Three friends escape their grey British lives by going on a weekend trip to a remote Greek island. Several G&Ts later they have bought the small B&B they stayed at and move to Greece for good.
Friendship, island gin, sunshine, sexy men, beach yoga, an ex-husband, a rock band, a Hero, and a donkey named "The Fonz" make this the perfect beach read.

I love this kind of book as it is such a nice easy read set somewhere I can almost see in my mind as the author describes it. It has me yearning for my summer holiday, and time to get away from the day to day life I lead. However, this story has a bit of a bite too.

The premise is that three women escape to an island for a holiday and end up buying the local bed and breakfast. It should be easy enough to renovate and run such a quaint place in a slightly off the beaten track island, shouldn't it? Unfortunately things don't go quite so smoothly as the ladies expect. There are certain traditions which must be followed to ensure the smooth running of the establishment, some more strange than others.

This book has it all - humour, romance, friendship and so much more as well. If you are looking for a great summer read, this is it.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.

I have to say that one of my favourite things about this book was the friendship that is portrayed and I couldn't help but want to be a part of their group. It was such a great idea that at a time when all three women are at a crossroads in their lives that Villa Valentina became their ideal new beginning. They are all hurting in some way or another but will everything turn out ok in the end. The three friends all have different personalities but this just makes their friendship seem so realistic.

Skelidos just sounded perfect and I could totally understand why this trio fell under it's spell. The ideal summer read, I can't recommend it enough even though I wasn't relaxing on a beach Kat French did a fantastic job of whisking me away with her gorgeous descriptions. It was so easy imagining the beautiful although fictional island of Skelidos. There is chemistry galore running through this book with various relationships forming but will this group of friends find love?

It really is a brilliant adventure and I loved that Winnie, Frankie and Stella took the leap and dove right in. With a bit of craziness and mishaps galore but with a beautiful charm and lots of fun. There were funny moments and some emotional moments too (I may have had a few tears in my eyes) although I can be pretty emotional, well that's my excuse anyway! It was so easy to become engrossed in The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach meaning I pretty much raced through it over two evenings.

Such a feel good story that is guaranteed to brighten your day!

With thanks to Avon & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Winnie, Stella and Frankie book a trip to a lovely Greek Island and find themselves buying a pink bed and breakfast on the beach. Villa Valentina holds secrets and the girls find themselves in the midst of the whirl of a bed and breakfast and utilising their skills to make it a success. The bedrooms sound wonderful and the lifestyle along with plenty of gin and tonics make you feel that you have booked in for a wonderful holiday.

There is romance, wonderful village characters, gorgeous settings and a relaxing feel surround this book. There are village superstitions and some interesting guests arriving at the bed and breakfast that cause the girls untold trouble. It's like your own little package tour in a book.

I love Kat French's books and look forward to reading her next book.

The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach centres on three 30 something friends who find themselves embarking on a new adventure after their lives had all been dramatically changed for different reasons.

This was a lovely feel good summer read and I really enjoyed it. It was a nice gentle book that was utterly charming and provides us with three different and interesting romances. The relationship between the three friends is a real high point and I loved reading about their dynamic and strong friendship.

This was the perfect pool side read!

I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley; there was no inducement or obligation.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This is a magical book and you will sit down and enjoy it in one sitting and fall in love with the little island of Skelidos.

I am slowly becoming a huge fan of Kat French! I discovered her books through the FBBF signings and have read a few of them since and none have disappointed me!

The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach, is a story of three, thirty-something women who all have their reasons for needing to get away from England for a short break. Frankie, Winnie, and Stella are lifelong friends who escape to the Island of Skelidos but end up buying the villa they are staying at!

This is such a fantastic light summer read!Perfect for reading on holiday, or sunbathing in your garden! It's full of laugh out loud moments and some emotional ones too! These three girls are so fab and you can really relate to them.

I definately recommend this book to anyone who enjoys easy going, summer reads with great characters and hot men!

A lovely summery read all about friendships and adventure. When Winnie, Stella and Frankie move over to a small Greek island, they thought all their dreams had come true what with the golden sand and poolside bars. After a little shaky start in their new home, with things not quite going the way in which they planned, they start getting along better with the community of Skelidos.

I would say that this is a great summer read which is full of humour, drama and relationship fun. This is definitely a book that you struggle to put down! There's a good-looking neighbour Jesse that gets swooned over. One thing I did really enjoy about this book was the main characters friendship. I found it really heartwarming how well they all got on together and support one anothers decisions.

This was the first novel I've read of Kat French but it certainly won't be my last - I would recommend this for anyone who's in need of a book for their holiday (or even if you're just sat at home enjoying the sun - this book will make you feel like you're in Greece!). The cover is beautiful and so so summery, I just want to get to Skelidos now!

It's been a very wet few days lately and I've been in the right mood to be transported to warmer climes, and this novel does just that!

Three women in their thirties who have been close friends since childhood all reach a crisis in their lives at around the same time and agree on a brief, last minute holiday in the sun to help them move on. The story begins with them arriving at their accommodation on a lesser known Greek island, happy to be under the hot sun at last. From there it moves on in several directions and before you know it you are immersed and engaged in where the book takes you.

I expected this to be a light and frothy read, but there is a really good story - or three - in these pages. The characters are very well-drawn and most appealing, easy to visualize and a joy to live with inside your head. I particularly loved the film references so cleverly entwined into the story.

A fabulous read - either to be enjoyed on the beach, by the pool or - like me - to brighten a few dreich days! I thoroughly recommend this sizzling summer romance from Kat French, without reservation.

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Reviewed by Sharon Thérèse & Rachel

‘Do you think it’s too early for a G&T?’

We want to go to Greece! We want to go to Ms French’s island in the Med where three gorgeous women turn a new page in their lives, who leave everything behind to start a new journey for reasons you’ll only find out by diving headfirst into this stellar summer read. Escaping to this little piece of paradise is holding on to the memory of an outstanding tale narrated in third person past tense; of three besties finding themselves. Quite honestly, we felt like we were there. As French is such a descriptive writer, she made it easy for us to imagine them preparing their drink of preference on the veranda of their newly acquired B&B overlooking the beach. Don’t get us wrong; there’s much more depth to the plot than just fixing a good ol’ G&T which in itself, is quite another story!

‘So what’s going on over at the B&B? “Are you three doing a Thelma and Louise?’
‘Meaning?’
‘Bitter women running off together for an ill-advised adventure?’

We can’t begin to tell you how refreshing it was to read a book whose protagonists’ ages were slightly more mature than what we normally expert to see in this type of genre. Them being older meant we related to Winnie, Frankie and Stella with such an ease, we were even able to put ourselves in their flipflops! Less than a quarter of the way into the story and we’d already made our minds up. We were right in thinking it would primarily be Winnie’s story with Frankie and Stella close behind. French has got talent. Her character development of these bosom buddies who compliment each other but are so not alike, was spot on. And although they do have a strong emotional connection and living under the same roof, there was never any bitching. Quite the reverse actually. Their relationship could be described as all for one, and one for all. Nor did a moment exist when we felt three was a crowd. Of course, they’re out of their depths with not speaking the lingo and all that, so get ready for a few gem cock-ups.

‘Feliz Navidad?’
‘You just wished me Merry Christmas in Spanish. It’s early May, and this is Greece.’

Winnie won us over when she went looking for The Fonz; and not only found it, but also her stroppy Australian neighbour, Jesse. Hmm… it was plain to see what was going to happen here but we really didn’t mind, what concerned us was Winnie getting hurt. You see, Jesse is a confusing guy who blows hot one second and cold the other. When we got to know this sculptor extraordinaire a bit better, was when we began to worry about him because oh boy, does he have problems! We liked that French held his story back, kept us guessing right up until nearly the end of the book. A brilliant piece of writing strategy. One thing we can’t argue about is their sizzling chemistry. Seeing as he’d shown us his snarky attitude thus far, we couldn’t help but warm to him where, in one sexy scenario, Winnie bares more than her soul...and the kiss, no words! Yep, we were well pleased with Jesse. Mind you, we’re not sure who was left more frustrated; him, her or us! The banter between these two is simply off the charts. Jesse’s dry wit and Winnie’s sassy comebacks kept us entertained throughout the read and for such a confessed unromantic, Jesse had our lips quivering when he described to Winnie what he saw in her. That being said, what we really liked and not just with Winnie and Jesse, was listening to all the characters’ inner-thoughts; the advantage of telling a story in third person.

‘I’m not a monk. I fuck sometimes. I even make breakfast afterwards. I’m one of the good guys; I don’t promise the moon on a string, because strings strangle relationships.’

What also caught our attention was how the author adapted the gals abilities to chores of their liking. Frankie’s a dab hand in the kitchen, Stella puts her business skills to good use and Winnie being a mum, is excellent at multitasking. Who made us scream was Stella. She came across as an abrupt, no nonsense kind of person. Then she discovers there’s more to one of the B&B’s guests than meets the eye and it was as if she underwent an inner-change. Frankie. Of all the gals, it was she who touched our hearts most. A worrier, her sensitive soul suffers in silence. Little did she know what was in store for her.   

‘I’m worried people might mistake me for the Virgin Mary if I start riding a donkey around town.’ ‘They might all fall on their knees and worship me.’
‘I reckon you’re safe.’ ‘I don’t think Mary wore hotpants.’

The gals settle in to find out they’re going to have to adhere to well established island customs. Now then, we have inside info; we just happen to know what tipple a certain lady likes! So it was of no surprise to us to learn that the actual plot per se, was going to revolve around this wondrous beverage which has held up an entire empire. What was thrown in for good measure and we liked it a lot was a lesson or three about how it’s made, the importance of a certain berry and why it was worthy of the locals reverence.

 ‘I quite like the idea of us as bad fairies. Can we have that on the label?’
‘To the Secret Gin Fairies of Skelidos.’

Our rating caused quite an interesting discussion. We never doubted that this story deserved five stars, but... the big but! One of us had issues with a few phrases. She felt this lovely trio of ladies, Brits to the core, wouldn’t have used Americanisms; saying that, her buddy reader felt that the usage of them would be more attractive to the American reader. Me, the blondie writing this paragraph begged to differ saying our American friends across the other side of the ocean love British English. Oops, work this one out--we’re both blonde! Another tinsy-winsy gripe she had was with the editing. A few passages were too wordy and had a clunky feel to them. Nonetheless, the last word was the actual story which in itself, won those five stars hands down. How could it not when one of us had to read it out loud to her hubby because he was curious to see why she was laughing her head off, and had him cracking up, too! Bravo Ms French for a giving us a superb beach read!

Reviewed by Sharon Thérèse & Rachel

‘Do you think it’s too early for a G&T?’

We want to go to Greece! We want to go to Ms French’s island in the Med where three gorgeous women turn a new page in their lives, who leave everything behind to start a new journey for reasons you’ll only find out by diving headfirst into this stellar summer read. Escaping to this little piece of paradise is holding on to the memory of an outstanding tale narrated in third person past tense; of three besties finding themselves. Quite honestly, we felt like we were there. As French is such a descriptive writer, she made it easy for us to imagine them preparing their drink of preference on the veranda of their newly acquired B&B overlooking the beach. Don’t get us wrong; there’s much more depth to the plot than just fixing a good ol’ G&T which in itself, is quite another story!

‘So what’s going on over at the B&B?’ ‘Are you three doing a Thelma and Louise?’
‘Meaning?’
‘Bitter women running off together for an ill-advised adventure?’

We can’t begin to tell you how refreshing it was to read a book whose protagonists’ ages were slightly more mature than what we normally expert to see in this type of genre. Them being older meant we related to Winnie, Frankie and Stella with such an ease, we were even able to put ourselves in their flipflops! Less than a quarter of the way into the story and we’d already made our minds up. We were right in thinking it would primarily be Winnie’s story with Frankie and Stella close behind. French has got talent. Her character development of these bosom buddies who compliment each other but are so not alike, was spot on. And although they do have a strong emotional connection and living under the same roof, there was never any bitching. Quite the reverse actually. Their relationship could be described as all for one, and one for all. Nor did a moment exist when we felt three was a crowd. Of course, they’re out of their depths with not speaking the lingo and all that, so get ready for a few gem cock-ups.

‘Feliz Navidad?’
‘You just wished me Merry Christmas in Spanish. It’s early May, and this is Greece.’

Winnie won us over when she went looking for The Fonz; and not only found it, but also her stroppy Australian neighbour, Jesse. Hmm… it was plain to see what was going to happen here but we really didn’t mind, what concerned us was Winnie getting hurt. You see, Jesse is a confusing guy who blows hot one second and cold the other. When we got to know this sculptor extraordinaire a bit better, was when we began to worry about him because oh boy, does he have problems! We liked that French held his story back, kept us guessing right up until nearly the end of the book. A brilliant piece of writing strategy. One thing we can’t argue about is their sizzling chemistry. Seeing as he’d shown us his snarky attitude thus far, we couldn’t help but warm to him where, in one sexy scenario, Winnie bares more than her soul...and the kiss, no words! Yep, we were well pleased with Jesse. Mind you, we’re not sure who was left more frustrated; him, her or us! The banter between these two is simply off the charts. Jesse’s dry wit and Winnie’s sassy comebacks kept us entertained throughout the read and for such a confessed unromantic, Jesse had our lips quivering when he described to Winnie what he saw in her. That being said, what we really liked and not just with Winnie and Jesse, was listening to all the characters’ inner-thoughts; the advantage of telling a story in third person.

‘I’m not a monk. I fuck sometimes. I even make breakfast afterwards. I’m one of the good guys; I don’t promise the moon on a string, because strings strangle relationships.’

What also caught our attention was how the author adapted the gals abilities to chores of their liking. Frankie’s a dab hand in the kitchen, Stella puts her business skills to good use and Winnie being a mum, is excellent at multitasking. Who made us scream was Stella. She came across as an abrupt, no nonsense kind of person. Then she discovers there’s more to one of the B&B’s guests than meets the eye and it was as if she underwent an inner-change. Frankie. Of all the gals, it was she who touched our hearts most. A worrier, her sensitive soul suffers in silence. Little did she know what was in store for her.

‘I’m worried people might mistake me for the Virgin Mary if I start riding a donkey around town.’ ‘They might all fall on their knees and worship me.’
‘I reckon you’re safe.” “I don’t think Mary wore hotpants.’

The gals settle in to find out they’re going to have to adhere to well established island customs. Now then, we have inside info; we just happen to know what tipple a certain lady likes! So it was of no surprise to us to learn that the actual plot per se, was going to revolve around this wondrous beverage which has held up an entire empire. What was thrown in for good measure and we liked a lot was a lesson or three about how it’s made, the importance of a certain berry and why it was worthy of the locals' reverence.

‘I quite like the idea of us as bad fairies. Can we have that on the label?’
‘To the Secret Gin Fairies of Skelidos.’

Our rating caused quite an interesting discussion. We never doubted that this story deserved five stars, but... the big but! One of us had issues with a few phrases. She felt this lovely trio of ladies, Brits to the core, wouldn’t have used Americanisms; saying that, her buddy reader felt that the usage of them would be more attractive to the American reader. Me, the blondie writing this paragraph begged to differ saying our American friends across the other side of the ocean love British English. Oops, work this one out—we’re both blonde! Another tinsy-winsy gripe she had was with the editing. A few passages were too wordy and had a clunky feel to them. Nonetheless, the last word was the actual story which in itself, won those five stars hands down. How could it not when one of us had to read it out loud to her hubby because he was curious to see why she was laughing her head off, and had him cracking up, too! Bravo Ms French for a giving us a superb beach read!

‘Do you think we look like one of those “wish you were here” pictures that people in England would have as their screen-savers at work and die of jealousy?’
‘Abso-bloody-lutely,’ ‘I’d totally choose us.’

This book was such a sweet funny read. I'm a person who enjoys covers, and I thought this cover was gorgeous and very summery. This book sold me summer and it gave me summer. It made me feel like travelling to Greece and exploring the hidden places that I might find.

Truthfully, I was expecting a very sickly-sweet romance, but what I got was a very female empowering and liberating sweet romance. The three best-friends have different lives with different problems and priorities, and this book has shown how each will react to life and all that it entails and how each will reach, fight and find love.

Because of the 'Titanic' references, I became scared that a happy ending wouldn't be had, and the song "My Heart Will Go On" and "I Will Always Love You" was on stand by in my mind to start playing. I loved these 'Titanic' vibes, it made me very happy, and it made cross references the two, and it just added to the romantic feel of the novel.

I wish I wish I could have seen more of Stella and Frankie, their point of views and their romances. I'm very happy and satisfied with how their stories developed and ended, but I just wish there was a bit more of them.

Winnie, Frankie and Stella have all just returned from Skelidos, a Greek Island where they have laid in the sun and drank copious amounts of the local gin, and it appears that they have also agreed to buy the bed and breakfast hotel where they stayed.

As they all have something in their lives that they would like to leave behind, they decide why not and return to Skelidos to run the Villa Valentina. Once there they discover they have a donkey and a cellar full of gin. As the owners of the bed and breakfast they must also keep the island supplied with gin, which they have to make from a secret recipe.

They meet hunky Aussie, Jesse, from next door, brooding Greek businessman Angelo and three members of Frankie’s favourite rock group with singer Seth who she has liked since she was a teenager and Mikey who causes no end of trouble.

The characters of all three women were great, the friendship shone through, although of the three Frankie was my favourite, she seemed to have a quite calm nature about her. Jesse was opinionated but was trying to recover from a past trauma in his life and Gav, Frankie’s ex-husband, was also calm and quiet and helped around the villa wherever he could.

This is a lovely entertaining book, full of romance, humour, delightful characters, I particularly liked the airport scene between Angelo and Frankie. A thoroughly enjoyable summer read.

5 - There was something about Villa Valentina that felt... magical. Stars!

Kat French epitomizes pure reading perfection when it comes to her chick-lit-contemporary titles, I had hugely high expectations for The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach, and she delivered, and then some.

IMAGE.

Take three women, all at a crossroads in their lives, and all for different reasons, stick them on an out of the way Greek Island, and watch them flourish while getting to grips with the running of a Bed & Breakfast, while meeting and getting to know various other islanders, and this was just joyous reading escapism.

"You will stay. Skelidos does that to people…"

I loved Winnie, Stella and Frankie, one recently unemployed, the other two coming to terms with being divorced but for different reasons. All three are suffering with confidence and self-esteem issues, and the author gave them the right plot-lines to pull themselves back together again, with the aid of a lot of the Islands specialty gin, women after my own heart in that respect.

"I’d have had you down as a plain white girl. Hot pink lace was a shock."

Nothing was overdone in this story, the drama when it occurred was necessary, the resolution usually swift and well-played out, the characters all developed at their own speeds, with some getting their stride back faster than the others. Winne was the mainstay in this story though and her relationship with ornery artist Jesse, just kept me reading. Another character I just fell in love with, Kat gives good hero and Jesse, Mmm mmm just hit all the right spots!

"If you ever have to run, run to me…"

I could gush on, but this is one of those books that you need to read to understand just how awesome it is. Kat took three women, gave them all their own voices, and shortcomings, added in an entertaining cast of secondary characters and put them on the island of your dreams, with lots of Gin! I may have mentioned that before, but being a G&T aficionado myself, it just made me smile with how much weight everyone on the island placed on their own special version of it.

"Some people, they just seem to shine… You’re one of those people."

If you hadn’t already guessed, I absolutely adored this book, it wouldn’t be summer in the UK anymore, without a read from Kat French to bring out the sun!

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.

I really enjoyed The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach by Kat French. Set on a beautiful remote Greek island it follows the story of Frankie, Winnie and Stella as they take over the local b&b, Villa Valentina. Cue gorgeous, hot love interests, sun, sea and sand and add in a large supply of gin and a famous rock band!

I read this book in a couple of days and felt instantly transported to Greece. It's really well written with great characters and Kat French's usual charming style.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

I'm rather fond of Kat French's writing. And by rather fond I mean I bloomin' love. Pack your bags peeps, this time you'll need your passport.

"What a brave and smart move to leave grey old England behind for the idyll of sunny Greece!"

Combine a gorgeous quiet little island setting, with three amazing women, a brooding gorgeous Aussie bloke, a Greek Adonis, a 90's boy band, and island residents who worship a bush, and you have all the ingredients for the perfect read. And it was: Kat French is rom-com royalty as far as I'm concerned, bringing her reader a gloriously funny, heartwarming and uplifting journey of friendship, love and new beginnings.

"Why are you fondling my donkey?"

I loved Winnie, Stella and Frankie, I experienced all their highs and lows with them and the fact that they could so easily be any one of us is what made this the read it was for me. And whilst this story belongs to them all, it's Winnie who perhaps has the biggest romantic journey with Jesse, a gorgeous man inside and out, but who is also a complete contradiction of himself.

"You stormed into my life on a flurry of bad temper and beautiful eyes, and you completely, utterly blindsided me."

Kat has taken several characters, each travelling their own individual paths, and woven them together flawlessly to create an overall story worthy of every single star. I could read her books time and time again, I have done, and as long as she does that, she'll have a happy reader in me. I'm saying no more other than The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach is one you don't want to miss out on.

I now want to go on holiday! I want to find this Greek island and my own happy love ending! Finished this in one sitting it was amazing! Fabulous!!!

Yet another blinder of a romantic comedy from Kat French! Chockerblock with chemistry, Greek sunshine & gin, you can't be disappointed; it's laid back sunny setting, the wonderful mix of characters, the food, the cocktails, the drama, the emotions, all combine to provide a great holiday-style read to bring a bit of Greek island magic in to your life.
Fabulous!

I think this book was ok, would have better to just have 2 main characters and i felt the first couple of chapters were rushed, good story however overall.

I fell in love with the island of Skelidos and all of its inhabitants in this gorgeous summery story.

Nested just between the islands of Skopelos and Skiathos is Skelidos, a fictional Greek island, that is unspoilt by mass tourism. And it is on that island that three ladies went for a weekend, after all enduring massive changes in their lives. On their return, their bank balances are significantly emptier.

Don't worry, there was no con-men or theft involved, the ladies somehow managed to buy a pink B&B on the beach! Within a couple of weeks they were back out in Skelidos to try to make the best of their new business venture, learn some Greek and see just how their new lives would turn out.

It soon becomes apparent that Villa Valentina contains more hidden features than first encountered when they bought it. I won't let you in on them, but they are quite integral to the story.

Winnie, Stella and Frankie all have their own reasons for wanting this venture in Skelidos to work out, from failed marriages to recently being made redundant. Yet as you may have guessed things don't necessarily pan out as planned, and I loved every second of seeing just what journey Winnie, Stella and Frankie would take.

There is a gorgeous nearby neighbour, there is plenty of Gin and Tonics to be made and drunk, there are irritable Greek men, a set of famous guests, some lovely locals, a great location and romance is in the air... all this and more in an amusing summery story that I couldn't stop thinking about. It is easy and quick to read, and I was so enamored by Skelidos that I had to google to check if it was real or not!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.