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Down with the Shipmans
From the bestselling author of Mansion Beach, a summery drama following three sisters who return to their childhood home, each with their own secret, perfect for readers of Sandwich and Pineapple Street.
It’s the week after Fourth of July, and the Shipman sisters are returning to their picturesque summer home on the New Hampshire coast for what they believe is a family reunion, the first without their late mother. However, their tranquil setting quickly becomes a stage for drama when their father, Calvin, drops the bombshell news that he plans to sell the cherished beach house.
Mae, the youngest daughter, who has a newfound penchant for attracting trouble, is distraught, already dealing with her own emotional scars and a problematic rescue dog. Natalie, the middle sister and social media darling known for her seemingly idyllic life as a tradwife, is equally anxious, especially since her flawless public image is on the verge of imploding. Meanwhile, Jordan, the eldest, a high-powered crisis communications expert, is ready to be rid of the house so she can tend to her own professional disaster.
As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, the arrival of Calvin’s new wife pushes Jordan, Natalie, and Mae to decide how far they’re willing to go to preserve the Shipman bond.
A delicious summer read that explores the enduring power of family and sister connections, Down with the Shipmans is a humorous, heartfelt reminder that home is not a place, but the people who love you, no matter how imperfectly.
It’s the week after Fourth of July, and the Shipman sisters are returning to their picturesque summer home on the New Hampshire coast for what they believe is a family reunion, the first without their late mother. However, their tranquil setting quickly becomes a stage for drama when their father, Calvin, drops the bombshell news that he plans to sell the cherished beach house.
Mae, the youngest daughter, who has a newfound penchant for attracting trouble, is distraught, already dealing with her own emotional scars and a problematic rescue dog. Natalie, the middle sister and social media darling known for her seemingly idyllic life as a tradwife, is equally anxious, especially since her flawless public image is on the verge of imploding. Meanwhile, Jordan, the eldest, a high-powered crisis communications expert, is ready to be rid of the house so she can tend to her own professional disaster.
As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, the arrival of Calvin’s new wife pushes Jordan, Natalie, and Mae to decide how far they’re willing to go to preserve the Shipman bond.
A delicious summer read that explores the enduring power of family and sister connections, Down with the Shipmans is a humorous, heartfelt reminder that home is not a place, but the people who love you, no matter how imperfectly.
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Meg Mitchell Moore
12 books2,036 followersMeg Mitchell Moore is the author of eight novels. Her ninth, MANSION BEACH, will be published in May 2025. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and whichever of her three high school- and college-aged daughters is home, as well two golden retrievers who shed a lot and don't read at all.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
May 5, 2026
So fun! Throw this one in your beach bag!! Perfect for summer reading.
June 4, 2026
Mae, Natalie, and Jordan Shipman return to their summer beach house on the coast of New Hampshire for a week following the Fourth of July. They are shocked when their newly remarried father announces he is selling the beach house.
This is the perfect summertime family drama and believe me, these sisters spill the tea! This contemporary fiction does have a bit of humor but is more family saga than "beach read". I think it is perfect for those who want a summer read set on the beach that explores a few themes other than romance.
The audiobook performance by Eva Kaminsky is perfect and she brings all the juicy summer vacation drama to life.
Many thanks to Libro.fm and Meg Mitchell Moore for the gifted advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
This is the perfect summertime family drama and believe me, these sisters spill the tea! This contemporary fiction does have a bit of humor but is more family saga than "beach read". I think it is perfect for those who want a summer read set on the beach that explores a few themes other than romance.
The audiobook performance by Eva Kaminsky is perfect and she brings all the juicy summer vacation drama to life.
Many thanks to Libro.fm and Meg Mitchell Moore for the gifted advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
June 4, 2026
[3.5☆]
Ever since Elin Hilderbrand exited the summer circuit, there’s been a Nantucket sized hole in my summer TBR and heart. Thankfully, Meg Mitchell Moore tends to help fill it with her own beachy domestic stories, and 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 is a prime example of that!
The Shipman sisters –Mae, Natalie, and Jordan– are on their way to reunite at their family’s beloved summer home. Each sister is facing her own life crises in adulthood. All are still grieving the loss of their matriarch from a few years earlier. Harboring conflicted feelings over the father’s recent remarriage (to their mother’s younger caretaker, no less), emotions and tensions rise even higher at their father’s news upon arrival.
Moore captures the beauty of a home that’s held so many precious memories for a family as well as the reminder that home is more than just a house; it’s the people around you who love you unconditionally. The Shipman family are a delightful representation of the messiness and endurance of family.
𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 is what I look for in a summer read: beachy, funny, and entertaining with charming characters and a heartfelt story.
🎙️ Eva Kaminsky gives an excellent solo performance. She adeptly shifts from character to character while expressing the nuances and emotions with vivid clarity.
✨ Thank you to Libro FM for the ALC!
Ever since Elin Hilderbrand exited the summer circuit, there’s been a Nantucket sized hole in my summer TBR and heart. Thankfully, Meg Mitchell Moore tends to help fill it with her own beachy domestic stories, and 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 is a prime example of that!
The Shipman sisters –Mae, Natalie, and Jordan– are on their way to reunite at their family’s beloved summer home. Each sister is facing her own life crises in adulthood. All are still grieving the loss of their matriarch from a few years earlier. Harboring conflicted feelings over the father’s recent remarriage (to their mother’s younger caretaker, no less), emotions and tensions rise even higher at their father’s news upon arrival.
Moore captures the beauty of a home that’s held so many precious memories for a family as well as the reminder that home is more than just a house; it’s the people around you who love you unconditionally. The Shipman family are a delightful representation of the messiness and endurance of family.
𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 is what I look for in a summer read: beachy, funny, and entertaining with charming characters and a heartfelt story.
🎙️ Eva Kaminsky gives an excellent solo performance. She adeptly shifts from character to character while expressing the nuances and emotions with vivid clarity.
✨ Thank you to Libro FM for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨ Rating: 3.5⭐️
🫧 Vibes: one last hurrah
🎶 Song: hold my hand - lady gaga
📚 Would I recommend? sure, why not!
💬 tldr thoughts: a decent read but nothing to rave about
In the package:
📦 family drama
📦 secrets
📦 grief and healing
Plot: The Shipmans' sisters return to their New Hampshire coast cottage for what they think is a family reunion but turns out their father is planning to sell the cottage. As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, they are reminded that home is not a place, but the people who love you.
Thoughts: This was a messy family drama book! I had a good time reading it but it wasn't anything incredible. The characters are flawed and I didn't really enjoy how much lying everyone was doing. I did think the ending was sweet and this is a pretty decent summer read if you're looking to expand your summer tbr! It's a quick and easy read.
Thank you William Morrow for the physical copy!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: one last hurrah
🎶 Song: hold my hand - lady gaga
📚 Would I recommend? sure, why not!
💬 tldr thoughts: a decent read but nothing to rave about
In the package:
📦 family drama
📦 secrets
📦 grief and healing
Plot: The Shipmans' sisters return to their New Hampshire coast cottage for what they think is a family reunion but turns out their father is planning to sell the cottage. As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, they are reminded that home is not a place, but the people who love you.
Thoughts: This was a messy family drama book! I had a good time reading it but it wasn't anything incredible. The characters are flawed and I didn't really enjoy how much lying everyone was doing. I did think the ending was sweet and this is a pretty decent summer read if you're looking to expand your summer tbr! It's a quick and easy read.
Thank you William Morrow for the physical copy!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
May 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the gifted ARC and Libro.fm for the gifted ALC!
This one was a solid summer read, full of family drama, beachy vibes, and easy to just throw on and listen to. I did this one immersively and the narrator did a really great job. It was easy to listen to and kept me engaged, which definitely helped.
My only struggle was the structure. The chapters were pretty long and with the multiple POVs switching, it took me a bit to keep track of who was who at times. Once I got into it more it was easier, but it did throw me off in the beginning.
I liked how it focused on grief and family relationships without feeling too heavy. It still had that lighter, summery feel while dealing with deeper topics, which I appreciated. Overall, this was a good mix of family drama and beach read. Not perfect, but still an enjoyable listen/read.
This one was a solid summer read, full of family drama, beachy vibes, and easy to just throw on and listen to. I did this one immersively and the narrator did a really great job. It was easy to listen to and kept me engaged, which definitely helped.
My only struggle was the structure. The chapters were pretty long and with the multiple POVs switching, it took me a bit to keep track of who was who at times. Once I got into it more it was easier, but it did throw me off in the beginning.
I liked how it focused on grief and family relationships without feeling too heavy. It still had that lighter, summery feel while dealing with deeper topics, which I appreciated. Overall, this was a good mix of family drama and beach read. Not perfect, but still an enjoyable listen/read.
May 22, 2026
There’s something about a big messy family drama set in a dreamy coastal summer house that just works every single time for me, and Down with the Shipmans absolutely delivered. This was the kind of summer read that feels tailor made for poolside afternoons — entertaining, emotional, funny, layered, and full of complicated family dynamics that keep you completely invested. The New Hampshire beach house setting was perfect, giving the story that nostalgic, windswept coastal energy that makes you want to pack a tote bag and disappear to the shore for a week. It’s warm and readable in the best way, but it also has real emotional depth underneath all the family chaos.
What I loved most was how relatable the Shipman sisters felt. Since they’re all in such different stages of life, there’s truly something here for every reader to connect with. The story balances grief, humor, resentment, love, and sisterhood so naturally, especially as the family continues navigating the loss of their mother while dealing with the possible sale of the house that holds so many memories. Each sister brings her own baggage, struggles, and perspective to the story, which made the family dynamic feel rich and authentic rather than one note.
Meg Mitchell Moore does such a great job writing character driven stories that still feel incredibly bingeable. This has the heart and emotional weight of a deeper family drama while still being the exact kind of compulsively readable beach read you want during summer. If you love stories about sisters, complicated relationships, family tension, personal reinvention, and emotionally messy but lovable characters, this one is absolutely worth adding to your summer TBR.
June 8, 2026
3.5⭐
Down With the Shipmans is my first read from author Meg Mitchell Moore. I listened to the ALC and Eva Kaminsky did a good job of narrating all of the characters.
Synopsis:
It’s the week after Fourth of July, and the Shipman sisters are returning to their picturesque summer home on the New Hampshire coast for what they believe is a family reunion, the first without their late mother. However, their tranquil setting quickly becomes a stage for drama when their father, Calvin, drops the bombshell news that he plans to sell the cherished beach house.
Mae, the youngest daughter, who has a newfound penchant for attracting trouble, is distraught, already dealing with her own emotional scars and a problematic rescue dog. Natalie, the middle sister and social media darling known for her seemingly idyllic life as a tradwife, is equally anxious, especially since her flawless public image is on the verge of imploding. Meanwhile, Jordan, the eldest, a high-powered crisis communications expert, is ready to be rid of the house so she can tend to her own professional disaster.
As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, the arrival of Calvin’s new wife pushes Jordan, Natalie, and Mae to decide how far they’re willing to go to preserve the Shipman bond.
Overall I ended up enjoying the book, but two of the sisters weren't very empathetic towards their father for moving on with his life. None of them were nice about the sale of the house. This made it hard for me to root for them. Thankfully there was some overall growth in the characters as they reconnected with each other and processed their grief. The children and the dogs brought some laughter and fun to the book and the New Hampshire beach setting was divine.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook.
Down With the Shipmans is my first read from author Meg Mitchell Moore. I listened to the ALC and Eva Kaminsky did a good job of narrating all of the characters.
Synopsis:
It’s the week after Fourth of July, and the Shipman sisters are returning to their picturesque summer home on the New Hampshire coast for what they believe is a family reunion, the first without their late mother. However, their tranquil setting quickly becomes a stage for drama when their father, Calvin, drops the bombshell news that he plans to sell the cherished beach house.
Mae, the youngest daughter, who has a newfound penchant for attracting trouble, is distraught, already dealing with her own emotional scars and a problematic rescue dog. Natalie, the middle sister and social media darling known for her seemingly idyllic life as a tradwife, is equally anxious, especially since her flawless public image is on the verge of imploding. Meanwhile, Jordan, the eldest, a high-powered crisis communications expert, is ready to be rid of the house so she can tend to her own professional disaster.
As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, the arrival of Calvin’s new wife pushes Jordan, Natalie, and Mae to decide how far they’re willing to go to preserve the Shipman bond.
Overall I ended up enjoying the book, but two of the sisters weren't very empathetic towards their father for moving on with his life. None of them were nice about the sale of the house. This made it hard for me to root for them. Thankfully there was some overall growth in the characters as they reconnected with each other and processed their grief. The children and the dogs brought some laughter and fun to the book and the New Hampshire beach setting was divine.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook.
June 6, 2026
Absolutely devoured this book. And when I say I read it in one sitting, I mean I literally sat down on the couch, opened to page one, and did not move until I reached the final page.
Set around a beloved beach house in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this story follows the three Shipman sisters as they return home at their father’s request two years after the loss of their mother. Their grief looks different for each of them, and their family dynamics get even more complicated when their father introduces his much younger new wife.
What I loved most is that this is technically a family drama, but it never feels heavy or mean-spirited. Meg Mitchell Moore somehow takes grief, complicated family relationships, and big life transitions and turns them into something warm, funny, and incredibly comforting. The dialogue is sharp, the characters feel wonderfully real, and every relationship feels authentic.
Jordan, Natalie, and May are all so different, but I found myself invested in each of their stories. As an only child, I’ve always been fascinated by adult sibling relationships, and this book captures all the love, frustration, loyalty, and history that comes with them. The family beach house becomes almost a character itself—a symbol of everything they’re trying to hold onto and everything they’re afraid to lose.
And can we talk about the dogs? 🐶❤️ Because Leo and Cinnamon completely stole my heart.
This is one of those books that feels like summer in novel form: beach houses, family secrets, witty banter, lovable characters, and just enough emotional depth to make it stick with you after the final page.
If you’re already counting down the days until your next Elin Hilderbrand beach read or love the heart and humor of Annabel Monaghan, put this one on your list immediately.
☀️ QOTD: If your family had a vacation home full of memories, would you want to keep it forever or sell it and move on?
I think this one has major “throw it in your beach bag and lose an afternoon” energy. 🌊📚🐾
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
Set around a beloved beach house in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this story follows the three Shipman sisters as they return home at their father’s request two years after the loss of their mother. Their grief looks different for each of them, and their family dynamics get even more complicated when their father introduces his much younger new wife.
What I loved most is that this is technically a family drama, but it never feels heavy or mean-spirited. Meg Mitchell Moore somehow takes grief, complicated family relationships, and big life transitions and turns them into something warm, funny, and incredibly comforting. The dialogue is sharp, the characters feel wonderfully real, and every relationship feels authentic.
Jordan, Natalie, and May are all so different, but I found myself invested in each of their stories. As an only child, I’ve always been fascinated by adult sibling relationships, and this book captures all the love, frustration, loyalty, and history that comes with them. The family beach house becomes almost a character itself—a symbol of everything they’re trying to hold onto and everything they’re afraid to lose.
And can we talk about the dogs? 🐶❤️ Because Leo and Cinnamon completely stole my heart.
This is one of those books that feels like summer in novel form: beach houses, family secrets, witty banter, lovable characters, and just enough emotional depth to make it stick with you after the final page.
If you’re already counting down the days until your next Elin Hilderbrand beach read or love the heart and humor of Annabel Monaghan, put this one on your list immediately.
☀️ QOTD: If your family had a vacation home full of memories, would you want to keep it forever or sell it and move on?
I think this one has major “throw it in your beach bag and lose an afternoon” energy. 🌊📚🐾
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
June 14, 2026
Down with the Shipmans is the kind of family drama that feels made for a beach chair.
When the three Shipman sisters return to their beloved New Hampshire summer home, they expect a family reunion. Instead, their father announces plans to sell the beach house that has long been the center of their family history. As old wounds resurface and each sister faces her own secrets and personal challenges, the week becomes a heartfelt exploration of family, change, and what truly makes a place feel like home.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The family dynamics felt authentic, the coastal setting was easy to sink into, and the story delivered the perfect blend of humor, heart, and summer drama. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand and character-driven beach reads will find a lot to love here.
I both read and listened to Down with the Shipmans, and I thought the audiobook was a great complement to the story. The narration helped bring each sister’s personality to life and made it easy to stay invested in their individual journeys. One note for fellow tandem readers: the chapters are fairly long, so it wasn’t always the easiest book to switch back and forth between audio and print, but I enjoyed both formats.
Thank you to William Morrow and Libro.fm for the gifted copies.
When the three Shipman sisters return to their beloved New Hampshire summer home, they expect a family reunion. Instead, their father announces plans to sell the beach house that has long been the center of their family history. As old wounds resurface and each sister faces her own secrets and personal challenges, the week becomes a heartfelt exploration of family, change, and what truly makes a place feel like home.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The family dynamics felt authentic, the coastal setting was easy to sink into, and the story delivered the perfect blend of humor, heart, and summer drama. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand and character-driven beach reads will find a lot to love here.
I both read and listened to Down with the Shipmans, and I thought the audiobook was a great complement to the story. The narration helped bring each sister’s personality to life and made it easy to stay invested in their individual journeys. One note for fellow tandem readers: the chapters are fairly long, so it wasn’t always the easiest book to switch back and forth between audio and print, but I enjoyed both formats.
Thank you to William Morrow and Libro.fm for the gifted copies.
December 18, 2025
I want to live next door to the Shipmans! I am in love with this family, these characters, and this story. The Shipman sisters return to their childhood beach house for what they think is a family reunion, only to find out that their father is planning to sell the house. Complicating things further is the arrival of their father’s new wife, who happens to have been their deceased mother’s hospice nurse, and whom the sisters have not exactly welcomed warmly into the family. Over the course of the week, the sisters – Jordan, Natalie, and Mae – try to come to terms with losing the house that holds so many cherished memories, while dealing with their own personal and relationship issues, and at the same time are forced to reckon with their grief over their mother’s loss, which has been brought into sharp focus with the impending house sale. There’s messy family drama, chaos, and secrets, but above all, there’s the strength of family bonds and sisterhood. A heartfelt and very emotionally satisfying summer read.
June 3, 2026
Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore follows the three Shipman sisters as they gather at their beloved family beach house for one last time. Their dad announces he is going to sell the beach house and the story sifts through the emotions of a week of the process of getting ready for this sale. The sisters all lead complicated lives individually and the family has a complicated interpersonal dynamic as well. This story is well written and the characters are well developed. One of the sisters is fostering a dog, Leo, who I fell in love with. I enjoyed this story and was happy it came to a satisfactory conclusion. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Want to Read
June 5, 2026Yes: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
but borrow
I like this book and want to read it but i do not want to buy the physical book I will either borrow it again from library or get it on kindle/audible
Very nice cover & I love WMP
This reads like an easy beachy family drama! I’m going to just borrow it though from my library.
This
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
but borrow
I like this book and want to read it but i do not want to buy the physical book I will either borrow it again from library or get it on kindle/audible
Very nice cover & I love WMP
This reads like an easy beachy family drama! I’m going to just borrow it though from my library.
This
June 15, 2026
This author writes fun beach books-set on real beaches, and this one, set on the Nee Hampshire coast, deals with family drama when their father requests the three Shipman daughters come visit together at the family beach house. Sisterly bonds, beach time, trad wives, lovable dogs, grief over losing a parent, this book packs a lot in and it works well. Enjoyed.
June 9, 2026
This was a nice summertime family drama, filled with themes of forgiveness, loss, and rebuilding. This is a perfect example of a house being a "home" and how important home is to family. It read like a movie, and kept me hooked throughout. Thank you William Morrow for the chance to read this story in exchange for my thoughts!
May 26, 2026
I love summer beach reads! Living in New England, summer is much too short. I start reading beach reads early in the spring g to make summer feel longer - it works for me!
Meg Mitchell Moore is one of the authors I always look forward to reading in the spring/summer. Her books are always about families near or in coastal towns and they are very readable! In this one three sisters come home to their family beach house on Rye, NH at the request of their fairly recently widowed father. There’s some drama and some family bonding. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow Publishing for the digital ARC!
Meg Mitchell Moore is one of the authors I always look forward to reading in the spring/summer. Her books are always about families near or in coastal towns and they are very readable! In this one three sisters come home to their family beach house on Rye, NH at the request of their fairly recently widowed father. There’s some drama and some family bonding. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow Publishing for the digital ARC!
June 16, 2026
Down With the Shipmans is a family drama where three adult sisters are summoned by their father, Calvin, to the family beach house in New Hampshire for a week. Upon arriving, they find out he’s selling the house soon and his new wife, Kara, will be joining them shortly.
The Shipman sisters, Jordan, Natalie, and Mae, couldn’t be more different from each other. They’re all dealing with their own challenges, at work and in their homes, and grieving the loss of their mom. They have mixed feelings about the sale of the house and about Kara.
I really enjoyed Down With the Shipmans which delivers a great blend of summer, beach vibes and family drama. Each sister brought a different perspective and I liked them, along with Calvin. I appreciated the ending of this story too.
The Shipman sisters, Jordan, Natalie, and Mae, couldn’t be more different from each other. They’re all dealing with their own challenges, at work and in their homes, and grieving the loss of their mom. They have mixed feelings about the sale of the house and about Kara.
I really enjoyed Down With the Shipmans which delivers a great blend of summer, beach vibes and family drama. Each sister brought a different perspective and I liked them, along with Calvin. I appreciated the ending of this story too.
June 16, 2026
2.5 stars - It was fine. A bit unoriginal and there wasn't a lot that made me invested in their family.
June 19, 2026
A decent summer read, but probably my least favorite book from this author. In a head to head comparison of summer beach / sister stories, The May House (also released this year) was better.
June 10, 2026
I love Meg Mitchell Moore, and while this was not my favorite of her books, I still enjoyed reading it. Down with the Shipmans was sadder than I wanted it to be, but it did have a sufficiently happy ending, so that pulled up my final rating.
March 25, 2026
Everything works out in the end. Maybe not the way you want or thought it would but eventually it will work out. This book does exactly that. I felt it was a little bland but it was a nice break from murder mysteries.
April 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely adore this book. It was right up my alley!
If you are a fan of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels like I am, you will love this book no doubt.
I love a good family story, and I especially love it when it is set on a beach!
The setting was wonderful, which makes this the perfect summer read. I loved sitting outside in the sun with the gorgeous weather, reading about these people’s lives.
This story had so much heart. There was drama, sadness, sweet moments, funny moments, and lots of family bonding.
I don’t have sisters so I couldn’t completely relate to everything, especially because I never fight with my brother and these sisters definitely fought at times! But the family bonding and love was there!
Each character was so distinct and I enjoyed all of them. I liked Natalie the least, but only because I would never want her lifestyle, so I had a really hard time connecting with her. Her kids had personality to them and weren’t just there like so many other novels, which I appreciated. Mae was a cool character but kind of all over the place. I loved her love of dogs. Jordan spoke to me the most because I related to her so much being the eldest daughter. She is definitely more put together than me, but all of her other thoughts and worries were things that I have thought about too.
Even Calvin and Kara were really interesting characters. It was cool to see how they affected the plot.
Some things kind of ended abruptly or not everything was answered, but that is okay because that wasn’t the main part of the story to me. The point of it was the family learning to live with their grief and learning how to accept things that they may not be okay with.
Not that it ruined the book for me but one thing I didn’t like was Jordan and Simone reconnecting. Simone seemed like such a cool person and I am glad she could lend an ear to the family when they needed it, but I could not forgive her for the cheating, and I hated that even up until the end Simone acted like it was no big deal. It is a big deal. And some people may not be upset about it, but Jordan was and she should have respected that. I am glad it didn’t really go anywhere. I just didn’t think it needed to be in there. It would have been fine if they just mentioned Jordan’s ex Audrey and left it at that. The reason for them breaking up had more use to the plot than what Simone did. Especially if she never really felt sorry for doing it.
Otherwise I loved everything about this book! I will definitely read more by this author.
I absolutely adore this book. It was right up my alley!
If you are a fan of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels like I am, you will love this book no doubt.
I love a good family story, and I especially love it when it is set on a beach!
The setting was wonderful, which makes this the perfect summer read. I loved sitting outside in the sun with the gorgeous weather, reading about these people’s lives.
This story had so much heart. There was drama, sadness, sweet moments, funny moments, and lots of family bonding.
I don’t have sisters so I couldn’t completely relate to everything, especially because I never fight with my brother and these sisters definitely fought at times! But the family bonding and love was there!
Each character was so distinct and I enjoyed all of them. I liked Natalie the least, but only because I would never want her lifestyle, so I had a really hard time connecting with her. Her kids had personality to them and weren’t just there like so many other novels, which I appreciated. Mae was a cool character but kind of all over the place. I loved her love of dogs. Jordan spoke to me the most because I related to her so much being the eldest daughter. She is definitely more put together than me, but all of her other thoughts and worries were things that I have thought about too.
Even Calvin and Kara were really interesting characters. It was cool to see how they affected the plot.
Some things kind of ended abruptly or not everything was answered, but that is okay because that wasn’t the main part of the story to me. The point of it was the family learning to live with their grief and learning how to accept things that they may not be okay with.
Not that it ruined the book for me but one thing I didn’t like was Jordan and Simone reconnecting. Simone seemed like such a cool person and I am glad she could lend an ear to the family when they needed it, but I could not forgive her for the cheating, and I hated that even up until the end Simone acted like it was no big deal. It is a big deal. And some people may not be upset about it, but Jordan was and she should have respected that. I am glad it didn’t really go anywhere. I just didn’t think it needed to be in there. It would have been fine if they just mentioned Jordan’s ex Audrey and left it at that. The reason for them breaking up had more use to the plot than what Simone did. Especially if she never really felt sorry for doing it.
Otherwise I loved everything about this book! I will definitely read more by this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Publication date June 2, 2026. I received this ARC audiobook thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio.
The three Shipman sisters receive a message from their father that he needs them all to meet at their New Hampshire beach house. The sisters are very different from each other, and though they love each other, each of their lives has taken their attention after their mother died. Jordan is on the cusp of a big professional promotion, and she’s been working nonstop to prove herself. Natalie has grown a social media presence around her family’s traditional life on a dairy farm. Mae has struggled since their mother died, made poor choices, and is in deep financial trouble. But they all head to the beach house.
This was their mother’s favorite place, and they share many family memories of time spent there. So they are shocked when their father tells them he is planning to sell it, and it will go on the market at the end of the week. Then, their father’s new wife arrives… they have all had trouble with the fact that their father moved on, and so they’re suspicious the sale is her fault.
As they come together to try to change his mind, the sisters slowly start to reveal details of their lives… struggles they have been keeping to themselves. There are lots of misperceptions between all of them. This book is funny and tugs at your heart. I really came to like each of these characters as they became more vulnerable with each other. And even with some of the serious issues, you feel like you are at the beach with them. The narration on this one is great, and I will definitely be checking out more titles by this author.
The three Shipman sisters receive a message from their father that he needs them all to meet at their New Hampshire beach house. The sisters are very different from each other, and though they love each other, each of their lives has taken their attention after their mother died. Jordan is on the cusp of a big professional promotion, and she’s been working nonstop to prove herself. Natalie has grown a social media presence around her family’s traditional life on a dairy farm. Mae has struggled since their mother died, made poor choices, and is in deep financial trouble. But they all head to the beach house.
This was their mother’s favorite place, and they share many family memories of time spent there. So they are shocked when their father tells them he is planning to sell it, and it will go on the market at the end of the week. Then, their father’s new wife arrives… they have all had trouble with the fact that their father moved on, and so they’re suspicious the sale is her fault.
As they come together to try to change his mind, the sisters slowly start to reveal details of their lives… struggles they have been keeping to themselves. There are lots of misperceptions between all of them. This book is funny and tugs at your heart. I really came to like each of these characters as they became more vulnerable with each other. And even with some of the serious issues, you feel like you are at the beach with them. The narration on this one is great, and I will definitely be checking out more titles by this author.
June 20, 2026
It’s not summer without a Meg Mitchell Moore book! 💙
DOWN WITH THE SHIPMANS was the perfect family story set in a little beach town with all of the elements of sisterhood, grief, finding yourself, and growing where you’re planted. Moore does an excellent job at developing characters that you really care about, and a story that you both want to read super quickly and also savor.
My favorite thing about Moore’s books is that they are just a slice of life; contemporary fiction at its finest. There’s a plot and a point to them, sure, but it’s the beauty in the writing and the day-to-day journeys of the characters that truly draws me in. This book was like a cozy, warm hug.
It has been raining and storming here all weekend, so this was the perfect book to curl up under a blanket with and read. This one even has a “tradwife” in it, but in a way that I think those of you who hated YESTERYEAR might actually like (I loved both books!).
If you haven’t read Meg Mitchell Moore’s books — first of all, get out there and grab one! She has so many and they are all excellent. If you love Elin Hilderbrand, I think you’d love Meg. Her books have the same, character-driven, summery-beachy vibes and are full of heart. Grab this one up for your beach bag!
Another excellent, top-notch book from one of my auto-buy, favorite authors! 💙
4.5 stars
DOWN WITH THE SHIPMANS was the perfect family story set in a little beach town with all of the elements of sisterhood, grief, finding yourself, and growing where you’re planted. Moore does an excellent job at developing characters that you really care about, and a story that you both want to read super quickly and also savor.
My favorite thing about Moore’s books is that they are just a slice of life; contemporary fiction at its finest. There’s a plot and a point to them, sure, but it’s the beauty in the writing and the day-to-day journeys of the characters that truly draws me in. This book was like a cozy, warm hug.
It has been raining and storming here all weekend, so this was the perfect book to curl up under a blanket with and read. This one even has a “tradwife” in it, but in a way that I think those of you who hated YESTERYEAR might actually like (I loved both books!).
If you haven’t read Meg Mitchell Moore’s books — first of all, get out there and grab one! She has so many and they are all excellent. If you love Elin Hilderbrand, I think you’d love Meg. Her books have the same, character-driven, summery-beachy vibes and are full of heart. Grab this one up for your beach bag!
Another excellent, top-notch book from one of my auto-buy, favorite authors! 💙
4.5 stars
June 2, 2026
Meg Mitchell Moore crafts the ultimate beach read with her latest release.
Jordan, Natalie, and Mae return to their family beach house at the behest of their father, Calvin. It’s been two years since their mother died and the beach house was her favorite place to be. To their horror, the sisters learn that her father intends to sell the place and they are to spend one last week there together-along with his new wife, the much younger Kara.
The sisters are scrambling to figure out a way to change their father’s mind while dealing with their own drama. Jordan is faced with a moral dilemma at work that could cost her the career she’s spent ten years building. Natalie, a “trad wife” influencer finds herself under fire after her husband’s comment in a news article has gained the ire of feminists everywhere. Mae, the youngest, has lost all of her money in an online scheme and is currently homeless.
As the presence of their mother looms large, the sisters struggle for answers and a sense of peace.
If you love “sister” stories, family drama, and meaningful exploration of grief and moving forward, this book is for you.
Mitchell Moore creates memorable characters-and an adorable dog-that you will fall in love with immediately. Don’t miss this one!
Jordan, Natalie, and Mae return to their family beach house at the behest of their father, Calvin. It’s been two years since their mother died and the beach house was her favorite place to be. To their horror, the sisters learn that her father intends to sell the place and they are to spend one last week there together-along with his new wife, the much younger Kara.
The sisters are scrambling to figure out a way to change their father’s mind while dealing with their own drama. Jordan is faced with a moral dilemma at work that could cost her the career she’s spent ten years building. Natalie, a “trad wife” influencer finds herself under fire after her husband’s comment in a news article has gained the ire of feminists everywhere. Mae, the youngest, has lost all of her money in an online scheme and is currently homeless.
As the presence of their mother looms large, the sisters struggle for answers and a sense of peace.
If you love “sister” stories, family drama, and meaningful exploration of grief and moving forward, this book is for you.
Mitchell Moore creates memorable characters-and an adorable dog-that you will fall in love with immediately. Don’t miss this one!
May 22, 2026
3.75⭐️ rounded up
I really enjoy a good family drama, and this book was definitely that! All of the Shipman sisters head back to the family home, so their dad can share some (not so great) news with them. He’s decided to sell the house. This causes chaos from each of the sisters for their own individual reasons. One thing they all seem to agree on is that they hate their dad’s new younger wife who was the caregiver to their mom as she died of cancer.
This book covers grief, relationships, friendships, frustration and even the significance of birth order. While it does cover some heavy topics, the author adds in some humor to keep it a little lighter. The bickering between the sisters was certainly spot on. 😊
At times, it got a little confusing when constantly changing to a different POV. There was a lot to remember about each character’s background, so I would find myself running through each character in my mind to keep everyone straight.
All in all, I thought this was a good summer read!
Thanks to Netgalley and William morrow for this ALC in exchange for an honest review. This book releases
June 2.
I really enjoy a good family drama, and this book was definitely that! All of the Shipman sisters head back to the family home, so their dad can share some (not so great) news with them. He’s decided to sell the house. This causes chaos from each of the sisters for their own individual reasons. One thing they all seem to agree on is that they hate their dad’s new younger wife who was the caregiver to their mom as she died of cancer.
This book covers grief, relationships, friendships, frustration and even the significance of birth order. While it does cover some heavy topics, the author adds in some humor to keep it a little lighter. The bickering between the sisters was certainly spot on. 😊
At times, it got a little confusing when constantly changing to a different POV. There was a lot to remember about each character’s background, so I would find myself running through each character in my mind to keep everyone straight.
All in all, I thought this was a good summer read!
Thanks to Netgalley and William morrow for this ALC in exchange for an honest review. This book releases
June 2.
April 1, 2026
✨I have found the ideal beach read for 2026. This book is everything I want from a contemporary family drama, and it’s written with warmth, emotional honesty and so much heart. I was laughing out loud at some moments and reaching for my Kleenex the next.
✨At its core, this is a character-driven novel that explores sisterhood, grief, family dynamics, and parenthood in a way that feels genuine and grounded. The multiple points of view and sharp, clever dialogue kept me turning the pages. I truly couldn’t put this one down.
✨By the end, I did not want to say goodbye to the Shipmans. I just love them, and I’m ready to rent the beach house next door.
✨Be sure and grab this one for your beach bag. The nostalgic summer vibe is everything.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Summer coastal New England settings
✨Sisterhood stories
✨Family dynamics
✨Beach reads
✨Dogs 🐾
✨At its core, this is a character-driven novel that explores sisterhood, grief, family dynamics, and parenthood in a way that feels genuine and grounded. The multiple points of view and sharp, clever dialogue kept me turning the pages. I truly couldn’t put this one down.
✨By the end, I did not want to say goodbye to the Shipmans. I just love them, and I’m ready to rent the beach house next door.
✨Be sure and grab this one for your beach bag. The nostalgic summer vibe is everything.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Summer coastal New England settings
✨Sisterhood stories
✨Family dynamics
✨Beach reads
✨Dogs 🐾
June 12, 2026
First I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio for the early audiobook.
If you are a fan of Elin Hilderbrand then I think you will really enjoy this book. It very much reminded me of her Nantucket books.
I really enjoyed the three sisters and their relationship. Yes, they were each a little self-absorbed at the beginning of the book but I did find they did a good job with each of their character growth and where they ended up.
I really wanted a little more from their dad. He just felt like he had also no personality so I had a hard time connecting with him and his relationship with the three girls.
Overall it was a solid beach read. Also. the narrator was fantastic and kept me engaged throughout the entire book. At times I felt like the middle dragged a bit but the narrator really saved me from getting bored.
A solid 3.5/5 stars rounded up.
If you are a fan of Elin Hilderbrand then I think you will really enjoy this book. It very much reminded me of her Nantucket books.
I really enjoyed the three sisters and their relationship. Yes, they were each a little self-absorbed at the beginning of the book but I did find they did a good job with each of their character growth and where they ended up.
I really wanted a little more from their dad. He just felt like he had also no personality so I had a hard time connecting with him and his relationship with the three girls.
Overall it was a solid beach read. Also. the narrator was fantastic and kept me engaged throughout the entire book. At times I felt like the middle dragged a bit but the narrator really saved me from getting bored.
A solid 3.5/5 stars rounded up.
June 3, 2026
I always enjoy books filled with family drama. The Shipman's sister return to their family beach home only to learn that their father is selling it. Not only are the sisters against the idea of selling her mom's family beach house, they are not very excited about having his dad's new wife with them.
The story is told in the 3 sisters POV and each one having their own struggles. A big part of the story is the grief of losing their mom and how each sister dealt with it.
I enjoyed seeing how they learn to be together and finding a way to be a family again.
The narration by Eva Kaminsky truly brought all the drama to life.
Thank you @williammorrowbooks @libro.fm for a copy of the book.
The story is told in the 3 sisters POV and each one having their own struggles. A big part of the story is the grief of losing their mom and how each sister dealt with it.
I enjoyed seeing how they learn to be together and finding a way to be a family again.
The narration by Eva Kaminsky truly brought all the drama to life.
Thank you @williammorrowbooks @libro.fm for a copy of the book.
June 11, 2026
This was a 4.5 star summer read for me. It had the right ingredients - family drama where each family member is trying to work through something, often with the help of their sisters, a beach-y setting and just the right notes of summer. I enjoyed reading this story and the fact that it wasn’t centered on a romance as so many summer-centered stories are. This is a great book for someone looking for a light summer read but not a romance or for someone who likes a little family drama.
Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
The Shipman sisters go back to their Summer home in New Hampshire they used to go to every Summer before their mom died. Now, they’re back, each of the three sisters with their own baggage.
This book is the perfect beach read full of heart, love, and finding yourself. It’s a mix of laughter, grief, and family. I absolutely loved this book, it was wholesome, quirky, and felt like a warm hug. The characters feel so real and you truly feel like part of the family. Every sister is vastly different from one another, but at the end of the day they each have their own hardships. Over time, they each open up and begin to lean on one another again.
This is the perfect read if you’re looking for a book that touches on grief, the love of family, and laughter with a splash of drama!
The Shipman sisters go back to their Summer home in New Hampshire they used to go to every Summer before their mom died. Now, they’re back, each of the three sisters with their own baggage.
This book is the perfect beach read full of heart, love, and finding yourself. It’s a mix of laughter, grief, and family. I absolutely loved this book, it was wholesome, quirky, and felt like a warm hug. The characters feel so real and you truly feel like part of the family. Every sister is vastly different from one another, but at the end of the day they each have their own hardships. Over time, they each open up and begin to lean on one another again.
This is the perfect read if you’re looking for a book that touches on grief, the love of family, and laughter with a splash of drama!
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