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Summerland Cove
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.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Ellen Baker
4 books400 followersEllen Baker is the author of the novels SUMMERLAND COVE, 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 book club guide for SUMMERLAND COVE here or for THE HIDDEN LIFE OF CECILY LARSON here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
May 26, 2026
4.25 I didn't expect to like Summerland Cove as much as I did- it snuck up on me in a great way! Set mainly at a family's summer home in Maine, this story beautifully tackles several of life's complex challenges and highlights the deep importance of family bonds.
I listened to the audio version and found it lovely; the multi-narration format brought the story to life perfectly as three generations of women—the grandmother, mother, and daughter—narrated their own portions. Each character navigates her own life struggles alongside major milestones, including a wedding, a 50th birthday, and a 50th wedding anniversary, all while a compelling mystery unfolds regarding the missing father. Though the book was a touch on the longer side, it was an incredibly moving, immersive, and thoroughly enjoyable listen!
*ALC (thank you, HarperAudio Adult | Mariner Books/NetGalley)
I listened to the audio version and found it lovely; the multi-narration format brought the story to life perfectly as three generations of women—the grandmother, mother, and daughter—narrated their own portions. Each character navigates her own life struggles alongside major milestones, including a wedding, a 50th birthday, and a 50th wedding anniversary, all while a compelling mystery unfolds regarding the missing father. Though the book was a touch on the longer side, it was an incredibly moving, immersive, and thoroughly enjoyable listen!
*ALC (thank you, HarperAudio Adult | Mariner Books/NetGalley)
June 24, 2026
Given its cover and title as well as its seaside and summer vacation setting – combined with an interesting premise with a mysterious disappearance at its center, a splash of summer romance, a bunch of messy family relationships, and too many secrets to count -- this book had all the trappings of a “perfect for the summer months” read. This also proved to be a bit lighter fare than the books I’ve been reading lately, so timing-wise, this worked well in getting me settled into the rhythm of my summer reading journey.
In a story that revolves around one summer in 2010, three women from different generations of the same family narrate the events that occur during a get-together to celebrate three big events over the course of three weekends: a birthday, a 50th anniversary party, and a wedding. At her family’s summer cottage located in a coastal town called Summerland Cove in Maine, 50-year-old Lindy is setting up for her husband David’s birthday bash, which she had been planning for weeks, alongside her parents Greta and Tom’s 50th anniversary celebration to take place the next weekend, and culminating with her eldest daughter Hailey’s wedding the weekend after that. With only a few hours to go before the party starts, Lindy is busy putting the final touches on the arrangements and making sure things are in tip-top shape. As the final guests arrive and the party is already underway however, the guest of honor – birthday boy David – is nowhere to be found. When it becomes apparent that David isn’t merely “late” but rather a “no show” to his own party, the family starts to panic. Did something happen? Is he okay? Is his disappearance intentional or an accident? With so many questions and no good answers, the celebration turns into a frantic search that gradually leads to the unraveling of one family secret after another.
The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Greta, Lindy, and Hailey, who each give their take on the events that occur while also providing insight into their thoughts and feelings and, ultimately, secrets that we as readers become privy to but some of the characters don’t. I think this structure worked fine overall, though with the three of them narrating some of the same events, there was bound to be some repetition here and there, which had the effect of making some parts feel a tad drawn out – and I did feel that the book as a whole was longer than it really needed to be. Out of the 3 POVs, I connected the most to Greta’s, which is surprising given that I’m actually closer to Lindy’s age. With that said, some aspects of Lindy’s story arc did resonate with me, but I found Greta’s story more poignant and relatable (those scenes with Marjorie near the end actually moved me to tears). I also wasn’t too keen on Hailey’s story arc, as I found it too predictable, for one, and it also felt a bit cliché-ish – not to mention her character came across like an angsty teen rather than an adult most of the time, plus some of the scenes where she repeatedly goes out on a limb to justify things that are so obviously not justifiable (or deliberately talks herself into doing the opposite of what she actually wants) started to annoy me after like the fourth or fifth time. Fortunately, there was enough other stuff going on that Hailey’s wishy-washy story arc didn’t become too much of a distraction.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this one, as it had many of the elements that I typically like: a compelling mystery, complicated family dynamics, strong and complexly drawn female characters, emotional depth, atmospheric settings, etc. With that said, I also understand some of the complaints that other readers/reviewers had about the many plot lines and story arcs that made the story feel a bit too “busy.” Also, while the writing flowed pretty well for the most part, there were sections where some of the characters would repeatedly debate with themselves (usually in efforts to justify their own actions), which I felt was unnecessary and dragged things down a bit. I think if some of those extraneous bits were cut and the story tightened up a little more, this would’ve been a much more solid read. That said, I still recommend adding this one to your summer reading list, as it is a perfect fit for the season. Reading this also made me interested in Ellen Baker’s backlist, which I definitely hope to explore at some point.
In a story that revolves around one summer in 2010, three women from different generations of the same family narrate the events that occur during a get-together to celebrate three big events over the course of three weekends: a birthday, a 50th anniversary party, and a wedding. At her family’s summer cottage located in a coastal town called Summerland Cove in Maine, 50-year-old Lindy is setting up for her husband David’s birthday bash, which she had been planning for weeks, alongside her parents Greta and Tom’s 50th anniversary celebration to take place the next weekend, and culminating with her eldest daughter Hailey’s wedding the weekend after that. With only a few hours to go before the party starts, Lindy is busy putting the final touches on the arrangements and making sure things are in tip-top shape. As the final guests arrive and the party is already underway however, the guest of honor – birthday boy David – is nowhere to be found. When it becomes apparent that David isn’t merely “late” but rather a “no show” to his own party, the family starts to panic. Did something happen? Is he okay? Is his disappearance intentional or an accident? With so many questions and no good answers, the celebration turns into a frantic search that gradually leads to the unraveling of one family secret after another.
The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Greta, Lindy, and Hailey, who each give their take on the events that occur while also providing insight into their thoughts and feelings and, ultimately, secrets that we as readers become privy to but some of the characters don’t. I think this structure worked fine overall, though with the three of them narrating some of the same events, there was bound to be some repetition here and there, which had the effect of making some parts feel a tad drawn out – and I did feel that the book as a whole was longer than it really needed to be. Out of the 3 POVs, I connected the most to Greta’s, which is surprising given that I’m actually closer to Lindy’s age. With that said, some aspects of Lindy’s story arc did resonate with me, but I found Greta’s story more poignant and relatable (those scenes with Marjorie near the end actually moved me to tears). I also wasn’t too keen on Hailey’s story arc, as I found it too predictable, for one, and it also felt a bit cliché-ish – not to mention her character came across like an angsty teen rather than an adult most of the time, plus some of the scenes where she repeatedly goes out on a limb to justify things that are so obviously not justifiable (or deliberately talks herself into doing the opposite of what she actually wants) started to annoy me after like the fourth or fifth time. Fortunately, there was enough other stuff going on that Hailey’s wishy-washy story arc didn’t become too much of a distraction.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this one, as it had many of the elements that I typically like: a compelling mystery, complicated family dynamics, strong and complexly drawn female characters, emotional depth, atmospheric settings, etc. With that said, I also understand some of the complaints that other readers/reviewers had about the many plot lines and story arcs that made the story feel a bit too “busy.” Also, while the writing flowed pretty well for the most part, there were sections where some of the characters would repeatedly debate with themselves (usually in efforts to justify their own actions), which I felt was unnecessary and dragged things down a bit. I think if some of those extraneous bits were cut and the story tightened up a little more, this would’ve been a much more solid read. That said, I still recommend adding this one to your summer reading list, as it is a perfect fit for the season. Reading this also made me interested in Ellen Baker’s backlist, which I definitely hope to explore at some point.
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.
June 22, 2026
A summer family drama set in coastal Maine? Sign me up. I can’t get enough of books like this and the setting was the perfect backdrop for all of the tension simmering beneath the surface.
I was completely invested in this family from the beginning. There were old loves resurfacing, engagements hanging in the balance and the mystery surrounding a missing husband with a documented history of self harm that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
I also enjoyed the multiple perspectives, which slowly peeled back layers of the family’s history and revealed how past choices continue to influence the present. Each chapter added another piece to the puzzle and deepened my understanding of these characters.
Summerland cove is an exploration of marriage, motherhood and the messy realities of family life. If you enjoy character driven stories about complicated families with a strong sense of place, I think this one is worth picking up.
I was completely invested in this family from the beginning. There were old loves resurfacing, engagements hanging in the balance and the mystery surrounding a missing husband with a documented history of self harm that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
I also enjoyed the multiple perspectives, which slowly peeled back layers of the family’s history and revealed how past choices continue to influence the present. Each chapter added another piece to the puzzle and deepened my understanding of these characters.
Summerland cove is an exploration of marriage, motherhood and the messy realities of family life. If you enjoy character driven stories about complicated families with a strong sense of place, I think this one is worth picking up.
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.
June 11, 2026
Lindy grew up spending her summers at Summerland Cove, a fictional town off the coast of Maine. She meets David and falls head over heels. She was only 14 at the time. The crux of the story is the revelation of family secrets, a family saga of sorts.
This is a multigenerational story told from the POV's of the women of the family. Greta, Lindy’s mother, Lindy and then Hailey, who is Lindy’s daughter. It goes back and forth from the past to present day, 2010. The family is gathering back at Summerland Cove to celebrate some big milestones; a birthday, an upcoming wedding and Greta’s 50th wedding anniversary.
This book highlights the huge ramifications of secrets and lack of communication. When one of the family members disappears, it sets in motion a series of events and revelations that threaten to fracture the family entirely.
It’s an interesting novel, and I think it’s perfect to kick off summer reading. I was invested and wanted to know how things would play out. A few parts felt slightly melodramatic, but I enjoyed it otherwise. On a side note, I would say that I didn’t love the narration as much as I expected to.
CA | Some triggers, suicidal thoughts and an attempt to be aware of. Mild language.
This is a multigenerational story told from the POV's of the women of the family. Greta, Lindy’s mother, Lindy and then Hailey, who is Lindy’s daughter. It goes back and forth from the past to present day, 2010. The family is gathering back at Summerland Cove to celebrate some big milestones; a birthday, an upcoming wedding and Greta’s 50th wedding anniversary.
This book highlights the huge ramifications of secrets and lack of communication. When one of the family members disappears, it sets in motion a series of events and revelations that threaten to fracture the family entirely.
It’s an interesting novel, and I think it’s perfect to kick off summer reading. I was invested and wanted to know how things would play out. A few parts felt slightly melodramatic, but I enjoyed it otherwise. On a side note, I would say that I didn’t love the narration as much as I expected to.
CA | Some triggers, suicidal thoughts and an attempt to be aware of. Mild language.
May 19, 2026
If your ideal summer read includes family secrets, emotional drama, layered relationships, a gorgeous coastal setting, and just enough suspense to keep you glued to the pages… add Summerland Cove to your beach bag immediately 🌊☀️
This one completely pulled me in with the mystery surrounding David’s disappearance, but what really kept me invested was everything happening beneath the surface. The story unfolds through multiple generations of women in the same family, slowly revealing long buried secrets, complicated marriages, emotional wounds, and all the messy dynamics that make family dramas so addictive.
The Maine setting was SO vivid and atmospheric — rocky beaches, summer cottages, family celebrations, salty air vibes — and it perfectly matched the emotional weight of the story. I also loved how character driven this was. Every POV felt distinct and meaningful, and the women at the center of the story were relatable, flawed, and easy to root for.
This is such a strong pick for readers who love emotionally layered summer fiction with suspense, heart, romance, and family drama all woven together 💙
🌊 Multigenerational family drama
🕵️ Mystery & buried secrets
💍 Wedding weekend chaos
🏖️ Coastal Maine setting
❤️ Character driven storytelling
👀 Suspense simmering beneath the surface
This one completely pulled me in with the mystery surrounding David’s disappearance, but what really kept me invested was everything happening beneath the surface. The story unfolds through multiple generations of women in the same family, slowly revealing long buried secrets, complicated marriages, emotional wounds, and all the messy dynamics that make family dramas so addictive.
The Maine setting was SO vivid and atmospheric — rocky beaches, summer cottages, family celebrations, salty air vibes — and it perfectly matched the emotional weight of the story. I also loved how character driven this was. Every POV felt distinct and meaningful, and the women at the center of the story were relatable, flawed, and easy to root for.
This is such a strong pick for readers who love emotionally layered summer fiction with suspense, heart, romance, and family drama all woven together 💙
🌊 Multigenerational family drama
🕵️ Mystery & buried secrets
💍 Wedding weekend chaos
🏖️ Coastal Maine setting
❤️ Character driven storytelling
👀 Suspense simmering beneath the surface
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.
June 8, 2026
Summerland Cove is the story of a family with secrets, regret, hope, and love. Lindy grew up loving her summers spent in Summerland Cove, Maine and this summer she will be returning with her family for 3 big events. She's planned a huge party for her husband David's 50th birthday, another huge party a week later to celebrate her parents 50th anniversary, and her daughter Hailey's wedding a week after that. It's going to be a busy and fun summer for Lindy and her family. Lindy's parents live in a cottage at Summerland Cove and have always loved it. As the day of David's 50th birthday party arrives there's just one problem, David is not there! David called and said he was on his way that morning, but still hadn't arrived by late afternoon. The party was well underway with lots of people there, but the guest of honor never showed. Where is David? Was he in an accident? Why hadn't he called to let Lindy and the kids know where he was? Was he in a midlife crisis because of his 50th birthday? He knew how important this summer was to Lindy, so why didn't he show up?
As days go by, Lindy and her 4 grown children are in panic mode. No one has seen or heard from David since the morning he called to say he was on his way. Lindy's mom has a secret she's been keeping from her and she told David about it. Did this lead David to take off? Lindy's mom feels guilty for burdening David with her problem and telling him not to tell Lindy. Lindy's father has gotten forgetful and seems to be tired all of the time. Her mother keeps making excuses for him, so she doesn't think too much of it. What's really going on with her Mom and Dad? Will Lindy's mom tell her the secret she's been keeping? Hailey is having migraines and feels sick all of the time because she's not sure she wants to get married to Noah. Everything is planned and paid for though, so she has to go through with it. Right? This book has a lot going on and it will keep you fully invested until the end. Will David be found? Will he be okay? Will the family figure out what's going on with the parents? This is a remarkable book that deals with problems most families face. I enjoyed Summerland Cove and rate it 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy of Summerland Cove in exchange for a fair review.
As days go by, Lindy and her 4 grown children are in panic mode. No one has seen or heard from David since the morning he called to say he was on his way. Lindy's mom has a secret she's been keeping from her and she told David about it. Did this lead David to take off? Lindy's mom feels guilty for burdening David with her problem and telling him not to tell Lindy. Lindy's father has gotten forgetful and seems to be tired all of the time. Her mother keeps making excuses for him, so she doesn't think too much of it. What's really going on with her Mom and Dad? Will Lindy's mom tell her the secret she's been keeping? Hailey is having migraines and feels sick all of the time because she's not sure she wants to get married to Noah. Everything is planned and paid for though, so she has to go through with it. Right? This book has a lot going on and it will keep you fully invested until the end. Will David be found? Will he be okay? Will the family figure out what's going on with the parents? This is a remarkable book that deals with problems most families face. I enjoyed Summerland Cove and rate it 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy of Summerland Cove in exchange for a fair review.
May 30, 2026
This one really caught me off guard. It had a bunch of stories all rolled up into the one main one…and wow! Left me speechless a few times.
We have Lindy and David. They’re married with kids. They’ve been vacationing in Maine f o r e v e r… and met there when they were just teenagers. Now, David is turning 50, and Lindy planned a big party for him. Even though he didn’t want one…
Then we have Greta and Tom, Lindy’s parents. The owners of the home in Summerland Cove. They’re celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! And, Lindy has planned a party for them as well. Greta really doesn’t want to celebrate, as they’ve been keeping some secrets from Lindy and the family… but,what can she do?
And then we have Hailey and ‘the jerk’… who happens to be her fiancé. They’re getting married there, soon! And Hailey is struggling to get everything in order for the wedding… with no help from him. At all… 😳😮😳
Their stories are all revealed in little snippets throughout the book. At times I was laughing. Other times I was crying. And yet other times I was holding my breath…. There’s a LOT going on in here…
From sexual abuse, to self-harm ( and attempted self-harm), to fallout from friendships, to family sticking together through it all… there’s a bit of everything in here!
4 solid, bright, sweet, heartfelt, relieved, beautiful stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#SummerlandCove by @EllenBaker and narrated Beautifully by @JaneOppenheimer; @RebekkahRoss and @RobinSiegerman.
*** This has not been released yet! Please look 👀 for it in a few days on 6/2/26! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley,@HarperAudioAdult and @MarinerBooks for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
We have Lindy and David. They’re married with kids. They’ve been vacationing in Maine f o r e v e r… and met there when they were just teenagers. Now, David is turning 50, and Lindy planned a big party for him. Even though he didn’t want one…
Then we have Greta and Tom, Lindy’s parents. The owners of the home in Summerland Cove. They’re celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! And, Lindy has planned a party for them as well. Greta really doesn’t want to celebrate, as they’ve been keeping some secrets from Lindy and the family… but,what can she do?
And then we have Hailey and ‘the jerk’… who happens to be her fiancé. They’re getting married there, soon! And Hailey is struggling to get everything in order for the wedding… with no help from him. At all… 😳😮😳
Their stories are all revealed in little snippets throughout the book. At times I was laughing. Other times I was crying. And yet other times I was holding my breath…. There’s a LOT going on in here…
From sexual abuse, to self-harm ( and attempted self-harm), to fallout from friendships, to family sticking together through it all… there’s a bit of everything in here!
4 solid, bright, sweet, heartfelt, relieved, beautiful stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#SummerlandCove by @EllenBaker and narrated Beautifully by @JaneOppenheimer; @RebekkahRoss and @RobinSiegerman.
*** This has not been released yet! Please look 👀 for it in a few days on 6/2/26! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley,@HarperAudioAdult and @MarinerBooks for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
June 19, 2026
I TRIED TO READ THIS/ DNF (not far to page 25)
Stunning cover! And I love HCP BOOKS!
Thank god I borrowed this one from the library.
I really was ready to settle in on this multigenerational family story set in Maine in the summer. A birthday, wedding and anniversary. Cool!
I liked:
The plot. The concept was cool.
The setting was stunning. She really described Maine very well. I felt like I was there. I’ve been to Maine many times as I’m from Up north.
The writing is solid.
I disliked :
The Three pov were too similar.
Too many plot lines that were pointless.
I Dread another fa w dementia as I just read one (not the book’s fault I know).
Slow af. I was so bored and don’t want to pick it up.
I know it’s a family get together but there were so many characters.
Hailey boyfriend is an ass it’s very predictable where this is going.
It’s very Repetitive.
I Love complex family storytelling but this all over.
As one reviewer said - the Inner dialog is taxing a character is constantly asking themselves questions.
Please more show less tell!
Feels messy stressful w planing too many parties and all the useless boring details with this.
It’s just Not holding my attention.
Stunning cover! And I love HCP BOOKS!
Thank god I borrowed this one from the library.
I really was ready to settle in on this multigenerational family story set in Maine in the summer. A birthday, wedding and anniversary. Cool!
I liked:
The plot. The concept was cool.
The setting was stunning. She really described Maine very well. I felt like I was there. I’ve been to Maine many times as I’m from Up north.
The writing is solid.
I disliked :
The Three pov were too similar.
Too many plot lines that were pointless.
I Dread another fa w dementia as I just read one (not the book’s fault I know).
Slow af. I was so bored and don’t want to pick it up.
I know it’s a family get together but there were so many characters.
Hailey boyfriend is an ass it’s very predictable where this is going.
It’s very Repetitive.
I Love complex family storytelling but this all over.
As one reviewer said - the Inner dialog is taxing a character is constantly asking themselves questions.
Please more show less tell!
Feels messy stressful w planing too many parties and all the useless boring details with this.
It’s just Not holding my attention.
June 4, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book, but I am a day late reviewing it. This is a lovely story of a family that has many secrets. It takes place over lass than a week, each chapter with the date and time.
Lindy Kauffman has spent the past 6 months planning her daughter's wedding, her husband's birthday and her parent's 50th wedding anniversary parties. They will all take place in a 2 week span at her parent's cottage in Summerland Cove, Maine.
When her husband David is late for his own party, we meet all the family.
With flashbacks to summers in Maine, we see the story of David and Lindy's meeting and romance. When David continues to be missing, a search begins, relationships change and secrets come out.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Lindy Kauffman has spent the past 6 months planning her daughter's wedding, her husband's birthday and her parent's 50th wedding anniversary parties. They will all take place in a 2 week span at her parent's cottage in Summerland Cove, Maine.
When her husband David is late for his own party, we meet all the family.
With flashbacks to summers in Maine, we see the story of David and Lindy's meeting and romance. When David continues to be missing, a search begins, relationships change and secrets come out.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
June 21, 2026
Honestly this was just all over the place. 2.5 stars. It was slow and seemed like the author didn’t really know where she wanted to go with the story. So many little parts that could have been expanded in their own story. The ending was also very anticlimactic. After all that time they just found him? And everything went back to normal? I was bored and way too overwhelmed with the different sub plots. Also not even sure what genre you’d categorize this as.
June 14, 2026
So slow.
This is set in Maine in the Summer time. I thought what a perfect book to read in Maine in the Summer time. While I did appreciate the attention to geographical details - callouts to specific places and locations. It did not hold my attention and I found myself not looking forward to getting through the rest of the book. The ending did not justify the long winded story, for my taste. If you’re looking for a big twist, it doesn’t come. The writer does write well and dives in generations of family drama - I just like juicier drama.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.
This is set in Maine in the Summer time. I thought what a perfect book to read in Maine in the Summer time. While I did appreciate the attention to geographical details - callouts to specific places and locations. It did not hold my attention and I found myself not looking forward to getting through the rest of the book. The ending did not justify the long winded story, for my taste. If you’re looking for a big twist, it doesn’t come. The writer does write well and dives in generations of family drama - I just like juicier drama.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.
May 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for inviting me to read this ARC and giving me an audiobook version in exchange for an honest review!
This book definitely seemed like it would be up my alley! Sadly it fell a little short. I still enjoyed my time reading it, but I could have enjoyed it more.
If you like Elin Hildebrand, you will like this book most likely. I can definitely see the resemblance to “Apples Never Fall” after finishing this book. So if you liked that book or show you would love this.
The setting seems like it would make for a really great summer read, but it’s pretty tense and stressful for most of it, so it’s not like it’s a calm beach read.
It was hard for me because I just couldn’t fully get into the characters or the plot. I liked them, but I didn’t love them, which made it hard to get through some parts because some of it was a little repetitive or maybe a little boring at times. If there were some changes done, I think I would have loved this.
It kind of frustrates me in books when we waste so much time on one plotline, when you know it’s not going to end up a certain way. Like with Hailey, you know she is not going to marry Noah because there’s nothing likable or redeemable about his character, yet we spend the whole entire book going back-and-forth on will she marry him or will she not. Only to introduce Jack, which is obviously who she is gonna end up with and is the better choice. I’d rather it just be that she’s not with anyone and meet Jack and reconnect, but doesn’t know if she should be with him right now because of all the stuff going on with her dad. I know part of the whole point of the book was the looming of the wedding and David being missing, but I still feel like it was pointless to have the drama with Noah when we know she’s not gonna end up with him.
Lindy was my favorite character. I’m glad we had most of her point of view. The flashbacks were important to the story so we got to know David’s character, but I am glad there wasn’t too many of them.
Greta was a fine character too. I know this happens in real life but the whole thing with Tom didn’t seem very necessary to have in the book. It just added another sense of drama that took away from the main plot of David being missing. I almost would rather have it be a shorter book and just focus on getting David back and his past, instead of having all the other bits in between. Especially too because Lindy had so many kids, and a lot of them didn’t really matter to the story. Emma had issues with Reese and that was brought up a lot, but does that really matter when your dad is missing? Not really. I couldn’t find it in myself to care. Again, I know these things can happen in real life. A lot happens all at once, but to read about it kind of got to be a lot.
The reveal of what happened to Greta at the end of the book should have either not been in there, or been mentioned more than what it was. It’s not like I wanted to read about it happening to her or see more of that storyline, but it was just randomly thrown in right at the end. It felt very abrupt and kind of brushed to the side. Not even just that, but her reconnecting with Marjorie was kind of random too. It should have been throughout the story in my opinion, not just forced right into the end.
Spoiler for the ending: I would have been so furious at David for what he did. I know he did reach out, but he should have talked to someone directly, especially with his past. If someone missed the message, they would be freaking out. I can understand he wasn’t mentally capable of going to his birthday party, but you would think he would talk to his wife again over the phone and not just say it through voicemail. Even if he said he was fine, I would still be worried about him because of his history! And he should have known that! I understand you can’t help mentally how you feel, and I sympathize with his struggles, but that doesn’t mean you should be careless with your actions. And bring your dang phone! I am glad he is okay because that would have been horrible if he died, but it almost would have made a more compelling ending. To go through the whole entire book wondering what happened to him and then finding him to just be like “hey you’re back, don’t do that again, okay everything is great now.” It is just a little unsatisfying.
All that being said, I do think it is worth picking up. Especially if you love family drama. It just wasn’t quite as good as I wanted it to be.
I mainly listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed it! Hailey’s narrator was a little hard to listen to at times. It was just a little too high pitched for me. Lindy and Greta’s narrators were perfect!
This book definitely seemed like it would be up my alley! Sadly it fell a little short. I still enjoyed my time reading it, but I could have enjoyed it more.
If you like Elin Hildebrand, you will like this book most likely. I can definitely see the resemblance to “Apples Never Fall” after finishing this book. So if you liked that book or show you would love this.
The setting seems like it would make for a really great summer read, but it’s pretty tense and stressful for most of it, so it’s not like it’s a calm beach read.
It was hard for me because I just couldn’t fully get into the characters or the plot. I liked them, but I didn’t love them, which made it hard to get through some parts because some of it was a little repetitive or maybe a little boring at times. If there were some changes done, I think I would have loved this.
It kind of frustrates me in books when we waste so much time on one plotline, when you know it’s not going to end up a certain way. Like with Hailey, you know she is not going to marry Noah because there’s nothing likable or redeemable about his character, yet we spend the whole entire book going back-and-forth on will she marry him or will she not. Only to introduce Jack, which is obviously who she is gonna end up with and is the better choice. I’d rather it just be that she’s not with anyone and meet Jack and reconnect, but doesn’t know if she should be with him right now because of all the stuff going on with her dad. I know part of the whole point of the book was the looming of the wedding and David being missing, but I still feel like it was pointless to have the drama with Noah when we know she’s not gonna end up with him.
Lindy was my favorite character. I’m glad we had most of her point of view. The flashbacks were important to the story so we got to know David’s character, but I am glad there wasn’t too many of them.
Greta was a fine character too. I know this happens in real life but the whole thing with Tom didn’t seem very necessary to have in the book. It just added another sense of drama that took away from the main plot of David being missing. I almost would rather have it be a shorter book and just focus on getting David back and his past, instead of having all the other bits in between. Especially too because Lindy had so many kids, and a lot of them didn’t really matter to the story. Emma had issues with Reese and that was brought up a lot, but does that really matter when your dad is missing? Not really. I couldn’t find it in myself to care. Again, I know these things can happen in real life. A lot happens all at once, but to read about it kind of got to be a lot.
The reveal of what happened to Greta at the end of the book should have either not been in there, or been mentioned more than what it was. It’s not like I wanted to read about it happening to her or see more of that storyline, but it was just randomly thrown in right at the end. It felt very abrupt and kind of brushed to the side. Not even just that, but her reconnecting with Marjorie was kind of random too. It should have been throughout the story in my opinion, not just forced right into the end.
Spoiler for the ending: I would have been so furious at David for what he did. I know he did reach out, but he should have talked to someone directly, especially with his past. If someone missed the message, they would be freaking out. I can understand he wasn’t mentally capable of going to his birthday party, but you would think he would talk to his wife again over the phone and not just say it through voicemail. Even if he said he was fine, I would still be worried about him because of his history! And he should have known that! I understand you can’t help mentally how you feel, and I sympathize with his struggles, but that doesn’t mean you should be careless with your actions. And bring your dang phone! I am glad he is okay because that would have been horrible if he died, but it almost would have made a more compelling ending. To go through the whole entire book wondering what happened to him and then finding him to just be like “hey you’re back, don’t do that again, okay everything is great now.” It is just a little unsatisfying.
All that being said, I do think it is worth picking up. Especially if you love family drama. It just wasn’t quite as good as I wanted it to be.
I mainly listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed it! Hailey’s narrator was a little hard to listen to at times. It was just a little too high pitched for me. Lindy and Greta’s narrators were perfect!
June 2, 2026
Each summer I hope to read a juicy family novel set in a coastal community ... extra points if it's in Maine. "Summerland Cove" fits the bill this year. It's told through three points of view from three generations of women: Greta, the grandmother; Lindy, the mother; and Hailey, the daughter. In the space of 2 weeks, Greta and her husband will celebrate their 50th anniversary, Lindy's husband, David, will have his 50th birthday, and the grand finale is Hailey's wedding -- all taking place in the beach house which has been in the family for over 70 years.
Then David, driving up from the city, fails to show for his birthday party. The extended family begins searching for him: at hospitals, at parks and campsites, even looking for digital footprints. Did David encounter foul play? Or a medical crisis? Or perhaps a midlife crisis? As the search goes on, the three women come to terms with past secrets, as well as roads taken and not taken.
I listened on audio to this 12-hour multicast production in just three days. It was that good! Each narrator captured the age and stressors of her respective character. The pacing was spot on. When I ran out of weeds to pull or dishes to wash, I listened while walking or working a puzzle. This book checked all the boxes for a perfect summer read.
Then David, driving up from the city, fails to show for his birthday party. The extended family begins searching for him: at hospitals, at parks and campsites, even looking for digital footprints. Did David encounter foul play? Or a medical crisis? Or perhaps a midlife crisis? As the search goes on, the three women come to terms with past secrets, as well as roads taken and not taken.
I listened on audio to this 12-hour multicast production in just three days. It was that good! Each narrator captured the age and stressors of her respective character. The pacing was spot on. When I ran out of weeds to pull or dishes to wash, I listened while walking or working a puzzle. This book checked all the boxes for a perfect summer read.
June 24, 2026
Summerland Cove is packed with family drama — almost too packed. Every character arrives with their own emotional baggage, and the story piles three major family events into back‑to‑back weekends, which stretched believability for me.
The first big moment is David’s 50th birthday party… except the guest of honor disappears. That sends the entire family spiraling into speculation: accident, affair, runaway, mental‑health crisis — all of it is on the table. Readers sensitive to mental health themes should be aware that this storyline is central.
Before that situation settles, the family pivots to planning the parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, even though the mother clearly doesn’t want the celebration and is hiding her own secrets. Then we’re thrown into wedding prep for a bride juggling an absent fiancé and a missing father. It’s a lot — and the emotional whiplash sometimes overshadows the characters themselves.
The comparison to Elin Hilderbrand makes sense: a large ensemble cast, messy relationships, and people behaving badly. But unlike Hilderbrand’s best work, the pacing here felt overcrowded.
Rating: 3.25 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
The first big moment is David’s 50th birthday party… except the guest of honor disappears. That sends the entire family spiraling into speculation: accident, affair, runaway, mental‑health crisis — all of it is on the table. Readers sensitive to mental health themes should be aware that this storyline is central.
Before that situation settles, the family pivots to planning the parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, even though the mother clearly doesn’t want the celebration and is hiding her own secrets. Then we’re thrown into wedding prep for a bride juggling an absent fiancé and a missing father. It’s a lot — and the emotional whiplash sometimes overshadows the characters themselves.
The comparison to Elin Hilderbrand makes sense: a large ensemble cast, messy relationships, and people behaving badly. But unlike Hilderbrand’s best work, the pacing here felt overcrowded.
Rating: 3.25 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
June 14, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 Raise your hand if you have ever taken on more than you can handle…I am so guilty of this. As Lindy prepares for a banger of a summer at the family compound on Summerland Cove in Maine - 50th birthday, 50th anniversary, and a wedding - even the best laid plans for these joyous occasions can run amuck. Because let’s be honest, life is full of surprises.
Summerland Cove brings a welcoming sense of nostalgia with decades of history that quickly turns into a stormy season, stirring up a lot of old wounds and secrets. Ellen Baker writes a serenely suspenseful novel with beautiful layers of depth that builds at an accelerating pace. And while this beachy read serves up summer feels, it is a deeply emotional, heartfelt story. Summerland Cove poignantly addresses tough mental health topics (which could be triggering) while delving into generational trauma and the complexity of relationships, with intrigue and hope woven throughout.
📖 Book Review 📖 Raise your hand if you have ever taken on more than you can handle…I am so guilty of this. As Lindy prepares for a banger of a summer at the family compound on Summerland Cove in Maine - 50th birthday, 50th anniversary, and a wedding - even the best laid plans for these joyous occasions can run amuck. Because let’s be honest, life is full of surprises.
Summerland Cove brings a welcoming sense of nostalgia with decades of history that quickly turns into a stormy season, stirring up a lot of old wounds and secrets. Ellen Baker writes a serenely suspenseful novel with beautiful layers of depth that builds at an accelerating pace. And while this beachy read serves up summer feels, it is a deeply emotional, heartfelt story. Summerland Cove poignantly addresses tough mental health topics (which could be triggering) while delving into generational trauma and the complexity of relationships, with intrigue and hope woven throughout.
June 7, 2026
I always enjoy a family drama and the setting of an upcoming wedding in Maine got me intrigued. The weekend started with the celebration of David's 50yj birthday but the birthday boy goes missing. The story starts with the family searching for him.
This story is told in 3 POV, Lindy - David's wife, Hailey - Lindy & David's daughter who is getting married in 2 weeks and David's mom who owns the family cottage.
The 3 POV provided great backstory to David and Lindy on how they met. The stress of looking for David and how they searched for him kept me interested. There were so many subplots that the story never really had a dull moment.
I enjoyed the narration of ane Oppenheimer; Rebekkah Ross; Robin Siegerman. I loved how each POV had different secrets and how they unfolded.
Thank you @marinerbooks @harperaudio for the audiobook and book.
This story is told in 3 POV, Lindy - David's wife, Hailey - Lindy & David's daughter who is getting married in 2 weeks and David's mom who owns the family cottage.
The 3 POV provided great backstory to David and Lindy on how they met. The stress of looking for David and how they searched for him kept me interested. There were so many subplots that the story never really had a dull moment.
I enjoyed the narration of ane Oppenheimer; Rebekkah Ross; Robin Siegerman. I loved how each POV had different secrets and how they unfolded.
Thank you @marinerbooks @harperaudio for the audiobook and book.
June 22, 2026
3.5 rounded up
A dual timeline messy family summer drama set in Maine at Lindy's beloved family cottage where she has planned three big parties - one for her husband David's 50th birthday, one for her parent's 50th wedding anniversary and one for her daughter, Hailey's upcoming wedding. When David doesn't show up for his own party, it sets off a series of crises that ripple throughout the family. Alternating POVs and switching from the present to the summer Lindy first met David, this book explores societal expectations, trauma, family secrets and relationships. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Claire Lombardo, Catherine Newman or Meg Mitchell Moore. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
A dual timeline messy family summer drama set in Maine at Lindy's beloved family cottage where she has planned three big parties - one for her husband David's 50th birthday, one for her parent's 50th wedding anniversary and one for her daughter, Hailey's upcoming wedding. When David doesn't show up for his own party, it sets off a series of crises that ripple throughout the family. Alternating POVs and switching from the present to the summer Lindy first met David, this book explores societal expectations, trauma, family secrets and relationships. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Claire Lombardo, Catherine Newman or Meg Mitchell Moore. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 2, 2026
Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I read The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson a couple of years ago before it came out and absolutely loved it. This book was very much a departure from that, and I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it. The “mystery” did keep me intrigued, but most of the characters were unlikable and the book overall felt longer than it needed to be.
I read The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson a couple of years ago before it came out and absolutely loved it. This book was very much a departure from that, and I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it. The “mystery” did keep me intrigued, but most of the characters were unlikable and the book overall felt longer than it needed to be.
June 11, 2026
I was racing home after work to read this and find out what happened next. Ellen writes beautifully and I loved how she chose to weave together Hailey, Lindy, & Greta’s stories. It is ultimately a story about love, family, and working to get it right. The miscommunication pieces could make me frustrated for the characters at times but it was also easy to see it playing out within a family and neighborhood.
June 20, 2026
“Because, to build a life, to build a family, you had to decide what was true. You had to decide what you would accept. You had to decide who you were.”
I could relate to main character Lindy’s dilemma: 3 huge events to coordinate in one summer: her husband’s 50th birthday party, her daughter’s wedding, and her parents’ 50th anniversary party.
As the summer begins on the coast of Maine, Lindy is excited to celebrate all these gatherings. But when her husband, David, doesn’t show up for his own party, she goes from angry and confused to absolutely panicked.
As the search for David begins, her soon-to-be married daughter begins to question her relationship and even Lindy’s parents seem to be hiding something.
Secrets come to light as this story unfolds, jumping from the present time to 1980s, revealing details that provide insight to the characters.
I flew through this family drama and highly recommend it for your beach bag this summer!
I could relate to main character Lindy’s dilemma: 3 huge events to coordinate in one summer: her husband’s 50th birthday party, her daughter’s wedding, and her parents’ 50th anniversary party.
As the summer begins on the coast of Maine, Lindy is excited to celebrate all these gatherings. But when her husband, David, doesn’t show up for his own party, she goes from angry and confused to absolutely panicked.
As the search for David begins, her soon-to-be married daughter begins to question her relationship and even Lindy’s parents seem to be hiding something.
Secrets come to light as this story unfolds, jumping from the present time to 1980s, revealing details that provide insight to the characters.
I flew through this family drama and highly recommend it for your beach bag this summer!
June 16, 2026
Whew! This was gripping and I couldn’t put it down. I think my favorite part of the book was when Greta got the gun. The only way it would have been better is if she actually shot him. The prick deserved it! But the suspense of not knowing where David was and what happened was very well maintained.
June 20, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of Summerland Cove. A perfect beach read filled with family drama, love and mystery set in coastal Maine. I’m inspired to vacation in Maine to enjoy lobster and sunrises too. Thank you to writer, Ellen Baker for a fun escape and the reminder of always be honest in communicating feelings to those that you love💕
June 18, 2026
Part mystery, part family drama, this one had me guessing until the very end. Entertaining and endearing characters.
June 10, 2026
I liked the coastal Maine setting of this one, and it definitely gives the summer page-turner mystery vibe readers might be looking for! However, the ending wasn't satisfying to me; it made me wonder why I spent all this time learning about all the various clues at play. I also didn't find the Hailey's romance storyline compelling: her fiancé seems straight-up terrible, so there don't seem to be any reasons why they should stay together. I would have preferred honing in on one of the storylines (missing parent, wedding drama, or aging grandparent) rather than trying to cram in all three. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
May 17, 2026
Summerland
This book will be one of my favorites for the summer if not all year. The characters are beautifully intertwined. I did have to restart and place everyone again but once I got everyone straight, the story drew me in. I could not stop listening.
David is turning 50, but does not show up for his birthday. His 3 grown children, parents and wife (along with other friends and family) are left confused when he does not come nor contact anyone.
Lindy is midst planning her husband’s birthday, parent’s anniversary party and their daughter’s wedding in a month’s time. She missed all the clues of where he would go or why he may not have showed up—or did she?
Is he hurt? Was this an accident? Is it is simple mid life crisis? Did he run away with his young assistant!?
Written with 3 generational points of view, you find out David is not the only one hiding something. There are all kinds of family secrets intertwined between the daughter, mother, and grandmother. As one comes out after another, this story keeps you listening or reading.
Set in Maine, the author is so descriptive and talented it makes me want to book a trip to the North East. Pick this book up!
Thank you to NetGalley for try eARC audiobook! The narration was great with different voices and points of view.
This book will be one of my favorites for the summer if not all year. The characters are beautifully intertwined. I did have to restart and place everyone again but once I got everyone straight, the story drew me in. I could not stop listening.
David is turning 50, but does not show up for his birthday. His 3 grown children, parents and wife (along with other friends and family) are left confused when he does not come nor contact anyone.
Lindy is midst planning her husband’s birthday, parent’s anniversary party and their daughter’s wedding in a month’s time. She missed all the clues of where he would go or why he may not have showed up—or did she?
Is he hurt? Was this an accident? Is it is simple mid life crisis? Did he run away with his young assistant!?
Written with 3 generational points of view, you find out David is not the only one hiding something. There are all kinds of family secrets intertwined between the daughter, mother, and grandmother. As one comes out after another, this story keeps you listening or reading.
Set in Maine, the author is so descriptive and talented it makes me want to book a trip to the North East. Pick this book up!
Thank you to NetGalley for try eARC audiobook! The narration was great with different voices and points of view.
June 6, 2026
Unfortunately I just could not get into this book 😬
June 6, 2026
Ellen Baker’s Summerland Cove was such a pleasant surprise. Mariner Books, thank you so much for the gifted copy. I picked up Summerland Cove because Maine, family drama, and a missing husband sounded like exactly the kind of mess I wanted in my life this week.
Lindy is supposed to be having the biggest summer of her life. Her husband’s fiftieth birthday. Her parents’ fiftieth anniversary. Her daughter’s wedding. Everything is happening at the family cottage where they’ve spent summers for years. Then David doesn’t show up. And honestly? My brain immediately went to all the worst places.
I kept waiting for some huge shocking reveal, but what I ended up loving was everything happening around the mystery.
The family.
The arguments.
The old hurts nobody wanted to talk about.
The things people thought they were hiding that everyone else had already figured out.
The longer I read, the less I worried about solving the mystery and the more invested I became in the people. Every family member seemed to be carrying something. Regret. Worry. Secrets. Expectations. It made them feel like real people instead of characters on a page.
Greta absolutely stole this book for me. The older generation stories hit differently these days, and I found myself looking forward to her chapters every time they came up. There was something about her that felt incredibly real. Not perfect. Not polished. Just human.
I also loved that this wasn’t one of those families that has a single problem. Everybody had something going on. Hailey is trying to figure out if she’s making the right choices. Lindy is carrying more than she realizes. Greta is dealing with things she’s been holding onto for years. Meanwhile I’m sitting there wondering where on earth David went.
There were several moments where I wanted everyone to just sit down and have one honest conversation. Then again, if families actually did that, half the drama in books would disappear.
The Maine setting was exactly what I wanted. Summer cottages. Lobster dinners. Family gatherings. Ocean air. The kind of place that feels magical until you put a bunch of relatives together for a few weeks and suddenly all the cracks start showing.
I could practically picture the shoreline, smell the salt air, and hear the waves. The cottage itself felt just as important as some of the characters. It held years of memories, traditions, celebrations, and heartbreak.
“Some secrets don’t stay buried forever.”
I will say this leans much more family drama than thriller, which worked perfectly for me. If you’re looking for nonstop twists, this probably isn’t it. If you like books about families being complicated and loving each other anyway, you’ll probably fly through this one.
What I appreciated most was that Ellen Baker never rushed the emotional parts. She lets the relationships breathe. She lets the characters make mistakes. She lets them be messy. And because of that, I found myself caring about all of them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
By the end I felt like I’d spent a week at that cottage with them, worrying about David and hoping this family could somehow find its way through everything waiting beneath the surface.
Also, can we talk about how every family vacation seems to uncover at least one secret nobody was planning to share?
#SummerlandCove #EllenBaker #MarinerBooks #BookReview #SummerReads #FamilyDrama #BeachReads #WomensFiction #BooksCoffeeBrews #Bookstagram #CoastalReads #SummerReading #BookRecommendation #MaineBo
Lindy is supposed to be having the biggest summer of her life. Her husband’s fiftieth birthday. Her parents’ fiftieth anniversary. Her daughter’s wedding. Everything is happening at the family cottage where they’ve spent summers for years. Then David doesn’t show up. And honestly? My brain immediately went to all the worst places.
I kept waiting for some huge shocking reveal, but what I ended up loving was everything happening around the mystery.
The family.
The arguments.
The old hurts nobody wanted to talk about.
The things people thought they were hiding that everyone else had already figured out.
The longer I read, the less I worried about solving the mystery and the more invested I became in the people. Every family member seemed to be carrying something. Regret. Worry. Secrets. Expectations. It made them feel like real people instead of characters on a page.
Greta absolutely stole this book for me. The older generation stories hit differently these days, and I found myself looking forward to her chapters every time they came up. There was something about her that felt incredibly real. Not perfect. Not polished. Just human.
I also loved that this wasn’t one of those families that has a single problem. Everybody had something going on. Hailey is trying to figure out if she’s making the right choices. Lindy is carrying more than she realizes. Greta is dealing with things she’s been holding onto for years. Meanwhile I’m sitting there wondering where on earth David went.
There were several moments where I wanted everyone to just sit down and have one honest conversation. Then again, if families actually did that, half the drama in books would disappear.
The Maine setting was exactly what I wanted. Summer cottages. Lobster dinners. Family gatherings. Ocean air. The kind of place that feels magical until you put a bunch of relatives together for a few weeks and suddenly all the cracks start showing.
I could practically picture the shoreline, smell the salt air, and hear the waves. The cottage itself felt just as important as some of the characters. It held years of memories, traditions, celebrations, and heartbreak.
“Some secrets don’t stay buried forever.”
I will say this leans much more family drama than thriller, which worked perfectly for me. If you’re looking for nonstop twists, this probably isn’t it. If you like books about families being complicated and loving each other anyway, you’ll probably fly through this one.
What I appreciated most was that Ellen Baker never rushed the emotional parts. She lets the relationships breathe. She lets the characters make mistakes. She lets them be messy. And because of that, I found myself caring about all of them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
By the end I felt like I’d spent a week at that cottage with them, worrying about David and hoping this family could somehow find its way through everything waiting beneath the surface.
Also, can we talk about how every family vacation seems to uncover at least one secret nobody was planning to share?
#SummerlandCove #EllenBaker #MarinerBooks #BookReview #SummerReads #FamilyDrama #BeachReads #WomensFiction #BooksCoffeeBrews #Bookstagram #CoastalReads #SummerReading #BookRecommendation #MaineBo
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