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The Island Home
Lorna's world is small but safe.
She loves her daughter, and the two of them is all that matters. But after nearly twenty years, she and Ella are suddenly leaving London for the Isle of Kip, the tiny remote Scottish island where Lorna grew up.
Alice's world is tiny but full.
She loves the community on Kip, her yoga classes drawing women across the tiny island together. Now Lorna's arrival might help their family finally mend itself - even if forgiveness means returning to the past...
So with two decades, hundreds of miles and a lifetime's worth of secrets between Lorna and the island, can coming home mean starting again?
She loves her daughter, and the two of them is all that matters. But after nearly twenty years, she and Ella are suddenly leaving London for the Isle of Kip, the tiny remote Scottish island where Lorna grew up.
Alice's world is tiny but full.
She loves the community on Kip, her yoga classes drawing women across the tiny island together. Now Lorna's arrival might help their family finally mend itself - even if forgiveness means returning to the past...
So with two decades, hundreds of miles and a lifetime's worth of secrets between Lorna and the island, can coming home mean starting again?
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2021
128 people are currently reading
3604 people want to read
About the author
Libby Page
9 books718 followersLibby Page previously worked in marketing, moonlighting as a writer. She graduated from The London College of Fashion with a BA in Fashion Journalism before going on to work as a journalist at the Guardian. THE LIDO is her first novel. It was pre-empted within 24 hours of submission for six figures in the UK, pre-empted for six figures in the US, and will be published in 2018 by Orion UK and Simon & Schuster US, followed by eleven other territories around the world.
Libby has been a leading campaigner for fairer internships and has spoken on TV and in parliament in support of fair pay for interns. Libby has been writing from an early age and when she was 16 she wrote an illustrated book called Love Pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.
After writing, her second passion is outdoor swimming. Libby lives in London where she enjoys finding new swimming spots and pockets of community within the city.
Libby has been a leading campaigner for fairer internships and has spoken on TV and in parliament in support of fair pay for interns. Libby has been writing from an early age and when she was 16 she wrote an illustrated book called Love Pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.
After writing, her second passion is outdoor swimming. Libby lives in London where she enjoys finding new swimming spots and pockets of community within the city.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 560 reviews
May 26, 2021
Two nervous siblings, one on the island and one in London. Lorna is anxiously awaiting the sleeper train to take her and daughter Ella from Euston to Fort William, then onward to the ferry port to take her back to the Hebridean island of Kip. Why hasn’t been back for twenty two years? Meanwhile on Kip, Jack’s nerves have made him quiet, introspective and angry which makes his wife Alice and daughter Molly full of anxiety too. Can the siblings find a way to reconnect and put the past behind them?
I like the way that Libby Page writes and this is a lovely story about self knowledge, accepting and acknowledging the past and finding the place and the people to whom you really belong. The strained relationship between Jack and Lorna is well done and a bit at a time we learn what lies at the root of their issues which shows a dark, manipulative and cruel heart lay at the centre of their family. This part of the story is well done with emotions being well conveyed with feelings of anger, pain, guilt, sadness and regret coming across clearly. The characters are good and likeable and the close, tight knit community and camaraderie of the islanders is wonderful. There are some lovely, magical descriptions of the island which make me want to book a CalMac ferry to basically any Hebridean island! The story is set in summer however and I doubt island life is much fun in winter so I guess it’s a bit rose tinted spectacles but you do get the sense of all weathers in a day, sorry, hour!! I daresay the storyline is a bit predictable but at the end of the day it’s how a book makes you feel and I like the warmth of the storytelling here in the company of lovely people.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read which transports you for a few hours to a little island in the Atlantic and distracts you from the everyday humdrum! I really like the book cover too!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion for the arc in return for an honest review.
I like the way that Libby Page writes and this is a lovely story about self knowledge, accepting and acknowledging the past and finding the place and the people to whom you really belong. The strained relationship between Jack and Lorna is well done and a bit at a time we learn what lies at the root of their issues which shows a dark, manipulative and cruel heart lay at the centre of their family. This part of the story is well done with emotions being well conveyed with feelings of anger, pain, guilt, sadness and regret coming across clearly. The characters are good and likeable and the close, tight knit community and camaraderie of the islanders is wonderful. There are some lovely, magical descriptions of the island which make me want to book a CalMac ferry to basically any Hebridean island! The story is set in summer however and I doubt island life is much fun in winter so I guess it’s a bit rose tinted spectacles but you do get the sense of all weathers in a day, sorry, hour!! I daresay the storyline is a bit predictable but at the end of the day it’s how a book makes you feel and I like the warmth of the storytelling here in the company of lovely people.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read which transports you for a few hours to a little island in the Atlantic and distracts you from the everyday humdrum! I really like the book cover too!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion for the arc in return for an honest review.
July 14, 2021
I could SMELL the salt in the air - beautifully written invoking vivid imagery.
Also mentioned in my June Wrap Up Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Fgf...
Lorna left the Isle of Kip 20 years ago under some difficult circumstances (which we go on to find out about later), she completely cut herself off from everyone including her brother.
This story is really about home/family/community.
I would love to read a sequel - wanna know what happens to everyone else on the Island!
Also mentioned in my June Wrap Up Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Fgf...
Lorna left the Isle of Kip 20 years ago under some difficult circumstances (which we go on to find out about later), she completely cut herself off from everyone including her brother.
This story is really about home/family/community.
I would love to read a sequel - wanna know what happens to everyone else on the Island!
May 27, 2022
4.5 stars
The Island Home is a beautifully written and heartwarming story about two siblings who, after years of estrangement and hundreds of miles between them, finally reunite for the funeral of their parents. Lorna is finally returning to the Isle of Kip, the tiny remote Scottish island where she grew up.
But returning means coming to terms with the past, the memories and family secrets, and finally work on the strained relationship with her brother who she hasn’t seen in nearly twenty years.
I absolutely loved the rich and beautifully vivid imagery of the Isle of Kip, the juxtaposition between the slower paced (and much warmer community) of the island to the frenetic lifestyle Lorna and her daughter live in London.
Likewise, the characters are all pretty relatable, they have flaws and experience situations that brings a sense of authenticity and realism to Page’s writing that I really enjoyed. Lorna and Jack’s childhood experiences are explored as are the themes of anxiety and abuse, which I felt was handled exceptionally well and—though upsetting at times—didn’t take away from the optimism and resilience that the book mostly focuses on.
I was soo emotionally invested Lorna as a character, it was really interesting to see how her experiences shaped her and the way she chose to raise her own daughter. We also get to see Lorna get reacquainted with old friends and meet new friends along the way, including Alice her sister-in-law who I also really liked (she is one of the POV characters alongside Lorna.)
It is set during the summer so there is a rather romanticised view of island life in this close knit community but it works with the lighthearted tone of the book and how a ‘place’ can link people together or evoke strong feelings.
Overall, The Island Home is a gorgeously written and uplifting story that really tugs at your heartstrings so if you enjoy contemporary fiction or are looking for a heartwarming read to take on vacation then look no further, it definitely has all the ingredients to make this the perfect beach read.
Also, I have to say a massive thank you to Orion books for the paperback copy.
The Island Home is a beautifully written and heartwarming story about two siblings who, after years of estrangement and hundreds of miles between them, finally reunite for the funeral of their parents. Lorna is finally returning to the Isle of Kip, the tiny remote Scottish island where she grew up.
But returning means coming to terms with the past, the memories and family secrets, and finally work on the strained relationship with her brother who she hasn’t seen in nearly twenty years.
I absolutely loved the rich and beautifully vivid imagery of the Isle of Kip, the juxtaposition between the slower paced (and much warmer community) of the island to the frenetic lifestyle Lorna and her daughter live in London.
Likewise, the characters are all pretty relatable, they have flaws and experience situations that brings a sense of authenticity and realism to Page’s writing that I really enjoyed. Lorna and Jack’s childhood experiences are explored as are the themes of anxiety and abuse, which I felt was handled exceptionally well and—though upsetting at times—didn’t take away from the optimism and resilience that the book mostly focuses on.
I was soo emotionally invested Lorna as a character, it was really interesting to see how her experiences shaped her and the way she chose to raise her own daughter. We also get to see Lorna get reacquainted with old friends and meet new friends along the way, including Alice her sister-in-law who I also really liked (she is one of the POV characters alongside Lorna.)
It is set during the summer so there is a rather romanticised view of island life in this close knit community but it works with the lighthearted tone of the book and how a ‘place’ can link people together or evoke strong feelings.
Overall, The Island Home is a gorgeously written and uplifting story that really tugs at your heartstrings so if you enjoy contemporary fiction or are looking for a heartwarming read to take on vacation then look no further, it definitely has all the ingredients to make this the perfect beach read.
Also, I have to say a massive thank you to Orion books for the paperback copy.
September 11, 2021
This is the story of a woman in her 40s returning to the Hebridean Island she run away from when she was 18.
I found all the characters likeable and sympathetic to some degree, and the landscape and community were nicely depicted. On the surface of it this book is very much my sort of thing. So why did I only think it was 'OK'?
It's a perfectly nice, inoffensive book but I just found that I was underwhelmed and bored. The storyline was very predictable with far too many words spent on internal dilemmas that weren't really dilemmas.
Don't listen to me though, as most people who have read it rave about it. I probably have my curmudgeon mode on again!
I found all the characters likeable and sympathetic to some degree, and the landscape and community were nicely depicted. On the surface of it this book is very much my sort of thing. So why did I only think it was 'OK'?
It's a perfectly nice, inoffensive book but I just found that I was underwhelmed and bored. The storyline was very predictable with far too many words spent on internal dilemmas that weren't really dilemmas.
Don't listen to me though, as most people who have read it rave about it. I probably have my curmudgeon mode on again!
July 7, 2021
I had great memories of reading Libby Page's previous novel "The Lido" so was really looking forward to "The Island Home".
One of my all-time favourite settings for a novel is the Hebrides, and islands in general have always held a fascination for me. The fictional island of Kip in this novel is an almost idyllic place - a place I would love to live.
If I had to say anything negative about this lovely novel is that it was very predictable. However, in this case, I found that I didn't care. It's predictability made it comforting and the characters were all so wonderful that I enjoyed the journey with them, despite the fact that very early on I know how it would all pan out.
This is a book with themes of homecoming, regret, hope, belonging, and community.
If you are looking for a feel good novel that also tugs at your heart strings, then this is the book for you. A lovely read that I can highly recommend.
One of my all-time favourite settings for a novel is the Hebrides, and islands in general have always held a fascination for me. The fictional island of Kip in this novel is an almost idyllic place - a place I would love to live.
If I had to say anything negative about this lovely novel is that it was very predictable. However, in this case, I found that I didn't care. It's predictability made it comforting and the characters were all so wonderful that I enjoyed the journey with them, despite the fact that very early on I know how it would all pan out.
This is a book with themes of homecoming, regret, hope, belonging, and community.
If you are looking for a feel good novel that also tugs at your heart strings, then this is the book for you. A lovely read that I can highly recommend.
June 23, 2021
I've just finished reading The Island Home and I've already bought other 2 of Libby Page's books. That's how much I liked it.
Winning point of this book are the characters and their relationships, in addition to the wonderful landscape descriptions.
I felt a kind of connection to Lorna's character and could really feel her emotions, especially those connected her "little brother".
Beautiful read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Winning point of this book are the characters and their relationships, in addition to the wonderful landscape descriptions.
I felt a kind of connection to Lorna's character and could really feel her emotions, especially those connected her "little brother".
Beautiful read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2024
Another book for my local Bookclub and this certainly wouldn’t be my choice. The first two chapters are so poorly written that I wondered if I was going to finish the book. BUT as I read on I began to fall in love with some of the characters and the sense of community.
This said however I have to be honest, I spotted the obvious mistake on page 268 where the author mixes up her characters names and after a shaky start the book jumps from one trauma to another. It’s a painfully predictable but a comfortable read.
I think I need to mention this book isn’t descriptive as it perhaps needs to be with what I can only assume is a beautiful island and her characters need more complexity but perhaps I’m missing the joy of this book in its predictability, it’s simple characters, it’s trauma then joy style is what makes this novel a page turner.
I’m glad I persevered with the novel which I surprisingly enjoyed.
This said however I have to be honest, I spotted the obvious mistake on page 268 where the author mixes up her characters names and after a shaky start the book jumps from one trauma to another. It’s a painfully predictable but a comfortable read.
I think I need to mention this book isn’t descriptive as it perhaps needs to be with what I can only assume is a beautiful island and her characters need more complexity but perhaps I’m missing the joy of this book in its predictability, it’s simple characters, it’s trauma then joy style is what makes this novel a page turner.
I’m glad I persevered with the novel which I surprisingly enjoyed.
July 4, 2021
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️
A heart-warming read, certain to bring a smile to your face (and a tear to your eye).
The story is narrated over alternating chapters by likeable characters Lorna and Alice: Lorna, who left the remote Scottish island of Kip when she was eighteen, now only returning over twenty years later for the funeral of her parents (accompanied by Ella, her teenage daughter); and Alice, the sister-in-law Lorna has never met, until now.
Libby Page has painted a beautiful, detailed picture of the Isle of Kip, using a colourful, rich, vivid palette; the landscape, the unpredictable weather, all so realistically drawn I feel as if I’ve visited there in person.
I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to the diverse, motley crew of characters, the close-knit community and their unbreakable spirit. The ending is quite predictable, but satisfyingly so.
The Island Home is a story about love, family and forgiveness but most importantly, friendship.
Many thanks to Orion Publishing for the gifted copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
A heart-warming read, certain to bring a smile to your face (and a tear to your eye).
The story is narrated over alternating chapters by likeable characters Lorna and Alice: Lorna, who left the remote Scottish island of Kip when she was eighteen, now only returning over twenty years later for the funeral of her parents (accompanied by Ella, her teenage daughter); and Alice, the sister-in-law Lorna has never met, until now.
Libby Page has painted a beautiful, detailed picture of the Isle of Kip, using a colourful, rich, vivid palette; the landscape, the unpredictable weather, all so realistically drawn I feel as if I’ve visited there in person.
I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to the diverse, motley crew of characters, the close-knit community and their unbreakable spirit. The ending is quite predictable, but satisfyingly so.
The Island Home is a story about love, family and forgiveness but most importantly, friendship.
Many thanks to Orion Publishing for the gifted copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
September 25, 2021
It wasn’t a horrible read or anything, just very vanilla
October 23, 2021
I've just finished reading The Island Home and I've already bought other 2 of Libby Page's books. That's how much I liked it.
Winning point of this book are the characters and their relationships, in addition to the wonderful landscape descriptions.
I felt a kind of connection to Lorna's character and could really feel her emotions, especially those connected to her "little brother".
Beautiful read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Winning point of this book are the characters and their relationships, in addition to the wonderful landscape descriptions.
I felt a kind of connection to Lorna's character and could really feel her emotions, especially those connected to her "little brother".
Beautiful read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2022
If you’re looking for a heartwarming book with a beautiful island setting then look no further than this as Libby Page has got you covered. This is the story of two siblings reuniting with each other after the death of their parents. Lorna fled the island over 20 years ago, but is now having to return for the funeral of her parents with her teenager daughter Ella in tow. Her brother Jack still lives on the island, with his wife Alice and their daughter Molly, but she doesn’t know anything about his life there after she bolted. We read through the book feeling the anxiety seep off the pages as these two siblings worry about seeing the other for the first time in 20 years, seeing the ice thaw and their relationship start to mend, along with how Ella and Molly begin to find their own relationship with each other, and the community of the island around them. But what exactly made Lorna flee the island in the first place? We get to find out in the book, and when we do we realise just how messed up families can be.
This is a story about reunions, finding friends old and new, and overcoming the things that haunt us in our pasts. The Island Home is out now so make sure you grab a copy for a lovely summer read.
Thank you to Orion books for sending me a copy of this beautiful book.
This is a story about reunions, finding friends old and new, and overcoming the things that haunt us in our pasts. The Island Home is out now so make sure you grab a copy for a lovely summer read.
Thank you to Orion books for sending me a copy of this beautiful book.
March 27, 2021
At the age of eighteen, Lorna left the remote Scottish island where she grew up, never to return. Or at least, not for over twenty years, when teenage daughter Ella presents her with a bit of a fait accompli, having been secretly in touch with her cousin Molly, daughter of Lorna’s younger brother Jack.
It’s an intimidating prospect for Lorna, now a teacher in London but whose childhood on the island, along with the circumstances of her leaving, was far from ideal. She hasn’t seen Jack since she left, and it’s not going to be easy to reconnect, and to face up to a past she’s tried hard to bury.
I loved Libby Page’s previous novels, The Lido and The 24 Hour Cafe. The Island is an enjoyable read but didn’t grab me to quite the same extent as those others.
The story is told from the viewpoints of Lorna and of Alice, her brother’s wife. Because both Lorna and Alice’s narratives are in the first person present tense, I occasionally became confused as to who was speaking.
The story was readable and engaging, but a tiny bit predictable (for instance, it’s blindingly obvious from the moment one character appears that he’s going to be a love interest for Lorna), the island a little romanticised and the ending a little too neat, though I did like the diverse cast of characters. Lorna herself and Alice are relatable characters, though the way the teenage girls spoke (speaking as the mother of a similarly-aged one) didn’t always ring true.
Despite a few caveats though, it was an enjoyable and warm-hearted read, rather in the vein of Jenny Colgan’s stories set on a similar Scottish island.
It’s an intimidating prospect for Lorna, now a teacher in London but whose childhood on the island, along with the circumstances of her leaving, was far from ideal. She hasn’t seen Jack since she left, and it’s not going to be easy to reconnect, and to face up to a past she’s tried hard to bury.
I loved Libby Page’s previous novels, The Lido and The 24 Hour Cafe. The Island is an enjoyable read but didn’t grab me to quite the same extent as those others.
The story is told from the viewpoints of Lorna and of Alice, her brother’s wife. Because both Lorna and Alice’s narratives are in the first person present tense, I occasionally became confused as to who was speaking.
The story was readable and engaging, but a tiny bit predictable (for instance, it’s blindingly obvious from the moment one character appears that he’s going to be a love interest for Lorna), the island a little romanticised and the ending a little too neat, though I did like the diverse cast of characters. Lorna herself and Alice are relatable characters, though the way the teenage girls spoke (speaking as the mother of a similarly-aged one) didn’t always ring true.
Despite a few caveats though, it was an enjoyable and warm-hearted read, rather in the vein of Jenny Colgan’s stories set on a similar Scottish island.
July 17, 2022
(3.5 stars rounded down)
This made me laugh, and cry, and all the great things you hope for in a book.
The only flaw to me was: I knew from early on in the book how it would end, so it lacked the twists and turns and suspense that I so much enjoy.
It is a lovely story in a beautiful setting. The (fictional) Isle of Kip is described vividly - and, of course, people: the mistakes we make, the scars we leave on others and ourselves, and how even when things aren’t right, things can be okay.
This made me laugh, and cry, and all the great things you hope for in a book.
The only flaw to me was: I knew from early on in the book how it would end, so it lacked the twists and turns and suspense that I so much enjoy.
It is a lovely story in a beautiful setting. The (fictional) Isle of Kip is described vividly - and, of course, people: the mistakes we make, the scars we leave on others and ourselves, and how even when things aren’t right, things can be okay.
October 10, 2021
Lorna ontvluchtte het piepkleine Schotse eiland Kip, waar ze opgroeide met haar ouders en jongere broer Jack, halsoverkop toen ze achttien was. Ze zwoer dat ze nooit meer terug zou keren, verbrak het contact met iedereen en bouwde een leven voor zichzelf op in Londen. Nu, tweeëntwintig jaar na haar vertrek, keert ze terug, samen met haar tienerdochter Ella. Wat is er gebeurd waardoor ze de beslissing nam om weg te gaan? En kunnen verbroken banden nog worden hersteld?
Alice, de vrouw van Jack, leidt een prettig en rustig leven op het eiland, ze houdt van de gemeenschap, de natuur, haar gezin en de yogalessen die ze geeft. Ze heeft een hechte, gemêleerde vriendengroep die altijd voor elkaar klaar staat, ook wanneer het moeilijk wordt. En op het moment is het lastig, heel lastig. De gemeenschap staat onder druk en ook haar huwelijk heeft betere tijden gekend. Haar lieve man heeft regelmatig sombere, stille buien, en Alice hoopt dat Lorna haar wat meer inzicht kan geven in hun verleden, een verleden waar Jack nooit over praat.
Libby Page neemt je vanaf het begin mee in haar verhaal, in de gedachten en de bezigheden van haar hoofdpersonages, waardoor het voelt alsof je met Lorna op reis gaat, waardoor je haar twijfels, weerstand, een bepaalde angst en voorzichtige hoop meekrijgt. Wanneer je vanuit het perspectief van Alice leest, ben je onderdeel van het leven op Kip, voel je haar genegenheid voor haar gezin en hoop je met haar mee dat iedereen weer dichter bij elkaar komt.
Tussen Lorna en Jack zijn veel zaken onuitgesproken gebleven, en langzamerhand wordt ontrafeld waarom Lorna is verdwenen, hoe Jack tegen bepaalde gebeurtenissen aankijkt, wat ze elkaar kwalijk hebben genomen, waar de pijnpunten zitten. Je leeft mee met de personages en terwijl ze zich meer openstellen voor elkaar, kan het oude zeer eindelijk naar buiten. Dit is een gevoelig, emotioneel, warm, sfeervol, afgewogen en genuanceerd verhaal over een verscheurde familie, je plek op de wereld en binnen een gemeenschap, afscheid en een nieuw begin. Een verhaal over familiebanden, vriendschap, spijt, schuldgevoelens, verdriet, eenzaamheid, ambitie, wegvluchten en thuiskomen. Een erg mooi verhaal dat je raakt!
4-4.5⭐️
Alice, de vrouw van Jack, leidt een prettig en rustig leven op het eiland, ze houdt van de gemeenschap, de natuur, haar gezin en de yogalessen die ze geeft. Ze heeft een hechte, gemêleerde vriendengroep die altijd voor elkaar klaar staat, ook wanneer het moeilijk wordt. En op het moment is het lastig, heel lastig. De gemeenschap staat onder druk en ook haar huwelijk heeft betere tijden gekend. Haar lieve man heeft regelmatig sombere, stille buien, en Alice hoopt dat Lorna haar wat meer inzicht kan geven in hun verleden, een verleden waar Jack nooit over praat.
Libby Page neemt je vanaf het begin mee in haar verhaal, in de gedachten en de bezigheden van haar hoofdpersonages, waardoor het voelt alsof je met Lorna op reis gaat, waardoor je haar twijfels, weerstand, een bepaalde angst en voorzichtige hoop meekrijgt. Wanneer je vanuit het perspectief van Alice leest, ben je onderdeel van het leven op Kip, voel je haar genegenheid voor haar gezin en hoop je met haar mee dat iedereen weer dichter bij elkaar komt.
Tussen Lorna en Jack zijn veel zaken onuitgesproken gebleven, en langzamerhand wordt ontrafeld waarom Lorna is verdwenen, hoe Jack tegen bepaalde gebeurtenissen aankijkt, wat ze elkaar kwalijk hebben genomen, waar de pijnpunten zitten. Je leeft mee met de personages en terwijl ze zich meer openstellen voor elkaar, kan het oude zeer eindelijk naar buiten. Dit is een gevoelig, emotioneel, warm, sfeervol, afgewogen en genuanceerd verhaal over een verscheurde familie, je plek op de wereld en binnen een gemeenschap, afscheid en een nieuw begin. Een verhaal over familiebanden, vriendschap, spijt, schuldgevoelens, verdriet, eenzaamheid, ambitie, wegvluchten en thuiskomen. Een erg mooi verhaal dat je raakt!
4-4.5⭐️
October 23, 2024
Ich weiß schon, warum ich das auf meine Leseliste gesetzt habe: Es spielt in Schottland. Meine Hoffnung war wohl, dass das für ein gutes Buch reicht. War halt nicht so, Pech gehabt.
Ein melodramatisches, süßlich-kitschiges Buch voller nerviger Küchenpsychologie. Ein Buch über 40jährige Frauen für 60jährige Frauen - weshalb sich die 40jährigen Frauen im Roman wie Omas benehmen und die Teenager wie absolute Engel.
Blerg.
Ein melodramatisches, süßlich-kitschiges Buch voller nerviger Küchenpsychologie. Ein Buch über 40jährige Frauen für 60jährige Frauen - weshalb sich die 40jährigen Frauen im Roman wie Omas benehmen und die Teenager wie absolute Engel.
Blerg.
December 15, 2021
I am an avid fan of Libby Page so could not wait for this book to arrive once published.
The story is based around Laura a 40 year old single mum who left her home on a Scottish island as a teenager and not gone back until her daughter announces she wants to visit her cousin on the island.
The story focusses on childhood trauma, relationships both familial and friendships all of which is encompassed within an Island community.
I was drawn in quickly to the character of Lorna. At times I found the story slow but always wanted to know what was going to happen next. Final few chapters had me hooked.
Another great read by the author. Looking forward to book 4.
The story is based around Laura a 40 year old single mum who left her home on a Scottish island as a teenager and not gone back until her daughter announces she wants to visit her cousin on the island.
The story focusses on childhood trauma, relationships both familial and friendships all of which is encompassed within an Island community.
I was drawn in quickly to the character of Lorna. At times I found the story slow but always wanted to know what was going to happen next. Final few chapters had me hooked.
Another great read by the author. Looking forward to book 4.
September 21, 2022
Thank you Igor for the recommendation. This was a nice slow burn read about reconnecting and appreciating family and friends. I found it to be a nice change of pace that the “decades of secrets”, though certainly not pleasant, we’re not some unimaginable, horrible scenario.
The characters felt very real and their lives seemed authentic.
The characters felt very real and their lives seemed authentic.
June 20, 2021
What can I say? Libby Page has done it again. In fact, I would go as far as to say that this is my favourite of Page’s work so far! It’s one of those books that, at the end, I hugged it to my chest - feel good literature at its best.
The novel is told from two alternate narratives: Lorna and her sister in law Alice and both women are delightful in their differing ways. Alice is more aloof, more wary and does her upmost to keep her and her daughter safe, even if that means keeping everyone at a distance; Alice is quite the opposite: warm with a plethora of family and friends - but both women have their vulnerabilities that they must overcome.
Some parts of this novel are a little bleaker than Page’s last two novels as she addresses some hard hitting themes, especially in relation to Lorna, who turned her back on her entire family and friends over 20 years ago and the reader is immediately thrown into the mystery as to what happened to Lorna all those years ago!
The result is great character development and emphasis on Page’s favourite themes: home, family, community!
It would be amiss of me not to mention the extremely evocative and beautifully crafted setting of the novel - isolated, beautiful, natural and full of love, Kip is the perfect third protagonist!
So, yep, I loved it!
The novel is told from two alternate narratives: Lorna and her sister in law Alice and both women are delightful in their differing ways. Alice is more aloof, more wary and does her upmost to keep her and her daughter safe, even if that means keeping everyone at a distance; Alice is quite the opposite: warm with a plethora of family and friends - but both women have their vulnerabilities that they must overcome.
Some parts of this novel are a little bleaker than Page’s last two novels as she addresses some hard hitting themes, especially in relation to Lorna, who turned her back on her entire family and friends over 20 years ago and the reader is immediately thrown into the mystery as to what happened to Lorna all those years ago!
The result is great character development and emphasis on Page’s favourite themes: home, family, community!
It would be amiss of me not to mention the extremely evocative and beautifully crafted setting of the novel - isolated, beautiful, natural and full of love, Kip is the perfect third protagonist!
So, yep, I loved it!
March 3, 2022
Oh, this was a frustrating one. The bones of a solid book are all here. A heartwarming story, a cast of flawed but loveable characters, a distinctive island setting and some moving scenes of the power of community. Nothing revolutionary, but a good read.
But my goodness, I wish The Island Home had been punched up by a ruthless editor. It could have been so much *better*. The entire novel is told in first person, with alternating POV chapters from single mother Lorna and her sister-in-law Alice. And too many lines in these chapters read like my old LiveJournal entries. I lost count of the amount of phrases in the vein of "I just couldn't" and "I couldn't help but". The voices of Lorna and Alice also aren't distinctive enough - I frequently had to actively remind myself whose chapter I was reading. A stricter editor should have caught that.
Again, this is not a bad book! But it's not nearly as good as it could have been.
But my goodness, I wish The Island Home had been punched up by a ruthless editor. It could have been so much *better*. The entire novel is told in first person, with alternating POV chapters from single mother Lorna and her sister-in-law Alice. And too many lines in these chapters read like my old LiveJournal entries. I lost count of the amount of phrases in the vein of "I just couldn't" and "I couldn't help but". The voices of Lorna and Alice also aren't distinctive enough - I frequently had to actively remind myself whose chapter I was reading. A stricter editor should have caught that.
Again, this is not a bad book! But it's not nearly as good as it could have been.
August 28, 2022
As someone who loves living quite remotely, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the descriptions of life on a Scottish Island.
As always with Libby's books the characters were likeable and the story believable.
4.5 stars 🌟
As always with Libby's books the characters were likeable and the story believable.
4.5 stars 🌟
June 25, 2021
The Island Home is the story of two reuniting siblings, and is a thoughtful, and a wonderful celebration of community and found family. We accompany Lorna, a teacher in London with a teen daughter Ella, as they await an overnight train to Fort William, ahead of a ferry to the island of Kip. Lorna fled the fictitious Hebridean island over 20 years prior, leaving behind her family including her brother Jack. Now, faced with the funeral of her parents, Lorna has to not only attend but also to confront her past which means seeing Jack again, along with his wife Alice and their daughter Molly, both of whom she knows nothing about. Her experiences are interwoven with chapters from the perspective of her sister-in-law Alice and we see how the pair's lives interweave, especially due to the interactions between Ella and Molly, and with the island community as a whole.
I love the way Libby Page writes about communities. You can feel the richness and warmth of the islanders' kindness and community spirit ooze through the pages, much like her descriptions of Brixton in the Lido. Whilst some eventualities in the story are a touch predictable there’s a sense of charm that comes from seeing a romance began to fizzle, and seeing Jack and Lorna slowly make amends, and also the easy friendships that form with the women of the island. Set over the summer period, Libby romanticises the islands and it’s circumstances, and her storytelling is compelling and enriching. With deeper themes surrounding gaslighting, manipulation, strained family relationships and childhood cruelty, there’s an equilibrium achieved with some lighter moments including Ella and Molly’s escapades, and a yoga class of eccentric women.
Atmospheric, feel-good and charming - it’s brimming with light and tenderness. A theme of family and belonging, and a journey of self-discovery to find a home both in location and in other people are at the core of this novel. It’s a joyous celebration of life, filled with compassion - it’s compelling, hopeful and a real slice of happiness in a world filled with lockdowns and struggles. It really looks at the way our childhood and experiences can shape us, and is a story of self-growth and finding peace. The dual perspectives really captivated me, and this feel-good novel is like a welcome, tender sunbeam of light.
4.5 stars for me! Huge thank you to the Orion team for my gifted copy ahead of publication
I love the way Libby Page writes about communities. You can feel the richness and warmth of the islanders' kindness and community spirit ooze through the pages, much like her descriptions of Brixton in the Lido. Whilst some eventualities in the story are a touch predictable there’s a sense of charm that comes from seeing a romance began to fizzle, and seeing Jack and Lorna slowly make amends, and also the easy friendships that form with the women of the island. Set over the summer period, Libby romanticises the islands and it’s circumstances, and her storytelling is compelling and enriching. With deeper themes surrounding gaslighting, manipulation, strained family relationships and childhood cruelty, there’s an equilibrium achieved with some lighter moments including Ella and Molly’s escapades, and a yoga class of eccentric women.
Atmospheric, feel-good and charming - it’s brimming with light and tenderness. A theme of family and belonging, and a journey of self-discovery to find a home both in location and in other people are at the core of this novel. It’s a joyous celebration of life, filled with compassion - it’s compelling, hopeful and a real slice of happiness in a world filled with lockdowns and struggles. It really looks at the way our childhood and experiences can shape us, and is a story of self-growth and finding peace. The dual perspectives really captivated me, and this feel-good novel is like a welcome, tender sunbeam of light.
4.5 stars for me! Huge thank you to the Orion team for my gifted copy ahead of publication
January 5, 2022
Lorna houdt heel veel van haar tienerdochter Ella. Na twintig jaar besluit Lorna om, samen met haar dochter, Londen te verlaten en terug te keren naar het piepkleine eiland Kip. Kip is een eiland bij de Schotse kust en Lorna is daar opgegroeid, samen met haar broer Jack. Toen ze achttien jaar oud was, besloot ze om te vertrekken en nooit meer terug te keren. Maar dan overlijden haar ouders en besluit ze nog één keer terug te komen.
Alice is getrouwd met Jack en samen hebben ze een dochter: Molly. Alice geeft yogalessen waar vrouwen van het hele eiland op afkomen. Echter verloopt haar huwelijk niet zo goed. Ze hoopt dat Lorna wat meer over hun jeugd vertelt, zodat ze Jack misschien beter kan begrijpen.
'Het eiland' wordt verteld vanuit zowel Lorna als Alice. Deze afwisseling tussen de hoofdstukken is fijn en je leert beide personages hierdoor steeds beter kennen. De schrijfstijl van Libby is heel prettig en vlot en je voelt je erg betrokken bij de twee hoofdpersonages. Ook de ontwikkeling tussen Lorna en haar broer Jack is interessant. Het leven op het eiland is mooi omschreven. Sommige stukken waren misschien een beetje langdradig, maar toch was dit een mooi boek om eens gelezen te hebben.
Alice is getrouwd met Jack en samen hebben ze een dochter: Molly. Alice geeft yogalessen waar vrouwen van het hele eiland op afkomen. Echter verloopt haar huwelijk niet zo goed. Ze hoopt dat Lorna wat meer over hun jeugd vertelt, zodat ze Jack misschien beter kan begrijpen.
'Het eiland' wordt verteld vanuit zowel Lorna als Alice. Deze afwisseling tussen de hoofdstukken is fijn en je leert beide personages hierdoor steeds beter kennen. De schrijfstijl van Libby is heel prettig en vlot en je voelt je erg betrokken bij de twee hoofdpersonages. Ook de ontwikkeling tussen Lorna en haar broer Jack is interessant. Het leven op het eiland is mooi omschreven. Sommige stukken waren misschien een beetje langdradig, maar toch was dit een mooi boek om eens gelezen te hebben.
August 21, 2022
Libby is a truly wonderful author. Luckily I still have another one of her novels on my Kindle.
June 28, 2021
I am broken! I spent a lot of time reading the pages through tears, but although it has heart wrenching moments it also has many uplifting moments. What a rollercoaster of emotions!
I loved The Lido by Libby so was very excited to read her new book and to take part in the blog tour (I also have The 24 hour cafe in my pile to read!)
Firstly we have to take a minute to appreciate the gorgeous book cover, complete with shiny gold foil, which will in itself stand out and want you to pick it up from the shelf!
The story is written in alternating chapters from the POV of two women; Lorna and Alice, which gives us a deep understanding of their thoughts and emotions.
Lorna’s is the main storyline but Alice’s story is just as interesting and deals with her moving to the island to marry Jack but also trying to come to terms with the fact she doesn’t feel that she has done as much in life as her two academic sisters and is always in their shadow.
Lorna is filled with trepidation as she heads back to the small island of Kip where she grew up but escaped from 20 years ago, cutting ties with everyone in her life. This will be the first time she has returned to the island; the first time she will have seen, or spoken to, her younger brother Jack since she left.
She has been living in a flat in London with her 13 year old daughter Ella, living a fairly insular life with only one friend. She prefers it that way as she is not willing to open up her life or discuss her childhood for fear of being hurt again. She has worked her way up to a successful position as headteacher.
Ella has found she has a cousin, Molly, by searching online and they have been regularly chatting. It is Ella’s idea to visit the island and meet her family and also to attend the funeral of her grandparents.
The initial welcome from her brother Jack is frosty, but his wife Alice, who is unaware of the reason for Lorna leaving, is very supportive and quickly becomes a friend. It comes to light that Jack had no idea of the real reason Lorna left the island, having been fed lies by his parents.
We are taken into the runnings and lives of those who live on a small isolated island and to be honest I think I would enjoy the laid back life! I just need to train as a teacher as they appear to be in short supply! The descriptive writing is spot on and I could almost taste the salt in the air.
We eventually find the reason for Lorna leaving which is heartbreaking. This will hit you mothers out there quite hard so have the tissues ready.
Another heartbreaking episode we have to deal with is Lorna’s parents have recently passed away and she is here for the funeral. I have been in the position of clearing out my parents home which I grew up in and it is traumatic.
More tears.
I loved the way most of the islanders embraced Lorna and Emma immediately as part of the community. Mallarchy in particular was an amazing character helping Lorna rediscover her love of art and helping her come out of her shell and begin to trust again.
I would definitely recommend this stunning, engrossing, emotional story of finding where you belong.
June 24, 2021
CW: Domestic abuse, child abuse/neglect, miscarriage, cancer, runaways
The Island Home is the first of Libby Page’s books that I have read, and while it was a quick read, there are a number of things about it that just missed the mark for me.
This novel tells the story of Lorna and Jack, two siblings long separated who meet again for their parents’ funeral. The book is separated into two narrators: Lorna, and Jack’s wife, Alice. Sadly, both are in first-person and neither voice is distinctive enough to separate them. I really struggled with who was narrating at times, because they sound so similar.
Equally, I felt very ambushed by the amount of characters, their names, descriptions, and relationships, at the start of the novel. There’s simply too many and too much information is dumped onto the reader, especially during the opening scenes on the Island of Kip. I felt drained by the amount of information and two-dimensional characters, and often didn’t really click as to who was who, given I felt that most of them were interchangeable.
I did like the island setting once Lorna and her daughter Ella arrived on Kip, and started to explore — Lorna to re-discover her childhood home, and Ella to discover it for the first time. There were moments when I wanted more from the setting, however, and couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Anita Shreve’s masterful Body Surfing (which I vastly prefer).
There was a lot of repetitive language and also some turns of phrase that I didn’t appreciate — for instance, the “chubby coffee-coloured cheeks” of one of the babies. BIPOC ask writers not to compare their skin tones to food, because it reinforces the idea of Black and Brown bodies being a commodity, equal to food, and yet here we have it used again. I also noticed a few editorial errors, such as when Alice says of Lorna, “I turn and lead this anxious stranger, my husband’s brother and my daughter’s aunt, into my home.” — this should surely be “my husband’s sister”?! I can’t believe that wasn’t caught in proofing.
Overall I felt that this novel was very contrived and predictable, even given the content warnings I’ve given above, and I didn’t feel that some of the heavier subject matter was handled that well. The plot itself didn’t seem to have much charge and you could see the ending from a mile away, which is a shame because I really liked the premise of this book, but sadly it didn’t live up to the hype.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Orion, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Island Home is the first of Libby Page’s books that I have read, and while it was a quick read, there are a number of things about it that just missed the mark for me.
This novel tells the story of Lorna and Jack, two siblings long separated who meet again for their parents’ funeral. The book is separated into two narrators: Lorna, and Jack’s wife, Alice. Sadly, both are in first-person and neither voice is distinctive enough to separate them. I really struggled with who was narrating at times, because they sound so similar.
Equally, I felt very ambushed by the amount of characters, their names, descriptions, and relationships, at the start of the novel. There’s simply too many and too much information is dumped onto the reader, especially during the opening scenes on the Island of Kip. I felt drained by the amount of information and two-dimensional characters, and often didn’t really click as to who was who, given I felt that most of them were interchangeable.
I did like the island setting once Lorna and her daughter Ella arrived on Kip, and started to explore — Lorna to re-discover her childhood home, and Ella to discover it for the first time. There were moments when I wanted more from the setting, however, and couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Anita Shreve’s masterful Body Surfing (which I vastly prefer).
There was a lot of repetitive language and also some turns of phrase that I didn’t appreciate — for instance, the “chubby coffee-coloured cheeks” of one of the babies. BIPOC ask writers not to compare their skin tones to food, because it reinforces the idea of Black and Brown bodies being a commodity, equal to food, and yet here we have it used again. I also noticed a few editorial errors, such as when Alice says of Lorna, “I turn and lead this anxious stranger, my husband’s brother and my daughter’s aunt, into my home.” — this should surely be “my husband’s sister”?! I can’t believe that wasn’t caught in proofing.
Overall I felt that this novel was very contrived and predictable, even given the content warnings I’ve given above, and I didn’t feel that some of the heavier subject matter was handled that well. The plot itself didn’t seem to have much charge and you could see the ending from a mile away, which is a shame because I really liked the premise of this book, but sadly it didn’t live up to the hype.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Orion, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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January 28, 2023DNF at 77%. I could've pushed through till the end, but it's such a boring book and so infuriatingly badly researched at times that I couldn't get there. There's a scene where the main character falls off the side of a small boat into the north Atlantic, and has to be rescued by the other people on board; then they get to their island and walk on *as though nothing had happened*. No one, of these people apparently born and raised on a tiny Hebridean island, even uses the word "cold"; and when she gets hypothermia later, everyone is terribly surprised(!) Add that to long, long, boring description of everyone and everything, where they're all sitting in the room, who closed the door, what colour the carpet is, etc., etc., and I'm done.
June 5, 2021
Lorna returns to her childhood home on a remote Scottish Island with her daughter Ella to reconnect with her family.
A slow and predictable read that failed to hold my attention in parts although I did enjoyed the description of Island life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review
A slow and predictable read that failed to hold my attention in parts although I did enjoyed the description of Island life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review
April 20, 2022
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Orion for approving me for an ARC of this book.
The story centres around two narrators, Alice and Lorna. Alice lives on the Isle of Kip and loves it there. She runs her own yoga classes and has a beautiful community surrounding her. Her daughter Molly and husband Jack are her world but she too has her struggles which we learn of as the story progresses.
Our other narrator, Lorna, fled the Isle of Kip twenty years ago and has not spoken to her brother Jack since. Since leaving the island she has had her own daughter, Ella, and has thought that is all she needed. What she hadn’t counted on was her daughter and Jack’s daughter Molly to team up and create their own sibling trap! Our story starts with Lorna and Ella making their way to the Isle of Kip and from their we learn more about Loran’s past and why she fled all those years ago.
This was emotional from start to finish and I often found myself holding back the tears. Whether it was during the yoga lesson, at the funeral or during Jack and Lorna’s discussions I couldn’t help but feel the emotion. Trust me when I say you will need tissues!
This is my first book by Libby Page but I have been following her on Twitter for a while now. This might seem strange to say as I only know Libby from her tweets about her writing or her family life but I could feel that there was so much of Libby’s personality in this story. It is very rare that you read a book and can feel the authors love, sweat and tears resonating off the pages but it was shining through in this book.
To put it simply The Island Home was perfection! I can not fault it in it’s diverse characters, the beautiful setting or the plot at all. Libby Page created a warm and cosy community and a story that felt like coming home.
The story centres around two narrators, Alice and Lorna. Alice lives on the Isle of Kip and loves it there. She runs her own yoga classes and has a beautiful community surrounding her. Her daughter Molly and husband Jack are her world but she too has her struggles which we learn of as the story progresses.
Our other narrator, Lorna, fled the Isle of Kip twenty years ago and has not spoken to her brother Jack since. Since leaving the island she has had her own daughter, Ella, and has thought that is all she needed. What she hadn’t counted on was her daughter and Jack’s daughter Molly to team up and create their own sibling trap! Our story starts with Lorna and Ella making their way to the Isle of Kip and from their we learn more about Loran’s past and why she fled all those years ago.
This was emotional from start to finish and I often found myself holding back the tears. Whether it was during the yoga lesson, at the funeral or during Jack and Lorna’s discussions I couldn’t help but feel the emotion. Trust me when I say you will need tissues!
This is my first book by Libby Page but I have been following her on Twitter for a while now. This might seem strange to say as I only know Libby from her tweets about her writing or her family life but I could feel that there was so much of Libby’s personality in this story. It is very rare that you read a book and can feel the authors love, sweat and tears resonating off the pages but it was shining through in this book.
To put it simply The Island Home was perfection! I can not fault it in it’s diverse characters, the beautiful setting or the plot at all. Libby Page created a warm and cosy community and a story that felt like coming home.
July 9, 2021
I loved Libby Page's "The Lido" so I was delighted for the opportunity to read The Island Home.
Set in the Hebrides, the fictional island of Kip in this novel sounded like an idyllic place, and somewhere I would love to visit if it were real. Although this story of homecoming, acceptance, belonging, hope and regret was a little predictable, it did not detract from my immense enjoyment of the comforting tale. The characters were fantastically drawn and I enjoyed my travels with them, even though I had an idea I how things would all end up. The Island Home was a feel-good novel that also heavily tugged at my heartstrings. An enchanting read of family and friendship that I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orion Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Set in the Hebrides, the fictional island of Kip in this novel sounded like an idyllic place, and somewhere I would love to visit if it were real. Although this story of homecoming, acceptance, belonging, hope and regret was a little predictable, it did not detract from my immense enjoyment of the comforting tale. The characters were fantastically drawn and I enjoyed my travels with them, even though I had an idea I how things would all end up. The Island Home was a feel-good novel that also heavily tugged at my heartstrings. An enchanting read of family and friendship that I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orion Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 19, 2024
This was the first Libby Page book that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really likeable and I warmed to all of them. I think Alice was my favourite. She carried the burden of the future of the island. Such a strong, dependable woman. Lorna endured so much heartache. Awful parents who treated her terribly while she was growing up, enough to drive her away from everything and everyone she knew.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really likeable and I warmed to all of them. I think Alice was my favourite. She carried the burden of the future of the island. Such a strong, dependable woman. Lorna endured so much heartache. Awful parents who treated her terribly while she was growing up, enough to drive her away from everything and everyone she knew.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
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