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Jewel Island #1
Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay
Holly Martin neemt je mee naar Jewel Island in haar nieuwe feelgoodroman Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay, het eerste deel van haar serie De Zussen van Jewel Island.
De heerlijke feelgoodroman Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay van Holly Martin gaat over Aria, die al haar hele leven op Jewel Island woont. Zelfs toen haar zussen Clover en Skye vertrokken, bleef zij achter bij haar vader om te helpen met het runnen van het familiehotel. Een jaar na hun vaders dood, is Aria genoodzaakt om het hotel te verkopen. Als de knappe Noah, een man die veel hotels opknapt, die zomer op Jewel Island verblijft, lijkt het een geschenk uit de hemel. Aria wil de relatie graag professioneel houden, maar Noah heeft een geheim dat Aria’s hele leven op z’n kop zal zetten.
Holly Martin, bekend van haar Happiness-serie, komt met een fijne feelgoodroman waar je helemaal bij weg kunt zwijmelen. Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay is het eerste boek in Holly Martins feelgoodserie de Zussen van Jewel Island en is perfect voor de fans van Lucinda Riley, Nicola May en Jenny Colgan.
De heerlijke feelgoodroman Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay van Holly Martin gaat over Aria, die al haar hele leven op Jewel Island woont. Zelfs toen haar zussen Clover en Skye vertrokken, bleef zij achter bij haar vader om te helpen met het runnen van het familiehotel. Een jaar na hun vaders dood, is Aria genoodzaakt om het hotel te verkopen. Als de knappe Noah, een man die veel hotels opknapt, die zomer op Jewel Island verblijft, lijkt het een geschenk uit de hemel. Aria wil de relatie graag professioneel houden, maar Noah heeft een geheim dat Aria’s hele leven op z’n kop zal zetten.
Holly Martin, bekend van haar Happiness-serie, komt met een fijne feelgoodroman waar je helemaal bij weg kunt zwijmelen. Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay is het eerste boek in Holly Martins feelgoodserie de Zussen van Jewel Island en is perfect voor de fans van Lucinda Riley, Nicola May en Jenny Colgan.
320 pages, ebook
First published April 2, 2020
1203 people are currently reading
2926 people want to read
About the author
Holly Martin
57 books1,536 followersHolly lives in a little white cottage by the sea. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.
Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.
Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor
Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.
Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
April 18, 2020
Aria Phillips never left Jewel Island, even managing a struggling hotel after her father's death. Her sisters Clover and Skye left a long time ago, but they are back now while the future of the hotel is uncertain. Even though there are very few guests, Despite everything, Aria is putting plans forward for the annual Festival of Lights. However, what Aria and her sisters don't know is that despite all of their work, there are plans in place that could cost them their hotel.
There is one guest at the hotel that causes Aria's heart to flutter, Noah Campbell. He is rich beyond reason due to buying and completely revamping hotels. What's more is that he and Aria have a connection that could definitely bode well for their future. However, with all the changes taking place, Aria has made it her aim to keep things professional. Will she manage to do that?
In this touching story by Holly Martin family means everything. I love the bond between Aria and her sisters. All the while the romance that bloomed between Aria and Noah was quite touching. Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay is the first book in the Jewel Island series. As much as I loved Aria and Noah finding their chance at happiness, I look forward to Clover and Skye finding the opportunity to do the same.
Many thanks to Holly Martin for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
There is one guest at the hotel that causes Aria's heart to flutter, Noah Campbell. He is rich beyond reason due to buying and completely revamping hotels. What's more is that he and Aria have a connection that could definitely bode well for their future. However, with all the changes taking place, Aria has made it her aim to keep things professional. Will she manage to do that?
In this touching story by Holly Martin family means everything. I love the bond between Aria and her sisters. All the while the romance that bloomed between Aria and Noah was quite touching. Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay is the first book in the Jewel Island series. As much as I loved Aria and Noah finding their chance at happiness, I look forward to Clover and Skye finding the opportunity to do the same.
Many thanks to Holly Martin for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 21, 2021
Een leuk en luchtig verhaal om te lezen, ideaal voor te lezen in de zomer lijkt me!
Ik vond het verhaal over het algemeen gewoon oké zonder echt hoogtepunten. De romantiek kwam niet altijd even goed over bij mij, maar het is wel oké. Het is gewoon een middelmatig verhaal in mijn ogen.
Ik vond het verhaal over het algemeen gewoon oké zonder echt hoogtepunten. De romantiek kwam niet altijd even goed over bij mij, maar het is wel oké. Het is gewoon een middelmatig verhaal in mijn ogen.
June 21, 2020
The prologue was terrible, I guess the author wanted to give some back story and set things up but it was so obvious and badly done. I got to chapter 5 and couldn't stand it anymore. It was boring, didn't pull me in and the over emphasis on how small the island was and how everything was going out of business was annoying. I get it, stop telling me over and over again. Certain scenes took to long, lots of lingering with characters that didn't need to be there. The main story line with part of the hotel being sold took ages to come up when it's literally in the synopsis*. The author acts like it's some big secret when the readers already know the situation. Noah's Arias new boss, we didn't need to wait till chapter 5 to find this out, the story needed to be set up quicker, that was my main problem. Everything that took place up till then could have been condensed into one or two chapters. Not worth my time to keep reading this one, if the writing wasn't so bad I could have kept going for the story line because it had potential.
*The synopsis I read was on Amazon
*The synopsis I read was on Amazon
August 1, 2021
Best vermakelijk voor tussendoor. Het audioboek is ook goed aan te raden, ik ging er vlot doorheen. Het begin ging redelijk snel waardoor ik niet zo goed mee was maar uiteindelijk komt alles op z'n plaats. Naast het luchtige verhaal komen er ook intensere onderwerpen aan bod, maar het heeft een mooie balans zoals van een feelgood wordt verwacht. Ik mistte wat diepgang in de personages, maar er komen nog heel wat vervolgdelen, dus dat komt best wel goed.
July 5, 2020
It was lighthearted which is exactly what i wanted/needed but i found it very repetitive and a bit cringe in places.
May 6, 2020
This book was the book I needed. A perfect setting, vacation like and deep characters.
This book has really a great balance : funny moments and funny characters, but it also has great characters with real depth and issues that are universal. It talks about abandonment issues and trust issues due to past relations. The great gesture of the end got me really emotional too ! It's really a book that I recommend especially during those times.
This book has really a great balance : funny moments and funny characters, but it also has great characters with real depth and issues that are universal. It talks about abandonment issues and trust issues due to past relations. The great gesture of the end got me really emotional too ! It's really a book that I recommend especially during those times.
August 7, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Kindle Book 📕
June 17, 2021
Na het lezen van 'Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay' (Zussen van Jewel Island #1) voelt het gewoon alsof je op vakantie ben geweest. Je waande je bladzijde na bladzijde in het sfeervolle gebied, volgde de ontwikkelingen van de renovatie van het hotel op de voet... om het over het fijne liefdesverhaal nog maar niet te hebben. Het leest lekker vlot, is realistisch en fijn geschreven door Holly Martin, die mij ook al redelijk overtuigde met haar twee Happiness-boeken.
Ik zie en voelde de potentie van deze serie, maar het enige waar ik een klein probleem mee had is de rode draad. Door de enorme vaart waarmee Holly dit verhaal vertelt, worden alle problemen steeds in mum van tijd alweer opgelost. Langdradig is het boek dan ook zeker niet, maar hierdoor verloor ze wel af en toe een bepaalde spanningsboog. Ik wist soms niet waarom ik nu per se naar dit einde toe wilde, juist omdat er niets was wat ik niet al wist.
Ondanks dat ben ik wel erg benieuwd naar het verhaal van de andere twee zussen! Ik heb ook hen nu al in mijn hart opgesloten, en ben benieuwd wat deze karakters - die nu al voelen als familie - nog meer staat te wachten.
Ik zie en voelde de potentie van deze serie, maar het enige waar ik een klein probleem mee had is de rode draad. Door de enorme vaart waarmee Holly dit verhaal vertelt, worden alle problemen steeds in mum van tijd alweer opgelost. Langdradig is het boek dan ook zeker niet, maar hierdoor verloor ze wel af en toe een bepaalde spanningsboog. Ik wist soms niet waarom ik nu per se naar dit einde toe wilde, juist omdat er niets was wat ik niet al wist.
Ondanks dat ben ik wel erg benieuwd naar het verhaal van de andere twee zussen! Ik heb ook hen nu al in mijn hart opgesloten, en ben benieuwd wat deze karakters - die nu al voelen als familie - nog meer staat te wachten.
March 19, 2020
Everything about this book is just what I needed to read at the moment. It has a gorgeous setting in Sapphire Bay, some truly wonderful characters, a will they finally get it together sort of a romance, and some delicious sounding ice-cream and dessert concoctions.
Ok the ice-cream and desserts are more thanks to Aria's sister Skye and may not be key to main story but wow they sounded very yummy and inventive.
Aria though has a novel approach to running her hotel, which makes her such a lovable character. She tries to do the best she can by everyone, not necessarily with the best of business brains, but never mind. Watching her try to explain to Noah her new business part her rationale for some of her decisions was amusing.
As were so many of the scenes - look out for a rather unusual haka being danced, oh and the donkey!! The donkey scene is hilarious. Oh and there is a guest at the hotel who just cracked me up completely, and she was a real breath of fresh air.
I loved getting to know all the characters in the book, with the exception of new receptionist Zoe who really is just a nasty piece of work. But everyone else is fabulous.
There are even cameos from other characters from previous Holly Martin books, and I suspect there were possibly more than I am positive about! I always love it when an author does that.
This was such an entertaining story from one of my favourite authors, it really took my mind off real life and I'm gutted that I now have to say goodbye to Noah and I really did love him.
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
Ok the ice-cream and desserts are more thanks to Aria's sister Skye and may not be key to main story but wow they sounded very yummy and inventive.
Aria though has a novel approach to running her hotel, which makes her such a lovable character. She tries to do the best she can by everyone, not necessarily with the best of business brains, but never mind. Watching her try to explain to Noah her new business part her rationale for some of her decisions was amusing.
As were so many of the scenes - look out for a rather unusual haka being danced, oh and the donkey!! The donkey scene is hilarious. Oh and there is a guest at the hotel who just cracked me up completely, and she was a real breath of fresh air.
I loved getting to know all the characters in the book, with the exception of new receptionist Zoe who really is just a nasty piece of work. But everyone else is fabulous.
There are even cameos from other characters from previous Holly Martin books, and I suspect there were possibly more than I am positive about! I always love it when an author does that.
This was such an entertaining story from one of my favourite authors, it really took my mind off real life and I'm gutted that I now have to say goodbye to Noah and I really did love him.
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
June 26, 2021
Приятна лятна книжка.
August 25, 2021
OMG wat een superleu verhaal! Ik heb nu al zin in boek 2!
April 19, 2021
3.5 звезди - приятна, романтична история, разказана с чувство за хумор.
December 15, 2020
Holly Martin back to her best.
I laughed so hard at the haka that I had tears pouring down my cheeks!
I laughed so hard at the haka that I had tears pouring down my cheeks!
May 30, 2020
Always loved Holly’s books and this one doesn’t disappoint at all you won’t want to put it down. Full of families and heartbreak with romance as well. The characters are brilliant and has you hooked all the way through. A very warm read I can’t recommend it enough.
Aria has lived on jewel island all her life she was adopted but her parents then had twins clover and Skye and they left the island when they could. They have run a hotel for years but since her mother passed away the father hasn’t done any work on it at all and looking tired and Aria wants to do work but her father won’t let her. Her father passed away and when the will is read she is shocked to learn the money was left to the two sisters and the hotel to her but her father had sold a share to someone so she didn’t own much. So will Aria loose risking her own home as well. Noah has visited the hotel every year and him and Aria had a short romance but she was left heartbroken but when he comes to stay at the hotel and she learns her father sold a big share to him how will she react and can they save the hotel or not and will she be able to continue to live there. Also how will their romance go will it fail at the first hurdle or not.
Aria wants to keep things professional but can she do this or will she think she has to move on.
Wonderful read.
Aria has lived on jewel island all her life she was adopted but her parents then had twins clover and Skye and they left the island when they could. They have run a hotel for years but since her mother passed away the father hasn’t done any work on it at all and looking tired and Aria wants to do work but her father won’t let her. Her father passed away and when the will is read she is shocked to learn the money was left to the two sisters and the hotel to her but her father had sold a share to someone so she didn’t own much. So will Aria loose risking her own home as well. Noah has visited the hotel every year and him and Aria had a short romance but she was left heartbroken but when he comes to stay at the hotel and she learns her father sold a big share to him how will she react and can they save the hotel or not and will she be able to continue to live there. Also how will their romance go will it fail at the first hurdle or not.
Aria wants to keep things professional but can she do this or will she think she has to move on.
Wonderful read.
June 13, 2020
An easy, light-hearted read - I'm looking forward to returning to Jewel Island later this year with the next instalment
April 18, 2020
This is another brilliant book by Holly Martin - that should be enough for you to hear from me, just go grab yourself a copy! As usual this is a superb read in a glorious setting with a delightful community and great characters. It really is a great read to escape into, a lovely taste of normality in our current uncertain times.
The Philips family have a hotel on the beautiful Jewel Island. Aria Philips and her younger twin sisters, Clover and Skye, grew up on the island but the twins left the island travelling elsewhere to work. Noah Campbell is a guest at the hotel, one who Aria really likes. However, after they share a passionate kiss and them planning to share an evening meal together he has a meeting with her Dad and then disappears without explanation, leaving her heartbroken. Weeks later, her Dad passed away. Now, more than a year after, Noah is returning . . . .
This is a real family drama, with the three sisters each hoping they can keep the hotel running but wondering just what their Dad's will will reveal. There are some shocks in store for them, serious changes ahead and plenty of dramatic moments, too in this fascinating start to a new series.
What a great read for putting a smile on your face this proved to be. The place names are all jewel related, so fitting for this idyllic setting and the vivid descriptions make it feel like you've actually visited them. There are some quirky characters staying in the hotel and others in the local community. Aria is determined to help the local community survive and has her own ways of doing things which Noah doesn't always initially appreciate. The story is packed with humour and had me laughing out loud throughout it. I particularly liked the initially mysterious elderly lady who regularly visits the hotel and Seamus, an islander but there's also at least on character you'll love to dislike, too! It is a heartwarming romance with plenty of drama before the HEA. I'm really looking forward to revisiting this setting in future books in the series and can't recommend this book highly enough.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it just as fantastic as I'd anticipated.
The Philips family have a hotel on the beautiful Jewel Island. Aria Philips and her younger twin sisters, Clover and Skye, grew up on the island but the twins left the island travelling elsewhere to work. Noah Campbell is a guest at the hotel, one who Aria really likes. However, after they share a passionate kiss and them planning to share an evening meal together he has a meeting with her Dad and then disappears without explanation, leaving her heartbroken. Weeks later, her Dad passed away. Now, more than a year after, Noah is returning . . . .
This is a real family drama, with the three sisters each hoping they can keep the hotel running but wondering just what their Dad's will will reveal. There are some shocks in store for them, serious changes ahead and plenty of dramatic moments, too in this fascinating start to a new series.
What a great read for putting a smile on your face this proved to be. The place names are all jewel related, so fitting for this idyllic setting and the vivid descriptions make it feel like you've actually visited them. There are some quirky characters staying in the hotel and others in the local community. Aria is determined to help the local community survive and has her own ways of doing things which Noah doesn't always initially appreciate. The story is packed with humour and had me laughing out loud throughout it. I particularly liked the initially mysterious elderly lady who regularly visits the hotel and Seamus, an islander but there's also at least on character you'll love to dislike, too! It is a heartwarming romance with plenty of drama before the HEA. I'm really looking forward to revisiting this setting in future books in the series and can't recommend this book highly enough.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it just as fantastic as I'd anticipated.
October 1, 2021
Best een oké feelgood boek, maar ik kon me maar met moeite amuseren met de hoofdpersonen in het boek. Persoonlijk vond ik ze aanstellerig en kinderachtig. Wat denk ik bedoeld was als een wat diepere laag: ‘zo was hun jeugd en nu reageren ze zo’, kwam niet uit de verf vond ik. Ik geef niet meer dan 2 sterren daardoor, hoewel ik deel 2 toch ga lezen, ik ben wel nieuwsgierig naar het vervolg met één van de andere personen uit het boek, dat dan weer wel..
May 15, 2020
This story had me hooked from the first page, the style and detail reminded me a bit of her earlier books. As expected, the setting is stunning, the two main characters Aria and Noah are both charming and I found myself willing for them to get together. The story revolves around The Phillips Hotel, which is struggling to attract guests and make ends meet and in comes Noah. There are several other characters too and they bring something extra to the plot. It is a fun, enjoyable and lovely romantic read, looking forward to the next one in September. Brilliant book.
April 19, 2024
I haven’t read a Holly Martin book for a while so was looking forward to this one after having it on my kindle for ages!
An idyllic setting with some great characters. I loved Aria and Noah.
I’m looking forward to returning to Jewel Island very soon for book 2!
An idyllic setting with some great characters. I loved Aria and Noah.
I’m looking forward to returning to Jewel Island very soon for book 2!
September 26, 2020
Such a lively heartwarming story, I loved it and couldn't put it down! I cant wait to see what happens next!!
June 17, 2023
Прочитането на тази книга е част от намерението ми да дам втори шанс на автори, които съм чела веднъж.
И отново - нищо особено. Поредната романтична история, която не блести с оригиналност, но пък оставя усещане за топлота и съпричастност и удоволствие от красиво "нарисувани" природни красоти.
И отново - нищо особено. Поредната романтична история, която не блести с оригиналност, но пък оставя усещане за топлота и съпричастност и удоволствие от красиво "нарисувани" природни красоти.
July 29, 2021
1.5 Oké. Ik moet even denken of ik de energie heb voor een rant. Echt, wat een kinderachtig verhaal. De schrijfstijl is niet heel denderend en ook de vertaling is hier en daar niet perfect. Cliché op cliché, inclusief de herhalingen en een cringy einde😒 die halve ster is voor de inspiratie die het boek gaf.
May 4, 2020
I did think the premise of this book was fairly interesting and certainly the setting was great. I did, however, find the writing disappointing and the book is written mostly for the innuendos and sex scenes. I guess if that's what you want, here it is.
June 25, 2020
Boring
Got to 37% read, thought it was a mistake!
I had to skip to the end, very boring read with so much repetition and padding
Got to 37% read, thought it was a mistake!
I had to skip to the end, very boring read with so much repetition and padding
December 20, 2022
In Holly Martin’s Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay, the first installment in the Jewel Island romantic comedy series, this mesmerizing romcom will fill your heart with light, love, and laughter. For Aria Phelps, she loved living at the Phelps Hotel and cherished her relationship with Noah Campbell. They once shared a passionate kiss with each other a year ago until he left her brokenhearted. A year after her father passed away, Noah Campbell returned back into her life. Though her twin sisters wound up with money in the will, her late father left her with the family hotel which is down on its luck. As the new hotel manager, she needed to work with Noah, who brought a percentage share, to renovate it and make a profit again with some changes. For Aria, she needed to keep her distance from Noah to protect her heart and have a pure professional relationship with him. But when they get together to work on a business plan, things do get heated up between them which makes things way harder than it sounded and looked. Noah was dealt with a broken heart from his first marriage and had feelings for Aria, but he hated leaving her the first time until he returned to the island. He had a great working crew for them to turn things around to make it a success, but he didn’t want to feel abandoned and unloved again. When there was a misunderstanding, it caught them off guard, until they risked everything to be together for their happily ever after.
This heart-warming romcom pulls and tugs at your heartstrings real hard. This love story is endearing and moving beyond words. I cared for Aria (love the name) and Noah, who were left unloved and abandoned in their childhood. But Aria is a true underdog who wanted to find her own sense of belonging and be loved. Noah is a champion of the heart, who was hurt badly due to a bad marriage, and wanted someone who completed him to make him whole. They were simply made for each other. The location of Jewel Island was enchanted with lovely majestic scenic settings.. The dual themes of the story is family comes in different forms and loves someone naturally just the way they are.
This romcom will take you places and transplant you there from every page. I rated this book, five out of five stars, because I LOVED it. If you love romcoms with non-stop romantic action, plenty of drama, and heart-stopping suspense, Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay will make you sigh and weep for joy. This is recommended for fans who love Hallmark Channel movies and romcoms and various romcom novels.
This heart-warming romcom pulls and tugs at your heartstrings real hard. This love story is endearing and moving beyond words. I cared for Aria (love the name) and Noah, who were left unloved and abandoned in their childhood. But Aria is a true underdog who wanted to find her own sense of belonging and be loved. Noah is a champion of the heart, who was hurt badly due to a bad marriage, and wanted someone who completed him to make him whole. They were simply made for each other. The location of Jewel Island was enchanted with lovely majestic scenic settings.. The dual themes of the story is family comes in different forms and loves someone naturally just the way they are.
This romcom will take you places and transplant you there from every page. I rated this book, five out of five stars, because I LOVED it. If you love romcoms with non-stop romantic action, plenty of drama, and heart-stopping suspense, Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay will make you sigh and weep for joy. This is recommended for fans who love Hallmark Channel movies and romcoms and various romcom novels.
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May 24, 2021Deze recensie is eerder verschenen op Koukleum.nl.
Ik was eerder al erg enthousiast over de ‘Happiness’-serie, dus ik was ook benieuwd of dit eerste deel van een nieuwe serie mij nu ook weer zou bevallen. En ik kan volmondig ja zeggen.
Het eerste hoofdstuk leren we Aria en haar vader kennen en dit speelt zich in het verleden af. Vanaf het tweede hoofdstuk speelt het verhaal zich in het heden af. In dit eerste deel van deze trilogie draait het verhaal om Aria Philips. De andere twee zussen spelen natuurlijk ook al een rol in dit eerste deel, maar zij zullen in de volgende delen uitgebreider aan bod komen.
Ik moest in het begin even in het verhaal komen, vooral doordat ik in het begin het gevoel had alsof sommige zinnen niet helemaal lekker liepen. Iets verder in het verhaal viel me dit niet meer op. Nu weet ik niet of dit komt door dat ik er aan gewend was, of dat de auteur of vertaler ook beter in het verhaal zat, waardoor de zinnen lekkerder liepen.
Echter eenmaal in het verhaal, wilde ik alleen maar doorlezen. Er gebeurt natuurlijk erg veel in een korte tijd. Want het verhaal speelt zich in een tijdsbestek van ongeveer twee weken af en dan gebeurd er wel erg veel, maar ik heb dit niet als echt storend ervaren tijdens het lezen.
De personages zijn goed uitgewerkt, ondanks dat dit eerste boek om Aria draait, leer je ook de andere personages al goed kennen. Ik vond vooral Angel en de zussen Skye en Clover erg interessante personages en ik kijk dan ook erg uit om de volgende delen te gaan lezen en zo de andere zussen nog beter te leren kennen.
Ik was eerder al erg enthousiast over de ‘Happiness’-serie, dus ik was ook benieuwd of dit eerste deel van een nieuwe serie mij nu ook weer zou bevallen. En ik kan volmondig ja zeggen.
Het eerste hoofdstuk leren we Aria en haar vader kennen en dit speelt zich in het verleden af. Vanaf het tweede hoofdstuk speelt het verhaal zich in het heden af. In dit eerste deel van deze trilogie draait het verhaal om Aria Philips. De andere twee zussen spelen natuurlijk ook al een rol in dit eerste deel, maar zij zullen in de volgende delen uitgebreider aan bod komen.
Ik moest in het begin even in het verhaal komen, vooral doordat ik in het begin het gevoel had alsof sommige zinnen niet helemaal lekker liepen. Iets verder in het verhaal viel me dit niet meer op. Nu weet ik niet of dit komt door dat ik er aan gewend was, of dat de auteur of vertaler ook beter in het verhaal zat, waardoor de zinnen lekkerder liepen.
Echter eenmaal in het verhaal, wilde ik alleen maar doorlezen. Er gebeurt natuurlijk erg veel in een korte tijd. Want het verhaal speelt zich in een tijdsbestek van ongeveer twee weken af en dan gebeurd er wel erg veel, maar ik heb dit niet als echt storend ervaren tijdens het lezen.
De personages zijn goed uitgewerkt, ondanks dat dit eerste boek om Aria draait, leer je ook de andere personages al goed kennen. Ik vond vooral Angel en de zussen Skye en Clover erg interessante personages en ik kijk dan ook erg uit om de volgende delen te gaan lezen en zo de andere zussen nog beter te leren kennen.
April 18, 2020
This book introduces us to Aria Phillips. Aria helps her father run the family hotel based on Jewel Island, but after her father sadly died it’s left to her and her two sisters, Clover and Skye, to keep the hotel running. Little did they know how badly the hotel was doing and what plans their father had for it after he died. Could handsome Noah Campbell, a regular guest and hotel businessman, help them to bring success back to the hotel?
I say the same thing every time I read a book by this author, but I really do love this author’s work!! Every book I read by her I’m hooked on from the very first page! This book was no different!! Firstly, you are captured by the beautiful cover, with its clear blue seas and sunny skies! You are then caught in the characters, who are all so likeable. Aria is a great character and one that you can easily relate to. Unlike her sisters who have flown the nest, Ariel has always lived and worked at the hotel on Jewel Island and can’t see herself doing anything else. Whilst her sisters feature prominently in the storyline, the other main character is Noah Campbell. Noah has been a regular visitor to the hotel over the years, but he hasn’t been back there since the day he broke Aria’s heart! He returns just before the reading of Aria’s father’s Will, and you know that there’s something other than Aria that has bought him back!
Like the other books by this author, the main male character is devilishly handsome and likeable, but also usually hiding some insecurities about himself or his past. Noah is as hot as a summer’s day and also the perfect gentleman, but he still manages to carry around a lot of baggage. Aria and him, on paper, are the perfect couple but the rule of not to mix business with pleasure couldn’t be truer in this story!! That’s not to say there isn’t any pleasure though, and some of the sex scenes are hotter than what Noah is, so beware as they may make you blush!
The storyline is absolutely perfect and holds your attention throughout the book! Whether it’s the images of the island, imagining what the hotel looks like or the divine desserts that Skye makes, you will definitely enjoy that little bit of escapism from real life every time you turn the page. Whilst it has plenty of love, romance, family and friendship, it’s also about teaching important life lessons over grief, loss and dealing with change. The additional characters all add something to the story (yes, even Zoe!) and there were just too many to say which one was my favourite. I do have to admit that I did have a soft spot for Angel and of course the wonderful Mrs O’Hare! It was also lovely to see some familiar characters from some of the author’s other books!
I hope that the author turns this into a series of books focussing on some of the other people living on Jewel Island, as it would be wonderful to return to Sapphire Bay to see how everyone is getting on! I’d love to know more about Clover and Skye and follow their storylines also! As with any of the author’s other books, I would highly recommend this story! Fab, fab, fab!!!
I say the same thing every time I read a book by this author, but I really do love this author’s work!! Every book I read by her I’m hooked on from the very first page! This book was no different!! Firstly, you are captured by the beautiful cover, with its clear blue seas and sunny skies! You are then caught in the characters, who are all so likeable. Aria is a great character and one that you can easily relate to. Unlike her sisters who have flown the nest, Ariel has always lived and worked at the hotel on Jewel Island and can’t see herself doing anything else. Whilst her sisters feature prominently in the storyline, the other main character is Noah Campbell. Noah has been a regular visitor to the hotel over the years, but he hasn’t been back there since the day he broke Aria’s heart! He returns just before the reading of Aria’s father’s Will, and you know that there’s something other than Aria that has bought him back!
Like the other books by this author, the main male character is devilishly handsome and likeable, but also usually hiding some insecurities about himself or his past. Noah is as hot as a summer’s day and also the perfect gentleman, but he still manages to carry around a lot of baggage. Aria and him, on paper, are the perfect couple but the rule of not to mix business with pleasure couldn’t be truer in this story!! That’s not to say there isn’t any pleasure though, and some of the sex scenes are hotter than what Noah is, so beware as they may make you blush!
The storyline is absolutely perfect and holds your attention throughout the book! Whether it’s the images of the island, imagining what the hotel looks like or the divine desserts that Skye makes, you will definitely enjoy that little bit of escapism from real life every time you turn the page. Whilst it has plenty of love, romance, family and friendship, it’s also about teaching important life lessons over grief, loss and dealing with change. The additional characters all add something to the story (yes, even Zoe!) and there were just too many to say which one was my favourite. I do have to admit that I did have a soft spot for Angel and of course the wonderful Mrs O’Hare! It was also lovely to see some familiar characters from some of the author’s other books!
I hope that the author turns this into a series of books focussing on some of the other people living on Jewel Island, as it would be wonderful to return to Sapphire Bay to see how everyone is getting on! I’d love to know more about Clover and Skye and follow their storylines also! As with any of the author’s other books, I would highly recommend this story! Fab, fab, fab!!!
December 17, 2021
Awww I loved everything about this book, I loved the characters (apart from b*tchy Zoe) I loved the setting and I really loved the storyline.
This book was such a quick, fun, easy, lighthearted read, it did touch on some really heartbreaking issues but overall it was lighthearted. It’s the perfect book to take away on a beach escape where you can really enjoy the beautiful setting and feel part of it.
I worked in hospitality for 27 years, and it’s a huge part of who I am, so this book really touched me and and really made me feel at home. I loved the hotel, even in its tired state, and Aria was the perfect person for the place and made everyone feel like family, she is definitely a people person.
🖤 Friends to lovers
🖤 Second Chance
🖤 Holiday Romance
Noah was a really nice guy, though he has definitely had a hard life, but through it all he has made a good life for himself. He does have something missing though and I believe that something is Aria.
Noah and Aria share a lovely friendship, it’s real and it’s easy but there are some obstacles they need to go through first to make anything more possible.
I definitely recommend both this book and this new to me author, I have already grabbed all of her books available on KU and will read them asap.
This book was such a quick, fun, easy, lighthearted read, it did touch on some really heartbreaking issues but overall it was lighthearted. It’s the perfect book to take away on a beach escape where you can really enjoy the beautiful setting and feel part of it.
I worked in hospitality for 27 years, and it’s a huge part of who I am, so this book really touched me and and really made me feel at home. I loved the hotel, even in its tired state, and Aria was the perfect person for the place and made everyone feel like family, she is definitely a people person.
🖤 Friends to lovers
🖤 Second Chance
🖤 Holiday Romance
Noah was a really nice guy, though he has definitely had a hard life, but through it all he has made a good life for himself. He does have something missing though and I believe that something is Aria.
Noah and Aria share a lovely friendship, it’s real and it’s easy but there are some obstacles they need to go through first to make anything more possible.
I definitely recommend both this book and this new to me author, I have already grabbed all of her books available on KU and will read them asap.
April 9, 2020
Another great book by Holly Martin. She always makes you want to be in whatever town her stories take you to.
Aria Philips has lived in Sapphire Bay her whole life. Her parents started the hotel and as she grew up she started taking over the manager position. Her twin sisters moved away to have their on lives and dreams. When their dad dies Aria wants to make some changes that are needed at the hotel. But she has to wait for the reading of the will.
Noah Campbell has been a guest for several years at the hotel and they had become friends and then he up and left her right before her dad died. A year later she now knows why and they need to keep things professional between them.
These 2 each have some trust issues that is causing so many problems between them. How they handle things between each other I got a little bit but sometimes I just wanted to shake them up.
Thank you Holly Martin for the ARC to review.
Aria Philips has lived in Sapphire Bay her whole life. Her parents started the hotel and as she grew up she started taking over the manager position. Her twin sisters moved away to have their on lives and dreams. When their dad dies Aria wants to make some changes that are needed at the hotel. But she has to wait for the reading of the will.
Noah Campbell has been a guest for several years at the hotel and they had become friends and then he up and left her right before her dad died. A year later she now knows why and they need to keep things professional between them.
These 2 each have some trust issues that is causing so many problems between them. How they handle things between each other I got a little bit but sometimes I just wanted to shake them up.
Thank you Holly Martin for the ARC to review.
April 19, 2021
The BG version of this review: https://the-unusual-booklover.blogspo...
This was my first Holly Martin, and it for sure won't be my last. I fell in love with her simple but still impactful writing style. Her descriptions took me on this beautiful island and made me crave summer. Ah, and the love story was great.
Aria is fighting for her dream, trying to ignore the past. And Noah comes just in time. Though their relationship is complicated, with many secrets and arguments about the hotel, it was intense and realistic. I only wish the author has left some of the trauma stuff out because I read almost the same descriptions a couple of times.
I'm a sucker for the family atmosphere, so it's no surprise I loved it here! Aria and her sisters' dynamics, as well as Noah's mysterious past, were such good additions to the story.
And lastly, I adored the small-town vibe. It was comforting and familiar.
P.S. Can we acknowledge Holly Martin lives next to the sea, writing romance stories - such an inspiration!
This was my first Holly Martin, and it for sure won't be my last. I fell in love with her simple but still impactful writing style. Her descriptions took me on this beautiful island and made me crave summer. Ah, and the love story was great.
Aria is fighting for her dream, trying to ignore the past. And Noah comes just in time. Though their relationship is complicated, with many secrets and arguments about the hotel, it was intense and realistic. I only wish the author has left some of the trauma stuff out because I read almost the same descriptions a couple of times.
I'm a sucker for the family atmosphere, so it's no surprise I loved it here! Aria and her sisters' dynamics, as well as Noah's mysterious past, were such good additions to the story.
And lastly, I adored the small-town vibe. It was comforting and familiar.
P.S. Can we acknowledge Holly Martin lives next to the sea, writing romance stories - such an inspiration!
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