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Sign up todayThe Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club
A Novel
Length
TBA
Language
English
Summary
Two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club for women in this spectacular novel inspired by true events, from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls.
2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother’s death as she travels to the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She’s come all the way from California with nothing but a name on a piece of paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux’s stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class with her, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible.
1942: The Smith girls—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island’s shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows both in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence’s dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore—and whispers of a spy in their midst. Who in their tight-knit island community can they trust? Could this little book club change the course of the war . . . before it’s too late?
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Audiobook details
Author:
Martha Hall Kelly
ISBN:
9780593668634
Length:
TBA
Language:
English
Publisher:
Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication date:
May 27, 2025
Edition:
Unabridged
Reviews
“This book is an ode to the human heart and the power of books to connect us—and no one writes about the sustaining cords of female friendships quite like Martha Hall Kelly.”—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of Finding Margaret Fuller“I adore Martha Hall Kelly’s books, and I loved The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club! Her characters are so beautifully crafted—I can feel them in the room, ready to discuss their loves, family secrets, intrigues, adventures, and more. I am predicting that this book will be one of your top 2025 reads. It’s definitely one of mine!”—Genevieve Graham, nationally bestselling author of The Secret Keeper
“A prime example of Martha Hall Kelly’s knack for bringing the emotional investment of historical women to the forefront, elevating the facts of what we think we know and evoking our deepest empathy . . . a heartwarming novel of audacious women inspiring hope with a dash of heartbreak. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!”—Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of The Baker’s Daughter
“Full of thoughtful and detailed prose, endearing characters, swoony romance, and thriller-worthy intrigue, The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a gift to fans of stories rooted in fascinating history and the bravery of the human heart.”—Natalie Jenner, #1 nationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society
“Full of danger, heartbreak, and redemption and set to the backdrop of war, The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club celebrates the magic of books, family, and truth as several women—bound by blood and friendship—discover their destinies on the scenic island just off the Massachusetts coast.”—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter
“Leave it to Hall Kelly to write a dreamy beach book that also sizzles with tension. Set during World War II, as German U-boats circle Martha’s Vineyard, the Smith sisters struggle to keep their farm going and deal with love and loss over the course of one summer. Add to the mix the threat of spies and a couple of mysterious deaths, not to mention a tear-jerker of an ending, and I’m done for. Another winner by one of the best historical fiction writers around.”—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen
“I learned something new about the impact of World War II on American families from this bittersweet page-turner. A captivating story about the ripple effect of one family’s actions on a small island amid wartime intrigue. A heart-in-your-mouth tale of family, friendship and romance as a small American island finds itself on a potential frontline of World War II.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
“The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is the glorious Martha Hall Kelly’s most personal novel yet. It will inspire readers everywhere.”—Adriana Trigiani, author of The View from Lake Como Expand reviews
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