DNF at 10%
This book was different to what I expected. The characters seemed interesting but I wasn't captivated by the novel to keep reading. Rating based on amount read.

This book is another one is a recent string of arcs that never ended up on my kindle. I don't know what the problem is, but I can't review it. Sorry.

Yvette was sent to St. Lucia at age five to stay with her Aunt. Now, five years later, she is being returned to England to parents she barely remembers. Soon after, they separate leaving Yvette with Dolina, a mother she has a difficult relationship with. She's barely seen her father Joe since. Now, she gets a call that he's been attacked and she rushed to the hospital to see him. He's haunted by memories of when he and Dolina met, on a ship headed to England. On their last day on the ship, he believes he may have killed a man, his competition for Dolina's affections. He wants Yvette to find out what really happened that day. The answers may affect her own life as well.
This book took a little getting into with the many different characters. Also, the dialect was hard to follow until I got used to it. But the story was well worth the effort and I'm glad I read it.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

This is a sweeping family drama that takes place in both St Lucia and the UK. It's told from multiple points of view: Yvette, our protagonist, her father Joe and her mother Doli. Joe begs Yvette to find out what really happened on their fateful crossing to the UK, as he's believed for years that he killed a man. Long-held secrets are slowly uncovered as Yvette seeks to find the truth.

This Other Island is a very well-done debut novel that will transport you to the Caribbean through descriptive writing and language (St Lucian dialect is scattered throughout the book). While it can take the reader a moment to remember the voluminous number of family members, once you settle into the story the plot will undoubtedly hook you in.

Focusing on family. identity and life-defining journeys, This Other Island is filled with startling, moving and heartbreaking moments.

Yvette's young life was one of upheaval. Raised by her aunt until the age of five, she was reunited with her parents, only to experience the separation of her parents and a future estrangement by her father. Yvette's younger years had some good moments, especially when raised around her cousin Dionne. Years later Yvette gets a call that her father had been stabbed and needs her help.

Yvette holds nothing against her father for leaving while she was a child, and is heartbroken to find out that he now has an illness far more serious than the stabbing. He requests of her to look up someone from his past and Yvette does what she can to fulfill his wishes.

Not only does the story focus on Yvette and her helping her father, her mother Dolina is also a pivotal character. The story is layered in secrets and lies, as well as family drama and reconnection. All while the story is told it flows between regular dialogue and St. Lucia dialect. Admittedly, this took some adjustment, but then it was easy to get into the mind and tongue of the characters, so much so that I was very drawn to them and the drama that unfolded.

This book dealt with serious subject of identity and the journey that Yvette experienced once she became involved with her father. I loved how the story shifted back to Dolina and Joe and how they went from the Caribbean to London and how important their roles were during that time. To see snippets of the past and how it connected to the present showed strength that the characters maintained no matter how difficult the paths their lives took. This is indeed a story well told. I am so glad to have read this book and would highly recommend this debut novel to other readers.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Steffanie Edward’s This Other Island is a powerfully written and deeply affecting debut novel about love, family and identity readers won’t forget in a hurry.

Yvette’s relationship with her mother Doli has always been rather strained – unlike the one she had with her estranged father, Joe. Yvette has always cherished the laughter, encouragement and affection which her father had showered upon her; a stark contrast to her mother’s coldness and aloofness. When she receives news that her father had been attacked in a random act of violence, Yvette rushes to be by his side only the man she finds is worlds apart from the jovial and larger than life character she remembers. Her father is fighting for his life and is haunted by old memories and dark secrets – and he needs Yvette’s help to uncover the truth about the past.

As Yvette begins to look into her parents’ lives, she finds herself drawn into a mystery spanning decades. A mystery involving her two parents, Joe and Doli, and the life they left behind in St Lucia for a brand new one in England. A life that had been blighted by a devastating betrayal that had threatened their marriage from the very beginning. Only Yvette can find out the truth and discover if her father had really killed the man who had been head over heels in love with Doli.

Can Yvette solve this mystery in time? Will a line under her parents’ past ever be drawn? Or will the sins of the past continue to wreak havoc upon all of their lives for decades to come?

A masterfully told debut novel written with great depth and confidence, This Other Island is a heart-wrenching and beautifully layered page-turner that is thought-provoking, immensely emotional and highly charged. This Other Island is not an easy read, but rather it is a deft exploration of the sacrifices we make for the ones we love, the struggles we endure and the hope that sustains us that will break readers’ hearts and have them crying their eyes out.

Steffanie Edward is a very talented writer and with This Other Island has written a compulsively readable book that readers will want to tell all their friends and family about.

This might be the debut book for the author, but I foresee other great things coming our way. It would even be great to see a follow up with Yvette and her family dynamics!
My father is stabbed during a mugging and this starts a chain of events or so I thought this is when it started. Actually, it started when I was five years old and I boarded a ship bound to England. I was Ruthie, but now I am Yvette, but I am to find out that who I am is not what matters it is who you are loved by and who you love. This book is written in the First Person and not everyones cup of tea. Some of the dialect writing may throw you off at first, but please take that in stride.
This book has a unique storyline and the flair of its characters are so poignant and interesting that I truly kept reading to discover what would transpire next. Yvette had an interesting upbringing and even into adulthood she is definitely still drawn into the family drama of her parents.

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Joe Francis is randomly attacked in the street leading to a multitude of revelations for him and his family. In particular, his daughter Yvette has a great deal to cope with as secrets are uncovered thick and fast...
This Other Island is the debut novel from Steffanie Edward, yet has the confidence of a more experienced author. The dialogue really brings the plot and characters to life and gives them an authenticity. The use of the West Indian dialect helps with the visualisation and characterisation of the older generation.
Yvette has a complicated relationship with her estranged parents, loving them both but upset by their separation. They married shortly after they arrived from St Lucia but now Yvette acts as a go between. Deeply emotional revelations lead Yvette to search for information about their journey but secrets are well hidden and shock the family to the core as they are discovered.
The book's plot is delivered in the first person from multiple perspectives, in particular Yvette and her mother Doli. Yvette feels like she is in a dead end relationship and wants the secure family life she has always craved. Although Yvette is undoubtedly the lead character, her mother has a prominent part: she has a second chance at happiness and it is enjoyable to see an older person's viewpoint.
This Other Island is an emotional journey about the Windrush generation and their descendents. It has strong themes of personal, ethnic and national identity as well as being a study in the nuances of family relationships.

A really good debut novel by Steffanie Edward, “This Other Island,” deals with the theme of identity. especially for persons who find themselves living away from their ancestral home. Yvette, Dolina, Joe and Dionne take readers on a journey from St. Lucia to England underscoring the desperate need to connect with our past in an effort to inform our future

What a beautiful debut novel this is. I was immediately swept up in the story and was totally captivated by it.

Told from several viewpoints and in beautiful dialect, this book feels so authentic and the characters feel as though you know them all personally.

There are many strands to this story, there’s Yvette and her relationship with her father, there’s all the family ties and relationships, and there’s the stories from the past, when Yvette and many members of her family made that long crossing from St. Lucia to England. The strands are all woven together as the book progresses, and come together beautifully at the end.

There is so much to love about this book, it’s heart-breaking at times, uplifting at others, and just so beautifully written. A stunning read about family, about home and about love, I enjoyed it from start to finish and didn’t want it to end.

I have tried to finish reading this book several times with no luck. I am almost one-fourth of the way thru it and it has failed to snag my interest. As some have indicated I don't find the dialogue difficult to read, I just am not interested in what is going on in the book. I am sure there are others who will enjoy it so I will just give it an average review and get it off my shelf.

I enjoyed this book.

The story was well thought out and the descriptions of the places were interesting. It made me want to go have a holiday in St Lucia.

The characters flowed well with the story and grew into their roles as the story went on.

There is mentions of police brutally.

Oh what a wonderful, heart breaking, stunning, beautiful story. This touched my heart, made me cry. Beautifully written. A masterpiece.

I was drawn This Other Island because it features St Lucia, one of the Caribbean islands I’ve been fortunate enough to visit. And, given the miserable weather we’ve been experiencing recently, I must say I’m rather jealous of the author who now divides her time between the UK and St Lucia.

I confess it took me a little time to get straight in my head the different members of Yvette’s extended family and the relationships between them. The twists and turns the story takes, although essential to the plot, added to the challenge.

The book alternates between different points of view: Yvette herself, her father Joe and her mother, Doli. The sections written from Doli’s point of view are in the first person and use patois, providing a constant reminder of her Caribbean heritage. Although this may not be a feeling shared by other readers, for me the use of patios, vernacular words and phrases throughout the book wasn’t a barrier to understanding the story; on the contrary, it enhanced it by adding a sense of authenticity. It also references the theme of identity which is a key element of the book. For example, whilst honouring her heritage by cooking her father Joe his favourite spicy soup with eddoes, Yvette has pretty much lost (or perhaps removed) all trace of her Caribbean accent, despite having spent her early years being brought up by Dolinda’s sister, Agnes, in St Lucia.

I mentioned earlier that I had been to St Lucia. In fact I have been fortunate enough to visit a number of Caribbean islands, albeit only as ports of call on Caribbean cruises. I’m not afraid to admit that, initially, I thought of the ‘West Indies’ as a homogenous entity and imagined the people of one island frequently ‘popping across’ to other islands. Of course once I learned more about the islands, I realised they have very different histories, cultures and even languages. For example, Dominica and St Lucia, having both been colonized by the French, share a language which would not be easily understood by the inhabitants of other Caribbean islands. I mention this because Doli, who recalls the racism she faced when she arrived in England in the 1960s, initially rejects the advances of Cedric because he is Jamaican whereas she comes from St Lucia.

Yvette’s efforts to discover the fate of the man Joe encountered on the boat to England becomes increasingly important to her, not only because it offers the possiblity of restoring the close relationship she and her father once enjoyed, but because it provides a welcome distraction from her concerns about his health and the complications in her own personal life. Before long, finding the truth becomes more important than ever.

This Other Island is an intriguing multi-layered story about family and identity that contains moments of happiness and sorrow. Yvette’s search for the truth about her father’s past adds an element of mystery but for me the book’s appeal lay chiefly in its careful unpicking of the complexities of family life and its celebration of Caribbean culture.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This Other Island is a story that is told from the varying perspectives of a mother and daughter. When Yvette (who used to be known as Ruthie) was a baby, she was sent back to St Lucia from England to live with her Aunt Agnes. Whilst raising her, Aunt Agnes was also raising another child named Pattie, and soon enough the girls became inseparable.

Many years later, Yvette returns to England to be with her parents. She has always kept in touch with Pattie and misses her terribly. When Yvette’s father Joe is attacked and taken in to hospital, she rushes to be by his side, but when she learns that her father has also been diagnosed with a terminal illness it turns her world upside down.

Knowing he has limited time left, Joe asks Yvette to locate Ian, a man he met on the boat many years ago, and someone who he thinks he may have done something terrible to in the past. Unsure of where to start with this task, Yvette’s boyfriend Aaron offers to help her find Ian and find out what happened between him and her father all those years before.

I have always been a fan of books that tell a story from varying perspectives, as to me it adds so much more depth to the story and allows us to form a clearer picture of what the characters faced throughout. This is the first book I have read by this author, and it certainly won’t be the last.

The storyline itself was so detailed and wonderfully structured, with each passing chapter giving you a better insight into the characters lives and who they are as individuals. There is an underlying hint of mystery as to who Ian is, and what happened to him on the boat, but it isn’t a central part of the storyline, just an added bonus I would say!.

The characters are well developed and unique. It is clear that the author has put a lot of time and attention in to constructing these fascinating characters, and I certainly found myself able to connect with them and became fully invested in their story.

A beautiful story that captures your attention and your heart from beginning to end. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to future reads by Steffanie Edward.

This Other Island is written from both mother and daughter viewpoints As a baby, Ruthie (or Yvette) as she is now known, was sent back to St Lucia from England to be raised by her Aunt Agnes.. Agnes also raised another child (Pattie) and the two girls became inseparable. Later, Yvette returned to England and her parents. She misses Pattie and has always kept in touch. When her father Joe is attacked in the street she visits the hospital, only to discover he has also been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing he has little time left, he asks to her find Ian, someone he met on the boat coming to England many years ago. He thinks he may have done something terrible to him. Yvette's boyfriend Aaron offers to help her trace him.

The story is well written, although it did take a little time to get used to the dialogue. Mother Doli narrates too and the reader gets to see how what happened on the trip from the Caribbean to the UK impacted on her life with Joe. The search for Ian isn't central to the plot, although it has an important part to play. There is so much else going on: family life, long ago secrets surfacing and coming to terms with loss among them...and a surprising twist at the end.

A great debut novel.

I would like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC of This Other Island in exchange for an honest review.

This is a new author for me. I really enjoyed This Other Island and would definitely read the author again. I’ve read other books that focus on characters who came to Britain as part of the Windrush Generation so I was on familiar ground. I enjoyed the way the book effortlessly moves between past and present as Yvette learns truth kept from her and her family for many years, truth that could tears her world to pieces. I loved the way the story develops keeping me flicking the pages. This is a great book.

This Other Island by Steffanie Edward
Publication Date: May 21, 2021
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Description from NetGalley...
“When Yvette receives a call to say her estranged father Joe has been attacked in a seemingly random act of violence, she rushes to his side. But when she arrives, she finds a man different to the larger-than-life father of her memories. Joe is broken, too scared to describe his attacker to the police, and seemingly haunted by memories of his past – memories he’s fought to suppress.

About the boat journey that brought him and his wife Dolina to their new home in a hostile and unwelcoming Britain – as part of the Windrush Generation. About the secrets left behind in St Lucia… And about the darkest secret of all – the one that he has carried with him since stepping off the boat that cool, wet August day.

As he fights for his life, he begs Yvette to find out what really happened on the last day of that crossing. Because, for forty years, Joe has believed that he killed a man. A man who had loved Dolina too. And who might hold the key to Yvette’s own story…
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Thank you to @netgalley @bookouture for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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Thank you to @bookouture #SteffanieEdward for inviting me to be a part of their book tour.
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My thoughts...
This is the debut novel for Steffanie Edward. The book was inspired by Edward’s mother’s journey to England. The story revolves around a family that moved to England as part of the “Windrush Generation.” This occurred between 1948 and 1970, when closed to half a million people immigrated from the Caribbean to Britain. This was an initiative to answer the labour shortages after WWII. There were two POVs, one was through the mother, Dolina, and the other through the daughter, Yvette. This was a quick read about family, race, identity and life’s journeys that all came together at the end.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'This Other Island' by Steffanie Edward.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Steffanie Edward, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous.

Publication date 21st May 2021.

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also Steffanie's debut novel.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis that this book is 'Perfect for fans of Small Island and Girl, Woman, Other'. I am a fan of 'Small Island' so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 49 chapters. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in London, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.

This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonists being Doli and Yvette. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. There are also some third person perspective chapters with the protagonist Joe.

'This Other Island' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Steffanie discusses/ includes some sexual scenes.

This book is well written with vivid descriptions that places you on the scenes throughout. The cover, title and synopsis work well with the storyline.

The storyline itself is quite an emotional rollercoaster as we see Yvette's life through her own eyes and through her mothers also. It was quite thought provoking at times and makes you question the big nature/nurture debate. The dialect that it was written in really helped me feel like I was being spoken to in the characters accents but at times it did take me a bit of time to work out what was being sent. I would not have changed it though as it really helped me feel like I was being spoken to directly which helped put me in the storyline. The plot itself was realistic which also helped me picture the scenes. I laughed on several occasions at some of the completely unexpected scenes, words and phrases that was being said, the most when it came to Cedric's teeth!! There were times where I laughed, others where I was quite shocked and others where I was tearful so this is definitely a roller coaster ride of thoughts and emotions.

The characters were strong and realistic and each had their own personalities. I really felt for Yvette on many occasions throughout the book and I was very pleased it ended the way it did, although I would have liked it to go on just that bit longer to discover Aaron's response. I was absolutely disgusted by Agnes and what went on and I'm sure many readers will agree with me. I really enjoyed Joe's larger than life personality but really didn't click with Doli and found her quite childish at times. I would definitely love to read more on each of these characters lives as individuals and to read more about what happens next with Dionne, Ian, Aaron, Doli, Cedric and more!!

Overall an emotionally charged novel that will keep you hooked throughout.

Genres covered in this book include Historical Fiction and Coming-of-age amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Small Island' and for anyone looking for an intriguing read.


309 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 4 /5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I was concerned that I might not be able to finish this book before publication day, but I needn't have worried. I write this review rather tired, after reading the book in one sitting and staying up until the early ours of the morning to do so!

This historical fiction was inspired by Edward's own mothers discussion surrounding her journey to England by boat. Dolina and Joe are part of the Windrush generation, moving to England to help rebuild after World War Two and find opportunities. Children are born, sent back to St Lucia to be cared for, and then the rest of the story unfolds. We mainly follow Yvette, the daughter of Dolina and Joe, as she takes care of her father and discovers all she can about her family, and her own identity.

This book was very touching, immersive and captivating. There were moments where I had tears in my eyes as I really felt for Yvette. The sub-plots and underlying themes made sense, they all came together at the end - though at times throughout there were occasions when I wondered where a particular storyline might be headed. This is all resolved in the end though.

Ultimately, this is a solid book about identity, race, familu, trust, intimacy and the debate surrounding whether we are nature or nurture. or perhaps a combination of both.

Highly recommend this fantastic, upcoming novel!