A little romance, mystery and intrigue is what you will get when reading The Little Island Secret. Oftentimes situations going on within the story seemed a bit unrealistic/far fetched.
The main character is Abby. She is a single mom with a young daughter. She has a bookshop that was given to her by her grandparents.
I definitely had a hard time getting into the storyline. Reading to the end helped me understand more about what was going on. Bit of a twist at the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was an interesting and unique story that had me turning the pages quickly to get to the truth. I love books that take place in Scotland and Emma Davies’ descriptions of both the Scottish highlands and Cambridge are very vivid as are her ability to draw us in with her well developed characters.

Abby lives in Cambridge. Her life revolves around raising her 11 year old daughter, Beth as a single mother and her bookshop that she inherited from her grandparents. Life is very structured and routine but that’s how Abby likes it or at least that’s how she thought she liked it. One day Abby receives an email from a man named Cameron asking for a particular book. The two of them begin an affectionate correspondence with one another. Cameron comes to visit Abby from the small island in northern Scotland where he lives. The three of them (Beth included) enjoy each other’s company. When Cam leaves Cambridge to return to his island, their emails pick up with intensity and frequency and strong feelings develop between them. Then suddenly the emails stop and Abby receives word that Cam has died.

In need of a break for both Abby and Beth, the two decide to go to Kinlossay (Cam’s island). There they come across a man that they recognize as Cam but how can that be when Cam died. What? How? It had me intrigued.

I enjoyed reading this story and think that people that enjoy reading stories Lorna Cook and Fiona Valpy might like this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Abby is a single mother to Beth, living above a bookshop in Cambridge. They have a happy life, the bookshop is a safe haven for them both and the place where you can find both of them with their noses stuck between the pages of a book.

But are they both hiding from something?

Beth is at that difficult age at school and it seems that being unique is what makes her a target for bullies.

Abby is facing pressure from her mother to find the right man and settle down, giving up this bookshop nonsense.

It is the bookshop nonsense which changes Abby and Beth’s lives forever.

A correspondence began when Cam, contact Abby about a book. Then emails arrived about the life on the remote Scottish Island, Kinlossay where Cam lives. A place in a million miles away from the life Abby is currently leading. When the correspondence, results in a fleeting visit, it seems both Abby and Beth have found something in a man to bring out the best in both of them.

Then the correspondence suddenly stops. Cam has passed away. Abby is bereft.

Abby decides a trip to Kinlossay is what is needed for both of them, to be close to Cam again and see this beautiful island for real described so colourfully in Cam’s letters.

Upon arrival, she sees someone the identical image of Cam – but it can’t be him if he is dead? So who is this pretender? What is the real truth behind all of these people on this island? Has Abby just set herself up for my heartbreak and misery not just for herself but her daughter too?

I found this novel much like the author’s earlier works and they are the ones that I enjoyed the most. Strong female friendships, romance and the need to find the truth no matter how hard it is going to be finding it out. Added to that the bonus of a bookshop and an island to escape to, it has all the perfect ingredients of a great book to hold your attention.

I was simply swept away with the plot and wept with the characters as hearts are broken and healed. The landscape made me want to grab a load of books and head across the seas to escape into them and the beauty of the place brought to life by the author.

The Little Island Secret is another absolute gorgeous read from Emma Davies that I thoroughly enjoyed from the beginning to the end. It tells the story of Abby who runs a second hand book shop in Cambridge and what happens to her when she responds to an email enquiring about a certain book. A correspondence ensues between herself and Cam who lives on the remote Scottish island of Kinlossay in the Outer Hebrides. Little does Abby realise that this new found friendship will change the course of her life. Yes, initially you do think how could such a deep friendship that tends to venture into deeper territory really be all that possible via email? But the author really makes it work. I felt the connection between the pair, it felt real and it was exactly what Abby needed in her life. When Cam comes for a one-off visit an even deeper connection is established between the pair. The question arises can you love someone that you have only met once? Abby decides to keep emailing Cam as it provides a way to express how she is feeling. Things you can’t say to people in person often pour forth when you don’t have to see someone face to face.

Abby is a single mum to daughter Beth who herself is struggling with the way she is being treated at school. I loved how this aspect of the story wasn’t brushed under the carpet and the fact that Abby discovers what is going and wants to do her best for her daughter to help her navigate through the unwarranted cruelties she is experiencing at school. Beth doesn’t understand why can’t you just be the way you want to be instead of people expecting you to conform and become something you are not?

The first half of the book really focuses on Abby and the bookshop and I kept thinking when will the island of the title start to feature. I thought there was too much focus on the bookshop even though it was nice to read about the old man who visits on a regular basis and also Gwen who works alongside Abby. The shop is Abby’s passion but deep down you sense she is looking for something more. That she would love a father figure for Beth and to become a proper family but would she give her heart away to just anybody?

The book was moving along at a nice pace and then tragedy struck and it literally tore my heart in two. Cam stops emailing Abby. She can’t understand what she has done wrong but putting her detective skills to work she discovers that Cam has passed away. I felt every bit of her pain, grief and anguish. The one solid constant in her life is gone. Her link to another new and exciting world filled with possibilities and places to explore has disappeared and you just feel so desperately sorry for her. Knowing he was there and was someone to share things with had taken her by surprise so it’s even more heart-breaking now that this has been taken away from her. It’s testament to the way Emma Davies wrote this story that I had really felt for the connection the pair had established despite it only being for the majority of the time via email. It could have felt so implausible and just over the top but instead it felt tangible, real and worthwhile.

Abby had spent the majority of her life feeling like a misfit, like she belonged nowhere because of the way she is but Cam had changed all that and perhaps it had allowed her to see that she can carve out the life she wants for herself. Abby decides to keep emailing Cam as she feels it will help her continue to get things off her chest. But when an email arrives in her inbox from Cam she can’t believe it.Just what is going on? Cam is the ghost that Abby needs to excise and by going to the island it may be the only way she can lay him to rest and in turn move on with her own life.

Admittedly, I did start to get a little confused at this part and even more so when Abby arrives with Beth on the island of Kinlossay and a surprising turn of events ensues. But my confusion only lasted just for a few chapters as things are briefly explained even though there was a lot more to be explored on an emotional level. To say much more as to why I was confused would ruin the real heart of the story but I really loved the way the later half of the book was developed. Abby had come to the island as a way of finding closure. The holiday was giving both Abby and Beth a way of breathing again, to come out from under the weight of all that threatened to swap them but little did Abby realise that perhaps time away from the bookshop would give her the perspective she needed. Some new insights would ensue and some tough decisions would have to be made.

The descriptions and the general feel of the island were just outstanding. I really wanted to be able to go there because it seemed like the perfect place to rest, relax and heal. I loved all the new characters introduced and I felt having become slightly bogged down in the first half, the book took on a different tone and pace and I loved every minute of it. I could picture everything so clearly in my mind and I could sense that this would be a good place for both Abby and Beth to find the answers they so desperately sought and to take time together to work out what their next life move should be. You got a real sense of Abby’s anger and frustrations at what she learns and I did understand why she took on a certain attitude towards someone. Yet at the same time I understood why that person felt the need to do what they did. I’m being very vague here but to say anything else would give away a great and worthwhile twist to the story that really gets you thinking about Abby’s situation as a whole and the decisions she is forced to grapple with. Suffice to say I felt the later half of the story to be much stronger than the first and it really helped bind the themes, emotions and issues being explored in the book together very well.

The Little Island Secret is the perfect summer read and another sure fire winner from Emma Davies. It really makes you take stock of your own life and to think what would you do if you were in Abby’s situation? The ending felt just ever so slightly rushed but that only served to make me think there is room for more from the island and these characters. If a full length book is not possible then I would love a short story perhaps set at Christmas time? This is a lovely read about learning to accept yourself for you who are, to seek happiness and to try and become wild and free. It’s definitely one I would recommend.

This contemporary women’s fiction book features two things that are dear to my heart -a single mom raising a daughter(which was me) and that mom owning her own bookstore(I’ve always loved this idea).
Some romance mixed in with a little mystery as Abby has to figure out what’s going on with this “Cam” person.
There’s sweetness, intrigue and perfect timing for a fitting beach read! Make sure you get a copy to add to your summer list.

Loved this book!

This was a truly heartbreaking and uplifting book about taking chances and finding your way.

Abby is the single mother of 11 year old Beth. She runs a used bookstore in Cambridge and has found love by corresponding with one of her customers whom she has never met.

When he stops by for a visit, her feelings are confirmed, but then he inexplicably stops communicating.

From there, the story becomes jam packed with emotions. Not only is she feeling concerned, but her daughter is having difficulty with bullies at her school.

I will not give away any further details, but this is a must read, both for content and for the lovely descriptions of the Scottish island life.

Please read this book, I hope you will like it as much as I did!❤

Abby Prendergast lives a quiet life. Running a small bookshop in Cambridge and living with her eleven year old daughter Beth, she is content. She begins an email correspondence with Cam, who lives on a small Hebridean island. Soon their emails are a vital part of her day & after a weekend when he comes to visit & she can put a face to the name so when his daily notes stop she misses them dreadfully. When she tracks down a phone number she is shocked to hear he is dead. Things are not going well for Abby, her rates are likely to be unaffordable, Beth is being bullied- they need a break & going to Cam's island seems just what they are needing. The islanders take them to their hearts, but Abby is shocked by what she finds out.

This was a lovely gentle book. Abby's shop sounded delightful I loved the description of the island & it's residents. I wanted to shake Abby occasionally but I loved Beth! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- a perfect Summer read!

Love that cover! And the book is very good too.

To be really honest the story line is a bit dubious but everything becomes so romantic and teary that it is totally possible to overlook the bit of nonsense it depends upon. I must admit to happy tears at the end.

The author writes well, the characters are charming, the dialogue rings true and the settings at the bookshop and on the island are very realistic. There is even some real suspense at the end with a will they or won't they finish.

I have not read this author before but I will look out for more books by her now.

Oh my goodness, I got completely swept up in this tale of Abby and Cameron and the island of Kinlossay.

I have long had a soft spot for all things Scottish, having married a Scot after all, so this story was right up my alley.

Abby is living with her daughter above the bookshop that she owns. She loves her life but she has her challenges too. One day, she gets an order from Cameron and before she knows it, her life has changed irrevocably.

This is really a story about hopes and dreams, family and friendship, and love in all its guises. It is real, quite heartbreaking at times, but overall it is a beautiful story that I just wanted to continue reading.

Loved, loved, LOVED the islanders of Kinlossay. It made me homesick for Scotland all over again.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

Abby is receiving letters from a mysterious stranger, filled with every little detail of his life on a quaint island. But then, the letters stop coming and so, Abby and her daughter, Beth travel to Kinlossay. Abby has to find Cam, the person that has been sending the letters, but when she arrives on the island, she hopes she isn’t making a mistake. Abby ventures out to to find out why the man she has never met before, and has become very fond of, has stopped sending her letters. But, is there truth in the secrets that she has been reading about in the letters? And who really is this man that has been sending them to her? This is escapism at its best. This story takes place in Cambridge, England, Scotland and the UK. I loved that Abby owned and ran a bookshop, it really personalized the characters. I was originally drawn to this book by the stunningly beautiful cover, but as soon as I opened the book and read the first page, couldn’t put it down. I loved this story from beginning to end.

Thank you Emma Davies for another emotional and inspiring story. This unforgettable story is beautifully written and engaging and one that pulls at your heartstrings. This must read is sure to be one of your favorites. The characters were relatable and I highly recommend this book, it was absolutely amazing.

A superbly written and enjoyable book that had me hooked and left me wanting more! The storyline is warm, sad and hopeful, then wraps you in its pages and makes you feel good!

Abby and her daughter Beth have a wonderful little book shop, both are searching for happiness and their place in the world. I felt a connection to the characters in this book, they were very relatable with their emotional twists and turns! A powerful heartwarming life story told in the perfect island setting!

Thanks so much to Bookouture, NetGalley and especially Emma Davies, a fabulous introduction to your books!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I started reading this and had mixed feelings. I wasn't sure how the book was going to go or how the lie was going to be flipped and overcome. I thought it was going to have something to do with adultery (which is an automatic DNF for me) but I was wrong, and surprised! I was judging before I had all the facts. As the story progressed I fell more in love with the characters, their lives, and their dreams. I ended up really enjoying this book and was glad I gave it a chance.

Abby and her eleven-year-old daughter Beth are taking a much needed vacation on the island of Kinlossay. This break will help both Abby and Beth. For Abby, she had fallen in love with Cameron, mostly by letters, although Cameron did visit once and this visit emblazoned a place on Abby's heart. After not hearing from Cameron for a time, Abby was devastated to learn that he had died. Going to Cameron's home will hopefully give Abby the closure she needs. With regard to Beth, she has been continually bullied, and getting away will no doubt prove helpful for her.

Abby sees Beth really happy for the first time while spending a lot of time on the beach. Back at home, Abby has been worried about her bookstore and some of the financial issues that have come up. So, both she and Beth are able to put their worries aside for awhile. However, one day while on the beach Abby sees a man who looks exactly like Cameron. Her heart stops. She once kissed this man. It is Cameron, right? But, no, Cameron is dead. Who is this man and why did he once visit her and Beth, claiming that he was Cameron?

There are a lot of secrets that need explaining, and while trying to stave off further heartbreak, Abby is determined to sort everything out. Meanwhile, she is worried for their future once they return home. There are a lot of questions. Of that there is no doubt. Who is the handsome stranger that knows things only Abby and Cameron knew? While The Little Island Secret is a women's fiction, there were threads of romance throughout the story. In fact, I had no doubt that there would be a happily ever after. But, love is love. The heart is the heart. How could Abby have loved Cameron so desperately when there is someone that just might be her future?

What a journey! I am a true romantic and I just had to keeping tapping my Kindle to see how all of these conflicts could be resolved. Well, Emma Davies did not disappoint. She never does. She penned a clever story that combined hope and love in such a way that truly touched my heart.

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

This is a clever book that had me enthralled. I was so invested in Cam and Abby and then the author pulls the rug from under the reader's feet and I remember wailing 'Noooo'. I don't want to spoil it for anyone else but, by the end,I was emotionally wrung out. The ending was fitting. Not the one we might expect but the one we were all quietly hoping for. The location is stunning and Emma Davies has a new fan.

The Little Island Secret is a lovely heartwarming story set in a beautiful location. It was a quick read that I finished in one day and had likeable characters that I actually cared about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Do not start reading this book unless you have time to keep reading on. It started off nicely, a lovely heartwarming read. I began to cook my dinner and while it was cooking I decided to read just a couple of chapters. This was a big mistake. With my food nearly cooked I suddenly reached a cliffhanger. What a dilemma, I wanted to carry on reading but I had to feed my family instead. All through dinner I was desperate to get back to the book.
Finally I was able to get back to the book. I continued to be engrossed in the book until I glanced down and discovered that I was 80% through the book. I was desperate to know how the book ended, but at the same time I was sad that there wasn't long left in the book.
The descriptions in the book were very detailed. I could picture Abby's bookshop perfectly, it sounded just like a bookshop that I could easily spend quite some time in, browsing for new books.
I love Scotland, having spent a lot of time there , visiting relatives as a child. I love reading books set in the Scottish Highlands, especially the Islands. It is a fantastic location for books to be set in my opinion. Kinlossay sounds idyllic and so beautiful, I would have loved to visit there. It was described perfectly and I could imagine it just like I was there with Abby. It was a lovely escapism.
I really liked the characters, especially 'Cam' and Beth. I could really relate to Beth, as I also experienced similar problems fitting in like she did, as well as the bullying. I was desperate for her to find somewhere that she felt happy and accepted.
I really enjoyed reading this book, I have read most of Emma Davies's books and she writes very detailed and compelling reads, with characters that you really care about. I'm looking forward to reading her next book. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

The Little Island Secret is a contemporary women's fiction with a touch of romance. That's the best way to describe this cute story. Abby is a bookstore owner and lives with her daughter above her store. Both are at crossroads in their life and enters Cam who Abby meets through email correspondence. She falls in love with him and what happens after that is a twist in this story.
This novel is a cute story of hope and new beginnings in unexpected places. A beautiful summer read.

I did enjoy this book despite the fact the main character, Abby annoyed me somewhat with her stubborn and, at times, blinkered outlook. Set in Cambridge and a glorious Scottish Island with some delightful depictions of both locations and warmhearted characters.. It is a book to escape with and there are some definite twists and turns as the plot unfolds as nothing is what it seems. It did certainly tug at the emotional heartstrings and had some powerful thought provoking passages.

Thank you NetGalley, Emma Davies and Bookouture for the ARC of The Little Island Secret. This is my personal review.
Abby is a single mother who owns a bookshop. She lives above the shop with her daughter and together they lead a happy content life.
The story has a lot of depth. The story has a friendship based on the love of books that grows when Cam comes to the town Abby lives in.
There are lot of things going on in the book and each is so connected it makes for a story that will stay with you long after you have finished the book.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Little Island Secret' by Emma Davies.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Emma Davies, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 21st July 2021.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'After The Crash' which I would highly recommend.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Filled with secrets and surprises, fans of Debbie Macomber, Rosanna Ley and Sheila O’Flanagan will adore this stunning and totally uplifting page-turner.' I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a fan of Emma Davies and if this is half as good as 'After The Crash' it is sure to be a page turning read. 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 25 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to 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 Cambridge, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, 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. I have actually visited and stayed in both Cambridge and Scotland so am interested to see if I recognise anywhere the book is based on or set in, although the Isle of Kinlossay, Scotland isn't a real place.

This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Abby Prendergast. 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.

Another huge success by Emma Davies!!! This book is beautifully written and filled with vivid descriptions to the point where I can hear the sea crashing and smell the beach while curled up on the sofa reading. The cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.

The storyline is just beautiful and had me completely absorbed throughout. It is filled with loss, hope, grief, love, secrets and is just a beautifully realistic story that will stay with me for a long time. The settings were perfect for the storyline and it really felt like Abby was talking directly to me throughout. I believe it will really make the reader re-evaluate life, hope and loss, it really is a very easy to read book filled with meaning. I absolutely adored that this book is partly set in a bookshop and thay both Abby and her daughter Beth are massive bookworms. There's just something about reading a book based on people reading and their love of books!! This book is jist beautiful and I was gutted when I came to the end as it felt like the end of a holiday for me. On the other hand I also absolutely loved the ending which was absolutely perfect!!!

I absolutely adored all the characters who each had their own unique and strong personality. They were all realistic and I loved the community vibes both in Cambridge but definitely more so on the Island. I was gutted to be saying goodbye to them at the end. I love that both Abby and Beth were huge bookworms as I previously mentioned but also that they were both such strong female lead characters. I also watching the friendships and relationships between each of the characters grow and develop. The ones that will stick with me the most apart from Abby and Beth are definitely Mr Ridley, Fiona, Maureen, Cam, Alfie and the gorgeous puppies!!!

This would make an absolutely fantastic movie and I would love to see that happen. A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Emma on yet another stunning and memorable novel.

Overall a beautiful, addictive and heartwarming book that will stay with you for a long time.

Genres covered in this novel include Romance, Holiday Fiction and Romantic Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Debbie Macomber, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks and anyone who is looking to take off for a gorgeous beach break.

261 pages.

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

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

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