A Weekend on Allyson Island

A Weekend on Allyson Island by Susannah B. Lewis
12/9/25; 288 pages
Thomas Nelson 

A Weekend on Allyson Island by Susannah B. Lewis is a recommended women's Christian fiction novel set in South Carolina's low country.

After her beloved husband unexpectedly died three years earlier, Moira Allyson is having a 50th birthday celebration. She lives on a beautiful mansion on Savannah's waterfront and is known for her perfect parties. This weekend will be no exception, with catered meals, movie night in the home theater, massages, a cruise on a yacht, and more. She has sent out several invitations but those who accept are:  Gemma, one of Moira’s high school best friends who struggles with her weight; Celia Kate (CK), another high school best friends who is a helicopter parent and anxious, Nell, a friend from church who had a falling-out with Moira over her drinking and is a former alcoholic; and Erin, Moira’s housekeeper who cares for and listens to Moira and struggles financially after divorcing her abusive husband.

The book ends up on a supportive note, being both hopeful and healing while celebrating the power of friendship. All of the problems are tackled Biblically. However, it also throws way-too-many problems at the reader, including death, alcoholism, adultery, fat-shaming, over-protectiveness, anxiety, poverty, domestic abuse, divorce, etc. It makes it difficult to connect with the characters. Perhaps It would be a more powerful book to have one or two characters with issues and tackle helping and supporting them rather than giving everyone major problems. Moira and Erin would have been good choices. 

It is clear right from the start that Moira drinks way to much and is isolating herself while still grieving her husband's death. However, she needs some support in grieving. Three years isn't that long to still be grieving after being married for over twenty-five years. The intervention about her drinking is fine, but she needs support in other ways too. Help her find a support group for grieving spouses, not just alcoholism. Help her slowly clear out some of her husband's things when she is ready. Maybe love her where she is at and truly understand healing from some traumatic life events can be a journey.

Erin and her son needed support living and healing after she divorced her abusive husband. These women, beyond Nell who was supportive of all of them, were all in a place where they could have offered her some help in maybe finding a better job or place to live. Ultimately, she is helped by Moira, who, one would think, could have deduced her needs much earlier if she had been getting the help in grieving she needed.

The novel does end on an upbeat note where all the friendships are strengthened as the women bond and experience spiritual healing. A Weekend on Allyson Island is a good choice for those who enjoy contemporary women's Christian fiction. Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a complimentary advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.