This story is about Cleo who is about to turn 30 years old. Her job is to search for her dream man and report on her journey through social media. Her supervisor sends her to a secluded island (not tropical, cold!) to marry herself but she encounters a very handsome man who might or might not be her dream man. While I like the idea of knowing who you are and loving yourself before you love others, I'm not sure this was a true romcom. There was a little romance but not so much comedy. It was a slow read,, for sure, and seemed, at times, like it was just too long. Still, I enjoyed the book.

One night on the island is way more than a romance novel. It's a life story with so many strong characters who grow and change before our eyes. Salvation island is just that. Everyone is family and there is something about the secluded part of Ireland that gives you all the feels. Mack and Cleo arrive on the island to find out they have been booked in the same lodge the only available one on the island. What is supposed to be alone self reflection becomes something different.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this digital arc. All opinions are my own.

Faced with the prospect of her 30th birthday, writer Cleo takes off for a rural Irish island to "marry herself". When she arrives, she is shocked to find that her vacation rental has been double booked with a photographer's named Mac. When the hostess fails to offer alternate arrangements, they decide to make do. But they are both seeking solace and the cottage is not exactly spacious.

These two characters were amazing. Cleo is at a crossroads in her life, she is bold and strong (even if she doesn't realize it) and she is on a mission to find herself. Mac has lost his place in the world, he no longer belongs at home with his family, and he is searching for belonging on the island where his grandmother has roots. On this remote island, Cleo and Mac have to strip away the modern day conveniences of social media, internet/phones, etc. Because of this, they are left to learn about themselves, and ultimately who they are to each other.

Love Cleo and Mac and Mac and Cleo together.
Want to vacation on the island and leave all my worries behind.
.

Set on an island off of the coast of Ireland, a writer is turning thirty and set to "marry herself"' for an article for a British magazine. When she arrives to this mostly empty island (outside of a cast of characters who also live on the island), she finds the the ONE rental accommodation has also been rented by a very handsome man.

There's a quote on the cover of this book that calls it a romantic comedy, but it's neither comedic nor a true romance. I consider this women's fiction for a number of reasons, and the overall tone is heartfelt, emotional, thoughtful. There's no humor. So while it's well done for women's fiction, it's a disappointment for those of us who were expecting what was advertised - a romance. For me, the main issue is that this hero isn't actually available. He's married, and while currently estranged from his wife, the status of their relationship is up in the air until the final pages... and this isn't a slow burn. That made for many uncomfortable moments, and I just couldn't root for this couple. Perhaps if it had been a slower burn and that element had resolved itself (much) sooner, I could've enjoyed the story more, but it definitely put a damper on the whole thing for me. Which is unfortunate, because I loved the premise and I was really getting into the forced proximity before things ventured into a gray area.

The story follows Cleo, a British woman who writes about her dating life for a living. She'll be turning 30 very soon, and it's put a lot of things into perspective for her. So when her boss sends her to a remote island to marry herself - acknowledge that she's okay being single - Cleo isn't sure what to think. But when she arrives on the island, things don't go as planned, and Cleo finds herself sharing a room with a stranger. Mack is an American husband and father whose marriage is falling apart, and his time on the island is meant to give him some space and distance. Unfortunately for both of them, they're stuck together for better or worse, and that puts a wrench in both of their plans.

I actually really liked the premise and the forced proximity combined with the laidback tone was working for me for the first 25-30%. It's a unique concept, and sticking these two together made them form a bond that neither anticipated. I also would've been cool with the story if Mack was recently divorced and learning to be on his own. But... that's not actually the case here. His marriage isn't necessarily "over," and he's still hoping to make things right with his wife. So having Cleo and Mack jump into bed together so quickly - with so little buildup or resolution of other issues - was very off-putting for me. I wasn't okay with it. And the final chapters did NOT improve the situation. This romance reader is not at all happy with the direction the book took, but I can acknowledge that women's fiction readers might appreciate it more. The writing itself is solid, it's definitely unique, and there's some good character development along the way. But as a romance? Not a win, and certainly not a rom com. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this emotional story.

Josie Silver's One Night on the Island is an enjoyable romance novel with complex characters. Set on a small Irish island, the novel takes readers to a new place and immediately makes you feel like you are one of the villagers on the island, trying to help Cleo and Mack make their way.

Told in alternating chapters, Cleo is a British romance columnist sent to Salvation Island on assignment and to celebrate her 30th birthday alone as a fierce single woman. Mack, an American photographer, may stand in her way when a reservation mix up with the one tourist cottage brings them in very close living quarters. As the book unfolds, Cleo and Mack learn more about each other and the various Salvation Island natives, all the while becoming friends.

Silver's slow build could be seen as dragging on to some readers, but the soft romance and friendship between the main two characters is charming in my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this novel. It will be available for purchase on 2/15/22.

I read this one in just a sitting! I really loved Cleo and I found the ending to be sweet and somewhat unexpected.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

Thanks to Ballantine Books, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, however, it was the slowest and most never-ending book I have read. It was kind of a whole lot of nothing going on. The author had good intentions but there needed to have more action and like 100 pages less.

I don’t want to give this a horrible review because I really did enjoy the plot and the characters. I always love a small-town island type book, but the romance was not there and it needed to be so much shorter.

One - I will always read a Josie Silver novel
Two - Cleo & Mack are my new favorite couple
Three - I don’t regret reading this book
Three A* - I’ve reread One Night on the Island ending so many times I’ve lost count.

Thank you Random House for the complimentary copy,.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

1. Jose Silver is on my roster of repeat authors because of One Day in December and she did not disappoint with One Night on the Island.
2. Romance books are predictable but Josie makes you work for that imperfect, perfect ending. The book was just fine the first 50%, but the last 50% is what made me reach for the book while holding my breath until the end... just in case.
3. As a single lady this book was very touching and special, and I would recommend it to my fellow single gals.
3a - "Not many people will make you feel as if you've swallowed stars"
3b - I hope Cleo and Mack approve of the format of this review.

Thank you to the publisher for a free netgalley!

This is my third Silver book, and I truly get all the feels when reading her books. This one was the perfect mix of romance, character development, and smiles. I really loved Cleo. I found her character to change over the story in a way many of us find ourselves migrating from our 20s to our 30s. I found her story to be intriguing, and I really devoured her chapters. The setting of this book was a place I want to spend a week. Cut off just enough to feel like you are really within yourself.

I found Mack's chapters to be good, but not nearly as great as Cleo's. I found his story to be a bit too eh and I did not feel his development was anywhere near Cleo's. I did enjoy the chemistry between our two characters though.

I adored this book. It was all the feels in the perfect island cottage setting. I love the almost hate to lovers vibe of Mack and Cleo accidentally finding themselves booked at the same cottage. I thought the community and small town/island vibe was nearly perfect. I worried a lot over Mack's history, but adored the texts and the tension and all of the feelings. I want to hug this book. I would have loved a few more pages at the end, but maybe that wanting a smidge more is a good thing...

I was so excited to get the chance to read One Night on this Island before the release date because One Day in December by Josie Silver is one of my favorite winter/holiday romances. This book was so CUTE! Mack and Cleo are the most unexpected pair purely brought together by fate. Their resentment of each other slowly melted into one of the most heartwarming love stories I have read recently. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Mack and Cleo both come from complex backgrounds that give their characters a raw and authentic feel to them. Nothing about this read felt cliche for me. Their relationship is so natural and you found yourself empathizing with their hesitations and limitations due to the brilliant storytelling of Josie Silver. She did a fantastic job of not just detailing the story and characters but the setting of Salvation Island; the small Irish Island these two find themselves making their own little home from.

The one thing I did not love about this book was the way everything was wrapped up. There was not a ton of closure and the ending lacked details about where the characters stood months later. However, it was communicated that they were happy so I guess that’s all we can ask for. But I am always a sucker for engagements, weddings, babies… etc!

This sweet romance was more than just your typical romance. It is about self discovery, friendships, love and community. This was well written and made you fall in love with the characters. I would definitely recommend.

I really, really, really (did I mention really?) loved this book. Cleo, turning 30 is inspired to mark the event by holding a commitment ceremony - to herself! Originally conceived as part of her job as a writer, it turned into so much more as she arrived on Salvation Island, off the Ireland coast, and got to know its inhabitants as well as Mack, a man from America who unknowingly happens to have rented the same accommodation as Cleo, Otter Lodge.

There is romance, friendship, magical thoughts and yes, a few well-done adult scenes (no real descriptions, just allusions). Yes, there is the subject of what I'll call technical infidelity. Mack is separated from his wife, who has moved on and is in a relationship of her own, but he and Cleo do get involved with each other, and while it doesn't bother me, some could be offended.

The scenery of Salvation Island is painted in words so wonderfully that it was easy to envision. If its a real place I'd love to visit some day.

I don't write spoilers, so I won't go into further detail. I encourage you to read this wonderful book for yourself, but keep your box of tissues nearby just in case.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver
4 stars

Josie Silver never disappoints. I love her writing style and the fact that her stories always pack an emotional punch. I can always count on her to deliver a poignant story that is both moving and heartfelt. I’m so thankful to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the arc of One Night on the Island to read and review.

Cleo is a single woman living in London who writes a magazine column about her adventures in dating. Her boss sends her to a remote island off the coast of Ireland on assignment, but when she gets there, she finds that the cottage she rented is already occupied. Mack is a photographer on a life changing journey to visit the country that his family is from. He hopes that this trip will give him some time alone to work and reflect on his life and failing marriage. Things get pretty tense when Cleo and Mack realize that neither of them plan to relocate. When there are no options left, can they try to get along and enjoy their time on the island?

This was so much more than a romance novel. It was a beautifully written and emotional story about self love and how to bounce back after life throws you a few curve balls. Mack and Cleo were two broken, yet resilient people who found each other at difficult times in their lives and turned their circumstance into something beautiful. I loved the forced proximity trope, their “three things in the dark'', the friends that became family and the beautiful setting. I’ve visited Ireland before and this book made me want to go back.

To say the ending was abrupt would be an understatement. The big moment was rushed and then the book was just over. Aside from that, I loved this heartwarming romance and will continue to be a big fan of Silver’s work.

I am SO READY for beach romances! Begone winter, it's time for heat. Josie Silver writes fun, romantic stories with wide appeal. One Night on the Island is one of her best!

Thank you to @netgalley @randomhouse and @josiesilverauthor for my gifted copy of this ebook which publishes on Feb. 15th!
This book made me realize a few things:
1) I think I love romance-especially when it is done well-and this book does it best.2) When you mix romance with travel and add a tearjerking element, I'm sold.  Add Bruce Springsteen as a key element, and I'm smitten.3) I'm a sucker for a fictional Irish island. Salvation Island is the place of my dreams. If I could, I'd book a trip there today.
This book was amazing!  Cleo is a columnist for a popular British publication. Anticipating her 30th birthday a few weeks away, she is tasked with the project of "marrying" herself in a ceremony that mimics a wedding-since there are no prospects on the horizon.  Her boss chooses a remote fictional island-Salvation Island.  She gets there and realizes quickly that she has to share the rustic yet comfortable cabin with an unsuspecting American.
This book is evocative and very romantic.  Cleo and Mack are so well drawn, as is their private beach and the romantic Otter Lodge.  This book is so romantic, Josie Silver does this so well. Her vivid descriptions are so evocative and powerful. This book was on my mind constantly as I read it.  While I didn't want to put it down, I didn't want Cleo and Mack's story to come to an end. Stop scrolling through Instagram and read this book!
Thanks to @whatalyssareads for the guidance.

This is a unique romance. I enjoy all the usual tropes, but this was a pleasant surprise. Not really certain it was for me but continued reading past page 59. I am so glad I did. Read the book to understand that reference. A delightful and emotional tale.

This is one of those deeply emotional romances that tugs at the heartstrings. There are funny parts. There are sad parts. There are sexy parts. But most importantly, there are real human moments.

Cleo is a magazine columnist, single, on the verge of 30, and longing for more. Her boss decides to send her to a remote part of Ireland to “marry herself” for her 30th birthday and write about her experience. When she arrives she discovers her remote little cottage has been double-booked and she’s now forced to share the space with Mack.

Mack is a photographer, a father of two, in a failing marriage, and looking to find a way to move on. He refuses to leave. Cleo refuses to leave. And we get to experience a roller coaster of fun and sadness and romance and emotions because of it. The town is also full of fun and unique characters that intertwine to create a quite lovable story.

This book is for all the hopeless romantics, the lost souls, the people in need of a romance with some depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books/Random House for the advanced copy. And thank you to Josie Silver for a beautiful book.