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The Island: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Elin Hilderbrand (Author), Denice Hicks (Narrator), Hachette Audio (Publisher)
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This “deliciously addictive” (Kirkus) beach listen from Elin Hilderbrand follows a family in upheaval after a cancelled wedding fills an island summer with heartache, laughter, and surprises.

Birdie Cousins has thrown herself into the details of her daughter Chess's lavish wedding, from the floating dance floor in her Connecticut back yard to the color of the cocktail napkins. Like any mother of a bride-to-be, she is weathering the storms of excitement and chaos, tears and joy. But Birdie, a woman who prides herself on preparing for every possibility, could never have predicted the late-night phone call from Chess, abruptly announcing that she's cancelled her engagement.

It's only the first hint of what will be a summer of upheavals and revelations. Before the dust has even begun to settle, far worse news arrives, sending Chess into a tailspin of despair. Reluctantly taking a break from the first new romance she's embarked on since the recent end of her 30-year marriage, Birdie circles the wagons and enlists the help of her younger daughter Tate and her own sister India. Soon all four are headed for beautiful, rustic Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket, where their family has summered for generations. No phones, no television, no grocery store - a place without distractions where they can escape their troubles.

But throw sisters, daughters, ex-lovers, and long-kept secrets onto a remote island, and what might sound like a peaceful getaway becomes much more. Before summer has ended, dramatic truths are uncovered, old loves are rekindled, and new loves make themselves known.

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  1. Listening Length
    15 hours and 14 minutes
  2. Author
    Elin Hilderbrand
  3. Narrator
    Denice Hicks
  4. Audible release date
    July 6, 2010
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Hachette Audio
  7. ASIN
    B003VXI44M
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

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Product details

Listening Length 15 hours and 14 minutes
Author Elin Hilderbrand
Narrator Denice Hicks
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 06, 2010
Publisher Hachette Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B003VXI44M
Best Sellers Rank #9,135 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#289 in Family Life Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#504 in Women's Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#735 in Contemporary Romance (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
8,871 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the characters interesting, true to life, and unexpected. They also describe the book as a super easy read, a credible beach read, and a moving story. Readers also love the descriptions and relationships between the female protagonists. They describe the plot as predictable, realistic, and easy to lose yourself in. Customers also find the entertainment value extremely engaging, at times funny, and enjoyable.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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StorylineReadabilityCharactersPlotEntertainment valueFemale protagonistsSettingPacing and tone
227 customers mention "Storyline"227 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline enjoyable, satisfying, and wonderful. They also say it's a wonderful trip book that keeps them coming back for more.

"...Elin provides a moving story, told from each of the main characters' perspectives, all the while keeping the reading light enough for it to be..." Read more

"I enjoy Elin Hildebrand books. Good reading. Keeps my interest. Enjoying the book." Read more

"This is an easy summer read with some depth. Four women spend 30 days on this elite island, Tuckernuck, where only the chosen have homes...." Read more

"The Island by Elin Hilderbrand was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed...." Read more

107 customers mention "Readability"94 positive13 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with a complex storyline. They also say the author does a great job explaining the characters and real life. Readers also say it's a credible beach read, and one of the author's best books.

"Predictable and light reading. Enjoyed it though.Wealthy people w problems. Not my usual reading but it’s summer so it’s fine" Read more

"...It is fast reading and, quite frankly, it got me away from my stressed out world, one in which I wake up in the middle of the night with my mind..." Read more

"...So this is a credible beach read with a silly cover that is incongruent with the story." Read more

"...Each Novel is true to life, you can just imagine everything unfolding in front of you...." Read more

85 customers mention "Characters"73 positive12 negative

Customers find the characters interesting, true to life, and unexpected.

"...Each character is developed nicely and is provided with a voice of her own, you will find yourselves cheering for the characters during their..." Read more

"...The change in each character was welcoming and I appreciate the author's ability to give them this change in their own way." Read more

"...Characters were well-developed, the house was amply described, the plot held some interesting twists...." Read more

"...Tuckernuck, along with the people who live there, has a distinct personality and a dedication to simplicity that any reader would envy...." Read more

85 customers mention "Plot"70 positive15 negative

Customers like the plot. They say it has family drama and love throughout the novel. They also say the ending is unexpected but satisfying. Customers also mention that the island was described quite well, the house sounded quaint and wonderful, and the setting has good romance. They find the book extremely engaging, funny, and easy to get into.

"Predictable and light reading. Enjoyed it though.Wealthy people w problems. Not my usual reading but it’s summer so it’s fine" Read more

"...You get to know the characters. Every book is truly a different (and great) story. I look forward to each one." Read more

"Lots of family drama and love throughout this novel. A perfect novel to lose yourself in...." Read more

"...That always makes me happy. The island was described quite well. The house sounded quaint and wonderful. I liked the beach and ocean scenes...." Read more

53 customers mention "Entertainment value"41 positive12 negative

Customers find the book extremely engaging, funny, and surprising. They also say it has a good mixture of serious and funny elements.

"I enjoy Elin Hildebrand books. Good reading. Keeps my interest. Enjoying the book." Read more

"Lots of family drama and love throughout this novel. A perfect novel to lose yourself in...." Read more

"For me, this story started out strong and interesting but just lost steam along the way...." Read more

"...No a/c, no ventilation, what must that be like? Try uninhabitable...." Read more

17 customers mention "Female protagonists"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the female protagonists in the book well-developed and interesting. They also appreciate the accurate description of Tuckernuck and the house.

"I absolutely loved this book. It was so true and real. Entertaining and lovely...." Read more

"...Characters were well-developed, the house was amply described, the plot held some interesting twists...." Read more

"...It's a great story of female bonding and fighting, jealous and love." Read more

"...so I found the exploration of the relationships particularly interesting...." Read more

13 customers mention "Setting"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the setting great, interesting, and fitting for the book. They also say it's a good book for the beach.

"...The setting of Tuckernut Island was most interesting and I liked the fact that the ladies in the book were depicted as real women with histories...." Read more

"...Great start to the summer. Loved the setting: Tuckernuck Island, which really exists southwest of Nantucket...." Read more

"...The setting was wonderful but just to busy." Read more

"...I fell in love with the characters, setting, and storyline...." Read more

12 customers mention "Pacing and tone"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing and tone of the book relaxing, happy, and satisfying at the outset. They also say it's good to lie back and forget Corona for a while.

"It isn’t a literary masterpiece but it’s a lot of fun. Good to lie back and forget Corona for a while...." Read more

"...The way the author weaves the story around is satisfying at the outset. I enjoyed this book thoroughly.." Read more

"Enjoyed this book. Light reading about women's relationships. Very relaxing and easy to read...." Read more

"Easy to read if you are looking for a relaxing, quick book. I felt the book was predictable at times and was waiting for something exciting to happen." Read more

Enjoyable read
5 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable read
This is one of my favorites by Elin! I loved the depth of the characters, the love they shared, the bonds that no one could break, and their loyalty to one another. The island of Tuckernuck is the perfect setting to escape, relax, and reset your mind. What an enjoyable read!
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Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars good beach reading
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Predictable and light reading. Enjoyed it though.
Wealthy people w problems. Not my usual reading but it’s summer so it’s fine
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Fran
4.0 out of 5 stars A great story!
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2011
Verified Purchase
This is only the third book I've read by Elin Hilderbrand but she's quickly becoming one of my favorites. The Island centers around four women - two sisters, their mother and aunt. One of the sisters, Chess Cousins, has recently broken off her engagement and received some pretty disturbing news. That's when her mother, Birdie Cousins, begins planning their trip to the family house in Tuckernuck Island, just off the coast of Nantucket Island.

The book was a bit hard to get into at first but one you get into you will discover a beautiful story. I feel each person can grow to identify with one (or more) of the women in the book and the trip each takes while staying at the summer home. At first they all come together to help Chess through her problems, but it quickly becomes clear they all needed this trip in one way or another. They all have very different, yet very similar emotions they need to work through and everyone can identify with that. While at Tuckernuck, all four gain a much clearer understanding of who they are in their roles - sister, mother, ex-fiance, lover, widow, divorcee - but also who they are as women, within themselves and how they will face the world.

Each character is developed nicely and is provided with a voice of her own, you will find yourselves cheering for the characters during their triumphs, wanting in on their secrets and hoping they will find the love, happiness, and peace they each deserve. Elin provides a moving story, told from each of the main characters' perspectives, all the while keeping the reading light enough for it to be enjoyable in an afternoon cozying up in the couch with a hot cocoa while longing for the beach.

[...]
3 people found this helpful
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Mysezza
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024
Verified Purchase
Love her work. You get to know the characters. Every book is truly a different (and great) story. I look forward to each one.
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Lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars The Island
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
I enjoy Elin Hildebrand books. Good reading. Keeps my interest. Enjoying the book.
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Barry Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
I've read 5 books by Elin Hilderbrand, and this one was my least favorite by far. I didn't like the characters....they were all a hot mess! The Mom didn't know who she wanted to be from day to day. The oldest daughter was a mental case. The youngest daughter sounded like she was messed up from childhood on and somehow becomes this really loving person in a month. India somehow raised 3 boys with a crazy husband and then wants to have an affair with some woman student of hers that's like 30 years younger than her...ugh! I didn't like that they spent all day smoking and drinking. The house they were staying in sounded awful...it sounded like it needed to be torn down and rebuilt. I mean it has bats living in it! How about some windows with screens on them? I get wanting to get away from it all, but these are wealthy people, and they did $60,000 in repairs to the house and still had bats and crappy beds and furniture! It was a slow read for me and just okay. I'd put this at the bottom of my Elin Hilderbrand list.
13 people found this helpful
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RLA
5.0 out of 5 stars A guy's perspective on this book....
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2012
Verified Purchase
I am a guy who read this novel. I have a house on the water on an island, though not Nantucket or Tuckernut. So, I wanted to read some fiction about spending summers on an island and wasn't able to find anything but chick-lit. If anyone knows of a work of fiction about summer people living on an island that is not chick-lit, please let me know. Thanks!!

I am giving this novel 5 stars because it was everything it was supposed to be. It isn't Ware and Peace. It is chick-lit for the beach, and as such serves a purpose in our society: bills from the shrinks are lower for our women because of books like this! It is fast reading and, quite frankly, it got me away from my stressed out world, one in which I wake up in the middle of the night with my mind going 100 miles an hour. But I especially liked it for its portrayal of island life in the summer: the never-neverland that summer on an island is.

Having stated some positives, here are some negatives: many of the characters are stereotypes or caricatures, especially the males. From a male point of view, Grant is out of the feminist textbook. And, Barrett is too good to be true, probably every woman's fantasy. But since the audience for this book is female, that's OK. The rich wife living on Nantucket is a caricature from Town and Country. The other disappointing element was the lack of good description of Tuckernut itself. We hear again and again that the place is so beautiful. Unfortunately, for those of us who have never been there, we don't hear enough about why. There is an occasional mention of the ubiquitous smell of Rosa Rogosa, but not much more. There must be plenty that can be said about the flora and fauna, the waves, the wind, the storms, etc. The author should include more about nature to help us feel we are there. Furthermore, the man-made structures (besides the main house) are barely mentioned. We want to learn more about weathered-grey shingle siding and cedar-shake roofs. I would think they exist on Tuckernut, but we do not know. Of course we know there's no brick or stucco, but snippets of architectural description would add to a sense of place.

So, in summary, I liked the never-neverland feel that I got from this book; that's what summer on an island is all about, and I did look forward to the moments in the day when I could return to it. But I'll have to look elsewhere for fiction that really fulfills me. Maybe that's because I am a guy and therefore in alien territory. My wife, if she were to read this review, might say: "go back to where you belong!"
26 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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livilou
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Another of Elin’s books that I love. This was the only one I hadn’t read, and was so excited to find it. Wonderful story as usual, loved the characters and the beautiful location of Tuckernuck Island. Can’t wait for her next book, I’ve read them all…twice.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
Another excellent read by Elin Hilderbrand.
Great story about sisters am?nd family. Enjoyed it from start to finish.
Highly recommend.
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Cliente Kindle
4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining
Reviewed in Italy on July 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
A little slow at the beginning than couldn't stop reading! Introspective and realistic. Would like to visit Tuckernuck! Suitable as summer reading
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in Australia on November 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed following the stories of the four main characters, who were all likeable, flawed, real and interesting. The sense of place was also a highlight of the book. My first read of this author - will download more on my kindle ASAP
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Won't get fooled again
5.0 out of 5 stars Un plaisir, à lire sur la plage si possible
Reviewed in France on August 27, 2014
Verified Purchase
J'ai lu ce livre pendant des vacances sur le Bassin d'Arcachon, et c'était un vrai plaisir de partager l'intimité de Chess, Birdie, Tate et India à Tuckernuck pendant que j'écoutais le bruit des vagues de l'océan. Soleil et sable chaud, complicité entre femmes, vie sauvage (comme au Cap-Ferret!), émois amoureux, tous les ingrédients pour une agréable lecture d'été sont réunis dans ce roman qui se lit facilement (en anglais pour moi), et qu'on quitte à regrets. Je ne connaissais pas Erin Hilderbrand, mais ses livres feront désormais partie de ma bibliothèque de vacances!
One person found this helpful
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