It was no trouble at all to get through this in less than two days on vacation. It was fast-paced, exciting, and thought-provoking. I find many of the Times Bestsellers are fairly safe bets providing it's a topic that might interest you, and really, who wouldn't be interested in wondering how you'd survive on a desert island?! All-in-all, a great little book and definitely worth a read.

What an amazing book. Everything about it was good: the story, the writing, even the cover was very appealing. I literally read this book in 2 days; the fastest I've read a book in years. I just couldn't put it down, not even to sleep! If you want to read a book that will keep you in suspense, make you laugh and cry and excite you all at the same time, do not hesitate to read this.

I loved this book. I tweeted the author as soon as I was done to let her know it was a job well done. It is a light, easy read. With each word I could picture myself there with Anna & TJ. I anxiously await the novella Uncharted that will see us return to Anna & TJ.

I picked up this book because of the reviews I read on it but after reading the synopsis I wasn't convinced and it sat on my shelf for weeks. When I got around to starting it, i was done the same night and was kicking myself for not reading it sooner. The story is so beautiful and non-traditional. It's amazing how the relationship between Anna and TJ evolves and I loved it from beginning to end. Absolutely recommend this read -- you'll be glad you did!

I enjoyed the story this book told. Two people, a young woman and a teenage boy, stranded on an island, learning to survive, relying on each other. I especially liked the character maturization of the young man that was stranded. He definitely started as a boy but soon became a young man beyond his years. The story deals with realistic social issues that the two people deal with upon returning to civilization in a judgmental society that condemns their loving relationship.

This would be a great vacation read. Super quick to get through and enjoyable every step of the way.

Gawd this left me shattered, easily one of the best books I've read this year. It's taken me ages to get a review organized because I just couldn't figure out how to write one that would do this amazing story justice. There were just so many things I loved about this; a survival story, a forbidden romance, a tropical desert isle location, action, suspense, (freakin sharks) uncertainty, heartbreak. On The Island was unputdownable from the very first page, took me on a ride that I didn't want to end and tugged at my heartstrings every step of the way. Anna and T.J's story of survival and ultimately love is fascinating, well written and not one that I'll be able to forget. Thirty year old Anna Emerson has just taken a job tutoring a wealthy family's 16 year old son for the summer. The job takes her to the Maldives, which is perfect because her current relationship is going nowhere and she wants the time away to sort out her feelings. Anna meets up wither student in the airport where they begin the long multi connection journey together. T.J Callahan is old beyond his 16 years, having just stared cancer in the face but spending his summer vacation with his family and a tutor is the last thing he wants to do even if she is kinda hot. On the last leg of their journey the pilot of their single engine plane suffers a heart attack and crash lands somewhere in the Indian Ocean. With Anna unconscious T.J manages to get them ashore and then their journey begins. For 3 1/2 years Anna and T.J struggle for survival on the deserted tropical island (think Tom Hanks in Castaway) armed only with only with items that wash up on the beach, a determination that they will be rescued and each other. Together they face insurmountable odds and with each year that passes their bond and dependence on each other only grows. A lot of other reviewers have mentioned the age factor being an issue but I never had a problem with it. I felt that their relationship took a natural progression due to their circumstances. I mean they relied on each other completely and after a time rescue and the outside world would have seemed a dream. Through uncomplicated writing and an alternating 1st person POV the author really gives us a feel for both characters. This is particularly important in T.J's case because his POV matures from boy to man, assuring the reader that there isn't anything wrong or dirty with the romance aspect. The survival side of their ordeal is also realistically portrayed and this is definitely one of those books that will make you stop and think; what would I have done in their situation? Would I have done anything differently? Would I have survived? Could I have bettered the situation? Throughout I kept having flashes of The The Blue Lagoon(especially during the shark scenes) which was an absolute favourite movie of mine as a teenager (Come on, Christopher Atkins romancing Brooke Shields in a loin cloth) this may have played a part into why I loved this book so much, well that and haven't we all had the marooned on a desert isle with a hot guy fantasy at one time or another? Other influences here were Lost and as I mentioned Cast Away. This is just a beautiful love story that until the very end I was never sure how it was going to play out. *Sigh* the epilogue. I want to thank everyone who recommended it to me and I'll be doing the same Cheers. 312jb5+

Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars Anna, a 30-year-old school teacher, is tired of her stagnating relationship and takes on a summer job tutoring T.J., a teenager whose cancer is in remission. T.J.’s family is already at their summer home and he is to fly in days later with Anna when their plane crashes and they struggle to survive on a deserted island. When signs of rescue are non-existent, Anna and T.J. cope with their new island life, attempting to keep their sanity and stay nourished & hydrated. When the days, weeks and months continue to pass, the pair become less teacher and student, when they start seeing each other in a different light. I absolutely adored this book. Once I finished it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. On the Island has a simple premise but an extremely compelling story. Initially, it was the title and how appropriate it was to my blog name that caught my interest but as soon as I started reading, I was immediately pulled into the narrative. This book could be like what would have happened on Lost if only two of them had survived! Told in alternating point of views, the reader is given both sides of the survival tale as the days go by. My only main issue with T.J.’s POV was his excessive use of her name. I can’t imagine that if they’re the only two people on the island that he would have used her name as frequently as he did during his chapters. Almost every other sentence out of his mouth began or ended with “Anna”. Honestly, if I was stuck on a deserted island with someone who used my name that often, I’d want to change my name! Setting that aside, Garvis-Graves lays out a beautiful tale of survival, companionship and the love that can come out of that. She tackles the subject of an older woman with a younger man with a tasteful finesse, and yet not pretending that the taboo isn’t there either. Throughout the entire book, I kept wondering if/when T.J.’s cancer would come back, what would happen if/when they were rescued and so many other variables that were so well established that either outcome could have happened at any moment. On the Island is a must-read for those who love a book with adventure, romance and the will they/won’t they type of chemistry between the characters! This, and other reviews can be found on my blog JustALilLost.com

It has been a long time since I have found a book that swept me off my feet! On the Island was the just book I needed. It is a good, quick...breath taking read. I honestly read this by the pool in an afternoon. I could not put it down. Brief review - TJ and Anna are headed to the Maldives; where Anna will be tutoring TJ (who is in remission). On the way the plane crashes and TJ and Anna are left stranded. Survival mode kicks in!!! The author did a great job, TJ and Anna's story of survival kept me reading. This is the kind of book that sucks you in; and you mourn the loss when you are done! Enjoy!

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I couldn't stop reading and I ended up finishing the book in one day. It was interesting to have the story told through the view point of both of the two main characters. I usually stay away from romance novels but I'm glad I read this one. Great story!