The Boat House

Twin Lights #2

by Fern Michaels

Running their inherited marina in a quirky, picturesque New Jersey shore town, siblings Madison and Lincoln Wainright discover what could be a map to Captain Kidd’s lost treasure in this fresh, adventure-filled Twin Lights novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.

An unexpected inheritance from their late uncle brought Madison (Taylor) Wainwright and her brother Lincoln to Smuggler’s Cove. But it’s the quirky, close-knit locals who’ve convinced them to stay for the summer. The little town may be worlds away from the privileged existence the siblings knew before their father was arrested for fraud, but here, they’ve found a sense of belonging.

After renovating the dilapidated boat house that once served as a local marina for crabbers and clammers, Madison and Lincoln are settling in for a true Jersey Shore summer, complete with the town’s famous Seafood Festival. Visitors love learning about the area’s history—the tales of pirates and privateers, cryptic maps and buried treasure. Those stories seem like harmless fantasy until a seemingly worthless map is stolen from their boathouse.

Could their uncle’s rudimentary map show the true location of Captain Kidd’s treasure? Or was there another, more sinister motive behind the theft? As Madison and Lincoln dig deeper, they learn that the legends underpinning Smuggler’s Cove’s history may also have the power to tear it apart, unless they can quickly separate fiction from fact, and guilty from innocent…

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction

247 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

Fern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.

As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.

Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.

Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.

READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/

Reviews

[FictionalFlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not read this book first. Seriously, go back and read Smuggler's Cove or you will ruin the experience for yourself. The Boathouse picks up right where book one leaves off, and so much of what makes it hit is that you're already deeply invested in these characters and this world before the mystery even kicks into gear.

The coastal small-town life is the perfect backdrop. The marina, the community, all of it feels lived-in and real. And the slow-burn romance is exactly the kind of buildup that earns its payoff.

Where Smuggler's Cove builds the world, The Boathouse is all about unraveling what's really going on. If you're a true crime or mystery fan, there's a web of crimes to untangle, and piecing together who's behind all of it is half the fun.

What really worked for me is how this book balances everything. Mystery, romance, and drama all woven together without any one taking over. Nothing feels rushed or shoehorned. By the time the mystery escalates, you're already so far into these people's lives that it lands completely differently than it would have if you'd started here. And with the romance, there's genuinely something in this book for everyone.

Five stars because a sequel that makes you feel like you never left is exactly what a sequel should do.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madison and a Lincoln are siblings from NYC who are called to Smugglers Cove (on the NJ shoreline) after the passing of their dear uncle… because he left them his beloved marina!

Being as they have entirely different jobs in NY, they need a lot of help here to fix up his property and decide what they are going to do…

And of course, this small, tight-knit community steps right up!
And so they decide to spend the summer on the NJ Shore.

interestingly enough, there are SEVERAL themes going on in this one, and really, to be honest… it’s all just crazy!
One involves a childlike map of ? buried treasure? They just kind of blow it off… it can’t be anything for real, right?
Until it goes missing..,

Then a guy goes missing, and turns up… but NOT In a good way!
His brothers are given some really unattractive ultimatums, but they have no head space for this right now…
They’re trying to get their own business back up and running with a profit… before they lose it all…

Then, there are robberies going on… which is not like this small town at all. And it seems to be one right after another!

And then a local townie gets badly beaten…

In the midst of all of this, Madison seems to have found a love 💕 interest!
But can she trust him? ( I know I certainly didn’t…)
And how could they ever make this work? She doesn’t actually live here…

The police are involved… but can’t seem to get any traction on the cases…

Until one incident occurs and seems to tie everything all together!

I have to say that I just love Fern Michaels. I grew up reading her books, and still enjoy each of them now! Strong characters. Interesting plots. And a touch of romance!

#TheBoatHouse by @FernMichaels and narrated nicely by @ElizaFoss.

4 solid beach-bound, small-town, cozy… but also nasty, crazy stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This one has not been released yet. Look for it starting on 8/25/26.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @RBMedia and @RecordedBooks 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! 📚⭐️📖🩷

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Boat House
Series: Twin Light Book #2
Author: Fern Michaels
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Audiobook Pub Date: August 25, 2026
My Rating: 3.6 Stars
Pages: 256

I read the “Smuggler’s Cove which was the first in this series. Although I did enjoy it, really isn’t necessary to have read it to move on to this one.
Here is a bit of a recap ~
Siblings Madison and Lincoln Taylor lived a privileged life until the family lost everything when their father was arrested for fraud. They were attending college at the time- Madison at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and Lincoln was attending Pace University majoring in Business.
They changed colleges additionally changed their surname to Wainwright. Madison left FIT and went to ‘The Rhode Island School of Design’ and Lincoln transferred to Baruch as it was less expensive.
They ended up being successful in careers that loved. Madison got a job n a fashion house and then started her a fashion website. Lincoln got his PhD in Finance and became a professor at a small college.

When they inherited a marina from Kirby Taylor a long-lost uncle, they decided to check it out and decided to try something new.
The marina was located on the beautiful New Jersey shore along the Navesink River in an area called Smuggler’s Cove.
As they settle in, Madison finds what appears to be a map to Captain Kidd’s lost treasure.

In this story. Madison and Lincoln have just finished renovating the dilapidated boathouse that was part of their inheritance.
On Memorial Day the Boat House was ready and unveiling of a new sign with the nautical logo -designed by Madison and announced, ‘Kirby’s Marina”!

I read and enjoyed “Smuggler’s Cove” which was the first book in this series.
Although not a lot of mystery -my typical genre is Psychological or Mystery trillers, it is good to change it up.
It was enjoyable.

I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for granting me this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 25, 2026.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect read for lazy summer days, whether you’re curled up at home or relaxing on the beach. It’s the second book in the *Twin Light* series, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the first one. It’s not necessary to enjoy this story, as the important details from the first book are summed up quite delightfully in the foreword.

**Eliza Foss** is absolutely perfect as the narrator. She has that warm, comforting voice that feels like listening to your best friend tell you a story. From the very first words, she sets just the right tone for this cozy mystery/romance. And then there’s Smuggler’s Cove itself—a charming little town that quickly feels like a place you’d never want to leave.

The nearly middle-aged twins, Madison and Lincoln, have certainly had interesting lives. When their Uncle Kirby leaves them a marina on the North Jersey shore, just a ferry ride from New York City, they inherit more than they bargained for. Years of brutal weather have left the marina sadly run-down, and bringing it back to life is going to be quite an undertaking.

But renovations quickly take a back seat when they discover a dead body under the dock. Add in a stolen map—with a very intriguing “X marks the spot”—and a handsome Coast Guard officer who happens to have an *awesome dog*, and things get even more interesting.

There’s a wonderful mix of mystery, romance, small-town charm, family dynamics, and just enough danger to keep the pages turning. It’s cozy without being predictable, and the characters are easy to root for. I especially enjoyed the setting and the feeling that Smuggler’s Cove is almost a character in its own right.

If you’re looking for a light, entertaining mystery with romance, memorable characters, and a charming coastal setting, this is a delightful choice for a summer afternoon.

Thank you to Fern Michaels, RBMedia, and NetGalley for the ALC

[SueCanaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected delight for my old 61 year old brain. When I request books on Netgalley, I do not read the description. I choose based on cover art and title. This is as close as I come to pulling the arm on a slot machine and hoping for the best. The Boat House gave me 3 cherries and a loud alarm - it was great.

In brief, successful siblings inherit a boat house in a fictional New Jersey town, renovate, dream of a new future, find a community and deal with a mystery following a burglary. Fern Michaels, per usual, creates an interesting set of characters, the story moves quickly and it's easy to become engrossed. Narrator Eliza Foss does a good job keeping the story moving and allowing the listener to enjoy without too much work.

Why the 5 stars from a reviewer with an average star rating of less than 3.5? I time traveled to my 1970s youth and loved the memories. Fern, a former Jersey resident, created a fictional town, using the towns I grew up in. I didn't steal the treasure map, but living in Monmouth County ALL the kids knew Captain Kidd landed there and treasure was buried. In fact, according to legend, my neighbors home was previously the home of one of Kidd's sailors and boy, oh boy, did we dig up a lot of his yard. As an adult, I now realize Mr. Fee used the legend to his benefit and "allowed" us kids to dig in places where he then planted vegetables. Genius. Even the neighborhood mailman, Mr. Decker, who walked his rounds with a mail stroller would stop to give the latest "news" about where we should next search. Aw, what I wouldn't give to live again in a world where kids worked together to dig up gold.

I loved all the nostalgia The Boat House gave me. Smuggler's Cove was Belford NJ and I am grateful Ms. Michaels took me back for a wonderful visit.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boat House AUDIO by Fern Michaels is part mystery, part romance, and definitely a beach read. Madison and her brother have inherited property from their uncle, a marina, and have come to spend some time, renovating it, getting ready to sell. For some reason there is a spate of break-ins, some ending in people being hurt, and it seems to revolve around their uncle. Meanwhile, Madison continues to work as content editor for a major magazine, but feels unfulfilled, as creativity is no longer appreciated. It is at this time that she meets a slightly younger man, Vigo, and it becomes a very slow moving romance. And the break-ins continue. At the same time we see the young man, Arlo, who is doing the breaking-in, and Mikie, his brother, who are both trying to make a go of the business that it used to be three of them running. Their brother, Dennis, had had an accident and died. There is plenty going on in this novel, most of it good.

Smuggler’s Cove, on the Jersey shore, is a hot bed for tourists. But, the locals still find it relaxing and beautiful. Madison is considering staying, especially after it looks like her job may be on the line. A revival of her style blog, as a podcast, is under consideration. And the search for the thieves continues. Suddenly everything comes together.

The narrator is Eliza Foss and while she has a lovely voice, she is a little laconic in this situation. There is a lot going on and not all of it is pretty, but she just narrates, as if she doesn’t understand what she is reading.

I was invited to listen to The Boat House by Rbmedia. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Rbmedia #ElizaFoss #FernMichaels #TheBoatHouse

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Twin Lights series by best selling author Fern Michaels.

The privileged lives of Madison and Lincoln Taylor were shattered when they were college students; their father was arrested for fraud and the family lost everything. Now adults living in New York with successful careers, they inherited a derelict marina along the Navesink River in New Jersey from their estranged uncle.

They have renovated the boat house at the marina and settled into a nice comfortable life in a rented second home in Smuggler’s Cove. While celebrating the grand opening of the boat house, there is a break- in and a treasure map once owned by their uncle is stolen. This sets the stage for a web of intrigue that unfolds in the tranquil shore town. Amidst the unfolding mystery, Madison and a charming Coast Guard captain find themselves drawn to each other.

While this is not my usual genre, I read the first installment and was hooked. Part romance and part mystery, this heartwarming story is an ideal choice for an escapist or beach read.

While the ending may seem a bit rushed, with loose ends neatly tied up in a brief epilogue, I can’t help but wonder if it’s due to the fact that this book was written shortly before the author’s passing in 2025.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @KensingtonBooks for the DRC.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit in this Romantic Suspense series from Fern Michaels. It lives right up to Smugglers Cove. Can't wait to check out more.

"An unexpected inheritance from their late uncle brought Madison (Taylor) Wainwright and her brother Lincoln to Smuggler’s Cove. But it’s the quirky, close-knit locals who’ve convinced them to stay for the summer. The little town may be worlds away from the privileged existence the siblings knew before their father was arrested for fraud, but here, they’ve found a sense of belonging.

After renovating the dilapidated boat house that once served as a local marina for crabbers and clammers, Madison and Lincoln are settling in for a true Jersey Shore summer, complete with the town’s famous Seafood Festival. Visitors love learning about the area’s history—the tales of pirates and privateers, cryptic maps and buried treasure. Those stories seem like harmless fantasy until a seemingly worthless map is stolen from their boathouse.

Could their uncle’s rudimentary map show the true location of Captain Kidd’s treasure? Or was there another, more sinister motive behind the theft? As Madison and Lincoln dig deeper, they learn that the legends underpinning Smuggler’s Cove’s history may also have the power to tear it apart, unless they can quickly separate fiction from fact, and guilty from innocent…"

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one without reading the first book in the series, and honestly, I didn't have any trouble following along. It took me a little bit to get everyone straight, but once I did, I was invested.

This is definitely outside my usual thriller-heavy reading, but it ended up being a fun palate cleanser. You've got a charming small-town setting, a stolen treasure map, pirate legends, family dynamics, and just enough mystery to keep things moving. It had a cozy, end-of-summer feel that made it easy to keep listening.

I also really enjoyed the audiobook. Eliza Foss was a great narrator, and I think she added a lot to the story. Her narration fit the cozy vibe perfectly and made it an easy listen.

The mystery isn't super twisty or high stakes, so if you're looking for an intense suspense novel, this probably isn't it. It's more of a laid-back mystery with a little romance mixed in. The ending also wrapped up a little faster than I would have liked, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, this was just an enjoyable audiobook. If you're looking for something light with a likable cast, a fun mystery, and plenty of small-town charm, this is worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Alison Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose the audiobook version of The Boat House by Fern Michaels for this review. After listening to the book and thinking about my review, I have to say it probably deserves a more concentrated listen—or preferably, a reread in print.

The narrator was lovely and never distracted from the story. However, I do most of my listening while walking the dog or driving, so my mind tends to wander a bit. I was interested in the beginning as the main characters were introduced, and I found myself wanting to know more about Madison and Lincoln, as well as some of the characters in the seaside town.

Unfortunately, I never became very emotionally invested in the story. I especially found it difficult to care much about the down-and-out Farrell brothers and their money troubles. The stolen map, the dead body under the dock, and the criminal investigation should have added some suspense, but the investigation felt a bit like watching an old rerun of The Andy Griffith Show.

The relationship development between Madison and Viggo was also so slow that I began to wonder if there was something more sinister—or just plain weird—going on.

If you're looking for a light, quick beach read, this could be the book for you. For my next read, though, I'm going to look for something a little more complex.

[Jan Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boat House
Faith Michaels
August 25, 2026

In the second episode of Twin Lights we find Madison and Lincoln Wainwright spending their time in Smuggler’s Cove. They along with Lincoln’s wife Olivia have rented a classic home in the Rhode Island village. Madison travels back and forth on the ferry to New York City to manage her magazine and meet with staff. Lincoln has rebuilt the boat house in the harbor to encourage tourists. In this part of the story we find locals trying to find the treasure map that Uncle Kirby left hanging on the wall. With all of the changes in store, their attitude about life and living near the marina happens as well.
The Boat House will be published by Kensington Publishing on August 25, 2026. I was able to read and review Michaels latest book via NetGalley. I was thrilled to read the second part of the series. It is a fun story that details the hunt for the lost treasure map. It finishes the story of Dennis Farrell, the original owner of Kirby’s Marina. After his untimely death, Lincoln and Madison inherited it and all the land. His sons Arlo and Mikey were at a loss as to what to do about their business and the parties that resumed to hold the boys responsible for their fathers’ tally. An excellent two part journey.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boat House by Fern Michaels is the second book in the Twin Lights series. This book follows siblings Madison and Lincoln Wainright as they take control to repair and reopen their uncle’s boathouse. The book is a contemporary mystery/love story with a lovely summer on the Jersey shore for the Taylor family.

Tied in with the siblings finding a new place and occupations seems to be a mystery for pirate’s treasure. A map on the wall of her late uncle’s office starts an obsession for neighbors who believe the map is accurate.

The map is stolen, people are coshed on the head and places are broken into. Top it all off we have Madison with a new love interest and a decision about where and how she wants for the future.
I like Fern Michaels as a writer. I think she writes well rounded stories. I think the mystery fell flat about the map to me. Certainly the deaths and violence made up a mystery, but I felt it was disparate to the mystery that we started with and focused on auxiliary characters. Despite my apprehension about the changing focus of theThe Boat House by Fern Michaels, it was entertaining.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boat House (audiobook)
Fern Michaels, Eliza Foss (narrator)

This is the perfect read for lazy summer days, on or off the beach. This is the second book of the Twin Light series. Reading the first book is not necessary as it is all summed up delightfully if the forward.

Eliza Foss is perfect as the narrator. She has the comforting voice of your best friend and sets the tone of this cozy mystery/romance from the very first words. Smuggler’s Cove is a small town you won’t want to leave.

The near middle-aged twins, Madison and Lincoln, have had interesting lives. Their Uncle Kirby has left them a marina on the North Jersey shore just a ferry ride from the city (NYC). Unfortunately, brutal weather events have left the place dilapidated. Now, of course, there is the dead body under the dock, a stolen map (x marks the spot), and a handsome Coast Guard Officer with an awesome dog.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for and advance audiobook opportunity. #theboathouse

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook review 🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧
The Boat House
by Fern Michaels
with Eliza Foss (Narrator)
This is a first time that I’ve explored this author’s writing style and I enjoyed listening to this story as it is very mysterious and fascinating with the plot twists. I enjoyed this story and the information for was very informative. The narrator did amazing job reading the characters and bringing them alive.

Running their inherited marina in a quirky, picturesque New Jersey shore town, siblings Madison and Lincoln Wainright discover what could be a map to Captain Kidd’s lost treasure in this fresh, adventure-filled Twin Lights novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.

Could their uncle’s rudimentary map show the true location of Captain Kidd’s treasure? Or was there another, more sinister motive behind the theft? As Madison and Lincoln dig deeper, they learn that the legends underpinning Smuggler’s Cove’s history may also have the power to tear it apart, unless they can quickly separate fiction from fact, and guilty from innocent…

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Could not put it down. Smugglers Cove sounds like the place to live!

Madison and Lincoln had the life until their father committed fraud and their mother left town. They changed their names and reinvented themselves. Their Uncle suddenly passes away, and they inherit his boat house. Instead of selling it they fix it up and they become members of Smugglers Cove. Being from the big city they are loving the small-town life.

A body is found, then the boat house is broken into. The apartment their uncle lived in was also broken into. A longtime resident is attacked and hit in the head. One of the local diver's shop owners has been threatened and then attacked. The other owner of the diver's shop admits to his wrong doings and asks for forgiveness.

Madison is falling for Viggo and wanting to stay in Smugglers Cove. They figure out who threatened the diver shop owner and he was arrested.

I love Fern Michael's books. The only thing I feel that was a letdown is once they caught Geffory Wilson the book ended to soon. Thank you for the book!

[Roxanne Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realize that this book was part two but after a little bit of time, I was able to figure out the cast and enjoy this book.

Madison and Lincoln are siblings who inherit a marina from their uncle. Reliving their lives at the marina, they decide to refurbish it and maybe move to Smuggler's Cove at some point. Their lives away from Smuggler's Cove are very different but especially Madison starts to feel a pull to a different life style.

That's when things get mysterious. A map on the wall disappears and we are introduced to three brothers who have their own financial issues. They want to use the map to find Captain Kidd's lost treasure. One of the brothers is found dead and then the story takes on a life of its own. This was the perfect book to finish out my summer and the Madison's love story was so fun to read. Great book. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boat House by Fern Michaels is the second book in the Twin Lights series. I really enjoyed the first book and was excited to return to Smugglers Cove. I especially appreciated the recap at the beginning, which was a helpful reminder of the characters and backstory.

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. Reading this book felt like returning to old friends and catching up on what they’ve been doing since the first book. Michaels does a wonderful job of continuing their stories while keeping the characters engaging and relatable.

The audiobook narration by Eliza Foss was excellent and truly brought the story to life. Her performance, along with the overall production quality, made this an especially enjoyable listen.

Overall, I really enjoyed returning to Smugglers Cove and look forward to continuing the series.

Thank you to NetGalley & RBmedia | Recorded Books for letting me read this ARC.

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #2 in the Twin Lights series. Fern Michaels has many great books to her credit, and her series has many dedicated fans. The Boat House picks up where the first book left off. The twins have inherited a business from their uncle. They plan to clean up the aged buildings, then possibly sell it. But once they reach Smuggler's Cove, they fall in love with the people and the community. It's the perfect place to recover from the scandal caused by their father. The twins quickly become part of the community, but things change when a map is stolen from the boathouse. They really don't believe it's a treasure map, but what would make it so valuable that someone would steal it?

Fern Michaels' ability to trap readers inside a story never fades. The story is fast-paced, and the reveal is surprising. What more could you ask?

[Lisa Varo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boat House is the second in the series. I did not read the first book, but was easily able to gain enough information at the beginning of the story.

This audiobook was such a good easy listen. Great summer beach book. It has a little bit of everything: romance, a laid back kind of mystery, family dynamics, and a treasure map.

I am typically a thriller reader, but it was great to try something different. This is a nice easy listen with great narration by Eliza Foss. It felt like I was right there in Smuggler's cove along with them.

Thank you netgalley for this Advance Reader Copy.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boat House was an okay read for me overall. I stayed engaged while I was listening and never felt like I was struggling to get through it, but once I finished, I found myself moving on pretty quickly without giving the story much more thought.

The characters were fine, but I didn’t connect particularly deeply with any of them, which I think contributed to the book not having much staying power for me. The story held my attention in the moment, but there wasn’t anything that really stood out or stuck with me afterward.

Overall, this was an enjoyable-enough listen while I was in it, but not one that left a lasting impression.

[Christine Lussier · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, quick, summer read. I liked how the book started with a good recap of the previous one.
Madison and Lincoln are in Smuggler's Cove and it is the opening of Kirby's marina. As the celebrations are underway, a burgherly call comes in that someone has broken into the office & taken the map Uncle Kirby had drawn.
The story continues with a mystery man threatening one of their own, times changing for Madison both at work and personally. The story ends somewhat abruptly, however, the epilogue fills in the missing pieces.
Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Michaels, and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Abby Mace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of ARC from the publisher.
This book is the 2nd in the twin lights novels, and while I’m sure the first book would provide more background information I read this book as a standalone.
I felt this book could be read as a standalone as it flows very nicely all the characters relationships are reiterated so there’s no questioning who is who.
I do wish there was more mystery to this novel we knew from the beginning that Mikey and Arlo didn’t always have the best intentions and knew that they were involved with some minor crimes. Only one person‘s involvement was a mystery and I wish we would’ve seen that develop a bit more.
A very quick fast paced read

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boat House by Fern Michaels caught my attention as soon as I saw the book. I knew I wanted to listen to it because I am a huge Fern Michaels fan.
I was expecting mystery and intrigue as all her books I have read by her. I found this book to be lacking grit as her other books.
I listened to the audiobook and found the narrator to be wonderful at telling me the story. I was just not able to connect or really care what was happening in the book. The storyline was flat for me and there was not the same mystery as I wanted.
Thank you NetGalley, Fern Michaels and RBmedia for the audiobook of The Boat House.

[Jayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than book 1. (And if you haven't read book 1, you will lack a lot of background information)

I used to read Fern Michaels a lot- like circa 2000. She definitely has a different style that most romance writers today. Not that it is bad, just different. If I didn't know better, this could have been written 30 years ago.

As far as the story goes, both the mysteries in the town and the characters grow in this one. Slowly, but growth.
It is a very quick read.

I still don't love the audiobook narrator for this series (Eliza Foss). Her narration is fine. She just sounds a solid 20-30 years older than the characters.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read/listen to the first in this, but was thrilled to receive an advanced readers copy from this author. I probably would have benefitted from having experienced the first as many have said, but I still found this to be an enjoyable light “whodunit”. Interesting cast of characters (I mean that in the best way, not the snarky way it may read as. Promise). The small town, the romance, the light mystery of who, what and why that all led to a fabulous ending. The narration was terrific and added to the experience of the storyline. Love this author. and now I will be going back to get Smugglers Cove. Backwards, yes, but I still want to read it.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boat House by Fern Michaels

The story moves at a fast pace with well-developed characters, attention to detail, and a thrilling plot. A bit of mystery, a splash of romance, and some drama—secrets are slowly revealed, making for a slow burn.

Overall, I enjoyed The Boat House. I am a fan of Fern Michaels, and this did not disappoint. I plan on reading the first book in this series. A good read.

[Davida Chazan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars
I didn't read the first book in this series, but I'm not sure I missed much, since the author did include enough about what had happened before this book. That said, this had a touch too much romance and not enough mystery, since we can basically figure out who "done it" from early on. Still, it was a nice "beach read" even though I hate the beach!

You can read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/08/1...

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madison and Lincoln, siblings from NYC, have inherited a marina in New Jersey, with boathouse, from their long-lost uncle. They decide to renovate and spend the summer there. But some incidents occur, which are out of character for the small town.

This book has a mix of light mystery, romance, small town ambience. And maybe even a treasure map, that has been stolen.

I found the story OK, but I wished I had read the first book first so that I could have started reading with some of the background story.

I received an early version of the recorded book. I thank both the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to it.