I was given this ARC early in exchange for a honest review courtesy of NetGalley.

This book was definitely an escape on vacation vibe and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery and culture. I also really enjoyed all the characters from the village, they really brought some light to the story. I thought to prologue in the beginning really intrigued me. However, the plot was honestly kinda all over the place and I couldn’t stand the main character, Stella. She was so annoyingly fragile and weak and didn’t know how to say no but still somehow managed to hurt all the people around her. I wish there would’ve been more exploration on the “magic” of the villa, I think it would’ve made this story so much more interesting. Also the random sex scene at the end was kinda not necessary. Overall this book was just okay. I think there could’ve been so much more done with it.

Such a lovely book, this is the story of Stella,Al, Harriet and Jon. Sadness and grief overwhelm Stella and Jon and when things come to a head it nearly has a disastrous ending.
The story is based in Crete, On a small island with no cars or bikes to get around on ! Only mode of transport is your feet. Stella and Louise decide to take them and their family on a two week holiday on this beautiful island, the author describes the island so well that you just want to be there swimming in the clear blue water and just taking in the views. Villa Ariadne with its stunning blue door and smell of lemons is such a special place and the story just takes you right there.

My thanks as always to NetGalley and Publisher Boldwood Books for the early read.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I have mixed feelings about this book. Although some of the descriptions were beautiful, I found some of the writing quite repetitive, and while I liked the concept, it took too long to get into the heart of the story, but was wrapped up too quickly. I loved the Greek setting.

The book is an escape read and the descriptions of Crete and food were wonderful. The prologue was the best part of the book. I would have enjoyed this more if Katerina was the main character. I was intrigued with her from the start. Is there a little magic going on? I wanted to know more.
I was excited to read on.

Sadly, Stella was introduced and the story went downhill from there. Stella was just not like able. She was whiny, fragile and annoying. The book dragged on with past reflections to current time often with redundant phrases or descriptions. How many times does one have to read about a clenched fist? The love scene was terrible and the tone was a different style from the rest of the book. It should have been left out.

I expected this book to be more cheerful. I would not describe it as an uplifting story. The cover and description are very misleading.

A woman travelling to a beautiful Greek island to escape the troubles of her life and try to heal the pain from her past? Does this not give major "Mamma Mia" vibes? I'll be honest, that is what caught my initial attention. Based off of the description, I expected self-discovery, romance, and family healing to be in the book, and it was delivered, maybe just not in the way I anticipated.

Things I enjoyed:
-The author did a fantastic job with vivid imagery. I felt as though I was on that island with the characters and I could picture the villa beautifully.
-I loved the magical element that the prologue gave the book, but I'm disappointed I didn't get more of that throughout the rest of the story. Nevertheless, because of the prologue, I was hooked from the beginning because I wanted to see what happened next.
-Louise. That's all. She was just so real. I feel like her actions and feelings towards Stella were justified, but I also love how she stood up for her family and friends.
-A main thing that I crave in books is character development, and I felt that I did get that with Stella, so I appreciated that.

Constructive criticism:
-Some of Stella's flashbacks could have been better introduced. I didn't think they were as impactful as they could have been because I was not very attached to the characters.
-The descriptions of the food were a little too detailed. I know it's probably because Stella was in the catering business but it just didn't interest me to know every single spice and herb in every single dish.
-Stella! Ugh, she was so annoying! She was whiny, made horrible decisions, and made those closest to her resent her. She acted entitled because she was mourning and expected everyone to just accept it, but the things that she did were not acceptable.
-THE LOVE SCENE AT THE END. Literally ew what was that. It was so unnecessary and I will be completely honest, I've never cringed that hard in my life.
-Lastly Jon. He was the biggest red flag. I saw that plot coming but still, red flag.

In general, it was a fairly light and easy read, but overall it was just a 'meh' book, which I rate as 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3).

A charming book about marriage, grief, friendship and parenting, all set in a charming villa under the Cretan sun.
I felt like I was on holiday, tasting the delicious pastries, drinking the wine and swimming on the beach. There are some sad, serious parts of the book but over all this is a lovely, heartwarming story. Yamas!

What a lovely story, full of loss and grief, love and hope.
There were points in the book where I really wasn’t keen on Stella and the way she behaved, but grief can do strange things to people!
Emma has such a lovely writing style, and you can really immerse yourself in the book and that characters, almost as if you’re there with them.
Definitely a book to recommend to others!

Stella can't get over the death of her friend Harriet even after 2 years. She's split from her husband Al and hopes a holiday to Crete can help her broken family. Things don't always go they hope they will. Lovely book

Stella, seeking solace after personal losses, travels to Crete’s Villa Ariadne, where the serene environment initially soothes her. However, an old acquaintance’s arrival and a troubling revelation disrupt her peace, forcing her to make tough choices. With Crete’s beauty and local kindness, Stella learns that Villa Ariadne offers not just an escape, but a chance for new beginnings and love.

———

This was an escapist novel alright. It painted the vacation house beautifully and if I hadn't wanted to visit Crete before, there's no doubt this book would have convinced me to do so.

Right off the bat, I was intrigued by the "magic" of the villa. The prologue did a great job of setting the mysterious tone that hummed through the entire novel. Unfortunately, except for the revelation about the house's owner, most of the plot just wasn't exciting for me.

Half the time, I was annoyed at Stella's inability to say no. She infuriated me. The rest of the time, I wondered when a certain character (not gonna spoil) would show up. When this character finally showed up, it felt too late because by then I had already decided that this novel was just okay for me.

It's not bad, it just wasn't as good as I thought it'd be based on how the prologue made me feel.

I did like the vivid imagery and how the author painted the culture and the quirky townspeople. But I did find some parts overly described, like, was it really necessary to say that they went to this restaurant and found the food bland? I was wondering if the food review would figure into the plot later on but it didn't, so what was it for???

Overall, I thought the world-building was great, the magical aspect of the novel was good (the grand reveal could've been more exciting), and the romance was meh.

P. S. Early praise for this book said this escapist novel contains family secrets, sibling rivalry, and summer romance. There were lots of family secrets, sure. I don't know if I'd categorize this as a summer romance, but okay. I found sibling rivalry nowhere though. (Not a criticism of the book or author, I just felt compelled to mention that.)

Wow, what an incredible rollercoaster of a read! From the minute I picked up this book, I was swept away by the vividly described landscapes and mouthwatering descriptions of Crete's delectable cuisine. The magnetic cover promised a dream escape and the story delivered in spades. Stella’s journey is both heart-wrenching and intensely relatable, as she navigates through personal loss and rediscovery amidst the stunning backdrop of Villa Ariadne. The rich, evocative storytelling immediately made me want to pack my bags and experience the magic of Crete firsthand.

Just when you think Stella might get a moment of peace, the arrival of Harriet’s widower Jon throws a wrench into her plans, adding unexpected drama and depth to the story. The dynamic between the characters is brilliantly portrayed, making you feel the tension and raw emotion with every page. Louise's sudden betrayal and Stella’s longing for her husband add layers of complexity that keep you hooked. The warm and eclectic community of Porto Liakáda, with its captivating residents like Alice, Marina, and Kater, adds a delightful touch of charm and unpredictability. This book is an absolute gem and a must-read for anyone looking for a story that's both deeply moving and beautifully escapist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Stella has had a bad few years. Her best friend Harriet has died of cancer, and her marriage broke down. Her son Hector is permanently mad at her, and she has neglected her business.

To get away from it all, she books two weeks in Villa Ariadne on Crete and takes her two kids, her friend Louise and her two kids with her.

The gorgeous cover drew me in and hasn't let me down. The many descriptions of the breathtaking scenery and the delectable food are beyond evocative - I immediately wanted to book a holiday to Crete.

However, it seems Stella cannot completely escape her problems. Harriet's widower Jon turns up and throws the carefully curated holiday into disarray with an unwelcome admission. Stella pines for her husband and Louise suddenly turns on her.

But through the warm and eclectic community of Porto Liakáda, including Alice and her unruly family, painter Marina who gives unwanted prophecies, and Katerina, the caretaker of Villa Ariadne, Stella finds the necessary strength to turn things around.

This is a heartwarming story of loss and second chances. It's a quick summery read about how to move on from tragedy, with a bit of magic thrown in - apparently the villa chooses the worthy guests and not the other way round. Please pick me next!

4.25 stars

Short and sweet novella of a woman rediscovering the joy of life after a tragedy. The location is beautiful and gives a very Under the Tuscan Sun vibe. A quick and fun escapist read, perfect for summer.