In this runaway New York Times bestseller, a harrowing near-death experience brings together an English teacher and her student as they struggle to survive on a desert island.Sixteen-year-old T.J. Callahan has no desire to go anywhere. With his cancer in remission, all he wants is to get back to his normal life. But his parents insist that he spend the summer catching up on the school he missed … on the school he missed while he was sick.
Anna Emerson is a thirty-year-old English teacher who has been worn down by the cold Chicago winters and a relationship that’s going nowhere. To break up the monotony of everyday life, she jumps at the chance to spend the summer on a tropical island tutoring T.J.
Anna and T.J. board a private plane headed to the Callahans’ summer home, but as they fly over the Maldives’ twelve hundred islands, the unthinkable happens: their plane crashes in shark-infested waters. They make it to shore, but soon discover they’re stranded on an uninhabited island.
At first, their only thought is survival. But as the days turn to weeks, and then months, and as birthdays pass, the castaways must brave violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the worst threat of all—the possibility that T.J.’s cancer could return. With only each other for love and support, these two lost souls must come to terms with their situation and find compaionship in one another in the moments they need it most.
more
I read this book while I was vacationing in Mexico, and OMG, this is a good one. After reading the synopsis I thought I would have a problem with the main character’s Anna who is thirty years old and T.J. who is almost seventeen. BUT don’t let the age difference put you off about the relationship between Anna and T.J. Their story of survival and …
It has been more than 8 years ago that I read On the Island for the first time. I haven’t reread this book because I was afraid I wouldn’t love it as much as I did the first time I read it. However, when I couldn’t find anything to read on New Year’s Eve, I decided to reread one of my all time favorites anyway. This book is fast-paced, very …
This book. I’ve never read anything like it. The story is very original. The writing is simple, not overly descriptive, and it works perfectly with the story. Essentially this is a story not only of survival, but also of relationships. Does age matter? Can an age gap be bridged if the bond is strong enough? My heart was so full for TJ and Anna …
I loved this ending! So perfect and happy! This story was a quick read and my first by her. Anna and TJ are on a plane when it crashes on a deserted island in paradise. The story follows them as they learn to survive and inevitably fall in love. 4.5 stars.
I love great books with an island. I love to read anything to do with the sea, ocean a beach. Great beach read.
When I first picked this book and read the summary, I thought – ehhh – am I going to like this?? Honestly – I loved this story! I laughed, I cried but most of all I found myself rooting for Anna & TJ.
I started this book and within just a few hours I was finished because I could not put it down. Take a little time and read this – it’s good!
The plot is different and there is a unexpected twist.
I picked up On The Island after reading and loving The Girl He Used To Know. TGG officially has herself a new super-fan. I read this book in 24 hours. Everything was put aside, including me finally typing THE END on my own novel. I didn’t do anything but feed hungry little kiddo’s and read. I ached for the position the main characters found …
Nice take on a “blue lagoon” type plot. Emotions are realistic and trials on the island were well told. Good read. Above average for sure
I’d heard wonderful things about this book and it really lived up to expectations! Fraught with peril and romance, it is one that I will remember for a long time. In fact – I just downloaded its follow-up novella!
What a journey! A definite must read. Go in with an open mind and prepare for a ride that will make you feel everything, despair, friendship, love and sacrifice.
What was originally shocking became a beautiful love story.
This book was so realistic I had to check to see if it was actually true. I was glad it ended the way it did. As we are on our way to the Maldives, it made the book more timely for me.
I loved this book. One of the best books I have read.
On The Island isn’t your usual romance. But it’s deep, it feels real and it’s everything you could want in an emotional read. You’ll be swept along in the currents of the ocean as well as the currents in the story. It’s action packed and by the time you hit that first moment, you’ll be more than ready. Graves has woven an amazing story here!
–
I loved this story. The plot was unique and beautifully written. I love a may/december romance and I am the biggest fan for age gaps but this is so much more then the casual trope. I am kicking myself because it took me so many years to finally pick it up from my extensive tbr …
Well written & I couldn’t put it down
Great for a book club! Had lots of opinions about this book and the relationship between main characters!
Once I started this book I could barely stop reading. From start to finish it characters Anna, T.J. make you feel your there, with them during the whole story. It is so many things, every page is so believable that you feel your right there experiencing what they are. Tracey Garvis Graves is an excellent writer, story teller, I can’t wait to …
Nice fun read. Good character development and cleaver plot that keeps you guessing to the end. I liked the ending.