This was a nice quick read. It was just okay. I wouldn't read it again, but I spent a nice afternoon listening to it.

This story is told in third person and follows multiple characters spending the summer in the community of Chatham on Cape Cod. Some are residents and others are just visiting for the summer. It was a light summer read, something you might like for the beach, covering relatable themes including grief over losing a parent, returning to the workforce after a prolonged period raising small children and the ensuing marital conflict, changes in relationships over time, the conundrum of small town versus big city, just to name a few.

There were a lot of characters to follow, and I had difficulty distinguishing them in the first part of the book. However, as it progressed and I came to know the characters, the narrative shifts became recognizable. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. This was my first audiobook with this narrator, and she did a great job with all the character voices. Still, I think it might have benefited by a larger cast rather than just one narrator.

I think this novel will appeal to many readers for the relatable themes listed above, but I found that it really wasn’t for me. I found the character of Hannah to be a little too inconsistent, decisive about some of her decisions in the beginning then suddenly about facing with little to no explanation that worked for me. I did enjoy the parts of Hannah’s story that dealt with writer’s block as well as her shadowing the lawyers in Spencer’s law offices for ideas for her new book even if I’m unsure of the plausibility of that scenario.

I also had issues with the ways that Sara and Maddie handled their marital conflict. Sara silently seething while essentially letting Tom walk all over her and Maddie so caught up in her own dilemma that she didn’t realize Richie clearly didn’t agree. There was also a prevailing theme that opposites attract and too similar people don’t make for good relationships that honestly rubbed me the wrong way. However, I enjoyed Sara’s enthusiasm for her new job in the bookstore and finding fulfillment outside of the home as well as the ins and outs of Maddie’s job as an author rep.

Recommended for a light beach read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

This was a cozy summer read, following Hannah, her sister Sara, and their aunt for the summer in Chatham, Cape Cod, as they navigate their relationships. It’s only lightly romantic, but very cozy and slow paced.
I received and ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Big thanks to both NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC copy of this cute summer romance!

I really enjoyed how the characters stuck to their decisions & chose what made them happiest. This was of course predicatble as most love stories are, but it was still a very fun listen!

Hannah has writer’s block since writing her first book and the loss of her mother. So she heads back to her hometown in Chatham, Cape Cod to stay at her aunt’s house to try to get her writing mojo back. Hannah’s aunt introduces her to the next door neighbor so she has someone to look to if she needs some thing while Aunt Maddie is in NY doing business but also catching up with her husband who they have taken a trial separation after the loss of her sister Hannah’s mother.
The neighbors just happen to have a very eligible grandson….. Spencer is eligible attorney and grandma has a gleam in her eye when she introduces Spencer and Hannah who did go to school together but weren’t really friends.
Nice summer easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin press for this ARC.

The Seaside Sisters will delight and charm you as easily as an ocean breeze.

If you need a perfectly feel-good, clean, sweet romance novel, this is it. In between the many thrillers I read, crime and true crime shows I watch, I sometimes need a balance. The Seaside Sisters filled me with a dose of happiness. It’s full of feel-good characters that you love and root for. Pamela M. Kelley provides the right amount of cozy in her latest. I was left with a happy heart when I finished it.

I enjoyed Stephanie Németh-Parker’s narration of the audiobook!

Thank you so much, Pamela M. Kelley, Macmillan Audio, St Martin’s Press & NetGalley, for my copy & audiobook to give my honest review! All opinions are my own.

A Heartwarming Escape to Cape Cod

In The Seaside Sisters, Brooklyn-based Hannah, a bestselling author, seeks solace in her aunt’s oceanfront house in Chatham. There, she reconnects with her older sister, Sara, who dreams of reigniting her love for literature. Amid family responsibilities and fizzling marriages, the sisters find friendship, romance, and the magic of books.

Kelley’s storytelling captures the essence of summer—warm, inviting, and filled with sisterly bonds. The Chatham setting is as charming as a sun-soaked beach, and the characters feel like friends you’d want to share a sunset with. If you’re a fan of Mary Kay Andrews or Susan Mallery, this delightful read awaits you.

The Seaside Sisters is a sweet, cozy, beachy read. I really loved the main characters, sisters Hannah and Sara. They are both struggling with different things in their everyday life, most of which are relatable, and they spend the summer with each other trying to work through their struggles. I really enjoyed the setting and the small town feel. The book store and little coffee shop was one of the best parts of the setting, second to the beach! There was a bit of romance, family connections, and it checks all the summer reading boxes! This book really focuses on these characters figuring out what truly makes them happy. Overall I really enjoyed The Seaside Sisters and would definitely recommend you add it to your summer beach read TBR!

Pamela M. Kelley has written an amazing book about a family and the things their lives go through.

Hannah and Sarah are sisters and their mom died a few months ago. Sarah is a mother of four boys ranging in age from 6 to 12. She is married to a man named Tom who takes her for granted. He doesn't really pay her much attention and doesn't help her with anything.

Hannah is is an author and she lives in Brooklyn. She and her sister grew up in Cape Cod, Chatham. Her mothers house is still there and they agreed to keep it for at least a year before they decided what to do with it. Hannah wasn't doing well with her writing or her health. She has been having a hard time with the fact that her mom a has died. So she has decided to go back to Chatham and is going to stay with her aunt Maddie.

Maddie has had a separation from her husband Richie. Maddie is at home in Chatham and Richie seems to be at home in New York. Maddie is having a hard time at the loss of her sister.

Joy and Ben are Maddies' neighbors. Spencer is their grandson and Hannah remembered him from when she was in high school.
He is a lawyer and Hannah has been invited to shadow him and his team for her book.

Sarah gets a job at the book store in town and Tom doesn't take to well to it as he thinks she is wasting her time. He, again doesn't help her. When they go on a date night Tom doesn't pay her much attention. He stays on his phone for the most part.

There really is so much to this book to unwrap it all here would be wrong to the you the reader. It is an amazing read and I highly recommend this book. Fun family and love!
Happy Reading!!!

This story follows three women: Hannah, her sister Sara, and their aunt Maddie. Hannah is a best-selling author that is struggling with her second book. Having lost her mother just weeks prior, Hannah decides to move back to her childhood home in Cape Cod for the summer. The story focuses on Hannah and Sara’s grief, in addition to Sara’s marriage struggles. I really enjoyed watching their stories unfold.

This was the quintessential beach read. The pace felt slow, there was not much drama, and the Cape Cod backdrop was delightful. Personally, I need a little more action than this one provided, but I still really enjoyed these characters and their stories!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this one!

The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley
Contemporary chick lit, women’s fiction with romance. Multiple POV.
After a personal loss and now suffering from panic attacks, Hannah Brewster is struggling to write her second book. She accepts an invite to return home to Chatham, Cape Cod for the summer. She’s hoping that being back in her home town will help her reconnect with life, family and hope. Plus, she’ll be able to spend time with her sister Sara.
Sara is married with four children and feels stuck in her life. So many family responsibilities and no time for herself. Sara gets a job at a local bookstore which puts pressure on other needed changes in her life.
Aunt Maddie is having her own marriage issues. Having Hannah and Sara back in her life for the summer helps her make some of her own changes.
It’s a summer of family.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook which was narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. There are distinct voices for the main three women in the story bit for me they did tend to blend together. I had to listen closely to the beginning of each section or chapter to make sure I knew who I was following. Of course, they lead very different lives with different issues so the content was easily allocated. There were no drastic emotions so the audiobook was smooth and well modulated with no discernible subsequent editing. It was a wonderful performance overall. I listened to this at 1.5 which is my preferred speed.

Choosing between an ebook and audiobook is really choosing between two different experiences. For this book, I would recommend the ebook simply because of the multiple POV’s and inconsistencies of when the POV changes occur.

Family and personal connections, self respect, confidence and most importantly, happiness in the one life we get to lead.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

Seaside Sisters is one of those books that will put you right in the middle of a cute little beach town as you read.

Hannah a write who is struggling with her latest book, travels to her aunts home in Chatham on Cape Cod to get a change of scenery hoping this will help. Hannah's stay at home sister also lives there. She is trying to break into the workforce with little help from her husband, who I thought was a selfish uninterested partner. Her aunt Maddie has separated from her long time husband, and trying to decided if she still wants to be married.

I enjoyed the setting of Chatham, the author did a fantastic job of describing the town, along with the quaint bookshop and coffee shop that is next door, and of course I enjoy any book that has a setting on a beach or in a beach town.

The characters for the most part were enjoyable, as I said above, I did not like the sisters husband at all. The characters were just everyday people with everyday problems. There was a slight romance with Hannah, but it was not anything steamy, as I mentioned, it was slight.

Maybe all this is the reason I found the story a bit slow. Maybe it was suppose to be. Mimic the feeling of a slow summer days you'd have in a small beach town, but it was just a bit to slow for me.

This was the perfect start-to-summer read. I enjoyed the characters and see where a couple of side-stories could happen! It was poignant, heart-felt and with just enough laughter and romance to keep things lively. I greatly enjoyed it!

Hannah is struggling writing her new novel, her mother just passed away and her 2 year relationship ended.  Since her sister and aunt still live on Cape Cod she decides that the best thing to do is to spend her summer there rather than alone in her Brooklyn apartment and try to heal and write her book.  Once there she realizes her aunt's marriage is on a break and her sister's is struggling.  The three women spend the summer supporting each other while Hannah begins a friendship with Spencer, a man with whom she went to high school, and is much more interesting to her now than he was then.

I listened to this one entirely.  Unfortunately while I thought it would be a nice sweet summer read, the story just didn't have enough complexity for me.  Everything was a bit too simple from the plot to the characters - nothing stood out or held my interest.  I also wonder if the author was on a diet when she wrote it (no judgement, we've all been there) because she described every meal (especially every dessert) the characters ate in detail (and they ate a lot of brownies).  The audio narrator read the novel in the breezy way that it was presented and she was great.  If you want a quick uncomplicated beach read this is for you, but I like a little more, even for my romance beach reads, to hold my interest.

3.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ARC to review

I recently had the opportunity to delve into Pamela M Kelley's charming novel, 'The Seaside Sisters'. This delightful read is set against the backdrop of the picturesque seaside town of Chatham on the Cape, and it introduces us to the world of Hannah, a writer who is experiencing a creative slump.
Seeking respite and inspiration, Hannah decides to spend her summer with her aunt and sister in Chatham. Her sister is undergoing a transition of her own, feeling a bit lost as all four of her children have started school, and she embarks on a new journey by deciding to get a job.
One of the pivotal moments occurs when Hannah discovers that her aunt and uncle are separated. This revelation adds an unexpected layer of complexity to her summer retreat. Despite the personal struggles and complications that the characters face, the book maintains a light-hearted and uplifting tone, making it an ideal beach read.
Hannah's story takes an interesting turn when she befriends Spencer. While there's a hint of a budding romance, Hannah grapples with the decision of whether she could become a full-time resident of Chatham.
The tale is beautifully narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, who brings a sense of wonder and charm to the story. Her narration enhances the overall reading experience, adding depth to the characters and the scenic landscape of Chatham.
'The Seaside Sisters' is a relaxing and enjoyable read that perfectly captures the essence of everyday struggles and the beauty of new beginnings. It's a testament to Kelley's talent as a storyteller. I feel grateful to Pamela M Kelley, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to review this heartwarming ARC.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a light-hearted, yet meaningful story that explores family dynamics, personal growth, and the power of new beginnings, 'The Seaside Sisters' should be your next pick. The book serves as a gentle reminder that no matter what life throws at you, there's always a silver lining waiting just around the corner.

❤️ Happy Reading!!! ❤️

Librarians, authors, and bookstores are all my favorite things! It is a great summer read, with good family connections, and minor drama with satisfying resolutions. I love listening to audiobooks because it allows me to enjoy a book while getting quiet chores finished.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in advance.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6555158404

This story revolves mainly around Hannah. She is a best-selling author (of one book) and is currently on deadline for her second book, but has NOT been able to write.
When her Aunt suggests she come back to Chatham, Cape Cod for the summer, she thinks that’s a terrific idea!
Her Aunt and her sister both live there…and being as she has just recently suffered a great loss, well, she thinks it’ll be good for all of them!

Hannah lives in Brooklyn (NY), my old stomping grounds…so I definitely relate to her on this! She has friends, an apt, and a life there.

But, when she returns home to Chatham for the summer, well, it’s kind of like an old glove…it just fits!

While there she forges many relationships with both family and friends…and some possible love interests…

Loved the setting/backdrop. Loved the closeness of her family. Loved how they all really care for each other… and LOVED when Sara (the sister) decides to let her husband handle their 4 kids for a short while! Eye opening!!

Sweet, yet sad at times too! But, realistic on so many levels…

Oh…and I loved how the author is having a hard time writing…and how she connects with other authors and goes to group meetings, etc… to try to muddle through. Very enlightening to see that it’s not all champagne and roses for our beloved authors either!! 😮

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me! Great summer read!!

#TheSeasideSisters by #PamelaKelley and narrated beautifully by #StephanieNemethParker.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released on 6/4/24 ( so just a few days from now!)

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The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley is about the summer after Hannah and Sara’s mom dies. Hannah returns to Cape Cod where they grew up and where Sara still lives with her husband and children. The story follows Hannah, Sara, and their Aunt Maddie through the ups and downs of relationships.

I found that nothing remarkable happened in this story. Sometimes the plot felt like it was following too many story lines. Honestly I was much more interest in Sara and Maddie’s storylines. Hannah was just kind of boring. I also feel like there have been a lot of romance books lately with a main character who is a romance writer and it’s not adding anything to the story.

I did enjoy that this book was light-hearted and easy to listen to. It felt very much like a palette cleanser and is good if you’ve been reading a lot of heavy stuff and want a break. Great beach read to reset.

Big thanks to @net and @mac for my advanced audiobook. I did enjoy the narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker. She had great intonation and it was easy to keep up with voices of different characters.

I went back and forth between giving it 2 or 3 stars, but because I did enjoy the narration and it gave me some escapism, which I enjoyed, I went with 3.

Love, loss, family relationships, endings, starting anew, and more. Hannah, an author struggling with a lot of emotions, She’s an author struggling with writer's block, is missing her beloved mother, dealing with the end of a relationship she knew wasn’t right for her, but left wondering what is next and panic attacks, decides to leave Brooklyn for the summer and head to her home town of Chatham to spend time with her aunt and sister. They too are struggling with issues in their personal and professional lives. All three women are feeling stuck and are each at somewhat of their own crossroads. Over the course of the summer with the loving support from each other they all find their way to their own personal happily ever afters. It was an easy lovely story about life. The narration added to the experience of the story.

I was intrigued by the premise and excited to download this book as soon as I read the burb and saw it was about a Cape Codder turned Brooklynite. Hannah is an author from Chatham, MA (on Cape Cod), which is coincidentally the same town where I grew up. Like the main character, I left the Cape and lived in NYC for several years, but still enjoy returning to my hometown for visits.

In the book, Hannah decides to spend the summer in Chatham to finish her next novel after a breakup and the passing of her mother. The story is definitely best characterized as a lighthearted/tame romance. Although Pamela Kelley is a prolific author of this genre, I had never read one of her books before.

Overall, I enjoyed the descriptions of Chatham and the real-life local businesses that Kelley included, but the plot itself was typical of this genre and predictable, and much of the book was limited to fairly simplistic and sometimes repetitive dialogue between the characters. If it hadn't been set in my hometown, I may not have rated this book as highly, but only because this type of book isn't really my cup of tea. However, if you're seeking a breezy beach read, and you are interested in learning more about the Cape, then I would certainly recommend you give this a go!