I think this was a surprising read for me. I was expecting a much more whimsical feel but it seemed to be a very intelligent read. I felt like I actually learnt quite about about Greek families and history reading this and I enjoyed that.

I struggled a little to get into this book. But you need to stick with it as overall it's a good read. It's a kit a family secret that turned the family dynamic upside down. It is set withing a duel timeframe of 1954 in cyprus a d 1988 in London. It is told by the point of view of many different family members. It's one that takes a little while to get your head around. So maybe read it when you want to obsorb yourself in a storyline

A long held secret and a family turned upside down.
A dual time line novel set between 1954 Cyprus and 1988 Finsbury Park, London.
Told from multiple points of view it’s the story of how the end of a love affair has unexpected consequences.
What really happened that fateful night beneath the lemon trees.
A moving and intelligent novel, however found it quite hard to follow due to the sheer number of characters.
Thanks @marykarras1, @johnmurrays & @netgalley for the eARC

I struggled to get into this book as it felt a bit disjointed. It was a long time before the thread connecting the many characters became clear. If you can persevere, it is a good read.

Tropes:
•Dual Timeline
•Multiple POV
•Cypriot immigrants in London
•Greek Families
•Cultural differences

Setting:
•Cyprus, 1954
•North London, 1988

His mother called England ‘the moon’ because it was cold and grey and miles away from Cyprus.

The book is so compelling and unputdownable. There are families, cultural differences and then daughter and father relationship and mother and son/ Daughter relationships. The stories are told in different timelines of different people and different families. There are different perspectives about marriage. They are reminiscent, touching and emotional. There are family secrets, resentment and inevitable truths. And some of the stories has a tragic end.

Melina’s father Nico is a Greek man and he is not proud of her job and there is gossip about the neighbours. Then the choices the main male character made and there is about an orange festival. The story takes back in Cyprus. Also he wasn’t happy with the choices Melina made. He dies of broken heart.

While in London, 1988, Evgenia’s life changes. She is a Cypriot and her mom Sotira loves her. She has a husband and a son. Have you heard about koumandaria wine? Then there is a story of Angelo, he likes an Indian Princess Priya. Evgenia is dying and her best friend Emiliana is harbouring a secret for way too long.

While in Cyprus, 1954, a young woman ends an affair. And the past is too heartbreaking to forget.

There are cultural differences with mention of Adolf Hitler and cleopatra. We get to know about different cultures like Greek, Jewish, Indian, Turkish and British . But basically the families are Greek.

I found "One Night Beneath the Lemon Trees" quite hard going due to the number of characters and the way it jumps around through time. Once again Mary Karras has written about immigrants to the UK; Greek Cypriots living in north London. Emiliana is not a particularly sympathetic character, not helped by the fact that she has held a lifelong grudge.

An interesting and complex novel. Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

This was quite a different read for me, I didn't get on with all the characters particularly Nico who was quite obnoxious but that is clever writing invoking a reaction to the characters.

I was a bit confused with the Greek families, who was who. I think the time and location were well researched and I suppose in those areas there would be quite a bit of racist feeling to 'incomers'.

Not really my cup of tea but I appreciate that everybody likes different books and thank you to netgalley.co.uk.

"One Night Beneath the Lemon Trees" by Mary Karras takes readers on a captivating journey set against the backdrop of Cyprus in 1954 and Finsbury Park, London, in 1988. In this tale of love, revenge, and redemption, a young woman's impulsive decision to end a love affair sets off a chain of events that will deeply impact everyone involved. As Evgenia faces her own mortality, she strives to make amends, while her best friend Emiliana carries a weighty secret. Meanwhile, Melina grapples with the consequences of her actions. Amidst the layers of lies and grief, a profound truth waits beneath the lemon trees, offering the possibility of healing and wholeness for all.