Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - One Night on the Island

There are a lot of mixed reviews on this one, but I really enjoyed it. Like many, I think it's mistitled, and although it's described as a romantic comedy, I think it has more depth. Cleo is on a solo retreat as she approaches her 30th birthday, re-evaluating her career and her personal life. Unfortunately, the single room cabin on the remote Irish island has mistakenly been double-booked and Mack is also there tracing some family history and taking a break from the stress of his deteriorating marriage. They clash immediately which provides some comedy as they both act like spoiled teenagers. As they begin to get to know each other, they become more civil, then begin to develop romantic feelings for each other, knowing that they don't have a future once they leave the cabin. Throughout the book, they both reflect on their personal and professional lives, as well as their developing feelings for each other, with a lot of honesty and depth. The local townspeople provide a friendly and interesting supporting cast. Although the ending wasn't what I wanted, I suppose it made sense for their circumstances.

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aus10england's review

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a fun take on an adult romance! I liked that it diverted from some of the more typical tropes of the genre, in a way that made it exciting and fun to read. Some plot moments got me gasping! Would make for a really fun mini series I think.

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samchase112's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An astoundingly introspective, caring novel. It takes time to dive deep into the characters, their motivations, their journeys. Personally, I don’t have the life experience to relate to them just yet, but nevertheless this was such a wonderfully written and conceived novel that was clearly written with such care. I hope it speaks to someone’s soul — I know it does.

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kb33's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Josie Silver doesn’t write light, fluffy, inconsequential romance novels, and those who are expecting that will be disappointed. Those who go in with an open mind will fall in love.

This book, like her others, has a contemplative, deep, observant, hopeful, story about two complicated lives, with a falling in love story included. It’s not too heavy, and I think most people won’t feel bogged down by it unless you are struggling with feelings over divorce that might be triggered by this book.

Cleo’s committing to herself and having a ceremony for it sounded ridiculous, but the thoughts and intentions surrounding it and the words she speaks during the ceremony echo, in some form, what every woman who has reached the age of thirty thinks, having learned hard lessons in their 20s.

Mack’s imploded marriage has left a wake of mild destruction that’s he’s struggling to deal with. He’s doing a decent job, though hope is something he struggles with, and Silver doesn’t gloss over this like it’s nothing, she writes about it, realistically.

One Night on the Island is a beautiful book, and while I love an HEA, I’m happy with their unconventional HFN.

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madsmcw_reads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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