River of Stars set on an island – Georgina Moore

Submitted: 16th June 2025

River of Stars – Georgina Moore

Walnut Tree Island is home to artists, dreamers, lovers and heartbreakers.

Written by an author who herself, lives on houseboat in the Thames, you know this is going to be atmospheric!

Map of locations in River of Stars

River of Stars set on an island - Georgina Moore

BOARDING PASS INFORMATION

Destination : Eel Pie Island

Author guide: Georgina Moore

Genre: fiction

Food and drink to accompany: eel pie I guess?

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A novel to transport you to Eel Pie Island

Map of locations in River of Stars

Georgina Moore writes great characters ( See The Garnett Girls!) but this second novel really shone for me. It’s got all that I loved about the Garnett Girls but the nature of the location and what it means to those who live there is just something else.

Walnut Tree Island is inspired by Eel Pie Island in the middle of the Thames. Georgina herself lives on a houseboat and all the nuances and experiences of that have been woven delicately into the story. This is something that has always fascinated me about her, so this book was like peeking into her life (in a non stalkery way!!)

Mary Star is the mum/grandmother of the island and a fierce protector of those she loves. Jo Star her grandaughter gives painting lessons. Life here is idyllic and I was packing up my belongings to move there. However… enter Oliver. Now he was a dark horse to get to know. Turns out he has history with the island and he has plans to take it over…

Well I was up in arms at this point, painting banners to go marching with Jo and Mary. The whole sorry story of how Oliver came back to the island, how he knew it before and what his plans are come to the fore.

It’s the pull and allure of this island that interweaves throughout the whole book. It’s a magical thread that you feel tugging as you turn the pages. I read it like a hug but also felt a few palpitations of what was to come. (mainly because of Oliver!)

The island really does play a central role and it was a lovely way to tell a story – with the island almost telling it and then showing you around the various characters. The relationships between the characters is another lovely touch and Mary – please can I come round and have one of your cakes?

Sunshine in a book.