Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “The Island Club” by Nicola Harrison, St. Martins Press, April 28, 2026. On Tour With Suzy Approved Book Tours

Nicola Harrison, the Author, of “The Island Club” has written a captivating, memorable, and spectacular novel. I love the visual and vivid descriptions of the scenery, landscape, and the colorful and dramatic characters in this well written novel. Nicola Harrison describes her characters as complex, complicated, flawed, and each with their own problems. There are secrets, and betrayals. The Genres for this novel are : Summer Reads, Beach Reads, Friendship Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Fiction. The timeline for this story is 1956, and the location is on Balboa Island, just off the California Coast. On the beautiful island is a club with all amenities, and a beautiful tennis court.

There are three female characters, with problems, and different motivations. Milly Kinkaid has moved with her young family here to try to patch up her marital problems. Her husband works in Hollywood, and doesn’t come home that often. Milly is new and is looking for friendship, and The Club is the ideal place. She would love to play tennis, but doesn’t know how.

Sylvia Johnson and her husband own the club. The neighbors looks up to them. They are highly regarded in this neighborhood. Unfortunately Sylvia is just discovering that her family has financial problems.

Adele Lambert keeps to herself. She has been hiding her identity, and has secrets. Adele is an amazing tennis player. Milly notices how she plays, and wants Adele to teach her. The male tennis instructors can’t believe that a woman can be a better tennis instructor than they her. Adele is trying her best to keep a quiet life.

When the three woman connect, a unique and special friendship evolves. They become a team and sisterhood of strength, courage, and power. Will they be able to control the secrets and the betrayals that are unraveling in this gorgeous community? I appreciate how the author discusses the importance of friendship, honesty, communication, family, love and hope. I love the visual descriptions, and I had an anticipation attack of wanting summer as soon as possible. I highly recommend this heartfelt and thought-provoking novel.