I am a Lucy Diamond fan and her latest book is just wonderful.

She writes so well that I almost feel that I am on the island with the characters, soaking up the sights and the sun.

the only thing I found a little hard with this one is I felt that there were maybe a few too many "leading" characters, but it still would make a great holiday read.

I loved the title of this book and hoped it would as good as it sounded. In fact, it was amazing. A lovely, cosy read for those spring evenings.

Wonderful as always by Lucy Diamond. Full of characters you get to know and huge heart.
I love picking up a new book by Lucy Diamond because I know I’ll be in safe hands.
Couldn’t put it down and would absolutely recommend

The Island Getaway is a lighthearted read about lost love, self-discovery, and second chances. Lucy crafts relatable characters, each with their own unique struggles and vulnerabilities. I adored Evelyn’s character in particular, I could have read a whole book just about her life!

Having visited Kefalonia a few years ago, I was instantly drawn in by the premise of this book. It was lovely to read about places I’d visited on the island, and made me feel as if I was right there. The perfect slice of escapism during the long winter months!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I really did love this and the writing style of the book was so easy to read, that I instantly became drawn into the story and was transported to the beautiful island of Kefalonia. The multiple perspectives and dual timelines, was a good way of telling the story and learning about the characters and kept me turning the pages.
I loved the characters in the book and found them all so diverse, each going through different things and experiences and these important topics were written and handled so beautifully. I really connected with each of them (I loved Evelyn 🥹) and liked reading how their characters progressed and the way in which they all connected and came together was really good.
The ending of the book was very deep and emotional, but this was written so well. I liked how things turned out for each of them and found it fitting for the story.
The setting of the book was just beautiful, I could imagine myself on the beach, or by the pool enjoying one of the many beautiful cocktails that were mentioned and the hotel sounded like a dream.

An enjoyable read, perfect for summer or a holiday escape! I loved the mix of characters, each with their own stories and challenges, and the friendships made it even more special. Definitely one to add to your reading list!

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC

Another feelgood and dreamy book from Lucy Diamond. I loved the tropical Greek setting. The characters were spunky and lovely. They grew and learned to overcome their problems and find love. It was sweet story with great characters, love and friendship.

Lucy Diamond is an author whom I have been aware of for many years as a writer of great escapism novels. A genre I do read, but not so often, I have to admit this is the first of her books I have read and it is her twentieth.

Set in the fictitious hotel ‘The Ionian Escape’ on the real Greek islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca. The protagonists are the mixed group of latest arrivals at the hotel, who are all looking for reasons to escape from the outside world for awhile and enjoy some peace and quiet. Of course it is not that simple and the characters and their stories are ones that will find the reader either annoyed or routing for them. As the stories evolve the protagonists all learn the importance of friendship and second chances.

This novel certainly put me in a holiday mood and transported me, (if only), to the Greek islands. Great escapism, perfect for reading on a grey winters day or for that beach read on your next holiday.

With thanks to NetGalley, Quercus and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

To have a book set in the sunshine certainly lightens the long winter. I would love an island escape so this is the next best thing.

The Ionian escape is a hotel where people go to escape. Filled with interesting people from actress Miranda, celebrity chef Frank Neale escaping the newspapers and trying to sort out their lives. Evelyn who has come to fulfil a wish. From the staff to the residents there is love, sadness and realisations.

Lucy Diamond weaves all the different lives together so cleverly and has written a page turner

I really enjoyed this book set on the beautiful island of Kefalonia. It definitely had Maeve Binchey vibes - one of my favourite authors - where we had insights to all of the different characters. The characters ranged from a disgraced soap star to the wife of a celebrity chef to the hotel staff and how they experience a summer at the lovely hotel they share together. The book dealt brilliantly with complex emotions of grief and longing, domestic abuse and unfaithfulness, along with some fun descriptions of friendships forged in the Greek sunshine.
Would definitely recommend - pack it in your beach bag along with your sunglasses and lipgloss! Many thanks to the publishers and NEtgalley for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t quite get into this book but I persisted. There are a lot of characters so takes time to get to know them. Thanks to Lucy and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Absolutely loved this new offering from Lucy Diamond! The setting descriptions were glorious and really took me away from cold, rainy January. All of the characters were well written and made me need to know more about their stories. A perfect piece of escapism.

I couldn’t get away with this book, there were so many characters in one go and it was difficult to remember who was who, I skipped a lot and just read the final chapter, sorry it was a bit disappointing

I really enjoyed this book - it would make a perfect beach read!
I loved the mix of different characters, how they all had their own stories and problems, and I love the friendships.
Definitely one to read!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Engaging multiple story book, easy to follow. Beautifully written with interesting characters and a lovely setting in Greece. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Thank you so much for letting me have the pleasure to enjoy this vook early!

Oh, what a fantastic heartwarming story.
Being brave is the biggest message i got from this story.
I always finish a lucy diamond book with such a big smile on my face!

Thank you to Quercus Books for the opportunity to read a digital proof copy of Lucy Diamond’s new book, The Island Getaway. Lucy is one of my go to authors and you can read my last review here: https://mentoringmumof2bookreviews.home.blog/2024/02/01/i-remember-paris-by-lucy-diamond/ The book is published today.

I enjoyed my virtual visit to the Greek island of Kefalonia. It has been a cold and stormy January in Wiltshire so a story written by Lucy, set in a sunny holiday resort brightened up my week.

The book features female characters who find themselves reassessing their life choices. My favourite characters were Evelyn and Claudia. Evelyn was my grandmother’s name but this Evelyn has lived a very different life. I loved her sense of humour and how she bonded with the other characters, despite a large age gap. Claudia is a member of the hotel team rather than a visitor but is recovering from the trauma of leaving a toxic relationship.

The book looks at how we may make mistakes, but we can learn from them and move forwards.

The Ionian Escape hotel on the island of Kefalonia is welcoming the new arrivals . Some are there for a holiday but some are escaping from trials and tribulations back home.
Miranda has fallen out with her best friend and her sister and her life has been spread all over the tabloids.
Evelyn is dying but hoping to carry out her partners last wishes.
Leonora is there with her husband who has just been exposed in the papers but she is also returning to somewhere where she met the love of her life.
Will they find happiness and fulfilment on the island and how many other lives will they touch?

I just adore Lucy Diamond books. Her storytelling is magical and uplifting and gives me such a happy feeling.

The Island Getaway takes us to beautiful Kefalonia, and introduces us to a diverse cast of characters, each floundering in one way or another.

Nelly was once fearless and independent but as she finds out the truth about her husband Frank, she realises she's allowed him to subsume her life. And being back in a place where she was once blissfully happy, albeit briefly, she begins to search for a lost love.

Evelyn has come to the island to scatter the remaining ashes of her true love, Rose. An unlikely friendship develops between her and Miranda, a disgraced soap star also staying at the hotel.

Claudia, office manager fled to Kefalonia to escape an abusive marriage. But she finally feels ready to open her heart again, if she can find the courage to tell her boss how she feels.

Wonderfully warm and uplifting, The Island Getaway reminds us that life is short, and we must hold on to the moments of joy that come our way. It also encourages us to go for what we want and to run towards adventure.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I really enjoyed this story, it had a few storylines, which were easy to follow. The setting was a hotel on an island in Greece.

There are different reasons why guests staying are there, hiding from a scandal, someone is there for a personal reason and the staff have their own stories.

It was well written, the story kept you engrossed.

I highly recommend this book.