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.

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!

The book tells the story of Lola and Rhys who are both guests at a huge 10-day wedding-vacation on Sardinia. Both are still hurt from past relationships and since their friends always try to set them up with somebody they decide to fake-date in order to get them off their backs. But of course fake-dating hardly ever stays fake in romance books...
I liked the story and could relate to the main characters but I felt that the story was too slow-burn. Even though the main story takes place over only a ten-day-period I felt there was a lot of to-and-fro. The setting of course is gorgeous and makes you want to visit Sardinia on your next vacation.
All in all an entertaining summer romance.

This is a great holiday read, the descriptions of Sardinia and the luxurious villas are beautiful. I found Rhys unrealistic (especially for a teacher), and the storyline was fairly predictable but non the less enjoyable.

Londoner Lola has just escaped a bad relationship, and is bound for the luxurious wedding of her best friend, Mirabel, on the island of Sardinia. Not only will Lola be losing her work colleague and best friend to Italy, but she knows she will have to endure the invasive set-up attempts of her friends during this wedding trip.

When she meets Rhys, who is licking his wounds after a painful breakup, they both realize a “fake dating scenario” can benefit them both. When wedding drama ensues and Lola’s ex continues to torment her, she relies on Rhys’ solid presence. Could the fake dating set-up be the first step to something more?

An enjoyable story, with Mediterranean breezes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

Lola seems to be the only one in her friendship group who is single. As best friend Mirabel's wedding approaches she is both looking forward to it and slightly dreading it. After all, her friends are always trying to set her up with a man, whether she wants it or not. If you can ignore the bizarre character names and the over-privileged nature of the wedding events, this is a great story on many levels. We have a classic over protective Italian mother, too much drinking leading to emotional outbursts and an abusive relationship. Nicely crafted and a good read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I believe this may be the first book I've read set on the island of Sardinia, and that automatically made me extra keen to read it, as I do love discovering new locations.

And Kate Frost has made Sardinia sound totally stunning and a wonderful sounding holiday destination. I think I will need to add it to my list of places to look at for holidays in the future.

As a big lover of fake dating, I was delighted to see some of that in this novel too where Lola and Rhys are both trying to avoid the glare of their friends meddling, in the lead up to the wedding they are all in Sardinia to celebrate.

Rhys is an absolute doll of a man, he's down to earth and all around lovely. Not the most obvious man to go for out of the group that includes some Italian hunks but there is something about him that I couldn't help but fall for. He's also dealing with the fact that his ex-love of his life is now dating another of his friends, and they are all at this wedding.

Lola though has an even more problematic recent dating record. The specific incident that is keeping her friends entertained was rather embarrassing, and before that her previous ex was a total and utter nightmare. And one she is trying her hardest not to reveal to everyone.

Lola's storyline in particular adds a lot of depth to this novel, which balances out the lightness of the wedding and its lead up.

I loved seeing the two groups of friends start to get to know each other, as well as seeing Mirabel and Fabs get ready for their pending nuptials.

There is a fabulous cast of characters, gorgeous setting and all around highly enjoyable and entertaining story.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book centers on Lola and her close-knit group of friends. When one of them gets engaged, they all gather for a destination weekend to celebrate. Lola is still reeling from a painful past relationship, while Rhys is dealing with the awkwardness of his ex-girlfriend leaving him for one of his friends—tensions that add some emotional weight to their gathering.

Although the book is charming, it’s also quite predictable. It was an easy, light read, but not one of my favorites overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this ARC.

'The Island of Hopes and Dreams' was the first novel I have read by Kate Frost - thank you to Netgalley for my ARC (this has not affected my review). Lola is recently out of a negative (borderline abusive) relationship. Her best friend, Mirabel, is about to get married, and Lola has hidden the truth from her friends as she supports Mirabel. Her friends are keen to set her up with a new boyfriend, so in the lead up to the wedding she meets one of the groom's friends who is also in a similar position (his ex left him for a friend and both are also part of the wedding party). They have pact - to pretend to fall for each other to stop the well-meaning match making. A great holiday read, the careful plot puts this above the average escapist read - whilst it ends with hope there are several dramatic twists along the way.

I really enjoyed this one. A lot of interesting characters in Lola, Rhys, Mirabel, Fabs and many more. The story centres on a wedding in Sardinia and all that involves with families meeting for the first time. What made it more enjoyable for me is that I have read it while holidaying in Italy on the shores of Lake Garda.

The story centers on Lola, newly single and skeptical about love, who travels to Sardinia for her best friend Mirabel’s wedding. Surrounded by couples and picture-perfect lives, Lola feels like an outsider—until she meets Rhys, the groom’s best friend, who’s also craving a break from the pressure. Together, they agree to fake a relationship to keep everyone at bay—but their connection soon begins to feel very real.

Although the fake-dating setup is well-trodden territory, Frost makes it fresh with well-drawn characters and emotional nuance. Lola’s personal journey—shaped by past trauma, self-doubt, and the discomfort of watching others seemingly have it all—is handled with honesty and care. Rhys isn’t just a romantic interest; he’s given his own backstory and depth, making their growing bond believable and rewarding.

For anyone navigating their thirties and feeling out of step with those around them, Lola’s experience will feel especially relevant. The book also gently highlights the value of open, honest conversations and how much we all benefit from connection and vulnerability. A delightful, thoughtful romance full of heart, humor, and scenic charm—perfect for readers who enjoy emotional journeys with a satisfying, hopeful ending.

Another wonderful read from Kate Frost! Her descriptive narrative and relaxed style of writing take you to wherever her book is set - in this case, the beautiful island of Sardinia, in Italy.

Not only does she write relatable characters, she also tackles difficult topics in a sensitive way.

You can almost feel the sun on your skin and hear the waves lapping on the beach, the sand beneath your feet, and the romantic allure of the island, as the story unfolds.

Kate Frost's books are perfect for travelling the world, her words evoking the sights, scents, and sounds of each place she takes you to visit. The Island of Hopes and Dreams is truly magical. Highly recommend!