The Island Affair: Can one summer mend a broken heart?

The first book in a new series, The Island Affair, follows Alicia and Liam on their annual holiday to the Åland Islands.

Can one summer mend a broken heart?

After the tragic loss of their 17-year-old son, journalist Alicia and surgeon Liam struggle to keep their marriage afloat. During their usual holiday to Åland, the Nordic islands where Alicia grew up, the rift between the couple deepens.

Enter tall, blonde Patrick, with the most piercing blue eyes Alicia has ever seen. When Patrick confides in Alicia about the near loss of his daughter and the breakdown of his marriage, Alicia is surprised to feel an affinity with the Swedish reporter. He’s the only person who understands her.

But secrets held by people close to Alicia give her life another surprising turn and she finds there is a new reason to live – and love – again.

Reviews:

I loved many things about this story, but what I liked the most was the setting. I think the author captured Nordic islands perfectly. – Book Dust Magic Book Blog

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I may have been drawn in by the blurb, but it was undoubtedly the characterisation and the pace of the plot that made me read this book in a very short space of time. With the beautifully depicted Nordic scenery and the intensely emotional narrative, this book provides everything that is promised by the blurb.

There are a few twist and turns along the way, and a few unanswered questions that are left to the imagination of the reader to decide on the outcome. Alicia is a character that the reader automatically feels sympathy for and doesn’t feel the need to judge her for her actions, even when they may be a little misguided.

Halme cleverly takes the reader down a variety of potential plot twists to keep the reader gripped and the eventual outcome is well set up.

I enjoyed this book immensely and I wouldn’t hesitate to read other books by Helena Halme. – Segnalibro Book Blog

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This was a great read and one that I could really get stuck into. It’s about life, love and loss. It is written in third person and the plot is very much created by the characters and how they deal with a variety of situations.

This is a book that has to be read and so there will be no plot giveaways here. It is brilliantly written with a captivating location and great in-depth understanding of people’s emotions to what the characters face.

I am so glad I got to read this wonderful book. – Chells and Books Blog

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This is a book that deals with extreme emotions, and does it very well. There’s quite a lot of detail, which at times can make the pace feel slow, but it does help us to understand each character and their motivations and the decisions they make. It crosses a lot of genres, but the most important thing is that its character driven and this is done very well. This would make a great Summer holiday read. – Hinton Hits the Books Blog

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The Island Affair is the type of contemporary romance/drama that I am enjoying far more these days than the light and fluffy reads. It has substance. The Island Affair by Helena Halme deals with some tough themes of grief, loss, betrayal, martial affairs – but it isn’t a sad story.

It is a story about love.

It is a story about life.

The writing is good, the pacing suited the story and I fell head over heels in love with the setting. The book takes you to the beautiful Åland islands, somewhere I would love to now visit someday. It is atmospheric. It is beautifully described.

I enjoyed the family dynamics not only between Alicia and Liam, but also the complex mother – daughter relationship between Alicia and Hilda. This is a novel jam packed with interesting characters. And the author did a fantastic job of making sure they all stood out. I could have happily spent longer in their company.

The book doesn’t quite wrap everything up neatly, but then that is to be expected in the first of a series. I was happy with the ending, though. I also very much enjoyed the underlying criminal aspect of some of the characters behaviours, something that I imagine might be explored in further books.

Now I must wait, somewhat patiently, until the next book is available.

And isn’t it a beautiful cover?

I am happy to say I might have found a new author to enjoy and I will be checking out some of her other books soon. – One More Word Book Blog

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Halme captures the way the death of their young son destroys the relationship and marriage of Alicia and Liam. Neither of them are willing to accept how the other is dealing with the tragedy. 

They come to a crossroads and decide to go their separate ways, which is where the tale really begins. Alicia finds common ground and a flirty romantic connection with Patrick. The helpful and willing listener helps her to come to terms with the loss of her son.

The Nordic atmosphere and stoic attitude of the townspeople gives the story a quirky charm. There is an underlying tension of a thriller that flows through this hotbed of emotional turmoil, which isn’t an easy feat considering the pain that hovers around the main characters.

It’s a contemporary read, a tale of different types of love, but mainly it’s one of grief and trying to find a way to heal. Both Alicia and Liam learn that when one door shuts and disappears other ones open up. Whether they choose to walk through the same door is an individual decision. Sometimes tragic events show the fissures in relationships in a brighter light. The tragedy will either tear them apart forever or make them base their relationship on something other than their living child. Perhaps to build upon the deep love they shared for him instead. – Cheryl M-M’s Book Blog

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A descriptive and vivid tale about the beautiful and intelligent, Alicia, and how her life as she knows it becomes flipped upside down by an intoxicating man that is like none she has ever met before. Unable to deny their obvious magnetism, and her desperate concern for his secrets to be revealed, this story is chock-full of mystery, secrets and passion. Alicia feels surprised and somewhat honored, in a way, that Patrick does divulge himself to her. They intensely share a mutual and sympathetic accepting of each other’s downfalls, and past stories of life’s inevitable heartaches. Patrick is someone who understands, and someone who she finds a new kind of love with.

Such a wonderful feeling to have such strong and reciprocated trust in any relationship, and also so important, which is why the story of The Island Affair could be perceived as a relatable scenario for its readers. With a keen ability to giving her readers an identifiable perception of her characters, I felt thoroughly engaged with each personality I encountered, fully with every turn of the page. I enjoyed the individuality of the spirited protagonist and her admirable depth. Author, Helena Halme does an excellent job giving her readers a perfect portrayal of such beautiful wonder when describing the breathtaking views and scenery of Alicia’s surroundings. While, enthusiastically devouring, The Island Affair, I felt completely enthralled by such dazzling backdrops, which is written in an enticing and steamy way of expressing the seductive island terrain.

This sensational novel of love, and a hopefulness to mend a heart that was once so damaged, The Island Affair written by its exemplary author, Helena Halme  is a must read for any romantic looking to get a pull at their heartstrings. Along with some plot twists, and wonderment, that keeps you guessing, I would most certainly suggest this book and cannot wait to read the next, Love on the Island Series! Remarkably entertaining, and just an all-around likable and amusing read! The Island Affair by Helena Halme is an engaging, entertaining and compelling, 5 star novel and highly recommended! – Chick Lit Cafe Book Blog

Read a sample of this new family drama set in one of the most captivating holiday islands in Scandinavia today. Just tap the image below.

You can also buy the paperback version of this novel in many bookshops, such as Barnes&Noble (US), Waterstones (UK), and Adlibris in the Nordic countries. If your local store doesn’t stock my b

There are now six books in the Love on the Island series. To find out more, go here.