I really liked Cleo and I loved her story. I felt really sorry for Mac. I am learning that Josie Silver writes messy romances. I enjoy them, but they leave me a little heartbroken too.

Thanks to Ballantine for an advanced copy of One Night On the Island by Josie Silver.

So this is a little bit of an unpopular opinion, but One Night on the Island was a little bit of a letdown for me. This is the second book I read this month where the main character was a writer turning 30 who was marrying themselves for an article. And I'm not a fan of that -- turning 30 and being single doesn't mean you're a failure. So that started me out feeling kinda meh on the book.

The Irish island setting was my favorite part of the book! I loved the tiny community and how Cleo found a place where she felt at peace with herself. I'm normally a fan of the only 1 bed scenario, but I struggled with the Mac & Cleo relationship. Mac, while seperated from his wife for a year was still married and until about 50% in was trying to figure out how to repair his relationship with his wife.

Josie Silver has a beautiful writing style and that's what kept me going in this book. I know so many people loved this book and the way the relationship played out, but it just wasn't for me.

EXCUSE ME WHILE I GUSH!!!

This isn’t a Rom-Com and it’s so much more than a LOVE STORY-it’s really a LIFE STORY!
It caught me unaware-it spoke to me-and I absolutely adored it!! ❤️


Ali, the editor of Women Today, the leading online magazine in the UK, is inspired by actress Emma Watson, to send Cleo Wilder, her dating columnist to Salvation Island, to self couple~something that Emma did when she turned 30.

Self Coupling is a concept that embraces that a woman doesn’t need to find her “other half” to be whole.

Salvation Island, is a tiny Island off the Irish Coast, with moody, wet weather described as “perfect for the backdrop of a tense whodunit or a melancholy gothic. with close-the doors and build-up-the fire kind of days”.

Yes-the prose in this book is beautiful…..

There is exactly one accommodation available for a visitor-Otter Lodge-but when Cleo arrives she finds that somehow the cottage has been double-booked. Mack Sullivan, an American with a family connection to the lodge and Island, has also arrived and is expecting to stay. The next boat isn’t expected for a week, and they will have to co-exist in the tiny lodging, until one of them can leave.

The weather isn’t letting up, but the two begin to thaw towards each other, sharing what brought them to the remote Island, what they loved about the lives they have put on hold-and also what wasn’t working.

Three things each night.

NO REGRETS

These are mature, intelligent adults with complicated lives. The POV alternates between the two, and each is equally compelling.

As the wonderful residents of the Island embrace them, and the ebb and flow of the Island life heals them, each will wonder-Can you truly belong to more than one place?

So many wise observations about life and love. 🥰

Last year I wanted to relocate to an Island I read about. Now, I want to pack it all up and go to Salvation Island too.
Clearly the quirky characters and close knit Island communities appeal to me.

I’ll be watching for a vacancy at the “Otter Lodge”!

This is my FAVORITE book by Josie Silver, bar none!
5 EASY stars!⭐️

Available February 15, 2022!

Thank You for the gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

I finished this book a few weeks ago, but didn't feel prepared to write my review. This book left me feeling a bit unsatisfied and I think it's because the story felt lackluster to me. One Night on the Island, does not take place in one night, but over a span of time. Cleo is a dating columnist whose boss has decided that as a single woman, there's no better way for Cleo to celebrate her 30th birthday than participating in a self-coupling ceremony. Innovative take? I guess, but as a single woman, I found it a bit demeaning to even need to establish my singleness which for the record, I'm perfectly comfortable with. Whatever. Alas, this is how Cleo finds herself on a remote Irish island. After a jarring journey to the island in the pouring rain, Cleo is eager to grab her keys and get to the cabin, which is still quite the trek on foot. There she's blown away by the beauty of the surrounding greenery and even more overwhelmed by the beauty of the cabin. Just as Cleo starts to think this won't be so bad after all, but might even be an idyllic adventure, in comes Mac. Somehow, the cabin has been double-booked and on a remote island, there are genuinely no other options.

What I enjoyed was Cleo's self-discovery journey and her expansion of what it means to be "home". The genuine interest Cleo has in getting to know the folks around the area and how often she wanders about is fun. Mac's storyline is also interesting and his profession and self-expression through photography was beautiful even written in the pages. Josie Silver's descriptions paint a vivid picture.

While I liked how Cleo and Mac evolved throughout the book, their budding relationship really wasn't for me. Something about their tango just genuinely bothered me and I have yet to place my finger on what it was.

All in all, it was a a quick read and as always, I'm grateful to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for granting me access to this ARC.

Rating: 3.75

Spoilers Below!

One Night on the Island is a contemporary romance novel about two solace seekers thrown together after an accidental double-booking at a remote cabin in Ireland.

This was surprisingly such a heartbreaking but beautiful read. The story and characters were absolutely well written and filled with realistic struggles. It also is dual POVs of the main characters and has the force proximity trope as well, which was great.

The overall storyline was a bit slow-paced and more on the somber side but was still an enjoyable read. I do have to say that the writing, setting and description of the Island was fantastic and so captivating. The atmosphere that the author created definitely brought the story more to life.

The main characters, Cleo Wilder and Mack Sullivan were interesting. They each had heartbreaking and profound journeys overcoming their own personal struggles. Cleo’s character development and journey with self-love was absolutely one of my favorites and her marriage for one ceremony was beautifully written.

The romantic subplot in this book unfortunately had me a bit torn. While, there were moments between Cleo and Mack that I loved, the fact that Mack was technically still married (albeit separated) made their romance feel insincere. I just really wasn’t convinced of their romance up until the very end despite them having some beautiful and tender moments, like their three-things conversations in the dark.

The main issue for me in this book again was that I just couldn’t get over the fact that Mack was clearly still in love with his estranged wife and wanted his family whole again. I’ll admit there were moments especially in the beginning that I was actually rooting for his wife and him to reconcile.

The ending did feel a bit rushed but I did like how Cleo’s story concluded with her staying on the Island. I will say though, the epilogue felt very open-ended and I wished there had been more concrete confirmation that her relationship with Mack really worked out because she definitely deserved it after all the self love and growth she accomplished.

Overall, just a well written story filled with heartbreak, hope, self-love and growth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the writing overall and the gorgeous and warm, embracing description of Salvation Island, which felt like the exact recipe to revive the soul for both Cleo and Mack. There’s a story of self discovery and self love with Cleo Wilder, which is relevant for any female, and then there’s Mack Sullivan, who is trying to unpack the complexities of his life by visiting his family history. With some forced proximity and unconventional circumstances in a remote location tucked away from the advances of the modern world, they forge a connection. I wish there had been more hints of attraction dropped prior to the outburst of overt demonstration, especially on Mack’s side, because it almost felt like it came out of left field. Even for an initial slow burn, including everything they shared, I wasn’t fully persuaded. Aside from that, the rest of the story flowed well, including the relationship development after. I enjoyed the idea of Cleo asserting her own confidence and blossoming as a result. This storyline kept my attention and I liked the real issues and obstacles they had to face, knowing it wouldn’t turn into a fairytale ending because they are not whimsical people without other obligations and responsibilities, although it still had a fairytale quality in certain aspects. Yet these two still managed to work through their own growth and find acceptance in what they could share in order to make that last and be meaningful with some swoony moments, which added its own touch of magic. There’s definitely romance to propel the plot forward, but I would also consider this as woman’s fiction. I did like how things weren’t rushed to simply suit the timeline of the characters in the confines of a book, that they explored the possibilities within their own current lives before verifying that Salvation Island life was the best possible reality.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was the relationship and self empowerment story that I didn’t know I needed. The camaraderie of the islanders was heartwarming, Cleo’s openness and strength was inspiring, and Mack’s growth was the ending I was hoping for! It makes me want to plan a trip to a cozy, beautiful Otter Cottage of my own!

This is a perfect book to cozy up with on a cold day. Josie Silver has captured the richness of island life with quirky but loveable characters. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light but entertaining read.

Looking forward to the author's next one.

When I first started reading One Night on the Island, I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish. Mack is bitter and Cleo is super obnoxious. Their banter is not the fun enemies to lovers jokes we all love. Their chemistry did not ooze off the page. I was highly annoyed with them both.

BUT THEN....One Night on the Island became this amazingly quotable book with lines that touch your soul. The entire plot is sticky and messy, yet beautiful and magical. It captured life and love perfectly. YIKES......LOL.

Overall, I give One Night on the Island a 3.5 stars. Thank you Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the advance copy.

This was a cute book! I loved the female friendships and sense of community that came from the book. The island and self-discovery were highlights from the book. The imagery of the island was wonderful. The romance was interesting. There was a lot of baggage for each of the characters and I think it seeped into their relationship. Normally I love these types of conflict in relationships, but for some reason this one didn’t quite scratch that itch.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book comes out February 15th, 2022.

I LOVED this book. I related so much to the main character, who feels complex emotions about turning 30 because her father didn’t live to see 30. Her journey to self-love and self-commitment is so beautiful and inspiring. Her complicated love interest is unpredictable and I enjoyed how their story plays out as well.

This is a fantastic book with multiple layers. It centers around Cleo, a magazine blogger from London who travels to a remote island to find herself. Her journey of self-discovery is also intermingled into a stories of love—love of oneself, the heartbreak of an ended marriage, and finding new love.

Tropes: Forced proximity, holiday romance, soulmates

IF THIS BOOK WERE A SONG, IT WOULD BE KATY PERRY’S ‘THINKING OF YOU’ AND
‘THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY’, AS WELL AS ONE DIRECTION’S ‘SUMMER LOVE’

This book helped me realize a lot of things about myself. It helped me see my existence as something else. I guess I can say it was somehow eye-opening? I honestly went into it expecting to get the usual romances that sweep me off my feet but what I got was pure, genuine, raw, and sincere. It was one of the most complicated situations and realistic resolutions I’ve read in a book which is why it may easily grip readers that go through similar situations in love. It makes me want to travel, escape, and discover parts of myself that I may still not know.

I ADORED Mack and how he’s loyal to what he stands for and how he can be a real understanding gentleman. He makes me think that maybe there are still guys like him that exist! On the other hand, I didn’t really like Cleo that much at first since she can be so ANNOYING and childlike through the first parts but it was all good afterward. What I liked about them is the character development, the understanding, and finally finding what they really need in life despite everything in their way. I connected with Mack and Cleo and I understood their struggles. Josie Silver made sure the message and feelings reached the readers. Although it became a bit slow for me in the middle, I love how their story was told.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience of reading something one of a kind. This book is definitely not mediocre.

Rating breakdown:
Total - 3.5 STARS
* Though the story was great, the plot was a bit shallow, and the trope was honestly not for me so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected to. (-0.5)
* I personally think there were a lot of characters and I had a slight difficulty with keeping up with all of their names, who they were, and what they do. (-0.5)
* The middle part kind of slowed down and had a lot of conversations among the many characters that got me a bit confused and wasn't much of a page-turner for me. I felt like it could be told in a shorter or more concise way and still deliver the point. (-0.5)

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and to @NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy!

This book will be published on February 15, 2022. This review will also be posted in Goodreads (link: https://tinyurl.com/OneNightOnTheIsland-Geri) and Instagram (@bookswith.geri)

A sweet romcom with good character development and beautiful setting. Love all her books and this was no exception!

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, I was provided an ARC of One Night on the Island by Josie Silver via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

****Coming Out Feb 15, 2022****

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Two lost souls, one remote island.. where will this lead them?

Mack who is from America and Cleo who is from London both show up thinking they have rented the Otto Lodge for a much needed respite. But when they both show up at the same lodge,they are forced to share this one bedroom lodge until they can get it sorted out. Will they be able have the vacation they were looking for? Or will this problem just spiral their vacation out of control and send one of them packing their bags? This fun fast paced book will having you turning the pages to find out!

Each chapter alternates between Cleo and Mack from their perspectives, which adds depth to the story.

A great book club pick as it will lead to many interesting discussions!

I absolutely adored this book. The story was relatable for anyone who has had a wakeup call and hoped to change something very base about their life. I think it was definitely better than many uplit books I have read lately because it definitely did not just base her personal growth around a male figure. Yes, there was romance, but there was also working on becoming who she wanted to be. This story follows Cleo, who takes an extended break to an island in order to "marry herself" instead of focusing on a relationship. However, the lodge where she intends to stay is double booked, and she is forced to stay in the same place as Mack, an American who is going through the breakup of his marriage.
Surprisingly touching, sweet, and well-written, this is the perfect book for anyone looking for something uplifting but also not completely centered on the romance side of Cleo's life.

I was very excited when I first started reading One Night on the Island, but the plot and characters fell flat for me. This read like a romance novel that you may find in an airport bookstore, which can feel very surface level. There didn’t seem to be a strong and deep connection between the characters, and that is what I look for when reading romance novels. However, it was realistic and followed the complications of life. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Josie does it again. When is she going to get a movie adaptation? I would take any of her canon on the screen. Really liked this book — yet again she creates complex, realistic characters, navigating real life and love. The first third is slow and a bit muddled, and the premise takes some getting used to, but it’s very much worth pushing through bc it really takes a turn as we start to understand them more. This made my heart hurt in the best way, something Josie Silver has a knack for. I really related to Cleo, and loved seeing her through Mack’s lens. Also, Otter Lodge is my actual fantasy, and the islanders were amazing. This is a vivid, quick read that will make you feel things. I’ll be buying a copy for my shelves in February.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the free E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

Do you ever find yourself reading a book and both simultaneously wanting to know how it’s going to end and not wanting it to end all at the same time? That’s what “One Night on the Island” by Josie Silver did for me. Cleo and Mack find themselves both seeking seclusion on Salvation Island, there to tend to their respective issues only to discover each other and themselves in the process.

When some wires get crossed, and two complete strangers find themselves sharing a secluded one room cabin on the exact same dates, you can’t help but wonder if fate had a tiny hand to play in it all. I was also 100% here for it.

This book had me feeling so many emotions, and the way Cleo and Mack opened themselves up to each other, especially with the nightly sharing of 3 things about themselves, it left me longing for them to discover more about each other and who they are.

I absolutely loved their own journeys of self-discovery, and that it wasn’t your typical romance and left you with an ending that was perfect for the book and the characters. A little piece of me wishes I could go to Salvation Island for a little soul searching and self-discovery.

I’ll be recommending this book for years to anyone who asks me “got any good book recommendations?” Because Josie Silver has done it again.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

I’ve mixed feelings on Josie Silver’s books. I loved Two Lives of Lydia Bird but didn’t love One Day in December. So I was a little nervous about this one. I was pleasantly surprised. This is more of a romance- adjacent than full on romance.
Cleo, a romance column writer, is sent to a remote island in advance of her 30th birthday to marry herself.
Mack, photographer, heads to the remote island intentionally to sort out his life.
They are both, naturally, expecting to stay in Otter Lodge and enjoy some time alone.
To survive their time together they come up with a three things to tell each other daily at night after the lights are out. Through this they began to know each other and romance ensues.
This is not a cut and dry romance and that makes it all the more real.
My favorite part is Cleo and how she finds herself and finds strong female friendships. I also love that the location is almost a character of its own.
Thank you Netgalley and publishing house for an early copy to read and review.