If you’ve read One Day in December then you’ll know how great Josie Silver’s books are and this one, her latest, is no exception.

It’s taken me longer than normal to read this but that’s not a reflection on the story at all, more my head space and I know I need to read to help and this is just one of those stories that takes you into another world that you can totally imagine. Or at least I can.

Cleo Wilder, 29, writer, is about to turn 30 and her relationship status is nowhere near marriage. Her work sets her an experiment of travelling to an island off the Irish coast to find her true self and to marry herself on her 30th birthday. When she arrives at Otter Lodge she finds it double booked and with no where else to go in this tiny island, Cleo and the other new resident have no choice but to share the accommodation. Rules written, line drawn, Cleo struggles to do what she set out to do. Be alone and write but in the process of discovering herself she also discovers what the small community and her ‘flat mate’ have to offer.

A perfect escape for anyone, the story was lovely and even though predictable, not in the way you expect from the start or the ending you anticipated!

Five stars from me on Goodreads.

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Penguin and I am leaving this review voluntarily

One cottage. Two strangers.
Every great love story starts somewhere . . .

Cleo writes about love stories every day. She just isn't living one of her own.

When the editor of her dating column asks her to marry herself on a remote Irish island – a sensational piece to mark Cleo's thirtieth birthday – Cleo agrees. She's alone but not lonely, right? She can handle a solo adventure.

Cleo arrives at her luxury cabin to find a tall, dark, stubborn American who insists it's actually his. Mack refuses to leave, and Cleo won't budge either. With a storm fast approaching, they reluctantly hunker down together. It's just one night, after all . . .

This is a sweet read. It was nice to be welcomed by the residents of Salvation Island - they are all so charming. Silver has written this using alternating perspectives, leaving both Cleo and Mack to tell the story. Whilst there is an obvious romance, it is so much more - we follow Cleo on her journey of self discovery.

Rating 4/5

What an absolutely glorious read this was. Having read one of the authors books before I was really looking forward to this and I was not disappointed.

When loved jaded journalist Cleo is sent to a remote island with the idea of self-coupling she is looking forward some time alone to get used to the idea of several bad romances and turning 30. She doesn’t expect to meet Mack, recently separated American missing his small sons and visiting the island to discover his roots.

Both of them are scheduled to stay in a remote cottage and both are too stubborn to move out.

This is more than a traditional romantic comedy and the characters are warm, funny and likeable. There wasn’t the traditional ending but I was completely wrapped up in the story and those involved in it’s telling.

Highly recommend this with the caveat that there will be much laughter and many tears.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a feel good romance, all be ut a bit predictable, I loved Cleo and the way her story ended.

This was a quick easy read, the story of Cleo and Mack is a charming romance, although over quite fast. The author focuses on loving yourself and being the best version of yourself which gave a great perspective.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced ebook copy of this title!
I had really enjoyed 'One Day in December' by this author but wasn't so in love with 'The Two Lives of Lydia Bird', so I was very intrigued to see where this one would end up on the scale. It had a promising start, I really liked the setting and thought there was some immediate chemistry between the characters. However, I was very surprised that the 'one night on the island' was over in barely thirty pages, I was really hoping for more tension and felt the synopsis was a little bit misleading. I did however enjoy seeing their relationship progress, and I loved how vulnerable they became with one another. The author did a great job of creating this almost dream like holiday romance and I could truly see how they felt for one another. I also loved the wide cast of characters introduced as citizens of the island, it really helped build the setting and I loved seeing the bickering relationships they had and how these still managed to communicate years of closeness ad love. It was nice to see the two main characters become integrated into this community so easily and naturally. As the story progressed I definitely liked seeing more of the characters individual lives, but it was quite surprising to see how long these characters were apart for when I was under the impression this was first and foremost a romance- I think it ended up being too small of a focus. Overall, whilst I'd recommend this as a fun and easy read, I think that if I come across another three star Josie Silver she may not be the author for me.

This was an incredibly frustrating book. A romance with barely any actual romance, no chemistry between the main characters, and really illogical decisions by the main characters outside of the romance, it was a slog to get through and actually finish the book. I only just about managed it by hoping that surely there would be a twist within the next few pages and the story would actually move towards being a romance. Sadly, no. This actually felt like the springboard towards the real romance novel about two people who had a holiday fling in the past but the timing just wasn't right for them back then, but here's their second chance at romance.

That being said, I actually did like the bits of the story where the main characters interacted with the people living on the island. The knitting group was fabulous, and their scenes actually made me want to jump into the book and join them for a knit and a natter. Just a shame that the author couldn't sustain the charm from those scenes throughout the rest of the book.

A light-hearted story filled with love and self discovery. Mack and Cleo were loveable as characters and I was easily invested in their story. Josie Silver found a good balance between exploring the romance between these two characters while also ensuring that their individual journeys of self discovery, self love and acceptance were not forgotten. A quick and easy read with a beautiful setting that establishes a strong sense of realism for readers.

Really good read, absolutely love josie silver books if you loved one day December then read this immediately when I saw this I knew I had to read it.

I loved the idea of this book even though the idea of marrying yourself is really far fetched but then that might be a generational thing.
Cleo and Mack were easy characters to empathise with, however I didn’t think Mack would have let Cleo sleep on the sofa every night while he had the bed. The island and its inhabitants are brought to life in this novel and I enjoyed reading about them.
I’m not sure the book title is right as they are, and always planned to be, on the island more than one night.
I did like the humour in the book and it’s a lovely easy to read romance.

Oh my heart!! Josie Silver needs to stand up and take a bow!! This is the BEST book yet! I really have no idea how a written review will do this justice.

I have fallen in love with the characters, the island and everything about this book. I have cried big ugly tears and been able to completely escape reality in the pages of this absolutely gorgeous gem.

This is life, finding yourself as well as finding love and it has been an utter delight to read. This is just a perfect gem which absolutely needs to be read.

I adore Silver’s books and this has been an eagerly anticipated book for me, I squealed when it landed and found myself unwilling to put this down.

I adore this book and this author. This is a book which will literally melt even the coldest hearts and make you feel so many emotions as you read.

This is a book I will absolutely be recommending.

Oh I loved this book so much. The whole concept of marrying yourself on a remote island was clever and fresh and the character of Cleo was charming. This was a funny, heartwarming and comforting read and I loved every second of it

Follow Cleo as she escapes from Londo to Salvation Island in the hope of finding herself. Warning off men and vowing to spend some quality time on her own as she writes her magazine column.

She also finds friendship from those on the Island and finally finds a place where she truly feels at home. She begins to start her dream of writing a novel.

She opens her heart again, not only to the Island, the residents, but to Mack too.

Cleo writes a romance column and is sent to a remote island to write about a romance with herself after years of disastrous dating. However the cottage is not all hers, Mack has come there to lick his wounds after a year of separation from his family. So they draw the line and try to let each other get on with working out the reasons they are they. But every night they share three things about each other. From here grows a friendship and they help each other. The people on the island are warm and real, I want to go to that knitting group and visit that pub. Well rounded characters, without an obvious ending made for a great read

Such a beautiful romantic read! I absolutely adored this book and the characters. This book shows what a proper romance really is within the pages. Highly recommend to all those romantics out there.

One Night On The Island follows the lives of Cleo and Mock in a dual perspective format. When the editor of Cleo’s dating advice column asks her to take a trip to a remote Irish island to marry herself, Cleo doesn’t really know what to expect. When Mack takes a trip to the same island for break from his pending family separation and to learn about his heritage, he certainly doesn’t expect to meet Cleo. 👀

This pair of humans are thrust into eachother’s lives at a time when both are on a journey of self-growth, life changes and big decisions. Their individual character growth and slow burn romance SHINES through the pages and I applaud Josie Silver for making us feel as though we were in a corner of the cabin with them. 😍

The imagery of the island is absolutely exceptional, the style of writing and pace is perfect and the sense of community, strength and self-love really gripped my heart. Side characters are not glossed over at all and I feel personally connected to many of them, as well as our main couple. The themes of strong female friendship and solidarity were very strong. 😢

Josie Silver is an expert at writing about relationships; whether that’s involving romance, friends, family or otherwise. I’m absolutely obsessed with this book and read it in a day. Please pick this one up if you can. 🙌

Lots of important topics were covered in this book, including breakdown of families, death and living up to expectations of others and yourself. Please research TWs before diving in. ❣️

Thank you to @netgalley for giving me access to this bloody wonderful book. The main thing I’ve taken away from this read is to not compromise your own morale, journey and love for those around you. BRB, just going to sob over this one again… 📚

A beautiful Romance!

Writer Cleo is sent by her Magazine to Salvation Island to ‘Marry herself’ – to find herself love and is booked to stay in a one bedded luxury lodge on a remote Irish Island. Unbeknown to her, American Photographer, Mack also has a reservation.

The book is full of emotion, funny quips and is a heart-warming read as Cleo & Mack meet the local residents of the Island and start to learn about each other, and in turn about themselves.

One of the best romance novels I have read – which had me totally absorbed by the characters and not wanting the story to end. I really hope there is a follow up book to follow the story of Cleo and Mack.

One Night on the Island has everything I want in a romcom. Warmth like a cozy blanket, characters who are relatable, and a deeply satisfying ending.

Cleo is approaching 30, and has been sent to remote Salvation Island to 'marry' herself. To celebrate the woman she is, without needing the validation of a partner. She's longing for solitude to soul search. But a mix up with bookings means she ends up sharing accommodation with the dreamy but broken Mack. Devastated by the breakdown of his marriage, and desperately missing his two boys, he is also craving time alone.

So relations are somewhat frosty to begin with. But sharing several whiskies and truths one evening brings them closer. Until that kiss. That rare, soul changing kiss.

Mack backs off, but their connection is indeniable and they embark on 8 days of love. Knowing that after that they will never see one another again.

A bittersweet goodbye and a sense of loss deeply felt by both as they try to navigate life without one another.

Will they be able to forget their brief but life changing holiday romance? Or will they find their way back to one another?

Written so beautifully, with amazing characters amongst the Islanders, and a real sense of community shines through. I was fully invested in Mack and Cleo's story and I loved every second of One Night on the Island.

New favourite author alert! After loving Josie Silver's previous books, I was over the moon to get a copy of One Nigh on the Island. I was not sure what to expect though, because the other two stories were very different from each other (though equally heartfelt and joyful). But One Night on the Island completely delivered (this is such a beautiful book). Once again, this is a very different story from anything I have read recently. In fact, our main characters flees to a remote island to marry herself. Yep, you read that right. She hasn't had the best of luck in relationships and dating in general so it's time to self-couple.

As you can imagine, things don't go as smoothly as she might expect. Starting with the american man who has booked the same cabin as she. But soon they reach an understanding and they can continue with their plans (ish).

This novel is full of humour, banter, romance and selfdiscovery. The setting is spectacular and the community from the island is dreamy. I wish I could travel to the Island myself for this kind of ritual and find such wonderful friendships along the way. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone.

I loved how the story unfolded and how it kept surprising me, I really didn't know how it was going to end and I did have goosebumps reading the last few chapters. It totally stole my heart.

I loved the premise of this one, and it really pulled me in at the start. Cleo and Mack’s situation really appealed. I will admit I lost my way a bit in the first third, but after they’d settle into their time together, I was hooked. I was more drawn to Mack’s story more than Cleo’s - poor, poor Mack. It was heartbreaking how he was affected by his own personal backstory. Cleo’s was less appealing, probably because I related the least with her story.

But I loved Salvation Island (or Slánú for its proper name) with its inhospitable, rugged, natural beauty. And the people there are just treasures! So wonderfully perfect as Cleo adjusts to being away from London (this is where I related more with her as she had more page time). I loved how their friendships and personal growth played out.