Introduction

"The Island Club is a Carrie Soto is Back meets Big Little Lies delight that will exceed all reader expectations!" ?Lynda Loigman

"A story of the power of friendship, the defiance of societal expectations, and the finding of one's true self." ? Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author

An unputdownable novel of loves lost and found, shocking secrets?and the power of female friendship.

1956: On idyllic Balboa Island, just off the California coast, life seems peaceful and welcoming. But when the lives of three women begin to unravel in shockingly different ways, an unlikely friendship?and the game of tennis?may be the only thing that can save them.

Milly Kinkaid's plan to fix her crumbling marriage seems to be falling apart before it even begins. She believed that moving her young family from Hollywood to Balboa Island might entice her increasingly distant husband to come home earlier after work. Instead, he's barely coming home at all.

Society matriarch Sylvia Johnson and her husband have been pillars of their community for decades, and have just recently begun a new business venture: The Island Club, a place for members to swim, play tennis and dine in style. But when she learns that he has been risking their financial security and putting their family's future in grave danger, she's not only poised to lose the club, but the entire community she holds dear.

Meanwhile, standoffish loner Adele Lambert's entire world is on the brink of being destroyed if the dark secrets of her past and her hidden identity is revealed. Twenty years ago, she ran from a shameful scandal and left behind the only thing she ever loved. Now, terrified that the anonymity she's spent decades guarding will be exposed, but desperate to stay afloat, she risks everything to return to the game that brought her to her knees all those years before.

Set against the sun-drenched beaches of Balboa Island, with its prim and proper 1950s facade, The Island Club is a story of love, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves?and what can be gained when the truth is finally revealed.

"A beautifully written nuanced story that explores the power of female friendship." ?Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author

"The perfect summer read . . . for anyone who loves a smart, juicy escape!" ?Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author

"No beach bag will be complete without this." ?Steven Rowley

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

March 1956
MILLY
At a little past six on a Wednesday evening, after fixing her hair into a smooth S-wave and slipping into her canary-yellow dress with the sweetheart neckline, Milly Kincaid picked up one of her slingback pumps and hurled it down the hallway as hard as she could. Its heel lodged into the wall of her brand-new house on Balboa Island, and it stayed there. She picked up its mate and launched that one too, watching with dissatisfaction as it thumped, sadly, to the floor. She considered grabbing another but stopped and froze, staring at the damage she had caused, and wondered what she’d tell her husband. Only then did she allow herself to acknowledge the feeling that had nagged at her all night as she’d tossed and turned alone in their bed: the feeling that she had made a terrible, terrible mistake. They should never have moved to this godforsaken island. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the publisher:


1. The novel alternates perspectives among characters in each chapter. How did this structure and the author’s writing style shape your reading experience? Did one character’s voice or storyline resonate with you more strongly than the others?

2. Of the three women—Milly, Sylvia, and Adele—who did you identify with most, and why? Were there aspects of their experiences or choices that felt especially familiar or emotionally impactful?

3. Did any character surprise you or evolve in a way that changed your opinion of them? What moments led to that shift?

4. Milly takes up tennis as an adult and discovers not only a new passion, but a new sense of self. Have you ever learned a sport or physical activity later in life? What did the experience teach you—about your body, your mindset, or your ability to grow beyond the roles you’ve long inhabited?

5. Secrets play a pivotal role in the story. Which revelations did you see coming, and which ones caught you off guard? Did this affect how you view the lives of those around you—friends, neighbors, even family?

6. Adele faces intense public judgment and media scrutiny in an era without social media, where newspapers and gossip columns shaped reputations. How does her experience mirror—or differ from—today’s “cancel culture”? What does the novel suggest about how quickly society can rush to judgment, then and now?

7. The story is set on Balboa Island. How did the setting enhance the mood, themes, or characters? Did the island feel like an escape, a cage, or something else entirely? Would you want to visit?

8. Adele’s character was inspired by Suzanne Lenglen, a pioneering French tennis star. Did knowing about this real-life influence change your perception of Adele? Did it add layers to her story or personality?

9. Female friendship is a core theme—three very different women come together and, in many ways, save each other. How did their relationships grow and shift over the course of the novel? What does the story say about the power of connection between women?

10. The novel explores regret and forgiveness. Were you able to forgive the characters for their mistakes? Why or why not? What does the book suggest about the path to healing?

11. Reflecting on the story’s emphasis on women supporting one another . . . How did this portrayal of friendship influence how you view your own relationships? Did it make you appreciate— or reconsider—any bonds in your life?

Weblinks

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