When do things ever go as we thought they would?

Synopsis

A family reunion takes everyone by surprise…

Jago Treneary hasn’t been home since his father’s funeral three years ago. Now, he’s returning to the Isles of Scilly for his brother’s wedding and is intent on building bridges with his family.

When a last-minute guest arrives to stay at his mum’s house, the trip takes an unexpected turn.

Soon, he’s playing tour guide for Sylvie and rediscovering the beautiful islands he grew up on.

He never expected to feel so at home.

But with his attention on Sylvie he neglects his family.

Before long he’s faced with a choice: follow his heart and see where things lead with Sylvie, or put the work into making things right with his family.

One thing seems certain: he can’t have it all.

With his time on Scilly coming to end, he needs to make some big decisions… fast.

My review

Sylvie couldn’t be more happier now that she is slowly reconnecting with her cousin Lowen Treneary. They spent so many holidays together which she has fondly memories of. To surprise him, she decides to pay him a visit on the Idle of Scilly. However, Lowen doesn’t appear to be all too thrilled to see Sylvie. On the contrary, he avoids spending time with her, and whenever they are together, he is acting very distant and cold. He for sure is not the Lowen Sylvie remembers!
But on the other hand, Sylvie is now spending a lot of time with Lowen’s brother Jago, who has returned from America.
While Scilly is his home, he hasn’t been visiting since his father’s funeral. But now the time has come to make amends.
Together, Sylvie and Jago (re)explore the island, only to realize that they have a connection. But at what cost will their connection come? And what about the future? 

I have read each story of the Isles of Scilly – series. And while I have loved each brother, Jago was the most mysterious one, even more than Lowen. And that because him being absent for most of the parts.
So I didn’t know what to think of him at the start of the book. But also knowing the whole series and this author, I knew I would like him as much as I like all the other brothers. 

Of course, as a first meeting between Sylvie and Jago, it was a very funny one! I truly enjoyed reading how Sylvie tried to start a conversation only to realize that Jago would not be up to it. And then I truly snickered seeing how Jago needed actually Sylvie’s support during the flight. Which I of course understand, as I think many people aren’t actual fan of turbulence! 

Yet it was clear to see that there was just *something* between them. As a reader obviously we know where the story will take us, but reading the surprise of seeing each other again and discovering the link between them, was truly fun. 

The story is clearly that of Jago and Sylvie, but I have to admit that I didn’t like Lowen at all in this story. And yes, we know what happened before in the past with him, and how he is still struggling with it. But still it pained me to see how he acted towards Sylvie, while she was making all the efforts.
It was just not fair of him to ignore Sylvie like that, linking all the bad memories he has to Sylvie, while Sylvie has so many happy memories to hold on to, even if things weren’t always that good. 

But Lowen being the former Lowen again, also gave the perfect opportunity for Jago and Sylvie to spend time together. And that was a real treat!
Sylvie has never been to Scilly and it was just amazing exploring the island with her and Jago. And it was the perfect opportunity to get to know the elusive brother. 

I found it sweet and tender to see how these two complete strangers found a connection. But not only that, but also how they appeared to understand each other or try to understand each other. There were several occasions that we also could understand better how both characters have been through, making it even more easier to like them, even if at moments they acted like idiots… 

I loved it to read how both Jago and Sylvie want to support the other one, encouraging to follow their dreams, giving enough space for it. While they both wanted them to work as an item, they also didn’t want to rush into things. They both have been burnt in the past, not only romantically, and it makes sense of now wanting to take things slow, only frustrating the readers! 😊 

This was a wonderful slow – burn romance (too slow even! 😊) with two main characters that have more than just one hurdle to take. While some hurdles may be harder to take, I admired their courage to move forward, even dare to chase their dreams (again). 

This entire series shows us not only how in one family there can so many different characters, but also so much of unconditional love. But it shows us that for every pot there is a lid, and that we just have to allow that lid to find us and to be open to be found.
And no matter how difficult things may get, nothing is insurmountable when it comes to matters of the heart!