Mustique Island

A Novel

By: Sarah McCoy

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

From bestselling author Sarah McCoy, a sun-splashed romp with a rich divorcee and her two wayward daughters in 1970s Mustique, the world’s most exclusive private island, where Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger were regulars and scandals stayed hidden from the press…

It’s January 1972 but the sun is white hot when Willy May Michael’s boat first kisses the dock of Mustique Island. Tucked into the southernmost curve of the Caribbean, Mustique is a private island that has become a haven for the wealthy and privileged. Its owner is the eccentric British playboy Colin Tennant, who is determined to turn this speck of white sand into a luxurious neo-colonial retreat for his rich friends and into a royal court in exile for the Queen’s rebellious sister, Princess Margaret—one where Her Royal Highness can skinny dip, party, and entertain lovers away from the public eye.

Willy May, a former beauty queen from Texas—who is also no stranger to marital scandals—seeks out Mustique for its peaceful isolation. Determined to rebuild her life and her relationships with her two daughters, Hilly, a model, and Joanne, a musician, she constructs a fanciful white beach house across the island from Princess Margaret—and finds herself pulled into the island’s inner circle of aristocrats, rock stars, and hangers-on.

When Willy May’s daughters arrive, they discover that beneath its veneer of decadence, Mustique has a dark side, and like sand caught in the undertow, their mother-daughter story will shift and resettle in ways they never could have imagined.

©2022 Sarah McCoy (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Interesting Characters & fine story

I enjoyed this listen. A strange, but plausible story that touches on the “wild” adventures of Princess Margaret.

Unique Novel! I throughly enjoyed.

This was so much more than what I thought was going to be a romance novel. Hard life questions are subliminally asked, answers can be heard. Love is taught and learned and/or you can just have a great romance novel listen. Narration was perfect, the sound of her voice amazing.

A great listen!

I didn’t know what to expect with this novel. I was fascinated by the well-researched history and the appearance of actual people.the plot was intriguing, and Sarah McCoy is a gifted storyteller.

A little slow at times

Narration was very good. Story dragged in places, so was just okay overall. The inclusion of some actual historical people and celebrities was fun.

Not as Exciting as the Blurb

As my review title indicates, I did not feel that the story lived up to its promise. While the blurb is not inaccurate, it’s kind of like when a movie trailer shows you all the best scenes, then the only thing you’re left with is a lot of mundane filler.

The story was divided into parts. The first centered around the mom, the second around the oldest daughter, the third around the youngest, and the fourth around when they came together. The “exciting people” mentioned in the blurb were kind of extraneous.

I didn’t dislike the book, but it was kind of boring (imho).

I really enjoyed this book

Loved the narration/ narrator. She did an excellent job. the bravery in the women, and the unique story line.

Dramatic romanticism overlooks interesting stories

Good performance. Author played up love at first sight stories instead of the interesting stories surrounding these characters.

Vivid Imagery

Prepare to be swept away to the private and exotic Mustique Island in the Caribbean. The story is set in the 70’s, however, the warmth and depth of the writing and storyline this could have been written in multiple eras.
A mother’s love will always remain, no matter the circumstances or the age and differences of their children.

Tender, tenacious and filled with vivid imagery, this is a must read to take you away this summer.

Enjoyable read

Loved learning a bit of the history of mystique island
Sweet story about mother and daughter relationships

I don't get the hype

There is one genre/style that I have never really enjoyed, and I didn't realize that this book fell into that category. This book reminded me of "The Great Alone", but less dramatic. The overall story and message are sweet but so slow and it felt like a lot of time to tell such a light story. Perhaps you are craving some closure and resolution with your mother. Then you might find this book cathartic. Unfortunately, I found this story rather boring.