About the Book
Synopsis on Goodreads:
An unputdownable novel of loves lost and found, shocking secrets―and the power of female friendship.
1956: On idyllic Balboa Island, just off the California coast, life seems peaceful and welcoming. But when the lives of three women begin to unravel in shockingly different ways, an unlikely friendship―and the game of tennis―may be the only thing that can save them.
Milly Kinkaid's plan to fix her crumbling marriage seems to be falling apart before it even begins. She believed that moving her young family from Hollywood to Balboa Island might entice her increasingly distant husband to come home earlier after work. Instead, he's barely coming home at all.
Society matriarch Sylvia Johnson and her husband have been pillars of their community for decades, and have just recently begun a new business venture: The Island Club, a place for members to swim, play tennis and dine in style. But when she learns that he has been risking their financial security and putting their family's future in grave danger, she's not only poised to lose the club, but the entire community she holds dear.
Meanwhile, standoffish loner Adele Lambert's entire world is on the brink of being destroyed if the dark secrets of her past and her hidden identity is revealed. Twenty years ago, she ran from a shameful scandal and left behind the only thing she ever loved. Now, terrified that the anonymity she's spent decades guarding will be exposed, but desperate to stay afloat, she risks everything to return to the game that brought her to her knees all those years before.
Set against the sun-drenched beaches of Balboa Island, with its prim and proper 1950s facade, The Island Club is a story of love, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves―and what can be gained when the truth is finally revealed.
My Review
Nicola Harrison takes us back to 1956 to the small island of Balboa Island. We follow the lives of three very different women. Each one has their own secrets that could destroy their lives.
Sylvia Johnson and her husband own The Island Club. An exclusive membership is needed to get in and enjoy tennis, fine dining and swimming. They have lived on the island for many years and are considered leaders of the island. Then, Sylvia discovers they are in financial despair. This could destroy everything they hold dear to them.
Milly Kinkaid is new to the island. She’s hoping the move will bring her family closer together. When her husband stops coming to the island, under the excuse of working in Hollywood, Milly suspects he might be cheating on their marriage.
Then, there’s Adele Lambert. She keeps to herself and tries to keep out of everyone’s way. This just makes everyone more curious about her. What they don’t know is that she has her own secrets. A scandal from her youth could destroy everything today.
I love the 1950’s setting. The author did a great job of capturing the time period. Each character is well-written, especially the main three women. Nicola Harrison did an excellent job of bringing these characters to life.
I was totally absorbed into the story. I couldn’t put it down. I had to know how each of these women were going to get out of their predicament. It takes place in such a different time era than we are in now. It's a reminder of how things were done much differently back then.
These characters began to feel like old friends. I truly cared about them. I devoured this one. I’ll be looking for more books by this author.
For reading challenges:
NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2026
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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