Milly and Lloyd Kincaid, along with their two young children, moved from Los Angeles to Balboa Island just off California for the beauty and serenity of the coastal life. Lloyd, a television executive in Hollywood, works long hours. But Milly hopes that the lure of coming home to such a lovely area will encourage him to cut back. Instead, Lloyd increases his workload and begins staying in Los Angeles during the week. In the close knit community, Milly is embarrassed having to explain Lloyd’s frequent absences to her new neighbors.
A year ago, Sylvia and Walter Johnson, longtime Balboa residents, opened The Island Club, where locals can enjoy tennis and swimming. They live in one of the largest homes and frequently entertain. When Milly and Lloyd are invited to dinner, Sylvia encourages them to join the club.
Milly, annoyed at Lloyd for leaving her and the children alone for long stretches of time, makes the bold step to join the club without first consulting with her husband. The children enjoy the pool, but it’s Milly who truly begins to appreciate the tennis lessons offered by the club. Robbie, the male pro, flirts with Milly, but is dismissive of her abilities.
Milly soon finds a substitute. Adele, an older, reclusive woman who recently lost her job at a nearby amusement park, occupies her time hitting a tennis ball against a wall. Milly is impressed by Adele’s focus and strength. Adele needs the money; Milly needs something to occupy her time and, perhaps, give her husband a reason to spend more time at the club. Adele agrees to give Milly lessons.
Other women, watching Adele and Milly on the court, soon are signing up for lessons with the female instructor. While Sylvia is pleased by this development, she knows that the club’s days are numbered. Walter, a gambling addict, has borrowed money from the wrong people. Not only will the Johnsons lose their home, they are in danger of losing the club, too. On two occasions, Walter comes home bloody, having been assaulted by the loan sharks.
Milly decides to rent out the small guest cottage behind their home for Bal Week when college students descend upon the island for spring vacation. Although she thinks she’s renting to a group of young women, seven young men show up instead. She’s tempted to call off the deal, but the men, particularly one of the oldest, Wes, seem polite and responsible. And she needs the money to pay for her tennis lessons.
Adele Lambert is a great instructor because 20 years ago as Adeline Léglise she dominated women’s tennis, winning Wimbledon numerous times until something she did ruined her reputation and caused her exit from professional sports. She moved to Balboa Island, changed her name, and buried her past. But when she’s recognized, she risks being ostracized once again. She’s underestimated her new friends, Sylvia and Milly. They won’t let Adele be harmed and, in coming to her rescue, she may very well save them and the club.
Nicola Harrison has crafted an absorbing novel about women’s friendships and how trust is essential for those relationships to grow. It’s only when the three women open up, stop hiding their secrets, and reach out for support, that true friendships take root. While women in the 1950s had different challenges and goals, the importance of those female bonds has never changed.
The Island Club
Nicola Harrison
Top Bigstock photo by mikeledray
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