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Little Island, book review and #giveaway

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

5 Minutes for books managing editor Jennifer Donovan received a copy of this book to facilitate her review, but as always, her opinions are her own.

little island

Family drama — we all have it, right? I often think that my family’s trials and tribulations, skeletons and challenges are unique, but the more I talk to people, the more I see that they are not. Reading a novel such as this one makes my family seem practically plain vanilla.

When Grace’s mother dies, she tries to put together the funeral based on a note she finds: “Flowers. By the water. Have fun!” Planning a funeral is difficult enough, but when it occurs on the 20th anniversary of the tragic car accident that altered the lives of every member of their family in some way, it makes it even more difficult.

Joy, the oldest, lost her best friend Bonnie in the accident. Her brother Roger served time and is still drowning his sorrows all these years later. His twin sister Tamar seems to almost have lost the ability to feel anything.

The Little siblings meet up on the Maine island to pay their respects and support their mother, Grace. Even though they are all adults, their childhood personalities come out. They bicker some, they cast blame, they nurse resentments, and they all seem to feel misunderstood in some way.

In addition to the past, they are all dealing with their own issues from the present, which intensifies the emotion. Tamar has brought her eight-year-old twin girls along without her husband, who is the primary caretaker, and she’s nervous about the responsibility. Roger is contemplating moving back to the island and helping his parents run the inn, but worries if they even want him to. Joy is taking her only son’s recent departure to college hard.

Little Island by Katharine Britton felt so real and warm and comfortable, and also somewhat magical, as life on a small island seems to feel all the time. There’s laughter and fighting, running away and a rescue. Each of the characters grew, which makes this kind of read satisfying to me.

I enjoy these kinds of books, because as I said, it makes my family and my own baggage seem normal, but also because it reminds me that people can always change.

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41 Comments

  11. Everyone has summer memories. Last year was one for us as we celebrated two weddings from two different adult children’s kids with all the family together to enjoy one another. We love everyone; there is no drinking or wild parties or brawling, etc. There is just expressions of joy at being together as a Christian family.

    Reply

  16. I’m drawn to books about family drama because the mixed up lives of the characters make my family look more normal!

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  24. What draws me is they seem somewhat realistic and not fantasy. Like it could happen to someone you know. I love to see how they work through it and I can relate!

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  25. We have so much drama in my family, you’d think I’d be sick of it! But, I still enjoy reading a good novel with a dash or two of family drama!

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  26. I like the dynamics and how they interact with each other. I like when the writer lets you see how each person sees a specific situation and you can learn about how misunderstandings occur.

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  28. I really want to read this book! Every time my siblings and I get together, it amazes me how much our memories of the past are so different! I really was shocked when my younger sister (the baby of the family) always thought I was Mom’s favorite. When I told my brother (middle child), he started laughing, and when he stopped, he commented, “We were the serfs; she was the Queen.”

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  32. Usually they make you feel like your family is normal in comparison. Plus who doesn’t love to be nosy and read about someone elses drama.

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  36. I just like the drama that families can put each other thru but still stick together because after all, they are family. :0

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  37. I have a degree in Psychology and the relationships
    among people; especially, families, has always
    fascinated me!
    Thanks, Cindi

    Reply