This is my first book by Rachel Sweasey. I had a look at other books she has written, It was interesting to see the debut book The Last Boat Home, although not a series from the blurb they are connected as the characters do cross. I thought the descriptions of Poole and Australia are beautifully and well written. I found it fascinating the part the Dorset Coast played during WW2. You do need to pay attention to the dates at the beginning of the chapters. It was a little slow to begin with and a little repetitive in places. The Island Girls is a standalone book with a fascinating story of courage, love and loss. 3 ½ stars

I would like to thank the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.

#TheIslandGirls #NetGalley

This was a beautiful read. The book jumps between the Second World War and the present day taking in fleeing refugees crossing the sea from the Netherlands as well as Rebekah living a life on her island. The romance is bittersweet, with abuse in a marriage as well as deep and painful loss. Peggy has to choose between the man she loves and doing what her country asks of her in the war. There is no good outcome until Rebekah sees a photo and starts to look at what has happened to her favourite aunt. The life of those who make a living from the water is well described and the damp can almost be felt as you read the book. The book is sad., almost shed a tear sad but it is that which makes it so lovely.

A slow start to this book that is written in a dual time line and set in Australia and Brownsea Island UK now and then . Excellent descriptions and good characters

The Island Girls by Rachel Sweasey is a dual-timeline novel set in 1941 and 1998. It follows Peggy Symonds during WWII, who works in Poole, England, assisting with wartime efforts while being asked to uncover a German spy, putting her love and loyalty to the test.

In 1998, Rebekah Martins, a wildlife ranger on Brownsea Island, teams up with historian Paul to investigate a lost letter from WWII, hoping to uncover its mystery.

The story combines love, sacrifice, history, and mystery, with vivid settings and well-developed characters, making it a compelling read for fans of historical fiction.

There were parts of the book that were enjoyable and parts that did not flow as well. It was an easy read but I felt elements were lacking at times and there was too much that didn't fit the story.

The story is told in different timelines, during the Second World War and in 1998.
1941, Poole, Dorset, Peggy Symonds works for British Overseas Airways Corporation BOAC working alongside the flying boats when one day she is asked to undertake a special mission which will change the path of her life.

1998 on Brownlea Island, Rebekah Martin has a job she loves with wildlife which is mainly thanks to Peggy who was her neighbour. Rebekah loves guiding people on the island and starts to get close to historian Paul who has come from London to gather information. It is during a search that they uncover a letter written by Peggy, will they be able to put it into the hands of the rightful recipient?

I enjoyed all the war details, Holland, and Britain. Found the details about BOAC fascinating. I found it hard to relate to the present day story to begin with, but as it wore on I felt it more.

This dual-timeline novel brings two women together, Peggy in 1941 and Rebekah in 1998, whose lives are linked by wartime secrets. In 1941, Peggy is a brave fisherman's daughter who joins the RAF and must make a heartbreaking decision between duty and happiness. In 1998, while working on Brownsea Island, Rebekah discovers a hidden wartime letter, and her search for the truth leads to unexpected discoveries.

The story expertly blends history and mystery, with both timelines providing captivating and emotional journeys. Peggy's courage and Rebekah's determination are inspiring, making this a moving and captivating read.

What a smashing read!

During the war, Poole in Dorset had a lot going on; women were stepping up and taking over previously male-dominated jobs and refugees from other countries were arriving in the hope of being accepted into Britain. In 1998 Rebekah, an Australian, is working on Brownsea Island in Poole, a place she had dreamed of being after hearing all the wartime tales from her neighbour as she was growing up. This is the story of both times . . .

I do enjoy a domestic wartime tale and I have to say that this one has told me so much about things I have never come across previously. This is a thrilling tale - in more ways than one - and a thoroughly enjoyable read which I recommend and give 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

This book started off very strong with a huge description of a WWII devastation that ripped a family apart and forced many to flee to a small island off the coast of England. As it went on, a story began to develop from multiple POVs — a refugee, an island resident and a newcomer years later.

I very much enjoyed the food descriptions and details of fisherman’s life on the island. All in all, another WWII perspective I had not discovered! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read!

I am a big fan of dual timelines/ characters so this suited me.
A really great book that I read when I should have been doing other things!
Peggy, Rebekah and a long lost letter. A historical novel with a bit of mystery.
Great depth to characters, and a story that keeps you gripped.

DO NOT START THIS UNTIL YOU CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!!… I absolutely LOVED… Perfect read to lift your spirits and keep you hooked… Will keep you up late at night

Learn from my mistake. Pay attention to the chapter title. The dates matter a lot in this story. Parts of the story take place in three different time periods. After realizing my mistake I went back and started at the beginning. The dates definitely made a difference and helped immensely with the flow.

The story begins during World War Two. A small island that becomes a refuge for citizens from Holland fleeing the Germans. The island has a lot going on with flying boats in the harbor that could not dock. Peggy is part of the BOAC, taking a boat out to the flying boats to complete the trip. Peggy's story is riddled with drama and secrets as the reader learns about living on the island during the war.

After the war, Peggy moves ot Austraila, taking her secrets with her. She shares stories of the island with her neighbor, Rebekah, but never telling her the whole truth. Peggy's stories of the island influenced Rebekah to go to the island when she is older. She thought she knew everything about Peggy. It could not have been further from the truth.

Rebekah becomes the Ranger on the island. She soon finds herself helping Paul, a historian, to collect information about the island's past. Waiting to see what they discovered made for a suspenseful read. Rebekah discovers a part of Peggy's past that she never knew existed. Peggy's story is filled with suspense, romance and espionage. Rebekah's joy over her discoveries and her relationship with Paul left me with a big smile.

I have not read a lot of books like this one. It was a story of two different times and places woven together because of beautiful places. The writer weaves a tale of two women, their trials in life and the joys. I loved seeing in my mind the locations and how they were part of the story both during the 2nd world war, and in the late 1990's. I enjoyed the story and didn't want to stop reading. I recommend this book as a fun read, with an amazing story that I could see vividly in my mind.

A brilliant read.. Moved back and forward between the Second World War and present day( well the end of the 2o th century ) . It was set in Dorset and a tiny bit in Australia. It was a gripping read . I loved learning about the flying boats and being a spy. You had two love story’s. I loved how it all connected. A lot of research had gone into it. Sad at times . One of my books of 2024. You thought about it when you were not reading it.

I don't like historical books, but i LOVED this!!
The Island Girls by Rachel Sweasey is a captivating dual-timeline novel that masterfully blends historical fiction with a modern-day mystery, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Dorset coast. Sweasey’s ability to transport readers between two distinct eras—World War II and the late 1990s—is seamless, and the novel’s exploration of love, sacrifice, and resilience makes it a poignant and emotional read.

In 1941, we meet Peggy, a fisherman’s daughter whose life is forever altered by the war. Her story is one of courage, as she volunteers to assist the RAF flying boats in Poole Harbour, but it is also one of deep internal conflict. Peggy’s mission during the war forces her to choose between her love for a man and her duty to her country, a choice that brings a sense of heartache and weight to the narrative. Sweasey beautifully captures the emotional toll of war, not just in the physical sense but in the way it transforms relationships and forces people into decisions they never imagined making.

On the other side of the timeline, in 1998, we follow Rebekah, who has traveled to Brownsea Island to start a new chapter in her life. Her discovery of a long-lost letter from the war sets her on a quest to uncover the secrets of the past, leading her to unexpected truths that change the course of her own life. The parallels between Peggy’s and Rebekah’s journeys are striking, and Sweasey deftly explores how the echoes of the past can shape the present. Rebekah’s search for the truth is filled with both the excitement of discovery and the weight of the stories she unearths.

What makes The Island Girls truly stand out is the depth of its characters. Both Peggy and Rebekah are richly drawn, with their strengths and vulnerabilities laid bare. The emotional arcs of both women are beautifully intertwined, and as the story progresses, the reader becomes fully invested in their outcomes. Sweasey’s portrayal of love—whether it be the enduring love between families, the passion of young romance, or the sacrifices made in the name of love during wartime—feels deeply authentic.

The setting of Brownsea Island and the Dorset coast adds another layer of beauty to the novel. Sweasey’s descriptions of the island’s natural wonders, alongside the lingering scars of war, create a vivid and atmospheric backdrop for the story’s unfolding mysteries. The island becomes a character in its own right, harboring the secrets of the past and playing a crucial role in Rebekah’s emotional journey.

For readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of mystery and romance, The Island Girls is a perfect blend of the two. It’s a moving, emotional story that captures the courage of women during the war and the lasting impact of their sacrifices. Sweasey’s writing is heartfelt, and the dual timelines are expertly woven together, resulting in a novel that resonates long after the final page is turned.

The Island Girls by Rachel Sweasey goes between 1998/9 and the Second World War. In 1998 Rebekah works as a ranger on Brownsea Island and spends most of her life travelling between there and Poole Harbour until she meets Paul. Her neighbour in Australia inspired her to move to this place where Peggy had spent her time during WW2 working on boats and seaplanes. However life for Peggy is not as it seems which is something that Rebekah discovers all those years later. Thanks to Rachel and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

A slow start to this book but it eventually got better. A good storyline that made a good read.
Thankyyou for the opportunity to read this

this is a dual timeline set in 1941 and 1998, In 1998 Rebekah and Paul find a 50-year-old letter that was never delivered. they deliver it to Peggy. It changes everyone's life.

A very enjoyable read. This is a dual timeline book but it’s not the typical, overly hint-hint-wink-wink style that I’ve grown weary of. The “mystery” is actually somewhat secondary to the life stories of the two main characters & the introduction of it isn’t until quite a way through. It didn’t feel forced like this type of narrative often can: I learnt quite a bit about the BOAC & if you love nature I imagine those passages will be quite interesting (though I admit to skimming them myself). Overall an enjoyable read & I’ve already checked for other titles by this author - so that says it all!

After reading the opening, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, nothing happened in the first half of the story and I very nearly gave up on it. The second half was much better and far more interesting with there being mystery and intrigue, but it wasn’t enough to save this book. I did however love the setting of Brownsea Island and would love to visit this unique place one day.