The Islanders

Author: Meg Mitchell Moore

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Release Date: June 11, 2019

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The absolute best quick, fun summer read I have enjoyed in some time. Readers will not be disappointed by what is found within these pages.

 Anthony Puckett’s world changes after his debut novel spends two years atop the best sellers list. Before he can release his second book, something goes terribly wrong and he finds himself borrowing a beach house on Block Island from a friend to try and get his life back on track. Joy Sousa has founded a successful bakery on the same island with her daughter after her divorce over a decade ago. When a new food truck comes to the island taking business away from Joy, she must figure out a way to get her life and business back on track before she loses everything. Lu Trusdale reluctantly agrees to spend the summer with her two boys on the island at the request of her in-laws. Her husband goes back and forth to the mainland to work at the hospital leaving her to tend to the kids alone most of the time. At first, she was fine staying home with the kids, but as the years progressed she found herself missing something deep down and started to work on a secret project making her question if she made the right decision. During the summer, these three strangers will find their lives intertwined and must decide which road they need to take to secure the future they want most.

 I must admit when I started this book I wasn’t very sure I was going to like it. For some reason I just wasn’t feeling it on the first few pages; however, that changed very quickly. By about the third or fourth chapter I was hooked and flying through. I read this in two quick days. I enjoyed the fast pace, the way the stories between the characters intertwined, and the way it all wrapped up in the end. With multiple viewpoints tied to a back and forth perspective, readers get a much more thorough picture of what is happening in these characters lives. The Anthony story line was probably my favorite, I especially liked the little twist toward the end with his parents. (No spoilers but it is a good one).  The characters are all written so well, I cheered for them and I found myself frowning and getting angry with them at all the right moments. I can’t say much that I didn’t enjoy, there is some harsh language but not a ton which would be more suitable for the mature audience which it is written. This is the perfect read for anyone wanting a fun, summer beach read with a little bit of extra drama to spice things up.

 I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.