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Love on the Island

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Love on the Island is a funny, fast-paced romantic comedy about a woman’s journey of self-discovery, personal growth and avoiding public meltdowns on prime-time TV.


The most adventurous thing committed primary school teacher and professional nosy parker, Libby Jackson, has done this year is invest in an air fryer. But when she finds herself on a TV reality show, in a villa full of promiscuous muscle-mountains, glamorous, catty women with frozen foreheads and hidden agendas, and a she-devil executive producer hellbent on routinely exposing her to ridicule, Libby ends up falling for the ONLY guy on the island who is forbidden fruit.

She’ll never get her 15 minutes of fame unless she learns how to become a crazed, fame-hungry, media whore… and fast.

Love is about staying true to yourself. Love is about taking huge risks and leaps of faith. Love is the ultimate game to be played. Welcome to Love on the IslandPraise for Jo Lyons
‘Hilarious’ Jenny Colgan, The Summer Skies
‘So, so funny. Really great characters.’ Suzy K Quinn, The Bad Mother’s series

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2024

14 people are currently reading
55 people want to read

About the author

Jo Lyons

25 books34 followers

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5 stars
39 (41%)
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12 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Christine.
127 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2024
I've enjoyed reading Rom Coms more recently and absolutely adored this one. I devoured it in one sitting and in only a few hours! This was the first time I had read one of Jo Lyons' books, and it won't be my last.

I absolutely loved our Main character Libby - we've all probably at some point wanted to get away when things have gone completely wrong and want to make a change - now the decisions she makes is it the right one....? I laughed All through this book, loved the character development of Libby through out - we get to see her develop into this strong, sharp and witty woman who learns to stand up for herself.

Cam was just the perfect choice of a man for her, and I loved their relationship/chemistry developing throughout and both learning how to rely on each other to get a job finished.

The storyline overall was so well done - with having quite a few characters, we were able to learn about each of them, there was drama, great humour, and we get a glimps into what it could be like on a programme like Love Island.

If you are looking for a quick, easy Rom Com read this is the book for you
18 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2024
If you’re looking for your next summer read, this is it.

I haven’t read anything of Jo Lyon’s before this book tour but I can honestly say that I’ll definitely be reading more of her works as I loved this.

Libby is hugely relatable and unexpectedly funny and you genuinely can’t help but root for her throughout the book as it progresses — she’s not your average Love on the Island contest, which was exactly what the show needed and she’s immediately likeable.

I also loved Libby and Cameron. As a sucker for forbidden romance, I couldn’t help but root for them and Jo builds the tension between them perfectly. And the side characters, especially the other Islanders, all brought something to the scenes they were involved in, which added an extra layer of hilarity to an already funny book.

If you are a fan of cute romances, Love Island and a light-hearted read that soothes the soul, this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Tami Wylie.
719 reviews35 followers
May 25, 2024
Libby has lost your job and been dumped by text. Can life get any worse? Of course it can! Her twin sister Louis’s fiance is moving in and three is about to become a crowd. But fate intervenes and Libby decides to swap places with her identical twin to become a contestant on Love on the Island. She didn’t go on the show to find love, but that’s exactly what happens. However, it’s not a fellow contestant. It’s Cameron, the show’s hot producer! There are lots of comical moments that follow, making this a quirky, humorous and lovely romance read. I loved how the author depicted life on a reality dating show. It was brilliant. All the characters were perfect for their part in the story. The sisterly relationship between Libby and Lois was fantastic!! Lois was devil, may care and fun loving, will it be was a calm, always on duty, primary teacher. I loved how Libby‘s character develops throughout. At first, I thought she was timid and a bit weak. However, she held her own in her battles with Porsche, the boss of the show who wanted Cameron for her own, and with the other contestants. She proved to be strong, quickwitted, and totally devoted to her family and Cameron. The story is well written and entertaining. It was a smooth, quick read and very enjoyable. It’s hard to beat a good romance and this is definitely one of those. I will be looking for more blocks from this author in the future.
Profile Image for callistoscalling.
994 reviews28 followers
May 29, 2024
Neil Sedaka once sang a song that was playing in my head as I started this beautiful book:

Don't take your love away from me
Don't you leave my heart in misery
If you go then I'll be blue
'Cause breaking up is hard to do

It’s been well over a decade since I endured a break-up but I certainly do remember how hard it can be. There are always choices and misery and self-pity are definitely a part of the process of healing. But through the hurt and tears comes the opportunity for self-exploration and growth. Luckily for the readers (and of course, Libby), our FMC chooses a path of adventure in healing and answers the call to say “yes” to a television show called Love on the Island. Hilariously relatable and cathartic, this fun, fast-paced rom-com is a delightful companion for the upcoming summer days! A beautiful reminder that sometimes it’s the journey and not the destination to find healing, happiness, laughter, and the next opportunity for love…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,772 reviews140 followers
May 28, 2024
There is no way that I couldn't mention how much this book reminds me of Love Island (the series).
As much as I hate it, I just can't help getting sucked into the drama and following it with avid excitement!
This book was exactly the same - I was completely hooked from start to finish!

I adored Libby! What a great main character.
Completely down to earth and morphs from mousey to magnificent as the book progresses.
She was fun and funny and I loved that she gets her guy - even under such circumstances!
And Cam was the perfect guy for her - their chemistry could not be denied!

The portrayal of the rest of the cast - characters was just perfect.
The drama created pitched at just the right level to infuriate....but keep you hooked on every word!

I enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of such a show - something we all must be thinking about when watching the TV versions - these scenes seemed authentic and interesting.

The writing style was light and fun - with so many hilarious moments.
I found this so easy to read and flew through it in only 2 sittings!
The setting was an absolute joy and I completely immersed myself in the Mexican sun!

My first read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last!
A perfect summer read!
Profile Image for Jessie Farley.
18 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2024
Huge thank you to lovebooktours and Jo Lyons for #gifting me a digital copy of Love on the Island.

I was captivated from the very first page of Jo Lyons' novel. As a dedicated fan of Love Island, I had a feeling this book would be right up my alley, and it certainly did not disappoint. With its vibrant characters, sharp dialogue, and enchanting setting, this book is an absolute delight.

The main character, Libby, is a riot—her humor and charm make her impossible not to adore. The drama is perfectly pitched, reminiscent of the excitement that keeps me glued to Love Island. And let's not forget Cameron, the irresistible forbidden fruit who adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.

One of the highlights for me was the behind-the-scenes glimpse into the reality TV world. It felt authentic and provided a fascinating look into what might happen off-camera, making the narrative even more engaging.

This is my first encounter with Jo Lyons' work, but it certainly won't be my last. She has crafted a delightful setting with characters who are easy to root for from beginning to end. It's the perfect summer read, guaranteed to leave you smiling long after you've turned the final page.

If you're a fan of Love Island or adore a charming rom-com, you should definitely give 'Love on the Island' a try.
Profile Image for Marles Henry.
950 reviews59 followers
May 26, 2024
Look I really have a soft spot for all those really bad car crash TV shows that are out there with people looking for love and all they want to do Instagram followers. I sometimes really feel very sorry for people who go on them. And I think it’s a crappy way to string people along if you're only going on there for publicity. And that's why I accepted a spot on the book tour for Love on the Island.
Libby didn’t seem like the type to be on these shows however she jumps at the chance to take her twin sister’s place after being dumped very quickly by her ex who seemed to find his way into Tinder within minutes of the break-up. What better way to show him up than on a reality love show! Let me preface this by sating that Libby has a sharp tongue – she is witty, blunt and says what’s on her mind, including mocking the reality show directly to staff. And this is where she met Cameron, one of the show’s runners, who is definitely off limits. Not to mention in the line of sight of one of the producers, Paola, who can’t wait to pounce on him, even with the “no staff or contestant mingling” rule.
It was easy to finish this one in one sitting. It was fun, humourous, and scarily like what I see on television. The drawcard with this book was Libby and the way in which her character was created. Watching her relationship unfold with Cameron was like a comedy of errors and I think that worked well to set the scene of their chemistry building. The fact that her sister ventured over to Mexico and helped to sabotage the show was fun and unbelievable, and it added to the drama of this book.
Profile Image for Samantha .
201 reviews54 followers
May 25, 2024
💭 My initial thoughts
What's better than Love Island.. Love on the Island! This Rom-Com was so funny and had me laughing so loud, to the point that one night I woke my husband 😂

💭 Plot
The Plot for the book is in Libbys POV throughout as you follow her on a life changing journey to the other side of the world after being dumped and being told shes not spontaneous enough.

💭 Characters
The Main Character Libby is so funny as she comes out with the most funniest things 🤣
I loved how shy Cam is, but I really love some of the side characters as well as not liking some I.E Mimi and Porscha.

💭 Book Information
This is a Standalone
Available Now and is on Kindle Unlimited
287 Pages.
Insta Love trope
Forced Proximity
Romance Comedy

💭 Overall wrap up.
This was just great, im really enjoying Rom-Com at the minute, and I really enjoy a story line that has me giggling like a little girl 🥰 I really enjoyed how the characters are so likeable with just a few being the unlikeable sort, which made it a perfect balance.

💭 Recommend
I'd recommend this to all the love islander fans that want a book that brings the same vibe, and anyone who loves Rom-Com ❤️

💭 Favourite Quote.
"I feel like you want me to enable this obsession of yours with fixing people through the medium of song. It’s very troubling."
"Up the Bum?"

💭 Favourite Chapter.
Chapter 25!
"Ghosts!"

💭 Summed up in one Sentence
Funny and Romantic with a touch of Libby 🤣

💭 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

💭 Spice
🌶
Profile Image for the_romance_regent.
606 reviews31 followers
May 28, 2024
Rom-coms, am I right? They're the dessert of the book world, and "Love on the Island" by Jo Lyons is the perfect beach read for this summer! Reality TV? Nah, not my cup of tea, but boy did this book have me hooked!

So there's Libby, a regular Jane who gets dumped via text for being "boring" (rude right?), she decides to shake things up in her life. So, she pulls a switcheroo with her twin and lands herself on a reality show. She's there for a good time, but not for love. Enter stage right, Cameron, a big shot on the show, and boy do sparks fly! The book is packed to the brim with a colorful cast of characters, some you'll love, some you'll love to hate. Dive in to see how Libby and Cameron's love story unfolds!

This was my first book by Jo Lyons and it won't be my last. I whizzed through "Love on the Island", and laughed so much my family thought I'd gone off the deep end! If you're looking for a giggly beach read, I can't recommend "Love on the Island" enough. Just make sure you're somewhere you can let out a good belly laugh!

Thank you Jo Lyons and Love Book Tours for the ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Janna.
773 reviews60 followers
May 15, 2024
What a brilliant story! I’ve probably never laughed so much while reading a book than I did while reading this. Libby is hilarious and I absolutely love her.
This book, though it’s fiction, strengthened my solid vow to never, ever try to get into a reality-tv, it definitely would not be for me and I would most likely act like Libby, just a tiny bit more rude.
The plot is wonderfully funny and I basically read this book in one sitting because I could not put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next and how Cam and Libby’s romance would grow.
This will probably be on my “to be reread” pile. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book for a “must read this summer” book!

*Copy received from Love Books Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Review was written voluntarily.
Profile Image for Clare.
Author 3 books41 followers
May 30, 2024
The FMC Libby is totally likeable and relatable and I feel her need to get away from life after losing her job and running to the shiny world of reality TV. Im not a huge fan of reality TV, but this book is an hysterical view into that world.
The growth we go through with Libby is a roller coaster and makes this book a page turner. She has many funny moments and twists she has to overcome that made me want to stay up late reading.

Cam is a delightful connection for her and they make a great paring - its so fun that he’s not a contestant but a producer, just proving that we find love in the most unlikely places. I love the ups and downs that this story takes us through and recommend it to anyone who is ready for a great summer or beach read.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,471 reviews13 followers
June 3, 2024
This is the type of book I love for summer! It made me laugh and smile and was such a fun, enjoyable read. The premise, twins changing places to participate on a reality tv Love Island, provided the perfect backdrop for the story. Libby was a great character, I enjoyed the unexpected things that came out of her mouth and how she was willing to grow as a person. I also enjoyed the way Libby responded to being in an environment that was so out of her comfort zone. My favorite parts were when Libby and Cameron were together. This is a story of family and friendship and love and finding your way after disappointments to discover what you truly want.

Thanks to the author and Love Book Tours for providing a copy for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jess Popps.
47 reviews8 followers
February 13, 2024
As someone who has never seen so much as an episode of Love Island, I can't tell you how much this... okay, okay, I can't pretend this book suddenly made me a mad Love Island fan, but the book itself is a lot of fun.

I mean, I love drama I'm not actually involved in, and that's what this book felt like to read - a behind-the-scenes peek at a world I'll never see in real life.

There are some really lovely moments in here - I really liked getting to see glimpses of Mexico beyond the TV production. As always with Jo Lyons books, the writing is funny and frothy, and made me immediately wish I was on a beach to enjoy it fully.
99 reviews4 followers
May 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, it's a fast paced, quick and easy read. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. It was fun to see how people's behaviour changes in the book due to the camera and the show. The romance was spot on and I was definitely rooting for the main characters, it was a cute, blossoming relationship but with all the sneaking around, made this a very enjoyable read and at times very funny. I have never watched love island, but reading this has kind of made me want to 😂
This is certainly the perfect book for any lover of contemporary romance and a must for anyone who loves a good holiday read.
210 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2024
This is such an easy, fun read. The kind of book that you can take with you to enjoy on holiday.

I loved the FMC, Libby! She grew so much throughout this book. Starting out with a lot of insecurities and anxieties, she managed to use her experience on the show to overcome these issues and build her confidence.

The relationship between her and Lois was really beautiful, the way they were 100% there for each other no matter what. I know it will be an unpopular opinion, but I didn't car too much for Cameron. I found his quite boring and didn't see the appeal past his looks.

I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from the author!
Profile Image for Jo Kerr.
248 reviews9 followers
October 25, 2024
This is a frothy, fun romcom, perfect for a summer read.

Was it predictable? Sure. But it was very well written which made up for it.

Libby is funny and snarky and her escapades and interactions with other characters made me giggle.

The fun pokes at shows like Love Island really resonated with me and added to the story.

It was an easy read and I galloped my way through it on holiday.

I would definitely read other stories by this author, especially as a palate cleanser between heavier books.

4 stars as I would’ve liked them to have to work a little harder to end up together (there’s that predictability rearing its head).
Profile Image for Farrah.
35 reviews
February 5, 2024
When Libby decides to take the place of her twin on the glamorous reality show ‘Love on the Island’, she was hoping to show her ex what he was missing but instead finds so much more when she meets one of the cutest love interests I’ve ever read. Cameron is adorable! He is the show runner and forbidden fruit.

I was hooked straight away and completely immersed and absorbed, and I didn’t stop reading until I finished the entire book!

If you love romance and comedy, you’ll love Jo Lyon’s books and her amazing, funny, witty and sweet characters.
1,168 reviews27 followers
May 22, 2024
This is a cute romcom perfect for a summery beach read!
I loved the play on Love Island (despite the fact I'd never watch that show) and seeing Libby reclaim some confidence and own herself.
I wish we had seen what happened between chapters 29 and 30, I'm hoping justice was served! I'd have enjoyed an epilogue a few months later to see Libbys' continued evolution.
I laughed out loud several times, usually at Libbys gaffs!
It's a quick read, easy to lose yourself in.
I'd love to read more by this author.
107 reviews7 followers
June 2, 2024
Jo Lyons is a new to me author, her writing style was brilliantly witty, easy to follow and constantly left me wanting more!

Libby incidentally ends up on a reality TV show - Love on the Island. She ends up switching with her identical twin sister and going onto the show after losing both her job and boyfriend in one foul swoop.

The book is then following along the behind the scenes of the show. I loved how all of the characters were involved and how it all came together in the end.

If you’re looking for a laugh out loud summer read then look no further.
Profile Image for Lauren Flewett.
495 reviews15 followers
May 24, 2024
I demolished this book so quickly and had to force myself to put it down at 1am to get some sleep!

The main female character, Libby, was so relatable and she made me laugh at several places throughout the book. I’m not a love island fan myself but this book took the mick out of it a bit which I liked.

This is a lighthearted novel that was quick and easy to read. Great for reading on the beach or when chilling in your garden of a weekend.
Profile Image for Mystic KT.
493 reviews26 followers
May 22, 2024
this was amazing .... a real page turner which had me gripped. I love a good meet cute story and put an international spin on it then you have a hit. The fact that this was a 'hidden' romance until the last 5% meant that you had the tension building on the page and this was one of the things which kept me turning the page. I can not wait to read more from Jo Lyons
Profile Image for Amanda Scotland.
Author 2 books2 followers
February 12, 2024
Laugh out loud book with a great premise. Who doesn’t love a bit of reality TV offscreen romance?
Profile Image for Lilie.
4 reviews
April 17, 2024
Like the main character's confidence as English teacher. It's enjoyable book to read and laugh as the mc so savage in her words. I gave it 3/5 as the ending seemed to be rushed on.
Profile Image for Hayley.
298 reviews12 followers
May 29, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was such a fun read! I liked our main character Libby, she is one of those characters that is really funny even when she’s not actually trying to be! There were moments when she had me laughing out loud! She’s one of these that just says things without thinking even when they are really awkward and unflattering in front of a guy that she has the hots for!

I love the fact that it was an almost ‘Love Island’ set up for parts of the book, although it does make you think about the actual show! Hopefully the reality isn’t as bad as love on the island was, as the filming of that sounded awful. I loved that despite everything that was going on Libby’s personality still came through.

I’m really glad that she found her man and he was a good guy as it could have easily been the complete opposite with her being set up for all sorts! The writing style was great and the chapters flowed nicely. I always know when it’s been a good book as it’s left me wanting to read more about them, here’s hoping 🤞🏼
Profile Image for Amanda.
207 reviews18 followers
May 28, 2024
Many thanks to Love Book Tours and Gekko Press for the chance to participate, and for the digital review copy.

Love on the Island follows Libby, a twin who has recently lost her job and her boyfriend. When she learns her recently engaged twin sister was accepted as a participant on a dating reality show, she offers to take her place. Hilarious antics ensue.

What I Liked
This book is just hilarious, fast-paced fun from the first page. The humor is great, and the drama keeps you hooked and wanting to keep reading to see what the heck is going to happen next.

The reality TV show premise also worked really well, especially with the character not really buying into it and how they came up with a good story for why she’d wind up on a show she didn’t believe in. It was fun seeing the reality show world through the eyes of someone who is so not convinced, and all the ways she confused the other contestants as a result.

What I Didn’t Like
Overall this book was a ton of fun to read, but it is definitely light and fluffy. The character development for side characters isn’t really there, but that didn’t really bother me because that’s clearly not the point anyway. Libby isn’t really trying to get to know them, so neither are we.

Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a nice, quick read that will leave you laughing and shaking your head, Love on the Island is a great choice. There’s romance, there’s adventure, and there are some truly entertaining mishaps along the way.
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