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

The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly is a story about two sisters during WWII and the challenges they faced.

Picture Martha’s Vineyard during WWII, it’s a training ground for D-Day. But it is also home to many Americans who were struggling to survive. The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club tells the story of the Smith girls whose brother gets sent to war. They must work hard to keep their farm alive, and they decide to create a book club so they have something to look forward to. As the days go on, life becomes more complicated they must make sacrifices for their family’s sake.

Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).

The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club Overview

Title: The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club

Author: Martha Hall Kelly

Pages: 336 Pages

Publish Date: May 27th, 2025

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Star Rating: 4/5 stars! (I loved this book and would recommend it to most people.)

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3YRpYdp

Synopsis from Amazon

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?

My Review of The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and Martha Hall Kelly for an advanced copy of The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and I especially love reading books set during WWII. I was drawn to this book because it is set in Martha’s Vineyard during the war. I thought this book offered an interesting and new perspective on WWII and how it impacted young women’s lives.

Martha Hall Kelly does a wonderful job of grabbing the reader’s attention and holding it throughout the book. I love the way she described Martha’s Vineyard to the point where I felt like I was there.

I loved reading from Cadence’s POV and found her storyline intriguing. Cadence wants to move to New York City and be a big publisher or a writer. She can’t wait to leave her small town. So when opportunity comes around, it’s hard to see her debate whether she should take it or not.

I struggled with the Briar character and kept wishing she were more mature. So, I had to keep reminding myself that she is, in fact, only 16 years old. It was hard to read her POV at times.

One thing I loved about Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club was all the incredible women who banded together and helped one another during trying times. It seemed like the Smith girls had a woman in their corner at every turn.

Favorite Quote (and one I’ll be using from now on): Well, if you can’t move heaven, just raise some hell.

Lastly, I enjoyed the mystery of Mari and figuring out how she fits into this story.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club Pin

Who Would Enjoy This Book?

This book is perfect for anoyne who likes historical fiction books with strong female characters. Also, this book has dual timelines and multiple POVs. There’s a hint of mystery as you try to figure out how Mari plays into this story.

Warning: you will cry at the end, so this book is perfect for anyone who enjoys emotional endings.

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3YRpYdp

Similar Books I Reviewed

Final Thoughts

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed my review of The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club. It’s full of action, suspense, and humor. If you have the chance to check it out and you enjoy historical fiction books, then you should!

As usual, if you have any questions or thoughts about this book, let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from all of you.

Lastly, if you liked this review or know someone who will enjoy this book, share it on your social media. I really appreciate all the love and support.