The Island Between Us

by Sage Parker

From Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author comes an original women's fiction series—filled with small-town secrets, second chances, and starting over beside the last person you'd ever expect.

Margaret Turner didn’t know her husband owned a beach house on Captiva Island.

She didn’t know he left it to her.

And she definitely didn’t know he also left it to his elegant, perfect, excruciatingly composed first wife who never missed a chance to make Margaret feel like second-best.

Now they’re co-owners of a gorgeous beachfront paradise they can’t sell without each other’s permission. And if they try? Every penny goes to Sharon, Henry’s sister—the only person they both equally despise.

Forced to coexist in paradise, Margaret and Katherine attempt the a truce. But the house isn’t as empty as they thought it would be. There are signs someone’s been living there. Medical supplies in the basement. And a too-handsome detective who keeps dropping by with more questions than answers….

As secrets surface and family drama rolls in with the tide, these two women start to uncover the one thing Henry never gave the whole truth. and maybe the only thing messier than sharing a dead husband… is realizing you might actually like his other wife.


This is Book 1 of 3 in the Captiva Island series... Scroll up to read now!

Genres: Fiction

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing about being a second wife is you spend years pretending it doesn’t bother you...

Until the first one walks through the front door of the beach house, your dead husband just left you.

Margaret Turner didn’t know Henry owned a house on Captiva Island.

She didn’t know he left it to her.

And she definitely didn’t know he also left it to Katherine: his elegant, perfect, excruciatingly composed first wife who never missed a chance to make Margaret feel like second-best.

Now they’re co-owners of a gorgeous beachfront paradise, they can’t sell without each other’s permission. And if they try? Every penny goes to Sharon, Henry’s sister—the only person they both equally despise

Forced to coexist in paradise, Margaret and Katherine attempt the impossible: a truce. But the house isn’t as empty as they thought it would be. There are signs someone’s been living there. Medical supplies in the basement. And a too-handsome detective who keeps dropping by with more questions than answers….

As secrets surface and family drama rolls in with the tide, these two women start to uncover the one thing Henry never gave them: the whole truth. and maybe the only thing messier than sharing a dead husband… is realizing you might actually like his other wife.

This contemporary starting over, clean and wholesome, later-in-life women's fiction, Christian inspirational, small-town, friends-to-lovers widow fiction romance, is page-turing with exceptional world-buiding in Captiva Island where the sunrises and sunsets are magnificent and majestically painted in vibrant hues that are painted across the skies, and characters that are resilient, heartbroken/devastated, trying to cope with the loss of a dead husband, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the island between us, secrets surface, family drama rolls in with the tide, two women, Margaret and Katherine, forced to co-exist in paradise, these two women start to uncover the one thing Henry, each of their ex-husband, never gave them, the truth, deception, emotional depth/heartfelt emotions that will leave readers in need of Puffs/Kleenex to wipe the tear away that are threatening to spill down their cheeks, these women are co-owners of a gorgeous beachfront paradise that they can't sell without each other's permission because Henry gave it to each of them, mystery/intrigue, a touch of humor as Margaret and Katherin uncover the truth Henry never gave them, complexities relationships, the pain of love/loss, unexpected twists/turns, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the island between us and a friends-to-lovers second chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly mysterious, intriguing, emotional, and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever seen a divorced ex-wife & the new wife end of living together & getting along like old friends? It’s like a disaster about to happen! They are both have always been enemies, the ex-wife blaming the new wife for breaking up her marriage, which wasn’t the case at all, but she just wanted to blame it on someone, anyone but herself. There had always been animosity in their relationship. Then the husband dies & leaves a beautiful Oceanside beautiful house to both the wife & ex-wife! Why would he do such an awful thing knowing how his ex-wife & his present wife never got along, which was all his ex-wife. She couldn’t accept that her marriage was over, so she had to blame someone. This is like a bad movie. They are learning to get along & trust each other when the ex-wife‘s son & his whole family shows up planning to stay at the house & they only have two bedrooms, now what? He tries to get his mom to sell her part of the house. He tries to stir up trouble with his mom & his stepmother. Will he be successful in destroying the trust the two have built together so far? Stay tune, I’m about to start book 2.

I received this ARC book for free & I am giving my unbiased review without an input from the author or the publisher.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Henry the husband dies and his wife and ex-wife find out that he has bought a house on Captiva Island in Florida but has left it to both of them equally. WHAT? Don't know who of you are in a relationship with an ex wife but I would not want to be in that position. Especially since the ex started all sorts of crazy rumors about the fact that I stole Henry from her. Yep I am the second wife and all I can think about was what was my husband thinking?
So now we are meeting new people, learning to get along and trying to solve some mysteries. My stepson is in no way on my side and wants his mother to either buy me out or just have the two of us sell the place.
Have you ever been to Captiva Island. It is located in Florida and is one of the most beautiful places to go. Of course most people can't afford a place there so it's a lot of richie rich people kinda out of our league but still nice.
Something is not right though! We will have to solve all the mysteries and find out just what Henry was up to. Follow us to book 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a second wife can be so hard in many ways, especially if your spouse has children by his first wife and there is animosity between everyone. I understand firsthand as I am a second wife and stepmother! And like Margaret I did not even know my husband before he was divorced no matter what wife #1 thought and fussed about from the beginning.
Then to become a widow and find out that your husband owns property on a beautiful island that he leaves to you and the first wife, Katherine as co-owners .
Why? How did he purchase it without either of you knowing anything about it? What is the story behind this? How are they supposed to figure all this out? And also they have to deal with the son Russell who hates Margaret, his stepmother
Mystery abounds around the beautiful beach home on Captiva Island. Can’t wait to read book 2 of 3 in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am already invested in this series by Sage Parker. At times I felt sorry for Margaret who was constantly overshadowed by Katherine and her big personality but toward the end of this book Margaret was certainly finding her voice. Margaret and Katherine are not the best of friends who had a husband in common and Katherine has blamed Margaret for the breakdown of her marriage to Henry but when Henry passes he leave them both a beach side home and they decide to go to Captiva Island to look into this new home but as they look into things they start to unravel some inconsistencies in Henry’s life. Not to mention the noises they hear in the house and the mysterious Peter, who claims to be a police man but I seriously have my doubts. I cannot wait to get the next book to read how it all plays out especially Margaret’s relationship with her stepson who is very cold toward her.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island Between Us, Book One, is the introduction to the Captiva Island Series which introduces the main characters including Margaret, a recent widow of Henry who receives a surprising property deed for a beach house in Captiva Island, and Katherine, Henry's first wife who he divorced who is half owner of the beach house along with Margaret. The two women have had an angsty relationship until they stay at the beach house trying to determine how Henry could afford it and why he left it to them. During their time at Captiva Island, Margaret meets Peter who is a detective working on a case. Surprise visitors, notes, and a possible intruder are part of the house as well. The book ends in a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Happy Happy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest review:
I loved this book in the beginning but as I continued turning pages I felt trepidation and I didnt feel the warm and fuzzies. I really love the warm and fuzzies. I am looking forward to the next book as like all of Sages books we get left not knowing what is going to happen next.
If you like mysteries then this book may be for you but I am a happy romantic and love to be taken away on a journey of love when I read so far this is not that but I look forward to the next book and see where the journey ends up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my!! What a beginning to this new series from Sage Parker. The entire time I was constantly saying, huh!! The story plot thickens and the mystery keeps getting creepier and creepier, but I love it! Henry was either smart by buying a house and making his ex wife and current wife the owners or he was delirious or off his rocker! There is so.muxh hurt to unpack and so many misunderstanding to unpack. Russell also has a lot of apologizing to do and a lot of explaining!! Joey and Mads are adorable, but they may be right about this house being haunted. I cannot wait to see what book two has in store for us. Wonderful start!!!.

[Anouschka · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day Margaret receives papers in the mail that she inherits a beach house from her husband who past away a year earlier, the catch? She co-owns it with his ex-wife.
Living together, they try to uncover how he purchased the house and kept it a secret.

The blurb doesn't do this book justice. I loved the character development both Margaret and Katherine went through. The story is set in a beautiful environment and I'm very curious to see where it is going.

Mind you, this is part one of the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Island Between Us (Book 1)” by Sage Parker

-Two women, Margaret and Katherine—tied by one man and a shared inheritance—find themselves forced into an uneasy alliance. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Sage Parker builds a slow-burn mystery laced with tension, secrets, and unsettling events. The story leans more on suspense than romance, keeping emotions taut and trust fragile.

A gripping setup that leaves the reader waiting for book two to see how it all unfolds. I can’t wait to read book 2.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island Between Us by Sage Parker is the first book in the new series in Captiva Island series.
I am so giddy about reading the entire series! Margaret and Katherine had each married Henry. Henry died and, in his will, he left them he leaves them a beach house on Captiva Island in Florida.
They both go to the house, and they know they must figure out why he would leave them a house to share.
I am as curious as they are about his decision to do this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shuvai · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Henry dies and leaves his stunning coastal home to both his ex-wife and current wife, chaos seems inevitable. Lifelong rivals Margaret and Katherine are forced to share space—and slowly, trust begins to bloom. Just as peace settles in, Margaret’s son arrives with his own agenda, threatening to unravel everything. Sage crafts a clever, compassionate tale full of family drama, unexpected alliances, and emotional depth. I’m hooked—and ready for Book 2!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two strong women characters that were wives to the same man is the common thread. There are so many secrets that they need to unravel. Throw in a handsome Detective who is trying to find the answers and there is going to be drama. Like the location and the background of the story. Conflict always makes for interesting reading. Strong personalities and characters also make for interesting interactions. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was soooo good. This author really knows how to set the stage, to, draw you in and hold you close rom the very start and this latest first book is no different. Margaret is in for a shock cause not on,y has her husband died but he has left her a wonderful beachside property to co own with his ex-wife!! It’s now down to these two enemies to make the most of a bad situation and to to coexist in paradise. It’s a great start, exciting, captivating, emotional all with a touch of intrigue and I loved it. Off to read book two!

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two FMCs are two strong, independent and lively older women who come together to help solve a mystery. They have always had strife in their relationship until they are forced into spending time together in a house they both inherited. Add to that one woman's family descends on the house with more drama. This is a wonderful book. I highly recommend this book to all women's fiction readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

when the first and second wives of a heart attack victim discover an unexpected inheritance left in both their names, jojntly there are mysteries and surprises.

friendships and connections serm possible, and repetition of past issues might shake new possibilities and connections.

ghosts come in many shapes and forms, and not all are benign.

intriguing life reboots and fresh starts.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling, Compassionate and Unexpected surprises make this a page turning book Sage has written. When Margaret and Katherine come into a property Henry left to them these two women have to get along. I think that Sage has done a wonderful job writing this book that has you wanting to know if Henry’s first wife and second wife work things out since they are not big fans of each other. Trust me you need to read this book, but now I need book number 2.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue, mystery and a truce.

Another fantastic start to a series filled with intrigue, mystery and a truce.  Like every series by Sage Parker, I was captivated from the start of this book.  I can't wait to read what develops between and around Katherine and Margaret as they explore a very unusual inheritance.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It looks like it will be good story to follow.
The start is good,entertaining with touch of drama.
The man is dead and his beneficiaries are wife number one and wife number two.
If the sell the house is going to his sister who is despised by both wives.
Will they keep it ? and what is going on in the basement ?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two women who have nothing in common inherit a Beach house. The widow of a man who appears to have been keeping secrets and the man's ex-wife inherit a fabulous beach house together. It is a strange situation.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must be read in order. What was her husband thinking?
A secret beach house shared between his wives
Tenuous relationship between everyone
A stranger asking questions
Weird sounds and visions
Level of trust very low.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Maraget get paperwork in the mail she didn’t expect it was a house in Florida and her dead husband ex-wife own the house together. Now that they are together trying to figure out the house in walk her step son and his family. Read and start the journey.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret gets a package in the mail with a letter saying she inherited a beach house on Captiva Island, Florida.
As she reads closer, another name is on the deed.
Her husband's Ex-wife ,Katherine.
What? Who leaves a beach house to two wives( that don't speak to each other)?
This is a wild one Sage.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new series is going to be so much fun to read and see where all this family drama is going to go. I couldn’t help but become completely engaged in this unique and unexpected story from the description. Such colorful and interesting characters in a beautiful beachfront setting. Clever, creative, entertaining writing and of course i plan to enjoy the entire ride...

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret receives a parcel with a deed to a house that her deceased husband bought, fixed up and paid off. She also finds out she co-owns it with his first wife Katherine. They both go to visit and are getting along when Russell and his family arrive to cause havoc. He was the son from the first marriage. Now what? Received a free copy.

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret's husband passed and she learns that he left her (and his first wife Katherine) a beach house. Neither of them had any idea he bought this house. They decided to go and see it but strange things are happening. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Booksprout and I can't wait to see what happens. This is my honest review.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing harder than losing a husband. Even harder when you find out he has kept things from you. Not only did you get a house in Captiva, but you co-own it with his first wife. How will the women get along?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

She and her late husband’s ex wife inherit a beach house. Neither can sell without the other agreeing or it goes to the sister in law who they both dislike more than each other. They don’t like each other but maybe things will change.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sets the tone, premise and plot for the book. The story shows how secrets, misunderstandings, lack of communication, and of course mysteries need to be solved. I like the characters personalities and the realistic way they interact. This is a good start.

This Booksprout ARC is a very good starting point, enjoy.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. Margaret and Katherine are co-owners of this beachfront property. The interesting part: they were married to the man who left them the house in his will. I am looking forward to this story. I am hooked already.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.