My The Island Romance Boxed Set Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
The Island Romance Boxed Set by Elana Johnson collects four sweet, full-length romance novels—the Island House, The Island Scandal, The Island Hideaway, and The Island Retreat—set in dreamy Getaway Bay, Hawaii. Each book tells a standalone love story with characters who cross paths and become friends across the series. You’ll get Charlotte and Dawson (a recently divorced renovator and a helicopter pilot squatting in her house), Ashley and Burke (best friends who fake an engagement, only for real feelings to get tangled up), Zara and Noah (a housesitting synchronized swimmer meeting a hidden prince), and Shannon and Jeremiah (a practical wedding planner and a charming doctor who keep running into each other). Every couple faces obstacles, from breakups and secrets to commitments and new beginnings, all against a backdrop of sandy beaches, sunsets, local feasts, and second chances. There’s a strong theme of found family and friendship as the characters build new lives and relationships in their chosen home.
Why I Love This Book
I love how each story feels like a fresh start. The mix of characters—divorcees, best friends, secret princes—keeps every book interesting, and I never got bored moving from one love story to the next. The setting feels like a mini-vacation: you can almost hear the waves, smell the flowers, and taste the pineapple on every page. I appreciate the way each character gets time to work through real issues before finding love, and the friendships across the books make the series feel cozy and connected. The banter is fun, especially in the fake engagement and meet-cute scenes, and the author does a great job balancing lighthearted moments with honest emotions. These books are perfect when I want something gentle, hopeful, and full of genuine warmth. They left me smiling—a little sun-kissed, a lot lighter, and convinced there’s no such thing as too much found-family in romance.
Who Will Like This Book
If you want clean, sweet romance in a sunny beach setting, with no explicit content and lots of heart, you’ll enjoy this boxed set. The stories are great for fans of Hallmark movies, small town romance, and slow-burn love where friendship is as important as kissing. If you want a little bit of humor, plenty of “almost” moments, and series that can be read out of order, this is a safe choice. The tone is always comforting and the stakes are just right—not too angsty, not too saccharine.
⚠️ Trigger warning: There’s nothing explicit and no heavy subject matter; just the typical heartbreak and hope of romance novels.
Tagged As
sweet romance, small town, beach romance, Hawaii, closed-door romance, slow burn, found family, fake engagement, friends to lovers, second chances, prince in hiding, helicopter pilot, wedding planner, doctor hero, series, no mature content, group of friends, dual pov, heartwarming, feel-good, vacation romance, standalone, HEA, boxed set, clean romance
Steam Level
All the romance happens behind closed doors—expect sweet banter, hugs, and kisses, but nothing steamy or explicit. These are wholesome, heart-first stories that put emotion and connection above spice.
This novel is #4 on our list of Top 10 Clean Romance Novels. View the full list.
