I was charmed by Addie very quickly in this one, and Sol too, though less so.
They both had complicated family lives, but I liked that they were drawn to each other, and then the situations that arose from that.
The middle part of the book could be a little frustrating, just wishing someone would do something... but in all its part of the charm.
Another lovely book from Joanna Glen.

Well I think the title probably sums up the book. I felt it was a bit slow paced and Addie and Sol's indecisiveness on how to make their relationship work was a bit frustrating. Having said that there were some interesting and colourful characters which added to the humour of the novel

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book which explored family relationships, love and loss, fear and commitment through Addie and Sol’s story. Both protagonists feel like misfits in their worlds, but together they make sense, although struggle to make it work. They are such great characters that the reader inevitably is sympathetic and rooting for them as a couple. Their parents are infuriating (Sol’s dad, Addie’s mum and dad) mired in their selfish needs and desires although their relationships are complicated too. Perhaps the message of this book is that relationships aren’t as simple as puffins matching for life and that happiness can only be achieved if both parties will work for it.

A delightfully intense story of two good people who have loved and lost or never been loved by those who matter. Both now have to get through this damange and learn how to love each other fully. A book of longing and questioning and ultimately hope.

Prevarication seems to be the theme of this sweet, whimsical romance. Will Sol and Addie get together or won’t they? Will they trust themselves to love or decide not, just in case it hurts too much ? This is a quirky story about two odd people who have to overcome lots of barriers - physical and social and mental - before the end of the book. There are some deep discussions along the way about God and the meaning of life and love. I have enjoyed Joanne Glen’s previous novels and wanted to love this one but ultimately I found it frustrating. Still a good read though.

This is an unusual love story. The pace of the narrative was up and down, some parts very slow and others where important things happened quickly. The indecision between the two was frustrating at times, but on the whole it came together nicely. I particularly enjoyed the stories of both Addie's and Sol's parents. The descriptions of wildlife and scenery brought the settings to life, although they were overdone for me in parts. The quirky characters and humour made it stand out from the crowd, hence five stars.

An interesting but slightly frustrating story.

Addie lives on the island of Rokesby with her mum. Together they run a women's retreat on the island but Addie years to get away. As a woman in her early twenties she wants more from life and has become quite isolated, seeking solace in her love for swimming and sewing.

Sol is visiting the neighbouring island of Ora. He is on spiritual retreat following the death of his mother and isolation from his vicar father due to a rift he can't imagine healing. Ora and Rokesby are joined by a land bridge that disappears at high tide, so it isn't long before Addie and Sol come across each other. Both are socially awkward and don't really know how to speak to other people so are shy of each other, but Addie senses that Sol might be her way off the island.

It was the pace of the novel that frustrated me. Everything seemed to take ages to happen but then other stuff would happen quite quickly. Sol and Addie have one very brief conversation before Sol helps Addie leave the island, leaving her on the mainland with his campervan. For socially awkward people they both seemed to trust each other immediately which felt a bit quick. I liked the way the writing flipped back and forward between both of their perspectives - the only time this became annoying was when they were experiencing the same event and we get it twice.

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Some of the events felt forced to move the story along and also a little bit unlikely but I can understand why those choices were made.

Some will love this book, some won't. For me, it was a little too 'beach read in the summer' for my taste.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.