I was not as enamored of this book as some of the other reviewers. Kiawah is an island with a slower pace of living, most of the time. The secrets of Kiawah were worth reading the book, the characters were real and the ending was a natural ending of a mystery. I was not fond of many different words that were used that would be common to the southern ladies of color. They were often times thrown in without any hint of what it meant in the context of the story.

Denise and Charles are "part-time residents" of Kiawah Island. Kiawah Island is a slower pace island that some of the more wealthy African American people visit and live on. Tragedy strikes, but there are some unanswered questions. Follow Denise as she and her friends as friendships are tested, questioned, and rekindled. Ms. Foxx Island Secrets: A Queens of Kiawah Story will have you ready to head to South Carolina to experience all that the Island of Kiawah has to offer.

In this story, Kiawah plays in the background as a character on its own setting the stage for a missing person case and a rekindling of an old and thought long dead attraction.
Denise’s husband Charles has been missing for a year but as Denise tries to bring closure to that part of her life more and more questions rise up along while she is trying to resist the attraction to an old flame. She and Trent join together to determine what really happen to Charles and why everyone thinks that Denise has answers.
The author brings together several aspects to tell a good story including the foundation provided by lifelong friendships, how relationships can falter and what happens when you stop looking back to move forward.

First read by this author. Enjoyed the writing style. A lot was going on in this book but it came together nicely. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Island Secrets: A Queens of Kiawah Story is a delightful blend of Kiawah mystery and fiction. Denise is a cross between a summer resident and a year round resident, which adds a little curiosity to the mix. The plot revolves around the mysterious disappearance of her husband, and the depletion of funds from their firm's 401K. Throw in a very colorful cast of characters and you will happily settle back to read this novel, and not want to put it down! I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

Denise Martine’s husband, Charles disappeared about a year ago and is presumed dead. Denise is staying at her vacation home on Kiawah Island to retreat for the summer and grieve. She has a group of friends that she meets with regularly and is close with there, like Yolanda and Darren.
When Denise’s ex from college shows up at the island, she has conflicting feelings. Trent is actually investigating Charles over some matters from Chicago, where they are from. Denise will learn some secrets and the truth about her husbands mysterious disappearance.

This is my first book by this author. It was a good read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

His boat came in, but Denise Martine’s husband, Charles, wasn’t on it. Almost a year later, with his death still a mystery, Denise retreats to their vacation home on Kiawah Island to begin to sort out his affairs and her feelings amongst a group of her friends, only to be confronted with the mystery he left behind. Although she must go on, Denise feels as if something is not quite right with her husband's mysterious disappearance. Her suspicions are compounded as an old flame from college, Trent, shows up and begins to poke around in what Denise considers to be a very private matter.
So many thrilling twists and turns… Just could not put it down… highly recommend.

This book in itself was really touching and emotional and touched me in ways I never really imagined a book could. It was thought provoking and had me questioning myself about life so many times, it’s exactly what I needed at a time like this. 5/5 stars!