Island in the East: Two great loves. One shattering betrayal. A war that changes everything.: Jenny Ashcroft - Softcover

From the author of Beneath a Burning Sky, the 2017 KINDLE BETSELLER'Beautifully described . . ., A moving love story' Tracy Rees'Exotic and mysterious - I was gripped by this complex tale' Dinah JefferiesVivid, authentic and utterly beautiful, Island in the East is the perfect read for fans of Victoria Hislop, Kate Furnivall and Rachel Rhys. ******Two great loves. One shattering betrayal., A war that changes everything.Singapore, 1897Twenty-year-old identical twins, Harriet and Mae, born from a scandalous affair, have spent their lives slighted by gossips. They've carried each other through the loneliness, believing that together they can survive anything. But then their mysterious benefactor sends them to Singapore to live with his relative, the watchful David Keeley, who will choose one of them to marry., In the tension of David's house, a distance opens up between the twins, but it is only when they meet the handsome Alex Blake that their relationship truly fractures, resulting in a life-shattering betrayal with devastating consequences . . ., 1941Ivy, an intelligence officer with the women's naval service, is posted to wartime Singapore. Carrying her own ghosts from Blitz-torn London, she arrives to the looming threat of a Japanese invasion. Nothing can prepare her for what's waiting on the island - not the unexpected love, nor the strangers from her grandmother, Mae's, past, and the shocking secrets that now echo down through the generations.With a sizzling love affair playing out against sisterly rivalry and epic family drama, Island in the East is evocative, atmospheric and romantic historical fiction at its very best.Further praise for Jenny Ashcroft:'A summer must-read' Red'This story of twists and turns transcends era and genre., Absolutely brilliant' Kerry Fisher'First-class writing, brilliant characters, fascinating locations and gripping plots' Tracy Buchanan'Exquisitely written . . ., unputdownable and unforgettable' Iona Grey'Island in the East is tha

A disturbing and utterly fascinating tale in the vivid setting of Singapore, where emotions are raw and characters are pushed to the edge. I was swept away by the deeply moving love story and by the dark twisting shivering secrets behind it. The stifling sense of threat and heat gripped me and didn't let go. Beautifully written and impressively researched, Island in the East is a stunner. Emotional, evocative and enthralling. (Kate Furnivall)

An evocative, absorbing story about a fascinating period of history. The dual narrative is perfectly balanced, making it a rich and satisfying read. (Gill Paul bestselling author of The Secret Wife)

A moving, stirring love story, and so richly atmospheric. I could practically feel the sweat prickling on my skin (Tammy Cohen writing as Rachel Rhys)

Historical fiction at its atmospheric best (Sarra Manning Red Magazine)

Jenny Ashcroft's Island in the East is that rare thing: a dual narrative novel in which both strands of the story are as engaging and compelling as each other. The Singapore of the two different eras is a character in itself, and so deftly drawn that the heat and humidity seem to rise from every page. As the twin threats of invasion and social exclusion close in on Harriet, Mae and Ivy, it becomes impossible to put this book down. (Kate Riordan)

Brilliant; everything romantic historical fiction should be, heartfelt and heart-breaking, utterly compulsive and completely immersive . . . will stay with readers for a very long time and deservedly so. I haven't read a historical novel this good in a long time. (Nicola Cornick bestselling author of House of Shadows)

A great read, with a complex and involving plot, appealing characters and two touching love stories. Ashcroft's portrait of wartime Singapore is evocative, and the island's fall in 1942 is powerfully conveyed. (Judith Lennox on Island in the East)

Evocative, lush and beautifully written, Island in the East is a gripping read. Romance, mysterious secrets surfacing from the past and strong women that will have you rooting for them until the last page is turned - I couldn't put it down. (Nikola Scott author of My Mother's Shadow)

Completely entrancing - the humidity and social tensions of a bygone Singapore rise from every page. Perfect escapism, beautifully written (Emma Rous)

An incredibly special, unforgettable book. It's magnificent. (Iona Grey)