This is the first book I have read by Kate and I really enjoyed it. There was a range of characters, all with different personalities but likeable. The story takes us to Sardinia where everyone is gathered to attend Mirabel and Fabs wedding and where Lola and Rhys first meet. Lola has just come out of an abusive relationship but because it wasn’t physical abuse her friends don’t realise the extent of the manipulative behaviour and the impact this has on Lola and her self esteem. Rhys had been in a relationship with Zoe who is also at the wedding and although he does know deep down things wouldn’t have worked out he is still hurting. To avoid their friends trying to match make them with all available singles they make a pact to pretend they have got together. The problem is Rhys is actually a great man who is easy to talk to but can a holiday attraction turn into a real relationship? This book made me smile and I enjoyed the theme of hope and new beginnings throughout the book. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for an advance copy of this book however all opinions are my own.

Kate Frost’s The Island of Hopes and Dreams is a gorgeous escapist tale that tugs at the heartstrings and soothes the soul.

Lola Wild knows that her friends and family mean well, but she’s grown tired and weary of their match-making attempts. At her best friend Mirabel’s hen weekend, Lola knows that she has to do something to change the course of her life, but in the meantime she’s looking forward to going to Sardinia for the wedding, switching off, topping up her tan and spending time with her nearest and dearest and hoping that nobody mentions relationships, dating apps or her single status. However, the Sardinian wedding brings her into contact with fellow guest Rhys Strickland, who has problems of his own to contend with…

It doesn’t take long for the two of them to bond over mutual ground and a friendship blossoms between Lola and Rhys as they attempt to put old ghosts to rest and draw a line under their respective pasts As a spark ignites between them, will they find the strength and courage to grasp this unexpected chance at a future together with both hands? Or will past hurts and never forgotten demons end up putting paid to any hope the two of them had of starting afresh?

In The Island of Hopes and Dreams, Kate Frost gets under her characters’ skins and has penned a tender, emotional, dramatic yet uplifting tale about two people finding themselves, fighting for what they truly want and deserve and falling in love in the most unlikely and unexpected of circumstances. Set in a stunning location, The Island of Hopes and Dreams by Kate Frost is just the ticket for readers looking for an intelligent, astute, feel-good and satisfactory romantic tale.

Kate Frost's 'The Island of Hopes and Dreams' is a charming holiday, transporting readers to the picturesque setting of a Sardinian wedding. The tale revolves around Lola Wild, fresh out of a breakup and sick of her friends trying to set her up, and Rhys Strickland, who is trying to get over his own failed relationship. Through a serendipitous meeting, the two agree to a bargain: an artificial relationship to get through the cringeworthy wedding festivities.
What starts out as a convenient setup gradually turns into something real as Lola and Rhys connect over mutual sorrows and vulnerabilities.

The writer skillfully interweaves a charming story of personal rebirth and unexpected love. The richly colorful descriptions of Sardinia bring this beautiful island to life so vividly that it is a perfect summer read. Although there is enough wedding-day angst and developing friendships, the real strength is in the personal evolution of the characters and the gradual, realistic build-up of their romance. A real feel-good, interesting read.

With a stunning setting on Sardinia, this is a real escapist read which is perfect for a holiday read. Lola and Rhys are the centre of this story but there are plenty of other characters who make up the wedding party and who add colour to the events. Lola's friends seem determined to set her up with a new man and ignore her views on the matter. Rhys, a close friend of the groom, is coming to terms with the end of his relationship and has to watch his ex-partner and her new boyfriend. The fact that they are all old friends from university makes the situation complicated for them. It is no surprise when Lola and Rhys decide to enter a fake dating arrangement.

There is plenty going on in the story and the dynamics between the families and friends make for both amusing moments. Lola and Rhys grow closer as the story develops and Lola has to re-evaluate what she looks for in a partner. There are certainly alternatives on offer. Rhys too is at a crossroads in his career and taking time out to travel and re-think his priorities. There is also some interesting tension within the families of the bride and groom's families with them both so different. The friendships between the characters add warmth to the story which has a hopeful and uplifting mood.

In short: love and laughter

I loved the escapism that this book brought me - set in a lifestyle far different to my own, I couldn't put down this tale of relationships, romance and relaxation. I love a book that contains a catch-up ending, not stopping at one particular point, but giving the reader that little bit more. I will be looking out for other books by this author.

This really is the perfect summer beach read to escape into! Amazing setting descriptions, I felt like I was right there. I loved it! A beautifully written story that was heartwarming and inspiring. The wonderful charming characters put a smile on my face and hope in my heart. A great book and I recommend it to anyone who loves romance. This is a must read for any summer reading list!

I enjoyed this book immensely. Perfect for a day at the beach or by the pool

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The hen party and wedding for her best friend
Should be a fantastic time for them together to spend
But other friends seem to want to find a match for Lola now
She needs to stop them somehow!

At the stag party there are revelations
For the groom's best friend, Rhys, - adding complications.
His ex is there with another of their group he's told
And secrets from their past begin to unfold.

The luxury wedding in Sardinia should be a dream
But the antics of 'friends' could ruin it, it would seem!
So an accidental encounter has them making a pact
Agreeing that for the wedding like a couple they'll act.

Together they share the events from their past
Never assuming their fake relationship could last.
However, what happens when feelings develop, too,
Could this be a new beginning for both these two?

A story which shows that true love can heal
When you least expect any chance it to feel.
A heartwarming story, with great characters who
Quickly feel like someone you knew.

The gorgeous setting adds to the mix
With so many relationships needing to fix.
There's drama a plenty and so much more
In this fabulous read which I hope you'll also adore.

For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

A really lovely read that had me going to bed early so I could squeeze in a few more chapters! Sardinia was beautifully described and has been added to places I must visit!

This was such a good read and I have to say what drew me to this book in the first place was the gorgeous cover. This isn’t just a book about romance
It had a whole lot more in it . I really admired the character of Lola and all that she had been through . She deserves to be happy and going to her best friends wedding in Sardinia might help her. After all who doesn’t want a relaxing holiday on the stunning island . The characters of both Lola and Rhys were excellent and the author really brought them to life I thought . Both had been through bad relationship break ups but there was also humour there as well. There was one particular incident Lola had when she had attended another wedding that literally had tears of laughter rolling down my face . When I first saw this book I presumed it was going to be a rom com but how wrong was I. There is so much more to this story and I loved it . What isn’t there to love about a book with great characters and set on the beautiful island of Sardinia .

A perfect summer/escapist read with gorgeous beaches, beautiful villas and stunning scenery.

Lola, fresh from a bad relationship, is attending her best friend’s wedding on the island of Sardinia. Also attending is Rhys, the groom’s best friend, with relationship problems of his own.

This was a good and believable fake dating experience with so many hilarious pre-wedding shenanigans from various groups at the wedding.

The description of the island will make you want to visit and is a testament to the author’s descriptive prowess.

I loved the various themes explored throughout the book- friendship, strength, courage, starting over, love and family.

The characters are very relatable and I was particularly rooting for the main characters as they navigate through the mess of their respective previous relationships.

I would recommend this to enjoy while on the beach or anywhere you read to escape from reality.

I received an advanced copy and the review is mine and voluntary.

Let me start by saying that I really enjoy reading books by Kate Frist. Especially the ones that take place in Greece.
This book seems to center around Sardinia so I was excited to see what the change of location would bring. The first 3-4 chapters of this book were so frenetic with tons of characters partying at the bachelorette and bachelor party as well as the fallout from those, that I decided I was not finishing this book at chapter 6. It was too much and not an enjoyable read.

I am giving this 3 stars however because while it’s not my cup of tea, I have no doubt there will be many that enjoy the drama.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Lola Wild and Rhys Strickland are inadvertently drawn together when they attend the wedding of their best friends on the beautiful island of Sardinia. With their own love lives not going too well, Lola and Rhys decide to keep each other company without the fear of a romantic relationship coming between them however, fate has a fickle way of interfering and soon the beauty of the island starts to work its magic.

This is a really lovely summery story which captured my imagination from the start. I particularly enjoyed the glorious setting of Sardinia, with its azure blue sea, endless sunshine and the excitement of the coming wedding between Mirabel and Fab. All the trials and tribulations that go with organising a romantic wedding sit comfortably alongside the burgeoning friendship between Lola and Rhys and the deliciousness of a will they, won’t they friends to lovers romance. There are some darker elements to the story which add depth but ultimately it’s a beautiful love story between two rather special people who deserve a second chance at love.

The Island of Hopes and Dreams is the perfect summer holiday read with delightful characters who stay with you long after the story is finished.

I seem to have fallen in love with falling in love in the pages. I found this to be a pleasant story of Rhys and Lola navigating through a love pact to just get through a 10-day wedding. This isn't a rom-com where things go terribly wrong; it's a mature and so endearing story of two people who have lost themselves due to other people.

One thing I adored about this book, the narrator. I love listening to Mira Dovreni narrate, and one thing I noted was that you could hear her smile when she was reading the book. She was just like me, smiling as we watched two people fall in love with each but more importantly...themselves. They were a product of what had happened to them, and they just couldn't see it until they saw it in each other.

Not going to lie, the cover drew me in and then knowing I had an audiobook to listen to was second. The story is what won me over, and the writing sealed the deal. Kate drew on everyday experiences. The longing, the lust, the closeness of people. She gave them a couple of roadblocks for sure, but this book could be real life; it wasn't far-fetched and unbelievable, it wasn't what you just saw in the movies. I felt this could be a real experience, and for that reason, I just adored it. I just didn't like my namesake!! LOL.

Now I must go, I have a holiday to Sardinia to book!!

The Island of Hopes and Dreams by Kate Frost

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Newly single Lola Wild has had her fill of well-intentioned matchmaking friends. Her best friend Mirabel’s hen weekend highlights all that’s wrong with Lola’s life and she knows something has to change.

With Mirabel’s luxurious wedding in Sardinia fast approaching, Lola is looking forward to switching off, spending time with her friends and keeping her non-existent love life off everyone’s agenda.

Meanwhile, fellow wedding guest Rhys Strickland has his own problems. So when a chance encounter brings Rhys and Lola together they decide to help each other out.

With the idyllic backdrop of white sand beaches and azure bays, they bond over shared heartache, and friendship blossoms as they attempt to navigate the hurt and hard truths of past relationships.

Opening up their hearts and embracing change might be the last thing they expected, but what if a holiday of make-believe can turn into something real?

My Opinion

Kate Frost has written some delightful novels and The Island of Hopes and Dreams really lived up to my expectations. This is a book that I would highly recommend as it was such an uplifting read. With some great descriptions this book will whisk you away to Sardinia.

Rating 4/5

Thank you netgalley and publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this book. A thoroughly enjoyable book set in most idyllic sounding Sardinia. A group of family and friends are staying in Sardinia to prepare for a wedding, two of the group, Lola and Rhys, decide to become a fake couple to try and stop their friends matchmaking. A great story well worth giving a read.

I loved being transported to Sardinia and Kate Frost captures the essence of a place so well that if you haven’t already visited, it will jump onto your bucket list.

The characters are skilfully drawn and the hurt Lola feels after being in a controlling relationship, will resonate with many readers. The classic fallout symptoms of guilt, shame and not being able to trust again are all sensitively dealt with and I enjoyed watching her blossoming relationship with Rhys.

Kate is a skilled novelist who offers an escape to a sun kissed island, a perfect summer read.

I love Kate Frost's books and feel this one is the best I have read. Wonderful narratives, lovely setting and descriptions. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Lola Wild, 32, has a stalker ex, Rhys Strickland, 33 has problems with an ex-girlfriend. They meet in Sardinia at the luxury wedding of common pals and enter into a fake relationship to keep said exes at bay. Obviously, it doesn't quite work like that, but I'm sure you're not surprised.

This is a quite a predictable account of a friends group holiday abroad, with minor dramas. There is nothing per se wrong with this book but it didn't hold my interest. It doesn't pass the Bechtel test and is really a one-note story. I also don't like this obsession with weddings. Not everyone needs to get married. Lola's ex is horrendous but I also thought Lola's friendship group was a bit vacuous.

This is an easy beach read that won't trouble your brain cells unduly so if you're looking for something light-hearted in a sunny clime, you can wile away a few hours on this forgettable fare.

Lola Wild has just come out of a really bad relationship so spending time with her friends on a hen's weekend is exactly what she needs. However, she also knows that this is the beginning of more change. Her best friend, Mirabel, is getting married in Sardinia and then she is staying there permanently. All of her other friends have established lives, married, with or without children as per their own choices. And here is Lola, with a great job in the music industry, but single. She hasn't really even shared what really happened with her ex, Jarek with any of them. They know bits and pieces but not the whole story.

What she probably doesn't really need is their friendly encouragement to hook up with someone while they are at the wedding destination. The last time that happened it was a disaster, and Lola doesn't need any more stories. It's a funny story now, but it definitely wasn't at the time.

By the time everyone arrives in Sardinia a month later she is ready, or at least she thinks she is. Everyone has come together to spend some time with the happy couple in the days leading up to the wedding. There is drama, of course, especially between the parents of the happy couple who aren't really getting along that well.

When she meets the groom's friend Rhys, she sees an opportunity to protect herself from the interference of her well-meaning friends. If she and Rhys can pretend that they have hooked up, there will be no more in appropriate suggestions. Rhys has his own reasons for agreeing to the arrangement. His ex has now coupled up with one of his old mates, and they are very much rubbing it in his face. It's just an uncomfortable situation all round.

Rhys isn't Lola's normal type. She normally goes for the really good looking, buff guys. Not that Rhys isn't good looking. He's just quiet, a man who loves crafting things out of wood, and a teacher. He is, however, also trying to figure out what he wants from life. Does he want to continue teaching or is there something else in his future?

When Lola receives texts from an unknown number and messages, she starts to get concerned that maybe Jarek knows where she is. She is, however, determined to have a great time and focus on her time in Sardinia and her best friend's wedding.

I have read a number of Kate Frost books now, and I really love how she includes the destination in her books. Sardinia is front and centre here, and had me wishing that I could go and spend time on the island.

I also loved the friendship dynamics, particularly among Lola's friends. It was more complication with Rhys's group but they still found a way to support each other. I loved seeing how everyone came together to support and protect Lola when she needed it.

I wanted to specifically mention the ending of this book, although no spoilers. Before he met Lola, Rhys had made some plans of what he was going to be doing for the next few months. I really liked that those plans weren't changed just because he had now met Lola. They had to work to build their budding relationship. It wasn't just...and now they live happily ever after. At least not straight away.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5