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Summerland Cove
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26
Apples Never Fall
meets
Maine
in this captivating novel of family secrets, summer celebrations, and putting things back together again after they’ve all fallen apart— from the acclaimed author of
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson
.
Lindy has the summer of a lifetime planned at her family’s beloved cottage in Summerland Cove, Maine, where she’s spent summers all her life and where she and her husband David met as teenagers. She’s slated big events three weekends in a David’s fiftieth birthday party, her parents’ fiftieth anniversary party, and her oldest daughter Hailey’s wedding. But when David doesn’t show up for his own party, everything about the life they’ve created together is thrown into question, as the shattered family sets out looking for him. Has he been in an accident? God forbid, been the victim of a crime? Or is it something more cliché—a midlife crisis, an affair? Surely, he’ll show up for his beloved daughter’s wedding—won’t he?
The agonizing days tick by and still no David. Lindy’s four nearly grown children are panicked. Lindy struggles to remain calm, even as long-buried details of the family’s past begin to surface, offering distressing clues. Meanwhile, her mother seems to be harboring secrets of her own, her father has grown alarmingly absent-minded, and Hailey wrestles with whether she should get married at all—even if her father does turn up.
A richly drawn novel of mothers, marriages, and one endearingly messy family, Summerland Cove beautifully evokes the crisp air and rocky beaches of coastal Maine, while poignantly revealing how complicated histories can shape the present in unexpected ways.
Lindy has the summer of a lifetime planned at her family’s beloved cottage in Summerland Cove, Maine, where she’s spent summers all her life and where she and her husband David met as teenagers. She’s slated big events three weekends in a David’s fiftieth birthday party, her parents’ fiftieth anniversary party, and her oldest daughter Hailey’s wedding. But when David doesn’t show up for his own party, everything about the life they’ve created together is thrown into question, as the shattered family sets out looking for him. Has he been in an accident? God forbid, been the victim of a crime? Or is it something more cliché—a midlife crisis, an affair? Surely, he’ll show up for his beloved daughter’s wedding—won’t he?
The agonizing days tick by and still no David. Lindy’s four nearly grown children are panicked. Lindy struggles to remain calm, even as long-buried details of the family’s past begin to surface, offering distressing clues. Meanwhile, her mother seems to be harboring secrets of her own, her father has grown alarmingly absent-minded, and Hailey wrestles with whether she should get married at all—even if her father does turn up.
A richly drawn novel of mothers, marriages, and one endearingly messy family, Summerland Cove beautifully evokes the crisp air and rocky beaches of coastal Maine, while poignantly revealing how complicated histories can shape the present in unexpected ways.
- GenresFiction
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
2 people are currently reading
5442 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Baker
4 books369 followersEllen Baker is the author of the novels SUMMERLAND COVE (coming June 2), THE HIDDEN LIFE OF CECILY LARSON, KEEPING THE HOUSE, & I GAVE MY HEART TO KNOW THIS. She has worked as a museum curator and as a bookseller and event coordinator at an independent bookstore. Originally from the Upper Midwest, Ellen currently lives on the coast of Maine. Grab a list of her 20 all-time favorite novels here or a book club guide for THE HIDDEN LIFE OF CECILY LARSON here and you'll receive a sneak peek of SUMMERLAND COVE in your inbox.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 14, 2026
Is it too soon to decide that a book will probably be one of my favorites of the year? Because I'm telling you, this one is a contender! Wow, wow, wow. Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for the opportunity read and review this book before its pub date in June. This was my first novel by Ellen Baker, and I am officially a big fan!
Summerland Cove, on the coast of midcoast Maine, is where Lindy and her husband David spent their teenage years, met, and fell in love. Years later Lindy is planning the summer of a lifetime with three big parties - David’s birthday, her parent’s 50th anniversary, and her daughter’s wedding at the Cove. When David does not appear for his birthday party, a weeklong search for him begins, and the summer of fun begins to unravel. As secrets past and present become revealed, both Lindy and David’s families learn more about their lives, themselves, and their connections to themselves, each other, and the cove community in ways they never imagined.
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I could not put it down. The suspense of David’s disappearance, coupled with the dynamics of an impending wedding, and the deep secrets being held right under Lindy’s nose had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see how it would all come together. In between the main storylines are strong themes of love in many forms, relationships past and present, personal growth, pride, friendship, and acceptance. I especially appreciated the point of view of the grandmother and her story is an excellent reminder that our assumptions about others are not always what they may seem.
As a Mainer, I am pretty critical of books set in Maine - especially when I feel that an author does not truly know or understand our state, throwing around names of towns or businesses just to seem like they “know Maine.” Ellen Baker KNOWS Maine. Her descriptions of the fictional cove and the real areas around it, are beautifully intertwined with familiar names and locations. Her descriptions of life in a seasonal neighborhood in coastal Maine are real, and this book is written without it feeling like the author is trying to prove something about their connection here. Thank you Ellen, for representing our state so well and so beautifully.
I will be recommending this book to everyone once it comes out in June. Add it to your list now - it is absolutely perfect in every way. An instant favorite.
Summerland Cove, on the coast of midcoast Maine, is where Lindy and her husband David spent their teenage years, met, and fell in love. Years later Lindy is planning the summer of a lifetime with three big parties - David’s birthday, her parent’s 50th anniversary, and her daughter’s wedding at the Cove. When David does not appear for his birthday party, a weeklong search for him begins, and the summer of fun begins to unravel. As secrets past and present become revealed, both Lindy and David’s families learn more about their lives, themselves, and their connections to themselves, each other, and the cove community in ways they never imagined.
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I could not put it down. The suspense of David’s disappearance, coupled with the dynamics of an impending wedding, and the deep secrets being held right under Lindy’s nose had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see how it would all come together. In between the main storylines are strong themes of love in many forms, relationships past and present, personal growth, pride, friendship, and acceptance. I especially appreciated the point of view of the grandmother and her story is an excellent reminder that our assumptions about others are not always what they may seem.
As a Mainer, I am pretty critical of books set in Maine - especially when I feel that an author does not truly know or understand our state, throwing around names of towns or businesses just to seem like they “know Maine.” Ellen Baker KNOWS Maine. Her descriptions of the fictional cove and the real areas around it, are beautifully intertwined with familiar names and locations. Her descriptions of life in a seasonal neighborhood in coastal Maine are real, and this book is written without it feeling like the author is trying to prove something about their connection here. Thank you Ellen, for representing our state so well and so beautifully.
I will be recommending this book to everyone once it comes out in June. Add it to your list now - it is absolutely perfect in every way. An instant favorite.
February 26, 2026
Ellen Baker writes beautiful multi generational novels. During this whole read, I felt like I was in Maine. The way she tells a story is almost like a smooth song. I now want to go to Maine. The characters have so much depth however I did get irritated with them several times throughout the novel at their lack of communication but it was still a beautiful book, I felt like I was watching it in real time in my head. Thank you Ellen for the ARC. I will cherish it forever.
February 3, 2026
I ended up enjoying this more than I initially expected. It took me a little while to get into, but by the end I was invested in the characters and the mystery.
Lindy has spent almost every summer of her life at her family’s cottage in Summerland Cove. It is where she met her beloved husband, David—and where she is planning his fiftieth birthday party. Lindy becomes worried when David misses his party and no one is able to get in touch with him. She becomes even more concerned as days pass without word, especially since David knows the next weekend is her parent’s fiftieth anniversary celebration followed by their daughter’s wedding.
This book is told from three point of views. Lindy, her mother Greta, and her oldest daughter Hailey. Lindy’s chapters flash back and forth between the present and the past, when she first met David.
This is a very character driven story—which is unfortunate because I struggled to connect with most of the characters early on. I found Hailey’s chapters to be the most engaging and my motivation for reading on.
This book is full of family drama, secrets, and lies. Despite the slow start, I did enjoy the second half and think the ending wrapped everything up nicely.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lindy has spent almost every summer of her life at her family’s cottage in Summerland Cove. It is where she met her beloved husband, David—and where she is planning his fiftieth birthday party. Lindy becomes worried when David misses his party and no one is able to get in touch with him. She becomes even more concerned as days pass without word, especially since David knows the next weekend is her parent’s fiftieth anniversary celebration followed by their daughter’s wedding.
This book is told from three point of views. Lindy, her mother Greta, and her oldest daughter Hailey. Lindy’s chapters flash back and forth between the present and the past, when she first met David.
This is a very character driven story—which is unfortunate because I struggled to connect with most of the characters early on. I found Hailey’s chapters to be the most engaging and my motivation for reading on.
This book is full of family drama, secrets, and lies. Despite the slow start, I did enjoy the second half and think the ending wrapped everything up nicely.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Lindy has spent every summer of her life at Innisfree, the beloved cottage her mother inherited in Summerland Cove on the coast of Maine. It’s a place steeped in family history—and where Lindy first met her husband, David, at just twelve years old. So, despite knowing he would hate the attention, it feels only right to host David’s 50th birthday celebration there, alongside her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary and her eldest daughter Hailey’s wedding. Three milestone events. Three consecutive weekends. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty. When David fails to appear at his own birthday party—and no one can reach or locate him—what begins as concern quickly spirals into fear. As the family searches for answers, long-buried secrets begin to surface, unraveling across generations. Lindy’s four nearly grown children are panicked, while Lindy herself struggles to hold everything together as unsettling clues from the past emerge. Her mother seems to be guarding secrets of her own, her father’s memory is becoming increasingly unreliable, and Hailey finds herself questioning whether she should go through with her wedding at all—if her father is even found.
This is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that draws you in from the very first page. Layered with family dynamics, quiet tension, and deep emotional resonance, it will have you turning pages late into the night, desperate to uncover the truth and savoring every moment along the way.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!
Plenty. When David fails to appear at his own birthday party—and no one can reach or locate him—what begins as concern quickly spirals into fear. As the family searches for answers, long-buried secrets begin to surface, unraveling across generations. Lindy’s four nearly grown children are panicked, while Lindy herself struggles to hold everything together as unsettling clues from the past emerge. Her mother seems to be guarding secrets of her own, her father’s memory is becoming increasingly unreliable, and Hailey finds herself questioning whether she should go through with her wedding at all—if her father is even found.
This is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that draws you in from the very first page. Layered with family dynamics, quiet tension, and deep emotional resonance, it will have you turning pages late into the night, desperate to uncover the truth and savoring every moment along the way.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!
February 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a thoughtful, character-driven story centered on family and relationships. The novel explores layered generational dynamics, including couples deciding whether to marry, marriages navigating midlife challenges, and aging parents facing the realities of getting older and how that impacts the entire family. These themes felt realistic and relatable, especially in the way they intersected and overlapped.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of complex friendships across different ages, showing how relationships evolve over time. I also appreciated the multiple perspectives from different generations within the family, which added depth and helped paint a fuller picture of the family’s history and tensions.
The pacing is more of a slow build, but for readers who pay close attention, it’s possible to anticipate where the story is headed. That said, the journey itself is meaningful, and the emotional payoff comes from the characters and their growth rather than major plot twists.
Overall, this is a reflective, emotionally grounded read that will appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas and multi-generational storytelling.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of complex friendships across different ages, showing how relationships evolve over time. I also appreciated the multiple perspectives from different generations within the family, which added depth and helped paint a fuller picture of the family’s history and tensions.
The pacing is more of a slow build, but for readers who pay close attention, it’s possible to anticipate where the story is headed. That said, the journey itself is meaningful, and the emotional payoff comes from the characters and their growth rather than major plot twists.
Overall, this is a reflective, emotionally grounded read that will appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas and multi-generational storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Summer Cove by Ellen Baker was an excellent heartwarming read. The story was engaging and the characters were very relatable. It's a about a journey through life and learning to navigate the bumpy roads encountered.
Lindy and David met as teens at their perspective summer cottages in an area known as The Cove. Fast forward many years and they, their children, his siblings, and her parents are gathering back at the cottages for three huge milestones. When David fails to show up as scheduled, it sends all of them into a tailspin. As they begin searches for him, happenings from the past start to come into play and each must decide how much, if any, of those incidents they want to reveal.
This emotional story was told with grace and compassion. The characters alternated between three strong female characters and gave a deep insight into the demons they were wrestling with. If you love a domestic story about life's unpredictability and strong characters, this is a must read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Mariner Books for the advanced copy
Lindy and David met as teens at their perspective summer cottages in an area known as The Cove. Fast forward many years and they, their children, his siblings, and her parents are gathering back at the cottages for three huge milestones. When David fails to show up as scheduled, it sends all of them into a tailspin. As they begin searches for him, happenings from the past start to come into play and each must decide how much, if any, of those incidents they want to reveal.
This emotional story was told with grace and compassion. The characters alternated between three strong female characters and gave a deep insight into the demons they were wrestling with. If you love a domestic story about life's unpredictability and strong characters, this is a must read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Mariner Books for the advanced copy
January 8, 2026
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m someone that likes to go into books blind, so I had no clue what this was going to be about but man did it deliver. I have come to adore women’s fiction over the last two years and this one was so intriguing. We follow the POVs of a grandma, her daughter(I’d say the main FMC) and then her daughter(the granddaughter) over the course of a certain mystery taking place and though it’s probably considered the main plot of the book, there were a few sub plots happening that I loved just as much. I think it was well written, the chapters were a good length, and it kept me wanting to read more. Would definitely recommend.
I’m someone that likes to go into books blind, so I had no clue what this was going to be about but man did it deliver. I have come to adore women’s fiction over the last two years and this one was so intriguing. We follow the POVs of a grandma, her daughter(I’d say the main FMC) and then her daughter(the granddaughter) over the course of a certain mystery taking place and though it’s probably considered the main plot of the book, there were a few sub plots happening that I loved just as much. I think it was well written, the chapters were a good length, and it kept me wanting to read more. Would definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Arriving at her family's summerhouse in Maine, Lindy is excited to spend 2 weeks with her parents and 4 adult children. She's been planning for months for three events: her husband David's 50th birthday party, her mother Greta's 50th anniversary, and her eldest child Hailey's wedding. When David fails to show up at his own party, her family's lives start to slowly unravel as Baker peels back layer after layer. Told from three women's perspectives--Lindy, Greta and Hailey--one in each generation. Each has a secret they are trying to protect their family from. I adored this family drama about a loving family just trying to do their best. The perfect summer beach read.
March 12, 2026
Summerland Cove pulled me right into this family’s messy, complicated summer. When David doesn’t show up for the big celebration, everything starts to unravel, and the tension is so well done.
I connected with the characters — the kids are all different, all real, and Lindy is such a believable, trying‑so‑hard mom. Just a charming place to grow up; I would love to go there. The Maine coast setting made the story feel alive, like another character.
A heartfelt, character‑driven family drama with all the messy, layered relationships you want in a summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins for the ARC
I connected with the characters — the kids are all different, all real, and Lindy is such a believable, trying‑so‑hard mom. Just a charming place to grow up; I would love to go there. The Maine coast setting made the story feel alive, like another character.
A heartfelt, character‑driven family drama with all the messy, layered relationships you want in a summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley, Ellen Baker did not disappoint with Summerland Cove!! Three events in a a course of a few weekends and where is David? Lindy's husband is missing, its his birthday and he's nowhere to be found!!! there's still an anniversary and a wedding to happen where is he??? Oh the twist and turns!!! The story takes you from the time they met to the present all the in betweens, Just when you think you know something, you know absolutely nothing. There is sadness and happiness. I loved this book. Read the book, wrap your heart around All the twist and turns get involved in their lives.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in Maine, a family is planning a birthday party, wedding and an anniversary party all within a few weeks. What happens when one of the family members disappears is the theme of this story. Family secrets, missed communications, illnesses , etc. are covered in this book. Slow reading at times, I kept reading as I loved the descriptions of places in Maine (many that I have visited) Some of the characters I did not care for; that and the slow reading were my reasons for not rating the book higher. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Summerland Cove was the perfect beach read romance/mystery. Three parties planned back to back with her entire family coming in and her husband does not show up for the first party…. And it goes off from there. I love the characters especially Innisfree! Reminded me a bit of a Beatriz Williams!
Summerland Cove was the perfect beach read romance/mystery. Three parties planned back to back with her entire family coming in and her husband does not show up for the first party…. And it goes off from there. I love the characters especially Innisfree! Reminded me a bit of a Beatriz Williams!
February 1, 2026
Wow I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did!! I found myself wanting to put off all responsibilities to read more of it. It had a nice mix of jumping between timelines and had a some really lovely life lessons. The characters and multiple POVs were all unique and important to the different storylines and you couldn’t help but get invested it it all!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews