This book was kind of ridiculous but in the most endearing way. It centers on 6 new high school grads who take a vacation to a secluded island owned by one of their uncles. When one goes missing, it becomes clear that there is more happening on the island than they thought. The chapters alternate between the POVs of the teens, as well as Valentina, an employee who has been tasked to keep an eye on them. We also get flashback chapters from various incidents over the past couple of years that provide good background info on the characters and tie to current events.

This book manages the to be funny while exposing dark scandals and multiple murders. That humor somehow makes these characters likable when they are mostly pretty horrible. This is a unique accomplishment. I was surprised that this wasn’t a YA novel because it does kind of read that way, but some of the things that happen are more adult material. The interwoven mysteries in the story are complex and well thought out, and resolved with loose ends tied up nicely. I also enjoyed the end of the book, which gave the reader information on what became of the characters after.

Overall, I didn’t know what to expect from a book that was labeled as humorous and also suspenseful, but it totally worked and I thought it was a fun read. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So good I loved the back drop how the plot twist hit me out of no where I loved the setting as welll this was a five star read

Graduating teens? A shady uncles island for after graduation? What could possibly go wrong? Well, quite a lot actually, and it’s quite the ride. One of the group of friends has died, so now it turns into finding clues and trying to figure out the who, the what, the why. There’s twists, turns, questionable characters and moments where I had no clue where the book would go. A couple of times I did get confuse a couple of characters but once I sorted it out, the story flowed. Think White Lotus mixed with knives out and you have The Island. A definite recommend.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. The characters' personalities and quirks fit in with White Lotus vibes overall, and the suspense and twists kept me intrigued throughout. The comedy and jokes made at each other's expense kept this on the side of a comedic suspense versus a straight up thriller, and I loved that aspect This is great for a fun and mysterious summer read and I will definitely be recommending it!

The Island is about a group of friends who go to Lia’s uncle’s remote island to celebrate graduation. During their stay on the island their friend Jake dies. The story follows the friends trying to find out what happened and the information they uncover in the process.

This book was full of suspense and twists. I enjoyed the personality that most of the characters were given. Once one mystery was solved another one popped up. The only downside of the story was it was told in a lot of view points and I would forget who’s view point the story was being told in and had to go back and look a few times. I do wish there was more that went into the ending besides a little blip that told what happened to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Loredan for an ARC copy for an honest review.

oh this thriller was so clever. whip smart and activated as soon as you open the book. you are given that death and from there it doesn't stop giving you all you want from a thriller.
i love how each part left me with a gasp type moment. so i am both thinking, shocked and wanting more.
its dark. its beautiful in its setting. its complex both in the plot and people. but its such a delight to follow on for the ride.
you dont know who to like if any at all. your not sure if you should actively dislike some people. but you definitely love them for being in this book and making it great.
the book as i said kicks us with a death first thing. this is the death out of a group of 6 friends on a gorgeous Caribbean Island. we are then given multiple direction from differing points of view, most of me wary to untrustworthy. mostly though we follow Sadie who has a fair few secrets of her own even before she got to the island.
i dont think it was going to get better and then it did. and i like how they were all full of young weird, messy issues. you dont have to worry so much when they get in to trouble and simply enjoy the ride( not that im in for humans in pain i want to specify, you just are totally anxious for characters who i usually totally care for) this bunch were a riot in chaos. this toxic atmosphere around this island and folk is a understatement.

Thank you to NetGalley and Loredan for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Island starts as a getaway for six graduating teens courtesy of one of their rich uncles but quickly turns dark both due to the setting - the uncle seems to be involved in something shady, or at least his babysitting associate Valentina, seems to be based on her narration - and due to the clear message in the opening that one of the teens is dead and all is not well on this vacation.

I expected this to be a mystery but didn’t anticipate the comedy and that really kept me tied in. These kids are (mostly) very privileged and of the time but the whole situation that befalls them brings out the funniest characters and the hilarity from their perspectives. I’d recommend this for teens and adults alike, though I do think it’s rarer to find a funny thriller for teens and it’ll be a big hit with them.

I really enjoyed this book. Set on a beautiful tropical island it is perfect for a summer read. The first part of the book is so fun with all the teen drama and relatable stories of the 6 teenagers. Second half kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing what was going to happen and who they could trust. I highly recommend this book. The author told a fun and exciting story.

Easy, breezy, summer fun, with a cast of hilarious characters. If you are searching for action in a gorgeous locale, I highly recommend reading this action-packed and absolutely ridiculous #beachread.

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Loredan for providing me a copy of R.M. Spencer's sophomore release, The Island, in exchange for an honest review.

#TheIsland is a fast-paced, #mysterythriller littered with a heavy dose of theatrics, snark, and pop culture references reserved for a #Bravo reality series, if said series also had the plot of a spoof action movie involving a drug cartel. (Trust me, that description will make complete sense once you read the book.)

The novel immediately opens with a dead corpse, set against the gorgeous backdrop of a white sandy beach in the Caribbean on La Isla del Cordero. From that point onwards, the story propels the reader forward, leaving them breathless as they breeze through the quick and dirty chapters, despite the four-day timelapse and daunting page count. The Kindle Vella format serves the plot well here, as each section ends on a mini cliff-hanger. This is the ultimate #beachread for 2025.

The novel is primarily narrated from the perspectives of the two characters who are arguably the protagonists of their respective storyline, Sadie and Valentina, beginning at four days prior and leading up to the murder. As the book progresses, however, additional character viewpoints are incorporated to narrate their account of the action. By the novel's conclusion, nearly every character (save for the elusive uncle) has narrated at least one chapter, even the tertiary subset.

At times the story errs more on the side of YA, which makes sense given that the most of the characters have just graduated high school. That is, until the plot returns to Valentina who is in her early thirties, and is tasked by her employer to chaperone the teens' vacation. What starts off as a celebratory occasion, rapidly devolves into an unhinged situation. Think the Chloe Esposito trilogy, Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know, meets The Hangover. Drugs, affairs, and murder, this is one summer none of them will ever forget.

If you are searching for mindless fun, look no further because you have found your novel. Could the book have been shorter and better focused? Sure, but not everyone wants to read a textbook when they are sipping cocktails poolside or at the beach.

“The Island” by R.M. Spencer, is an amazingly hilarious thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. The story follows six friends on a two-week graduation trip to a private Caribbean island that quickly turns deadly when one of them, Jake, is murdered. As the group struggles to survive and uncover the killer among them, the suspense builds with every twist and turn. Told from multiple points of view, the book brilliantly blends fast-paced action with sharp, well-timed humor. The shifting perspectives add depth and amplify the comedy, making the tension all the more gripping. I couldn’t put it down!

I went into The Island expecting a fun, slightly unhinged summer thriller—and I got that plus a whole lot more. This book is a perfect storm of dark humor, suspense, and emotional chaos, set on a luxury private island where everything seems too good to be true... because it is.

The cast? Imagine six overprivileged L.A. teens on a graduation trip, all hiding secrets. The adults? Equally shady, especially Valentina, the hyper-capable “babysitter” with a past and way too much on the line. And then there’s Sadie, our main narrator—messy, vulnerable, absolutely savage. I was hooked from page one.

There’s a death (not a spoiler—it happens early), there’s drama, there’s a mysterious facility that may or may not be storing illegal goods or hosting sketchy experiments. Oh, and monkeys.

It’s the kind of book where you’re laughing one minute and saying “oh no no no” the next. If you are like me, you may even find yourself shedding a few tears. Somehow, the author pulls off satire, suspense, and emotional beats without ever losing momentum. The pacing is tight, the dialogue sparkles, and every character feels real—even when they’re being ridiculously awful.

I don’t usually write reviews, but this one deserves it. If you liked One of Us Is Lying, The White Lotus, or just love a good “rich people behaving badly” story with a body count and brain, pick this up immediately.

This book totally caught me off guard—in the best way possible. It’s part murder mystery, part dark comedy, and all-around brilliant in its takedown of wealth, privilege, and messy teenage relationships. The story centers on Sadie, a former it-girl with a sharp tongue, a fractured heart, and a suitcase full of emotional baggage. Her narration is biting, hilarious, and painfully self-aware—like if Euphoria’s Rue went on a luxury retreat with the cast of The White Lotus and someone didn’t make it out alive. Add in rotating perspectives (shoutout to Valentina, the over-it chaperone trying to keep it together) and you’ve got a layered, clever thriller that balances outrageous antics with some surprisingly poignant moments.

There’s so much to love here: the spoiled rich teens, the private island with shady secrets, the oddly sentient monkeys, the ominous storage facilities, the suspiciously charming Russian guy… it’s chaos in the best way. And just when you think it can’t get any more unhinged, it does—but the emotional throughlines (betrayal, grief, addiction, identity) keep it grounded.

It’s sharp, it’s fast, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously while still being incredibly smart. If you like your thrillers with bite, brains, and a big dose of bad behavior, you’ll love this one.