Anyone planning a vacation this year?

After reading Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy, I find myself in need of a Caribbean getaway. Preferably one that involves an exclusive island where the rich and royal indulge in lavish parties doing what they want away from the prying eyes of the world. Oh wait...that’s actually the premise of the book. Still sounds good though though right?

Mustique Island follows the story of Willy May, a mother, who is looking for a place to build a home and relationships with her two daughters, Hilly and Joanne. I enjoyed the insight into the 70’s high society, you don’t really see a lot of books in that setting. Under the glamor and glitz, runs a darker side that Willy begins to see with the arrival of her daughters. In the end it’s a story of feminism and strong mother/daughter vibes. If your a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid meets Ernest Hemingway...then you would enjoy this!

It’s a perfect summer read and provides enough intrigue that makes you not want to put it down. Be warned it may induce a bit of wanderlust!

I certainly have never been to Mustique but I know that it is a favorite destination of those who have lots of money and like a bit of privacy. One of its frequent guests was Princess Margaret. So, since I may never be there (it is a private island), I very much enjoyed my virtual visit over the course of this novel.

This novel is set in the 1970s and it shows the glamour and the darker side of life on this playground. Readers follow socialite Willy Mae who builds a house not far from Princess Margaret’s hideaway. Willy gets involved in the social scene.

Readers also get to know Willy Mae’s two daughters. One is a model and the other a musician. It feels like they should fit in perfectly. But…life on the island is complicated. Read this engrossing novel to learn why.

Recommended for those who enjoy their fiction mixed with historical characters in a wealthy setting. It is a beach read kind of book, only better.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Mustique is a private island in the St. Vincent archipelago that became a playground of the rich and famous in the 1970s, with Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger regular visitors. In McCoy’s novel – inspired by real events and people, and featuring cameos from the aforementioned celebrities as well as the island’s owners at the time, the baron Colin Tennant and his wife, Lady Anne Glenconner (who, I was amused to spot at the library the other day, has written her own fictional tribute to the island, Murder on Mustique) – Willy May, a Texan with a small fortune at her disposal thanks to her divorce from an English brewing magnate, sails in on a private boat and decides to build her own villa on Mustique. She’s uncomfortable with the way locals, who only have service jobs, are sometimes paraded out for colonial displays of pomp. Her two young adult daughters, Hilly and Joanne, later join her. The one has been a model in Paris, where she became addicted to amphetamines.

Love is on the cards for all three main female characters, but there’s heartache along the way as well. Closer to women’s fiction than I generally choose, this was a frothy indulgence that was fun to read but could be shorter and needn’t have tried so hard to make serious points about motherhood and to evoke the time period, e.g., with a list of what’s on the radio.

I read this entire book for a blog tour but found it was not to my taste. The most I could've given it was 3.5 stars. I felt everyone seemed to fall in love too fast and it wasn't realistic. I did do a spotlight and giveaway on Instagram.

Another enjoyable read by talented author Sarah McCoy. Her writing ranges widely in topics and always delivers.

Willy May left Texas after marrying a wealthy British man and lived her life in England. She raised two daughters, but her world came crashing to an end when she discovered that her husband had been cheating on her. After a messy divorce, Willy May used her settlement to build a ship and sale around the world. She soon finds herself on the mysterious island of Mustique in the Caribbean. It has a motley crew of residents that include Princess Margaret and visits from Mick Jagger. Colin Tennent, the owner, convinces Willy May to build a home on the island and stay. After her daughters Hilly and Joanne arrive on the island, the women learn how to be a family again and how to move forward with their lives.

I enjoyed everything about this novel. I loved the glamour and the intrigue. I love the tropical setting. I also loved the 1970’s time period. What I liked most of all is that the overall theme of the book was the importance of family. It was a great coming of age story for Willy May and her two daughters. I thought it was great that they all were able to all move forward to futures that were perfect for them. I also love the royal family and loved that it was a haven for Princess Margaret to escape from her life and press.

Overall, Mustique Island is a unique historical fiction novel set on a Caribbean Island in the 1970’s that features family, celebrity, and love.

Book Source: A Review Copy William Morrow and Netgalley. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Princess Margaret! Mick and Bianca Jagger! The exotic locale of Mustique! All of these elements first drew me to this story set in the 1970's. Even the cover is very evocative of the sun-drenched and beautiful island. The book however is more focused on the family drama between Willy May Michael and her two daughters Hilly and Joanne.

The book is divided into the different points of view of the three main characters. Willy May is a former beauty queen from Texas who has found herself divorced from her wealthy and titled British husband. I imagined Jerry Hall as Willy May although the author stated in her notes that Willy May is loosely based on another real-life person from the 197o's. Willy May ends up on the island of Mustique which is in the very early stages of becoming the lush playground for the jet set.

I especially loved the chapters on Hilly and Joanne. The story is very well-written, and readers of a certain age will enjoy reading about fictionalized versions of Princess Margaret and other glamourous characters of that era. While perhaps not my favorite book of the summer, this story will absolutely appeal to anyone who loves family sagas and historical fiction, especially those set in the time frame of the 1970's.

(Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mustique Island is an actual private island nestled in the Caribbean. I had no idea it was an actual place until I read the author’s note at the end of the book. I would suggest reading that first as it might offer you a different experience to the novel which is based on real residents and guests of the island. “Mustique” comes from the French word for mosquito and unfortunately, the mosquitos are quite prevalent on the island even contributing to the spread of fever among the residents and guests.

Willy May Michael left England in her boat, Otera, and ended up docking on the shore of Mustique Island just for a respite. After a divorce and then the death of her ex-husband she needed an escape and some time to herself away from the gossip. Her two adult daughters, Hilly and Joanne, were off on their own…Hilly’s modeling career and Joanne in college. But, she immediately falls in love with the community, the eccentricity, and the beauty of Mustique and decides to build her own home, Firefly, on the island.

"But that’s the thing with love, it wasn’t a concrete material. It needed room to grow. Cemented in place it died."

It’s 1972 (actually the year I was born) and Willy May is ready for a fresh start. The book begins with Willy May’s story and then moves on to Hilly’s and then Joanne’s. McCoy’s novel is a mother/daughter story of loving and letting go as well as a story of two sisters who even though apart as adults are connected by a bond stronger than steel.

“Whatever it is, make up. You’re sisters first.”

Joanne regretted saying what she had to Hilly, even if she believed it. You couldn’t take back words and some, even true ones, were better left unspoken.

McCoy places the reader in the middle of fanciful parties, nights lit up by fireflies, and extravagant meals fit for a princess. Yes, an actual princess. Princess Margaret makes several appearances on the island as well as the Jaggers and Gourmet magazine. The costumes, the gossip, and the flamboyance at these parties were a delight to read. There is a point early on in the novel when Willy May steps into the sea and the description of that experience was such a visceral one that made me yearn for the ocean.

The novel gave me a bit of a Great Gatsbyesque feel at first with Colin’s character reminding me a bit of Daisy. But, the story was so much more…full of romance and heartbreak as well as tears of joy and tears of sorrow. I became immensely invested in the lives of the three Michael women and the ending left me quite satisfied.

“Home is never really a place,” said Titus. “It’s something you make inside yourself. I may not be where you are, but I am there.”

The pacing of the story was perfect and even though sections focused mostly on one character, the story still moved along without any back and forth or repetitive scenes. I appreciated McCoy’s attention to the characters as they changed and developed throughout the story. I didn’t like Hilly very much when I first met her but I grew to love her as the novel made me understand her.

"Nothing in life was one or the other. Not really. Everything was both. It depended on how you looked at it. That was the choice."

As I sit pondering this novel, I am realizing even more how much I loved it. It transported me back in time to an era that I have fond memories of growing up. It took me to a place that is magical and yet very real and vividly imprinted on my mind. Finally, it reminded me that family means everything and as a mom, it can be difficult to give our kids wings while hoping that they will return and be the kind of adults you always dreamed they would be.

I first learned about Sarah McCoy in one of the stories she contributed to GRAND CENTRAL: Original Stories of Post War Love and Reunion back in the summer of 2014. I am thankful to have read more of her work and look forward to reading more in the future.

𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨!

Never judge a book by it’s cover, but in this case you can do it, not only it’s gorgeous on the outside, it is inside too. Loved the setting, loved the characters, loved the history, loved the family drama. A great summer read.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and William Morrow for this tour invite.

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 by Sarah McCoy released May 10, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

I reviewed this book on GoodReads, The Storygraph, in Instagram stories, and on Edelwiess+. My GoodReads link is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4751679961

TITLE: Mustique Island
AUTHOR: Sarah McCoy
PUB DATE: 05.10.2022 Now Available

Glorious
Glamorous
Gutwrenching

McCoy certainly transported me to the lives of the uber wealthy and the gorgeous Mustique Island, in this decadently written historical fiction set in the early 1970’s, where royalty and rockstars escape the public eye.

The story is focused on Willy May and her two daughters, Hilly and Joanne - these women are incredibly resilient and their stories and distinct voices is masterfully crafted by McCoy. In a few sittings, I was devoting this novel and honestly I could have read another 100 plus more pages. I just loved the setting, the characters, and all the intrigue. In the core of this luxurious façade is a story about mothers and daughters, family, love, loyalty, and resilience.

The writing was easy to get lost in, immersive, rich in historical detail, and had just the right pacing and the plot moved quickly. This is the perfect escape read to take on vacation, read by the beach or pool, or if you just enjoy stories that are well written with character depth and heart.

Loved this!

Dnf’d I wanted to love it but it sadly just wasn’t for me. I found it to be a bit boring and lacking in areas.

Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy is like a mini-vacation for your mind. You get to sit and relax while reading about a gorgeous location full of royals, the wealthy, and parties. You might even possibly feel the bite of a mosquito for which the island is named. Willy May moves to the island and builds a house hoping her daughters who have become slightly estranged will visit her. However, Willy May and her family soon discover the island has secrets that can change their lives. Read and enjoy!

Prepare to be swept away to the private and exotic Mustique Island in the Caribbean. The story is set in the 70’s, however, the warmth and depth of the writing and storyline this could have been written in multiple eras.
A mother’s love will always remain, no matter the circumstances or the age and differences of their children.
Tender, tenacious and filled with vivid imagery, this is a must read to take you away this summer.

Thank you to @williammorrowbooks and @netgalley for the gifted copy.

There are so many books lately about the world of the wealthy and elite. They can be hit or miss for me, but this one was a hit!

I enjoyed that while the rich, opulent feel was everywhere, it wasn’t always celebrated. The story offered a view of the problems that can arise, and I enjoyed that. The women in this story are the highlight. There are strong personalities that really stand out and watching the changes that the women take on was wonderful.

This is a story that will sweep you away. The writing is easy, flowing in a way that makes you forget you are reading. Make sure to find a place with some sunshine, get comfy, and soak in the story of Mustique Island!

Willy May is searching for a place to escape. She has had her fill of marital scandals and failed relationships. Once she encounters Mustique Island, she knows this is the place for her. She decides to put down roots and build a new home. She hopes this will encourage her daughters to visit and to build a strong mother-daughter relationship.

Ok first off, this book was prefaced too me as being like Jessica Anya Blau…ugh…NO! Not even close. This book really had no plot. Took forever for anything to happen. And yes…I know I am in the minority. It has some really good reviews. Now, I did enjoy the escape. It is a great escape read. I enjoyed learning about the island and I could just picture the landscape and the ocean. But, nothing really happened in this book until near the end.

The name dropping made the book for me. I especially enjoyed reading about Princess Margaret. She was a partier first class!

Need a good escape read…this is it! Grab your copy today!

Review will be posted on 5/12/22
It's 1972 and Willy May Michael is a wealthy divorced woman with the desire to start over, for not only her, but her two grown daughters. She has her sights set on the Caribbean island of Mustique. We aren't talking some boring tropical hideout. This is Mustique - it's exclusive, wealthy, beautiful, lavish, and did I mention private? Some of its residents include Princess Margaret (yes, Queen Elizabeth's rebel sister) and the Jaggers to name a few. The owner of the island is Colin Tennant, a British aristocrat, who desires to turn Mustique from a mosquito infested island full of fishermen to a hideaway for rich people, especially Princess Margaret. He hopes it will become a place where she can truly unwind without being in the spotlight and the residents will be her "court." Willy May, an American, starts building Firefly, a beautiful home on Mustique, but she wants to find some peace here and isn't necessarily interested in socializing constantly. Her focus is on her two daughters: Hilly and Joanne. Both daughters are dealing with their own issues and when they arrive at Mustique, they will find things aren't always one big vacation on the island. There's aristocrats to deal with, never ending dinner parties, rock stars (no, really...Mick Jagger!), problems that won't go away no matter how far you travel, and temptation that will test them. Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy is a great escape to the lifestyles of the rich and famous in the 1970s, but it's also a tender story about the importance of family.

Willy May is a character I was really interested in right off the bat mostly because she isn't exactly the type of person I'd expect to be building a house on Mustique. She comes from Texas, is a bit rough around the edges, and is a former beauty queen. Need I say more? Not exactly the type of person to be rubbing elbows with Princess Margaret. Nonetheless, I appreciated her desire to start over and to reconnect with her daughters. Things get challenging though as one could imagine when you share an island with British aristocrats, Princess Margaret, and others who don't always have a person's best interest in mind. Also, without the media on the island, these wealthy party-goers have free reign. Even though this book seems like a frothy beach read with a to-die-for setting, it is also about Willy's relationship with her daughters. The narration is split amongst them, so readers get to know each woman pretty well in Mustique Island.

Hilly is a bit of a tortured soul in Mustique Island. She is a model in the 70s, so you can imagine what that entails. When she comes to Mustique to see her mother, she desperately needs some TLC. At first it took me awhile to warm up to her as I didn't always agree with her decisions, but once the story progressed, I found myself cheering for her as it's her story arc that develops the most and Hilly really comes into her own. Joanne is the opposite of Hilly and a more stable character overall. However, she also has to deal with difficult choices in Mustique Island and desperately wants to follow her heart. These three women are the very core of the story.

What I enjoyed the most about Mustique Island was McCoy's ability to transport me there. The private island, the white sand beaches, warm breezes, cold drinks, the crashing waves, clifftop villas, and even the wandering mosquitoes all were so vividly done. I felt like I was there and once I finished the book, I was pining for a trip to the Caribbean. While I didn't connect with Mustique Island as much as Marilla of Green Gables and the novel had a slow start, it was still an excellent escape with a ton of atmosphere, and a great book to throw in your beach bag this summer.

Pubday Book Review……Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy

It’s January 1972 but the sun is white hot when Willy May Michael’s boat first kisses the dock of Mustique Island. Tucked into the southernmost curve of the Caribbean, Mustique is a private island that has become a haven for the wealthy and privileged. Its owner is the eccentric British playboy Colin Tennant, who is determined to turn this speck of white sand into a luxurious neo-colonial retreat for his rich friends and into a royal court in exile for the Queen’s rebellious sister, Princess Margaret one where Her Royal Highness can skinny dip, party, and entertain lovers away from the public eye.

Willy May, a former beauty queen from Texas who is also no stranger to marital scandals seeks out Mustique for its peaceful isolation. Determined to rebuild her life and her relationships with her two daughters, When Willy May’s daughters arrive, they discover that beneath its veneer of decadence, Mustique has a dark side, and like sand caught in the undertow, their mother-daughter story will shift and resettle in ways they never could have imagined.

I loved every minute of this fabulous adventure with Queen Margaret and Willy May! It took me a couple of chapters for me to get really into the story but once I started I couldn't put it down! I couldn't wait to see what would happen next with Willy May, Hilly and Joanne. The descriptions are so vivid there were times I felt the hot sun on my face and the white sand between my toes! A beautifully written novel and an absolutely fantastic read!

Thank you Wunderkind PR, Sarah McCoy and William Morrow for sharing this absolutely amazing story!

Fabulous book! Check out my review here: https://www.lonestarliterary.com/content/lone-star-review-mustique-island

I love finding historical fiction stories set in the 1970s, so when I heard about MUSTIQUE ISLAND I knew I wanted to check this book out. I was expecting a story that focused on the glamor of life on Mustique and while this book does that, it also has so much more to offer. I loved the complexities of Willy May’s life and those of her daughters. The way McCoy weaves everything together brings a fantastic emotional quality to this book that truly bonds the reader with the characters. MUSTIQUE ISLAND is a perfect read to transport the reader to a different time and place. Definitely add this one to your stack for summer reading!