I think I enjoyed this even more than One Night in December. Sure the storyline was far-fetched, but I enjoyed the peaceful setting and the local side-stories and characters much more. I can only speak for myself, but I suspect that after the events of the past two years, the main character's desire to change paths would be relatable for many. I am especially drawn to stories where a character struggles to make a difficult choice that ultimately leads to more happiness.

Note: I've seen a lot of debate about the choices the characters made in other reviews. I don't have to make the same choices as the fictional characters to appreciate their story. Maybe I wouldn't be interested in a self-coupling ceremony for myself, but I can absolutely appreciate one woman's desire to choose to make herself happy. Maybe the island relationship was troubling for some, but everyone was upfront and honest about the circumstances and we are all free to make different choices in our own lives. None of this distracted from the story for me, but to each their own.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for an advanced reader's copy.

ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND by Josie Silver was a fast, fun, good book to read. This novel features an unusual setting (an island off the coast of Ireland) and a cast of characters that are quirky, relatable, and delightful. Cleo is a woman about to turn 30 & is taking time to evaluate her place in the world. Mack is a man making adjustments to the changes in his life. Both end up on Salvation Island, drawn to it for different reasons. That’s where the fun begins. The way this couple has their ‘meet cute’ (the way they meet unexpectedly) is amusing & believable. The novel has some classic romance tropes like the ‘close proximity/one bed’ and the ‘stranded together’ element, so if you like those, you’ll like this.

I thoroughly enjoyed Silver’s previous novel ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, so it was no surprise that this one was just as delightful. In fact, I enjoyed ISLAND more than DECEMBER. Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

A satisfying treat…I loved the characters!
Many thanks to Random House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

i wanted to like this book. really i did. i love ireland and i thought i would adore this book, but i did not. it was just not something for me. thanks netgalley.

Having loved The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by this same author, I was glad to receive an arc of this book. The premise seemed perfect - an Irish island, solo trip, writer, finding yourself. And I did enjoy it, but unfortunately didn’t love it like I loved Lydia Bird.

I didn’t particularly like the two main characters - Cleo and Mack. I didn’t connect with them and found them unnecessarily antagonistic towards each other from the very beginning. I understand being frustrated at the situation, but the outright anger towards each other seemed a bit extreme, especially seeing as how neither was actually at fault over the mixup of finding the lodging double booked.

Their gradual grudging friendship which quickly turned to romance seemed a bit forced to me. And the whole “it’s a holiday romance” was laughable.

Overall, I read it quickly and enjoyed parts of it - honestly, all the side characters from Salvation were way more interesting than the two leads and deserve their own book. It’s because of them that this book got three stars.

After reading One Day in December, I knew going in to Josie Silver's latest book, One Night on the Island, to be prepared for all the feels. Although not a dark, extremely heavy book, or even a rom-com, this one is still a beautiful love story and messes with your heart in the best way. I am so appreciative to Netgalley and Josie Silver for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This story was just okay in my opinion. it was predictable from start to finish. I thought it was incredibly silly how obsessed she was with the contents of a stranger's suitcase. The male protagonist was sweet and well written and kept me engaged.

I didn't love One Day in December but this one was much better. I think the pacing struggles a little (I felt the same about her last two books) but I'm glad to have read it.

I think it's time we realize that Josie Silver's works can't be categorized as plain romances. These stories have so many levels to them that they are so much more than just a simple love story. In ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND, Josie Silver introduces us to characters who are genuine, vulnerable, and growing! I love how we follow these character's on a journey that continues to affect their lives even after the story is over. If you're looking for a story that's going to pull on your heart strings - this one is it!

Turning 30 seems like a pivotal moment in life. No longer a twenty something trying to find their way but a 30 year old who has it all figured out. Cleo is not ready for 30.

At her editor’s insistence, Cleo takes a self-coupling vacation from her romance column. She goes to a small island off the coast of Ireland with spotty cell service which is a far cry from her London life.

Mack is a separated father of two who grew up hearing stories about Salvation Island. He’s finally able to go to the island to work on his next photography exhibit.

On such a small island, there aren’t many places to stay. Cleo and Mack have been booked into cabins hideaways and once they arrive, they find out it is the same cabin hideaway. With transportation to and from the island only happening because of an emergency, Cleo and Mack have to navigate their solo trips with a roommate in the way. Fortunately after a bit of time, this isn’t as hard as they thought it would be. But what happens after their time on the island?

I thought this was a sweet story. I loved all of the characters from the Island. I felt like the “self-coupling” was a great idea. Mack and Cleo are great characters and I loved being able to see how staying on the island affected each of their lives.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I truly love the characters Josie Silver brings to life in this story. They are utterly relatable and I enjoyed getting to know Cleo, Mack, and the rest of the gang on Salvation Island. A very tender story!

3.5 stars

Cleo is turning 30 and just wants to get away for a bit to figure out her life. Mac is newly separated and needs some time to himself. When they both end up reserved in the same one-bedroom cottage, they need to figure out how to share the space without butting heads.

From the synopsis, I was expecting a romance, but while reading I realized this book was more about the growth of our main characters and them finding themselves while getting to know each other. There is some romance, but that isn’t the main focus of this book.

I loved the charm Silver injected in this story. The setting of an island in Ireland was great, and I loved the people that lived there. The small town feel gave this book such a warm and cozy vibes.

I liked both Cleo and Mac and their love story. One of my favorite things was when they would share three things about themselves. I thought it was a cute part of the story and really enjoyed these parts throughout.

I’ve enjoyed Silver’s other books, but I did think this one dragged a bit at times. Although not my favorite from this author, I still think this was a good book that shows that sometimes we need an escape to figure out who we are.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Let me start with saying that I am giving this book 3.5 stars. I have mixed thoughts on this book, which is unfortunate because I loved Josie Silver’s debut novel, One Day in December. I’m sad to say this, but I think her debut may have been her best work and it has gone downhill for me ever since.

This book had romance, but not the typical romance I would expect from a rom-com. I am settling somewhere between it was okay and it was good, which is why I’m giving it 3.5 stars. I did enjoy the idea of being on an island with a very small community of people. I loved that Cleo was on a journey of self-acceptance and self-actualization, especially as she was turning thirty. The romance was just okay. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it. I just accepted it as part of the story. Without giving away spoilers, I love how Cleo was in the last fifty to one hundred pages of this book. She seems to have really found herself and her place, which was great.

I may give Josie Silver one more chance when she releases her next book, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look like she will be a priority author for me in the future.

Not a typical romance at all as the hero is married (but separated) at the beginning of the book. If you like your book relationships realistic, your settings British/Irish, and your townspeople quirky and quaint, give this books a try.

One Night On The Island by Josie Silver

A perfectly executed romantic comedy, which took place on an island.

Well-written enjoyable romance cosy. Many friendly characters. It is about relationships and island living. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

This was an average romcom. It was a bit deeper than I was intending it to be, but the story as a whole was decent. I wanted to like it more but I had a tough time pushing through. It felt too slow for me and these characters were just okay.

What a cute story of learning and loving yourself before you can give your best to others. This slow burn romance was very sweet and funny.

My library has already purchased this book at my request. I enjoyed it so much. The author, who is now one of my favorites, as I have read 3 of her books so far, took a typical romance trope and made it so much more. I thought the development of the characters was good and I really liked Mac as well as Nora. The way their relationship grew was very romantic and I felt myself rooting for them all along. Loved the ending as well!. I have Josie Silver on my list of authors to read whatever they have out there, so I am anxiously awaiting her next book!

I was a huge fan of One Night in December and was anticipating the same type of storyline in this one. I know reviews have been mixed from people who loved it or did not care about it and I, unfortunately, fell in the latter. I could not get into this storyline and felt like it took forever to get to the point. I didn't believe the chemistry between our two main characters at all and it was just such a long book that I struggled to finish. I think the author is immensely talented and a beautiful writer but this one fell flat for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cleo and Mack arrive on the same secluded Irish Island to get away from their hectic lives and sort themselves out. Unfortunately, they’ve both booked Otter Lodge and here’s where the forced proximity fun begins. There’s a lot of introspection for Cleo and Mack as they each are at a turning point in their lives, not such a convenient time for a romance, but you know how that goes. They start off very much annoyed with the situation, each wanting the other to be the one to leave, but of course little by little they become friends and more. I loved the “three things” they’d reveal to each other every night in the dark, where it was safe to divulge personal and random things.

One Night on the Island was oh-so-lovely with beautiful and clever writing that made not only the characters come to life with all their emotions, highs and lows, but the island as well! I could feel the moodiness of the weather, the salt in the air, warmth from the fire inside the lodge. I adored the quirky and lovable people of this small island.

I alternated between the audio and e-copy and really enjoyed the audio. I loved Eleonor Tomlinson performance of Cleo and all other characters. I only wished David Brooks performed Cleo’s parts with an English accent. He did a fabulous job with Mack. Definite recommend!