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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story takes place on Rock Island, Rhode Island. It is told in four POV's, Anthony, Joy, Maggie and Lu. I enjoyed seeing them grow and develop. All four characters were likable even though they were flawed. It is a story of friendship, love, family, secrets, fears and anxiety. I did find there were a couple of slow areas but over all enjoyable story.
I chose this book because of a recommendation by Elin Hildebrand when I saw her at a speaking engagement and it did not disappoint. I found myself fully invested in the characters lives, particularly Anthony’s and Lu’s. I felt as though I was Lu’s biggest cheerleader throughout the book. I highly recommend this as a nice, easy, wholesome read.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
If you're looking to get away this February and can't swing it, pick up The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore. You'll be staying on Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island, where a writer licks his wounds after a career catastrophe. When your sweet tooth nags you for satisfaction, you may come across the whoopie pie café, Joy Bombs, and see a harried owner who worries about her latest competitor. You also can talk to a stay-at-home mom who hides a secret profession that threatens to be revealed.
After a few heavy reads, I decided to go to the beach--virtually, of course--and dive into a not-so-serious novel. From the description, I thought this book may be the way to go. It sounded fun yet juicy, and I found it was just what I needed. I liked the descriptions and the alternating storylines. They all fit together somewhat.
I would compare this book to many Jamie Brenner novels I've read and definitely Elin Hilderbrand. It provides enticing descriptions of Block Island and you'll get hungry just reading about the whoopie pies and other delectable dishes in the book. The characterizations are satisfying with enough back story to understand characters' motivations. Here and there, a few surprising twists will arise, and a calamitous event brings everything full circle.
If you're looking for something more in-depth or philosophical, this book isn't it. But it's entertaining and stirs up your thirst for summer, the beach, and a seemingly carefree lifestyle. You won't be feeling overwhelmed by a taxing story or saddled with heaviness. It's as light as the whoopie pies one of the characters bakes and gives you that little bit of summer you've been looking for during the blah winter months.
After a few heavy reads, I decided to go to the beach--virtually, of course--and dive into a not-so-serious novel. From the description, I thought this book may be the way to go. It sounded fun yet juicy, and I found it was just what I needed. I liked the descriptions and the alternating storylines. They all fit together somewhat.
I would compare this book to many Jamie Brenner novels I've read and definitely Elin Hilderbrand. It provides enticing descriptions of Block Island and you'll get hungry just reading about the whoopie pies and other delectable dishes in the book. The characterizations are satisfying with enough back story to understand characters' motivations. Here and there, a few surprising twists will arise, and a calamitous event brings everything full circle.
If you're looking for something more in-depth or philosophical, this book isn't it. But it's entertaining and stirs up your thirst for summer, the beach, and a seemingly carefree lifestyle. You won't be feeling overwhelmed by a taxing story or saddled with heaviness. It's as light as the whoopie pies one of the characters bakes and gives you that little bit of summer you've been looking for during the blah winter months.
fast-paced
A bit predictable and not especially well-written, but I appreciated the sense of place, which was well done.
I have struggled to find books with summery vibes that hold my attention in this season. The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore fit this book for me, though. It has a strong sense of place with extreme summer vibes and excellent character development that provided a literary aspect that I’m strongly craving right now.
Taking place on Block Island, the three main characters – Anthony, Lu, and Joy – provide three different points of view. Throughout the novel, we learn that these three individuals are connected in unexpected ways. Each of them is deeply flawed, and their complications propel the plot in a relatable way. Although we may never experience the specific circumstances of these three characters, Moore crafts them in a way where I saw myself and people I know within them. Each of the three characters’ stories wraps up nicely at the end, so Moore doesn’t leave any loose ends. I was worried that wouldn’t be the case, and it felt necessary for each of these characters to have closure.
In this novel, Moore does a wonderful job of balancing a summer read with literary elements and strong character development. These things often don’t occur together, at least not for me, and so I found this book to be a wonderful surprise. Moore has a recent release out and some backlist books that look intriguing. Although I’ve got a lot of other books to read before adding any new ones to the stack, I think I’ve found a new summer author to enjoy in the future.
Taking place on Block Island, the three main characters – Anthony, Lu, and Joy – provide three different points of view. Throughout the novel, we learn that these three individuals are connected in unexpected ways. Each of them is deeply flawed, and their complications propel the plot in a relatable way. Although we may never experience the specific circumstances of these three characters, Moore crafts them in a way where I saw myself and people I know within them. Each of the three characters’ stories wraps up nicely at the end, so Moore doesn’t leave any loose ends. I was worried that wouldn’t be the case, and it felt necessary for each of these characters to have closure.
In this novel, Moore does a wonderful job of balancing a summer read with literary elements and strong character development. These things often don’t occur together, at least not for me, and so I found this book to be a wonderful surprise. Moore has a recent release out and some backlist books that look intriguing. Although I’ve got a lot of other books to read before adding any new ones to the stack, I think I’ve found a new summer author to enjoy in the future.
Enjoyed the characters and the setting but feel the plot could have been developed more strongly.