The author did a wonderful job illustrating life in small town Maine post-pandemic. The main character, Gwen, returns to Maine where many of the important people in her life remain. She's warmly welcomed and tries to find a way to stay permanently in her inherited family summer home, even though it is not winterized. Like many other places, well-off people "escaping" the pandemic chose to relocate to Maine, disrupting the real estate market for the long-time residents. This made her cottage highly desirable for real estate development. I found it a little difficult to understand how Gwen could be so destitute when she arrived, and she makes terrible decisions throughout the course of the book, despite having friends willing to help advise her. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first and flew through it. I think this would be a good choice for book discussion groups. I look forward to reading more from the author.

Thank you Netgalley & Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did not know what to expect from Port Anna, but I was instantly intrigued by the description. A coastal setting involving ghosts? I'm in. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot as it unfolded. Libby Buck's writing captures you from the jump, and she weaves an effortless story of found family and facing one's past.

Gwen returns to Port Anna for the first time in over twenty years, thinking she is ready to face her past as well as the big question mark that is her future. Her family's old house on the coast of Maine greets her, as do the familiar ghosts that share the space with her (both literal and metaphorical ghosts). Gwen is coming a bit unglued, and she finds herself leaning on her "found family" for support as she rides life's rollercoaster. Through twists and turns, Gwen realizes who her true friends are, faces her demons, and finds a happy ending. I was left with a tear in my eye and a heart that was satisfied with the story.

If you like Catherine Newman's writing, you will be a fan of Libby Buck. The pace is perfect, her storytelling is capturing and effortless. I can't wait to read more from Libby Buck.

Gwen is strong and resilient. She is surrounded by her people, the ones that truly care for her, love her, and would do whatever she needed to be done.

This one had me perplexed and scratching my head quite a bit. It had twists that I wasn’t expecting because I thought I had it figured out. I was way off on those and it was extremely well written because of this.

Hugh frustrated me. I want to believe he had Gwen’s best interests but his actions proved otherwise. He was a smooth-talker guy and charismatic to the point that I was even fooled by his character.

As for me, I relate to Gwen. I know what starting over feels like. It was heartbreaking to see Gwen go through everything, continue to face the unknown, and make decisions based on an idea that you want so badly to be real just for it to not work out at all the way it was envisioned.

If it was turned into a major motion picture and I had to choose someone to play Gwen’s character, it would be Sandra Bullock.

5/5 stars.

This #ARC was sent by #NetGalley and #SimonandSchuster. Publication date: July 1, 2025.
#PortAnna #WomensFiction #LiteraryFiction #Maine #NorthCarolina

This was a pleasant surprise! Not the usual type of book I read, but I’m so glad I did. Themes of finding yourself and rebuilding. This is now an author I will keep on my radar!

Port Anna by Libby Buck is a love letter to Maine’s rugged coastline, a place where the beauty of the sea collides with the weight of untold stories. From the moment you step into this novel, you’re enveloped in the swirling fog, the scent of salt-soaked air, and the creak of an aging cottage perched precariously against time. Buck’s masterful descriptions make Port Anna as alive as its characters—a breathtaking, windswept haven that holds both comfort and ghosts of the past.

Gwen Gilmore’s return to this hauntingly beautiful town feels like slipping into a faded but cherished memory. As she grapples with grief, lost dreams, and a life in shambles, Port Anna offers both solace and challenges. The family cottage, Periwinkle, creaks and groans under the weight of its history, its mischievous resident spirits (fondly called “The Misses”) mirroring Gwen’s own unsettled heart.

Leandro, the brooding and enigmatic artist, brings a spark of light to Gwen’s journey. Their romance unfolds like the tides—steady and natural, with moments of breathtaking intensity. Gwen’s reconnection with her old friends and the unraveling of long-held secrets lend the story warmth and intrigue, while the mysteries surrounding the town—a teenage girl’s disappearance, a relentless realtor eyeing the coastline—keep the stakes high.

Buck’s writing shines brightest in her evocation of place. Each page feels like standing on the edge of the sea, watching the waves crash against jagged rocks. You can hear the squawking of seagulls, feel the cool mist on your face, and sense the history etched into every weathered shingle of Periwinkle. The town of Port Anna isn’t just a setting—it’s a living, breathing presence that lingers long after the final page.

While some subplots, like the town’s dark mystery, don’t fully reach their potential, they don’t diminish the novel’s heart. Port Anna is a story of second chances, resilience, and finding beauty in the broken pieces. Perfect for fans of J. Courtney Sullivan’s The Cliffs, this is a book to savor with a cozy blanket and a warm drink. It’s a journey you’ll want to take—and one you won’t forget.

A terrific debut novel that brilliantly captures the essence of a small Maine town and its denizens. I was impressed by the ability of the author to describe the beauty of the coast, the seals, the crows and the incredible landscape of the ocean the surrounds Port Anna. A lovely novel that exudes love, and hope.

So I was confused from the beginning being introduced to so many characters. I had a hard time remembering who was who. Then I gave up. I loved the house and the town. But the beginning really threw me. I do not think this book was for me.

I love books set in Maine so I was very excited to receive an advanced copy of Port Anna by Libby Buck. I really enjoyed this story of Gwen who is forced to abandon her life as a professor in North. Carolina and return to her family home in the fictional Port Anna. While there, she confronts the family secrets that originally drover her away and creates a new family with the neighbors and strangers she encounter there. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!

This was a strong debut and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed the romance going on. Libby Buck has a strong writing style and enjoyed how good the characters worked in this universe. It has a strong plot and was invested in the world in this.

Port Anna by Libby Buck is a beautifully written novel, taking place in the small coastal town of Port Anna, Maine. Ms. Buck captivates the reader from the prologue on, with her atmospheric descriptions of the town and the sea. Gwen returns to her hometown, after 20 years, hoping to find solid footing among the people and places she knew as a child, in spite of the family tragedy that took place there. However she finds herself in over her head with no way out, or so she believes. I found myself stealing moments to read this one as I couldn't put it down. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Fantastic! I was completely immersed from the start - the prologue is haunting and beautifully written. Gwen has reluctantly moved back to her hometown after two decades away. As she settles into the charming but dilapidated cottage she inherited, she becomes reacquainted with old friends as she tries to make ends meet.

There is a cast of characters (many charming, and a few you want to root against!). Gwen is easy to love - I was so glad to see her find support, rekindle friendships, explore a new romance, and figure out where she belongs. The writing is gorgeous and helped me imagine the beauty and ruggedness of coastal Maine.

Thank you very much to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Port Anna was the perfect book arriving at just the right time for me. An impressive debut, the author creates a wonderful sense of place, develops characters that you can cheer for (and a couple you can loathe!). The story captivated me and I finished the book in about 24 hours. I enjoyed the descriptions of the rugged Maine coastal town as it traveled through the seasons along with Gwen's journey to move on from the past that's been holding her back. The secondary characters and the "found family" elements were just the icing on the cake!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for offering me the ARC of this book.