Mélanie
⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 2.5/5
Wow. Just… wow. The Island by Briar Prescott completely blew me away and turned out to be an unforgettable introduction to her writing.
I’m always a sucker for stories that take us back to the characters’ childhoods—especially when they blend best friends to lovers with a true slow burn. That narrative choice allowed for a deep dive into who Dylan and Adrian are at their core, while also laying such a strong emotional foundation for their bond. Their friendship felt lived-in, organic, and impossible not to believe in.
The pining and yearning on Dylan’s side were almost painful to experience at times, in the best possible way. The entire island portion had me utterly hooked. I’ve always been fascinated by survival stories—being stranded, learning how to endure, adapting day after day—and watching Dylan and Adrian face relentless challenges over such a long stretch was gripping. When intimacy finally entered their dynamic, the payoff was extraordinary. The buildup elevated every single intimate moment, infusing those scenes with intensity and raw emotion. This isn’t a high-spice book, yet every encounter felt powerful, meaningful, and deeply felt.
I dreaded the moment they would leave the island—and that fear was completely justified. The anxiety this book stirred in me was unreal. I was genuinely on edge, nails nearly bitten off, terrified for characters I had grown profoundly attached to. Few things are more nerve-wracking than fearing for the lives of people who feel that real.
The final stretch leaned heavily into push and pull, and while it felt a bit drawn out and repetitive for my personal taste, nothing could stop me from giving this a full five stars. It had been a long time since I’d read a book that was so hard to put down.
Dylan and Adrian will stay with me for a long while, and I already know this won’t be my last Briar Prescott novel. I’m genuinely impressed by the depth, control, and emotional resonance of her writing.
⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 2.5/5
Wow. Just… wow. The Island by Briar Prescott completely blew me away and turned out to be an unforgettable introduction to her writing.
I’m always a sucker for stories that take us back to the characters’ childhoods—especially when they blend best friends to lovers with a true slow burn. That narrative choice allowed for a deep dive into who Dylan and Adrian are at their core, while also laying such a strong emotional foundation for their bond. Their friendship felt lived-in, organic, and impossible not to believe in.
The pining and yearning on Dylan’s side were almost painful to experience at times, in the best possible way. The entire island portion had me utterly hooked. I’ve always been fascinated by survival stories—being stranded, learning how to endure, adapting day after day—and watching Dylan and Adrian face relentless challenges over such a long stretch was gripping. When intimacy finally entered their dynamic, the payoff was extraordinary. The buildup elevated every single intimate moment, infusing those scenes with intensity and raw emotion. This isn’t a high-spice book, yet every encounter felt powerful, meaningful, and deeply felt.
I dreaded the moment they would leave the island—and that fear was completely justified. The anxiety this book stirred in me was unreal. I was genuinely on edge, nails nearly bitten off, terrified for characters I had grown profoundly attached to. Few things are more nerve-wracking than fearing for the lives of people who feel that real.
The final stretch leaned heavily into push and pull, and while it felt a bit drawn out and repetitive for my personal taste, nothing could stop me from giving this a full five stars. It had been a long time since I’d read a book that was so hard to put down.
Dylan and Adrian will stay with me for a long while, and I already know this won’t be my last Briar Prescott novel. I’m genuinely impressed by the depth, control, and emotional resonance of her writing.