4.5 ⭐️
Lily has no time for herself and her business is her life. When she’s forced to have a break away from the business and go practically “off grid” she finds out what is really important to her and what she’s been missing. She meets Sam who is the host of the previously uninhabited island of Stark who is currently building a luxury retreat which is not quite finished.
What follows is a lovely story of her journey from business go-getter to a woman who has fallen in love with Stark, the Isles of Scilly, and the people who live there.
This is a beautiful story, which with its descriptions of the Isles of Scilly has made me want to visit myself.
It’s a romantic feel good story which you know will all work out right in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A feel good summer read - makes you think and enjoy the present - a brilliant read from Phillipa and would definitely recommend for the summer

The setting was beautiful and it’s an enjoyable romantic story but I didn’t warm to the characters and found it slightly boring, as much of the book just concentrated on the two main characters. I usually love Phillipa Ashley’s books, and I was excited to read this latest one, but it’s probably my least favourite of her novels. I’d encourage new readers to read some of her previous books as she is an excellent author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

Once again Phillipa has written another good book. I would say she gets better with each book. This one I just could not put down, I kept sneaking off to read it, housework went out the window. I highly recommend this book.

i didn’t dislike it. i liked the concept, just sweet and fluffy, and about letting your walls down. i just found myself not really caring that much about the characters, i was just indifferent; not rooting for them or hoping the story went a certain way. wasn’t a massive fan of the writing style either but it was still a sweet book.

Gorgeous read, lovely story. Very descriptive of the Scilly Isles, now on my visit list.
First read by Phillipa Ashley but not my last
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

If you are looking for a feel good summer romance then look no further. After a sudden medical episode workaholic Lily is sent to the Isles of Scilly to a retreat to rest and recuperate. On arriving the retreat isn’t finished but she meets a local, Sam, who owns the retreat. Then we come to the warm and cuddly romance of the story. Boy meets girl, throw in a moody teenage niece, a widowed brother in law, and the turbulent weather of an island.

A wonderful book about enjoying where you are not where you think you should be.
Leaving her business behind after a health scare and switching off.
Helping others and finding yourself at the same time.

Lily runs her own business selling crafted items on a global scale but has hit burnout, particularly since her sister died. When she passes out at her desk, her PA decides enough is enough and calls in the cavalry of her doctor brother in law, who prescribes a long break. Sam owns an island in Scilly that he’s developing into a luxury retreat and Lily becomes his first guest. Will he be able to convince her to leave a good review (she’s known on social media for her scathing ones!) and make her fall in love with Scilly?

A lovely romcom with a likeable cast and scenery that makes you want to go to Scilly yourself. Thanks to NetGalley for a free arc in return for an honest review. 4.5/5

I really enjoyed this book and was grateful to have been given the chance to read this.

Scilly is somewhere I have wanted to go to for ages, and loved reading a story about it.

Lily is an over-worked CEO, and founder of her own business, on the brink of a breakdown and being trolled on social media. She is sent on a break by her PA to a new retreat on the island of Stark. What meets her in totally unexpected, a half finished hotel and a hotelier (Sam) who is equally unprepared to welcome her as a guest. She is isolated on an island by herself with no wifi, which leads to many surprises.

This is a tale where she realises who she really is, what she really Loves, and what she wants to do, She makes (re) discoveries about herself, and the island of Stark. After a traumatic experience, develops a deeper relationship with Sam (and his family) that changes the way she looks at things at herself.

Phillipa Ashley's books are always lovely, and I am looking forward to the next one.

I just loved this book. I read it at the right time; when the weather was cold and wet, work was busy, and life admin was piling up.
It felt like a little escape; reading it, and imagining the life that Lily was leading and how she was able to turn things around.
I found it an easy read and wanted to keep coming back to it when I had some free time, I had a great image of the characters and I liked all their personalities and quirks.
I will certainly be following the author and hoping it could be a series with the next adventures of Lily!

Another fab book by Phillippa who is a must read author. I'll be looking out for her next book as they are always filled with likeable characters, gorgeous settings and make you want to come back for more.

I always love a contemporary romance as a pallet cleanser and this did the job! Location, characters, and story were great. I would definitely recommend this to others.

this book follows lily - who is a bit of a workaholic after her sister died and after collapsing at work. she allows her PA to book her a holiday away to rest. she meets the resort owner and their summer romance was so sweet to read about! i enjoyed this book a lot. it was fun and sweet and a lovely read for the beach or lounging by the pool!!

I really liked this novel set on the Isles of Scilly (which I now want to visit!).

Lily Harper is forced to take a break from her flourishing business, and is booked on a last minute break to a retreat on the Isles of Scilly. There she meets Sam and a host of other characters (charming and otherwise!) as she has to come to terms with events in her life and discover what she really wants.

I loved this book, really easy to get into and very descriptive.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exhange for my honest review.

The book title tells you everything you need to know about this holiday romance. I lovely engaging book where the Isle of Scilly star alongside with the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advance copy of this book.

Philippa Ashley's latest book is set on the Isles of Scilly. Lily a workaholic CEO of an online company that supports crafters goes to the Isles of Scilly following a turbulent period with her health, a disastrous appearance on a reality TV show, and a family tragedy. Her introduction to the islands is not a good one but a life changing moment forces her to stop and take a look at her life.

An engaging fun summer read that will appeal to the author's many fans and be a boost for the Isles if Scilly tourism! They are as much a character in this book as the people.

Lily Harper is forced to take a break from her work and is sent to a half finished wellness retreat on the Sicily Islands. Here she meets Sam - the owner with his own worries and pressures. They initially clash but are forced to survive a weekend together. A near death experience on the water leads both to ask questions of their lifestyle and future aspirations.

Lily is made to question whether she wants to return to her old London life or whether she should give love a chance.

Lovely characters set in a beautiful part of the world - I certainly want to visit.

A charming story - bound to make you smile.

✨4 stars✨

After the tragic loss of her sister and suffering from burnout, business owner Lily is forced to take a break from everything by going on a retreat on the Isles of Scilly. There she finds herself helping the owner Sam which cottage renovations whilst also finding her new beginning.

I really enjoyed this book because I especially identified with the main character Lily and felt that her personality felt well-rounded and human. I also enjoyed the setting of the book, as the descriptions were extremely evocative which makes for a perfectly light summery read.

I would definitely recommend to everyone looking for a light-hearted palate cleanser that’s perfect for the upcoming warmer months.

P.S. I loved the fact that there was a map in this book as all contemporary books should in my opinion😍

I received an ARC for this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve really enjoyed every book that I have read to date by Philippa Ashley and so I was thrilled to receive this early copy. I was not disappointed!

Lily is a workaholic who ends up taking a somewhat enforced break on the Scilly Isles. She ends up being part of a soft launch for a new retreat that is being opened and meets the lovely owner Sam. Whilst this is a romance tale at heart, there are a number of other topics broached and sensitively handled involving grief, loss and family relationships. I found myself thinking about some of the subjects raised even after I had stopped reading the book. It also made do some research into the Scilly Isles and I’ve added it to my travel bucket list too!

Overall this was an an enjoyable and captivating read – perfect for the longer lighter days ahead!

Thank you to Random House, UK for my advanced copy. This review is my own honest opinion