The island affair by Helena Halme #blogtour #providedforreview

I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it.

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

It was a story about love.

It was a story about life.

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

I enjoyed the family dynamics not only between Alicia and Liam, but also the complex mother – daughter relationship between Alicia and Hilda. It was 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 didn’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 thou. 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.

It was a great read.

I received a copy of the Island affair by Helena Halme from the publisher via the blog tour organiser – The review is my own opinion.

BOOK BLURB:

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 Alicia.

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

——

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  A prize-winning author, Helena Halme writes contemporary fiction with a hint of both Nordic Noir and romance. She’s a former BBC journalist, bookseller and magazine editor. Originally from Finland where she gained an MSc in Marketing, she also holds an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University and writes in English.
Helena acts as Nordic Ambassador for the Alliance of Independent Authors and helps other writers publish and market their books.