Fiction Review

Dessert Island
by M. Margaret Neil
ISBN-10: 0595346790
Review by Heather Froeschl

It is the popular fantasy among many, to be stranded on a deserted island with a movie star. My personal favorite would be Harrison Ford, but it is likely to never happen. "Dessert Island" addresses this fantasy in a unique and humorous way. If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want to be there with, and wouldn't you dream of desserts too? What would happen if you got sick? If it was that time of the month? If there was no water? Neil addresses all of these points and more.

Kee is the assistant to a film star, aboard a yacht where a wrap party is taking place. Her boss, also her lifetime friend, has the hots for her co-star Jack Conway. He's there on the yacht too, but is trying to ignore her come-ons. Kee flinches with embarrassment for Darcy and tries to stay in the shadows, avoiding the limelight. She would have been fine if the wind hadn't blown her dress up to a torch and caught it on fire. She would have been okay if anyone had noticed her before she decided jumping into the ocean was the only way to put out the flames. Someone did notice her jumping overboard and he jumped in after her. They would have been fine if only he'd notified someone about what was happening. No one noticed, and the yacht sailed on without them.

Making it to the tiny island was no easy task, and calling it an island is a stretch. Basically, the two landed on a rock in the ocean. How will they survive? When will they be rescued? And what exactly does one do to pass the time with a hunky movie star? When you are quite tall, slightly overweight and have low self-esteem, it isn't all flirting and flaunting. Through self-preservation, eating raw fish, a lack of cigarettes and bouts with fever, Jack and Kee come to know each other for so much more than their surface image. What will happen to them? Will they ever use the two condoms they have among their meager possessions?

Not all romance and fantasy, "Dessert Island" has its share of action and suspense. While it may appeal more to women at first glance, men will also enjoy this book. Dessert Island is a wild and fun read. The characters are deep enough to be real and real enough to come to life in your mind's eye. The predicaments they get into are not exactly what one fantasizes about in this situation but make for an entertaining story. "Dessert Island" would make an excellent movie and certainly is a great beach book. You'll laugh your way through to the end and find yourself turning pages faster and faster to find out what happens next. M. Margaret Neil has produced a satisfying tale that is full of real life issues and fantasy fun.