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An Island Promise: Paradise - the perfect place to uncover hidden secrets . . .
Patricia Wilson's latest sweeping historical romantic novel follows a Daphne, a young, Jewish Greek artist as she hides during the Nazi occupation of Athens.
I'll begin with the war, when everything changed for us. In 1943, our comfortable family life came to an abrupt end, thanks to Hitler.
During the Nazi occupation of Athens, Daphne, a young Greek Jewish artist, finds her life suddenly under threat. She's in love with her Austrian art teacher, and together they must risk it all to escape his cousin, an SS officer. Pursued across Greece, their journey leads them to the island of Corfu.
In 2023 Liverpool, as Daphne's 100th birthday approaches, she knows time is running out to share her story. Daphne tells Flora, her granddaughter, of a valuable piece of art from her youth. A masterpiece which bought her freedom but cost her everything she held dear.
Will Flora discover more than she expects as she explores the island her family took refuge on?
I'll begin with the war, when everything changed for us. In 1943, our comfortable family life came to an abrupt end, thanks to Hitler.
During the Nazi occupation of Athens, Daphne, a young Greek Jewish artist, finds her life suddenly under threat. She's in love with her Austrian art teacher, and together they must risk it all to escape his cousin, an SS officer. Pursued across Greece, their journey leads them to the island of Corfu.
In 2023 Liverpool, as Daphne's 100th birthday approaches, she knows time is running out to share her story. Daphne tells Flora, her granddaughter, of a valuable piece of art from her youth. A masterpiece which bought her freedom but cost her everything she held dear.
Will Flora discover more than she expects as she explores the island her family took refuge on?
416 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2024
81 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Wilson
239 books179 followersPatricia Wilson (1929 – 2010) was a best-selling writer of 53 romance novels for the Mills & Boon publisher from 1986 to 2004. She placed her novels primarily in England, Spain or France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
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June 3, 2024
Trigger & Content Warnings
Antisemitism
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a husband
World War II
Antisemitism
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a husband
World War II
November 2, 2024
I found this book had a slow start. It had a lot of loose ends that tied up a little too quickly at the end. I am a big fan of Patricia Wilson's books but this one was not my fav.
April 27, 2023
An Island Promise is a really interesting read charting interweaving stories with a dual narrative of 1940s Greece/Corfu and present day. The narratives follow one family and how they cope with the loss of loved ones to illness and to the horrific events of World War II.
The present day storyline centres around art restorer Flora, a very recent widow coming to grips with the loss of her husband, while the past narrative tells the story of her grandmother Daphne, a Jewish Greek artist, who overcame many difficult obstacles during the Holocaust.
I thought the novel was very heartfelt and moving, especially the descriptions of the orphans of Athens and the retribution slaughter of the tiny Greek village.
The only issue I had was the timeline - would someone really be going away for a holiday 3 weeks after their husband's death? It was a minor niggle however, and one that didn't spoil the story for me.
Overall, a fascinating insight into Greece's involvement in WWII and also the late Prince Phillip's mother - Alice. The historical detail is meticulous and I really enjoyed the insight it provided. 4.5 from me.
Many thanks to the publishers and Negalley for an early release copy in exchange for an honest review?
The present day storyline centres around art restorer Flora, a very recent widow coming to grips with the loss of her husband, while the past narrative tells the story of her grandmother Daphne, a Jewish Greek artist, who overcame many difficult obstacles during the Holocaust.
I thought the novel was very heartfelt and moving, especially the descriptions of the orphans of Athens and the retribution slaughter of the tiny Greek village.
The only issue I had was the timeline - would someone really be going away for a holiday 3 weeks after their husband's death? It was a minor niggle however, and one that didn't spoil the story for me.
Overall, a fascinating insight into Greece's involvement in WWII and also the late Prince Phillip's mother - Alice. The historical detail is meticulous and I really enjoyed the insight it provided. 4.5 from me.
Many thanks to the publishers and Negalley for an early release copy in exchange for an honest review?
July 13, 2023
The story was good, but I found it quite unbelievable, right from when I read that Flora was enjoying Corfu just 3 weeks after her 'darling' husband died - right to the point of a new man within just a few weeks of his death. I have never known anyone to be able to function like that after losing their partner, especially when they adored them and couldn't even say their name without pre-fixing it with 'darling'. I liked the concept of the storyline, but found a lot of it just a bit too unbelievable.
May 22, 2024
The idea of the story is great and there were a few moments when it really did grip me. However, as soon as Flora takes the wrong suitcase you know where it will lead and that actually annoyed me a bit. It was so easy and so predictable. The flow of the story is a bit stunted at points. Where you’d like scenes to be longer and more detailed, they simply stop and then you’re back in the next time/story line. Not my favorite book I’m afraid.
November 3, 2023
I don't think I've ever read a book with so many holes in the plot. The dialogue is often stilted and trite, occasionally it sounds like it's been written for a school play (at one point someone in 1944 exclaims "Doh!" as if he's Homer Simpson). Tropes such as taking the wrong suitcase and disliking but then falling for its owner.
The timescale is all over the place.
Parts of the "action" are unintelligible - at one point Daphne and Aristotle are on a boat in a a canal with (possibly?) Greek or British resistance - no idea what is supposed to be going on here, and im pretty sure the author isnt sure either, otherwise she would surelt have been able to describe it better.
The carer is the daughter adopted as a baby, yet is still treated as "staff", the actual daughter/ Flora's mother is barely mentioned as her birth and the next 12 years are done in a couple of paragraphs - was the author bored of the whole thing by this point?!
Flora goes out with Spiro only 3 weeks after her husband dies "because there's no TV or WiFi, so she might as well".
The retrospective scene where Flora's "darling husband" threatens her with violence when he finds out she hasn't been taking her pill is glaringly out of character and unnecessary.
Looted art is discovered in the basement of Mon Repos in 2022, no one except Flora had apparently noticed there was a basement since WW2, despite Daphne watching the crates being moved in at the time, and speculating that they contained Jewish people's treasures.
I could go on, but I'll let it go now! 😅
I'll be careful not to read any more by this author, which is disappointing as I thought I'd found a new set of books set in Greece.
The timescale is all over the place.
Parts of the "action" are unintelligible - at one point Daphne and Aristotle are on a boat in a a canal with (possibly?) Greek or British resistance - no idea what is supposed to be going on here, and im pretty sure the author isnt sure either, otherwise she would surelt have been able to describe it better.
The carer is the daughter adopted as a baby, yet is still treated as "staff", the actual daughter/ Flora's mother is barely mentioned as her birth and the next 12 years are done in a couple of paragraphs - was the author bored of the whole thing by this point?!
Flora goes out with Spiro only 3 weeks after her husband dies "because there's no TV or WiFi, so she might as well".
The retrospective scene where Flora's "darling husband" threatens her with violence when he finds out she hasn't been taking her pill is glaringly out of character and unnecessary.
Looted art is discovered in the basement of Mon Repos in 2022, no one except Flora had apparently noticed there was a basement since WW2, despite Daphne watching the crates being moved in at the time, and speculating that they contained Jewish people's treasures.
I could go on, but I'll let it go now! 😅
I'll be careful not to read any more by this author, which is disappointing as I thought I'd found a new set of books set in Greece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2023
No hesitation in awarding this clever book 5 stars!
If six stars were available I would certainly give this accolade! That said it isn’t an easy read and were the love interest not so strong I would say it would be a difficult read. We are used to reading about the horrors of WW2 and in my case I had visited all the locations, driven many times the route the protagonists travel - Athens, Corinth, Diakofto, Kalavrita on several occasions, even Aitoliko, and Corfu, but even so, or perhaps because I knew much of the historical context this account is utterly absorbing and terrifying. It is at the same time impressive, compelling and a very clever weaving of all the novel’s component parts. The fictionalisation of Princess Alice (King Charles’ other Grandmother) based on known facts, is either a master stroke or is it a step too far?
If six stars were available I would certainly give this accolade! That said it isn’t an easy read and were the love interest not so strong I would say it would be a difficult read. We are used to reading about the horrors of WW2 and in my case I had visited all the locations, driven many times the route the protagonists travel - Athens, Corinth, Diakofto, Kalavrita on several occasions, even Aitoliko, and Corfu, but even so, or perhaps because I knew much of the historical context this account is utterly absorbing and terrifying. It is at the same time impressive, compelling and a very clever weaving of all the novel’s component parts. The fictionalisation of Princess Alice (King Charles’ other Grandmother) based on known facts, is either a master stroke or is it a step too far?
July 4, 2025
Probably the hardest book I’ve read.
Also, it took me the longest to finish.
The way it describes the poverty and the toll it takes on human bodies, even children, was devastating to read.
For that reason, I could not read much in a day as it would make me extremely sad to think about how hard their lives were in those times.
I did feel that because it introduced so many characters to us readers, I got a bit lost at times and had to re-read the chapters to make things make sense in my mind.
Other than that, this book is very well built but it’s with a light and content heart that I will leave it behind somewhere in Tajikistan for the next person to read.
P.s. I absolutely lovedddd that there’s some bonus pages at the end stating the actual facts of the events happening throughout the book.
Also, it took me the longest to finish.
The way it describes the poverty and the toll it takes on human bodies, even children, was devastating to read.
For that reason, I could not read much in a day as it would make me extremely sad to think about how hard their lives were in those times.
I did feel that because it introduced so many characters to us readers, I got a bit lost at times and had to re-read the chapters to make things make sense in my mind.
Other than that, this book is very well built but it’s with a light and content heart that I will leave it behind somewhere in Tajikistan for the next person to read.
P.s. I absolutely lovedddd that there’s some bonus pages at the end stating the actual facts of the events happening throughout the book.
May 15, 2023
Romantic informative tear jerker.
It’s Patricia’s best book yet. Once again I learned more about the history of a country I love. Some scenes were quite harrowing but addictive in that one wanted to know the outcome for the people involved. It is a story quite pertinent as a new king, descended from one of the characters, is crowned in England and the war still rages in Ukraine we are reminded that the world in many ways never changes and people do not seem to hold onto learnings from the past. Excellent read.
It’s Patricia’s best book yet. Once again I learned more about the history of a country I love. Some scenes were quite harrowing but addictive in that one wanted to know the outcome for the people involved. It is a story quite pertinent as a new king, descended from one of the characters, is crowned in England and the war still rages in Ukraine we are reminded that the world in many ways never changes and people do not seem to hold onto learnings from the past. Excellent read.
September 24, 2023
An Island Promise
I really enjoyed this book. Set in the second world war and the present day. It covers the fight for the survival of the Jewish people against the Nazis. You will follow the touching story of two lovers as they flee from Athens and around the Greek Islands, finally settling in Corfu. The story unfolds from the grandmother to her grandaughter. The grandaughter is going through her own emotional turmoil. Sometimes heartbreaking, touching, and with amusing moments . You can immerse yourself in the drama and the settings.
I really enjoyed this book. Set in the second world war and the present day. It covers the fight for the survival of the Jewish people against the Nazis. You will follow the touching story of two lovers as they flee from Athens and around the Greek Islands, finally settling in Corfu. The story unfolds from the grandmother to her grandaughter. The grandaughter is going through her own emotional turmoil. Sometimes heartbreaking, touching, and with amusing moments . You can immerse yourself in the drama and the settings.
May 13, 2023
A rollercoaster of emotions, the depicting historical events ww2 of the jewish, greek lives, their anguish and determination for survival. The locations from Athens and the journey to Corfu. The story unfolds by the elderly Jewish/Greek grandmother revealing her struggles through her life to her recently widowed granddaughter. This book really hits all of your emotions you will need the tissues. It is well written that you can picture and smell the locations, this would make an epic film as I read it I was seeing it with my own eyes.
March 1, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed An Island Promise by Patricia Wilson. The book skillfully weaves together two timelines—one set in the present and the other in World War II-era Greece. The seamless transitions between the two kept me hooked, with the historical backstory adding depth and context to the characters' lives. Wilson's vivid portrayal of both the island's beauty and the emotional struggles of its people made for a compelling and moving read.
December 20, 2023
Just brilliant.
This book is brilliant .It tells the story of the terrible time Greek Jews went through in world war two cleverly woven with facts about people & places .The main characters some fictional became real in this book .This was the best book I have read in a long time.
This book is brilliant .It tells the story of the terrible time Greek Jews went through in world war two cleverly woven with facts about people & places .The main characters some fictional became real in this book .This was the best book I have read in a long time.
October 12, 2025
3.5 stars.
I love the story, but the ending felt incredibly rushed. I wish more had been explained. I feel like some parts were missing. I also feel like pieces jumped around and the timeline changes could have flowed a little more easily. I would definitely recommend it for those who enjoy Historical fiction.
I love the story, but the ending felt incredibly rushed. I wish more had been explained. I feel like some parts were missing. I also feel like pieces jumped around and the timeline changes could have flowed a little more easily. I would definitely recommend it for those who enjoy Historical fiction.
April 19, 2023
I did this book as an audio book and really enjoyed it. I loved the main character, Daphne. A Jewish woman on the run from the Germans. A very plucky yet vulnerable person with an amazing story to tell. Tense moments and lighthearted moments made the book a delight.
May 16, 2023
no one does a greek historical story like patricia wilson, i devoured this and loved the story.
the way she describes place makes you feel as if you are there. a romantic story that pulls on the heartstrings, this would make a fantastic film!
a definite 5 out of 5!
the way she describes place makes you feel as if you are there. a romantic story that pulls on the heartstrings, this would make a fantastic film!
a definite 5 out of 5!
January 30, 2025
Patricia Wilson’s book are truly captivating and deserve 5 Stars, but I think that this book is her best so far and deserves an extra star. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Harrowing in places, funny, charming with a hint of romance. Extraordinary!!!
July 18, 2025
Another good story
I enjoy reading these stories as I loved travelling to Greece for holidays. But never had enough. They take me back to the wonderful smells, food and scenery plus a good helping of their history.
I enjoy reading these stories as I loved travelling to Greece for holidays. But never had enough. They take me back to the wonderful smells, food and scenery plus a good helping of their history.
July 22, 2023
I have given this 4 stars rather than 3 as despite appearing as a run of the mill holiday novel it has been very well researched with a story line that kept me engrossed.
September 14, 2023
Wonderful book
This is one of the best books I have read for a long time I love Greece and especially Corfu this story had every emotion you could imagine I highly recommend it
This is one of the best books I have read for a long time I love Greece and especially Corfu this story had every emotion you could imagine I highly recommend it
October 17, 2023
Great holiday read as I was in corfu
December 13, 2023
BRILLIANT
This was such an interesting book full of true information especially about Prince Philips Mother who did such good work during the war
This was such an interesting book full of true information especially about Prince Philips Mother who did such good work during the war
April 28, 2024
Loved this book and the historical accuracies surrounding WW2.
May 25, 2024
Rather enjoyed this. Fiction based on fact. Wrapped up a little too quickly at the end but definitely recommend others read.
June 24, 2024
4.5 stars
This is very emotional and very raw but great writing..
This is very emotional and very raw but great writing..
July 6, 2024
Flora very recently widowed goes to visit her grandmother in Greece. The grandmother, Daphne, is approaching her 100th birthday and wants to tell Flora her story and her story is very interesting.
November 4, 2024
Thought provoking read. Reading any story from this period of history is a reminder of the atrocities and survival which marred so many lives.
April 5, 2025
3.5 stars. Some parts of the story were too rushed, while the focus on some others was unnecessary. I was expecting a bit more from this book but I still enjoyed it
July 9, 2025
History and a story that is captivating. Tears but learning about past history is truly amazing. Why our world doesn’t learn from horrific actions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews