glelchuk's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
svenja135's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amandablocho's review against another edition
1.0
Uhg, I hate how much I disliked this book. I would have DNFd it but I needed it for a challenge and that also makes me sad. I expected this to be a fun LGBTQ+ romance and it really was not that much of that. Sure there were LGBTQ+ relationships and characters but I didn’t really like them. The novel had somewhere in the realm of 9 POVs, didn’t like being in any of their heads and it just felt so damn long.
It is very difficult for me to critique this because it tries to jam so much into it. Queer relationships, lesbians sorting out having a baby, parental expectations, parents separating after 30+ years of marriage, finding yourself in your later years, Australian colonialism, white fragility, Australian indigenous people, cheating partners, it’s just so much! And I unfortunately didn’t connect with the writing. Im sure others will like this novel, but I can’t recommend it.
It is very difficult for me to critique this because it tries to jam so much into it. Queer relationships, lesbians sorting out having a baby, parental expectations, parents separating after 30+ years of marriage, finding yourself in your later years, Australian colonialism, white fragility, Australian indigenous people, cheating partners, it’s just so much! And I unfortunately didn’t connect with the writing. Im sure others will like this novel, but I can’t recommend it.
lissalovestoread's review
3.0
I loved the fictional setting of the book. (I have always loved it when I open a book and immediately find a map.) I particularly loved the effort that was put into making it seem like it was a real place with a strong history, by basing it off a real island and real history.
I, unlike some other readers, had no issue at all with the length of the book or the number of characters & POVs. I like going back and forth between characters and learning more about them. But I have to say, that with the exception of Jarrah and Randall, I spent at least some amount of time being absolutely annoyed with every other character in the book. And at one point in part 3, I even tossed Jarrah and Randall under the bus with the rest of them as I actually aid out loud that I couldn't "stand anyone in this whole book!" :)
My other issue was that it was overly-dramatic. My gosh, it was like a soap opera watched at 4x speed. Every other page a relationship was starting, ending, exploding, imploding, etc., etc. It was a lot. Too much for me to even explain away by the stress of being stuck together unexpectedly for so long.
But ultimately, I did see growth in almost everyone (even if for several it didn't occur until the last 5 seconds of the book ;) ) and I did love the setting, and I appreciated the group gift surprise at the end. Which is why, despite the things I didn't appreciate, I still give Island Time 3 stars.
I, unlike some other readers, had no issue at all with the length of the book or the number of characters & POVs. I like going back and forth between characters and learning more about them. But I have to say, that with the exception of Jarrah and Randall, I spent at least some amount of time being absolutely annoyed with every other character in the book. And at one point in part 3, I even tossed Jarrah and Randall under the bus with the rest of them as I actually aid out loud that I couldn't "stand anyone in this whole book!" :)
My other issue was that it was overly-dramatic. My gosh, it was like a soap opera watched at 4x speed. Every other page a relationship was starting, ending, exploding, imploding, etc., etc. It was a lot. Too much for me to even explain away by the stress of being stuck together unexpectedly for so long.
But ultimately, I did see growth in almost everyone (even if for several it didn't occur until the last 5 seconds of the book ;) ) and I did love the setting, and I appreciated the group gift surprise at the end. Which is why, despite the things I didn't appreciate, I still give Island Time 3 stars.
nakedsushi's review
4.0
I loved this vacation book with its ensemble cast. I loved how each chapter started with a nature tidbit about the flora and fauna of the island, or historical context, and then dove into the character drama. I wasn't sure if this could be categorized as romance, but if you look at specific pairings in the book, their stories do follow the typical romance arc. It was impressive how things were tied up at the end without it feeling too coincidental.
rezelazny's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
_astronomay's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jomoone's review
5.0
Georgia has done it again.
I couldn’t put this down. The location was so beautifully described, it took me away, immediately whisking me there. The love, the one-liners, the queer-rep and the twists had me swooning. There’s so much about this book that kept me hooked.
I loved the dynamics in the family, how each person has something about them that differs them. With each voice feeling unique — I only wish the chapters (in the copy I received) were better labelled in who was talking so I could connect a little better. But, it doesn’t take away my enjoyment once I got into the thick of it all.
People in books are my favourite thing to read, and I really feel Georgia excelled herself this time with how deep we peeled the layers back with the characters. It was enjoyable to see flaws, to have them be so relatable at times — and the Dad’s were such a fun highlight.
Super excited to read more of Georgia’s work, with a full review to come on my blog in the coming weeks.
Thanks so much to Georgia Clark, and NetGalley for the ARC for the honest review.
I couldn’t put this down. The location was so beautifully described, it took me away, immediately whisking me there. The love, the one-liners, the queer-rep and the twists had me swooning. There’s so much about this book that kept me hooked.
I loved the dynamics in the family, how each person has something about them that differs them. With each voice feeling unique — I only wish the chapters (in the copy I received) were better labelled in who was talking so I could connect a little better. But, it doesn’t take away my enjoyment once I got into the thick of it all.
People in books are my favourite thing to read, and I really feel Georgia excelled herself this time with how deep we peeled the layers back with the characters. It was enjoyable to see flaws, to have them be so relatable at times — and the Dad’s were such a fun highlight.
Super excited to read more of Georgia’s work, with a full review to come on my blog in the coming weeks.
Thanks so much to Georgia Clark, and NetGalley for the ARC for the honest review.
kholtfit's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0