The Girl from Lace Island

by Joanna Rees

The Girl from Lace Island is a romantic and moving story that spans generations and oceans, from author Joanna Rees.Some bonds will never break . . . 1989When happy-go-lucky fifteen-year-old Leila is exiled from her exotic home on Lace Island to a cold English boarding school, it is just the beginning of her woes. Feeling that she's just too foreign to ever fit in, she's desperate to get back to her family and friends. But in her absence, her paradise island has changed beyond all recognition and the life she once loved is now just a memory. Worse still, everyone and everything she loves is now in terrible danger.2016Jess dreams of far off places, of white sandy beaches and warm tropical seas. When she gets her longed-for job as cabin crew, those dreams are suddenly realized – especially when she's swept off her feet by the handsome and charismatic Blaise. But Jess has a troubled past and her present is about to become complicated and dangerous . . . Two women, decades apart, their lives submerged in disaster and betrayal. Both are on a mission to find out the truth about Lace Island, but what if their search for paradise comes at too high a price?

Genres: Historical Fiction

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2016

About the author

Joanna Rees cresceu no Essex, em Inglaterra, e licenciou-se em Inglês e Teatro no Goldsmiths College, em Londres. Após uma sucessão de empregos bizarros, que vão desde um negócio de entrega de sandes à escrita de textos promocionais em embalagens de cereais, publicou o seu primeiro romance em 1997, sob o seu nome de solteira, Josie Lloyd. Isto permitiu-lhe conhecer o romancista Emlyn Rees, com quem escreveu vários bestsellers traduzidos para vinte e seis línguas e com quem casou e teve três filhos. A partir de 2007, voltou a escrever a solo.

Reviews

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

With two alternating stories that are radically different from each, I couldn't wait to see how they would connect together. When the past and present finally collide I didn't see any of what followed coming, and I was shocked and impressed by that at the same time. The Girl From Lace Island really is the perfect holiday read, and its a bit of a blockbuster in its feel, and would certainly make for a brilliant film. There are some fabulous locations, combined with a whole lot of intrigue. I thought the book was brilliantly written and it has reminded me just how much I enjoy reading this author.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished the last one hundred pages last night when I should have been sleeping. I just needed to know what happened!
Full review to follow asap.

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to take on a beach holiday or on a long haul flight because my main problem with it was not being able to put it down! From the outset you realise there will be some sort of connection between the two very different worlds depicted but the connection is totally unpredictable (unless you've read some of the other reviews containing spoilers). The writing is very much in the style of Lesley Pearse; a great plot & fast paced. Some corny/cheesy twists & turns with some overly convenient eavesdropping & random meetings but on the whole it's a really great read, a total page turner & one that keeps you literally on the edge of your seat.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. I’m glad Leila got her happy ending !

[Esme · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, c'était bien mais pendant tout le long c'était archi stressant et bon un peu traumatique

[Emma Dawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this book could so easily have been five stars. I thought it was very easy to read and well written. The scenes and the characters came to life, the format was great and I was keen to keep reading to know how it all panned out. All good stuff so far. On the downside the overall plot was predictable and I guessed most of what would happen but I can forget about that and would have given it 5 stars anyway.

The reason for only 3 stars? There is one scene which I found quite disturbing mostly because the heroine is a child. I don't think the violence needed to be written in nearly so much detail and to be honest found it nothing short of distasteful. I was awake a lot last night with it playing on my mind, thinking how horrible it was and how things like this really do happen to children and how they slip through the net into living hell.

It looks like an inoffensive and lighthearted girlie read with a bit of mystery thrown in but thats not really what the book is. I'm glad I read it but I wouldn't think its for everyone who might pick it up assuming the same as I did. On the whole I think I will try this author again in the future.

Edited to add... I just looked at other reviews of Joanna Rees and other people have commented on her inclusion of (I quote) "teen rape and child pornography". On second thoughts I won't be giving this author a second chance because I don't find those things entertaining.

[Lucie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very engaging reading although be warned that this gets quite dark in places. The plot was a bit unlikely, but it kept me interested and tied up all the ends nicely, which I always appreciate! A lot of different places are visited and all are described really well though not excessively, and the array of characters was nice and diverse.

[Katie Grainger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that this was a little bit too on the chick lit side for me. The story was interesting and I liked the chapters and the way they intertwined the story but it was quite long winded at the start.

The final 100 pages were the part which were most exciting but I found the story just a little too predictable. It would make a very good summer read sadly I read it in November.

[Emily Hiett · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book ever!

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great book needs two things - a strong plot and good writing. Have only one of those and it won't be life changing, but will still make for an enjoyable read. If a book is lacking on both fronts, then it will struggle overall. Unfortunately, The Girl From Lace Island fell into the latter category for me. The predictable plot made it a light, easy read, and I was keen to reach the end to see if I was right about the characters, their connections, and their collusions (I was!). But it was let down overall by the fact that everything happened at a million miles an hour, which meant that Rees never took the time or the space to develop her characters and settings. I would rather less things had happened but in more detail (in the space of ~40 pages each, Jess found out she'd been accepted to train as a flight attendant, trained, worked multiple flights, had her best friend die, lost her job, and found a new one; Leila had met the Everdenes, been sent to boarding school, spent a term there being bullied, made and fallen out with her best friend, been sexually assaulted, and been expelled ). Had there been greater depth to the characters and more descriptions of scenery and settings, I think I would have enjoyed this more.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastic! I was hooked from start to finish in what was quite an emotionally stimulating rollercoaster.

We follow the lives of two women: one in the late 80’s, and one during the present day. Both go through terrible ordeals, and the overarching story is essentially how they both overcome their troubles.

I have to confess that I was absolutely flabbergasted by how the two stories connected together. The whole way through I was puzzled and constantly asking myself how on earth they relate and what this island has to do with them both! And then it happened, about 3/4’s of the way through. And I was blown away.

A very clever piece of work with a beautifully heart breaking story that I really enjoyed. I’m only giving it 4 stars though because I didn’t particularly like the ending and thought it was far too predictable and the character of Suresh, I feel, came rather out of nowhere.

But nevertheless, a book I will certainly be recommending to others!

[LV loves books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone left this on a station bookshelf I was drawn to the beautiful cover. Then I remembered I used to read Joanna when she was Josie Lloyd and also when she wrote with her husband and always enjoyed them! So not surprisingly even though this was completely different to her other books I've read, I loved it.

Was hooked from the start the only bit I didn't massively enjoy was when the heroine Jess fell in love - I thought it went on too long but I guess the scene needed to be set. Everything else was just what you want for an epic read. Great for a holiday read too. I stayed up far too late reading this but was worth it. Look forward to reading her others now under this author name

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recently given a Joanna Rees book via a friend and loved it so immediately went and brought some more! Safe to say I wasn't disappointed!

Joanna writes in such a way that makes you want to get to know the characters and then makes you feel like you know them and you feel for them through their experiences! She gives you characters to love and to hate.

There are many twists and turns along the way and shocks, it has you gripped from the very first pages, complete page turner! That will stay with you even when your not reading!

[Shiva Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girl from Lace Island is a delightful story from Joanna Rees.
A dual timeline story of Lelia and her life on Lace island, a small island from India and Jess and her search for a better life.
Jess dreams of becoming an air hostess and travelling the world. She has no family memories and wonders about her mother.
Leila’s story of her family guesthouse and although work was hard it brought great happiness to her.
A story of determination and luck. A lovely story to enjoy.

[Cherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books where you just want to keep reading to find out how it ends. This is the second book I read from this author and love her writing. I love how the two stories were running alongside each other in the book and yet you didn't get confused about what was going on. The ending was a bit predictable and the story was at times in my opinion just a bit far fetched but overall a great book and love how the story tied up both stories together so beautifully.

[Emily Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found the plot intriguing, couldn't put down.
Loved the double storyline
The part leading up to the ending seemed rushed, would have liked an ending with more closure.
There are some very dark disturbing moments and I would liked to have seen those involved dealt with

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, lovely way of intertwining two stories together. I read through it thinking I could work out how things were going to happen, some I got right and others I'd never have guessed at! Well written.

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story if a bit overlong - my opinion only. Didn't really like Jess that much either but I do appreciate that she had a hard start in life which did not give her much appreciation of how nasty some people can be.

[Jane Newey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to admit - I read chapters 1,3,5 and then 2,4,6 to get into the story but enjoyed the book

[Fiona Drane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light book to read when you have a cold.

[Nicola Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit of a cheesy read but I enjoyed the story. A good holiday read.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book Ive read by Joanna Rees and much enjoyed. Another of my books read during my British Isles vacation.

[Sandra Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story I couldn't put it down. Shed some sloppy tears at the end. I will be looking for more by this author.

[Jean Kitchenert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Just the job for a boring day. Able to read
And relax . And disappear into the story. Everyone should have a chance to enjoy this book 😁

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It had a bit of everything in it. Loved all the characters. This is the first time I have read this author and can’t wait to explore more of her books.

[Ayomikun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book.
Other than a few cringy scenes, it was very well paced and had fleshed out characters. I'll definitely be reading another from Joanna.

[Nikki Trowbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story - fast paced, straightforward and interesting characters.

[Jade]

dnf at 48%

[Donna-marie Philpot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow the individual stories in tandem and see how they linked.