I really enjoyed this book. Set on a beautiful tropical island it is perfect for a summer read. The first part of the book is so fun with all the teen drama and relatable stories of the 6 teenagers. Second half kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing what was going to happen and who they could trust. I highly recommend this book. The author told a fun and exciting story.

Easy, breezy, summer fun, with a cast of hilarious characters. If you are searching for action in a gorgeous locale, I highly recommend reading this action-packed and absolutely ridiculous #beachread.

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Loredan for providing me a copy of R.M. Spencer's sophomore release, The Island, in exchange for an honest review.

#TheIsland is a fast-paced, #mysterythriller littered with a heavy dose of theatrics, snark, and pop culture references reserved for a #Bravo reality series, if said series also had the plot of a spoof action movie involving a drug cartel. (Trust me, that description will make complete sense once you read the book.)

The novel immediately opens with a dead corpse, set against the gorgeous backdrop of a white sandy beach in the Caribbean on La Isla del Cordero. From that point onwards, the story propels the reader forward, leaving them breathless as they breeze through the quick and dirty chapters, despite the four-day timelapse and daunting page count. The Kindle Vella format serves the plot well here, as each section ends on a mini cliff-hanger. This is the ultimate #beachread for 2025.

The novel is primarily narrated from the perspectives of the two characters who are arguably the protagonists of their respective storyline, Sadie and Valentina, beginning at four days prior and leading up to the murder. As the book progresses, however, additional character viewpoints are incorporated to narrate their account of the action. By the novel's conclusion, nearly every character (save for the elusive uncle) has narrated at least one chapter, even the tertiary subset.

At times the story errs more on the side of YA, which makes sense given that the most of the characters have just graduated high school. That is, until the plot returns to Valentina who is in her early thirties, and is tasked by her employer to chaperone the teens' vacation. What starts off as a celebratory occasion, rapidly devolves into an unhinged situation. Think the Chloe Esposito trilogy, Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know, meets The Hangover. Drugs, affairs, and murder, this is one summer none of them will ever forget.

If you are searching for mindless fun, look no further because you have found your novel. Could the book have been shorter and better focused? Sure, but not everyone wants to read a textbook when they are sipping cocktails poolside or at the beach.

“The Island” by R.M. Spencer, is an amazingly hilarious thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. The story follows six friends on a two-week graduation trip to a private Caribbean island that quickly turns deadly when one of them, Jake, is murdered. As the group struggles to survive and uncover the killer among them, the suspense builds with every twist and turn. Told from multiple points of view, the book brilliantly blends fast-paced action with sharp, well-timed humor. The shifting perspectives add depth and amplify the comedy, making the tension all the more gripping. I couldn’t put it down!

I went into The Island expecting a fun, slightly unhinged summer thriller—and I got that plus a whole lot more. This book is a perfect storm of dark humor, suspense, and emotional chaos, set on a luxury private island where everything seems too good to be true... because it is.

The cast? Imagine six overprivileged L.A. teens on a graduation trip, all hiding secrets. The adults? Equally shady, especially Valentina, the hyper-capable “babysitter” with a past and way too much on the line. And then there’s Sadie, our main narrator—messy, vulnerable, absolutely savage. I was hooked from page one.

There’s a death (not a spoiler—it happens early), there’s drama, there’s a mysterious facility that may or may not be storing illegal goods or hosting sketchy experiments. Oh, and monkeys.

It’s the kind of book where you’re laughing one minute and saying “oh no no no” the next. If you are like me, you may even find yourself shedding a few tears. Somehow, the author pulls off satire, suspense, and emotional beats without ever losing momentum. The pacing is tight, the dialogue sparkles, and every character feels real—even when they’re being ridiculously awful.

I don’t usually write reviews, but this one deserves it. If you liked One of Us Is Lying, The White Lotus, or just love a good “rich people behaving badly” story with a body count and brain, pick this up immediately.

This book totally caught me off guard—in the best way possible. It’s part murder mystery, part dark comedy, and all-around brilliant in its takedown of wealth, privilege, and messy teenage relationships. The story centers on Sadie, a former it-girl with a sharp tongue, a fractured heart, and a suitcase full of emotional baggage. Her narration is biting, hilarious, and painfully self-aware—like if Euphoria’s Rue went on a luxury retreat with the cast of The White Lotus and someone didn’t make it out alive. Add in rotating perspectives (shoutout to Valentina, the over-it chaperone trying to keep it together) and you’ve got a layered, clever thriller that balances outrageous antics with some surprisingly poignant moments.

There’s so much to love here: the spoiled rich teens, the private island with shady secrets, the oddly sentient monkeys, the ominous storage facilities, the suspiciously charming Russian guy… it’s chaos in the best way. And just when you think it can’t get any more unhinged, it does—but the emotional throughlines (betrayal, grief, addiction, identity) keep it grounded.

It’s sharp, it’s fast, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously while still being incredibly smart. If you like your thrillers with bite, brains, and a big dose of bad behavior, you’ll love this one.