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The Jewel of the Isle
Two very indoor people rough it on a remote island after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a famed jewel in this dazzling new adventure rom-com by Kerry Rea, author of Lucy on the Wild Side.
If Emily Edwards knows one thing, it’s that you don’t go to a remote island by yourself. Ever the type A personality, Emily doesn’t want to hike around an unfamiliar island, but she’s determined to fulfill her late father’s national park bucket list, starting with Isle Royale National Park—home to wolves, bears, and hundred-year-old shipwrecks. She has no choice but to hire a tour guide, and there is only one that isn’t booked solid.
Ryder Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures, wouldn’t call himself a wilderness expert, and he definitely doesn’t know how to find true north. But when his dormant adventure guide business suddenly finds life again after a random inquiry, Ryder somehow finds himself on a ferry to Isle Royale with a very beautiful, no-nonsense woman. What this woman doesn’t know is that his brother Caleb, who died two years ago, was the outdoorsman of their business, while Ryder just did the marketing. But how hard could it be to hike up a few mountains?
Pretty difficult, actually, when murder is involved. Emily’s perfectly planned trek turns disastrous when she and Ryder witness a brutal crime and are suddenly forced to evade a group of archaeologists on the hunt for a jewel. As they spend nights together too close for comfort, they realize their shoddily built fire isn’t the only thing that’s kindling, and that they must trust each other if they want to escape the island with their lives—and hearts—intact.
If Emily Edwards knows one thing, it’s that you don’t go to a remote island by yourself. Ever the type A personality, Emily doesn’t want to hike around an unfamiliar island, but she’s determined to fulfill her late father’s national park bucket list, starting with Isle Royale National Park—home to wolves, bears, and hundred-year-old shipwrecks. She has no choice but to hire a tour guide, and there is only one that isn’t booked solid.
Ryder Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures, wouldn’t call himself a wilderness expert, and he definitely doesn’t know how to find true north. But when his dormant adventure guide business suddenly finds life again after a random inquiry, Ryder somehow finds himself on a ferry to Isle Royale with a very beautiful, no-nonsense woman. What this woman doesn’t know is that his brother Caleb, who died two years ago, was the outdoorsman of their business, while Ryder just did the marketing. But how hard could it be to hike up a few mountains?
Pretty difficult, actually, when murder is involved. Emily’s perfectly planned trek turns disastrous when she and Ryder witness a brutal crime and are suddenly forced to evade a group of archaeologists on the hunt for a jewel. As they spend nights together too close for comfort, they realize their shoddily built fire isn’t the only thing that’s kindling, and that they must trust each other if they want to escape the island with their lives—and hearts—intact.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 24, 2024
About the author
Kerry Rea
3 books238 followersKerry Rea is a 2017 and 2019 #Pitchwars mentee. Her work has appeared in Seventeen Magazine. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and four dogs
The Wedding Ringer
is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 13, 2024
Alternative title suggestion: Two Idiots Lost in the Wilderness.
Don’t worry, I’m not being mean, they call themselves idiots many times in this. It’s part of the fun!
3.5 rounded up because this was amusing and very cute.
This is a silly adventure romance with two completely inept people trying to survive in the wilderness after witnessing a murder.
Anyone who likes clueless golden retriever heroes who show up and grow and learn, will enjoy this one. Ryder was that guy in spades and was all in for the heroine. I’d say he was a hot mess hero but I don’t know if that’s a thing. The heroine was more capable and geeky but not exactly outdoorsy 😂.
It’s definitely entertaining but the writing is a bit tell and not show and there are several plot inconsistencies that drove me crazy. For example: she drops her first aid kit in the woods and can’t bandage her leg and yet she takes out her first aid kit later to stitch up his leg wound. Or she says her dad, who’s been dead two years, used to wear an old and battered Cleveland Guardians cap…the Guardians were the Indians until they changed their name in 2021, his cap would not have had a chance to get battered and old in *maybe* one year 🤦🏼♀️.
So I did have a good time with this one and could see it as a silly hallmark suspense movie or a Netflix romcom; it wasn’t that deep and was overall pretty goofy. Good for a beach read when you just want to see two loveable people get together with very little angst and some crazy side shenanigans ala cheesy 1980s movies.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book.
**********************
Did I just get approved for a Berkley arc? Is it a full moon? Did hell freeze over? Did I request every Berkley arc on NetGalley out of spite and it actually paid off?
The answer is all of the above.
Don’t worry, I’m not being mean, they call themselves idiots many times in this. It’s part of the fun!
3.5 rounded up because this was amusing and very cute.
This is a silly adventure romance with two completely inept people trying to survive in the wilderness after witnessing a murder.
Anyone who likes clueless golden retriever heroes who show up and grow and learn, will enjoy this one. Ryder was that guy in spades and was all in for the heroine. I’d say he was a hot mess hero but I don’t know if that’s a thing. The heroine was more capable and geeky but not exactly outdoorsy 😂.
It’s definitely entertaining but the writing is a bit tell and not show and there are several plot inconsistencies that drove me crazy. For example: she drops her first aid kit in the woods and can’t bandage her leg and yet she takes out her first aid kit later to stitch up his leg wound. Or she says her dad, who’s been dead two years, used to wear an old and battered Cleveland Guardians cap…the Guardians were the Indians until they changed their name in 2021, his cap would not have had a chance to get battered and old in *maybe* one year 🤦🏼♀️.
So I did have a good time with this one and could see it as a silly hallmark suspense movie or a Netflix romcom; it wasn’t that deep and was overall pretty goofy. Good for a beach read when you just want to see two loveable people get together with very little angst and some crazy side shenanigans ala cheesy 1980s movies.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book.
**********************
Did I just get approved for a Berkley arc? Is it a full moon? Did hell freeze over? Did I request every Berkley arc on NetGalley out of spite and it actually paid off?
The answer is all of the above.
October 19, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ 1🌶️ | TikTok |
A laugh out loud funny adventure romcom where two non-outdoorsy people, not only have to survive outdoors, but also have to escape from evil henchmen! Perfect for fans of the movie The Lost City.
What I loved…
- Grade A+++ banter
- the TENSION! 🥵
- opposites attract
- ADVENTURE!
- laugh out loud funny
- golden retriever MMC
- STEM hottie (Physician) FMC
- 30+ age MCs
- themes of grief
- forced proximity
- BIFF (that’s a character not an acronym and you’ll just have to read to find out why I love him)
- and once more if you didn’t hear me the first time THE BANTER & TENSION ARE TOP TIER!
What I didn’t love…
- honestly I loved the crap out of this book, I’m only taking off .25⭐️ bc while I think the LOVE word worked here (see below) it comes off a little intense.
While this book was hilarious and a nonstop adventure it was also a book about grief and loss and if you know anything about me you know I love my romcoms with a side of trauma. The MCs build closeness in a short period of time but the shared past experiences (loss) and the imminent danger make the quick progression of their relationship believable.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
A laugh out loud funny adventure romcom where two non-outdoorsy people, not only have to survive outdoors, but also have to escape from evil henchmen! Perfect for fans of the movie The Lost City.
What I loved…
- Grade A+++ banter
- the TENSION! 🥵
- opposites attract
- ADVENTURE!
- laugh out loud funny
- golden retriever MMC
- STEM hottie (Physician) FMC
- 30+ age MCs
- themes of grief
- forced proximity
- BIFF (that’s a character not an acronym and you’ll just have to read to find out why I love him)
- and once more if you didn’t hear me the first time THE BANTER & TENSION ARE TOP TIER!
What I didn’t love…
- honestly I loved the crap out of this book, I’m only taking off .25⭐️ bc while I think the LOVE word worked here (see below) it comes off a little intense.
While this book was hilarious and a nonstop adventure it was also a book about grief and loss and if you know anything about me you know I love my romcoms with a side of trauma. The MCs build closeness in a short period of time but the shared past experiences (loss) and the imminent danger make the quick progression of their relationship believable.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2024
♡ Opposites attract
♡ Meet… dangerous
♡ Strangers to hiking partners to lovers
♡ Two BIG idiots!!!
♡ The sweetest man ever
♡ Lots of adventure
This is my absolute favorite book of 2024 so far, and I do not think it will change this time. Kerry Rea is one of my favorite authors and I was expecting this with so much anticipation. I knew this wasn’t gonna disappoint me, and it doesn’t surprise me that I found it to be so spectacular.
So, this book is one of those not everyone will get. As I was reading, all I could think about was ‘’I’m going to disagree with so many people on this one’’, because you have to GET IT! And I know it’s okay that not everyone will get it, it happens with every book, but I guess sometimes it’s more personal. This is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read in my life. I laughed so much. Ryder was the biggest, sweetest man ever. He’s naive and genuine and soft, so caring and protective. He might not be the brightest (though, HE IS bright) but who the f- cares. I fell in love with him the moment he screamed ‘’parkour’’ jumping into a moving ferry. Emily and Ryder were probably the biggest opposites in the world, but falling for each other was inevitable because of their enormous hearts.
As fun as this book was… it’s a Kerry Rea book. I knew grief was going to play a big role and oh, it does. It was perfectly balanced with the story. Both Emily and Ryder are battling a huge grief, she for her father and he for his brother. Both of them were so open about it and it made me feel closer to them. Kerry always treats death and grief with care and so much tact… I know she’s one author I can trust with this topics because she doesn’t use them to get a reaction out of the readers. You can feel the importance of learning to live with love and pain in her books, and that’s what always makes her books huge, 5-star reads for me.
TW: Death of a loved one, grief, death by gunshot (on page, secondary character)
Rating: 5+/5
Steam level: Open door, 1-2 scenes, medium level of detail
ARC provided by PRH International and Edelweiss. Opinions are my own!
♡ Meet… dangerous
♡ Strangers to hiking partners to lovers
♡ Two BIG idiots!!!
♡ The sweetest man ever
♡ Lots of adventure
This is my absolute favorite book of 2024 so far, and I do not think it will change this time. Kerry Rea is one of my favorite authors and I was expecting this with so much anticipation. I knew this wasn’t gonna disappoint me, and it doesn’t surprise me that I found it to be so spectacular.
So, this book is one of those not everyone will get. As I was reading, all I could think about was ‘’I’m going to disagree with so many people on this one’’, because you have to GET IT! And I know it’s okay that not everyone will get it, it happens with every book, but I guess sometimes it’s more personal. This is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read in my life. I laughed so much. Ryder was the biggest, sweetest man ever. He’s naive and genuine and soft, so caring and protective. He might not be the brightest (though, HE IS bright) but who the f- cares. I fell in love with him the moment he screamed ‘’parkour’’ jumping into a moving ferry. Emily and Ryder were probably the biggest opposites in the world, but falling for each other was inevitable because of their enormous hearts.
As fun as this book was… it’s a Kerry Rea book. I knew grief was going to play a big role and oh, it does. It was perfectly balanced with the story. Both Emily and Ryder are battling a huge grief, she for her father and he for his brother. Both of them were so open about it and it made me feel closer to them. Kerry always treats death and grief with care and so much tact… I know she’s one author I can trust with this topics because she doesn’t use them to get a reaction out of the readers. You can feel the importance of learning to live with love and pain in her books, and that’s what always makes her books huge, 5-star reads for me.
TW: Death of a loved one, grief, death by gunshot (on page, secondary character)
Rating: 5+/5
Steam level: Open door, 1-2 scenes, medium level of detail
ARC provided by PRH International and Edelweiss. Opinions are my own!
July 13, 2024
*3.5 stars ✨
This was a lot of fun. Emily is grieving the death of her father & decides to begin his bucket list of visiting a national park. However, she is not the outdoors type of person. So she hires Ryder to be her guide. The only catch is……he has no idea what he’s doing because his brother was the one who guided the adventures. They automatically get to a rough start and honestly doesn’t let up till the end. Two clueless people, a bad guy, henchman chasing them, a diamond, and all sorts of obstacles….well, what could go wrong? Love the action and adventure of this story. Reminds of those 80’s movies that I love. The only thing I didn’t like was the insta love, but this was a fun time.
This was a lot of fun. Emily is grieving the death of her father & decides to begin his bucket list of visiting a national park. However, she is not the outdoors type of person. So she hires Ryder to be her guide. The only catch is……he has no idea what he’s doing because his brother was the one who guided the adventures. They automatically get to a rough start and honestly doesn’t let up till the end. Two clueless people, a bad guy, henchman chasing them, a diamond, and all sorts of obstacles….well, what could go wrong? Love the action and adventure of this story. Reminds of those 80’s movies that I love. The only thing I didn’t like was the insta love, but this was a fun time.
May 25, 2024
there's something endearing about a man who knows as little as you do about the outdoors
August 6, 2024
3.5 Stars.
Excellent and fun first half but the last 20% or so got weirdly sappy and jarringly insta-love.
It’s a great start and the pages just fly by. A fish-out-of-water style rom-com adventure (think ‘The Lost City’ with Tatum/Bullock) and characters who are both on an emotional grief journey too. It’s lighthearted but with some depth.
The rest is definitely a nod to the 80s movies the title alludes to. A bit cheesy but with great banter and opposite personality types. Makes for a delightful duo who frustrate each other but just happen to fall in love along the way. And don’t forget a talkative villain and some henchmen thrown into an unlikely but energetic escapade. It’s a playful read if you understand the vibe intended.
For all the suspension of disbelief, though, that final act was just a little too much for me. Again, just suddenly sappy, at odds with the previous character interactions, and there definitely wasn’t enough build up for the avowals of love. Start of something great and meaningful, sure. But not love. Not yet.
Still, I definitely recommend giving it a read. It’s easy and quick with fun throughout.
*I received a free early ecopy from the publisher
Excellent and fun first half but the last 20% or so got weirdly sappy and jarringly insta-love.
It’s a great start and the pages just fly by. A fish-out-of-water style rom-com adventure (think ‘The Lost City’ with Tatum/Bullock) and characters who are both on an emotional grief journey too. It’s lighthearted but with some depth.
The rest is definitely a nod to the 80s movies the title alludes to. A bit cheesy but with great banter and opposite personality types. Makes for a delightful duo who frustrate each other but just happen to fall in love along the way. And don’t forget a talkative villain and some henchmen thrown into an unlikely but energetic escapade. It’s a playful read if you understand the vibe intended.
For all the suspension of disbelief, though, that final act was just a little too much for me. Again, just suddenly sappy, at odds with the previous character interactions, and there definitely wasn’t enough build up for the avowals of love. Start of something great and meaningful, sure. But not love. Not yet.
Still, I definitely recommend giving it a read. It’s easy and quick with fun throughout.
*I received a free early ecopy from the publisher
Want to read
August 25, 2024ARC received! Thank you so much, Berkley!!!
There's something very Romancing the Stone, circa 1984, about this and I'm 100% down for the adventure!!
There's something very Romancing the Stone, circa 1984, about this and I'm 100% down for the adventure!!
May 23, 2024
This book is absolutely preposterous and I LOVED it. It made me lol so many times as Emily (an uptight ER doctor) and Ryder (her free spirited survival guide) find themselves in a life or death chase through a national park. They’re trying to escape a bad guy and his henchman who want the famous & elusive diamond Emily & Ryder found by accident.
It’s genuinely hilarious — reminds me a bit of the movie Lost City with Sandra Bullock — but also has some emotional heft as Ryder & Emily connect via their grief over the loved ones they each recently lost.
I’ve enjoyed all of Kerry Rea’s books, but she struck rom-comedy gold with this one!
It’s genuinely hilarious — reminds me a bit of the movie Lost City with Sandra Bullock — but also has some emotional heft as Ryder & Emily connect via their grief over the loved ones they each recently lost.
I’ve enjoyed all of Kerry Rea’s books, but she struck rom-comedy gold with this one!
September 5, 2024
The Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago adventure romance of my dreams! I laughed out loud multiple times at this ridiculous and fun book.
November 7, 2024
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Have you ever wanted to watch two ill-equipped adventurers try to escape and survive on an island? All the while these two opposites are falling in love while also trying not to fall off a cliff. The Jewel of the Isle made me laugh aloud numerous times. It's hilarious, entertaining, and heart warming all at once. The Jewel of the Isle is certainly about the adventure and the heart pounding action. But it's also about characters who are experiencing grief, who are reeling from loss and unsure what to do next. They're faced with a world that wants them to process it - past tense - and are struggling with how to do that.
Have you ever wanted to watch two ill-equipped adventurers try to escape and survive on an island? All the while these two opposites are falling in love while also trying not to fall off a cliff. The Jewel of the Isle made me laugh aloud numerous times. It's hilarious, entertaining, and heart warming all at once. The Jewel of the Isle is certainly about the adventure and the heart pounding action. But it's also about characters who are experiencing grief, who are reeling from loss and unsure what to do next. They're faced with a world that wants them to process it - past tense - and are struggling with how to do that.
May 22, 2024
Definitely going to be one of my top five reads of the year!
This is a true rom-com - you will be laughing out loud! Emily and Ryder are such a delightful pairing, great foils for each other, and Ryder is peak golden retriever energy. The suspense elements are perfectly timed for impact, and the villain is so wonderfully comedic without being, like, mustache-twirling. The through-line of grief is so real and well-done, too. I'd read a dozen more of Emily and Ryder's mystery solving mishaps through national parks, in case Kerry wanted to turn this into a series!
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!
This is a true rom-com - you will be laughing out loud! Emily and Ryder are such a delightful pairing, great foils for each other, and Ryder is peak golden retriever energy. The suspense elements are perfectly timed for impact, and the villain is so wonderfully comedic without being, like, mustache-twirling. The through-line of grief is so real and well-done, too. I'd read a dozen more of Emily and Ryder's mystery solving mishaps through national parks, in case Kerry wanted to turn this into a series!
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!
July 6, 2024
A wee bit too insta love for me but lots of silly fun adventure that require loads of suspension of belief.
July 31, 2024
This was kind of silly but I laughed so much it really made up for it
June 21, 2024
I know it is only the summer, BUT this book WILL BE my favorite ROM-COM of the year. I laughed out loud in every chapter, fell SO HARD for the protective yet terribly inept adventure guide Ryder, and related hardcore to anxious/Type-A planner Emily. Emily is an ER physician who was recently dumped and now must make a solo backpacking trip to an isolated national park to spread her father's ashes. She caves and hires an Adventure Guide in order to survive, but her assigned guide, Ryder, is more of the company's PR/marketing guy, less of a wilderness survivalist. He assumes his two week crash course read through of guidebooks will be plenty of knowledge to survive a week off the grid. What neither of them expect is to become witnesses to an attempted murder over a giant diamond uncovered in a nearby shipwreck archeological site. Emily uses her bad-a** doctor skills to try and help the victim who passes along the jewel to her. Suddenly, Emily and Ryder are being chased by henchmen across the island to recover the gem, and they must rush to locate a ranger station to survive despite losing much of their gear.
Indiana Jones fan? The Lost City movie fan? Enjoy witty banter? Like fast-paced action, suspense, and crackling tension? This book is for you! Ryder is one of the best heroes I've read in a long time. He's got looks, charm, heart, and will openly admit the only thing he knows about fighting wolves he learned while watching the cartoon Beauty and the Beast movie. He can't spell archaeologist, doesn't trust men who wear tweed coats, still reads Calvin & Hobbs, carries (with pride) a discman with 2003 bangers on it, and thinks Emily is way out of his league. But he is a protector, and darn it if his 'rulebooks are optional' and Emily's 'have a backup plan for your plan' traits don't make them a spectacular (albeit a ridiculous) duo.
Despite the short timeline of the trip, the extreme survivalist scenarios and danger force a unique closeness between the two. And while there are so many laughs, both Emily and Ryder are working through grief, which also lends to a deeper connection and vulnerable conversations. I smiled, laughed, blushed, and rooted for this team through every chapter. And that delightful plot twist, an additional unexpected hero, made the whole book even more fun! I can't wait to buy my copy for my trophy shelf.
Indiana Jones fan? The Lost City movie fan? Enjoy witty banter? Like fast-paced action, suspense, and crackling tension? This book is for you! Ryder is one of the best heroes I've read in a long time. He's got looks, charm, heart, and will openly admit the only thing he knows about fighting wolves he learned while watching the cartoon Beauty and the Beast movie. He can't spell archaeologist, doesn't trust men who wear tweed coats, still reads Calvin & Hobbs, carries (with pride) a discman with 2003 bangers on it, and thinks Emily is way out of his league. But he is a protector, and darn it if his 'rulebooks are optional' and Emily's 'have a backup plan for your plan' traits don't make them a spectacular (albeit a ridiculous) duo.
Despite the short timeline of the trip, the extreme survivalist scenarios and danger force a unique closeness between the two. And while there are so many laughs, both Emily and Ryder are working through grief, which also lends to a deeper connection and vulnerable conversations. I smiled, laughed, blushed, and rooted for this team through every chapter. And that delightful plot twist, an additional unexpected hero, made the whole book even more fun! I can't wait to buy my copy for my trophy shelf.
July 9, 2024
The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea
Releasing on November 24th, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Mutual Pining. HEA
In the Jewel of the Isle, we meet Ryder and Emily who are living two very different lives. One an ER doctor who lives a very planned and safe life and another who lives off of his endless side jobs to make ends meet. Emily is dumped right before her long-awaited backpacking trip to the Royle Isle, in remembrance of her late father. Now she is in need of a help and in comes Ryder, Emily’s nature guide who definitely knows what he’s doing and didn’t watch YouTube videos on fire starting….
Instead of the peacefully planned backpacking trip, Ryder and Emily take on a trip battling grief, wild animals, attraction as well as armed henchmen and jewel thieves…. Didn’t see that coming, did you? Ryder and Emily accidentally get looped into an archaeological expedition on the island that turns into a jewel heist of all things. In hope to get off the isle alive they have to put aside their differences to survive and keep that jewel from falling into the wrong hands.
I’m always on the hunt for a book that has the vibes of an Indiana Jones adventure with a good romance side plot and The Jewel of the Isle was just what I was looking for. This is a fun rom-com adventure story with loads of funny banter, pop culture references, mutual pining and characters overcoming their fears and troubles while escaping death at many turns. I unexpectedly connected well with the characters’ battles with the loss of a family member and overcoming that grief through living life for them. Not something I expected to find in a silly rom com, but I devoured this book in 4 hours, nonetheless. I highly recommend adding this fun book to your TBR, publishing date set for late November just in time to add to your holiday gift list!
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publicity and Kerry Rea for allowing me to snag an ARC copy of The Jewel of the Isle, when I came across this book on Goodreads, I was thrilled to add it to my TBR and even more to get early access!
Releasing on November 24th, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Mutual Pining. HEA
In the Jewel of the Isle, we meet Ryder and Emily who are living two very different lives. One an ER doctor who lives a very planned and safe life and another who lives off of his endless side jobs to make ends meet. Emily is dumped right before her long-awaited backpacking trip to the Royle Isle, in remembrance of her late father. Now she is in need of a help and in comes Ryder, Emily’s nature guide who definitely knows what he’s doing and didn’t watch YouTube videos on fire starting….
Instead of the peacefully planned backpacking trip, Ryder and Emily take on a trip battling grief, wild animals, attraction as well as armed henchmen and jewel thieves…. Didn’t see that coming, did you? Ryder and Emily accidentally get looped into an archaeological expedition on the island that turns into a jewel heist of all things. In hope to get off the isle alive they have to put aside their differences to survive and keep that jewel from falling into the wrong hands.
I’m always on the hunt for a book that has the vibes of an Indiana Jones adventure with a good romance side plot and The Jewel of the Isle was just what I was looking for. This is a fun rom-com adventure story with loads of funny banter, pop culture references, mutual pining and characters overcoming their fears and troubles while escaping death at many turns. I unexpectedly connected well with the characters’ battles with the loss of a family member and overcoming that grief through living life for them. Not something I expected to find in a silly rom com, but I devoured this book in 4 hours, nonetheless. I highly recommend adding this fun book to your TBR, publishing date set for late November just in time to add to your holiday gift list!
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publicity and Kerry Rea for allowing me to snag an ARC copy of The Jewel of the Isle, when I came across this book on Goodreads, I was thrilled to add it to my TBR and even more to get early access!
October 20, 2024
When her boyfriend unexpectedly dumps her, Emily Edwards must scramble to find a new guide to help her spread her father's ashes at Isle Royal National Park. Fortunately, she is able to secure hiking guide Ryder Fleet. Unfortunately, Ryder's knowledge of the great outdoors is just about equal to that of Emily's. As if this task wasn't tough enough, they find themselves on the run from a murderous archeologist. Fingers crossed they make it off the island in one piece.
Kerry Rea is three for three! When I was reading this book, I thought about how different this was from her other two books while it was still very "Kerry Rea". This time, Rea gave us an amazing adventure romance which was packed with action, danger, and a lot of humor too. The interactions between Ryder and Emily were so much fun while they found themselves in some situations that yielded comedy gold.
Needless to say, this tale evoked lots of laughter, but it also hit me in the feels. Both Emily and Ryder had lost someone dear to them. They were not only racked with grief, they were also harboring a lot of guilt associated with those losses. This excursion ended up stretching both Ryder and Emily in many ways. Not only were they forced to face some fears and push beyond their comfort zones, they also worked through their emotional baggage and found love along the way.
This book had a level of adventure I was not expecting and delivered it with lots of humor and warmth. It was a winning combination that made my heart pulse from the excitement while filling it with so much happiness. Overall, Kerry Rea wowed me again, and I will be eagerly awaiting her next release.
*ARC provided by publisher
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Kerry Rea is three for three! When I was reading this book, I thought about how different this was from her other two books while it was still very "Kerry Rea". This time, Rea gave us an amazing adventure romance which was packed with action, danger, and a lot of humor too. The interactions between Ryder and Emily were so much fun while they found themselves in some situations that yielded comedy gold.
Needless to say, this tale evoked lots of laughter, but it also hit me in the feels. Both Emily and Ryder had lost someone dear to them. They were not only racked with grief, they were also harboring a lot of guilt associated with those losses. This excursion ended up stretching both Ryder and Emily in many ways. Not only were they forced to face some fears and push beyond their comfort zones, they also worked through their emotional baggage and found love along the way.
This book had a level of adventure I was not expecting and delivered it with lots of humor and warmth. It was a winning combination that made my heart pulse from the excitement while filling it with so much happiness. Overall, Kerry Rea wowed me again, and I will be eagerly awaiting her next release.
*ARC provided by publisher
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August 26, 2024
Emily is not the greatest with the outdoors. She would rather be inside, clean and warm and enjoying all the comforts of home. But in an effort to fulfill a last promise to her father, she knows she needs to make the trip she has scheduled to visit the Isle Royale and spread her father's ashes. Her boyfriend is the outdoorsy type, so he will make the perfect companion to help her make the trip. But when he breaks up with her just weeks before they were to leave, she's desperate to find a guide to accompany her and keep her safe.
Ryder is in a bit of a rut. Bouncing from handyman jobs to dog sitter to jack-of-all trades may pay the bills, but only just, and there's not much left to the wilderness guide business he worked so hard to build with his brother. But when a woman makes a last-minute request for a guide, he reluctantly takes the job, even though he knows next to nothing about surviving in the wilderness - that was his brother's part of the business.
When these two city dwellers find themselves lost in the woods, they both have to admit to their lack of skills. And when they find themselves embroiled in the search for a missing diamond, their adventure in the wood takes a deadly turn. Will they be able to work together to survive?
This was a great giggle-fest of a book. The banter between the two and the mishaps they find themselves in are hilarious and keep things moving along at a good clip. Readers will find the characters likeable and relatable and will root for their HEA. The mystery and suspense of their adventure keeps things interesting, and their growing chemistry is just perfect for their storyline.
Perfect for fans enjoy a good dash of humor in their romance, and the forced proximity trope is very well done for this one.
I received a DRC from the publisher via Netgalley.com.
S-H, L-H, V-H
Ryder is in a bit of a rut. Bouncing from handyman jobs to dog sitter to jack-of-all trades may pay the bills, but only just, and there's not much left to the wilderness guide business he worked so hard to build with his brother. But when a woman makes a last-minute request for a guide, he reluctantly takes the job, even though he knows next to nothing about surviving in the wilderness - that was his brother's part of the business.
When these two city dwellers find themselves lost in the woods, they both have to admit to their lack of skills. And when they find themselves embroiled in the search for a missing diamond, their adventure in the wood takes a deadly turn. Will they be able to work together to survive?
This was a great giggle-fest of a book. The banter between the two and the mishaps they find themselves in are hilarious and keep things moving along at a good clip. Readers will find the characters likeable and relatable and will root for their HEA. The mystery and suspense of their adventure keeps things interesting, and their growing chemistry is just perfect for their storyline.
Perfect for fans enjoy a good dash of humor in their romance, and the forced proximity trope is very well done for this one.
I received a DRC from the publisher via Netgalley.com.
S-H, L-H, V-H
November 4, 2024
This book was such an incredible read, I'm not sure where to start. I think it had my heart from the beginning as I was literally laughing out loud by chapter 3! It was refreshingly hilarious with Emily and Ryder's opposite personalities and witty banter! And honestly, it felt absolutely made for me- The Office reference had me dying with laughter. It's such a fun ride full of highjinks from start to finish as those two struggle to survive in the wild! However, the depth of this book is what really makes it stand out above other lighthearted rom-coms to me. While on this breathtaking adventure together, each of the main characters are dealing with grief over the loss of loved ones. I feel like this book actually helped me with my own grief over losing my dad, and I found it to be very relatable. It's such a beautiful story, not just full of laughs, but also a lesson in carrying our lost loved ones with us on our journey. After all, adventure awaits!
For Fans Of:
• Indiana Jones
• Murder Mystery
• The Mummy
• You With a View by Jessica Joyce
Spice: Open Door, Not Incredibly Spicy
🌶🌶.5
TW's:
• Death
• Grief
• Emotional Cheating (not MC)
• Parent with Gambling Addiction
(brief mention)
Tropes/Vibes:
• 30+ year old MC's
• Golden-Retriever MMC 🐾
• Doctor MFC 🩺
• Jealousy/Sprinkle of Love Triangle ⚠️
• Insta-Love 💗
• Mental Health/Anxiety Rep 🧠
• Rule-Breaker|Rule-Follower
• The Most Un-Outdoorsy People Ever
(who let them outside? 🤣)
*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review*
For Fans Of:
• Indiana Jones
• Murder Mystery
• The Mummy
• You With a View by Jessica Joyce
Spice: Open Door, Not Incredibly Spicy
🌶🌶.5
TW's:
• Death
• Grief
• Emotional Cheating (not MC)
• Parent with Gambling Addiction
(brief mention)
Tropes/Vibes:
• 30+ year old MC's
• Golden-Retriever MMC 🐾
• Doctor MFC 🩺
• Jealousy/Sprinkle of Love Triangle ⚠️
• Insta-Love 💗
• Mental Health/Anxiety Rep 🧠
• Rule-Breaker|Rule-Follower
• The Most Un-Outdoorsy People Ever
(who let them outside? 🤣)
*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review*
June 4, 2024
📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Can you close your eyes and think of your worst break-up ever? Emily sure can and it involves a bucket hat. But even a recent bad break-up cannot stop her from her bucket list trip, even if it means hiring Ryder as her wilderness guide. Between the adventure and witty banter between these two, is a beautiful story of grief and healing. Emily is an ER doctor whose grief over losing her father has caused her to bring her work home. Hoping to feel the connection to her dad through his last big dream trip, she embarks on this camping journey with the emotional weight on her shoulders…equaling that of her over-packed backpack. Ryder is half of the duo behind Fleet Outdoors Adventures but his brother was the real adventurer and the business all but failed when he died two years ago, and so did Ryder’s sense of purpose in the world. These two could not be more ill-prepared for what turns out to be a far bigger adventure than they could have imagined! The summer before my mom died, we planned a big bucket list National Park trip with her guidance (she was far too ill to come). Finally making it to Yellowstone, we saw signs along the way of her spirit with us and the catharsis in healing through nature was surreal. The Jewel of the Isle is a delightful, perfectly balanced read that truly has it all wrapped up in one wild adventure
August 24, 2024
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
3.5 Stars
The Jewel of the Isle was a fun read that I could see being made into a movie. It had action, adventure, romance, and two main characters who fell in love while being completely out of their element. Emily was a recently dumped ER doctor who was trying to live out her dead father's dream of visiting the dangerous Isle Royale National Park. Ryder was a guy who was trying to make it in life after the loss of his brother who was the brains behind their business. Ryder was the last person who should have been leading Emily through the wilderness, but it made for some hilarious moments - especially with a murder and bad guys chasing them.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I did have a couple of things that bothered me a bit. At times, the pace felt a little slow with some show rather tell writing. There were also a few inconsistencies that didn't add up, but maybe most readers wouldn't notice them. I was also a little surprised by how instant love the romance felt toward the end. But, like I said, I was still able to enjoy this romance despite those things. Fans of this author's previous books will most likely enjoy this one as well.
3.5 Stars
The Jewel of the Isle was a fun read that I could see being made into a movie. It had action, adventure, romance, and two main characters who fell in love while being completely out of their element. Emily was a recently dumped ER doctor who was trying to live out her dead father's dream of visiting the dangerous Isle Royale National Park. Ryder was a guy who was trying to make it in life after the loss of his brother who was the brains behind their business. Ryder was the last person who should have been leading Emily through the wilderness, but it made for some hilarious moments - especially with a murder and bad guys chasing them.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I did have a couple of things that bothered me a bit. At times, the pace felt a little slow with some show rather tell writing. There were also a few inconsistencies that didn't add up, but maybe most readers wouldn't notice them. I was also a little surprised by how instant love the romance felt toward the end. But, like I said, I was still able to enjoy this romance despite those things. Fans of this author's previous books will most likely enjoy this one as well.
July 18, 2024
Did you ever expect to go on a hiking trip without any hiking experience or from a fresh break-up? Well, Emily is taking a big step by doing both. Hopefully, her tour guide is more than ready to help her. And yet, she wasn’t expecting to witness a murder or be chased throughout her hike.
I truly love all of her previous books because they're such emotional yet romantic books to read. So I was a bit surprised that this one was different from her previous book. It took me a bit back. Thankfully, I was able to readjust my expectations and read it just for the vibes. And I like it better than I expected.
This book may touch on losing a parent or sibling and the process of grief in a way that’s not talked about. However, these two characters are a bit chaotic and messy throughout the book, which leaves you questioning a lot of things. And yet, it makes sense. Just read the book for the chaotic, messy vibes.
I truly love all of her previous books because they're such emotional yet romantic books to read. So I was a bit surprised that this one was different from her previous book. It took me a bit back. Thankfully, I was able to readjust my expectations and read it just for the vibes. And I like it better than I expected.
This book may touch on losing a parent or sibling and the process of grief in a way that’s not talked about. However, these two characters are a bit chaotic and messy throughout the book, which leaves you questioning a lot of things. And yet, it makes sense. Just read the book for the chaotic, messy vibes.
October 18, 2024
Emily Edwards and Ryder Fleet may be complete opposites, but after embarking on a wild adventure and witnessing a brutal crime, they must rely on each other in order to survive.
Emily and Ryder’s story takes place over the span of 5 days and was a roller coaster of emotions that somehow made their journey feel longer. I would have loved a bit more insight into their lives outside of the wild, but I loved watching them fall (albeit a bit fast) for one another, even as they literally ran for their lives.
I am a big fan of Kerry Rea’s writing and I was not sure what to expect from The Jewel of the Isle. It featured an admittedly over the top premise, but it packed the same emotional punch as her previous works.
Kerry Rea managed to write a compelling story about frustrating yet lovable protagonists, who fall in love while running from crazed archaeologists, while dealing with immense grief over the loss of loved ones; now that’s talent.
Emily and Ryder’s story takes place over the span of 5 days and was a roller coaster of emotions that somehow made their journey feel longer. I would have loved a bit more insight into their lives outside of the wild, but I loved watching them fall (albeit a bit fast) for one another, even as they literally ran for their lives.
I am a big fan of Kerry Rea’s writing and I was not sure what to expect from The Jewel of the Isle. It featured an admittedly over the top premise, but it packed the same emotional punch as her previous works.
Kerry Rea managed to write a compelling story about frustrating yet lovable protagonists, who fall in love while running from crazed archaeologists, while dealing with immense grief over the loss of loved ones; now that’s talent.
October 24, 2024
This was not quite the adventure story I was expecting but I still did enjoy it. It's two incredibly dense people trying to survive in the woods after witnessing a murder when neither one of them are great with the wilderness
Emily and Ryder are both complete opposites but end up together and are stuck with one another. Trying to survive and keep the other alive while escaping killers.
Where this book was very fun to read. There was some inconsistencies that tended to drive me absolutely nuts. I could let it go if there were just a couple but far too many inconsistencies to really fully immerse myself in the book.
But it was still very fun and there was quite a bit of humor that I did enjoy. The writing was very quick and fast paced so it was very easy to fly through this boat. It's the type of book that while you're reading it you can 100% picture it being a Netflix or a Hulu movie.
Emily and Ryder are both complete opposites but end up together and are stuck with one another. Trying to survive and keep the other alive while escaping killers.
Where this book was very fun to read. There was some inconsistencies that tended to drive me absolutely nuts. I could let it go if there were just a couple but far too many inconsistencies to really fully immerse myself in the book.
But it was still very fun and there was quite a bit of humor that I did enjoy. The writing was very quick and fast paced so it was very easy to fly through this boat. It's the type of book that while you're reading it you can 100% picture it being a Netflix or a Hulu movie.
November 5, 2024
Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.
Kerry Rea’s The Jewel of the Isle is one of those books that caught me off guard with how much I liked it 🥳.
Two opposites attract explorers go on a national park adventure—both of them pretty reluctant—& as they’re battling the elements & eventually a villain or two, they’re sharing the parts of their lives they hide from everyone else, kissing, & falling in love.
Emily & Ryder’s love story gets added bittersweetness because both have experienced big loss: her dad & his brother. These huge losses give them something major to relate to when so much else about them seems so different.
This book is funny & moving with so much heart. What it says about grief is beautiful. The action elements make it a fun mix of genres, too.
So looking forward to reading more of Kerry Rea’s books!
4.5 ⭐️. Out 11/26.
CWs: grief, violence.
Kerry Rea’s The Jewel of the Isle is one of those books that caught me off guard with how much I liked it 🥳.
Two opposites attract explorers go on a national park adventure—both of them pretty reluctant—& as they’re battling the elements & eventually a villain or two, they’re sharing the parts of their lives they hide from everyone else, kissing, & falling in love.
Emily & Ryder’s love story gets added bittersweetness because both have experienced big loss: her dad & his brother. These huge losses give them something major to relate to when so much else about them seems so different.
This book is funny & moving with so much heart. What it says about grief is beautiful. The action elements make it a fun mix of genres, too.
So looking forward to reading more of Kerry Rea’s books!
4.5 ⭐️. Out 11/26.
CWs: grief, violence.
October 26, 2024
Emily Edwards needs to scatter her late father's ashes at Isle Royale National Park, and hires Rider Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures. But Ryder isn't an outdoor guide, that was his late brother's role. Ryder just handled the marketing.
But there's more than nature to deal with when they witness a brutal crime soon after arriving on the island. Together, they must evade a treasure-hunting group. Forced to dig deep to stay one step ahead, they learn to trust each other.
This story is a thrilling adventure. Our main characters, though different, have a lot in common. Their banter adds a spark to the narrative, and it's fun to watch them learn to work together. As they do, their chemistry becomes apparent. The story balances budding romance with gripping adventure, keeping the action engaging right up until the satisfying conclusion.
But there's more than nature to deal with when they witness a brutal crime soon after arriving on the island. Together, they must evade a treasure-hunting group. Forced to dig deep to stay one step ahead, they learn to trust each other.
This story is a thrilling adventure. Our main characters, though different, have a lot in common. Their banter adds a spark to the narrative, and it's fun to watch them learn to work together. As they do, their chemistry becomes apparent. The story balances budding romance with gripping adventure, keeping the action engaging right up until the satisfying conclusion.
October 31, 2024
*I received a copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
After reading the synopsis, I was expecting a fun adventure a la Romancing the Stone, and that’s exactly what I got. Rea’s writing was so breezy that I flew through this in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I thought Emily and Ryder complemented one another so well. Emily is a bit more buttoned up and cerebral, whereas Ryder was more carefree and sarcastic. It was so comical watching these two very indoorsy people try to navigate this remote island while dodging nefarious archeologists. The whole concept was so ridiculous but worked so well. I also appreciated how Rea confronted grief and loss, and thought it added another layer to the story. If you want something you don’t have to think about too hard and is just purely entertaining, I recommend checking it out.
After reading the synopsis, I was expecting a fun adventure a la Romancing the Stone, and that’s exactly what I got. Rea’s writing was so breezy that I flew through this in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I thought Emily and Ryder complemented one another so well. Emily is a bit more buttoned up and cerebral, whereas Ryder was more carefree and sarcastic. It was so comical watching these two very indoorsy people try to navigate this remote island while dodging nefarious archeologists. The whole concept was so ridiculous but worked so well. I also appreciated how Rea confronted grief and loss, and thought it added another layer to the story. If you want something you don’t have to think about too hard and is just purely entertaining, I recommend checking it out.
June 6, 2024
This is one of my favorite romcoms of the year! Emily hires Ryder to be her guide when she goes to Isle Royale National Park to spread her dad’s ashes. There’s a diamond, adventure and so much humor! I loved it.
Emily has been out of sorts for the past year since her father died unexpectedly. She’s been restless and taking on more double shifts in the ER, where she’s a doctor, trying to keep her mind busy. Her father loved adventure and one of his dreams was to visit Isle Royale National Park, known for its wolves and moose. She decides to take a trip to the island in his memory to spread his ashes and hires a tour guide to help her navigate her way.
Ryder is co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures where he handled the marketing but after the death of his brother, who was the real wilderness expert, Ryder’s been struggling with grief and the company is barely afloat. He’s been doing odd jobs for the TaskRabbit app to make ends meet when his brother’s former fiancé, Tara, asks for a favor - she needs him to guide Emily on this trip. He agrees to do it to help Tara out, even though he really doesn’t know much about the outdoors.
Emily and Ryder meet in a hilarious scene on the ferry on their way over to Isle Royale and their adventure takes off from there. They meet an archeologist and some other academics on the ferry who are exploring an old shipwreck and it's suspenseful. When Emily and Ryder make it to the island, they soon realize they are lost and I laughed out loud at the witty banter between them. Things heat up quickly when they find a lost jewel and are chased by villains!
Emily and Ryder are a delight but I wished they had mentioned protection when things got steamy. Besides that, I thought this was a fabulous read, with a mystery, priceless treasure and humor that kept me laughing the whole way through.
This doesn’t come out until November so if you haven’t read Lucy on the Wild Side yet, you might want to check that out while you wait. I am thankful to the author, Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the release date.
Emily has been out of sorts for the past year since her father died unexpectedly. She’s been restless and taking on more double shifts in the ER, where she’s a doctor, trying to keep her mind busy. Her father loved adventure and one of his dreams was to visit Isle Royale National Park, known for its wolves and moose. She decides to take a trip to the island in his memory to spread his ashes and hires a tour guide to help her navigate her way.
Ryder is co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures where he handled the marketing but after the death of his brother, who was the real wilderness expert, Ryder’s been struggling with grief and the company is barely afloat. He’s been doing odd jobs for the TaskRabbit app to make ends meet when his brother’s former fiancé, Tara, asks for a favor - she needs him to guide Emily on this trip. He agrees to do it to help Tara out, even though he really doesn’t know much about the outdoors.
Emily and Ryder meet in a hilarious scene on the ferry on their way over to Isle Royale and their adventure takes off from there. They meet an archeologist and some other academics on the ferry who are exploring an old shipwreck and it's suspenseful. When Emily and Ryder make it to the island, they soon realize they are lost and I laughed out loud at the witty banter between them. Things heat up quickly when they find a lost jewel and are chased by villains!
Emily and Ryder are a delight but I wished they had mentioned protection when things got steamy. Besides that, I thought this was a fabulous read, with a mystery, priceless treasure and humor that kept me laughing the whole way through.
This doesn’t come out until November so if you haven’t read Lucy on the Wild Side yet, you might want to check that out while you wait. I am thankful to the author, Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the release date.
July 14, 2024
Thank you Netgally for early access to this book! I fell in love with the vibes very early on and really connected with the summer action movie/blockbuster vibes.
I did have some trouble connecting with the story and characters as it developed further though. As a type A girl myself, I love a good story about a woman learning that it’s okay to let a little loose and Emily was a fantastic example of this in action. My biggest problem was that Ryder’s character seemed very one-note. He had some great moments don’t get me wrong, but his jokes fell very flat for me.
In all loved the vibes, unsure of the success of the execution.
I did have some trouble connecting with the story and characters as it developed further though. As a type A girl myself, I love a good story about a woman learning that it’s okay to let a little loose and Emily was a fantastic example of this in action. My biggest problem was that Ryder’s character seemed very one-note. He had some great moments don’t get me wrong, but his jokes fell very flat for me.
In all loved the vibes, unsure of the success of the execution.
September 10, 2024
I picked up this book partially because it was set in a National Park unit and almost immediately was googling moose and wolf tours for Isle Royale. I don't have that type of money apparently. Anyways, I liked this book up until the last 25%. I liked that the characters were both bumbling and yet also figured things out eventually. What I did not like was the slightly stilted romance part of the last third of the book or that some of the violence at the end of the book was very rushed. I think if it was just an adventure book, it would have been much more successful.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.
October 29, 2024
Laugh out loud funny. 90s and 2000s references that will fill you with nostalgia. Witty banter. Tension. Romance. Adventure. The warm fuzzy feeling you got when you watched the Goonies for the first time and they made it out of the cave and they adopted that weird monster man.
If any of this appeals to you, READ THIS BOOK. The vibes were immaculate. The plot was fun and fast-paced. The romance was there. The main characters had baggage but the way it was addressed was so hopeful and with humor.
Goonies meets The Rescuers meets Lara Croft meets Captain Ron meets self deprecating humor… plus love poems.
If any of this appeals to you, READ THIS BOOK. The vibes were immaculate. The plot was fun and fast-paced. The romance was there. The main characters had baggage but the way it was addressed was so hopeful and with humor.
Goonies meets The Rescuers meets Lara Croft meets Captain Ron meets self deprecating humor… plus love poems.
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