Martha’s dislike of her sister’s fiance is heightened when he tries to kiss her! She is still reeling from her own cancelled wedding so her family send her abroad to heal her heart…
The Island of Dreams is a romantic novel set in the UK and the Greek island of Paxos. I loved the geographical detail to the settings which underpin the plot.
Poor Martha. She made the brave decision that she didn’t love Joe enough to marry him. Now she is accused of trying to split up her sister’s relationship with the horrendous Toby when in reality he tried to kiss her. A break in the sun is just what she needs! She doesn’t have the smoothest journey and meets a young boy trying to get back to the island. This leads to a number of friendships which bolster the plot, characters and relationships.
The book is written from the third person perspective and we see mostly Martha’s experience, intertwined with some details of Harry and Connie’s thoughts. The characters are so easy to like and all have been through the wringer emotionally. Martha’s issues are at the forefront initially as she worries about her lost love life and the behaviour of her prospective brother in law. Meanwhile, Connie, Harry and Milo are all still affected by the disappearance of Asya (daughter/wife/mother).
This is a quick read but I felt fully invested in the characters and plot. Martha always tries to do the right thing and I really wanted her to find love and contentment. There are some big issues dealt with in the book but they are handled sensitively and in quite a light hearted way.
The Island of Dreams is a heartwarming book, equally great for the depths of winter or a beach read.
The Island of Dreams
Martha is the youngest of three sisters and, in her mid-thirties, has the dubious honour of being the only one to call off a wedding at the last moment.
Now, feeling as if she’ll be single forever, and trying to keep her low opinion of her sister Iris’s fiancé to herself for risk of looking bitter, Martha needs a change of scene.
When she is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake.
But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home. How can Martha leave behind the warmth of the people, the freedom and the fun, not to mention Harry and Milo when it’s time for her to go home…
Let Helen McGinn magic you away to a world of sunshine and serenity, romance and relaxation. Perfect for fans of Erica James, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan.
Helen McGinn is a much-loved wine expert on TV and in print and an international wine judge. She spent ten years as a supermarket buyer sourcing wines around the world before setting up her award-winning blog (and now best-selling wine book) The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club. She is the drinks writer for the Daily Mail and regularly appears on TV’s Saturday Kitchen and This Morning. Helen lives in the New Forest.
Martha’s dislike of her sister’s fiance is heightened when he tries to kiss her! She is still reeling from her own cancelled wedding so her family send her abroad to heal her heart…
