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Summerland Cove: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 261 pages, MP3 CD
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
Ellen Baker
6 books387 followersEllen Baker is the author of the novels SUMMERLAND COVE (coming June 2), THE HIDDEN LIFE OF CECILY LARSON, KEEPING THE HOUSE, & I GAVE MY HEART TO KNOW THIS. She has worked as a museum curator and as a bookseller and event coordinator at an independent bookstore. Originally from the Upper Midwest, Ellen currently lives on the coast of Maine. Grab a list of her 20 all-time favorite novels here or a book club guide for THE HIDDEN LIFE OF CECILY LARSON here and you'll receive a sneak peek of SUMMERLAND COVE in your inbox.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set at a long-loved family cottage on the Maine coast, “Summerland Cove” kicks off with a summer packed full of big celebrations ahead - until one key person simply doesn’t show up, throwing everything into chaos. As the family searches for answers, old secrets start bobbing to the surface and relationships are pushed into uncomfortable, sometimes painful territory.
I loved this. It's a proper summer read—but not the glossy “nothing bad happens and everyone drinks rosé” kind. This one has bit more bite. You get salt air, nostalgia, tangled family dynamics… but also a steady drip of oh-no-what-actually-happened-here tension that kept me listening.
What worked for me were the characters—especially the women. I properly got invested in them. They’re not perfect, they mess up, they carry things they haven’t dealt with, but I ended up understanding them even when they were frustrating. It felt very real in that way.
And the whole theme around love and secrets… it’s not dramatic in a big twisty way, more like you gradually realise how much people never say out loud. The mental health angle really stood out too—it’s handled in a way that shows how it affects everyone around the person, not just the individual, which I thought was done really thoughtfully.
In regard to the audio production - having three narrators made such a difference. Giving a distinct voice to each of the main women just made it effortless to follow and added a bit more depth to how each perspective came across. All three performances felt grounded and natural. No over-the-top dramatics, just solid storytelling.
This is a really good summer audiobook if you want something absorbing but not fluffy. It’s got that coastal setting and family gathering vibe, but there’s enough going on underneath to keep you thinking about it afterwards.
Thank you to HarperAudioAdult, NetGalley and Ellen Baker for an advance listening copy of this book.
I loved this. It's a proper summer read—but not the glossy “nothing bad happens and everyone drinks rosé” kind. This one has bit more bite. You get salt air, nostalgia, tangled family dynamics… but also a steady drip of oh-no-what-actually-happened-here tension that kept me listening.
What worked for me were the characters—especially the women. I properly got invested in them. They’re not perfect, they mess up, they carry things they haven’t dealt with, but I ended up understanding them even when they were frustrating. It felt very real in that way.
And the whole theme around love and secrets… it’s not dramatic in a big twisty way, more like you gradually realise how much people never say out loud. The mental health angle really stood out too—it’s handled in a way that shows how it affects everyone around the person, not just the individual, which I thought was done really thoughtfully.
In regard to the audio production - having three narrators made such a difference. Giving a distinct voice to each of the main women just made it effortless to follow and added a bit more depth to how each perspective came across. All three performances felt grounded and natural. No over-the-top dramatics, just solid storytelling.
This is a really good summer audiobook if you want something absorbing but not fluffy. It’s got that coastal setting and family gathering vibe, but there’s enough going on underneath to keep you thinking about it afterwards.
Thank you to HarperAudioAdult, NetGalley and Ellen Baker for an advance listening copy of this book.
May 26, 2026
Goodness this swept me away and wouldn’t let go. The descriptive writing might be one of the best I’ve read? Truly, I felt and saw what the characters did… it was so immersive and we didn’t skip any steps on how they were feeling and processing. It was a slower paced deep dive into each character thoughts and I LOVED how well fleshed out everyone was. Highly recommend if you want a story saturated in Summertime atmosphere but with more emotional grit!
What I loved:
- The atmosphere!I loved all the descriptions and setting. The waves lapping, butter dripping from the lobster shells, the bicycle rides around the cove with the sun warming their skin. Just utter perfection, I need to book a trip to Maine asap!
- The emotions! I honestly didn’t expect to FEEL quite as much as I did with this one. I couldn’t help putting myself in the characters shoes due to the deep POV’s. I was deeply invested the entire time.
- The mystery & drama mashup! I really feel the mystery of what happened to David mixed with the family drama complimented each other so well. Truly such a great book.
Thank you to Harper Audio and Ellen Baker for the advanced listeners copy. The multicast audio made this a fantastic listen! All thoughts and opinions are my own and this is my voluntary review.
What I loved:
- The atmosphere!I loved all the descriptions and setting. The waves lapping, butter dripping from the lobster shells, the bicycle rides around the cove with the sun warming their skin. Just utter perfection, I need to book a trip to Maine asap!
- The emotions! I honestly didn’t expect to FEEL quite as much as I did with this one. I couldn’t help putting myself in the characters shoes due to the deep POV’s. I was deeply invested the entire time.
- The mystery & drama mashup! I really feel the mystery of what happened to David mixed with the family drama complimented each other so well. Truly such a great book.
Thank you to Harper Audio and Ellen Baker for the advanced listeners copy. The multicast audio made this a fantastic listen! All thoughts and opinions are my own and this is my voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Summerland Cove was an enjoyable book. I liked the family dynamics, secrets from the past, and the multi-generational connection between Greta, Lyndi and Hailey. This was an emotional story that has some good realistic aspects. However, I did think that the search for David was a little drawn out. I also would have liked more of a storyline for Hailey and Jack. The coastal setting was a nice backdrop to the story and added a layer of visualization that you don't always get in books.
I thought the multicast narration by Jane Oppenheimer, Rebekkah Ross, and Robin Siegerman was excellent. The slight difference in tone was a nice addition to the story and allowed me to connect with each character better.
Nothing stood out to really wow me, but overall I enjoyed the book. It was a great listen while on a recent road trip.
3.5 stars
Thank you HarperAudio, Ellen Baker and NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I thought the multicast narration by Jane Oppenheimer, Rebekkah Ross, and Robin Siegerman was excellent. The slight difference in tone was a nice addition to the story and allowed me to connect with each character better.
Nothing stood out to really wow me, but overall I enjoyed the book. It was a great listen while on a recent road trip.
3.5 stars
Thank you HarperAudio, Ellen Baker and NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews