Island Calling

Tuga Trilogy #2

by Francesca Segal

*** Preorder the brilliant second novel in the 'Glorious Tuga' series, from Costa Prize-winning author, Francesca Segal ***

On remote Tuga de Oro, vet Charlotte Walker’s caseload of donkeys, cows, and ailing lizards has only increased. She still can’t believe the humiliating truth about her father. Probably, she ought to feel worse than she does. But the islanders have taken Charlotte to their hearts and somehow, between days on the farms and nights with a new love interest, she’s content to remain in blissful retreat from her real life in London. Just for now.

But real life hits the island with the force of a tropical Charlotte’s mother arrives. Lucinda Compton-Neville knows an identity crisis when she sees one, and has come to haul her daughter back on back to England, back to her career, back home where she belongs.

Funny, moving, and hope-filled, Island Calling is a joyous novel about mothers and daughters; about holding on and letting go.

PRAISE FOR WELCOME TO GLORIOUS TUGA:

’A much-needed escape, I warmly recommend this beauty’ NIGELLA LAWSON
‘A magical novel, so uplifting, heartwarming, funny’ MARIAN KEYES
‘Brilliantly and thoroughly imagined. I didn't want to go home’ NICK HORNBY
‘Sparkling and sophisticated’ JESSIE BURTON

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 19, 2025

About the author

Winner of the 2012 Costa Prize for First Fiction.
Winner of the 2012 National Jewish Book Award for Fiction
Winner of the 2013 Sami Rohr Prize
Winner of the 2013 Premio Letterario Edoardo Kihlgren Opera Prima in Milan
Winner of the 2013 Harold U. Ribalow Prize

Long-listed for the 2013 Women's Prize for Fiction

Francesca Segal is an award-winning writer and journalist. Her work has appeared in Granta, the Guardian, the Financial Times, and both American and British Vogue, amongst others. She has been a features writer at Tatler, and for three years wrote the Debut Fiction column in the Observer.

Reviews

[Lucille Seppi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 Stars

Okay so, usually I try to write reviews without spoilers but seeing as this is a sequel in a trilogy and the fact that I need to vent about what’s happened in this book are reason for an exception.

Firstly, it makes no sense to me that Charlotte suddenly wants to leave so badly and is constantly dreaming about going back to London. Yes, sure, it was meant to be a year to begin with and eventually she would have to think about going back, BUT she NEVER ONCE thinks about anything at all back in London. There are no friends we know about, nothing she ever reminisces on or looks back fondly on and this sudden need to return to … well, nothing, makes it a hard sell for me.

Then, the whole romance??? I am so confused. I get the chemistry between Charlotte and Levi and I like it but what’s happened to Dan and why has he just completely disappeared from the limelight, forgotten almost. The whole reason as to why Charlotte couldn’t pursue him was first his engagement, duh, and then secondly that she thought they were related - the only reason she didn’t go to see him after the confession! But seeing as that has all cleared up, why is there ZERO conflict or interest in Dan at all? Tension? Don’t know her. She’s seemingly made up her mind all of a sudden and what was building to be a love triangle is now nothing. Which is, fine, but it just really doesn’t make sense considering where the first book was going. I’m not sure where this will go in the third but if Dan somehow reappears and makes a comeback I will do a backflip.

Also, the scene where Charlottes CHERISHED childhood toy gets broken by a goat in like, one sentence, and then it’s never touched on again????? Symbolism? Who is she? This object was so important to Charlotte and so relevant in the entirety of the first book and represented the mystery of her life and was the SOLE reason she went to Tuga in the first place. And then it’s gone and there’s nothing. No reaction, no real symbolism as to what that might mean, no nothing. That’s an opportunity wasted for one but also just so unrealistic. I would be BALLING if the only thing I held so dearly was ruined. But Charlotte Walker apparently does not know what emotion is (other than being horny and embarrassed).

Then, what the hell was that with Katie and Elsie, squeezed into not even half a page at the end? They deserve ROMANCE. What did they get? Token gay appearance … Bruh ….

Also, random side note, but the amount of drunk sex happening in this book makes me
uncomfortable - particularly sex where the woman is shitfaced and the man is not. That’s just predatory behaviour and really irks me. The fact that that’s happened with both Levi and Dan does not sell me on them as love interests I should care about much.

Finally, this book went by so fast??? Like, somehow everything happened but also nothing? I’m scrambling trying to remember anything else because nothing got more attention than a few lines so nothing was really that relevant. The only thing standing out was the reunion between Charlotte and her mother, which was sweet and I liked the way that was done but everything else seemed crammed in just to have it there. I often have that feeling with middle books in trilogies - they usually just are ‚for the plot‘ in my experience and don’t give things the space and time they deserve unfortunately.

Overall, still a fairly escapist summer read and I still like characters but not all that logical.

Anyway, rant over.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book two, we see Charlotte navigate island life as her mother appears and breaks the peace she had created. Through a number of events, both heartbreaking and wholesome, we see the island of Tuga grow and move on in this instalment which is the perfect addition to the first book. I am so looking forward to reading the third in the trilogy when it is out (hopefully soon)!

This is written beautifully and I found it incredibly easy to read. I read this in one sitting and just devoured all the gossip on the island, was heavily invested in certain aspects (if you’ve read it, you’ll know) and adored the character of Charlotte’s mother, who isn’t quite as brutish as she first seemed. There is a wonderful character development for so many of those on the island in this instalment and I just loved it.

A huge thank you to the author for my proof copy!

[Karine Campos Geri Da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a holiday, it's a pleasure to visit Tuga again!

[El Ea · Rating 4 out of 5]

bloody loved it for a fun escape from dreary London life - I feel safe on Tuga with all of its lovely inhabitants

[Amelia Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought it was just as charming as the first, potentially with even more heart as it explored Charlotte’s relationship with her mum rather than a romantic one. Shame I have to wait a long time for the third book to come out because I really enjoyed these!

[Anna Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gorgeous go around Tuga de Oro.

[Mia Swaysland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again- I loved this sequel it’s fun for me to get lost in the tropical paradise of tuga! I don’t have to work hard to read this I just let the book wash over me and enjoy the feelings of a simpler life not much happens but I love going through the motions - I genuinely look forward to the third book and getting to visit tuga again :)

[Grace Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun holiday read, easy reading.

[ClaireJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an absolute joy to revisit Tuga again in the latest book in the Tuga Trilogy. I fell in love with the island in the first book Welcome to Glorious Tuga and it was brilliant to be back spending time with its quirky islanders for some sunny and dreamy moments of escapism.

This book dives deeper into the lives of the Tuga locals and it explores mother daughter relationships, self discovery and the importance of community.

All the characters have such strong personalities and I had such a soft spot for Levi the bartender. I always wanted more scenes with him featured with his sense of humour! Also, due to such a wide array of characters, there is a character list at the start of the book to help you remember who is who which I found very helpful!

The complexities of remote island life is well portrayed such as medical limitations, restriction of certain foods and lack of internet to the relationships between all the locals and everybody knowing everybody else’s business were all intriguing to read and learn about. For a fictional island, the author has created a location that feels incredibly real!

If you are looking for an easy, light summer read then this is one I suggest you pick up. With a lot of emotional scenes, laughter and beautiful tropical scenes, Island Calling is a rich and uplifting story.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed my second visit to Tuga! The simple life is clearly the best life and this book draws you into the community of the Island and I cannot wait for book three. I finally got to grips with the families and residents connections to each other (book one was hard to keep up with this!)

This story starts with Charlottes mother being an unexpected visitor to the island, bringing with her an air of judgement and high expectations, we get to explore the mother / daughter relationship in this instalment & you can’t help but feel for Charlotte, however there is definitely more to Lucinda’s visit which unfolds in the epilogue and I assume will be followed up in book three.

There are some really moving parts of this story, Marianne and Annie specifically and I look forward to seeing how that unfolds as the story progresses.

I highly recommend this book and the previous one!

[Lynne Gosbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels very much like the second book in a trilogy - lots of continued themes and more storylines unravelled, but with a constant feeling that nothing much is likely to happen in this instalment! I like the characters very much and I can see this making a brilliant miniseries (in fact it feels very much like it was written with a TV deal in mind) and I will definitely read the next (last) book when it is released but I won't be waiting with bated breath. A lovely, gentle read but don't expect any tension or suspense.

[Elyse Mcnulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Island Calling (paperback edition) by Francesca Segal is the sequel to Welcome to Glorious Tuga. I had to get it shipped from England as it has not been released in the states yet. All the same wonderful characters are in this follow up story and the fun continues on Tuga de Oro. Charlotte discovered her father at the end of the first book and this becomes public in the sequel. Also, Charlotte’s demanding Mother, Lucinda, arrives on the island. She wants Charlotte to come home to England. If you liked the first book, don’t miss this one. Enjoy!

[Ash Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO much better than the first book - way more concise, sharper, better paced, and less time given to side stories that were never finished

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in a trilogy set on the fictional island of Tuga. Good thing the author lists all the characters at the beginning, or it would be pretty hard to follow. Just like the 1st book , it was a classic rom com, but with a beautiful exotic setting. There are so many characters & she gives many of them, even minor characters, their own storylines, which makes for a somewhat disjointed novel. She handled the island adventures well, & the reader got a real feel for island life. The arrival of the vet's pompous QC mother was unoriginal, but entertaining. What she handled less well were the affairs of the heart, especially where minor characters were concerned. Where is there left for her to go in book 3 of her trilogy?

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second installment in the Tuga Trilogy picks up where the first book left off, continuing the story of Charlotte Walker, a vet and academic herpetologist living on the fictional, remote island of Tuga de Oro. If you haven’t read book one, I’d highly recommend starting there as this is not a standalone. Even having read the first, I still found parts confusing due to the sheer number of characters and island-specific quirks.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It’s a fine story but just dpesnt feel anything special.

The story felt scattered and lacked a clear narrative arc. While Charlotte is still the focus, other characters such Dr. Dan Zekri, Katie the physiotherapist, and Charlotte’s mother Lucinda, float in and out of the story in ways that felt disjointed. Lucinda in particular was difficult to sympathize with, and her presence added more frustration than tension. Honestly she was so rude and condescending to the islanders it was uncomfortable.

The romance between Charlotte and Levi was almost nonexistent, which was disappointing given the setup from book one. The writing style aims for literary depth but came across as meandering and a bit heavy-handed at times. Add to that an abrupt ending, likely because it’s the middle book of a trilogy, and I was left feeling unsatisfied.

That said, the island is portrayed with vivid detail, and the book does capture the peculiarities of life in an isolated, under-resourced community. It is a cosy story but more slice of life novel than a romance.

[MetLineReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK!!! What a fabulous return to the wonderful Island of Tuga. I adore all the characters, even Charlotte’s annoying mother!!

5* can’t recommend it highly enough!

And excited to see it’s part of a trilogy - can’t wait for book 3!

[Christiane Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENTSCHEIDUNG AUF TUGA
Francesca Segal
Band 2 der Tuga-Trilogie
ET 24.07.2025
Charlotte Walker ist auch nach dem Ende ihres Forschungsauftrags auf der Insel Tuga de Oro geblieben.
Ursprünglich war sie angereist, um die seltenen Goldmünzen-Schildkröten zu erforschen und gleichzeitig ihren Vater zu finden, der auf der abgelegenen Insel lebt. Sie hatte ihn nie kennengelernt und sich zeitlebens nach ihm gesehnt. Doch nach dem ersten Treffen stellte sich schnell heraus, dass er weder von ihrer Existenz wusste noch Interesse an einer Beziehung hatte.
Erst als sie Levi begegnete und sich in ihn verliebte, entschied sie sich, dauerhaft auf Tuga zu bleiben.

Mittlerweile hat sie sich gut in das einfache Leben auf der Insel eingefunden und arbeitet dort als Tierärztin. Tuga ist winzig – nur etwa sechzig Menschen leben hier, jeder kennt jeden, Geheimnisse gibt es kaum. Während der Zeit des „Island Close“, wenn aufgrund der Schlechtwetterperiode keine Schiffe anlegen oder abfahren können, ist die Insel völlig von der Außenwelt abgeschnitten.

Als plötzlich ein Segelboot genau in dieser Zeit einen Notruf sendet, ist die Sorge groß: Ein Passagier soll dringend ärztliche Hilfe benötigen. Mutig setzen sich einige Inselbewohner einem riskanten Rettungseinsatz aus – nur um festzustellen, dass es sich bei dem angeblich kranken Gast um Charlottes quicklebendige Mutter handelt: Lucinda Compton-Neville.
Sie ist fest entschlossen, dass die Zeit ihrer Tochter auf Tuga ein Ende haben muss. Charlottes Einwände wischt sie beiseite. Doch nicht nur Charlottes Leben wird durch die Ankunft ihrer dominanten Mutter durcheinandergebracht, auch das Leben der Inselbewohner gerät aus dem Gleichgewicht. Ob Lucinda ihre Tochter tatsächlich zur Rückkehr nach London bewegen kann – und zu welchen Mitteln sie greift –, sollte jede*r selbst nachlesen.

Auch der zweite Band der Tuga-Trilogie überzeugt mit Francesca Segals flüssigem und bildhaftem Erzählstil. Mit viel Einfallsreichtum entführt sie uns erneut auf die kleine (fiktive) Insel und lässt uns eintauchen in das Leben der manchmal etwas schrulligen, aber liebenswerten Einheimischen.

Auch wenn dieser Band meines Erachtens nicht ganz an seinen Vorgänger heranreicht, ist er ein ideales Buch für den Sommerurlaub – besonders für Leser*innen, die gerne in atmosphärische Inselwelten eintauchen.
Ich freue mich schon sehr auf den abschließenden Teil der Reihe und bin gespannt, wie Charlottes Geschichte weitergeht.

Fazit:
Ein warmherziger Inselroman mit Charme. Die Geschichte ist in sich abgeschlossen, doch ich empfehle, unbedingt mit Band eins zu beginnen.
4/5

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re back on Tuga for the second installment in the Tuga Trilogy, and this book was even more fun than the first.

Accepted and loved by the islanders, Charlotte has now outstayed her one-year contract and is enjoying life on the island, including her new relationship. It’s a world away from the reality of her life in London. But real life has a way of finding you, and it finds Charlotte in the form of her mother, Lucinda, who arrives on the island out of the blue. Sure that her daughter is having an identity crisis, Lucinda will stop at nothing to get Charlotte back to London where she belongs.

Delightful, funny and uplifting, this was the perfect read to escape with this summer. I loved being back on Tuga amongst this eclectic cast of colourful characters. All the familiar faces were here, but Francesca Segal also introduced us to some of the other islanders this time around. She also dove deeper into their relationships, such as the complex emotions and difficulties between Marianne and her daughter Annie. Segal also explored more of the challenges that can arise from living on a secluded island, particularly the medical limitations, which were addressed through various storylines. And, with Charlotte’s veterinary profession, there were obviously lots of animal moments in this book that I loved, especially the scenes where she and Katie worked together to try and save them.

After the shock of discovering her father’s identity and having her dreams of him shattered in book one, Charlotte is on a journey of self-discovery this time around. As if this wasn’t enough to be going through, her mother, Lucinda, also arrives on the island. We know they have a difficult relationship, and it was quickly obvious why. Selfish, entitled and snobbish, I couldn’t stand Lucinda, who hits the island with all the subtlety of a hurricane. Disruption and chaos follow her every move and she doesn’t care who or what she disturbs in her quest to get herself and Charlotte back to London during island close. But, Segal takes these characters on quite the journey, and Lucinda did grow on me. And that ending! I’m going to need book three ASAP.

[Steffi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Entscheidungen auf Tuga” von Francesca Segal ist nach “Wilkommen auf Tuga” der zweite Band der Reihe, die auf einer fiktiven Insel in den Tropen spielt und die für die Wissenschaftlerin Charlotte Walker zur zweiten Heimat geworden ist. Doch das Inselidyll wird jäh gestört, als ihre Mutter Lucinda aufkreuzt, um sie “zur Vernunft” und endlich zurück nach England zu bringen.

Die große Stärke der beiden Romane von Francesca Segal ist das lebendige Bild, das sie von der abgeschiedenen Tropeninsel und ihren liebenswerten Bewohnern entwirft. Die unkonventionelle Lebensweise mit all ihren Eigenheiten und Traditionen, die wilde und unberührte Natur, die exotische Tier- und Pflanzenwelt, das alles wird so detailreich und liebevoll beschrieben, dass Tuga zu einem echten Sehnsuchtsort wird.

Eine Vielzahl an Charakteren vertieft dieses authentische Bild einer starken Inselgemeinschaft. Auch wenn ich zu Beginn wieder einmal etwas überfordert über die Menge an handelnden Personen und daher froh über das Personenregister war, gelingt es der Autorin, ihnen allen Leben einzuhauchen und zu dreidimensionalen Charakteren mit jeweils eigener Geschichte zu entwickeln. Im Fokus stehen natürlich Charlotte und ihre exzentrische Mutter Lucinda. Letztere geriet für meinen Geschmack zwar etwas zu überzeichnet, um noch als glaubwürdig durchzugehen, sorgte jedoch für einige amüsante Szenen. Die Liebesgeschichte um Charlotte ist in diesem Buch jedoch leider kaum existent. Levi verkümmert zu einer blassen Randfigur, die wenige und dazu auch noch eher seltsam anmutende Auftritte hat. Das fand ich persönlich etwas schade. Aber der Autorin war es wohl wichtig, sich in diesem zweiten Band mehr auf Charlottes familiäre Beziehungen und ihre eigene sowie berufliche Entwicklung zu fokussieren.

Schön empfinde ich den Fokus auf das Zusammenleben in solch einer abgeschiedenen Gemeinschaft, auf die Rücksichtnahme und den Zusammenhalt, den dies erfordert. Und auch die wissenschaftlichen Aspekte von Charlottes Arbeit fügen sich gut in die Handlung ein. In Verbindung mit dem heiteren und humorvollen Grundton der Geschichte, wird “Entscheidungen auf Tuga” somit zu einem schönen und locker-leichten Sommerroman.

[Peter Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francesca Segal has managed to keep up the fantasy from the first book (Welcome to Glorious Tuga).
I also loved that in the end comments she states (and here I paraphrase it) that when the world becomes too harsh she escapes to Tuga.
I agree totally, while reading this book, I forgot about the world for a while.
It was my pleasure to give the first book 5 stars, this book almost deserves 5 stars, but as it did not quite reach (for me) the level of the first I have given it four and a half stars (OK I can't give it a half star, but it deserves it).
I was pleased to see that this is part of a trilogy, and I will look forward to the third part when it is published. In my review of Welcome to Glorious Tuga I was wishing for a follow up book, and here it is.
The fact that this is part of a trilogy, is also part of the reason that I have only given it four (and a half) stars. Although it is possible to read this book on its own, it is only excellent in conjunction with the first volume.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and often went back and read some of my favourite parts (while reading the book, and I never normally do that).
My thanks to the author for the hours of enjoyment that the book has brought me, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Elizabeth Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Island Calling is another delightful trip to the island of Tuga. There is something so beguiling about this island and its inhabitants, wonderfully brought to life by the author.

In this second book in the trilogy, vet Charlotte is very much part of island life after 14 months living there. But her peaceful existence is turned upside down when her overbearing mother Lucinda turns up unexpectedly, keen to get Charlotte back to London and to what she perceives as “real life”.

Charlotte and Lucinda’s relationship is not the only mother/daughter relationship focused on in this book - as we are reintroduced to the island’s residents, we learn more about the dynamics of this tight-knit community and the complex relationships within it.

This series is the epitome of escapism in book form - Tuga is superbly brought to life and you can almost feel the sand between your toes and smell the sea, whilst at the same time being reminded of the complexities of remote living. With a cast of characters you will take to your heart, and a generous helping of humour in amongst the drama, this is such a delightful series and the perfect summer read! I can’t wait for book 3!

[Beth (covergirlbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Charlotte’s mother crashes into her life on Tuga, she guilts her daughter into finalizing her plans to leave the island and return to her life in England.

I sadly didn’t enjoy this middle book as much as book one. It feels rude to say that there’s too much animal medicine content because it’s a book with a vet main character, but I wanted the interpersonal issues to get more page time. Overall it felt less balanced in comparison to the first book, which I remember in turns made me reflect and giggle.

From Lucinda’s arrival, her dynamic with Charlotte reminded me of Emily and Lorelai in Gilmore Girls. Except Lorelai has grown used to pushing back against her wealthy mom’s interference in her life, and Charlotte hasn’t yet overcome her timidity in that area. I really liked the growth in the mother/daughter relationship in this novel, especially with the flashback scene for additional context.

I really don’t want to dissuade anyone from trying the series with this review, because Segal is solidly one of my favorite authors, and I want more readers in my bandwagon. Just don’t go into book two with high expectations… maybe save those for book three 🥳

[armchairreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to "Welcome to Glorious Tuga"! Charlotte is still on the island but she is newly confident and driven. Sure, there's the odd person she may not wish to see every day but when she's got Levi and gold coin tortoises to keep her busy, that's a minor inconvenience.
Island life is never simple though, and it only takes one unexpected visitor to completely turn Charlotte's world upside down and put the whole island on edge. Private revelations and the safety of her old home disturb her peace and she wrestles with who she wants to be...
I was impressed by the author's ability to both follow Charlotte's journey and also explore the lives of the other islanders along the way. Heart break, loss, hope, friendship, and loves, both old and new, shape their lives and the story.
I'm torn over my rating for this one as it's partly driven by my frustration with Charlotte's character, but the fact that I felt this strongly about the cast shows the author's skill.
Ultimately this is a happy escape from rea life!

[Kate Vane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second enjoyable instalment in the trilogy. Island Calling has a romcom wrapper but its main focus is on motherhood in all its forms. At its heart is Charlotte's relationship with her ghastly mother, Lucinda, who shows up on the island determined to reassert control over her daughter.

I had a couple of qualms. Lucinda's behaviour seems to go beyond insensitive into cruel and even abusive, which I found hard to take in an ostensibly light-hearted read, and makes their evolving understanding of each other less credible. I also felt that some of the transitions in the book were quite abrupt. In particular, a secondary character faces a life-changing medical dilemma in one chapter, but it's all happily resolved in the next, with no sense of the steps it took to get there.

What I do love is the insights into Charlotte's professional life and her knowledge of the animals on the island, particularly her beloved turtles. Overall, a great escape.
*
Copy from NetGalley.

[Tabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰 & 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺.

We're so back!!

If there was one series I'd recommend above all others this summer, it's the Tuga trilogy (sans book 3 - because sadly it's not out yet). It's a rare thing to stumble across writing with the power to transport you to a fictional land thousands of miles away, but Francesca Segal has the gift. I could feel the sand between my toes, the closeness of an approaching storm; could hear the buzz of mosquitos and the snap of palm fronds; could taste the smoke of a bonfire and the burn of antiseptic in the vet's room.

As with the first book, it's a tale of community, though tightens its focus on the bond between mothers and daughters. It has a very light romcom glaze (Levi Mendoza ily you beautiful salt-of-the-earth man), but never gets bogged down in any one relationship. Charlotte is still our protagonist, but there's a rich tapestry of POVs that combine to give us the bigger picture.

On a personal note, it's been a difficult time at home for the last few months, and this series has given us a bit of a reprieve from it all. My mum picked up WTGT while I was starting Island Calling, and then my dad wanted in on it too after hearing us gossiping about it. So we now essentially have a Tuga-loving book club and are all planning to move to St. Helena (dad was devastated when he found out Tuga was fictional but is still very keen to know how many people live there?).

You really can't beat excellent, transportive writing. Comparisons to The Durrells (sun-soaked vibes, community feels, foreigners in new lands) are completely valid, but this is broader in that you also get the locals' perspectives. Just really really well done.

[Chrissie Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I actually enjoyed this more than the first book. Island Calling still has all the cozy, escapist charm of Tuga de Oro: sun-drenched setting, eccentric locals, and a surprising number of donkeys - but this time, it digs a little deeper.

Charlotte really came into her own here, and I loved watching her continue to build a life that feels entirely hers. The arrival of her mother, Lucinda, added an emotional layer that worked so well. Their relationship was complicated, frustrating, and real in a way that really grounded the story.

It still had that easy, comforting tone, but the character development felt stronger this time around. I did occasionally lose track of who was who, as there are a lot of side characters, but it wasn’t enough to take away from the heart of it all.

Overall, a really enjoyable read. Emotional without being heavy, and a definite step up from book one for me.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to Tuga de Oro in book two of the Tuga Trilogy felt like going back on holiday. The kind where you’re greeted with hugs, cake, and a goat that may or may not wander into your kitchen.

We see that Charlotte has settled into island life perfectly, between caring for the animals and enjoying her new romance. Everything is blissfully calm… until her mother arrives. Here comes drama!

Lucinda Compton-Neville is determined to haul her daughter back to London and “real life,” but island life isn’t quite ready to let Charlotte go and neither am I!

This was funny, tender, and full of mother daughter moments that felt both painfully relatable and heartwarming.

It’s a book about holding on, letting go, and figuring out where you belong. In my opinion, preferably somewhere with tortoises and sunshine. A great continuation to the series.

[Lesley Shellrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley, I was able to read an ARC of this book, the sequel to 'Welcome to Glorious Tuga'.

As we return to the beautiful island of Tuga, we find Charlotte, the island vet, gaining in confidence and happy with her life. She is trusted by the islanders, has an uneasy truce with Dan (the island doctor) and her relationship with Levi is all she wants it to be. But at Island Open, the boat arrives and who should embark but... her mother. With her usual panache, she turn's Charlotte's life upside down and so the story begins.

This is a light and gentle, heartwarming read which brings the island to life and bathes the reader in sunshine. A perfect read for those days where you just want to feel good.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book of The Tuga Trilogy vet Charlotte Walker/Dr Vet/Dolittle has more work to do looking after animals including lizards and named tortoises Martha Philips and Gloria Gaynor. She has been on Tuga for 14 months and the islanders love her. All is well in paradise until Lucinda, Charlotte’s mum suddenly arrives to take her back to her life in London. What will Charlotte decide?

I had read Welcome to Glorious Tuga (Book One) and recommend you do so to appraise yourself of the main characters. They are all there in this second book, Betsy from Betsy’s cafe, Saul, Levi, Dan, Moz and Annie. Immediately I was transported back to the tropical island - smelling the frangipani, vanilla and coconut and imagining the sun washed sugar sand beaches. There is a warmth to this book, from the sun of course but from the islanders too and their community togetherness. With humour and humidity throughout the book ends on a cliff hanger, keeping us eager for the third instalment. Passport ready, I can’t wait.