I look forward to reading Meg Mitchell Moore's newest book every year to deliver a delightful beach read. This year's Summer Stage takes us back to Block Island, scene of The Islanders, - with some previous characters making an appearance - but you don't need to have read The Islanders to enjoy Summer Stage. Summer Stage has all the components for an escapist beach/summer read: beach setting, family drama, relationships, even a dose of theater and fame thrown in the mix. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read an early copy, it's a solid 3.5/5 for me.

Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore was an amazing read.

A mesmerizing summer tale, Meg Mitchell Moore has delivered a story that touches on family, fame, relationships and scandals.
The characters are real, very human and their feelings are realistic and raw.
The story itself is one that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the very last page.
Summer Stage is completely engaging. The characters and the setting are great. I found that I wanted good things for everyone. I never wanted to put the book down.
The character development was very well done.
A beautifully written and well plotted page-turner following a family of actors grappling with fame, scandal, and ambition.
Absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed this amazing new novel.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you to William Morrow for the ARC. This was another solid entry into the Meg Mitchell Moore universe.

Summer Stage follows three members of an artistic and semi famous family as they reunite in Block Island to put on a Shakespeare play. I appreciated what Moore had to say about fame, attention and art, but sometimes it seemed as though some of her characters were a bit foggy. Some of the stakes just didn’t seem high enough or the size of the emotional reactions didn’t match the events. There were some parts where I kind of just had to shrug and say “Ok, I guess”

One of my favorite little interludes was a chapter that came from the first person plural perspective of all of Block Island, acting as a Greek chorus for the whole book. I just thought it was a neat little touch.

I gather that some of the minor characters in this book are major characters in one of Moore’s other books, but as someone who hasn’t read every Moore book, this reading experience was just as enjoyable without having read the other book.

3.5/5 stars

I found this book to be a light read, but thoroughly enjoyable. I wish the ending would have wrapped things up a little better, but I still recommend it. I have enjoyed all the books I have read by this author.

Several years ago I read a really good book about Block Island. Then last summer I went there with a friend and I remembered the book--the story, not the title or the author. Some really helpful fellow librarians at the little library on the island found me the book ( and one about Nancy Drew on Block Island) and I reread it and loved it even more because of my day trip. When I saw Summer Stage, I jumped on it and now want to go back to Block Island for more than a day. I loved the use of characters from the previous novel the Islanders and even had a bonus of Alexa from Two Truths and a Lie--it made me feel like such an "insider", but it is not necessary to have read any of Ms. Moore's other books to thoroughly enjoy this one. As a theatre major in college (and yes, now a librarian) some of that old excitement and stage fright came back that I thought I had forgotten. I loved how the story ended, but didn't--I think there may be a third book happen on Block Island?...and I will look forward to it.

I don’t know what’s up with all the theater books coming out this summer, but I am here for it! This was a delightful family story about a summer production of Midsummer Night’s Dream that, for the various parties involved, mends relational fences, revives old dreams, and soothes recent hurts, and brings a whole lot of joy to an enchanting island community.

Summer Stage is a summer read that will delight those is need of a nice escape. Scandal, secrets and personal relationships are all on display. A must read for all women fiction readers.

Thank goodness for Meg Mitchell Moore. I look forward to each one and feel like she is stepping into Elin Hilderbrand's shoes as she moves towards retirement. Perfect summer reads!

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

Summer Stage
by Meg Mitchell Moore
Pub Date: May 23, 2023
Harper Collins
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I wanted to read this because I loved Two Truths and a Lie by the same author.
From the bestselling author of Vacationland, a spirited summer page-turner following a family of actors grappling with fame, scandal, and ambition--perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand..
Mitchell has once again created a great read! Well written and totally engaging I loved this book!
This is the same setting as The Islanders and in the author's note she explains the aging of the characters.
I recommend this book!

I absolutely loved Meg Mitchell Moore's Two Truths and a Lie, so I decided to give Summer Stage a go! I'm sure glad I did because it was such a great book. The pages are filled with scandal, fame, and Hollywood dreams. Very engaging characters and plot. Definitely a must read this summer!

This novel is a great example of the special genre known as a “Beach Read.” Honestly, readers will be delighted to read this book anywhere, anytime. This is set on Block Island when Sam, a TikTok influencer, returns home to recalibrate her future. It is the same time as her famous film star uncle and his superstar ex-wife go to nearby Block Island to put on a show.

It all comes together beautifully and includes so much that is timely that this is a special and charming read. I loved learning about both TikTok and the Shakespeare production which is the catalyst of the novel.

Well written and totally engaging, great for the beach or any comfy place. Mitchell has once again created a great read.

Thank you NETGALLEY for this delightful book to read and review.