This little island has some big secrets…

Isla’s got her dream job as head stylist at the most exclusive salon in Edinburgh. The fact that she’s been so single-minded in her career that she’s forgotten to have a life has completely passed her by – until disaster strikes.

Out of options, she heads to the remote island of Auchenmor to help out her aunt who is in desperate need of an extra pair of scissors at her salon.

A native to the island, Finn is thirty-five and reality has just hit him hard. His best friends are about to have a baby and everything is changing. When into his life walks Isla . . .

This is my first ‘read’ from Rachael Lucas and while it transpires this book is a return to Auchenmoor it is not a strict sequel to “Sealed with a Kiss”, so it can be read as a standalone. It does feature some characters from the earlier book but this book focuses on a new storyline and introduces new characters.

Well the blurb pretty much sets out the bare bones of the book, but thankfully that is fleshed out by a lovely, but realistic island setting, a good story and great characters. I was soon drawn in and flicking through the pages, hooked on the wider community as much as the main characters. I have no intention of divulging the plot (that is something you’ll need to discover for yourself). However I can say you’ll enjoy following Isla and Finn on their journeys. Both are characters that grow and change over the course of the book and they both have back stories that add interest and have you rooting for them. But you’ll also enjoy meeting a range of other characters on the way, including the salon staff, Lily the holistic healer, and Ruth, especially Ruth, who is a darling that you cannot fail to love. One of the things I enjoyed about the book, was the way that what I initially thought of as minor characters, all played a pivotal role in moving the story forward, and thankfully, we also get to see how life pans out for them as well.

All good stories have a mix of pathos and humour and this one is no exception. There were times when I was snorting with laughter, courtesy of Lily and and her demonic son Lucien,  and yet at others I was close to tears. The writing style is warm and engaging and makes this book a real pleasure to read. There is a proliferation of light, summery female targeted books available at the moment and it’s easy to gloss over them or be dismissive of the genre (especially as with all genres there are good and bad examples). Wildflower Bay however, is a good example of an engaging storyline, with all the required elements that make this a recommended read if you enjoy contemporary women’s fiction.

I received a review copy via TBC (courtesy of the author) in return for an honest review.

Available via Amazon