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Thistle Island #1
The Harbor House
A message in a bottle. A small-town mystery. And a summer where life takes an unexpected turn.
Robyn Wright isn’t merely knocking on the door to middle age—she’s hammering on it with both fists.
And to make matters worse? Her boyfriend of more than a decade won’t seal the deal. Her former dream job is now barely paying the bills. Her eighty-year-old father is getting married again…to a woman young enough to be Robyn’s daughter.
Summer is approaching. And so is the time for a change.
When Robyn takes a part-time job as the companion to an elderly woman who lives in a beautiful harbor house on a small island off the North Carolina coast, she’s expecting a few months of solitude and a chance to reset…until a walk on the beach uncovers a message in a bottle and a decades-long mystery that Robyn feels compelled to solve.
And in unraveling the story of the lost lovers from so long ago, she might just uncover a few surprises about herself along the way.
Sink your toes into the golden-sand beaches of Thistle Island, where strangers are friends, sunshine is plentiful, and the ocean is always just a few steps away. This feel-good small-town women’s fiction series is perfect for readers of all ages.
Author's This is a continuing series that follows the lives of the residents of Thistle Island throughout multiple books that are best read in order.
Robyn Wright isn’t merely knocking on the door to middle age—she’s hammering on it with both fists.
And to make matters worse? Her boyfriend of more than a decade won’t seal the deal. Her former dream job is now barely paying the bills. Her eighty-year-old father is getting married again…to a woman young enough to be Robyn’s daughter.
Summer is approaching. And so is the time for a change.
When Robyn takes a part-time job as the companion to an elderly woman who lives in a beautiful harbor house on a small island off the North Carolina coast, she’s expecting a few months of solitude and a chance to reset…until a walk on the beach uncovers a message in a bottle and a decades-long mystery that Robyn feels compelled to solve.
And in unraveling the story of the lost lovers from so long ago, she might just uncover a few surprises about herself along the way.
Sink your toes into the golden-sand beaches of Thistle Island, where strangers are friends, sunshine is plentiful, and the ocean is always just a few steps away. This feel-good small-town women’s fiction series is perfect for readers of all ages.
Author's This is a continuing series that follows the lives of the residents of Thistle Island throughout multiple books that are best read in order.
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Published March 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
December 6, 2022
Interesting enough to stay with it but not enough to read the next installment in the series.
January 31, 2023
My first book by this author. It won’t be my last. Was such a lovely feel good read. Beautiful idyllic location. Thistle Island. Lovely characters that all blend well with one another The plot was lovely. Loved the authors descriptive writing skills. Made me wish I was the one relocating there. Only issue I had was the book wasn’t long enough
October 28, 2022
How does this book have a 4+ ⭐️ rating? It’s not well written. The plot is weak. And…anyone who’s ever been to the NC coast knows there are NO mountains anywhere nearby.
October 6, 2025
I bought this book on a deal from bookbub and I didnt realize it was part of a multi book series, where the story stretches over several books ( At least 5). I was at 80 percent and thibking ooh thegrumpy sunshine trope but then the romance didn't even begin so at first I was confused. The story was well written and engaging. Its a love story within a love story, where there is a message in a bottle found ( a love note) which reveals a historical romance from world war 2 and a tale of love lost.
Then the main story follows the fmc who loses her job to budget cuts, isnt proposed to on her birthday after being with her bf for 10 years ( she gave him an ultimatum the year before that if didnt propose she was leaving him which he obviously didnt take seriously and her biological clocj is ticking with no signs of family planning from his end) then she finds out her dad is marrying a woman a decade younger then herself all within a day. She takes a job as a caregiver to an elderly woman on a small island.
My assumption was that the grumpy nephew ( who is a single Dad and a widower) is the mmc / love interest but theres only a beggining of a romantic spark in this book and not much development yet so I would need to read on to follow their love story.
It seems like a sweet series. I just dont know if its enough angst and drama for my taste.
Then the main story follows the fmc who loses her job to budget cuts, isnt proposed to on her birthday after being with her bf for 10 years ( she gave him an ultimatum the year before that if didnt propose she was leaving him which he obviously didnt take seriously and her biological clocj is ticking with no signs of family planning from his end) then she finds out her dad is marrying a woman a decade younger then herself all within a day. She takes a job as a caregiver to an elderly woman on a small island.
My assumption was that the grumpy nephew ( who is a single Dad and a widower) is the mmc / love interest but theres only a beggining of a romantic spark in this book and not much development yet so I would need to read on to follow their love story.
It seems like a sweet series. I just dont know if its enough angst and drama for my taste.
May 30, 2025
The Harbor House by Mia Kent is the first book in the Thistle Island series. I liked this one, but I didn’t love it. I’m hoping I’ll enjoy the next book a little more than this one.
August 6, 2025
Robyn's life is spinning out of control. It is her birthday, and her boss informs her that they are making cuts at the magazine where she works and her position has been eliminated. She tries to ignore this awful day as her long-term boyfriend is taking her to a wonderful fancy restaurant. After all the years with him, she is certain he will propose tonight. After dinner he reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out...an envelope...with concert tickets! She breaks is off with him and decides she will go to her father's place and stay for a while. Her father is a widower, who has finally made the decision to marry again. Robyn is shocked to meet the new fiancé, since she is younger than Robyn!
Now Robyn is homeless and without a job. She needs a big change. She finds a job as a companion to an elderly woman who lives on a beautiful island. Now her life may change, for the good or not.
Now Robyn is homeless and without a job. She needs a big change. She finds a job as a companion to an elderly woman who lives on a beautiful island. Now her life may change, for the good or not.
February 10, 2023
Very light reading, a short story. Romance without heavy breathing. Low-key mystery, to be continued in the next book. I suspect that at least 3 books could have been just one.
February 14, 2025
I liked it enough to maybe read the next book. A little too smarmy for me, but the storyline and setting are good.
August 16, 2024
This was a tad corny and some of the concepts too far-fetched for my taste. However, the sentence structure was strong and pleasant. If you detest books where things can be perfect, i do not recommend this one.
May 28, 2024
The Harbor House is book one of the Thistle Island series of contemporary small town mysteries.
Recently redundant magazine features writer Robyn answers a job advert for a lady’s companion on a small island off of the North Carolina coastline. As she settles into island life, Robyn discovers a washed up bottle with a message inside. Fellow islanders explain that there have been other bottles with messages and they can all been seen on display in the town. Interested in the story behind the bottle, Robyn agrees to help research the messages, and her journalist background kicks in with ideas to solve the mystery.
This is a light novella style story, with little time to really get to know Robyn. There are some interesting secondary characters, but I felt the story was a little rushed in places. I would have been happy with a bit more depth to the characters and storyline and a longer tale to enjoy them in.
Recently redundant magazine features writer Robyn answers a job advert for a lady’s companion on a small island off of the North Carolina coastline. As she settles into island life, Robyn discovers a washed up bottle with a message inside. Fellow islanders explain that there have been other bottles with messages and they can all been seen on display in the town. Interested in the story behind the bottle, Robyn agrees to help research the messages, and her journalist background kicks in with ideas to solve the mystery.
This is a light novella style story, with little time to really get to know Robyn. There are some interesting secondary characters, but I felt the story was a little rushed in places. I would have been happy with a bit more depth to the characters and storyline and a longer tale to enjoy them in.
May 11, 2024
Need more!
What a sweet and sad story but I can see that some of these characters will learn something about themselves. If course being in a small island where everyone will a lot of your secrets of your business will be something that Robyn will need to understand but I think she'll be find with it. Especially when she's trying to find her new self and she might have found something she is good at. Can't wait to see what happens next.
What a sweet and sad story but I can see that some of these characters will learn something about themselves. If course being in a small island where everyone will a lot of your secrets of your business will be something that Robyn will need to understand but I think she'll be find with it. Especially when she's trying to find her new self and she might have found something she is good at. Can't wait to see what happens next.
March 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this story of a woman discovering herself and starting over on a small coastal island. I can't wait for the mystery to be solved in book 2 so I can follow Helen's love story during WW2.
April 11, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ A small-town cozy and feel good story. It's a short read to enjoy but for me it is not memorable. I anticipated the ending early in the book.
August 2, 2024
Finished this first book in the series. Immediately purchased second book. Now looking for a little beach house to buy on Thistle Island 😂.
March 6, 2024
This was a free book on FreeBooksy, I chose it for the cover. This was a sweet quick read and I will read the next as the story continues. I think you'll like it.
March 18, 2024
Great book. Highly recommended. I'd already guessed who Rosie was. It was no surprise :)
September 16, 2022
Don't bother
Stopped right in the middle of a paragraph. Should have warned reader in the beginning. I wouldn't have bothered to order this.
Stopped right in the middle of a paragraph. Should have warned reader in the beginning. I wouldn't have bothered to order this.
April 12, 2024
Serialized incomplete story
Most series have a complete story in each book. This does not. It barely has a plot. Trash. And poorly written. What a waste of time.
Most series have a complete story in each book. This does not. It barely has a plot. Trash. And poorly written. What a waste of time.
March 19, 2024
Brief synopsis from the book cover:
Robyn Wright isn’t merely knocking on the door to middle age—she’s hammering on it with both fists.
And to make matters worse? Her boyfriend of more than a decade won’t seal the deal. Her former dream job is now barely paying the bills. Her eighty-year-old father is getting married again…to a woman young enough to be Robyn’s daughter.
Summer is approaching. And so is the time for a change.
When Robyn takes a part-time job as the companion to an elderly woman who lives in a beautiful harbor house on a small island off the North Carolina coast, she’s expecting a few months of solitude and a chance to reset…until a walk on the beach uncovers a message in a bottle and a decades-long mystery that Robyn feels compelled to solve.
And in unraveling the story of the lost lovers from so long ago, she might just uncover a few surprises about herself along the way.My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Women’s Fiction
Review:
This is a nice uncomplicated feel good story about new beginnings. The writing flows well and the description of the scenery is very vivid, it makes you want to go and visit Thristle Island yourself. The characters are interesting and very likeable people. The story flows well and captures you from the start. This is book one in the Tristle Island Series. The only negative for me is that the story has no ending; it stops midway and you have to read the rest of the series to find out what happens next. So you can’t read it as a standalone, otherwise it’s a enjoyable read.
Robyn Wright isn’t merely knocking on the door to middle age—she’s hammering on it with both fists.
And to make matters worse? Her boyfriend of more than a decade won’t seal the deal. Her former dream job is now barely paying the bills. Her eighty-year-old father is getting married again…to a woman young enough to be Robyn’s daughter.
Summer is approaching. And so is the time for a change.
When Robyn takes a part-time job as the companion to an elderly woman who lives in a beautiful harbor house on a small island off the North Carolina coast, she’s expecting a few months of solitude and a chance to reset…until a walk on the beach uncovers a message in a bottle and a decades-long mystery that Robyn feels compelled to solve.
And in unraveling the story of the lost lovers from so long ago, she might just uncover a few surprises about herself along the way.My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Women’s Fiction
Review:
This is a nice uncomplicated feel good story about new beginnings. The writing flows well and the description of the scenery is very vivid, it makes you want to go and visit Thristle Island yourself. The characters are interesting and very likeable people. The story flows well and captures you from the start. This is book one in the Tristle Island Series. The only negative for me is that the story has no ending; it stops midway and you have to read the rest of the series to find out what happens next. So you can’t read it as a standalone, otherwise it’s a enjoyable read.
April 18, 2025
This book was ok, it wasn’t amazing. I just felt like it was lacking something, but I’m not entirely sure what. I think maybe the fact that it was a shorter book than I’m used to may play a part in that, I just felt like it was very fast paced to get to the point so the book could end quicker.
I did, however, enjoy the ending of the book but I just wish that there was a bit more to it. We’re told that several letters have been found, but we’re only told what it’s in 2 of them, i think I’d have liked a bit more intel on what was featured in those other letters to really properly delve into their relationship. I didn’t expect the person it was, to be the person who had been behind those letters so that shocked me a little bit.
There was definitely character development within, as we see Levi slowly let his guard down with Robyn especially after their first interaction when he is upset by something she has done in his guest house - however, we soon come to learn why this upset him. But by the end of the book, he’s apologised to Robyn for the way he acted as his daughter, Delaney, has taken a liking to her.
I’m not sure if I would recommend, I guess if you want a quick but sweet read then this is the one for you.
I did, however, enjoy the ending of the book but I just wish that there was a bit more to it. We’re told that several letters have been found, but we’re only told what it’s in 2 of them, i think I’d have liked a bit more intel on what was featured in those other letters to really properly delve into their relationship. I didn’t expect the person it was, to be the person who had been behind those letters so that shocked me a little bit.
There was definitely character development within, as we see Levi slowly let his guard down with Robyn especially after their first interaction when he is upset by something she has done in his guest house - however, we soon come to learn why this upset him. But by the end of the book, he’s apologised to Robyn for the way he acted as his daughter, Delaney, has taken a liking to her.
I’m not sure if I would recommend, I guess if you want a quick but sweet read then this is the one for you.
April 20, 2025
Some time ago, I read a wonderful book called The Harbour House by American author Mia Kent. The story is set in the present day on a small island named Thistle Island. The main character, Robyn, has just lost her job and ended a relationship with her boyfriend. Wanting a fresh start, she decides to leave the big city and look for a new job.
She eventually finds a position as a companion to an elderly lady who lives on Thistle Island. Robyn moves into a charming seaside cottage with breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. Gradually, she begins to feel better. She makes new friends, meets attractive men, and becomes involved in a mysterious island story involving letters in bottles that she is determined to solve.
I really enjoyed reading this book. On one hand, its slow pace and cosy atmosphere make it very relaxing; on the other hand, it’s far from boring, thanks to the engaging and likeable characters. While reading, I felt peaceful and uplifted, and I often imagined the island as an ideal place to live. It might be a little too sweet—like a sugar candy—but at that moment, it was exactly what I needed. I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for something comforting and heartwarming.
She eventually finds a position as a companion to an elderly lady who lives on Thistle Island. Robyn moves into a charming seaside cottage with breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. Gradually, she begins to feel better. She makes new friends, meets attractive men, and becomes involved in a mysterious island story involving letters in bottles that she is determined to solve.
I really enjoyed reading this book. On one hand, its slow pace and cosy atmosphere make it very relaxing; on the other hand, it’s far from boring, thanks to the engaging and likeable characters. While reading, I felt peaceful and uplifted, and I often imagined the island as an ideal place to live. It might be a little too sweet—like a sugar candy—but at that moment, it was exactly what I needed. I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for something comforting and heartwarming.
April 25, 2024
Wow, I'm so angry right now. No-one likes to be cheated or ripped off and this is what Ms Kent does as a writer.
This isn't a novel. It isn't even a short story. Nor is it even worth being called part one in a series. A story has a beginning, a middle and an end. Even books that form a series generally have these three parts to them.
This book is a beginning. It doesn't even get far enough to have a middle. It stops in the middle of a conversation!
If you want to read the whole story Ms Kent expects you to buy 5 more books -all of them about 200 pages each. Even combining the six books into 3 doesn't make them long stories. With a good editor (and the books need a good editor!) These six books could have been combined into two great books.
The sad thing is Ms Kent has a great story here. If she got herself an editor and combined them I'm sure she'd sell a great deal more copies.
As it is there's no way I would pay any money to a writer who treats her readers as nothing more than gullible saps she's trying to leech for every penny she can get. So glad my copy of this book was free.
This isn't a novel. It isn't even a short story. Nor is it even worth being called part one in a series. A story has a beginning, a middle and an end. Even books that form a series generally have these three parts to them.
This book is a beginning. It doesn't even get far enough to have a middle. It stops in the middle of a conversation!
If you want to read the whole story Ms Kent expects you to buy 5 more books -all of them about 200 pages each. Even combining the six books into 3 doesn't make them long stories. With a good editor (and the books need a good editor!) These six books could have been combined into two great books.
The sad thing is Ms Kent has a great story here. If she got herself an editor and combined them I'm sure she'd sell a great deal more copies.
As it is there's no way I would pay any money to a writer who treats her readers as nothing more than gullible saps she's trying to leech for every penny she can get. So glad my copy of this book was free.
February 21, 2023
First time reading this author. I enjoyed meeting Robyn & Helen as the main characters. Helen being 98 years old & in need of a caregiver-companion, Robyn filled that capacity and also became her trusted friend. Within the story, there was an undercurrent of expectation for something to develop romantically between Helen's nephew Levi & Robyn, yet there were unresolved feelings in Robyn's heart for Keith who she recently broke things off with after years of his continued refusal to commit to marriage. In the midst of all of the uncertainty and life changes for Robyn, and the quest to find out if true love exists, she finds an incredible message in a bottle that gives her hope. While this was a good story, it ended too quickly, with a few situations left dangling. I'm sure it had been done that way to lead into book two.
August 19, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ Robyn is going through a tumultuous time: a boyfriend who won’t commit, a milestone birthday, and losing a job she once loved. When she sees an ad for a live-in caretaker for an older woman on Thistle Island, she decides to take it. What she discovers is a small section of the world that is quiet and serene - without hotels or a bustling tourist industry. She also discovers more about herself and the townspeople around her revealing a secret long kept.
This book was an incredibly fast enjoyable read. It’s not going to surprise you, but it will keep you reading happily as though you’re releasing a sigh. The beautiful descriptions of the scenery, all the possibilities of a new life and a possible love interest or two, are light and enjoyable. This is book 1 in a 6-part series, which IMO is too many considering how short this was but okay. We’ll see.
This book was an incredibly fast enjoyable read. It’s not going to surprise you, but it will keep you reading happily as though you’re releasing a sigh. The beautiful descriptions of the scenery, all the possibilities of a new life and a possible love interest or two, are light and enjoyable. This is book 1 in a 6-part series, which IMO is too many considering how short this was but okay. We’ll see.
May 21, 2025
I loved this and immediately downloaded the rest of the set as soon as I'd finished book 1. Definitely read in order, none are long reads but feel good stories with the same characters appearing so you get a real feel for the beautiful island and the people who live there.
I love the information about the author, Mia Kent - "Mia Kent is the author of clean, contemporary fiction and small-town romance." Too often these days we find authors delving into less savoury writing with unnecessary and over graphic sex scenes and/or unsavoury language for effect, not adding one bit to the novel.
The continuing stories are just as delightful as the first. Robyn is truly lovely, Helen magical at an advanced age and the other characters feel like "real people." I loved this and I'm so enjoying the others in the set.
I love the information about the author, Mia Kent - "Mia Kent is the author of clean, contemporary fiction and small-town romance." Too often these days we find authors delving into less savoury writing with unnecessary and over graphic sex scenes and/or unsavoury language for effect, not adding one bit to the novel.
The continuing stories are just as delightful as the first. Robyn is truly lovely, Helen magical at an advanced age and the other characters feel like "real people." I loved this and I'm so enjoying the others in the set.
November 24, 2022
A story with hope
Robyn was hoping the man she had known and loved for ten years would propose to her. She could not live another day with him when her birthday came and went without a ring to seal their love. So Robyn set out for Thistle Island to be the caretaker of a woman in her nineties. Her career was in journalism, but she needed a change after being laid off from her long held job. After arriving at Harbor House, she found Helen to be pretty independent and full of life. She was not in need of twenty-four hour care. So Robyn had more time on her hands than expected. She found something on the beach one day that changed her perspective on life and love. Solving the mystery about what she had found made her heart hope again.
Robyn was hoping the man she had known and loved for ten years would propose to her. She could not live another day with him when her birthday came and went without a ring to seal their love. So Robyn set out for Thistle Island to be the caretaker of a woman in her nineties. Her career was in journalism, but she needed a change after being laid off from her long held job. After arriving at Harbor House, she found Helen to be pretty independent and full of life. She was not in need of twenty-four hour care. So Robyn had more time on her hands than expected. She found something on the beach one day that changed her perspective on life and love. Solving the mystery about what she had found made her heart hope again.
May 22, 2025
Pretty good story
At least this one of the authors gives an ending and if you don’t want to read more it’s still a complete book. The author makes a lot of silly errors that should have been caught in editing. Mostly it seemed that Robyn was Helen’s part time caregiver & companion, but never seemed to do much but go off with friends etc. sometimes she put wrong names. wrong names or time line not logical etc. but it’s a thing it seems with prolific writers. The biggest thing for me was, Helen is a 98 year old woman, who answered the door promptly, went for 2 hour + lunches with friends (how many 80/90 + year old women are there?) so that was a little unbelievable. But not a bad book over all
At least this one of the authors gives an ending and if you don’t want to read more it’s still a complete book. The author makes a lot of silly errors that should have been caught in editing. Mostly it seemed that Robyn was Helen’s part time caregiver & companion, but never seemed to do much but go off with friends etc. sometimes she put wrong names. wrong names or time line not logical etc. but it’s a thing it seems with prolific writers. The biggest thing for me was, Helen is a 98 year old woman, who answered the door promptly, went for 2 hour + lunches with friends (how many 80/90 + year old women are there?) so that was a little unbelievable. But not a bad book over all
October 25, 2022
Too sweet to handle
Do you know those books that transcends space and time? The ones that make you want to curl up and get lost between its pages? One that reminds you of vacation, meandering here and there, experiencing, loving, living...
I have to admit, this isn't a genre I frequently read, if at all. But I absolutely adored this story. I loved every last drop of it. Was it overly romantic? No, but that's the selling point. Seek peace in the things you do have and not in what you don't.
I feel so mellowed out by this beautiful prose that I don't want anything to ruin it. I want it to remain ingrained in my psyche for the simplistic beauty it is.
Do you know those books that transcends space and time? The ones that make you want to curl up and get lost between its pages? One that reminds you of vacation, meandering here and there, experiencing, loving, living...
I have to admit, this isn't a genre I frequently read, if at all. But I absolutely adored this story. I loved every last drop of it. Was it overly romantic? No, but that's the selling point. Seek peace in the things you do have and not in what you don't.
I feel so mellowed out by this beautiful prose that I don't want anything to ruin it. I want it to remain ingrained in my psyche for the simplistic beauty it is.
January 24, 2023
Quick and enjoyable read
Robyn loses her job as a reporter/ writer for a magazine after decades there. It's her birthday and her significant other of 12 years doesn't propose as she had hoped and given an ultimatum to do so by this birthday. Angry and heartbroken, Robyn finds a job on Thistle Island helping an elderly woman stay in her home at 91. A fascinating mystery falls into her lap. Robyn and her friends work hard to find answers to the mysterious messages in a bottle that have been washing up on the beach for many years.
A great story and characters are so fun to get to know
Robyn loses her job as a reporter/ writer for a magazine after decades there. It's her birthday and her significant other of 12 years doesn't propose as she had hoped and given an ultimatum to do so by this birthday. Angry and heartbroken, Robyn finds a job on Thistle Island helping an elderly woman stay in her home at 91. A fascinating mystery falls into her lap. Robyn and her friends work hard to find answers to the mysterious messages in a bottle that have been washing up on the beach for many years.
A great story and characters are so fun to get to know
October 18, 2024
In Mia Kent’s The Harbor House, Robyn Wright has had her writing job downsized to a remote position and her boyfriend of ten years cannot bring himself to commit to marriage. She answers a job ad to become a companion to 98-year old Helen on Thistle Island which gives her a timely escape. Her new landlord, Helen’s great nephew, Levi is raising his seven-year old daughter alone but seems gruff. While walking along the beach to escape again, Robyn finds a real message in a bottle. She and her newly-found friends go into investigative mode and their findings are surprising. Great writing by Author Kent!
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