Unfortunately this was a DNF book for me. I found it incredibly boring, and just couldn’t get myself into the story line, or into the characters. I might try to give it another chance at a later point, but for now, I just wasn’t impressed.

While this was certainly an adorable romance read, I welcomed the Cleo’s journey to discovering and accepting herself just as much as I did the romance aspect. It’s a quick read and perfect for when you just need a little escape. Charming and sweet. I’m glad I read it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.5* i am SO lucky to have gotten this, since Silver is the author of one of my all time favs One Day in December. This has the same charm I fell in love with in One Day, that was severely lacking in her sophomore novel Lydia Bird. Unrequited love remains the top tier romance trope

This book didn't do anything for me. I couldn't get attached to these characters like I wanted. There's little steam, so if that's a requirement for you just be aware of that, and quite frankly it was just too boring for me. The punchlines (jokes about Star Wars) didn't land, the characters were surface level, and I just didn't get excited to pick up this book to see where it would take me. I couldn't get on an emotional level with this book and the romance did not feel genuine.

I feel if you enjoyed the author's previous books you may like it. But since I'm 0-2 for her books, I don't see me picking up another one by her in the future.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

Honestly, I think this author just isn’t for me. But! If you liked her other works I know you’ll love this one. Her writing definitely makes you think, and is not your typical rom com. Which I highly respect.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I really enjoyed this book. Cleo was likable and relatable at times. I found myself laughing and crying at certain parts. But that is what I want when I read. I want to feel all the emotions.

This story! This gorgeous story. It took me a bit by surprise. I was expecting something strictly rom-com ish, and there’s a bit of that yes, but so much more.

So many quirky characters, so well developed, that you love them to pieces and feel like you know them. So many quotable moments. Beautiful prose.

Each chapter switching between Cleo to Mack’s perspectives… not always my favorites style in books… was necessary in this one. We learn so much about them on island and off this way.

Perhaps my favorite thing is that the last 30% of the book felt like the beefy epilogue you’ve always wished for after a book you love. And not a cliche rosy rendition. But real world, hard, painful reality of what comes next after the bubble of the island together.

Josie Silver really kept me locked in until the last page. I will be thinking about this books for a while.

One Night on the Island is a charming romantic comedy of errors in which two strangers, dealing with their own issues, are forced to share space while they work through what haunts them. The Irish hospitality and simultaneously harsh and breathtaking landscape are depicted well, connecting the reader to the community as well as the two main characters. Cleo and Mack both serve as first-person narrators and the perspective switching adds depth to the story. At times heartbreaking, but mostly heartwarming, this is a recommended escapist read and the 'find yourself and your purpose' themes throughout made this a fitting book for the new year.

3.5–This book started off strong for me. And by “strong for me” I mean I was convinced this enemies-to-lovers story would be another 5 star read. BUT THEN, the extremely near future approached and well…I just got bored. All possibilities for my favorite slow-burn trope quickly dissipated and I was left annoyed with the female lead, Cleo, and confused by why the “perfect” Mack spoke like he was also a professional writer?? Overall, the hate to insta-love route just didn’t make all that much sense to me. Or rather, I guess I didn’t care for it.

Also. Marrying yourself is just ridiculous. As someone who has been single my entire life, I find marriage to another individual a sacred and beautiful thing completely separate from the journey to self-love. Just because I love myself does not mean I am going to disrespect the whole institute of marriage~~the vow to commit yourself to another via respect, loyalty, honesty, and faithfulness~~by MARRYING MYSELF. Honestly, I wish we took marriage more seriously these days.

This is inclusive to Mack’s unlikable wife, Susie, who selfishly gives up on her commitment to Mack despite plot points that I would argue proves she feels otherwise.

Despite all these said feelings, this book is well-written with a small town charm that makes it worthy of reading to form your own opinions.

**Loads of thanks to NetGally for this ARC!**

One Night on the Island is everything you need in an adorable pro-female romance. Cleo is a British journalist on the verge of turning 30. In her dating column about finding her "flamingo", she has finally decided to give up the desperate search for a mate and get married....to herself. She will spend her 30th birthday in a small house on Salvation, a remote island in Ireland, finding her self and committing to putting herself first. The only problem is that the owner of the owner of the house she has rented has mistakenly also given his American cousin, Mack permission to use the house at the same time. Mack is still trying to get over a separation with his wife and was hoping to also find himself in Salvation. The weather is so bad that they are both forced to share the house and soon find out that there is no way off the island for some time. In their efforts to find themselves, they quickly discover how much they need the people of this small community and each other.
Josie Silver has written another adorable, feel good novel. This book is so cute and features many strong, independent women. All the characters are utterly adorable. This book is perfect for reading while you are cuddling under a blanket on a cold day. Readers of Jodie Silver's other books, Jill Mansell and Christina Lauren will love this book.

Cleo is a columnist from London and is looking for her “flamingo” and writes about it. Her boss decides she should go away and “marry herself” and books her a trip for her 30th birthday on a desolate island off of Ireland. When she arrives she realizes the only lodging there has been double booked and she has to stay with an American named Mack who has two kids and is separated. They decide to draw a chalk line down the middle so they have their own sides to stay on. As Cleo gets to know the natives to the island, she realizes there is more to this place.

This was a cute book. Nothing super deep which was a nice break from a few deep reads. It was a little predicable, but without giving away the ending, I did enjoy how it ended as it was refreshing. Overall a good read that I’d recommend to others. Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc!

A woman goes to self couple with herself. Yes. You read that right. For her birthday. And gets distracted by a gorgeous man. This was really hard to read. Honestly. Can’t a woman just be strong and independent and live her life without needing a man? Maybe it is just me but this was so dodging to get through with the strong dependence and making women appear so weak. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I had a bit of a struggle with the romance aspect in the beginning, and it may be that I never fully got over that. The side characters of Salvation Island paint a warm, family glow that overshadows the love story, and after finishing the book, I think that suits Cleo just fine.

I am torn about this one. As always, Josie Silver writes beautifully. And the setting of Salvation Island is beyond charming and idyllic and I would move there tomorrow. I love the way the town comes together to support Cleo, and the sisterhood of the knitting circle is such a great exploration of the importance of female friendships.

HOWEVER. And this is a big however. Cleo, who is supposedly running off to the island to find herself/marry herself/work on her independence goes and falls in love with a bloody MARRIED MAN, who, while *technically separated,* is still married and has two kids who are devastated that their mom is seeing someone else. But somehow what their dad is doing is supposed to be viewed as sympathetic because his wife was the one who initiated the separation and blindsided him. Even though Mack (said married man) was basically never home and was totally emotionally distant, and we are supposed to believe he was such a good dad. AND he is basically hung up on his wife until he sleeps with Cleo, and then magically wants Cleo. Getting it on with a married man just seems to counterproductive for Cleo's whole self discovery journey and basically nullified it for me.

So while I loved the writing, setting, and side characters, I was 1000% not on board with the romance. Which kind of ruins the whole story. UGH JOSIE why did you do this to me....

Thank you Ballantine, Netgalley, and the author for my advanced copy in exchange for a review.

This is a great story of self-discovery. I think going into it thinking it will be a romance sells this beautiful story short.
I will admit that the first third of the book I found Cleo to be frustratingly annoying. I got sick of her constant complaining about her circumstances.. It made me want to DNF the book. However, I am glad I pushed through. Once Cleo learns to accept her life the story becomes so much more.
My favorite parts were the ladies from Salvation Island. I loved Delta, Dolores, Ailsa, Brianne and all the ladies of the knitting circle. I really wish we would have had more time to get to know them.

It’s a dnf I’m afraid. I hate to do that with an ARC because I do appreciate the sneak peek. BUT this book & I just didn’t mesh. For days I’ve tried to get going on this, but I just can’t. Too much effort, not enough enjoyment.

⛔️ ⛔️ A couple of spoilers ahead, I couldn’t think of how else to explain. ⛔️ ⛔️



I think where I first got off track was by the Christina Lauren blurb praising it as a romantic comedy. Or maybe the humor didn’t land the way it was possibly intended…idk 🤷🏻‍♀️. Whether ONOTI was intended as a romantic comedy or not, the mark was missed for me. That miss is probably the main reason <spoiler>self-coupling</spoiler> plot point inspired more side eye than being humorous to me.

Then there’s the trigger: <spoiler>the hero is married. Yes, they’re separated, but even though he’s hurt & frustrated with his wife pushing him away, he doesn’t seem to be over her. The timing of getting involved with the heroine didn’t sit right.</spoiler> That I think was a good portion of why I just couldn’t find the desire to invest them or the story.

Nutshell - Overall I feel ONOTI was much more of a mismatch with my personal taste than poor quality. Because of that, I’m honestly not trying to discourage. JMO like always.

**This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Cleo writes a dating column for one of the top women’s online publications in London. She cleverly calls the man she is searching for her “flamingo” as they mate for a lifetime. While most matches amount to nothing, Cleo has not given up on the idea of true love. As her 30th birthday approaches the editor in chief suggests a publicity stunt that sends Cleo’s world upside down. Cleo is to marry herself to signify independence and self love. She is sent to an idyllic island off the Irish coast where she intends to write a series and search for life’s hidden meanings. Unfortunately, when Cleo arrives on the island the weather is brutal and her simply adorable cottage is not empty. Cleo is greeted by Mack, an American whose distant cousin owns the property. Accompanying Mack is a mountain of baggage that rivals her own and the two find themselves in a stubborn standoff deciding who gets to stay. Due to the inclement weather and no alternative lodgings - a line is visibly drawn and Cleo and Mack have to figure out how to coexist in this small space. Naturally a meet cute ensues. Always a fan of everything Irish, this romcom dragged just a wee bit but was saved by the quirky adorable cast of characters.

Joyous and deliriously tender. I loved this book.

Cleo is a romance columnist sent on assignment to "self-couple" on a remote island for a month. Mack is a photographer and father who's still trying to come to terms with his separation from his wife and decides to escape to the island where his grandmother is from to try to connect with his roots. As luck would have it, they're both mistakenly booked to stay in the same lodge—the only accommodation on the island. Forced to room together, the two slowly open up to each other about their pasts and what brought them to stay on the island. As the weeks pass, they forge a bond that changes their lives.

Mack and Cleo stand solidly as characters, both on their own and together. The cast of characters around them are lovable and don't feel 2D, but robust and whole. Salvation Island is a charming backdrop that makes you ache for small-town life.

In some ways, to me this book felt like the love child of Beach Read by Emily Henry and Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens. So sweet and well-done. If you're a fan of Silver's writing, this book won't disappoint.

Solid 4.5 stars.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A sweet, emotional, romantic little read.

Cleo sets sail to a remote island for her 30th birthday in effort to find/marry herself. Of course she ends up finding quite a bit more than she ever could have imagined.

The atmosphere Josie Silver beautifully sets in this novel makes me wish an island exactly like Salvation Island actually existed... because if it did, it would be on the top of my bucket list.

This story was so cozy and heart warming, the perfect book to read with a warm bath drawn after eating your favorite comfort meal.

In traditional Josie Silver fashion, this romance is beautiful and worth the wait. I truly adored it.

This was a beautiful story through and through, I highly recommend it.