DNF at 10%. The pacing is so slow and the back and forth between present day and past is disjointed and awkward.

This book swept me away and I absolutely LOVED it! Samantha Tonge is a wonderful storyteller and I'm always anxious for her next release and this one didn't disappoint! It's sweet, charming, and absolutely breathtaking! I highly recommend it!

I totally enjoyed this book by Samantha Tonge. I like the plot and her writing style. Will definitely be checking out other books written by her in the future.

This was not my favorite book. The characters were all over the place and I could not get into what the author was trying to accomplish.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book was a great summer read with all the beachy things you want in it. A little beach time, a crazy animal, romance and growth among sisters. This was a great quick read that helped me forget about what's happening in the world today.

booklover BEV 

After a big win fall on the lottery, sister's Amy and Sarah Sterling both in their twenties, Amy plans a four week dream holiday for them both its a surprise. After their mothers death they become best friend living together after their father remarried this holiday is going to be perfect. So what is ahead for them? Such a good pick me up read right through. Giving you a feel good feeling, the girls get a real eye opener to this holiday. Wildlife and authentic foods at Cecao House on Seagrass Island has opened their eyes and changed them both. I just loved everything about this heartwarming book right to the end. Loved it.

I loved this book. And I defy anyone to not love Chatty. Everyone needs a Chatty in their life. But enough about monkeys, the human characters are an interesting bunch too. From the cover I was expecting a light romantic read, and although romance does feature, it's not the focus of this story, in fact the key relationship in this story is the one between sisters, Sarah and Amy. It's not such a light read either - some big issues are explored. I enjoyed learning about the conservation side of things, as well as seeing how both Sarah and Amy matured. I was intrigued about the plans for the island. I think there's scope for a sequel if Tonge should ever want to go back ... With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Samantha’s last Christmas book so when she announced a summer book I just had to add it to my to be read list!
Sarah and Amy are sisters who decide to take the trip of a lifetime but when Amy changes the destination at the last minute Sarah gets a shock to the system when they end up on Seagrass Island at a wildfire conservation. Seeing both their journeys on the island was interesting as I didn’t know whether they would sink or swim. I loved the setting of the story it just sounds interesting and so idyllic. I especially loved Chatty the monkey, along with the other guests on the island.

Samantha’s narrative is free flowing and very detailed. I felt like I was on Seagrass Island with Sarah and the gang and I was sad when it ended as I didn’t want it to end. She explores themes which are very hard to read about but gave the main characters some depth.

‘The Summer Island Swap’ is about taking chances and believing in yourself. I certainly took some life lessons away from it ❤️ I highly recommend you curl up with this book as even if it’s a grey day it will brighten it up! I give ‘The Summer Island Swap’ a dazzling 5*/5* 😊

Thank you to Aria Fiction for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Sarah thinks her sister Amy has booked a five star luxury holiday after winning some money in the lottery. However, when they arrive she realises it’s actually a holiday roughing it in a conservation project on an island with wooden shacks, compost toilet just like I’m a celebrity get me out of here.
Sarah finds it hard to adjust to the basic living arrangements praying for a quick escape. As Sarah continues to battle with the simple lifestyle she comes up with some ideas to develop some of the island into a luxury relaxing hotel. Will Rick the island leader go for the ideas or will Sarah decide to leave the island early.

An absolute brilliant read from Samantha can’t wait for her next book.

Perfect summertime reading.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the exploits of sisters, Sarah & Amy as they head off to the British Virgin Islands on the holiday of a lifetime. A book full of comical turns of events featuring composting toilets, tarantulas and fish soup to name but a few.
The plot was somewhat too unbelievable, but that didn’t detract from what was an enjoyable read.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was a feel good read in these difficult times. I liked the location, I liked the characters and basically liked the storyline.

This is a quirky summer read set in the British Virgin Islands and offers a real change from a traditional holiday story. It has some very strong female characters especially the main character Sarah who built a life for herself and her younger sister away from their difficult father. This is a very relaxing read but with some thought provoking messages which really add to the overall emotion.

This was my bank holiday read, sat in the sun this book was easy to read with some little twist but a great holiday read. I found the factual part of the book really interesting and will definitely be looking out for more books by Samantha Tonge .

The first book I am reading of this author! Loved how both the sisters are different in every way but have a beautiful relationship! With the cover I was thinking it would be typical beach read however it was different and loved it. A good read for something a bit different.

I absolutely adore this author so hit super excited to see a newbie coming out. I have definitely not been disappointed by this one.
I have devoured this book in one sitting and it has been the absolute perfect escape from reality.
I adore the characters in this book, they are likeable and I found myself wanting good things for them. The plot is fab and has kept my attention from beginning to end.
This is an absolutely fantastic author who has a talent for pulling me into her stories early. This is one which I have enjoyed and been excited about.
The cover is gorgeous but the story inside is equally as gorgeous. I cannot wait to see what else Tonge has in store for us. This is an easy book to rate as it is absolutely fantastic and highly deserving of five stars.
Superb read which I highly recommend.

Super fun and sweet story. Sarah and her sister Amy had a complicated upbringing which impacts their lives. But still, they were both so relatable.
I loved Sarah’s gradual relationship with Rick, and also her friendship with Jonas. I laughed at the scene where they had to take out the human waste bucket.

This was my first time reading a book by this author and I enjoyed it.

The book features two sisters, Sarah and Amy, who go on a tropical vacation after Amy wins some money in the lottery. Sarah is your typical type-a person who as an older sister much makes sure that her baby sister fine and doing what she is supposed to do in life.

With Amy's lottery wins she wants to take her sister on a well-deserved vacation and tells Sarah that they are going to a five-star hotel in the Virgin Islands. But what Sarah doesn't know is that Amy made a last-minute switch that will change the course of her life. See Amy decided to take them to a conservation project instead of a 5-star hotel because she felt that it was too close to what Sarah did for a living and wanted her to be detached from work completely.

During her first week on the conservation project, Sarah struggles with compost toilets and all the mosquito bites she gets. BUT who can blame her, this isn't what she expected to be doing for the next month of her life?

While on the conservation project, she ends up falling for Rick, the owner of the island. But Rick comes with his secrets and struggles. See his family's business is losing money and he needs to help them.

With the help of Sarah, Rick and she can turn the island in a resort destination to help the family business generate some income, while also keeping the conservation project going.

The Summer Island Swap is a sweet book to read and was enjoyable. This book had me dreaming of the days when I could take a vacation aboard again.

I would recommend reading it to anyone who is interested in love, some humor, and interested in falling in love with a little monkey named Chatty.

The review also appears on:

Goodreads at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3257442311

Personal website:https://emthebooknerd.wixsite.com/bookreviews/post/the-summer-island-swap-by-samantha-tonge-arc

Imagine your sister books you a holiday. You’ve done a lot for her and mum for many years. You end up at the luxurious destination only to find that you’re on a sort of conservationist stay.

Things get very interesting then as this book, which I thought would be light reading and a beach read, turns out to be really spot on as far as conservationist issues are called for. The story is more serious and thought-provoking that I would have imagined in a summer read (not a criticism but often books where girls holidays are involved are about romance and light-hearted fun) This was quite the refreshing change!

And I would not say no to a holiday or conservationist holiday after this!

After a dreadful year as assistant manager of a hotel Sarah can't wait to go on the holiday of a lifetime that her sister Amy has book with lottery winnings. Unfortunately Sarah doesn't know until they're at the destination that Amy has switched holidays to a conservation one.

A perfect book to escape in this summer. It's heartwarming, easy to read and a jot to read. I liked both sisters, even though they were completely different in their own right and had both been through quite a horrible childhood. They seemed so close and had a lovely relationship which was clear to see.

Overall, a fun book and I would recommend you read.