The Island Bookshop

Coral Island #5

by Lilly Mirren

Eveleigh’s Books is a staple on the island and has been for years, but a newcomer to the island might bring the shop’s downfall. Evie’s book club friends are the people in the world she relies on most. But when one of the newer members finds herself confronted with her past, the rest of the club will do what they can to help, endangering the existence of the bookshop without realising it. When Charmaine’s past comes calling, she reverts to her old way of living — running and hiding. She’s not used to having friends. But on Coral Island, everyone is a friend. And this time Charmaine will find that being part of a close knit community is the one thing that will save her. Penny and Rowan are newlyweds, but their new lifestyle comes with challenges neither one of them is used to facing. Can their marriage withstand the tension or will it be over before it’s really begun? Dani brings her boyfriend home to the island to meet her family, but he’s not the sort of son-in-law Beatrice ever imagined she’d have. Will she be able to welcome and accept this stranger into her family, or will she inadvertently push her daughter away? The Coral Island series is full of family drama, sweet romance, renewal, mystery, and friendship. This is the fifth book in the series and ends on a cliff hanger. Be sure to read books 1-4, before starting this one.

Genres: Fiction

202 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2023

About the author

Lilly Mirren is a USA Today Bestselling women's and contemporary fiction author.

She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and three children. When she's not writing she's running around after children, bushwalking, or spending time with friends.

"If readers are looking for an author who is the perfect mix of Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts, Lilly Mirren is it." - InD'tale Magazine

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coral Island is an island of secrets, and with each book in the series, more secrets seem to evolve. Charmaine is new to the island, with a hidden past of her own, and just when she thought she was getting a handle on how everyone was connected and where she fit in, a new challenge comes her way. Will she revert to her past habit of running and hiding again? Penny and Rowan have returned from their honeymoon, but will their marriage last when it's only just beginning?
I enjoyed the camaraderie, friendship, support and protectiveness of the women as they encourage each other through life's changes. Woven throughout the story is a who dunnit murder from years ago, yet to be solved and new clues along the way. A good mystery with, I suspect, more to come! I recommend this clean romantic fiction.
Note: Each book is NOT a standalone and ends in a cliffhanger leading to the next book. My suggestion is to start with book #1 so you do not miss out on the entire story and goings on of Coral Island!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Colin Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing the series the main focus is upon Elvie and her bookshop, although Caz is heavily involved. Life isn't running smoothly for them on this otherwise idyllic island, Caz's brother is hanging round in the background and Elvie is struggling with the bookshop needing attention. On a more positive note the book club sounds like something that I would love to be involved with, I have only once been in a bookshop and joined in a conversation about books and rely enjoyed that. Still rumbling along in the background is the murder investigation, with still no clear idea of who committed it. Warning - as with others in this series this ends with a cliffhanger.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however this did not influenced my review of the book.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of books is one of a kind! The events are life on Coral Island in the world down under from the U.S. I felt the hugs with close friends, the love in families, and along with this the mystery of a murder many years ago. Who is guilty? Is that person even alive today to live among the community? With new loves, marriages and gossip in the coffee shop, are tears of those broken promises and loss above all measure when destruction happens. The lives and stories are so intermingled and yet secrets begin to be told. There are cliffhangers in this series, and we all look forward to the next book. Thanks for great writing.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island Bookshop is the fifth book in the Coral Island series. Charmaine is the new resident to the island. She is trying to fit in and make friends but is unsure of herself. As she gains confidence, she makes the friendship of other women and gets drawn into some of the drama of a long ago murder as well as dealing with her wayward brother. The book ends with unsolved mysteries as the previous books have. It is best to read this series in order.
I received a complimentary copy and have given my honest review.

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much upheaval, Chaz's brother Sean is threatening her to ask for jewels she know nothing about, Betsy's brother is out on bail, Rowan is unhappy working for the shelter and he and Penny are fighting all the time. Evie's twin shows up unexpectedly and causes trouble, and then there's the fire that destroys two businesses. So many things going on, so many twists and turns you hardly know which way to go and even more surprises. Changes are come hard and fast, who knows how it all will end. Great read couldn't put it down had to read it straight through.

[Carol Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island Bookshop

What a great story! Full of adventure, love and lessons of life! The characters lived during times that at a mystery! The handled problems that might have stopped many!

[Paula L.]

Could not get into this book. It just did not gel

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tearing thru this fun, light reading for the summer book series. It does a fun job of developing the characters

[phyllis partch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series and all the women in it

[Rita F Ruffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I thought that it was going to be predictable but there were some surprises.

[Carol A Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good but I am disappointed that you have to read all six because they all run into each other and some are very short. The story itself is interesting though!!!