What a beautiful setting for this lovely story.
Cara is invited to a wedding with her Aunt in Corfu, but it stirs unpleasant memories of being ghosted by Seb, who just seemed to disappear! She's also been through the ordeal of losing her profession & her confidence & she is not the same person as she used to be. Will Cara face up to her fears & perhaps it could change her life!

I loved this book. Like a hug in a book. Makes you want to travel to Greece.

I got lost in the story.

I have been a fan of Mandy and her work for a while. I haven't quite caught up with everything that she has written but I'm not far behind. I read the synopsis of 'One Greek Summer Wedding' and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Mandy - a fun and light hearted romantic comedy with laughs, love and life aplenty. Well it was certainly all that and so much more. I really enjoyed reading 'One Greek Summer Wedding' but more about that in a bit.

It didn't take me long at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first few pages, I knew that I was going to become addicted to the story and as a result I would find it nigh on impossible to put the book down for any length of time. I was spot on in both predictions. Part of the reason why I enjoyed the story so much has to do with the fact that I loved both of the main characters, Cara and Akis, and it didn't take me long before I felt as though they had become friends of mine rather than characters in a book. In their own ways, both lead characters have had their problems and have put a wall up to protect themselves. Both were lovely and I kept everything crossed that each would find happiness. My desperation to find out what happened steadily grew as I made my way through the book. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I didn't realise just how quickly the time was passing and how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'One Greek Summer Wedding' and I had to say goodbye to Cara, Akis and the rest of the characters. I found 'One Greek Summer Wedding' to be a delight to read from start to finish with lots of life, love and laughs aplenty.

'One Greek Summer Wedding' is extremely well written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Mandy Baggot. Mandy has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact Mandy's books read more like a chat between friends than an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Mandy's love for her characters shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. As I mentioned earlier, Cara and Akis felt more like friends rather than characters in a book. I love the way in which Mandy makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. Mandy describes Corfu so vividly that if I were to close my eyes, it would be easy to imagine that I was there in Corfu with the sun beating down on my face rather than the reality which is that I was sat reading the story in a very wet and cool North East of England.

In short, I really enjoyed reading 'One Greek Summer Wedding' and I would recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of Mandy's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

When talented singer Cara was humiliated whilst on stage in front of a television audience of millions, there was no way that she could have known that there was more pain to come. After her partner ghosted her, she has basically withdrawn from life. She's given up singing, and she is pretty much allowing her aunt Margot to lead her life.

When Margot announces that they are off to Greece tomorrow, Cara goes along with the plan. It is only once they are there that she finds that they are going to a wedding. Cara can't quite join all the dots together as to why they would be invited to a wedding at the last minute.

It turns out that Margot has an agenda, or actually, a couple of different agendas. And whilst Margot does have the best of intentions, Cara can't help but feeling like she has been railroaded, and her anxiety is ramping up.

Soon after arriving in Corfu, Cara meets Akis Diakos. When she meets him, he is dressed as a priest, but he is anything but...for now. Akis has plenty of advice to help Cara face her fears, but he has his own dilemnas. He must make a huge decision. If he decides one way he will change his life completely. The other could mean a curse that would impact his entire family

As Margot and Cara criss-cross the Greek Islands in search of a deal, Cara has to learn to trust Akis, and slowly begin to believe in herself again. He has to navigate the difficult family relationship dynamics which are especially bought to the fore by his mother's desire for her son, Akis' brother, to have the perfect wedding!

If I had to pick just one word to describe this book then it would be madcap. There are last minute dashes from one exotic location to another, there are glamourous events, there is a donkey named Pig and so much more.

I've read a couple of Mandy Baggot books now. I love the way that she portrays the life, food and culture of Greece, and there is no doubt that her books are lots of fun. And given that I read this while laid up in hospital, fun is exactly what I needed! Bring on the next one!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews.

Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. Check out other stops on the blog tour to see what they thought of this book!

Rating 4/5

The Blurb :
When singer Cara is invited to a big, fat Greek wedding in Corfu, she sees it as a mixed blessing: some time to heal on the beautiful Greek island with her aunt will be a tonic, but it’s going to stir up memories – of before Seb ghosted her and disappeared off the face of the earth.
Akis Diakos, brother of the groom, should be looking forward to planning the bachelor party, but burdened by the weight of family expectation, his mind is elsewhere: he has a decision to make – one that could, apparently, ruin his little brother’s life forever.
When Cara learns that her aunt Margot brought her here under false pretences, she’s faced with a dilemma. She’s not sung in public since that fateful day at Eurovision when her life fell apart, and she’s not planning to now. But with Akis’s encouragement, it’s time for both of them to face up to their fears.
And who knows – maybe this beautiful duet will also lead to a beautiful romance?

My Thoughts :
We meet Cara, who is off with her Auntie Margo to attend her Aunts friend’s son’s wedding in Corfu.
Its all very last minute and Cara is happy to go as things in her life at the moment are not going well, and she thinks the break will do her good. But Cara gets to Corfu, and soon she realises Auntie Margo hasnt been honest with her about the trip.
In the run up to the wedding, Cara meets the handsome Akis, who just happens to be the brides brother. Akis also has stuff going on in his life and has to make some decisions but isnt sure what to do. Cara and Akis have a connection and soon we watch their relationship grow.
Can they both help each other get their lifes back in order and find some happiness?!.
Mandy Baggot is one of my all time favourite go to authors. She still grips me into her stories, as she did from day 1.
Its always a delight to be back in beautiful Greece and this time to Corfu with its stunning locations and surroundings.
Mandy Baggot puts the reader in the thick of the action and always has me dreaming of where else in the world I could be at that very minute. Idyllic surroundings and beautiful food to be eaten.
Waiting for the next delightful read.

A huge thanks you to @boldwoodbooksnl and @netgalley for this eARC. I so fell in love with Corfu and the Greek countryside and now I'm dying to visit Greece 🤩

🏝️Cara is on a trip to Corfu, Greece, with her aunt Margot to attend a big fat Greek wedding. But when she learns that her aunt has a hidden agenda, one she has been fleeing from for a long time, she finds solace in a confession at a local church. Turns out the priest was not who he said he was, but in fact the groom's elder brother, Akis. With a family curse looming over Akis and trying to define his path in life, it is as if the universe conspired to bring these two lost souls together. Will their mutual attraction lead to something more or will it be a summer fling on the beautiful Greek coast?

❣️This book hit me different. It is not the usual run-of-the-mill love story. I mean it definitely has some of the usual tropes, but mental health is a huge focus of this book. So is making choices. What moved me the most in this book is how Cara, Akis, and even Margot fought their inner demons and came out stronger. The way Cara and Akis helped each other overcome their fears was what made their relationship beautiful.

😆Oh and the humor in this story was epic! I was literally rolling around on my bed at 3 in the morning and getting looks from my sleepy husband 😂🤣

🫑The spice was very minimal and the build up of the romance was an extreme slow burn. There were so many lost moments in the story, ranging from human interference to even a bell tolling, I was literally like come on, give them a second! The focus was more on their friendship, which was fine by me, but I would have loved a bit more spice in the story.

Tropes:
💗 Hot cinnamon roll MMC
💗 Slow burn
💗 Grumpy x sunshine
💗 Exotic romance
💗 Small town romance

Don't we all love a wedding? And this book is no exception. Yet another great book by Mandy set in the sunshine of Corfu.

Whilst the idea of a Greek Wedding is often a subject of books and films, this story gives the theme a welcome uniqueness with its believable characters, vibrant family relationships and gentle romance. Cara's anxieties define her life, and she welcomes the direction and support of her aunt Margot, a driven entrepreneur. A talented singer, Cara hasn't sung since a disastrous performance to a vast audience, and after her relationship imploded, she is happy to do as her aunt wishes. When the latter suggests a trip to Corfu to attend a wedding, she reluctantly agrees despite the anxiety anything associated with weddings manifests. I like the author's use of sensory imagery of the wedding events, which results in many hilarious moments for the reader. Anxiety and the toll it takes on people is a recurrent theme in this story, resulting in many angst-ridden episodes. The author achieves an engaging balance of happy and sad, making this an entertaining read. It also raises some tourism versus animal welfare issues. I like the characters, the family drama and the romance in this idyllic setting.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher

I enjoyed reading One Greek Summer Wedding by Mandy Baggot. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Mandy Baggot often whisks us away to gorgeous, sun soaked locations and this latest romance is set on the island of Corfu.
A true summer, fun filled read, with characters you will find entertaining, some you may find frustrating and some who are just plain annoying. At the heart of some wedding chaos, Cara and Akis find each other (although initially there may have been a slight misunderstanding) and soon realise thy can support and help each other. Of course the spark between them jumps off the page!
A thoroughly enjoyable book, perfect for holidays and relaxing by the pool. If you aren’t on sun filled shores, you will soon be looking to be after reading this.
Another great read from this author.

Mandy Baggot writes good Greek romances. Cara and her aunt Margo are off to a wedding. Will the trip help Cara forget the past? Akis was welcoming, Corfu was beautiful. There’s a relaxing pace to this book, yet the chapters pass by quickly. It’s immersive.

Thanks to Mandy Baggot and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

I’ll never tire of having Mandy Baggot transport me to Greece with her stories. She has an incredible ability to build up her characters, their surroundings, the food they're eating, and every other element as reality, leaving me longing to eat fish with my fingers and drink wine on terraces beside the ocean. Akis and Cara have a slow burn romance, growing amidst a chaotic family wedding. Both are having difficulty with their futures for different reasons, and have some big decisions to make, but with support and advice from each other they begin to find their way and realise what’s important in life. Their romance was beautifully written, incorporating all the tenderness, honesty, and support as well as the awkwardness of not knowing if your feelings are reciprocated, providing that dance between two people as they test the waters. Cara’s aunt, Margot, was a little frustrating and it was hard not to feel bad for Cara but Akis’ mother, Sofia, definitely gave her a run for her money. A wild and quirky cast of characters certainly brought even more to this story and it was a lot of fun following them through the story.

An enjoyable easy read. Always lovely to escape to a beautiful location and the characters were likeable (for the most part. A little far fetched perhaps at times but still a good read.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Cara and her aunt Margo are heading to a wedding in Corfu, even though Cara only found out about it the day before. It's the wedding of the son of Margo's old school friend, but when they arrive, Cara discovers that not everything is as straightforward as it seems.

Cara is still recovering from a traumatic event that cost her career, her fiancé, and nearly her sanity. Can the gentle Akis help her rediscover herself, even as he faces his own issues, with a domineering mother who insists he join the priesthood to lift a family curse before his upcoming birthday?

I loved the characters in this book, particularly Cara and her aunt Margo. Mandy Baggot creates the perfect relationship between them as the story reveals what connects them. With a dashing Greek hero, Akis, who has a significant decision to make, and his quirky family, this book offers a delightful mix of romance and comedy. The story is a fantastic summer read, with engaging characters and a light-hearted touch. Beyond Corfu, the author also treats us to some beautiful scenes set in Santorini. Mandy's books never disappoint.

I loved the characters in this book, especially Cara and her aunt Margot. Mandy Baggot has drawn the perfect relationship between the two as little by little we find out what binds them together. Add in a romantic Greek hero, Akis, with a life-changing decision to make and his slightly bonkers family and you have a perfect story. Set on beautiful Corfu too so what more could you want? Except perhaps quick tour of Santorini? Altogether a win-win for me.

A fun light hearted romantic read that transports you to the beautiful setting of Greece the descriptions of Santorini are beautiful and although there are a lot of very funny moments in the book it delves into the characters facing their fears along with discovering the joys of what will make them happy.

This would make a good holiday beach read.

I absolutely inhaled this gorgeous book and finished it in a single session. Yes, it was after midnight, but I simply couldn’t put it down. Sometimes, sleep is overrated. The whole premise of the book captured my imagination and its publication falling right in line with the forthcoming Eurovision celebrations couldn’t have been better planned.
Cara is a beautiful character, not only by description, but her nature was of a gentle soul. She’s been hurt and damaged by a series of unfair circumstances, and her confidence is shot to ribbons. Having been raised by born-again hippies, more focused on the environment than their daughter, she naturally gravitated to her maternal Aunt, the ever-enterprising Margot.

Akis Diakos had been raised under the spectre of a curse that would mean his future was about to send him down a path that he didn’t desire or approve of. His real passion was in music, either performing it or dancing to it, and neither of those would be an option if he did what the curse dictated. At least for now, he was free to enjoy all the sights and sounds of Corfu.

This was a smashing, fast-paced story that had plenty of twists and turns. It fully embraced the idiosyncratic lifestyle of many Greeks as well as nodding to the more contemporary views of modern times. For once, it was the matriarch who spouted the sensible opinion from amongst the mayhem of a more superstitious younger generation. I particularly loved the donkey, Pig, who was a constant feature.

There’s a delightful slow-burn romance and a surprising connection to explore. An overly wealthy playboy getting his comeuppance and some hilarious moments along the way as the mother of the groom channels her inner ‘zilla. No spoilers here, but there’s plenty of fun and romance to satisfy all readers. All against the backdrop of the beautiful Greek island of Corfu.

One Greek Summer Wedding by Mandy Baggot is a great summer romance story to get absolutely lost in!
The writing and storylines were engaging, action-packed, cunningly observant, and shot through with crisp levity and whip-smart humor.
The characters are relatable and very well written and by the end of the book I felt like I had been on the holiday with them!
A stunning Greek romance, that had me glued to my Kindle,

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Cara has been quietly working for her aunt Margot ever since her Eurovision performance went terribly, resulting in the end of her career, her fiance ghosting her, and her parents running off to travel the world. Margot is typically all business--but she has sprung a vacation on Cara: a trip to Greece to attend the wedding of one of Margot's college friends' children. It's out of character, and when they get there, it turns out there's even more of a surprise than Cara expected. As she grapples with her past, and her aunt's behavior, she also grows closer with Akis, who is dealing with demons of his own as he grapples with whether or not to join the priesthood to placate a generations-long curse on his family.

One Greek Summer Wedding beautifully explores what it's like to face the fears that rule your life--whether those fears are your own or imposed on you by others.

This book is zany in a way that I just find confusing. I’m sure others will enjoy it, but it’s not for me.