The Island Retreat

The number one Irish Times bestseller!

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?

'A triumph […] vivid and wise and uplifting' Marian Keyes

'This latest from [Cathy] is a cracker' Mail on Sunday

'[A] wise and calming novel […] And the Corfu setting is so beautifully evoked' Daily Mail

Reviews

Acclaim for Cathy Kelly:

‘Poignant and powerful, this is a fabulous read’ Milly Johnson

‘A wonderful entertaining story with characters we recognise and really root for. I absolutely loved this’ Katie Fforde

‘Cathy at her absolute best … Wonderful realistic women trying to forge their way in an upbeat story where dark clouds give way to sunshine. Perfect to curl up with’ Rachel Hore

‘I gulped Sisterhood down. Every woman reading this multi-layered story of the sisters and the manner in which they deal with their separate crises will feel a shudder of recognition … such a compulsive and exhilarating read’ Elizabeth Buchan

‘Vibrant characters, terrific plot and full of heart and wisdom, this is Cathy Kelly at her absolute best. Utterly engrossing and unputdownable’ Patricia Scanlan

'A burst of Sicilian sunshine … Cathy writes from the heart with great warmth and sincerity' Erica James

‘A beautiful, tender story of family, lies, secrets and the power of sisterhood. A perfect book to curl up by the fire and escape with. I read it in one sitting’ SINÉAD MORIARTY

'A wonderfully entertaining novel […] which moves at a brisk pace, posing serious questions about relationships, trust, honesty. A sort of coming-of-age novel for the middle-aged woman. Highly recommended' IRISH EXAMINER

'Another rollercoaster of an emotional journey' WOMAN'S OWN

'This is a gorgeous book full of emotion that explores themes of family, ageing and unconditional love' MY WEEKLY

'A heartwarming journey' BEST

'A warm-hearted and poignant story about families, identity and the complexities of having a sibling' WOMAN'S WEEKLY

About the author

Cathy Kelly is a bestselling Irish author known for her stories about real women's lives – the messy relationships, the love, the loss and everything in between. She has written twenty-two novels, selling millions of copies globally. In addition to her writing, she is a UNICEF ambassador and lives and writes from her home in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, surrounded by her family, two dogs and a cat.