Anita Hughes’ Island in the Sea offers a deliciously escapist read set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Majorca, Spain. It’s the kind of book that sweeps you into its world with a combination of captivating landscapes, simmering romance, and a dose of self-discovery, making it the perfect beach read for those who love a compelling story about love, music, and ambition.

The novel follows Juliet Lyman, a driven and ambitious senior executive at Yesterday Records, a music company where she thrives as a no-nonsense professional. When her boss, the famously philanthropic Gideon, sends her to Majorca to wrangle a talented but reclusive songwriter, Lionel Harding, Juliet’s business-first mindset is put to the test. Lionel, a Grammy-winning lyricist, has been dodging deadlines for months, and it’s Juliet’s job to either get him to produce lyrics or secure a hefty check to close the deal.

On the surface, Island in the Sea might sound like a typical romance, but Hughes delves deeper into the complexities of personal and professional lives colliding. Juliet is a woman who believes in results over emotions—love isn’t even a blip on her radar. Lionel, on the other hand, is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, and his scars from past heartbreak shape his worldview. He believes love is everything—and he’s determined to teach Juliet that lesson, whether she likes it or not.

The dynamic between Juliet and Lionel is engaging. Their push-and-pull relationship adds layers of intrigue to the narrative, especially as they challenge each other’s beliefs and priorities. What starts as a business arrangement slowly transforms into something more profound as Juliet begins to see that there might be more to life than work.

Interwoven with this romance is the subplot of Gabriella, a talented local singer, and her grandmother Lydia, who has big dreams for Gabriella’s career. The way Hughes connects the themes of love, family, and ambition is subtle but effective, especially as Juliet helps Lydia navigate the challenges of balancing fame and personal happiness for her granddaughter.

Hughes' writing sparkles with vivid descriptions of the picturesque Majorcan landscape, making it almost impossible not to be transported to this sun-kissed paradise. The details of food, fashion, and the leisurely lifestyle further amplify the novel’s sense of escapism. The exotic setting is almost a character in itself, providing a rich backdrop to the emotional and professional stakes Juliet faces.

One of the strengths of Island in the Sea is how Hughes handles Juliet’s character growth. At the start, Juliet’s cold, almost robotic dedication to her job makes her hard to empathize with, but as her walls begin to crack, it’s a rewarding transformation. By the end, readers will appreciate her journey from a woman who views love as a hindrance to someone who realizes that love might just be the thing she needs most.

While the pacing of the novel is steady, at times, the story can feel predictable. There are no huge surprises in terms of plot twists, but the strength lies in the emotional depth Hughes brings to her characters. The romance, though familiar, is sweet and earnest, with moments of genuine chemistry that elevate it above the usual rom-com tropes.

Overall, Island in the Sea is a heartwarming, beautifully crafted story about finding balance in life, love, and work. It’s a perfect blend of romance, self-reflection, and music, wrapped up in a setting so vivid that you might find yourself wanting to book a flight to Majorca by the time you turn the last page. Hughes delivers a story that reminds us that sometimes, love is the one thing that makes everything else fall into place.