Only One Island

by Catherine Walsh

Two exes. Only one island. Paradise just got complicated.

After a painful break-up with her boyfriend, Grace is ready to leave Toronto for a fresh start - and accepts a position as a caretaker and B&B host on a remote Irish island for the summer.

It's backbreaking work, with no electricity and just a donkey and a handful of guests for company, but she's sure this is exactly where she needs to be. And putting 3,000 miles between you and your ex is never a bad thing, right?

Yet, when she arrives on the island, her carefully planned journey of healing and self-discovery falls apart in an instant. Because her fellow caretaker is none other than Nathan: the very ex she's running from.

They clash spectacularly, but Grace is determined to see this summer through. Even if this island doesn't seem big enough for the both of them...

The brand-new book from bestselling Kindle chart sensation and Irish author Catherine a second-chance, forced-proximity romance with only one... island, and plenty of spice!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Summer, Forced Proximity, Second Chance, Fiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 27, 2027

About the author

I'm not on here anymore!

You can find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catwalshwri...

Reviews

[ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you so much to netgalley for this arc!!

in typical catherine walsh fashion, this was adorable. i absolutely loved the set up of these characters working together on a little island off the irish coast (never read anything like that before!!), and the fact that it was a second chance romance also really worked for me. i read this in what felt like a matter of minutes, and it was one of those books where i was sad when i had to put it down.

although i really did love these characters together, i wish that the resolution to their issues had been a little bit more fleshed out (maybe a. tad more grovelling and explaining?). i feel as though we recorded everything very simply, and then moved forward from that point very quickly. maybe just an extra 50 pages would have made this feel a tad more realistic.

overall, this was very sweet, very quick to read, and super unique in terms of the setting and atmosphere. our side character eamonn was also wonderful. highly recommend!

[Sarah]

Yay!! I was hoping I'd get the arc for this one and I did! 😭🤭🩷

[Hoda · Rating 3 out of 5]

So fun and cuteeeee 😭 I love Catherine’s books sm for this. The characters are always so funny and relatable (in a “not trying too hard” kinda way), and I genuinely had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it.

GRACE was sooo relatable, even in her flaws lmao. I loveeeeedd her, and I loved how funny she was. Even her inner monologue had me laughing 😭 And Nathan was cute as well, especially with how he handled her and all her spiraling. The way he could tell what she was thinking just by looking at her face 🥹 cutecutecuteeee.

But it was also kinda boring ngl 😭 Like, I binged it so fast, but at the same time I felt a little bored?? 🧍‍♀️ Still, I enjoyed it so much!!

Anyway if u want to have fun summery read before summer ends this is for u it was cuteee🥹🤌🏻

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

Rounding up to 3 because of the donkey. He was the most exciting thing about this book. It’s crazy for how many words this book is that somehow the author forgot to have a plot.

[ahmeeka]

catherine walsh could ask me to jump and I would say how high !!!! I need this so bad

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t say I was completely obsessed but for some reason I couldn’t put it down.
The island atmosphere just reeled me in, I was charmed and had a fun time with this! It gave me what I needed in this moment in time.
It did take me a while to warm up to Nathan however I enjoyed seeing them work through everything.
How to write a love story is still my favourite Catherine Walsh Book though. (And snowed in)
Thank you for the arc!!

[✨Poppy✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & Dutton for this ARC!
This was adorable! This was my first read by this author whom I heard great things and I can definitely say that I will try to read more from her! This book made me want to go to Ireland to be honest, I would love to be in the middle of nowhere as well! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape, who wants to read about two people finding themselves and find out how to be together even though life is sometimes in the way.

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only One Island comes out in March of 2027, but I think if you’re a fan of the authors’ novels and enjoy escaping to an island setting where two exes come back together then I think you should preorder this one! It was really fun and I think will be a fantastic summer read!

[Kimberly Mavroides · Rating 2.25 out of 5]

I love Catherine Walsh usually but this book was so boring. Nothing happened. The cover is terrible too… the woman’s face and hair 😩😩😩

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was so incredibly lucky to get this ARC from NetGalley after a Catherine Walsh binge. Her writing style is as ever so easy to read. This book was quieter and more introspective than some of her other books, but I enjoyed the realism of their relationship and the island life. This felt like a really well done second chance romance. There is never a miss with this author and I can’t wait for more to come!!

[kell · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think catherine walsh books are always a good time

also i would die for eamon

[Katie Camden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Walsh just doesn’t miss—anytime I’m looking for a heartwarming and fun Irish romance, she’s got it covered! Only One Island is a dual-timeline second-chance romance set on a remote Irish island (post-breakup) as well as in Toronto (during the relationship and leading up to the breakup).

The idea of “only one island” is intriguing, and I love how this book flipped the likely more common expectation of a tropical getaway and made it a wild island in Ireland, the homeland of the FMC. Grace has arrived in this place with no Wi-Fi, no hot showers, and nothing to do but backbreaking chores to handle a summer lodging and keep the guest houses in working order. She expects to escape from the grief of her recent breakup, but lo and behold, her ex is on the island as well. They work begrudgingly side by side to keep the place running, and interspersed with the current timeline is, of course, the past timeline showing us the course of the relationship.

I loved Grace and Nathan together, and in a second-chance romance, it’s key that the breakup stem from something real. That is absolutely the case in this book, and the author beautifully draws them back together.

I was so thrilled to receive and ARC thanks to NetGalley and Dutton!

[Kristin Gleeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Dutton and Netgalley for a review copy of this book. Warm and witty, this is a novel to just sit down and enjoy but also get a wonderful flavour of life on a small island off the coast of Ireland. A place where there’s not electricity, hot water or central heating. A summer that sounded appealing to Grace, and Irish ex pat living in Toronto but hoping to return to Ireland soon and it appealed so much she applied for the summer caretaker position along with her Canadian boyfriend, Nathan. Grace feels it’s an opportunity for Nathan to get a taste of Ireland and perhaps consider going there with her, despite his reluctance to leave his home and the family that are very close. But at the last minute they break up and pull out of taking up the positions there. Except Grace changes her mind and when she arrives on the island she finds out that Nathan has too. Disaster looms not only from the overwhelmingly challenges of island life and looking after holiday visitors, but from Nathan’s presence. It’s close proximity, but so nicely and warm and lovingly written that it’s charming and winsome and the read is seamless. Through a past and present timeline the reader learns about Grace and Nathan’s evolving relationship and how they came to be at their current impasse. Through the challenges that confront them on the island they also learn more about each other and themselves and grow from it, increasing both their confidence and self awareness.

A really enjoyable read, written with some whimsy but also a lot of warmth and joy. A great summer read or anytime read.

[Marilyn Shannon]

About ½ way in to reading Only One Island by Catherine Walsh, I heard myself say out of the blue I really like this book and that feeling never changed.
Easy read yes, and yes maybe a plot with a happy ending that can be figured out from the very beginning like a good beach read. But maybe It’s time to look past what seems predictable and easy and pay closer attention to the subtle points authors like Ms. Walsh are making about locations, place in time and history, the character developments, science and so much more, often overlooked by the reader. Ms. Walsh did a fabulous job of incorporating so many interesting facts and research into this simple read that it was truly fun to learn and experience with her. Very interesting way of writing a story.
Only One Island is a snapshot into the environment, travel, relationships, woo woo, personal development and love taking us beyond just a typical happy ending.
I thought all the characters were likable and had something to show regarding human dynamics. Each one, even when their part was small, had an important role to play in how and why the plot developed as well as it did.
Regardless of the character and what they represented, each one had a specific personality, making this book a wonderful look into people’s mission, heart and soul. A book for all ages, genders, and life purposes.
The cover grabbed my attention initially, but it really didn’t tell the story, there is so much more than this cover art.
Ms. Walsh has become an author I will continue to read and look forward to. What subject, sensitive or otherwise will she open up with the same level of inspiration, hope and humor?

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. I love a romcom set on a remote island and as a fan of Catherine Walsh’s past books I was excited by the premise of Only One Island. We start with the meet-cute between Grace and Nathan in a coffee shop in Toronto. The story is then told between the current day on the island and the backstory of their relationship over the prior three years.

I enjoyed them learning to live on the remote island as well as the side characters (especially Eamon) and guests (Archie was great). I felt that they spent a lot of time bickering, which I didn’t like. I realize that’s just a part of the enemies to lovers (or lovers to enemies to lovers we have here) but it got tiring after a while. I especially liked Nathan, though struggled some with Grace. That said overall I had a good time reading the book and loved the ending.

I would like to say a sincere thank you to the publisher Dutton, author Catherine Walsh, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Most of the time, destination books make me want to immediately add the location to my travel list… this one made me want to stay very far away from this island

This was sweet, easy to read, and I enjoyed it while I was reading it. I loved the unique setting of the tiny Irish island and the forced proximity of two exes who absolutely cannot escape each other. Add in no electricity, a donkey, and plenty of things going wrong, and there was definitely plenty of entertainment.

That said, I really wish we’d gotten more of what went RIGHT rather than all the shenanigans. I also desperately wanted this to be dual POV because Nathan’s perspective would have added so much! I never became completely invested in Grace and Nathan’s relationship, and for a second-chance romance, I wanted more emotion and tension to really make me root for them.

I also wish the resolution to their issues had been a little more fleshed out.

Overall, a fun, cozy read with a very entertaining setting- I just wanted a little more romance and a little less island chaos

[inmyreadingera321 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sweet — I really liked how you could see Grace’s personal journey unfold while also watching the romance slowly begin to heal. I don’t love second chance as a trope usually, and I think it’s really hard to do well especially when the “past” is only included sparingly, but I think there was just enough of the past timeline to paint a picture of what went wrong with the two of them.

I think, in some ways, the conflict felt a little minor for it to be the entire reason behind a break-up. Obviously it seemed like they wanted different things, and it took being apart to realize they wanted each other more, but I felt like the stuff about Nathan’s writing didn’t necessarily fit in with their break-up origin story.

I did like, though, how we could all tell Nathan’s true motives from the first moment Grace spotted him on the island. It was never a mystery, never a question, that he was there for her. For them. And that was so lovely to see.

—————————————————————

Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the ARC!

[Laura Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only One Island by Catherine Walsh is set on the (fictional) tiny island of Corrig, with flashbacks in my native hometown of Toronto. It tells the story of Grace and Nathan, who were in love but broke up. Before the end of their relationship they applied to the caretakers of the summer season of Corrig, a place with no electricity, internet, power or connection to the outside world. When their relationship ends each of them thinks it's the end of the chance to live on the island but secretly turns up without the other knowing it.
The flashbacks in the novel show the beginnings of their romance in Toronto and I loved all the location name dropping which brought back happy memories for me.
As the summer goes on and Grace and Nathan grow in confidence in their roles, will their relationship be able to be mended or has it fractured forever?

Love a Catherine Walsh novel and this was no exception! Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[kita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Dutton for sending a free copy via Goodreads Giveaways!

This was a fun book that had me literally laughing out loud at one point—a night scene on a dune when one of the guests is looking for paranormal activity—which is something I rarely do when reading even humorous books.

I really liked the MFC, and her self-aware scatterbrainedness. She’s, presumably late 20s and a bit rudderless; she’s broken up with her boyfriend and not sure what she’ll do, and where, after the summer caretaker gig. A very likable MMC and colorful secondary characters.

It felt a little slow getting off the ground, but it picked up and was a very satisfying read. In the author’s acknowledgments she says, “I hope this book offered you some escape. I hope you find reason to smile today.” She 100% hit the mark! I look forward to reading her other books.

[Finger Pages · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was such a fun and sweet read. Our Irish firecracker Grace was so relatable and a girl I would want to be friends with. I loved her fire, her humor and her attitude.

The book sucked me in immediately from the first chapter where Grace and Nathan meet. Everything about them makes me smile. The book towards the middle did get much slower and while we get a resolution I wish it was slightly less wishy washy if you know what I mean. There was never a build up or moment where the book peaked. I think Nathan's character in the book missed a few pivotal moments that could have been built on.

This was my first book by Catherine Walsh and won't be my last! I will definitely pick up some others.

Thank you to the author and Dutton for sending me an ARC to read and review!

#duttonpartner

[Callie Trainor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25✨

I found Catherine Walsh at the airport in Dublin and proceeded to read the entire book I picked out on my flight back home (to Canada, how fitting 🤭). When I saw this book on NetGalley I had never clicked request so fast. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

Now, normally I’m not usually drawn to second chance romances, but this one was so sweet! Grace and Nathan had an instant connection. Living in Toronto to try and discover who she was and what she wanted to do with her life before returning to Ireland and running her parents’ restaurant, Grace meets Nathan in a coffee shop and from then on they are inseparable. Except there’s a looming time limit on their relationship as Grace counts down her time in Canada before she must return to the Emerald Isle.

Ultimately, they break up, but somehow both find themselves on Corrig, an abandoned island off the west coast of Ireland that is used as a tourist attraction. Grace had signed them up for the job of running the place for the summer when she was trying to save their relationship, but since the break up she didn’t expect Nathan to actually be there when she decided to still go.

The island taught them a lot about themselves and each other. Grace finally had an opportunity to disconnect from the rest of the world and was forced to sit with herself and think about what she actually wanted to do. And what she wanted was to be with Nathan. And Nathan, oh how I swoon! This man has patience of steel let me tell you. He demonstrates that actions speak louder than words as he continuously shows up for Grace and attempts to make sure she gets exactly what she needs and feels supported and loved.

I am obsessed with Catherine Walsh now, definitely a new auto-buy author for me!

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it!

This was a single pov from Grace's perspective. I really liked Grace. She was funny and awkward. And I liked that she didn't exactly know what she wanted. She was torn between the life she loved and the life she thought she should have. That just felt very real to me.

I loved seeing flashes of Grace and Nathan's relationship - the rise and fall of it.

The island life was so fun to read about. The idea of living on an uninhabited island for an entire summer was so interesting. I loved Donal and Eamon and how Grace and Nathan slowly worked back together.

I really wish that this would have been a dual pov. I think Nathan's pov would have been really good.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

[Alex Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Dutton books for the ARC of this one! I typically love this author and was thrilled to see this one pop into my email! The book follows exes Grace and Nathan as they take on being the caretakers for a remote Irish island and Bed and Breakfast. The island has no creature comforts and forces them to work closely together despite the recent turn of their relationship. As they spend time together they realize that there is still so much love between them and despite the reasons they broke up, they can't ignore the pull to each other. This book had beautiful moments but I think I would've liked a little more context into their previous relationship and maybe some deeper conversations between the two of them in present day as well. I would still recommend this one and can't wait for Walsh's next book!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book.

It was so funny and had me giggling the whole way through. Grace completely stole my heart. I adored her, all of her little quirks and everything that made her her. And Nathan? Utter perfection. The two of them just worked so perfectly together and I couldn’t get enough of their chemistry.

I loved how the past was woven between the present and we got a full picture of what got them to the point where they were.

The setting was beautiful, the story was quick-paced, and there wasn’t a single point where I felt bored or wanted to put it down. In fact, it was the complete opposite, I genuinely couldn’t stop reading.

Funny, romantic, adorable and completely addictive. Catherine Walsh absolutely nailed this one.

Easy 5 stars.



Disclaimer: I received a copy of this earc from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My review is based on my own opinion and has not been influenced.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked this, though it dragged at parts, and the second chance romance was even slower.
Grace and Nathan are exes, and after a scheduling mix up, they are both working on a remote Irish island for the summer. I don't think they even had a non-fighting conversation until like 75% through the book.
But the Ireland setting, the hard work, the donkey, the bird watching, and the eventual romance were all very cute. Pretty light and fluffy if you need an easy read.

Thanks netgalley for an arc!!

[Aditi ✧˚° · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second chance romance was so cute and fun. The characters though not that layered were still relatable and charming. The setting felt quirky, the one bed trope turned into a one island trope, and not forced. Grace was funny with a loveable spiralling mind which Nathan handled pretty well. Their relationship was not excessively messy instead it felt genuine and something that a lot of people would relate to. I don’t generally like second chance romances but this one was good.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

[Sydney Tooth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, cozy romance. I loved the island setting and the characters were sympathetic, though sometimes a bit unbelievable. Some of the past flashbacks were confusing - though that plays into a twist. Overall a cute story that I enjoyed reading.
----------------
Thank you @dutton and @netgalley for the free eARC. I received this in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Calamity Ayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, light-but-not-silly, and stirs the wanderlust! What’s not to like?

Grace and Nathan have recently broken up, but find themselves working together on an uninhabited Irish island. It gets pretty awkward. A great summer read. (Plus there’s a donkey!)

Thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for the ARC!

[Giulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was magnificent. Catherine Walsh is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance author.
I fear this one is even better than how to write a love story. Dumb thing but it’s so refreshing ready about non-American characters. I loved both Grace and Nathan so much. They were so well build and had a strong backstory. I’m not one for second chance romance but this one was a hit

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely entertaining—I do love Walsh’s humor—and I really liked the yearning toward the end. That said, it took a while to get there, and I still wanted a little more. The middle dragged a bit for me. I also wanted to feel more tension around why they split in the first place. I think getting Nathan’s POV would have helped with that. Their eventual reconnection was super sweet and romantic though.
Justice for Eamon! I love a surly local.