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The Fire Island Trilogy #1
On Fire Island
A book editor spends one last summer on Fire Island in this sparkling and surprising new novel from the author of A Shoe Story.
As a book editor, Julia Morse lived and breathed stories. Whether with her pen to a manuscript or curled up with a book while at her beloved Fire Island cottage, her imagination alight with a good tale, she could anticipate practically any ending. The ending she'd never imagined was her own.
To be fair, no one expects to die at thirty-seven. So when the unthinkable happens to Julia, rather than following the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, she chooses to spend one last summer near those she loves most.
As she follows her adoring, novelist husband Ben to their--unexpectedly full--home on Fire Island, she discovers the ripple affect her life has had on the trajectory of so many: her baseball loving, young-at-heart neighbor who believes it's best not to go it alone, two bright-eyed teenagers eager to become adults, and her best friend who must shake off heartbreak for a new chance at love.
With poignant comedy and insight, On Fire Island is an ode to the stories all around us and to the brightest types of loves...for the people closest to you and the places that shape you.
As a book editor, Julia Morse lived and breathed stories. Whether with her pen to a manuscript or curled up with a book while at her beloved Fire Island cottage, her imagination alight with a good tale, she could anticipate practically any ending. The ending she'd never imagined was her own.
To be fair, no one expects to die at thirty-seven. So when the unthinkable happens to Julia, rather than following the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, she chooses to spend one last summer near those she loves most.
As she follows her adoring, novelist husband Ben to their--unexpectedly full--home on Fire Island, she discovers the ripple affect her life has had on the trajectory of so many: her baseball loving, young-at-heart neighbor who believes it's best not to go it alone, two bright-eyed teenagers eager to become adults, and her best friend who must shake off heartbreak for a new chance at love.
With poignant comedy and insight, On Fire Island is an ode to the stories all around us and to the brightest types of loves...for the people closest to you and the places that shape you.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2023
About the author
Jane L. Rosen
9 books1,004 followersJane L. Rosen is an author and Huffington Post contributor. She lives in New York City and Fire Island with her husband and three daughters. Her first novel Nine Women, One Dress was translated into ten languages. Her second novel Eliza Starts a Rumor has been optioned by NBC. A Shoe Story is out now and On Fire Island is dropping o May 23rd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 748 reviews
May 19, 2023
On Fire Island is magical and heartwarming. Such a very special story.
Following her sudden death at 37, Julia spends her summer at her favorite place, Fire Island. The love her life, Ben, is reeling from the loss. In an attempt to get away, he escapes Shiva. Legit runs away to fire island. Unfortunately he isn't alone for long.
There is a wonderful cast of characters including teenager Matty trying to lose his virginity and Shep, and older man going through his own grief.
Despite the constant undertone of grief, this is a story of hope and happiness. A story of moving forward, but not fully letting go. And simply a story of love.
I loved it. It will stay with me for a long time.
Following her sudden death at 37, Julia spends her summer at her favorite place, Fire Island. The love her life, Ben, is reeling from the loss. In an attempt to get away, he escapes Shiva. Legit runs away to fire island. Unfortunately he isn't alone for long.
There is a wonderful cast of characters including teenager Matty trying to lose his virginity and Shep, and older man going through his own grief.
Despite the constant undertone of grief, this is a story of hope and happiness. A story of moving forward, but not fully letting go. And simply a story of love.
I loved it. It will stay with me for a long time.
May 20, 2024
On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen is a contemporary women’s fiction title that comes with a side of a supernatural twist to it. The story in On Fire Island is narrated by the main character who happens to pass away shortly into the novel.
Julia Morse spent her life being a book editor and marrying the man of her dreams which she met through her job. Ben had written a novel and turned it into Julia’s publishing company where Julia read it and fell in love with the story and later after meeting the author of that story.
Julia and Ben were married and had a wonderful life together but one that ended way too soon when Julia found out she was terminal. At thirty seven Julia wasn’t ready to let go of her life when she died so instead of passing on into her next she chose to stay one last summer on Fire Island and look over Ben and all of their friends and family.
Knowing that the main character in On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen is actually dead as she narrates the novel one is pretty safe to assume this is an incredibly emotional tale with grief at the forefront. The other characters in the story do go through a lot of healing after their heartache though and of course some character growth along the way too. I did enjoy On Fire Island once I settled into to it but with this unique perspective it did start off rather slowly for me so when finished I rated this one at three and a half stars and will give this author another try.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Julia Morse spent her life being a book editor and marrying the man of her dreams which she met through her job. Ben had written a novel and turned it into Julia’s publishing company where Julia read it and fell in love with the story and later after meeting the author of that story.
Julia and Ben were married and had a wonderful life together but one that ended way too soon when Julia found out she was terminal. At thirty seven Julia wasn’t ready to let go of her life when she died so instead of passing on into her next she chose to stay one last summer on Fire Island and look over Ben and all of their friends and family.
Knowing that the main character in On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen is actually dead as she narrates the novel one is pretty safe to assume this is an incredibly emotional tale with grief at the forefront. The other characters in the story do go through a lot of healing after their heartache though and of course some character growth along the way too. I did enjoy On Fire Island once I settled into to it but with this unique perspective it did start off rather slowly for me so when finished I rated this one at three and a half stars and will give this author another try.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 22, 2024
To all my gals (and guys, if you are in to Chick Lit) who live in the land of third winter and have experienced the brief hint of what is to come as far as weather goes and now anxiously await summertime – boy do I have a book recommendation for you.
The story here is told from Julia’s perspective right after she has succumbed to a brief battle with cancer. Her husband has fled the expected seven day Shiva to hide out at their beach house on Fire Island. It is there Julia gets the opportunity to spend one final Summer as an observer before officially passing to the other side. Not only will she watch over Ben and their neighbor Shep as they navigate their way through the grieving process as recent widowers, but she’ll witness her best pal Renee heal her own broken heart after being cheated on by her husband and have a little summertime fling, see Matty and Dyl attempt (and fail) to procure a condom in order to officially come of age before Dylan heads off to college, and see if Bay Harbor can finally beat Oceanview in the end of season baseball game now that Renee’s ex isn’t eligible to play and be the strikeout king.
This one is perfect for fans of Kristin Higgans. A beachy read with tons of feels that most definitely won’t leave many a dry-eye in the house upon wrapping up the final pages. It felt like a warm hug and made me eager for those first days of sitting out on the deck with the sun kissing your shoulders. Every Star.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2023
On Fire Island
by Jane L. Rosen
Pub Date: 23 May 2023
Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley Women's Fiction
Rating: 5/5
This heartwarming book captivated me from the first page. It is a well-written story of healing after a devastating loss. The soul of Julia, 37, lives on Fire Island in the months following her death, waiting to enter the spirit world. Julia finds it unimaginable to pass away so young and leave behind her beloved husband Ben. Thus, rather than committing to the light at the end of the tunnel, she chooses to spend one last summer with those she loves most.
The book is narrated by Julia as she watches her family and friends cope with grief. I was gripped by the poignant writing in every chapter. A delightful and humorous cast of characters kept me laughing and crying throughout the story. It is a sweet novel that filled me with hope and love.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this incredible book with me. It will be a pleasure to read more from Jane L. Rosen.
QOTD: What island do you dream of visiting? Do you prefer the ocean or the mountains?
#OnFireIsland #JaneLRosen #BerkleyPublishingGroup #Netgalley
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May 27, 2023
I think I’m in the minority on this one, because other people seem to love it, and I have really enjoyed other books by this author, but I just couldn’t get into this. I found myself skim reading most of it. I loved the premise, and the Judaism references, but it had too many characters and I didn’t care about any of them.
August 28, 2023
From about 40% onwards, I skipped most of the book. If this book weren't a book club choice, I would probably just give up halfway, so I feel like I was generous with trying to get some closure with this set of characters.
The story just didn't work for me, I couldn't get past the fact that we're more focused on second characters' life choices, rather than focusing on our main character. It felt like such a weird choice, and there were some really cringy moments where we had one dead woman describing intimate moments of her best friend with her boyfriend. Yuck.
Generally I felt like this book's potential was lost somewhere on the way to Fire Island. The premise sounded good to me, but the execution really felt lacking.
The story just didn't work for me, I couldn't get past the fact that we're more focused on second characters' life choices, rather than focusing on our main character. It felt like such a weird choice, and there were some really cringy moments where we had one dead woman describing intimate moments of her best friend with her boyfriend. Yuck.
Generally I felt like this book's potential was lost somewhere on the way to Fire Island. The premise sounded good to me, but the execution really felt lacking.
April 21, 2023
I have absolutely adored all of Jane Rosen's novels and On Fire Island is no exception. Filled with great Jewish representation and characters, On Fire Island is narrated by Julia, who has died at age 37. Given this, the book has a somber tone throughout and deals with themes of grief and loss, so if you are looking for a beach bag read, this is definitely something to keep in mind - however, I highly recommend this book if you are comfortable with those heavier topics!
Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
August 11, 2023
Julia, an accomplished editor, died of cancer at 37. It's heartbreaking and it's painful. She leaves behind her husband, Ben, a successful writer, and her gorgeous home on Fire Island. Before she crosses over, she has one more summer to watch her husband, her family, and her friends at her favorite place in the world, Fire Island. She watches her husband slowly put his life back together and try to enjoy some of the things they loved on Fire Island including taking care of their dog. Ben befriends a fellow widow, Shep, who actually lived in his house. There's also Julia's parents that she keeps an eye on as well as her best friend, Renee. Renee is going through a nasty divorce and trying to raise her teenage son. She watches Renee go through the ups and downs of dating including meeting someone much younger than her. There are also friends Pam and Andie who have a baby, which is difficult at times to face head-on as Julia was supposed to have a child about that age. It isn't all sad though as Julia watches over; there are many funny moments and community members of the island that will have you cackling; however, readers know Julia's time here is limited, so that always hangs over your head as you are reading On Fire Island by Jane Rosen.
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
June 16, 2024
I’m eternally torn as a reader. I love contemporary fiction, but it’s not in the best interest of my mental health to consume books that induce so much anxiety or envelop the reader in sadness. But many lighter books are a bit too fluffy and/or saccharine. Finding books that toe the line between the two is not easy.
In Fire Island makes an attempt to be a book that straddles these worlds. The narrator is a woman who has died at 37 of cancer, and the story takes place mainly after her funeral as she her watches over her widowed husband spend another summer on their beloved Fire Island. Somehow it was easy to overlook the magical realism and the device works.
My favorite passages of this book are those that describe the relationship between the dead woman and her husband while she was alive - her memories that frame their love. It’s also some of the saddest parts.
I read one review that talks about this book’s many characters (there are a lot) and how few of them are actually compelling - and I can’t say I disagreed. Jane’s writing style is captivating. I enjoyed her prose although it’s unevenly distributed.
This book also suffers from its inability to see its own privilege - not many people can relate to spending summers like this. In some ways I found the text a fantasy.
Read the old fashioned way. This book is written by a Jewish author and it has plenty of Jewish representation.
3.25 out of 5
In Fire Island makes an attempt to be a book that straddles these worlds. The narrator is a woman who has died at 37 of cancer, and the story takes place mainly after her funeral as she her watches over her widowed husband spend another summer on their beloved Fire Island. Somehow it was easy to overlook the magical realism and the device works.
My favorite passages of this book are those that describe the relationship between the dead woman and her husband while she was alive - her memories that frame their love. It’s also some of the saddest parts.
I read one review that talks about this book’s many characters (there are a lot) and how few of them are actually compelling - and I can’t say I disagreed. Jane’s writing style is captivating. I enjoyed her prose although it’s unevenly distributed.
This book also suffers from its inability to see its own privilege - not many people can relate to spending summers like this. In some ways I found the text a fantasy.
Read the old fashioned way. This book is written by a Jewish author and it has plenty of Jewish representation.
3.25 out of 5
July 13, 2023
https://wendyreadit.wordpress.com/202...
This is the perfect beach read that also happens to have a beach setting. It's a love story of sorts about a book editor, Julia, who falls in love with and marries an author, Ben. What makes this story different is that Julia is dead and telling the story of what happens that first summer Ben goes to their home on Fire Island (Long Island NY), by himself. Yes, it's about love and loss and is quite sad at times but there are also laugh out loud moments over the summer as Ben starts to heal from his loss. I also fell in love with Ben, his neighbors, and the Fire Island summer lifestyle.
This is the perfect beach read that also happens to have a beach setting. It's a love story of sorts about a book editor, Julia, who falls in love with and marries an author, Ben. What makes this story different is that Julia is dead and telling the story of what happens that first summer Ben goes to their home on Fire Island (Long Island NY), by himself. Yes, it's about love and loss and is quite sad at times but there are also laugh out loud moments over the summer as Ben starts to heal from his loss. I also fell in love with Ben, his neighbors, and the Fire Island summer lifestyle.
May 7, 2025
A beautiful book about a young woman’s last summer on her beloved Fire Island.
Julia dies of cancer at the age of 37. Her husband, family and friends mourn her but with positive vibes. Before she goes to the afterlife her spirit gets to spend one last summer on Fire Island with her loved ones.
Beautifully written with love, humor and family dynamics.
Julia dies of cancer at the age of 37. Her husband, family and friends mourn her but with positive vibes. Before she goes to the afterlife her spirit gets to spend one last summer on Fire Island with her loved ones.
Beautifully written with love, humor and family dynamics.
August 16, 2024
I read Seven Summer Weekends in July not realizing it carried over from this book. These can be read as a standalone. ON FIRE ISLAND is mainly narrated by Ben’s wife Julia after her passing, so it does have a supernatural element. I liked that Rosen chose to use this creative twist in her book. Julia not ready to move on, chose to stay the summer on Fire Island to watch over husband Ben and their close friends. Using Julia’s own voice puts readers in the shoes of Julia as she experiences life after she’s gone. Tastefully written, there is sadness, but this also has many funny moments and is mostly an uplifting, positive reflection for Julia, ending in a good note all-around for everyone. It tells the individual stories of those dearest to her, that life goes on nonetheless as they strive to move forward. Husband Ben, her best friend Renee, Matty and Shep each live out their own grief, life experiences and struggles with hope to find joy and fulfillment along the way. Beautiful story. ❥ 4.25 stars — Pub. 5/23/23
May 10, 2023
My second book in a month to read about Fire Island, an island that New Yorkers escape to in the summer. This gave me all the vibes of summer reading best enjoyed next to a body of water-readers choice! It has depth and reality, but also good character development and enough drama to keep one entertained!
The narration of story is what makes this so unique. It's a recently dead woman, Julia, who died of cancer at the young age of 37. Instead of "moving on", she remains amongst her loved ones and watches their summer play out on Fire Island. We watch her husband, friend and neighbors go about their lives as seen through her eyes, watching.
A solid choice for a summer getaway read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advance e-copy of this book.
The narration of story is what makes this so unique. It's a recently dead woman, Julia, who died of cancer at the young age of 37. Instead of "moving on", she remains amongst her loved ones and watches their summer play out on Fire Island. We watch her husband, friend and neighbors go about their lives as seen through her eyes, watching.
A solid choice for a summer getaway read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advance e-copy of this book.
May 19, 2023
I had a difficult time with this book. It bums me out as I was really looking forward to it.
Julia, 37, passes away from cancer. Instead of moving on to see those that have already passed on, she decides to stick around with her husband for one last summer on their beloved Fire Island.
I didn't enjoy the story told completely through Julia. It had a lot of internal thoughts and not a lot of dialogue. It felt very disconnected to me. Plus, there wasn't much of a plot beyond how life and Ben move on after her death.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Julia, 37, passes away from cancer. Instead of moving on to see those that have already passed on, she decides to stick around with her husband for one last summer on their beloved Fire Island.
I didn't enjoy the story told completely through Julia. It had a lot of internal thoughts and not a lot of dialogue. It felt very disconnected to me. Plus, there wasn't much of a plot beyond how life and Ben move on after her death.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 5, 2023
Such a special book, especially via audio! I went into it thinking it would be a beachy book but was surprised and delighted to find it was much more of a “3 generations of men find solace and grow together” + small island community charm + great Jewish and queer representation story. The omniscient narration by one man’s deceased wife ended up being absolutely delightful and reminded me a lot of Golden Girl. Definitely on my list of 2023 favorites!
Source: Audible credit
Source: Audible credit
August 4, 2023
After Julia dies young, she hangs around to watch over her grieving husband, Ben, and their Fire Island friends and neighbors.
The blurb promised it would be funny, poignant and nostalgic, but unfortunately, I did not feel any of that. Instead, there was way too much information about way too many minor, irrelevant characters. The entire story was from Julia's point of view with hardly any dialogue, and it was a rambling mess of gossip. In hindsight, I wish I would have allowed myself to quit reading but since it was an advance copy, I felt I should finish it.
Lastly, the premise was very similar to one of my favorite books ever, I Liked My Life (5 stars) Abby Fabiaschi, and I would definitely recommend it over this one! Next.
Location: Fire Island, New York
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The blurb promised it would be funny, poignant and nostalgic, but unfortunately, I did not feel any of that. Instead, there was way too much information about way too many minor, irrelevant characters. The entire story was from Julia's point of view with hardly any dialogue, and it was a rambling mess of gossip. In hindsight, I wish I would have allowed myself to quit reading but since it was an advance copy, I felt I should finish it.
Lastly, the premise was very similar to one of my favorite books ever, I Liked My Life (5 stars) Abby Fabiaschi, and I would definitely recommend it over this one! Next.
Location: Fire Island, New York
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 24, 2023
✨ 𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 ✨
Thank you #berkleypartner @berkleypub for the gifted finished copy, and @prhaudio for the gifted ALC. #BerkleyIG #penguinrandomhousepartner #prhapartner
𝗢𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱
𝗕𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗟. 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗻
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟱/𝟮𝟯/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
📖 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯: On Fire Island is told from the perspective of Julia, a book editor who passed away at the young age of 37. We follow along with Julia as she experiences her final summer on Fire Island - as an observer that nobody else can see. We meet a delightful cast of characters and get to know them through Julia's eyes.
💭𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: This contemporary women's fiction novel by the brilliant Jane L. Rosen surprised me in the best possible way! It's clever, touching, magical and unlike anything I've read!
Rosen brings this diverse cast of characters to life and really pulls the reader right into the story. We're there with Julia, looking after these people she's leaving behind, feeling the salty air on our skin, and the sun on our face.
And while Rosen does explore death and grief here, it is done so tenderly and with a lightheartedness that often brings a smile and laughter to the reader. In other words, it's a book about death that's not overly sad. Instead it's hopeful - even life-affirming!
I read this in both print and audio - switching back and forth between the two. Narrator Emily Lawrence did such a wonderful job and really captured the voices and mood of the story.
All in all, this was a very special book and I absolutely recommend it!
📌𝑶𝒏 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑰𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒃𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔!
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: @ALLTHEBOOKSALLTHEWAYS
Thank you #berkleypartner @berkleypub for the gifted finished copy, and @prhaudio for the gifted ALC. #BerkleyIG #penguinrandomhousepartner #prhapartner
𝗢𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱
𝗕𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗟. 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗻
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟱/𝟮𝟯/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
📖 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯: On Fire Island is told from the perspective of Julia, a book editor who passed away at the young age of 37. We follow along with Julia as she experiences her final summer on Fire Island - as an observer that nobody else can see. We meet a delightful cast of characters and get to know them through Julia's eyes.
💭𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: This contemporary women's fiction novel by the brilliant Jane L. Rosen surprised me in the best possible way! It's clever, touching, magical and unlike anything I've read!
Rosen brings this diverse cast of characters to life and really pulls the reader right into the story. We're there with Julia, looking after these people she's leaving behind, feeling the salty air on our skin, and the sun on our face.
And while Rosen does explore death and grief here, it is done so tenderly and with a lightheartedness that often brings a smile and laughter to the reader. In other words, it's a book about death that's not overly sad. Instead it's hopeful - even life-affirming!
I read this in both print and audio - switching back and forth between the two. Narrator Emily Lawrence did such a wonderful job and really captured the voices and mood of the story.
All in all, this was a very special book and I absolutely recommend it!
📌𝑶𝒏 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑰𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒃𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔!
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: @ALLTHEBOOKSALLTHEWAYS
May 2, 2023
My first book by Jane Rosen and I was definitely impressed. I was expecting this one to be really sad, but the author handled these tough topics so well. I loved this book. The MC, Julia, has passed away from cancer at the age of 37. She decides to stay and watch over her loved ones for one last summer on Fire Island, a place that she had spent many summers. I loved reading about the impact Julia had made in so many people in her life. Sometimes you don't even realize how you can touch someone and become someone they'll remember and cherish. So yes, this book deals with grief, which was sad, but I also laughed a few times too. Such a beautiful book. I highly recommend it, if you are not sensitive to reading about cancer and grief of course!
July 30, 2023
Format Read: Hardcover
Review: I was very excited to read this off the description. Part one was a full blown 5 stars and then the rest was a major bust. I didn’t like the story path, or the number of characters introduced. It simple became dull and I felt lost and bored.
Recommended For: Those who want a different story, its short so no time wasted.
Bookopoly #8
Review: I was very excited to read this off the description. Part one was a full blown 5 stars and then the rest was a major bust. I didn’t like the story path, or the number of characters introduced. It simple became dull and I felt lost and bored.
Recommended For: Those who want a different story, its short so no time wasted.
Bookopoly #8
August 14, 2023
Looking for an unconventional summer story? Toss ON FIRE ISLAND into your beach bag and get lost in an unexpectedly heartwarming story about love, grief, the people that make our lives full.
The story follows book editor Julia Morse and her untimely death from cancer at the age of 37 and novelist husband Ben who is left to pick up the pieces. Before saying her final goodbye, Julia spends one more summer on her beloved Fire Island to ensure her loved ones are able to move forward in the aftermath of her passing.
While the musings of a woman speaking from beyond the grave may not strike you as beach read material, the writing has a wistful quality that doesn’t come across as morbid or flippant.
Jane Rosen takes death, a seemingly dark theme, and skillfully turns it into a heartfelt and delightful reading experience.
Brimming with nostalgia, FIRE ISLAND asks readers to contemplate our own legacies and the monumental and minute ways we can impact those around us.
READ ON FIRE ISLAND IF:
You love a bighearted novel with potential to make you laugh and cry
The striking Fire Island setting beckons you
You don’t mind suspending a bit of disbelief
RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: May 23, 2023
The story follows book editor Julia Morse and her untimely death from cancer at the age of 37 and novelist husband Ben who is left to pick up the pieces. Before saying her final goodbye, Julia spends one more summer on her beloved Fire Island to ensure her loved ones are able to move forward in the aftermath of her passing.
While the musings of a woman speaking from beyond the grave may not strike you as beach read material, the writing has a wistful quality that doesn’t come across as morbid or flippant.
Jane Rosen takes death, a seemingly dark theme, and skillfully turns it into a heartfelt and delightful reading experience.
Brimming with nostalgia, FIRE ISLAND asks readers to contemplate our own legacies and the monumental and minute ways we can impact those around us.
READ ON FIRE ISLAND IF:
You love a bighearted novel with potential to make you laugh and cry
The striking Fire Island setting beckons you
You don’t mind suspending a bit of disbelief
RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: May 23, 2023
July 1, 2023
This was such a heartwarming book about a woman who died (before the book even began) but her spirit stayed on Fire Island for one more summer so she can watch and kind of help her husband and her friends in the community grieve their loss. I really enjoyed it. It was sweet with found family and hope for the future, but it was also quite heartbreaking and sad. I really enjoy that balance in my stories, and it was very well done here.
May 12, 2025
dnf at page 150/46%
I don’t think this book is written for me. I don’t know what the point of this story is supposed to be. It’s boring and I just don’t really care about any of the characters. I’m so sad though because I really thought I would like this!
I don’t think this book is written for me. I don’t know what the point of this story is supposed to be. It’s boring and I just don’t really care about any of the characters. I’m so sad though because I really thought I would like this!
May 30, 2023
In hopes of busting my reading slump, and trying about ten different books, #OnFireIsland was the winning read that did the trick.
I loved A Shoe Story, and was so excited to read this.
Once again, I loved Jane’s beautiful writing and instantly connected to the characters. The book is narrated by 37-year-old Julia after her sudden death, as she watches her loved ones as they grieve her death, and try to overcome loss.
I thought it was a unique take, using death as part of the story of love, friendship, and having one last Summer on Fire Island to be with her husband in spirit, try to move forward.
The story brought so many laughs, which you wouldn’t expect from a book that includes a death, but I absolutely loved it!
🎧 I both read and listened to the audiobook, and really enjoyed the narration performance!
📖𝙊𝙣 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙
✍🏻Jane L. Rosen
🗓️5.23.23
💘Women’s Fiction, Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵
🏖️beautiful island setting
🤝themes of friendship
✡️Jewish rep
💔themes of grief, loss and love
Thank you @berkleypub @berkleyromance @prhaudio #gifted
I loved A Shoe Story, and was so excited to read this.
Once again, I loved Jane’s beautiful writing and instantly connected to the characters. The book is narrated by 37-year-old Julia after her sudden death, as she watches her loved ones as they grieve her death, and try to overcome loss.
I thought it was a unique take, using death as part of the story of love, friendship, and having one last Summer on Fire Island to be with her husband in spirit, try to move forward.
The story brought so many laughs, which you wouldn’t expect from a book that includes a death, but I absolutely loved it!
🎧 I both read and listened to the audiobook, and really enjoyed the narration performance!
📖𝙊𝙣 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙
✍🏻Jane L. Rosen
🗓️5.23.23
💘Women’s Fiction, Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵
🏖️beautiful island setting
🤝themes of friendship
✡️Jewish rep
💔themes of grief, loss and love
Thank you @berkleypub @berkleyromance @prhaudio #gifted
June 2, 2023
On Fire Island is engrossing and intimate book, but I didn’t even realize how much it had seeped into my heart and soul until I was weeping at the end. Author Jane L. Rosen describes her book as “an uplifting take on a heart-wrenching experience”, and there is no better description that I could give it myself. The story focuses on the people who live on Fire Island, a barrier island in New York, but with a big twist: the narrator is Julia, who has just died, adding another layer to a deep story of love and loss, healing and growth. The other characters—her husband, their friends, and their family—are going through some things, and watching them evolve over the summer is captivating and poignant. On Fire Island is filled with warmth, heart, and humor, and by the end I wanted to reach out and embrace this wonderful cast of islanders. I’d like to personally thank the author for these wonderfully complex characters and their stories.
December 16, 2022
I have loved Rosen’s earlier novels, but I was very disappointed in this one. It seemed more a rumination on what the narrator, Julia, might see after her premature death at 37. So, rather than a plot, the reader is taken on a journey of how her husband and friends might handle her death.
The reader gets a voyeuristic tour of a small part of Fire Island in the months after her death while her soul is awaiting its’ entry to the spirit world. Some of the vignettes are a bit entertaining, but most were too long. I was actually bored by some of the longer, lugubrious, scenes.
I was totally detached from the characters and really couldn’t relate to any of them. Honestly, I was enchanted by Rosen’s earlier novels, but I’m not sure I will recommend this one.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
The reader gets a voyeuristic tour of a small part of Fire Island in the months after her death while her soul is awaiting its’ entry to the spirit world. Some of the vignettes are a bit entertaining, but most were too long. I was actually bored by some of the longer, lugubrious, scenes.
I was totally detached from the characters and really couldn’t relate to any of them. Honestly, I was enchanted by Rosen’s earlier novels, but I’m not sure I will recommend this one.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
August 21, 2023
This may be my favorite book of the summer! I was immediately sucked in with the narrator and style of the story with flashbacks and following different people on the island. The details about Fire Island made me feel like I was there and want to buy a house. Every relationship was so special whether it was Julia’s personal relationships or the ones she was watching on the island. It was such an interesting way to write about death and grief. I did feel like there was one part of the ending I didn’t LOVE but I’m willing to look past it because of how much I really adored this book.
I had to put sunglasses on on the train to hide my tear filled eyes multiple times!
I had to put sunglasses on on the train to hide my tear filled eyes multiple times!
May 8, 2023
A moving novel about grief and community that sees a dead wife helping her husband grieve through one last summer at their beloved Fire Island summer home. I really enjoyed this beach read book that is a quiet study in marriage, friendship and moving on told from the unique perspective of the ghost of his wife. Perfect for fans of Kirstan Higgins and good on audio. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
CW: death from cancer
CW: death from cancer
June 8, 2023
Described as "an irresistible escape" by Elin Hiilderbrand, this book did not disappoint. I loved the characters and their relationships with each other, the community and the island. I laughed and cried. It it is my leading contender for book of the year so far. I highly recommend it for fans of Hilderbrand's Golden Girl.
March 8, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
On Fire Island gave me mixed emotions as I began reading. When reading the summary, I presumed the story was more women's fiction, but the story just didn't feel authentic enough. It had moments of hilarity that made me laugh out loud, so I finally decided that this book about death should really be read as a romcom with moments of seriousness in it. Once I came to that conclusion I really enjoyed it.
On Fire Island gave me mixed emotions as I began reading. When reading the summary, I presumed the story was more women's fiction, but the story just didn't feel authentic enough. It had moments of hilarity that made me laugh out loud, so I finally decided that this book about death should really be read as a romcom with moments of seriousness in it. Once I came to that conclusion I really enjoyed it.
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