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Nantucket Second Chances
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller Pamela Kelley invites readers to glorious Nantucket, the perfect backdrop for your summer beach read.
Returning to beautiful Nantucket, single mom Claire Shipman finds friendship, family ties, new beginnings and second chances. Claire never imagined she'd be the single mom of a teenager, going through a contentious divorce, and unexpectedly pregnant. On the bright side, at least she’s on Nantucket, where she grew up, and where her mom welcomes her home with open arms.
For years, Claire lived an enviable Manhattan lifestyle. Now her ex had a marriage-ending affair and also lost all their money. Claire’s high school friends invite her to their book club and encourage her idea to start selling high-end designer bags, fashions, and quality tourist items. Her former career as a fashion journalist will stand her in good stead. Claire names her new venture Nantucket Second Chances, and rents the perfect space off Main St. from local custom furniture creator, Cody, who proves to be a good friend, and perhaps something more. Amidst beautiful Nantucket’s changing seasons, nurtured by community and family, there couldn’t be a better place to start over.
Returning to beautiful Nantucket, single mom Claire Shipman finds friendship, family ties, new beginnings and second chances. Claire never imagined she'd be the single mom of a teenager, going through a contentious divorce, and unexpectedly pregnant. On the bright side, at least she’s on Nantucket, where she grew up, and where her mom welcomes her home with open arms.
For years, Claire lived an enviable Manhattan lifestyle. Now her ex had a marriage-ending affair and also lost all their money. Claire’s high school friends invite her to their book club and encourage her idea to start selling high-end designer bags, fashions, and quality tourist items. Her former career as a fashion journalist will stand her in good stead. Claire names her new venture Nantucket Second Chances, and rents the perfect space off Main St. from local custom furniture creator, Cody, who proves to be a good friend, and perhaps something more. Amidst beautiful Nantucket’s changing seasons, nurtured by community and family, there couldn’t be a better place to start over.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Pamela M. Kelley
51 books3,105 followersPamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women's fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you'd want as friends.
She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two. :)
She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two. :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
July 25, 2026
Claire knows her marriage is on the rocks. When she tries to tell her husband she’s pregnant, he has news of his own to share with her. And it doesn’t include Claire going forward.
So, Claire packs up and moves to her mother’s home in Nantucket. Shortly, her teenage daughter Lily joins her. It’s time to rebuild her life with positive energy around her.
This book is filled with second chances. From her life crumbling after her husband walks out, to her mother finding love again. From her daughter moving to Nantucket to escape toxic friendships, to Claire’s second-hand boutique.
If you enjoy coastal contemporary novels filled with hope for new beginnings, this is a great choice for you. I’m ready to buy my ticket and visit what is described as a beautiful northeastern island filled with charm. The food descriptions alone were beyond tempting!
I would have preferred a bit more fire from Claire, but maybe that’s just me😉
🎧 The audio was narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, who brought the feel of the island and the hope of the characters to life.
✍️ Pamela M. Kelley
🎧 7 hours 49 minutes
🗓️ Available Now
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Romance, contemporary
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the gifted audio.
So, Claire packs up and moves to her mother’s home in Nantucket. Shortly, her teenage daughter Lily joins her. It’s time to rebuild her life with positive energy around her.
This book is filled with second chances. From her life crumbling after her husband walks out, to her mother finding love again. From her daughter moving to Nantucket to escape toxic friendships, to Claire’s second-hand boutique.
If you enjoy coastal contemporary novels filled with hope for new beginnings, this is a great choice for you. I’m ready to buy my ticket and visit what is described as a beautiful northeastern island filled with charm. The food descriptions alone were beyond tempting!
I would have preferred a bit more fire from Claire, but maybe that’s just me😉
🎧 The audio was narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, who brought the feel of the island and the hope of the characters to life.
✍️ Pamela M. Kelley
🎧 7 hours 49 minutes
🗓️ Available Now
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Romance, contemporary
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the gifted audio.
June 20, 2026
It was okay. It was a little too cookie-cutter for me; I felt like I had read it before. And what was up with all the women being cheated on? I enjoyed the characters. I think some of the secondary characters are from her other Nantucket books. Full review soon.
July 13, 2026
I really loved this one and actually read it on a beach lol. I jwish real life could be as breezy and smooth as a Pamela Kelley novel
May 7, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ When Claire’s husband of eighteen years asks for a divorce, she is blindsided — and even more shocked to discover she is unexpectedly pregnant. But the greatest betrayal comes when Ellis reveals he has been having an affair with a twenty-two-year-old woman who is also expecting his child. After claiming he lost his job and must sell their Manhattan apartment, Ellis sends Claire’s carefully built life into freefall.
Seeking refuge, Claire returns to her childhood home in Nantucket, where her teenage daughter, Lily, soon joins her, unwilling to remain in New York with her father and his new girlfriend. As Claire struggles to rebuild her life, a local attorney suggests conducting a forensic audit of Ellis’s finances. Though reluctant at first, Claire eventually agrees when his stories begin to unravel and inconsistencies pile up.
With money becoming tight, Claire decides to sell her luxury designer handbags for extra cash — a decision that unexpectedly blossoms into a successful boutique business in Nantucket. Meanwhile, Lily slowly adjusts to her new school and begins forming meaningful friendships of her own. Together, mother and daughter navigate heartbreak, uncertainty, and the challenge of starting over.
While Claire initially grieves the collapse of her marriage, the discovery that Ellis has lied about nearly everything — particularly his attempts to hide assets — transforms her pain into resolve. Rather than dwelling on betrayal, Claire learns to reclaim her independence and embrace the possibility of a happier future.
Warm, uplifting, and emotionally satisfying, this novel contains all the hallmarks of a classic Pamela Kelley story. Set against the charming backdrop of Nantucket, the novel beautifully captures themes of resilience, reinvention, family, and second chances. Readers will find themselves wholeheartedly rooting for Claire as she rebuilds her life and rediscovers her happiness.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!
Seeking refuge, Claire returns to her childhood home in Nantucket, where her teenage daughter, Lily, soon joins her, unwilling to remain in New York with her father and his new girlfriend. As Claire struggles to rebuild her life, a local attorney suggests conducting a forensic audit of Ellis’s finances. Though reluctant at first, Claire eventually agrees when his stories begin to unravel and inconsistencies pile up.
With money becoming tight, Claire decides to sell her luxury designer handbags for extra cash — a decision that unexpectedly blossoms into a successful boutique business in Nantucket. Meanwhile, Lily slowly adjusts to her new school and begins forming meaningful friendships of her own. Together, mother and daughter navigate heartbreak, uncertainty, and the challenge of starting over.
While Claire initially grieves the collapse of her marriage, the discovery that Ellis has lied about nearly everything — particularly his attempts to hide assets — transforms her pain into resolve. Rather than dwelling on betrayal, Claire learns to reclaim her independence and embrace the possibility of a happier future.
Warm, uplifting, and emotionally satisfying, this novel contains all the hallmarks of a classic Pamela Kelley story. Set against the charming backdrop of Nantucket, the novel beautifully captures themes of resilience, reinvention, family, and second chances. Readers will find themselves wholeheartedly rooting for Claire as she rebuilds her life and rediscovers her happiness.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!
June 18, 2026
Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela Kelley (2026)
7h 50m narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker, 368 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations
Featuring: Nantucket, Massachusetts; March, Homecoming Trope, Divorce, Pregnancy, Friendships, Multiple POVs, Mom's House, Manhattan, New York; Tricenarian Soon-to-be Quadragenarian, Boston, Massachusetts; Book Club, Homemaker, Character Easter Eggs, Starting Over Trope, Teens, High School, Matchmaking
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🗽💔🤰🏼🏝👜👛🎤
My thoughts: 📱73% 5:39:40 Chapter 21 - This is very enjoyable, very cozy. Claire is having a few dense moments when it comes to her ex, but I'm not mad at her about it. I definitely would have had a single session if I had started sooner, as the story just flows. Unfortunately, I have an early appointment; otherwise, I definitely would have stayed up past midnight with this one.
Nantucket Second Chances gets five stars all the way from me! While it might not be the most high-stakes or intensely written story, I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. It is the ultimate cozy beach read—deeply comforting, smoothly paced, and free of any glaring mistakes.
The plot is admittedly predictable, but that predictability is exactly why Claire's indecisiveness and reluctance didn't get on my nerves. I could just relax and enjoy the ride because I knew she was going to make the right choices in the end. It was also refreshing to spend a little time revisiting high school dynamics, and I had so much fun catching all the Easter eggs from the other Pamela M. Kelley books I have read.
If you are looking for a comforting escape, this is it. Pamela M. Kelley is an automatic-read author for me, and her books just keep getting better and better.
Recommend to others: Yes! If you’ve been missing Elin Hilderbrand but want a story that isn't quite as messy with the drama, this is a fantastic substitution.
Songs for the soundtrack: "Lips Are Movin" by Meghan Trainor, "Need You Now" by Lady A, "Tear Drops On My Guitar" by Taylor Swift, "Breath" by Pearl Jam, "Black" by Pearl Jam, "As It Was" by Harry Styles, "Shape Of You" by Ed Sheeran, "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones, "The Nearness Of You" by Norah Jones, "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri, "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" by Nora Jones
Books and Authors mentioned: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, The Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley, Elin Hilderbrand, Danielle Steel, The Nantucket Inn by Pamela Kelley, Beach Plum Cove Series by Pamela Kelley, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, Nantucket Threads by Pamela Kelley
Memorable Quotes: One of them was a pretty young woman who Claire hadn’t seen before. Ellis had introduced her as Rebecca, the office’s new receptionist. It was her first job out of college, and Ellis had gushed that she was doing a great job. He’d mentioned something about her father owning a big company but wanting Rebecca to get experience somewhere else before joining his firm. Rebecca basked in the compliment, and Claire had thought it was cute at the time. Rebecca looked about the same age as Claire had been when she first started working at the magazine—when everything about living in the city was all shiny and new. When Rebecca said goodbye, she didn’t look at Claire, only at Ellis, and her gaze lingered for a long moment before she left. “I think she might have a crush on you,” Claire teased him. She expected him to laugh, but instead he looked away, then ran his hand through his hair. He seemed uncomfortable, so Claire decided to change the subject. “We need to talk actually,” she began. He looked relieved, which surprised her. “I agree. I’ve been waiting for the right time to talk to you too.” “You have? What about?” She began to feel uneasy again as Ellis paced back and forth in the room that still needed to be cleaned up, dishes washed and things put away. “I think we should consider a divorce.” His words knocked the breath out of her. She knew things hadn’t been great between them for a long time. But she’d assumed it was a natural evolution of a marriage. When she met with her mom group, most of them had similar issues—their husbands worked too much, and the romance was gone. “Why?” she’d managed to ask as a terrible thought rushed in. “Is there someone else?” Ellis looked away and couldn’t meet her eyes. He avoided answering that part of her question. He sighed heavily. “It just seems like we want different things these days. Like we’ve grown apart. It happens.” Claire frowned. She didn’t disagree, but she sensed there was more. “Is there someone else?” she asked again. He nodded. “Someone at work. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but we spend so much time together, and she makes me feel young and invincible.” Claire’s jaw dropped. “Is it Rebecca?” He ran his hand through his hair again. “It is. I didn’t expect it to go anywhere, but she’s crazy about me for some reason.” “So that’s why you want a divorce, to be with a twenty-two-year-old receptionist?” Claire felt an intense rush of pain at the betrayal. “How long has this been going on?” “Only for about six months or so. I thought it would be a quick fling. I know that’s horrible of me, but I didn’t intend for it to turn into anything serious.” “But it has?” Obviously. He nodded. “Yes, and we just found out a week ago that she’s pregnant.” Claire felt unsteady and grabbed hold of a chair by the island and sat. Ellis sounded excited about Rebecca’s pregnancy. A wave of intense sadness rushed over her, followed by anger. “What do you want me to say to that? ‘Congratulations’?” He flinched at her bitter tone. “No, and I’m sorry. I know it’s really shitty of me. But you have to admit, things haven’t been good with us for a long time.” She nodded. “Yes, that’s true. Especially these last six months while you’ve been sleeping with your receptionist.” She narrowed her eyes. “Was there anyone before her?” “No, of course not.” Ellis couldn’t look at her though, and she knew it was likely that Rebecca wasn’t the first fling he’d had in recent years. She felt stupid that she’d never suspected a thing. “Well, I have some news to share too. Remember our fun night about a month ago, when we went to that cozy Italian restaurant?” She paused, and Ellis nodded, waiting for her to continue. “Rebecca’s not the only one who’s pregnant. I took a test right before the party.” Ellis’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?” He ran his hand through his hair and started pacing again. After a long, uncomfortable moment of silence, he stopped and faced her. “Okay, let’s try to work this out. I want to be there for you and our baby.” Claire shot him a withering glance. “And what about Rebecca?” “I’ll figure something out. I’m so sorry, Claire.” He did seem sorry, but it was far too late for that. “If you think I’d give you another chance after this, you’re crazy. Go be with Rebecca. And you can clean up this mess too. I’m going to the Four Seasons.”
7h 50m narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker, 368 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations
Featuring: Nantucket, Massachusetts; March, Homecoming Trope, Divorce, Pregnancy, Friendships, Multiple POVs, Mom's House, Manhattan, New York; Tricenarian Soon-to-be Quadragenarian, Boston, Massachusetts; Book Club, Homemaker, Character Easter Eggs, Starting Over Trope, Teens, High School, Matchmaking
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🗽💔🤰🏼🏝👜👛🎤
My thoughts: 📱73% 5:39:40 Chapter 21 - This is very enjoyable, very cozy. Claire is having a few dense moments when it comes to her ex, but I'm not mad at her about it. I definitely would have had a single session if I had started sooner, as the story just flows. Unfortunately, I have an early appointment; otherwise, I definitely would have stayed up past midnight with this one.
Nantucket Second Chances gets five stars all the way from me! While it might not be the most high-stakes or intensely written story, I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. It is the ultimate cozy beach read—deeply comforting, smoothly paced, and free of any glaring mistakes.
The plot is admittedly predictable, but that predictability is exactly why Claire's indecisiveness and reluctance didn't get on my nerves. I could just relax and enjoy the ride because I knew she was going to make the right choices in the end. It was also refreshing to spend a little time revisiting high school dynamics, and I had so much fun catching all the Easter eggs from the other Pamela M. Kelley books I have read.
If you are looking for a comforting escape, this is it. Pamela M. Kelley is an automatic-read author for me, and her books just keep getting better and better.
Recommend to others: Yes! If you’ve been missing Elin Hilderbrand but want a story that isn't quite as messy with the drama, this is a fantastic substitution.
Songs for the soundtrack: "Lips Are Movin" by Meghan Trainor, "Need You Now" by Lady A, "Tear Drops On My Guitar" by Taylor Swift, "Breath" by Pearl Jam, "Black" by Pearl Jam, "As It Was" by Harry Styles, "Shape Of You" by Ed Sheeran, "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones, "The Nearness Of You" by Norah Jones, "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri, "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" by Nora Jones
Books and Authors mentioned: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, The Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley, Elin Hilderbrand, Danielle Steel, The Nantucket Inn by Pamela Kelley, Beach Plum Cove Series by Pamela Kelley, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, Nantucket Threads by Pamela Kelley
Memorable Quotes: One of them was a pretty young woman who Claire hadn’t seen before. Ellis had introduced her as Rebecca, the office’s new receptionist. It was her first job out of college, and Ellis had gushed that she was doing a great job. He’d mentioned something about her father owning a big company but wanting Rebecca to get experience somewhere else before joining his firm. Rebecca basked in the compliment, and Claire had thought it was cute at the time. Rebecca looked about the same age as Claire had been when she first started working at the magazine—when everything about living in the city was all shiny and new. When Rebecca said goodbye, she didn’t look at Claire, only at Ellis, and her gaze lingered for a long moment before she left. “I think she might have a crush on you,” Claire teased him. She expected him to laugh, but instead he looked away, then ran his hand through his hair. He seemed uncomfortable, so Claire decided to change the subject. “We need to talk actually,” she began. He looked relieved, which surprised her. “I agree. I’ve been waiting for the right time to talk to you too.” “You have? What about?” She began to feel uneasy again as Ellis paced back and forth in the room that still needed to be cleaned up, dishes washed and things put away. “I think we should consider a divorce.” His words knocked the breath out of her. She knew things hadn’t been great between them for a long time. But she’d assumed it was a natural evolution of a marriage. When she met with her mom group, most of them had similar issues—their husbands worked too much, and the romance was gone. “Why?” she’d managed to ask as a terrible thought rushed in. “Is there someone else?” Ellis looked away and couldn’t meet her eyes. He avoided answering that part of her question. He sighed heavily. “It just seems like we want different things these days. Like we’ve grown apart. It happens.” Claire frowned. She didn’t disagree, but she sensed there was more. “Is there someone else?” she asked again. He nodded. “Someone at work. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but we spend so much time together, and she makes me feel young and invincible.” Claire’s jaw dropped. “Is it Rebecca?” He ran his hand through his hair again. “It is. I didn’t expect it to go anywhere, but she’s crazy about me for some reason.” “So that’s why you want a divorce, to be with a twenty-two-year-old receptionist?” Claire felt an intense rush of pain at the betrayal. “How long has this been going on?” “Only for about six months or so. I thought it would be a quick fling. I know that’s horrible of me, but I didn’t intend for it to turn into anything serious.” “But it has?” Obviously. He nodded. “Yes, and we just found out a week ago that she’s pregnant.” Claire felt unsteady and grabbed hold of a chair by the island and sat. Ellis sounded excited about Rebecca’s pregnancy. A wave of intense sadness rushed over her, followed by anger. “What do you want me to say to that? ‘Congratulations’?” He flinched at her bitter tone. “No, and I’m sorry. I know it’s really shitty of me. But you have to admit, things haven’t been good with us for a long time.” She nodded. “Yes, that’s true. Especially these last six months while you’ve been sleeping with your receptionist.” She narrowed her eyes. “Was there anyone before her?” “No, of course not.” Ellis couldn’t look at her though, and she knew it was likely that Rebecca wasn’t the first fling he’d had in recent years. She felt stupid that she’d never suspected a thing. “Well, I have some news to share too. Remember our fun night about a month ago, when we went to that cozy Italian restaurant?” She paused, and Ellis nodded, waiting for her to continue. “Rebecca’s not the only one who’s pregnant. I took a test right before the party.” Ellis’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?” He ran his hand through his hair and started pacing again. After a long, uncomfortable moment of silence, he stopped and faced her. “Okay, let’s try to work this out. I want to be there for you and our baby.” Claire shot him a withering glance. “And what about Rebecca?” “I’ll figure something out. I’m so sorry, Claire.” He did seem sorry, but it was far too late for that. “If you think I’d give you another chance after this, you’re crazy. Go be with Rebecca. And you can clean up this mess too. I’m going to the Four Seasons.”
July 6, 2026
4.25 Stars
July 21, 2026
A perfect summer beach read. It makes me want to visit Nantucket off season at some point.
June 14, 2026
Quick and easy beach read. Very enjoyable Romcom. I love summer books set on Nantucket.
June 10, 2026
I really enjoyed this. I liked how the author brought in pieces from her other books and characters as well! I’ve read her other books and this one did not disappoint!
June 19, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ /5
I just turned the last page of this novel and it is a sweet, cozy beach read. The island vibe was lovely, but the relationships between all of the characters felt a bit too sweet to be real. The story also felt too easy, as every problem got solved way too quickly without any actual drama. The predictable plot never really surprised me, making it a perfectly fine, low-stress book that kept my attention but did not blow me away. Drop it in your beach bag, but do not expect a masterpiece. it’s still with happy end tho.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I just turned the last page of this novel and it is a sweet, cozy beach read. The island vibe was lovely, but the relationships between all of the characters felt a bit too sweet to be real. The story also felt too easy, as every problem got solved way too quickly without any actual drama. The predictable plot never really surprised me, making it a perfectly fine, low-stress book that kept my attention but did not blow me away. Drop it in your beach bag, but do not expect a masterpiece. it’s still with happy end tho.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 3, 2026
A perfect easy summer read to start a beach vacation. Taken by surprise by not only her husband’s request for a divorce but also that she is pregnant, Claire moves back to her mother’s home in Nantucket. Predictable yet very heartwarming. Characters from her previous books are intertwined, but not essential to the plot. All in all a good story of second chances in more ways than one.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for this gifted copy in return for an honest review.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for this gifted copy in return for an honest review.
July 11, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this super cute, and fun summer ARC! This was a quick read, and I was hooked from the start.
You follow 4 generations of women as they navigate through big life changes. Grammy has moved into a retirement home, and loves to give advice while watching her daughter, granddaughter, and great granddaughter are adjusting to big changes in their life as well.
Marsha, Grammy’s daughter has found love again, and trying to figure out how to move to the next stage in her relationship while being there for her daughter Claire, and granddaughter Lily. She loves having them back home in Nantucket and being more involved in her life.
Claire, is our MFC. The story mostly is around her life, and her 16 year old daughter Lily. Claire just learned that she is unexpectedly pregnant, and her husband has been cheating with someone much younger her who is also pregnant. He is going to divorce Claire and move in with his mistress Rachel. She knows right away that she needs all the help she can get, and her and her daughter move back to Nantucket.
Lily is Claire’s 16 year old daughter. She is now having to switch schools, figure out how she will deal with her parents divorce, his new girlfriend and the new baby they will have. How she handles all the changes, and her and her mom’s relationship. I appreciated how relatable she was as a teen.
I loved how we get to follow along as they grow and find a new normal. This was a zero spice read, and I really hope a book 2 will follow. 4.5⭐️ and a must read!
You follow 4 generations of women as they navigate through big life changes. Grammy has moved into a retirement home, and loves to give advice while watching her daughter, granddaughter, and great granddaughter are adjusting to big changes in their life as well.
Marsha, Grammy’s daughter has found love again, and trying to figure out how to move to the next stage in her relationship while being there for her daughter Claire, and granddaughter Lily. She loves having them back home in Nantucket and being more involved in her life.
Claire, is our MFC. The story mostly is around her life, and her 16 year old daughter Lily. Claire just learned that she is unexpectedly pregnant, and her husband has been cheating with someone much younger her who is also pregnant. He is going to divorce Claire and move in with his mistress Rachel. She knows right away that she needs all the help she can get, and her and her daughter move back to Nantucket.
Lily is Claire’s 16 year old daughter. She is now having to switch schools, figure out how she will deal with her parents divorce, his new girlfriend and the new baby they will have. How she handles all the changes, and her and her mom’s relationship. I appreciated how relatable she was as a teen.
I loved how we get to follow along as they grow and find a new normal. This was a zero spice read, and I really hope a book 2 will follow. 4.5⭐️ and a must read!
May 20, 2026
My first summer read of the season & it did not disappoint! Pamela Kelley always writes the best summer beach reads, that really let you sink into her writing and make her characters so relatable. I loved the character development and following Lily & Claire’s move to Nantucket as they rediscovered themselves. I love any book with a setting on Nantucket! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
June 27, 2026
If you are looking for an easy summer read this will fit the bill. The setting Nantucket of course makes the book. What a beautiful place to start your life over again. There were some likeable characters but beware of Ellis!
July 4, 2026
Easy read-family divorce and starting over. Enough plot to keep it interesting.
A woman’s husband cheats on her. She and her 17 year old daughter moves back to Nantucket to live with her mother.
A woman’s husband cheats on her. She and her 17 year old daughter moves back to Nantucket to live with her mother.
July 19, 2026
I was looking for a light, easy beach read and this was everything I hoped for and more! I devoured it in a day. I'm a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand and I'm sure this author will be getting major comparisons to her, probably due to the Nantucket setting. This was original and so easy and fun to read. I felt I was on the island. This was the perfect summer beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!
June 22, 2026
I loved the cover of this book, but wasn't sure if I'd really love the story. It turns out, I was wrong and the story was a quick, easy, sweet beach read and honestly, it's as close as I'll ever get to living on Nantucket lol. I really liked how the characters were written and how Pamela Kelley touched on real-life situations that people go through every day (divorce, money struggles, single motherhood, etc.).
My only qualm is that while these topics are discussed and can be very relatable, there wasn't a lot of conflict and everything was quickly and easily worked through. I wish there had been more tension, drama, and that the main character, Claire, had more of a backbone.
Overall, this was a great story and I plan on reading more from this author!
My only qualm is that while these topics are discussed and can be very relatable, there wasn't a lot of conflict and everything was quickly and easily worked through. I wish there had been more tension, drama, and that the main character, Claire, had more of a backbone.
Overall, this was a great story and I plan on reading more from this author!
July 7, 2026
Super cute and cozy. I loved the characters and the beachy backdrop of Nantucket. The story sucked me in and for a pretty quick read.
My main complaint is the dialogue. A lot of it sounded too formal and not all natural, but I suppose that could be a regional thing. Those parts took me out of the story a bit, as did some of the writing-- some super simplistic sentences with random details that didn't need to be stated.
Overall an enjoyable read. Felt a little like a Hallmark movie, which I'm not mad about.
My main complaint is the dialogue. A lot of it sounded too formal and not all natural, but I suppose that could be a regional thing. Those parts took me out of the story a bit, as did some of the writing-- some super simplistic sentences with random details that didn't need to be stated.
Overall an enjoyable read. Felt a little like a Hallmark movie, which I'm not mad about.
July 19, 2026
Another winner
I was looking forward to reading this book and it didn’t disappoint. Loved the story and the characters. Hope maybe there will be another to follow.
I was looking forward to reading this book and it didn’t disappoint. Loved the story and the characters. Hope maybe there will be another to follow.
May 13, 2026
I’d give Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela M. Kelley 3.5 stars. This was a light, easy coastal read with plenty of family drama, friendship, and fresh starts woven throughout the story. I enjoyed the Nantucket setting and the comforting small-town atmosphere the author always does well. While parts of the story felt a little predictable and moved slower at times, the characters were likable and the overall message about healing and second chances made it an enjoyable read. A good pick if you’re in the mood for something warm, relaxing, and heartwarming.
Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the great advanced copy for my review. Pamela Kelley Thank You for always giving your readers just what they want and need in your stories. This is truly the Perfect book for a Nantucket beach read. Claire has just been told by her husband of many years that he wants a divorce. But wait that’s not all. She just found out she is pregnant! So off Claire and her daughter go Nantucket to live with her mom. But wait there’s more. Her husband has a much younger mistress and she is also pregnant. Wow! Oh and he tells Claire that he has lost all their money and was let go from his job. I mean does it ever get any better? And To say that Claire and her daughter are devastated that their world has been turned upside down……well that’s an understatement. This journey has quite the journey for them. This story really jerks at your heartstrings and you will definitely need a tissue along the way. It is a wonderfully written story about family supporting one another, long time friends being there in every way and hoping some day for a second chance at a life that includes being loved somewhere down the road. I highly recommend this heartfelt story. You will love it as much as I did.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A comforting, slow-burning coastal midlife summer read.
"A sweet and uplifting family saga where an unexpected pregnancy and a closet full of luxury handbags spark a cozy story of reinvention."
In NANTUCKET SECOND CHANCES, bestselling author Pamela Kelley delivers a deeply atmospheric, ocean-breezy island contemporary women's fiction mystery.
The story hinges on a broke, newly single mother navigating immense financial and emotional hurdles to launch a luxury resale business in her hometown. Divorced Manhattanite vs. small-town skepticism.
Elevator Pitch
Blindsided by her husband’s high-profile affair and total financial ruin, a bankrupt, unexpectedly pregnant mother flees Manhattan for her childhood home of Nantucket, turning an off-hand book club joke about her luxury Hermès collection into a booming second-chance boutique.
Setting
The picturesque summer island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The story unfolds between a multi-generational family home welcoming three generations of women and a rustic, unpaved storefront nestled in the heart of the coastal town.
Vibe
Sweet, comforting, and charming. It perfectly pairs the warm, low-stakes relaxation of a beachside summer read with the uplifting, inspiring energy of a midlife entrepreneurial journey.
Genre: Women's Fiction / Contemporary Family Saga / Clean Romance.
Themes
~Starting over
~Matriarchal Safety Nets
~Turning Trash to Treasure
~Community vs. Isolation
CLAIRE SHIPMAN: THE DETERMINED MOTHER
Turning personal heartbreak and a closet of designer bags into an unexpected economic superpower.
Standout Characters
~Claire Shipman: The protagonist; a single mom handling a contentious divorce, a teenager, and a surprise pregnancy with ultimate grace and grit.
~Cody: A talented local furniture builder who lends Claire a spare storefront, starting as an ultimate business skeptic before becoming her biggest ally.
Author Writing Standout
Kelley’s signature gift for creating warm, ultra-supportive communities shines through in her measured, comforting pacing.
Takeaway
When life completely blindsides you and shatters your security blanket, the best way forward is to unpack your hidden assets and trust the family roots waiting to catch you.
Title Significance
Nantucket Second Chances acts as a literal and beautiful promise for every character. It highlights that the historic island isn't just a holiday escape, but a restorative sanctuary where women can safely rebuild their hearts, families, and livelihoods from the ground up.
Metaphor
Claire’s vintage Hermès handbags serve as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent the heavy, superficial armor of her old Manhattan lifestyle—an elite status symbol that she must physically dismantle, catalog, and liquidate to purchase her true independence.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you are a fan of low-stakes, feel-good women's fiction like the works of Elin Hilderbrand or Robyn Carr, or if you want a wholesome, life-affirming novel about family healing and entrepreneurial second acts.
My Thoughts
The novel succeeds beautifully in building a cozy, comforting atmosphere. The Nantucket timeline is perfectly captured—not just through beach aesthetics, but through the sweet emotional anxieties of modern motherhood and the timeless comfort of multi-generational family bonds.
Claire is an unforgettable, deeply relatable lead whose resilience and business savvy make her journey highly grounding. A masterfully executed, uplifting climax.
Verdict: 4 / 5 Stars
"A sweet, beautifully atmospheric contemporary novel that pairs a heartwarming story of family healing with an inspiring midlife comeback story."
Recs
~The Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley (for more of the author’s signature, five-star island culinary and family saga roots)
~The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand (for another exceptional, comforting look at female friendships and healing on Nantucket) [1,
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustRead Books
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: June 9, 2026
June Newsletter
June 2026 Must-Read Books
"A sweet and uplifting family saga where an unexpected pregnancy and a closet full of luxury handbags spark a cozy story of reinvention."
In NANTUCKET SECOND CHANCES, bestselling author Pamela Kelley delivers a deeply atmospheric, ocean-breezy island contemporary women's fiction mystery.
The story hinges on a broke, newly single mother navigating immense financial and emotional hurdles to launch a luxury resale business in her hometown. Divorced Manhattanite vs. small-town skepticism.
Elevator Pitch
Blindsided by her husband’s high-profile affair and total financial ruin, a bankrupt, unexpectedly pregnant mother flees Manhattan for her childhood home of Nantucket, turning an off-hand book club joke about her luxury Hermès collection into a booming second-chance boutique.
Setting
The picturesque summer island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The story unfolds between a multi-generational family home welcoming three generations of women and a rustic, unpaved storefront nestled in the heart of the coastal town.
Vibe
Sweet, comforting, and charming. It perfectly pairs the warm, low-stakes relaxation of a beachside summer read with the uplifting, inspiring energy of a midlife entrepreneurial journey.
Genre: Women's Fiction / Contemporary Family Saga / Clean Romance.
Themes
~Starting over
~Matriarchal Safety Nets
~Turning Trash to Treasure
~Community vs. Isolation
CLAIRE SHIPMAN: THE DETERMINED MOTHER
Turning personal heartbreak and a closet of designer bags into an unexpected economic superpower.
Standout Characters
~Claire Shipman: The protagonist; a single mom handling a contentious divorce, a teenager, and a surprise pregnancy with ultimate grace and grit.
~Cody: A talented local furniture builder who lends Claire a spare storefront, starting as an ultimate business skeptic before becoming her biggest ally.
Author Writing Standout
Kelley’s signature gift for creating warm, ultra-supportive communities shines through in her measured, comforting pacing.
Takeaway
When life completely blindsides you and shatters your security blanket, the best way forward is to unpack your hidden assets and trust the family roots waiting to catch you.
Title Significance
Nantucket Second Chances acts as a literal and beautiful promise for every character. It highlights that the historic island isn't just a holiday escape, but a restorative sanctuary where women can safely rebuild their hearts, families, and livelihoods from the ground up.
Metaphor
Claire’s vintage Hermès handbags serve as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent the heavy, superficial armor of her old Manhattan lifestyle—an elite status symbol that she must physically dismantle, catalog, and liquidate to purchase her true independence.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you are a fan of low-stakes, feel-good women's fiction like the works of Elin Hilderbrand or Robyn Carr, or if you want a wholesome, life-affirming novel about family healing and entrepreneurial second acts.
My Thoughts
The novel succeeds beautifully in building a cozy, comforting atmosphere. The Nantucket timeline is perfectly captured—not just through beach aesthetics, but through the sweet emotional anxieties of modern motherhood and the timeless comfort of multi-generational family bonds.
Claire is an unforgettable, deeply relatable lead whose resilience and business savvy make her journey highly grounding. A masterfully executed, uplifting climax.
Verdict: 4 / 5 Stars
"A sweet, beautifully atmospheric contemporary novel that pairs a heartwarming story of family healing with an inspiring midlife comeback story."
Recs
~The Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley (for more of the author’s signature, five-star island culinary and family saga roots)
~The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand (for another exceptional, comforting look at female friendships and healing on Nantucket) [1,
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustRead Books
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: June 9, 2026
June Newsletter
June 2026 Must-Read Books
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Pamela M. Kelley’s Nantucket Second Chances made me want to dramatically quit my entire life, buy an oversized sweater, open a little coastal boutique near the ocean, and emotionally recover through sea air, coffee runs, and women who actually answer your phone calls when your life implodes. Honestly? That sounds healthier than whatever Manhattan was doing for Claire.
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark, thank you so much to the publisher for the gifted book because this story felt like a warm Nantucket breeze mixed with a gentle reminder that sometimes your life has to completely fall apart before it finally starts making sense again.
Claire Shipman’s world absolutely detonates in the span of about five minutes. Her husband cheats, asks for a divorce, loses their money, gets another woman pregnant… and then Claire finds out she’s pregnant too. Which honestly feels like the universe looked at this woman and said, “Let’s test her emotional range today.” But instead of spiraling into bitterness, Claire heads home to Nantucket with her daughter Lily and slowly begins rebuilding a life that actually feels real instead of performative.
And that’s what I loved most about this story. It isn’t loud or overly dramatic. It’s cozy in that deeply comforting way where healing happens through community, family dinners, bookstore conversations, beach walks, coffee with friends, and realizing you’re stronger than the version of yourself that stayed too long in the wrong life.
Claire was such an easy character to root for because she felt believable. Exhausted. Hurt. Scared. Hopeful. Lily was equally wonderful and added so much heart to the story as she navigated her own fresh start and figured out who she wanted to become outside the chaos her father created. And Cody? Quietly dependable men who build furniture and mind their business might actually be the superior fictional love interest category.
Pamela Kelley writes Nantucket in a way that makes it feel less like a setting and more like emotional therapy with hydrangeas and salt air. Every little shop, meal, and neighborhood interaction made me want to pack a bag and disappear to the coast for the summer.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sometimes the life you thought was falling apart is really the life making room for something better.”
If you love women’s fiction filled with second chances, family dynamics, small-town charm, supportive friendships, gentle romance, and the kind of story that feels like a Hallmark movie wrapped in a cashmere beach blanket, this one absolutely belongs in your summer bag.
Tell me honestly… if your life completely imploded tomorrow, where would your “starting over” place be? 🌊📚☕️
#NantucketSecondChances #PamelaMKelley #WomensFiction #BeachReads #SummerBooks #Bookstagram #SourcebooksLand
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark, thank you so much to the publisher for the gifted book because this story felt like a warm Nantucket breeze mixed with a gentle reminder that sometimes your life has to completely fall apart before it finally starts making sense again.
Claire Shipman’s world absolutely detonates in the span of about five minutes. Her husband cheats, asks for a divorce, loses their money, gets another woman pregnant… and then Claire finds out she’s pregnant too. Which honestly feels like the universe looked at this woman and said, “Let’s test her emotional range today.” But instead of spiraling into bitterness, Claire heads home to Nantucket with her daughter Lily and slowly begins rebuilding a life that actually feels real instead of performative.
And that’s what I loved most about this story. It isn’t loud or overly dramatic. It’s cozy in that deeply comforting way where healing happens through community, family dinners, bookstore conversations, beach walks, coffee with friends, and realizing you’re stronger than the version of yourself that stayed too long in the wrong life.
Claire was such an easy character to root for because she felt believable. Exhausted. Hurt. Scared. Hopeful. Lily was equally wonderful and added so much heart to the story as she navigated her own fresh start and figured out who she wanted to become outside the chaos her father created. And Cody? Quietly dependable men who build furniture and mind their business might actually be the superior fictional love interest category.
Pamela Kelley writes Nantucket in a way that makes it feel less like a setting and more like emotional therapy with hydrangeas and salt air. Every little shop, meal, and neighborhood interaction made me want to pack a bag and disappear to the coast for the summer.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sometimes the life you thought was falling apart is really the life making room for something better.”
If you love women’s fiction filled with second chances, family dynamics, small-town charm, supportive friendships, gentle romance, and the kind of story that feels like a Hallmark movie wrapped in a cashmere beach blanket, this one absolutely belongs in your summer bag.
Tell me honestly… if your life completely imploded tomorrow, where would your “starting over” place be? 🌊📚☕️
#NantucketSecondChances #PamelaMKelley #WomensFiction #BeachReads #SummerBooks #Bookstagram #SourcebooksLand
June 12, 2026
Nantucket Second Chances begins with Claire meeting up with her best friend, Rachel, once she arrives at her mother’s home on Nantucket. She and Rachel have been besties their whole lives while growing up on Nantucket. Claire had never needed Rachel more…………..
Claire proceeds to tell Rachel that she had been preparing for a dinner party at her and Ellis’ home in New York City, which they did often, hosting a lot of her husband’s clients, only to discover that she was pregnant. Claire had not thought she could conceive again so was caught between excitement and nervousness. She had planned to tell her husband after the party only for him to tell her he had some news of his own: he thought they should consider divorce. Shocked, Claire asked if there was someone else and he confirmed there was…..and they just found out that his new girlfriend was pregnant. Claire then informed him that she was pregnant as well. Which is how she finds herself at her mom’s house on Nantucket without her teenage daughter, Lily, who had wanted to try and finish out the school year in New York City.
It does not take long for things with Ellis to worsen. He informed Claire that he had lost his job, and all their money, but that he would do right by her, Lily, and the baby. Lily decides she is done with her dad and NYC and joins her mother on Nantucket and enrolls in school there.
Claire has not worked in several years and knows she needs to do something that will help her and Lily financially and decides to open a high-end consignment shop to sell some of her designer bags. She speaks to a friend’s brother, Cody, and eventually works out a deal to rent part of his building to give her business a go.
As Claire and Lily map out their new normal, they both find themselves happy on Nantucket. Claire’s growing friendships, especially with Cody, make her feel more and more at home. Lily is making friends faster than she ever thought she could and loves where she is.
However, on one of Lily’s first visits to her dad’s in the city, she hears things that do not make sense. Once she shares them with her mom, Claire discusses them with her attorney. Seems the attorney’s idea of a forensic audit on their finances was warranted after all. Once all becomes known, Claire does, indeed, get a Nantucket second chance.
Nantucket Second Chances is a wonderfully written story by Pamela Kelly. The world building was amazing as were the depths of the secondary characters. It has not been often for me in the last few years to read a book that pulled me in from the very first sentence. This one did. What an amazing story of perseverance and dogged determination to build the life you want and deserve. Well done, Pamela Kelly! Very, very well done!
Claire proceeds to tell Rachel that she had been preparing for a dinner party at her and Ellis’ home in New York City, which they did often, hosting a lot of her husband’s clients, only to discover that she was pregnant. Claire had not thought she could conceive again so was caught between excitement and nervousness. She had planned to tell her husband after the party only for him to tell her he had some news of his own: he thought they should consider divorce. Shocked, Claire asked if there was someone else and he confirmed there was…..and they just found out that his new girlfriend was pregnant. Claire then informed him that she was pregnant as well. Which is how she finds herself at her mom’s house on Nantucket without her teenage daughter, Lily, who had wanted to try and finish out the school year in New York City.
It does not take long for things with Ellis to worsen. He informed Claire that he had lost his job, and all their money, but that he would do right by her, Lily, and the baby. Lily decides she is done with her dad and NYC and joins her mother on Nantucket and enrolls in school there.
Claire has not worked in several years and knows she needs to do something that will help her and Lily financially and decides to open a high-end consignment shop to sell some of her designer bags. She speaks to a friend’s brother, Cody, and eventually works out a deal to rent part of his building to give her business a go.
As Claire and Lily map out their new normal, they both find themselves happy on Nantucket. Claire’s growing friendships, especially with Cody, make her feel more and more at home. Lily is making friends faster than she ever thought she could and loves where she is.
However, on one of Lily’s first visits to her dad’s in the city, she hears things that do not make sense. Once she shares them with her mom, Claire discusses them with her attorney. Seems the attorney’s idea of a forensic audit on their finances was warranted after all. Once all becomes known, Claire does, indeed, get a Nantucket second chance.
Nantucket Second Chances is a wonderfully written story by Pamela Kelly. The world building was amazing as were the depths of the secondary characters. It has not been often for me in the last few years to read a book that pulled me in from the very first sentence. This one did. What an amazing story of perseverance and dogged determination to build the life you want and deserve. Well done, Pamela Kelly! Very, very well done!
June 14, 2026
Book rating: 2.75/5 ⭐️
Genre: contemporary romance
Themes: healing, moving forward, small town charm, friendship
I enjoyed The Nantucket restaurant so I was excited to return to this charming seaside location. With its cute boutiques, ice cream parlours and small town vibes, Nantucket screams summer. Then add in the mouth watering seafood and the friendly locals and this really is a dream landscape. I once again enjoyed the foodie aspect of this story and immediately want to book a trip to Nantucket.
The story is a Hallmark type romance with low stakes and bridled emotions. It is a feel good story where everything works out in the end despite a tumultuous relationship that sets things into motion and zero confrontations. It is an easy read that is relaxing and makes you believe in second chances and love at any age. The characters were likeable and while the plot was predictable and slow at times, it will hit the spot for a heartwarming summer read.
Claire Shipman has surprisingly found herself pregnant again on the eve that her husband declares he wants to divorce her for his much younger secretary, who is also pregnant. That bombshell is accompanied by the fact that he has apparently lost all of their money and was fired after making some poor investments. Shocked and dejected, Claire moves home to Nantucket with her closet full of designer wares and is shortly joined by her teenage daughter Lily. Staying with her mother and close to her childhood friends is the balm both Claire and Lily need to heal and discover new things and connections that bring them joy.
I liked that there was a generation of women each with their own sweet love story of friendship blooming into more. So often this scenario is for the young and I enjoyed the happily ever after for multiple ages. The healing powerful of friendship and women supporting each other was another feel good theme. As a fashion lover, I also enjoyed the consignment of high end handbags as a starting point for this story, even if it was hard to believe anyone beside an Arab princess had this many extra Hermes handbags.
I had trouble with the fact that Claire was so passive and accepting. There were so many red flags around Ellis, and she so easily forgave his deceit.
A little rage seemed realistic instead of this sugar-coated version of events. The style of writing also bounced around characters, which I found a little confusing. I often felt like I was being told the story rather than living it. I was perhaps not in the write mood for this, but I can see it as a popular comfort read for summer.
Thank you @bookmarked for the gifted eARC.
#SourcebooksLandmarkPartner #BookmarkedPartner.
Genre: contemporary romance
Themes: healing, moving forward, small town charm, friendship
I enjoyed The Nantucket restaurant so I was excited to return to this charming seaside location. With its cute boutiques, ice cream parlours and small town vibes, Nantucket screams summer. Then add in the mouth watering seafood and the friendly locals and this really is a dream landscape. I once again enjoyed the foodie aspect of this story and immediately want to book a trip to Nantucket.
The story is a Hallmark type romance with low stakes and bridled emotions. It is a feel good story where everything works out in the end despite a tumultuous relationship that sets things into motion and zero confrontations. It is an easy read that is relaxing and makes you believe in second chances and love at any age. The characters were likeable and while the plot was predictable and slow at times, it will hit the spot for a heartwarming summer read.
Claire Shipman has surprisingly found herself pregnant again on the eve that her husband declares he wants to divorce her for his much younger secretary, who is also pregnant. That bombshell is accompanied by the fact that he has apparently lost all of their money and was fired after making some poor investments. Shocked and dejected, Claire moves home to Nantucket with her closet full of designer wares and is shortly joined by her teenage daughter Lily. Staying with her mother and close to her childhood friends is the balm both Claire and Lily need to heal and discover new things and connections that bring them joy.
I liked that there was a generation of women each with their own sweet love story of friendship blooming into more. So often this scenario is for the young and I enjoyed the happily ever after for multiple ages. The healing powerful of friendship and women supporting each other was another feel good theme. As a fashion lover, I also enjoyed the consignment of high end handbags as a starting point for this story, even if it was hard to believe anyone beside an Arab princess had this many extra Hermes handbags.
I had trouble with the fact that Claire was so passive and accepting. There were so many red flags around Ellis, and she so easily forgave his deceit.
A little rage seemed realistic instead of this sugar-coated version of events. The style of writing also bounced around characters, which I found a little confusing. I often felt like I was being told the story rather than living it. I was perhaps not in the write mood for this, but I can see it as a popular comfort read for summer.
Thank you @bookmarked for the gifted eARC.
#SourcebooksLandmarkPartner #BookmarkedPartner.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a fan of Pamela Kelley’s books, especially those set in Nantucket (a place I hope to visit someday), so I was thrilled to read her latest, Nantucket Second Chances. If you’re looking for a light “beach” read with likeable characters, women at various stages of their lives dealing with adversity and starting over, a terrific description of Nantucket Island (including great food descriptions), and a heartwarming ending, this one’s for you.
Claire Shipman, a stay-at-home mom living an elegant life in Manhattan with her husband, an investment manager, and her teenage daughter, returns to her mother, Marsha’s, home in Nantucket after her husband asks for a divorce the same evening that, surprisingly after so many years, she shares she is pregnant. Here husband admits to an affair, and that his mistress is pregnant.
Claire’s daughter, Lily, chooses to leave her high school and move with her, and three generations are under one roof (with a fourth generation, Claire’s grandmother, nearby in an assisted living community). Claire’s childhood best friend, Rachel, still lives in Nantucket and introduces Claire to her friends. Looking for a way to earn some income, Claire sells some of her high-end designer handbags and shoes to her new friends and their friends. Realizing that this could become an actual business, she rents a space from Cody, the brother of one of her new friends, and launches a consignment business, “Nantucket Second Chances.” After adding some less expensive items to attract tourists and more customers, the business slowly takes off.
As with other Kelley books, this one revolves around family, friendships, challenges, and second chances at various stages of life (for Claire, Lily, and Marsha). I rooted for all of them as they became stronger and happier. Ms. Kelley is also a foodie, and this book is loaded with delicious descriptions of family meals, events, or even lunches and dinners at local restaurants. For those familiar with the Nantucket Beach Plum Cove series or the Nantucket Restaurant series, there are a few cameos in Second Chances that will bring a smile.
Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Claire Shipman, a stay-at-home mom living an elegant life in Manhattan with her husband, an investment manager, and her teenage daughter, returns to her mother, Marsha’s, home in Nantucket after her husband asks for a divorce the same evening that, surprisingly after so many years, she shares she is pregnant. Here husband admits to an affair, and that his mistress is pregnant.
Claire’s daughter, Lily, chooses to leave her high school and move with her, and three generations are under one roof (with a fourth generation, Claire’s grandmother, nearby in an assisted living community). Claire’s childhood best friend, Rachel, still lives in Nantucket and introduces Claire to her friends. Looking for a way to earn some income, Claire sells some of her high-end designer handbags and shoes to her new friends and their friends. Realizing that this could become an actual business, she rents a space from Cody, the brother of one of her new friends, and launches a consignment business, “Nantucket Second Chances.” After adding some less expensive items to attract tourists and more customers, the business slowly takes off.
As with other Kelley books, this one revolves around family, friendships, challenges, and second chances at various stages of life (for Claire, Lily, and Marsha). I rooted for all of them as they became stronger and happier. Ms. Kelley is also a foodie, and this book is loaded with delicious descriptions of family meals, events, or even lunches and dinners at local restaurants. For those familiar with the Nantucket Beach Plum Cove series or the Nantucket Restaurant series, there are a few cameos in Second Chances that will bring a smile.
Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 16, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)
Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela Kelley was such a comforting and uplifting read. This is exactly the kind of story I look for from Pamela Kelley, and it reminded me why she is such a reliable go-to author for me.
The story follows Claire, whose life falls apart all at once when her husband asks for a divorce, reveals he has been having an affair, and then leaves her dealing with financial uncertainty and a surprise pregnancy. Needing a place to land, Claire returns home to Nantucket, where she slowly starts rebuilding her life with her daughter, Lily, by her side.
I really liked Claire as a main character. She is hurt, overwhelmed, and scared, but she also has a quiet strength that makes her easy to root for. Watching her turn something as simple as selling her designer handbags into a new business was such a satisfying part of the story. I love a reinvention arc, especially when it feels earned and grounded in family, friendship, and community.
The Nantucket setting was one of my favorite parts. Pamela Kelley writes these coastal, small-town settings so well, and this book had that cozy, comforting feeling I always enjoy in her stories. The shops, friendships, family support, and island atmosphere made the story feel warm without being overly dramatic.
I also enjoyed Lily’s part of the story. She is dealing with her own disappointment and hurt, but it was sweet to see her find her place on Nantucket too. The mother-daughter relationship added a lot of heart, and I liked that both Claire and Lily were given space to start over in different ways.
There is also a little mystery and tension with Ellis’s finances, which helped keep the story moving. I liked that it was not just about Claire healing emotionally, but also about her realizing she deserved honesty, security, and a better future.
Overall, Nantucket Second Chances was a warm, satisfying story about family, resilience, starting over, and finding happiness again after life completely changes. It had heart, a little drama, a beautiful setting, and the kind of hopeful ending that makes Pamela Kelley’s books so enjoyable.
A big thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela Kelley was such a comforting and uplifting read. This is exactly the kind of story I look for from Pamela Kelley, and it reminded me why she is such a reliable go-to author for me.
The story follows Claire, whose life falls apart all at once when her husband asks for a divorce, reveals he has been having an affair, and then leaves her dealing with financial uncertainty and a surprise pregnancy. Needing a place to land, Claire returns home to Nantucket, where she slowly starts rebuilding her life with her daughter, Lily, by her side.
I really liked Claire as a main character. She is hurt, overwhelmed, and scared, but she also has a quiet strength that makes her easy to root for. Watching her turn something as simple as selling her designer handbags into a new business was such a satisfying part of the story. I love a reinvention arc, especially when it feels earned and grounded in family, friendship, and community.
The Nantucket setting was one of my favorite parts. Pamela Kelley writes these coastal, small-town settings so well, and this book had that cozy, comforting feeling I always enjoy in her stories. The shops, friendships, family support, and island atmosphere made the story feel warm without being overly dramatic.
I also enjoyed Lily’s part of the story. She is dealing with her own disappointment and hurt, but it was sweet to see her find her place on Nantucket too. The mother-daughter relationship added a lot of heart, and I liked that both Claire and Lily were given space to start over in different ways.
There is also a little mystery and tension with Ellis’s finances, which helped keep the story moving. I liked that it was not just about Claire healing emotionally, but also about her realizing she deserved honesty, security, and a better future.
Overall, Nantucket Second Chances was a warm, satisfying story about family, resilience, starting over, and finding happiness again after life completely changes. It had heart, a little drama, a beautiful setting, and the kind of hopeful ending that makes Pamela Kelley’s books so enjoyable.
A big thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2026
Claire Shipman, 38, is trying to deal with some shocks she has recently received. Her husband, Ellis, a successful businessman in Manhattan, has asked her for a divorce. He admits that he is in love with his 22-year-old receptionist and who is pregnant. It just so happens that the day he told her, Claire had just discovered she too is pregnant. They are parents to Lily a teenager. Claire immediately heads to Nantucket where her mother lives to stay with her.
As she settles in, she starts doctor’s visits for the baby and meets with an attorney. That’s when Ellis calls to say he made a very bad investment decision and they are broke. Her attorney is skeptical of this but Claire decides to hold off on a forensic check for the time being. Lily decides to come live with Claire and finish high school on the island. As Claire grew up there, she has many friends and meets up with them again. Now, she needs to find a job as well.
Claire has a nice collection of very expensive handbags and shoes. When a friend sees a handbag, she offers to buy it and Claire agrees. The amount of money is astonishing. Thus Claire opens a consignment shop of sorts with other things that tourists and locals might wish to purchase. It turns out to be a good idea.
Lily settles into school making new friends and playing music which is a passion for her. Although she is mad at her father, she agrees to see him when he comes to town. But Ellis shows that he does have money and Claire agrees to a forensic audit. Is that a mistake? Did she spend unnecessary money to do this?
This book is just a total delight. I love the well-developed characters and the incredible way the author has of bringing friends and families together. The story is so interesting and I didn’t want to put the book down for a minute. Do read and enjoy this story. I’ve become a huge fan of Pamela Kelley and look forward to reading more of her novels.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
As she settles in, she starts doctor’s visits for the baby and meets with an attorney. That’s when Ellis calls to say he made a very bad investment decision and they are broke. Her attorney is skeptical of this but Claire decides to hold off on a forensic check for the time being. Lily decides to come live with Claire and finish high school on the island. As Claire grew up there, she has many friends and meets up with them again. Now, she needs to find a job as well.
Claire has a nice collection of very expensive handbags and shoes. When a friend sees a handbag, she offers to buy it and Claire agrees. The amount of money is astonishing. Thus Claire opens a consignment shop of sorts with other things that tourists and locals might wish to purchase. It turns out to be a good idea.
Lily settles into school making new friends and playing music which is a passion for her. Although she is mad at her father, she agrees to see him when he comes to town. But Ellis shows that he does have money and Claire agrees to a forensic audit. Is that a mistake? Did she spend unnecessary money to do this?
This book is just a total delight. I love the well-developed characters and the incredible way the author has of bringing friends and families together. The story is so interesting and I didn’t want to put the book down for a minute. Do read and enjoy this story. I’ve become a huge fan of Pamela Kelley and look forward to reading more of her novels.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 15, 2026
Nantucket Second Chances was a heart-warming story about reinventing oneself after divorce. Claire Shipman is a stay-at-home mom in Manhattan whose life revolves around charity dinners and her husband’s high profile finance parties. After hosting a party, Claire’s husband Ellis blindsides her and tells her that he wants a divorce and that he has been having an affair with the secretary at his work. Claire and Ellis have a teenage daughter (Lily) of their own and have struggled with getting pregnant after having Lily. Claire is shocked by the ask for a divorce as she is now pregnant after years of infertility. Ellis then drops another bomb on her that his mistress is also pregnant at the same time as Claire.
Claire wants a fresh start for herself, Lily, and the soon to be new addition to their family. She moves back to her childhood home in Nantucket and moves back in with her mother to get back on her feet. Since Claires’ life revolved around her husband, she has not had a job in years. She tries to find any openings on the island but it’s the off season so she struggles to come up with any options. She does have an extra room at her mother’s house, filled with designer purses and shoes that she no longer has any use for. After mentioning her designer wardrobe to her book club group, they suggested opening a secondhand consignment shop for designer items. Claire is skeptical since she has not worked in retail for ages but wants to build something of her own. She ends up naming the secondhand store “Nantucket Second Chances”.
This book is a cute read about new friendships, finding yourself after divorce, and being open to opportunities that come your way. I would give this book a 3.5/5.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Claire wants a fresh start for herself, Lily, and the soon to be new addition to their family. She moves back to her childhood home in Nantucket and moves back in with her mother to get back on her feet. Since Claires’ life revolved around her husband, she has not had a job in years. She tries to find any openings on the island but it’s the off season so she struggles to come up with any options. She does have an extra room at her mother’s house, filled with designer purses and shoes that she no longer has any use for. After mentioning her designer wardrobe to her book club group, they suggested opening a secondhand consignment shop for designer items. Claire is skeptical since she has not worked in retail for ages but wants to build something of her own. She ends up naming the secondhand store “Nantucket Second Chances”.
This book is a cute read about new friendships, finding yourself after divorce, and being open to opportunities that come your way. I would give this book a 3.5/5.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have read other novels by Pamela Kelley that describe the beautiful and unique island of Nantucket, and this latest book is a welcome addition to her body of work. There is something about her writing style that is both inviting and comforting…to enter her characters’ lives and stay awhile.
Nantucket Second Chances starts off with the woman-left-by-husband-for-a-younger-woman-and-then-attempts-to-hide-his-finances-in-the-divorce-settlement trope. Claire is accustomed to living an extremely comfortable lifestyle in New York City with her financier husband and teenage daughter. She is stunned to discover she is pregnant while simultaneously being told her husband is divorcing her. Subsequently, Claire returns home to Nantucket to live with her mother as she regroups. What I found most enjoyable about this character is that she experiences the normal range of emotions in such circumstances but never devolves into bitterness. She begins to rebuild her life and starts a consignment business aptly named Nantucket Second Chances.
The one thing that seemed outside the box for me was the vast collection of shoes and purses she owned that became her primary inventory. It is hard to imagine paying hundreds of dollars for shoes and thousands of dollars for handbags, but this novel is after all an opportunity to escape into a fictional world. Overall, I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the descriptions of Nantucket. A bonus was the appearance of the three sisters from Kelley’s other novels.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Nantucket Second Chances starts off with the woman-left-by-husband-for-a-younger-woman-and-then-attempts-to-hide-his-finances-in-the-divorce-settlement trope. Claire is accustomed to living an extremely comfortable lifestyle in New York City with her financier husband and teenage daughter. She is stunned to discover she is pregnant while simultaneously being told her husband is divorcing her. Subsequently, Claire returns home to Nantucket to live with her mother as she regroups. What I found most enjoyable about this character is that she experiences the normal range of emotions in such circumstances but never devolves into bitterness. She begins to rebuild her life and starts a consignment business aptly named Nantucket Second Chances.
The one thing that seemed outside the box for me was the vast collection of shoes and purses she owned that became her primary inventory. It is hard to imagine paying hundreds of dollars for shoes and thousands of dollars for handbags, but this novel is after all an opportunity to escape into a fictional world. Overall, I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the descriptions of Nantucket. A bonus was the appearance of the three sisters from Kelley’s other novels.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
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