netgalley – Louise Reads

Release date: June 14, 2022

This is a book I requested on NetGalley and then promptly forgot about. Weeks later I got a notification saying I had been approved, so needless to say, I had no idea what this book was about when I started. I figured it was just a cute rom-com because that is most of what I request.

In reality, Island Time is a story about two very different families stranded on a small island after a tsunami, forced to come to terms with their differences.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book at 65%. I think this novel did not know what it wanted to be. The tone was silly and light while the plot is filled with drama and really tough topics. Together, I had a very hard time connecting to this story and these characters.

There was a lot of detail in a writing style that I did not enjoy very much. The characters all seemed like caricatures. On top of this, there were soooo many POV switches. I was honestly super into the daughters’ stories and would have loved to read just about them. The jumping definitely contributed to my inability to connect here.

I really wanted to finish this, and I love the queer discussions and rep, but I just could not do it.

Rating: ★★

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release date: April 19, 2022

CW: addiction, suicide

Matty, almost overcome by his oxycodone addiction, has lost everyone in his life–family, friends, and his girlfriend of ten years, Keelie. We see him struggle to survive and take his life back from pills and the ways in which his actions have affected other people.

This book was heartbreaking, beautiful, and so, so hopeful all at once. I am so glad for this book. I was a bit wary, I’ll admit, going into this one. It can be tough to handle addiction well, with grace and honesty. Piazza handles it with so much more. Within the first few pages of this book, I was on the brink of tears. Addiction is tough–for the person it afflicts and those around them. We really see Matty hit rock bottom, and he really earns his redemption.

The struggle was so well written I did not want to put this book down.

I do wish we had seen more of a struggle after he gets sober and reconnects with Keelie. I felt that the second half of the book went by a little too quickly and came with an easy resolution. This story would’ve felt that much sweeter with a little more tension before Matty was fully redeemed.

Aside from this one tiny qualm, I am so happy this book exists and that I was able to read it.

Rating: ★★★★.25/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Foxglove Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.