The Island of Dreams is a heartwarming story that transports you and makes you feel like your in island of Paxos. This will make a perfect beach or vacation read

Martha is the youngest daughter, coming home for her sister's wedding. She doesn't like her fiance one bit but decides not to say anything. Then he hits on her and tries to convince her sister that it was all her.

The wedding gets canceled and they turn it into a big party instead. Her sister convinces her to go on what was supposed to be her honeymoon alone, as a chance to do something new and get out of the rut she has been in ever since she canceled her wedding years before.

The trip doesn't start all that well at first, but soon the Greek island starts to work its magic on her, and she falls for it and the single father living there. The life there is much different from what she has been living and the change doesn't feel so bad at all. She has her freedom, has fun, and learns to enjoy her life again.

It's a lovely story of getting a fresh start and learning to live again. I liked the story, but for some reason couldn't get into it.

What a gorgeous setting for this escapist novel. The Greek sun seems so appealing and the sea shimmers away. Martha needs this escape. Despite her close family ties, she has tried to avoid being in her childhood home with its memories of her ex- fiance and her sister's wedding. You sense that Martha is ready for a change but not sure which direction to go in. She has tried to protect her heart and avoid amy entanglements.

The family who befriends Martha in Greece take her at face value and see such positives that she does not really see in herself. Her natural kindness draws people to her and she feels a sense of belonging in the community she meets. With a range of characters who add such colour to the story and strong central characters, this is an enjoyable read and perfect for holiday reading.

In short: escapist read

Happy to have discovered another new author that I enjoyed.
Escape to Paxos in beautiful Greece, to discover how Martha has a life changing solo break, this is definitely a page turner, loved it.

The Island of Dreams is a great read that you won't want to end. I loved how Helen combined the heartfelt along with the emotional hard things that happen in life and used the events to create a lovely story of love. I love the bond that Martha developed with Milo and how the community in Greece welcomed her with open arms. I loved the descriptions of Greece. A must read.

THE ISLAND OF DREAMS - Helen McGinn

Beautiful - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - When Martha is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake.
But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home.

Writing - 4 stars - I found the story easy to read and comfortable to get into. I was immediately transported into Martha's world, then was whisked away to a Greek island paradise.

Characters - 4 stars - I especially liked Martha as a main character. She's not perfect, she's worried about mistakes in her past, she's a bit concerned about traveling on her own, but she's also friendly and fun-loving and eventually opens herself to adventure. Harry is the mysterious stranger who quickly captures her imagination as well as her heart. Secondary characters of Connie and Milo added plenty of interest to the story.

Title - 4 stars - Pretty self-explanatory. The island is full of dreamy activities, dreamy people, and is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Cover - 4 stars - Beautiful bright sea blues with white sailboats, but I liked the way the woman is looking out over the view so you don't know whether or not she's a part of the location or not.

Overall - 4 stars - This is a new-to-me author, and I liked her book very much. She immediately drew me into the story, and I connected to Martha right away because she was both genuine and vulnerable. The characters were approachable, but the exotic setting made them seem more dreamlike, as though we were on a magical vacation with them. Secondary characters (as well as an unusual back story) also added a lot of depth to what might otherwise have been a typical light-hearted romance.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Island Of Dreams' by Helen McGinn.

Read and reviewed for Helen McGinn, Boldwood Books, Book & Tonic, The Bold Book Club, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.

Publication Date 13th February 2024.

This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last.

This novel consists of 19 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

Well I am ABSOLUTELY gutted to come to the end of this book as it ends my stunning sofa holiday 😭

This book is beautifully written and completely absorbs you in the stunning atmosphere of Greece completely sucking you in with the vivid descriptions leaving you feel the warmth of the the sun and smell the fresh air. The synopsis and cover suits the storyline perfectly.

The storyline is authentic, unique and realistic as well as easy to read and heart-warming. It is just one of those absolutely stunning books that promises the reader gets completely lost in the pages for hours. I absolutely loved meeting Martha along with the rest of the characters in both stunning locations of Paxos and Devon. Thanks to Helen's stunning evocative writing skills I genuinely felt like I had packed my suitcase leaving rainy Wales for the stunning Greek sun. I could see the stunning island of Paxos, feel the sun on my skin and hear the waves splashing. You will want to book the day off whatever you had planned as once you pick up this book and turn the pages I can guarantee you will not want to put it down!! I found myself picking it up every spare second I had and not wanting to put it down so ended up reading it in one sitting in the end!! I loved how the story ended and I would love to read more about the life in this gorgeous Greek island of Paxos. An absolutely stunning escapism read!!!

Clear your schedules, pack your bags and get ready to go on a journey of a lifetime to the stunning Greek Island of Paxos!!!

The characters were all unique with their own realistic traits, strengths and weaknesses. There was a great variety of personalities and I enjoyed getting to know them all. My heart went out to Martha who is such a likeable character and I was rooting for her from the very start of the book. I loved watching her interactions, friendships and relationships grow and change between Martha, Harry, Milo, Connie and all the other characters. Helen's fantastic writing skills made it feel I was standing next to them throughout as they came to life as I was turning the pages. The only downside was the fact that I had to say goodbye to them when I came to the end as they very quickly came to feel like friends that I was enjoying getting to know. Well done Helen on creating an absolutely fantastic group of realistic, strong and unique characters. I would love to meet them again and hope to see this made into a movie!!!

A MASSIVE WELL DONE to Helen on a HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more of your past and future books. This is the exact reason I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors! Here's to your next success 🥂

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of Helen's 'This Is Us' which promises to be just as gorgeous as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!!

Overall a true page turning, perfect and stunning romance that will sweep you off your feet and land you in Greece!!

257 pages

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.45 in paperback, at time of review, via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

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Helen McGinn - The Island Of Dreams.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Helen McGinn, and her books are a very pleasant discovery.

#TheIslandOfDreams is split between the Devon coast and the Greek island of Paxos.
Both settings have their charm, and are brought to life with vivid clarity by some lovely writing.

There is a lovely mix of characters in this story. Martha is likeable and deserves to find happier times.
Martha’s family are a heart warming bunch.
In Pacos, Martha meets some brilliant characters. Harry and Milo are both adorable.

#TheIslandEscape is a gorgeous story. It’s well written, charming and full of love and sunshine.
A perfect read when you need a hit of feel good in your life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Feeling disillusioned with her love life and harboring reservations about her sister's impending marriage, Martha is in need of a change. When the opportunity for a solo getaway to a Greek island arises, she hesitantly seizes it, despite her apprehensions about traveling alone. However, her initial excitement gives way to uncertainty as complications arise during her journey.

Yet, Paxos works its magic on Martha in unexpected ways. As she becomes acquainted with the island's charming residents and embraces its laid-back lifestyle, Martha discovers a newfound sense of freedom and joy that starkly contrasts with the monotony of her life back home.

Central to Martha's experience is her encounter with single father Harry and his delightful son Milo. Through her interactions with them, Martha glimpses a different path for herself—one filled with warmth, companionship, and possibility.

As Martha grapples with the inevitable prospect of returning home, readers are drawn into a tale of self-discovery, romance, and the transformative power of new experiences. Will Martha be able to leave behind the allure of Paxos, along with the captivating individuals she has met, or will she choose to embrace the island's gifts and chart a new course for her future?

"The Island of Dreams" is a poignant and evocative narrative that transports readers to a place where dreams are realized and destinies reshaped. With its vivid depiction of Paxos' idyllic landscapes and its endearing cast of characters, this novel captivates the reader from beginning to end.

The perfect escape from the winter months, a virtual vacation to Paxos, a small Greek Island. Loved all of the descriptions of the island and the yummy food. Loved the main character, Martha a single teacher on a trip by herself when she meets single dad, Harry and his son Milo. Loved the time that they spent together.

This book kept me turning the pages with the romance of Harry and Martha. A little mystery thrown in makes for the perfect read.

A wonderful story, set against the lovely Greek sun, dotted with wonderful wine, that was crisp and cool to drink. The book was warm and welcoming and I read it within three days,as I just wanted the story to carry on and find out how Harry and Martha's tale would end.
Martha has had some ups and downs and now its her turn to create a new stage in her life, everyone around her seems to be happy, but she feels she is missing something form her life. Iris her sister is her route to new adventures in the sun in Greece, and we are then taken on lovely discovery of the Greek islands and Martha's blossoming into a 'new' Martha.
Loved it!

I am a massive fan of all things Greek, so this book had me from the start. I loved how the characters jumped off the page and ended up loving Martha’s English family just as much as the Greek setting. Milo is adorable, as is his dad!

I love stories which transport me to another place and this book did it so well I have now added Paxos to my bucket list. I’m sure it will see an influx of bookie fans next year.

An unexpected holiday
Paxos seems a dream getaway
But ferry drama at the start
Will she regret taking part?

With secrets and revelations,
Treats and temptations,
Surprises in store
This is a story to adore!

A glorious read, with sunshine and more,
With new friendships and an island to explore.
With residents welcoming her there
All seem to know her and to care.

Such a contrast from her life before
Should she dream of so much more?
Attraction, romance, a possible fresh start?
Will it work out or leave her with a broken heart?

Milo really is the star of this book,
Along with the gorgeous setting, well worth a look!
Alongside the community, the family history
And an unresolved mystery.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The Island of Dreams is a great romantic escapist romp.

Greece is a magical place to escape to, whether it's in real life or in the pages of a book. Helen has managed to capture what makes Greece so wonderful and breathtaking. All of the descriptions in this story are lush and vivid. I felt like I could feel the warm breeze on my face and hear the waves crashing in the ocean. She also shows readers how wonderful the communities that live on this island are. I loved just spending time with locals on Paxos. They are friendly, funny, and just have so much heart. They added that extra charm to the story.
The overall story is enjoyable. This book is great for those bookworms who like their romances on the lighter side of things. The romance between Martha and Harry isn't the story's main focus and doesn't pick up until the book's latter half. As readers, we enjoy spending time on this gorgeous island and hanging out with Martha and the community that lives on Paxos. The book's first part has some family drama (which I always love), and then the story turns into this fun vacation romance. I enjoyed the book's flow, and all the characters were well-crafted. They were interesting and relatable. Martha is a great MC and fun to be with. I loved exploring Paxos with her and watching her bloom and begin to live again. I'm not ashamed to say that little Milo stole my heart and just was so delightful in this book. It's not too often that I say I wish I got to spend more time with a character who is a kid, but I wish I got to spend more time with Milo.
As I mentioned above, the romance is on the lighter side of things. It's a cozier romance and an excellent read for anyone who loves vacation romances. I always love seeing how an author will get their two MCs to their HEA, and Martha and Harry's journey was really enjoyable to watch unfold. And I liked the romance between Harry and Martha. It was sweet, and the sparks were there. I liked their conversations, and things just flowed really nicely between these two.

The Island of Dreams is a cozy vacation romance that will transport readers to the gorgeous island of Paxos.
Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Martha is in a family pickle, not of her own doing but she been offered the chance to spend a fortnight out of her six week holiday to escape to the sun, for free and alone. A chance for some soul searching and relaxation away from everything – the hustle and bustle of London, her family, her past… personally, I’d snap that up if I was her!!

A chance meeting sets Martha on the path that I accompanied her upon, getting herself a warm welcome from the locals. The time I spent with Martha was a bit of a rollercoaster but it was a warm and fuzzy one. I loved the routine she got herself into with her morning swims and meandering round the local town.

This book is not without its conflict mixed with a smidgeon of intrigue around a past disappearance which gave The Island Of Dreams a slight dark cloud over its feel good factor. That said, it tempered that fuzzy feeling I had which is a good thing. I need some intrigue or conflict as a contrast and McGinn gave me enough!

The Island Of Dreams is a wonderful escape to the idyllic island of Paxos. Reading this on a chilly February evening made me yearn for some sun on my skin, craving for some Vitamin D and ice cold drinks. McGinn has created a sublime trip to a world of peace and quiet, where the locals welcome Martha like an old friend. This was all I hoped it would be as a read and more. Pure escapism – loved it!

I enjoyed this fun holiday romance read. Martha is an English teacher on vacation for the summer. She’s the youngest of 3 sisters. After her sister calls off her engagement, she offers Martha her honeymoon visit to Axios, Greece. When the ferry to the island is canceled she finds a boat taxi to get her there. She runs into 10-year-old Milo, who is upset because also trying to get back to the island to see his grandma. She offers to bring him along with her. Once there she meets up with his father Harry and grandmother Connie who take her under their wing and show her the island. Soon she’s out enjoying her time in Greece. She’s eating delicious foods, enjoying the sea and beach, boating around the island, and enjoying her time there.


I enjoyed the story. I loved the story and the descriptions of the warm and friendly people, as well as the descriptions of her days in Axios. I did get frustrated with Martha and her actions during the 3rd act. The supporting characters were great! I loved Harry, Connie, and Spiros. Milo, Harry’s son was the best! I loved the descriptions of the island of Axios and life there by the sea. I’d love to rent a place there. Overall, it was an enjoyable beach read.


Thanks to Boldwood Books, Netgalley, and the author for this read.

Firstly thank you to Netgalley for this Arc

Brilliant book felt like I was actually in Greece this is definitely a holiday book

This was my first Helen McGinn book and I was impressed! Her attention to detail was astounding. You really feel like you are transported to Greece with Martha! This was a quick read that was perfect for a cold winters day!

ARC REVIEW

The Island of Dreams is a beautiful, heartwarming story. Martha called off her engagement because she didn't feel she loved her fiance enough. Her sister Iris is getting married, and Martha travels to her parents' home to help with preparations. Assisting with her sister's wedding is triggering for Martha. When Iris learns that her fiance kissed Martha, she cancels her wedding. Iris had already booked a honeymoon trip to Greece. Iris felt Martha could use a change in scenery, so she gifted the trip to her. While in Greece, Martha gets to know some locals, makes new friends, and stumbles upon a new love connection.

I enjoyed this story. The author included vivid, beautiful descriptions of Greece, and the characters were well-developed. The pacing was off a little, and I wanted an epilogue to learn more about Harry, Martha, and Milo's future. Overall, this was a good read. The Island of Dreams allowed me to escape reality and enjoy a cozy story with a happy ending.

Thank you, Helen McGinn, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley, for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Martha Wiliams is a teacher of English. Several years ago, she called off her wedding because she felt that her fiancé was just not the real one. Now, her sister, Iris, is getting married and Martha has to travel to her parents’ home for a pre-wedding dinner. Martha’s impression of Iris’s fiancé, Toby, is not good. He is loud and crass. When he tries to kiss her, she is appalled and even more so when she overhears him tell Iris that Martha tried to put the make on him. Iris is hurt and yells at Martha only to find later that Martha was telling the truth. So, Iris breaks off the engagement and instead has a party for all the guests they had invited. In addition, Iris gives Martha the tickets and cottage she had purchased for her honeymoon in Paxos Greece. Surprised and delighted, Martha heads out.

Landing in Paxos, Martha learns that ferries to take her to Paxos are unreliable and she has to settle for an over-priced water taxi. While waiting for the taxi, she sees a young boy looking upset and asks if she can help him. Turns out his phone has died and he is trying to get back home to Paxos where he lives with his father, Harry, and his grandmother, Connie. Martha calls the woman and tells her she will escort Milo home and Connie will meet them. In Paxos, Connie then takes Martha to her cottage.

Milo’s family befriends Martha and shows her around the island where they all become quite close. Milo’s mother went missing years ago and it’s assumed she drowned. As Martha and Harry spend time together, an attraction sparks. But Martha knows she will need to go home soon. Can there be a future for them?

I really liked this book. The descriptions of the scenery, the beautiful, sun-filled days, and the delicious food and wine just made me want to be there. Milo is an adorable boy that one could easily love. A delightful story. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.