Welcome to glorious Tuga – the world’s most remote island and Charlotte Walker’s new home.
Charlotte has swapped her grey life in London for a year in this tropical paradise. Officially, she’s there for conservation but the reality is far more complicated.
For somewhere on Tuga lies the answer to a truth she’s waited her whole life to learn. If she finds it, then perhaps she might finally find herself too.
What did I think?
I was drawn to Welcome to Glorious Tuga by its stunning cover that just drew me in and begged me to pack my virtual suitcase so I could visit Tuga for a five day readalong.
There's a map and a dramatis personae in the start of the book although Francesca Segal's beautiful words painted the island and the characters in dazzling colours for me as I progressed through the book. I do love a map and a list of characters though!
Charlotte Walker is sailing to Tuga from London to study tortoises for a year but she has an ulterior motive too and she is looking for something else on the island. Charlotte meets Dan Zekri on the voyage who is returning home to Tuga to take up a position as the island doctor when his uncle retires. There is clearly chemistry between Charlotte and Dan but Dan has not been entirely truthful with Charlotte, which made me see him in such a bad light that I am unsure whether he can ever redeem himself.
The island is like one big family with everyone knowing everyone's business. Eeeek! It has a great sense of community but the island gossip would test my patience. I really felt as if I was there and I love being transported to sunny climes in books but without suffering the inevitable sunburn and dehydration.
Whilst the pacing is gentle and there are a lot of characters to get to know, it's a book that captures your attention and refuses to let go. Much like life itself, there are a lot of ups and downs but plenty of laughs and one or two surprises along the way.
Immersive, compelling and beautifully written, Welcome to Glorious Tuga is pure escapism that transports the reader to the fabulous isolated island of Tuga de Oro.
I received a gifted paperback to take part in the Insta Book Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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