Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley. I was given a copy to read before full publication. This review is my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a page turner and involved 5 ladies who sped the weekend together celebrating one of the lady's birthday. They all hold secrets from one another; and they all come to light. The beauty of friendship and the love of God is displayed throughout this well written book.

This was a book that was different than what I thought it was going to be but in a good way . Friends get together for the weekend but hide secrets . Will they come out ? The book pulls you in and I couldn’t stop reading it to find out what happened next . Thank you to net galley and publishers for picking me to read this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can’t even begin to describe how relatable this book is. I’m not the same age as the characters but close enough that it really resonated with me. A group of friends come together and the struggles they tried to keep private come to light and they end up relying on each other to help ensure and heal. Many of us try to keep our lives to ourselves when it comes to hardships but this book is a great reminder that we always need our support system to make it all better. The issues were relatable, the friendships beautifully written out between the characters, and the actual characters themselves are people I find I relate to in bits and pieces. I laughed, I frowned, I clutched this book to my chest. Not to mention, the setting was a beautiful escape as a reader.

A Weekend on Allyson Island is such a beautiful story about friendship, grief, growing older, and finding yourself again, even when life doesn’t look the way you thought it would. Moira throws the ultimate 50th birthday getaway in her dreamy Savannah mansion, but the real heart of the book is what happens between the parties. Each woman comes carrying her own baggage, and watching them slowly open up to each other felt super honest and relatable. The characters were funny, vulnerable, messy, and strong. It reminded me that everyone’s going through something, no matter how perfect things seem from the outside. It’s part uplifting escape and part emotional gut punch. Highly recommend if you love heartfelt stories with a cozy southern setting and lots of soul searching!

A beautiful, heartwarming story by new to me author Susannah B. Lewis published by Thomas Nelson Fiction.
I read the blurb and was intrigued. I read A Weekend on Allyson Island and I was in love with characters, storyline and the beautiful writing.
Moira is widowed with her sons away in college. To celebrate her 50th birthday she invited 4 of her best friends.
Soon it seems, every single one of them carries secrets that are about to come to light. Can their friendship persevere?
Beautiful - I know for the third time, but still the truth, well worth reading, 5 stars.

As her 50th birthday approaches, Moira Allyson invites four of her closest friends to join her at her opulent waterfront mansion in Savannah, Georgia. Still grieving the sudden loss of her beloved husband, Jeffrey—who passed away three years ago—Moira finds herself confronting deep loneliness. Her two sons are away at college, and she hasn’t been able to part with Jeffrey’s belongings, not even his toothbrush, which remains untouched on the bathroom counter.
To make her milestone birthday unforgettable, Moira plans a luxurious weekend for her guests, complete with a private chef, engaging activities, and even a dinner cruise on the water. Each friend arrives expecting laughter, bonding, and the kind of soul-nourishing joy that only long-standing friendships can offer.
But as the weekend unfolds, not everything goes according to plan. Beneath the cheerful surface, each woman carries her own emotional burdens and unresolved struggles. What begins as a celebratory gathering soon becomes a poignant exploration of grief, growth, and the quiet resilience that anchors true friendship.
The five women at the heart of this story are vivid, endearing, and wholly relatable. The author beautifully captures the complexities of real life—love, loss, and renewal—with sincerity and heart. This is a touching and emotionally resonant tale that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

A WEEKEND ON ALLYSON ISLAND by SUSANNAH B LEWIS is the poignant story of five friends who get together to celebrate the wealthy widow, Moira’s, fiftieth birthday. To me it is a picture of true friendship and Christian fellowship, once each woman’s struggles come to light.
I cannot recommend this beautifully written and inspirational novel highly enough¡
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a heartwarming story about second chances, redemption, and the power of friendship. I loved the characters and their development and growth. The plot was well-paced and captivating. I highly recommend this fun read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Book Review: A Weekend on Allyson Island by Susannah B. Lewis
Releasing December 9, 2025

Susannah B. Lewis has once again delivered a heartwarming and humorous story that captures the essence of Southern charm, lifelong friendship, and faith. As a longtime follower of the author on social media, it was a delight to find pieces of her personality sprinkled throughout the book, like Easter eggs for devoted fans, whether it’s a Golden Girls mug, witty one-liners, or relatable Southern mannerisms that make the characters feel like old friends.

With her signature blend of laugh-out-loud humor and heartfelt moments, Lewis paints a vivid picture of a close-knit group of Southern Baptist women navigating life’s joys and heartbreaks. The banter between characters had me chuckling aloud more than once, yet the story also offers meaningful reflections on grief, healing, and the unshakable bonds of friendship.

True to her style, Lewis thoughtfully weaves faith into the narrative that is not in a preachy way, but as a steady, comforting presence guiding her imperfect, realistic characters through life’s messiness. The spiritual depth adds a beautiful layer to the story, reminding readers of the strength we can draw from leaning into our beliefs during times of sorrow and celebration alike.

By the final page, I found myself wishing I could join the group on Allyson Island, laughing, crying, and walking through life’s ups and downs together. A Weekend on Allyson Island is a moving, feel-good novel that fans of Christian women's fiction will not want to miss.

#AWeekendonAllysonIsland #NetGalley #SusannahBLewis

This book created an immense sense of calm and faith during the entirety of the book. Yes, Moira drank to remember Jeffrey's death but in truly recognizing why she did so made her remember that she was drowning her feelings rather than feeling how deeply she was loved. I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between Moira, Gemma, Nell and Erin and what they were struggling at the time as evidence by the fear cards and what they needed to do to make them better. This book reminds the reader that when praying and believing, is that anything is possible. All it calls for is knowing it will happen.

Wow! I was shocked by this book and Susannahs writing, It was so captivating. I loved every page. Such a fun book club pick I would suggest!

I love a good Susannah B Lewis book. This book was real life issues wrapped in an inspirational story about friends, old and new. I love that each friend comes with their own struggles, but in the end, those struggles aren't as large when you have multiple people believing in you and praying for you. This book isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it has faith and teaches us agape love between friends. I recommend it and really think you'll see yourself or a girlfriend in one of the characters. I love that Susannah was able to insert scripture and Jesus like behavior in the book.

I’d love to be a friend of Moira in this complex novel of friendship, aging, domestic unrest, grief and love.
Moire invites her best friends from early childhood to her estate on the Savannah River to celebrate her 50th birthday. Moira is excited to have her friends come as it appears to me that she is very lonely, her husband passing away a few years ago and her sons not in contact with her much. Like most women, girlfriends play a large role in our lives, but we don’t always want to,share our own issues and troubles. This weekend on Allyson Island pulls these women together to get answers for their lives so they can all more into the next decade.

Susannah Lewis has become a must read for me, and she didn't disappoint me in this with A Weekend on Allyson Island. She tells another story of lives in the South and healing relationships all with a touch of humor.
Moira is a younger widow turning 50 and invites an eclectic group of women to celebrate on her private island with her. Moira's grief has led her to alcohol addiction and loneliness. The four women invited have their own hurts and struggles and we learn each of their stories. Together, they realize that not one of them could do it alone-they need God and each other.
Middle-aged woman will find themselves relating to one of these characters and the baggage they carry. Readers will enjoy the Southern setting and Lewis' trademark of humor in this novel. May also make them want to make changes in their own lives and reunite with old friends.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.

This book was so relatable. It is well written and makes you stop and appreciate the support group you have in life. The setting was well described and every chapter was easy to picture exactly what was happening. We all have secrets and traumas, it's important to remember that everyone has life experiences that aren't the highs of our lives. Allowing ourselves to not feel alone in our grief is so important. The characters and situations in this book are all relatable. I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed every page of this beautifully written story. One of the best books I have ever read.

Each individual story is a novel in itself and the author manages to weave them together masterfully. You will find yourself cheering for each one to succeed. Watching them face their demons and move forward is like watching your favorite team win. Well done!

Moira plans her 50th birthday party, she invites friends for the weekend, but they all have secrets, will they come out?

Turning 50 isn’t quite what Moira expected. With her husband gone and her sons off at college, she’s feeling a little lost. Hoping to lift her spirits, she invites her closest friends to her stunning waterfront home in Savannah for a weekend celebration. But what’s meant to be a fun getaway quickly becomes an emotional journey as each woman faces her own challenges and hidden pain. I found it so easy to connect with every character. Some moments had me laughing out loud, while others genuinely tugged at my heart. A warm, relatable story about friendship, love, and resilience. I’d definitely recommend this one! Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was deeply enjoyable because it beautifully captures the emotional complexity of friendship, loss, and healing in a relatable way.
The characters felt authentic and multi-dimensional, making their personal struggles and growth resonate strongly. The story’s warm, inviting setting paired with its honest exploration of loneliness and renewal creates a comforting yet compelling emotional journey. It celebrates the power of genuine connection and hope at a stage in life often overlooked in fiction, which felt both refreshing and inspiring.

If you’re looking for a captivating book that will keep you hooked, this is definitely the one for you. It’s a story about five women’s journeys through middle age, exploring how each copes and strives to improve their lives. The narrative tugs at your heartstrings on multiple levels. One woman grapples with being a helicopter parent, wanting her family to succeed but unsure how to let go of her insecurities. Another battles weight and an unsupportive husband. One finds solace in her faith, while another struggles to find her footing working two jobs, fearing for her and her child’s safety. Finally, one woman copes with the loss of her husband by turning to alcohol to escape loneliness. The only part I found challenging was the biblical sections. As a non-religious person, I could have skipped those, but I understand they represent a part of some people’s recovery journeys. Overall, this book will keep you turning the pages, rooting for the women to find paths to self-improvement and happiness for themselves and their families.

a group of friends come together to celebrate one of theirs 50th birthday. but all are coming to this gathering with different things going on in their own lives.
its Moira's 50th and she want to celebrate with her closest friends at a waterfront mansion. since losing her husband Moira has bee confronted with a deep sense of loneliness. of course she thinks this gathering of her friends with private chef, shared activities etc will bring nothing but the answer she seeks, or at least a sense of together and escape from not being able to get rid of her husbands belongings.
but what comes is woman who have their own griefs going on. celebrations quickly turns into something far deeper and a time that will test the availability and strength of these friends. because the cracks are cracking and the struggles they have all tried to keep together and from others stat seeping out.
these friends will need each other now more than ever.
i really liked how this book went. i think there is so much closeness in those we are closest too. but so often its surprising thats it from people we love the most we keep some pretty big doozies from. to protect them and ourselves. this book shows you just how much you really do need those around you to help you heal. and its ok for that to be the case. but its also really hard and confronting. Susannah writes all those part to complex humans really well.
whats touched upon in this book felt so relatable and so often moving.
this book also shows you to keep looking, and then look again at and for the people you care for. we may have some pretty big stuff going on in our own lives, but so to can and do others. and also to try just a liiiiitle bit to step back before we react!
this book is so full of emotions and so full of hope. and in the end the strength of coming together with people who get you is something that can never be beat.
this book was brilliant.
as readers you go on this journey with these woman, and you feel all those emotions too. big,small. laughing and perhaps crying. we are here for it all.

This book is a warm, emotional ride about friendship, healing, and the complexities of life as we get older. Moira’s 50th birthday weekend brings together a group of women with secrets, sorrows, and stories to share, and the author does a wonderful job showing how connection and honesty can bring hope and renewal. It’s heartfelt, relatable, and a perfect read for anyone who loves character-driven stories about friendship and second chances.

Mo Allyson is coming up on her 50th birthday after losing her beloved husband, Jeffery, so she decides to gather a few friends at her beautiful home on Allyson Island to celebrate. She invites her two high school besties, CK and Gemma, her cleaning-lady-turned-friend Erin, and Nell—an old friend she kind of regrets inviting because of some awkward history between them.
I absolutely loved this story. This group of women felt so real and relatable, and the whole book had such an uplifting vibe—full of love, friendship, and strong Christian values.
It’s a solid 10/10 from me, and I’d totally recommend it to friends.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Moira Allyson has carefully planned her 50th birthday weekend celebration. There will be a private chef, relaxing massages, lakeside strolls and a sunset dinner cruise. She’s still grieving the sudden death of her husband and this will be a new start. Friends Gemma, C.K, Nell and Erin, housekeeper turned close confidante, are invited - and what a weekend it will be! The specially designed events are all affected by Moira’s problem drinking. As the women gently confront Moira, the secrets they have kept deeply hidden are revealed. There is no judgement - only kindness, support, patience and friendship.

A Weekend on Allyson Island is a story of friendship, loss, forgiveness and faith. The women and their problems are so relatable - you’ll feel like you could recognize them on the street. This beautifully written will leave you with a smile on your face and peace in your heart. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Susannah B. Lewis for this ARC.

Four friends come together to celebrate their friend Moira's 50th birthday.  Once united, all the friends start to share their personal struggles. They have lost partners, dealing with empty nest, cheating and all the everyday things that regular people deal with on a daily basis. The characters are very relatable and their struggles seem so normal that we can all see a piece of ourselves in them. I enjoyed reading about their friendships. We all try to hide the hard stuff that we go through but this book shows us that sharing our pain is healing. Through faith, hope and friends all is possible.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’ve followed this author on social media for years and even had the pleasure meet her and hear her speak twice. I have always appreciated her blend of humor, honesty, and deep love for Jesus. While I’ve made my way through nearly all of her backlist, this one just might be my favorite.

The characters in this story felt so layered and authentic. Each carrying real life struggles that were handled with such sincerity. The themes of friendship, faith, and grace were woven together beautifully, and you can truly feel Susannah’s heart and voice throughout the entire book. I also picked up the audiobook—because a girl loves to tandem read—and her narration brought an added layer to the experience.

This book reminded me exactly why I’ve followed her for so long. I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next because I know it will be wonderful.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.