Books That Take Place On an Island

by Elin Hilderbrand

Setting: NANTUCKET and MARTHA'S VINEYARD

The Massachusetts islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are only 2.5 hours apart on the ferry, but have different vibes and provide for very different lives for identical 40 year old twin sisters who have been estranged for years.

However, when a family crisis strikes, the women start to remember the importance of banding together and that their bond is stronger than the rivalry that separated them for too many years.

The Book Girls Say… Any of Elin Hilderbrand's books would make an excellent island book pick, but we love that this one lets you compare two different New England islands while also enjoying a summery sister story that ranges from charming to scandalous.

by Jonathan Cullen

Setting: BERMUDA, 1946

When Jerry, a reporter from Boston, is assigned to cover a Bermuda yacht race. While he’s traveling for work, he’s saying with a former classmate from Boston College who now has a luxurious home. Plus, he runs into a childhood friend, who works on the US Army Base.

The trio of young veterans are enjoying the island’s nightlife as everyone tries to resume normal life after the war. However, everything isn’t as easygoing as it looks on the surface. While people have flocked to Bermuda to forget the past, the war and its consequences can’t be ignored for long.

The Book Girls Say... This book is listed as the second in a series, but each is a standalone novel with different characters in a different setting.

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 3/8/2023.

by Josie Silver

Setting: REMOTE IRISH ISLAND

London dating columnist Cleo hadn't planned to spend her 30th birthday alone, but her boss has insisted that she take a brief sabbatical to explore the concept of self-coupling (or dating oneself) as a way to re-energize herself and bring something fresh to her column. She's booked a luxury cabin on a remote Irish island.

Mac is also looking forward to some alone time. His marriage is falling apart - something he doesn't want to admit - so he leaves Boston behind with the plan to soul search on the same Irish island.

Due to a mix-up with the bookings, it turns out that both Cleo and Mac have booked the same cabin. The two are instantly at odds, but since the ferry only comes weekly, they are stuck with one another. As the week goes on, they find that they don't mind each other's company as much as they thought.

The Book Girls Say... We love Josie Silver's books and can't wait to read this newly released title. Some classify Silver as a rom-com writer, but One Night On the Island is much more of a life story than a love story. The characters are genuine and flawed yet resilient. Be sure to grab the box of tissues before you curl up to read this book!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
94% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Elif Shafak

Setting: CYPRUS

Teenagers Kostas & Defne have a growing love for each other, but it’s forbidden because one of them is Greek Cypriot and the other is Turkish Cypriot. In the taverna where they meet, a fig tree grows through the roof. The tree survives war, the destruction of the capital, and the disappearance of the teen couple.

Decades later when Kosta returns, he’s now a botanist searching for native species and his lost love.

The Book Girls Say… One of our readers recommended this island book by the widest-read female author in Turkey last year. She said that while it was heavy, it also beautifully showcased the inhabitants, flora, and fauna of Cyprus.

For another book set in Cyprus, consider Songbirds by Christy Lefteri.

by Beatriz Williams

Setting: BAHAMAS, 1941

WWII-era Nassau was a hotbed of spies, traitors, and the most infamous couple of the age, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Five years after their love affair rocked the British monarchy, Lulu arrives in the Bahamas to investigate them for a New York society magazine. As she works her way into their social circle, Lulu uncovers evidence of an uglier reality.

Along the way, Lulu falls in love with a British scientist. When he suddenly goes missing, Lulu travels to London to search for him and winds up uncovering the family's complicated past stretching from the early 20th century to the first World War.

by Jenna Evans Welch

Setting: SANTORINI, GREECE

Although it's listed as #3 in the Love & Gelato series, this YA book set on the island of Santorini is a stand-alone and has no overlapping characters with the first two books in the series.

Liv's dad left when she was just eight, but all of her memories of him involve their shared love of the lost city of Atlantis. When a postcard arrives from Santorini inviting teenage Liv to visit her dad, she doesn't want anything to do with him, but her mom insists she take the trip. The island is beautiful, and she can't help but be charmed by the people, but the real reason her father invited her remains as much a mystery as Atlantis itself.

The Book Girls Say... If you enjoy YA novels, this is a good one! Angela honeymooned in the Greek Isles and wants everyone to have the opportunity to experience the beauty and magic of Santorini. This book will completely transport you there! You'll feel the salty breeze on your face, but by the end, that won't be the only reason your cheeks are damp.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
96% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Charmain Wilkerson

Setting: CARIBBEAN ISLANDS, US, and LONDON

This novel opens in present-day California shortly after Eleanor’s death. She has left behind a voice recording for her two adult children - Byron (in his 40s) and Benny (in her 30s). She’s also left them a traditional Caribbean black cake that she tells them to share “when the time is right.”

Her children, it turns out, only know a small part of their mom’s life story. Posthumously, Eleanor is finally ready to share her truth so that Byron and Benny can truly know and understand their family history.

As the story unfolds, everything that her children thought they knew about their lineage and themselves will be rocked to the core, and by the time they finally share the black cake, there will be another person joining them at the table.

The Book Girls Say… Angela rated this book 5 stars and highly recommends the audiobook version because the accents really bring the story to life.

This book is also included on our list of Best Book Club Books for 2023.

by Nancy Thayer

Setting: NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

Eleanor lives in a charming home on a cliffside in Nantucket. the house has been in her family for generations. She loves life on the island, but now that she's in her 70s and widowed, she does feel a bit isolated and lonely at times. That's why she looking so forward to the annual family reunion with her children and grandchildren.

Once they arrive, however, things don't go as Eleanor envisioned. Her children want her to move to a retirement community and sell the house to a developer who's been eager to acquire the property for years. Her children site concerns about her wintering on the island at her age, but they are clearly interested in getting a share of the money as well.

Eleanor's lone ally is her 22-year-old granddaughter who moves in with her for the summer. Together, they enjoy an island summer beyond either of their wildest imaginations.

The Book Girls Say... Nancy Thayer has a large catalog of Nantucket-set books. Family Reunion is her newest and highest-rated, but if you love this setting, check out her other titles as well!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
97% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Elizabeth Acevedo

Setting: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC & NYC

This is the story of two teenage girls - Yahaira, a chess prodigy in NYC and Camino, an aspiring doctor in the Dominican Republic.

Camino lives with her aunt and looks forward to her father visiting each summer. On the day he's supposed to arrive, she goes to meet him at the airport but finds a crowd of mourners and learns that her father's plane went down.

That same day, Yahaira is at school when she's called down to the principals office where her mom is waiting to tell her that her father has died in a plane crash.

This book will transport you from Queens, New York to the colorful homes of the Dominican Republic as these two girls discover the secret their father left behind - each other.

The Book Girls Say... This YA novel is written in poetic verse, but don't let that intimidate you! You may need to start reading slowly to get into the rhythm of the writing, but it will be worth it!

This book is told from alternating perspectives. Both girls' names appear at the top of each chapter, but the airplane symbol points at the narrator of that chapter, so be sure to take note of that to avoid confusion.

We love audiobooks, but reviewers say that the two narrator's voices sound very similar, making it hard to distinguish between the girls when listening, so we'd recommend reading this one in paper or ebook form. Additionally, this book includes some Spanish words and phrases without translation. Most readers say that the meaning can generally be understood from the context, but you may also want to consider keeping Google Translate handy.

This story is based on the true events of American Airlines Flight 587 that was bound for the Dominican Republic in November 2001, but crashed shortly after taking off from JFK International Airport in NYC. The tragedy claimed 260 lives, and nearly 90% of the passengers aboard were of Dominican descent.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Trish Doller

Setting: CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Float Plan takes you to the sunny Caribbean with Anna as she sets off on the boat that she inherited after the loss of her fiancé. While Anna initially begins her adventure alone, she quickly realizes that she’s in over her head. She hires Keane, a professional sailor who is dealing with his own struggles as he faces a future that looks much different than what he had planned.

This book is both an enjoyable beach read and ultimately an uplifting story about grief and second chances. Anna originally intends to follow the exact sailing route that she and her fiancé had planned to take together, but along the way, she discovers that she’ll have to chart her own course - both aboard the boat and in her life. Likewise, Keane is navigating rough waters both aboard Anna’s boat and as he struggles to put his life back on the course he had mapped out for himself.

The Book Girls Say... We both love a good beach read, but this book really took Angela by surprise because it has so much more depth than she expected. Both main characters are authentic, flawed, and well-developed.

Throughout the book, the author paints vivid descriptions of the islands visited with attention paid to what makes each island unique, rather than just generalizing the entire region as nothing more than a tourist playground. There's an excellent map on the author's website that shows the sailing route and all of the islands visited.

by Ruth Behar

Setting: CUBA, late 1930s

As WW2 began, Jewish families in Poland were trying to flee to safer countries outside of Hilter’s reach. In this story, Esther’s father has gone ahead of the family to Cuba, and Esther is the first family member to join him. She’s devasted to be separated from her sister, so documents her new life in Cuba to share her experiences in writing until her sister can join her.

Her writings include both the kindness of the Cuban people and the unfortunate reality that Nazism has reached Cuba.

The Book Girls Say…This historical fiction novel is based on the author’s family history.

by Julia Alvarez

Setting: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1960s

In the 1960s, three sisters were murdered in the Dominican Republic for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the Trujillo dictatorship. This historical fiction novel tells the story of these brave wives & mothers, led by outspoken Minerva. Patria joins Minerva after witnessing the atrocities of the regime, and the youngest sister Maria Teresa also commits to following Minerva.

As part of the story, you’ll see their teen years, how they became gradually involved in the movement, and their fear as their associations were discovered. The women had a fourth sister, Dede, who survived. You’ll see her recollections in the first chapter.

by Jodi Picoult

Setting: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR & NYC

Diana has her life all planned out - marriage, kids, and climbing the professional ladder in the art auction world. And it all starts with getting engaged to her surgical resident boyfriend, Finn. They are about to head out on a romantic getaway to the Galapagos for her 30th birthday, and she just knows he'll propose on the trip.

On the eve of their departure, a virus that previously seemed a world away has made its way to NYC and Finn's hospital needs everyone on-call. He doesn't want their nonrefundable trip to go to waste, so he convinces Diana to go without him.

After she arrives, the whole island is forced to quarantine and she finds herself stranded until the borders reopen. Isolated and alone, Diana begins to form a connection with a local family. Through the experience, she finds herself re-evaluating her priorities.

This is a thoroughly-researched novel that some say the book starts out a bit slowly, but soon you'll find it going in unexpected directions. Readers say the story contains surprises that you won't see coming!

The Book Girls Say... Many readers may not yet feel ready to relive the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, so despite the great reviews of this book, don't push yourself if it's not the right time.

If you'd like to visit the Galapagos but need a total escape read, we recommend picking up Shipped by Angie Hockman. Fans of The Hating Game and Unhoneymooners will enjoy this enemies-to-lovers rom-com that places two cruise line colleagues aboard a ship battling it out for their dream promotion in the marketing department. The vivid descriptions of the Galapagos will have you adding this destination to your travel bucket list! We'd give Shipped a PG rating, making it perfect for those looking for a rom-com without the steam.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Libby Hubscher

Setting: SABA, Caribbean Netherlands

Marin has lived life as safely as possible, never even stepping foot outside Tennessee. Her concern started after her journalist mother was killed on assignment, but the tragedy had the opposite effect on her sister, Sadie, who travels the world as a photographer.

After returning from a tough assignment, Sadie convinces Marin to join her in a spa weekend on the island of Saba. She’s skeptical about leaving home, even for a girls' weekend, but agrees. Her long-time fear of travel is confirmed when Sadie misses the flight, a stranger steals her sister’s seat on the plane, and Marin’s luggage is mixed up with another passenger.

Luckily, the seat stealer is handsome! Lucas ends up being the perfect travel mate around Saba, and Marin begins to discover more about herself through each adventure.

The Book Girls Say... Although the cover of this book looks like standard rom-com fare, this book is a blend of romance with heavier themes. Reviewers describe this book as an enjoyable rollercoaster of emotions, but warn that you'll want to keep the tissues within reach!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Sarah Jio

Setting: BORA-BORA

In the summer of 1942, at the height of WWII, 21-year-old Anne joins the Army Nurse Corps and is sent to serve in the South Pacific on the island of Bora-Bora.

She has a fiance back home that was chosen for her from birth, and whose father has paid to ensure that he won't be drafted. After arriving in Bora-Bora, she finds herself drawn to a soldier named Westry. Together they spend many blissful hours under the thatched roof of an abandoned beach bungalow. But they are driven apart when they witness a crime and then Westry is redeployed to Europe.

Years later, back home in Seattle, Westry is never far from Anne's mind. When a letter arrives, she hopes that maybe they'll finally be reunited.

The Book Girls Say... This historical fiction is perfect for fans of WWII romance, and though it may be a bit predictable, readers say it's a joy to read.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Vanessa Riley

Setting: CARIBBEAN

This historical fiction epic will transport you back in time to the colonial West Indies of the late 1700s and the early 1800s.

The story centers around Doll who was born into slavery on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat and later bought her freedom (as well as that of her mother and sister) from her Irish planter father. She became an incredibly successful entrepreneur, merchant, and hotelier.

Along the way, she leveraged the competing attentions of the men in her life as she built a legacy of wealth and power that extended from the marketplaces and sugar plantations of Dominica and Barbados to the South American continent.

The Book Girls Say... This novel is based on the true-life story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, who rose from slavery to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the West Indies. This is a long read at nearly 600 pages, but one that will stick with you!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
92% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Christina Lauren

Setting: HAWAII

What should a bride and groom do if they get food poisoning and are too sick to go on their non-refundable honeymoon to Hawaii?

Give it to the Best Man and Maid-of-Honor, of course.

That would have been perfect if the duo didn't hate each other. Follow along as they try to avoid each other while still taking advantage of all the pre-paid activities on a vacation intended for a newlywed couple. 

The Book Girls Say... This funny rom-com includes a few steamy scenes and is perfect if you're looking for a light, escapist read. We have even more books in this style over in our Beach Reads post!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
92% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Nick Alexander

Setting: SANTORINI, GREECE

Becky's father has always been a mystery to her - all she knows is that he died before she was born and that her mom, Laura, has never been willing to talk about it. When Laura books a trip to Santorini, Greece, Becky decides to join her. But what Becky thought was an impulsive vacation reveals itself to be more than that. She realizes that her mom has a history with the island, and that sunny Santorini might just help answer some of her long-held questions.

This book is written from both mother and daughter's points of view - with Becky's chapters set in present-day, and Laura's chapters transporting us back to her early 20s.

The Book Girls Say... You Then, Me Now is part summer read and part grippingly edgy, with unexpected emotional depth. Be warned that it deals with some heavy issues, including sexual violence.

Both the Kindle and audio versions are currently free with Kindle Unlimited.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
94% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Roxane Gay

Setting: HAITI

This collection of short stories blends fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Not all of the stories take place in Haiti, but they all revolve around a common theme of the experience of being Haitian. At just 121 pages, this book is short in length but big in impact.

If you have a hard time reading stories without fully fleshed-out climaxes or conclusions, or prefer stories that don't revolve around sexual relationships, this might not be the right pick for you. But Roxane Gay does deliver intimate insights into Haiti's culture and practices.

The Book Girls Say... If you are looking for more stories set in Haiti, consider Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat. This collection of short stories was a Reese's Book Club pick, but be warned that it contains some explicit and violent scenes and deals with many heavy issues including AIDS, Alzheimer's, post-partum depression, and more.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
91% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Emily Barr

Setting: Pulau Perhentian Kecil, MALAYSIA

Esther is nearing her 40th birthday and is looking to take a break from her divorce and motherhood in Britain, so she books a solo trip to a beach resort on the Malaysian island of Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

She and a group of fellow tourists - each with their own secrets - plan a day trip to a deserted island for some snorkeling. When the local fisherman who transported them out to the island doesn't return to pick them up as promised, their relaxing beach day takes a sinister turn and Esther soon realizes that someone doesn't want her to return from her travels.

The story also includes flashbacks to a teenager trying to escape in another time and place. This storyline won't seem to fit with the book until it does, so be patient and stick with it!

The Book Girls Say... If thrillers are your genre of choice, then this is the beach read for you. Reviewers describe it as gripping and unputdownable.

This book is currently available free with Kindle Unlimited.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Alan Brennert

Setting: HAWAII

Seven-year-old Rachel will quickly capture your heart. She's full of zest and big dreams, especially of traveling outside of her Hawaiian island. When a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, her family jumps into protective mode, knowing that she'll be taken from them if anyone finds out she has leprosy. 

During a sibling argument, Rachel's sister makes the mistake of calling her a leper in public. When the authorities confirm her diagnosis, she's whisked away to Kalaupapa, a quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i. 

While members of the settlement are shunned by the outside, they're welcoming to new arrivals. Young Rachel must learn to accept her new home and the varied cast of characters who will become her new family. 

While this historical fiction novel set in the 1890s is based on the tragic history of a real leper colony, which is incredibly sad, readers find that the book shows the power of positivity and human's incredible ability to overcome tragedy. 

The Book Girls Say... This book includes wonderfully vivid descriptions of the landscape and geography of Hawaii. You'll also learn a great deal about Hawaiian customs, religion, and history. The sequel, Daughter of Moloka'i, which spans 1914 to WWII, has equally fabulous reviews! 

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
98% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Kei Miller

Setting: JAMAICA

Described as magical and haunting, this novel is set in Augustown, one of the poorest sections of the suburban sprawl of Kingston, Jamaica. This is where we meet Ma Taffy, a blind grandmother, and her grandson, Kaia.

Throughout this novel, the author (who is also a poet) delves into matters known little outside Jamaica and provides a historical portrait of the country in the 20th century through conversations, events, and the retelling of folk stories.

by Caroline Mackenzie

Setting: TRINIDAD

The Palacio family fled their home in crumbling, volatile Venezuela to make a new home in Trinidad as illegal immigrants. Yola Palacio wants nothing more than for her family to settle into a quiet new life despite their illegal status, but things don't go their way. When Yola's aunt dies, they learn that she was keeping a big secret in the form of a huge debt to a local criminal named Ugly. Without the money to pay off her aunt's debt, Yola's family is forced to do Ugly's bidding in this uproariously funny novel.

The Book Girls Say... Some readers question whether it's appropriate for the author to write about the global refugee crisis with such absurd and sarcastic humor, but others applaud her for writing an entertaining and thought-provoking family drama that helps shine a spotlight on a topic that too many people would rather ignore. Be aware that this book includes a lot of colorful language.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
91% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Susan Lopez Rubio

Setting: CUBA

Old Havana comes to life in this historical fiction novel. In 1947, Patricio flees Spain with nothing more than the clothes on his back and his dreams. Once in Havana, he lands a job at El Encanto - one of the most luxurious department stores in the world that caters to Hollywood stars and other rich and famous clientele.

It is here that Patricio meets and falls in love with Gloria, the young wife of notorious mobster Cesar Valdes. Within the walls of El Encanto, it's easy for them to believe that anything is possible.

Patricio and Gloria's love affair spans over half a century, as the stories of their lives are intertwined time and time again. Each time Patricio knows that loving her could be suicide. Still, he can't help but be drawn to this beautiful woman who has a penchant for both Christian Dior clothes and Einstein's theories.

The Kindle version of this book is currently free with Kindle Unlimited.

by Chanel Cleeton

Setting: CUBA

Growing up in Miami, Marisol heard romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother, Elisa. The story alternates perspectives between Elisa in the 1950s and Marisol in present day.

In 1958, nineteen-year-old Elisa is the daughter of a sugar baron and a member of Cuba's high society. Her family's position largely shields her from the growing political unrest, at least until she embarks on a forbidden affair. In 2017, Marisol arrives in Havana for the first time to fulfill her grandmother's dying wish of having her ashes spread in her birth country. Marisol tries to reconcile the contrast of Cuba's timeless beauty with its political climate, all while uncovering the story of her grandmother's past.

The Book Girls Say... If you've already enjoyed Chanel Cleeton's books set in Havana, be sure to check out her newly released novel, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, which follows the stories of three women set against the Spanish-American War and the Cuban fight for freedom from the Spanish.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
97% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Inglath Cooper

Setting: BARBADOS

Sometimes 40th birthdays trigger major life reflections, and that was definitely the case for successful CEO Catherine. Instead of attending her own birthday party, she impulsively flies to the luxury resort in Barbados that she visited on her honeymoon ten years earlier. She never expected she'd be divorced, childless, and alone the next time she saw the island. 

Anders also landed at the resort after breaking free from a high-pressure, successful stint on Wall Street. When he invites Catherine to one of his spin classes, it sets off a whirlwind two weeks of exploring the island together and helping Catherine discover that she's worth so much more than her career. 

The Book Girls Say... Our readers describe this book as a quick read that you won't want to put down!

by Rachel Joyce

Setting: NEW CALEDONIA (Oceania)

Life in London is hard in the post-WW2 years, as they are still dealing with rationing and shortages. Forty-seven-year-old teacher Margery is fed up with her hard life and decides to post an ad for a French-speaking assistant to join her on a trip halfway around the world, despite barely being able to afford basic life at home.

Margery is looking for the fabled golden beetle of New Caledonia that her father told her about when she was a young girl. But, no matter what obstacles she faces, Margery pushes forward in this cross-ocean historical adventure that takes an unlikely duo to the South Pacific. 

The Book Girls Say... Our readers have specifically enjoyed the strong female friendship in this book.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Andrew Jalbert

Setting: BONAIRE, CARIBBEAN

Andrew Jalbert is an award-winning photographer with 25 years of experience as an archaeologist and scuba guide. He was first drawn o the island of Bonaire in his twenties, and it was here that he transformed his passions for diving into a career as a writer and an underwater photographer. He has published works on prehistoric sites, shipwrecks, and marine conservation.

Living in cold Wisconsin, he dreamed of retiring early to the island paradise, but his life trajectory shifted when he became a father at age 43. Hoping to share his love of Bonaire with his son, he took him on an annual trip to the island. These trips allowed him to rediscover the magic of paradise through a new lens.

In this short travel memoir, Andrew recounts his early days exploring the island as well as his experience of seeing it again through the eyes of a kindergartener. This humorous travelogue will truly transport you to the Caribbean with wonderfully vivid descriptions of the beauty of Bonaire.

The Book Girls Say... At just over 200 pages, this is a perfect choice for those who only have time for a quick trip to paradise.

This book is currently available free with Kindle Unlimited.