Entertaining and a quick read. I just wish it focused more on July and her unique gift. Too much focus on the other characters and circumstances that didn't really add much to the story.

I very much enjoyed this book. The characters and the way their lives all intersect reminds me of the small town I currently live in. I loved the way each character grew and found out how strong they were in their own way. The touch of "magic" was perfect and I was surprised by the secrets unfolding. I will recommend this book and I have already asked our director to buy this book for our library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Peculiar Gift of July is one of those books with interconnected threads that at first seem hard to fit but weave together thanks to some light magic or, in this case, a peculiar gift or two. July is the one at the helm of the spinning wheel, though she is so charming and curious that you hardly believe it at first. Orphaned when her adopted mother dies (despite July trying to prevent it), she finds herself on the island Ebey’s End in the care of her distant adopted relative, Anita. As July gets to know the other residents of the island she also tries to find her birth family while helping bring the residents those things they need most, whether they realize it or not. Everything comes together in a way you could only believe in a story like this, and it’s done in such a quirky way with the best characters, you can’t help but love it. Warm comfort in book form!

I am SO glad that I decided to take this journey with July and Anita and the townspeople of Ebey's End! At first I thought it was going to be a cutesy kind of story, but it turned out to be so much more than that. July truly has a gift of foresight, and the way that she uses her gift changes the people in the town, and the town itself. It feels magical, but it is so much more than that. There is also a mystery running through the book- who are July's parents? No spoilers though!

The author does a masterful job of weaving in the current stories and backstories of several main characters- including Anita and July, but also Anita's father (Mack), the town doctor and his wife Carol, the baker Tiny, and the town minister Chet, and his son who is July's age. Other characters are deftly woven in and I never felt at a loss as to who was who and the importance of each person's place in the town.

I have the author's other books on my Kindle now and look forward to reading more from her!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The cast of characters in The Peculiar Gift of July were quirky. The remote island setting was interesting. The story had plenty of secrets and surprises, but didn’t spend enough time on July’s gift. I wanted that storyline to be more of a main focus, but I enjoyed the way her gift set other things in motion across the island.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A tad unsettling but nevertheless an outstanding read July is someone who sees a situation and figures out a solution - in very unimaginable ways.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
A delightful mix of small town characters. Fascinating story with lots of twists

A little draggy but mostly maintained a nice pace.

this was a good and enjoyable read! I liked the science-fiction elements, and how it was so entertaining. I really liked the flow that this book had, and how it kept me entertained and engaged while reading!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I adored this charming little cozy read! July is a great character and the storyline was written so well. I didn't want to put this book down!

This is a wonderful book! I know our patrons will love it and I will be reading Ms. Ream’s other books.

My favorite type of story- multigenerational, family drama and plenty of skeletons in the closets. July is an amazing young girl who has been through a lot but now has a “family” and new friends. She also has a crazy gift of knowing what someone needs to help them in their lives. Really good book!

This was a cozy, atmospheric read that really brought the small town to life! Ebey’s End felt like a place you could step into—rich with history, quirks, and an undeniable charm. The pacing was steady, keeping the plot moving without ever feeling rushed, and the characters were wonderfully layered. They each had their own struggles and growth, which made their journeys feel meaningful and rewarding to follow.

I particularly enjoyed how the magic was woven into the story. It wasn’t overpowering, but instead added just enough intrigue to keep things fresh and engaging, while still staying true to the emotional heart of the narrative. The moments of healing and growth among the residents were genuinely heartwarming, reminding me of the power of community and connection. What really stood out, though, was how the writing made it easy to feel immersed in the town’s rhythms and emotions—it’s the kind of story that wraps you up in its world.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel – my first exposure to the author. It not only explored some weighty issues – infidelity, adoption, death, loneliness, love, and forgiveness – with sensitivity and compassion, but it also had well-crafted subtle humor woven into the story. I was impressed by the colorful and imaginative descriptions that reflected the author’s skill in creating evocative prose.

Ebey’s End, a fictional small island off the coast of Washington state, is populated by a host of quirky characters who spread gossip at the speed of light. Anita Odom is one such character - a never-married manager of the local grocery store – who notices everything about her patrons’ purchases and deduces the states of their lives. When she suddenly finds herself the guardian of July, her 14-year-old adopted niece, Anita is thrust into a new and very unfamiliar role. July possesses the unusual ability to sense what others (unconsciously) require for much-needed change and thus, sets off a wave of shifting relationships on the island. July’s determination to find her birth mother is the catalyst that unearths deeply held secrets that bring about healing for multiple residents.

I enjoy novels with a touch of magic or paranormal, so this story kept me entertained and engaged from the first chapter. I would have liked more exploration of July’s “peculiar gift,” and perhaps the title can be interpreted on a second level – that July herself was the gift to the islanders.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Anita Odom lives on a small island tending the grocery store thats been in her family. It’s a quiet, dull life until she takes in her cousin’s child July. July has a special gift of knowing what others need, and she’s given Anita a new lease on life as well as changing the lives of others in town. A story of relationships. I wish the book had more about July’s gift instead of being bogged down in the many other relationships. Great cover.

This was a lovely book, I'll just start there. A small town on an island near Seattle. A woman is contacted when her teenage cousin is orphaned, and the girl moves to the island. This girl somehow knows what people really need, so a pie goes home with the pastor and the banker gets a copy of Martha Stewart Living. All small things that make other people's lives better. In small ways she brings the community closer. As we learn more about the girl and who her birth parents really were, we find the town more interconnected in interesting ways. This is a book about family, friendship, connection, forgiveness, support, and love.

If you are looking for a comparison, the closest I can come is Sarah Addison Allen, though the book is less magical. But still the same warm feelings and focus on relationships and leaving the book feeling like I want some of the characters to be my friends.

Set in a charming but isolated island town, Ebey’s End is a heartwarming and magical tale of unexpected connections. When grocer Anita Odom takes in her orphaned cousin, July, she expects disaster—but instead, July’s uncanny ability to give people exactly what they need begins to transform the town.

With rich storytelling and lovable characters, this novel beautifully explores themes of healing, community, and the quiet magic of kindness. A perfect read for those who love small-town charm with a touch of the extraordinary!

I am not generally a stand-alone book lover, but this book was an exception for me. I love the character of July. The only reason this is not a 5 star book for me is because I would love to have had more of her and her gift throughout this book. It still grabbed me and went at such a fast pace I didn't want to put it down.

The entire book has great characters, and the storyline was amazing also. I especially loved the ending.

I received this ARC for an honest review.