The Big Island Sunrise series by Shayla Cherry takes place on the Island of Hawaiʻi and follows multiple women who are each seeking a fresh start, community, and—yes—a little romance. According to order listings, the first four books are:
- Big Island Sunrise (Book 1)
- Big Island Neighbors (Book 2)
- Big Island Horizons (Book 3)
- Big Island Gardens (Book 4)
In this blog-style review I’ll cover each book, highlight strengths and weaknesses, and wrap up with overall thoughts and shareable hashtags.
Book 1 –
Big Island Sunrise
Synopsis & Setting
In the opener of the series, Emma Kealoha, widowed at 36, inherits her husband’s family property on Hawaiʻi Island—which turns out to be in rough shape. Meanwhile Lani King has just escaped an abusive marriage and returns home to Hawaiʻi with her young daughter. The two women team up to restore the farm and help each other heal. Romance, community, and island life weave in.
What works
- The setting is a standout: reviewers say the island setting feels immersive and authentic.
- Themes of found-family, sisterhood, renewal and community shine. For example, one review said: “Lovely… there’s a feeling of community in Hawaiian culture and it’s so evident in this book.”
- Strong emotional stakes: widowhood, escape from abuse, parenting, rebuilding life—all woven in.
What could be improved
- Some readers felt the ending was abrupt and left dangling threads. For instance: “The story just ended a bit abruptly. If you want to know how the story evolves… plan to buy the entire series.”
- With multiple characters (especially in the first book), some readers needed time to keep them straight.
Verdict
A warm, uplifting start to the series. If you like women’s fiction with a dash of sweet romance, set in a tropical locale with strong community vibes, this hits the spot. The setting and emotional journey are compelling. Just be aware: it’s the first book in a saga, so expect further development (and possibly cliff-hangers).
Book 2 –
Big Island Neighbors
Synopsis
The story continues with new and returning characters: Tara’s story is introduced (her husband quits his job and leaves indefinitely, leaving her with three kids and a hobby farm to manage) and the “neighbors” around Emma and Lani come into focus.
What works
- A nice continuation of the island community world: the locale remains a rich backdrop and the “neighbors” element adds interconnectedness.
- Strong increase in reader ratings compared to Book 1 (Goodreads shows higher average).
- The mix of mothering, farm life, and rebuilding again gives realistic texture beyond glam romance.
What could be improved
- Some may feel the pace is gentler—more character-driven than plot-heavy. If you prefer high drama or fast-moving suspense, this might feel slow.
- Because the cast grows, tracking everyone can require more attention.
Verdict
A solid second chapter that deepens the world, introduces fresh struggles and affirms the series’ strengths: community, second chances, island life. If Book 1 hooked you, this will satisfy.
Book 3 –
Big Island Horizons
Synopsis & Highlights
Book 3 moves further into the community saga on the island of Hawaiʻi, continuing to explore women finding new directions (“horizons”) in life.
What works
- Reviews suggest this may be a high point: “Hardships, finding happiness and moving forward… the entire series has been warm and full of aloha, but this volume may be my favorite.”
- Good reader ratings (Book 3 shows 4.54 avg rating on Goodreads).
- The “horizons” metaphor adds breadth—characters not only doing the immediate rebuild but looking ahead, which adds depth.
What could be improved
- As with many series, individual story arcs may rely on familiarity from previous books—if you skip the first two, you might feel less grounded.
- Some may want more closure per book; the focus remains serial.
Verdict
A very good installment—and for many readers a favorite. It shows growth, hope and a bit more expansiveness in terms of character journeys.
Book 4 –
Big Island Gardens
Synopsis & Highlights
The fourth book expands the series’ motif of “home, healing and growth” by incorporating gardens—in the literal sense—and the ongoing community of strong women on the island. According to a five-star review it’s “rich with the true spirit of Hawaiʻi” and fills the heart.
What works
- Highest average rating so far (Goodreads: ~4.60) suggesting readers feel the series is hitting its stride.
- The gardening motif is a nice metaphor for rebuilding lives, nurturing growth, flourishing community.
- The ongoing cast and setting feel more comfortable and richly developed.
What could be improved
- At book four, some readers new to the series might feel a “you should have read the earlier ones” signal.
- If you prefer standalone novels rather than part of a series, you may find the reliance on the broader community cast a bit heavy.
Verdict
For fans of the series, this is a satisfying continuation that deepens the emotional and thematic resonance. It may reward those who have invested in the characters and setting.
Overall Impressions & Who This Series Is For
Strengths:
- A beautifully drawn island setting—lush, vivid, warm, evocative of Hawaiʻi’s culture and community.
- Themes of second chances, found family and women supporting each other resonate deeply.
- Clean, uplifting tone with sweet (rather than steamy) romance, making it accessible for a wide audience.
- Steady improvement book-to-book: reader ratings suggest the series gets stronger by Book 4.
Weaknesses / Things to Consider:
- It is a series. If you expect each book to be entirely self-contained, you may find spill-over threads.
- Pacing is more gentle; the conflict is more internal/relational than high stakes thriller.
- If you need a “big finish” per book, some may feel more like chapters in a larger saga.
Best for you if you like:
- Women’s fiction, contemporary feel, clean romance.
- Stories rooted in place—community, farms, island life.
- Book series you can “settle into” and revisit a recurring cast.
- Uplifting, heart-warming reads rather than gritty or dark.
Less suited for you if you prefer:
- Stand-alone stories with no need to read previous books.
- High-tension thrillers, major suspense or very fast pace.
- Explicit, sexy romance or steamy content (this is more “sweet”).
Final Thoughts
If I were summarizing in one sentence: Big Island Sunrise and its follow-ups deliver an inviting island escape, grounded in community, renewal, and relationships—with each successive book deepening the world and characters.
If I had to pick a “must-read” highlight: start the series with Book 1, but know you’ll get more richness if you commit to at least the first few books. By Book 4 you’re really in the groove of the world and characters.
For my star rating, I’d give the series (so far) 4.5 out of 5 stars.
– Book 1: ~4.0
– Book 2: ~4.3
– Book 3: ~4.5
– Book 4: ~4.6
If you’re looking for your next cozy, uplifting read with a tropical backdrop—this could be it.
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