The Stargazer of Nantucket: A Novel

by Julie Gerstenblatt

From award-winning author Julie Gerstenblatt, an epic tale of adventure on the high seas, a spunky stowaway, and a family confronting the past to secure their future.

Massachusetts, 1851

Winifred Starbuck wants only one to join her parents on their final merchant voyage—from Nantucket Island to bustling San Francisco, then across the glittering Pacific to the distant ports of China. Yet renowned trade captains Nell and Peter Starbuck have forbidden their daughter from coming aboard on the adventure of a lifetime. So Winnie does what any strong-willed eighteen-year-old would she stows away.

Once the ship sets sail, Winnie is plunged into turbulent waters, treachery, and the thrill of life on the high seas. As she drifts farther from shore, and closer to fabled Canton port, she uncovers a long-buried secret—one that reveals the truth behind her parents’ desperate fear. And as she continues to chart her own course, she’ll have to plumb the depths of her courage to take on a world far bigger—and more dangerous—than she ever imagined.

Genres: Historical, Historical Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 9, 2026

About the author

Julie Gerstenblatt holds a doctorate in education in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post and Cognoscenti, among others. When not writing, Julie is a college essay coach, as well as a producer and on-air host for A Mighty Blaze. A native New Yorker, Julie now lives in coastal Rhode Island with her family and one very smart shichon poo. Daughters of Nantucket is her first novel.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not sleep on The Stargazer of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt! Mark your calendars for the June 9th pub date and take an adventure on the high seas! If you tend to gravitate towards contemporary fiction, consider this your gateway to historical fiction, along with her previous novel Daughters of Nantucket. Strong female characters drive the narrative as the Starbuck women forge their way through a multitude of catastrophes at sea and emerge stronger for it, gaining a renewed sense of self and building stronger relationships along the way. A diverse cast of characters with a hopeful and inspiring message is the kind of novel we need right now.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

[Alisha Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

Solid 3.5 stars. I’m biased because I love Nantucket, so I’ll love anything with Nantucket roots. I enjoyed the strong female characters but at the same time wanted more of Joseph’s story. Maybe we’ll get a sequel?

The story is tragic yet hopeful and I can tell a lot of thought and research went into portraying what it is like on a clipper ship such as the Stargazer.

If you love historical fiction, strong female leads, the sea (and Nantucket), add this one to your list!

[Aura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweeping, sea-soaked adventure with a strong emotional core. I loved the historical setting, the sense of danger on the open water, and Winnie’s determination to chart her own path despite the limits placed on her. The stakes felt real, the family dynamics were compelling, and the journey itself was immersive. A little slower in spots, but overall a satisfying and heartfelt read that left me thinking about courage, choice, and belonging long after the final page.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love historical fiction (I do) and stories set on Nantucket (me again), you’ll absolutely enjoy The Stargazer of Nantucket. This novel delivers adventure, strong and resilient women, complex family dynamics, moments of real heartbreak, and a solid ending. I’d happily read a sequel exploring the “new” Starbucks—or even better, a prequel diving deeper into Joseph’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.