into the ground, but this time I won’t. And grandma‘s like oh my god, this is the best news ever, and everyone lived happily ever after, the end.

I couldn't ask for anything more from a beach read than what Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery delivers! Three generations of women, second chance romance(s), cooking and it all takes place at the Campbell family's summer home, Beech House, on Martha's Vineyard.

There is a lot packed into this lovely novel, and I could hardly put it down for wanting to know how each of the situations will turn out. I also found myself wanting to get into my own kitchen and start cooking, as the love that Cora and Micki have for cooking oozed from the pages. The characters were well fleshed out, and the dual timelines brought a depth to Cora's and Max's relationship story that helped the reader understand the backstory.

This was the first novel I have read by Erika Montgomery, though I have her first novel on my bookshelf already (moving straight to the top of my TBR pile). It will certainly not be the last. I also thought the ending of this one left an opening for a follow-up with Michelle and Wes (hint-hint) which I would love to see. Our Place on the Island is comparable to most of the books by Elin Hilderbrand, a perennial favorite for the beach. Great summer read!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC of Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery. The opinions in this review are my own

I really enjoyed this new book by new to me author, Erika Montgomery. It’s a lovely story of mothers and daughters told over the course of a weekend where the family matriarch gets remarried. I’m ready to hop on a plane and head to Martha’s Vineyard just to eat some of the delicious food they prepare in this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this book! I really enjoyed her debut book A Summer to Remember as well! This has everything I love! Dual timeline 1948 and 1999. I mean what didn’t you love about the 90s! It would be nice to have more 90s references but it was still fun. The main character is Cora. The 1948 timeline is her as a newlywed spending their summer on Martha’s Vineyard in the home passed down from his parents. Cora is navigating her life as a wife, but also living amongst the privileged that she didn’t experience growing up. She had a love for cooking and her kitchen is getting renovated by carpenter Max. Even though she’s married she feels a chemistry with him. He understands her, but she loves her husband Harry.
In 1999 three years after her husband Harry died she is marrying Max after they became reunited. She is throwing together a wedding to remember. Her successful realtor daughter Hedy is having a hard time accepting this marriage. She was always a daddy’s girl. Granddaughter Mickey comes in from Baltimore with her own baggage. Her restaurant is in the red and she hasn’t told her boyfriend and head chef Wes. She is hoping her time on the island will give her clarity. Will have three women find what they need in a week?

Our Place on the Island
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading Our Place on the Island. It is a very slow paced novel and has a dual timeline. We get to see their present lives in 1999 and revisit Cora's past in 1948. I loved reading about their relationships between them, because it showed that no family is perfect. It showed me that things we hold back as secrets eventually come up and can create some hurt.
Overall, it was a good story. Check it out if you're interested in reading about family relations and how the past is not always how we remember it.

*I would have liked for the chapters to be labeled by who's POV were we going to read. It changed between Cora, Hedy and Michelle. The 1948 timeline is told by Cora's POV.

This was a really quick read. Told in two time frames. Current day Mickey is a chef and the the owner of a restaurant in Baltimore that's getting rave reviews. She's gotten behind on the bills which she has kept secret from the chef who is her boyfriend, Wes. She gets called away to Martha's Vineyard because her grandmother Cora is getting remarried. The other story told is of Cora coming to Martha's Vineyard for the firs time in 1948 as the new bride of the wealthy Harry. Mickey's mother Hedy was a Daddy's girl and isn't excited about the fact that her mother is getting remarried. Mickey and Cora have always been close, having learned her love of cooking from Cora. I liked that Cora made Mickey call Wes and tell him what was going on with the restaurant and that the resolution of the affect it would have on their relationship wasn't drawn out. There was definite, did they, didn't they regarding Cora and Max.

Can this book make me more of an emotional mess or what!!!!!!!!!! It was perfection, exactly what I needed in a summer read. We have Cora who is getting her second chance at love and getting married, her daughter Hedy isn't too comfortable with the idea and Michelle, her daughter, is going through her own thing with her new restaurant but she pulls through for her grandma. I love how we go back and forth between Cora and her life in the 40's, after the war when the men came back after women had to be put to work, and the struggles women went through in those times after the fact. I adored the romance in this book, from all aspects. I loved the traditions, and the little secrets that were revealed, the cooking, since Michelle is a chef, and I loved the sense of community. This book was so heartwarming. This was an amazing cozy summer read.

Thanks netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I really enjoyed this book. IT would be a great beach read. It’s got lot of cooking which made me hungry but in a good way.

In Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery coming out in June, Mickey Campbell has a big secret: her Baltimore restaurant Piquant is in serious financial trouble, and she is keeping it under wraps from her partner and fellow chef Wes Isaac. Mickey thought she could handle the business side of owning a restaurant but that is proving to be untrue as overdue invoices are piling up on her desk. A couple of vendors have already stopped delivery, and Wes wonders why.

A phone call from her mother Hedy prompts her to come to the family home in Martha’s Vineyard, the Beech House. The home has been in the family for generations but unbeknownst to Mickey, her widowed grandmother is going to sell the home as she begins a new life with a new husband. Mickey barely has any time to process these changes as the wedding is in a few days.

With her restaurant in the red, this is not the best time to leave it behind to head to Martha’s Vineyard, but Mickey will do about anything for her grandmother Cora. Both Mickey and her mother are uncomfortable with the wedding plans as they lost their grandfather and father only three years ago.

As the story plays out on a 1999 timeline, chapters are interwoven with a look at Cora and her husband Harry as they start their married life in the Beech House in 1948. Turns out Cora’s fiancé is Max Dempsey, the carpenter who remodeled Cora’s kitchen back then. Both felt flickers of infatuation during the renovation, but how far did they take it? Even neighbors noticed the amount of time Max was spending at the house when Harry was away on business back in the early days of their marriage, and the current gossip in town is that Cora is marrying “the one who got away,” which requires an explanation to both Mickey and her mother.

How will Mickey and Hedy be able to cope with this remarriage especially now with the news of a possible scandal? What will Mickey and Wes do about their restaurant? What chance is there to keep the Beech House in the family?

A native New Englander, Erika Montgomery currently lives with her family in the Mid-Atlantic. Her debut novel A Summer to Remember was published in 2021. In addition to penning books, she teaches creative writing, collects sea glass, and watches old movies.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting June 9, 2023.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Griffin, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

If you enjoy a dual timeline multigenerational family drama, this is the book for you! Three generations of Campbell women trying to find their place in the world while always knowing they can come home to Beech House on Martha’s Vineyard. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend as a beach read!

I enjoyed Montgomery‘s debut novel, A Summer to Remember, so I was excited to receive the arc for this book!

Our Place on the Island is told in dual timelines (1999 & 1948) and with three different pov (Mickey, Hedy, and Cora). The three generations of Campbell Women. It takes place in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts and totally gives all the beach vibes.

This book explores second chance romance, mother-daughter relationships, family relationships and the love for cooking. We get to see Cora fall in love with her renovated kitchen. We see Mickey struggle with keeping her restaurant afloat, and Hedy struggling with her mom’s upcoming wedding. Each women faces difficult life decisions where they seek their family for support.

I thought this was a great, light, summer read. I fell in love the Campbell women and Beech House. ❤️ Make sure to add this to your TBR for this summer! ☀️

[ Thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

This was a slow burn that didn't quite grab my attention at first but as I continued reading I realized at some point I grew really attached to the main characters and really enjoyed the way the story unfolded.

This is the story of three women - Cora, the grandmother, Hedy, the mom, and Mickey the daughter. They are brought together for Cora's wedding to Max after her husband/Hedy's dad has passed. I loved the story of Max and Cora and I'm glad they reunited later in life. I would have been happy with just a story on the two of them and I wanted more of their relationship and how they reunited. I also loved Mickey and Wes's relationship and I also wanted more from them! Basically, I wanted the book to be another 100 pages or it to be a triology haha. Cooking was also a big part of the book but I didn't really pay that much attention to it because I enjoyed all the relationships - romantic, familial and friendship. I wanted more from it all!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

Our Place on the Island is the second book written by author Erika Montgomery. After reading A Summer to Remember and enjoying it like I did, I was thrilled to have received a widget from St. Martin’s Press inviting me to read Our Place on the Island. This story takes place on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a dual timeline story that centers around 3 female generations of the Campbell family. Cora, the grandmother, Heady, the mother, and Michelle or Mickey as she’s called, the granddaughter. They all come together at their family cottage called Beech House in preparation for Cora’s second marriage. This family learns that it’s never too late to start a new chapter in life. This was a great read, I loved both the location and the characters. The love and connection that these women felt for each other was both beautiful and inspiring. I felt such deep respect for Cora, the way she chose to live her life after being treated the way she was by the islanders. She always made the best of it. And to have felt such an attraction to Max but never to have acted on it was highly repectful. She was a remarkable woman. This is a great story and it’s one I’ll be recommending to all my reader friends. I’d like to thank Kejana Ayala, Marketing Coordinator at St. Martin’s Press for the invite and NetGalley for the arc. I really enjoyed reading this and I’m giving it a 5 star rating. I look forward to reading more by Erika Montgomery in the future.

This moves between 1948 and 1999 to tell the stories of three women-Cora, her daughter Hedy, and her granddaughter Mickey., And they all have secrets. Cora arrived on Martha's Vineyard as a young bride and she struggled, Now, she's marrying again at the age of 78 and she's much more confident- confident enough to tell Hedy and Mickey her secrets (no spoilers). Mickey is a chef who doesn't want to tell her partner that their restaurant is about go belly up, despite its popularity. And Hedy has one too (no spoilers). This has a good spirit of family reconciliation. And the food! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good summer read that will be equally welcome on a cold day.

This home sounds amazing and a wonderful gathering place. This book is a story of the early days of Cora coming to the island and the story of her 50 years later as she remarries. Harry is domineering and stuck in old friendships. Cora is not accepted but Harry doesn't seem to get it. Cora has more of a friendship with they guy doing a kitchen update. Cora's granddaughter Mickey also has a story. I found the book interesting and I was entertained.

Thank you SMP and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Our Place on the Island is not my favorite. I found it to be boring and also confusing as its plot felt as if it had no purpose…

Is Our Place suppose to be a family drama with a bunch of character growth? I felt as if most of the characters did not grow. Is it supposed to be a historical fiction of the wealthy class on an island with a dual timeline of 1948 and 1999? If so, the characters felt snobby and therefore unlikeable (except for Max). Is it a story about “fitting” in? Is it supposed to be a homage to cooking, chefs and foodies?

I don’t know. I really don’t.

Our Place on The Island is a feel good story about three generations of women and their connection to a town they all love. Beech House means different things to each woman but when the day comes that Beech House must get a new start everyone knows what it should be next. Grandma Cora owns the home and has made it her labor of love. The kitchen and it's handsome contractor go back to Cora's first days of moving to the house and now the two will be married. Cora's daughter Hedy has so many questions about her father who passed and the contractor who her mother knew back then and is now marrying so late in life. Was her mother unfaithful to her father? For granddaughter Mickey Beech House is a place that has always felt like home. Becoming a chef and spending her childhood in Grandma Cora's kitchen are some of the best memories. Mickey owns her own restaurant but is to afraid to share with her family that the business is failing. The food, her staff, her boyfriend...everything is right but they can't seem to get out of the red.
With Grandma Cora's quick nuptials Mickey and Hedy must head to the Island. The time spent with family will help all three of the women come to terms with the past and the present and decide what will happen with Beech House. It will be a time of renewed happiness in all three women's lives.

🚢Compelling multi generational family saga🏖

Superb storytelling women's fiction that I could not put down. It features three generations of a family rooted on the shores of Martha's Vineyard reuniting for a second chance wedding of their widowed matriarch. I loved the setting, the challenges Cora, Hedy and Mickey face and the way they support each other through difficult transitions.

Of the three women, Cora's life story really held me the most. She comes in 1948 to the island as a young bride from modest circumstances who finds it hard to settle in to the insular, country club society that is an integral part of Harry, her wealthy husband. Her story also touched me because she exemplifies many of the women who found employment and a new purpose during WWII and then suddenly had to surrender it all when the war ended and the men returned. In her case, she is also expected to act like it never happened, something that really goes against the grain as she carries such fond memories of her days in her uncle's restaurant business. Cora is the kind, giving and down to earth woman who really holds the family together and food is the not-so-secret main ingredient to her success.

The novel transitions back and forth from 1948 to 1999, incorporating romance, disappointments and an intense love of cooking for Cora and granddaughter Mickey. The author built love, comfort and sharing into Cora's kitchen. Cora's connection with Max, the carpenter-builder who remodels her kitchen with such care, was bittersweet but my favorite part of the book. I loved how the author brought them their long-delayed HEA.

This story earns a definite thumbs up and recommendation from me. Thanks to St. Martin's Publications and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I enjoyed this story of three generations of women. The dual timelines are nearly 50 years earlier, during Cora's first summer at Beech House, and the week leading up to Cora's second wedding in 1999 as she brings her daughter and granddaughter to the house.
The three women have complicated relationships with one another, and their views on love and relationships have been influenced by the generations before them. Hedy is struggling with aging and the idea of her mother marrying someone new in the house that belonged to her beloved father and his family. Mickey loves her boyfriend but has kept a huge secret from him and uses the trip to escape her reality.
This was a quick read but very interesting, and I enjoyed learning more about these women. I wish there had been a little more about Cora in the present day, because the chapters about her first summer were great. I'd also have loved a bit more info on some things that took place with her between that early summer and now. But overall, it was a good story and enjoyable read.

I enjoyed the stories of Cora and Mickey. The book was predominately about Cora and Mickey's story felt secondary. The slice of Hedy's story was slim. I did enjoy the stories and they weaved together well. Overall, it was a feel-good story with a hopeful ending. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.