I'm ashamed to admit that I was guilty of breaking a bookworms rule; never judge a book by it's cover. I didn't even read the blurb for this, I requested purely because the cover appealed to me and I thought the book would provide that much needed escapism that I was looking for.

Whilst I really did enjoy this book, I do have mixed feelings about it. At times it was a little slow for me, and after the half way mark I did start to struggle, although this was only for a few chapters. There were also a few formatting and grammar issues which sometimes distracted me from the story as I had to backtrack slightly to work things out. Although I don't think you should be put off by that, because I'm sure all of these issues will be corrected before the book is published, and it was still a lovely story that drew me in from the start.

One of the things I loved most about this book is the way that Sarah changes so much from being sensible and uptight, to being more relaxed and allowing herself to feel free. Sarah and her sister Amy had a difficult childhood, and Sarah has always felt the need to protect Amy, to the point of smothering her at times.

Although there's only a four year age gap between them, Sarah feels very maternal towards her little sister which could often come across as patronising, with Amy feeling like Sarah doesn't trust her. As the two sisters start to find their own paths on the island, Sarah begins to realise that Amy isn't a child anymore, and is capable of making her own decisions in life.

I also loved seeing the change in Amy as she starts to gain more confidence in herself. During her childhood, she was made to believe that she wasn't good enough to follow her dreams of becoming a vet, but as she spends more time caring for the wildlife on the island, she's made to feel needed and capable.

Although this trip isn't what Sarah was expecting, and it certainly wasn't the break she was hoping for, it turns out to be the best thing she's ever done. At home, Sarah always made sure she was dressed smartly, had perfect make up and hair, and didn't let her guard down. After spending a few days on the island, she loosens up and stops worrying about trivial things like appearances, as she learns that life is too short. I loved watching her just let go and enjoy her time on the island, pushing herself to limits she didn't believe possible.

Another aspect I enjoyed with this book was the wildlife on the island, especially the turtles. I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to see these animals in their natural habitat and to care for and rehabilitate them. The setting for this book was just amazing, and it really made me crave a holiday to somewhere warm with golden sands. It certainly gave me the escapism I was looking for.

Of course no Romance novel is complete without the love interest. Rick is the leader of the island, and whilst he's moody, and patronising at times, Sarah's thoughts often drift to him. He's exactly the sort of man she usually avoids, believing that falling in love with such a handsome man can only lead to heartbreak.

She's also fiercely independent and fears relying on other people, especially a man. Through spending more time with him she understands just how much he loves the island and the wildlife that call it their home; perceiving the caring nature underneath the grumpy exterior.

Overall, although I struggled in the middle of the book I really did enjoy the story. I'm glad I persevered because the story did pick up again for me and I grew quite attached to a certain cheeky little character! I wouldn't hesitate to read more by Samantha Tonge, as I felt like I was being whisked away to sunnier climes. The story was interesting, funny, romantic, and uplifting. Exactly what I was looking for. ( )