Book Review & Giveaway: The Croatian Island Library By Eva Glyn

Please join me in welcoming Eva Glyn to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Croatian Island Library.

Where books are borrowed, and friendships are forged…

When her beloved grandfather dies, Ana Meštrović buys a catamaran in his memory, which she names Dida Krila – Grandad’s Wings.

For the summer months, it will be transformed into a travelling library, delivering books to children living across the Croatian islands.

Joined by crew members Natali, a young mechanic afraid of her own shadow, and Lloyd, an older widower who needs a fresh start, the newly-formed trio all have their own reasons for needing the floating library to be a success.

Embarking on an adventure that will change them for good, they each discover that a new chapter is only a boat ride away…

*****

Ana is a woman who is living with guilt when it comes to family expectations. Lloyd is trying to run from grief after the loss of his wife. Natali is a young woman who is fearful of many things and hides from the world. 

These three different people are due to come together for one summer. Can they help each other find what they’re missing, are looking for and have lost? Can the power of books bring them together? 

I am pleased to be welcoming Eva Glyn back to Novel Kicks. Despite featuring this author previously, The Croatian Island Library is the first of her books I’ve read. 

The setting and style of writing in this novel immediately made me feel like I was on holiday. It gave me an experience of being in the sunshine where I believe anything is possible. Does that make sense? This novel does feel like an escape. The idea of going around a beautiful country with a travelling library sounds like paradise. 

The plot unfolds well and is a lesson on how one event or choice can affect the course of your life. It’s a story driven by the people within and I loved it. The themes explored includes loss, self discovery, belief and forgiveness, not only of others but of yourself. It also touches on love and goes into the importance of loving and accepting who you are.

The characters were people I wanted to hug and reassure. When they first come together, they all seem so separate, lost and sad. 

Ana loves the feeling she gets when sailing on her catamaran. With living near the water, I can relate to this. She puts so much pressure on herself and her journey through the book is one a lot of people can empathise with. The same can be said with Lloyd. There is a mystery with him and I was intrigued to find out what had happened to him as a younger man. 

I saw a lot of myself in Natali and her development through the book was my favourite. Plus, I want to adopt Obi. 

All the characters had good points, flaws and they all made me a little emotional. 

The Croatian Island Library is a beautifully written tale of first and second chances. It reminds us that you can heel from past traumas and find what you need and want in life. You may also discover loyal and supportive people along the way who become like family. All you have to do is find the courage to reach out and take it. 

About Eva Glyn –

Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.

Set mainly in Croatia, her contemporary stories are more about friendship than romance, the coming together of people through shared interests, and the opportunity to make fresh starts in their lives. A love of books is a common theme too, so her publisher, One More Chapter, has christened them the Bookish Escapes collection which currently includes The Dubrovnik Book Club, and The Santorini Writing Retreat, with The Croatian Island Library to be published in January 2026.

In addition Eva has written two Second World War dual timeline romances, An Island of Secrets and The Collaborator’s Daughter, and a new beginnings novel entitled The Olive Grove. All are set in Croatian, a country she loves.

Although she considers herself Welsh, Eva lives in Cornwall with the man she met and fell in love with more than thirty years ago. She also writes as Jane Cable.

Say hello to Eva on Facebook, X, Instagram and Bookbub.

The Croatian Island Library was released by One More Chapter in January 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. 

 *****

Win a paperback copy of The Croatian Island Library – 

Do you live in the UK or Ireland? 

Would you like to win a paperback copy of The Croatian Island Library? Then you’re in the right place. 

For details on how to enter through Gleam, click on this link. 

Open to UK & Ireland Only. 

*Terms and Conditions –

UK & Ireland entries welcome. 

Please enter using the Gleam link above. 

The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. 

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  

I (Novel Kicks) am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.