Well thought out novel based on Ellen and her experience as an orphan, artist, WW1 nurse and islander. Ellen returns to the island she loves following her service in WW1 to heal and realizes the impact on the young men's mental state, physical state and lives. As she tries to get the farm back in the green she discovers her lost love of being an artist. Through the connections made with the latest adventure she departs to New York to experience what the other half experiences. This adventure allows her to really understand herself and the direction her life will go. Self discovery, healing and love are the themes in the novel, amongst so many other. The book offers the look at the good change and bring as well as it releases you enabling freedom and new adventures. Ellen's journey reflects so many wonderful discoveries and growth within everyone showing what life can provide when you let go of what holds you back.

Even though I didn’t realize beforehand that this is the third book on a trilogy, it still can be read as a standalone novel. ‘Return to the Island’ concludes the story of Ellen Copley, a 28-year-old woman who gladly leaves behind the horrors of nursing during World War I to return to the only true home she’s ever known, the idyllic Amherst Island in the middle of Canada’s Lake Ontario.

As a 12-year-old, she’d been taken in and warmly embraced by her cousins, the large and affectionate McCafferty clan, and their farmhouse became a haven of warmth and tranquility. All these years later, though, her adult cousins and childhood friends have scattered and/or faced their own personal heartaches, while Ellen had spent a number of years as an art student in Glasgow before volunteering as a nurse and dealing with loss of her own. Passionate about helping her Aunt Rose save the struggling family farm, Ellen agrees to a plan suggested by one of her dearest childhood friends, Lucas Lyman, to take in wealthy female guests for a chance to experience island farm life and receive art lessons from Ellen. Will it be enough to save the farm, and how will Ellen decide what her own future course should be?

Much of the book deals with Ellen’s own feelings of insecurity in herself, her artistic abilities, and her sense of belonging. It’s a gentle story and I enjoyed it overall. At times her insecurity frustrated me when it seemed as if she let other stronger personalities boss her around. Admittedly, I think I would’ve enjoyed it more had I read the first two in the series and grown to love all of the characters. But I have to say, without giving any spoilers, that while I did enjoy it there was an overall feeling of sadness and melancholy that stayed with me through to the ending, even though it was a mostly satisfying ending for all.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

The story starts where it left off in book two. The war is over and everything has changed. Ellen needs to find herself again and her heart is pulled in different directions. Aunt Rose has to sell the farm on Amherst island which makes her question where does she belong. But it's not where but with whom page belongs.

The third and final book in the series. I was actually quite sad to finish this saga because it's a nice slow paced read but packs quite a lot in. I've loved all three books and I would recommend reading them all. I loved the characters and I felt their pain and sadness. The ending was perfect but I can't help but hope for another book.

An interesting historical romance, featuring a compelling heroine who is stronger and much worthier than she thinks, “Return to the Island”, by Kate Hewitt (Bookouture) takes place in the beautiful setting of Amherst Island, Canada.
The focus is more on the heroine’s quest, the need for a home, family and belonging, than on romance, but Ellen is such a realistic character and the island an arresting setting that you just keep reading about what living in the turbulent post-WWI period.
Hewitt brings to life an engaging cast of characters and shows family both as a place of love and conflict, also addressing themes of physical and psychological war wounds, poverty and disease.
Ellen is a strong woman with some very human insecurities and fears. Hewitt does a good job describing her love for Amerhest Island and the McCafferty family.
I liked the romance, a tender and very slow friends-to-lovers relationship, with a super attentive and considerate hero, although the uncertainty about the romantic interest remains until the end.

Return to the Island is the final book in the Amherst Island trilogy and like the previous two books, didn't disappoint. Ellen returned to the Island to after the war to find everything changed - Aunt Rose was struggling with the farm as were many other homesteads on the Island. Everyone works hard, especially Ellen, and goes on a journey which finally ends up with the love of her life. A brilliant, well told love story.

A fitting end to a great trilogy. Not much more to add really! A good, easy read. It could be read as a stand alone, but I think it's much better to read all three books.

So sorry this is the last in trilogy of Amherst Island. Have really enjoyed reading about Ellen as her life unfolds. I just wanted it to to continue.
I will definitely be looking to read some more books by Kate Hewitt.

Return to the Island is the third book in this series. The series follows Ellen as she grows up. I missed the first book but loved the second book. This third book picks up where the second book left off, with Ellen returning to her family home on the island. It is after WWI and the world is struggling financially. Ellen and her family are working hard to keep the farm but it is failing financially. The family is determined to save their farm and Ellen works to find her place in life.

Ellen is a very strong but humble woman. She is an amazing artist but perhaps from living on the Island, does not realize how famous her work is. She has struggled with finding love and holding on to it. I love the setting of the book on the small island.

This is a wonderful end to this series. Everything may not end the way its expected but the endings are wonderful.

This is the third and the last book in the amherts Island trilogy. Omg what a way to finish a beautiful trilogy. This book was so good. I cried when the family suffered. I laughed with them in good times. I rooted for them through hard times. This book has so much happening, but for Me the book was mainly about growing UP and finding out where you belong.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

RETURN TO THE ISLAND is the third and final novel in the Amhurst Island series by KATE HEWITT, and I'm really sad to say goodbye to the amazing characters I have come to know. Although this book can stand alone, I suggest that you read the first two in the series as well. Each one is a really enjoyable and inspiring read, with a good story and subtle Christian message.
At twenty eight Ellen Copley returns to Amhurst Island, to her beloved Aunt Rose and the McCafferty family, and the place that has felt like home ever since she went there when she was thirteen as a virtual orphan.
It is 1919, the war is over, but the effects of war are still felt strongly. There are some like Jed Lyman who have lost limbs and some like Peter McCafferty who have internal struggles. Having nursed in war torn France and lost the man she was going to marry on the Titanic, Ellen also has things to deal with. The economy is depressed and the McCafferty farm is taking strain. Ellen is determined to do anything she can to help.
Ellen has an orphan complex and finds it hard to believe that she is an integral part of the McCafferty family. Where is her true home? Is it a place or is it a person?
You will have to read the book to find out!
It is a really enjoyable read and one I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Dreams of the Island is the second book in the Amherst Island Trilogy and I loved it just as much as the first book, The Orphan’s Island. I enjoy historical fiction and the author has a way of holding my attention and having me say that famous line all of us book addicts say....just one more chapter!
The story is beautifully written and will take your heart on a wild rollercoaster of emotions.
Dreams of the Island follows the life of Ellen Copley and all of her experiences between Lake Ontario to working the battlefields during the war. ( I love her outfit on the cover, so different then what our nurses wear now!) At such a young age Ellen will have to make some very hard decisions. She finally feels like she’s found a place to call home, and maybe even love when she has to leave for the war. Ellen will be confronted with her childhood sweetheart and everything she thought she felt will be put to the test.
You don’t have to read book one to enjoy book two, but I highly recommend that you do. Book three is up next up next for me, Return to the Island.

Return to the Island by Kate Hewitt is the third and final book in the Amherst Island trilogy.

Here we find the final leg in Ellen’s journey to finding who she is and where she belongs. This book starts off right at the end of WWI and we can see what post-war Island life has become. Some things are the same, but many are different. Attitudes are altered, the economy has changed, and time marches on. Ellen begins to see all this as she returns to Jasper Lane and Amherst Island in hopes of seeing her family, figuring out what piece of her life is missing, and where she goes from here. She feels pulled in so many ways: does she go to NY to teach, does she return to her friends and home in Glasgow and possibly return to the Art School or her drawings, or will she find something here? After serving with her nursing duties in France and the unexpected experiences there, Ellen hopes to find answers to her heart’s questions. Unfortunately, times are changing even on the isolated island, and Ellen finds that Aunt Rose is forced to sell her property and will love to be near family that are residing near Toronto.

However, after meeting with family, coming to a satisfying and agreeable conclusion with Jed and Louisa, Ellen receives more surprising news. Luckily, Ellen and Lucas finally cross paths again and Ellen finally realizes that it is not where she lives that will define her home, but who she is sharing her life with: and that is Lucas. Ellen realizes what her heart had known all along. A very satisfying ending.

It was great to see how Ellen matured, altered, her growth, and how she found her place in life throughout these three books. I loved her story and cheered for her all along the way.

I really enjoyed this book along with this whole series and I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this excellent arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/15/21.

I could not wait to read this final book in the trilogy and I was not disappointed!

Ellen returns home to her beloved Amherst Island but so much has changed. The war has affected the lives of everyone and also the economy.

What will happen to ellen, the McCaffertys and the Lymans? All of my questions were answered in a wonderful conclusion to the story

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own..