Another fantastic read by a new author ive started to read. I read this holiday and it didn't take me long to finish whilst sunning myself.
Great characters as usual ( Rhys and Lola) with difficulties but each issue is dealt with. Lola is straight out of a terrible relationship and heads to Sardinia for her best friends wedding. Rhys is the Grooms friend and he has hi own relationship troubles. There's a lot of fun times and shenanigans to keep you reading and turning the pages and next chapter in, I couldn't put it down. The other friends are trying to match make these two to get them into a relationship,
It's something we all have to read, enjoy, accept others wanting the best but not interfere as much. Another great book by KF

When your the only single one out of all your friends and you all head to the island of Sardinia for the hen do weekend full of luxury, what can go wrong?
Lola Wild has to endure her friends dissecting what is wrong with her life while bride to be Mirabel enjoys the limelight and plenty of sun.

When unexpected guest Rhys shows up, who is also newly single goes on a stroll and meets up with Lola they seem to hit it off and hatch a plan of all plans to make their weekend more bearable.

What more could you ask for when in a beautiful location, complete with an idyllic sandy beach and all your friends, and finally getting to say ‘‘I Do’ to the man of your dreams.

Not only do Mirabel and her husband get their happily ever after but will Lola also find happiness while on holiday?

Newly single Lola Wild has arrived in Sardinia for her best friend Mirabel’s hen weekend. All the friends want to find her a man, as she is the last single one among the group. She wants them all to leave her alone, so when she meets fellow wedding guest, Rhys Strickland, also single, they decide to help each other out by pretending there is something between them. As they spend time together, they share about previous heartbreak, with Lola telling him about her ex, who has been stalking her. Suddenly, they begin to realize that they have feelings toward one another. With the excitement of the upcoming wedding, family dynamics causing problems, a health scare, a stalker and more, can Lola and Rhys find a way to be together?

I do enjoy a good story with a fake relationship. Lola and Rhys both deserved a new beginning and fresh relationship, but getting there isn't something either of them want to rush into. First and foremost, they are there for their friends. They both have things they need to get over, and talking it over with someone else who is also dealing with a relationship issue, helps them to face it and maybe give them a chance to move on. I loved the setting of the island of Sardinia. With beautiful beaches, lovely homes and gorgeous views, I would love to visit there. It was a perfect setting for a wedding and for two people struggling to find their self-confidence to move on from what their exes had done to them. There were several tense moments that gave the story some urgency that I liked. Although there was chemistry, I liked that it was slow burn and any possible steamy scenes were fade to black. Overall, a wonderful story of friendship, personal growth, support for one another and yes eventually some romance. A perfect summer read.

Kate Frost writes beautifully and makes you feel that you’re a character in her books, this book will take you to Sardinia, the heat is on your back and you instantly relax!
The storyline follows the group of men and women, friends of the bride and groom, ready to celebrate the wedding and enjoy a luxurious holiday.
Lola has not had great relationships, unlike her friends, who all seemingly have happy stories. Rhys is feeling let down by his previous partner and wants to escape. A chance meeting brings the idea of Lola and Rhys pretending to be together, all to stop the well meaning matchmaking!
I loved how Lola’s insecurities make her look at Rhys as a person who has similar issues and struggles.
The story flows well with the luxury of the setting, individual stories and the generosity of the groom’s family a highlight!
It’s so nice to read about good hearted people sharing special moments together.
A conversation that clears the air also shows how important honesty is, especially when the actions of others impacts your happiness.
This book is highly recommended!

Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the amazing Kate Frost for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you boldwood books and NetGalley for the arc

The book is about a wedding and friendship and the main character is just out a bad relationship and working on herself exploring her self-discovery and she ends up meeting someone else, no spoilers and the book is uplifting

I enjoyed it I enjoyed the characters and the plot a good summer read

really enjoyed this book, a story of friends, love and locations.
a perfect read for a summers day, this author never disappoints

Lola is newly single and not looking to mingle while Rhys would rather be anywhere than watching his ex with one of his best friends.

While away for their best friends wedding the pair strike up a friendship and use each other to fend off their well meaning friends from meddling in their love life’s. Lots of fun, sun and and fabulous beaches. Whilst manoeuvring all the ups and downs of a big wedding Lola and Rhys realise they could be more than just friends.

A fabulous summer read I devoured this in sunny Scotland on a rare sunny day enough to pretend to be on an Italian beach sipping a cocktail.

Loved this tale of Lola and her life on the stunning island of Sardinia, pure escapism, devoured on a lazy afternoon, loved it.

I enjoyed this book.
Lola is attending a friends wedding which is going to be a long one she has issues she is working through and is newly single.
She meets Rhys who has his own problems and they make a pact to help one another through the celebrations.
I was attracted by the cover of this book initially that is often what first draws me to a book.
This story felt as if it could really happen and it drew me in.
The descriptions of Sardinia made me feel as if I was there.
Although this is not the first book I have read with an agreement like this I did really enjoy the whole experience and quickly read the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is the first book I have read from Kate and was happy to receive an advance copy. As soon as I started reading it I knew I was going to love it. Lola and her friends are off to Sardinia to their friend Meribels wedding to Fabs. Also heading to the wedding are a group of Fab’s friends. Lola’s last relationship has left her broken but her friends don’t know how badly. They keep trying to set her up but she isn’t interested.Rhys is also out of a relationship and his ex is at the wedding with one of his friends. Lola escapes from the group and meets Rhys who is doing the same. They end up deciding to have a fake relationship to stop her friends trying to match make. This is a lovely story about friends,family,idyllic setting and love. Rhys is so supportive of Lola,whose ex keeps sending her texts and ends up in Sardinia. Definitely worth a read to find out how the wedding goes and what happens between Rhys and Lola. Loved it.

This is the first book I have read by Kate and I really enjoyed it. There was a range of characters, all with different personalities but likeable. The story takes us to Sardinia where everyone is gathered to attend Mirabel and Fabs wedding and where Lola and Rhys first meet. Lola has just come out of an abusive relationship but because it wasn’t physical abuse her friends don’t realise the extent of the manipulative behaviour and the impact this has on Lola and her self esteem. Rhys had been in a relationship with Zoe who is also at the wedding and although he does know deep down things wouldn’t have worked out he is still hurting. To avoid their friends trying to match make them with all available singles they make a pact to pretend they have got together. The problem is Rhys is actually a great man who is easy to talk to but can a holiday attraction turn into a real relationship? This book made me smile and I enjoyed the theme of hope and new beginnings throughout the book. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for an advance copy of this book however all opinions are my own.

Kate Frost’s The Island of Hopes and Dreams is a gorgeous escapist tale that tugs at the heartstrings and soothes the soul.

Lola Wild knows that her friends and family mean well, but she’s grown tired and weary of their match-making attempts. At her best friend Mirabel’s hen weekend, Lola knows that she has to do something to change the course of her life, but in the meantime she’s looking forward to going to Sardinia for the wedding, switching off, topping up her tan and spending time with her nearest and dearest and hoping that nobody mentions relationships, dating apps or her single status. However, the Sardinian wedding brings her into contact with fellow guest Rhys Strickland, who has problems of his own to contend with…

It doesn’t take long for the two of them to bond over mutual ground and a friendship blossoms between Lola and Rhys as they attempt to put old ghosts to rest and draw a line under their respective pasts As a spark ignites between them, will they find the strength and courage to grasp this unexpected chance at a future together with both hands? Or will past hurts and never forgotten demons end up putting paid to any hope the two of them had of starting afresh?

In The Island of Hopes and Dreams, Kate Frost gets under her characters’ skins and has penned a tender, emotional, dramatic yet uplifting tale about two people finding themselves, fighting for what they truly want and deserve and falling in love in the most unlikely and unexpected of circumstances. Set in a stunning location, The Island of Hopes and Dreams by Kate Frost is just the ticket for readers looking for an intelligent, astute, feel-good and satisfactory romantic tale.

Kate Frost's 'The Island of Hopes and Dreams' is a charming holiday, transporting readers to the picturesque setting of a Sardinian wedding. The tale revolves around Lola Wild, fresh out of a breakup and sick of her friends trying to set her up, and Rhys Strickland, who is trying to get over his own failed relationship. Through a serendipitous meeting, the two agree to a bargain: an artificial relationship to get through the cringeworthy wedding festivities.
What starts out as a convenient setup gradually turns into something real as Lola and Rhys connect over mutual sorrows and vulnerabilities.

The writer skillfully interweaves a charming story of personal rebirth and unexpected love. The richly colorful descriptions of Sardinia bring this beautiful island to life so vividly that it is a perfect summer read. Although there is enough wedding-day angst and developing friendships, the real strength is in the personal evolution of the characters and the gradual, realistic build-up of their romance. A real feel-good, interesting read.

With a stunning setting on Sardinia, this is a real escapist read which is perfect for a holiday read. Lola and Rhys are the centre of this story but there are plenty of other characters who make up the wedding party and who add colour to the events. Lola's friends seem determined to set her up with a new man and ignore her views on the matter. Rhys, a close friend of the groom, is coming to terms with the end of his relationship and has to watch his ex-partner and her new boyfriend. The fact that they are all old friends from university makes the situation complicated for them. It is no surprise when Lola and Rhys decide to enter a fake dating arrangement.

There is plenty going on in the story and the dynamics between the families and friends make for both amusing moments. Lola and Rhys grow closer as the story develops and Lola has to re-evaluate what she looks for in a partner. There are certainly alternatives on offer. Rhys too is at a crossroads in his career and taking time out to travel and re-think his priorities. There is also some interesting tension within the families of the bride and groom's families with them both so different. The friendships between the characters add warmth to the story which has a hopeful and uplifting mood.

In short: love and laughter

I loved the escapism that this book brought me - set in a lifestyle far different to my own, I couldn't put down this tale of relationships, romance and relaxation. I love a book that contains a catch-up ending, not stopping at one particular point, but giving the reader that little bit more. I will be looking out for other books by this author.

This really is the perfect summer beach read to escape into! Amazing setting descriptions, I felt like I was right there. I loved it! A beautifully written story that was heartwarming and inspiring. The wonderful charming characters put a smile on my face and hope in my heart. A great book and I recommend it to anyone who loves romance. This is a must read for any summer reading list!

I enjoyed this book immensely. Perfect for a day at the beach or by the pool

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

The hen party and wedding for her best friend
Should be a fantastic time for them together to spend
But other friends seem to want to find a match for Lola now
She needs to stop them somehow!

At the stag party there are revelations
For the groom's best friend, Rhys, - adding complications.
His ex is there with another of their group he's told
And secrets from their past begin to unfold.

The luxury wedding in Sardinia should be a dream
But the antics of 'friends' could ruin it, it would seem!
So an accidental encounter has them making a pact
Agreeing that for the wedding like a couple they'll act.

Together they share the events from their past
Never assuming their fake relationship could last.
However, what happens when feelings develop, too,
Could this be a new beginning for both these two?

A story which shows that true love can heal
When you least expect any chance it to feel.
A heartwarming story, with great characters who
Quickly feel like someone you knew.

The gorgeous setting adds to the mix
With so many relationships needing to fix.
There's drama a plenty and so much more
In this fabulous read which I hope you'll also adore.

For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

A really lovely read that had me going to bed early so I could squeeze in a few more chapters! Sardinia was beautifully described and has been added to places I must visit!

This was such a good read and I have to say what drew me to this book in the first place was the gorgeous cover. This isn’t just a book about romance
It had a whole lot more in it . I really admired the character of Lola and all that she had been through . She deserves to be happy and going to her best friends wedding in Sardinia might help her. After all who doesn’t want a relaxing holiday on the stunning island . The characters of both Lola and Rhys were excellent and the author really brought them to life I thought . Both had been through bad relationship break ups but there was also humour there as well. There was one particular incident Lola had when she had attended another wedding that literally had tears of laughter rolling down my face . When I first saw this book I presumed it was going to be a rom com but how wrong was I. There is so much more to this story and I loved it . What isn’t there to love about a book with great characters and set on the beautiful island of Sardinia .