The Island of Hopes and Dreams enchanted me, lifted my spirits, and reminded me of the importance of friends. The story is wholesome but also includes past trauma that affects both main characters, Lola Wild and Rhys Strickland. Both are single, having not been in relationships in some time, however, the phantoms of their latest breakups threaten around around corner.

Lola unceremoniously left her ex after realizing his controlling nature. Unfortunately, she didn't leave before he broke her spirit, obliterated her confidence, and created a chasm between her and her family and friends. Lola's friends are well-meaning but continue to pressure her to find love. She's not allowed herself to open up nor is she willing to look for love, despite her friends' attempts. Her best friend, Mirabel's, wedding in Sardinia is a chance to escape the oppressive atmosphere, relax, unwind, and celebrate. If only that were true.

Rhys was left broken-hearted by someone he loved. He's spend the last few months trying to come to terms with the end of the relationship. However, who he thought was the love of his life is part of his friend group. He now has to be around her during the pre-wedding and wedding festivities. The time spent in Sardinia to celebrate Fabs' marriage to Mirabel is supposed to be special but revelations regarding his ex and one of his friends attempts to spoil the celebration.

Lola and Rhys are drawn to one another. When they find solace away from one of the first events of the week, it's unknowingly at the same location. A connection is made and, in an effort for Lola to get her friends off her back, and for Rhys to try and mask his unease, they form a fake relationship.

I absolutely adored The Island of Hopes and Dreams. While significantly focusing on Lola and Rhys, there are other themes threaded throughout the book. There is the wedding, of course, but even that comes with issues. I love the union of both friend groups and how they get along. The author wrote a wonderful story of learning to work through the past so it doesn't affect your present or future. The characters were perfectly crafted, three-dimensional, and created with depth, personality, and purpose. The setting was well-described, providing a very romantic atmosphere. This story is entertaining and I was engaged from the very beginning.

Another romance by Kate set on a beautiful island. This time friends gather in Sardinia to celebrate the wedding of Fabs and Mirabel. They each have their own set of friends. Mirabel’s friends are all female and Fabs are all male with one notable exception. She even went on the stag do. There’s a lot of back story to certain characters from many years ago. The actual cast of characters is extensive and there’s a lot going on. Some tough subjects are part of the narrative. Will Lola and Rhys become friends? Will their fake ‘love pact’ work out? The time after Sardinia is very interesting.

Kate Frost works her literary magic with every amazing book she writes. She invites us to beautiful and exotic locales that we can only dream of visiting. I am so thankful I found her wonderful books because I have become a world traveler without leaving my beach chair. Her latest romantic getaway takes us to Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea where the water is turquoise blue and the gentle breezes whisper on the white sand beaches. This is what paradise looks like and for Lola and Rhys it was the place where dreams came true as love snuck up on them like waves in a storm.

I was cheering for them from the moment they met on the “moon-bathed dock” where they both escaped to find a little peace and quiet after a long travel day. Rhys was smitten for Lola from the get-go, but knew he was way out of her league. When Lola proposed that they should fake-date while on Santorini for their best friend's wedding, he was shocked, but quickly agreed to her mischievous plan. Rhys thanked the stars above for sending Lola to him and vowed to make the most of every moment they had together. Of course, their fake dating became more as the romantic wedding destination cast a magical spell on the unsuspecting couple. Rhys felt like he had known Lola forever and when she needed to be rescued, he was right there by her side. The wedding of their friends Fabs and Mirabel was lavish, but also simple, as the happy couple began their new life together. Rhys and Lola’s time on Santorini was coming to an end, and they had to face reality once again. Will their bubble of happiness continue to surround them once they get home or will life and distance just get in the way?

Lola wants to move on with her life. Still recovering from a toxic relationship, she is determined to support her best friend, who is getting married in Sardinia. Lola, unsurprisingly, has trust issues, and she is determined not to fall in love again. Rhys wants to live his best life after an unexpected breakup, but his friend's forthcoming marriage means he has to face his ex again. At the pre-wedding celebrations, Lola and Rhys meet, and what starts as a way of saving face in Rhys' case and avoiding her friends' matchmaking efforts in Lola's blossoms into a friendship that promises so much more. It's a story with some familiar tropes, including a best friend's wedding, a fake relationship, and forced proximity. Still, this story offers a unique perspective and has a menacing undertone in the form of Lola's abusive ex. It's an emotional story with an engaging balance of friendship and angst. I like the romantic setting, the believable friendship dynamic and the gradual emotional commitment between Lola and Rhys.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

“The Island of Hopes and Dreams” by Kate Frost tells the story of Lola Wild and Rhys Strickland who are part of the festivities at their best friends’ extravagant wedding in Sardinia. Lola is recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship and Rhys was devastated to learn his ex is now engaged to one of his friends. At the wedding, they agree to pretend to be “into” each other to get their friends off their backs to move on with their lives. Of course, the sparks between them do begin to fly.

I enjoyed this book, although it took a little while for me to get into the story. But now I definitely want to visit Sardinia one day! Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

The Island of Hopes and Dreams by Kate Frost was a beautifully written book from start to finish which made it a perfect read for any time of the year. Just open your kindle/book and begin to dream of walking on white sand beaches and listening to the sea. You will be transported to the beautiful island paradise of Sardinia,
This was a perfect read and just what I needed to read, whilst sitting in my garden in the shade listening to the birds singing, This is the second book I have read from this author and I just love the way she writes - this book is so magical, a beautiful read about friendships and love. . . . . . I loved it

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books

This was definitely a cute closed-door romance and perfect for summer! I really enjoyed Rhys and Lola fake dating but also becoming friends in the process. They got to know each other so well and was glad that there was no third act breakup or anything super dramatic like that. Their love felt natural and just a perfect summer read.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Lola has recently come out of a relationship in which she wasn’t happy, she’s hesitant to find another boyfriend. Her friend Mirabel is getting married in Sardinia..

With her other friends in loving relationships Lola feels like she doesn’t fit in with them.

Then she meets Rhys, who is the best friend of Mirabel’s fiancé. He too is in the same situation and wants not to have his friends trying to find home a girlfriend.

They decide to have a fake relationship in order for their friends to not try fixing them up with someone. But as they are faking being together, they begin to have real feelings for each other.

We get to know about what happened in Lola’s previous relationship and how she feels seeing her friends happy in theirs. We also get to know more about Rhys.

I feel readers will relate to Lola. The story how important it is to be honest with friends and how this helps when you’re feeling vulnerable.

I loved the setting and the characters. There was a lot happening throughout the story which had you turning the pages.

I recommend this book.

Lola and Rhys are strangers travelling to Sardinia for a holiday culminating in their respective friend's lavish wedding. Lola is struggling after splitting with her domineering boyfriend, and her friends keep trying to match her with prospective boyfriends. Rhys is also struggling after his girlfriend left him - for another of his friends and they will both also be at the wedding. When Lola and Rhys meet they decide on a love pact, pretending they are together, so that they can be left alone.
The setting certainly sounds idyllic, especially as the groom's family are rich and they are all staying in luxury accommodation. I felt for both Lola and Rhys, it certainly helps me having a male main character that I can relate to. There are some wilder parties going on that I'd certainly be too old to enjoy, but there are no explicit spicy scenes that some readers might object to. The story shows how important it is to talk to one another and also the power of friendship. A good book to enjoy whilst sitting in the sun or equally sitting by the fireside remembering sunnier times.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Pulled into the circus-like drama of her friendship group, Lola Wild travels to Sardinia to attend her friend’s wedding. Recently single, Lola is particularly aware of the dangers of spending time with her friends, as each of them views success as being in a relationship. Seeing an opportunity to protect herself, she enters into an agreement with the groom’s best friend, Rhys. They will pretend to be infatuated with each other to ensure that his ex is convinced that he has moved on.
At face value, this seemed to be a simple story that would help me pass a few hours, but it turned out to be a much more involved scenario. From their first encounter, Lola and Rhys had a chemistry that was obvious, and I felt that it was only going to be a matter of time until one or both of them caught feelings. That is the expected outcome of a well-used trope. But somehow, this felt a little different, and the romance was definitely of the slow-burn variety.
Kate Frost imagined a fabulous friendship group that represented both the bride and groom, with their happy couple’s parents also featuring. This was a visit to another level of wealth keeping a foot firmly planted in reality.
As the story progresses, we gradually meet the other members of the wedding party, including Zoe, Rhys’ ex-girlfriend along with her new partner, Freddie, one of Rhys’ closest friends. The awkwardness is tangible, but Kate Frost handles the scenes beautifully and brings a perfect conclusion to their shared discomfort.
There are moments of hilarity and some real opportunities to cringe, but they are all delivered in a way that had eager to read more. With each of her books, I am excited to see where her stories my take me. Her characters, while enjoying a dream life, each have the same hopes and dreams as the next person making the entire story relatable.
I would love to revisit this friendship group as they were all brilliant characters. Highly recommended!

Lola is headed to Sardinia for her best friend’s wedding.
Lola is tired of her friend’s matchmaking so she comes up with a plan.
This was a fast moving story set in a gorgeous location. There’s plenty of romance along with some life issues. It’s the perfect beach read!

Lola arrives at her friend’s wedding festivities rather discombobulated because of many things going on.
Rhys, attending the same wedding has his own messes to sift through.
Together they form a pact but can they see it through.
I thought the best thing for both was not rushing into anything and also for Rhys to do his sabbatical.
The ending is good because it shows sometimes the way forward is stepping off into the abyss of unknown taking the risk that it will all work out.

Fabulous read from Kate Frost, loved it ! Great characters for the most part , didn’t much care for the ex, but then I don’t think we were meant to . Overall a really good book, with an excellent storyline, and very well written . Highly recommended.

The Island of Hopes and Dreams was EXACTLY what I needed to start the summer! With a breathtaking setting and loveable characters, I felt like I was with them in a gorgeous Sardinian villa enjoying the views and finding love!

Lola finally escaped a soul-crushing, emotionally abusive relationship and has no interest in jumping into another one. But her meddling friends think otherwise, and she’s had enough of their matchmaking attempts. When she heads to Sardinia from London for her best friend’s wedding, dread comes along.

Rhys is going to the same wedding as the groom’s best friend, also with some dread. His ex-girlfriend is now dating one of his friends and, although he doesn’t want her back (she’s a total selfish B), he’s learned some unpleasant truths and feels the sting.

When Lola and Rhys escape a party for some fresh sea air, they bond over their problems and a fake relationship is born! If they’re an item, her friends will get off her back and he can move on and distract himself. Only they both feel the connection between them, the attraction, the ease of conversation….

I adored Lola and Rhys—two genuinely lovely people with some baggage but so much to give. The author brilliantly had them muddle through their emotions, minds, and issues to grow and develop beautifully. Lola’s confidence struggled so much after the way her ex destroyed her, and Rhys helped her build it back up. He needed a confidence boost himself, and Lola returned the favor, showing him how wonderful he was.

They were both so self-aware and actively trying to figure themselves out, and I loved how they opened up to each other and each truly cared about the other. They had fantastic chemistry (no real steam though, mostly fade to black).

The Island of Hopes and Dreams left me with the warmest, coziest smile as I finished it. Highly recommend!

A sweet book about love, friendship and moving on after difficult relationships.

A beautiful setting in Sardinia and fun, believable characters make this an enjoyable read. Some darker themes, but these are handled in an easy manner which allow the characters to address them to help them move on with their lives.

The Island of Hopes and Dreams
by Kate Frost

This is the second book by Kate Frost that I have read, and I am thoroughly enjoying her captivating storytelling and distinctive writing style. She expertly transports readers to stunning and exotic locales, places that often reside only in our dreams.

The story unfolds as a heartwarming read, set against picturesque backdrops that truly capture the essence of island life. Themes of healing and self-discovery resonate throughout the story, lending an uplifting quality to the experience. Lola Wild has finally escaped from a soul-crushing, emotionally abusive relationship, leaving her disinterested in the prospect of jumping into another romance any time soon. However, her well-meaning but meddlesome friends seem determined to set her up, and their constant matchmaking attempts increasingly exasperate Lola.

As she travels from bustling London to the sun-soaked shores of Sardinia for her best friend Mirabel's wedding, a sense of dread accompanies her. She’s apprehensive about facing her past in a setting meant for celebration, passion and love.

At the same wedding, Rhys Strickland, who is the groom’s best friend, shares in Lola’s feelings of unease. His ex-girlfriend has begun dating one of his closest friends, adding to his discomfort. In a fortuitous twist of fate, Lola and Rhys find themselves escaping a lively party to catch some fresh sea air. This moment sparks a genuine connection as they bond over their shared troubles, leading to the unexpected creation of a fake relationship.

I particularly enjoyed witnessing the two groups of friends gradually get to know each other, as well as the delightful preparations of Mirabel and Fabs for their impending nuptials. Frost has crafted a fabulous ensemble of characters, each adding depth to the storyline, set against a gorgeous backdrop that enhances the romantic atmosphere. Overall, it's an immensely enjoyable and entertaining story that leaves a lasting impression.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this advanced reader copy (ARC).

Set mainly in Sardinia with wonderful descriptions of the island what’s not to love. Although it’s evident from the first two chapters how things will eventually turn out there are still lots of different challenges and one or two not very likeable characters. A great beach read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

oh im not ok. but i totally am. because joy of joys is when Kate gives us another gift of her books. she does it like no many others can. she is on that top tier list for those in her genre and book type. and i adore he books so much!
and once again this one hit me in all the snuggly, fizzy, angst and love moments.
i smiled. i held on. i heart hurt and heart healed. just divine.
before anything else though could someone make it happen that i can go to either live or holiday in Sardinia because boy did Kate bring it to life in such glorious ways.
i could get so much depth from this book. Lola for me was so real and relatable. and i could feel what she was going through. i see it in every day life too. her struggles from other expectations or guessing games is such a bore amongst woman. are we still playing this game? does she really need to only be ok if she has someone by her side.
well, turns out her friends all seem to think so. but Lola cant keep going through it. her dating history is making her either ache or fear. and she isnt going to make any more disastrous choices thankyou very much. this isnt made easy when she is off to her best friends wedding in the glorious location of Sardinia. the place is glorious. but being amongst all her friends who have seemed to found their perfect person gets a little hard for her. she needs an escape even from those she loves most.
enter our main man and wonder Rhys. and yes i fell for him. what a bloke. hes on the grooms friend side and is also in need of an escape from things weighing on his own mind and heart.
ok how about they pretend right? what could go wrong to pretend to be with each other, right? haha. eeeeeek.
and yes other books have done this. but it will feel like they havent when Kate gives it to us. it was done to perfection. getting to know who these two are added so much more to this both as individuals and together.
you are totally and utterly rooting for these two. it was hard to wait for the moment it might go wrong!
whats also lovely about this book is how much is given to the friendship group. it made for something so lovely to read. and there was no forced cliche or trope moments. it all just feel so gorgeously real.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this wonderful romance set in gorgeous Sardinia. The main characters were so lovely and real and I especially loved Rhys - the shy teacher who tries to overcome his self doubts. The couple was just perfect for each other and I loved reading how they realised it themselves.

The setting on Sardinia was something special and was so beautifully described.

I think this is my favourite Kate Frost novel to date!