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Bookish Escapes #3
The Croatian Island Library
'Deeply emotional, utterly enchanting, and wonderfully escapist’ Isabelle Broom, author of The Summer Trip'This story of friendship and self-discovery is peopled by characters you'll be happy to make friends with.' Maisie Thomas, bestselling author Where books are borrowed, friendships are forged and secrets uncovered…
As a beautiful summer unfolds in the Croatian islands, Ana Meštrović embarks on a new venture – transforming her beloved catamaran into a floating library.
Joined by crew members Lloyd, a widower whose past threatens to overshadow everything, and Natali, a young mechanic afraid of her own shadow, the newly formed trio all have their own powerful reasons for needing the travelling library to be a success.
As they explore stunning coastlines and visit picturesque harbours, they learn that, sometimes, the most profound changes happen not just in the pages of a book, but in the bonds formed along the way…
As a beautiful summer unfolds in the Croatian islands, Ana Meštrović embarks on a new venture – transforming her beloved catamaran into a floating library.
Joined by crew members Lloyd, a widower whose past threatens to overshadow everything, and Natali, a young mechanic afraid of her own shadow, the newly formed trio all have their own powerful reasons for needing the travelling library to be a success.
As they explore stunning coastlines and visit picturesque harbours, they learn that, sometimes, the most profound changes happen not just in the pages of a book, but in the bonds formed along the way…
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2026
17 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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January 22, 2026
4.5 ⭐
As summertime begins to unfold in the Croatian islands, Ana Mestrovic turns her beloved catamaran into a floating library. Joining her are Lloyd, a widower whose past he doesn’t want to confront, and Natali, a young mechanic who is very, very shy, but all three members of the crew keep the reasons of why they are there to themselves. But as they explore and visit the picturesque harbors of Croatia, they begin to realize that they might need each other’s friendship more than they need the job and the money it provides.
What a wonderful story! I’m not going to lie, I had trouble getting invested in the story at first because I think I’m in a bit of a slump at the moment, but once I got into the flow of reading, I was HOOKED! 🎣🛥
Ugh, I literally teared up SO many times as I read this. I absolutely loved the bond between Ana, Lloyd, Natali, and her little dog, Obi. Sure, some misunderstandings threatened to shatter their trust, but gosh, it was so sweet to see how they were willing to work things out because of how much they valued their friendship and the job they grew to love. 🥹❤ And Natali? Omg, she was the absolute sweetest! Just thinking about how much she cared for Ana and Lloyd because they were her found family makes me want to sob my eyes out. 😭 I mean, I loved all of them (Ana did piss me off from time to time, but nobody’s perfect! 😉), so my heart was just so happy the entire time I was reading. But, if I had to pick a favorite character, it would have to be Natali. 🫶🏼
I don’t think there’s anything I disliked, besides my lack of knowing how to pronounce the names of places and dishes, but thank God for Google. Also, parts of the story made me so mad that the happy mood I would be in from a previous chapter was shattered, and I was about ready to throw hands, lol! 😂 But hey, the three friends felt like they were my friends as well, so I just couldn’t help but want to stick up for them and want them to be happy. The plot itself sold me because, excuse me, a floating library? How cool is that?! And, of course, the cover is stunning, so that also persuaded me to check this out. 😏 The setting was amazing. Now I have to visit Croatia because it sounds incredible! 😍
This was literally the sweetest and coolest story, and I definitely recommend it! 🩵
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions drug abuse, assault, and homophobia/homophobic comments.
Swearing: Yes.
Spice: No–only mentions making love and kissing. (🌶/5)
As summertime begins to unfold in the Croatian islands, Ana Mestrovic turns her beloved catamaran into a floating library. Joining her are Lloyd, a widower whose past he doesn’t want to confront, and Natali, a young mechanic who is very, very shy, but all three members of the crew keep the reasons of why they are there to themselves. But as they explore and visit the picturesque harbors of Croatia, they begin to realize that they might need each other’s friendship more than they need the job and the money it provides.
What a wonderful story! I’m not going to lie, I had trouble getting invested in the story at first because I think I’m in a bit of a slump at the moment, but once I got into the flow of reading, I was HOOKED! 🎣🛥
Ugh, I literally teared up SO many times as I read this. I absolutely loved the bond between Ana, Lloyd, Natali, and her little dog, Obi. Sure, some misunderstandings threatened to shatter their trust, but gosh, it was so sweet to see how they were willing to work things out because of how much they valued their friendship and the job they grew to love. 🥹❤ And Natali? Omg, she was the absolute sweetest! Just thinking about how much she cared for Ana and Lloyd because they were her found family makes me want to sob my eyes out. 😭 I mean, I loved all of them (Ana did piss me off from time to time, but nobody’s perfect! 😉), so my heart was just so happy the entire time I was reading. But, if I had to pick a favorite character, it would have to be Natali. 🫶🏼
I don’t think there’s anything I disliked, besides my lack of knowing how to pronounce the names of places and dishes, but thank God for Google. Also, parts of the story made me so mad that the happy mood I would be in from a previous chapter was shattered, and I was about ready to throw hands, lol! 😂 But hey, the three friends felt like they were my friends as well, so I just couldn’t help but want to stick up for them and want them to be happy. The plot itself sold me because, excuse me, a floating library? How cool is that?! And, of course, the cover is stunning, so that also persuaded me to check this out. 😏 The setting was amazing. Now I have to visit Croatia because it sounds incredible! 😍
This was literally the sweetest and coolest story, and I definitely recommend it! 🩵
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions drug abuse, assault, and homophobia/homophobic comments.
Swearing: Yes.
Spice: No–only mentions making love and kissing. (🌶/5)
January 22, 2026
In a Nutshell: A contemporary fiction set on a floating library travelling across the Croatian islands. Character-oriented, slow-paced. Good use of the found family trope. More focus on the humans behind the library than the library itself. Some great themes, but slightly repetitive at times. A few scenes felt unnecessary. Not much romance, which I appreciate. A nice choice for fans of the genre.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
I rarely read books that are set in exotic locales as they often provide a picture-perfect view of the place rather than reflecting a possibly mixed reality. But it was tough to resist the ‘library’ angle of this title and hence I gave it a go.
Unfortunately, the book turned out to be more about the characters than about the books.
Fortunately, the characters were rather interesting. (And one was even likeable!)
Bookish Yays:
🚢 Natali. Easily the best character of the book. Loved her arc and her growth over the pages.
🚢 Obi the dog. Who cannot love bookish dogs? Obi is perfect! I love how her presence is felt throughout the story.
🚢 The three main characters coming from distinct generations and having distinct personal concerns. This ensures that each of their arcs contains enough drama without overlapping with the others.
🚢 The found family trope, thanks to the crew who learns to work with each other. Used really well.
🚢 The varied themes in the book, whether grief or body clock worries or stammering or parental abuse or past secrets or potential relationships or academic skills vs practical skills. Most are nicely utilised.
🚢 The tiny titbits about the Croatian war, which we mostly learn about during the flashback scenes. I like how the story keeps its focus and doesn’t allow the war content to get top priority by including a detailed history lesson.
🚢 The setting of the Croatian islands – easily one of the biggest appeals of the book.
🚢 The ending. Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that I prefer this kind of ending in this genre than a forced rapid wrap-up.
Bookish Okays:
📖 The start was a bit shaky for me. I even came to GR to check if I had ended up with a mid-series book by mistake. It jumped directly into characters’ discussions without our knowing anything about them. Thankfully, after a few chapters, things start making more sense.
(Strangely, after I drafted this review, the series details have been updated on GR. But the books look standalone, so I have no idea if there are any repeating characters herein.)
📖 Ana. I love that a thirty-something woman character is the skipper of her own catamaran and trying her best to ensure that her crew is satisfied. At the same time, her self-doubt gets really annoying and repetitive after a while.
📖 Lloyd. A good character in general, but has some specific behavioural traits that didn’t endear him to me. I found it weird that we learnt more about his distant past than about his recent past. And I disliked everything to do with *the character from the distant past*. It negated a lot of the feelings he expressed about his *recent past*. Plus, his use of certain words to describe the said character further turned me off. But I did appreciate the way he was around Natali and Obi.
📖 As the book is so character-focussed, we hear a lot of their inner conflicts and introspections and external challenges. What we don’t get much of is anything beyond the characters. Even the challenges of life aboard a catamaran don’t come up that often, and when they do, they are mostly restricted to comments about food.
📖 Slow pacing, which is somewhat understandable for a character-oriented book. But the content is also repetitive, especially in between.
📖 Several Croatian words in the content, for which there is a detailed glossary at the start. Some of the entries in the glossary (in the ‘Swearing and Insults’ section) don’t offer direct meanings of the words. I was annoyed by how frequently characters used the exclamatory word ‘Sranje’, sometimes even repeating it unnecessarily.
📖 The titular library, which was the main reason I grabbed this book. I love the concept, which reminded me a bit of ‘The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek‘. However, the book either finishes all actual library scenes instantly without showing any detailed interactions or just reports the library-related incidents post their completion using another character as the mouthpiece. There’s hardly even a book title mentioned! This was really disappointing to me. I enjoyed whatever teeny glimpses we got of this amazing floating library and would have loved to see more actual bookish interactions in the foreground.
Bookish Nays:
🏝 Given that this is general fiction and not romance, I don’t see why a nude swimming scene had to be a part of the narrative. (It wasn’t erotic, just awkward.) This, and a couple of other scenes, simply weren’t required and didn’t suit the overall tone of the book.
🏝 Too much of miscommunication and secret-keeping.
Overall, this is a good-enough read, as long as we are prepared for a character-focussed contemporary work than for a novel about books and libraries. Though the latter content is also present, it is mostly passive than active. I wasn’t bored by the story at any point, but I did find myself wishing for more bookish stuff as promised by the title.
Recommended to readers of contemporary general fiction who enjoy character-focussed storytelling in an exotic location.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, One More Chapter, and author Eva Glyn for a complimentary copy of 'The Croatian Island Library' via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Thirty-five-year-old Ana Meštrović has accepted a new government contract to use her catamaran as a library carrying books across various islands of Croatia. She needs to make this project a success so that she can prove to her parents that she can have her own career independent of their oyster farming business.
Two new crew members will join Ana for this summer project: fifty-three-year-old British national Lloyd – the librarian in charge who has a secret in his past, and twenty-two-year-old Natali – the mechanic who is under-confident about her skills and intelligence. Can the three strangers form an effective team and ensure the success of the project, especially when each of them is also battling a personal demon?
The story comes to us in the third-person perspective of the three main characters.
I rarely read books that are set in exotic locales as they often provide a picture-perfect view of the place rather than reflecting a possibly mixed reality. But it was tough to resist the ‘library’ angle of this title and hence I gave it a go.
Unfortunately, the book turned out to be more about the characters than about the books.
Fortunately, the characters were rather interesting. (And one was even likeable!)
Bookish Yays:
🚢 Natali. Easily the best character of the book. Loved her arc and her growth over the pages.
🚢 Obi the dog. Who cannot love bookish dogs? Obi is perfect! I love how her presence is felt throughout the story.
🚢 The three main characters coming from distinct generations and having distinct personal concerns. This ensures that each of their arcs contains enough drama without overlapping with the others.
🚢 The found family trope, thanks to the crew who learns to work with each other. Used really well.
🚢 The varied themes in the book, whether grief or body clock worries or stammering or parental abuse or past secrets or potential relationships or academic skills vs practical skills. Most are nicely utilised.
🚢 The tiny titbits about the Croatian war, which we mostly learn about during the flashback scenes. I like how the story keeps its focus and doesn’t allow the war content to get top priority by including a detailed history lesson.
🚢 The setting of the Croatian islands – easily one of the biggest appeals of the book.
🚢 The ending. Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that I prefer this kind of ending in this genre than a forced rapid wrap-up.
Bookish Okays:
📖 The start was a bit shaky for me. I even came to GR to check if I had ended up with a mid-series book by mistake. It jumped directly into characters’ discussions without our knowing anything about them. Thankfully, after a few chapters, things start making more sense.
(Strangely, after I drafted this review, the series details have been updated on GR. But the books look standalone, so I have no idea if there are any repeating characters herein.)
📖 Ana. I love that a thirty-something woman character is the skipper of her own catamaran and trying her best to ensure that her crew is satisfied. At the same time, her self-doubt gets really annoying and repetitive after a while.
📖 Lloyd. A good character in general, but has some specific behavioural traits that didn’t endear him to me. I found it weird that we learnt more about his distant past than about his recent past. And I disliked everything to do with *the character from the distant past*. It negated a lot of the feelings he expressed about his *recent past*. Plus, his use of certain words to describe the said character further turned me off. But I did appreciate the way he was around Natali and Obi.
📖 As the book is so character-focussed, we hear a lot of their inner conflicts and introspections and external challenges. What we don’t get much of is anything beyond the characters. Even the challenges of life aboard a catamaran don’t come up that often, and when they do, they are mostly restricted to comments about food.
📖 Slow pacing, which is somewhat understandable for a character-oriented book. But the content is also repetitive, especially in between.
📖 Several Croatian words in the content, for which there is a detailed glossary at the start. Some of the entries in the glossary (in the ‘Swearing and Insults’ section) don’t offer direct meanings of the words. I was annoyed by how frequently characters used the exclamatory word ‘Sranje’, sometimes even repeating it unnecessarily.
📖 The titular library, which was the main reason I grabbed this book. I love the concept, which reminded me a bit of ‘The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek‘. However, the book either finishes all actual library scenes instantly without showing any detailed interactions or just reports the library-related incidents post their completion using another character as the mouthpiece. There’s hardly even a book title mentioned! This was really disappointing to me. I enjoyed whatever teeny glimpses we got of this amazing floating library and would have loved to see more actual bookish interactions in the foreground.
Bookish Nays:
🏝 Given that this is general fiction and not romance, I don’t see why a nude swimming scene had to be a part of the narrative. (It wasn’t erotic, just awkward.) This, and a couple of other scenes, simply weren’t required and didn’t suit the overall tone of the book.
🏝 Too much of miscommunication and secret-keeping.
Overall, this is a good-enough read, as long as we are prepared for a character-focussed contemporary work than for a novel about books and libraries. Though the latter content is also present, it is mostly passive than active. I wasn’t bored by the story at any point, but I did find myself wishing for more bookish stuff as promised by the title.
Recommended to readers of contemporary general fiction who enjoy character-focussed storytelling in an exotic location.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, One More Chapter, and author Eva Glyn for a complimentary copy of 'The Croatian Island Library' via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Croatia, Present Day. At the start of summer Ana Meštrović signs a contract and turns her catamaran the Dida Krila into a floating library for ten weeks.
Lloyd Richards is widower and a former high school teacher and he’s the new librarian. Natali Putica is the deck hand, she’s very shy and struggles to make conversation and her stutter doesn’t help.
They need for the travelling library to be a success, for Ana it means she hasn’t wasted the money her grandfather left her as she made the choice to follow her dreams and not work at the family oyster farm. Lloyd lost his wife to cancer two years ago, his daughter encouraged him to take the new job, it has been over thirty years since he was last here and it brings back memories of his first love, during the threat of the war and how he fled and he wonders what happened to her? Natali was raised by her single mother in Dubrovnik, who jumps from one relationship to the next, she was bullied at school due to speech and had an unhappy childhood.
I received a copy of The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn from NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. A story about new friendships and supporting each other, enjoying the simple things such as spending time together and sharing a meal, visiting the tiny islands and the people they meet, and add in some secrets, a little mystery and a cute little dog called Obi and it’s an unputdownable read.
The cover is beautiful and so is the narrative, it has an emphasis on self-discovery and guilt is pointless and it's a heavy burden to carry and the importance of reading and education. Five stars from me, Ms Glyn never disappoints, I highly recommend and please write a sequel.
Lloyd Richards is widower and a former high school teacher and he’s the new librarian. Natali Putica is the deck hand, she’s very shy and struggles to make conversation and her stutter doesn’t help.
They need for the travelling library to be a success, for Ana it means she hasn’t wasted the money her grandfather left her as she made the choice to follow her dreams and not work at the family oyster farm. Lloyd lost his wife to cancer two years ago, his daughter encouraged him to take the new job, it has been over thirty years since he was last here and it brings back memories of his first love, during the threat of the war and how he fled and he wonders what happened to her? Natali was raised by her single mother in Dubrovnik, who jumps from one relationship to the next, she was bullied at school due to speech and had an unhappy childhood.
I received a copy of The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn from NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. A story about new friendships and supporting each other, enjoying the simple things such as spending time together and sharing a meal, visiting the tiny islands and the people they meet, and add in some secrets, a little mystery and a cute little dog called Obi and it’s an unputdownable read.
The cover is beautiful and so is the narrative, it has an emphasis on self-discovery and guilt is pointless and it's a heavy burden to carry and the importance of reading and education. Five stars from me, Ms Glyn never disappoints, I highly recommend and please write a sequel.
November 15, 2025
A beautiful heartwarming story, loved the characters and the author truly transports you to Croatia (which sounds beautiful and I now want to cruise the Croatian islands).
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
January 22, 2026
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Croatian Island Library' by Eva Glyn.
This is the second book I have read by this incredibly talented author but it most definitely won't be my last!! I have also read The Dubrovnik Book Club which I would also highly recommended.
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that leave you hearing the waves under the catamaran, smelling the new book scent and seeing the islands come to life around you.
Yet another fantastic success Eva Glyn congratulations!! Such an easy, fun and addictive escapism that had me hook, line and sinker!!!
I absolutely loved reading this book which took place in such a stunning environment I felt like I had disappeared on holiday for the day. It was a shame it was only a day but that's how long it took me to zoom through the pages after not being able to put it down. I genuinely felt like I was in the storyline and I was devastated to come to the end and have to "unpack my suitcase". The fact that this book is based around a library, books and a catamaran as well as being set in such stunning settings should make you want to grab this book now as it is every bibliophile's dream escapism. If you need further convincing then read on!! The storyline is ram packed with amazing characters, a gorgeous yorkie, books, islands, friendship, regrets, romance, community, second chances, heartache, emotions, accusations, lost love, family, food, and so, so much more!! The storyline is multi-layered with several things going on ensuring the readers are kept hooked from the very first page to the last! I have not read many books based in Croatia, in fact less than a handful out of hundreds of books I have read so it was lovely to go somewhere different for a gorgeous holiday. I cannot wait to get stuck into more books by this incredible author as she truly does whisk her readers into the storyline with her characters. The fact that it includes a sweet Yorkie called Obi and included a library was right down my street being a huge book and animal lover myself. I run my own rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice which you can find on social media if you wish, and any books containing animals are a huge bonus for me and Obi had such a gorgeous personality that I couldn't help loving her!! I also love the fact that each of the three main characters has their own unique backgrounds, personalities, heartaches, worries, questions, weaknesses, strengths and flaws was brilliant as well as the fact that they were all off different ages yet bonded so well as friends and helping each other over their problems and heartaches. Eva does an incredible job of weaving the multiple protagonist perspectives of Ana, Lloyd and Natali together perfectly ensuring we got to see what they were feeling and doing as individuals as well as a group without causing any confusion. It is one of those beautiful books that each and every time I told myself just one more chapter I just had to read yet one more to know what was going to happen next, and then another until before I know it I had devoured the whole book in just a few hours. I absolutely loved meeting each and every one of the characters and I was sad to say Goodbye to them all. I just hope I get to meet them all again in future books by this fantastic author!
Grab your copy and join Ana, Lloyd and Natali on their travels around Croatia in Ana's catamaran library and get lost in this stunning escapism filled with emotions, fun, books and friendship and I promise that you will not regret it! You may even discover your new favourite book and author. At the least you will enjoy a stunning holiday surrounded by incredible characters!
Do not pick this up until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
Congratulations Eva on an yet another absolutely addictive and stunning escapism!!! Here's to a fantastic and many more successes 🥂
Overall an addictive escapism set in a stunning area that you won't be able to put down!!
#TheCroatianIslandLibrary #EvaGlyn #HarperCollins #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #OneMoreChapterPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources
@EvaGlyn @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @HarperCollins @HarperCollinsUK @OneMoreChapter @OneMoreChapterPublishing
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Review for 'The Croatian Island Library' by Eva Glyn.
This is the second book I have read by this incredibly talented author but it most definitely won't be my last!! I have also read The Dubrovnik Book Club which I would also highly recommended.
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that leave you hearing the waves under the catamaran, smelling the new book scent and seeing the islands come to life around you.
Yet another fantastic success Eva Glyn congratulations!! Such an easy, fun and addictive escapism that had me hook, line and sinker!!!
I absolutely loved reading this book which took place in such a stunning environment I felt like I had disappeared on holiday for the day. It was a shame it was only a day but that's how long it took me to zoom through the pages after not being able to put it down. I genuinely felt like I was in the storyline and I was devastated to come to the end and have to "unpack my suitcase". The fact that this book is based around a library, books and a catamaran as well as being set in such stunning settings should make you want to grab this book now as it is every bibliophile's dream escapism. If you need further convincing then read on!! The storyline is ram packed with amazing characters, a gorgeous yorkie, books, islands, friendship, regrets, romance, community, second chances, heartache, emotions, accusations, lost love, family, food, and so, so much more!! The storyline is multi-layered with several things going on ensuring the readers are kept hooked from the very first page to the last! I have not read many books based in Croatia, in fact less than a handful out of hundreds of books I have read so it was lovely to go somewhere different for a gorgeous holiday. I cannot wait to get stuck into more books by this incredible author as she truly does whisk her readers into the storyline with her characters. The fact that it includes a sweet Yorkie called Obi and included a library was right down my street being a huge book and animal lover myself. I run my own rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice which you can find on social media if you wish, and any books containing animals are a huge bonus for me and Obi had such a gorgeous personality that I couldn't help loving her!! I also love the fact that each of the three main characters has their own unique backgrounds, personalities, heartaches, worries, questions, weaknesses, strengths and flaws was brilliant as well as the fact that they were all off different ages yet bonded so well as friends and helping each other over their problems and heartaches. Eva does an incredible job of weaving the multiple protagonist perspectives of Ana, Lloyd and Natali together perfectly ensuring we got to see what they were feeling and doing as individuals as well as a group without causing any confusion. It is one of those beautiful books that each and every time I told myself just one more chapter I just had to read yet one more to know what was going to happen next, and then another until before I know it I had devoured the whole book in just a few hours. I absolutely loved meeting each and every one of the characters and I was sad to say Goodbye to them all. I just hope I get to meet them all again in future books by this fantastic author!
Grab your copy and join Ana, Lloyd and Natali on their travels around Croatia in Ana's catamaran library and get lost in this stunning escapism filled with emotions, fun, books and friendship and I promise that you will not regret it! You may even discover your new favourite book and author. At the least you will enjoy a stunning holiday surrounded by incredible characters!
Do not pick this up until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
Congratulations Eva on an yet another absolutely addictive and stunning escapism!!! Here's to a fantastic and many more successes 🥂
Overall an addictive escapism set in a stunning area that you won't be able to put down!!
#TheCroatianIslandLibrary #EvaGlyn #HarperCollins #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #OneMoreChapterPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources
@EvaGlyn @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @HarperCollins @HarperCollinsUK @OneMoreChapter @OneMoreChapterPublishing
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January 19, 2026
This is the first book I have read by Eva Glyn and it certainly won't be the last.
A beautiful story set in a stunning location with a library on a boat. What else could you ask for?
I loved the characters of Ana, Lloyd and Natali who were the three main characters and all came from different backgrounds and challenges.
I loved the way the author wove their stories together and how their friendship developed despite some misunderstanding and communication issues. Each of them brought something different to the library and worked hard to make it a success.
There were additional characters, including Obi, Natali's dog and Baku, Natali's Island friend, who I felt added to the story.
This was a beautiful, gentle and emotional read with emphasis on friendship, self-discovery and moving forward. It is also great at reminding us of the important part that reading can play in people's lives.
I will definitely look out for more by this author, especially ones set in this beautiful part of the world.
A beautiful story set in a stunning location with a library on a boat. What else could you ask for?
I loved the characters of Ana, Lloyd and Natali who were the three main characters and all came from different backgrounds and challenges.
I loved the way the author wove their stories together and how their friendship developed despite some misunderstanding and communication issues. Each of them brought something different to the library and worked hard to make it a success.
There were additional characters, including Obi, Natali's dog and Baku, Natali's Island friend, who I felt added to the story.
This was a beautiful, gentle and emotional read with emphasis on friendship, self-discovery and moving forward. It is also great at reminding us of the important part that reading can play in people's lives.
I will definitely look out for more by this author, especially ones set in this beautiful part of the world.
January 16, 2026
The Croatian Island Library is a thoughtful story of friendships and new beginnings in the Dalmatian islands of Croatia.
Eva Glyn effortlessly transported me to summer days on a catamaran, sailing from island to island, getting to know their communities and enjoying the blazing sun, aquamarine sea and local cuisine. I loved the unique concept of a mobile library that sails between the islands, ensuring that the local children have access to a wide range of reading materials over the long summer break from school.
There is such an interesting variety of characters with strong development throughout the book. Ana, trying to figure out her hopes and plans for the future; Lloyd, battling with guilt and grief; and Natali, lacking confidence and social connections. Each one of them struggling with uncertainties about the future and knowing that decisions need to be made by the end of the summer. Over the course of the summer, their friendship is cemented through various circumstances and this friendship becomes rather transformative for each one of them. The friends they never knew they needed! And there was something very satisfying about witnessing the blossoming of these three individuals and their library!
A pleasure to be on board the catamaran sharing this journey with Ana, Lloyd, Natali and of course Obi the dog.
Eva Glyn effortlessly transported me to summer days on a catamaran, sailing from island to island, getting to know their communities and enjoying the blazing sun, aquamarine sea and local cuisine. I loved the unique concept of a mobile library that sails between the islands, ensuring that the local children have access to a wide range of reading materials over the long summer break from school.
There is such an interesting variety of characters with strong development throughout the book. Ana, trying to figure out her hopes and plans for the future; Lloyd, battling with guilt and grief; and Natali, lacking confidence and social connections. Each one of them struggling with uncertainties about the future and knowing that decisions need to be made by the end of the summer. Over the course of the summer, their friendship is cemented through various circumstances and this friendship becomes rather transformative for each one of them. The friends they never knew they needed! And there was something very satisfying about witnessing the blossoming of these three individuals and their library!
A pleasure to be on board the catamaran sharing this journey with Ana, Lloyd, Natali and of course Obi the dog.
November 9, 2025
A three-person staff is hired as an experiment to bring a traveling library to the picturesque islands near Dubrovnik during the summer. Ana, a young woman seeking clarity about her future, owns the beloved catamaran that will serve as their home and transportation between the islands. Lloyd, a grieving widower from the UK, is hired as the librarian despite a previous dismissal from his teaching job. Natali has never had a supportive family, was bullied in school, and did not do well as a student. Yet she is a crack mechanic and a good cook. When Lloyd’s history years ago with a young woman in Korcula threatens to end this experiment, all of them work together to save it.
Beautifully written, this heartwarming story is for fans of people united by love of books, found family, coming-of-age, finding love, self-discovery, and moving forward in life. I read the author’s prior work, The Dubrovnik Book Club, and enjoyed the cameo appearance of characters from that book.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @onemorechapterhc for the DRC.
Beautifully written, this heartwarming story is for fans of people united by love of books, found family, coming-of-age, finding love, self-discovery, and moving forward in life. I read the author’s prior work, The Dubrovnik Book Club, and enjoyed the cameo appearance of characters from that book.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @onemorechapterhc for the DRC.
January 23, 2026
This book was an absolutely glorious read and I was so invested in the lives of Ana, Lloyd and Natali that I read this book in two days. A travelling library set on a catamaran around the Croatian Islands what a perfect setting for a book. The authors descriptions of these islands and the characters were so vividly described and I could literally smell the food being described as I read the story. Each character had their own problems but they each helped one another and there were some emotional moments. I have no hesitation in recommending this wonderful book and it has really made me want to visit Croatia.
January 22, 2026
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Croatian Island Library' by Eva Glyn.
This is the second book I have read by this incredibly talented author but it most definitely won't be my last!! I have also read The Dubrovnik Book Club which I would also highly recommended.
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that leave you hearing the waves under the catamaran, smelling the new book scent and seeing the islands come to life around you.
Yet another fantastic success Eva Glyn congratulations!! Such an easy, fun and addictive escapism that had me hook, line and sinker!!!
I absolutely loved reading this book which took place in such a stunning environment I felt like I had disappeared on holiday for the day. It was a shame it was only a day but that's how long it took me to zoom through the pages after not being able to put it down. I genuinely felt like I was in the storyline and I was devastated to come to the end and have to "unpack my suitcase". The fact that this book is based around a library, books and a catamaran as well as being set in such stunning settings should make you want to grab this book now as it is every bibliophile's dream escapism. If you need further convincing then read on!! The storyline is ram packed with amazing characters, a gorgeous yorkie, books, islands, friendship, regrets, romance, community, second chances, heartache, emotions, accusations, lost love, family, food, and so, so much more!! The storyline is multi-layered with several things going on ensuring the readers are kept hooked from the very first page to the last! I have not read many books based in Croatia, in fact less than a handful out of hundreds of books I have read so it was lovely to go somewhere different for a gorgeous holiday. I cannot wait to get stuck into more books by this incredible author as she truly does whisk her readers into the storyline with her characters. The fact that it includes a sweet Yorkie called Obi and included a library was right down my street being a huge book and animal lover myself. I run my own rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice which you can find on social media if you wish, and any books containing animals are a huge bonus for me and Obi had such a gorgeous personality that I couldn't help loving her!! I also love the fact that each of the three main characters has their own unique backgrounds, personalities, heartaches, worries, questions, weaknesses, strengths and flaws was brilliant as well as the fact that they were all off different ages yet bonded so well as friends and helping each other over their problems and heartaches. Eva does an incredible job of weaving the multiple protagonist perspectives of Ana, Lloyd and Natali together perfectly ensuring we got to see what they were feeling and doing as individuals as well as a group without causing any confusion. It is one of those beautiful books that each and every time I told myself just one more chapter I just had to read yet one more to know what was going to happen next, and then another until before I know it I had devoured the whole book in just a few hours. I absolutely loved meeting each and every one of the characters and I was sad to say Goodbye to them all. I just hope I get to meet them all again in future books by this fantastic author!
Grab your copy and join Ana, Lloyd and Natali on their travels around Croatia in Ana's catamaran library and get lost in this stunning escapism filled with emotions, fun, books and friendship and I promise that you will not regret it! You may even discover your new favourite book and author. At the least you will enjoy a stunning holiday surrounded by incredible characters!
Do not pick this up until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
Congratulations Eva on an yet another absolutely addictive and stunning escapism!!! Here's to a fantastic and many more successes 🥂
Overall an addictive escapism set in a stunning area that you won't be able to put down!!
#TheCroatianIslandLibrary #EvaGlyn #HarperCollins #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #OneMoreChapterPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources
@EvaGlyn @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @HarperCollins @HarperCollinsUK @OneMoreChapter @OneMoreChapterPublishing
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Review for 'The Croatian Island Library' by Eva Glyn.
This is the second book I have read by this incredibly talented author but it most definitely won't be my last!! I have also read The Dubrovnik Book Club which I would also highly recommended.
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that leave you hearing the waves under the catamaran, smelling the new book scent and seeing the islands come to life around you.
Yet another fantastic success Eva Glyn congratulations!! Such an easy, fun and addictive escapism that had me hook, line and sinker!!!
I absolutely loved reading this book which took place in such a stunning environment I felt like I had disappeared on holiday for the day. It was a shame it was only a day but that's how long it took me to zoom through the pages after not being able to put it down. I genuinely felt like I was in the storyline and I was devastated to come to the end and have to "unpack my suitcase". The fact that this book is based around a library, books and a catamaran as well as being set in such stunning settings should make you want to grab this book now as it is every bibliophile's dream escapism. If you need further convincing then read on!! The storyline is ram packed with amazing characters, a gorgeous yorkie, books, islands, friendship, regrets, romance, community, second chances, heartache, emotions, accusations, lost love, family, food, and so, so much more!! The storyline is multi-layered with several things going on ensuring the readers are kept hooked from the very first page to the last! I have not read many books based in Croatia, in fact less than a handful out of hundreds of books I have read so it was lovely to go somewhere different for a gorgeous holiday. I cannot wait to get stuck into more books by this incredible author as she truly does whisk her readers into the storyline with her characters. The fact that it includes a sweet Yorkie called Obi and included a library was right down my street being a huge book and animal lover myself. I run my own rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice which you can find on social media if you wish, and any books containing animals are a huge bonus for me and Obi had such a gorgeous personality that I couldn't help loving her!! I also love the fact that each of the three main characters has their own unique backgrounds, personalities, heartaches, worries, questions, weaknesses, strengths and flaws was brilliant as well as the fact that they were all off different ages yet bonded so well as friends and helping each other over their problems and heartaches. Eva does an incredible job of weaving the multiple protagonist perspectives of Ana, Lloyd and Natali together perfectly ensuring we got to see what they were feeling and doing as individuals as well as a group without causing any confusion. It is one of those beautiful books that each and every time I told myself just one more chapter I just had to read yet one more to know what was going to happen next, and then another until before I know it I had devoured the whole book in just a few hours. I absolutely loved meeting each and every one of the characters and I was sad to say Goodbye to them all. I just hope I get to meet them all again in future books by this fantastic author!
Grab your copy and join Ana, Lloyd and Natali on their travels around Croatia in Ana's catamaran library and get lost in this stunning escapism filled with emotions, fun, books and friendship and I promise that you will not regret it! You may even discover your new favourite book and author. At the least you will enjoy a stunning holiday surrounded by incredible characters!
Do not pick this up until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
Congratulations Eva on an yet another absolutely addictive and stunning escapism!!! Here's to a fantastic and many more successes 🥂
Overall an addictive escapism set in a stunning area that you won't be able to put down!!
#TheCroatianIslandLibrary #EvaGlyn #HarperCollins #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #OneMoreChapterPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources
@EvaGlyn @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @HarperCollins @HarperCollinsUK @OneMoreChapter @OneMoreChapterPublishing
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January 19, 2026
Ana, Lloyd and Natali are very different people. Different in age, different in background, different in life experience, different in what they hope to achieve and gain from their ten weeks together on the water – and from life. But they are united in their excitement about this library project to sail from town to town to lend books to children and in their desire for the project to be wildly successful.
They don’t know each other at all when they embark on their adventure, but the forced togetherness, short schedule and unique challenges at each town they visit accelerate the getting-to-know-you process. Privacy is at a minimum and getting along is a must; it’s not really necessary to become friends, but friendly relations and interactions are essential.
That’s a little hard to achieve in the beginning: Natali is almost cripplingly shy, has always been made to feel like a stupid failure, and is desperate to get away from her mother and home. Lloyd is still deep in grief over the death of his beloved wife but his adult daughter has convinced him he needs this trip, needs to get out of the house and out of his own head. Ana takes the responsibility for everything on her shoulders and instantly claims blame for anything that goes wrong. She needs this success both financially and personally: she can’t lose the boat her grandfather’s inheritance allowed her to purchase, and she also cannot go back to working for her parents, admitting she took on too much, having her dreams swallowed up yet again. She considers it her job to make everything about these ten weeks successful, but drawing Natali out is not easy, and Lloyd seems critical or cynical of so much.
Little by little though, as they become accustomed to their schedule and assigned duties they fall into a comfortable routine. Natali’s adorable little dog Obi is a great ice-breaker. As are the delicious meals she makes for them. As are any number of other little things that slowly form them into a crew, a team, a cohesive unit. Unexpected things happen that could split them apart but instead miraculously draw them together.
As always, author Eva Glyn paints such beautiful word pictures of not only people but places. Dubrovnik and all the towns they drop sail at are probably strange and unfamiliar to most readers, but through her detailed, wonderful descriptions they come to life and feel somehow like home, calming and welcoming. We can’t wait to arrive at the next port and see what beauty and adventure await us next. Glyn often writes about such a variety of interesting, deeply good people, and about libraries and books, which warms the heart.
I received an advance copy of The Croatian Island Library from Harper Collins Publishers One More Chapter via NetGalley. It was an engaging, satisfying read and I recommend it and anything else this author writes without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
They don’t know each other at all when they embark on their adventure, but the forced togetherness, short schedule and unique challenges at each town they visit accelerate the getting-to-know-you process. Privacy is at a minimum and getting along is a must; it’s not really necessary to become friends, but friendly relations and interactions are essential.
That’s a little hard to achieve in the beginning: Natali is almost cripplingly shy, has always been made to feel like a stupid failure, and is desperate to get away from her mother and home. Lloyd is still deep in grief over the death of his beloved wife but his adult daughter has convinced him he needs this trip, needs to get out of the house and out of his own head. Ana takes the responsibility for everything on her shoulders and instantly claims blame for anything that goes wrong. She needs this success both financially and personally: she can’t lose the boat her grandfather’s inheritance allowed her to purchase, and she also cannot go back to working for her parents, admitting she took on too much, having her dreams swallowed up yet again. She considers it her job to make everything about these ten weeks successful, but drawing Natali out is not easy, and Lloyd seems critical or cynical of so much.
Little by little though, as they become accustomed to their schedule and assigned duties they fall into a comfortable routine. Natali’s adorable little dog Obi is a great ice-breaker. As are the delicious meals she makes for them. As are any number of other little things that slowly form them into a crew, a team, a cohesive unit. Unexpected things happen that could split them apart but instead miraculously draw them together.
As always, author Eva Glyn paints such beautiful word pictures of not only people but places. Dubrovnik and all the towns they drop sail at are probably strange and unfamiliar to most readers, but through her detailed, wonderful descriptions they come to life and feel somehow like home, calming and welcoming. We can’t wait to arrive at the next port and see what beauty and adventure await us next. Glyn often writes about such a variety of interesting, deeply good people, and about libraries and books, which warms the heart.
I received an advance copy of The Croatian Island Library from Harper Collins Publishers One More Chapter via NetGalley. It was an engaging, satisfying read and I recommend it and anything else this author writes without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
January 16, 2026
One summer, three strangers sail a catamaran around the beautiful Croatian islands near Dubrovnik. Their joint mission is to bring library books to the islands' children. Each member of the crew is running from something, a problem, a secret, a hidden past. 'The Croatian Island Library' by Eva Glyn is a tale of ten weeks that changes lives.
Ana, owner of the catamaran, needs to earn money this summer or risks losing her boat, the 'Dida Krila.' Signing up for the library trial will, she hopes, win her a four-year contract and bring financial stability. If she fails, she will have no choice but to join the family oyster business. She employs two people. Lloyd, a widower and former teacher, will run the library part of the trip. Natali, a young mechanic who arrives on board with her tiny dog Obi, is so shy she seems frightened of her own shadow.
The first trip around the islands is about getting to know the job, and each other, while living in a confined space. Each person seems wrapped up in themselves, no one shares, there are tensions, awkwardnesses. When a purse is stolen near the library stall on one of the islands, there is an accusation of theft and the past comes roaring back to mess up the now. The future of the floating library is in danger and Ana, in her first role as a manager, feels out of her depth.
The hold of the past over the present is a theme running throughout the book. Ana has a decision to make when a former lover returns, seeking an answer about a deal which Ana never took seriously. Natali must summon the courage to change her life, move on from her difficult child, figure out what she wants and make it happen. Lloyd has an old mistake to acknowledge and set aside, and discover a new path forwards. No matter how Ana, Lloyd and Natali each, for their own reasons, want to forget, the past is not a forgotten world and its imprint is on every day today.
This is a story set in surroundings of such Mediterranean beauty but in the deep blue water and the green wooded hills, the shadows of war and tragedy remain. Glyn has created characters that stayed with me after I finished the book, she reminds us that love from family and friends is a gift, not an automatic right. Highly recommended.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
Ana, owner of the catamaran, needs to earn money this summer or risks losing her boat, the 'Dida Krila.' Signing up for the library trial will, she hopes, win her a four-year contract and bring financial stability. If she fails, she will have no choice but to join the family oyster business. She employs two people. Lloyd, a widower and former teacher, will run the library part of the trip. Natali, a young mechanic who arrives on board with her tiny dog Obi, is so shy she seems frightened of her own shadow.
The first trip around the islands is about getting to know the job, and each other, while living in a confined space. Each person seems wrapped up in themselves, no one shares, there are tensions, awkwardnesses. When a purse is stolen near the library stall on one of the islands, there is an accusation of theft and the past comes roaring back to mess up the now. The future of the floating library is in danger and Ana, in her first role as a manager, feels out of her depth.
The hold of the past over the present is a theme running throughout the book. Ana has a decision to make when a former lover returns, seeking an answer about a deal which Ana never took seriously. Natali must summon the courage to change her life, move on from her difficult child, figure out what she wants and make it happen. Lloyd has an old mistake to acknowledge and set aside, and discover a new path forwards. No matter how Ana, Lloyd and Natali each, for their own reasons, want to forget, the past is not a forgotten world and its imprint is on every day today.
This is a story set in surroundings of such Mediterranean beauty but in the deep blue water and the green wooded hills, the shadows of war and tragedy remain. Glyn has created characters that stayed with me after I finished the book, she reminds us that love from family and friends is a gift, not an automatic right. Highly recommended.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
January 16, 2026
In a magazine interview of Michael Morpurgo I read recently he states, “In any story I write, there are two key elements. One is people, the other place.”
The Croatian Island Library has both. Eva Glyn takes us on a wonderful trip by catamaran round Croatian islands, describing the locations in such sumptuous detail, I really want to visit. She should be on commission for the Croatian tourist board.
In Korcula, one of the characters observes her surroundings and I wanted to be there too:
“The wonderful aromas of bread, tangy, melted cheese and riche, sweet custards drifted over them from the nearby bakery… the harbour was busy with the diminutive cruise ships that made their way up and down the islands on a weekly basis, disgorging their human cargo in a sweaty mass of visitors eager to see the beautiful old town and sample its cafes and restaurants.”
We are provided with a map so we can be with the three main characters as they sail from island to island with their cargo of library books and there is a useful glossary of Croatian vocabulary to help us navigate the language and delights of local dishes and wines.
Those three main characters: two young women and a fifty-something widower all have their problems. In the grand scale of life, their issues are not huge, but they are huge to each personality and very identifiable. Glyn explores themes of grief and widowhood, complex family relationships that have led to lack of confidence and indecision, questions over motherhood, dips into dementia,, a mystery dating back to the war and perhaps most saliently, friendship and love. The three very different characters are able to help each other eventually and I was utterly convinced by them.
The writing is assured and well-crafted in this “grown-up love story”: not slushy at all but nevertheless tearing at the heart strings. I feel this is Glyn’s best work so far and I heartily recommend it.
Five stars and I’m off to look at holiday destinations in Croatia,
I thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy to write this unbiased review.
The Croatian Island Library has both. Eva Glyn takes us on a wonderful trip by catamaran round Croatian islands, describing the locations in such sumptuous detail, I really want to visit. She should be on commission for the Croatian tourist board.
In Korcula, one of the characters observes her surroundings and I wanted to be there too:
“The wonderful aromas of bread, tangy, melted cheese and riche, sweet custards drifted over them from the nearby bakery… the harbour was busy with the diminutive cruise ships that made their way up and down the islands on a weekly basis, disgorging their human cargo in a sweaty mass of visitors eager to see the beautiful old town and sample its cafes and restaurants.”
We are provided with a map so we can be with the three main characters as they sail from island to island with their cargo of library books and there is a useful glossary of Croatian vocabulary to help us navigate the language and delights of local dishes and wines.
Those three main characters: two young women and a fifty-something widower all have their problems. In the grand scale of life, their issues are not huge, but they are huge to each personality and very identifiable. Glyn explores themes of grief and widowhood, complex family relationships that have led to lack of confidence and indecision, questions over motherhood, dips into dementia,, a mystery dating back to the war and perhaps most saliently, friendship and love. The three very different characters are able to help each other eventually and I was utterly convinced by them.
The writing is assured and well-crafted in this “grown-up love story”: not slushy at all but nevertheless tearing at the heart strings. I feel this is Glyn’s best work so far and I heartily recommend it.
Five stars and I’m off to look at holiday destinations in Croatia,
I thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy to write this unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
At sea is where Ana is at her happiest – on the catamaran that she bought with an inheritance from her beloved grandfather, and named in his memory. But the charters are often less than easy, and provide only a patchy income. She dreads having to give up her life of freedom and return to work on her parents’ oyster farm, so securing the contract to take library books to the islands is something she’s delighted by – although whether it will continue depends on the success of the project.
She’s joined by a crew of two others. Lloyd is a recent widower and former teacher, recruited from the UK, who will manage the library itself – and Natali (accompanied by her little dog Obi) is very much at home on the water, doubting her own abilities but turning her hand to any task needed. At first they all find sharing their space difficult – Natali is withdrawn and uncommunicative, Lloyd plainly still grieving the loss of his wife – and Ana finds herself doubting her people skills and whether they can ever operate as a team.
All three of them do, of course, have their back stories – experiences that have shaped them, hopes, fears and deeply guarded secrets – that gradually emerge, helping bring down the barriers between them. And as well as following their individual stories – each of them tremendously emotionally engaging, with some real surprises – we watch them pulling together to make a success of their venture, despite all the obstacles in their way.
Their stories are told in the third person, but with real insights into their thoughts and feelings – I found them all likeable and sympathetic, and was very much in their corner as they faced their different challenges and struggled with decisions they needed to make. I loved the way their friendship grew – the support they unselfishly gave each other, setting aside any misgivings, and however uncomfortable it sometimes made them feel. And there’s a particularly strong supporting cast too – the people involved in their lives in different ways, both past and present.
And the Croatian islands they visit to set up their book stall are far more than a mere backdrop – wonderfully researched and described, the lives of their people drawn into the story. I could feel the history, the sunshine as I walked the village streets, taste the food and wine, enjoy the swims in the clear water – the settings were brought to life so vividly that I felt I’d really been there. I’m always struck by the fact that the author sets her books in places that she loves – and that makes for something rather special.
I see the publishers are calling this book an “escapist summer beach read” – it’s honestly so much more than that. Such a well-told story, beautifully written as always, ultimately uplifting, compulsive reading, and with real emotional depth – I loved it.
She’s joined by a crew of two others. Lloyd is a recent widower and former teacher, recruited from the UK, who will manage the library itself – and Natali (accompanied by her little dog Obi) is very much at home on the water, doubting her own abilities but turning her hand to any task needed. At first they all find sharing their space difficult – Natali is withdrawn and uncommunicative, Lloyd plainly still grieving the loss of his wife – and Ana finds herself doubting her people skills and whether they can ever operate as a team.
All three of them do, of course, have their back stories – experiences that have shaped them, hopes, fears and deeply guarded secrets – that gradually emerge, helping bring down the barriers between them. And as well as following their individual stories – each of them tremendously emotionally engaging, with some real surprises – we watch them pulling together to make a success of their venture, despite all the obstacles in their way.
Their stories are told in the third person, but with real insights into their thoughts and feelings – I found them all likeable and sympathetic, and was very much in their corner as they faced their different challenges and struggled with decisions they needed to make. I loved the way their friendship grew – the support they unselfishly gave each other, setting aside any misgivings, and however uncomfortable it sometimes made them feel. And there’s a particularly strong supporting cast too – the people involved in their lives in different ways, both past and present.
And the Croatian islands they visit to set up their book stall are far more than a mere backdrop – wonderfully researched and described, the lives of their people drawn into the story. I could feel the history, the sunshine as I walked the village streets, taste the food and wine, enjoy the swims in the clear water – the settings were brought to life so vividly that I felt I’d really been there. I’m always struck by the fact that the author sets her books in places that she loves – and that makes for something rather special.
I see the publishers are calling this book an “escapist summer beach read” – it’s honestly so much more than that. Such a well-told story, beautifully written as always, ultimately uplifting, compulsive reading, and with real emotional depth – I loved it.
January 16, 2026
Once again, Eva Glyn has created an emotionally intelligent story of friendship and found family. I loved everything about this book, and the way the characters interacted with each other was a joy to see.
The main character was Ana, who had used an inheritance from her late grandfather to help buy a catamaran. Tired of dealing with entitled charter customers, she had agreed to help create a floating library that would service some of the outlying Dalmatian Islands. If this project proves successful, Ana can avoid joining her parents’ oyster business and use the proceeds to cover her additional payments on the catamaran.
I really liked Ana, and although I have never fully shared her need for independence, I could understand her desire to strike out on her own. I do, however, share her deep commitment to her family and her strong values for friendships. It was interesting to have access to her deliberations on her personal life and on what her future may look like.
We also met Lloyd, a widower and former teacher, who was hired as the librarian, and Natali, who, along with her little dog, Obi, was hired as additional crew and on-board mechanic. This trio did not immediately gel, although it was easy to see that they would find a way to work together. Lloyd was clearly still affected by his wife’s death and remained rather guarded at first, not sharing too many details about his life in the UK. Natali was an easier read as she definitely wore her heart on her sleeve and wanted to be everything to everyone, whilst having zero confidence in her own abilities. She had clearly never received much positive support prior to joining Ana and Lloyd.
Despite having only visited Croatia through books, I felt a real sense of place at each of the weekly library stops and enjoyed learning more about each island. Eva Glyn clearly adores the region, and this is evident from the way she describes even the tiniest details.
There is a terrific supporting cast, and as the story builds, we learn more about each of the characters, and it’s impossible not to hope for each of them to discover happiness in whichever form that may take.
I loved the strong feeling of community which emerged as the story unfolded. Empathy and sympathy came from some surprising sources, but it showed that communication is a powerful tool and that supposition can create imagined heartbreak.
This is another powerful book that captured my imagination and had me loving every page.
The main character was Ana, who had used an inheritance from her late grandfather to help buy a catamaran. Tired of dealing with entitled charter customers, she had agreed to help create a floating library that would service some of the outlying Dalmatian Islands. If this project proves successful, Ana can avoid joining her parents’ oyster business and use the proceeds to cover her additional payments on the catamaran.
I really liked Ana, and although I have never fully shared her need for independence, I could understand her desire to strike out on her own. I do, however, share her deep commitment to her family and her strong values for friendships. It was interesting to have access to her deliberations on her personal life and on what her future may look like.
We also met Lloyd, a widower and former teacher, who was hired as the librarian, and Natali, who, along with her little dog, Obi, was hired as additional crew and on-board mechanic. This trio did not immediately gel, although it was easy to see that they would find a way to work together. Lloyd was clearly still affected by his wife’s death and remained rather guarded at first, not sharing too many details about his life in the UK. Natali was an easier read as she definitely wore her heart on her sleeve and wanted to be everything to everyone, whilst having zero confidence in her own abilities. She had clearly never received much positive support prior to joining Ana and Lloyd.
Despite having only visited Croatia through books, I felt a real sense of place at each of the weekly library stops and enjoyed learning more about each island. Eva Glyn clearly adores the region, and this is evident from the way she describes even the tiniest details.
There is a terrific supporting cast, and as the story builds, we learn more about each of the characters, and it’s impossible not to hope for each of them to discover happiness in whichever form that may take.
I loved the strong feeling of community which emerged as the story unfolded. Empathy and sympathy came from some surprising sources, but it showed that communication is a powerful tool and that supposition can create imagined heartbreak.
This is another powerful book that captured my imagination and had me loving every page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Croatian Island Library is everything I want in a summer read - a great story I can sink into, an evocative setting and characters I can care about. This is my second Croatian tale from Eva Glyn, and I enjoyed it every bit as much as I'd hoped.
Ana Meštrović has won the contract to operate a pilot floating library service for the kids of four Dalmatian islands over the summer school holidays. She's hoping it might become the foundation for a change in career direction, that allows her to hang onto her luxury catamaran, while doing work that suits her better than the private charters of her past. She has employed a quiet young woman named Natali to crew for her, but everything else - the route, the locations, the schedule and the librarian - has been organised by the government agency funding the pilot. When Ana learns that the librarian who will be joining them is an older British man named Lloyd, she's very sceptical. But after collecting the books from Claire's bookshop in Dubrovnik (The Dubrovnik Book Club), the small team sets off to the islands to get the pilot underway.
Ana, Natali and Lloyd each have their own troubles in life, and as they slowly get to know each other and bond as team, they are able to support and help each other through them. Then when a serious threat puts the future of the library service in doubt, they will do anything to protect what they have created together.
It's a lovely story and Glyn's writing transported me to the Adriatic jewel of Dalmatia. I need to read more from this author!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC to read and review.
Ana Meštrović has won the contract to operate a pilot floating library service for the kids of four Dalmatian islands over the summer school holidays. She's hoping it might become the foundation for a change in career direction, that allows her to hang onto her luxury catamaran, while doing work that suits her better than the private charters of her past. She has employed a quiet young woman named Natali to crew for her, but everything else - the route, the locations, the schedule and the librarian - has been organised by the government agency funding the pilot. When Ana learns that the librarian who will be joining them is an older British man named Lloyd, she's very sceptical. But after collecting the books from Claire's bookshop in Dubrovnik (The Dubrovnik Book Club), the small team sets off to the islands to get the pilot underway.
Ana, Natali and Lloyd each have their own troubles in life, and as they slowly get to know each other and bond as team, they are able to support and help each other through them. Then when a serious threat puts the future of the library service in doubt, they will do anything to protect what they have created together.
It's a lovely story and Glyn's writing transported me to the Adriatic jewel of Dalmatia. I need to read more from this author!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Croatia has captured my heart and I am extremely blessed to live here most of the year. The Croatian Island Library takes place on the several of the Dalmatian islands, a truly incomparable setting, along with the relaxed pace of life, pinch-me beauty, fascinating culture, riveting history, and delectable food (just for starters). Author Eva Glyn describes the islands well and includes several Croatian words with a glossary. It is easy to feel her passion for this country in her writing. Hopefully she will continue using Croatia a a setting for future books as there is an inexhaustible supply of 1,200+ islands (and several other regions) to cover! Wink, wink.
Ana needs a new trajectory and purpose so transforms her catamaran into a children's floating library which goes travels from port to port at various islands. She christens it Dida Krila or Grandpa's Wings. Lloyd, a widower in his fifties, has difficulties coping with past guilt and must find a way to move on. Ten weeks of bringing joy to children is his wheelhouse as the librarian. Natalia is a serious, soft spoken and anxious mechanic with her precious dog, Obi, who rounds out the motley crew. Each has his or her own reason for escaping but along the way, they are forced to face their past and fears. Meanwhile, relationships evolve as the characters grow.
My favourite character is actually the setting which is actually even more impressive in person. I tend to get very passionate about life here so am thrilled whenever I discover books set in Croatia. But each of the characters has likeable and unlikeable qualities and are redeemable. This story is tender and gentle, just like the cerulean sky and azure Adriatic on a still summer day.
Ana needs a new trajectory and purpose so transforms her catamaran into a children's floating library which goes travels from port to port at various islands. She christens it Dida Krila or Grandpa's Wings. Lloyd, a widower in his fifties, has difficulties coping with past guilt and must find a way to move on. Ten weeks of bringing joy to children is his wheelhouse as the librarian. Natalia is a serious, soft spoken and anxious mechanic with her precious dog, Obi, who rounds out the motley crew. Each has his or her own reason for escaping but along the way, they are forced to face their past and fears. Meanwhile, relationships evolve as the characters grow.
My favourite character is actually the setting which is actually even more impressive in person. I tend to get very passionate about life here so am thrilled whenever I discover books set in Croatia. But each of the characters has likeable and unlikeable qualities and are redeemable. This story is tender and gentle, just like the cerulean sky and azure Adriatic on a still summer day.
January 19, 2026
The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn is a novel about three individuals who get a job running a yacht used as a mobile library to supply books for children of the islands of Croatia.
So there you have a basic premise for a novel which most of you reading this review will probably say something like I am not interested in a novel about sailing and running a library.
However, Eva Glyn’s novel is so much more than that, in fact it is an emotional ride from beginning to end as you learn more and more about each different character in this novel about a found family.
With the writer going into each of their back stories in a way that draws you as the reader into their lives, While the writer is able to draw on your emotion it never goes into being to sweat.
While the story does concentrate on the individual characters with Ana, Lloyd and Natali all having what seemed like equal billing in the story.
Which without going measuring the exact time each character has on the page is hard to prove.
However what Eva Glyn does in The Croatian Island Library, is it gives enough time in the story for each character not only develop throughout the novel both personally and what they do next with their lives.
While the solutions in some if not all stick out a mile from the beginning The Croatian Island Library is not a thriller so they do not downgrade enjoyment of the novel.
In fact it is like reading a romance novel. We all know where it is going to end. What makes it an enjoyable read is the journey that the writer takes you on to get there.
Which Eva Glyn has done really successfully in The Croatian Island Library making it an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
So there you have a basic premise for a novel which most of you reading this review will probably say something like I am not interested in a novel about sailing and running a library.
However, Eva Glyn’s novel is so much more than that, in fact it is an emotional ride from beginning to end as you learn more and more about each different character in this novel about a found family.
With the writer going into each of their back stories in a way that draws you as the reader into their lives, While the writer is able to draw on your emotion it never goes into being to sweat.
While the story does concentrate on the individual characters with Ana, Lloyd and Natali all having what seemed like equal billing in the story.
Which without going measuring the exact time each character has on the page is hard to prove.
However what Eva Glyn does in The Croatian Island Library, is it gives enough time in the story for each character not only develop throughout the novel both personally and what they do next with their lives.
While the solutions in some if not all stick out a mile from the beginning The Croatian Island Library is not a thriller so they do not downgrade enjoyment of the novel.
In fact it is like reading a romance novel. We all know where it is going to end. What makes it an enjoyable read is the journey that the writer takes you on to get there.
Which Eva Glyn has done really successfully in The Croatian Island Library making it an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love books which have a great setting that really adds to the story and this one certainly delivers on that front. Ana is given the job of taking a mobile library around the islands of Croatia during the Summer on her catamaran. With her are Natali, a young girl who is the crew and Lloyd, an English widower who is actually responsible for running the library. As they spend the Summer travelling between Dubrovnik and the different islands, we get brilliant descriptions of the islands which definitely made me want to go and visit them.
Our three characters are forced to live in close quarters on the boat and initially, they all feel uncomfortable in each other’s company. Gradually though, the beauty of the islands, the peace of the sea and the job itself bring them together and a really close friendship begins to form between them.
Each of the characters has issues that they are forced to confront during the Summer and the support of the other two is important in them being able to do this. I enjoyed the character ARCs of all three characters but I think my favourite was Natali who had to overcome her lack of formal education as well as her intense shyness. Her little terrier dog Obi was definitely the star of the book though.
This was a lovely read about found family and people finding out who they really are and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers Harper Collins Uk One More Chapter for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Our three characters are forced to live in close quarters on the boat and initially, they all feel uncomfortable in each other’s company. Gradually though, the beauty of the islands, the peace of the sea and the job itself bring them together and a really close friendship begins to form between them.
Each of the characters has issues that they are forced to confront during the Summer and the support of the other two is important in them being able to do this. I enjoyed the character ARCs of all three characters but I think my favourite was Natali who had to overcome her lack of formal education as well as her intense shyness. Her little terrier dog Obi was definitely the star of the book though.
This was a lovely read about found family and people finding out who they really are and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers Harper Collins Uk One More Chapter for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Croatian Island Library is an intriguing story of three unhappy people forced to face up to their problems as they spend their summer working on a catamaran sailing the Croatian islands. It’s tremendously evocative, and the sensuous quality of the writing transported me to the warmth and scents of the Mediterranean.
There’s touchy Ana, trying to prove herself and work out what she wants from life ; Lloyd, who’s trying to flee guilt and griefs; and Natali, battling against crippling social awkwardness and low confidence. I quickly empathised with each of them and thoroughly enjoyed following their emotional journeys as well as the progress of their efforts with the library. I enjoyed the way the characters bonded and supported each other, despite their very different backgrounds, ages and personalities. Each is beautifully realised and relatable, with plausible strengths and flaws. I could picture all three easily and really wanted them each to find the happiness they needed through their individual self-discovery. Although the book is primarily about friendship, it’s also about different kinds of families, and there’s a gentle thread of romance - not to mention a very cute dog!
As always, Eva Glyn has succeeded in making me long to get on a plane and head to the shores of Croatia to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours she conjures so effortlessly. She invariably delivers stories to satisfy the senses as well as the heart.
There’s touchy Ana, trying to prove herself and work out what she wants from life ; Lloyd, who’s trying to flee guilt and griefs; and Natali, battling against crippling social awkwardness and low confidence. I quickly empathised with each of them and thoroughly enjoyed following their emotional journeys as well as the progress of their efforts with the library. I enjoyed the way the characters bonded and supported each other, despite their very different backgrounds, ages and personalities. Each is beautifully realised and relatable, with plausible strengths and flaws. I could picture all three easily and really wanted them each to find the happiness they needed through their individual self-discovery. Although the book is primarily about friendship, it’s also about different kinds of families, and there’s a gentle thread of romance - not to mention a very cute dog!
As always, Eva Glyn has succeeded in making me long to get on a plane and head to the shores of Croatia to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours she conjures so effortlessly. She invariably delivers stories to satisfy the senses as well as the heart.
December 26, 2025
The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Croatian Island Library is a beautifully written novel! Equal parts heartfelt and profound, The Croatian Island Library is an absolutely lovely read addressing the significance of community, while also touching on the impact of one’s personal experiences in their life journey.
Ana Meštrović transforms her catamaran into a floating library during a summer spent in Croatia. In her new venture, she’s joined by Lloyd, a widower with a past, and Natali, a mechanic dealing with her own fears. All three of them have their own reasons for needing the traveling library to be successful. As they embark on this new journey amidst a picturesque setting, they learn that the most significant impact may be found in the relationships that one forms along the way.
An emotional, enchanting, and enjoyable read set in Croatia that perfectly captures a feeling of escapism while also providing a deeply profound and moving story of friendship and community.
Each character’s backstory is well developed and the friendships developed emphasize the significance of community. A story that focuses on self-discovery with wonderful descriptions of a beautiful setting, The Croatian Island Library is a unique and fascinating read!
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Croatian Island Library is a beautifully written novel! Equal parts heartfelt and profound, The Croatian Island Library is an absolutely lovely read addressing the significance of community, while also touching on the impact of one’s personal experiences in their life journey.
Ana Meštrović transforms her catamaran into a floating library during a summer spent in Croatia. In her new venture, she’s joined by Lloyd, a widower with a past, and Natali, a mechanic dealing with her own fears. All three of them have their own reasons for needing the traveling library to be successful. As they embark on this new journey amidst a picturesque setting, they learn that the most significant impact may be found in the relationships that one forms along the way.
An emotional, enchanting, and enjoyable read set in Croatia that perfectly captures a feeling of escapism while also providing a deeply profound and moving story of friendship and community.
Each character’s backstory is well developed and the friendships developed emphasize the significance of community. A story that focuses on self-discovery with wonderful descriptions of a beautiful setting, The Croatian Island Library is a unique and fascinating read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glynn was the splash of sunshine I didn't know I needed this chilly winter.
The book follows Ana and her crew as they sail from island to island off the Croatian coast as part of a pilot programme to try to increase foreign language literacy among the country's children and teens, The success of the programme is important to Ana as it will help her to show her family that she doesn't have to join the family business but she is nervous too about being a good captain for her crew Lloyd and Natali. Lloyd is a widower whose grief weighs heavily on him with past ties to Croatia while Natali is shy and lacking in confidence due to a tough childhood that meant she left school at a young age. As the trio navigate the seas they also navigate their friendship and the issues from their pasts that still haunt them.
This is a character driven story and seeing the trio grow to understand each other and grow in confidence thanks to their support of one another made for a feel good reading experience. The pacing is slow and matches the gentle vibes of the book. The descriptions of the blue seas, the beautiful islands, the delicious sounding foods and kind hearted people made me remember my visit to Croatia years ago and makes me want to return but for now I'll have to settle for the vicarious but vivid experience that Eva Glyn has given me.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
The book follows Ana and her crew as they sail from island to island off the Croatian coast as part of a pilot programme to try to increase foreign language literacy among the country's children and teens, The success of the programme is important to Ana as it will help her to show her family that she doesn't have to join the family business but she is nervous too about being a good captain for her crew Lloyd and Natali. Lloyd is a widower whose grief weighs heavily on him with past ties to Croatia while Natali is shy and lacking in confidence due to a tough childhood that meant she left school at a young age. As the trio navigate the seas they also navigate their friendship and the issues from their pasts that still haunt them.
This is a character driven story and seeing the trio grow to understand each other and grow in confidence thanks to their support of one another made for a feel good reading experience. The pacing is slow and matches the gentle vibes of the book. The descriptions of the blue seas, the beautiful islands, the delicious sounding foods and kind hearted people made me remember my visit to Croatia years ago and makes me want to return but for now I'll have to settle for the vicarious but vivid experience that Eva Glyn has given me.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ana is the skipper and owner of a catamaran who is trialling a floating library around the Croatian islands, bringing books to small communities who don't have a library of their own. She is aided by Lloyd, a widower still mourning the loss of his wife, as librarian and Natali , a young mechanic with poor self esteem. Together they travel the islands, although things don't go smoothly.
This is part of a series, but is easily read as a standalone book. I have visited Dubrovnik before, which is a lovely place, but have been lucky enough to visit Korcula a couple of times and my wife and I fell in love with this island. I tend to prefer books where I can relate to one of the characters, in this case all three resonated with me in various ways. Ana is unsure of her ability to manage the crew and their tasks, Lloyd has history in the area that comes back to haunt him and, in particular, Natali and her lack of self confidence from years of being told that she isn't clever enough, compounded by her stammer. Seeing how these three gradually meld into a crew is the core of the story, with some romance as side threads. There is also Obi, Natalie's dog who steals the show and, in summary, I really loved this book.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
This is part of a series, but is easily read as a standalone book. I have visited Dubrovnik before, which is a lovely place, but have been lucky enough to visit Korcula a couple of times and my wife and I fell in love with this island. I tend to prefer books where I can relate to one of the characters, in this case all three resonated with me in various ways. Ana is unsure of her ability to manage the crew and their tasks, Lloyd has history in the area that comes back to haunt him and, in particular, Natali and her lack of self confidence from years of being told that she isn't clever enough, compounded by her stammer. Seeing how these three gradually meld into a crew is the core of the story, with some romance as side threads. There is also Obi, Natalie's dog who steals the show and, in summary, I really loved this book.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A book about books, set in amazing scenery and with enjoyable characters who you can really connect with - it's a hit with me!
this was a really enjoyable read, as we follow 3 bookish characters who are brought together to help share their love of books with people, and as they spend time with each other they also find the help they need personally as they are all dealing with different issues.
Ana has a catamaran, which she is using to help visit different islands to reach more people with a travelling library and she's looking for it to be a success so she can carve out her own path doing some thing she loves. Lloyd is hired as the librarian, and his love of books is what's carrying him through grief after losing his wife 2 years ago and he still misses her terribly and is coming to terms with life without her. And joining the crew is Natali, and her dog, who is young and at that stage of life where she wants to please everyone, but isn't pleasing herself with how life is working out.
this is more a book about the characters than the library itself, and each character gets their own voice and story so you can really understand why they are where they are in life. And through each other they start to see the world in a different light and it's heart warming to see the connections they make as they travel and spend time together.
this was a really enjoyable read, as we follow 3 bookish characters who are brought together to help share their love of books with people, and as they spend time with each other they also find the help they need personally as they are all dealing with different issues.
Ana has a catamaran, which she is using to help visit different islands to reach more people with a travelling library and she's looking for it to be a success so she can carve out her own path doing some thing she loves. Lloyd is hired as the librarian, and his love of books is what's carrying him through grief after losing his wife 2 years ago and he still misses her terribly and is coming to terms with life without her. And joining the crew is Natali, and her dog, who is young and at that stage of life where she wants to please everyone, but isn't pleasing herself with how life is working out.
this is more a book about the characters than the library itself, and each character gets their own voice and story so you can really understand why they are where they are in life. And through each other they start to see the world in a different light and it's heart warming to see the connections they make as they travel and spend time together.
December 4, 2025
Another wonderful story about friendship, overcoming hardship, and being your authentic self from Eva Glyn! This terrific book is, yet again, set in beautiful Croatia. Eva Glyn writes about the people, places, community, history, and food so well that you feel as though you're really there. As the story progresses, you get to know more and more about main characters, Ana, Natali, and Lloyd and you find yourself drawn into each of their lives, coming to know the hardships, losses, and battles that each of them face and you can't help but want the best for each of them. These three strangers lives come together and they form an unbreakable bond, when, in other circumstances, had they each not pushed outside their comfort zone, they likely never even would have met. If you read The Dubrovnik Book Club, you already know what a realistic, yet magical tale Eva Glyn can write ... you must read The Croatian Island Library! My only complaint about this book is that it had to end and I would have much preferred to keep reading! I would love to know what happens next in the lives of each of the main characters and the others in the story. I'm requesting a sequel, or two, or perhaps a series, please!
January 20, 2026
With three central characters, The Croatian Island Library is set on and around the Croatian islands near Dubrovnik. Ana Meštrović has put her financial future on the line by using an inheritance from her grandfather to buy a catamaran, which she has been commissioned to use as part of a pilot project to bring foreign language books to students on those islands. Working with Ana is Lloyd, an English teacher and widower, who has ruined his teaching career in an incident with a student and has taken on the job of librarian for the project. The third character is 22 year-old Natali, who is incredibly shy and has a poor self-image thanks to a very difficult childhood. She’s a talented sailor who has learned her craft through experience over recent years and is clearly an asset on the catamaran, even if she keeps to herself. As the story unfolds, it’s clear that each of the three has issues to address. I loved watching their stories unfold and I loved the backdrop of the veautiful islands they visit with their library. The imagery is gorgeous and the characters are strong and likeable. This has been a lovely story and brought back manyn happy memories of my own visit to Dubrovnik and the Croatian coast.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love these books for several reasons. First there are wonderful characters who usually have a dilemma that is eventually overcome.
Second, they are written about places I have been and I love the descriptions of the places and the food.
As a retired librarian, I particularly liked this one because it shows the importance of getting books into people's hands.
Ana owns a catamaran which she needs to pay for, so when she is offered a grant to take a librarian and books to various islands in the summer, she jumps at the chance.
Lloyd is a teacher from England who speaks some Croation and German, and though he is not an actual librarian, he takes the job for several reasons, which we slowly learn.
The 3rd crewmate is Natali who is an excellent mechanic, but very shy except with her little dog Obi.
We learn the backstories of each of these characters as they slowly become friends.
The war is brought up several times as part of the crises that emerges is due to it.
This book will really make you want to go to Croatia.
There are satisfying endings for each character.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Second, they are written about places I have been and I love the descriptions of the places and the food.
As a retired librarian, I particularly liked this one because it shows the importance of getting books into people's hands.
Ana owns a catamaran which she needs to pay for, so when she is offered a grant to take a librarian and books to various islands in the summer, she jumps at the chance.
Lloyd is a teacher from England who speaks some Croation and German, and though he is not an actual librarian, he takes the job for several reasons, which we slowly learn.
The 3rd crewmate is Natali who is an excellent mechanic, but very shy except with her little dog Obi.
We learn the backstories of each of these characters as they slowly become friends.
The war is brought up several times as part of the crises that emerges is due to it.
This book will really make you want to go to Croatia.
There are satisfying endings for each character.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved the idea of sailing from island to island, providing a library service for local children! I soon realized that this was more about the ‘librarians’ and the islanders than the books, and I enjoyed sitting back and watching the growth. It’s very obvious that Glyn spends time people watching and visiting her settings. This adds so much to the enjoyment of her novels.
I smiled when I read about one ‘librarian’ who informed the others that if she was quiet, it didn’t mean that she was sad. I wanted to reach her a megaphone! Amen. As an educator, I’m always reminding my students of the same thing mentioned in this book: “academic achievement isn’t the be-all and end-all.” Again, someone pass this character the megaphone. Finally, it resonated with me when a character mentioned that she wasn’t trying to run around keeping everyone else happy anymore. I’ve been working on this since January.
There was so much to love about this book. It was gentle, quiet and unassuming - I’m assuming quite like a catamaran journey around the islands. I loved my time aboard the Dida Krila.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I smiled when I read about one ‘librarian’ who informed the others that if she was quiet, it didn’t mean that she was sad. I wanted to reach her a megaphone! Amen. As an educator, I’m always reminding my students of the same thing mentioned in this book: “academic achievement isn’t the be-all and end-all.” Again, someone pass this character the megaphone. Finally, it resonated with me when a character mentioned that she wasn’t trying to run around keeping everyone else happy anymore. I’ve been working on this since January.
There was so much to love about this book. It was gentle, quiet and unassuming - I’m assuming quite like a catamaran journey around the islands. I loved my time aboard the Dida Krila.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 19, 2026
A new pilot project involves Ana Meštrović and her catamaran
Becoming an island hopping summer library is the plan.
To help her on her way she has a crew of two
Working together is what these three will have to do.
Natali is a mechanic and has experience as sailing crew
She's quiet and shy - and brings along her dog, Obi, too.
Whilst Lloyd is English he's mulit-lingual and needs a fresh start
Running the library will be his main part.
This is an adventure where three strangers get together
Can they make the pilot succeed and any storms weather?
Each has their reason for deciding to take part
But each will find inspiration and maybe heal any broken heart.
There's plenty of twists and surprises as the catamaran sails on
With old friendships and new ones, and memories of times gone.
Will old romances be rekindled or new ones take their place
Can rumours and misunderstandings be stopped from causing disgrace?
A fabulous read that kept me entertained throughout
Sharing all the changes this summer adventure brought about.
For my copy of this fabulous read I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Becoming an island hopping summer library is the plan.
To help her on her way she has a crew of two
Working together is what these three will have to do.
Natali is a mechanic and has experience as sailing crew
She's quiet and shy - and brings along her dog, Obi, too.
Whilst Lloyd is English he's mulit-lingual and needs a fresh start
Running the library will be his main part.
This is an adventure where three strangers get together
Can they make the pilot succeed and any storms weather?
Each has their reason for deciding to take part
But each will find inspiration and maybe heal any broken heart.
There's plenty of twists and surprises as the catamaran sails on
With old friendships and new ones, and memories of times gone.
Will old romances be rekindled or new ones take their place
Can rumours and misunderstandings be stopped from causing disgrace?
A fabulous read that kept me entertained throughout
Sharing all the changes this summer adventure brought about.
For my copy of this fabulous read I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
January 21, 2026
MY THOUGHTS -
What a truly delightful story!
I ended up listening to the Audible version because I wasn’t sure I’d finish the book in time, and I’m so glad I did. The narration was excellent and added so much to the story. Honestly, I don’t think the story would have felt quite the same if I had read it instead. In this case, I highly recommend the audiobook.
The story follows three complete strangers who come together for work aboard a “library boat” that travels between the small islands of Croatia, delivering books. What a fantastic idea! I couldn’t help but think how amazing it would be to have a job like that—bringing stories to remote islands by boat.
It was wonderful to see these three strangers share their deepest secrets, and form fast, meaningful friendships. Through their time together, they help each other heal in unexpected ways. This book left me satisfied, but also wanting to know more about their futures.
A wonderful, heartfelt story that I highly recommend! This was my first by this author but I would definitely read more.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources - Thank You!!
What a truly delightful story!
I ended up listening to the Audible version because I wasn’t sure I’d finish the book in time, and I’m so glad I did. The narration was excellent and added so much to the story. Honestly, I don’t think the story would have felt quite the same if I had read it instead. In this case, I highly recommend the audiobook.
The story follows three complete strangers who come together for work aboard a “library boat” that travels between the small islands of Croatia, delivering books. What a fantastic idea! I couldn’t help but think how amazing it would be to have a job like that—bringing stories to remote islands by boat.
It was wonderful to see these three strangers share their deepest secrets, and form fast, meaningful friendships. Through their time together, they help each other heal in unexpected ways. This book left me satisfied, but also wanting to know more about their futures.
A wonderful, heartfelt story that I highly recommend! This was my first by this author but I would definitely read more.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources - Thank You!!
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