I was keen to read "An Island in the Sun" for several reasons: the appealing setting of the Portuguese island of Madeira, the premise of the main character being a peripatetic house-sitter, and her career as a professional song-writer - all things I was eager to learn more about.

Against this interesting and unusual set of circumstances, Kate Frost has woven a gentle, engaging and heartwarming story as the central characters - and some side characters too - seek closure over past hurts and find the courage and opportunity to start afresh.

Much more than a romance, this is also a story of platonic friendships, family relationships - both functional and dysfunctional - and the companionship of pets!

I read this novel on a freezing cold English winter weekend, and was glad to escape to the lush setting of Madeira, which has now moved to the top of my travel bucket-list!

With thanks to the publisher for the review copy I received via NetGalley. This is my honest and unbiased review.

When Tabitha's best friend and song writing partner takes full credit for one of their songs, Tabitha lets go of the partnership, friendship, and touring with the band. She decides to be a traveling pet sitter and accepts a job on Madeira taking care of two dogs and a cat.

Her second night on Madeira she hear a noise and wakes up to find the couple's son, Raff in the house. Since she didn't know they had a son and there were no pictures of him, he had to do some fast talking to get her to let him stay. But just one night.

Following Tabitha as she and Raff get to know each other, as she spends time getting to know the couple next door and the island of Madeira, and reconnecting with the friend who betrayed her takes the reader through a host of emotions. The descriptions of Madeira will make you want to sign up as a traveling pet sitter.

I thoroughly enjoyed An Island in the Sun and will be reading others by Kate Frost.

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Tabitha is house sitting for Raff’s parents, only he doesn’t know that. He just thinks the house is empty and he can stay there for awhile. Both have past hurts to work through before they can have a future together.
This was a nice story set in a gorgeous location. Perfect for an afternoon escape.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I haven’t read this author before and it isn’t a genre I would normally choose but this was a good bit of escapism taking me from our cold and grey winter to a warm and sunny climate in Madeira. It’s a place I’ve visited and it’s a beautiful island and one I’ll probably visit again. The main character is Tabitha (Tabs) Callahan, a singer/guitarist/songwriter who after breaking up with her partner decided to travel by becoming a home and pet sitter - what a perfect job.

Briefly, Tabitha is house sitting in Madeira for three weeks however she has an unexpected shock when the estranged son of the house shows up, in the middle of the night. The fact that he is good looking and fit adds to the tension. In addition, her former best friend, Ollie, now lives in Madeira and she’s intent on mending bridges.

Tabitha is a bit of a damaged individual who has been running from her problems. You can’t help but feel sorry for her as you find out more but her deception about Raff staying at his parents house, without telling them, show a bit of a dishonest side to her. However, that aside, it’s a very enjoyable read. I felt as thought I was back in Madeira with the beautiful scenery and temperate climate. A book that examines broken hearts and broken relationships and how these fractures can be healed. A lovely romance, with dogs and a cat that, despite me reading it in the winter, would be a perfect holiday read.

Tabitha travels the world pet sitting; when she takes a job in Madeira, she doesn't realise the past she'll have to face and just how much her life may change.

This was an ok book; I didn't enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed other books by Frost. There's a lot of very wordy parts that feel like details are being shoe horned in. The characters don't feel as real or as well developed as her other works either.

Atmospheric and vibrant descriptions draw the reader into this emotional travel romance. The author's lyrical writing and good use of sensory imagery bring everything from the airport to the picturesque island to vivid life; it's a lovely escapist read.

It's not just a pretty setting; this story tugs at the emotions as we get to know Tabitha and Raff and their complex and sometimes heartbreaking pasts. I found Raff's attitude to Tabitha as a house and pet sitter occasionally annoying. Still, despite this, I empathised with him and his family circumstances and wanted Tabitha and him to have a romantic future together.

The animals, particularly the dogs, are lovely characters and the chemistry and emotional involvement between Tabitha and Raff are well-written. It's an engaging story with emotional depth.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Wowser what a read! I love books by Kate Frost and jumped at the chance to read this one when it popped up.

Tabitha is a character I could instantly connect to with her love of animals and music she reminded me of my teenage daughter. I loved the inspiration behind this story and from the first chapter was keen to keep reading.

When Raff unexpectedly enters Tabitha's world you aren't sure which direction the story will take. Brimming with real life scenarios, compassionate people and beautiful furry companions I was totally invested in seeing if Tabitha could use the time to put her demons to rest.

If you haven't already, grab yourself a copy as between the sunny skies and wonderful storyline, you'll just want to keep reading.

An Island In The Sun by Kate Frost is a charming contemporary novel that will add warmth and brightness to the gloomy grey days of winter as we escape to sun and heat.
The Mediterranean climate comes alive under Kate Frost’s pen as we can almost ‘see’ the heat shimmer. Her descriptions tempt the senses as we travel through the novel.
Pet sitting enables a character to escape not only the climate of Britain but to run from painful circumstances too. Adoring the two King Charles Spaniels and a cat enables the healing process to begin.
The antidote to a broken heart is forgiveness. In order to fully heal and move forward, forgiveness must be given. Without it, we will remain trapped in the past in a prison of bitterness.
We witness fractured relationships – a son has a difficult relationship with his parents but a great one with his former babysitter. He has had all the privileges that money can buy – but love has eluded him.
Never judge by appearances. Things are rarely as they seem on the surface. Care and understanding as well as open conversations are needed.
I thoroughly enjoyed An Island In The Sun. It was the perfect escape from a grey day in winter as the sun shone from the pages and into my heart.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

This is an escapist read set on lovely Madeira, perfect for taking on a sunny holiday. Perfectly enjoyable although it would have been nice to have more on Madeira and it's attractions.

Tabitha is running away - she's been doing that for the past year, ever since the break-up with her boyfriend. As a freelance songwriter, she can work from anywhere. Her heartbreak leads her to travel the globe, pet-sitting at far flung locales while she composes music.

The Portuguese island of Madeira is simply the latest of her globe-hopping locales.

What Tabatha isn't counting on is a romantic entanglement, yet that's exactly what she gets when Raff, the homeowners' handsome, estranged son, unexpectedly enters her life.

Inflicted with a serious case of Wanderlust myself, I love being transported to new desitinations in my books - and Madeira has long been on my travel list. Unfortunately, we didn't get much beyond the lush garden and pool of the house where Tabitha is pet-sitting, which I found a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, the love story was enjoyable and this is a quick read that can bring a dash of sunshine to a cold winter's day.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The story is set around Tabitha, who is a song-writer, and she also pet sits for various people in different countries.

As she’s looking after 2 dogs and a cat on the island of Madeira, we read about what happened in her past. Its about whether to move on or keep hold onto what’s happened before.

I recommend this book.

I stayed up late & woke up early so I could finish this book before work today. The only thing that would have made this book better is if my toes were in the sand while I read! Perfect beach read! This book alone makes me want to travel the world and see all of the beautiful sights, especially Portugal!

This story revolves around Tabitha, a talented song-writer/pet sitter! Her story unfolds while sitting 2 dogs & a cat on the beautiful island of Madeira. It’s a story about love & loss, whether to move on or hold on to the past. I absolutely fell in love with Raff, a surprise house guest, and was drawn in to their relationship between him & Tabitha. 5/5 stars! Definitely recommend if you’re in to women’s lit/romance books! I double recommend if you’re looking for a beach read!

How lovely to be able to revisit Madeira, an island i went on holiday to a few years ago. Although my time there was significantly less eventful than Tabitha's, I didn't meet any good looking men and there were far too many steep hills where I was staying then I was happy with!

However I'd have happily stayed where Tabitha was, it sounded absolutely stunning and the two dogs and the cat she was pet sitting for a few weeks, were adorable.

Yet the story revolves far more around Raff, his rift with his parents, the difficult position it puts Tabitha in, and of course the clear attraction between them.

With a rather memorable first meeting and both of them with things they are running from in the past, this has some really interesting storylines threaded throughout the story.

I loved seeing how they developed and discovering their full back stories.

One of my first thoughts within the first couple of chapters was that I wondered if I could I be like Tabitha and become a pet sitter and travelling all over the world to pet sit while owners are on holiday, as I can like her, work from anywhere. In fact I just really wanted to be Tabitha for pretty much the whole book, was quite envious of her life style which I wanted!

It's a gorgeous escapist romance that I enjoyed a lot.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Tabitha travels the world being a dog sitter. While she is at her new job the owner's son Raff shows up. Romance is in the air for the two. Tabitha has problems with an old friend that she has to resolve.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Boldwood.

Kate Frost has an incredible talent for taking you on wonderful trips around the world, immersing you in the setting and culture until you believe that you're actually there. Her descriptive narrative reveals hidden corners of the world, places off the tourist track with mouthwatering food and delicate, aromatic wines. Each book whisks you into the lives of memorable characters and situations, and for a little while you can leave everything else behind.

I have to say that this is my favourite book by Kate so far. Tabitha and Raff are great characters, holding on to hurt and secrets from the past, which they are both trying to run from. The other secondary characters add depth to the story, as do the gorgeous dogs.

Kate's books are perfect for escaping life for a few hours and soaking up the heat, atmosphere and sights of faraway places. Highly recommend.

My first Kate Frost book, but definitely not my last. She captured the location so evocatively, I found it easy to imagine myself there. The characters were beautifully drawn and a thoughtful, heartfelt story of love, relationships and reconciliation. Highly recommended.

Tabitha is a songwriter who pet sits around the world. She pet sits in Madeira in this book looking after 2 Spaniels and a cat. Whilst staying at the house Raff turns up who is the son of the owners of the house. He and his parents are estranged and she still allows him to stay for some of the time. Eventually Tabitha tries to confront her heartache and contact Ollie who used to be her best friend. He now owns a house on Madeira and they meet up.
Interesting book about relationships, songwriting and Madeira.
Thank to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced readers copy.

One of the best things about reading is that I can visit faraway places and experience different cultures while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The exotic island of Madeira where “An Island in the Sun” takes place is known for its warm climate, pebbly beaches and rocky high cliffs. The capital of Madeira, Funchal, where Raff and Tabitha attended a party, has lavish botanic gardens and a breathtaking harbor.

I envied Tabitha with her adventurous spirit and her love for animals as she traveled the world pet sitting, which allowed her to also concentrate on her songwriting and musical career. The villa she was staying at was spacious, relaxing and private until a late night visitor arrived who would end up stealing her heart. Raff was sexy, very nice to look at and also loved to travel. He was a budding author with a kind heart and a hopeful outlook on life. I enjoyed sightseeing with Raff and Tabitha, laughing with them as they cared for the dogs and relaxing with them by the pool. At first, it appeared they were two ships passing in the night but in reality, fate had thrown them together so they could help each other forget their pasts and learn to love again while looking ahead to the future, one great adventure at a time.

Tabitha is pet sitting in Madeira. She's been going round the world doing this since her best friend betrayed her. She's a songwriter so can do her job anywhere. Loved this book

This was an amazing beach read. I want to read it again this summer. Lots of self discovery, a man from your past, and making peace. I can't wait to read furthers books from this author. I love a good strong female and discovering a new and unique location.