Helen McGinn - The Island Of Dreams.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Helen McGinn, and her books are a very pleasant discovery.

#TheIslandOfDreams is split between the Devon coast and the Greek island of Paxos.
Both settings have their charm, and are brought to life with vivid clarity by some lovely writing.

There is a lovely mix of characters in this story. Martha is likeable and deserves to find happier times.
Martha’s family are a heart warming bunch.
In Pacos, Martha meets some brilliant characters. Harry and Milo are both adorable.

#TheIslandEscape is a gorgeous story. It’s well written, charming and full of love and sunshine.
A perfect read when you need a hit of feel good in your life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Feeling disillusioned with her love life and harboring reservations about her sister's impending marriage, Martha is in need of a change. When the opportunity for a solo getaway to a Greek island arises, she hesitantly seizes it, despite her apprehensions about traveling alone. However, her initial excitement gives way to uncertainty as complications arise during her journey.

Yet, Paxos works its magic on Martha in unexpected ways. As she becomes acquainted with the island's charming residents and embraces its laid-back lifestyle, Martha discovers a newfound sense of freedom and joy that starkly contrasts with the monotony of her life back home.

Central to Martha's experience is her encounter with single father Harry and his delightful son Milo. Through her interactions with them, Martha glimpses a different path for herself—one filled with warmth, companionship, and possibility.

As Martha grapples with the inevitable prospect of returning home, readers are drawn into a tale of self-discovery, romance, and the transformative power of new experiences. Will Martha be able to leave behind the allure of Paxos, along with the captivating individuals she has met, or will she choose to embrace the island's gifts and chart a new course for her future?

"The Island of Dreams" is a poignant and evocative narrative that transports readers to a place where dreams are realized and destinies reshaped. With its vivid depiction of Paxos' idyllic landscapes and its endearing cast of characters, this novel captivates the reader from beginning to end.

The perfect escape from the winter months, a virtual vacation to Paxos, a small Greek Island. Loved all of the descriptions of the island and the yummy food. Loved the main character, Martha a single teacher on a trip by herself when she meets single dad, Harry and his son Milo. Loved the time that they spent together.

This book kept me turning the pages with the romance of Harry and Martha. A little mystery thrown in makes for the perfect read.

A wonderful story, set against the lovely Greek sun, dotted with wonderful wine, that was crisp and cool to drink. The book was warm and welcoming and I read it within three days,as I just wanted the story to carry on and find out how Harry and Martha's tale would end.
Martha has had some ups and downs and now its her turn to create a new stage in her life, everyone around her seems to be happy, but she feels she is missing something form her life. Iris her sister is her route to new adventures in the sun in Greece, and we are then taken on lovely discovery of the Greek islands and Martha's blossoming into a 'new' Martha.
Loved it!

I am a massive fan of all things Greek, so this book had me from the start. I loved how the characters jumped off the page and ended up loving Martha’s English family just as much as the Greek setting. Milo is adorable, as is his dad!

I love stories which transport me to another place and this book did it so well I have now added Paxos to my bucket list. I’m sure it will see an influx of bookie fans next year.

An unexpected holiday
Paxos seems a dream getaway
But ferry drama at the start
Will she regret taking part?

With secrets and revelations,
Treats and temptations,
Surprises in store
This is a story to adore!

A glorious read, with sunshine and more,
With new friendships and an island to explore.
With residents welcoming her there
All seem to know her and to care.

Such a contrast from her life before
Should she dream of so much more?
Attraction, romance, a possible fresh start?
Will it work out or leave her with a broken heart?

Milo really is the star of this book,
Along with the gorgeous setting, well worth a look!
Alongside the community, the family history
And an unresolved mystery.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The Island of Dreams is a great romantic escapist romp.

Greece is a magical place to escape to, whether it's in real life or in the pages of a book. Helen has managed to capture what makes Greece so wonderful and breathtaking. All of the descriptions in this story are lush and vivid. I felt like I could feel the warm breeze on my face and hear the waves crashing in the ocean. She also shows readers how wonderful the communities that live on this island are. I loved just spending time with locals on Paxos. They are friendly, funny, and just have so much heart. They added that extra charm to the story.
The overall story is enjoyable. This book is great for those bookworms who like their romances on the lighter side of things. The romance between Martha and Harry isn't the story's main focus and doesn't pick up until the book's latter half. As readers, we enjoy spending time on this gorgeous island and hanging out with Martha and the community that lives on Paxos. The book's first part has some family drama (which I always love), and then the story turns into this fun vacation romance. I enjoyed the book's flow, and all the characters were well-crafted. They were interesting and relatable. Martha is a great MC and fun to be with. I loved exploring Paxos with her and watching her bloom and begin to live again. I'm not ashamed to say that little Milo stole my heart and just was so delightful in this book. It's not too often that I say I wish I got to spend more time with a character who is a kid, but I wish I got to spend more time with Milo.
As I mentioned above, the romance is on the lighter side of things. It's a cozier romance and an excellent read for anyone who loves vacation romances. I always love seeing how an author will get their two MCs to their HEA, and Martha and Harry's journey was really enjoyable to watch unfold. And I liked the romance between Harry and Martha. It was sweet, and the sparks were there. I liked their conversations, and things just flowed really nicely between these two.

The Island of Dreams is a cozy vacation romance that will transport readers to the gorgeous island of Paxos.
Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Martha is in a family pickle, not of her own doing but she been offered the chance to spend a fortnight out of her six week holiday to escape to the sun, for free and alone. A chance for some soul searching and relaxation away from everything – the hustle and bustle of London, her family, her past… personally, I’d snap that up if I was her!!

A chance meeting sets Martha on the path that I accompanied her upon, getting herself a warm welcome from the locals. The time I spent with Martha was a bit of a rollercoaster but it was a warm and fuzzy one. I loved the routine she got herself into with her morning swims and meandering round the local town.

This book is not without its conflict mixed with a smidgeon of intrigue around a past disappearance which gave The Island Of Dreams a slight dark cloud over its feel good factor. That said, it tempered that fuzzy feeling I had which is a good thing. I need some intrigue or conflict as a contrast and McGinn gave me enough!

The Island Of Dreams is a wonderful escape to the idyllic island of Paxos. Reading this on a chilly February evening made me yearn for some sun on my skin, craving for some Vitamin D and ice cold drinks. McGinn has created a sublime trip to a world of peace and quiet, where the locals welcome Martha like an old friend. This was all I hoped it would be as a read and more. Pure escapism – loved it!

I enjoyed this fun holiday romance read. Martha is an English teacher on vacation for the summer. She’s the youngest of 3 sisters. After her sister calls off her engagement, she offers Martha her honeymoon visit to Axios, Greece. When the ferry to the island is canceled she finds a boat taxi to get her there. She runs into 10-year-old Milo, who is upset because also trying to get back to the island to see his grandma. She offers to bring him along with her. Once there she meets up with his father Harry and grandmother Connie who take her under their wing and show her the island. Soon she’s out enjoying her time in Greece. She’s eating delicious foods, enjoying the sea and beach, boating around the island, and enjoying her time there.


I enjoyed the story. I loved the story and the descriptions of the warm and friendly people, as well as the descriptions of her days in Axios. I did get frustrated with Martha and her actions during the 3rd act. The supporting characters were great! I loved Harry, Connie, and Spiros. Milo, Harry’s son was the best! I loved the descriptions of the island of Axios and life there by the sea. I’d love to rent a place there. Overall, it was an enjoyable beach read.


Thanks to Boldwood Books, Netgalley, and the author for this read.

Firstly thank you to Netgalley for this Arc

Brilliant book felt like I was actually in Greece this is definitely a holiday book

This was my first Helen McGinn book and I was impressed! Her attention to detail was astounding. You really feel like you are transported to Greece with Martha! This was a quick read that was perfect for a cold winters day!

ARC REVIEW

The Island of Dreams is a beautiful, heartwarming story. Martha called off her engagement because she didn't feel she loved her fiance enough. Her sister Iris is getting married, and Martha travels to her parents' home to help with preparations. Assisting with her sister's wedding is triggering for Martha. When Iris learns that her fiance kissed Martha, she cancels her wedding. Iris had already booked a honeymoon trip to Greece. Iris felt Martha could use a change in scenery, so she gifted the trip to her. While in Greece, Martha gets to know some locals, makes new friends, and stumbles upon a new love connection.

I enjoyed this story. The author included vivid, beautiful descriptions of Greece, and the characters were well-developed. The pacing was off a little, and I wanted an epilogue to learn more about Harry, Martha, and Milo's future. Overall, this was a good read. The Island of Dreams allowed me to escape reality and enjoy a cozy story with a happy ending.

Thank you, Helen McGinn, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley, for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Martha Wiliams is a teacher of English. Several years ago, she called off her wedding because she felt that her fiancé was just not the real one. Now, her sister, Iris, is getting married and Martha has to travel to her parents’ home for a pre-wedding dinner. Martha’s impression of Iris’s fiancé, Toby, is not good. He is loud and crass. When he tries to kiss her, she is appalled and even more so when she overhears him tell Iris that Martha tried to put the make on him. Iris is hurt and yells at Martha only to find later that Martha was telling the truth. So, Iris breaks off the engagement and instead has a party for all the guests they had invited. In addition, Iris gives Martha the tickets and cottage she had purchased for her honeymoon in Paxos Greece. Surprised and delighted, Martha heads out.

Landing in Paxos, Martha learns that ferries to take her to Paxos are unreliable and she has to settle for an over-priced water taxi. While waiting for the taxi, she sees a young boy looking upset and asks if she can help him. Turns out his phone has died and he is trying to get back home to Paxos where he lives with his father, Harry, and his grandmother, Connie. Martha calls the woman and tells her she will escort Milo home and Connie will meet them. In Paxos, Connie then takes Martha to her cottage.

Milo’s family befriends Martha and shows her around the island where they all become quite close. Milo’s mother went missing years ago and it’s assumed she drowned. As Martha and Harry spend time together, an attraction sparks. But Martha knows she will need to go home soon. Can there be a future for them?

I really liked this book. The descriptions of the scenery, the beautiful, sun-filled days, and the delicious food and wine just made me want to be there. Milo is an adorable boy that one could easily love. A delightful story. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Martha has a habit of running away. She has made some tough decisions like cancelling a wedding at the last minute but she also uses avoidance tactics to hide from life.
I thought she should have kicked Toby after the incident in the garden and addressed it directly. But she ran away, again.
I wanted to shake her when she ran away from Paxos.
I loved the Greek setting and the people.
I think Spyros was my favorite character.
Thank goodness Harry had the tenacity and the determination to go after what he wanted.

My first Helen McGinn book but definitely not my last! I totally enjoyed this book. The setting was fantastic and the characters even better. This was tender and endearing. Some great laugh out loud moments.
Thank you NetGalley, Helen McGinn and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Island of Dreams
by Helen McGinn

Marthas engagement has just broken up. To take her mind off things she is helping her sister with the organisation of her wedding then Iris’s engagement is broken off and Martha thinks she has jinxed it. Iris feels Martha needs to get away from it all and give her the honeymoon trip to the Greek islands.

The characters are great as is the scenery on her journey though some of the story is unbelievable good read on a winter evening.

Martha & Harry ❤️

💍When Martha’s older sister breaks off her engagement, she asks her to use the house she’s booked for her honeymoon on a Greek island for a two week solo getaway.

🚤Martha’s had her life on hold for the last few years after calling off her own engagement when she knew it just wasn’t right for her.

🏖️On the Paxos island, Martha settles into a restful holiday, but she is soon a part of the island community, taking 10 year old Milo under her wing, getting to know his grandmother Connie and spending time with his father, American journalist and author Harry.

👙This isn’t the first of Helen McGinn’s books I have read, and her others felt deeply personal, written from her heart. This story, while it has sad elements, feels much more lighthearted, with the Greek island holiday setting. I struggled with the instalove elements of Martha and Harry’s relationship. At times it felt like Martha was spending much more time getting to know Connie and Milo than the love interest himself. This would make a good beach read - lots of sun, sea and Greek food 🇬🇷

Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 3/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Publication date 13 February 2024

This book had beautiful descriptions of scenery and atmosphere, and I loved the cozy feeling it conveyed. The cast of characters was well-crafted, and in particular the familial relationships really stood out. The belief that people are, at their cores, good natured and friendly came across throughout, which made the book a very feel-good experience, and the short length of the book lended itself well to a quick, breezy read.

That said, it fell into a few common romance tropes near the end that I personally don’t really care for, so my investment in the story wavered in the last 20% or so. I would have liked for the characters to communicate more honestly with each other throughout the book as well, as it relied heavily on misunderstandings. I think that those who enjoy the tried and true romance book structure will find this to be a fast and atmospheric read, with fun characters and a beach-read type of ambience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

We meet Martha, who made the decision to not get engaged, and is since feeling lost in what she does next.

Iris, her sister is now planning her wedding, but when that too is called off, Martha is blaming herself.

Her sister sends her to Greece, on her own. Martha finds herself enjoying being there, the people and solace.

I loved the setting, and the characters.

I recommend this book.

Martha called off her own wedding, and feels responsible when her older sister calls of her own wedding. Fences are mended, however, and big sister Iris gifts Martha her honeymoon trip to Greece. Martha decides a change of pace is what she needs and she agrees to the trip. Everything is smooth sailing, until the last leg of her journey leaves her nearly stranded on Corfu. She meets adorable Milo, and then his grandmother, who showers Martha with friendship and gratitude. Soon Milo's father joins in the mix and her lovely fun-in-the-sun adventure takes a romantic turn.

As I was reading this book I found myself wanting to discover my own Greek Island! I wanted to explore the food and meet all the people which make up the community. I really enjoyed reading this. It was sweet escapism, and will be a wonderful beach read.