cnsnape's review against another edition
5.0
Another delightful novel from Mandy Baggot and another set on the sunny, picturesque island of Corfu, a clear favourite of Ms Baggot.
Becky works at her sister’s sandwich shop, although there are tensions between them both and her sister doesn’t know that Becky has been secretly creating off-menu recipes to keep the business going and doesn’t seem to value Becky’s contribution to the business as she sees it. Becky decides she’s had enough and books herself leave without her sister’s permission and sets off for a housesitting job in Corfu.
On route, she meets Elias, a divorce lawyer haunted by his own divorce after his wife left him for another woman. He is returning to Corfu to assess a property for his latest client and also visit his parents, something he has avoided since his divorce. Neither Becky nor Elias are completely honest with the other, yet they are drawn to each other.
Rounding out the group in this delightful story is free-spirit Petra who despite her wild child and carefree outer persona, she is also hiding a tragic secret in her past.
Add in Elias’ parents and the rest of the Greek locals, you have a fun-packed story with all of the characters having a breakthrough and working through their demons and creating a delightful tale complete with beautifully described scenery and vivid details making you feel you were baking in the heat right along with Becky, Elias and Petra.
I am looking forward to reading more from Mandy Baggot in the future and working on her back catalogue also.
Becky works at her sister’s sandwich shop, although there are tensions between them both and her sister doesn’t know that Becky has been secretly creating off-menu recipes to keep the business going and doesn’t seem to value Becky’s contribution to the business as she sees it. Becky decides she’s had enough and books herself leave without her sister’s permission and sets off for a housesitting job in Corfu.
On route, she meets Elias, a divorce lawyer haunted by his own divorce after his wife left him for another woman. He is returning to Corfu to assess a property for his latest client and also visit his parents, something he has avoided since his divorce. Neither Becky nor Elias are completely honest with the other, yet they are drawn to each other.
Rounding out the group in this delightful story is free-spirit Petra who despite her wild child and carefree outer persona, she is also hiding a tragic secret in her past.
Add in Elias’ parents and the rest of the Greek locals, you have a fun-packed story with all of the characters having a breakthrough and working through their demons and creating a delightful tale complete with beautifully described scenery and vivid details making you feel you were baking in the heat right along with Becky, Elias and Petra.
I am looking forward to reading more from Mandy Baggot in the future and working on her back catalogue also.
totallytales's review
5.0
Perfect escapism - I absolutely loved this novel, the scenery is idyllic and the food sounds scrumptious!
The storytelling is beautiful, I was completely absorbed in the lives of Becky, Petra, and Elias. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments and a few more poignant ones too, you'll soon be hooked, torn between reading it as fast a possible so can see how it all turns out and not wanting it to end.
This perfect rich, warm and sunny read a fabulous story to lose yourself in, especially in these crazy times.
Thanks to Aria Fiction & Netgalley for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The storytelling is beautiful, I was completely absorbed in the lives of Becky, Petra, and Elias. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments and a few more poignant ones too, you'll soon be hooked, torn between reading it as fast a possible so can see how it all turns out and not wanting it to end.
This perfect rich, warm and sunny read a fabulous story to lose yourself in, especially in these crazy times.
Thanks to Aria Fiction & Netgalley for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
lornaamy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Holiday read, not groundbreaking. Light entertainment at its best!
charlottep0402's review
4.0
A lovely summer read! Classic rose tinted glasses style romance but I still enjoyed it.
fionaaaaaa's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
A way to go your summer holidays without leaving the house. Sunshine in Greece, a little romance, new friends and a bit of fun. A great escapism, makes me want to go to Greece.
burrowsi1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
unapologetic_romantic's review against another edition
1.0
A summer adventure, in sunny Greece. A change meeting, or three. Romance. It sounds like a great mix for an light afternoon read. Unfortunate I didn’t find it so.
I really wanted to like this book, but sadly I didn’t feel any spark. I felt like i was experience this book from behind a window, could see all that was going on but wasn’t really there. I just don’t think this book was for me. And the only bad thing I can say is that this books needs contractions, badly. The conversation were stiff and formal for the lack of them and it made reading a bit stilted.
For anyone who likes chance encounters, summers in Greece and a sweet building romance this book would be perfect for you.
I really wanted to like this book, but sadly I didn’t feel any spark. I felt like i was experience this book from behind a window, could see all that was going on but wasn’t really there. I just don’t think this book was for me. And the only bad thing I can say is that this books needs contractions, badly. The conversation were stiff and formal for the lack of them and it made reading a bit stilted.
For anyone who likes chance encounters, summers in Greece and a sweet building romance this book would be perfect for you.
unapologetic_romantic's review
2.0
A summer adventure, in sunny Greece. A change meeting, or three. Romance. It sounds like a great mix for an light afternoon read. Unfortunate I didn’t find it so.
I really wanted to like this book, but sadly I didn’t feel any spark. I felt like i was experience this book from behind a window, could see all that was going on but wasn’t really there. I just don’t think this book was for me. And the only bad thing I can say is that this books needs contractions, badly. The conversation were stiff and formal for the lack of them and it made reading a bit stilted.
For anyone who likes chance encounters, summers in Greece and a sweet building romance this book would be perfect for you.
I really wanted to like this book, but sadly I didn’t feel any spark. I felt like i was experience this book from behind a window, could see all that was going on but wasn’t really there. I just don’t think this book was for me. And the only bad thing I can say is that this books needs contractions, badly. The conversation were stiff and formal for the lack of them and it made reading a bit stilted.
For anyone who likes chance encounters, summers in Greece and a sweet building romance this book would be perfect for you.
meg728's review against another edition
4.0
In the summer I always love a good chick lit book and place them in Greece or Italy and I will read them. Greece has been on my bucket list for a long time and experiencing Greece through this book was just delightful.
The story line was fabulous and the humor was placed perfectly! I have read a few of Mandy Baggot books and I will definitely read more as they are an enjoyable read that takes you on a wonderful vacation in your mind with her details and descriptions of the country all wrapped around a fabulous romantic tale.
The story line was fabulous and the humor was placed perfectly! I have read a few of Mandy Baggot books and I will definitely read more as they are an enjoyable read that takes you on a wonderful vacation in your mind with her details and descriptions of the country all wrapped around a fabulous romantic tale.
annikahelena's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25