The Island

Coral Island #1

by Lilly Mirren

Beatrice is going back home to Coral Island after decades away.

She’s starting her life over after her husband broke the news of his affair moments before their anniversary party and vow renewal.

His revelation derails her. Her children have left home and she’d always imagined she and her husband would travel and grow old together. But now he’s gone and she’s unsure of where her life is headed.

With nowhere left to turn, she goes home to Coral Island to visit her estranged father. She stays in an old beach cottage that was her family’s when she was a baby and finds a hidden roll of fifty-year-old undeveloped film. Who put it there and why?

Will she find answers & purpose on the island, rekindling old friendships and rediscovering a long-lost love? Or will she be driven back to the city and her failed marriage?

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2022

About the author

Lilly Mirren is a USA Today Bestselling women's and contemporary fiction author.

She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and three children. When she's not writing she's running around after children, bushwalking, or spending time with friends.

"If readers are looking for an author who is the perfect mix of Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts, Lilly Mirren is it." - InD'tale Magazine

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty five years married. Bea and her husband Preston had a lot of people coming that evening for the anniversary party, and the renewal of their vows celebration. But when Preston told her - just before people began arriving - that he wanted a divorce, Bea was shattered, but held it together until after the party. Preston left with a packed suitcase, and Bea was on her own. Their two adult children, Dani and Harry, had their own lives - now what was Bea going to do?

Flying out of Sydney, heading for Airlie Beach where she'd catch the local ferry to Coral Island, Bea felt the stress of the last days ease away from her. She'd packed up the house - Preston wanted to sell immediately - put items into storage, cancelled what needed cancelling and was on her way. She felt bad she hadn't seen her father in three years, but knew coming home would be the best for them both. With Dani taking some time away from university, Bea and Dani enjoyed each others company, and that of her father. But what was going to happen with Preston? Bea was making a new life and that didn't involve him - did it?

In reading The Island I have discovered a new-to-me Aussie author and I couldn't be happier! Lilly Mirren lives in Brisbane with her family and fully knows the setting of The Island off the coast of Airlie Beach and part of the Whitsunday Islands. I thoroughly enjoyed the 1st in the Coral Island series, with the great characters, the spectacular setting and a captivating story, and look forward to the next. Highly recommended.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One star off for cliffhangers.

Otherwise I love the characters and the setting and the story. I hate waiting for a continued story.

[heidi keehner Keehner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t understand the good ratings. The main character was just so blah. She did everything her husband wanted while married and everything he wanted with the divorce.

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me, I found the heroine too weak and beige.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series! This is a well written book that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. Beatrice's story is full of emotions, family drama, second chances, and sweet clean romance. It will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. The author brings the book to life with her words, and you feel like you are there. This is a great book that you don't want to miss, it makes you want to go to Coral Island! I can't wait for the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book, but I wasn't crazy about it.

[Jennifer Larmar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ This is a gentle Aussie tale with somewhat relatable characters - although the main character does frustrate you with her insipid reactions to what can only be described as two major catastrophic events - but thankfully, the majority of the storyline makes you fall into ‘relaxing mode’ as you settle in to find out what happens.
It’s the kind of book I craved after being flat out with Christmas and all it entailed - one that doesn’t take a lot of concentration or have a complex menagerie of characters with lots of twists and turns, but then we came to the ending, which left me gobsmacked, and not the best kind!
Bea is starting life all over again after finding out her husband is leaving her for another woman five minutes before their 25th anniversary guests are about to arrive.
Within a few weeks, and wanting to leave everything behind in the fast-paced metropolis of Sydney, she takes her share of the house sale and hightails it back to her childhood home on one of the smaller Whitsunday Islands in the middle of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
The last thing she expects to find there is Aidan, a retired Rugby League pro-footballer, and her first boyfriend from when she was a teenager. But it’s just what she needs as their friendship blossoms over several months.
A BIG word of warning, the author leaves readers hanging on the final page right in the middle of a dramatic scene and so there’s no conclusion, which means you’re compelled to buy the next one straight away to find out what happens. I don’t mind cliffhangers of sorts, as long as that particular scenario has a definite conclusion, but this was just plain frustrating.
The saving grace is there are lots of delightful scenarios leading up to it, and all surrounded with beautifully descriptive prose as the author brings to life the beauty of this tropical paradise.
As a former beach tragic from both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, who’s now living in the Victorian High Country, my favourite holiday destination is a deserted sandy beach, so it was lovely getting lost in this gentle tale - except for that frustrating ending! I’m still reeling from how deflating it was not to have even some form of conclusion that leads you to want to buy the next one in the series rather than HAVING to…. and in saying that I’m not sure I will seeing the series is made up of several books, and if they’re all of a similar scenario, then you HAVE to buy them all to find out what happens within each particular storyline. I want to buy books because they suit my style and enjoyment, not because I have to keep buying them if I want to know what eventually happens.
This one was worthy of 3.5 stars, but then it loses 1 for that frustrating drop-off right in the middle of a dramatic scene and conversation.

[DLF · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, the characters and the settings. However, I found Preston’s announcement that he was leaving incredibly unrealistic. Even more so, Bea’s reaction. It was as casual as canceling dinner plans. I enjoyed Bea returning home and learning more about her childhood. But then again, extremely unlikely that a woman would travel back to her previous town and stay for a month for occasional reconciliation therapy and dinners with her soon to be ex, when she’d already moved on. Furthermore, it would’ve been more believable if she had contacted a lawyer once she suspected Preston was withholding financial information. In my opinion, it made her appear weak and unintelligent, when in fact she was nothing of the sort. I definitely would read another book by Lilly Mirren since I like her style but would hope the story is more believable.

[Marsha Corley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a Stand Alone Novel

This novel was good enough to finish ( but what a disappointing ending). I was very put off by the character Bea not standing up for herself and fighting for her and the children's home. To sell the house, and she must have had some say or she wouldn't have had to sign the sale papers, and move without ever telling the children their home was gone, I felt was heartless. And if the sale of the house was so lucrative, why didn't she spend her own money and not her father's, to remodel the cottage. Her character seemed mice a nice person, but not the kind of woman I can relate to. I won't be reading the next book, I'm just not that into it.

[E.G. Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliffhanger Ending

I enjoyed this story and all the characters but I hate cliffhangers and this book ended on one. Thus the 3 stars.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is continued in the next one - no ending. I hate that in books! Other than that, it's a cute read

[Paige Whitecotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved.

I did really like this book. Obviously I didn’t care for Preston. He was selfish and so dishonest. How do you steal from your wife and kids. Not a nice guy. I know lots of books try to hide the cheating. The cheated on person tries to save face for her children or his children. But I think the better thing to do is to tell our children the truth. Yes it takes two to break a marriage, sometimes. Sometimes it’s just the selfishness of the one doing the cheating which I feel like was the case in Prestons instance. But I think we would do better to teach our children that what the person did was wrong and it’s OK to be mad about it. Not try to make light of it so that your kids can still have that relationship. That should be left up to your children when they’re old enough to understand what’s going on I do feel like thats what Lilly did in this book because I felt like the kids really knew right from wrong. Let them bridge that gap to see if they want a relationship with their father they knew that he was wrong in what he did both lying about their finances.

Watching Beatrice find herself again was fun and watching her reconnect with Aiden. Getting herself back along with her self respect was great.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Island. Ms. Mirren writes in depth about the characters, making the story flow. Beatrice's life crashes when her husband tells her he wants a divorce--on their 25th wedding anniversary--as 100 guests are about to arrive to celebrate. She's lived her life for her family, and now her children have moved out as well as her husband. And, by the way, he's selling the house ASAP so he can buy a new home for him and his fiance. Shock after shock takes Bea to her family home where she looks into new opportunities. But will her new life include her handsome ex-boyfriend from high school? Her daughter quits school and is helping Bea fix up the family cottage, but how long will she stay? And what is on the film Bea found hidden in a wall while renovating the cottage? Lots of questions, some mystery, romance--this book has it all. My only disappointment is that it ends with a cliffhanger (hence 4 stars instead of 5). However, it's so good, I'll definitely be looking forward to the next book in this series. I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have given my honest opinion in this review.

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bea finds out that her husband of 25 years was having an affair and in fact had a 2 month old son, so she returns to her childhood home of Coral Island and her estranged father. There she meets her old boyfriend who had left her years before to take up a career in football.
Coral Island does sound idyllic, although I'm not sure about the spiders, with that small community feel. Bea is struggling to find herself after those years of being a mother and is not sure about forming a relationship with Aiden again, which is the romance side of the story. Bea also meets up with her friends from all those years ago and remembers what she enjoyed about living on the Island, so when an opportunity of moving back to Sydney arises she has a choice to make. One note is that the story ends with a cliffhanger, although this just made me look forward to the next in this enjoyable series.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Tess Ailshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I knew going in this was first in a series, I found nothing surprising in it, except perhaps Bea's willingness to let Preston get away with what's rightfully hers. Perhaps it is worth it to some people.

There was a touch more 'splainin' than I like in a story -- I'll get from context that tourists come in certain seasons, that animals or foods are endemic to an area, that weather varies from location to location, etc. It was not overbearing, but more than I care for.

By about 65% of the way through I found myself looking to see how much further I had to go to the predictable ending. Even the final cliffhanger wasn't; not really.

I'd read the second and subsequent books if they showed up on my bookshelf, but I won't go looking for them.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is excellent from the first page to The End. It’s about life! School friends, going off to University, marriage, family and failures. We who have loved, lived, had children, and now see them off to new lives, totally understand the feelings expressed in this storyline. I found it exciting to live vicariously on an island, walk the beach, meet up with old acquaintances and family hugs. I enjoyed the love between Mom and daughter, and the tears of being with Dad once again. This book ends with a cliffhanger but promises the next book in the series will be exciting. Hope it’s coming soon!

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice planned a big celebration for her 25th wedding anniversary, she and her husband Preston planned to surprise everyone by renewing their vows but she was the one surprised when Preston revealed he didn't want to renew their vows because he'd been seeing someone else for the last year and wanted to be with her and wanted a divorce. Beatrice watches her world fall apart and decides to move back home to Coral Island. Lots of twists and turns as she rebuilds her life into something she wants but still not without surprises and after a few wrong turns directed by Preston she finally arrives at what she truly wants. Great read.

[Linda Murphree]

It was easy to get into the story, flowed well and kept me interested. I, too, wish the main character had been stronger, before she had to be. My biggest disappointment was the cliffhanger at the end. I think books should stand alone. If they are a good story, readers will buy the next one on the value of the story and characters, and their trust in the author. Not a fan of leaving the reader hanging, so we will buy your next book. I will probably read Book 2, but if every book in this series leaves you "hanging" until you buy the next book, then I'll probably abandon this series for another author.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting Over at Mid-Life
This book is the first episode of a new series. I am excited to read this series as I get so invested in this author's cooks. This episode starts off with a 45-year-old woman who moves back to her childhood home after her husband dumps her. It is a good story that introduces us to the island life and the interesting characters who live there. The story ends with a nice hook for the next book. This is one of my favorite authors. If you have enjoyed any of her previous series, you will love this one.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. It’s the first book in a new series by this author, who is one of my favorites. This book is about a middle age woman who is starting a new life after her husband leaves her. She had been looking forward to spending more time with her husband since their children had left for university. Instead, she moves back home to an island where she spent her childhood. She finds she is happy to spend more time with her daughter, father and her estranged brother. The book ends with a cliffhanger. I am excited to read the next book.

[Infosleuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I was prepared for a cliff hanger ending I didn’t see this plot twist (more like a plot bomb!) coming. Wow. I can’t wait for the next book. I do hope that Beatrice learns to stand up for herself more. This book has a wonderful cast of characters we can easily relate to and the island is a peaceful, introspective place for someone to heal and regroup. I’ve got my fingers crossed for Beatrice and Aidan and there are a couple of intriguing mysteries involving family members. Not a standalone book; you must read the whole series to get the complete story.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bea is left to sort out her life when her husband Preston has an affair and tells her the night they are supposed to renew their wedding vows at their 25th Wedding Anniversary Party. She refuses to renew them when he announced that he hasn’t been in love with her for a very long time. She packs up the house and everything is up in the air, she goes to her fathers house at Coral Beach. Her daughter is also on her way there and the two get together on the bus and chat. She starts a new life there and sorts out what she can to start over. I really enjoyed this story, I highly recommend it!

[sharon sobzak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Island

An interesting setting and group of characters. This story revolves mostly around Bea and her family and her return to the island. Her acceptance of her husbands betrayal and selfishness is quite astonishing. Even if she doesn't care about the money that is so important to him, she should have taken her fair share and paid her father back, donated to charity or set up trusts for her children.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

something is afoot here

Easy to read, decent characters and an ok story line. I feel like the back and forth with Bea and Preston was dragged out too much. I would’ve scored this higher, but I don’t believe in this style of cliffhanger just to try to get a book sale from it. Granted it’s exciting, but this particular cliffhanger was the only real part of the story that got my heart pumping.

[Nirmalvijay]

This is a mistake. Here, we’ll refer to some time-honored typesetting conventions, with an emphasis on readability, and offer guidance on adapting them effectively for devices and screens. We’ll see that the ability to embed fonts with @font-face is not by itself a solution to all of our typographic challenges.

[Rena Ackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her husband tells her he is leaving her for another party on the night of their anniversary party. Her daughter has withdrawn from college and is going to move to the island and fix up her childhood home. She has to sell their home and decide what to do next. Life can be beautiful the second time around.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island by Lilly Mirren

Excellent story of how relationships can change when least expected. Bea was dedicated to her husband Preston and children Dani and Harry. Little did she know that Preston's heart was elsewhere. Then he showed his true lying colors. Bea has a second chance at being happy on the island, with her father with a number of friends.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4 because there’s something cozy I just like about Lilly Mirren’s books. This one seemed so short and ended so abruptly with a new storyline, that it seems like maybe it could have kept going instead of splitting there? I know it’s a series but it could be a series of fewer but longer books?

[Carol Cloninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cliff hanger!

Love this 1st book of her new series and can't wait for the next one. Having a second chance with your first love. So hoping things work out. Fingers crossed but what a cliff hanger. If you're a Lily Mirren fan you're in for a real treat. Enjoy

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a Hallmark

Even though we know the outcome, it was a fun read about life . I keep thinking, what else can happen, there are still 10 more pages, then it abruptly ended! It helped me sleep. Thank you!