Review: One Night on the Island by Josie Silver

 

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver

Publication Date: February 15th 2022 by Ballantine Books

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audiobook

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Cleo and Mac arrive on the same secluded Irish Island to get away from their hectic lives and sort themselves out. Unfortunately, they’ve both booked Otter Lodge and here’s where the forced proximity fun begins. There’s a lot of introspection for Cleo and Mac as they each are at a turning point in their lives, not such a convenient time for a romance, but you know how that goes. They start off very much annoyed with the situation, each wanting the other to be the one to leave, but of course little by little they become friends and more. I loved the “three things” they’d reveal to each other every night in the dark, where it was safe to divulge personal and random things.

One Night on the Island was oh-so-lovely with beautiful and clever writing that made not only the characters come to life with all their emotions, highs and lows, but the island as well! I could feel the moodiness of the weather, the salt in the air, warmth from the fire inside the lodge. I adored the quirky and lovable people of this small island.

I alternated between the audio and e-copy and really enjoyed the audio. I loved Eleonor Tomlinson performance of Cleo and all other characters.  I only wished David Brooks performed Cleo’s parts with an English accent. He did a fabulous job with Mac. Definite recommend!

5 Stars

About the book:

Spending her thirtieth birthday alone is the last thing that dating columnist Cleo wanted, but she is going on a self-coupling quasi-sabbatical--at the insistence of her boss--in the name of re-energizing herself and adding a new perspective to her column. The remote Irish island she's booked is a far cry from London, but at least it's a chance to hunker down in a luxury cabin and indulge in some quiet, solitary self-care while she figures out her next steps in her love life and her career.

Mac is also looking forward to some time to himself. With his life in Boston deteriorating in ways he can't bring himself to acknowledge, his soul searching has brought him to the same Irish island in search of his roots and some clarity. Unfortunately, a mix-up with the bookings means both solitude seekers have reserved the same one-bedroom hideaway on exactly the same dates.

Instantly at odds with each other, Cleo and Mac don't know how they're going to manage until the next weekly ferry arrives. But as the days go by, they no longer seem to mind each other's company quite as much as they thought they would...

Written with Josie Silver's signature warmth, charm and insights into the human heart, One Night on the Island explores the meaning of home, the joys of escape and how the things we think we want are never the things we really need.