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Castaways

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Not all secrets stay buried.

Fresh from the set of her latest movie, Lizzie Benedict and her closest friends hit the Caribbean for a couple weeks of partying, and whatever else might happen aboard the SS Dirty Oar.
When the luxury yachting trip hits rough seas, Lizzie isn’t prepared for what happens next, a sunken ship and someone else’s boyfriend rescuing her.
Waking up on the sunny, deserted island seems like a nightmare at first.
Until the ten sexy celebrities decide to make the best of it.
Sunbathing and eating fresh fruit off each other’s bodies is not the worst way to spend a week.
There are no paparazzi and the weather is fine.
But the party only lasts so long.
Soon enough the reality of being shipwrecked hits them and the group begins to worry.
Only their biggest concern isn’t being rescued.
There’s someone else on the island.
And Lizzie and her friends have something they want. Or rather, someone.
The group has two choices, die at the hands of what appears to be a nightmare, or fight back.

270 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2022

97 people are currently reading
142 people want to read

About the author

Tara Brown

118 books2,378 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Pen names for Tara Brown
- Tara Brown for science fiction and fantasy (primary author name)
- Sophie Starr for darker books
- Amy March for romantic comedies
- A.E. Watson
- T.L. Brown
- Erin Leigh
- Meg Browne

Caution: Author uses multiple pen names on the same book (different releases/editions). GR policy dictates that the name on the first release remain primary on all subsequent releases. The secondary name would be whatever name is on the cover, if different.


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5 stars
95 (39%)
4 stars
86 (35%)
3 stars
39 (16%)
2 stars
15 (6%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews239 followers
June 9, 2018
★ 4 stars!!! ★

“How did I say that there was never going to be okay or all right? There was Lizzie before and Lizzie after and they weren’t the same person. I needed to learn how to be this version of myself.”


Eu estava procurando algo que me chamasse a atenção, até que dei de cara com essa capa e sinopse. Eu adoro livros com esse tema, então, claro que fiquei muito curiosa pra ler.

10 celebridades. 10 amigos naufragados em uma ilha deserta...

A princípio, eu fiquei meio perdida e não estava entendendo nada, por isso demorei um pouco pra entrar na vibe do livro. Mas a partir do momento em que me situei dentro da história, fiquei presa e ávida para saber o que viria a seguir.

Algumas situações me incomodaram pois achei um pouco fora da realidade, mas acabei relevando porque o que eu sei? Cada pessoa reage de uma forma e penso que quando o instinto de sobrevivência vem à tona, o ser humano é capaz de tudo pra se manter vivo, não é?

Castaways foi uma agradável leitura! Com uma mistura de mistério, suspense, ação e uma pitada de romance a autora conseguiu criar uma trama que me envolveu completamente. Em diversos momentos me surpreendeu e em outros me deixaram bem aflita e nervosa.

Valeu a pena a leitura e eu gostei muito!!
Profile Image for A.M.
37 reviews15 followers
July 27, 2018
well Castaways is one of nicest mystery books I have read . and the first book I read by this author .
the story is about 10 celebrities who haf been shipwrecked on isolated island , in the beginning they had to survive , they had to find food , water and a place to stay in but by the end they had to fight for their lives .
the story was full of surprises and I really didn't expect the last one but
what I didn't like is that Lizzie had done the whole work specially by the end of the story .I think Jesse should had done more to help .
anyway this book was full of life lessons :
1) what ever we learn in our life is good cause we don't know when we would need those information or skills
2) we should not trust all the people in our life .
this book is definitely recommended for people who like adventure and mystery + a heroine who can do everything
Profile Image for Deanie Nelder.
1,131 reviews24 followers
March 15, 2021
What starts out as a story about a bunch of spoiled Hollywood types stranded on a deserted island, actually turns into a well written story about a kick ass action movie actress (who actually has a black belt) and her friends stopping themselves from being taken by kidnappers and human traffickers. It's an action-packed story with great emotional depth, and doesn't shirk the hard parts (like how Lizzie feels after killing someone for the first time). This is a much better book than I was expecting from the first chapter or two and ended up being really good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Picky_Book_B1tch.
625 reviews58 followers
June 18, 2018
I wanted so badly to love this book but in the end, this book was a bit of mixed bag for me. Parts were great and others not so much. I absolutely loved the concept and the female MC was fantastic. She was strong, capable and took charge of her own situation. And while parts were really good, over all I just felt that the author missed an opportunity to really make this one shine. Some scenes felt rushed, others over the top, and some were wholly not needed. This book could easily have ended at 75% with a short epilogue and I would have been much happier.

Now I know this sounds like I didn't like it but I did...mostly but the more I think about it, the more disappointed I become in what I see as a missed opportunity for Awesomeness.
Profile Image for Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon.
2,091 reviews154 followers
June 4, 2018
5 Cranky Stars


Ten friends are stranded on an island after their luxury yacht explodes. They barely survived the crash, now they must work together to get to safety. However, could one of them be behind what happened?


Let me just state that if I could give this book twenty stars, I would. This book had it all action, drama, romance, sexy times, snark, and characters that you love, and characters that you hate. If I ever get stranded on a deserted island, I hope I have Lizzie’s bravado and fighting abilities.


Once I picked up this book, I couldn’t stop reading. I was devouring the words as quickly as I could. When I got to the swerve in the book, I was screaming with rage. My feelings were legit hurt over that plot twist. I will definitely recommend the book to others. This is definitely in my top 20 books of 2018
Profile Image for Jami Compston.
281 reviews33 followers
September 2, 2019
Loved it.

Totally loved this book of course. I loved her Born series so I thought I’d give this a try and I was not disappointed!
Profile Image for SmittenKitten.
173 reviews10 followers
April 17, 2020
Ten celebrities (5 gals, 5 guys) in their early to mid-20s are shipwrecked and stranded on an island, but they soon find out they are not alone. There is love, action, and betrayal! Lizzie, the action movie star and former Girl Scout, has to put her skills to the ultimate test for survival.

The best part of this book is Lizzie. She's a strong and capable heroine, with years martial arts training. The mystery and action are the focal points of the story, but there is some romance sprinkled in. It's Lizzie's story, so the readers get to know her well, but there is little depth among the other characters and villains. Overall, a really enjoyable, quick read!
26 reviews
January 26, 2019
wow an unexpected events and I feel bad for Austin
5 reviews
June 8, 2018
Amazing! You won't be sleeping after starting this!

I cannot recommend this one enough! Love the story, the characters, the twists and turns and everything in between. I wasn't sure that I. Was going to enjoy the shipwrecked on a tropical island theme, it just didn't sound like my kind of thing but, for Tara, I bought. As I should have known, she did not disappoint!
From the first page told in the view point of and anonymous "bad guy" , to the shipwreck and "castaways" ability to survive each other, as well as the deserted island, it truly kept me reading well into the night!
The main character, Lizzys voice throughout the book is engaging and relatable. Others are fleshed out well to the storyline. I cannot explain much more without giving away to much of the story, just let me say that I usually M pretty good at figuring out the twists and surprises in movies, tv, and books but this one had one I did not see coming at all. That one could be a book itself.... hmmmm.
I stumbled on Tara Brown's books about 10 years ago, and I have to say, I do not think I have read one yet that I did not like! Not to mention she is a very prolific writer, and as a voracious reader, she keeps me coming back!
For those who do not know she also publishes under several noms de plume (All of which I also recommend!)
A.E.Watson
T.L.Brown
Erin Leigh
Sophie Starr
Profile Image for Sara Nelson.
Author 1 book13 followers
June 15, 2018
I started off laughing at these bratty, privileged and snobby characters, but in the end, you come to see them in a different light. I was completely thrown off at the end when I found out who was behind the storm of this story. I was sure it was the character I hated the most, but it wasn't. The way this author writes her stories is amazing and you can never think you have it all figured out because you don't.
When the shipwrecks on a deserted island the characters in the story are way out of their element. It doesn't take long for one person to stand up and take charge, to bad it is one of the ones I dislike the most. lol. Lizzy finds a cat that is badass and kills things that is a thousand times bigger than it is. I laughed way to hard on that part, I would love to have a cat like that! You know being stranded with guys there has to be romance brewing all around. I'm glad that there are some happy ever after ending going on, but I can't tell you all that. <3
I love the fact that this story has it all wrapped up in one. Love, mystery, suspense. If you like any of these types of reads you have to read this book!! This is a must-read, go grab your copy!!!
Profile Image for Karen.
5,385 reviews74 followers
June 9, 2018
Goodness, I have not read a book as exciting as this one in a long time!!!! I loved the characters. I was dubious about Lizzie as I were all the rest. I mean, come on, they are Hollywood elite and probably spoiled.
We hear the voice of the person who was sprinkling the poison so we know something shitty is going to happen and it seemed to be someone familiar.....we just don't know.... suspense foreshadowing and then a big storm starts up while they are on the boat. Yikes!!

It is a bit like Lost but you're invested with this group who are laughing about Lost while eating bananas off trees that they picked them from.

I like the dynamic of the group and you think the book is wrapping up but something is still niggling on Lizzie's thoughts.
There is plenty of romance and not overly sexy. I did grimace as Lizzie still was processing and her bet was calling for payment. I'd of wanted sleep too.

Girls, be Lizzie and learn to take care of yourself with confidence as she did with self defense lessons with her dad.

Great fun. I'm keeping as a favorite!!
Profile Image for Nancy Reads.
918 reviews17 followers
October 29, 2019
Lately I have been into reading "Lost on Deserted Island" books. CASTAWAYS has been in my TBR list, and so I started reading it. I was so pleasantly surprised to find how good it was. This book is about ten celebrates that were on a luxury yacht enjoying a dream vacation. Never given a thought that they might be shipwrecked on a tropical deserted island. BUT this is NOT Gilligan's Island!! Very far from it! They are ill equipped for survival. The men seem more able, but the woman from a very privileged lifestyle & except for Girl Scout experiences, are lost. When they suddenly come to the realization that no one is coming to rescue them anytime soon. They wake up fast to the fact they need fresh water and food if they are going to survive. It they want to stay alive they must put their petty differences aside, and work together. Also, they are not alone on this island!! You also know from the very beginning that one of the ten are evil, but don't know who! Twist & turns galore!
Profile Image for Naturalbri (Bri Wignall).
1,381 reviews120 followers
June 13, 2018
This was a brilliant read! I perfect blend of deserted island love and intriguing mystery. I loved the characters that Brown gave us, as well as they way the group interacted, when things started to turn for the worst.

The characters in this book were filled with excitement, personality and a great way of bonding together to create a very interesting read. I felt like the author spent a good deal of time making sure that I was able to connect with the characters and really become part of their stranded experience.

Pacing was fantastic, throughout the book, as it really brought to life the party of the experience and then the fear and thrill of trying to find out what was going on with the island and the extra castaway trying to ruin their party.

Overall, an absolutely brilliant read and one I highly, highly recommend!
Profile Image for Cindy Fong.
2,039 reviews
June 9, 2018
Wow! This is Tara Brown's crazy mind version of Lost and Gilligan's Island combined, and it could not have been any more entertaining. 10 of Hollywood’s current "it" squad are on a fun vacation until they crash and end up on a random island. Loyalties and friendships will be pushed and tested. Their very lives will be threatened.

Tara Brown weaves a story leaving you constantly trying to guess "who did it" and "why" as only she can do. I have to admit that I guessed wrong. There are so many moving pieces of the puzzle, from who is hooking up with who, to are they going to survive and get off the island and where did the cat that adopted them come from?

"Maybe we wouldn't ever overcome some aspects of the past, but we were all rebuilding on the ashes, rising out of them."
Profile Image for Samantha.
151 reviews10 followers
June 20, 2018
Castaways blew me away!

I really enjoyed this book. Young celebs get stranded on a deserted island when their yacht crashes and sinks, leaving them to fend for themselves. The group is sure they will be rescued, being famous and all, but as the days go this seems to not be the case. Questions is... where is everyone else that was on the yacht with them?! Lizzie is a freaking B.A. chick and I really liked her character. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The action was amazing! The suspense kept killing me and I was constantly waiting for something to happen to them. Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

*warning there are sexual scenes & violent scenes*
Profile Image for Sharon Obelenus Holland.
442 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2018
Wow!!! This isn't Gilligan's island!

Again, Tara doesn't disappoint. I love how she has a strong female for the main character. It helps show girls, you don't need anyone but yourself to take care of things. A crew of today's hottest young actors and actresses prepare for some time off. A yacht, with a full crew, security, and the gang head out. Of course, it's party time! Until a unexpected storm comes from no where. Now they are stuck in a deserted island. If only that was the worst of their worries..
Profile Image for Katy Kitchin.
190 reviews12 followers
July 11, 2018
A gripping, shocking, and harrowing story of friendships, loyalties and survival.

The mystery and thriller aspects made it unputdownable (that’s a word right?), the setting was beautiful and deadly, the romance, betrayals and emotions made this an INTENSE read.

Prepare to white knuckle your kindle with this read! I can’t wait to read more from Tara Brown because this standard of writing was exceptional!

Spoiler free warning: there are 2 scenes that are EXTREMELY upsetting, although they aren’t too graphic.
Profile Image for Vodkamelie.
601 reviews3 followers
October 24, 2018
Unfortunately, this one didn't impress me.
Spoilers......









I thought the first 50% were ruined by Jesse's attitude wanting in Lizzie's pants non stop. For me it wasn't foreplay, it was insistance and nagging. When a woman sais no she means no.
It put me off and I couldn't care continuing. But I did.

The suspens became intriguing until the vulgar men and assaults began. I found it lame and easy.

But the intrigue continued and I was surprised.

But again, the 50 first % ruined my interest and that is the absolute first time it happens with my Tara Brown.
Profile Image for Michelle Monroe.
559 reviews51 followers
June 13, 2018
OMGosh! This book, this is why I love reading TB! It’s twisted, kinda dark, and has me scared to think of what all runs through her head when she writes. Lol!! I love every dark and twisted thing that ended up on the pages!

***Silent tears washed my eyes as my mind replayed the days of hell being here.
Scrambling in the trees.
Living on scraps.
Burning in the sun.
Everything about being here had been hard.
But once they arrived, that had changed; hard wasn't the right word.
I didn't have a word to describe it.
They arrived and everything changed.

***It was the place where the Lizzie I was before died. Like a snake, I shed my skin and crawled out a monster like them.

This isn’t some fluffy sweet story about being stranded on an island until rescued, soaking up the sun, scavenging for food, singing around a fire waiting, hoping, praying for a rescue. Nope, not for these stranded celebrities. There’s secrets, lies and a whole bunch of twists going on, classic TB style! A definite must read!
195 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2018
OMG

Again, Tara Brown does it. I nearly gave up, I was distraught thinking I wasn’t liking one of her books, but I carried on because her books are not crap. I loved this 😍 worth persevering with! Twists and turns, drama, action and romance - just what I needed, will be worth re-reading too!!
Profile Image for Ashley Cestra.
1,346 reviews31 followers
August 4, 2018
Tara brown will always be one of my favorite authors. With that being said, I didn’t enjoy this story as much as I wanted to. Tara is an amazing writer with an incredible imagination. She has told countless stories that I lost myself in. She will always be my one click author, no matter what she puts out.
Profile Image for JoLynn.
98 reviews
May 17, 2019
I wasn’t impressed by the storyline or the characters. I was about to give up 40% through but it kinda picked up but I still wasn’t enjoying the book but by 60% I just figured I’d finish it... it’s not a book I would recommend unless you want to read about rich movie star characters on an island with drama and little action.
57 reviews3 followers
March 4, 2021
Great survival.

Enjoyed this fast pace story with twists and suspense to keep me interested.could have done witout the sex but still worth reading past that .I liked that it had all questions answered in end I will look for more books by this author glad there are many to check out .Enjoy finding another author to try .
18 reviews
June 4, 2018
As always Tara Brown does not disappoint.

I have been dying for a new read from Tara Brown since the end of the Crimson Cove series and love this book! I did not see that end coming.
Profile Image for Kimberly Rinaldi.
443 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2018
*4.5 Stars*

I always love me some Tara Brown and I definitely love me some Jesse! ::swoon:: That being said this is most definitely not just a love story. It’s one of betrayal, suspicion, love, murder and survival. Bravo Tara Ducking Brown. ;) Muah!
Profile Image for Suzie.
6 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2018
Loved it

I loved this book. It has everything you expect for Tara and maybe a little more, a who done it from the beginning and. Just when you think you know who it changes. A must read for any Tara fan and even if your not.
Profile Image for Christine Bishop.
523 reviews
June 18, 2018
5 Stars!

Castaways is another five star read that Tara Brown has wrote. This book is full of romance, adventure, action, humor, and of course several huge plot twists. Castaways will have you hooked from the first chapter.
Profile Image for Tina.
406 reviews11 followers
July 8, 2018
Now this is what I call a summer read!!! Friends on vacation, Secret love affairs, betrayal, getting stranded on a deserted island. Fighting for survival and wondering how it all happened. I devoured this book & wanted more!’
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