Book Review: Solace Island | Meg Tilly

Charming, steamy, and gripping—this contemporary romantic suspense novel checked all of the boxes for a perfect weekend read!! This novel really has it all, from the loveable characters to the fantastic scenery to the mystery—I think fans of the contemporary romance genre will be thrilled with Meg Tilly’s Solace Island!

Taking a weekend getaway to Solace Island with Eve and Maggie was such a fun excursion. I’m a big fan of the Pacific Northwest, I went to college in Oregon. So I could envision this small charming coastal town quite vividly, and I loved it! I think other readers will be as charmed as I was!

About the Book

Maggie is at her bachelor party the night before her wedding when she finds herself on the phone with the groom-to-be and co-owner of her business. And Brett says the most shocking thing Maggie could imagine—he doesn’t want to go through with the wedding and it isn’t up for discussion. Dumped, furious, and heart-broken, Maggie’s sister Eve whisks her off on a retreat to Solace Island. It’s a place to lick her wounds and do some healing, and a place for Eve to escape the stressful Brooklyn apartment she shares with three roommates.

On her first night there, Maggie meets sexy neighbor Luke in a most unexpected way—trapped on a road in dense fog and unsure how to get to her rental property. When Eve arrives the next morning, she and Maggie run into Luke again at a bakery stand at the local market. Eve sees the sparks flying and fancies herself a matchmaker, determined to mend her sister’s broken heart.

But Luke has his own emotional baggage. Still, that doesn’t stop Maggie from warming his heart with her charm and baked goods. But just as Maggie starts to get comfortable in her new surroundings, a car tries to run her down in the middle of the street. If it weren’t for Luke’s extremely quick reflexes, Maggie could have been killed, leading her to wonder just who exactly Luke Benson really is…

With the secrets between them and an unknown threat stalking her heels, Luke will have to think fast to prove to Maggie that she can trust him with her life–and with her heart.

Reflection

Well let’s get the start to this novel out of the way, Brett is a grade-A schmuck and Maggie is adorably naïve and charming. I absolutely adored the relationship between Eve and Maggie. Each sister had her own personality to bring to this novel, something we don’t always get in a romance book. I found myself thinking that I’d love a follow up with Eve as the leading lady. Eve could potentially find love on Solace Island herself!!!

Maggie and Luke’s first meeting had me laughing out loud. It is adorable and fun, and I want readers to experience it for themselves so I won’t say anymore about the details! It is the epitome of a meet cute, with Maggie’s quirky personality shining through, and Luke’s guard slipping at the bequest of this charming woman.

And then the island! I loved it! Everything from the dense greenery, to the foggy coastline, to the charming town center market had me wanting to visit Solace Island. And though there is apparently a cougar on the island, Luke has assured us there are no bears! Sounds completely ideal, right?

Then we have the baked goods!!! This book could give you a carb overload just reading about it! But what I loved is that food, cooking, and baking were such a part of this story. I find myself craving every dish described! I felt the simplicity of that sort of life—where a good piece of fish, bread, or cheese can be so wholesome and pure. When it is local and organic, it’s easy to envision living without the fast food crazed lifestyle we can become used to!

Finally, we have the mystery! I will say this book falls heavier on the romance than the mystery, but not in a bad way at all! We really get to know the characters and their dynamics before we realize something else is afoot. And the mystery itself was suspenseful and fun! The reveal really did shock me and it was a really fun scene in the book! And finally, I absolutely ADORED the ending! It was just the perfect way to end this story!