The Islanders - Fiction Review

About The Islanders

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (June 11, 2019)

 "One of my own favorite writers." --Elin Hilderbrand

 J. Courtney Sullivan’s Maine meets the works of Elin Hilderbrand in this delicious summer read involving three strangers, one island, and a season packed with unexpected romance, well-meaning lies, and damaging secrets. Anthony Puckett was a rising literary star. The son of an uber-famous thriller writer, Anthony’s debut novel spent two years on the bestseller list and won the adoration of critics. But something went very wrong with his second work. Now Anthony’s borrowing an old college’s friend’s crumbling beach house on Block Island in the hopes that solitude will help him get back to the person he used to be. Joy Sousa owns and runs Block Island’s beloved whoopie pie café. She came to this quiet space eleven years ago, newly divorced and with a young daughter, and built a life for them here. To her customers and friends, Joy is a model of independence, hard-working and happy. And mostly she is. But this summer she’s thrown off balance. A food truck from a famous New York City brand is roving around the island, selling goodies—and threatening her business. Lu Trusdale is spending the summer on her in-laws’ dime, living on Block Island with her two young sons while her surgeon husband commutes to the mainland hospital. When Lu’s second son was born, she and her husband made a deal: he’d work and she’d quit her corporate law job to stay home with the boys. But a few years ago, Lu quietly began working on a private project that has becoming increasingly demanding on her time. Torn between her work and home, she’s beginning to question that deal she made. Over the twelve short weeks of summer, these three strangers will meet and grow close, will share secrets and bury lies. And as the promise of June turns into the chilly nights of August, the truth will come out, forcing each of them to decide what they value most, and what they are willing to give up to keep it.

My Thoughts:  This was a fast read - one of those "Oh whoops I just read 100 pages but only meant to read a chapter" kinds of reads.  There are 3 main characters and each chapter is from one of their perspectives but the voices and experiences are distinct enough that it was never hard to keep up with.    Each is kind of at a pivotal moment of their life.  Anthony's life has crashed down around him and he's having to figure out what to do next - or do anything at all.  Lou has a secret but is also trying to figure out how to be happy in a box she never really wanted to be in and Joy is struggling with her ex being back in the picture, her daughter leaping into full fledged teenagerhood and a challenge in her business.  While each character had attributes that annoyed me at times they all felt fully fleshed out and real.  I wanted the best for them even when I wanted them to take more action or speak up.  This is my first book by this author but I really enjoyed the world she created and the characters she brought to life.  I'm looking forward to reading more from her.  Rating: Good

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About Meg Mitchell Moore

Meg Mitchell Moore works as a non-fiction writer in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband and three young daughters. Find out more about Meg at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.