The Island Villa by Sarah Morgan
Publication Date: May 2nd 2023 by Canary Street Press
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★½
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads
My
Thoughts:
Famous romance writer, Catherine Swift is getting married,
for the fourth time, on the Greek island of Corfu. She invites her daughters to
come and share this momentous occasion and to spend the summer there with her, as
well. She hopes to mend fences with Adeline, and to have a second chance at
being a family.
Adeline can’t believe her mother is getting married for the
fourth time! Hasn’t the last three been evidence enough that this is a bad idea?
There’s no love lost between her and her mother. They’ve been estranged for years,
and she’s not even close to her younger half-sister, Cassie, but she’s
persuaded and can’t say no.
Cassie on the other hand is ecstatic. She’s so proud that her
mother is taking a chance on love again and can’t wait to meet the mysterious groom.
Both Adeline and Cassie are in for a shock.
I was immediately pulled into The Island Villa! We get a POV
from all three woman: Catherine, Adeline and Cassie. My heart broke for Adeline,
at the way her mother seemed to have thrown her to the side for her new family.
The island of Corfu sounded gorgeous, with it’s glittering
blue sea and pastel cottages. The perfect place for a summer romance!
There’s a bit of romance for each of the women as well. Catherine’s
was my favorite, but all made me happy!
The Island Villa filled me with such emotions for
these women! I was outraged and hurt in Adeline’s behalf, and felt Cassie’s
situation acutely. At first Catherine seemed like a self-absorbed woman, but as
her story unfolds, I had a totally different opinion. Secrets are revealed
opening the way up for healing, growth and love. I was all in!
4.5 Stars
A messy family drama and a steamy little romance unfold under the Mediterranean sun for the perfect summer escape…
Celebrated romance author Catherine Swift has topped the bestseller lists for decades, though her personal story hasn’t been quite so successful. Three failed marriages have left her relationship with her daughters strained, but that’s about to be rectified. Engaged yet again, Catherine is counting on this wedding to be what finally brings them together as a family, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Adeline doesn’t know what’s worse—that her mother is getting married a fourth time, or that she’s being guilted into witnessing the train wreck at Catherine’s luxury villa in Corfu. It brings back the pain of her parents’ split, of her mother’s infidelity and the baby that was the result. Not that she blames her half sister, Cassie, but then she’s never made an effort to know her, either.
Cassie, on the other hand, is thrilled by her mother’s news and admires Catherine’s resilience. She’s equally excited about meeting the mystery groom, and at the prospect of spending her summer in Corfu, where she can process a secret of her own she’s been keeping from everyone.
As Cassie and Adeline arrive on the island, they each have very different expectations of what this week will bring—they haven’t been entirely honest with their mother about their lives, either—but in the lead-up to the wedding, all will be revealed, for better or worse.
This sounds wonderful. Another book to add to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
DeleteI haven't read this one but the sounds really good I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! I was really good!
DeleteExcellent review! It sounds emotional.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Thanks Anne! It was! It had so many wonderful layers!
DeleteThe island of Corfu is such a fun setting! And great for a fun summer read. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's now a place I'd like to visit. It sounded gorgeous! :)
DeleteSounds like there's a lot of healing to be done among these women! I already feel for Adeline. And what a fabulous setting!
ReplyDeleteYes! Adeline was the one I felt the most connection to and I wanted her to find resolution and happiness! The setting sounded amazing!
DeleteHappy to hear that you enjoyed such a wonderful author. I haven't read her, but I know how well she handles friendships and emotional portrayal.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasing combination! Lots of layers. Morgan is an auto read for me at this point.
DeleteI like the sound of this - the setting and focus on family plus some romance. Sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI think you'd enjoy this one, Sam!
DeleteI don't think that I have ever read this author's work. I do like the sound of this one.
ReplyDeleteThat cartoon cover looks a bit different than the usual ones. I like it
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful and I love the Greece setting!
ReplyDelete