The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly

My Rating: 4.9

Set in 1942, the story follows the Smith sisters—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—as they struggle to hold their family farm together while the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. In the midst of wartime uncertainty, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club to bring some normalcy to their lives. What begins as a small gathering quickly grows in members and influence, especially after they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make Cadence’s literary dreams come true. 

The plot thickens with the arrival of a mysterious man who washes ashore and whispers of a spy in their midst. Suddenly, trust becomes a precious commodity in this tight-knit island community. Could a small book club really change the course of the war before it’s too late?

I am sorry to say that I judged this book by it's cover (and the fluffy title) and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it , but knowing that I’ve enjoyed most of Martha Hall Kelly’s previous books, I decided to give this one a try—and I definitely wasn’t disappointed.

I found this book to be an easy page-turner with surprising depth. I learned a lot about the WWII activity in Martha’s Vineyard—a piece of history I hadn’t known before—and was completely captivated by the characters. Each one felt fully realized and memorable, from Cadence and Briar to the supporting cast of islanders.

If you enjoy historical fiction with strong, relatable characters, a touch of mystery, and a love of books woven into the story, Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a must-read. It’s charming, wholesome, engaging, and thought-provoking—all at once.