Josie Silver is three for three for me! The author took the cliche that you find the one when you stop looking to a romantic and beautiful place with One Night on the Island. Cleo, a dating columnist, has left London for Salvation to marry herself on her 30th birthday while Mack has left Boston to track his familial roots in Salvation and give his two sons what he thinks is a break from the stress of his separation from his wife.

From the complex and utterly lovable main characters of Mack and Cleo to the gorgeous and compelling setting in aptly named Salvation, to the quirky and original side characters like Raff, Dolores, and Delta, I felt like I was right there with them...and I wished I was!

What a wonderful book about self discovery and loving yourself and loving others. Can’t read to more books by this author. Thanks so much for this advanced review copy. I really appreciate it.

I absolutely adored this book!
These characters and their real life struggles had me both adoring them and feeling all the feels for them.
I gave this book 4.5 stars…taking off a half star just because there was just a couple things I would have changed about the ending.
Still a fantastic book that I’ll definitely be recommending!

Cleo and Mack are two people figuratively lost at sea who find themselves arriving on an island on the same day. A freezing but beautiful rock, with unexpectedly warm and welcoming inhabitants. When the two arrive they are not nearly as kind to each other or even themselves. They find themselves in a bad situation but stubbornly will not give up on the very reasons that brought them there. In turn allowing them to grow around each other as the island slowly changes them to their very core. Both have been somewhat selfish in their previous lives but the island opens their hearts, letting light in for maybe the first time. They share a once in a lifetime opportunity and, while it may be brief, it has profound effects on them both. They then set off into their new lives but can’t forget about the magic they experienced while on the island.

Wow. This story really blew me away. What an amazingly strong and bitterly honest female lead Cleo was. She’s made a career out of looking for the love of her life only to find that she had to truly fall in love with herself first. And when she finally does, she just blossoms and is able to achieve everything she’s always wanted. The male lead was attractive but it wasn’t dwelled upon as in other romances because this guy had much more to offer. Mack has a good moral compass, he is separated but believes in the vows he made to his family. He’s a self- sacrificing dad, who really loves his sons before anything else. Possibly something he took advantage of before but shows that his intentions were always good. He sees beauty in the world in a way that makes him special and tells a lot about him as a man. I fell in love with the inhabitants of Salvation. As someone who lives in the city, I also fell in love with the idea of this island and the realization that there are places like this in the world.

My only wish is that Barney would have turned up sooner bc he was a bit of fun. And maybe a little follow up on him and Delta, that was cute. Josie Silver you write a mean book but boy are you quick to pull the plug on all the magic. It’s like running really slowly into a brick wall. I understand that that’s your style but I wish that after all that you left us with a little more of a feeling of completion. Overall though, this book gets all the stars! A must read!

ARC provided by the author and Netgalley for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.

Look, this is a hard one for me. I love Josie Silver. I love the premise of One Night on the Island. Unfortunately, I put this book down…twice.

I wanted to love it. I just could not get into it. I tried and tried.

At the end of the day. I will pick up Josie to read again. This particular title did not work for me. Sadly.

What happens when a solitary one-bedroom cabin is accidentally double booked?

I adored Josie Silver’s previous books and One Night on the Island was no different. It took me a little while to get into but right around the 20% I was ALL in! The beautifully written story was packed with so many heartwarming feelings and raw emotions!

This was so much more than a romance. It was about self-discovery, self-love, and amazing friendships. It had a depth I honestly was not expecting but I absolutely loved. I laughed, ugly cried, and fell in love with Cleo, Mack, Salvation Island and all of the locals.

I love the “a-ha” moments while reading. That point you reach in the book when the title is used and it all ties in and makes sense, and you go “a-ha”. In this book, each chapter had an “a-ha” moment and I loved it.

4.5/5 ⭐️
What I enjoyed;
🇮🇪 Forced proximity
🇮🇪 “Three Things”
🇮🇪 Tight knit community
🇮🇪 Irish island setting

One Night on the Island was thoroughly enjoyable and I would absolutely recommend it to everyone. Make sure to grab the tissues!

Thank you Josie Silver, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Pub Date: 2/15/22 Pre-order, add it to your Goodreads & TBR, request it from your local library!

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My review will be posted on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3bUs7rV0s/
and Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59078993-one-night-on-the-island

I didn't love the other Josie Silver book I read, but was excited to give her another shot! One Night on the Island ended up being a very cute, fun book that made me want to visit the Irish coast! Some parts were pretty cheesy and predictable, but I really loved the side characters and descriptions of the island. I also thought that Cleo's struggle with self growth and acceptance was shown in a truly realistic, genuine way, and I enjoyed it more than the romance with Mack. I was looking for a lighter read and this was it, but it had a few heavier topics sprinkled in that helped it feel less saccharine. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Doomed relationship? Right person wrong time?

Oh Josie Silver. She's done it again. I am in camp Lydia Bird. I think it was a much better story than ODID. I wasn't a big fan of One Day in December. But man! Can she invoke many emotions all at once in her books?

I am not going to lie I love sad romances. I do.
Is One Night On the Island a sad romance? Maybe a little. Did the second half of the book hurt me? Yes, but it was such a good hurt. The brief communication between Mack and Cleo with those random three facts, be still my heart!

Am I nervous people are not going to give this book a chance because of Mack's relationship status? Yes.
Yes, Mack is still married when his "affair", "holiday romance", "fling" whatever you call it starts with Cleo. Separated by the wife's request, but still legally married. Does he feel conflicted about his feelings towards Cleo? Yes. Did I feel conflicted for rooting for this relationship? Yes. But I'll tell the readers what they miss out on by not giving this story a chance: A beautifully told story about two people's personal journeys, power of self-love and self-discovery, a picturesque Irish island setting, loveliest characters especially the ladies in the knitting circle, a sweet-sweet found family, female friendship side storyline.

It's not fair that I cannot quote this book until publication. I've bookmarked and highlighted so many sections. I am so enamored of Josie's writing and cannot wait to read what she writes next.

Hearing the reviews of this one I was hoping for a more fun and joyful read but I found it a bit depressing - Mack is a great guy dealing with a bad marriage and Cleo is turning 30 so she thinks her life is over. I did like the people of the island and the knitting group girls which are full of laughs. The island sounds like a dreamy place so I was in hopes of a dreamer romance.

Josie Silver does it again!! As soon as I saw Silver was releasing another book I knew I had to immediately get my hands on it.

I loved the characters at the forefront as well as all those that made up the beautiful island of Salvation. The community of this island was such a warm, loving, comedic group that it's hard not to fall in love with them. Heck, I understand not wanting to leave either! Mack is sweet and soulful man struggling to find a balance of being there for his children while also being there for himself as his marriage falls apart. This constant internal struggle of his is so real that I'm sure any child of divorce or parent could relate.to and understand. Throughout this story we see Cleo's journey of self discovery to find where she is meant to be in life. What started as a trip for a romance columnist to "marry herself" as she enters her 30s leads to deep and emotional journey. I must say her "wedding day" was one of my favorite moments of the whole story. I might just be influenced write some vows to myself as well!

While this book did provide many laughs, it is so much more than a romantic comedy. It truly is a beautiful journey focusing on the importance of taking time and doing what is best for oneself.

Thank you random house publishing for this advance copy!

Review posted to blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend.com/

Is it possible to fall in love just a little? That is the question and Josie Silver (and Kaceey) have the answer.

In One Night on the Island, anything is possible.

Cleo is the writer of a British dating column who goes to Salvation Island in search of answers and to marry herself. Yep, you heard that right. She plans to “self-couple.” Unlucky in love and about to turn the big 30, she has decided to take matters into her own hands and make a pledge to herself.

Cleo however, ends up finding oh so much more after meeting Mack, the American she meets while traveling to Salvation Island, who ends up sharing not just her cabin, but also her bed!

Sweet, fun, and utterly magical, these two might just make you fall in Micro-love. That is if you’re a believer.

Although I really enjoyed this novel, I didn’t quite love it as much as Josie Silver’s other novels.

I will admit that the idea of self-coupling didn’t quite appeal to me at the time (something I discussed with Kaceey at length (as a single woman myself)) until I took a little vacation to Coronado Island a few weeks ago and happened upon the most gorgeous hotel ever. Upon seeing it, I immediately texted Kaceey and said that it was so pretty I imagined that everyone would want to get married there and that I'd even go so far as to marry myself there too! At that exact moment, I burst out laughing realizing exactly what I said, as did Kaceey. Bravo Ms Silver, Bravo!

A fabulous buddy read with Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the arc.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of Josie Silver’s newest novel.

I keep going back and forth trying to decide if I loved it or hated it. I enjoyed Cleo finding what makes her happy on the island and willing to sever her London life for a new one on Salvation Island. What I didn’t like was her relationship with Mack. For half the book they are strangers that are slowly becoming acquaintances. Then suddenly, they are attracted to each other and can’t get enough of one another. Cleo knew Mack had a ton of baggage (still married with kids back home) and yet wanted to pursue something with him even if it was temporary? It rubbed me the wrong way.

What made me like the novel though was the setting. salvation Island sounds lovely. A hidden little paradise. I feel like I can take the boat out there on a Friday and it would be like walking into the set of Cheers. Everyone would welcome me and know my name.

3 stars because I’m in between loving and hating it.

I liked silvers last book but I did t love it. I wanted to give her another shot and I really enjoyed this one! Is it a favorite, no but I would definitely be interested in reading more by her in the future!

Cleo is turning the big 3-0 and still hasn't found the one to settle down with. Mack was happily married and living the life Cleo dreamed about until he wasn't. Both are hoping to find solace in Otter Lodge on Sanctuary Island.

This novel is everything I look for in a romantic comedy. The characters are adult, believable, and flawed. They grow. They discover themselves and evolve as a human. The romance is authentic and one that you wish you could find yourself.

The writing in this novel shows how much the author has grown in her storytelling craft. It is a wonderful, heartwarming novel that is definitely recommended for fans of Christina Lauren and Talia Hibbert.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm devastated to say I DNF'd this book at 28%.

I loved <i>One Day in December</i> and did like <i>the Two Lives of Lydia Bird</i> despite it's grim premise, but I just could not get into Josie Silver's latest release. I was bored the whole time. None of the scenes felt developed, the spats of dialogue happening suddenly and at random, and it really irritated me how hard Cleo hammered at the "impending doom" of her thirtieth birthday.

I read other reviews of this when I was weighing whether to DNF it and I know Mack and Cleo basically have a sex holiday while stranded together. I don't think I can get behind that when Mack is still married and intends to reconcile his marriage.

I'll try Josie Silver's fourth book, but this one was a miss for me.

Wow. This was such a wonderfully written book. My first Josie Silver and definitely will not be my last. This novel requires the reader to have a completely free afternoon, a warm fire, and a hot toddy in hand (or a few). It takes place on a wild and earthy island off the coast of Ireland and the reader will feel as though they are transported there. Josie Silver captures the reader’s imagination with such an ease and enchantment. I don’t know about you, but for me, there’s something about a wilderness setting that just reaches in and grabs me. In addition, the relatability of her characters and the personal trials that lead people to their life’s crossroads brings the audience in and make them invested in people of the story.

It is my opinion that one’s journey to self-discovery can be like the waters around Salvation Island; turbulent, beautiful, challenging, and murky. Also, like the ocean, people are always changing and evolving, responding to and shaped by external forces.

Cleo and Mack find themselves stuck in a double-booked cabin while they are each on individual missions of personal reflection and evaluation for their futures. As they navigate the uncomfortable situation they find themselves in (with a boat that only comes to island weekly), while also trying to reconcile their own reasons for being there in the first place, their relationship evolves and becomes more complicated. While this IS partially a romantic love story, it’s much more a story about loving oneself and finding happiness within.

I appreciated the full-circle character development for both Cleo and Mack, their ties to family (through blood and by kindred spirit), and their dedication to themselves as they are, and their hope for their future selves and who they want to be. Life is messy and hard and I love that everyone in the story was so wholly HUMAN. Flaws, mistakes, doubt, hope, regret, self-preservation, desire, yearning, need, and love.

I will certainly recommend this book and am so grateful to Random House Publishing (Ballantine), Josie Silver and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Josie's writing is absolutely ethereal in One Night on the Island. Truly. The writing flows alongside the character development in the book - as we're seeing our main character beginning to change, so does her internal monologue and I just love that for her. The character growth on both Cleo and Mack's part was outstanding.

This book made me feel a lot. I wonder if I'll ever read a Josie Silver book without crying? So far, no. But that's another compliment to her writing that I was so absolutely involved in this story that I found myself in tears when a certain moment happened.

I really loved this. I'll be recommending to all!

I really liked this. It was more emotional than I was expecting and that was a pleasant surprise. It was compelling and I easily finished it in a day. Some things I noticed were that it was maybe a. little too realistic. I usually like some level of escapism and because Mack was married, it felt a little distressed by the situation, like maybe he should go back home and fix that first. But overall, I think any book that makes you emotional and elicits thoughtful thinking in additional to the romance is a book worth reading.

I finished One Night on the Island the other day and I’m having quite a difficult time not just starting over and diving right back into the world of Salvation Island, Otter Lodge, Cleo, Mack, & the island community. What a book! I have not been so transported or so moved by a story in a while (& I read relentlessly).

Josie Silver is a master of words, her descriptions are beautiful and soul deep. The pictures she paints with words are so vivid that they feel real and tangible. I want to open my eyes and live among these people!

I loved the way that this loving and romantic story also holds all the weight of heartache & sorrow (loneliness, marriage separation, single parenthood, loss), making the beauty and joy of found friendship and love all the more precious. The descriptions of Slànú are magical and make me want to pack a bag and find refuge on an Irish island STAT. Slànú reminded me of the remote areas of the Dingle Peninsula or the sea air at the Cliffs of Moher. I want to crawl into these pages and stay awhile at Otter Lodge.

This book is a solid 5 star read for me! It’s messy and beautiful, heartbreaking and heart-mending. I pre-ordered a copy for myself the second I was done (along with a copy of One Day in December which was already on my TBR list). I can’t wait to read it again … and probably again and again.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for the early access to this book! I can’t wait for pub day! Mark your calendars for 2.15.22!

Cleo is a writer for a women’s magazine in London and is about to turn 30. Her editor gives her an assignment to ‘self-couple’ or marries herself on a remote island in Ireland. Mack is a photographer from Boston who comes to the island to learn more about his heritage and spend some time apart from his estranged wife. He desperately misses his two sons and is heartbroken over his marriage imploding. There has been a reservation mixup, and both are forced to share a small cabin with one bed.

This story begins as enemies to friends to lovers, with a lot of forced proximity, but don't be fooled into thinking this will be like any other romance or rom-com book. This story focused more on personal issues and struggling to accept how life has veered around for each character—embracing the changes and moving forward in a new direction when all they want is to be where they are.

I enjoyed the premise, and the first few chapters hooked me. I loved Mac’s story and his growth more than Cleo’s, if I'm being honest. The ending was realistic. It was a hea but not in the way I expected, and I liked that.

Thank you, NetGalley, and publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.