Island in the Sun

by Janice Horton

[Lynn]

This is definitely my surprise read of the year.

Jewellery designer, Isla Ashton's shocked to hear of her Aunt Kate's death and even more so when she has to go back to Pearl Island in the Eastern Caribbean for the reading of the will. It's over ten years since she was on the tropical island which was once her home and not somewhere she ever expected or wanted to visit again. Only on arrival, she seizes a chance to find out the truth about why she was abruptly sent back to England.

Surprise, Leo Fernandez's reaction on hearing Isla is back on Pearl Island and he's determined to show her how he has begun building a business he hopes will impress her. After spending eight years in prison with no contact with her, he hopes she will take a chance on him again. Only she has other plans which don't include him. However, a disaster acts as a catalyst to reveal secrets from the past which will hopefully heal the rift between them. To allow them to move forward...together.

It's so easy to visualise the beauty of the island through Ms Horton's writing style. The descriptions of the scenery, along with a glimpse into the daily lives of islanders, particularly through Kate's journals, depicts a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the rich from years gone by. Additionally, readers begin to understand the vulnerability and concern of the local peoples when one era comes to an end without a clear cut plan for the new one. Told from three points of view (the third via Kate's journals) I enjoyed learning Isla and Leo's thoughts about their lives, both from their youth and the present date.

Overall, an enticing novel with a stunning backdrop with a narrative full of fascinating facts to fill your head with the yearning of, wishing you are there.

***review copy received courtesy of the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources***