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The Shark Club
One summer day on the beach in Florida, two extraordinary things happen to Maeve Donnelly. First, she is kissed by Daniel, the boy of her dreams. Then, she is bitten by a blacktip shark.
Eighteen years later, Maeve has thrown herself into her work as a world-travelling marine biologist discovering more about the minds of misunderstood sharks. But when Maeve returns home to the legendarily charming and eccentric Hotel of the Muses where she was raised by her grandmother, she finds more than just the blood orange sunsets and key lime pies she’s missed waiting for her.
While Maeve has always been fearless in the water, on land she is indecisive. A chance meeting on the beach with a plucky, irresistible little girl who is just as fascinated by the ocean as Maeve was growing up leaves her at a crossroads: Should she rekindle her romance with Daniel, the first love she left behind when she dove into her work? Or indulge in a new romance with her colleague, Nicholas, who turns up in her hometown to investigate an illegal shark-finning operation?
Eighteen years later, Maeve has thrown herself into her work as a world-travelling marine biologist discovering more about the minds of misunderstood sharks. But when Maeve returns home to the legendarily charming and eccentric Hotel of the Muses where she was raised by her grandmother, she finds more than just the blood orange sunsets and key lime pies she’s missed waiting for her.
While Maeve has always been fearless in the water, on land she is indecisive. A chance meeting on the beach with a plucky, irresistible little girl who is just as fascinated by the ocean as Maeve was growing up leaves her at a crossroads: Should she rekindle her romance with Daniel, the first love she left behind when she dove into her work? Or indulge in a new romance with her colleague, Nicholas, who turns up in her hometown to investigate an illegal shark-finning operation?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2017
343 people are currently reading
8233 people want to read
About the author
Ann Kidd Taylor
5 books227 followersAnn Kidd Taylor is the author of the novel The Shark Club and coauthor of Traveling with Pomegranates, a memoir written with her mother, Sue Monk Kidd. Published by Viking in 2009, it appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times list, and has been published in several languages.
Ann lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and two dogs.
Ann lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 801 reviews
December 13, 2019
Maeve Donnelly is living her dream life, as a marine biologist, travelling around the world studying her beloved sharks. After being bitten by a shark as a child Maeve has now given her life to studying and rescuing them, trying to raise public awareness to the plight of these much maligned creatures, with eighty million a year being slaughtered. With a budding romance with colleague Nicholas, and an eminent trip to Mozambique to study whale sharks, Maeve's life is looking rosy.
A couple of months between trips sees her heading back to her hometown, where the grandmother who raised her owns a popular hotel, with Maeve's twin brother working there as manager. But all is not as it should be there. Someone is killing the local sharks for their fins, and Maeve goes on a crusade to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Added to that Maeve's ex fiancé turns up with his young daughter in tow. A girl who was conceived while Maeve was on one of her trips leading up to their wedding, a betrayal she has never gotten over, and Maeve finds herself struggling with old feelings.
A quick, enjoyable read, The Shark Club truly brings the plight of sharks to the reader, added with romance and a suspenseful subplot of shark finning, it adds up to a lovely way to spend the afternoon. A great beach read, just watch out for sharks...
A couple of months between trips sees her heading back to her hometown, where the grandmother who raised her owns a popular hotel, with Maeve's twin brother working there as manager. But all is not as it should be there. Someone is killing the local sharks for their fins, and Maeve goes on a crusade to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Added to that Maeve's ex fiancé turns up with his young daughter in tow. A girl who was conceived while Maeve was on one of her trips leading up to their wedding, a betrayal she has never gotten over, and Maeve finds herself struggling with old feelings.
A quick, enjoyable read, The Shark Club truly brings the plight of sharks to the reader, added with romance and a suspenseful subplot of shark finning, it adds up to a lovely way to spend the afternoon. A great beach read, just watch out for sharks...
July 19, 2020
I'm really bummed that a book I initially found so charming turned out to be so insidiously problematic. (If you look through my reading progress updates for this book, there's a comically clear divide between my nonstop gushing and appalled frustration. Lol.)
I don't have the energy for a full review, but here's a list of things I liked/disliked about The Shark Club:
PROS:
• Precocious kid who loves prehistoric mega-creatures of the sea
• Marine biology geekage
• Beautiful coastal metaphors and ocean-related imagery
• Totally dreamy library hotel with author-themed rooms (each with their own quote painted on the wall!)
CONS:
• Why is it always the woman’s duty to accommodate and comfort the man? To see things from his perspective and acknowledge the validity of his points? More importantly—why was this portrayed as NATURAL AND NORMAL in this book?
• Maeve consistently second-guesses her own feelings and experiences in deference to Daniel’s
• Serious problems arise but none of the characters deal with them in any meaningful way—like when then was let off with barely a slap on the wrist, and they hugged him and essentially wrote it off as "boys being boys" (being overly quick to forgive didn't feel kind here, it felt encouraging of toxic behaviour)
• Her brother wrote an intimate book about her life without her consent and it was resolved halfheartedly
• All the characters are white
• Some dabbling in white conservationism (e.g., condemning the traditional shark-hunting practices of Indigenous Kontu peoples)
• Totally unbelievable insta-reunion with her childhood love; sends a message that Maeve (and other women) should just put up with awful treatment and take the guy back without discussion or any sort of meaningful change
• Said guy is jealous, possessive, gaslighting; guilts her into doubting her own ambitions; and has anger issues—none of which are addressed
• Zero chemistry with either of the two guys in her love triangle
I don't have the energy for a full review, but here's a list of things I liked/disliked about The Shark Club:
PROS:
• Precocious kid who loves prehistoric mega-creatures of the sea
• Marine biology geekage
• Beautiful coastal metaphors and ocean-related imagery
• Totally dreamy library hotel with author-themed rooms (each with their own quote painted on the wall!)
CONS:
• Why is it always the woman’s duty to accommodate and comfort the man? To see things from his perspective and acknowledge the validity of his points? More importantly—why was this portrayed as NATURAL AND NORMAL in this book?
• Maeve consistently second-guesses her own feelings and experiences in deference to Daniel’s
• Serious problems arise but none of the characters deal with them in any meaningful way—like when then was let off with barely a slap on the wrist, and they hugged him and essentially wrote it off as "boys being boys" (being overly quick to forgive didn't feel kind here, it felt encouraging of toxic behaviour)
• Her brother wrote an intimate book about her life without her consent and it was resolved halfheartedly
• All the characters are white
• Some dabbling in white conservationism (e.g., condemning the traditional shark-hunting practices of Indigenous Kontu peoples)
• Totally unbelievable insta-reunion with her childhood love; sends a message that Maeve (and other women) should just put up with awful treatment and take the guy back without discussion or any sort of meaningful change
• Said guy is jealous, possessive, gaslighting; guilts her into doubting her own ambitions; and has anger issues—none of which are addressed
• Zero chemistry with either of the two guys in her love triangle
July 9, 2017
The Shark Club has romance, heartbreak, family drama, grief/loss, Florida love, a mild mystery, and it brings attention to the barbaric practice of shark finning. This book will make you want to find your way to the ocean and dive in. It will make you want to have saltwater in your hair, the sun on your skin, and freckles on your nose. It'll make you want to advocate for animals that cannot advocate for themselves...yes, even leg-biting sharks. And it will make you want to find your mini-me and encourage the heck out of her (or him) to follow their heart and reach for the stars. The Shark Club was a wonderful debut. Check it out ♥️
My favorite quote:
“Whatever makes you feel alive, you ought to pay attention to it. If it makes you happy, it's worth following.”
My favorite quote:
“Whatever makes you feel alive, you ought to pay attention to it. If it makes you happy, it's worth following.”
August 21, 2023
I came across this book by accident. I had been doing a library search online for a completely different book, when this one came up. I am so glad it did.
This is the debut novel of Ann Kidd Taylor, the daughter of acclaimed novelist Sue Monk Kidd. The two previously collaborated on a bestselling memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates, in which young Ann ponders her direction in life. Apparently, her direction is the family business of writing.
This is a beach read of a different type, with a first-person narrator, Dr. Maeve Donnelly who happens to be a marine biologist specializing in sharks pursuing her research throughout the world. Maeve has loved sharks since the day she was first kissed by the love of her life, Daniel and nearly killed when bitten by a shark.
Maeve’s backstory is related through all these childhood, grown-up episodes of her life. Including the before story of when at age 6, Maeve and her twin brother, Robin were suddenly orphaned when their parents’ small plane crashed in the Everglades and they were sent to live with their grandmother Perri in a literary-themed hotel on an island off the Florida’s Gulf Coast. Daniel, 3 years older, befriends both Maeve and Robin, since his father abandoned his mother and him.
It seems inevitable that Maeve and Daniel would end-up together, but things happen and that is not the eventual outcome we readers expected.
Instead...
They go off to become the scientist and chef, respectively.
When Maeve returns from one of her trips, she is greeted by one of the reasons why Maeve and Daniel are no longer together...
Hazel, his now 6-year-old daughter.
Hazel is a delightful character – silly, serious and completely unselfconscious. And a perfect reason for giving the book its title.
There was much to appreciate about the story of Maeve and Daniel, and I could feel all the angst and love between the two of them. Will they or won’t they succeed at a second chance at love together - especially with the precocious Hazel?
But then wait...
There is Nicholas someone who Maeve worked alongside. Could he be her forever instead?
What does Maeve want with her life?
And does Robin, her twin ever grow up?
He seems to have failed at everything he has attempted even when he has been hand given every possible opportunity – and now he has a novel he insists that Maeve read that is finally going to be published.
Is it her and Daniel’s story – or something else?
In the midst of these decisions, there’s a group of people harvesting shark fins illegally and they could be very close to home.
Was that mystery necessary to this story?
Still…
Who doesn’t love Perri (grandmother) and Marco, the man who has stood by her all these years? Can we look forward to something for them?
There is a lot of love between these pages. Imperfect. But still something to appreciate.
This is a…
Flawed story that jumped a bit between shark research to a potential love triangle to …. (no spoilers from me) that left me with a bit of whiplash.
But…
It still was an engaging story.
This is the debut novel of Ann Kidd Taylor, the daughter of acclaimed novelist Sue Monk Kidd. The two previously collaborated on a bestselling memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates, in which young Ann ponders her direction in life. Apparently, her direction is the family business of writing.
This is a beach read of a different type, with a first-person narrator, Dr. Maeve Donnelly who happens to be a marine biologist specializing in sharks pursuing her research throughout the world. Maeve has loved sharks since the day she was first kissed by the love of her life, Daniel and nearly killed when bitten by a shark.
Maeve’s backstory is related through all these childhood, grown-up episodes of her life. Including the before story of when at age 6, Maeve and her twin brother, Robin were suddenly orphaned when their parents’ small plane crashed in the Everglades and they were sent to live with their grandmother Perri in a literary-themed hotel on an island off the Florida’s Gulf Coast. Daniel, 3 years older, befriends both Maeve and Robin, since his father abandoned his mother and him.
It seems inevitable that Maeve and Daniel would end-up together, but things happen and that is not the eventual outcome we readers expected.
Instead...
They go off to become the scientist and chef, respectively.
When Maeve returns from one of her trips, she is greeted by one of the reasons why Maeve and Daniel are no longer together...
Hazel, his now 6-year-old daughter.
Hazel is a delightful character – silly, serious and completely unselfconscious. And a perfect reason for giving the book its title.
There was much to appreciate about the story of Maeve and Daniel, and I could feel all the angst and love between the two of them. Will they or won’t they succeed at a second chance at love together - especially with the precocious Hazel?
But then wait...
There is Nicholas someone who Maeve worked alongside. Could he be her forever instead?
What does Maeve want with her life?
And does Robin, her twin ever grow up?
He seems to have failed at everything he has attempted even when he has been hand given every possible opportunity – and now he has a novel he insists that Maeve read that is finally going to be published.
Is it her and Daniel’s story – or something else?
In the midst of these decisions, there’s a group of people harvesting shark fins illegally and they could be very close to home.
Was that mystery necessary to this story?
Still…
Who doesn’t love Perri (grandmother) and Marco, the man who has stood by her all these years? Can we look forward to something for them?
There is a lot of love between these pages. Imperfect. But still something to appreciate.
This is a…
Flawed story that jumped a bit between shark research to a potential love triangle to …. (no spoilers from me) that left me with a bit of whiplash.
But…
It still was an engaging story.
July 17, 2019
3,5 stars. Awww, this was perfect! A summer contemporary that is both cute and informative, and with loads of cool sharks 🦈
The start of this novel is immediately a good one. When Maeve is 13, two incredible things happen to her: she’s kissed by her crush Daniel, and she’s bitten by a blacktip shark. 18 years later, Maeve is a marine biologist still obsessed with sharks, and neither is she over her love for Daniel.
I was more enamored by Maeve’s love for the first, because her enthusiasm is infectious and the shark knowledge you learn through the story is interesting. Ann Taylor did her marine research well!
The story itself is less surprising and slowed down around the middle, but I was entertained the whole time. The Hotel of the Muses at the beach is a beautiful setting and all the scenes taking place there made me wish I could visit.
The whole cast of characters, from cheeky Hazel to Maeve’s book-loving grandmother, all brought a smile to my face.
However, the mystery at the end was a bit random and was wrapped up in an unsatisfying way. Still, this summer contemporary charmed me from start to finish (and Maeve ended up with the man I wanted: nice! 😊).
A perfect book to take with you to the beach, even if you’re afraid of sharks!
The start of this novel is immediately a good one. When Maeve is 13, two incredible things happen to her: she’s kissed by her crush Daniel, and she’s bitten by a blacktip shark. 18 years later, Maeve is a marine biologist still obsessed with sharks, and neither is she over her love for Daniel.
I was more enamored by Maeve’s love for the first, because her enthusiasm is infectious and the shark knowledge you learn through the story is interesting. Ann Taylor did her marine research well!
The story itself is less surprising and slowed down around the middle, but I was entertained the whole time. The Hotel of the Muses at the beach is a beautiful setting and all the scenes taking place there made me wish I could visit.
The whole cast of characters, from cheeky Hazel to Maeve’s book-loving grandmother, all brought a smile to my face.
However, the mystery at the end was a bit random and was wrapped up in an unsatisfying way. Still, this summer contemporary charmed me from start to finish (and Maeve ended up with the man I wanted: nice! 😊).
A perfect book to take with you to the beach, even if you’re afraid of sharks!
May 12, 2017
(3.5) Dr. Maeve Donnelly loves sharks even though she was bitten by one as a child. Instead of giving in to fear and hatred, she sought to understand sharks and now is a leading researcher with a Florida conservancy and travels around the world to gather data. Her professional life goes from strength to strength, but her personal life is another matter. At age 30, she’s still smarting from a broken engagement to her childhood sweetheart, Daniel, and isn’t sure she’s ready to open her heart to Nicholas, a British colleague who’s going through a divorce.
Things get complicated when Daniel returns to their southwest Florida island to work as the chef at her grandmother’s Hotel des Muses – with his six-year-old daughter in tow. Maeve is soon taken with the precocious Hazel, who founds the title club (pledge: “With this fin, I do swear. To love sharks even when they bite. When they lose their teeth, I will find them. When I catch one, I will let it go”), but doubts whether she can pick up where she left off with Daniel. Meanwhile, she has larger concerns on her mind: evidence has been found of a major shark finning operation in the area, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it.
This is a little bit romance and a little bit mystery, and Taylor brings the Florida Keys setting to vibrant life. It took me a while to suspend my disbelief about Maeve’s far-fetched background – can she really be an orphan whose parents died in a plane crash and a twin and a shark bite survivor and a kid brought up in a kooky author-themed hotel? – but once I did I settled into her voice and enjoyed the sweet yet unpredictable story line. This reminded me most of The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living and Mermaids in Paradise. It’s nothing earth-shattering, but it’ll be great light reading for a summer day at the beach. Releases June 6th.
A shortened version of this review was originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
Things get complicated when Daniel returns to their southwest Florida island to work as the chef at her grandmother’s Hotel des Muses – with his six-year-old daughter in tow. Maeve is soon taken with the precocious Hazel, who founds the title club (pledge: “With this fin, I do swear. To love sharks even when they bite. When they lose their teeth, I will find them. When I catch one, I will let it go”), but doubts whether she can pick up where she left off with Daniel. Meanwhile, she has larger concerns on her mind: evidence has been found of a major shark finning operation in the area, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it.
This is a little bit romance and a little bit mystery, and Taylor brings the Florida Keys setting to vibrant life. It took me a while to suspend my disbelief about Maeve’s far-fetched background – can she really be an orphan whose parents died in a plane crash and a twin and a shark bite survivor and a kid brought up in a kooky author-themed hotel? – but once I did I settled into her voice and enjoyed the sweet yet unpredictable story line. This reminded me most of The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living and Mermaids in Paradise. It’s nothing earth-shattering, but it’ll be great light reading for a summer day at the beach. Releases June 6th.
A shortened version of this review was originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
September 30, 2018
Such a funny, light read. I enjoyed this very much a good read if you want something easy and enjoyable! 4 stars. 🌟
July 2, 2017
I feel like this book is a small fragment of what could be a much larger story. Give these characters and the ideas for their storyline to Ken Follett and you would have an epic tome and I am sorry that we don't. I love all the ideas in this this book, but it certainly left me wanting more. Brief summary: Floridians Maeve and her twin brother Robin are orphaned at age six and move in with their Grandmother, Perri, to the hotel which she owns. At age 12 Maeve is bitten by a shark and thus blossoms her love for the creatures, as well as her love for childhood friend Daniel. The book opens on her 30th birthday as she swims with sharks, now a marine biologist, and we relive her past and face her future over three months during a sabbatical back at home in Perri's hotel. There is so much in this story, but sadly so much is left out!
I want a whole section dedicated to life before age six and the parents' deaths. I want those years up to age 12 spelled out as the twins deal with their pain and form a bond with their grandmother. I want to sit next to Maeve's hospital bed while she transitions from shark victim to shark champion. I want the high school and college years as Robin runs amok and Maeve and Daniel fall in love in graphic detail. I want Perri and Marco's story written across the page. I want the entire episode, from Daniel's point of view, of Maeve's time in Fiji, and then, from Maeve's point of view, of the struggle after. I want the entire six months on Bimini so we can fall in love with the sharks as Maeve does. I want the crime of finning to be a mystery that rocks the whole island instead of being a lightly touched subplot. I want to explore the theme that as Maeve is saving the sharks, she is actually saving herself. I want to watch Perri paint every quote onto the walls of her hotel while each character grows, each relationship builds, each transgression strikes a blow. It's all in there, briefly, but I just want more. I want to be deeply invested but in reality, I did not really care about the finnings, I didn't really like or dislike any character too much, and I had actually forgotten about Perri and Marco until the very end. It was all very "eh".
As far as the characters go, there are quite a few, and they all have the potential to be so very interesting: Maeve, the practical scientist; Robin, the brokenhearted bad boy; Perri, the eccentric grandmother; Daniel, the chef with abandonment issues; Hazel, searching for a mother-figure. And these are only the main characters, what about the others? Van, Marco, Nicholas, Libby, Troy, Rachel, Russell- all have a hint of a back story dropped in there but never explored. Again, we are left wanting more. In fact the hotel, the ocean, and the sharks themselves are all characters that need to be explored, but we are left without. The Hotel of the Muses is just about the coolest setting that I have ever read with the exception of maybe Hogwarts. I want to walk down its hallways and attend every annual Book Bash the hotel has, but sadly, we only get invited to one.
To her credit, Ann Kidd Taylor is a gifted wordsmith like her mother Sue Monk Kidd, and for a debut novel, this is quite good. But, at a mere 271 pages, she doesn't give herself the room to dig deeper into her creation which I find truly lacking. Instead we are left with easy, fluffy chick-lit. We have enough chick-lit already. With ideas, characters, and writing as delightful as Taylor's, we need more epics.
I want a whole section dedicated to life before age six and the parents' deaths. I want those years up to age 12 spelled out as the twins deal with their pain and form a bond with their grandmother. I want to sit next to Maeve's hospital bed while she transitions from shark victim to shark champion. I want the high school and college years as Robin runs amok and Maeve and Daniel fall in love in graphic detail. I want Perri and Marco's story written across the page. I want the entire episode, from Daniel's point of view, of Maeve's time in Fiji, and then, from Maeve's point of view, of the struggle after. I want the entire six months on Bimini so we can fall in love with the sharks as Maeve does. I want the crime of finning to be a mystery that rocks the whole island instead of being a lightly touched subplot. I want to explore the theme that as Maeve is saving the sharks, she is actually saving herself. I want to watch Perri paint every quote onto the walls of her hotel while each character grows, each relationship builds, each transgression strikes a blow. It's all in there, briefly, but I just want more. I want to be deeply invested but in reality, I did not really care about the finnings, I didn't really like or dislike any character too much, and I had actually forgotten about Perri and Marco until the very end. It was all very "eh".
As far as the characters go, there are quite a few, and they all have the potential to be so very interesting: Maeve, the practical scientist; Robin, the brokenhearted bad boy; Perri, the eccentric grandmother; Daniel, the chef with abandonment issues; Hazel, searching for a mother-figure. And these are only the main characters, what about the others? Van, Marco, Nicholas, Libby, Troy, Rachel, Russell- all have a hint of a back story dropped in there but never explored. Again, we are left wanting more. In fact the hotel, the ocean, and the sharks themselves are all characters that need to be explored, but we are left without. The Hotel of the Muses is just about the coolest setting that I have ever read with the exception of maybe Hogwarts. I want to walk down its hallways and attend every annual Book Bash the hotel has, but sadly, we only get invited to one.
To her credit, Ann Kidd Taylor is a gifted wordsmith like her mother Sue Monk Kidd, and for a debut novel, this is quite good. But, at a mere 271 pages, she doesn't give herself the room to dig deeper into her creation which I find truly lacking. Instead we are left with easy, fluffy chick-lit. We have enough chick-lit already. With ideas, characters, and writing as delightful as Taylor's, we need more epics.
January 28, 2018
It was a fun read. I read it in a day and I love that it was lighter than what I normally read.
But yikes! No way can I buy the premise that even though her fiancé cheated on her, she was missing out on an incredible life with him because she couldn’t forgive. Just... no. On so many levels, no. I also couldn’t stomach the idea that the author tried to share the blame of daniel’s cheating with Maeve because she was traveling for a job she loved. He was a human trash guy, and I didn’t like their story together from the start.
And the ”suspense” plot was stupid.
A fun read, but I don’t recommend it.
But yikes! No way can I buy the premise that even though her fiancé cheated on her, she was missing out on an incredible life with him because she couldn’t forgive. Just... no. On so many levels, no. I also couldn’t stomach the idea that the author tried to share the blame of daniel’s cheating with Maeve because she was traveling for a job she loved. He was a human trash guy, and I didn’t like their story together from the start.
And the ”suspense” plot was stupid.
A fun read, but I don’t recommend it.
June 1, 2017
An enjoyable story that is a perfect summer read. It was a nice blend of romance, family drama and even a mystery thrown in. The characters were engaging and I just loved Hazel and her curiosity. The ending was ok for me, although it felt a little rushed. I was hoping for a different ending. Hazel's relationship with Maeve and the Shark Club was great. I found all of the information on sharks and marine life very interesting. This is the first book I have read by Ann Kidd Taylor, but it won't be the last!
I received an ARC from Penguin First to Read.
I received an ARC from Penguin First to Read.
February 20, 2017
The sharks in this book were way more interesting than the humans. More Shark Club, less love triangle!
May 14, 2017
I love when I finish the final page of a book with a big smile on my face and a huge sigh of goodness on my lips. This book did that for me.
From the first pages when I met Maeve and discovered what led to her fascination with sharks to the final moments when I discovered what life choices she would make and why, I was simply riveted to the page and cheering her on. I found myself greatly admiring her for her ability to make difficult life choices and discovering what truly mattered to her, rather than letting life just lead her along. I loved her dedication to the thing she loved, even though that thing, a shark, had injured her many years before.
The setting in the book, The Hotel of the Muses, was a bit of a character in itself and of course it's affiliation with all things bookish was fabulously delicious, as was the beautiful ocean. I loved the moments spent on the beach and in the ocean with the sea creatures, those moments came alive for me and had me wishing I was there.
The whole cast of characters just felt like family to me, and I loved so many of them. There were some very tender moments and the emotion that ran through the whole book made me so very happy.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of family drama, mixed with a little mystery, and topped off with a fabulous heroine who makes the whole book worth reading. She's divine. And I loved everything about this glorious book.
From the first pages when I met Maeve and discovered what led to her fascination with sharks to the final moments when I discovered what life choices she would make and why, I was simply riveted to the page and cheering her on. I found myself greatly admiring her for her ability to make difficult life choices and discovering what truly mattered to her, rather than letting life just lead her along. I loved her dedication to the thing she loved, even though that thing, a shark, had injured her many years before.
The setting in the book, The Hotel of the Muses, was a bit of a character in itself and of course it's affiliation with all things bookish was fabulously delicious, as was the beautiful ocean. I loved the moments spent on the beach and in the ocean with the sea creatures, those moments came alive for me and had me wishing I was there.
The whole cast of characters just felt like family to me, and I loved so many of them. There were some very tender moments and the emotion that ran through the whole book made me so very happy.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of family drama, mixed with a little mystery, and topped off with a fabulous heroine who makes the whole book worth reading. She's divine. And I loved everything about this glorious book.
July 17, 2022
I picked this book up from a Half Price Books clearance sale and I bought it without knowing anything about it except for the fact it had shark in the title. Turns out this was a way better book than I expected it to be. It was short and sweet.
I loved the MC Maeve and her love for sharks even after getting bit as a child. There was a little bit of everything in this book - shark facts, a love triangle, and a bit of mystery. I did wish that this book had a little bit more spice to it but it didn't take away from the storyline itself.
I constantly felt torn while reading because I wanted Maeve to choose Nicholas so bad but I also loved her relationship with Daniel's daughter, Hazel. The setting is absolutely amazing and I could just imagine the Hotel of Muses. All of the characters had these amazing differences and backstories. The only thing I would change about this book is wanting a little more. A little more history and character development and more about what happens next.
The fun setting, accurate shark facts, a little mystery, and an amazing love triangle. Easily this book earned a 4-star rating and I am honestly not sure why it isn't more popular.
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I loved the MC Maeve and her love for sharks even after getting bit as a child. There was a little bit of everything in this book - shark facts, a love triangle, and a bit of mystery. I did wish that this book had a little bit more spice to it but it didn't take away from the storyline itself.
I constantly felt torn while reading because I wanted Maeve to choose Nicholas so bad but I also loved her relationship with Daniel's daughter, Hazel. The setting is absolutely amazing and I could just imagine the Hotel of Muses. All of the characters had these amazing differences and backstories. The only thing I would change about this book is wanting a little more. A little more history and character development and more about what happens next.
The fun setting, accurate shark facts, a little mystery, and an amazing love triangle. Easily this book earned a 4-star rating and I am honestly not sure why it isn't more popular.
----------
For more book reviews, check out my Instagram:
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June 28, 2017
A more complete review is available on my blog:
http://reviewsofbooksonmynightstand.b...
The characters were a little bit predictable in the book and, while the shark finning mystery was a bit of a surprise, it was also a little bit anticlimactic but I actually enjoyed reading this book. It is a wonderful beach book. Even though it addresses issues like animal cruelty and infidelity, it still had a laid back feel and I enjoyed the romance between the characters. I really love Taylor's easygoing writing style. While it was very different from Sue Monk Kidd's southern fiction, I really liked Taylor's Florida-based novel. It is a great book for someone who enjoys women's fiction or romance novels, especially if they also love animals.
Thank you to Viking and Penguin's First to Read program for an advanced copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
http://reviewsofbooksonmynightstand.b...
The characters were a little bit predictable in the book and, while the shark finning mystery was a bit of a surprise, it was also a little bit anticlimactic but I actually enjoyed reading this book. It is a wonderful beach book. Even though it addresses issues like animal cruelty and infidelity, it still had a laid back feel and I enjoyed the romance between the characters. I really love Taylor's easygoing writing style. While it was very different from Sue Monk Kidd's southern fiction, I really liked Taylor's Florida-based novel. It is a great book for someone who enjoys women's fiction or romance novels, especially if they also love animals.
Thank you to Viking and Penguin's First to Read program for an advanced copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
June 22, 2024
Aš ne tik dievinu jūrą, bet jai jaučiu ir pagarbią baimę. Prisimenu, kaip vaikystėje besimaudydama mūsų Baltijoje, vis bijojau, kad neatplauktų ryklys. Tad ši knyga mane užbūrė. Prisipažinsiu, ne kartą ir ne du guglinau ir ieškojai čia aprašomų ne tik ryklių, bet ir kitų jūros gyvūnų. Knygoje meilės istorija susipina su meile gamtai, rykliams, tai kelionė į savęs pažinimą, atleidimą, susitaikymą. Lengvas rašymo stilius, nuostabūs vaizdai, įdomūs personažai - ir štai, turime puikų vasaros romaną.
January 11, 2021
"Hotel de las musas" ha sido para mi uno de esos libros sencillos y complicados a la vez. Sencillo porque me enganchó rápidamente y me mantuvo en todo momento con el gusanillo de querer saber más. Y complicado por algo puramente personal, soy tremendamente empática con todo lo que tiene que ver con los animales y esta historia abre los ojos a ciertas prácticas que me producían muchísima angustia.
Nos encontramos con una protagonista que quizá inconscientemente está un poco anclada en el pasado, en lo que podría haber sido y no fue, pero que aparentemente estaría avanzando. De un incidente de su niñez acabó sacando la vocación de su vida y ahora se dedica al estudio de los tiburones, en concreto el tiburón limón que por cierto es una preciosidad. A raíz del trabajo conoce a Nicholas, un personaje que junto al de Maeve, me ha encantado. Empieza lo que podrían ser los inicios de una relación, pero por distintas circunstancias Maeve vuelve al hogar de su infancia, el hotel de su abuela y allí se reencuentra con su familia (con la que tiene una relación un tanto distante) y con él que fue el amor de su vida, pero con el que acabó de una forma bastante desagradable. En este momento surge la encrucijada para Maeve, donde tiene que tomar decisiones que marcarán su futuro y donde puede que aprenda que lo en un momento pensábamos que era todo lo que queríamos, no tiene por qué seguir siéndolo.
Sobre los personajes ya he comentado que Maeve y Nicholas son de mis favoritos, pero hay otro más que entraría en esta lista y es Hazel, me ha parecido encantadora. De los demás, sin embargo, no puedo decir lo mismo. Sentía mucha frustración con la familia de Maeve porque hay actitudes que no he entendido para nada y que me habrían vuelto loca de haberlas sufrido en mis carnes, Maeve tiene mucha más paciencia que yo, lo del hermano y su libro es de traca. Y Daniel, el tercero en discordia en lo que sería el triángulo amoroso… bueno, pues está ahí y hay que sufrirle, no se puede hacer otra cosa, cualquiera que me lea se dará cuenta de que no es precisamente santo de mi devoción.
Hablando en general, el estilo me ha resultado muy fácil de leer y creo que sería complicado adivinar solo por este libro que en realidad es su primera novela. Recomiendo mucho esta lectura, creo que la autora ha hecho un gran trabajo y además no solo se ha centrado en la trama amorosa, sino que ha traído a colación un tema super interesante y muy desconocido para muchos, del que creo que el lector puede aprender mucho. Y para ir terminando solo añadiré como algo anecdótico, que el hecho de que las habitaciones del hotel sean temáticas (cada una es de un autor clásico) me ha parecido una maravilla, yo me alojaría en la habitación Austen sin dudar.
Nos encontramos con una protagonista que quizá inconscientemente está un poco anclada en el pasado, en lo que podría haber sido y no fue, pero que aparentemente estaría avanzando. De un incidente de su niñez acabó sacando la vocación de su vida y ahora se dedica al estudio de los tiburones, en concreto el tiburón limón que por cierto es una preciosidad. A raíz del trabajo conoce a Nicholas, un personaje que junto al de Maeve, me ha encantado. Empieza lo que podrían ser los inicios de una relación, pero por distintas circunstancias Maeve vuelve al hogar de su infancia, el hotel de su abuela y allí se reencuentra con su familia (con la que tiene una relación un tanto distante) y con él que fue el amor de su vida, pero con el que acabó de una forma bastante desagradable. En este momento surge la encrucijada para Maeve, donde tiene que tomar decisiones que marcarán su futuro y donde puede que aprenda que lo en un momento pensábamos que era todo lo que queríamos, no tiene por qué seguir siéndolo.
Sobre los personajes ya he comentado que Maeve y Nicholas son de mis favoritos, pero hay otro más que entraría en esta lista y es Hazel, me ha parecido encantadora. De los demás, sin embargo, no puedo decir lo mismo. Sentía mucha frustración con la familia de Maeve porque hay actitudes que no he entendido para nada y que me habrían vuelto loca de haberlas sufrido en mis carnes, Maeve tiene mucha más paciencia que yo, lo del hermano y su libro es de traca. Y Daniel, el tercero en discordia en lo que sería el triángulo amoroso… bueno, pues está ahí y hay que sufrirle, no se puede hacer otra cosa, cualquiera que me lea se dará cuenta de que no es precisamente santo de mi devoción.
Hablando en general, el estilo me ha resultado muy fácil de leer y creo que sería complicado adivinar solo por este libro que en realidad es su primera novela. Recomiendo mucho esta lectura, creo que la autora ha hecho un gran trabajo y además no solo se ha centrado en la trama amorosa, sino que ha traído a colación un tema super interesante y muy desconocido para muchos, del que creo que el lector puede aprender mucho. Y para ir terminando solo añadiré como algo anecdótico, que el hecho de que las habitaciones del hotel sean temáticas (cada una es de un autor clásico) me ha parecido una maravilla, yo me alojaría en la habitación Austen sin dudar.
March 5, 2018
In the southwest Florida, Maeve is a marine scientists, they called her the shark whisper. When people ask Maeve why she loves sharks she tells them the truth that she was bitten by one when she was twelve. The strangest thing is that author Ann Kidd Taylor used to look for shark teeth with her brother when they were kids. Author Sue Monk Kidd is Ann Kidd Taylor's mother.
October 20, 2019
What a great summer read! Just the right amount of cute romance, mystery and drama. While being nice and light, it also had some darker undertones that got me thinking about the different ways people deal with loss. Do you bottle it all up inside? Do you face that loss head on? Do you talk about it, or just ignore it ever happened? There are so many ways, whether good or bad. Who’s to say what the right way is?
There is also a note of mystery to it as Maeve tries to find out who is finning sharks off the coast. Hundreds of poor sharks having their fins removed leaving them to drown in the Gulf. It was an eye opener!
Usually, I’m not a fan of children. But, I think that Hazel was actually my favourite character in the book. She was smart and guileless. She reminded me of myself when I was her age… except my club was based around a squirrel. His name was Fifi.
The one issue I had with this book…. come on. You all knew this was coming… was how easy everything was for Maeve. I want this guy *you get him* No, maybe I want this guy *you get him* Hmmm… maybe I made the wrong decision *guy bows out gracefully* Ya. Like life actually works like that.
She also love sharks, but can apparently easily forgive people for being involved with being involved in cutting off their fins and leaving them to drown…. That would be like me finding out my man was involved in disposing of kittens that someone had drowned. THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!
But, all in all a highly enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it!! This is the perfect time of year to read it,as well!
There is also a note of mystery to it as Maeve tries to find out who is finning sharks off the coast. Hundreds of poor sharks having their fins removed leaving them to drown in the Gulf. It was an eye opener!
Usually, I’m not a fan of children. But, I think that Hazel was actually my favourite character in the book. She was smart and guileless. She reminded me of myself when I was her age… except my club was based around a squirrel. His name was Fifi.
The one issue I had with this book…. come on. You all knew this was coming… was how easy everything was for Maeve. I want this guy *you get him* No, maybe I want this guy *you get him* Hmmm… maybe I made the wrong decision *guy bows out gracefully* Ya. Like life actually works like that.
She also love sharks, but can apparently easily forgive people for being involved with being involved in cutting off their fins and leaving them to drown…. That would be like me finding out my man was involved in disposing of kittens that someone had drowned. THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!
But, all in all a highly enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it!! This is the perfect time of year to read it,as well!
August 12, 2018
Hotel de las Musas es una novela inteligente, con sabor clásico, un retrato de la madurez, de superar el pasado y descubrir que lo que una vez fueron nuestros sueños más anhelados, igual ya no lo son.
Maeve es una bióloga marina de treinta años en cuya vida siempre está presente el pasado, encarnado por Daniel su exprometido, los tiburones, el mar y su familia. A lo largo del libro la acompañaremos en una etapa de su vida en la cual se replanteará todo. Su trabajo, la familia, el futuro y el amor, todo esto se vuelve del revés cuando tras una serie de acontecimientos se reencuentra con el que fue el amor de su vida, Daniel, justo cuando empieza a rehacer su vida amorosa con su compañero de buceo, Nicholas. Las relaciones con su hermano gemelo, Robin, y su abuela, Perri, su única familia, son bastante distantes. Por si fuera poco también entra en acción Hazel, un personaje clave en el desarrollo de toda la historia y que a mi me ha resultado encantador. El eje central de su mundo son los tiburones, los cuales se volvieron una obsesión después de sufrir el mordisco de uno cuando era solo una niña, pero ¿Quiere que eso cambie? De eso trata este libro.
Una de las cosas que más me han sorprendido de este libro es que esta es la primera novela de la autora y jamás podría decir sin conocimiento de ello que esta novela es un debut, su brillantez es tal que puede recordar a grandes autores como F. Scott Fitzgerald. La forma narrativa de Ann es fascinante, sabe bien como transportarte, con pocas palabras, justo al punto en el que desea que estés, exponiéndote a un ataque a los sentidos y los recuerdos ¿Para quién es esta novela? Yo diría que no tiene una clasificación o etiqueta concreta, le gustará quizás a la gente que guste de las novelas con toques sentimentales o esas otras a las que les gusta aprender y descubrir cosas nuevas mientras disfruta de la lectura. No puedo evitar hablar también del mensaje "subliminal" tan precioso que tiene Hotel de las Musas, haciéndote reflexionar sobre el maltrato animal, los negocios ilegales que se mueven a su costa y la fama inmerecida que tienen criaturas tan fascinantes como los tiburones, que no generan otra cosa que acciones terribles hacia ellos. Os invito a disfrutar tanto como yo de Florida, el océano, los tiburones y la historia de madurez y re descubrimiento de Maeve, un personaje y un libro que nunca olvidarás.
Maeve es una bióloga marina de treinta años en cuya vida siempre está presente el pasado, encarnado por Daniel su exprometido, los tiburones, el mar y su familia. A lo largo del libro la acompañaremos en una etapa de su vida en la cual se replanteará todo. Su trabajo, la familia, el futuro y el amor, todo esto se vuelve del revés cuando tras una serie de acontecimientos se reencuentra con el que fue el amor de su vida, Daniel, justo cuando empieza a rehacer su vida amorosa con su compañero de buceo, Nicholas. Las relaciones con su hermano gemelo, Robin, y su abuela, Perri, su única familia, son bastante distantes. Por si fuera poco también entra en acción Hazel, un personaje clave en el desarrollo de toda la historia y que a mi me ha resultado encantador. El eje central de su mundo son los tiburones, los cuales se volvieron una obsesión después de sufrir el mordisco de uno cuando era solo una niña, pero ¿Quiere que eso cambie? De eso trata este libro.
Una de las cosas que más me han sorprendido de este libro es que esta es la primera novela de la autora y jamás podría decir sin conocimiento de ello que esta novela es un debut, su brillantez es tal que puede recordar a grandes autores como F. Scott Fitzgerald. La forma narrativa de Ann es fascinante, sabe bien como transportarte, con pocas palabras, justo al punto en el que desea que estés, exponiéndote a un ataque a los sentidos y los recuerdos ¿Para quién es esta novela? Yo diría que no tiene una clasificación o etiqueta concreta, le gustará quizás a la gente que guste de las novelas con toques sentimentales o esas otras a las que les gusta aprender y descubrir cosas nuevas mientras disfruta de la lectura. No puedo evitar hablar también del mensaje "subliminal" tan precioso que tiene Hotel de las Musas, haciéndote reflexionar sobre el maltrato animal, los negocios ilegales que se mueven a su costa y la fama inmerecida que tienen criaturas tan fascinantes como los tiburones, que no generan otra cosa que acciones terribles hacia ellos. Os invito a disfrutar tanto como yo de Florida, el océano, los tiburones y la historia de madurez y re descubrimiento de Maeve, un personaje y un libro que nunca olvidarás.
December 12, 2019
Nelikau sužavėta. Pasirodė, kad knyga parašyta paskubomis, o pradėtos pasakoti įvairios situacijos, pasibaigdavo dar nespėjusios išsirutulioti iki galo ir taip likdavo "pakibusios ore". Tokia paviršutiniška ir niekuom neypatinga.
July 31, 2018
Vídeo reseña el 31 de agosto en https://youtu.be/D8rOR5ebYWE
March 16, 2019
Imdama šią knygą į rankas ir perskaičius aprašymą kiek pabijojau, kad bus dar vienas nusaldintas romanas, tačiau kaip stipriai mano širdis džiaugėsi, kad nieko panašaus nebuvo!! Meivė vaikystėje buvo užpulta ryklio ir iki šiol nešioja ant kojos paliktą randą, bet ši situacija būtent ir privertė ją pamilti ryklius ir tapti jūrų biologe. Būdama maža ji prarado tėvus, todėl kartu su broliu gyveno su močiute, salos viešbutyje,kuris jai priklausė , po kiek laiko Meivė susipažįsta su savo pirmąja meile Danieliumi, jie susižada, tačiau viskas subyra į šipulius. Tačiau vienas dalykas tikrai nepasikeitė,tai yra meilė rykliams,tad mergina išvyksta jų tyrinėti, kelionėje ji susipažįsta su vaikinu, kuris gali padėti Meivei prisiminti, ką reiškia myleti, tačiau mergina nežino, ar ji pasiruoši naujiems santykiams, kai jausmai Danieliui dar nevisai išblėsę. Po kelerių metų, grįžusi namo Meivė paplūdimyje susipažįsta su mergaite vardu Heizelė, kuri be galo domisi rykliais, pabendravusi su mergite Meivė sužino,kad jos tėtis yra pirmoji jos meilė Danielis. Istorija tikrai įtraukė ir neleido jos padėti į šalį, o pabaiga, tikrai privertė šiek tiek nuliūsti dėl tokio veikėjos pasirinkimo, kad ir kaip pagal susiklosčiusią situacija Meivė pasielgė protingai😁 Knyga man patiko, rekomenduoju!
September 10, 2025
Great book :) I struggled with the ending a bit, but it was the perfect late summer read and completely fit my dream of living in a beach shack doing marine biology. I've started two pinterest boards just to capture the aesthetic and will probably need to re-read it just to imagine I'm studying sharks and manta rays in the Caribbean.
July 7, 2017
I picked up Ann Kidd Taylor’s The Shark Club because I absolutely loved the cover and heard it was a wonderful summer read. I didn’t read the synopsis and just thought the title was in reference to some cool summer beach club that the story would center around. So you can imagine my surprise to discover the book is indeed actually about sharks! Let it be known that I am DEATHLY afraid of sharks. SO. VERY. AFRAID. While I love going to the beach, I do not get in the water if it is not crystal clear and I can not see what is swimming around me. That being said, please know that even though I am absolutely terrified of all sharks, I do not wish them any harm. They are just swimming around out there doing their thing, being sharks and keeping the oceans ecosystem in check, as they should. We are in their territory and their home when we enter the water and that is why I do not go in it. So this read was an interesting, and also educational one for me.
The main character, Maeve, travels the world researching the sharks that she respects and loves even though one took a huge bite out of her calf when she was a young girl. Maeve is a highly respected and sought after marine biologist at the top of her game professionally, but her personal life is somewhat of a disaster. The story bounces between her professional and her love life which I found myself totally engrossed in. I loved her character, her attitude, and her tenacity and dedication to ocean conservation and the creatures that she loved. There was love triangle and a touch of a mystery (in regards to who was running an illegal shark finning operation), so there is a little something here for everyone. I did have a few issues with some of the transitioning throughout, but was willing to overlook it because I just loved the story and the conservation message so much. Plop down under a palm tree, dig your toes deep in to the Florida sand and immerse yourself in this charming and informative beach read.
The main character, Maeve, travels the world researching the sharks that she respects and loves even though one took a huge bite out of her calf when she was a young girl. Maeve is a highly respected and sought after marine biologist at the top of her game professionally, but her personal life is somewhat of a disaster. The story bounces between her professional and her love life which I found myself totally engrossed in. I loved her character, her attitude, and her tenacity and dedication to ocean conservation and the creatures that she loved. There was love triangle and a touch of a mystery (in regards to who was running an illegal shark finning operation), so there is a little something here for everyone. I did have a few issues with some of the transitioning throughout, but was willing to overlook it because I just loved the story and the conservation message so much. Plop down under a palm tree, dig your toes deep in to the Florida sand and immerse yourself in this charming and informative beach read.
September 18, 2018
Hay libros que son un mundo a parte de lo que acostumbramos a leer.
En esta novela acompañamos a Maeve, una bióloga especializada en tiburones con un amor pasado que no para de atormentarla.
Enfrascada en su vida en el mar, a sus treinta años se siente estancada en su pasado, en su primer gran amor y en el largo periodo de duelo que le siguió. después de una estancia en Bimini y con Mozambique en el horizonte Maeve vuelve al Hotel de las Musas , regentado por su abuela y su hermano, para encontrarse con su antiguo enamorado. Intentando esquivar a Daniel, y con la publicación de la novela de su hermano inspirada en ella, Maeve se ve inmersa intentando desenmascarar a los responsables de un caso de contrabando de aletas de tiburón.
Esta novela me ha dejado gratamente sorprendida. Nada más empezar te ves envuelta por las playas de Palemo, el salitre del mar y el maravilloso clima de Florida.
Una novela sobre amores y rupturas que se hace fácil de leer, y no solo por la maravillosa pluma de Taylor, si no por el ritmo electrizante que mantiene la trama durante toda esta novela.
No hay nada más que un buen argumento par amantenerme pegada a la página de un libro, pero mi yo algo empollón se deleita con todos estos datos en campos especializados, me encanta leer sobre ciencia, biología, literatura,... échame lo que quieras al carro que lo leeré, pero lo difícil en estos casos no es hacernos creer que Tal se dedica a cual y que Pascual se dedica a tal. Lo complicado, sin duda, es encontrar el dulce equilibrio entre información y trama, y puedo aseguraros que Taylor a sido capaz de hacerlo.
Extasiada, así es como estoy, con ganas de más.
Blog|Instagram
P.D. Me quedé prendada del título original, The Shark Club, y me hubiera encantado que se hubiera mantenido así, es algo más cercano a la historia que en título original (aun que este no me disgusta), aun que entiendo que no tiene el mismo efecto en inglés que en español.
En esta novela acompañamos a Maeve, una bióloga especializada en tiburones con un amor pasado que no para de atormentarla.
Enfrascada en su vida en el mar, a sus treinta años se siente estancada en su pasado, en su primer gran amor y en el largo periodo de duelo que le siguió. después de una estancia en Bimini y con Mozambique en el horizonte Maeve vuelve al Hotel de las Musas , regentado por su abuela y su hermano, para encontrarse con su antiguo enamorado. Intentando esquivar a Daniel, y con la publicación de la novela de su hermano inspirada en ella, Maeve se ve inmersa intentando desenmascarar a los responsables de un caso de contrabando de aletas de tiburón.
Esta novela me ha dejado gratamente sorprendida. Nada más empezar te ves envuelta por las playas de Palemo, el salitre del mar y el maravilloso clima de Florida.
Una novela sobre amores y rupturas que se hace fácil de leer, y no solo por la maravillosa pluma de Taylor, si no por el ritmo electrizante que mantiene la trama durante toda esta novela.
No hay nada más que un buen argumento par amantenerme pegada a la página de un libro, pero mi yo algo empollón se deleita con todos estos datos en campos especializados, me encanta leer sobre ciencia, biología, literatura,... échame lo que quieras al carro que lo leeré, pero lo difícil en estos casos no es hacernos creer que Tal se dedica a cual y que Pascual se dedica a tal. Lo complicado, sin duda, es encontrar el dulce equilibrio entre información y trama, y puedo aseguraros que Taylor a sido capaz de hacerlo.
Extasiada, así es como estoy, con ganas de más.
Blog|Instagram
P.D. Me quedé prendada del título original, The Shark Club, y me hubiera encantado que se hubiera mantenido así, es algo más cercano a la historia que en título original (aun que este no me disgusta), aun que entiendo que no tiene el mismo efecto en inglés que en español.
July 30, 2024
5 ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ ✰
✎… When I first started this book, I was thinking this is a read for a niche group. I, for one, am part of this niche, shark obsessed group, but the more I read on, the more I realized The Shark Club had so much more to offer than just sharks. It had second chance romance, found family, family drama, new beginnings, & just a feel good, heart warming story. Not to mention the beach & summer Florida vibes were immaculate. I love the way this book made me feel.
✎… Maybe my 5 star review is a little biased because of how much I love sharks & the fact that I live in Florida, so I was very familiar with a lot of what this author talked about (even my hometown being mentioned!), but I truly enjoyed it so much. This is exactly the kind of summer read I was looking for all summer & even better that it had my favorite animal in it. I would’ve loved to spend more time with all of the characters. Ann Kid Taylor should make this into a series, that’s how invested I became. I saw so much of myself in the FMC, Maeve; especially with her undying love of sharks/the ocean, her empathetic heart, & her devotion to do what’s right for all living things. She was out here living my dream as a marine biologist who specialized in sharks. Plus she lived in a hotel that was book themed! Literally my dream life. Even if you’re not a die hard shark FINatic (see what I did there), I truly recommend giving this book a chance. I really think there is something in here for everyone.
✎… One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is the awareness the author brought up about illegal shark finning. I don’t think most people realize how badly it’s become throughout the years & how gruesome of a death it is for the shark. I hope more people will learn more about this horrific, illegal act & be more aware. Sharks are not the monsters the media portrays them to be; no living creature deserves that sort of abuse.
❝ “𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧, 𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝐓𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐠𝐨. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐯𝐨𝐰.” ❞
✎… When I first started this book, I was thinking this is a read for a niche group. I, for one, am part of this niche, shark obsessed group, but the more I read on, the more I realized The Shark Club had so much more to offer than just sharks. It had second chance romance, found family, family drama, new beginnings, & just a feel good, heart warming story. Not to mention the beach & summer Florida vibes were immaculate. I love the way this book made me feel.
❝ “𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐬. … 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐞, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐬; 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭.” ❞
✎… Maybe my 5 star review is a little biased because of how much I love sharks & the fact that I live in Florida, so I was very familiar with a lot of what this author talked about (even my hometown being mentioned!), but I truly enjoyed it so much. This is exactly the kind of summer read I was looking for all summer & even better that it had my favorite animal in it. I would’ve loved to spend more time with all of the characters. Ann Kid Taylor should make this into a series, that’s how invested I became. I saw so much of myself in the FMC, Maeve; especially with her undying love of sharks/the ocean, her empathetic heart, & her devotion to do what’s right for all living things. She was out here living my dream as a marine biologist who specialized in sharks. Plus she lived in a hotel that was book themed! Literally my dream life. Even if you’re not a die hard shark FINatic (see what I did there), I truly recommend giving this book a chance. I really think there is something in here for everyone.
��� 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬, 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. ❞
✎… One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is the awareness the author brought up about illegal shark finning. I don’t think most people realize how badly it’s become throughout the years & how gruesome of a death it is for the shark. I hope more people will learn more about this horrific, illegal act & be more aware. Sharks are not the monsters the media portrays them to be; no living creature deserves that sort of abuse.
❝ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐨, 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐨, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭. 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐝, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞. ❞
February 6, 2018
3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed The Shark Club. It made for the perfect beach read, not least because it’s about a marine biologist who is passionate about sharks and marine life conservation, ever since she was bitten by one as a child. Throw in a love triangle, more likeable characters, drama and intrigue, and the fact that she lives in a literary-themed hotel (!!! - for e.g. the Anais Nin room is the honeymoon suite) that her grandmother owns, and I was sold. Had the best time cheering Maeve on, in apt surroundings (thankfully, no sharks though!). Perfect escapist read 👌🏽
I really enjoyed The Shark Club. It made for the perfect beach read, not least because it’s about a marine biologist who is passionate about sharks and marine life conservation, ever since she was bitten by one as a child. Throw in a love triangle, more likeable characters, drama and intrigue, and the fact that she lives in a literary-themed hotel (!!! - for e.g. the Anais Nin room is the honeymoon suite) that her grandmother owns, and I was sold. Had the best time cheering Maeve on, in apt surroundings (thankfully, no sharks though!). Perfect escapist read 👌🏽
February 1, 2021
Super paprastas romanas.
October 20, 2017
A charming story with a love triangle and packed with information about sharks and finning. A fast read with fun literary references and well thought out characters.
April 18, 2017
Maeve, bitten by a shark at age 12, has dedicated her life to them ever since. Home from a research trip she must reckon with past loves, family, and the impact of her shark obsession on others. This novel does what I want all fiction to do - it felt true-to-life, but also more interesting and funnier than real life.
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