The Book:
One Night On The Island by Josie Silver
Published February 15th 2022 by Ballantine Books
Date read: February 9, 2022
The Characters:
Cleo
Mac
Buy it on Bookshop.org | Amazon
The Plot (from Goodreads):
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.
The Review:
Thank you to @prhaudio for this audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
What do I have to do to get my job to pay me for 50 days on a remote island?? Cleo writes a dating column about finding her true love, which has never gone wrong as a plot point for me. To celebrate her 30th birthday, Cleo’s magazine sends her to a remote island to marry herself as a symbol of not needing a man to be happy. But when she arrives there’s someone else in her cabin, and only one bed!
The setting of One Night On The Island couldn’t be more perfect. I love small towns and remote islands, and the rainy, blustery Irish weather couldn’t be more perfect to set the scene. This setting reminded me of The Dog Share, although I enjoyed this book a lot more. As a displaced Bostonian, I enjoyed the references to the Hancock tower, although I couldn’t figure out where Mac’s family lived.
At first I thought the whole “marrying yourself” thing was a little woo-woo and definitely not something I’d ever do. I don’t think 30 is “too old” to be single! I’m almost 30 and still feel young. I ended up loving the themes of self-love that the story focused on. I enjoyed seeing Cleo’s growth as a person and realization that she wasn’t happy with her fast-paced life in London. I too would love to let my office job go for a quiet remote life, and I think it takes a lot of courage to actually make that jump.
I loved the knitting circle and how they took Cleo into their group without question.
One Night On The Island is chock full of wise revelations about life and love, and I would definitely recommend picking up a copy. It’s the sort of book that grows on you the further you read!
Audio Review:
One Night On The Island was narrated by Eleanor Tomlinson and Davis Brooks. I enjoyed both narrators and the fitting alternating accents. I’m glad I listened to this one, as the narration made me feel like I was up on the Wailing Hill with Cleo myself!
QOTD: What’s one book that has made you want to switch places with the main character?
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