Member Reviews

This book really drew me in. It's not my typical read but sounded good and the cover is so pretty. I was back and forth with Sonny's character. I felt bad for her and can see how someone can get in that situation and it just become what it is. But good grief, I got so annoyed with her sticking around and letting it happen. Really upset me. Maybe I related too much with her and sort of felt her pain. Though I've never lived in such a bad situation. And I was also upset about her mom and sister. I felt like Sonny was in early 20s because of how she acted. She wasn't one of my favorite characters.

I loved learning about Hudson. He seems so much older than Sonny. The two are opposites. She learns a lot by watching him and being around him. The whole history about the indigo was so amazing. I wanted to live there. It's not too far from me.

The narrator is so good. At first I wasn't sure about the southern accent. Being born and raised here in the south, I have a very heavy accent. Wish I didn't. But it's easy to tell if someone doesn't really talk like that but is trying. This narrator has it down pretty good. I loved it. It wasn't too overdone. Not sure that she doesn't really have that accent. Just listening to a nippet isn't enough to appreciate it. You will love the whole book.

I liked that it was a clean read and it had the perfect balance of Christianity in all the right places where it fit. Wasn't preachy or too strong. No miracle or God taking all the bad away instantly. But the person had to work for it and learn and help themselves out too. That's the only way to see and learn. But there was some great people sent her way for the support she needed. Loved the ending and even came to like the main character. The only thing I would change is , it's sort of too slow moving. While a lot is happening, most is same thing back and forth.

Thank you NetGalley and the author/publisher

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The vivid setting of Indigo Isle is ethereal with driftwood skeletons on the beach and trees decorated with strung seashells like whimsical wind chimes. I could feel the sand on my toes and the salty sea air blowing through my hair. My tastebuds were tweaked with the descriptions of all the southern delicacies (like warm cheese biscuits with homemade peach preserves). It also explained the interesting careers fields or indigo farming and film location scouting.

I really enjoyed the audio version of this novel as the narrator has a charming and engaging bubbly southern drawl. Her voice made the protagonist, Sonny, seem like someone I would want as a friend.

I will check out other books by this author because this women’s fiction flows fluidly with subtle undertones of Christian values. It is a redemption story of coming home and making amends, revealing our regrets, seeking and offering forgiveness, and reaching out to God.

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This book was a perfect start to the Summer months! I loved the slow build romance as well as the the emotional trauma all characters had to work through. I love TI Lowe writing style and the narrator did an amazing job bringing the story to life

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This is my first book by the author, and I will definitely be picking up more. I found myself fully transported to South Carolina, the coast, the mood. I enjoyed Sonny's strong personality, mixed with her confusion of how she viewed herself and the world in general. I found her personal growth to feel quite natural, and inspiring. Hudson is a really interesting character (modeled after the Beast) and I found this storyline to be interesting as well. I enjoyed seeing their friendship blossom and how their own personal growth were mirrors of one another. I do think there are some really difficult theme's discussed and that happen on page in Sonny's life, and it would be difficult for many to read. I found the side characters, like Vee, to add a lot to the storyline. As I listened to the audiobook, I found the narrator did a great job changing up the voices, though I did have to speed it up as for me the pacing of narration was a little slow. Overall, a great listen and read! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

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Looking for books to add to your summer TBR? Look no further than Indigo Isle which release June 6th!

I listened to this book on audio from Netgalley (thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity!) and cannot wait to get my physical copy Tuesday at the release party because I will be rereading and annotating this summer!

Sunny, from Georgetown, ran away young and went west with big dreams. Presently she's back on her native side of the country as a location manager for a production company looking to shoot a movie around the Charleston area, but she's carrying around alot mentally as well as an abusive past that's still her present.

While roaming around the lowcountry for places to film she happens upon an inhabited barrier island off the coast of Charleston known as Indigo Isle but she's been forewarned by some locals that there's a monster lurking on it.

She finds the exact opposite.

Hudson Renfrow has been a recluse contently growing his Indigo crop alone on his island every summer for the last decade upon returning to his native home after some life devastating events that left him permanently scarred and carrying the weight of his own grief and anger.

They end up spending much time together over the summer as Sunny attempts to break down Hudson's walls and get him to see how much enjoyment there still is in life while escaping her current entanglement and wrestling with the notion of trying to return home to those she hurt in the past.

This book is full of many self discovery moments for both the MC and the reader. Learning to work through regrets and past pains while showing grace and giving mercy and allowing yourself the latter as well.

It is a story of redemption, friendship, family and ever lasting love.

I enjoyed reading this book so much and it's always exciting when a book mentions places you've been, that you can picture, or your favorite foods and imagining the smell.

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Sonny is a Hollywood location scout who meets grumpy recluse, Hudson. It's a southern, summer love story with lots of drama on both ends. Be warned that it might be triggering for you if date rape is a subject you can't read about. The characters find healing separately and with each other. It's a beautifully written story and recommend it.
I was able to listen to the audio of this book and felt the narrators were great.

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I was a big fan of Lowe's previous book, Under the Magnolias, so I was eager to check this book out.

While I found the storyline easy-to-follow and the narrator likeable, I personally didn't love this book. I found the main character unlikable, found the author often included lots of unnecessary details, and felt she frequently made things fall into place too conveniently. I think this book will appeal to a lot of readers including those who enjoy Southern Fiction, Christian Fiction, and cute romances. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me access to the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

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When your heart swells in size, the tears flow freely, and the southern sass puts a smile on your face, you know you’ve encountered one of T. I. Lowe’s masterpieces.

Indigo Isle is a captivating, emotional, story set against the backdrop of the South Carolina coastal scene. Complete with southern charm, sass, and drawl, you will be drawn in from page one.

Sonny is good at what she does; she scouts the perfect location to bring the movie scenes to life. She’s also running.
Hudson is good at being the sole inhabitant of Indigo Isle and exporting his exquisite indigo. He’s also hiding.

Together, this mismatched pair find an unconventional friendship. Each having something to teach and each have something to learn. For example, they both learn the power of mercy and grace. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve and mercy is not giving us what we do deserve. Themes of redemption, forgiveness, and family, run deep.

I loved the dialogue and depth of truths communicated throughout this story. Each of the supporting characters: Lyrica, Arlene, V, momma, plus several others I won’t mention for the sake of your own reading discoveries, have so much wisdom and insight to offer. I love that none of the poignancy feels forced…it’s real truths learned in real moments in everyday life.

You do not want to miss this story. T. I. Lowe can write. Like seriously, write! She wields mastery over words coming together to bring a heartfelt story to life in a fresh and exciting way.

The narrator, Justis Bolding, perfectly captured the southern charm and sass of Sonny! I loved how she managed to bring all the characters to life as I listened on. I was soothed by her voice and found myself able to see the story in my mind.

I received a complimentary audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

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I love Lowe's Under the Magnolias so when someone in my book group said her next book was on Netgalley I had to go grab the audio. This book is a wonderful blend of women's fiction, romance and family drama. It did start to drag out in the middle, but picked up as the summer was coming to a close. This book had some great characters. My favorites were Hudson and V. Hudson was so mysterious and sweet with Sonny. Everyone woman needs a friend like V looking out for them. I thought the chapter towards the end that gave us so much detail about her family members was drug out. Later I did understand why this chapter was necessary, but a little less detail about all of the random family members would have been nice.

I do wish we had a little more information about why she left her family. It was so sweet to find out how her parents had been during her absence though.

The prologue was so sweet and a perfect cherry on top of this novel.

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Indigo Isle
T.Il Lowe
Sonny Bates ran away from her family and home in South Carolina the day of her graduation; while her family waited for her to get her high school diploma she ran away, stopping at home long enough to steal $4000. That was fifteen years ago. She attempted to contact her parents, but her oldest sister intercepted the phone call. She tried her hand at acting but quickly discovered she was much better behind the scenes as a location scout. She travels the world searching out the ideal location to shoot movie scenes. It is her responsibility to contract the locations, make sure the cast and crew have housing and book what help will be needed including catering and transportation. She enjoys her career and is well known in the industry. She rarely looks back at her past until her latest job brings her close to what used to be family and home.
While searching for the perfect location off the coast of Charleston she discovers beautiful, secluded Indigo Isle. The owner, Hudson Renfrow, is a reclusive and the locals know him as the Monster of Indigo Isle. Hudson was once a successful New York attorney, but grief leads him to reject the companionship of people. He prefers his own company and spends his days alone, fishing, reading, managing his fields of indigo and making indigo dye. He has no interest in allowing the film company access to his isle neither is he interested in Sonny’s intrusive company. When Hudson and Sonny are stranded together due to a hurricane, they forge a friendship. Sonny’s days are filled with stress but on Indigo Isle she finds peace in the solitude and the companionship of Hudson. Sonny sees beyond his gruff exterior; deep inside he is searching for mercy and love.
Both Sonny and Hudson need redemption can they find it.
This is a beautiful Christian novel based on the biblical story of the prodigal son. I loved Sonny from the beginning of this tale; I felt her pain. She thought she was beyond redemption, she thought she was unlovable. She had given up on God, but He had not given up on her. She wanted to return to her family but was unsure if they wanted her to return. Hudson has given up on himself; he believes he is unworthy of anyone’s love he is filled with self-loathing. This is a story of God’s healing love, of redemption and reconciliation, of forgiveness and mercy.

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Major TW for SA

This book just wasn’t for me. Sonny wasn’t very likable. She’s being sexually abused by her boss and that was just really hard to read, the lack of consent was very hard for me to read. At 40% there’s SA and I had to take a big break. I understand power imbalances in Hollywood are important to discuss so I have it a pass, but for me personally it was just a bit triggering. Sonny going through all of Hudson’s things and journals was also very cringey. Sonny keeps going out to the island despite him not wanting her to, and that’s supposed to be fine. If a man went to my home over and over especially after I had to call the police to make him leave the first time I would get a literal restraining order. It’s not ok just because she’s a woman. Despite all of that the romance and Sonny’s journey through the novel were still interesting. The romance was actually what I wanted from archers voice, Sonny actually had layers to her and trauma unlike that fmc. I think the plot to romance ratio was well done too. I think other people might love this just personally I didn’t love Sonny so I didn’t love this.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

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Sonny is a location scout for a movie production company and is in South Carolina for the production of the current movie. She happens onto Indigo Isle a private island and meets Hudson. Hudson is a recluse the locals call a "monster". He runs her off at first, but she continues to return and they get to know each other. They both have a lot of pain from the past that they can't seem to get over. Great story about turning your life around and making changes and forgiving yourself.

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This was another great read by Lowe. Sonny is a location scout for a movie production company and they are shooting a movie in South Carolina. She ventures out to Indigo Isle and discovers Hudson, a recluse who has isolated himself there. He sends her off but she keeps coming back to visit him. They both have a lot of things in their past that is holding them back and they learn to finally deal with them.

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Thank you Netgalley for granting me access to the audiobook.

I loved the author previous book and enjoyed it very much, so I was super excited for her new release.

I absolutely loved the story, the characters, the setting and the writing style. It was such a great book. The narrator did an amazing job.

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Fifteen years ago, Sonny Bates ran away from her South Carolina home to attempt stardom in Hollywood. Instead, she ends up being a location scout and manager. When she manages a project location near her hometown, she is unprepared to face the family she left behind. She also struggles with self loathing as her boss repeatedly takes advantage of and even sexually assaults her and she lacks the courage to stand up to him. Meanwhile, when scouting a filming location, she comes across an emotionally broken and physically scarred hermit who harvests indigo dye on his little island. The more "the monster of Indigo Isle" chases her off -- literally -- the more determined she is to connect with him.
I freaking love this book. Instantly a favorite. Only issue is there is a scene with marital activity. Not detailed, but as someone who is not married, I try hard to keep that stuff out of my head and I get frustrated by how hard it is to avoid, even in Christian fiction. Aside from that, Hudson is easy to swoon over. He's a damaged hero with scars and a secret past who slowly learns to let his guard down. Love the relationship he forms with Sonny. Sonny is hilarious and often says what we would all want to but would rarely have the guts to. Her friend V is super quirky and loveable. I love now she befriends the owner of the old motel she stays in as well. Cannot recommend this enough. I'm grateful for the audio #ARC from #NetGalley and cannot wait to own it!

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This is a beautiful story telling the journey of forgiveness. Although I thought this was slow to start, soon I was completely hook and engaged with this story and its characters. I love that this is loosely based/inspired by Beauty and the Beast as this did have a magical feel when listening to it. I loved the message of this and think it will be a big hit with a wide range of people.

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I was hesitant about this book at first. I'm always wary of books with religious themes because of my upbringing.

But this book was different. It didn't shove Christianity down my throat. Her religion was just another thing that the character wasn't doing right, or so she thought. And I think that is wonderfully done.

I relate to Sonny quite a bit. It saddens me to see how similar we are because it seems so simple to me that these things aren't her fault; she needs to stop blaming herself for these things. But, I suppose, that's what makes her feel so real.

The plot was gripping and riveting. I really wasn't sure how it would end, but I'm glad that it ended the way that it did.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. It was such a pleasure.

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I will admit I picked this book because the story looked interesting, it wasn’t until after I realized it was also a Christian book. Not against Christian books but I don’t like to be preached at and believe some of the real issues are overlooked while Jesus comes in and saves everyone.

This ended up being a good romantic story line with real issues where just saying a prayer didn’t save the day. I found myself hoping the best and cheering on the main character and her support system.

I also enjoyed learning about that area of South Carolina. The descriptions of the area made you feel like you were there with the characters.

Besides a few gentle lines of scripture and prayer that is the only religion I remember. It was nicely placed and not in your face.

Narrator was easy to listen to.

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Sonny left North Carolina behind and never looked back. Now fifteen years later her work as a location scout for Hollywood films has brought her back there. While scouting a location for a key scene in her latest project, she meets the reclusive owner of Indigo Isle, Hudson Renfrow, who has isolated himself because of his grief over the tragedies of his past. Hudson tries to brush off Sonny’s attempts to get to know him until a hurricane leaves them stranded together and he can no longer push her away. Indigo Isle is a story of redemption and a love that can heal the deepest of wounds.

I have recently read a few of T.I. Lowe’s books and loved them so I was excited to see that she had a new one coming out. I loved the small town coastal setting of this book and all of the quirky supporting characters. Sonny Bates is a lovable main character and I loved seeing her transformation as she faced her past and found her voice. Hudson seemed unlikeable at the start but I grew to love him as much as Sonny as I learned his story. The relationship that grows between them is beautiful and I loved how they helped each other work through their trauma and grief. Sonny and Hudson both experienced pain that so many people can relate to and identify with. Indigo Isle is a beautiful story about forgiveness and the transforming power of love.

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I was able to receive this audiobook early via NetGalley to provide feedback. All opinions are my own. This book covers many hard topics so well. The atmosphere set on Indio Isle matches the tumult of the characters' emotions and lives. I wanted to crawl inside this book and give both Sonny and Hudson hugs. Their almost enemies-friends-lovers romance is so sweet. The elements of scripture throughout fit perfectly, were not overdone, and tied the whole novel together by the end. I was tearful, yet laughing throughout this book as I listened. The audio narration was perfect. I highly recommend this novel in print or audiobook format.

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