I mean, really, who doesn’t dream about skirting away for a couple of weeks to the warm sun and beauty of the Greek countryside? I was lucky enough to live on the island of Crete when I was a child, so I know first-hand how amazing it is there. This book took me back to my childhood with the wonderful food, the warmth of the people, and the scenery.
Samantha, the main character, is a successful TV presenter in Britain, but after going home with the wrong guy one night after a few drinks, she suddenly finds herself in the middle of a publicity scandal. Needing to lay low for a bit, she heads off to visit her sister and take a short holiday in Greece. And what would a holiday under the warm Mediterranean sun be without the possibility of love?
What I liked:
The description of the people and setting in this book were spot on. I love how the author creates a sense of “small town” warmth in just a few short pages. I love the themes of family and self-forgiveness. This is a great, not-to-serious, rom-com perfect for a little beach reading.
Do you remember the movie Notting Hill with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant? If you loved that movie, you’ll love this book!
What I Wish Was Different:
I had a hard time connecting with Samantha at first. Initially, she comes off as a bit self-absorbed. Her character does grow, but it took a little while to really root for her.
Additionally, there were some really heartfelt sub-plots in this book, but for me, they fell a little flat. I would have liked just a bit more build up and conflict/drama in those relationships.
For it’s wonderful take-me-back style and a for the happy ending we all deserve, this book earns a solid 4 stars.
Book Details
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: 28 May 2021
Book Blurb:
Sun, sea and a sizzling romance… the perfect holiday, right? Wrong.
After a work party gone disastrously wrong, Samantha suddenly finds herself jobless and jilted. So when her sister invites Sam to stay at her little whitewashed farmhouse on a Greek island, Sam leaps at the chance to escape. Before long, she’s trundling up the cobbled driveway, almost colliding with sexy neighbour Spyros.
It isn’t all sunshine and smiles though. For every afternoon spent lounging by the pool, cocktail in hand, there is a morning spent adjusting to life with boisterous six-year-old nieces. When Spyros invites Sam to explore the island with him she’s tempted, but with his carefree, live-for-the-moment attitude, he couldn’t be more different to Sam with her five-year plans and high-maintenance hair. One drink, as friends, couldn’t hurt though? Over glasses of fruity Greek wine and honey-sweet baklava, can he – and the other charming locals – help city girl Sam to appreciate the simple pleasures the Greek life has to offer?
Just as Sam is considering ditching her designer gear for good though, she runs in to an old flame from home, and suddenly her London life comes hurtling back. Can her smooth-talking ex convince Sam to return to the concrete jungle, or will the lessons she’s learned from her Greek escape persuade her to stay?
A fun, fabulous and completely laugh-out-loud summer read perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella.