See my full review at http://michelleardillo.com/2025/01/20/book-review-the-page-turner-by-viola-shipman/

Page Turner by Viola Shipman

I love the cover of this book! It’s so cute! The book certainly lives up to its title! I couldn’t stop turning the pages and I couldn’t put this book down.

Emma is my favorite. She is very relatable. I can relate to growing up as the black sheep in my house. Emma’s discovers a secret that has the power to ruin her parent’s reputation and business. What will Emma do? Will she just sit back and watch their legacy be destroyed?

“ There is a price to pay for everything that matters in this world, it just all depends how much you want it.”

The family really came together in the end which I loved! A beautiful story. I really like Violas writing.

Thank you NetGalley, Viola and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: April 8th 2025

#NetGalley #ThePageTurner

The Page Turner
By: Viola Shipman
Pub date: April 8, 2025
Publisher: Graydon House

Make sure you read the author notes, as the author gives you an insight to his life and his pen name.
This novel is one on a personal level for the author. Family secrets and the publishing world collide in this novel.
Emma is the daughter of two book publishers who are high society of the literary world. She is trying to become a writer but not in the same genre her family publishing. Emma has lost her grandmother, GiGi and will learn she has strengths she never thought possible. Michigan is the setting and this novel will make you want to go back as his books always take us to his beloved state.
Wrap yourself in a warm blanket and grab a hot cocoa or cider and read this little gem. Thank you Graydon House for the advanced e-ARC. I adore Shipman’s novels.

Good story about publishing and author personalities. It was a fresh perspective with the completive and selfish life that they live in. Family drama and jealousy was told in a direct tone. Well developed characters. Recommended for reading groups to discuss.

This book tries very hard to be profound and emotional. There's a philosophical life lesson in every chapter, grand speeches about the meaning of life and family and the power of love. It all rings a bit pretentious and try-hard, which is ironic because the protagonist professes to hate pretense. The characters lack any sort of depth. The protagonist is like a caricature of a Strong Female Character, and the villain is comically evil given the scope of the novel. I was vaguely invested in the way the story played out, but not enough to keep reading it from feeling like a chore. Not the worst, but not my favourite.

This story could not capture my interest. At the onset, it seems like it is going nowhere. I could not finish it. Strange because I ordinarily like Viola Shipman’s novels.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all, the book's cover pulled me in, and I am so glad it did. The title is correct for this book because it is a page-turner.

Viola Shipman aka Wade Rouse is one of my favorite authors. I really like The Page Turner because the main character, Emma Page, is a romance reader, like myself. She has just graduated from the University of Michigan, and must decide where to apply for jobs in the publishing industry. Her dilemma is that her parents own a boutique publishing house and they would never publish a book like Emma likes to read and someday hopes to publish. She has already written a novel while in college, but it would never meet their highbrow standards. Their standards are not helping their bottom line, they have financial issues that need solving fast.
Emma's favorite place in the world is her grandmother's (Gigi) cabin on Lake Michigan. While staying there, Emma and her sister uncover a secret their Gigi kept from them, which could embarrass her parents and possibly tarnish their reputations. Meanwhile, her parents make a deal with a popular author to join their business, but his intentions are not good for Emma's family. Emma must figure out how to stop this deal from happening, publish her novel, and make sure her parents don't sell her Gigi's cottage to make ends meet. Viola Shipman's novels use setting as almost another character, and family relationships are usually a big part of each story. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House for an advance reader ebook to review.

Viola Shipman's latest novel, The Page Turner, was exactly what the title implied. I was quickly hooked and didn't close the book until I finished it later that day. The characters, the setting, and the beautiful writing add up to become the best Shipman novel I've read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

The book started out, but true to its title it was a page turner. After a couple of chapters I was hooked! This was a great read and will look for more titles form this author.

I have read a few Viola Shipman books and I generally like them but occasionally there is one that I don't enjoy. Unfortunately this is one that I did not enjoy. The writing felt messy and the characters unrealistic. I found it difficult to get into the story or to connect with a character, which is very important for my reading experience.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the advanced reader copy.

I absolutely love all the books Viola Shipman has written and it’s what got me into reading. The Page Turner is not like any other book written from this author. I give this book more than 5 stars if I could as it was such an amazing book. I felt this book was a billet-doux to their other books, to readers, and to family (especially their grandmothers). The personal letter to the readers at the end had me in tears as it was beautifully written and summed up how I feel when I read Viola Shipman books.

The Page Turner is about family, publishing, an inspiring writer, and secrets. Emma Page is a recent college graduate and is the black sheep of the family. Her family owns and runs a publishing house who only releases highbrow literacy and believes other genres are beneath them in order to keep their status and wealth. But their company isn’t doing so good, so they partnered with a famous author, Marcus Flare. Emma had a feeling about Marcus and discovered some secrets about her grandmother Gigi and how it tied to Marcus. This novel is captivating and it follows the journey of Emma to save her family, her grandmother’s legacy, and even publish her first novel.

Quotes
“We’re taught to hide our dreams, polish the edges off our uniqueness until our square peg becomes round. We’re told to fit in, be like everyone else, but that just robs the world of our power. You must love yourself unconditionally and completely or you cannot truly love another in the same way. You will not ever be able to become who you were meant to be. But when you do, when you take your own hand in life, you can change the world. Some will admire you for that, others’ hate will be just as strong.”

“Sometimes we forget why we read. Sometimes it’s to walk in someone else’s shoes for a while. Sometimes it’s to travel to a place or time we never will. Sometimes, it’s to get angry or more informed. And sometimes it’s simply to escape, smile and be offered a little bit of hope so it’s possible to go on in this world.”

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC from one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend this book and author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love books about writers and Viola’s books always pack that emotional punch. Sweet and emotive, these characters stay with you.

Viola Shipman writes from the heart relatable and heartwarming stories that will last a lifetime. This particular book pace is captured by the title The Page Turner I did not want it to end. The stories of Viola Shipman resonate with the readers in different ways and I find them heartwarming, timeless stories of family, childhood and underlying themes that need to be talked about and remind people today. This particular story explores a recent college graduate Emma and her challenge of the next phase in life and how to integrate into her family again with her own voice. Emma is an aspiring writer that is following her upbringing heavily influenced by her grandmother. The book talks about her challenged relationship with her mother and sister. The basis is great and the story so relatable. If you have not read a book by Viola I encourage you to seek one out and you will be hooked. These are great for many age groups, a present to yourself or gift to others. These books have something for everyone. Many thanks to Viola Shipman ((keep the books coming), the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

This was my first book by Viola Shipman but will not be my last. I love Emma she is so relatable- I am not an author but that struggle of making your name known and figuring out who you are is everyone. I love novels where family is front and center and this did not disappoint

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the advanced reader copy.

The premise of The Page Turner (a romance novelist who must hide her work from her snobbish "literary" family and then learns that her secret work might be the thing that can save her family from a nemesis, in the end) felt right up my alley. I love a chance to peek behind the curtain of the publishing industry. But the writing in this novel, from the very first page, felt scattered and the characters overly simplified (the fact that the MC's friends are called Gin and Juice felt incredibly outdated and culturally strange in a book full of white characters).

Viola Shipman’s *The Page Turner* is a sharp, clever, and utterly captivating family drama that delivers a heartfelt exploration of ambition, identity, and the messy dynamics of creative families. With its witty commentary on the publishing world, layered characters, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, this novel is as delightful as it is thought-provoking. Fans of Elinor Lipman and Jennifer Weiner will find themselves hooked from the very first page.

Emma Page has always been the odd one out in her family of self-proclaimed literary elites. Her parents, the founders of The Mighty Pages vanity press, have built their lives—and their egos—on the idea that only “serious” fiction is worth writing, while her sister Jess wields her influence as a social media book critic with ruthless precision. Meanwhile, Emma quietly pens her own romance manuscript, hiding it from her judgmental family as she takes solace in the whimsical summer romances left behind by her beloved Gigi.

Shipman’s portrayal of Emma is relatable and endearing, capturing the tension between living up to family expectations and finding your own voice. Emma’s world is turned upside down when she uncovers a secret hidden in her grandmother’s belongings—a discovery with the potential to upend her parents’ carefully curated reputations. What unfolds is a high-stakes, emotionally charged journey as Emma grapples with the ethics of protecting her family versus finally stepping out of their shadows.

The story brilliantly balances humor and heart. Shipman skewers the pretentiousness of literary snobbery with sharp, laugh-out-loud moments, particularly in the biting family dynamics and the ridiculous lengths to which The Mighty Pages will go to protect their image. But beneath the satire lies an earnest exploration of what it means to stay true to yourself, even when it feels like the odds—or your own family—are against you.

The settings are vivid and immersive, transporting readers from the glittering Hamptons to the serene shores of Lake Michigan. The contrast between these worlds mirrors the duality of Emma’s life—torn between the highbrow pretension of her family and the simple, genuine joy she finds in her grandmother’s world of “fluff.”

What truly sets *The Page Turner* apart is its love letter to stories in all their forms. Shipman doesn’t just champion romance as a genre; the book celebrates the joy, escapism, and connection that all kinds of storytelling can provide. The meta-narrative of the publishing world, from the power struggles to the pressures of social media, adds a fascinating layer, making the novel as insightful as it is entertaining.

The pacing is perfectly calibrated, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing without losing sight of the emotional depth of Emma’s journey. As secrets are revealed and family loyalties are tested, the resolution is both satisfying and heartwarming, leaving readers with a smile—and maybe a tear or two.

*The Page Turner* is a sparkling, witty triumph that reminds us of the power of embracing who we are and the stories we love. Viola Shipman has crafted a novel that is equal parts biting and tender, with characters who leap off the page and a plot that pulls you in from start to finish. This is a five-star gem for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, loves books about books, or simply enjoys a well-crafted, emotionally resonant story.

I really couldn’t find a character I liked in this very preachy book about morality and the role of authors. I am an avid reader and reviewer, but I felt like the plot was thin and designed to make a point of the moral compass within the world of publishing rather than engaging me as a reader.

Thank you Netgalley for this novel.

The Page Turner
by Viola Shipman
Pub Date: April 8, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have read many of Shipman's books and this one is just as good as the rest!
A young romance writer makes a discovery that throws her elitist family into chaos in this sharp, witty and entirely delightful family drama for fans of Elinor Lipman and Jennifer Weiner.
The Page Turner is a Viola Shipman novel like you've never read before. With biting social commentary on the ins and outs of the publishing world, the novel is a deeply personal exploration of not only the power of long held family secrets but also a think piece on how readers judge themselves for what we read, whether it be more literary or commercial fiction.

Many of Wade Rouse's novels, written under the pen name of Viola Shipman, are heartwarming tributes to family, love, and the challenge of following one's hopes and dreams in the face of others' disapproval. The Page Turner, by contrast, has so different a tone from other Shipman novels that I had a difficult time identifying empathetic characters, and I found little of it to be charming or heartwarming.

Emma is a recent college graduate whose parents own a publishing house, The Mighty Pages, that focuses mainly on highbrow literary novels, including the ones written by the patriarch himself. The exception is the romance novels of their highest-selling author, Marcus Flare. Emma prefers romances herself and has written a thoughtful one over the past four years, but she hasn't dared to tell her parents about it, knowing they will look down on her for writing in that genre. She was much closer to her grandma, GiGi, who introduced her to books that filled her heart and encouraged her ambition. But GiGi is no longer alive, and Emma is no longer close to her older sister, Jess, a prominent book influencer who has bought into their parents' literary tastes.

For the first half of the book, I couldn't tell where the plot was going. There were many pages of Emma's complaints and musings about her unsupportive family and the way men treat women in books, as exemplified by Flare's misogynistic romances. It felt to me like a feminist diatribe rather than a stimulating plot. As a result, I did not engage with the character of Emma. Several of the other characters also come across as one-note, in particular the odious Flare and Emma's seemingly clueless mother. There is some redemption late in the book for one of these, but not the other. I also consider the plot about how Emma's first novel was treated by the publishing world unconvincing.

There is more plot in the latter half of the book, and the ending is satisfying. However, this book is a miss overall for me. I would highly recommend other Viola Shipman books such as The Wishing Bridge (a charming 2023 Christmas-adjacent novel), The Heirloom Garden, and the Summer Cottage.

My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide na honest review of this book.