Two sisters in wartime occupied Guernsey, and two sisters now. The stories run alongside each other as modern day Lucy researches the history of the house she and Clara have inherited from an elderly aunt, uncovering secrets and sadness. Slow to start with but packed with tension as the wartime part of the story reaches its conclusion. All ends nicely tied up, and a little romance thrown into the mix too. Enjoyed it.

Poignant and atmospheric, The Girl from the Island is a gripping five-star read!

This book is historical fiction at its best. The dual-timeline narrative is split between the past (1940) and the present (2016), yet both halves of the story are expertly woven together. It's a hauntingly beautiful book packed with twists and turns right to the very end.

There are striking similarities between both stories, many of which are uncovered as the plot progresses. The book is cleverly written so that key events from each timeline seem to occur almost simultaneously, despite the separating decades. This also adds suspense to the novel - this is certainly a real page-turner!

The characters are relatable and likeable - they all have their flaws, but each is interesting and well-rounded. Young Dido is youthful and energetic, whereas her mysterious sister Persephone is sensible and much more guarded. In the present-day narrative, Lucy is at a crossroads in her life and unsure where to go next. Her relationship with her sister Clara is often fractious but she finds a sympathetic ear in Will, Dido's neighbour. As the story progresses, each of these characters become increasingly interlinked as Lucy and Will join forces to uncover the secrets of the past.

Although the characters are fictitious, much of the background and wider events in the book are based on real historical occurrences during the German Occupation of the Channel Islands. This makes the book even more striking; it adds an extra personal touch in memory of the islanders who tragically lost their lives during the war. 

I loved The Girl from the Island and if you read it, I hope you will too!

"The Girl from the Island" by Lorna Cook
Release Date: 4.1.2021

Persey and Dido live on the island of Guernsey their whole lives, living with their housekeeper's son, Jack.  Jack is like an older brother to them.   The island of Guernsey was invaded by the Nazis in 1940.  Two sisters try to rebel against the Germans anyway they can.  Life is difficult.  Food is scarce.  The girls discover their true friends during the five year occupation.

When Dido dies, her cousin Lucy, returns to Guernsey to help with the funeral arrangements.  Lucy is fascinated by Dido's life, especially during the German occupation.  

I was immediately hooked, wanting to learn about Persey and Dido's life.  It unfolded at a decent pace and kept my in suspense.

Although I realize this is becoming more common in historical fiction novels, I really do not like stories with two time periods; however, this did not bother me too much with this book.

Thank you to @NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This author is fast becoming a favorite! . She has great story lines and her characters are deep. This story is interesting because it is not a well known setting. Those who have read the Guernsey Literary and Potato peel pie Society will know a little of this island. This book will hold your attention, it is well written and very interesting. I became absorbed into the world and couldn’t put it down. It has just enough romance, mystery and history to get anyone’s attention. It is a clean romance too. There was only one minor (very minor) flaw where the main character twisted her ankle while being chased but it never was used or mentioned at all. I had to wonder why she even put it in the story, if it didn’t further the story. It wasn’t developed either like at least her mentioning it swelling or her hobbling the days after.  

I think there would have been more tension with the main character if the time between seeing each other had only been 3 or 4 years (not a decade) and that she was older when the relationship with Stefan began had been slightly deeper than one stolen kiss. 

I loved the plot and twists and turns. Great book that is highly recommended!

Lorna Cook's book is a two stranded story of Guernsey inhabitants with the link across time being family and pairs of sisters.  As war raged across Europe the English abandoned the Channel Islands, leaving them to the mercy of the Germans.  Sisters Persey and Dido were left to fight for survival and freedom.  When Dido dies her distant relative Lucy returns to Guernsey to help her sister to arrange the funeral and deal with Dido's estate.  Lucy becomes fascinated by Dido's story, especially wanting to discover what happened to her sister.

This is an engrossing love story but also a hint of what the Channel Islanders endured during WW2, their courage and determination.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I was looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed. The story was set in Guernsey during the second world war and the present time .The story was interesting and I learned a lot about the German invasion in Guernsey. There was a good story and all the characters were different. Some of them being Jewish and had to endure lots of problems. Then there were the people of Guernsey who had to put up with the Germans and try and live with them .The ending was a little sad but l would recommend that you read this book.

This beautifully written book, set in Guernsey, across two timelines, 1940 and 2016. I was drawn into this wonderful descriptive story from the start.

In 2016 Lucy is returning to Guernsey after three years, her cousin Dido has died and she is going to help her sister Clara sell Dido’s house. Lucy is intrigued about Dido’s sister Persey, apart from an old photo of the two sisters together and an old letter,  there are no other possessions of Persey’s. Lucy starts to look into what happened to Persey.

We go back to 1940 during world war 2 where we meet sisters Dido and Persey. The Germans have arrived on the island and life will never be the same again. 

This is such a heart wrenching story of love, loss and survival. The characters are so life like that you cannot help but fall in love with them.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I discovered Lorna Cook through NetGalley last year and I absolutely fell in love with her writing.  When I got the invite to read this book, I was beyond excited and downloaded and read the book in 2 days.  I adore Lorna Cook!!

This book did not disappoint!  I was gripped from the beginning and could not put it down.  I lost a lot of sleep on this one and do not regret it in the slightest!! (That was a lot of exclamation points, I know.)

This is a story set in the Channel Isles, specifically Guernsey in (mostly) two different timelines- 1940 and present day.  I knew nothing about this part of WWII history, so it was a pleasure to escape to this lovely island and be immersed in the story.

1930's- Persephone and Dido have lived on the island their whole lives with the housekeeper's son, Jack, who they considered like an older brother.  For a few summers, Stefan would arrive from Germany to visit family and we get a sneak peak at what that childhood looked like. 

1940.  Two sisters are alone with their housekeeper as the Germans arrive on Guernsey.  For 5 years the island is occupied by the German army.  We get to sit back and watch as events unfold in a way never expected.  Old friendships are rekindled, resistance is attempted, lives are changed in ways that we could never expect.

Present day.  Lucy and her sister have been assigned by their father to clear out Dido's estate after her passing.  Although she did not have much of a relationship with her, Lucy is intrigued to learn about Dido's past.  As she and a neighbor begin digging into this unknown history, so much is exposed.  

I love stories that link two time periods and Cook did a fabulous job with this one.  The story unfolded so well and I was fully invested in these characters.  I shed ugly tears at times, but the story was so beautiful it was okay.  There is such a complicated history that is weeded out, plus a couple lovely (and clean!) romances mixed in.  Loved this and will recommend to anyone and everyone.  Will forward this to my teen daughter to read as well. 

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Girl from the Island By Lorna Cook is an excellent dual timeline historical fiction novel that kept me interested from beginning to end.

As with all dual timelines, it is a tricky business to balance the past story with the current day. Ms Cook pulled this off quite well. 

I was equally interested in the sisters’ stories as they dealt with the German occupation of their home in Guernsey. I always enjoy a novel that includes this group of islands, and so far the few that I have come across, I have thoroughly enjoyed. I enjoyed the suspense and mystery involving Persephone and Dido. 

The author was able to weave their suspenseful narrative with the current day story of estranged sisters Lucy and Clara. The fascinating story of unearthing a hidden family past where the stakes are high, and lives are on the line, is gripping. The fundamental concepts of: love, loss, war, sacrifices, family, loyalty, and triumph over wrong were tastefully expressed in this wonderful novel. 

I really enjoyed this story and really, really enjoyed the ending. 

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books for this arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

If you enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you will enjoy another visit to the isle of Guernsey during WWII in Lorna Cook's The Girl From the Island.. Lucy and Clara have inherited a majestic house on Guernsey from a second cousin, Didi.  As they prepare to sell the house, Lucy, with the help of a neighbor Will,  uncovers fascinating secrets that Didi and her sister, Persey, have kept hidden since WWII. Their mother passes away the very day the Germans take over the island, and a friend from the past, Stephan, shows up at their door in a German uniform requisitioning a room. Jack, the housekeeper's son,  is back on the island to spy, but he misses his connection to return to England. Persey's friend, Lisa, is a Jew and with the German occupation, she must be hidden.

In a world where neighbors turn on neighbors, can Didi and Persey trust anyone? How can they be a part of the resistance on such a small island? Can they deny the love growing between them and German officers, who are opposed to the Nazi regime? Can Lucy and Will discover what happened to Persey and Stephan? Can Clara and Lucy resolve some "sister issues"? All the thready finally come together is this great read. I was allowed to read this on #NetGalley.

With grateful  thanks to  lorna cook and netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion. 
Having just finished  this utterly beautiful  and poignant  story I want to share my journey  through  this book full of intriguing  facts about two amazing  sisters Dido and Persephone  living an normal life in  beautiful  Gurnsey  when war broke out and they were invaded by the German's and the book  takes us on an outstanding  tale that makes you laugh hold  your breath many times makes you angry  at what was taking place this is a twin timeline  and how two sisters  clara and Lucy  find out what happened  too there two elderly  cousins .
I want to give nothing  away all I can say is I was blown  away with the way that the author has used such sensitivity  to the book.