Dear Fellow Reader,

Last December, I mentioned that sometimes I get books so far in advance that I don’t know if I should write and post the review in advance or wait and post it when the book comes out. I hate telling you about a book that you can’t get if you are interested. I also admitted that reading the book and writing the review are two different things and that while I have gotten better at reading the books before they come out, I fall behind in writing the reviews.

I am redeeming myself a bit with this review. I was given this book so much in advance of its publication that I would never remember it if I put off writing the review. So here I am, I read the book six months ago and it just came out a few weeks ago.

But I really enjoyed it. I want you to read it. This is the third Martha Hall Kelly book that I have reviewed. I reviewed Lost Roses in 2019 (a https://cecooney.com/2019/04/09/lost-roses-by-martha-hall-kelly/) and The Golden Doves in 2023. (https://cecooney.com/2023/06/07/the-golden-doves-by-martha-hall-kelly/_  I like her books.

The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a historical fiction book that takes place both in 1941 and 2016. In 1941, we meet sisters Cadence Smith and her sister, Briar Smith, and their almost sister-in-law, Beth. They are living on the family farm on Martha’s Vineyard, trying to make it. World War II is raging in Europe, and Briar is on the lookout for German U-boats off the coast. She is sure there is something out there, but no one will listen to her. Her sister, Cadence, is working at the Beach Club with Beth, trying to make some extra money while serving the rich people who come to Martha’s Vineyard. She meets and becomes friendly with a woman from New York who can offer her the career opportunity she wants.

Meanwhile, in 2016, we meet Mari Starwood, who has come to Martha’s Vineyard to meet and have an art lesson with Elizabeth Devereaux, a famous painter. Mari’s mother has died, and she is at loose ends in her life.

As the book moves back and forth in time, we learn about how the Army’s arrival in 1941 on the island to train recruits and how this affects the girl’s future. Then the story is tied together in the current day.

I am finding it hard to say too much about the plot as it is so intertwined. Did I see what was coming? Not completely. There are several twists and turns and losses in the story. As I said before, I enjoyed the book and I think you will too. There is good character development and interesting personal stories. I liked that it was a World War II historical fiction that takes place in the U.S. Something different for me.

I suppose the most important part is that I really liked this book. I keep telling people about it.

Thanks for reading!

This book was given to me in exchange for an unbiased opinion.