Cover Image: The Island Home

The Island Home

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Member Reviews

A lovely book for our troubled times, I adored this novel about two women finding friendship on a remote Scottish island.
Having previously enjoyed The 24-Hour Cafe, I was delighted to find that this new book didn’t disappoint,

When single mother Lorna moves to a remote Scottish island with her daughter Ella, family secrets are uncovered and she finds herself at the centre of a close knit community who aren’t always used to outsiders coming along and shifting the dynamics of their relationships. Life on an island this remote can’t be easy, and Page doesn’t sugar coat the realities and difficulties that inhabitants can face. It makes for a complicated time when everyone knows everyone else’s business!

The story is a touch predictable, but that doesn’t necessarily matter as it’s ultimately heartwarming, gentle and soothing - everything we need in the world right now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This lovely book was like a breath of fresh air. I absolutely adored the characters, the sense of place and the storyline. It was beautifully written and I could really picture Kip and all its delightful inhabitants. Very moving as well. I will definitely be reading more Libby Page books.
With grateful thanks to NetGalley, Orion Publishing and Libby Page for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Absolutely loved this book. It's a beautiful story of community and friendship, which is what I love best about Libby Page's books. I highly recommend!

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I have a friend who lives in a small village in Aberdeenshire and I often think it would be lovely to move somewhere so remote. A Scottish island like Kip, the (I assume) fictional focus of Libby Page's book 'The Island Home' would be infinitely more remote than that. Let's just say "No next day delivery from Amazon" and leave it at that.

It took me a LONG time to get into this book. It plodded along very slowly for about the first third. I hadn't re-read the blurb when I started it (I try not to be too 'led' by such things) and I wasn't entirely sure if it were fiction or non-fiction. Were these real people or not? It took a while to get the two main narrators clear from each other - the written 'voices' really weren't very distinctive.

The book revolves around two women - Lorna, who left the island in her teens to escape her controlling parents, and Alice, wife of Lorna's younger brother. Lorna has started over in London, a long way from her origins, with a home that's not entirely homely. But, when you've grown up in a small place where everybody knows your business, it's easy to seek sanctuary in the impersonal and possibly unfriendly world of London. Alice was a mainlander who went to the island for a student assignment, found it, the people and her husband too much to resist and built a home and a supportive community for herself. Unbeknownst to the two women, their daughters had tracked each other down online and Ella, Lorna's daughter asked to go to Kip for the funeral of the grandparents she never knew.

It's quite predictable. All the plot elements are well sign-posted but that's not always a bad thing. The plot is warm and cozy, barriers have to be overcome, old conflicts need to be resolved, and people need to put their old ideas to rest. Did I love it? Not entirely. I thought it was very rose-tinted and the jeopardy of Lorna's past wasn't revealed to be as shocking as I was half-expecting.

It could appeal to anybody who has lost their roots - and that's a lot of us these days - and to anybody who is in love with the idea of isolation and small communities.

I didn't recognise the author's name but saw other reviewers comment that she had written The Lido. I wouldn't have guessed it was the same writer although I suspect I gave that the same rating as I am giving this one.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for my review copy.

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Marginally better than the 24 Hour cafe but not as good as The Lido, I still found this 3rd book of Libby Page’s dragging on, as I anticipated the point where something interesting starts to happen. The pages are full of clichés, twee descriptions, tears and hugs that made me want to tell the characters to get a grip. The poor use of English (the constant “we were sat…..”) made me wince and errors like describing Lorna as “her husband’s brother”. Sister, surely?! I have to mention the many tears. Soooo many tears: tears being swallowed back, blinked back, fought back, held back, controlled; cheeks streaked with tears, hot tears, cold tears, happy tears; tears tumbling, springing hotly, spilling silently, dripping down, sliding freely, escaping, stinging, streaming, starting to fall, winning the battle, overspilling….oh dear! Stop!
The plot had some appeal for me in the idea of returning to a place from where one escaped and unravelling the reason for that decision, seeing how things have been changed and can relationships heal. I also like the idea of hearing different POVs but again was disappointed in the execution. The voices of Lorna and Alice were indistinguishable - I had to be reminded who was speaking by the useful chapter headings (Lorna or Alice?)
The Island Home is too vacuous and predictable for me, coupled with the above errors and poor style of writing. Page no doubt has a winning formula which sells some books in the short term but I am sorry I am unable to recommend this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion for the arc in return for an honest review.

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A moving and poignant story that reminds us all of the power of forgiveness. Secrets, lies and regret may rip a family apart, but community, friendships and hope can bring comfort and peace. Wonderful!

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Lorna and her daughter, Ella, live in London. When we meet them in the first few pages of the book they are making their way to Scotland on the sleeper train from Euston. I needed you want to know more about what they’re doing and why, not just because they went to Leon for dinner, which is what I would do!


On the way up, we find out a little bit more about Lorna and her daughter Ella, and the family she left behind in an island called Kip and the Hebrides. Not too much more, though.

The same time we meet Alice and her daughter Molly, who are getting ready to receive their visitors on the island. As the story ways together and they get closer and geographical terms as well as emotional, we learn that Molly and Ella are cousins who got to know each other over Facebook, but have never met, as their mum and dad don’t get on. Jack is Lorna‘s brother and Molly‘s dad.

A lot of the book is about reconciliation and forgiveness and understanding other peoples point of view, and it was done really well.

Another large part of the book is about finding out what happened. Why did Lorna leave the island when she was 18 years old and why didn’t she come back? I thought for a little part of the book that she had been abused sexually either by her dad or by someone on the island. It’s not that kind of book, and while what actually happened is terrible and sad, it’s not as dark as that.

There is a trend at the moment for author is to set their books in Scotland and I don’t know why that is, especially as most of them seem to not have ever been to Scotland and don’t understand any kind of geography. This was different, I felt like it had been researched thoroughly and that Libby Page understood what it meant to live on an island, to be dependent on the people around you-both independent and free, but reliant on your next door neighbour if anything goes wrong.

This was a joy to read, not because it was surprising or particularly deftly woven together, because I rooted for the characters. I wanted Laura and Jack to mend the relationship. I hoped that Alice and Lorna would be friends.

There are things signposts that happen along the way in the book that are easily recognisable as milestones. New man with the green eyes and the tanned arms, for example. One of the characters feeling a bit tired, nauseated, not very hungry. Even though some of that was predictable, it was comfortable, like a warm bath or a cosy lie down. Well you know what’s going to happen, is enjoyable to see that played out.

I would recommend this book for people looking for an interesting story, the search to find what you’ve had all along. Thank you as always to NetGalley and Hachette for the DRC.

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Lorna escaped her restrictive life on a small Scottish island over twenty years ago and built a life for herself in London. Lorna is pulled back to the island of Kip for the funeral of her parents by her daughter even though her has severe misgivings. As Lorna tries to reconnect with her brother she realises the importance of community and just how much she loves the island but the past is ever-present and that could be the biggest barrier.
I have to say that I am a huge fan of Libby Page's books. They fit into that cosy, heartwarming genre which is really popular but I find that for all the cuddliness there are some big themes that are interwoven. Here we have community and the threat to that, we have unreported child abuse and we have a lot of 'green' issues, yet all are explored in a subtle way which feels part of the narrative. OK, the plot is paper thin and utterly predictable but the writing is engaging and touches the emotions. As populist novels go, they don't get much better.

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This is a feel good read which highlights the importance of community. Always an author who makes you think and feel. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

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This is one of the very nicest books I have read in a long time. So well written with a storyline that touches many emotions but above all is about family, love and friendship.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, it was like a breath of fresh air. Interesting characters that I became quickly familiar with and invested in, and the Isle of Kip itself was painted in such tender detail that it became vivid in my imagination. I read this book while holidaying on several of the Scottish Isles, which made it even more special. Had Kip been a real place I would have definitely put it on my itinerary. I do hope that the author might be tempted to set further books on Kip, but if not, I will still look out for other books by her as her style of writing is perfect.

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The Island Home by @libbypagewrites

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one thanks to @netgalley and @orionbooks but I am a bit late getting round to reading it so you can already get your hands on it in hardback and kindle!

SYNOPSIS…Lorna's world is small but safe.

She loves her daughter, and the two of them is all that matters. But after nearly twenty years, she and Ella are suddenly leaving London for the Isle of Kip, the tiny remote Scottish island where Lorna grew up.

Alice's world is tiny but full.

She loves the community on Kip, her yoga classes drawing women across the tiny island together. Now Lorna's arrival might help their family finally mend itself - even if forgiveness means returning to the past...

My thoughts….. Loved it! I recommend Libby’s first book, The Lido, to so many of my friends so I was delighted to be selected for this ARC…a beautiful and moving story with characters I was invested in right from the start.

Libby has really brought the fictional Isle of Kip to life with all of the beautiful descriptions; I could hear the waves crashing against the beach and see the lighthouse in the distance, the forest, the harbour and even felt myself relaxing with the yoga scenes!

The only downside for me was the alternate first person perspectives of Lorna and Alice which swapped so frequently that I got confused at times….

Saying that I have enjoyed this story so much and didn’t want to say goodbye to the Isle of Kip or it’s inhabitants…

It’s a strong ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!

Have you read a Libby Page yet????

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An interesting story of family from a great author. Really enjoyed this book, fun to read and a great story

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Content warnings: abuse. gaslighting, miscarriage. death, strained family relationships and child cruelty.

The Island Home is probably one of the most wonderful books I have read that has themes of family, belonging, self-discovery, forgiveness, love and finding out what 'home' really means to you. The story pulled at my heartstrings throughout and even had me crying throughout the last 30%!

Libby Pages' writing is exquisite. I felt a deep connection to everyone. Main characters such as Lorna, Alice and Jack, and also the side characters such as Sarah, Mallachay and even Jean too. The close knit community is so heartwarming, the bond, the friendship and the unconditional love that they all have for one another is portrayed beautifully. At first, I was confused as to why Libby decided to do the alternating POV's between Lorna and Alice. I keep thinking 'wouldn't it make sense to do Lorna and Jack?' but honestly, it ended up being better this way.

The way Libby describes the scenery on the Isle of Kip had me feeling as though I was actually the one who stepped off that ferry, not Lorna and Ella! Also LOVED the little dig about rainy ole' Scotland as it's true, Scotland wouldn't be Scotland without a shower or two throughout the day!

What an enchanting read about the importance of remembering that a house doesn't create a home. Home is a place where you feel you belong, fully of love, laughter and happiness.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Orion Publishing and Libby Page for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

P.S: Sequel please?

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Somehow I managed to read this in a day. Once I was a few pages in I just couldn't put it down. This was such an enjoyable read.
It was predictable in the sense the love interest and how everything would turn out. But I didn't mind that. This was everything I needed it to be.
The ending was a little neat. Even down to the changes happening back in London happening just as Lorna would be returning. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

Alice and Lorna are relatable characters. I enjoyed seeing both POVs. Alice because despite the fact she wasn't there for the childhood she still just wanted the best for them and the Island as a whole.
While Lorna I understood why she left and had to stay away. But I also felt sad for her. She missed out and her daughter missed out due to this.

This was my first Libby Page book but I definitely want to read her previous books now.

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I was provided with a free ebook copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publishers.

The Island Home is written from the perspective of Lorna and Alice. They are sisters in law but have never met.

Lorna grew up with her abusive parents and brother Jack on a small Scottish island. When she was 18, she ran away and never came back. She moved to London where she ended up raising her daughter Ella as a single mother.

Alice moved to the island after falling in love with Jack and they ended up having a daughter called Molly. Despite their parents not speaking, Molly and Ella got in contact over social media and Ella eventually convinces Lorna to go back to the island for a summer so she can meet her family and attend her grandparent's funerals.

This book is set over the summer that they visit the island and also includes some flashback scenes to Lorna's childhood. On the whole, I thought this was very well written. As someone who has spent a lot of time on Scottish Islands, I really felt that Libby Page did a very good job of catching the atmosphere of the islands. This book handles a lot of tough issues and I think it did so in a very real way. All of the characters were realistic in that no one was perfect and everyone made some bad choices along the way.

Despite dealing with heavy topics, the book still feels like a light, fun summer read and there are plenty of heartwarming moments and even some funny ones. I would really recommend it. My only minor criticisim is that I thought it was a bit long, I think it easily could have been 50 pages or so shorter.

For reference, I have read The Lido which I loves and the 24 Hour Cafe which I disliked. I think this was my favourite Libby Page book.

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I really enjoyed this book. It was set on an island and the main characters quickly became involved in the local community affairs. A good read.

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This is a wonderful story of facing up to the past and reconnecting and in such a wonderful setting! It's full of characters that you take to your heart, and understand their pain and frustration, and watching their story unfold just fills your heart with glee!

Lorna and her daughter Ella are leaving London and heading to a remote Scottish Island where Lorna grew up, but left in haste 20 years ago and doesn't mention. Ella is excited to be meeting up with 'family' after so long, but Lorna is extremely anxious and unsure if they are doing the right thing. Immediately you are intrigued as to what happened 20 years ago that made her so desperate to escape.

Alice lives on the Island of Kip, with Jack (Lorna's brother), and is desperate to meet her sister in law and niece for the first time as Jack never mentions them. He's very reluctant to discuss what happened in the past and the events of recent years have made him even more reticent to discuss his sister and their childhood.

Seeing how Lorna reacts to being 'home' makes the story more intriguing and it doesn't take long before she's thinking about the past and her childhood, and how to talk to Jack about what happened when he was 14 and his big sister just upped and left him behind.

The community is so welcoming I wanted to move up there! It's lovely to see how everyone helped everyone out, a big change from London for Lorna where she was on her own bringing up her daughter with very few friends, and only her job as a teacher to keep her going. The more time she spends on Kip, the more her old character is revealed and the dreams and passions she forgot about and time allows her and Jack to start to share memories - good and bad - and the truth of what happpened finally begins to reveal itself.

This is a story that just shows how reconnecting with ghosts from the past and confronting those memories you tried to forget allows you to find ways to move on and I just loved it all!

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A beautifully told story of family, friendship and the meaning of 'home'. As with Libby Page's previous books, the characters are well-developed and relatable, and I loved the dual narrative switching from Alice to Lorna and back again which enhanced the enjoyment of the plot. The Scottish island setting was vividly created so that the reader can imagine themselves there, and the story will leave a lasting impression.

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The Island Home tells the story of Lorna who left the Scotish Island that she grew up in as soon as she reached adulthood until she is drawn back after the death of her parents. Her daughter has already befriended her cousin on social media and so is excited to visit the island but for Lorna is obviously holds some ghosts. The island is so beautifully described I now want to go and live there myself! The relationships between the women is well written and overall I enjoyed the book. A feel good story with Libby Page does so well.

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The Island Home is such a heart warming and gorgeously written book.

Lorna and her daughter Ella have always been a team of two, them against the world. Lorna left her Hebridean Island of Kip home 22 years ago and hasn't been back since. But when she receives news that her parents have died, she nervously returns.

Anxious about facing her brother Jack who she reluctantly left behind, she is forced to confront her painful past. And Jack is also forced to reopen old wounds and face up to a truth that he has tried to bury.

But as well as painful memories, Lorna is greeted warmly by the island community, especially the women who uplift and support one another like family. She sees her daughter Ella blossom as she forms a close bond with her cousin Molly.

And Lorna also finds a romantic connection that reignites her passion for art that she left behind so many years ago.

Despite forming new bonds and connecting with her brother again, Lorna and Ella leave the island after three weeks.

But returning to London doesn't feel right anymore. Being alone feels empty. And so Lorna finally realises where her home is - a place where there is love, and friendship and community.

A joy to read, the warmth of the writing oozes off the page and the final pages are uplifting and joyous.

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