Island of FIre

Costa Leona Series #3

by Jonaxx

Genres: Romance, Fiction

Paperback

About the author

Jonahmae Pacala (publishing as Jonaxx) was never fond of reading longnovels during her elementary years but found a deep connection with sshort sad stories. She discovered her flair for writing at the early age of ten. What was once a hobby has now grown into a passion for writing online.

Reviews

[primrose · Rating 2 out of 5]

jonaxx, genuine question, whats with the constant adult men kissing minors and making it seem romantic?

[Vanessa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was still reading this story, I have outpouring things to say about it. But now that I'm done, I'm not sure where to start. This story is breathtakingly beautiful. It's too beautiful that I don't know where to start.

Island of Fire is the third book of the Costa Leona series. The first two books received the same high praised from me and I am really happy that Jonaxx didn't disappoint with this one. Well, this is Jonaxx we are talking about, so it's not a surprise at all hehe.

For the last three months, I've read a pile of books from my TBR but all of them failed to made me fall madly in love with the hero, it's only Jonaxx, Sonia Francesca and Kelly Oram creates heroes that were just too hard for me to resist. That's why I'm so happy that that wonderful feeling resurrected and so is my insanity haha.

The first book from the Costa Leona series were about a Riego who was born poor but fell in love with his young boss. The second book was about the heroine who can't remember anything even about the guy she loves. How about in its third book? I'm not sure how to explain it for it's really not something I've read from other authors before or watched on TV so I'll just give you some overview eh?

The story started five years ago when Zari rejected her engagement to Radleigh. (I'm not going to explain why for I don't want to spoil the fun hehe) Zari was a high-breed brat and a shopaholic. After the failed engagement, she decided to study architecture in Spain, and five years after came back to the Philippines to salvage their dying company and to get her dad out from prison because of his loans for his addiction to gambling. Zari didn't have any other choice but to send a letter to Rad for her proposal to have a marriage-in-name only for the merger of their company. Funny, because that's exactly their issue before. What happened after that will make your hearts go gaga. Read more below.

What I always adore about Jonaxx's stories is that I never get bored, I never skipped some lines because I'm afraid I'll miss something. Well, actually I did skip haha. Not because I don't like the scene or whatever but because I feel conscious for the heroine. Conscious for what? The lines I skipped were some bed scenes. Normally, I will read it but with Jonaxx, nah, I can't. Her stories really affected me like I think I am the heroine and I am making love with the hero. I know it sounds funny, cheesy or even absurd, but that's what her stories do to me. As usual, I haven't read anything from this story to other stories before. Unlike the first two books, the setting isn't centered in Costa Leona but in Manila. The story mostly talks about real estate since that's what both of the main characters companies are all about. I really don't have questions or I haven't find even a single flaw in this story and all were obviously well researched. The first few parts of this story involves suspense and that was a new one from Jonaxx and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. There's no third party but there's a lot of ex's that the heroine always gets jealous of. The execution of scenes and the delivery of lines were perfect especially Rad's (Radleigh), and thinking about it now, I can't help but grin like an idiot. The only thing I noticed about this story was that there were some spelling errors but that's understandable since she is writing this story in Wattpad, which you can completely read for free. Isn't this author just amazing?!

Another thing I like about this story is that it didn't just focused on romance, it also give us lessons in life that we can relate to particularly to Zari's character. How she was this headstrong brat to an independent woman she is now.

And speaking of romance, dang!!! I started reading this story last night but I didn't have any intention of finishing it that time because this story is long with 42 long chapters with an epilogue that was taken from the hero's POV. I remember how tired I was before I decided to read this story but I ended up staying late because I'm really so drawn to this story. If it wasn't because the battery of my phone was drained, I'm sure I wouldn't have dared to sleep that night lol. And speaking of chapters, my favorite would be the epilogue. All 41 chapters were taken from the heroine's POV that's why I am always looking forward for the epilogue for that's the time the hero speaks for himself, how he fell in love, what he felt about the heroine during some intense scenes, what's he's thinking and everything else. And yep, this one didn't disappoint at all. I love happy ending, and this one has it big time, I'm just so happy that all turned out fine after all that had happened.

For Zari, we've got to read about her transformation from being the stubborn brat to an independent woman she is now. Her character is undeniably realistic plus I love the fact that the author added some lesson for her character, not just about being a brat but also a lesson about not to live with what other people's expectations, about not living base on what is acceptable to others and not give a dang about their opinions especially if its the right thing to do and it's what makes you happy. There's nothing spectacular about her character but I love to read how she affects the guys in their company. What about it? Well, let just say that she inherited Rapunzel's long hair lol. Her character was fine but once in a while, I find it quite irritating how easily she could get jealous and she's very insecure too. Well, if I have an "obscenely handsome" man like Rad, maybe I'll be that jealous or insecure with her ex's too lol.

Rad. Well, what can I say? He's perfect, definitely perfect! He's the perfect example of a guy that even if he came from a rich family, he grew up to be responsible and independent. Imagine, he graduated without his family's financial support! He's not just a nerd type of guy but he's certainly a looker even with his glasses on. All Tagalog romance makes their hero perfect, especially their physical appearance and that normally ticks me off, but with Jonaxx?! Nah! They're perfect and all but I don't feel irritated, like it's just normal. Well, if you read her stories, you will really be convinced. Promise, you will! Aside from that, I really salute Rad for being patient and for loving and yes, seducing Zari, haha. The seducing part is my favorite actually. He's the jealous type too but I'm not annoyed, well, jealous guys never annoys me especially if they're Jonaxx's heroes hehe. Plus, most of his lines were so swoon worthy! Actually, I've compiled them on my Tumblr account here.

Jonaxx's stories is really bad for my sleep, concentration especially at work and my sanity. If I am reading her stories, I really can't think of anything but the story, that's why even if I'm not usually good with multitasking, I learned to be an expert with it haha; while working, I read. Shhh, don't tell my boss hehe. I've read most of her stories except those that are still updating in Wattpad. I don't really want to be cutoff that's why I'm making sure her stories are complete before I decided to read them. The best thing about Wattpad is having Jonaxx. I wish there's an English version of her stories because I'm sure a lot will love it.

If you're looking for a story that will make you desperately skip sleep, haha, then the Island of Fire by Jonaxx is absolutely a great choice. It's the third book from the Costa Leona series but you can definitely read it standalone. Btw, there's quite a number of SPG scenes in this story and most of them were in the shower (even with their confrontation lol), so I'm not recommending it to younger readers. But if you want to read it, why not? hehe.

As a parting note, let me leave you with Rad's line that I'm sure will urge you to read this story.

"She rejected me twice, I blackmailed her the third time.."

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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[BibliophilELLA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread and still one of the favorites

[jazzyyreads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

RR

[maye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this years a ago and read it again today. This was even my favorite book of Jonaxx. Now that I’m older I realized that there are a lot of disturbing parts here. Radleigh liked, lusted, kissed Zari when she was a minor. Zari was 17 Rad was 22. It was uncomfortable reading it. I also don’t like long time-skip. It’s just so unnecessary. That’s what I noticed in every Filipino wattpad books. They like doing time-skips like past and present.

[Heb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Jonaxx but honestly speaking, I think her stories are problematic and this book is no exception to that. I just can’t take why Jonaxx tend to normalize relationship with wide age gap. I have no hatred for couples with huge age gap but the problem with this was the flashback memories that were narrated in some chapter. Rad being 22 and Zariyah 16 was disgusting and telling that Rad’s touching a minor? How can an author tried to make this situation romantic epsecially huge consumer of wattpad are minors. I have no problem now with Zari and Rad but the flashback tortured me and made me scheme it just to get the gist of their past relationship and avoiding any romantic entanglement from them during those times.

I am aware of the cringe writing style but as someone who grew up reading wattpad stories, there’s still a space in me which appreciates this kind of writing style and it brought me nostalgia. But I hope for her future works, the writing style will be more artistic and poetic in terms of narrating it and not just throwing constant clashing of character’s thoughts

There’s a spot of me liking this while also disliking it. I’m a simp of Rad’s character but the plot for me is not giving. Typical pinoy story that one will go bankcrupt and the other one will help save the other. That the guy will make the heaven cry and the hell rejoice just for the sake of his love. There’s no major plot twist that made me applaud or feel mesmerized. Everything was mediocre. I just love the atmosphere it brought me as I read it

[Maricar (BookOaths) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book did not capture me as much as the first two (if pagbabasehan yung excitement to finish the story).
I did like the beginning, especially seeing Zari with her palaban personality, I was thinking na, finalllllly a Jgirl na hindi ako mapaparoll ng eyes, but then again, I did forget na isa sa mga ayaw ko sa female lead ay yung sobrang spoiled, although she did change, but reading about the exploits of her younger self kinda hindered me from fully appreciating the story. The only exception to this rule is kapag out of this world yung chemistry between the leads (coupled with a good bg story), pero sadly, hindi ko masyadong nafeel.
Rad, to be fair, is a Jonaxx boy to the bone, pero hindi talaga nagwork for me ang chemistry. There were really really great parts of the story (especially nearing the end) pero if taken as a whole, it wasn't enough to wow me, or siguro may hangover pa ako kay Ali (opinyon ko lang to, wag masamain).
Another thing is, parang hindi ko masyado nafeel yung charm na nafeel ko sa CostaLeona sa first two books, yung charm ng probinsya life, of that Jonaxx world where 'mangingisdas' are blazing hot, yung kahit papano, kahit na may karangyaan, kita pa rin ang payak na pamumuhay (sorry fan ako ng rags to riches story) and yung overall feel.ng Costa Leona. Sana may CLS girl na payak lang no? Will find that out as I'll be starting on the fourth one.

[em · Rating 3 out of 5]

somehow the first book in cls na nahirapan akong basahin nang dire-diretso because there were a lot of moments where i went 🧍🏻‍♀️ and not even eury's most embarrassing moments stopped me from finishing bbtw in one sitting, unlike this one.

kasi i get it okay ang interesting sana ng plot kasi where the hell does a woman get the idea of kidnapping a grown ass man to force him into marriage only for things to turn the other way around? but eventually i became more hooked kay zari lang imbes na sa love story nila huhuhu there were moments na nakakakilig, yes, but not to the point where i would actually feel so good 🫡

agatha and her mother (+ tita relani) were insufferable.

my favorite thing about this though is zari standing up for herself and always being independent.

the only likeable people in this book were zariyah, ethan, and belinda 😶‍🌫️

[JulienneReads ✧.* ◡̈ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate it 3.9. The flow of the story is also different from the usual style of the author like 'waves of memories'. I can see that she's really going beyond her 'box'. :) I just had a hard time comprehending Zari's character and feelings because the background of their story is just mentioned around chapter 10 onwards? (Correct me if I'm wrong :)). I enjoyed it. Like her other stories, it was able to give me all the 'feels' and make me emotionally attached to all the characters. There are just a few chapters that are somehow unnecessary like the story could still go on without them pluuus there are still questions in my mind left unanswered and it is bothering me so much HAHAHAHA :(

[Maine Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will give 3 stars. Sa simula nagustuhan ko agad si Zari kase parang may similarities ugali namin pero nung nabasa ko na yung part ng past hindi ko kinaya yung pagiging spoiled brat niya to the point na DUH MAHIRAP KA NA NGA GASTADOR KAPARIN? hands down Kay Rad kasi sobrang mapagmahal niya. Iyak ako DITO e sobrang ganda na lalo nung malapt na magend.

Why 3 stars ? medyo kasi mataas expectations ko DITO kasi grabe yung feels na binigay sakin ng first 2 books ng Costa Leona series I think may hangover pako Kay Ali. Shempre dun din sa simula nto ang taas pero di nya ko ganun naCapture yun lang

[martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

you'd kidnap a man to ask for his hand in marriage to save your company but with a twist. your people had betrayed you by siding with him then you'd realized that he's the one who kidnapped you. and continuously spoils you during your abduction by giving you the necessities you need. made you change your plans at some point. Moving forward, he's been longing for you for seven years and even asked you to marry him three times and blackmailed you by the third time just for you to say yes now. Radleigh Vesarius Riego The Only Man Ever

[jhaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANG HABA NG PASENSYA NI RADLEIGH KAY ZARI!!! i felt happiness dahil rad and zari finally got engaged (wala nang atrasan😭), inis kay agatha & zari nung spoiled pa sya. i love zariyah's character development, radleigh is the standard talaga🧎‍♀️ he never gaved up kahit dalawang beses nang tinanggihan engagement nila ni zari. i learned a lot while reading this, understanding, patience, sincerity. i love youu baby zari, and ra!!! mahal na mahal ko kayoo💋

[Sendelrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a must-read. I have read this book repeatedly because of the character's unforgettable love story.

Island of Fire introduces Radleigh, a mysterious and serious guy who arrives on Costa Leona. His encounter with Zariyah sparks a passionate romance that is tested by betrayal and misunderstandings.

Radleigh and Zariyah's love story is intense and captivating, filled with twists and turns.

[aye · Rating 5 out of 5]

She rejected him twice, he blackmailed her the third time.Their story is one of miss j's top tier works, Zari is spoiled but Rad loves and willingly spoils her. She's the fire that will burn him to ashes but boy, Rad will burn happily. So where are my stainless steel garlic squeeze girlies at?? ❤️‍🔥

[holliberrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

here we go again with the constant minor-adult pairing. i wonder what jonaxx is thinking while writing this story because what the fuck. rad is 23 and zari is 16 when he starts making advances on her. he kissed her and touched her private parts. ulitin ko lang ha, 16 si zari dito my god. and to think that jonaxx has such a large fanbase, and most of her readers are obviously minors is sickening.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading this and realizing how Radleigh's "baby" hits different than the rest. 🫠🫠🫠

Still annoyed at Relani in this book. She stoop so low as to being unprofessional just to drive Zari away from Radleigh.

As for Zari, i feel so proud of her. Her character development is really one of the most impactful among the CLS jgirls, IMO.

[bim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just reread this; there are so many memorable moments that I’ve forgotten because it has been two years since I’ve last read this, most essential parts. I think the #2nd book, Waves of memories, overshadows it, though it’s a great book!

[Kathleen Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story worth reading for.

[Alexa Nicolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fave❤️ memorize na yata nako ni kay kapila nako nag reread

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kidnap mo ko, Kidnap kita kind of story 🤣

[Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a long time ago when i started reading this novel. And im so glad that it really was, i got that "new-book" excitement again.

[Shayne Inductivo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS. I CAN'T EXPLAIN. T_T

[Heineken Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

ILY RAD !! My fav story too 😭 I THINK ALL PF CLS IS MY FAV !! I just dont like it sometimes bc pf too much embarrassments but THE WRITING IS BEAUTIFUL !!

[anri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my fave book !!

[zariyah astherielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zariyah Leviste my strong jgirl <3

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me that the most important opinion is your's :))

[_bluerberries · Rating 5 out of 5]

The character development is just *chef kiss*.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

RADLEIGH my real sugar daddy

[gabrielle barachiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

well, gusto ko nalang maging Zariyah hehe love ko sila ni Radleigh

[Frencheska Ayanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

favoriteeeee