Goats in the Time of Love

by T. Elizabeth Bell

This frolicsome novel set on the idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard is witty, heart-warming, and perfect for any beach bag.

Schuyler Harrington has fallen apart: her ex-fiancé is a serial philanderer, her beloved Grams has died, and she’s quit her job. Escaping her city life, Sky seeks refuge on Martha’s Vineyard. She hires Nate Batchelor, local Island goatscaper and scion of one of the Island’s oldest families, to clear a view of Tisbury Great Pond with his herd of unruly goats.

Nate knows better than to get involved with a summer person—and a rich one at that—but the attraction for both is instant and undeniable. Sky’s new life quickly collides with her old, and she must make some tough decisions.

Runaway goats, quirky characters, and a comedy of errors set the stage in this sea-breezy novel that proves that love will find you—whether you want it to or not.

“Goats gambol by the seashore in this very funny and sly 21st-century twist on the classic marriage plot.”

-- HOLLY HODDER EGER, award-winning author of Split Rock: A Martha's Vineyard Novel

“Goats in the Time of Love is a delightful romp of a novel that will transport you to summertime island life, complete with sandy beaches, sun-warmed skin, briny oysters and tangy wild blueberries, ocean sunsets, and, of course, romance. And the romance is the best kind, the this-may-not-be-right-for-me-but-it-feels-so-good-I-can't-think-about-anything-else kind of romance with all its thrills and pitfalls.”

-- KATHLEEN McCLEARY, author of Leaving Haven, A Simple Thing, and House & Home

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2019

About the author

T. ELIZABETH BELL swapped writing legal memos for crafting sea-breezy, toes-in-the-sand novels (Goats in the Time of Love, Counting Chickens, and her latest, Sheepish) inspired by her love of Martha’s Vineyard. A beachcomber, dog-lover, wild blueberry-and-beach plum picker and jam-maker, she also dabbles in silversmithing, glittering Mardi Gras shoes, and capturing the island’s beauty through her photography (@tb.dc.mv on Instagram and @telizabethbell on Facebook). You can find her essays on creativity and inspiration in her Substack, The Creative Current.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was searching for a late summer distraction from the upheaval in my life during my most recent stroll through the displays at my local library. This book caught my eye because anything with Martha's Vineyard in the title catches my eye. I love going there. I didn't get my island time this year, so I settled for this fun read. I like both Sky and Nate and most of the side characters including the goats. The island's best assets, Tisbury's Great Pond, Morning Glory Farm, the ferry, the ocean waves, the dirt paths between the houses nestled in the woods, the fish, the little shops, and farm-to-table restaurants, all those things and the people who live there year-round are the reasons why the place is so great. The conflict between the summer people and the year-rounders is genuine. So I enjoyed the twists and turns in this story and the recipes at the end. Who doesn't love recipes at the end of a book?

[Elizabeth Ann Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I didn't find the main character to be too believable, or ever connect with her, but i liked the other characters and the setting, and the goats!

[Jules | Friday Night Readers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goats in the Time of Love is "A Martha's Vineyard love story with goats, a dog, and some recipes." Author T. Elizabeth Bell is a lawyer and part-time resident of Martha's Vineyard, so when she reached out to me about her lighthearted Summery book set in my favorite place, I knew we had a lot in common and I needed to read it.

Goats in the Time of Love is for lovers of plot driven books, as a lot happens during one fateful Summer between Sky, a wealthy attorney escaping the big city after an engagement gone bad, and Nate, a local goatscaper whose goats she hires to clear the brush and open the view at her new cottage.

There's a lot of rich people drama, reminiscent of Elin Hilderbrand books, and also a whole lot of local Vineyard heart, highlighting the farms and fishing villages on the beloved island. So many little touches made me smile, like the references to the line to get onto the Chappy ferry and the lobster shacks in Menemsha. And did I mention there's a whole section of recipes?!

I only wish I had Goats in the Time of Love in my hands while I was on the beach in Martha's Vineyard. And it's available on Kindle Unlimited for subscribers!

I'm picturing the book here for my #cookthebook series with its recipe for vegan carrot muffins with apple and pineapple ... eating my fruits and veggies. 😉😉: https://www.instagram.com/p/CD6Sd19gfie/

[L. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific Rom-Com set in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The protagonist, Schuyler Harrington, known as Sky, has been a regular summer-island visitor to the Vineyard since childhood, boarding perennially at her Gram's home, until her social-climbing mother insists she begin attending summer camps and enroll in aspirational activities that will butter her resume, while earning high grades and test scores, for admission to a fine college.

When the story opens, we learn Sky has matriculated from Brown University, gone on to law school, and abruptly taken a leave from her big law firm in NYC. right after her wedding date was ripped asunder.

Sky's life is in a shambles. She's called off her wedding after discovering her husband-to-be is a philanderer, she refuses to answer her mother's intrusive phone calls, and she's escaped to her place of salvation and refuge: Gram's island. Her beloved Gram has recently died after living a good, long life, and, although, Gram has left Sky a small inheritance, what Sky wants more than anything is to lean on Gram's consoling shoulder for comfort and advice.

But Sky must go it alone. First, she buys a small island cottage on the Vineyard with her inheritance. Then, as she retreats from her past, she slowly begins refinishing her tiny home while building her new life as a hybrid island resident: From former summer interloper to permanent property-owner.

T. Bell is a sharp writer who has created a lovable cluster of characters to whom Sky is kindly devoted, even when some of their interests are questionable. The conflict evolves around her settling into life on the Vineyard, falling in love with a goat keeper who hails from one of the oldest island families, while learning the rhythms and customs of life after the tourists depart. She has to navigate between her old-money friends, when they encamp upon the island for lavish parties and fundraisers, and the locals, who are unwilling to trust Sky until she's proven she plans to stay for the duration -- through all the island's seasons.

[Courtney Niederer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story of a rich junior lawyer whose grandmother left her money in an inheritance, which Sky uses to purchase a house on Martha’s Vineyard. She quickly meets a goat herder, who she hires (and his goats) to clear some brush to improve her view. Though they are from very different social classes, they fall in love pretty quickly. Through ups, downs, and surprises, this quick novel is something for everyone. 4 stars (would’ve been 5, but the writing is pretty elementary and there are lots of editing mistakes).

Challenges:
TBR 12 for 2020
Category 31 - a lighthearted book

[Paula Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha’s Vineyard is a favorite spot of mine. I, like Sky, spent many happy summers on the Vineyard as a child. The characters were well developed. It was a fun and quick summer read. I would certainly read another book by this author.

[Andrea Wimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously can’t understand why this book has so many bad reviews. I LOVED IT!

First of all, this book transported me from the very start to Martha’s Vineyard (a place I’ve never been to, but now is in my bucket list).

I loved the contrast between Nate and Sky’s personalities and backgrounds ans how well defined they were at the moment they met. Although I can’t relate to Sky’s situation I was able to connect with her and understand her struggles. The fact that she was willing to find her way through them and fight to live a life that made her happy despite society’s expectations. I loved how well her character developed as she found herself and allowed her grandmother’s advice to light her decisions, even if people made it harder.

I really loved Nate😍 So different from most romance heros. His uncomplicated personality and shy demeanor attracted me from the very start. I loved he decided to get to know Sky without the labels his own social group had already put on her. I understood his doubts and hesitations throughout the number of situations they had to face but made me so happy to see him letting himself fall and let let love take over.

That ending😍😍😍

The love, patience and understanding of this couple made me root for them all the way. A cozy, swoon worthy and fun read with a lot of yummy food and adorable animals. 🐐

By the way, I can’t wait to try those recipes!

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though there were some technical errors and characteristics that were a little distracting (typos/punctuation issues/weird third to single sentences of first person pov switches/a) that isn't why this gets 2 stars. I think for a first time creative work, the errors are pretty mild. My 2 big issues were 1. How drawn out the plot was 2. Some weird treatment of Indigenous people and colonial history (including but not limited to white characters uncritically calling Indigenous Americans "Indians," some jokes made by them about the colonial history, and weird stuff like "bright sides" about Christianity being forced on the Wampanaog tribe as well as a "my ancestors were liked by the Indigenous people therefore my occupation and ownership of this land is valid" backstory for the love interest. There is one (1) statement that the 1600s weren't great times for Indigenous people, but that couldn't undo all the previous material that will make you say yikes. The only character who was identified as Black (as far as I could tell) was essentially a quintessential "mammy" character. (And had she come earlier in the book I'm not sure I could have finished due to all the cringing.) The lack of awareness surrounding these issues and their uncomfortable treatment kept me from being able to enjoy the book. This is the first book I've read that was written after 1950 to have white characters proud of their colonial heritage. I think, overall, with a better editor and less tokenizing/reliance on racialized tropes and stereotypes, this could have been a lovely Hallmark-like read.

[Beth02543 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I burned through this page turner enjoying every delicious scene! From the cliffs of Aquinnah to the cobbled street of Edgartown, this is a love story set against the backdrop of everything you adore about visiting Martha's Vineyard. Sky and Nate come from different worlds but they are meant to be together. I was rooting for them from the first beat (when she invites him to give her a tick check, what a great Cape Cod detail!) and (no spoilers!) so happy at the end. Headed straight to T Elizabeth Bell's next books, keep them coming!

[Peggy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a joyful, warm hearted wonderful book that I could not put down!! Wandering the beaches and dirt roads of Martha’s Vineyard with our heroine, Sky, and her goat keeping lover is a delight. I loved this book! A perfect summer read and perfect salve for our troubled times. Escape to meadows, ponds, boats, goats, dogs, island characters with this great book.

[Rebecca Lerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is SO MUCH FUN. It's so well-written and funny - the perfect summer beach read. A really lovely gift too!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Heartwarming characters and a playful story. Perfect summer read!

[Patricia Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed, liked the story

Enjoyed this book very much. I really liked the story. I also liked the way the story ran and all the different descriptions of each place and great story about the goats. Everything was so believable and continued smoothly

[caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic beach read! Loved all the references to Martha's Vineyard. Fun and well written. Hope there is a sequel.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The vibes were very good but objectively it was not a good book. Needs an editor.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light easy read set on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The author captures the Vineyard and the people who live there.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed! A friend bought it for me a year ago, but I usually read books on a device. But decided to pick it up yesterday, and read it in a day. After almost a year of the pandemic and quarantine, this was the summer vacation I didn’t get to take.

We also have a summer house on Tisbury Great Pond. And this year we really missed being on magical Martha’s Vineyard. Missed going to Morning Glory Farms, drinking Mermaid Farms mango lassis, the Eidelon and RipRap from Grey Barn, riding The Cut, and taking yoga classes with Michelle Obama at the Yoga Barn! We are “summer people” (for now) but have a number of year round family members, so we still feel connected.

It was bittersweet to read this book, but the author captured the island perfectly. Especially the descriptions of the pond. And the description of the cut was fascinating! Definitely want to see the opening some day (from a safe distance!)

I loved the characters! At one point during the day (when I wasn’t reading the book) I was feeling sort of bummed out. Then I realized it was because Nate and Sky were not getting along! LOL! They became so real to me.

Martha’s Vineyard is a magical place, and this book really captures the magic.

[Deb Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this MV story! Related to so many island places and connections and such a fun story to follow. Now I can't wait for summer!

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story. Liked the characters and the setting on Martha's Vineyard. Perfect summer read.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read while on Martha’s Vineyard. Used it as a guide to check out a few additional places :)

[David Kerry Kayley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I really love this book. It isn't often an author can put me in a place I never been, and I felt I was in Martha's Vineyard. The story was written, characters interesting. And the goats and everyone make this a wonderful read! The Blueberry muffin recipe is to die for at the end of the book!!!

[Cheryl P · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best part of this book is how well the author knows all the "sides" of Martha's Vineyard. People, politics, geography, history and economics are woven into a beautiful love story.

[Mary Stapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can’t afford a trip to Martha’s Vineyard this summer, this book can take you there. A smart romance novel with lovable characters and a deep knowledge of all things Vineyard, Goats in the Time of Love is a joy to read.
Sky Schuyler Harrington has just purchased a house on the island, seeking refuge from a bad break-up, when she meets Nate, a native. His initial impression of her is “definitely not your typical WASP-on-a-stick-in-heels.” And yet that is where she comes from and what she knows. Although she has just left her filmmaking job in the City, she will be returning in the fall to her snooty friends and moneyed family. Sky’s assessment of Nate is that he is pretty much the full package, except that he is a goatscaper, his animals being hired to munch on her landscape so she can have better water views.
The fantasy plays out, however, as the two enjoy a blissful summer together picking blueberries, riding boats to beaches, and herding the unruly goats, who offer much of the book’s humor.
As the story explores whether the two are truly compatible, there is tension when Sky’s old friends come to visit, when Nate comes across a former girlfriend with whom he was definitely compatible, and when Shakespearian-style miscommunications threaten to ruin everything.
T. Elizabeth Bell loads every page with details that are pleasant to bask in, but also smart. At a key moment, the author describes the Japanese concept of beauty known as wabi-sabi, that beauty comes from imperfection. Her characters, too, seem very real. When one lady describes her job working in the scholarship office of a college, she acknowledges that it’s not what she’d imagined, just as one might expect. The author also has fun playing around with Sky’s name, the alternate being Schuyler (the maiden name of Alexander Hamilton’s wife, Elizabeth).
It’s these kinds of details that make Love in the Time of Goats more than a roll in the sun. Anyone who has ever appreciated the natural beauty and easy grace of Martha’s Vineyard will enjoy this book, as will anyone who ever fantasized about going native.

[Lily Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am about 125 pages in, and simply can’t finish it. I found the book very poorly written and frankly boring. I always hate to write bad reviews but this book did not grip me in any way. It relied on such lazy stereotypes about townspeople and that’s what irked me the most. As a local to a similar place to MV (the Hamptons), it is this stereotyping that drives us nuts. Why was every single townsperson born and raised on MV going back generations? Why did they all have service/seasonal jobs? Why did it seem like none of them were well-educated or even *gasp* wealthy themselves? The main character basically uses Elly as a silent sounding board, and we never see Elly act with agency or have any sort of backstory or subplot.

On the flip side, Sky’s NYC friends were so over-the-top obnoxious so as to not be believable. The author writes every character in the book as a caricature of themselves, even Sky’s mom and grandma are the same. There’s no depth. I agree with another reviewer that the romance itself was too quick and out-of-nowhere to feel real. I wanted to love this book, as my partner’s family has a house in west tisbury and I appreciated the MV references, but I felt it lacked any complexity and that I’d be disappointed by the ending. Maybe I’ll finish it one of these days. If I do and the plot redeems itself then I’ll update this review.

[Carol Hessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun summer read!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect read about the most perfect place I’ve ever been!!! Started it yesterday at Tashmoo and finished it today at South beach. Love the Vineyard and this book.

[Laura Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book on a Martha’s Vineyard reading list, getting myself hyped for our upcoming summer vacation.
I loved all of the references to popular Vineyard spots that I knew, but after awhile it started to feel like overkill.
I enjoyed the bits of learning more about Vineyard, marine and goat history.

I found the main characters to be annoying. Eva was the only one that I liked. The portions with Eva and Trip (hippy coupe coming to visit from Vermont) were my favorite parts or the book.

Skye seemed self-absorbed and Nate was annoying with no backbone. If they weren’t both hot, I doubt there would be any attraction. Seemed very surface.



I would’ve stopped reading it, but I bought it and wanted to add another to my 2023 book challenge.

Also the name Nate Batchelor was really cheesy.

I really wanted to like this.

[Joanna Goodrich · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, was this book DULL. The character's barely had any personality and half the time it seemed like they were given a script and were terrible actors. The insta-love was terrible and not believable and the characters had no chemistry or spark whatsoever.

My husband bought me this book for my birthday because I love goats, but the goats didn't really add anything to the story....they were the reason Shy and Nate met but other than that there were no cute moments or anything like that.

The dialogue and interactions were so robotic and stiff, I just couldn't get into the story or feel any connection to any characters.

[Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing groundbreaking, but an entertaining summer read nonetheless. I enjoyed it, and since I’ve visited the vineyard before, it was cool to imagine the characters going to places I’ve actually seen before— excited to go back and explore some of their favorite places that I have yet to see. Unrelated to my rating, but I will add I was frustrated at the amount of typos, grammatical errors, and incorrect tense/pov changes in the book… Anyhoo it was a cute and easy read, perfect for summer. The recipes in the back are very good, too!

[L.A.L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull and boring. The MCs had no chemistry. There was no real action through the first third of the book. Character development was non-existent. The “conflict” between Sky and Nate was even boring and stereotypical. Honestly, a Hallmark romance TV movie is loads better than this book. What a waste.

I thought the goats would add at least some comic relief, but no. The goats were barely in the story, and certainly didn’t add anything to the story.