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Coming Home to Island House
From Erica James, bestselling author of Summer at the Lake, comes an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way.
It's the summer of 1939, and after touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple returns home to Island House and the love of her life, the charismatic Jack Devereux.
But when Jack falls ill, his estranged family are called home and given seven days to find a way to bury their resentments and come together.
With war now declared, each member of the family is reluctantly forced to accept their new stepmother and confront their own shortcomings. But can the habits of a lifetime be changed in one week? And can Romily, a woman who thrives on adventure, cope with the life that has been so unexpectedly thrust upon her?
It's the summer of 1939, and after touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple returns home to Island House and the love of her life, the charismatic Jack Devereux.
But when Jack falls ill, his estranged family are called home and given seven days to find a way to bury their resentments and come together.
With war now declared, each member of the family is reluctantly forced to accept their new stepmother and confront their own shortcomings. But can the habits of a lifetime be changed in one week? And can Romily, a woman who thrives on adventure, cope with the life that has been so unexpectedly thrust upon her?
518 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2017
217 people are currently reading
1152 people want to read
About the author
Erica James
55 books1,059 followersWith an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. She finds it the best way to write authentic characters for her novels, although her two grown-up sons claim they will never recover from a childhood spent in a perpetual state of embarrassment at their mother's compulsion.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
January 11, 2018
Erica James has written an engaging and entertaining historical family drama that begins in the summer of 1939 and takes in the declaration of the World War 2 and its early beginnings. Romily Temple returns to Island House after promoting her book, and the man she loves, Jack Deveraux. The married couple are unusual, attracting much attention from the local villagers. Unexpectedly Jack falls ill, and his estranged family are sent for. Jack's children, Kit, Arthur, Hope and the adopted Allegra, are bursting with resentments, feeling hard done by and defined by their poor relationships with Jack. As war begins, they are forced to deal with death and examine themselves more closely. Romily finds herself having to take on more than she ever expected, not welcomed, and an outsider. It is a long hard road before she is accepted. This is a family saga, that takes in the good times and the bad, the heartbreak, loss, the horrors of war and love. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
January 14, 2018
EXCERPT: 'We don't plan with whom we fall in love,' she'd said. 'Look at us; it just happens when it happens. I call it a lucky collision.'
How right she was. Falling in love again at his age had seemed as likely to him as dancing on the moon, but that day at Brooklands, when he'd first approached Romily having frequently seen her about the club, he had felt something astonishing happen to him. Something he hadn't believed he was still capable of feeling. After taking her for dinner, he'd promised to go straight out and buy one of her novels. To his shame, he'd never found time to read much before; work had always consumed him.
In the days that followed, when she had been too busy to see him again, he had found it difficult to concentrate on anything; all he could think of was being with this extraordinary woman. Yet at the same time he had wanted to deny what he felt, telling himself he was too old to succumb to such absurd behavior. But after seeing her again, he'd known that he'd been given a special gift, a second chance to love once more. And to use Romily's analogy of a collision, she had hit him with all the force of a fast moving train.
THE BLURB: From Erica James, bestselling author of Summer at the Lake, comes an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way.
It's the summer of 1939, and after touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple returns home to Island House and the love of her life, the charismatic Jack Devereux.
But when Jack falls ill, his estranged family are called home and given seven days to find a way to bury their resentments and come together.
With war now declared, each member of the family is reluctantly forced to accept their new stepmother and confront their own shortcomings. But can the habits of a lifetime be changed in one week? And can Romily, a woman who thrives on adventure, cope with the life that has been so unexpectedly thrust upon her?
MY THOUGHTS: I have had a long and enjoyable relationship with Erica James over the years. We have had the odd wobble, but I have never completely fallen off the bike. Coming Home to Island House only seats me even more firmly in her camp.
This is a lovely story of a family with baggage, with pride, with hurt feelings, resentments and sibling rivalry. Called home suddenly these 'adult' children are faced with death and the shock of a stepmother not much older than they are. Add into this mix an unexpected clause in a will and the outbreak of WWII, and you have all the ingredients for a captivating and enthralling family drama, which is exactly what Erica James delivers.
James writes with passion of people in difficult situations. She also writes with compassion and demonstrates a great understanding of human character.
WARNING: Keep a box of tissues close by.
Thank you to Hachette Australia, Orion for providing a digital copy of Coming Home to Island House by Erica James for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
How right she was. Falling in love again at his age had seemed as likely to him as dancing on the moon, but that day at Brooklands, when he'd first approached Romily having frequently seen her about the club, he had felt something astonishing happen to him. Something he hadn't believed he was still capable of feeling. After taking her for dinner, he'd promised to go straight out and buy one of her novels. To his shame, he'd never found time to read much before; work had always consumed him.
In the days that followed, when she had been too busy to see him again, he had found it difficult to concentrate on anything; all he could think of was being with this extraordinary woman. Yet at the same time he had wanted to deny what he felt, telling himself he was too old to succumb to such absurd behavior. But after seeing her again, he'd known that he'd been given a special gift, a second chance to love once more. And to use Romily's analogy of a collision, she had hit him with all the force of a fast moving train.
THE BLURB: From Erica James, bestselling author of Summer at the Lake, comes an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way.
It's the summer of 1939, and after touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple returns home to Island House and the love of her life, the charismatic Jack Devereux.
But when Jack falls ill, his estranged family are called home and given seven days to find a way to bury their resentments and come together.
With war now declared, each member of the family is reluctantly forced to accept their new stepmother and confront their own shortcomings. But can the habits of a lifetime be changed in one week? And can Romily, a woman who thrives on adventure, cope with the life that has been so unexpectedly thrust upon her?
MY THOUGHTS: I have had a long and enjoyable relationship with Erica James over the years. We have had the odd wobble, but I have never completely fallen off the bike. Coming Home to Island House only seats me even more firmly in her camp.
This is a lovely story of a family with baggage, with pride, with hurt feelings, resentments and sibling rivalry. Called home suddenly these 'adult' children are faced with death and the shock of a stepmother not much older than they are. Add into this mix an unexpected clause in a will and the outbreak of WWII, and you have all the ingredients for a captivating and enthralling family drama, which is exactly what Erica James delivers.
James writes with passion of people in difficult situations. She also writes with compassion and demonstrates a great understanding of human character.
WARNING: Keep a box of tissues close by.
Thank you to Hachette Australia, Orion for providing a digital copy of Coming Home to Island House by Erica James for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 20, 2018
Romily Temple returned home to Island House after her tour of Europe, where she was promoting her latest crime novel, to discover her new husband and greatest love, Jack Devereux, gravely ill. Jack’s best friend, lawyer Roddy Fitzwilliam was tasked with sending messages to Jack’s estranged family, calling them home, where Jack hoped to make amends for his mistakes of the past.
The necessity was that siblings Hope, Kit and Arthur, plus their cousin Allegra, were to spend a week together at Island House, getting to know one another once again, and to forgive the issues that had driven them all apart those many years ago. Could they do it? There would be a lot of adjusting to be done, and with war imminent, change was happening…
Romily was an adventurous spirit; probably one of the reasons Jack had fallen in love with her – but was she up to the sudden change in her life?
Beautifully written historical drama, Coming Home to Island House is my first by author Erica James, and won’t be my last! Set between August 1939 and December 1940, WWII impacted heavily on the characters, as well as past grievances, forgiveness and love. I was completely enthralled by this novel, which was both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I have no hesitation in recommending it highly. I'd like to thank Maggie for the recommendation as well :)
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
The necessity was that siblings Hope, Kit and Arthur, plus their cousin Allegra, were to spend a week together at Island House, getting to know one another once again, and to forgive the issues that had driven them all apart those many years ago. Could they do it? There would be a lot of adjusting to be done, and with war imminent, change was happening…
Romily was an adventurous spirit; probably one of the reasons Jack had fallen in love with her – but was she up to the sudden change in her life?
Beautifully written historical drama, Coming Home to Island House is my first by author Erica James, and won’t be my last! Set between August 1939 and December 1940, WWII impacted heavily on the characters, as well as past grievances, forgiveness and love. I was completely enthralled by this novel, which was both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I have no hesitation in recommending it highly. I'd like to thank Maggie for the recommendation as well :)
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
January 28, 2018
Coming Home To Island House is another great read from Erica James. Beautifully written it's an engaging family drama. With strong well-crafted characters it pulled me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down.
James created a complex but well-paced and very readable tale of family torn apart by past mistakes, grief and misunderstandings. Forced to put their differences aside they slowly learn to forgive one another and build new life together despite many tragedies that come their way.
In my opinion the biggest strength of that book lies in the way that Erica James wrote her characters. Romily and the Devereux family members and all the secondary characters are exceptionally well written and truly come alive on the pages. Seamlessly interweaving their stories James produced a beautiful tale depicting family dynamics and intricacies of human nature.
Coming Home To Island House is a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable read. If you enjoy superbly written character driven stories then this one is a must read. Highly recommended!
James created a complex but well-paced and very readable tale of family torn apart by past mistakes, grief and misunderstandings. Forced to put their differences aside they slowly learn to forgive one another and build new life together despite many tragedies that come their way.
In my opinion the biggest strength of that book lies in the way that Erica James wrote her characters. Romily and the Devereux family members and all the secondary characters are exceptionally well written and truly come alive on the pages. Seamlessly interweaving their stories James produced a beautiful tale depicting family dynamics and intricacies of human nature.
Coming Home To Island House is a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable read. If you enjoy superbly written character driven stories then this one is a must read. Highly recommended!
February 18, 2019
The summer of 1939, Romily Temple comes home to Island House and Jack Deveraux, the love of her life. She had been away on a book tour for her latest novel and was glad to be home. When Jack falls ill, his sons Arthur and Kit, daughter Hope and adopted daughter Allegra, are called home. Resentment and ill feeling abounds, even more so when Jack dies and the will is read. Their inheritance is dependent on the siblings finding a way to bury their antagonism and spend a week together as a family at Island House. Romily is charged with helping Jack’s family find a way to make the situation work. Of course, there is more than a tad of resentment towards Romily too, as the stepmother much younger than her husband had been. And then war is declared. Once more lives will be changed in unexpected ways.
From the first page I was quickly absorbed in this story. Romily is a well-developed and interesting main character who is easy to like. The other family members all have their own quirks and failings, they are complex and well-drawn and very real. Even the minor characters come across as so believable. Some of the characters appear to change and grow throughout the course of the story. However one character is described, in the words of two different characters, as a ‘loathsome creature,’ and a ‘vile monster.’ I had to agree with both assessments.
I have read and enjoyed a number of novels by Erica James but this one is perhaps my favourite. It is a thought provoking read that reveals a lot about human nature, both the good and the bad at times. Reading it I experienced moments of joy and smiles, anger and tears. The whole story works beautifully and I was sorry when I came to the end. A joy to read. I adored it.
From the first page I was quickly absorbed in this story. Romily is a well-developed and interesting main character who is easy to like. The other family members all have their own quirks and failings, they are complex and well-drawn and very real. Even the minor characters come across as so believable. Some of the characters appear to change and grow throughout the course of the story. However one character is described, in the words of two different characters, as a ‘loathsome creature,’ and a ‘vile monster.’ I had to agree with both assessments.
I have read and enjoyed a number of novels by Erica James but this one is perhaps my favourite. It is a thought provoking read that reveals a lot about human nature, both the good and the bad at times. Reading it I experienced moments of joy and smiles, anger and tears. The whole story works beautifully and I was sorry when I came to the end. A joy to read. I adored it.
December 18, 2017
I had high hopes for this book seeing as Erica James' novels have always been a source of comfort for me, so I was expecting to be fully sucked into this story and potentially find a new favourite. Sadly, that wasn't the case.
It started off strong for the first 10% or so and I was intrigued in the story and how the characters' lives and actions would unfurl but then I grew bored. I don't feel that all that much happened for the vast majority of the book and there were certain characters I just didn't care for. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending and was hoping for a different turn around for one of the characters in particular.
This isn't my favourite of her work but it isn't a terrible book either. I just don't think it was for me, personally, because I forgot when I picked it up that it was set at the start of WWII, which isn't really my cup of tea sadly.
Received an early copy through NetGalley
It started off strong for the first 10% or so and I was intrigued in the story and how the characters' lives and actions would unfurl but then I grew bored. I don't feel that all that much happened for the vast majority of the book and there were certain characters I just didn't care for. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending and was hoping for a different turn around for one of the characters in particular.
This isn't my favourite of her work but it isn't a terrible book either. I just don't think it was for me, personally, because I forgot when I picked it up that it was set at the start of WWII, which isn't really my cup of tea sadly.
Received an early copy through NetGalley
May 25, 2018
Let me start by saying, whilst browsing the recently added section on NetGalley a strange thing occurred. Something reached out and pressed the request button on my laptop, of course it was my hand but it is true that I was drawn to this title, for reasons that are still unknown to me!
I am mainly a thriller, science fiction, and fantasy reader, for the most part, so this obviously didn't fit into any of those categories. I am also known for gaining no enjoyment from chick lit and romance genres. However, I was pleasantly surprised, Coming Home to Island House was a beautifully uplifting experience and one I don't usually get from the genres i'm more accustomed to. Nobody is more shocked by this occurance than me!
I absolutely adore the cover artwork as do many others, it is really somewhere most people would love to visit. The story is heart wrenching, thought provoking and, ultimately, uplifting. I was invested in the characters and Romily is a great peacemaker, bringing everyone together. A well written tale that is easy to get into and is a fantastic way to escape your world for a while.
In the future, I will absolutely be on the lookout for similar titles, that may brighten my outlook just as this did. I'm also going to have a nosy at James' back catalogue as well as checking out the authors touted as writing in the same vein at the bottom of the synopsis. I feel this is a genre I would like to dip in and out of dpending n my mood. It turned out to be a welcome relief from the murder and mayhem that seem to feature in most books I find myself reading.
I would like to thank Erica James, Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.
I am mainly a thriller, science fiction, and fantasy reader, for the most part, so this obviously didn't fit into any of those categories. I am also known for gaining no enjoyment from chick lit and romance genres. However, I was pleasantly surprised, Coming Home to Island House was a beautifully uplifting experience and one I don't usually get from the genres i'm more accustomed to. Nobody is more shocked by this occurance than me!
I absolutely adore the cover artwork as do many others, it is really somewhere most people would love to visit. The story is heart wrenching, thought provoking and, ultimately, uplifting. I was invested in the characters and Romily is a great peacemaker, bringing everyone together. A well written tale that is easy to get into and is a fantastic way to escape your world for a while.
In the future, I will absolutely be on the lookout for similar titles, that may brighten my outlook just as this did. I'm also going to have a nosy at James' back catalogue as well as checking out the authors touted as writing in the same vein at the bottom of the synopsis. I feel this is a genre I would like to dip in and out of dpending n my mood. It turned out to be a welcome relief from the murder and mayhem that seem to feature in most books I find myself reading.
I would like to thank Erica James, Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.
April 26, 2018
Coming Home to Island House is about how the estranged Devereux family come together to give each other love and support during WWII. One wish Jack Devereux wanted before he died was to have his children Allegra, Hope, Kit and Arthur reunited as a family again. To achieve this, he made out his will that they must all stay for one week at Island House with their stepmother Romily or lose their inheritance. The readers of Coming Home to Island House will follow this family to see if they finally found happiness with each other.
I enjoyed reading Coming Home to Island House. At times reading Coming Home to Island House, I was sad. I like the way; Erica James portrayed and entwined her characters. Erica James description and settings and characters ensure that I became involved with the story from the first page. Coming Home To Island House is well written and researched by Erica James.
The readers of Island House will learn about living in England before and during WWII. Coming Home to Island House does highlight the problems and hardships that families in England went through during WWII.
I recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading Coming Home to Island House. At times reading Coming Home to Island House, I was sad. I like the way; Erica James portrayed and entwined her characters. Erica James description and settings and characters ensure that I became involved with the story from the first page. Coming Home To Island House is well written and researched by Erica James.
The readers of Island House will learn about living in England before and during WWII. Coming Home to Island House does highlight the problems and hardships that families in England went through during WWII.
I recommend this book.
January 10, 2018
‘A week at Island House could change their lives forever…..’
Number 1 Bestselling author Erica James returns with her latest novel, Coming Home to Island House, published by Orion Books on 11th January 2018. Described as ‘an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way' , I was totally caught up in the story of this family torn apart by grief, sorrow and new beginnings.
Romily Temple and Jack Devereux, names from another era! Erica James takes the reader back to the summer of 1939. The world is about to be thrown into turmoil with the Nazi regime taking hold in Europe. There is a palpable fear among the people but for one family there is major upheaval on the horizon, as their lives are about to be changed in ways they had not ever imagined.
Romily Temple is a young, successful crime writer. She is not afraid of much and always believes that as long as you are breathing you should challenge yourself in life. For Romily life is all about the excitement, the next project, the latest car. Men have never lived up to her expectations, as few are ready to handle a woman with such a determined and strong-spirited personality. Romily never expected to find a man that would fulfill her but that was before she made the acquaintance of Jack Devereux. Many years her senior, Jack was just what Romily dreamed of. He was dashing, he was charming and he had that sense of adventure Romily loved. Jack, a widower, called home ‘Island House’, a place where his wife had passed away at a very young age and where he reared his three children as best he could. But for Jack, he never fully moved on from the grief he held close for his wife and as a result his children suffered over the years. Arthur, Kit and Hope never felt his love, only his anger, as he charged through life with a mission to succeed in business. Left in the care of various nannies over the years, resentment grew, creating a very fractured relationship among all family members.
For Jack and Romily life settles into a routine. With their ‘c’est la vie’ approach to life, Jack and Romily live together before finally getting married in a very private ceremony. Romily is so very happy with her life, until illness strikes and Jack is soon in a very bad way. It is now up to Romily to bring his children together and to face up to the inevitable.
Romily’s unexpected announcement that she is now their stepmother creates further disharmony with the family members, as she is seen as a money-digger claiming off their inheritance.
Erica James sets out a scenario that almost resembles a play, as various characters appear in and out of different scenes, each bringing a different atmosphere to the page.
Arthur is angry, very angry. He carries deep hatred in his heart and this has impacted every aspect and relationship in his life.
Kit, gentle Kit, is the boy who never grew up. Kit is still searching for the meaning of his life. He always hoped that he could make Jack notice him and make him proud.
Hope is a widow, having lost her German husband. Hope is a very tragic figure, with bitterness underlying her every action. Hope is unable to feel empathy with anyone anymore and lives a very bleak existence.
Then we have Allegra. Allegra is under the guardianship of Jack Devereux and has always grown up as an outsider in the family. With Italian blood pumping through her veins, Allegra has a fiery personality that leads her down some very fraught paths in life.
Mixed in with these family members, the reader is also introduced to many local folk, whose lives are inextricably tied into the family’s story.
Erica James has woven a complex tale, filled with all the quirks and eccentricities of human nature. Romily Temple is the person who must unravel these threads and weave a different story, while navigating her way through very choppy waters.
This is my first time reading a novel by Erica James and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to mention one small thing though. I know I shouldn’t, but I do judge many a book by it’s cover, and while the cover of Coming Home to Island House is very pretty, it is not a book I would have gravitated toward on a book shelf. How wrong I would have been!!
Coming Home to Island House is a book about family, but it also a study of people and human nature. We are all influenced by our surroundings and in this novel we see the impact of grief on both adult and child. We are taken back to an era where the world is changing and where society is falling apart at the seams.
Coming Home to Island House is an absorbing read. The writing flows beautifully, with descriptions that jump off the pages, as we imagine living through those terrible years. Romily Temple is fabulous. Her attitude to living the best life possible is admirable. As for the Devereux children…did I like them? Certainly not all of them. But I did like the portrayal of them. Selfish, resentful, bitter, lost and sad. These are children who were prisoners of an upbringing that left them bereft and sullen, longing for recognition and a parent’s love.
Coming Home to Island House is very salient novel about family truths and hidden secrets, with a look back at an era, in the not so distant past, when war darkened the doorstep of many a heart and home.
Number 1 Bestselling author Erica James returns with her latest novel, Coming Home to Island House, published by Orion Books on 11th January 2018. Described as ‘an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way' , I was totally caught up in the story of this family torn apart by grief, sorrow and new beginnings.
Romily Temple and Jack Devereux, names from another era! Erica James takes the reader back to the summer of 1939. The world is about to be thrown into turmoil with the Nazi regime taking hold in Europe. There is a palpable fear among the people but for one family there is major upheaval on the horizon, as their lives are about to be changed in ways they had not ever imagined.
Romily Temple is a young, successful crime writer. She is not afraid of much and always believes that as long as you are breathing you should challenge yourself in life. For Romily life is all about the excitement, the next project, the latest car. Men have never lived up to her expectations, as few are ready to handle a woman with such a determined and strong-spirited personality. Romily never expected to find a man that would fulfill her but that was before she made the acquaintance of Jack Devereux. Many years her senior, Jack was just what Romily dreamed of. He was dashing, he was charming and he had that sense of adventure Romily loved. Jack, a widower, called home ‘Island House’, a place where his wife had passed away at a very young age and where he reared his three children as best he could. But for Jack, he never fully moved on from the grief he held close for his wife and as a result his children suffered over the years. Arthur, Kit and Hope never felt his love, only his anger, as he charged through life with a mission to succeed in business. Left in the care of various nannies over the years, resentment grew, creating a very fractured relationship among all family members.
For Jack and Romily life settles into a routine. With their ‘c’est la vie’ approach to life, Jack and Romily live together before finally getting married in a very private ceremony. Romily is so very happy with her life, until illness strikes and Jack is soon in a very bad way. It is now up to Romily to bring his children together and to face up to the inevitable.
Romily’s unexpected announcement that she is now their stepmother creates further disharmony with the family members, as she is seen as a money-digger claiming off their inheritance.
Erica James sets out a scenario that almost resembles a play, as various characters appear in and out of different scenes, each bringing a different atmosphere to the page.
Arthur is angry, very angry. He carries deep hatred in his heart and this has impacted every aspect and relationship in his life.
Kit, gentle Kit, is the boy who never grew up. Kit is still searching for the meaning of his life. He always hoped that he could make Jack notice him and make him proud.
Hope is a widow, having lost her German husband. Hope is a very tragic figure, with bitterness underlying her every action. Hope is unable to feel empathy with anyone anymore and lives a very bleak existence.
Then we have Allegra. Allegra is under the guardianship of Jack Devereux and has always grown up as an outsider in the family. With Italian blood pumping through her veins, Allegra has a fiery personality that leads her down some very fraught paths in life.
Mixed in with these family members, the reader is also introduced to many local folk, whose lives are inextricably tied into the family’s story.
Erica James has woven a complex tale, filled with all the quirks and eccentricities of human nature. Romily Temple is the person who must unravel these threads and weave a different story, while navigating her way through very choppy waters.
This is my first time reading a novel by Erica James and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to mention one small thing though. I know I shouldn’t, but I do judge many a book by it’s cover, and while the cover of Coming Home to Island House is very pretty, it is not a book I would have gravitated toward on a book shelf. How wrong I would have been!!
Coming Home to Island House is a book about family, but it also a study of people and human nature. We are all influenced by our surroundings and in this novel we see the impact of grief on both adult and child. We are taken back to an era where the world is changing and where society is falling apart at the seams.
Coming Home to Island House is an absorbing read. The writing flows beautifully, with descriptions that jump off the pages, as we imagine living through those terrible years. Romily Temple is fabulous. Her attitude to living the best life possible is admirable. As for the Devereux children…did I like them? Certainly not all of them. But I did like the portrayal of them. Selfish, resentful, bitter, lost and sad. These are children who were prisoners of an upbringing that left them bereft and sullen, longing for recognition and a parent’s love.
Coming Home to Island House is very salient novel about family truths and hidden secrets, with a look back at an era, in the not so distant past, when war darkened the doorstep of many a heart and home.
June 25, 2024
3 Stars
This starts out well, then deteriorates into repetitive, saccharine sweet melodrama. Every WWII fiction trope available is thrown into the mix, including the east end evacuee from an abusive home, and the faithful and devoted maid rescued from an abusive situation by our heroine. Speaking of our heroine, Romily Temple-Deveraux is a race car driver, pilot, successful author (not unlike a 1930s Buckaroo Banzai minus the rock band), who is also beautiful, elegant, and desired by all men. She spends most of the book spouting worn out platitudes and repeatedly stating the bleeding obvious. She reminds me of this quote from Jane Austen: "Pictures of Perfection, as you know, make me sick and wicked." Me too Jane, me too.
This starts out well, then deteriorates into repetitive, saccharine sweet melodrama. Every WWII fiction trope available is thrown into the mix, including the east end evacuee from an abusive home, and the faithful and devoted maid rescued from an abusive situation by our heroine. Speaking of our heroine, Romily Temple-Deveraux is a race car driver, pilot, successful author (not unlike a 1930s Buckaroo Banzai minus the rock band), who is also beautiful, elegant, and desired by all men. She spends most of the book spouting worn out platitudes and repeatedly stating the bleeding obvious. She reminds me of this quote from Jane Austen: "Pictures of Perfection, as you know, make me sick and wicked." Me too Jane, me too.
February 9, 2018
Coming Home to Island House
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and the narration was really good.
The story started of really good and held my attention but it wasn't as good after the first twenty minutes or so.
I did persevere till the end but this book was just not for me.
Not to be daunted I will try another book by this author in the future and see how I progress with another story.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and the narration was really good.
The story started of really good and held my attention but it wasn't as good after the first twenty minutes or so.
I did persevere till the end but this book was just not for me.
Not to be daunted I will try another book by this author in the future and see how I progress with another story.
January 9, 2018
Marrying Jack Devereux will bring challenges for author Romily Temple that she can’t possibly anticipate.
I’ve always enjoyed Erica James’ writing, but I thought Coming Home to Island House was one of her best novels and I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt the title was inspired as it made me think of John Donne’s ‘no man is an island’ because so much of the story is based around relationships. Erica James understands flawlessly how we interact with our families and within society, with an overall message that, indeed, no man or woman is an island. I found the exploration of how we become who we are, through the way we are treated by others, or we perceive we have been treated, was very thought provoking. Even the abominable Arthur was an understandable character (despite the fact I could quite cheerfully have throttled him with my bare hands).
And it is the people in Coming Home to Island House that make it such a compelling read. Arthur aside (whom I loathed without reservation even at the end of the book) I felt I could happily have spent time with any one of the people between the pages. Whilst some minor characters are slightly stereotypical, such as the pompous vicar, the protagonists are wonderfully drawn individuals. These are real, flawed, complex people with lives that are challenging, imperfect and captivating to the reader. I loved Romily and Florence in particular. They come from opposing ends of the social spectrum but have many similar qualities so that there is a very clear message that birth and money do not equal worth and value.
What I so enjoyed, was that whilst World War Two is so frequently a backdrop to what might be called women’s fiction, Erica James uses it as a catalyst for action so skilfully, providing a sensitive insight into the impact of those directly and indirectly affected by its events, giving the reader a wonderful understanding of the time and the people. There’s also a smashing depiction of village life and the way in which the mores of society evolved and changed at the time. I’d love to see this novel picked up for a television drama as I think it has all the elements of perfect Sunday evening viewing, exploring as it does social standing, adultery, illegitimacy, feminism and patriotism.
Coming Home to Island House has a cracking plot too. At times it is surprisingly almost brutal but always realistic so that whilst I began reading the story thinking smugly that I knew how it would all pan out, I found several surprises along the way, making for a highly entertaining and very satisfying read. It might sound trivial, but I also loved the way the chapters were constructed. In a busy life, a short chapter that really packs a punch, ends brilliantly and leads on the reader to the next part of the narrative, but is short enough to be read in its entirety in 10 minutes or so is just a delight.
Coming Home to Island House is Erica James at her very best. It has wonderful characters, an engaging plot and mature, thought-provoking themes making it a fulfilling, hugely enjoyable read. I really recommend it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/01/09/...
I’ve always enjoyed Erica James’ writing, but I thought Coming Home to Island House was one of her best novels and I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt the title was inspired as it made me think of John Donne’s ‘no man is an island’ because so much of the story is based around relationships. Erica James understands flawlessly how we interact with our families and within society, with an overall message that, indeed, no man or woman is an island. I found the exploration of how we become who we are, through the way we are treated by others, or we perceive we have been treated, was very thought provoking. Even the abominable Arthur was an understandable character (despite the fact I could quite cheerfully have throttled him with my bare hands).
And it is the people in Coming Home to Island House that make it such a compelling read. Arthur aside (whom I loathed without reservation even at the end of the book) I felt I could happily have spent time with any one of the people between the pages. Whilst some minor characters are slightly stereotypical, such as the pompous vicar, the protagonists are wonderfully drawn individuals. These are real, flawed, complex people with lives that are challenging, imperfect and captivating to the reader. I loved Romily and Florence in particular. They come from opposing ends of the social spectrum but have many similar qualities so that there is a very clear message that birth and money do not equal worth and value.
What I so enjoyed, was that whilst World War Two is so frequently a backdrop to what might be called women’s fiction, Erica James uses it as a catalyst for action so skilfully, providing a sensitive insight into the impact of those directly and indirectly affected by its events, giving the reader a wonderful understanding of the time and the people. There’s also a smashing depiction of village life and the way in which the mores of society evolved and changed at the time. I’d love to see this novel picked up for a television drama as I think it has all the elements of perfect Sunday evening viewing, exploring as it does social standing, adultery, illegitimacy, feminism and patriotism.
Coming Home to Island House has a cracking plot too. At times it is surprisingly almost brutal but always realistic so that whilst I began reading the story thinking smugly that I knew how it would all pan out, I found several surprises along the way, making for a highly entertaining and very satisfying read. It might sound trivial, but I also loved the way the chapters were constructed. In a busy life, a short chapter that really packs a punch, ends brilliantly and leads on the reader to the next part of the narrative, but is short enough to be read in its entirety in 10 minutes or so is just a delight.
Coming Home to Island House is Erica James at her very best. It has wonderful characters, an engaging plot and mature, thought-provoking themes making it a fulfilling, hugely enjoyable read. I really recommend it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/01/09/...
June 23, 2021
Обемна книга за живота и пътищата, по които ни води. Човек си прави планове, но в живота се случват много непредвидени неща. Трябва да си гъвкав и да ги приемаш такива каквито са. Книгата е пълна с много герои, описани са техните терзания, поривите им за щастие, лутанията им из дебрите на живота и всичко това се случва на едно красиво място – в малко населено селце в Англия, в имението Айлънд Хаус.
Ромили е известна криминална писателка, омъжена за по възрастен от нея мъж. Двамата са щастливи твърде малко време. На смъртният одър на съпруга си Ромили дава обещание да събере и сплоти отново семейството му. Трудна задача, като се има предвид, че трите му деца и тяхната братовчедка не могат да се понасят и са се отчуждили едни от други. Ромили се оказва силна жена, която успява да направи и непосилното, обединявайки неговото семейство. Много ми хареса образа на писателката, нейният характер, доброта, дипломатичност и далновидност, както и умението ѝ да се справя с всеки човек, изкарвайки най-доброто от него. Идиличният живот на семейството е нарушен единствено от призрака на войната. Мъжете се записват в армията, а жените помагат с каквото могат. Авторката не се задълбава в темата за Втората световна война. Тя е само бегло застъпена в книгата, като чуваме някой да говори за нея и за гоненията на евреите тук там из книгата, колкото да следим какво се случва по света извън имението, въпреки че са засегнати от войната и някои от героите в книгата.
Всъщност това е една семейна сага, която обхваща само периода 1939 – 1940 г., но е наситена с много добре изградени герои. Имаше обаче доста моменти, когато с интерес следях дадена случка, а в следващия авторката ме загубваше с отегчителни описания кой какво чувства, какво прави, какво иска. А героите бяха много, затова и тези описания ми идваха в повече. На много места интересът ми преминаваше в скука до следващия момент. За мен си остана малко незавършена. Авторката само загатва кой къде е, с кого е накрая на книгата, но ми се щеше за някои от героите да напише нещо повече за живота им, а и до края на войната оставаха още цели 4 години. Много ми се искаше и Ромили да намери своето щастие, тази глава ми беше незавършена. Героинята, която помогна на всички, точно за нея ми се искаше да има щастлив край, а тя замина във въздушната академия да пилотира самолет и дотам. Всичко това ми свали оценката, а като гледам не е част от поредица, макар да имам чувството, че трябва да има още книги. По нея би излязъл един хубав драматичен сериал.
Ромили е известна криминална писателка, омъжена за по възрастен от нея мъж. Двамата са щастливи твърде малко време. На смъртният одър на съпруга си Ромили дава обещание да събере и сплоти отново семейството му. Трудна задача, като се има предвид, че трите му деца и тяхната братовчедка не могат да се понасят и са се отчуждили едни от други. Ромили се оказва силна жена, която успява да направи и непосилното, обединявайки неговото семейство. Много ми хареса образа на писателката, нейният характер, доброта, дипломатичност и далновидност, както и умението ѝ да се справя с всеки човек, изкарвайки най-доброто от него. Идиличният живот на семейството е нарушен единствено от призрака на войната. Мъжете се записват в армията, а жените помагат с каквото могат. Авторката не се задълбава в темата за Втората световна война. Тя е само бегло застъпена в книгата, като чуваме някой да говори за нея и за гоненията на евреите тук там из книгата, колкото да следим какво се случва по света извън имението, въпреки че са засегнати от войната и някои от героите в книгата.
Всъщност това е една семейна сага, която обхваща само периода 1939 – 1940 г., но е наситена с много добре изградени герои. Имаше обаче доста моменти, когато с интерес следях дадена случка, а в следващия авторката ме загубваше с отегчителни описания кой какво чувства, какво прави, какво иска. А героите бяха много, затова и тези описания ми идваха в повече. На много места интересът ми преминаваше в скука до следващия момент. За мен си остана малко незавършена. Авторката само загатва кой къде е, с кого е накрая на книгата, но ми се щеше за някои от героите да напише нещо повече за живота им, а и до края на войната оставаха още цели 4 години. Много ми се искаше и Ромили да намери своето щастие, тази глава ми беше незавършена. Героинята, която помогна на всички, точно за нея ми се искаше да има щастлив край, а тя замина във въздушната академия да пилотира самолет и дотам. Всичко това ми свали оценката, а като гледам не е част от поредица, макар да имам чувството, че трябва да има още книги. По нея би излязъл един хубав драматичен сериал.
December 18, 2017
Coming Home to Island House is set between August 1939 and December 1940 with the story incorporating the early years of WW2. Author Romily Temple-Devereux is very much in love with her new husband Jack however her life changes drastically when she unexpectedly finds herself having to deal with his estranged family; a family that comes with a lot of baggage and they bring their old hurts and unhappiness with them.
As ever with Erica’s books, the characters are superbly bought to life with all their flaws making them so realistic. Jack’s three children, Arthur, Kit and Hope and the adopted sibling Allegra all feel hard done by on account of their father’s lack of attention over the years and when they are forced to spend time in each other’s company, they will either pull together or grow further apart.
Whilst so many of the characters were engaging, for me, Romily was the star of the book. A no-nonsense but sympathetic character she did her best for the family that she found herself saddled with. Juxtaposed with her practical, common sense approach, she had an adventurous nature – she could fly a plane, she had raced cars at Brooklands. She was not adverse to taking risks but perhaps her biggest test was to come at Island House.
Narrated in the third person by various members of the family, this story is very much based on family dynamics and all that it endures – with times of joy and heartbreak and the realisation that perhaps your perception of someone may have been wrong. The story was exceptionally well told and there wasn’t a moment when I wasn’t immersed in the lives of the Devereux family – the drama and unexpected turn of events often bringing a lump to my throat. In just a couple of pages I was taken from scenes of domesticity to young men having to deal with the horrors of war.
I’m sure this will be another huge success for Erica James. I loved it and I was really quite sad to leave Romily and the other characters when I came to the end. Well, actually there was one person that I wasn’t sorry to say goodbye to, however you will have to read the book to find out who that is!
My thanks to Lovereading and to the publisher for the advanced reading copy. I have to admit falling in love with the cover at first sight. It so accurately sums up the story within.
As ever with Erica’s books, the characters are superbly bought to life with all their flaws making them so realistic. Jack’s three children, Arthur, Kit and Hope and the adopted sibling Allegra all feel hard done by on account of their father’s lack of attention over the years and when they are forced to spend time in each other’s company, they will either pull together or grow further apart.
Whilst so many of the characters were engaging, for me, Romily was the star of the book. A no-nonsense but sympathetic character she did her best for the family that she found herself saddled with. Juxtaposed with her practical, common sense approach, she had an adventurous nature – she could fly a plane, she had raced cars at Brooklands. She was not adverse to taking risks but perhaps her biggest test was to come at Island House.
Narrated in the third person by various members of the family, this story is very much based on family dynamics and all that it endures – with times of joy and heartbreak and the realisation that perhaps your perception of someone may have been wrong. The story was exceptionally well told and there wasn’t a moment when I wasn’t immersed in the lives of the Devereux family – the drama and unexpected turn of events often bringing a lump to my throat. In just a couple of pages I was taken from scenes of domesticity to young men having to deal with the horrors of war.
I’m sure this will be another huge success for Erica James. I loved it and I was really quite sad to leave Romily and the other characters when I came to the end. Well, actually there was one person that I wasn’t sorry to say goodbye to, however you will have to read the book to find out who that is!
My thanks to Lovereading and to the publisher for the advanced reading copy. I have to admit falling in love with the cover at first sight. It so accurately sums up the story within.
December 15, 2017
Set in the summer of 1939, Romily Temple returns home to Island House
I loved this read it's pure escapism
The characters are amazing and genuinely realistic and the lot is beautiful and enchanting. I loved how the story developed and the writing is superb
Erica James knows how to tell a tale and family love and drama make this a perfect read.
I loved this read it's pure escapism
The characters are amazing and genuinely realistic and the lot is beautiful and enchanting. I loved how the story developed and the writing is superb
Erica James knows how to tell a tale and family love and drama make this a perfect read.
December 4, 2025
This was a fabulous read. The moment I started it I was completely hooked right from the first page. Set in 1939 it follows a family and all their ups and downs. Highly recommend this one.
January 6, 2018
Another fab read :) 10/10. Read my review on my blog candysbookcase.wordpress.com on 11/01/18
January 11, 2018
Visit the locations in the novel my link text
Romily and Jack aren’t your usual couple but this is a fascinating story about just that - the odd couple of a village and the stares and comments they get, how they cope and what really goes on behind closed doors.
It was a novel where you feel close to the characters and where you go into that house, close the door and have no idea what to expect but you sit in the corner, rub your hands with glee and prick up your ears.And I don’t think that is just going to be me!
EricaJames is always very good at taking a theme, or a house in the country and putting it all together in ways you least expect. This is a story about family, regret, war and having to deal with a family death and all the emotions that brings.
I felt quite sorry for Romily - an outsider in more ways than one! The war stories were very interesting and quite indepth - it was interesting to see and experience how people lived during those times and the letters dotted throughout were a lovely addition! Moved the story along nicely giving it an added edge.
I will dream of Melstead St Mary tonight! ( no point looking for it - its fictional but I'd love to go for real!
January 12, 2018
It's 1939 and there's more and more unrest in Europe. Romily is a famous author. She writes thrillers, she can fly a plane and she's a daredevil behind the wheel of a car. Romily is happily married to her true love Jack, who's quite a few years older, and after a trip to promote her latest book she can't wait to go home. However, when she arrives she instantly knows something is wrong. Jack doesn't greet her at the door. He's slumped in a chair, barely alive. The only thing Romily can do is respect Jack's last wishes and that is to convince his children to come back home.
Jack and his children are estranged and it's up to Romily to put the family back together again. Will she be able to pull off this difficult task? While political unrest is making everyone's lives less certain Romily tries to be there for Jack's two sons, daughter and niece. There are family secrets, feuds and conflicts. Will the family unite in such terrible times or are Romily's efforts to create peace entirely in vain?
Coming Home to Island House is a beautiful story about family and friendship. Romily is a strong woman. She's smart, fierce, loyal, kind and honest. I admired her courage and resilience. She never gives up, she's levelheaded and dignified. Slowly she turns her household into a place where people feel at home and want to come for shelter, which was amazing to witness. Romily wants to help others, but there's so much to do that it isn't easy to be there for everyone all the time without forgetting herself and I was impressed by the way she tackles this challenge. This made the story incredibly impressive and hard to put down.
Erica James has a gorgeous heartwarming writing style. Her stories always manage to mesmerize me from beginning to end. I admire how she skillfully sets the atmosphere, describes her settings into great detail, so they come to life in a fantastic way, and explores every possible emotional layer. I love how fascinating her stories are and how she constantly manages to surprise me with the directions she chooses. Coming Home to Island House is a terrific captivating book, it's another absolute must-read by Erica James.
Jack and his children are estranged and it's up to Romily to put the family back together again. Will she be able to pull off this difficult task? While political unrest is making everyone's lives less certain Romily tries to be there for Jack's two sons, daughter and niece. There are family secrets, feuds and conflicts. Will the family unite in such terrible times or are Romily's efforts to create peace entirely in vain?
Coming Home to Island House is a beautiful story about family and friendship. Romily is a strong woman. She's smart, fierce, loyal, kind and honest. I admired her courage and resilience. She never gives up, she's levelheaded and dignified. Slowly she turns her household into a place where people feel at home and want to come for shelter, which was amazing to witness. Romily wants to help others, but there's so much to do that it isn't easy to be there for everyone all the time without forgetting herself and I was impressed by the way she tackles this challenge. This made the story incredibly impressive and hard to put down.
Erica James has a gorgeous heartwarming writing style. Her stories always manage to mesmerize me from beginning to end. I admire how she skillfully sets the atmosphere, describes her settings into great detail, so they come to life in a fantastic way, and explores every possible emotional layer. I love how fascinating her stories are and how she constantly manages to surprise me with the directions she chooses. Coming Home to Island House is a terrific captivating book, it's another absolute must-read by Erica James.
January 14, 2018
It's a while since I read a family saga but I'd heard lots of good things about this one & thought it might make a nice change from blood & guts & gore which seems to be the norm for me!
Set just before the second world war the story revolves around Island House. Romily Tempe- a crime author is a lady ahead of her time. Caring nothing for gossip & convention she is unconcerned that her husband Jack is many years her senior and that she is nearer in age to his children. She is deeply in love with him.When events throw her in the midst of this dysfunctional family she does her best to create a safe haven for them all- something that becomes very necessary as the country is thrown into the chaos of war.
I greatly enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters and I thought Erica James captured the atmosphere of the times very well. I would love to see a sequel as I was left wondering what would happen to the characters next!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and THE Book Club for giving me the chance to read & review this book.
Set just before the second world war the story revolves around Island House. Romily Tempe- a crime author is a lady ahead of her time. Caring nothing for gossip & convention she is unconcerned that her husband Jack is many years her senior and that she is nearer in age to his children. She is deeply in love with him.When events throw her in the midst of this dysfunctional family she does her best to create a safe haven for them all- something that becomes very necessary as the country is thrown into the chaos of war.
I greatly enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters and I thought Erica James captured the atmosphere of the times very well. I would love to see a sequel as I was left wondering what would happen to the characters next!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and THE Book Club for giving me the chance to read & review this book.
February 10, 2018
Erica James is such a good storyteller. I really enjoyed this tale of family drama, love, loss, bravery and deception. The characters are very well portrayed and totally believable and I liked the way their lives became interwoven as the novel progressed. I did feel that the ending came too soon though, it left me wondering what was going to happen to the characters in the future. Maybe there will be a sequel!
March 13, 2023
Нелоша семейна сага, но свършва много изведнъж и на никъде...
January 26, 2018
A sweet book with emphasis on family, values and what it means to be part of a family. With the declaration of war, members of this dysfunctional family - aren't they all - are forced to look at who and what they are and what family means to them individually and through the catalyst of a new, young dynamic and rather feisty and unconventional stepmother Romily. Can Romily cope - adventurous and up for a challenge as she is - with the demands placed on her with the death of her charismatic husband who was 27 years older than her. The first chapter was packed full of back story and background.
Here and there, some of the village characters and scenes in the house, put me in mind of a kind of old fashioned village like Agatha Christie 's St. Mary's Mead. I almost expected Miss Marple to bustle in to sort things out, but there is no murder ..(.although, elsewhere in the story, there is an almost one). There is one baddie, and many bumps and setbacks along the way. It meanders along telling many strands of the family story ... A family Jack created and wanted to bring back together through the young wife he entrusts to the task he didn't do quite right himself..
The story is told rather than shown, but it does, after a few chapters, settle into a nice pace with some interesting plot turns woven in as it goes along although some characters I found more interesting and had more depth than others.
The book has a kind of old fashioned feel and charm. The setting of a beautiful village home comes across well.
A pleasant read.
Here and there, some of the village characters and scenes in the house, put me in mind of a kind of old fashioned village like Agatha Christie 's St. Mary's Mead. I almost expected Miss Marple to bustle in to sort things out, but there is no murder ..(.although, elsewhere in the story, there is an almost one). There is one baddie, and many bumps and setbacks along the way. It meanders along telling many strands of the family story ... A family Jack created and wanted to bring back together through the young wife he entrusts to the task he didn't do quite right himself..
The story is told rather than shown, but it does, after a few chapters, settle into a nice pace with some interesting plot turns woven in as it goes along although some characters I found more interesting and had more depth than others.
The book has a kind of old fashioned feel and charm. The setting of a beautiful village home comes across well.
A pleasant read.
February 2, 2018
This isn't my first Erica James novel (neither will it be the last)....it is a captivating account of the Deveraux family and its wealthy (if unconventional) members, all set while Britain was at the cusp of the second world war.
If you're the type of reader who 'doesn't do' war stories this book offers an opportunity to dip feet and test the waters. Yes, it does allude to the horrors of war -- and rightly so -- but the author's focus remains firmly on the plot and its characters. There's Romily, an unconventional, beautiful, upper-class woman whose marriage to Jack Deveraux -- a man more than twenty years her senior -- has thrown up some rather unexpected challenges. And then there are Jack's children (now adults), each with solid grievance against their childhood home. When children and stepmother are forced to meet under rather tragic circumstances, the result is a whirlwind of emotions that James carefully unpacks through her novel.
At the heart of this book is the fundamental question, 'What does it mean to be family?' I was left with no little admiration for Romily, her unflinching loyalty, and innate kindness. This book also carries the message that class differences, while extant, are superficial....and that love and respect truly conquer all.
Overall, an interesting read. As with most family sagas this one was told from several perspectives. At times I felt that James introduced many ideas but did not follow through, which left me wondering about the characters (ex: the parents in Germany). And James tends to 'tell' rather than 'show,' which rather compromises the writing style. But the plot itself was interesting enough to keep me engaged.
If you're the type of reader who 'doesn't do' war stories this book offers an opportunity to dip feet and test the waters. Yes, it does allude to the horrors of war -- and rightly so -- but the author's focus remains firmly on the plot and its characters. There's Romily, an unconventional, beautiful, upper-class woman whose marriage to Jack Deveraux -- a man more than twenty years her senior -- has thrown up some rather unexpected challenges. And then there are Jack's children (now adults), each with solid grievance against their childhood home. When children and stepmother are forced to meet under rather tragic circumstances, the result is a whirlwind of emotions that James carefully unpacks through her novel.
At the heart of this book is the fundamental question, 'What does it mean to be family?' I was left with no little admiration for Romily, her unflinching loyalty, and innate kindness. This book also carries the message that class differences, while extant, are superficial....and that love and respect truly conquer all.
Overall, an interesting read. As with most family sagas this one was told from several perspectives. At times I felt that James introduced many ideas but did not follow through, which left me wondering about the characters (ex: the parents in Germany). And James tends to 'tell' rather than 'show,' which rather compromises the writing style. But the plot itself was interesting enough to keep me engaged.
January 24, 2018
75 chapters of outstanding writing - I just loved this book! It’s heartwarming but not sentimental and begins in the summer of 1939 just before war breaks out. After touring Europe to promote her latest book our heroine Romily Temple returns home to her new husband Jack Devereux and Thursday home Island House.
Romily is spirited, caring and brave and soon finds that she will need all of these qualities! Jack is much older than Romily and when he becomes ill his estranged family - 3 adult children and a niece - return to their childhood home for a week. Romily has never met them but now has to deal with temperamental Allegra, cruel and unkind Arthur, bereaved Hope and lovely Kit.
All 4 of these adults have problems and traumas and the story is set against a background of village life
and gossip. This is a book with a big cast of characters- the 4 children all have partners of one kind or another - and Romily runs Island House with the help of the wonderful Florence and Mrs Partridge.
This is a really lovely well thought-out story about war and finding peace, family in all its many forms and the power of relationships to heal the hurt. Romily is a really admirable heroine and I loved the way all the female characters support each other. As a lover of psychological thrillers this is not my usual genre but I loved every single chapter and every single one of the cast of thousands!!!
Romily is spirited, caring and brave and soon finds that she will need all of these qualities! Jack is much older than Romily and when he becomes ill his estranged family - 3 adult children and a niece - return to their childhood home for a week. Romily has never met them but now has to deal with temperamental Allegra, cruel and unkind Arthur, bereaved Hope and lovely Kit.
All 4 of these adults have problems and traumas and the story is set against a background of village life
and gossip. This is a book with a big cast of characters- the 4 children all have partners of one kind or another - and Romily runs Island House with the help of the wonderful Florence and Mrs Partridge.
This is a really lovely well thought-out story about war and finding peace, family in all its many forms and the power of relationships to heal the hurt. Romily is a really admirable heroine and I loved the way all the female characters support each other. As a lover of psychological thrillers this is not my usual genre but I loved every single chapter and every single one of the cast of thousands!!!
January 20, 2018
I really loved this book, it's such a tremendously lovely book
that I was so sorry when I finished it. It follows the story of a family who are brought together by the death of their husband, father and uncle. The characters of all these people are all so different and when three children also arrive in the family home in the village of Melstead St Mary in Suffolk, in the years leading up to and the first few years of world war two, it stirs the family secrets and stories even more. Romily, the newly widowed wife was a very strong character and she managed to hold the family together. Hope (whose husband was german) arrives at the family house with a young Jewish niece on her husband's side of the family. Brothers Kit and Arthur are like chalk and cheese and Allegra, who is an Italian niece, all have to spend a week together in the family home together. How they all manage to find the strength to keep their side of the bargain in order to keep their share of the will makes for a lovely heart warmimg and sometimes sad story.
that I was so sorry when I finished it. It follows the story of a family who are brought together by the death of their husband, father and uncle. The characters of all these people are all so different and when three children also arrive in the family home in the village of Melstead St Mary in Suffolk, in the years leading up to and the first few years of world war two, it stirs the family secrets and stories even more. Romily, the newly widowed wife was a very strong character and she managed to hold the family together. Hope (whose husband was german) arrives at the family house with a young Jewish niece on her husband's side of the family. Brothers Kit and Arthur are like chalk and cheese and Allegra, who is an Italian niece, all have to spend a week together in the family home together. How they all manage to find the strength to keep their side of the bargain in order to keep their share of the will makes for a lovely heart warmimg and sometimes sad story.
January 21, 2018
Coming Home to Island House
Wow, finished this yesterday and absolutely blown away by it. Erica James has just such a way of writing that you are completely drawn into her stories and characters.
This book begins with a father who is desperately ill wanting his family to reunite and settle their differences. Throw in a stepmother, conflicted siblings, staff, an evacuee and a dog, in a country that is on the brink of war and you have the beginnings of a wonderful story.
I couldn’t put this book down and could have quite easily read it all in one go. The characters are well rounded and the descriptive writing had me believing that I was right there in Melstead St Mary, watching events happening in real time. This book made me both laugh and cry and the author is certainly not afraid to tackle some tough subjects.
I didn’t want Coming Home to Island House to end and even now, a day later, I find myself thing about the characters, wondering what happens next? I certainly hope that there will be a sequel. A fabulous five star read.
Wow, finished this yesterday and absolutely blown away by it. Erica James has just such a way of writing that you are completely drawn into her stories and characters.
This book begins with a father who is desperately ill wanting his family to reunite and settle their differences. Throw in a stepmother, conflicted siblings, staff, an evacuee and a dog, in a country that is on the brink of war and you have the beginnings of a wonderful story.
I couldn’t put this book down and could have quite easily read it all in one go. The characters are well rounded and the descriptive writing had me believing that I was right there in Melstead St Mary, watching events happening in real time. This book made me both laugh and cry and the author is certainly not afraid to tackle some tough subjects.
I didn’t want Coming Home to Island House to end and even now, a day later, I find myself thing about the characters, wondering what happens next? I certainly hope that there will be a sequel. A fabulous five star read.
January 13, 2018
Wow! Just wow! I absolutely devoured this book! I’ve not read Erica James before but I certainly won’t stop at this one. So well written I just couldn’t put it down. The story of Romily attempting Jacks wishes to get the family together & the setting of the beginning of WWII certainly made for an interesting read - I adored all the characters and their lives - cannot wait to read another by this author!
August 5, 2020
Recent books, though not my usual reads, have been just hitting the perfect summertime spot ☀️
February 11, 2018
Just have to say I've read all Erica James books and I so enjoyed this one. Could have been the timing, but it was such a feel good read. It would be lovely if she did a sequel and we followed the family after the war.
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