The Island Retreat (Cathy Kelly)

The publisher’s presentation

Rose Talisman is pinning it all on a fresh start.

Five years after her career as a therapist ended in one catastrophic instant, she is opening a retreat in Corfu. The understated, luxurious Villa Artemis is surrounded by wild pines and sea views.

Just six guests. One week. Time for Rose to help them face their secrets – and move forwards.

But Rose has staked everything on the retreat. It has to work – or she loses it all. And people’s secrets have a way of revealing themselves in ways no one expected.

Nobody’s past is staying hidden for long…

Will that include Rose’s, too?

My reading experience

I discovered Cathy Kelly with this book and enjoyed the reading very much.
A one-week retreat, lots of different reasons for people to be there, and many secrets. The clients have secrets, the organiser, Rose, has secrets and everyone will learn something about themselves and others in their lives. At first, I was not sure I enjoyed read-sitting in this group therapy type of setting – but as the book progressed, I found myself wondering what was going on for each of the participants and how it would come to light. The characters are colourful and interesting. They have sometimes complex stories they want to tell…or not, and the interactions between them evolve over the week. A well-written, slow-developing story.
I also relaxed in the atmosphere of the retreat, with the sun, the sea, the island, all beautifully brought to life by the author. The location is lovely and the guests are pampered. The reader gradually feels a part of this conversation, and I thought this was very well done.

You can find out more about the author on her website and Facebook page, and listen to a short interview where she talks about this book here.