Absolute heaven, these books should be prescribed as good medicine. I was so happy to be back in Tuga and never wanted to leave. It’s hard to explain how utterly compelling these beautiful, gentle stories are, but Francesca Segal really has made something special. Cannot wait, wait, wait for the next book, would read a hundred more.

I squealed with glee on receiving this ARC and it did not disappoint. Every bit as immersive and wonderful as the first book, it felt a real treat to return to the community of Tuga, with the cast of characters feeling familiar but developing even more. I did wonder what the main driver of the plot was, especially with the (re)introduction of Lucinda, but part of the joy of these books is the side plots that make up the rich tapestry of the island life that so entrances me. It is refreshing to have a setting so cut off from modern society, I think that’s part of the appeal of these books? They are familiar but so wildly disparate from the Western world that it immerses me immediately. Things I take for granted suddenly involve real peril and high stakes, like childbirth or running out of supplies not easily found on the island.

I still enjoyed the character of Charlotte, especially as she confronted her mother and established her own presence on the island. However I was surprised to be so intrigued and invested in Marianne - there is little said of her in this one, but the glimpses of her reserved character, especially compared to her wildcard daughter Annie made me want to read more of her perspective. I chuckled, gasped (especially at the subplot of Gloria) and shed a tear several times throughout, especially at the very satisfying ending. All in all a super read, so I will be hunting out Segal's backlist.

I thoroughly enjoyed my second visit to Tuga! The simple life is clearly the best life and this book draws you into the community of the Island and I cannot wait for book three. I finally got to grips with the families and residents connections to each other (book one was hard to keep up with this!)

This story starts with Charlottes mother being an unexpected visitor to the island, bringing with her an air of judgement and high expectations, we get to explore the mother / daughter relationship in this instalment & you can’t help but feel for Charlotte, however there is definitely more to Lucinda’s visit which unfolds in the epilogue and I assume will be followed up in book three.

There are some really moving parts of this story, Marianne and Annie specifically and I look forward to seeing how that unfolds as the story progresses.

I highly recommend this book and the previous one!

A fantastic followup- I was so pleased to rejoin Charlotte in her silghtly odd but full of community island life. Her mother is described beautifully as the woman who enters a room and expects all attention to be on her and all opinions to align with hers. The way the islanders react is perfect and humorous.
You would definitely benefit from reading the first in the series as this sequel relies heavily on prior knowledge of people and traditions and probably wouldnt read as well as a stand alone.

A lovely follow-up to Glorious Tuga - vet Charlotte Walker enters her 2nd year on the remote Pacific island with an unexpected visitor alongside professional and personal challenges. It’s not just Charlotte’s story though, the lives of other islanders, old and young are depicted with warmth, humour and sensitivity. This is feel good, easy reading, perfect for the summer holidays and I loved it.

Charlotte Walker appears to have 'gone native' she has been accepted by the islanders and has been seeing a lot of her love interest. She is applying for funding to establish a permanent vet's post on the island, everything is going well until her mother, Lucinda, manages to arrive on the island set on bringing her back to civilisation. Charlotte and her mother have always had a difficult relationship, partly due Lucinda's domineering ways and also due to the mystery surrounding the identity of her father. Enjoyable second book about the isolated island paradise of Tuga de Oro.

Really enjoyed the second book in the series, continuing the story of the inhabitants and visitors to Tuga (Welcome to Glorious Tuga). We find out what happens to Charlotte (who arrived to do research on the turtles and then began to look after all the animals) and her mum (with whom she has a difficult relationship), along with all the other inhabitants on the island. It's a gentle, interesting story about life and relationships, and has a perfect ending.

Island Calling returns to Tuga de Oro where Charlotte’s mother Lucinda turns up from London! It’s the perfect summer read- I love the islanders and I'm looking forward to the final chapter of this trilogy!

Island Calling - Francesca Segal - 4⭐️

The newest read from Francesca Segal a beautifully written escape into paradise—with a lot more going on beneath the surface.

Following on from Book One, we are back in Glorious Tuga de Oro with Charlotte, the Vet who has stolen the remote islanders hearts. After making a life for herself and finding love on the island, nothing could go wrong. That is, until her controlling mother arrives in a storm of high society and designer labels.

Thoughtful, emotional, and quietly powerful, the story explores the precious relationship between mothers and daughters and left me asking, can we really shed our past?

Slower in pace but totally worth it for the gorgeous writing and deep themes. Perfect for a reflective summer read 💭🌺

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this Arc, Island Calling is out now!

A real pleasure to be back on the island of Tuga. Best to read the first book before this one as it is a sequel but a very warm and welcome one which was great to read. Got to know the islanders in more depth and what the island community is really like.

Wish it were real as I would love to go!

This is book two in the series about vet Charlotte Walker, who is working on the extremely remote island of Tuga de Oro. This time round her mother has arrived to escort her home - is Charlotte ready to leave island life and her new friends behind?

I really like the setting of Tuga, the descriptions are beautiful and full of detail, and it has plenty of colourful inhabitants, both human and animal! I love the pace of life and reading about the trials they face living so remotely.

A lovely escapist book, perfect for the summer.

Island Calling s another delightful trip to the island of Tuga. There is something so beguiling about this island and its inhabitants, wonderfully brought to life by the author.

In this second book in the trilogy, vet Charlotte is very much part of island life after 14 months living there. But her peaceful existence is turned upside down when her overbearing mother Lucinda turns up unexpectedly, keen to get Charlotte back to London and to what she perceives as “real life”.

Charlotte and Lucinda’s relationship is not the only mother/daughter relationship focused on in this book - as we are reintroduced to the island’s residents, we learn more about the dynamics of this tight-knit community and the complex relationships within it.

This series is the epitome of escapism in book form - Tuga is superbly brought to life and you can almost feel the sand between your toes and smell the sea, whilst at the same time being reminded of the complexities of remote living. With a cast of characters you will take to your heart, and a generous helping of humour in amongst the drama, this is such a delightful series and the perfect summer read! I can’t wait for book 3!

How I long for a life on the island of Tuga!

This sequel takes you back to Tuga de Oro, to reunite with vet Charlotte Walker who is nearing the end of her stint caring for animals on the island. She's happy to live a blissful life until her mother arrives and causes chaos all round.

Her intention is to get Charlotte to return to England, back to her career, and back home where she belongs. Will she go or will she know that there's more her on the island than she thought?

A great return to the island, and I'm looking forward to reading the final instalment.

These books are an absolute tonic. Francesca Segal has created a fictional place that feels both welcoming and safe and I loved being back on Tuga de Oro.

The arrival of Charlotte’s mother Lucinda certainly ruffles some feathers, not least Charlotte, who is mortified by her mother’s arrival. I found Lucinda’s reaction to the island and its habitants a source of humour throughout.

Motherhood, in particular the relationship between mothers and daughters is one of the main themes of this second instalment. The dynamics of Charlotte’s relationship with her mother are revealed to us, some old wounds are opened and new truces are formed. This is contrasted against Marianne’s relationship with her young daughter Annie; natives of Tuga de Oro, whose lives couldn’t be further removed from the Walker’s glamorous London existence.

It was a joy to read and I experienced all the emotions. One minute I was laughing out loud and then the next minute I was sobbing over a golden coin turtle called Gloria Gaynor. I am already looking forward to the next book in the trilogy but I’m sad to think it will be my last visit. We all need a bit of Tuga de Oro in our lives.

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review.

I absolutely loved Glorious Tuga so I was really excited to see a follow-up.

This was just as good as the first book, warm story with lovely characters, beautiful setting and descriptions that made you feel as if you were there.

I would recommend reading the first book before this one.

When Charlotte’s mother Lucinda arrives from England in a mission to ‘rescue’ Charlotte from Tuga there are many cringeworthy moments. Charlotte is determined to leave but her mother’s presence is humiliating and stifling.

I cannot express how much I would love to visit Tuga and meet all these wonderful characters. It’s just as well it is fictional or the amount of impending tourists would destroy the unique features of this amazing place.
Anyway. Brilliant location, characters and plot. This book is an absolute winner.
5 stars
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to have read this book ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review.

A very enjoyable book. This is part two of a trilogy and I would strongly recommend reading the first part. I had read the first part and still found it difficult to get my head round all the characters. Catherine has been on the island for a year studying tortoises but was becoming more of a vet for the islanders stock. When her mother arrives everything is turned upside down. Island Calling is a gentle warm-heated book if a little sugar-coated.
I look forward to the final part.

whoever is doing the covers for these books needs an extra special mention and pat on the back. they are so cool. and once again this one lends itself so well to the story inside.
we are back. back to the island.and im so glad to be here! and this time we have a mother to add to the mix.
my only problem now is ive heard this is part of a trio and im now worried about if ill get the luck of reading the next one.
the community feel and spirit of this book scoops you up and take you in. we get to see more from the characters we enjoyed from book one and a few more besides. we also get to meet the mother. yes shes come over for her daughter. and she a character indeed.
the character development was really well done and you got to see some true connections and growth.
if you haven't read the first book id advice it purely for the joy of it but it gives enough information for you to come into this one and learn from new.
another escapist read to Tuga. it was good to back.

Second in the Tuga trilogy, this book sees Charlotte thrown for six when out of the blue, her mother arrives on Tuga and turns her whole life upside down. I admit, I found her mother to be a slightly stereotypical posh, rich, accomplished London woman who is horrified by the rusticity of the world’s most remote island and expects everyone to dance to her tune. The book does help shed some light on Charlotte’s childhood and fill in gaps for us, as well as fleshing out some of the supporting cast of islanders from the first book. And I am quite happy in two of the relationships that develop…!

Now if Annie can start being slightly less of a brat to those who love her, even better…

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

It has been a delight to return to Tuga, getting reacquainted with the familiar characters and meeting some new ones as well. I would recommend reading book 1 first , as it does follows on. It’s a fun story, quirky setting, beautiful beaches and plenty of tortoises. Highly recommend.