Member Reviews

I've read all of Mandy Baggot's books and gave enjoyed them all. This one isn't her best but still worth a read. I did find myself skim reading some of it but I loved the relationship between the sisters. I'd look out for her next book and look forward to it. Thank you for accepting my request.

Was this review helpful?

A easy read perfect for lying by the beach or pool on holidays . I enjoyed it and made me want to go to Greece on holidays . Loved the description of life in Corfu.

Was this review helpful?

Amazing book! Keeps you hooked to the very last page! I nice easy read! I will be making sure I look out for more from this author in the future.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this book - put me in a real holiday frame of mind! Nice, warm, easy read. .................................

Was this review helpful?

Sunshine and storm clouds! Another wonderful summer book by Mandy Baggot.
Abby has lost everything; her job, her boyfriend and even her cat so she decides to head to Corfu for a holiday to visit her mum and sister who run the Desperately Seeking estate agency. Within a short time of arriving she has all the distractions she needs, her family's money worries, the struggling agency and the sexy Theo but there are storm clouds on the horizon.
This book is bang up to date with lots of modern references, a sexy summer romance and vivid descriptions of the island which make you feel as though you are actually there. Very enjoyable!

Was this review helpful?

Another excellent book from Mandy Baggot, making me pine for the Greek Islands. Lovely interactions between mother and daughters, and I love the way Abby finds herself trapped by her decision not to to keep her mum fully up-to-date with her situation.

The Greek men are hot as usual, the villagers all warm and friendly, and the humour makes you laugh out loud. I'd like to stay - or live - in Villa Pappas. Theo's aunt is a formidable Greek woman, a traditional matriach - she is fabulous.

I love it!

Was this review helpful?

Abby Dolan, high hopes for promotion and in a ‘safe’ relationship, is cruising along when it all falls apart. Her sister Melody keeps sending gorgeous images and asks her to visit San Stefanos in Corfu so when it does all go wrong, it’s obvious where she’s going to head for. Only when she gets there, not all is at it seemed from those images …

Theo’s life has just been drifting, on the run from something that’s difficult to come to terms with, until he’s woken one morning by his aunt Spyridoula who has arrived to motivate him. Best friend Leon’s family owns the local taxi service and picks up Abby from the airport. The first intimation that all is not ok is when Leon tells her how the elders of the village feel about Desperately Seeking. And the first evening in San Stefanos, there’s intrigue with where Melody is going. Obviously not where she says she is …

I’ve related to all the characters, no matter their age or circumstances (well maybe not the Russians …). They all bring conflict and resolutions to the story alongside the main plot. Truths are being hidden (even by Spyridoula) which adds intrigue to the story. And how they change and grow! I enjoyed mum Jackie’s return from her lacklustre appearance and beaten down manner to something quite different. I loved Spyridoula’s advice to Theo:

Life is a song. You must sing it.

What a stunning setting! Mandy Baggot’s descriptions had me right there. Sparkling seas, sunshine and the places we visit. I could smell the wood in Stamatis’ workshop and loved the history with Theo. There’s also a dangerous side when the sea’s involved though and I loved those scenes! So much drama and tension.

There’s laughter as well as the drama. Oh how I laughed. Out loud. Deep belly laughs. Two favourite scenes, both take place at Villa Pappas. When Abby first goes to Villa Pappas to value it and again when she goes for dinner 🙂 So funny!

The Greek community, family life, friendships, food and of course romance to make your heart beat faster. I love it when a story engages all of my emotions and Desperately Seeking Summer certainly met that expectation. One not to miss.

Was this review helpful?

My reading habits have taken a back seat of late, and I find myself reaching more for a lighter read than a heavy crime book. With the sun currently shining every day here in England I figured a summer read was just what I needed and the new Mandy Baggot popped into my mind. We start off by meeting Abby Dolan who is perfectly content. She has a job and a boyfirend she loves and as she walks to work one morning she has no idea that's all about to change. Abby has THE Worst day ever when she goes into work and not only loses her job, but follows it up with a trip to the bakery and discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her. With her world literally crashing down she mulls it over and decides to take a trip to Corfu to see her mum and sister who live there. A break away seems to be just what she needs to nurse her wounds.

When she arrives in Cornwall she soon realises that her Mum and sister's business was not quite what he had imagined. Desperately Seeking is the agency that sells property in Corfu but between trying to help them gain more business and also keep her mind off her cheating ex-boyfriend she runs into Theo, a man who is using Corfu as his own escape. The story takes us on a trip which means we see lots of locals, plus Abby's hillarious family which kept me well and truly engaged from the first to the very last page. I am a huge Baggot fan and this book, although maybe not one of my favourites, was still a brilliant read. This is certainly a book you will want to pack in your suitcase this year!

Was this review helpful?

Mandy Baggot never ceases to delight with her escapades set in Greece and this book is no exception. From the moment we are introduced to Abby's mother and sister and their pink flamingo decorated estate agency on Corfu, we know we are in for a treat. Add heartthrob gardener Theo into the mix and the temperature is soon soaring. This is the perfect beach read and if you can't get to Greece this year then this book is the next best thing.

Was this review helpful?

A great holiday read. Read during a heatwave in the uk, it transported you to Corfu. All that was needed was some Greek food and music. A good story following the normal rom com style. Will read this author again.

Was this review helpful?

A lighthearted easy read perfect for a summers day or a holiday read. A story of new beginnings, family, friendship, community and romance. Funny in places but serious moments too.

Set in lovely Corfu with tasty food descriptions and yummy cocktails, this book made me want a holiday in Greece.

A sunny book which made me smile.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was a really good read, very entertaining and a delightful story. I shall be l0oking out for more books from this author in future. Loved it

Was this review helpful?

Posted on Amazon

Another fabulous summer read from Mandy Baggot. I love the authors books, she manages to bring the summer into the room whatever time of year it is. She clearly loves all things Corfu and makes me want to make it my next holiday destination! I have even learnt some Greek from reading her books!
There are a great cast of characters - those you love, those you hate, those you can’t help laughing with and those you wish were your best friend! Theo is, as you would expect, swoon worthy but comes across as genuine and someone you could actually meet in real life. Abby too is someone you could imagine going to the pub with and having as a friend.
There is lots going on in this book, it is not just boy meets girl although as with any good romance that of course does happen!
If you enjoy your romances with humour, your protagonists down to earth and a great cast of supporting characters this is for you, you might also find a sudden desire to book a holiday to Corfu.
Whether you are chillling by the sea in some sunny destination or sitting at home wishing you were somewhere hot and sunny (usually me) this book brings the magic of Corfu and the joys of summer right to your doorstep.

Was this review helpful?

I always look forward to a new book from Mandy Baggot. She provides believable characters and gorgeous locations for a great Summer read.

I could imagine myself in the village, drinking cocktails and enjoying the sunshine.

Was this review helpful?

I very much enjoyed this book. Abby is an assistant manager of a hotel, she is in a long term relationship with darrell and life is good. Then one day she loses her job, on her way home she discovers her boyfriend is a pig and decides to go to Corfu to see her mum and her sister.

Jackie and Melody run a estate agency called Desperately Seeking and Abby arrives and is thrown into a bit of a chaotic situation. The estate agency is in trouble and so Abby steps up and tries to help the agency get back on its feet.

On this adventure Abby attracts the eye of local barman Theo who isnt all he seems, and then we have sub storys of Jackie and George, Spiry and Stanithis, Melody and , well everyone bless her.

This was a lot of fun, light hearted, fun, and i liked Abby and Theo as characters and i liked how Abby stepped up to save her famil business.

Will follow the author now to read new and previous titles.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. You can feel the suns warmth, smell the sea, hear the waves, it takes you right into a Corfu summer! Abby, always the sensible one in her family, joins her delightfully bonkers. Mum and sister at their estate agents in Corfu. And experiences a summmer neither she now they will ever forget. It’s pure escapism and all the better for it, it’s a perfect summertime read.

Was this review helpful?

Desperately Seeking Summer, The perfect feel-good Greek romantic comedy to read on the beach this summer,  Mandy Baggot

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, women's Fiction

* sigh * one day we'll stop trying to alienate male readers with this horrible, discriminating category. Why do publishers think men don't read romance – they do!

I love Mandy Baggot's stories...usually. This one though was a hard slog to get through instead of the usual humorous fun romance. I wasn't convinced by Desperately Seeking's turnaround, from a total Barbie Pink disaster when Abby gets there to successful and flourishing agency a few weeks later. There's no way I'd buy property from that agency – if I had the money of course. I liked the general Greek, sunny feeling to the book and enjoyed reading about the characters but again I didn't feel “there” in the story, didn't feel as if I was involved in events as I usually do with Mandy's books.
I liked Abby, and could see how her hotel skills came in useful in seeing what was wrong with her mum and sister agency, but the way everything went wrong became old very fast. It was funny at first, then – much like her sisters overuse of “wanging” it began to irritate.
I loved Theo, loved his aunt, loved the guy who's name I've forgotten – the man who did the olive wood carvings. They sounded just beautiful. Diana, what an awful person she was – but I like a few of those in a story, give a balance to the good guys ;-) there were lots of side characters, each with their own idiosyncrasies, and they added to the holiday feel of the read.
I guess it was just the overall story that fell a bit flat for me, didn't feel real, as there were some fabulous characters here. Still, as usual that's just my opinion and others will love this. As ever its very well written, flows well, just that I couldn't wholly get along with the actual premise of the book.

Stars: Three, I was disappointed, usually Mandy's reads are fives, or at least a four for me but this one didn't really fit my taste.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Was this review helpful?

I adored Desperately Seeking Summer. Once again Mandy Baggot transports you to the sun drenched island of Corfu for sun, romance and cocktails.

Abby Dolan has lost her job and her boyfriend in the same day. Should she stay at home and feel sorry for herself or should she hop on a plane and join her mum and sister at their estate agency in Corfu? Will she be able to mend her broken heart on the sun drenched island?

I read this book in a couple of days. With each turn of the page you can almost imagine you are there soaking up the hot sun, enjoying a cocktail and of course some traditional Greek food.

Fabulous characters and a great storyline. I can highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK Ebury and the author for the chance to review.

Was this review helpful?

I always look forward to reading Mandy Baggot’s books because I know I’m in for a treat. This was no exception, I was riveted from the very first page. For me, location is always an important part of a storyline and I must say the places featured in this book were pretty special!

Abby’s life was falling apart around her so it made sense to take a break on the sunny island of Corfu, especially as her Mum and sister lived there. However, things seemed a little odd when she arrived and it didn’t take her long to find out the reason, apparently she wasn’t the only one with problems.

The atmosphere was warm and the characters were bubbly, the author’s words pulled me in and made me feel like part of the storyline (if only I really was in Corfu). There were many enjoyable scenes but some of my favourites included: a sunbathing surprise, a Donald Trump soaking, a raffle disaster and an eventful boat trip.

This was a sunny, smiley read that found its way to my heart with ease.

Was this review helpful?

Where do i even begin with this book? the location maybe, it was set in San Staefanos in the North East cove of Corfu, Greece. If you have never been to Greece this will help you decide where to book your next holiday. This is my first read by this author and i just love all her books are set in Corfu, so what can go wrong> Nothing.
The only thing i notice in comparison to other books are the chapters are rather small. You don't feel like your reading 400page book because i read it in 24 hours....
The book itself was thoroughly entertaining and addictive, hence why i couldn't put it down. The location was sublime, the characters came alive from the first few pages and i felt disappointed it ended....

Abby is the main character in this and she lives in the Uk but things are going so well for her so she takes a trip to Corfu where her sister and mother live and run a business ' desperately seeking' east agents, which is not doing so we'll and it doesn't help that the colour is so striking you go blind once you see the building. Abby wants to help and she does it well...

Theo, he is a greek man who is also escaping something himself but Abby believes he's the local gardener of the area.... some of the places they find themselves into is hysterical especially in the house she's going to put on the market..... there is sexual chemistry between the two but Abby isn't interested and neither is Theo.

Sprygiou is a name i cannot spell and it is Theo's Aunt, she is one unique and funny lady.

There is love in the air of Corfu this summer and you will learn a few greek words, perfect for you next trip.... i knew a few! and have learnt more...You are certainly missing out if you don't read this book, now i know what I've been missing i will not be missing anymore of her books from now.

Thank you to net galley and Ebury for allowing me to review this voluntarily. Loved it.

Was this review helpful?