Published By: Lake Union
Pages: 363
Released On: 01/07/2026
Every morning, Evelyn Silver walks the shoreline before the rest of Portheast wakes, gathering what the tide leaves behind. Broken cups. Lost trinkets. Objects others have discarded. In her small Museum of Maritime Curiosities, each one earns its place—because to Evelyn, every forgotten thing deserves to have its story told.
At the heart of the museum lies her most precious possession: a fragment of Cornish lace, found pinned to her blanket when she was abandoned as a newborn. For over sixty years, she has kept it close, hoping someone might one day recognise it and tell her who she really is.
So when the local council threatens to close the museum, Evelyn stands to lose far more than her livelihood. Forced out of her solitude, she rallies the community around the museum’s curious collection—and as the objects begin to give up their secrets, lives start to intertwine in ways nobody expected.
Because sometimes, the most precious things aren’t lost at all. They’re simply waiting to be claimed.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have loved Jo’s books so far – Tell Me How This Ends and The Last Time I Saw You – and this ne wone sounded just as delightful.
It has 55 chapters which is roughly 6 pages a chapter; I love short chapters so that was good.
I loved Evelyn as a main character. She’s 61 but my mind decided she was this very old women who was a bit mysterious. Think silver hair, mismatched clothes, whimsical…think Phoebe Buffay but older. And I don’t know why because she clearly isn’t but the very first description of her on the beach, that was the figure that came to mind and I couldn’t get rid of it.
There are a core group of main character who are all different, some more likeable than others, but they are all passionate about the same cause and they’re a bit like an odd-couple (in group form) but somehow they work. They all have their own stories, so they’re not just there to support Evelyn’s story, but they do all work together overall.
Her books, this one included, are genteel, easy to read, but she doesn’t skimp on the deep topics. It’s meaty but not overwhelming.
I loved this idea that not all trash is trash and that treasure can mean something completely different to different people.
I didn’t find it as emotional as her previous books, which isn’t a negative, just an observation. But that’s not to say I didn’t find it moving because it really is. The emotion and the heart woven through it all.
If I’m honest, I did find it a little show going to begin with. It did pick up quickly and it wasn’t a bad opening, but I just felt I was getting distracted quite easily at first.
She has really captured this idea of wanting to belong, to a community, to a family, to a home, to a friendship group. But it’s not mushy or corny.
We’re three books in and she’s already a go-to author and I remain excited for what she does next.
Books By Your Bedside 