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The Island of the Seventeen
The Shipwreck. The Survival. The Story.
MAYA TILLER lives the unordinary life of a seventeen-year-old. She’s been an inhabitant on a previously uncharted island in the tropics, a third generation of the original seventeen passengers who were marooned while embarking to the Bahamas aboard the ferry, The Constellation. There is only one rule on the island that cannot be newcomers will commit to never leaving.
After the passing of Maya’s father six months prior, she is consumed with what her mother and best friend, Luke, identify as “drowning dreams,” reliving his final moments at sea. All this while being incessantly taunted by Hallie, the most popular and wealthiest girl on the island.
When Finn, a tall, blonde, ocean-eyed Southern charm moves to the island, Maya is awestruck. But while she’s attracted to Finn, she struggles to move on from the deep-rooted secret crush she’s had on Luke for most of her life.
Her sheltered life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that the key which was entrusted to her by her late father leads her on the adventure of a lifetime. A Category 5 hurricane presents the opportunity for Maya to be evacuated to the mainland. Faced with this choice, Maya struggles with whether to stay behind to fulfill the quest that her father began or to start anew and explore the world.
Brimming with twists and turns, The Island of the Seventeen transports readers to a tropical paradise of secrets, trust, and true love.
MAYA TILLER lives the unordinary life of a seventeen-year-old. She’s been an inhabitant on a previously uncharted island in the tropics, a third generation of the original seventeen passengers who were marooned while embarking to the Bahamas aboard the ferry, The Constellation. There is only one rule on the island that cannot be newcomers will commit to never leaving.
After the passing of Maya’s father six months prior, she is consumed with what her mother and best friend, Luke, identify as “drowning dreams,” reliving his final moments at sea. All this while being incessantly taunted by Hallie, the most popular and wealthiest girl on the island.
When Finn, a tall, blonde, ocean-eyed Southern charm moves to the island, Maya is awestruck. But while she’s attracted to Finn, she struggles to move on from the deep-rooted secret crush she’s had on Luke for most of her life.
Her sheltered life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that the key which was entrusted to her by her late father leads her on the adventure of a lifetime. A Category 5 hurricane presents the opportunity for Maya to be evacuated to the mainland. Faced with this choice, Maya struggles with whether to stay behind to fulfill the quest that her father began or to start anew and explore the world.
Brimming with twists and turns, The Island of the Seventeen transports readers to a tropical paradise of secrets, trust, and true love.
- GenresRomanceSummer Reads
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
6 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
July 23, 2024
A solid 4.25/5
I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read this book and it did not let me down. It is one that I will definitely be pre-ordering for my classroom because I know the students will love it.
I have to be completely honest I went into this book blind. I like to judge books by their cover, and this one was a huge win.
It is a mystery set on an island. An island that is only one that could be made up in your dreams. Maya is lucky enough to live here with her family and friends that she has had since birth.
I feel like if I say too much, I’ll spoil it. I will say that I loved how the author talked about Island life, and all of the marine life surrounding it. The way she’s able to talk about it is magical, but I know that’s all thanks to her being a marine biologist.
The story had so many twists that I wasn’t expecting even up until the last couple of pages. It was really hard to put it down because I had to keep reading to find out what was gonna happen next.
This is a solid debut novel. 🤗
I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read this book and it did not let me down. It is one that I will definitely be pre-ordering for my classroom because I know the students will love it.
I have to be completely honest I went into this book blind. I like to judge books by their cover, and this one was a huge win.
It is a mystery set on an island. An island that is only one that could be made up in your dreams. Maya is lucky enough to live here with her family and friends that she has had since birth.
I feel like if I say too much, I’ll spoil it. I will say that I loved how the author talked about Island life, and all of the marine life surrounding it. The way she’s able to talk about it is magical, but I know that’s all thanks to her being a marine biologist.
The story had so many twists that I wasn’t expecting even up until the last couple of pages. It was really hard to put it down because I had to keep reading to find out what was gonna happen next.
This is a solid debut novel. 🤗
August 3, 2024
꒰🪩⊹ ࣪
The island of the Seventeen
ᯓᡣ𐭩
౨ৎ 4 ⊹ ࣪ ˖
⤿ .`★ Any worries I had were now long gone. The ocean was my freedom. The thing that reminded me everything would be okay. And so was Luke. We reached for each other as our heads ducked beneath the spray. As we kissed under the setting sun, with seagulls cawing above us and waves bobbing at our waist, I looked forward to a future where I was free to travel, to see different oceans — and, most importantly — to see it all with the boy next door by my side.
‧ * ₊ ｡ ꒰🍁꒱ This was such a quick fun read with so many plot twists! There was treasure hunting, love triangles, first kisses, and many secrets 🤭🤭 I’m such a sucker for books with stuff like this, it was so sweet. I loved that the author went into so much detail about marine life and how well everything was described, it was such a fun read mainly for that reason, I LOVE MARINE LIFE 🙁🤍.
If you’re looking for a quick mystery (kinda) summer read this would be the perfect one 🤞
————— ୨୧ —————
୨୧‧₊˚ 🎞️ pre-review ✧˖°
thank you to Love Notes PR for allowing me the chance to read and review this 💕💕 so excited it looks so cuteeee
౨ৎ 4 ⊹ ࣪ ˖
⤿ .`★ Any worries I had were now long gone. The ocean was my freedom. The thing that reminded me everything would be okay. And so was Luke. We reached for each other as our heads ducked beneath the spray. As we kissed under the setting sun, with seagulls cawing above us and waves bobbing at our waist, I looked forward to a future where I was free to travel, to see different oceans — and, most importantly — to see it all with the boy next door by my side.
‧ * ₊ ｡ ꒰🍁꒱ This was such a quick fun read with so many plot twists! There was treasure hunting, love triangles, first kisses, and many secrets 🤭🤭 I’m such a sucker for books with stuff like this, it was so sweet. I loved that the author went into so much detail about marine life and how well everything was described, it was such a fun read mainly for that reason, I LOVE MARINE LIFE 🙁🤍.
If you’re looking for a quick mystery (kinda) summer read this would be the perfect one 🤞
————— ୨୧ —————
୨୧‧₊˚ 🎞️ pre-review ✧˖°
thank you to Love Notes PR for allowing me the chance to read and review this 💕💕 so excited it looks so cuteeee
August 1, 2024
4.25/5
This isn’t normally a book I would usually go for but I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! Though I feel like if I say a lot in this review it will spoil it. This book has so many twists that I honestly wasn’t expecting and I really liked the pacing throughout it all. This is honestly a great debut novel and I’m really excited to read more by this author in the future.
This isn’t normally a book I would usually go for but I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! Though I feel like if I say a lot in this review it will spoil it. This book has so many twists that I honestly wasn’t expecting and I really liked the pacing throughout it all. This is honestly a great debut novel and I’m really excited to read more by this author in the future.
July 25, 2024
ARC REVIEW:
The Island of the Seventeen by Maria Summers is the perfect summer read. I constantly found my jaw dropping at all the twists and turns in this story. I was always shocked that there was more drama unfolding and just when I thought we had hit our peak another surprise left me glued to this book! This story is so unique and well written especially for a debut novel! Maria’s writing does touch on some tough subjects but it is written in a way that positively displays this to younger readers. I’m so thankful to have been given the opportunity to not only be an ARC reader but to support a new author and her dream. Congratulations to Maria Summers and her team on all of their hard work!
The Island of the Seventeen by Maria Summers is the perfect summer read. I constantly found my jaw dropping at all the twists and turns in this story. I was always shocked that there was more drama unfolding and just when I thought we had hit our peak another surprise left me glued to this book! This story is so unique and well written especially for a debut novel! Maria’s writing does touch on some tough subjects but it is written in a way that positively displays this to younger readers. I’m so thankful to have been given the opportunity to not only be an ARC reader but to support a new author and her dream. Congratulations to Maria Summers and her team on all of their hard work!
August 1, 2024
I received an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Shipwreck. The Survival. The Story.
The Island of the Seventeen is refreshing in nature and for its specific genre. A coming of age story regarding the past and the what the future holds.
The story centers around 17 year old Maya living in an uncharted island where there is only one rule that cannot be broken. You may never leave.
I would consider this a coming of age because of the trials and tribulations Maya must deal with in order to unlock the secrets of her father’s past. While also unlocking her feelings for her best friend Luke and the newcomer. For a seventeen year old girl, all she ever wants is the truth. The truth of her father, of her feelings, of the boys feelings. And finally getting the answers is a breath of fresh air.
The pacing of the book is absolutely wonderful. The setting is attractive and the inhabitants we meet are very well written. I felt as if I knew every single one of them. Maria Summers does an excellent job at creating a world that isn’t boring and giving us information about that world that isn’t out of touch.
The levels of each act is so distinguishable I felt as if I was watching everything unfold.
This is such a great summer read and I genuinely can’t wait for more books from Maria Summer.
The Shipwreck. The Survival. The Story.
The Island of the Seventeen is refreshing in nature and for its specific genre. A coming of age story regarding the past and the what the future holds.
The story centers around 17 year old Maya living in an uncharted island where there is only one rule that cannot be broken. You may never leave.
I would consider this a coming of age because of the trials and tribulations Maya must deal with in order to unlock the secrets of her father’s past. While also unlocking her feelings for her best friend Luke and the newcomer. For a seventeen year old girl, all she ever wants is the truth. The truth of her father, of her feelings, of the boys feelings. And finally getting the answers is a breath of fresh air.
The pacing of the book is absolutely wonderful. The setting is attractive and the inhabitants we meet are very well written. I felt as if I knew every single one of them. Maria Summers does an excellent job at creating a world that isn’t boring and giving us information about that world that isn’t out of touch.
The levels of each act is so distinguishable I felt as if I was watching everything unfold.
This is such a great summer read and I genuinely can’t wait for more books from Maria Summer.
August 7, 2024
(technically 3.75 stars but I rounded up because it was a great summer read!)
i had so much fun reading this book!! reminded me of outerbanks + the summer i turned pretty. 🐟🪸🌊🤿🏝️🐠 treasure hunting, a love triangle, secrets, first love, scuba diving. it was such a page turner with all the twists and turns.
I love the setting and how immersive it is with all the beautiful descriptions of the island and marine life. the author being a marine biologist is so cool & you can tell with her storytelling & love for the ocean. it felt super relatable because I have always been obsessed with the sea and finding treasures & shells in the ocean🫶🏻
also THE ENDING?! i was not expecting that. I was very upset with the reveal of a specific character🤯 I wish it ended differently :(
thank you love notes pr & maria summers for the opportunity to read & review this ARC🩷🩷 i had a great time🫶🏻
i had so much fun reading this book!! reminded me of outerbanks + the summer i turned pretty. 🐟🪸🌊🤿🏝️🐠 treasure hunting, a love triangle, secrets, first love, scuba diving. it was such a page turner with all the twists and turns.
I love the setting and how immersive it is with all the beautiful descriptions of the island and marine life. the author being a marine biologist is so cool & you can tell with her storytelling & love for the ocean. it felt super relatable because I have always been obsessed with the sea and finding treasures & shells in the ocean🫶🏻
also THE ENDING?! i was not expecting that. I was very upset with the reveal of a specific character🤯 I wish it ended differently :(
thank you love notes pr & maria summers for the opportunity to read & review this ARC🩷🩷 i had a great time🫶🏻
August 7, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ ~ What a ride! This was an amazing debut! The story was fresh, entertaining, and exciting. It took us on a journey through island life, YA romance, loss, treasure hunting, and suspense. It was also packed with twists and turns! It was nothing what I had expected.
The plot is well-written and paced. I enjoyed the attention to detail and the other characters we met. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Thank you to the author and LoveNotesPr for giving me an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
The plot is well-written and paced. I enjoyed the attention to detail and the other characters we met. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Thank you to the author and LoveNotesPr for giving me an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
July 24, 2024
Thanks to Love Notes PR and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book!
I have a confession to make! I never read the blurb. I just saw the tropes and knew this book was for me and I was not wrong! A magnificent and I think very original book that combines romance and mystery and adventure! A very well written love triangle, some twists and turns that kept you on the edge of your seat and some realistic, deep, flawed, human characters. I really liked the way the author dealt with the deeper issues about grief and death and I loved how the relationships between the characters strengthened through communication!
I really really loved this book and I highly recommend it! I can't wait for the author's next step!
I have a confession to make! I never read the blurb. I just saw the tropes and knew this book was for me and I was not wrong! A magnificent and I think very original book that combines romance and mystery and adventure! A very well written love triangle, some twists and turns that kept you on the edge of your seat and some realistic, deep, flawed, human characters. I really liked the way the author dealt with the deeper issues about grief and death and I loved how the relationships between the characters strengthened through communication!
I really really loved this book and I highly recommend it! I can't wait for the author's next step!
August 2, 2024
Thank you Maria Summers and Love Notes PR for this Arc! This book had Outer Banks vibes! A little love triangle angst. There were several plot twists that left me wanting to read more! Loved the summer vibes and the treasure hunting.
I definitely think my high schooler will love this book!
Really enjoyed it!
I definitely think my high schooler will love this book!
Really enjoyed it!
August 1, 2024
e-ARC Review
Rating: 4 stars
Spice: 0 stars (some making out and open door scenes, but nothing descriptive)
Please read the trigger warnings at the start of the book before reading!
This was a really good mystery book with some romance thrown into the plot. I was really excited to read this book, as I love when scientific professionals write books that push them out of their comfort zone but still include what they're passionate about. In this case it was marine biology.
Maya is a 17 year old girl who was born and raised on the Island, growing up biking across the island, helping her parents with their family marina, and diving with her best friend and neighbor Luke who she's had a crush on since she could remember. Six months before the start of her school year, her dad passed away in a horrific boating accident leaving her with nightmares about drowning. Luke and her mom try to help her through them, but there's only so much that can be done. Enter Finn, a southern charmer who moved to the Island with his dad Cal. One thing that's different about the Island is once you move there you cannot leave. That's because the initial settling of the island was due to a boat wreck, where only 17 people survived and colonized on this undiscovered island. Meaning, no country has jurisdiction over it which has been a point of contention since the start so the Islanders don't have citizenship anywhere.
As Finn and Maya get to know each other through school classes and field trips, they end up getting an extra assignment to complete. A history of Islander's day, which leads Maya to discovering the key her father left her belongs to a treasure chest, which is why the original voyage many years ago initially set out. Maya tries to work on finding the chest without cluing in Finn, but it becomes difficult as they begin to develop romantic feelings for each other. Meanwhile, Luke has been dating this girl Parker, but suddenly begins to realize she may not be the girl for her.
As the treasure hunt and feelings heat up, tempers rise and secrets are revealed. Maya gets thrown for loop after loop and does her best to hang on to the people she loves without sacrificing the memory of her dad, but will it be enough?
I really enjoyed this book, and did not expect some of the twists and turns that were thrown my way! It was very well written and I especially loved the descriptions of the fish and coral. As someone who lived on an island for a few years I love seeing other people show love for the ocean. The only reason I didn't give five stars was that I wasn't a fan of how some of the relationships seemed to develop almost too quickly and how some characters did a 180 when they could have had a redemption arc. Even with these things I would personally change, it still ended up a beautifully written story that I would recommend to anyone who likes mystery, romance, and teen coming of age stories.
Rating: 4 stars
Spice: 0 stars (some making out and open door scenes, but nothing descriptive)
Please read the trigger warnings at the start of the book before reading!
This was a really good mystery book with some romance thrown into the plot. I was really excited to read this book, as I love when scientific professionals write books that push them out of their comfort zone but still include what they're passionate about. In this case it was marine biology.
Maya is a 17 year old girl who was born and raised on the Island, growing up biking across the island, helping her parents with their family marina, and diving with her best friend and neighbor Luke who she's had a crush on since she could remember. Six months before the start of her school year, her dad passed away in a horrific boating accident leaving her with nightmares about drowning. Luke and her mom try to help her through them, but there's only so much that can be done. Enter Finn, a southern charmer who moved to the Island with his dad Cal. One thing that's different about the Island is once you move there you cannot leave. That's because the initial settling of the island was due to a boat wreck, where only 17 people survived and colonized on this undiscovered island. Meaning, no country has jurisdiction over it which has been a point of contention since the start so the Islanders don't have citizenship anywhere.
As Finn and Maya get to know each other through school classes and field trips, they end up getting an extra assignment to complete. A history of Islander's day, which leads Maya to discovering the key her father left her belongs to a treasure chest, which is why the original voyage many years ago initially set out. Maya tries to work on finding the chest without cluing in Finn, but it becomes difficult as they begin to develop romantic feelings for each other. Meanwhile, Luke has been dating this girl Parker, but suddenly begins to realize she may not be the girl for her.
As the treasure hunt and feelings heat up, tempers rise and secrets are revealed. Maya gets thrown for loop after loop and does her best to hang on to the people she loves without sacrificing the memory of her dad, but will it be enough?
I really enjoyed this book, and did not expect some of the twists and turns that were thrown my way! It was very well written and I especially loved the descriptions of the fish and coral. As someone who lived on an island for a few years I love seeing other people show love for the ocean. The only reason I didn't give five stars was that I wasn't a fan of how some of the relationships seemed to develop almost too quickly and how some characters did a 180 when they could have had a redemption arc. Even with these things I would personally change, it still ended up a beautifully written story that I would recommend to anyone who likes mystery, romance, and teen coming of age stories.
July 28, 2024
Technically a 3.75 but I rounded up.
This whole story plot is super similar to the tv show Outer Banks. Did I like that? Kinda sorta. As I read I just kept thinking “this is like the show.” And becoming less and less surprised at this piece of the story. After reading, my biggest issue was that I didn’t like what author did with Finn’s storyline. I honestly thought it was unnecessary for the story itself and actually made my enjoyment start to diminish. As an avid reader IMO it came across lazy instead of being a smart and necessary choice for the character. Just left a really bad taste and just seemed like the author wanted some kind of shock value but for me it just didn’t hit right as a reader.
I think the romance in this is a secondary component at best. It was the main focal point in the beginning but then was immediately overshadowed. So this isn’t a romance story. Personally, I was looking for more of a romance with an adventure tucked in not the other way around. So I may have just not been the right audience for it. I will say the last half of the book was where everything picked up but also fell short. It was jam packed with the twists and turns, but it felt rushed in some places and not fully developed. Some situations needed a few more pages to me for it to be fully explained and understood. Like feelings of characters changed in the drop of a hat and it seemed like it was out of nowhere with very little to no explanation.
Overall, It’s a decent story. Make sure to read the trigger warnings but I can see teens eating this up! Thank you to Love Notes PR for sharing this with me for an honest review!
This whole story plot is super similar to the tv show Outer Banks. Did I like that? Kinda sorta. As I read I just kept thinking “this is like the show.” And becoming less and less surprised at this piece of the story. After reading, my biggest issue was that I didn’t like what author did with Finn’s storyline. I honestly thought it was unnecessary for the story itself and actually made my enjoyment start to diminish. As an avid reader IMO it came across lazy instead of being a smart and necessary choice for the character. Just left a really bad taste and just seemed like the author wanted some kind of shock value but for me it just didn’t hit right as a reader.
I think the romance in this is a secondary component at best. It was the main focal point in the beginning but then was immediately overshadowed. So this isn’t a romance story. Personally, I was looking for more of a romance with an adventure tucked in not the other way around. So I may have just not been the right audience for it. I will say the last half of the book was where everything picked up but also fell short. It was jam packed with the twists and turns, but it felt rushed in some places and not fully developed. Some situations needed a few more pages to me for it to be fully explained and understood. Like feelings of characters changed in the drop of a hat and it seemed like it was out of nowhere with very little to no explanation.
Overall, It’s a decent story. Make sure to read the trigger warnings but I can see teens eating this up! Thank you to Love Notes PR for sharing this with me for an honest review!
July 28, 2024
First off, thank you so much to Maria Summers and LoveNotes PR for the opportunity to read this ARC! :)
The Island of Seventeen is marketed as a YA romance, but this story does delve into mystery x adventure - it’s filled with twists that will keep you hooked.
There are many things that I appreciate about this book:
- It’s clear that the author is a marine biologist: her descriptions of the setting are so beautiful and vivid! I loved that her expertise shone through in her writing.
- The representation of grief and its complications as a young adult coming-of-age is done well & I think it added a lot of depth to the MFC.
- The premise of this book is original and highly creative.
- Writing a good love triangle is HARD, but she does it well.
For the most part, this pacing of this book was balanced well, but there were a one or two times that I felt it was a bit rushed (hence the 4 stars instead of 5). Regardless of that though, it didn't take a lot away from my enjoyment of this story. It was a great time and a super fun summer read!
Congratulations to the author on your debut - I'll be looking for your next one! :)
<3
The Island of Seventeen is marketed as a YA romance, but this story does delve into mystery x adventure - it’s filled with twists that will keep you hooked.
There are many things that I appreciate about this book:
- It’s clear that the author is a marine biologist: her descriptions of the setting are so beautiful and vivid! I loved that her expertise shone through in her writing.
- The representation of grief and its complications as a young adult coming-of-age is done well & I think it added a lot of depth to the MFC.
- The premise of this book is original and highly creative.
- Writing a good love triangle is HARD, but she does it well.
For the most part, this pacing of this book was balanced well, but there were a one or two times that I felt it was a bit rushed (hence the 4 stars instead of 5). Regardless of that though, it didn't take a lot away from my enjoyment of this story. It was a great time and a super fun summer read!
Congratulations to the author on your debut - I'll be looking for your next one! :)
<3
July 28, 2024
If you’re looking for a book with Outer Banks vibes then this is the one!!! What a debut novel for Maria Summers! When I requested the ARC I was sooo intrigued with the cover and the plot that was so different from my last reads. I felt like I wanted to read something different from romance but I truly wasn’t expecting loving & enjoying it that much.
During the whole book, the plot is mixed with twists, adventure, secrets, new friendships, betrayals & love. It’s the perfect combo of everything you need to have an amazing time reading without seeing the time go. True captivating!
This is without a doubt the perfect book to read this summer! And if you like summer vibes, tropics, adventure, treasure hunting & plot twist then you definitely need to as The Island of the Seventeen to your August TBR. 🌊🐬🩵
Huge thank you to Love PR and Maria Summers for this opportunity!
During the whole book, the plot is mixed with twists, adventure, secrets, new friendships, betrayals & love. It’s the perfect combo of everything you need to have an amazing time reading without seeing the time go. True captivating!
This is without a doubt the perfect book to read this summer! And if you like summer vibes, tropics, adventure, treasure hunting & plot twist then you definitely need to as The Island of the Seventeen to your August TBR. 🌊🐬🩵
Huge thank you to Love PR and Maria Summers for this opportunity!
July 27, 2024
What a fun read!!!
Thank you to Love Notes PR for an ARC of this book 🥹
The Island of Seventeen was filled adventure, grief, treasure hunting, friendship -new and old, and budding young romance. Maya Tiller is the grandchild of one of the original seventeen individuals who survived a shipwreck on an undiscovered island. 50 some years later they are still on the island and Maya discovers a clue to help her locate the missing treasure from another shipwreck.
Not to mention a cute little love triangle and stunning descriptions of marine life! A perfect summer read !!
Thank you to Love Notes PR for an ARC of this book 🥹
The Island of Seventeen was filled adventure, grief, treasure hunting, friendship -new and old, and budding young romance. Maya Tiller is the grandchild of one of the original seventeen individuals who survived a shipwreck on an undiscovered island. 50 some years later they are still on the island and Maya discovers a clue to help her locate the missing treasure from another shipwreck.
Not to mention a cute little love triangle and stunning descriptions of marine life! A perfect summer read !!
July 27, 2024
The PERFECT summer read!! This book had everything I could ask for: romance, adventure, plot twists, and more. Every page kept me wanting to read more, and I truly couldn’t put this book down!! Officially my new fav book!
August 8, 2024
3.75
Really good debut novel. Loved the premise of the world and the mystery itself. However, I felt the book lacking in certain parts, specifically character development. One of the main differences between Finn and Luke was that one communicates, while the other doesn't. This idea isn't really shown to the reader. It's just said as a problem with no action to back it up. The ending was a bit predictable, but there was one twist that I did NOT see coming.
Overall, it was a decent book, and I will definitely be reading more from Maria Summers.
Really good debut novel. Loved the premise of the world and the mystery itself. However, I felt the book lacking in certain parts, specifically character development. One of the main differences between Finn and Luke was that one communicates, while the other doesn't. This idea isn't really shown to the reader. It's just said as a problem with no action to back it up. The ending was a bit predictable, but there was one twist that I did NOT see coming.
Overall, it was a decent book, and I will definitely be reading more from Maria Summers.
August 4, 2024
Please hear me as I hate to review books that I don’t love. I was given the wonderful opportunity to be an arc reader for this book. Although it did keep my interest, it felt very predictable. I also felt the language/context was very simple. This book was not for me, and that’s ok. I really want to be honest on my account. 😭😭
July 30, 2024
I received this book as an ARC and I’m so glad I did.
As a debut novel for Maria this is very good. It was giving Outer Banks and Nims Island vibes if that movie was filmed with an older actor.
This book got a solid 3.5/5 for me (but good reads doesn’t allow half stars). The plot was good, the characters were love able, and there were small twists I like to say I saw coming but kind of hoped I didn’t.
I will say my only big flaw is that once it hit part 2 it felt very rushed. Like it moved so quickly and I kind of wish it had a slower pace.
This book had love, action, and betrayal. There are some trigger warning so make sure you look them up before you commit.
“There are cruel people in this world, Maya. But you must remember to be strong. The world is not as good or as kind as you are.”
Spice: none
Tropes:
⚓️ love triangle
⚓️ hidden villains
⚓️ unlikely hero’s
⚓️ friends to lovers
As a debut novel for Maria this is very good. It was giving Outer Banks and Nims Island vibes if that movie was filmed with an older actor.
This book got a solid 3.5/5 for me (but good reads doesn’t allow half stars). The plot was good, the characters were love able, and there were small twists I like to say I saw coming but kind of hoped I didn’t.
I will say my only big flaw is that once it hit part 2 it felt very rushed. Like it moved so quickly and I kind of wish it had a slower pace.
This book had love, action, and betrayal. There are some trigger warning so make sure you look them up before you commit.
“There are cruel people in this world, Maya. But you must remember to be strong. The world is not as good or as kind as you are.”
Spice: none
Tropes:
⚓️ love triangle
⚓️ hidden villains
⚓️ unlikely hero’s
⚓️ friends to lovers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2024
“Being in the ocean was my medication. It was the closest thing I had to ever feeling free, and I loved every second of it”
ARC Review
I read this book in 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down. It’s so fricking good!! You have romance, mystery, adventure, family, friends! Everything you could want or need in a book.
Maria Summers does an incredible job transporting you to the island. The scenery is so vivid. You can taste, smell & hear life in the island. It’s such a magical and special place. I would gladly move there.
There are so many times I had to pick my jaw up off the floor because the twists and turns. Every time I thought the book couldn’t get better it did.
This story is so unique and entertaining. I’ve never read anything like it. I can’t wait to recommend this book to my younger sister.
ARC Review
I read this book in 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down. It’s so fricking good!! You have romance, mystery, adventure, family, friends! Everything you could want or need in a book.
Maria Summers does an incredible job transporting you to the island. The scenery is so vivid. You can taste, smell & hear life in the island. It’s such a magical and special place. I would gladly move there.
There are so many times I had to pick my jaw up off the floor because the twists and turns. Every time I thought the book couldn’t get better it did.
This story is so unique and entertaining. I’ve never read anything like it. I can’t wait to recommend this book to my younger sister.
July 29, 2024
Maya lives on what is simply called "The Island" which she is not allowed to leave. Her grandparents and parents shared the same fate.
We meet Maya several months after the death of her father while she struggles to cope with his untimely death.
On this Island, new residents can come but once there they can never leave. A Senior in high school, things being to change for Maya, aka "Fish Girl", when a mysterious blonde hair boy named Finn moves to town.
You definitely have to keep in mind that this is a debut novel. There is some telling instead of showing and some of the relationships are overly cheesy.
However, this ends up being a heart warming story with plot twists I was not expecting. I ended up really enjoying the book.
We meet Maya several months after the death of her father while she struggles to cope with his untimely death.
On this Island, new residents can come but once there they can never leave. A Senior in high school, things being to change for Maya, aka "Fish Girl", when a mysterious blonde hair boy named Finn moves to town.
You definitely have to keep in mind that this is a debut novel. There is some telling instead of showing and some of the relationships are overly cheesy.
However, this ends up being a heart warming story with plot twists I was not expecting. I ended up really enjoying the book.
August 1, 2024
Read if you like :
- love triangles
- tropical setting books
- huge plot twists
- first love trope
- closed door romances
The tropical setting was probably my favorite thing in the whole book. I just imagined the book being so vibrant, colorful and fun.
This book is YA romance, so there’s no spice!! (Which I usually don’t like, but I didn’t mind in this book, because it was so cute!!)
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5⭐️ was because I was craving a bit more at the end, I wanted to see how the characters are living after everything they been through, but the book just kind of stopped.
But the plot twists?? Never read a book with these jaw-dropping plot twists!!! I really really recommend this book!
- love triangles
- tropical setting books
- huge plot twists
- first love trope
- closed door romances
The tropical setting was probably my favorite thing in the whole book. I just imagined the book being so vibrant, colorful and fun.
This book is YA romance, so there’s no spice!! (Which I usually don’t like, but I didn’t mind in this book, because it was so cute!!)
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5⭐️ was because I was craving a bit more at the end, I wanted to see how the characters are living after everything they been through, but the book just kind of stopped.
But the plot twists?? Never read a book with these jaw-dropping plot twists!!! I really really recommend this book!
July 25, 2024
Rate: 4.5 ⭐️. Received this as an ARC book. This book was a great read and the details were great with explaining the scenery of what was going on in the island. I love the aspect of the best friends growing up together and leaning on one another and possible love story there. The FMC, Maya, was a relatable teenager with figuring out feelings and navigating the small world around her. The twists throughout the second half of the book and the ending was great. I wouldn’t have thought any of those things were going to happen.
July 26, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ARC Review⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a wild ride! This story takes us on an adventure full of love, loss and treasure hunting! This book had me sucked in from the very beginning, I found it hard to put the book down! I absolutely devoured this story.
I did predict one twist solely based on how Maya’s mom was behaving and I also predicted who was stalking the girls on the island. Aside from that, I was on the edge of my seat.
Thank you to Maria Summers for allowing me the opportunity to read this debut novel. I’m so excited for any future stories Maria publishes.
What a wild ride! This story takes us on an adventure full of love, loss and treasure hunting! This book had me sucked in from the very beginning, I found it hard to put the book down! I absolutely devoured this story.
I did predict one twist solely based on how Maya’s mom was behaving and I also predicted who was stalking the girls on the island. Aside from that, I was on the edge of my seat.
Thank you to Maria Summers for allowing me the opportunity to read this debut novel. I’m so excited for any future stories Maria publishes.
July 23, 2024
This book gave me major outer banks vibes and I was eating it up! The book started like it was going to purely be a romance/found family/ coming of age book but it quickly turned into so much more! Honestly I thought the book could have been just a tad bit longer to explain some of the last scenes of the book a little more in depth but I don’t really have any complaints!
July 26, 2024
Who doesn’t love a story about people being marooned on an uncharted unknown island? This YA debut novel by Maria Summers was a fun one to encounter. Teenagers who were born on this island have never been allowed to leave, seeing how it belongs to no nation and the world doesn’t know if they carry diseases previously unknown to anyone else. This story involves love, betrayals, and best of all… treasure! Well written and entertaining to the very end, this novel will captivate you with all the gems the author threw in. Don’t miss out on this one, y’all!
July 26, 2024
This story was captivating! It's a very well-written island mystery with a light romance plot. It was hard to believe that a story this well done was a debut!
The island and ocean life descriptions immediately put you in the story! The history of the island and the mystery surrounding it were very well developed.
I wish I could have told Maya that our shared nickname isn't an insult
#teamfinn
The island and ocean life descriptions immediately put you in the story! The history of the island and the mystery surrounding it were very well developed.
I wish I could have told Maya that our shared nickname isn't an insult
#teamfinn
July 22, 2024
*ARC REVIEW* This book pleasantly surprised me! The first 50-60% of this book was a little slow due to the build up and anticipation, but several turns and plot twists had me anxious to see the outcome. There was romance and mystery involved in this which was different than what I was expecting.
July 27, 2024
The Island of the Seventeen was such a vibe! Along the way we experience a journey of friendship, first loves, betrayal, and survival. If you're a fan of ocean hobbies, treasure hunting, YA romance, and adventures like Outer Banks, then this is the book for you! It felt like an ode to summer and made me miss living by the ocean.
I really enjoyed following the FMC around her mysterious island. It was interesting to enter a world where an uncharted island exists and the people marooned there are forced to remain for generations. The island's history, and build-up for treasure hunting, was very intriguing and had me quickly turning the page. It felt all the more authentic with the author's background in marine biology.
The ending wraps everything up perfectly and I actually found myself tearing up at one part. Make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading!
I definitely recommend reading The Island of the Seventeen!
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Thank you to the author, Maria Summers, and Love Notes PR for the ARC copy! This is my honest review :) For a debut novel, I'm extremely impressed!
I really enjoyed following the FMC around her mysterious island. It was interesting to enter a world where an uncharted island exists and the people marooned there are forced to remain for generations. The island's history, and build-up for treasure hunting, was very intriguing and had me quickly turning the page. It felt all the more authentic with the author's background in marine biology.
The ending wraps everything up perfectly and I actually found myself tearing up at one part. Make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading!
I definitely recommend reading The Island of the Seventeen!
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Thank you to the author, Maria Summers, and Love Notes PR for the ARC copy! This is my honest review :) For a debut novel, I'm extremely impressed!
August 2, 2024
The Island of the Seventeen was a whirlwind to read. I empathized so much with the characters. They didn't feel like ink on a page they felt like friends. I absolutely adore this novel and can't wait to see what else Maria Summers publishes!
September 26, 2025
cute fun lil adventure story with wholesome ending
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