Cover Image: Solace Island

Solace Island

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Solace Island is where Maggie and Luke go to get over their broken hearts in this cute romance.

Maggie is unceremoniously dumped by her fiance of five years the night of her bachelorette party. She gives him two weeks to buy her out of their business and leaves town. Maggie goes to Solace Island, off the Washington Coast, with her older sister, Eve. There she meets the enigmatic Luke, who also has his a broken romance in his past.

Solace Island is a good romance with a bit of a mystery. I recommend it to romance fans. However, the mystery seemed like an afterthought so I can’t recommend it to mystery fans. 3 stars.

Thanks to the publisher, Berkley, and NetGalley for an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

A sizzling, steamy, suspenseful romance that will make you smile,swoon, and sweat!🔥🔥🔥

<i>Solace:is a feeling of comfort that makes you feel less sad.</i>

Solace Island is the perfect place to find comfort and the stremgth to begin again... The perfect name for the beautiful setting of this book about second chances and new beginnings.... this was a well-done romantic suspense that leans more towards romance than suspense.... I read both genres and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I think it will appeal more to a true romance reader than a suspense/thriller/mystery reader.... there is some definite sizzle in this book!

Maggie’s jerk of an X fiancé dumped her the day before the wedding... Hurt and angry Maggie heads two Solace Island with her sister eve to lick her wounds.... while she is there she meets Luke her handsome island neighbor, who is selling bread at the local Saturday market... and bread has never look so good before! The two of them spark up a romance, but what is Lucques hiding? After somebody tries to hurt Maggie the truth comes out... but who is trying to hurt Maggie? And why? Can Luke stop them? And will this ruin things between the lovebirds? You will need to read this book to find that out!

A quick captivating story that kept me engaged throughout... The setting of the island in the Pacific Northwest was so ideal, it was somewhere I would love to go to lick my own wounds! Loved the bond between the sisters, they were so there for each other it was so refreshing after reading so many sister psychological thrillers lately.... The chemistry between Lucques and Maggie was pretty high-octane, if this book were a movie it would be rated R for sexual content😳 My review would not be complete if I did not mention the bread again and all the yummy goodies, This book definitely made me hungry 😋

Recommend to Fanzz of Romance with a good well done dose of suspense!

*** A huge thank you to Berkley for my copy of this book ***

Was this review helpful?

This was a good read. Looking forward to reading more by the author in particular Eves story when it releases.

Was this review helpful?

This had such a serene setting on an island and sounds like a perfect get-away.  That will all change soon though...

Things don't go well for long though, when Maggie finds herself in danger. The suspense comes in the later part of the book and some past secrets are revealed.

This is the actress Meg Tilly's debut novel and will be part of a series. I thought it was an easy read with some lighter suspense. Their is also a romance that develops and I'll just say it was "very steamy" or even "hotter than hot." Her writing style is more telling than showing and the pace is steady.

Fans of magical settings, heavier romance scenes and a bit of suspense added to the mix should really enjoy this one.
3.5

Was this review helpful?

Maggie Harris thought her life was all set until an odious finance dumped her the eve of their wedding. Since her fiancé was also a business partner, much of Maggie’s life crumbles. She joins her sister, Eve, on Solace Island in the Pacific Northwest where they both decide now is the time for a big change. Eve has a job has that is killing her soul while Maggie needs to start her life over.

The sisters' near neighbor, Luke, who is a local bread baker, has been recovering from his own life upheaval, emotionally and physically. When he saves Maggie from being run down by a car, it becomes clear she may very well be in danger. It seems someone wants Maggie gone permanently. Maggie and Luke are very attracted to each other; however, they are both guarding their hearts after disastrous prior relationships.

This romantic suspense novel from the actress, Meg Tilly, blends passion with intrigue. Because Maggie is being stalked with deadly intent, the idyllic life on the island suddenly becomes sinister. This fraught situation pushes her into an intense state of affairs and Luke’s protective arms. SOLACE ISLAND falls more on the romantic side at times rather than suspense which, to my way of thinking, is a plus as all too often contemporary novels seem to disparage any kind of real romance.

Was this review helpful?

Billed as a "contemporary novel with a strong suspense element," I must first and foremost warn those who, like me, aren't into "bodice-rippers" that this book is littered with the stuff. "He was envious of the strands of [her] hair for their right to caress her face at will," is a mild example; most of the rest is far, far more graphic. The suspense part didn't rear its much-anticipated head until the 50% mark (and boy, was I ever happy to see it).

Suffice it to say, then, that had I not received an advance copy for review (which I'd requested because the author is an award-winning actress I admire), it's likely that I'd have called it quits early on. But I didn't; and given the excellent writing and almost edge-of-seat action (once it got going), I must say that overall, this is a very good book with which anyone who loves romance combined with suspense should be absolutely delighted (put another way, just because the romance genre isn't my cup of tea doesn't mean it isn't well done).

It begins with 27-year-old Maggie Harris getting dumped by her five-year fiance the day before the wedding. As they've been running a successful business together, Maggie insists that he buy her out or else she'll sell her interest to someone else. To get some much-needed "me" time, Maggie agrees to her sister Eve's proposition to take a three-week getaway on Solace Island off the Washington coast. On the ferry trip to the island, a distraught Maggie is noticed by hunky Luke Benson, a baker who lives on the island and sells his popular breads at the weekly market. When Maggie gets lost trying to find their rental cottage in the dark, she once again encounters Luke - a meeting that, as readers might suspect, arouses Luke's prurient interest in getting to know her better.

Also as readers might suspect, there's many a slip between the cup and Maggie's lips; when Luke fails to show up for a "thank you" dinner at Maggie and Eve's place, the sisters are, well, not happy. Because they've decided to try selling Maggie's sweet treats at the market but are thwarted by the local rules and regulations, they ask Luke for help with getting their feet in the door. Wanting to spend more time with Maggie, Luke agrees.

As mentioned above, at about the half-way mark, the plot thickens as Maggie is nearly run down by a car. In fact, it's likely she'd have been killed on the spot without a last-second shove by Luke (which in turn brings into question who he really is and what he's doing on the island besides baking). His background comes to the forefront even more when, for their safety, Maggie and Eve move into his high-tech, spectacular home on the island. By now, Maggie has pretty much decided that she shares Luke's lust, but given what she doesn't know about him, can she trust him? Of course, readers learn the answer to that question as the story - and more attempts on Maggie's life - play out. Everything leads to an exciting finish, part of which I expected and part I missed by a country mile. My conclusion? Except for the focus on body parts and innovative ways they can be utilized, this really is a riveting book.

Was this review helpful?

Can we talk about highly anticipated read disappointments for a second? The cover and description captured me in an instant on this book. It was not anything I imagined it to be. The writing was elementary (it did get better as I got further into the book), the characters were unlikable, and it took forever to get to the main storyline. I did enjoy the second half of the book, but I really took this more as a contemporary romance novel than anything else. What a bummer. ⭐️⭐️ for me.

Was this review helpful?

Solace Island by Meg Tilly is the first book in her new Solace Island series. We meet our heroine, Maggie Harris immediately, as she is trying to recover from being dumped at the alter by her fiancée. Maggie decides to join her sister on a getaway trip to Solace Island, but not before she tells her ex she plans on selling the business, and if he wants his minority share, he has to buy her out. Of course, she knows he doesn’t have the money, but revenge is sweet.

Luke Benson, our hero, is a baker by trade on the island. Few people know that Luke once owned a successful security business, which he sold to his brother a few years earlier, also because of a broken relationship. Luke loves his peaceful carefree life on Solace Island, and has no intention of becoming involved with a woman; until he meets Maggie.

Maggie at first is a bit harsh with Luke, but in a short time their romance will blossom into a hot, sexy relationship. However, both have their past issues, causing them be friends with benefits. Eve wants to move to Solace Island permanently, and tries her best to convince Maggie to leave her past behind and open a café, as both love to cook and bake.

This was a sweet cute romance that was slow to build, with Luke helping the sisters introducing themselves and their products to the townsfolk. About more than half way through, someone tries to kill Maggie; forcing Luke to reconnect with his security friends in trying to find out who is behind the attempts on Maggie and to save her life.

What follows is an exciting and suspenseful adventure as Maggie finds herself in a number of dangerous situations. I will say that I was surprised at the culprit, but also thought the reveal was a bit rushed.
Overall, I enjoyed Solace Island, which was a fun and quick read, as well as having a great couple, wonderful secondary characters, and sweet romance, with some mystery closer to the end. Very nice start for Meg Tilly.

Was this review helpful?

I wasn't expecting much when I started this book, but I found it to be a quick, enjoyable read with some intriguing plot twists and a good mystery thrown in along with the boy-meets-girl aspects. The book was surprisingly well-written, although sometimes I wished the author subscribed to the tenet "show, don't tell" more. All in all, though, an enjoyable book--recommended!

Was this review helpful?

A cliche romance novel with predictable characters, who are of course gorgeous, ultra rich, and they fall in lust with each other instantly. Still it’s a fun read. And It would be interesting to find out what happens to the sister and the little boy.

Was this review helpful?

"The car door burst open, and a woman tumbled out. Recognition flashed through him. It was the woman who had been weeping on the ferry."......

Maggie is off to “Solace Island.” An escape attempt from the worst thing that has ever happened to her. Her sister, Eve, goes to be with her. Seeking peace and quiet, it soon turns to anything but.

I instantly loved “Solace Island.” It’s the kind of place I hope exists somewhere. Is Maggie going to find what she’s looking for? Part romance, and part suspense, made for a great combination.

Maggie meets danger and love. Is it a vacation, or a chance to change her life? A couple surprises along the way. There is danger waiting for her. Her new neighbor may be the only thing standing between her past, and catapulting her into the future.

Held my interest, as romance stories aren’t often my genre. I definitely recommend this book as a way to take your own vacation to “Solace Island.”

Thank you Meg Tilley, Netgalley, and Berkeley Books Publishing

Was this review helpful?

Solace Island is a Pacific Northwest romance with an underlying mystery element that is a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the fact that the heroine could rescue her own self, build her dream business and still have a few pages left for a happy ending.

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable contemporary romance with suspense and mystery. set in the beautifully described Pacific Northwest, I enjoyed the story, especially the interaction between Maggie and her sister. The characters were well developed and I really liked that while Maggie was in crisis, she didn't need rescuing; she just needed someone to love her.

Was this review helpful?

I requested this book because it sounded like it would be an exciting book however, I was bored to tears pretty much throughout. I wasn't thrilled with the writing or the story. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Tilly writes a fast moving story with action and strong main characters in Solace Island. Maggie and Luke are both toting heavy baggage as backstories and are very oblivious to the manipulation going on around them. Good thing they find each other in the aptly names Solace Island. After the critical incident in the book, the story speeds to a hurried end which was unsatisfying to this reader. I am very happy Maggie and Luke received their HEA, but I backtracked to make sure I did not miss 3 or 4 chapters at the end. Solace Island needed just a bit more meat at the end.

Was this review helpful?

“Solace island” was a welcome change to some entertaining, but mediocre romantic mysteries. I’ve spent my summer making my way through recommended romance books, from historical to contemporary to paranormal, East Coast to West Coast. This contemporary west coastal romance with a little bit of mystery was my absolute favorite so far! Meg Tilley delivers a well crafted romance novel that satisfies on all levels. Lots of fun!

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful setting and good romantic suspense. I liked it! I would like to see another book by the author telling the sister’s story.

Was this review helpful?

I did not get very far in this book. The heroine in one of the most annoying, obnoxious characters I have ever read in a book. I also couldn’t take the constant talking out loud instead of inner monologue. Just not for me.

Was this review helpful?