“The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club” by Martha Hall Kelly is a historical fiction set in Martha’s Vineyard during WWII. It is a dual timeline read centered around a young woman searching for answers about her past after the death of her mother. The story is about four strong women who form a book club to find some joy during the turmoil of the war with a subplot mystery which revolves around a German soldier who they find washed up on shore. With the threat of spies on the island and the sightings of U-boats off shore the subplot adds a good bit of suspense. I appreciate the extensive research and the detailed notes by the author at the end of the book which helped to bring the story full circle for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read many books by this author and loved them all. For whatever reason this book did not grab me at all, to the point that I had stopped reading anything. . It seemed to go on and on and I couldn’t make head nor tail out of the story. I will still look forward to her next book in hopes it will be more enjoyable. Because of this I will not review this book on any other platform.

Thought this was a good read by an author I haven’t read before. I liked hearing about places I am familiar with and being able to picture the characters in these places. I would recommend this.

I love historical fiction especially about WWII so I knew The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club was right up my alley. Unlike most historical fictions depicting WWII, this one was set on the shores of Martha’s Vineyard. Using dual timelines, the author tells of Mari Sherwood who is looking for answers about her family’s history and connections to Martha’s Vineyard.
The story features sisters Brier and Cadence Smith who along with their brother Tom live on the island with their grandmother. Tom is soon shipped off to war leaving the sisters alone to help grandma keep a roof overhead. Needing an outlet, the sisters form a book club and also donate books to soldiers stationed on the island.
I highly suggest giving this one a try, it will keep you engaged until the end. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really wanted to love this book. It was good, but fell a little short for me. Always felt like there was something missing from the story. There could have been more to the current day story. I felt like the end was rushed and a bit confusing.

There were a few times I felt like giving up - but then I decided to stick with it. I am glad I finished it.

Fans of Karen White, Lauren Willig, and Beatriz Williams will love this book. A believable story set between present day and World War II, it offers the reader a real look into the complexities of families who help each other in order to survive and the opportunity for taking chances in order to have a fuller life.

I loved this book so stinkin much.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House / Ballantine Books for my advanced copy of The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club.

I know I should have technically waited until closer to the release date to read this but I just couldn’t help myself. I have been a Martha Hall Kelly fan from the very beginning and she consistently publishes hit after hit. I would honestly recommend any of her books.

I found myself immediately sucked into the story and attached to the characters. I was very invested in every aspect of this novel.

I love books with multiple timelines and POVs especially in historical fiction. There was a great balance with rotating the wartime storyline between sisters Cadance and Briar. I adored them both. I really enjoyed all the characters. Even the side characters had me in a chokehold.

I really don’t have a bad thing to say about this book. I’m not someone who just hands out 5 stars all Willy Nilly. This was a phenomenal read. I will definitely be picking up a signed copy for my shelf this coming spring .

This newest arc holds a spot near and dear to my heart, taking place in an island off cape cod, where I spent a majority of my childhood, Martha's Vineyard. Taking place in the 1940's while the US army used the beaches of the vineyard to train its troops on the beaches. This book tells the story of a family farm trying to make ends meet during wartime, thrust into a hazardous and unprecedented situation. But by relying on each other and their weekly book club, anything is possible.
This story was incredibly sentimental, had me in tears at the end with this family full of love and hope for the future for each other, especially during such a difficult time of war and distrust. would highly recommend to freight and family, with personal connection to the island and surrounding land.

As always, Martha Hall Kelly has written a great story. “The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club” takes place on Martha’s Vineyard’s in 1942. It is the story of the two Smith sisters and their friend Bess, who lives with them and is soon-to-be the wife of their brother Tom. However, WWII intervenes and Tom joins the Army and is shipped off to Europe. While these young women and their grandmother wait for Tom’s return, they struggle to pay the mortgage on their farm. There are German U-boats off shore and German spies among them as well as soldiers who are training for an amphibious attack on the shores of Europe. Through it all, the girls and their friends form a book and beach club, sharing books and trying to keep themselves busy and hope for the end of the war and Tom’s return. The book is told as a story within a story, a technique which the author uses very effectively.

A delightful book. Full of information about WW2 that I wasn’t familiar with as well as learning more about the Cape.

The characters were entertaining and likable especially the two main ones.

This authors books are always enjoyable and worth recommending.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC.

Once again, Martha Hall Kelly has delivered a historical fiction story inspired by her family’s history.

The Beach and Book Club centered around the Smith family farm on the Northern shores of Martha’s Vineyard during WWII. I loved every member of the Smith family, and while previous Kelly books held heavy sinister tones, this one was somewhat lighter. And as usual, the author’s notes at the end made me appreciate the book even more.

Briar and Cadence were both charming. Cadence showed more depth of character than I expected. Briar was interesting from the very start. And Bess was an unexpected treasure.

I was surprised to learn of the U.S. military drills on the shores of Martha’s Vineyard, where they practiced for the invasion of France.

Thank you to the publishers at NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review.
#MarthaHallKelly

"The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a charming and delightful read that captures the essence of friendship and community. The story revolves around a group of diverse characters who come together to share their love for books, leading to heartfelt conversations and personal growth. The beautiful setting of Martha's Vineyard adds to the overall appeal, making it a perfect backdrop for their adventures. With engaging writing and relatable themes, this book is a warm reminder of the power of literature and connection. A must-read for book lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly. I'm familiar with Kelly's work, having read her previous novel Lilac Girls a few years ago. Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a fast-paced novel set during WWII, with the unique twist of taking place in Martha's Vineyard rather than Europe, where most WWII novels are typically set. The story alternates between present day and the early 1940s, focusing on a group of women, their friendships, and the book club they establish. This book is truly a delight to read!

Martha Hall Kelly’s The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a must-read that beautifully blends gripping historical fiction with the warmth of familial bonds. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard in 1942, this novel tells the story of two sisters, their grandmother, and a would-be sister-in-law who form a book club to find solace amid the turmoil of World War II.

Kelly’s storytelling shines as she skillfully intertwines personal struggles with the historical realities of the time. One sister faces skepticism after claiming to see U-boats lurking offshore, while the other navigates a budding romance with a military man stationed on the island, all while pursuing her dreams in publishing. The narrative is filled with suspense, heart, and moments of pure joy that remind us of the power of family.

What makes this book truly special is Kelly’s ability to craft relatable characters and a richly detailed setting that draws you in from the first page. Her writing flows effortlessly, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, the emotional depth of the story resonates long after the final chapter.

If you’re looking for a novel that explores love, loyalty, and the strength found in community during challenging times, The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is the perfect choice. Prepare to be swept away by Kelly’s enchanting prose and the unforgettable journey of her characters. This is one book you won’t want to miss!

Story that involved a family during war and the struggles each had. There always seemed to be a twist or new struggle that the girls went through that captured my attention. Seemed to get a little boring in the middle but picked up as I tried to figure out the today vs 1942 connection. Glad I was able to read it. Enjoyed it. Would be a great book for a book club.

Sweet tale but the military mystery felt contrived to me. Ending also felt rushed. I enjoyed spending time with the characters though. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In the present, Mari arrives in Martha's Vineyard after her mother's death to take a class from the painter Elizabeth Deveraux. What she gets from the famously reclusive artist is a story from World War II. During the war, the Smith sisters have had their beloved brother ship out for Europe while they try their best to keep the family farm running smoothly. Briar, the youngest Smith sister, works free lance for a model shop and also believes that a German U-Boat is off the coast of the island. The authorities don't believe her and call her Briar the Liar. Ginny dreams of working in publishing and living in New York. Both girls try to help their grandmother and their brother's fiancée healthy and secure. When a German submariner washes up on the shore, the Smith family must figure out what to do to keep them safe. There has been a wealth of fiction with dual timelines about World War II and this novel does not stand out.

In Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club, Martha Hall Kelly tells an engaging story that moves between two time periods. Years ago, sisters Cadence and Briar, along with Bess (who is dating their brother Tom), start a book club to distract themselves from the worries of World War II. Cadence is a local journalist who writes for the newspaper, while Briar is fascinated by war topics. Briar even reports U-Boat sightings off the coast to local authorities.

In the present, we meet Mari, who is dealing with her mother’s recent death. She seeks to learn more about her family’s past and connects with Elizabeth Devereaux to help uncover hidden truths.

The book explores themes of family secrets, love, and loss, showing how people cope with tough times. The characters are relatable, each facing their own struggles, and the story highlights their strength.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club!

The Author’s note gets 5 stars! Such meticulous efforts to write this historical fiction story set on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII deserve applause.

Shame on me for knowing nothing of the presence of German u-boats off the coast of MV and American troops stationed there during WWII as well as the concerted military exercises conducted there by experts from the US and abroad.

Some aspects of the story seemed a bit far fetched to me which distracted from my enjoyment in the moment. Afterward , upon reading the author’s note it all seemed a bit more plausible.

I liked the female characters in the story and especially the friendships around books. The setting on Martha’s Vineyard was my favorite part.

Spoiler alert!
Some things that I found less believable were the easy acceptance of Bess’ pregnancy, the return of Tom, the successful hiding of Pete, the murder and quick burial of the neighbor boy. .

Women’s historical fiction fans will very likely find much to love in this book.


Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review of this book.

After her mother's death, 34-year-old Mari Starwood travels from California to Martha's Vineyard to meet reclusive painter, Elizabeth Deveraux, after finding her name printed on a piece of paper among her mother's belongings. Elizabeth is just as curious about Mari as Mari is about her, although it isn't immediately clear why.

Elizabeth soon launches into a long tale of two sisters, Briar and Cadence Smith, who lived on the island with their grandmother, "Gram", during WWII. At the beginning of the story, Briar and Cadence's brother Tom is set to ship off to Europe and the responsibility of taking care of the family farm is left to the women, including Bess Stanhope, Tom's girlfriend who is living on the farm after falling out with her parents.

Briar is rather a tomboy who has a keen interest in war and swears she's seen U-boats in the waters nearby. Cadence is a budding journalist who writes about island happenings for the local newspaper.

After Tom ships out, Gram Smith suggests she, Briar, and Cadence form a book club which they call "The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club". They also invite a woman Gram knows from church, Margaret.

I have to admit that I thought the book club was very secondary to the story, although the title is quite catching. This novel is more about a German soldier who mysteriously washes ashore, the threat of spies on the island, and the budding romance between Cadence and British officer Major Gilbert.

Overall, I liked all of the women characters because they were plucky and strong.

As with all dual-timeline novels, the relationship between Mari Starwood, Elizabeth Deveraux, and the Smith girls comes together. I think it would be cool if Martha Hall Kelly wrote a related novel that was about the story of Cadence Smith and Major Gilbert after the war.

I appreciate all of the research the author did for this novel and am happy I was offered an ARC ebook edition of this book from Netgalley and Ballantine Books.