I have enjoyed other Josie Silver novels in the past, and one of my favorite love stories is One Day In December, so I was excited about this book. However, I was disappointed with the story, and it left me wishing for more.

This story is written in the same signature style that identifies Silver's work. I actually felt it was an easy read, and while the beginning was slow, I was enjoying getting to know both Cleo and Mac. The story is told alternating between both characters' points of view, so each of them gets the chance to explain what's happening in their lives and why they chose Salvation Island for their soul-searching journeys. The pace picks up about 50 pages in when Mac and Cleo realize that they are going to have to share the cabin. Once their daily interactions start, the story gets easier to read. I was intrigued about what would happen.

Unfortunately, while the pace is great, the plot is not. I'm still on the fence about if this is a love story or not. While the novel definitely has all of the elements of a love story, it fell short in the chemistry between the characters and the build-up to a long-lasting relationship that a reader would root for.

Cleo is on a journey to love herself and prove that she can be happy without a significant other. She is all about self-love and making yourself the protagonist of your own story, but once she falls for Mac, everything she stood for goes down the drain. And while that's not necessarily wrong, I couldn't get behind Cleo's choices for a man she has known for only a few days.

*Warning for Slight Spoiler that is revealed early on*

The other thing I just couldn't deal with was Mac's storyline about his separation and issues with his wife. First of all, I can't believe that he was still married. I feel that the story would've been as compelling if he was recently divorced and had lingering feelings for his ex-wife. Then, he meets Chloe and falls for her. Yes, it is clear that he is separated from his wife, and even though their children are aware of the situation, Mac is still a married man. He's still struggling with his feelings for his wife and has not taken the time to process the separation. In fact, the whole point of Mac going to the island is to process what's happening in his marriage, which does not happen because Cleo is already there. I couldn't get on board with the whole thing, and it made me wary of how their relationship would develop.

*End of Spoiler*

One thing I liked about this novel is that the story is filled with great subplots, such as Cleo's friendships with the women from the island, and Mac's talent as a photographer. I truly enjoyed getting to know the other characters like Delta, and I was devastated when one of the people Cleo had recently met peacefully passed away. I found that those small snippets of the life on Salvation Island made me care about the community they had and charmed me into wanting to visit such a lovely place.

Overall, the story could be better. It does not take away from Silver's talent to craft a lovely story with a fantastic writing style. I was intrigued by some of the subplots, and I cared about the story enough to finish it in a few sittings. I liked the characters even if I didn't care for some of their choices, and I found that real-life issues were handled in a realistic and somewhat relatable way.

Is this a love story with a relationship I wanted to root for? Not really. But at the end of the day, life is messy, so I could understand why this is not a usual fairy tale ending.

This book surprised me and meant so much to me during an isolated time. I loved the way Cleo and Mac were so frigid with each other in the beginning, but began to warm to one another. Their relationship was about growth and communication, and I enjoyed the realistic way in which they had to work towards being together. Cleo's journey was beautiful and I resonated with it so much that I did a similar sort of ceremony on my own birthday this past April.

I really wanted to love this book more but once I was toward the half-way mark, I knew it just wasn't for me. While I didn't find the main character unlikeable, she was pretty insufferable for the first three quarters of the book. I was pretty bored about half-way in. The plot, tropes, and dual-perspectives had *so much* potential but I felt like ifar too many pages were wasted on Cleo's internal monologues and complaining. Maybe it was my attention span or the fact that I didn't really care what happened, but I also didn't fully believe in the rather rapid evolution of Cleo and Mack's relationship. It was like they hated each other's guts and then woke up the next morning madly in love. I don't know; I just didn't buy it.

On the bright side, I really enjoyed the island community and the last quarter-ish of the book. Once Cleo and Mack weren't physically together, the plot and intrigued finally picked up. I thought the ending was satisfying and logical, especially given where the two characters are in their lives. I also appreciated the discussion of self-love and acceptance and the complexities of marriage, particularly those that are holding on by a thread.

To me, this book was just okay. I'm sure some readers would thoroughly enjoy it but as I said before, it just wasn't for me despite some redeeming qualities.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy!

As a big fan of Josie Silver's books (One Day in December and The Two Lives of Lydia Bird), I was so excited to pick up One Night on the Island. Silver is fantastic at a slow burn romance and a longing that stretches across the pages. This latest novel is no exception.

Cleo heads to a remote Irish island to "marry herself," as he boss at a women's magazine puts it. She is committing to herself on her 30th birthday and plans to write about it for the magazine's readership. Plans are turned upside down when the solitary cottage is double booked with an American photographer, Mack. Neither is happy to share the space, but it is the only option until the ferry comes back in a week's time. Of course, we romance readers know that this forced proximity is the catalyst for a love affair. Both leads have their reasons for being in this far-flung place, and both have healing to do with the help of each other.

This book is a fun vacation romance with a cast of great island characters. While I am not quite so sure why everyone on the island is immediately very good friends with Cleo, I still enjoyed the enemies to friends to lovers story with a great setting.

Salvation island 🥹 Josie Silver did it again. Such a beautiful story of finding and loving yourself. We should all be our own best friends. The vacation romance was swoonworthy and I loved the ending.

I think I enjoyed this even more than One Night in December. Sure the storyline was far-fetched, but I enjoyed the peaceful setting and the local side-stories and characters much more. I can only speak for myself, but I suspect that after the events of the past two years, the main character's desire to change paths would be relatable for many. I am especially drawn to stories where a character struggles to make a difficult choice that ultimately leads to more happiness.

Note: I've seen a lot of debate about the choices the characters made in other reviews. I don't have to make the same choices as the fictional characters to appreciate their story. Maybe I wouldn't be interested in a self-coupling ceremony for myself, but I can absolutely appreciate one woman's desire to choose to make herself happy. Maybe the island relationship was troubling for some, but everyone was upfront and honest about the circumstances and we are all free to make different choices in our own lives. None of this distracted from the story for me, but to each their own.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for an advanced reader's copy.

ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND by Josie Silver was a fast, fun, good book to read. This novel features an unusual setting (an island off the coast of Ireland) and a cast of characters that are quirky, relatable, and delightful. Cleo is a woman about to turn 30 & is taking time to evaluate her place in the world. Mack is a man making adjustments to the changes in his life. Both end up on Salvation Island, drawn to it for different reasons. That’s where the fun begins. The way this couple has their ‘meet cute’ (the way they meet unexpectedly) is amusing & believable. The novel has some classic romance tropes like the ‘close proximity/one bed’ and the ‘stranded together’ element, so if you like those, you’ll like this.

I thoroughly enjoyed Silver’s previous novel ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, so it was no surprise that this one was just as delightful. In fact, I enjoyed ISLAND more than DECEMBER. Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

A satisfying treat…I loved the characters!
Many thanks to Random House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having loved The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by this same author, I was glad to receive an arc of this book. The premise seemed perfect - an Irish island, solo trip, writer, finding yourself. And I did enjoy it, but unfortunately didn’t love it like I loved Lydia Bird.

I didn’t particularly like the two main characters - Cleo and Mack. I didn’t connect with them and found them unnecessarily antagonistic towards each other from the very beginning. I understand being frustrated at the situation, but the outright anger towards each other seemed a bit extreme, especially seeing as how neither was actually at fault over the mixup of finding the lodging double booked.

Their gradual grudging friendship which quickly turned to romance seemed a bit forced to me. And the whole “it’s a holiday romance” was laughable.

Overall, I read it quickly and enjoyed parts of it - honestly, all the side characters from Salvation were way more interesting than the two leads and deserve their own book. It’s because of them that this book got three stars.

After reading One Day in December, I knew going in to Josie Silver's latest book, One Night on the Island, to be prepared for all the feels. Although not a dark, extremely heavy book, or even a rom-com, this one is still a beautiful love story and messes with your heart in the best way. I am so appreciative to Netgalley and Josie Silver for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This story was just okay in my opinion. it was predictable from start to finish. I thought it was incredibly silly how obsessed she was with the contents of a stranger's suitcase. The male protagonist was sweet and well written and kept me engaged.

I didn't love One Day in December but this one was much better. I think the pacing struggles a little (I felt the same about her last two books) but I'm glad to have read it.

I think it's time we realize that Josie Silver's works can't be categorized as plain romances. These stories have so many levels to them that they are so much more than just a simple love story. In ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND, Josie Silver introduces us to characters who are genuine, vulnerable, and growing! I love how we follow these character's on a journey that continues to affect their lives even after the story is over. If you're looking for a story that's going to pull on your heart strings - this one is it!

Turning 30 seems like a pivotal moment in life. No longer a twenty something trying to find their way but a 30 year old who has it all figured out. Cleo is not ready for 30.

At her editor’s insistence, Cleo takes a self-coupling vacation from her romance column. She goes to a small island off the coast of Ireland with spotty cell service which is a far cry from her London life.

Mack is a separated father of two who grew up hearing stories about Salvation Island. He’s finally able to go to the island to work on his next photography exhibit.

On such a small island, there aren’t many places to stay. Cleo and Mack have been booked into cabins hideaways and once they arrive, they find out it is the same cabin hideaway. With transportation to and from the island only happening because of an emergency, Cleo and Mack have to navigate their solo trips with a roommate in the way. Fortunately after a bit of time, this isn’t as hard as they thought it would be. But what happens after their time on the island?

I thought this was a sweet story. I loved all of the characters from the Island. I felt like the “self-coupling” was a great idea. Mack and Cleo are great characters and I loved being able to see how staying on the island affected each of their lives.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I truly love the characters Josie Silver brings to life in this story. They are utterly relatable and I enjoyed getting to know Cleo, Mack, and the rest of the gang on Salvation Island. A very tender story!

3.5 stars

Cleo is turning 30 and just wants to get away for a bit to figure out her life. Mac is newly separated and needs some time to himself. When they both end up reserved in the same one-bedroom cottage, they need to figure out how to share the space without butting heads.

From the synopsis, I was expecting a romance, but while reading I realized this book was more about the growth of our main characters and them finding themselves while getting to know each other. There is some romance, but that isn’t the main focus of this book.

I loved the charm Silver injected in this story. The setting of an island in Ireland was great, and I loved the people that lived there. The small town feel gave this book such a warm and cozy vibes.

I liked both Cleo and Mac and their love story. One of my favorite things was when they would share three things about themselves. I thought it was a cute part of the story and really enjoyed these parts throughout.

I’ve enjoyed Silver’s other books, but I did think this one dragged a bit at times. Although not my favorite from this author, I still think this was a good book that shows that sometimes we need an escape to figure out who we are.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Let me start with saying that I am giving this book 3.5 stars. I have mixed thoughts on this book, which is unfortunate because I loved Josie Silver’s debut novel, One Day in December. I’m sad to say this, but I think her debut may have been her best work and it has gone downhill for me ever since.

This book had romance, but not the typical romance I would expect from a rom-com. I am settling somewhere between it was okay and it was good, which is why I’m giving it 3.5 stars. I did enjoy the idea of being on an island with a very small community of people. I loved that Cleo was on a journey of self-acceptance and self-actualization, especially as she was turning thirty. The romance was just okay. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it. I just accepted it as part of the story. Without giving away spoilers, I love how Cleo was in the last fifty to one hundred pages of this book. She seems to have really found herself and her place, which was great.

I may give Josie Silver one more chance when she releases her next book, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look like she will be a priority author for me in the future.

Not a typical romance at all as the hero is married (but separated) at the beginning of the book. If you like your book relationships realistic, your settings British/Irish, and your townspeople quirky and quaint, give this books a try.

One Night On The Island by Josie Silver

A perfectly executed romantic comedy, which took place on an island.

Well-written enjoyable romance cosy. Many friendly characters. It is about relationships and island living. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

This was an average romcom. It was a bit deeper than I was intending it to be, but the story as a whole was decent. I wanted to like it more but I had a tough time pushing through. It felt too slow for me and these characters were just okay.