The Page Turner: A Quirky and Humorous Tale of a Romance Writer's Hidden Past
"A tasty, dishy inside look at the world of publishing. Readers will be begging for a sequel!"--Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Summers at the Saint
A young romance writer makes a discovery that throws her elitist family into chaos in this sharp, witty and entirely delightful family drama for fans of Elinor Lipman and Jennifer Weiner.
Emma Page grew up the black sheep in a bookish household, raised to believe that fine literature is the only worthy type of fiction. Her parents, self-proclaimed "serious" authors who run their own vanity press, The Mighty Pages, mingle in highbrow social circles that look down on anything too popular or mainstream, while her sister, Jess, is a powerful social media influencer whose stylish reviews can make or break a novel.
Hiding her own romance manuscript from her disapproving parents, Emma finds inspiration at the family cottage among the "fluff" they despise: the juicy summer romances that belonged to her late grandmother. But a chance discovery unearthed from her Gigi's belongings reveals a secret that has the power to ruin her parents' business and destroy their reputation in the industry--a secret that has already fallen into the hands of an unscrupulous publishing insider with a grudge to settle. Now Emma must decide--as much as she's dreamed of the day when her parents are forced to confront their own egos, can she really just sit back and watch The Mighty Pages be exposed and their legacy destroyed?
From the wealthy enclaves of the Hamptons to the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan, The Page Turner is a delectable glimpse inside the world of publishing, and Viola Shipman's most glittering achievement yet!
Discover More Titles by Viola Shipman:
A young romance writer makes a discovery that throws her elitist family into chaos in this sharp, witty and entirely delightful family drama for fans of Elinor Lipman and Jennifer Weiner.
Emma Page grew up the black sheep in a bookish household, raised to believe that fine literature is the only worthy type of fiction. Her parents, self-proclaimed "serious" authors who run their own vanity press, The Mighty Pages, mingle in highbrow social circles that look down on anything too popular or mainstream, while her sister, Jess, is a powerful social media influencer whose stylish reviews can make or break a novel.
Hiding her own romance manuscript from her disapproving parents, Emma finds inspiration at the family cottage among the "fluff" they despise: the juicy summer romances that belonged to her late grandmother. But a chance discovery unearthed from her Gigi's belongings reveals a secret that has the power to ruin her parents' business and destroy their reputation in the industry--a secret that has already fallen into the hands of an unscrupulous publishing insider with a grudge to settle. Now Emma must decide--as much as she's dreamed of the day when her parents are forced to confront their own egos, can she really just sit back and watch The Mighty Pages be exposed and their legacy destroyed?
From the wealthy enclaves of the Hamptons to the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan, The Page Turner is a delectable glimpse inside the world of publishing, and Viola Shipman's most glittering achievement yet!
Discover More Titles by Viola Shipman:
- The Wishing Bridge
- Famous in a Small Town
- A Wish for Winter
- The Edge of Summer
- The Secret of Snow
- The Clover Girls
- The Heirloom Garden
- The Summer Cottage
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Community Reviews
The Page Turner is a heartfelt story about chasing dreams, family expectations, and self-discovery. The book follows Emma, an aspiring author trying to carve out her own path under the shadow of her publishing powerhouse parents and her already-successful sister. When she uncovers a hidden secret about her grandmother, Emma begins to question whether the dream she's been chasing is truly her own.
What I enjoyed most was the behind-the-scenes look at the writing and publishing world—it felt authentic and engaging. The relationship between Emma and her sister was also a highlight, offering warmth and emotional depth.
That said, the book did feel slow at times, and I found the dialogue to be overwritten and repetitive in parts, which pulled me out of the story. While the plot has heart, it was fairly predictable and lacked the spark to make it truly stand out.
Overall, The Page Turner was a fine read with moments of insight and emotion, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression. A solid 3-star story for those who enjoy family-driven fiction and books about books.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What I enjoyed most was the behind-the-scenes look at the writing and publishing world—it felt authentic and engaging. The relationship between Emma and her sister was also a highlight, offering warmth and emotional depth.
That said, the book did feel slow at times, and I found the dialogue to be overwritten and repetitive in parts, which pulled me out of the story. While the plot has heart, it was fairly predictable and lacked the spark to make it truly stand out.
Overall, The Page Turner was a fine read with moments of insight and emotion, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression. A solid 3-star story for those who enjoy family-driven fiction and books about books.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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