I will be the only one I think that was not blown away by this book. But I was struggling with finishing this story as the characters and the story felt so disjointed due to the changes in time and places from the 1940s to 2000s.
The story starts with Jews running from Nazis on Corfu and how they deal with that. Two sisters are being hidden, so they would not be taken and killed. They are taken care of by A woman which gives them the possibility to survive.
Amber moved to Corfu with her husband and want to start their new life and business there. But when some things will be brought back to the surface and not everyone will like it.
I thought that those two parts would connect somehow in a more important way, but... Nothing like that. To me, if this story would only concentrate on sisters' stories during and after WWII it would be much better.

A beautifully written story about the relatively unknown fate of Greek Jews in WW2.
1944 the Germans decide to deport the Jewish community of Corfu to Auschwitz. Rebekah's parents have arranged a Greek couple to hide their two youngest daughters before the Germans find them.
The story then takes us to a young couple who have dreams of running a restaurant in Corfu.
The story flits between the two decades but in a flowing manor. Between the pages we see different aspects of prejudice, love, committment and true friendship.

A real heartbreaker of a novel. I had not read previously about the Jews of Corfu and I found their story to be riveting. The modern narrative was a little less interesting than the historic one and the connection between the two eras was, perhaps, less organic than in some other dual timeline novels I’ve read. Still, it was a very engaging story and I would certainly recommend it to fans of the genre.

A heart wrenching story told in two periods of time. Back in 1944 when Corfu was invaded by the Nazis and the jews of the Island are taken. Then a story of Amber and her husband set recently who move to Corfu to escape the rat race of London. I loved the historical fiction part of this story - another horrific part of history I was not aware of. Sadness, bravery and brutality as a family is torn apart. The story of Amber and James is enjoyable and the writing evocative with the scenes, scents and beauty of Corfu. You can almost feel the heat radiating out of the story. I found the two stories a little disjointed but enjoyed the book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Burning Island is a historical fiction novel. The story is told in both present day and WWII, which is a style of writing I really do enjoy.

The story is powerful and beautiful. If you're a fan of historical fiction, definitely read this book.

I am a huge historical fiction fan and read as many as possible. Especially those set in the World Wars. This was a great read and had interesting characters. I enjoyed how the story is told from modern day and WW2. Great storyline. Highly recommended.

As a huge fan of historical fiction, I was looking forward to giving this book ago, new author for me but the blurb sounded really good and the cover was pretty appealing.

So the story was told in two parts, past and future, which changed from one chapter to the next. I usually love these sort of stories as you know that the two parts, past and present will come together in the end. However unfortunately I didn't feel that with this story, the two parts were pretty much two separate stories and the link that linked them both together come the very end was relatively miniscule which was somewhat disappointing.

But having that, the two stories were great reads, really enjoyed getting to know all the different characters and seeing how each of their lives would play out.

An affecting, beguiling and captivating dual narrative that grips, moves and entertains, Suzanne Goldring’s Burning Island grabs a hold of its readers from the off and keeps them absolutely riveted to the page.

In wartime Corfu, five year old Matilde and three year old Anna are precious commodities in desperate need of refuge and a place of safety. With the Nazis having reached their sun-drenched homeland, the two little girls need a place they can hide in where they will not incur the interest of the merciless and blood-thirsty German soldiers. Taken in by kindly Agata and her husband, the couple hide the girls at their remote haven on the north-eastern tip of the rocky island at great personal risk. Agata knows that the location she lives in with her husband does not make her completely immune to danger. She knows that the Nazis are forever scouring the island for missing Jews and just when Agata thinks she has enough to worry about, a German soldier appears on the day her husband is away…

In 2006, Amber and her husband arrive in Corfu for a fresh start. However, their new beginning is tainted by the displeasure which many of their new neighbours exhibit towards them. Pregnant Amber has got enough to concern herself with, but the new life she had planned for herself has not materialized and all the pressure and worry has put a strain on her marriage and with each passing day, she feels as if she is growing further and further apart from her husband. In desperate need for distraction and something to occupy herself with, Amber finds herself drawn into a story from wartime Corfu of two little girls who had been left by their parents and were hidden for their own protection. As Amber gets deeper and deeper into this heart-breaking story, will the shocking discoveries she has uncovered help her find her feet and the happiness she has been striving for? Or will she end up fleeing from the place she had hoped to call home?

Suzanne Goldring’s Burning Island is a brilliantly told book that will break your heart and have you reaching for the tissues as it is so beautifully written, wonderfully evocative and compelling from beginning to end that it will take over your life and keep you engrossed throughout. Full of richly realized characters it is impossible not to care about, vivid and evocative historical details, intense emotion and nail-biting drama, Burning Island is an outstanding read I don’t think I will ever forget.

Burning Island is the second book by Suzanne Goldring who brought us the superb My Name is Eva last year. For me, this new book didn't quite have me as gripped as her previous offering but none the less it was a very good read and it shows what careful and impeccable research Suzanne puts into her books in order to bring the time she is writing about alive onto the pages for her readers. This book was set between the present day and World War Two and I have read many, many books set during this time period so it was refreshing to see that the story took place on the island of Corfu. So many other books in this genre are set in France or Poland etc. so it was interesting to see how people living on an island coped with invasion and having their lives ripped to shreds all because of the actions of a mad man. Although, I couldn't shake the feeling throughout that I had read a book with similar themes and being set on an island during the war. The title still alludes me but it still feels as if I had read previously about what had happened to the Jewish people on the island during the time. I pushed this to the back of my mind and became immersed in the story as it weaves back and forth between Amber and James in modern day Corfu and Rebekka and her family in 1944.

Usually I would prefer one time period over another when a book has a dual timeline running through it but here I found myself equally enjoying both parts. Ultimately, I was intrigued as to whether there would be a connection between the two stories and if so what would it be? Would there be lessons to be learnt from it? In the brief prologue we are introduced to Amber who lives on the island having escaped from the rat race that was London with her husband James. She is thinking over what has recently happened and now that she knows the truth she will never look at Corfu with that same innocence again. The echoes of the past sound all around her and she wishes to strive for the truth as she knows this sun soaked island where people come to seek both pleasure and relaxation has a powerful history which should not be forgotten.

We then go back to the time when Amber and James arrive on the island both stressed and overworked but Amber in particular. They needed to get away from the life which would eventually break them if they kept going the way they were. Grabbing the opportunity to help a friend of James' with his property rentals on the island they soon find themselves miles away from their previous existence. They leave their well paid but demanding careers behind but little do they know what new experiences await them and what Amber sees and hears will change their lives forever. Is she ready to take on board what will eventually emerge and what they will also discover about themselves in the process?

The descriptions of the island were stunning and I felt like I was right there alongside Amber and James as they get used to their new surroundings and life as they made the decision try and open up a restaurant. This would allow James to fully indulge his true passion for cooking and food. The vast majority of the novel when set in the modern day was about how James and Amber went about this. There were also several characters introduced including Greg Richards, a successful entrepreneur married to Pat, but also a local Dimitri who seems to be very helpful in guiding James when it comes to picking out property. From the outset, there just seemed to be something very off about the whole buying property thing and as the book progressed I found myself even starting to dislike James. I think he changed when he came to the island, as did Amber, but his alterations were for the worse not the better. It's like he lost the spark and love he had for Amber as he became all consumed by the end goal of getting the restaurant up and running with the help of Greg and Dimitri.

Amber also seemed to be separating herself from James as if she could see that the people he was surrounding himself with maybe were not the best. She found allies in two women Marian and Inge who run two shops full of antiques and unusual objects on the island. These two characters I definitely felt I had read similar characters to them before even down to the fact that one of them was ill. But in the present day story they were the most interesting characters. I did question for quite some time as to their inclusion but I should have trusted as to what the author was doing as they do play a very pivotal role both in terms of being like surrogate mothers to Amber and the role they have to play in tying the story together. They were an unusual pair but Amber feels a deep connection to them and I suppose as she uncovered their story and was feeling neglected in a way by James she knew she could rely on both Marian and Inge when times got tough. In getting to know them she came to understand they had a story to share and she mustn’t let it go unheard.

At times, I did feel the modern day aspect of the story did become a little repetitive with not much happening. It is only as I reached part two that I felt the action really picked up and things became an awful lot clearer and little clues and connections I had missed before began to make themselves known. It was tense edge of your seat stuff and very well written and I had no idea how things would pan out. In terms of the outcome for Amber, the author could have gone the usual clichéd route but I am glad she didn't but that the character stood true to her principals and also with her discovering of past events and didn't go down the route I had fully expected her to and I appreciated the fact the norm didn't happen.

As for the scenes in the past, we come to know the story of the island through chapters from Rebekka's point of view who is only 13 when the Germans arrive on the island of Corfu and her life is changed forever. What unfolds is a desperate story of sorrow, hardship, destruction and brutality as the Jews on the island are rounded up. At times, it was difficult to read of all they were enduring. It showed how no one was safe or immune to what was going on at the time even living on an island. The Italians had left but then the Germans arrived exerting even more power, cruelty and barbaric acts. The Jewish community was one of peace but an annihilation occurred as deportations began but amidst this dark time and events a ray of hope shines through in relation to Rebekka's sisters Matilde and Anna.

Their story and those surrounding them was one of courage and bravery and highlighted the lengths people went to at that time to keep anyone safe if at all possible. So many people put their own lives in danger and on the line even though they didn't have to and the author has highlighted this and brought it to our attention particularly in relation to Corfu which rarely, if ever, gets a mention in historical fiction books. I found the Corfu of the past aspect of plot fascinating and horrifying in equal measure but again I was curious as to how Suzanne Goldring would tie everything together but she did so very well and in a surprising way I didn't guess until literally a page or two before the reveal.

Burning Island is a very good book but I think there was even more of a shock factor in terms of the reveal in My Name is Eva and that's what slightly edges it out for me in terms of which book I prefer. That said this is an interesting and informative read and certainly an eye opener at times to a time that shouldn't be forgotten where the relative peace of so many was shattered by such cruel and destructive behaviour. Suzanne Goldring is a talented author and I look forward to seeing where her future books will take her readers to.

*****Five stars to the beautiful novel by #Suzanne Goldring. Any novel that makes me laugh,cry and when I put it down feel joy is a five star novel.I've been lucky to find #Bookouture Publishing they select wonderful authors along with #Net Galley.I'm not being paid the e-book is free.
The setting is the island of Corfu and the book title says quite a bit. The storytelling is done by Amber and you fall in love with her character.It's present day but the book will go back to 1944 and rock you to your core.I never give spoilers in my reviews.
I enjoy my e-books but this one is worth the trip to the book store.💛

What an amazing story. I loved the interweaving of the WW2 story and the modern one and how they came together in the end. Set on the island of Corfu, this is simply heartbreaking as Matilde and Anna are sent away to escape the Nazis, never knowing what happened to their parents as they are brought up by Agata and her husband. The modern story is just as engaging as Amber and her husband deal with their own problems. Full of secrets and surprises this book is simply gripping and I enjoyed every minute.

I will be honest I read a lot of this type of fiction and I find it hard not to compare.

To me this book seems more about hope and showing that there was kindness and people who helped those who were destined to die even if it was detrimental and potentially lethal to them and their families.

I enjoyed this book and think it shows a lighter side of this genre instead of the darker side of this time period.

I am impressed by the writing style and think that this is such a great style and it really shows how much this genre will resonate with other just like it did with me.

This was a very Interesting book. It alternates between the present and 1944z in 1944, the Germans removed the Jews from the island and the book shared a little about what it was like. I would have liked to read more about this time and thought it would be more of the story than it was.

Burning Island is a story of 2 halves with different timelines weaving 2 stories, intrinsically linked. The setting is the beautiful island of Corfu and Amber and James have relocated there after walking away from the drudge of life in London. The year is 2016 and they've had enough of cold winters and jobs that no longer inspire them or motivate them. Their dream to move away to warmer climes and open a restaurant soon becomes reality when they are given the opportunity to work for James's friend in Corfu. However, the dream isn't all they thought it would turn out to be. Other people have a different agenda, forming a wedge between the couple. Their story is told from the different perspectives of Amber and James.

The other story running alongside James's and Amber's is set in Corfu also but in 1944. Imagine being put in the position of giving away 2 of your 3 children in order to save their lives. That's the decision that Jewish couple Perla and her husband Issac must make. The German army have landed in Corfu. The island is caught up in war and the soldiers only know about one of their children, not all 3. A couple on the island will risk everything, including their lives to protect the children.

The story spans across the years when Amber hears about the bravery and the death that took place on Corfu all those years ago and Corfu will never be the same for her.

I love a book with a dual timeline and I particularly love one with a dual timeline done well. Suzanne Goldring has excelled herself with this book. Like Amber, I am ashamed to say that I knew little of Corfu's history and its place in the second world war. The harrowing experiences of the Jewish people living on Corfu are written sensitively but in a way that made me weep for them. The book is very much character lead and while I found it difficult to connect with the modern characters, apart from Inge and Marian, the characters from 1944 totally blew me away and they are wonderfully written. There is real emotional investment for the reader. A great book. Would definitely recommend. Suzanne Goldring has now become a favourite author.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC chance to read this fine book.

I won't go into the premise as I feel many other reviewers have done a fine job of synopsis. I will tell that you I did enjoy the book. While it wasn't an intense page-turner, for me at least, it had some fine moments and was well told with excellent grammar and proof-reading.

The author has done her research well regarding the Corfiot Jews during WWII and it's to her credit that she provided a sad and poignant epilogue paying her respects to them.

Well done. Would recommend.

Note for Publisher - as soon as Amazon allows, I will post my review.

Happy publication day Suzanne Goldring! Burning Island is the most beautiful, richly layered story of tragedy and pain, challenge and hope, told through a dual timeline that is smoothly interwoven against the lush backdrop of the island of Corfu.

Corfu 1944 – the Jews who have, for many years, lived peacefully alongside their Greek neighbours, find their calm existence disrupted by the Nazi occupation. Perla and Isaac Nikorkiris know that soon they will be marched from their home, together with their 13-year-old daughter Rebekka, to un unknown destination. But there is still hope for their two younger daughters Matilde and Anna, who they have ensured were not registered, and therefore have not been included in any of the lists of Jewish names that the Nazi’s have compiled. They arranged to have them spirited away in the dead of night to a kindly couple who agree to look after them until after the war.

Corfu 1916 – James and his wife Amber escape the London rat-race for the sun-drenched island life, convinced by their friends Ben and Eleni, that they’ll be able to make a go of working and living here. With the help of knowledgeable, cocky Greg, who Ben introduces them to, their dream of setting up a Michelin star restaurant and hotel seems closer than ever, and they soon get to work setting up what they hope will be their future home together.

But although the island is beautiful and sunny, and people seem willing to befriend and help them, there is a darkness that lurks just beyond their horizon. There are local forces that are not so happy that foreigners are coming and setting up shop in their orchards and vineyards.

The story is cleverly recounted … not only in a dual timeline, but also from dual points of view. In 2016, we see things from both James’ and Amber’s perspective, and in 1944, the story alternates between what’s happening to Rebekka and her parents and to the two little girls left behind in the care of the kindly Agata and Georgiou.

There are numerous themes woven through this wonderful book. Obviously there’s the historical aspect, which I think is one that isn’t commonly known. The story of the Jews of Corfu isn’t one that’s been widely shared. Their tragic wrench from their simple, but comfortable lives; the horrific journey that followed and the fact that most didn’t even survive to see their final destination: Auschwitz. The ones who did, were so depleted by the end of it that they were mostly sent directly to the gas chambers. One has to wonder what on earth it was all for? Why did the Germans even go to all that effort of getting them there, just to murder them in the end?

Other themes were that of friendship, trust, greed, and the strength of female bonds and the roles that we play in each others’ lives. I loved how the women in this book supported each other, shared with each other and what they ultimately meant to each other. The importance of strong female mentorship and role-models became more and more evident as the book progressed.

I adored this book, and couldn’t put it down. It is a fabulous 5-star read, and ticks all the boxes required for a perfect page-turner!

Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for the Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Burning Island takes place on Corfu. Corfu is a Greek Island off the northeast coast of Greece, relatively close to Albania. During WWII, it was first invaded by the Italians and in late WWII, the Germans took over. Subsequently, the Germans herded up the small but thriving Jewish population and proceeded to send everyone to Auschwitz.

Suzanne Goldring uses this background to tell several stories. The majority of the novel takes place in the present day. We have two perspectives in the present day: James and Amber. James is a budding chef who has a desire to start a restaurant. James is blinded by his ambition to have a Michelin star. He makes friends with another English expat who does not always have his best interest in mind. Amber is more down to earth. She is drawn to two older ladies who tell her stories about the island and the people of Corfu. At times, I wondered how such a different pair would have ended up marrying.

In the past we follow Rebekka and her parents who are forced to go to the main square to await their removal from the island. Rebekka has two younger sister who were unregistered. Rebekka's parents give the two little girls to an older Greek couple who hide them.

My main complaint about the book is that is seems to be marketed as historical fiction, but I feel it is more contemporary fiction with views into the past.
I would recommend this book to people who like a present day story with some intrigue interlaced with historical fiction.

This story is told in alternating timelines. June 1944, Corfu, Greece; two little Jewish girls that have been hidden from the Germans are sent to live in a remote area of the island with acquaintances while their parents and older sister are being round up.

June 2006, Corfu, Greece; Amber and James arrive from England hoping to open a restaurant. Both stories and timelines are absolutely heartbreaking.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in January 2020.

I just could not put down this book.
It is written with such compassion about the fate of the Jewish community of Corfu something of which I was totally unaware of even though I have been to Corfu town many times.
It is a clever story line which is basically two separate stories of which the significance is revealed at the end. There are no happy ending but it deals with the bravery of people when faced with insurmountable odds.
This is the second of Suzanne Goldring’S books I have read and would really recommend her as an author to follow.

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I felt like I was reading two separate stories, which only very briefly came together, firstly halfway through the book, and then again right at the very end. Both stories were very good but didn't really tie in well for me. That's not to satin wouldn't recommend it though.