Left alone on his island of misery, Terry is at an all time low. His best friend is gone, he’s been fired from his job and being a professional beach bum isn’t all they make it out to be. There’s a heavy, dark storm cloud hanging over him. Until a ray of silver sunshine moves into the house next door. From the moment he sees her, he knows he’s in trouble — he just doesn’t know how much. Silvie … much.
Silvie has put down roots on his island after years of running away. She is determined to stay, to make a home, and a life for herself in paradise. But, the resident d*ckhead has fallen hard.
The problem is, she just wants to be friends — without benefits.
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This book had an important message: Jerks deserve love too. Even when Terry infuriated me throughout this book (and I remembered him not-so-fondly from Last Resort), I kept reminding myself about this message. Watching his feelings shift in relation to Silvie was lovely and I was torn if I wanted her to give in or continue to hide behind her walls.
Silvie’s story was filled with pain, running, and eventually a healthy dose of bravery. I admired so much about her and wanted her to finally put down some roots after everything she had been through.
Getting to see the hidden side of Terry was certainly eye-opening. It did give me pause and a reason for his previous actions and abrasive attitude. I wanted him to find a level of peace as well. And watching him work to achieve that with Silvie was truly beautiful. When two broken and battered souls can find healing with one another, I easily fall in love with their story.
Ashleigh G was brilliant in this book (and really this series). I loved the softer side of her writing that still had it sprinklings of the darker side of humanity. I hope that she will write more books like this in between her other fabulously dark books.
I loved this one. Terry isn’t always easy character to love but he’s really just kind of lost and not searching. Terry has layers. On the surface he looks like a beach bum but he’s got issues and things to work out. Silvie is a loner who hasn’t settled in one place for a while. She on the island and finally find her place. She has issues and a past she fleeing from. Terry and Silvie are neighbors and they may just be what each other needs. This one has feelings and is truly a good read.
I had been very eagerly awaiting this book for what seems like an eternity!!! This is Terry’s story whom we meet in Last Resort. And though this can be read as a standalone I highly recommend that you read Last Resort first. Terry isn’t what I’d call a very loveable character but this book really mom had me looking at him a new light. This book was well worth the wait.
Terry was such a jerk in the first book that I wasn’t sure how the author could redeem him in my mind. I hated him and that was that as far as I was concerned. But, there is usually a reason that a person is filled with so much hate and so much disdain for other people. Terry had his reasons and at the base of that hatred was so much pain. Silvie was running from her past. She never stayed anywhere long enough to set down roots. Or to be found. Two people who do not trust others and suddenly they find themselves being drawn to someone else. Can the both of them let go of the past enough to have a future together? Another well written story by this author.
Absolutely loved this!
This is Terry’s story whom we meet In Last Resort. You have to read that book first, not only to understand whats going on but because its a great book.
I hated Terry in Last Resort, and really did not want to like him in this book. But Ash gave us much more of his story, I all most kinda felt bad. OK I might have felt something.
Then we meet his new neighbor Silvie, how after 10 years as a nomad is finally putting down roots. And despite him being an asshole, she gets attached to him.
This is a beautiful story about two broken people and I highly recommend it!
Island Roots by Ashliegh Giannocarro is the next book after Last Resort. We met Terry in that book. Terry is lost now that Ollie has left and will not be coming back. The life Terry has been living he no longer likes. Having sex with the married female guest, partying and smoking weed has gotten old. Once he gets fired fron his job he is really lost. When a new neighbor buys the place next door, he has an instant liking to her. Silvie has been a rolling Stone for years. She has a past she has been running from. When she finally decides to settle down all she wants to do is surf and hide. Her neighbor is a pain but there is something about him. This was a really good story of 2 damaged people finding a second chance at life. Even though I wanted to knock Terry’s block off he definitely grew on me and by the end of the book I was in love with him. Sometimes being hurt can bring out the worst in them. Love their journey to each other. 5 stars
I loved it all. When getting to the end of the book I was all emotion and tears. Yes even an asshole deserves a happy ending. Terry and Silvie were the perfect broken couple. I was excited to see Olly and Jo pop back up in this story too.
A favorite quote was: “Then I’d say we sorted things out pretty well for two adults allergic to feelings.”
The Island series by Ashleigh G. Is best read in order.
Book 1 is Last Resort, Olly and Jo’s story. Book 2 is Island Roots, Terry and Silvie’s story. I would love to see another book in this series or even a couple more with the other characters.
I didn’t think I’d like Terry. He didn’t even like himself. But he slowly grew on me after Silvie threw him off his game. Theirs was the not so idyllic island life, with both of them broken after bitterly troubled pasts. I loved how far they both came in order to overcome their feelings of distrust and abandonment. Although I still felt like they were often floating high a lot of the time, it was the sober moments that shined through. Setting down roots never meant more to these two!
Everyone needs to read this series.
The first book The last resort gave me such a book hangover, it was truly a wonderful book and became my favourite so i was so excited to hear the Island Roots was coming and it did not disappoint.
The male character we first met in the last resort and he did not leave the best impression on me that’s for sure so i really didn’t know where this book was going to go, it was safe to say the author made me forget all that. It is a series that will give you massive feels and keep you wanting more.
5 big fat stars.
I am completely enamored with this softer side of Ashleigh G. So I’ve been reading Ashleigh Giannoccaro for years now and I love her dark side but this contemporary romance side of her, this Ashleigh G. side pulls my heart more than scares it like her alter ego does! I’ll be honest; I do like both sides of her. I’ve been skeptical that I’d be able to like or even get into Terry’s story. He came off as such a jerk during Last Resort that I was hesitant but I’m glad I read Island Roots.
Now, Terry seriously continues to be a jerk throughout most of the story. It’s quite the mysterious thing… Ashleigh G. makes you end up feeling for Terry and the life he lives and has lived. I found myself slowly moving over to his side and eventually… dare I say, I liked him! Silvie is everything Terry is not! She’s the complete opposite of Terry. She’s upbeat and happy. She’s ready to live her life and make a home. She’s brought quite the amount of baggage with her. She moves into the house right next to Terry, the town asshole/slut.
I was really shocked with the amount of feelings in this story. My emotions went up and down and were all over the place. Ashleigh pulls off a brilliant story that makes you feel everything from happy to sad, to anger and even some heat thrown in. If you like your romances to run you through a gamut of emotions with some really flawed and damaged characters that Island Roots is a definite read. I would recommend starting with the first book, Island Resort, before you read this one. I think they’d work as standalones but both will be much better together.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
Ashleigh never ceases to amaze me, no matter the genre she writes. I was utterly drawn into this story and the characters. This story was unpredictable, emotional, and bloody powerful.
Terry is the a-hole that I couldn’t help but fall totally in love with. I was amazed and delighted with how Ashleigh managed to turn around my deep hatred for him in Last Resort, to complete adoration in Island Roots. He’s the nuisance I want to live next door to!
Silvie is a bit of a mystery at first and certainly doesn’t take any of Terry’s nonsense. She’s a strong character, and not afraid to do whatever she wants, even though she’s running. But, even the strongest person still has secrets.
I was drawn in, had my heart broken to smithereens once more by Ashleigh, and left reeling by this story.
PS. Terry belongs to me and my #SoulSister Michelle McGinty, that a-hole is ours.
I truly wish you could give books more than five stars as this book deserves so much more! The story of Terry and Silvie has all the feels and it completely enamored me from the very beginning! We met Terry in Last Resort and I was hoping against hope that there would be a book about Terry’s character and this book doesn’t disappoint! Terry is your resident manwhore who isn’t looking for any kind of a long term relationship until Silvie moves in next door. She is like a breath of fresh air and he’s not quite sure what to make of his feelings. Silvie wants no part of a relationship with anyone but is willing to just have a “friends with benefits” type. She also has a secret in her past she wants no one to know about. As Terry and Silvie embark on their unique friendship you can’t help but hope for more for them. This book will take you on an emotional ride and is just so perfectly written. I loved this story so much that I didn’t want it to end. Do yourself a favor and read this incredible book! It is unreal!
Island Roots is Terry’s turn for his story. He was in Last Resort and was Olly’s friend. Just so you know that you can read this book as a standalone if you choose too. Terry is miserable and lost with Olly gone. Silvie has bought the house next door to set down roots. Although, Silvie is in hiding but she is done with running.
Terry wasn’t the nicest of human beings in book one and that is where Ashleigh has in the blurb about him being the resident d*ckhead. I actually liked him in this book.
We do get to read more about Olly and Jo because they make an appearance. I really enjoyed reading Terry and Silvie’s story and there is an HEA! Now I want to know what’s next for Ashleigh G. (the lighter side of Ashleigh Giannoccaro).
friend. Terry is miserable and lost with Olly gone. Silvie has bought the house next door to set down roots. Although, Silvie is in hiding but she is done with running.
Terry wasn’t the nicest of human beings in book one and that is where Ashleigh has in the blurb about him being the resident d*ckhead. I actually liked him in this book.
We do get to read more about Olly and Jo because they make an appearance. I really enjoyed reading Terry and Silvie’s story and there is an HEA! Now I want to know what’s next for Ashleigh G. (the lighter side of Ashleigh Giannoccaro).
Ashleigh G has written a story of two lost souls, two broken people, two people who are somewhat loners and she has given them their happy ever after.
We follow Terry after Ollie has left. He’s finally feeling all the regrets of his mistakes, of his a$$holeness. (It’s a word) He’s just living until the girl moves in next store.
Silvie is a nomad. She’s been wondering around for years. She was chased out of her own life. She has grown roots anywhere and the island feels like maybe she could.
We watch as these two work on themselves. Each of them having to let go of the past so they can have a future.
I loved this story!
Highly recommended.
4.5 stars
This is Terrys story who we first met as Ollie’s best friend in Last Resort. While it’s not necessary to read that before Island Roots I would highly recommend you do so (because it’s brilliant).
I really didn’t like Terry when he appeared in Island Roots but I thought I’d start this book and the author would have me falling head over heels for him in no time. Unfortunately it wasn’t love at first sight for us. Terry isn’t a guy that’s easy to like in the beginning. He’s been dealing with his issues by not really dealing with them and it’s turned him into a bitter asshole. He’s selfish and he needs to grow up (I did warn you I didn’t like him at first). It’s only when Terry realises the mistakes he’s made that he lets the real him out. And that’s when I started to like him. Once he’s dropped his selfish, asshole persona he’s actually quite sweet and easy to like.
Silvie has her own baggage when she arrives on the island. Unfortunately her demons aren’t leaving her alone but she’s determined to finally put down some roots and have a place to call home. The last thing she wants is to have to deal with the guy next door and his all night parties but the more she’s around Terry, she sees another side to him and realises there’s more to him than she first thought.
Both these characters are flawed. They each have their own way of dealing with things but spending time together brings about changes in both of them.
This book has all the feels. I went through every emotion possible. Another great book by this author.
Well, I didn’t think it was possible but Ashleigh G made me feel for that fuxxer Terry.
I swear he actually had me feeling sorry for him the more I read his book. How is that even possible?
Terry has always been a manwhore. Only out for himself and what he can get, not caring who he hurts in the process.
The only person he cared about was his best friend Olly who left the Island.
Now Terry finds himself alone with his own misery for company.
Silvie decided to settle for Island life after years of travelling. She moves to a beach house. All she craves is stability and the call of the sea.
Then she meets her party animal neighbour and realises peaceful Island life isn’t what she’ll be getting.
Terry and Silvie strike up a friendship, both needing a real friend more than they’d care to admit. They recognise a mutual sadness in each other.
I loved the slow burn between Terry and Silvie. They take things slow neither one admitting their feelings. But slowly these two broken souls realise the secret to finding happiness is more than just catching the perfect wave.
Island life is addictive I totally get the allure. I can almost feel like I’m there when I read these books.
I’m already looking forward to more.