In this second-chance vacation romance, Belle Madden returns to Ibiza a decade after that first life-changing trip with friends Gem and Laurie looking to recapture that magic by taking a new job on the island and rebuilding her fractured friendships with Gem and Laurie. As the three women seek to recapture the magic of their youth on the White Isle, they realize that there are cracks in the magical facade of the island and that Ibiza, like the three women, has changed in the last decade. With old and new relationships changing and growing over the course of the novel, readers join Belle in Ibiza as she seeks to build a new future -- or risks repeating past mistakes. With so many different plotlines and character arcs, readers have many emotional ties to the narrative, especially since Belle is a strong protagonist. With chapters from the perspectives of other characters like Caleb, readers have the chance to see beyond the glitz and glam of Ibiza from multiple perspectives. Other characters reveal secrets behind Belle, Gem, and Laurie’s first trip to Ibiza, and the friendship (and its reconstruction) between the three women is particularly powerful and well-developed in this fun novel of romance, friendship, and second chances.

Ten years ago, three best friends, Belle, Gem, and Laurie, spent a week in Ibiza to celebrate their college graduation when they were 21. Before they left, they promised to return in 10 years. However, life took unexpected turns, and they lost touch over the years.

Belle receives a job offer to return to Ibiza, which reminds her of the promise they made 10 years ago. She takes the job and reaches out to the other two to convince them to join her for a holiday.

The author takes the reader on an emotional journey, revealing how much can change in a decade. Belle, Gem, and Laurie each hold their own secrets, adding depth to the story. Kate Frost addresses difficult topics with sensitivity, leaving the reader eager to learn more about the characters.

This novel, An Island Promise, has to be one of the best beach reads I have read over the last few years.

I am normally a thriller/mystery reader but this novel sounded good and I am so glad I got to read it. I have never read any of Kate Frost's novels before but I will be doing in the future.

We meet characters Belle, Gem and Laurie who spent an amazing holiday together many years ago, Belle decides to organise a get-together after the three friends have grown up and moved on and drifted apart.

All the women have their own issues and they are all really well likeable characters that you sort of wish were your actual friends.

I found An Island Promise to be heart-warming and a very well written novel.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kate Frost and the publishers for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An Island Promise follows the story of three friends - Belle, Gem and Laurie - from the time they are 21 and partying in Ibiza, to the present day, 10 years later. It is primarily told through the lens of Belle but the readers also get insight into the other women as well.

The descriptions of summer on Ibiza are brilliant, and as someone who hasn't visited the island before, it was tantalising and made me want to go! Belle needs a change in her life and decides to risk leaving her stable job to take a chance on managing events at a luxury hotel and restaurant in Ibiza. What she doesn't tell her new employer is she is hoping to rekindle a summer fling she had 10 years ago!

Over the course of the story, the plot weaves between then and now for each of the characters, and deals with big issues such as infertility, life-changing illness and lost love. I've read and enjoyed other books by Kate Frost and would read more of hers. It was an enjoyable read but I did find the plot a bit predictable and spotted the 'big reveal' a mile off. I would give this a 3.5 out of 5 - rounded up to 4. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A delightful vacation story about three friends.
A story of friendship and family
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.

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

This was a great book. I enjoyed it a lot!

This book is the best. I loved the characters all so different and loveable at the same time. They all had a role to play in this novel.
The setting was fantastic and I felt I was on holiday. Recommend this book totally.

The White Isle, Ibiza, stands resplendent in the story and its sounds and colours are always there, in the background. It is the reason Belle is drawn back, ten years after her holiday there and the setting for the reunion of the three friends, Belle, Gem and Laurie. The three women are very different in personality and struggle to reconnect at first. Each woman has her own backstory and issues to come to terms with. Each can look at the others and envy their lives. Of course, appearances can be deceptive.

Caleb has own sadness and regrets to overcome. On the surface, he seems to have it all but his life reflects his loneliness and unresolved grief he feels. Diego, his brother- in - law, has also done a lot of growing up since he met Belle, Gem and Laurie ten years earlier. They all have to learn to face up to their feelings, be open and honest and live in the present. There is plenty of detail in the storyline as they all interact. Secrets are revealed. The story moves from the present to ten years earlier and back in a meaningful way and to shed light on events and how people are feeling. It all results in an enjoyable read, perfect for holiday reading.

In short: old friendships and new beginnings

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'An Island Promise' by Kate Frost.

An absolute stunner from the extremely talented Kate !!! Well done Kate on an absolutely beautiful and perfect read!! This is the ideal read to curl up on the sofa under a blanket with or relax on the beach while enjoying the sunshine.

Where have you been hiding all my life Kate??? Well, this may be the first book I have read by this incredible author but it most certainly wont be my last!!! If you are looking for a gorgeous read then grab this beautiful page turner and I can promise that you will not regret it!! It does not matter where you read this book because Kate will whisk you away at the turn of the page where you can feel the sun on your skin and open your eyes and find yourself in Ibiza with Belle, Gem and Laurie. Kate does an absolutely amazing job of weaving the storyline together through multiple timelines and protagonists and thanks to her fantastic evocative and emotive writing skills and descriptions you can see and feel everything the characters are feeling as she sucks you deep into the storyline. The storyline itself is ram packed with friends, secrets, sun, holidays, family, heartache, romance, dreams, romance and everything you could ask for and more in a beautiful escapism. This is the perfect time to read this beautiful book with the summer upon us but it is definitely one of those books that can be read in colder weather as between the descriptions ensuring you feel the sun on your skin it also warms your heart. I have never actually been to Ibiza but Kate made me want to jump on a plane and go straight there myself. I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting of a couple of hours as every time I told myself I would just read one more chapter and then go to sleep something happened that ensured there was no way that I could put it down!! On the few occasions I managed to drag my eyes away from the pages it took me a few moments to realise I was actually in dreary Wales and not actually walking on the warm sand on a beach with Belle. With Belle remembering the paradise holiday that herself and her friends Gem and Laurie went on in 2013 Belle decides to return in 2023. Belle becomes employed by and friends with handsome hotel owner Caleb and before she knows it decides to invite Gem and Laurie over for a reunion with the help of Caleb who gives them a luxurious poolside room. However, the happy reunion is threatened when secrets are revealed and one of the friends life is changed forever. Grab your copy of this gorgeous page-turner to find out more. I promise you will not regret it but make sure you clear your schedules first as you will get hooked!!! The storyline is realistic and Kate's stunning evocative writing skills suck you deep into the book ensuring you can hear the character's voices, see the surroundings and the storyline come to life. I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like I was in Ibiza with Belle, Gem and Laurie and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end again where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. It was an absolutely compelling, immersive and addictive heart lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night. I loved discovering the pasts and histories of the characters and I was absolutely swept away in the story line. The characters and locations came to life around me and I cannot wait to read the next book by this absolutely incredible author. It has everything you could ask for to lose yourself for several hours I just could not put it down so make sure you clear your schedules!!!! This book would make a beautiful movie!! An absolutely gorgeous, emotional and addictive read that you will fall in love with!!

Do not turn a single page of this book until you have cleared your schedules and when you do get ready to go on a stunning holiday you will not want to leave!!

I became completely invested in the characters, along with the storyline, who were all absolutely fantastic with their own individual personalities and quirks. They all started feeling like friends so quickly and I felt like I was leaving amazing people and friends and feel quite sad about that! Each of the characters have rich personalities and they will all stay with me for a long time. Kate's fantastic evocative writing skills ensure each and every one of them come to life in front of your eyes while you go through all their emotions with them. I was completely rooting for Belle and Caleb, Gem and Laurie throughout this beautiful page turner but to find out how they get on you'll just have to grab your copy today!!!

Congratulations Kate on an absolutely gorgeous success!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite author club and here is to your next success 🥂 !!!

Overall this is a perfect, stunning, page turning hot chocolate and fireplace or wine and sunbed read with a great gang of characters that will sweep you away to Ibiza from the very first page to the end by the extremely talented Kate Frost!

#AnIslandPromise #KateFrost #BoldwoodBooks #BoldwoodBloggers #theboldbookclub #Boldwood #BookAndTonic #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources

@KateFrost @BoldwoodBooks @BoldwoodBloggers @Boldwood @theboldbookclub @BookAndTonic @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources

https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhitlock86/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34299953-kirsty-bookworm86

https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AFZ2XZBSFHIHXBXGZLBQ666XVK4A?ie=UTF8&ref_=ya_mb_l_prf

This book appealed to me especially from the front cover and it didn’t disappoint.

It was well written and filled with fun, friendship and adventure.

Perfect holiday read. Thanks for the opportunity to read.

The first time when I saw the cover and read the synopsis, I wanted to read the book at the same moment. "An Island Promise" by Kate Frost tells the story of Belle, Gem, and Laurie's youthful adventures on the enchanting island of Ibiza, one of Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. The book weaves together tales of the past, present, and future, showcasing Ibiza's vibrant nightlife, serene villages, and beautiful beaches. A decade later, Belle returns to Ibiza for her dream job, seeking the island's enchanting touch to fulfill her life. Despite her career success, she feels like something is missing and decides to reconnect with her old friends, Gem and Laurie, to reminisce about the happy times they shared in the past. They are warmly received by Belle's charming boss, Caleb, who provides them with a luxurious poolside room, sparking Belle's curiosity about fate's hand in their meeting. Belle savors private moments with her friends, longing for the closeness they once had. However, hidden secrets jeopardize their reunion and irreversibly change the course of one of their lives. Within the beauty of the resort, love and choices abound, all under the warm embrace of the sun by the poolside.

Kate Frost's storytelling transports readers to Ibiza, where Belle's journey unfolds. Through Belle's experiences, one can feel the allure of the island - the sandy walks, the azure skies, and the scent of tropical blooms. Ibiza emerges as a haven for love, whether it's finding new love, rekindling old flames, or appreciating the love in one's life. This book promises to be an excellent vacation companion, inviting readers on a heartfelt voyage and demonstrating the changes a decade can bring.
I've read this book right by the water, and somehow it was perfect read and story combo for me.

Any book set in a foreign location is a win as far as I’m concerned. When it happens to be sun drenched Ibiza that’s an added plus. The three friends Belle, Gem and Laurie are each dealing with their own problems so a return to the place where they spent a drunken holiday ten years ago is the catalyst to make them each confront the past. However, it risks putting their friendship on the line. A delightful story and I loved how it all worked out in the end.

An Island Promise was as absolute joy to read. I was first drawn to this book by the gorgeous cover which immediately caught my eye. Now usually the books I tend to read are mainly thrillers but once I saw this cover I just had to read it. A story of friendships and hidden secrets . I found this to be quite an emotional read at times and could relate myself to certain aspects of the story . It pulled me in from the beginning and the descriptions of the island of Ibiza makes me want to go and visit there and stay on a quieter part of the island. A perfect holiday read.

The book opens at the end of a booze-fuelled friends’ holiday to Ibiza. From the opening pages, it’s clear that some choices had been made that may not have benefited from wisdom. Their friendship leads them to make a pledge to return ten years later and recapture the feeling of their early twenties and their adventures on the White Isle.
Now ten years older, their lives have taken surprising directions leaving their once close friendships fractured. Belle, the leading character has romantic notions about their previous holiday and is determined to gather the girls and reunite them on another trip to Ibiza.
The three friends are almost a copy-and-paste version of my memories of visiting Ibiza. Whilst not a carbon copy, I clearly remember the feeling of being free with access to booze and some very handsome men. Belle was perhaps foolishly carrying a proverbial torch for her Ibizan hook-up, Diego. What she didn’t expect was her feelings after 10 years or the secrets that her friends were keeping from her.
An Island Promise delivers beautifully and provides an opportunity to reflect on some of our past actions that may be better left there. I thoroughly enjoyed following the fallout from the revealed secrets and seeing the friends discover a way back to their former closeness. As for Diego, I had his number from the start!

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

On first impressions, I liked the friendship between the three main characters - Belle, Laurie and Gem. I enjoyed some of their humorous exchanges and banter, and they seemed to speak to what friendship is really about.

As I carried on reading, I felt the atmosphere of Ibiza. It's a popular holiday location, and I got the impression of somewhere that was full of fun and excitement.

As I became more invested in the story, I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters on a deeper level. This was a fun, upbeat read, but it was also a heartwarming story of love and friendship.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Friendship, romance and plenty of sunshine make this a perfect summer read, especially if you can't get away yourself. Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

When Bella, Gemma and Laurie are 21 years old they head off to the Spanish island of Ibiza ready to have the time of their lives. Sun, music, copious amounts of alchohol, hot me and great friends for forever - it's a recipe to party! At the end of their holiday they promise to do it all again in 10 years time!

Fast forward ten years. Bella agrees to accept an events manager role at a luxury hotel in Ibiza. She has been working hard on establishing her career since recovering from a terrible accident years before, but it is time for a change. In Bella's mind, that trip to Ibiza was where she met the one who got away, the man that no other man has ever lived up to. They may have only spent a few days together, but still! It's also a great opportunity for Gemma and Laurie to come and visit her too.

The girls who were going to be besties forever are still friends, but the reality is that they are nowhere near as close as they once were. Gemma appears to live a perfect life, but appearances can be deceptive. And Laurie has her own challenges. And they all have secrets from each other, and it turns out that at least one of them has secrets from 10 years ago.

When Bella starts her new job, she meets her new boss, Caleb, a guy that came to Ibiza to make his fortune and stayed. He is a widower who has remained close with his wife's family, runs a luxury hotel. Bella and he soon become friends, but is he ready to move on from his past.

I really enjoyed meeting the girls and seeing how their lives have turned out, even if it isn't at all how they imagined. Let's face it, I think a lot of us can relate to life not necessarily turning out the way we thought it would when we were young!

This is my third Kate Frost book, and they have all been set on different islands. I must confess I have never been fussed about the idea of going to an island like Ibiza. Dance music isn't really my deal, but I loved reading about the other side of Ibiza, the more traditional and cultural aspects.

If you are looking for some sunshine on a beautiful island, this might be the book for you!!

Belle is desperate for a change so she’s planning a renunion holiday with her best friends , but it seems the years from they last visited Ibiza their friendship has fractured and they are no longer the close friends they once were.
At first it’s fantastic to be together and catch up but then 10 years have gone by and old wounds re appear.
Great read and a heartfelt look into relationships friendships and reconnection.
Highly recommended

An Island Promise by Kate Frost

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

For twenty-one-year-old Belle Madden her first holiday to Ibiza with best friends Gem and Laurie was memorable for all the right partying the night away, planning a future filled with big dreams and making a promise to return in ten years to celebrate living their best lives – hopefully…

Fast forward a decade and Belle is desperate for a change. Eager to escape her relationship troubles, she jumps at a job opportunity that takes her back to the White Isle.

Despite loving island life and her new job, Belle realises something is missing. With their busy lives the three friends have drifted apart, their friendship fractured. Remembering their promise to return, Belle seizes the opportunity to organise a reunion holiday.

After the initial excitement of being back together in Ibiza, cracks start to appear. A lot can change in ten years. Dreams can be shattered, love lost and hope destroyed. And when secrets are revealed, long suppressed emotions begin to unravel…

My Opinion

Kate Frost has previously written some delightful novels and An Island Promise was no exception. Kate Frost takes the reader on an emotional journey, and shows just how much can happen in 10 years. This is going to make for a great holiday read.

Belle, Gen and Laurie all have their own secrets which just made the book far more interesting. Kate Frost handles some difficult topics delicately and leaves the reader wanting to know more about the characters.

Rating 4/5

At twenty-one, Belle, Gem, and Laurie enjoy a wild holiday in Ibiza. They pledge to return ten years later. Their final night is full of drama and surprises. Ten years later, Belle is successful but finds her previously loved job difficult now that she has split with her ex. A chance to work in Ibiza gives her an escape. Gem and Laurie's lives have not worked out as planned, and when Belle invites them to a reunion, they decide to try and recapture past magic. I like the connections the author creates in this story, which lead to conflict and a chance to correct past mistakes for the three women. I enjoyed the character development the three friends undergo. I like the insight into life in Ibiza. It's an engaging escapist read with moments of humour, poignancy, and gentle romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.