The Island

Compass Key #1

by Maggie Miller

🎧Run Time = 7 hours and 20 minutes

Decades after graduating college, five former sorority sisters reunite at an island resort after they all receive the same mysterious invitation. When someone from their past offers them a second chance, can they overcome their shared history to embrace it? This feel-good, escapist novel is performed by a talented cast of narrators and has over 2,300 five-star ratings!

Second chances do exist.

Five former sorority sisters, all in their 50s, undertake the adventure of a lifetime when a mysterious invite reunites them at an exclusive resort set on a private island.

Olivia was the quiet one. Her divorce from her alcoholic husband freed her in many ways but caused a rift with her daughter that seems impossible to heal.

Amanda was the perfect one. Widowed and desperately broke but hiding it, she needs a new start more than anyone can imagine.

Leigh Ann was the cheerleader. Her ongoing divorce is completely amicable, or so she’d like everyone to believe. The truth isn’t quite as rosy.

Grace was the party girl. And she still is, much to the dismay of her husband, who’s struggling to keep their restaurant afloat. Grace hopes her time away will give them both the space she thinks they need.

Katie was the brains. Now she’s incredibly successful but hiding secrets that could change her life if they were to get out.

When their beloved house mother invites them on an all-expenses-paid vacation, then drops a huge surprise on them, the five friends face a major decision. Can they overcome their pasts in order to take advantage of the amazing future being offered?

Take the journey to Compass Key with them and find out.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, Summer, Friendship

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2022

About the author

Time off is time best spent at the beach, don't you agree?

The beach is my happy place. The sound of the waves are my favorite background music. And the sand between my toes is the best massage I can think of.

When I'm not at the beach, I'm writing or reading or cooking for my family. You know, life.

I hope you enjoy my books. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of them! You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMiller... or at my website, https://www.maggiemillerauthor.com. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter!

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐
Genre ~ women's fiction
Series ~ Compass Key, #1
Setting ~ Florida
Publication date ~ book ~ April 22, 2022, audio ~ May 23, 2023
Est Page Count ~ 334 (p+ 42 chapters)
Audio length ~ 7 hours 20 minutes
Narrators ~ various listed below
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ characters in their 50's, island living, second chances, cliffhanger, no steamage

Former sorority sisters, Olivia, Amanda, Leigh Anne, Grace & Katie are heading to an island off of Florida for a reunion. All have a lot going on back at home: ex-spouses moving on, parent/daughter rocky relationship, career secrets, struggles with alcohol, etc, so they jump at the chance for a free vacation.

Iris was their house mother, and has invited the ladies to the resort she owns in hopes they'll agree to stay and run the place because she's had enough at her age.

Eddie is our boat captain and a charming fella. There are other potential love interests for the ladies making it very enticing to accept Iris's offer.

The setting is described beautifully and I would totally be on my way there for an extended stay ASAP if it wasn't for the $4k a night price tag😲

Overall, the ladies are relatable~ish, even if they each find a new mate rather quickly making it unrealistic, but it's nice they'll get a second chance. As I near my 50's I appreciate getting mature characters.

Series notes:
The story isn't complete, so if you want to know what happens next for these ladies you'll have to grab the next book in the series. I'm not really a fan of this because it seems like just a way for the author to get you to read them all. Not sure I'll waste a Hoopla credit on them honestly. Looks like there are 7 books and the series is complete.

Narration notes:
Our narrators are Vivienne Leheny, Laura Jennings, Cindy Kay, Nancy Wu, Sara Morsey, Suzie Althens, Timothy Howard Jackson
You'd think I'd be thrilled there were so many, and I was, mostly, but their voices weren't overly distinct, so not easy to know who was who.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first in an ongoing storyline. An interesting premise....five friends are reunited in a all expense paid vacation to a resort in the Florida Keys. They have a lot of catching up to do because it's been years since they've talked or hung out.

A story of friendship, moving on, new beginnings, possible love interests and new adventures. I enjoyed this first book, enough to continue the series.

I think I'm most intrigued by Katie's story and what she's hiding.

I wished there were more of a glimpse of their college lives but maybe this will be in future stories.

[Ishman Laghari · Rating 3 out of 5]

CUTIES BOOKCLUB READ #4!🐚

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Island by Maggie Miller
Compass Key #1
7h 20m narrated by Vivienne Leheny, Laura Jennings, Cindy Kay, Nancy Wu, Sara Morsey, Suzie Althens, Timothy Howard Jackson, 334 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance

Featuring: Quinquagenarians, Multiple POVs, Divorcees, Free Vacation Trope, Sorority Sisters, Florida Keys, Island Resort, Septuagenarian, Cliffhangers

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content and situations

My rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🏝🐚

My thoughts:📱6% 26:08 Ch. 3 - Ooooh! This is so cute I'm going to pause it and save all of these pretty cover books for after I read Dark Matter as an incentive and possible renewal.

This was pretty fun but despite having 7 narrators I still had a hard time distinguishing the ladies from one another. It felt like 3 narrators. I will be reading the rest of the series, but not immediately. The character development was a little shallow, but my main issue is not getting an ending for a single storyline.

Recommend to others: Only if you enjoy reading series. This isn't structured for you to read one book and decide if you want another, it seems like you only get a few days per book.

Compass Key
1. The Island (2022)
2. The Secret (2022)
3. The Dream (2022)
4. The Promise (2022)
5. The Escape (2022)
6. Christmas on the Island (2022)
7. The Wedding (2022)

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A mysterious invitation arrives; it is an all-expenses-paid two-week vacation at a resort on Compass Key, a reunion of their college sorority. Book one sets the stage, introductions are made, and their stories are told. These five seasoned women are at a crossroads; the family life of each woman has challenges. However, their former housemother has a plan and opportunities for each. Can the island work its tropical magic?

I am looking forward to the next book for some answers and continuing these ladies' journeys.

Thank you to the Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Marhaba Laghari · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dating market seems quite good for 50 year olds.

And okay, Olivia. We get it. You're an accountant.

[Melinda Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, fun story with enough depth to keep you reading without getting lost. Characters are interesting, believable and easy to identify with. Makes me want to return to the Keys! Sad to wait a month for the next book.

[Brett Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for island, beachy-type reads, and the THE ISLAND was a great book by a new-to-me author. Five women with varying life issues are brought to the island by a mysterious summons for a two-week getaway.

The story was well written and the characters were believable, though the story itself was a bit predictable and/or unbelievable. What are the chances that five women would come to a small island and all find a new love interest within two weeks? For me, that was a bit too predictable. One of them, maybe, but all five? The scenario didn't carry the ring of truth, for me, anyway. Since this is a series, I think it would have been much more believable to have most of the women find their true love at various times throughout the series rather than all at once.

I did enjoy that the book was centered around middle aged women who were flawed, not caricatures of perfection in every way. I also enjoyed that the book was clean and contained no sexual imagery or profanities. It is SO UNUSUAL to find a clean secular book, so I appreciate the author for keeping it clean.

Though I'm not a fan of series books, I have no doubt that I'll move on to book two in the series at some point in the future.

Highly recommended!

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started off great! Cozy summer … but after they arrived on the Island it dragged on and on with entirely too much detail. “She put her key in the left bottom pocket of her capris and her phone in the top right pocket. With her water bottle in her hand she was off”. We really don’t need to know this much detail unless it would be an important part of the book!!! I put the book down and did not pick it up until 7 months later because I was down with COVID and thought would be a good pick me up… Boy I was wrong! It just exhausted me more. I skipped chunks of the book to get to the last chapter and I still did not feel I missed anything or needed to go back and read what I skipped….. Guess What? The two weeks of vacation that the ladies were on was still NOT OVER🤦🏾‍♀️.

The book had great potential but bored me with details

[Freida Christmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book !

This book is a can't put it down type book. I read the blackbird Beach series and it was this same way. Couldn't put it down either. But, I'm excited to get to the 2nd book of Compass Key ! I'm. Loving all the characters. And can even imagine myself being there.

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

just stops, no ending

It is a beach read, but it just stops. Feels like part of a Netflix series, not a complete story.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

GEAF February 26 pick

While I *know* it's part of a series, it felt like a totally unfinished book, and even series books need to have their own beginning, middle, end. There are WAYYY too many loose threads - NONE of the storylines wrapped up. Also, most of the ladies just happen to find extremely attractive, kind and wealthy men on a tiny resort island? Puh-lease - Talk about unrealistic! 😂 I did love the concept and the friendship/support of the ladies, but the hard stop and unfinished plots left me feeling annoyed.

[Anuradha Goyal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a quick read on the 1st day of the year. :)

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 women who once went to school together, 5 mysterious invites for a reunion and one amazing offer by a women who has always believed in them. I absolutely loved all the ladies you connect with each one in a different way, they are all flawed and struggle in different ways but they try to put on the persona of having it all together just life we all do in real life. This book covers re kindling of friendships, getting over loss and betrayal as well as learning to live and love again, mending fences and seeing no matter how old you are there are always opportunities to start again. I can not wait to see where things go for these ladies and eagerly await the next book!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christie Catalano · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had moments that were interesting but it never went deep enough into them. Overall it was just really dry, boring and (IMO) unrealistic. All 5 women have failed, or failing, love lives and each happens across a caring, attractive, single man that’s completely into them. Oh right, and also happens to be extremely rich. It also ends with nothing resolved. I get it’s a series, but usually the individual books can stand on their own. Not in this case. 2 stars (instead of 1), because I still want to know what happens next, just not enough to pick up the next book.

[Christy Theobald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this book was not for me. As far as how well the book was written I would give it 5 stars. I am in my early thirties and this book is geared towards woman in their 50’s. This is a clean romantic book but if I’m being honest VERY unrealistic. Everyone finds true love or realizes they need to change themselves to save their marriage. But basically everyone finds love on the island. There are a lot of cheesy moments. Again, please keep in mind that I’m reviewing this book based off my personal opinion. I do want to say that the audiobook version was done very well. They hired multiple voice actors to read each person’s perspective and I really liked that. I wasn’t prepared for it at first and almost immediately stopped listening because I didn’t know what was going on, but after figuring that each new voice represented a different character that was actually kinda cool. One more comment, I didn’t feel like there was any true plot. It was very plain and boring. Again, for me. I guess what I was hoping to find in this book was a little mystery or action/adventure but this is VERY much a chic flick book. Not exactly what I was hoping for. If you have any suggestions for tropical adventure books with good plot and clean (no sex, or at least closed door), please let me know. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[KT Reviews It Kayla Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the concept of this one. A tight-knit group of longtime girlfriends buying into an island together? Immediate yes. There’s something so special about “older main character energy” — women with history, baggage, wisdom, and decades of shared memories. I’ll always show up for that.

The friendship dynamics were easily my favorite part. You can feel the layers between them — the loyalty, the tension, the unspoken stuff that only comes with time. That part felt real.

But here’s where I struggled.

There’s no real ending. And I don’t mean a gentle lead-in to book two. I mean multiple storylines left hanging with zero closure. I completely understand that this is book one in a series — and I want to be excited to continue. I just don’t want to feel like I have to pick up book two just to get basic resolution.

Give me at least one or two wrapped threads. Let me feel satisfied and curious. Instead, I felt cut off mid-conversation.

The premise? So good.
The friend group vibes? Strong.
The execution at the end? Frustrating.

I wanted to want book two. Instead, I felt nudged into it.

⭐️⭐️ (2 stars for the cliffhanger that just didn’t land for me.)

[Karen Antonaitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book about a 4.2 4.3. it is a series which is why I think the ending was just okay it left you hanging so if you're reading it as a standalone you may not be satisfied with the ending.

The soccer has a good way of writing. It is very relatable it's about some sorority sisters who are brought together by their house mom on an island and they all have secrets and different problems in their lives. She offers them a solution and brings them together in a unique way. They all have decisions to make. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I also did this as an audiobook and the narrator was very good there were a couple different narrators and I was able to read it at a faster speed.

It was very thought-provoking story and the writings style was very good. It made you laugh and put a smile on your face while reading. Many of the tribulations that they had in their lives and in their marriages for things that truly happens. The men in the book that they met on the island almost seem like they are too good to be true.

Highly recommend this book. Was done quickly and held your interest

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Island by Maggie Miller is the first book of the Compass Key series set on a contemporary private resort in Florida. A delightful surprise from Hoopla Bonus Borrows, introducing me to a new author and series. From the start, the reader suspects it's a too-good-to-be-true story, like a fairy tale; suspend your disbelief and enjoy it.

Decades after graduation, five sorority sisters are invited to an all-expenses-paid vacation. Each woman has a personal crisis to overcome, secrets to conceal. In true escapist fashion, the resort is luxury beyond belief, the women's friendship and loyalty to one another begins to heal their suffering, and they find new romantic interests immediately. Their every whim is pampered, scrumptious food is served. A beloved friend from long years ago makes them a life-changing offer. Some of the women are ready to completely ditch their current lives, some not.

She'd make a list when she got back this evening, since life ran better with lists.

The audio version has several narrators, very enjoyable. The novel ends sooner than I expected....which leaves plenty of stories to follow up in later episodes.

[Beckiezra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoopla Bonus Borrow. Cliffhanger ending! I don’t have a ton of romance book experience, but I feel like this one left too much hanging instead of giving happy endings. Things were generally trending positively but we’re left with a lot of unanswered questions. It does invite the reader to continue the series though and I think I prefer all the relationships together in the same book rather than a series of vaguely connected books that each focus on a different person’s relationship. The characters were fine for a bunch of old sorority girls. It made me think of The Facts of Life meets The Golden Girls (or maybe that failed spin off where Blanche was running a hotel or something?) with the house mother and the move to Florida. If the next book was a bonus borrow I’d listen to it but I don’t think I’d waste a borrow to find out what happens next.

[Lynne Spreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, I loved that someone is writing about older women, and that Amazon suggested this book to me! I'm glad it's getting good ratings, and that it's the start of a series. In The Island, five former sorority sisters are invited to come to a very pricey resort, all expenses paid, at the behest of the house mother who is now a wealthy widow. She owns the resort, wants to retire, and wants to give it to them. They will live there and run it. Lots of potential in this unlikely scenario, including the fact that most of the women instantly pair up with rich, handsome bachelors.

So I wanted to love it, but I didn't feel caught up in any of the characters' emotions, and it didn't pull me in. I am curious what's going to happen to some of them, but not really enough to read the second book.

[Sandy Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware!

Unless you're really into cliffhangers, I wouldn't waste your time. Which is unfortunate, because the author is actually pretty decent. But a story has a beginning, a middle, and an end for at least one of the characters and this one doesn't. If I had read the reviews by others, I would have seen that at least the first 2 books don't have any ends to them ... Just cliffhangers.

I'm a voracious reader (150-200 books a year) and I just don't appreciate when an author leaves the whole story hanging like this. It feels like a money grab by either the author or the publisher, which is too bad because it really makes me not want to read anything else by the author.

[Vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first title in a series which I will slowly work my way through. Former sorority sisters now nearing the age of 50 are invited to spend two weeks on a private island in the Florida Keys. Low and behold, their former house mother is now the owner of this island thanks to a late-in-life marriage to an extremely wealthy man. So, the stories of these sorority sisters begins.

I liked the story but I listed to the audiobook and I think there are just too many main characters to follow. Each character had a unique reader and voice, but it was difficult to understand. If I can find hard copies, I will read the other books in the series. If not, it will be some time before I go back to them. Overall, a good listen.

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a carefree romance read that follows 5 former sorority sisters at a crossroads in their respective lives.

They receive a mysterious invitation to reunite at an exclusive resort set on a private island in the Keys. The rest of the book features the five characters- explaining what their struggles are and what they plan to do with this mysterious opportunity for a second chance.

Very fluffy easy read- that I listened to while taking my daily walks. I wouldn't race out to read it- but it's not a bad choice if you want a mindless romance that features mature (at least age wise- some are still a hot mess emotionally) characters.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Island Life for me..

When five (5) sorority sisters receive a two (2) week all inclusive invitation to a remote island they all decide to go!
What awaits them is an offer to good to refuse.
Their former college dormitory "mother" needs to slow down
and retire she thinks of her "girls" to leave her exclusive island to.
Each arrive with their own set of problems. So...who's in and who's not? I guess I have to get the next book to find out.w
Is really enjoyed this story.
ENJOY!
Happy Reading!!
MARY C

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very far out of my normal reading style, but I wanted something new and light so I gave it a try. It’s almost set up like you’re watching a movie with all the different characters and lives. I’m only in my early 30s so the characters are a bit different for me to relate to in the story. Easy read and I’m kinda jealous I’m not at that resort with how nice they make it seem! I do find it a bit out of reality that 4 of 5 women have met magical, rich, hot guys on a small island but I digress. I’ll probably continue with the series whenever I need a light read.

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the most boring books I’ve ever read. The first few chapters were great, mysterious invitation, cute boat boy, old rivalry. But then bored me with minute details, we know why someone puts sunglasses on their head. The relationships (both friendship and romantic) were not realistic. The decades old rivalry gone just like that due to a misunderstanding. The spiciest thing is a friend who drinks too much, and the men. Super perfect in every way but also they all needed the support of a man to start seeing themselves in a different light. No thank you.

[Melissa Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoopla bonus borrow -- I love love love the concept of this book! I'm in my 50's now and couldn't imagine life without my close girlfriends -- some are even sorority sisters from college days like in this book!

What didn't work for me is there being no real ending. I see that this book is part of a series-- and get that they want us to dive into book 2 -- but at least close up one or two of the storylines! I want to WANT to read book 2 -- not be forced to if I want to find out what happens. ugh.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally unbelievable from the start! 5 women, sorority sisters, all come to a elite island resort only to find out their former house moths, who they haven’t heard from in years owns the island and wants to leave them the island resort and they all presume her estate. Of course the single ones all find romance, the married one wants to reunite with her husband after they publicly accuse her of being and alcoholic, which admits and then give up alcohol. Too predictable even for a lifetime movie

[Melissa A Hackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of five sorority sisters that all went down different paths are brought together by their beloved housemother. What she has in store for them is something I could only dream about.
I with I had an Iris in my life 🥰

This first installment, The Island introduces us to all the ladies and few handsome men that play right in to the story.
The 2nd installment is out now; The Secret.

I am heading right into kindle unlimited to snag it.