#BeneaththeLemonTrees #NetGalley This was an perfect holiday read. Kind of predictable in the way the story was going with some parts that didn't seem to have a point - Stella's bruises and he continual scratching of mosquito bites until they bled. I guessed the ending quite early into the book. I felt the 'Intimate' scene at the end of the book seemed out of character and wasn't really necessary. Overall an easy read with some beautiful descriptions of the Cretan countryside and the food.

Really struggling with this one … overall I enjoyed it but there were some really awkward elements that jarred. The main character was not very likeable and had all sorts of issues. Maybe that’s the point - her redemption through the book! Understandably the death of her best friend had affected her, but to put them ahead of her own family seems odd… her clumsiness and picking of mosquito bites added nothing to the story … the sexual harassment from the widower and the entirely predictable events such as the owner of the villa and the seaside incident! But the worst part was the random spicy scene which wasn’t necessary at all and totally jarred - was so out of place in this book.

However, I really enjoyed the side characters - the moody son, the villa’s housekeeper, and the shopkeeper and her rowdy kids… on balance it was an interesting read which made me want to visit Crete again (no way am I hiking up a remote path to a magical villa though) but difficult to give more than 3* to this one.

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Beneath The Lemon Trees by Emma Burstall is a beautifully crafted, heartwarming novel set against the enchanting backdrop of the Greek island of Crete. It is a tale of healing, love, and new beginnings,

The story follows Stella, who is grappling with profound grief following the death of a close friend and the collapse of her marriage. Desperate for a break from her shattered life, she embarks on a journey to Villa Ariadne, a picturesque, sun-drenched retreat nestled among lemon trees on the shores of Crete. The villa, with its breathtaking views of the azure sea and the intoxicating fragrance of citrus in the air, feels like a sanctuary capable of soothing her soul. As the island works its magic, Stella finds solace in the warmth of the locals and the tranquility of the villa.
However, Burstall doesn't let her protagonist off too easily. Just as Stella settles into the peace of her surroundings, an unexpected encounter with an old acquaintance stirs up unresolved tensions. An unwelcome revelation further challenges her fragile sense of calm, forcing Stella to confront the choices she’s been avoiding. Burstall expertly navigates these emotional upheavals, balancing heartache with hope, and compelling readers to reflect on their own capacity for resilience and change.

The allure of the novel lies not just in the emotional journey Stella embarks upon, but in the vivid portrayal of Crete itself. Burstall's descriptions are rich and immersive, allowing readers to practically feel the warmth of the sun, smell the lemons in the air, and hear the rustle of olive trees in the breeze. Villa Ariadne becomes a character in its own right—a place of transformation, where both the heart and spirit can find refuge and rebirth.

Stella's evolution is touching and authentic. Burstall does not rush her character’s healing; instead, she lets it unfold naturally through her interactions with the people of Crete, who are portrayed with warmth and vibrancy. Their kindness and wisdom provide a perfect counterbalance to the novel's more painful moments, and through them, Stella learns that even the most fractured of hearts can mend, given time and the right environment.

One of the novel's central themes is the idea of letting go of the past in order to embrace the future. Stella’s journey of self-discovery and healing is accompanied by a slowly blooming romance, but it is not the rushed, overpowering love typical of many novels. Instead, it is gentle, patient, and allows Stella the space to rediscover herself before fully committing to someone new. The emotional growth and the possibility of second chances make this book a deeply satisfying read.

Beneath The Lemon Trees is an evocative, soul-stirring novel that offers readers a perfect blend of emotional depth and the irresistible charm of a Mediterranean escape. Emma Burstall expertly explores themes of grief, healing, and renewal, reminding us that even in life’s darkest moments, there’s potential for hope and beauty. With its lush setting and uplifting message, this book is perfect for anyone in search of a feel-good, transformative summer read.

Crete is part of my heart after travelling there and this heartwarming novel made me smile and gave some good time in another place.
Well plotted, cute, entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of Beneath the Lemon Trees in exchange for an honest review.
Despite its inviting title, which suggests a sunny, Mediterranean tale, Beneath the Lemon Trees is more about navigating grief—and not in a particularly engaging way.
The biggest issue I had with the book was the pacing. The chapters were extremely long, averaging around 40 minutes each, which made it difficult to stay engaged. I often found myself reluctant to pick it up, unsure if I had enough time to commit to getting through a whole chapter in one sitting.
On top of that, I struggled to connect with the characters. The main character was not very likeable, and neither were many of the supporting characters. This made it hard to sympathize with their struggles or invest in their journeys. I also felt the portrayal of grief was poorly handled, with little emotional depth or nuance to resonate with.
That said, I did enjoy the ending, and I appreciated the sense of resolution that finally came. If you’re looking for a story about grief with a sunny setting, this book may still appeal to you. However, for me, the slow pacing, long chapters, and unrelatable characters made it a difficult read, and I wouldn’t recommend it overall.

Beneath the Lemon Trees is a good, light holiday read with some more serious topics thrown in that add depth and interest. I enjoyed reading it. And I love Crete so I enjoyed this short 'visit' there.

Sure, the book has flaws. The focus on Stella's cuts and bruises was random and added nothing. The Greek locals' English was unrealistically good!

I think more could have been made of Stella's misguided focus on Jon and Jemima rather than her own family, I was expecting her to have a deep AHA moment on that score. But the overall message that grief does weird things to you was quite well conveyed.

Overall, I think that this is a novel that is sort of sitting on the fence between light holiday romance and more serious family drama. It could have veered more towards the drama, in my view, and thus earned a 4th star.

Still, it's a good read that I finished within about 24 hours; quite the page turner in the second half especially.

This was my first book by this author and I liked getting to know Stella and her story. Her son, Hector, drove me up the wall, but once I knew why he was the way he was, I had a lot more compassion. Stella has a lot of grief and has not been dealing with it, so it has had a negative effect on her and her family. I did not like the thread involving Jon, but did understand how things came about after losing his wife Harriet. It was a bit too intense for me. There were some dynamics I was not a fan of, but overall I liked the story. I loved learning a little about Greece and Crete and would love to visit one day!

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received an advanced copy via the publisher and Netgalley. Stella is not doing well at the start of the book. She might have given a little too much while taking care of her friend. When her marriage collapses she finds comfort in Crete. The island is full of interesting characters with their own secrets. In the end Stella finds what she was looking for.
This might not be the story you expected looking at the description and the cover. But it is an OK read. Definitely would recommend if you have a few hours to kill.

I did not enjoy this book.
Set on the gorgeous greek island of Crete I was expecting a light hearted, easy, summer romance but I was wrong.
To start with, this book is the complete opposite of a holiday read, it’s depressing and boring. It constantly talks about Stela’s friend that died of cancer, which I find so depressing to read about when it’s meant to be a summer read.
I also found the amount of detail & description of Stella’s cuts and bruises a bit weird and random.
I also didn’t like the repeated use of bad language, for me it ruined the book and was totally unnecessary.
I would not recommend this book.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

Hard topics are covered in this book but beautifully wrapped up. Gorgeous backdrop of Greece and just a heartfelt story come to life.

I did not enjoy this book. It was hard to finish cause I was really annoyed with Stella. Jon was a walking red flag. I however did like Louise.

A beautiful backdrop for this book, however not a relaxing trip for the characters. I was hoping for a summer romance but did not find one in this story. It did, however, make me want to book a trip to Crete ASAP

I have read most of Emma Burstall’s books and particularly associate her with Cornwall. This novel is set in Crete and is far more than an easy summer read. Difficult themes of grief, loss, marital breakdown and the impossibility of teenagers are addressed. All the characters are well drawn although they do make some odd decisions. Beautiful Crete is almost a character in its own right. Recommended.

I enjoyed this book, It brought me to a beautiful Island in Greece. Burstall does an excellent job of painting the picture of what the Island would look like. She also portraying the characters where even I felt annoyed by Jon. This is a nice beach read especially if your going on vacation.

While it was easy to read- it wasn’t my favorite. I wanted a little more meat in it. I loved the premise of the old villa knowing who needed to stay there and helping lost souls find their way. The cast of characters were somewhat shallow and I wanted more from them. The end of the book picked up and I loved how it ended.

The premise is undeniably promising, and it kicks off with a strong start. The vivid descriptions of Greece—its people, food, and stunning sights—were exceptional. I felt as though I could pack my bags and book a flight right to the villa! I still might… as long as the characters from this story aren’t around.

The main character, Stella, is recently separated from her husband and grieving the loss of her best friend to cancer. She decides to take her children, along with her second-best friend and her children, on a two-week vacation that could have been paradise. Unfortunately, Stella’s indecisiveness and tendency to whine make it impossible for anyone to relax. Her inability to say no even results in an unwelcome houseguest, who really should’ve been left behind for everyone’s sake.

While I absolutely adored the vibrant villagers, the vacationers—Stella included—really dragged the story down. Their misery was a bit over-the-top, especially in contrast to the beautifully written village setting and its enchanting locals. In fact, I found myself far more invested in the villa’s backstory and its charming proprietor than in the main plot.

Also, a heads-up for fans of spicy content: The unexpected steamy scene near the end felt very out of place, especially after a lengthy and odd conversation about scabs and bruises. Not sure why that detail was necessary—it left me more puzzled than anything.

A short summer read, perfect for an escape into a light yet atmospheric Greek seaside setting. However, the tone of the story is noticeably less uplifting than the cover suggests. The character development feels somewhat uneven, with certain relationships and actions feeling strained or unconvincing and overall some strange choices. The ending felt unsatisfying - it seems rushed and falls flat, leaving several threads unresolved.

BENEATH THE LEMON TREES
Emma Burstall

After the loss of a friend a woman retreats to Crete. To soak in the sunshine, the fresh air, and the breathtaking views. On a whim, she invites a man to join her and he surprisingly says yes.

What happens after that will surprise both him and her. The only one not surprised will be you, the reader.

Let’s talk about why this book didn’t work.

I have read through this book twice. I thought it was my fault at first that I didn’t connect with the material but upon reading it the second time I realized it wasn’t me.

I have no connection with the material at all. I don’t feel inspired by the storyline and am not interested in the characters.

It’s a little like perusing a new restaurant's menu at the front door and finding that nothing sounds good.

You never think:
“What is wrong with me why don’t I like the sound of anything here?”
What you’d probably say is:
“I’m not interested.”
“Let’s try something else.”

This is your reminder to put the book down if you’re not enjoying it. It’s ok. Even if everyone else likes it. Even if it’s popular, the book of the summer, or the book of the year. If it’s not for you let it be.

You learn as much from what is not for you as you do from what is. Everything is information.

I will try to articulate what I didn’t like about the book.

The procession is obvious. The integers of the equation are nothing new. Nothing inspiring. And when you put all of these words together one after the other, it is an inevitability instead of a choice.

It was not for me, probably not for you. I don’t recommend it.

Thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books for the copy and the opportunity to provide feedback!

BENEATH THE LEMON TREES…⭐️⭐️