This is the story of sisters Ella and Agnes from St Lucia. Agnes is the more confident and adventurous of the two, while Ella is a home-body. Agnes longs to escape from the confines of island life and plans to travel to England as soon as she can afford the ticket, even though this will mean leaving her 2 children behind in the care of Ella.

However, when Ella achieves this first milestone it is to discover, like many other immigrants at the time, that England is not a land of milk and honey. This is the story of her struggle to survive and to support her family back in St Lucia.

This is a beautifully written tale which can be enjoyed by anyone. Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A story of two sisters living in St Lucia, work is not easy to find, but Agnes find work with English family and learns more and more about England,
it seems as if the streets are lined in gold. She feels she has to go make some money then return to her family to help them. But London is not what
she thought, racism is rife. She finds work and is able yo send money home. But then she meets another immigrant and falls in love, where will her home be now?

Pepsi Demacque-Crockett has had a successful career in music as a backing singer for Wham! and then as a member of the duo Pepsi and Shirlie. Although she was born in London, her parents came to England from St Lucia in the Caribbean, and this forms the inspiration for Island Song, her debut novel.

Island Song is set in the 1950s. Agnes Deterville and her sister, Ella, who live in the village of Canaries on the island of St Lucia, are two very different people. As the quiet, cautious older sister, Ella can’t imagine leaving her island home and knows that she’ll never want to live anywhere else. Agnes is bolder and more adventurous, ready to follow her dreams and seize new opportunities. Working as a housekeeper for an English family, the Chesters, Agnes is captivated by Mrs Chester’s descriptions of her home country and longs to see it for herself. Hearing that people from the Caribbean have been invited to help rebuild post-war Britain, she decides to use her savings to travel to London.

Agnes has two young children from a failed relationship, whom she leaves behind with Ella, and her intention is to return to St Lucia as soon as she’s made enough money to improve the lives of the whole family. However, everything changes when, soon after arriving in England, she falls in love with another new immigrant, Raphael. Agnes and Raphael come from the same village and she knows him by his bad reputation, but meeting him again in London he seems to be a different person and assures her that he has changed. Agnes wants to believe him, but how can she know he’s telling the truth?

Island Song is a fascinating exploration of the experiences of immigrants and the way in which people often build up an image of something in their mind that isn’t matched by reality. Having listened to Mrs Chester’s idyllic tales of her life in Dorset, Agnes expects something similar when she arrives in London and is shocked to find that this isn’t the case. Rather than sipping tea in elegant drawing rooms, she’s working in a kitchen making tea for other people, while being bullied by a racist colleague. Similarly, Raphael comes to London hoping to make a fortune, but instead spends several months unemployed before eventually finding a lowly job painting walls for a construction company. They – like the rest of the Caribbean community – face prejudice, discrimination and even violence, but also make new friends amongst both immigrants and white British people who give them the confidence that not everyone in their new country wants them to leave.

Agnes is a strong character and I did like her, but I found Raphael more interesting because he goes through more growth and development throughout the novel. He has a drinking problem and is easily influenced by his friends, but he also has a kind heart and does genuinely seem to want to change and be a good partner to Agnes. I really wanted them to find happiness, both in their relationship and in their working lives. Ella is another character who grows as a person as the book progresses. Although most of the focus is on the characters who have left the island, we do catch up with Ella now and then and see how she’s gradually able to move on from some bad experiences in her past and gain the confidence to take control of her own life.

Demacque-Crockett writes beautifully about St Lucia – I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set there before – and her love for her own heritage shines through in the London sections of the novel as well. The English spoken by her St Lucian characters is peppered with Kwéyòl, a French-based Creole language, and we see the immigrants trying to adapt to British culture while at the same time trying to retain parts of their own culture, such as their favourite foods and music. I really enjoyed this book and I hope Demacque-Crockett will write another one!

Island Song is the story of two sisters, Ella and Agnes, living on the island of St Lucia. Agnes is desperate to lave and move to England to provide for her family. Ella is the opposite, comfortable with her life in St Lucia. Agnes finally raises money to board the ship, leaving her children with Ella. The story portrays the reality of the immigration programme - racism, poverty and the harsh difference in the weather.

The story is based on the author's family history, and is well researched and moving. It is well written and easy to read, and I loved the difference between the two sisters, who both had their own issues to face. I look forward to reading more by the author.

Knowing a little about St Lucia, I found that the writer has mastered both local island life and the movement of persons to England, the drastic change of weather and how black persons were received in England in the late 1950s, both the good and the bad. I found the relationship between the housekeeper and the rich UK persons quite odd, as it wasn’t all lord and master and low paid workers and this helped add to the story with a few tumbles and redirections along the way. This is an excellent read, but I wonder if there can be any more as a series; I hope so. This is a real life story around several individuals and their issues during those times. They are so well told, the writer must have some close insight into the island and it’s people. It must have been awful leaving your children on one island while moving to another to earn enough money to bring them over later. While I guess that many of us know something about the Windrush era, this novel brings home the reality of life then, in both the Caribbean and England. I recommend this as a very good family story read.

Pepsi Demacque-Crockett’s Island Song is a beautifully crafted debut that transports readers from the vibrant, sunlit shores of St. Lucia to the cold, bustling streets of post-war London. Inspired by the experiences of the author’s own family, this historical novel offers a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and the enduring power of dreams amidst the challenges of immigration.

The story centers on two sisters, Ella and Agnes, whose diverging paths embody the complexities of love, family, and sacrifice. Ella, the cautious and nurturing older sister, remains in St. Lucia, tethered to the land and her family’s legacy. In contrast, Agnes, bold and determined, dreams of a better future in England. Her journey is a deeply personal one, yet emblematic of the broader Windrush generation’s trials as they sought new opportunities while confronting racism, isolation, and the harsh realities of life in a foreign land.

Demacque-Crockett’s vivid descriptions bring both settings to life, capturing the warmth and vibrancy of Caribbean life alongside the starkness and hostility of 1950s England. The contrast between these worlds is striking, serving to highlight the sacrifices and fortitude of those who left everything behind in search of a better life. The strength of community, whether in the shared struggles of London immigrants or the enduring ties of family back home, is a central theme that resonates throughout the novel.

The characters are richly developed and deeply human. Agnes’s determination to overcome adversity is inspiring, while Ella’s quiet courage and devotion offer a touching counterpoint. Supporting characters like Raphael, Margaret, and Vitalis add depth and nuance, showing the complexity of relationships forged under pressure and the weight of shared struggles.

While the pacing occasionally falters and the ending feels somewhat abrupt, these minor flaws do little to detract from the emotional impact and historical significance of the story. Island Song is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a heartfelt tribute to the Windrush generation’s enduring legacy.

This is more than a historical novel; it’s a deeply personal and evocative story that lingers long after the final page. For readers who appreciate character-driven narratives, rich cultural landscapes, and thought-provoking explorations of identity and belonging, Island Song is a must-read.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this remarkable debut.

A wonderful story of two sisters living in St Lucia but have very different ideas of their future. A true story of family ties and friendships in this brilliant atmospheric historic novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Agnes and her older sister Ella Deterville, live on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, in the West Indies and the sisters have very different ideas of what they want to do in the future.

Ella is shy and wary and can’t imagine leaving the island and she’s scared of water and is happy to stay on dry land. Agnes dreams of immigrating to England, she’s employed as a housekeeper for the Chester’s and he's an English civil servant, and his wife Lillian is lonely and she talks to Agnes and tells her what she misses about home. This makes Agnes more determined to fulfill her dream, she saves her money and she believes if she travels to the UK she will have a better life and will be able to help her family as there are limited opportunities for work in St. Lucia and for women.

After World War Two thousands of people from the Caribbean left the Island Paradise, and travelled to England and Agnes was one of them and they no idea what it was like to live in London. The lucky ones had family and friends to help them find a place to rent or share, sign up at the employment agency and navigate the paperwork, support them until they found a job and boost their spirits when they suffered from home sickness and thought they had made a big mistake.

I received a copy of Island Song by Pepsi Demacque-Crockett from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an honest review. The debut author is famous for being a backup singer in the 1980’s pop group Wham and I was a huge fan. Ms. Demacque-Crockett's fictional story is based on the lives of her parents, they crossed the Alantic Ocean for a better life in the 1950's and so many brave people from Commonwealth countries did this.

The reader gets to look at both sides through the experiences of two sisters, one chooses to stay in St. Lucia and the other who took a big risk and immigrated to England. Like the main character Ella they struggled with living in a cold climate and eating strange food, the pressure to find work and sending money home, prejudice and racism.

I really enjoy the novel, the descriptions of life in St. Lucia and the West Indies, the scenery, food and their beliefs and what happened to Ella in England, the courage and comradery between the immigrants was inspiring. My favourite characters where Margaret who travelled with Ella and her husband Vitalis and Moses and Linus, a narrative about sacrifice and duty, hope and following your dreams.

The streets of London weren’t paved with gold and instead it was sleet and I highly recommend Island Song to readers who enjoy thought provoking and character driven historical fiction and Pepsi Demacque-Crockett can add that’s she’s a successful and talented writer to her list of accomplishments and five stars from me.

I very much enjoyed this portrayal of life in London and StLucia in the 1950s. It tells the story of two sisters. One travels to England leaving her two children to be cared for by her sister. The challenges faced by Agnes and her fellow West Indian travellers in London at that time are powerfully and movingly depicted. This would have been. 5 * review from me except the ending seemed a bit flat and rushed compared to the rest of the novel.

Island Song, a story of sisters - their delicate yet strong which stays alive even after one if the sister moves from their island home of St. Lucia ti to London. It is a story of hopes, dreams and challening life of a coloured generation of people who moved to England in the mid 1950's.

I loved the people for their bravery and unwavering determination in the face of racism, violence and brutality while making a new life for themselves away from a place where they were atleast accepted and not shunned for the colour of their skin. A glimpse into the immigration wave in England from the Commonwealth countries after the world war 2.

Island Song, that tracks the stories of two sisters from St.Lucia is a book that belongs to a different age. The objective is to tell a truthful story than build a drama, like say in Little Island or build sweeping character arcs.

Ella and Agnes are siblings who have different perspectives on life. Ella, the elder never wants to leave her island and, disappointed by the men in her life, decides to dedicate her life to taking care of her sister and her children. Agnes, the younger one, wants to go to England and make a future for her children.

We follow more closely the path of Agnes, who enter the employ of an English family in St.Lucia and subsequently leaves the island to make her future. The entire journey in a racially charged environment, or the influences of the community in looking out for each other are probably common for most immigrant population.

The problem I found was the rushed ending of the book. It felt like the book could have ended anywhere without a few episodes, it did not matter if some characters were never introduced. It is too slice of life, and yet wants to build memorable characters.

Honest voice for a debut and I hope, the celebrity status of the author, will make this book get a decent reach.

Island Song is a delightful novel giving an incite to immigration -I really enjoyed it. Ella and her sister Agnes live in St Lucia, but they each have different dreams. Agnes to travel to England and Ella to stay in her hometown and teach. It was atmospheric, and beautifully written with wonderful characters.

An interesting, well written historical book set on the island of St Lucia in the Caribbean and London. I enjoyed reading it, although it was quite long and slow at times. Very well depicted characters throughout and really gave a flavour of the 'Windrush' generation with their various struggles and disillusions of life in Britain at the end of the 1950s. Wonderful descriptions, bringing home the contrasts between the two locations especially in the weather and way of life. There is a certain warmth and hope overall with a community spirit

Apart from quite recently on the news we don't hear that much of the so called 'Windrush' generation of immigrants from the West Indies who came to the UK by invitation back in the 1950's so this is an interesting insight into what life was like for them when they arrived here.  

We first meet up with the two sisters Agnes and Ella in their homeland of St Lucia. After the death of their parents and still only very young they live in relative poverty, scratching a living together on the small Island in St Lucia. I think I enjoyed this part of the book more than the second half when Agnes makes it to England. The two sisters are very different in their outlook on life. Agnes dreams of better things, she has two children, their father long gone and she wants more for her children than she has had. Ella is more fearful of change, as the elder sister she feels a duty of care for her younger sister and worries about her ambitions and where they might lead her, but mostly fears losing her to pastures new as she knows she can never follow.

The second half of the book is taken up with Agnes once she arrives in England. It's a small world on the island of St Lucia and Agnes stumbles across people she knows from back there when she arrives in London. The story follows her journey of finding a place to live, finding work and hopefully being able to bring her children to England for a better life. It tells of the discrimination they endure, when they find that after all they've been through to get here, England isn't a place paved with gold and is almost as much a struggle living here as it was back home.

Reading a little like a saga this is an eventful yet poignant story, that tells of the hopes and dreams as well as the hardships of those that came here, the 'Windrush' generation. Invited here to help us build a better country from the remnants of WWII and yet often treated with contempt and made to feel unwelcome, it is a memorable insight into the lives of those early immigrants.

Such a glorious piece of historical fiction. I adored how it was a different viewpoint to many 20th century historical novels, it really great gave insight into the Windrush generation. Loved it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and have sympathetic characters. There were echoes of the brilliant recent TV series written by Sir Lenny Henry- 3 little birds. Island song is a story of struggle and the promise of a different and better life that was dreamt by all of the people who came to the UK from the Caribbean. Interestingly written by Pepsi of Pepsi and Shirley fame from Wham!

A stunning novel about what it's like to leave home, live away from your family and want to find your own place in the world. For a first novel this is really impressive and inspired by the author's own family I believe. Very atmospheric. There are some tough subjects here but what a worthy and meaty read.

I absolutely adored this impressive debut by British pop singer Pepsi Demacque-Crockett. Island Song is a tender, honest, courageous and heartfelt story lovingly crafted and inspired by the author’s own family’s experience as immigrants to England during the ‘Windrush’ era of the 1950s. For a bit of historical background: the name is taken from the HMT Empire Windrush ship that brought one of the first large groups of Caribbean people to the UK a few years after the Second World War. Being part of the British commonwealth, immigrants who arrived were automatically British subjects and free to permanently live and work in the UK. But it was not an easy road for them: being accepted, finding decent accommodation and work proved tough.

This novel takes us on a journey that shows what it was like for those who chose to leave their beloved island and what it was also like for those who remained behind. Separation from family members— brought loneliness, doubt and fear. For those who left, there were many sacrifices. It was a struggle leaving their Island and loved ones to move to a colder climate with different customs and expectations. For Agnes, Raphael, Margaret and Vitalis—travelling from the Caribbean seeking a new life, spurred on by hope of better shores, soon showed them how much more difficult the transition would be. It was a long rough crossing from St Lucia, West Indies, to London. It gave them time to think and wonder if they were making the right choice. For Agnes, it was particularly challenging as she had to leave her sister, Ella, and her two children behind, to create a better future for them all.

The women who arrive in London from the islands, talk on their way to and from church about the challenges they face living in England: such as the weather, difficulty finding West Indian food and work. Agnes finds it hard to get employment so initially she cleans and cooks for Margaret and Vitalis plus prepares food for Linus and Raphael. This gives her a little cash to keep afloat. But she must find proper employment. She needs to support herself and send money home for her children and sister, whom she misses very much. She eventually finds a job but with it comes its own challenges: jealous staff and hate letters. Despite the opposition, Agnes works hard and reaps the rewards: including meeting the Queen mother!

The church, faith and prayer (along with forgiveness and charity) are often woven throughout the text, showing its importance to the characters’ lives—particularly the women in this story. The Easter message of healing and renewal gives Agnes opportunity to coax her friend Margaret to talk about what happened at her first job. And when she confesses how hard she worked and did everything well asked of her, she is told not to return. The reason? Her colour. This shocks Margaret as she never expected this kind of small-mindedness in England as she thought she would be judged on her manners, work ethics and character. This stumbling block, though, only makes her more determined and from it she builds her strength. She gets another job, a better one and is happy with herself.

The novel shows how hurtful racism can be. And the violence that springs from it. This ignorant behaviour shown by some white people towards the islanders only serves to drive the immigrants closer together. It strengthens their community spirit. They become important support for each other. There are some heartbreaking attacks but it was a wonderful thing to see Agnes stand up to bullying in her workplace.

Sister Ella is caretaker of Agnes’s children. She stays behind on the island. She has her own trials and romantic disappointments. Her biggest worry though is Agnes and her relationship with Raphael, a man who has a bad reputation back home. She doubts that he has changed. But sweet Auntie Flora helps Ella see she has been crippled by her own losses (which colours her views and has made her timid). I loved Auntie as she is such a great voice of wisdom and able to help Ella move forward in her own life and open her eyes to the reasons behind her sister’s choices and how she can offer support while finding courage and her ‘own way in the world,’ too.

Raphael has a drinking problem and carries a few secrets that could hurt the woman he has come to love. He tries hard to stay on the good path but his demons rear up from time to time, especially after something terrible happens to him and Agnes. Racism rears its ugly head and the after-effects for Raphael haunt and begin to weaken the fortress he has built to rise above the drink. Although he previously had an alcohol weakness, this upset pushes him further into its clutches. The novel truly shows the trials of alcoholism. But also how love can be the support to lift one out of that dark hole.

There is so much I could say about this novel. I made a number of notes highlighting important lines of wisdom. But this book must be read to capture its essence. I can guarantee, though, it will draw you into its realm quickly and completely as it did me. Sincerity shines through, the passion for a way of life, the trials and temptations, the sacrifices and victories, too. Each character’s growth is astounding in the face of such adversity.

I am so glad I read this beautifully delivered novel. It is a real tribute to those emigrants who had a dream. Also, as a writer of music and lyrics, I can relate well to the concept of the Island Song. The title and cover first drew me in. As I opened the first page and began to read, I was moved and inspired by Pepsi’s characters and their stories. I was transported to the locations (on the Island and in London). I was constantly thinking: the essence of a place can ring through our hearts like a song, give us courage, keep us strong and focused. Community spirit is vital and it shines in this novel for those on the island (particularly experienced by Ella during her scary incident) and for those who carried their island memories in their hearts to their new location. Our roots are important and our songs and ties will continue wherever we go. As an emigrant myself—I feel this. Agnes understands what this means, too. And Ella comes to appreciate the journeys and decisions they each had to take and make. She, too, finds her own path and happiness.

Island Song is a stunning, memorable and mesmerising story that grasped my heart and never let go. I did not want to say goodbye to these warm and wonderful characters. The ending left me wondering and hoping…will there be a sequel? Regardless, this story is an absolute must-read. A fireworks beginning to 2025! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for a review copy.

What a wonderful story ,written from the pov of two sisters in St Lucia in the 1950's. Agnes is longing to go to England she sees it as an adventure and a way of being able to send some money back to Ella who will look after her children ,Ella has no intention of leaving the Island at all .Agnes finally saves enough for her ticket to what she hopes is happiness but is shocked to find how hard life in England is . Nevertheless she is a strong woman and is not going to give up .I was sad to read how racist England was even back then .It must have been very scary for the newcomers to even walk down the street without being attacked ,A very enjoyable read . Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC .

Agnes and her sister Ella live together in Saint Lucia. Agnes has two young children who Ella helps her care for. Their father is long gone. They struggle to survive from day to day but their sister bond is strong. Agnes dreams of leaving and coming to England for a better life. Ella wants to stay put and does not want Agnes to go. Agnes eventually does leave and promises to return. She leaves the care of her children to Ella.
Really loved this book. I believe it painted a vivid picture of what life could be like for some who came to England at that time.