This is a lovely novel set mostly in Greece, full of vivid color and scent and sound and detail. I loved traveling to Greece this way! The romance itself is lovely but what I especially enjoyed was Kat's story of healing and grounding after the loss of her twin in a tragic accident. The way the author wove the story of Kat renovating her new home on the island with the story of rebuilding after loss, was just beautiful. Also...the food! Also... the tribute to family and friendship!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful read set in Greece with great characters and a storyline which kept me hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A very can’t put down read. Set mainly in on a Greek Island. So many twists and lies that were told. The setting was amazing. The main character was so accident prone and I could so relate to that.. Loved the linen mentions . The Greek house sounded stunning by the end. Excellent that famous people can be normal. The twin element was so moving . Gosh families can be over powering. The food descriptions were fab. A lovely lovely summer read. Hard to review without spoiling . Read it.

Grieving over the loss of her twin brother, Kat is much surprised to learn that she inherited a house from her uncle. One she never knew existed. Taking a plane to Greece, Kat arrives on island of Agistri It is there that she falls in love with Greece. She also uncovers secrets that have been kept from her and why she never knew her family. Yet the biggest surprise and one that she felt challenged about, was the neighbor that lived next door to her. This novel was comfortable, one that I loved. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2 stars

Firstly, although this is a negative review, I mean no hate towards the author and I could see why others would definitely enjoy this book. However, this book just didn't work for me.

I am honestly so disappointed with what this rating ended up being because in the beginning, I was thoroughly enjoying the story. The reasoning behind our protagonist Kat's actions and why she wanted to go to Greece was understandable and I could really emphasise with Kat's grief over the loss of her twin brother Nik. It wasn't until Chapter 25 that the characters (mainly Kat's friends and family) really began to irk me so much that I just couldn't look past it. Now it's not even like something big happens in this chapter, its only then that I began to be aware of how her friends and family treated Kat which led me to start writing down each time it happened from this point on which led to me compiling this list:

- Kat is constantly kept in the dark about several things, for example her brother Nik knowing about her Uncle in Greece and even travelling to the island without her knowing. Yet for some reason her friend Lizzie and ex husband Jamie along with at least her mother (and maybe her father) were all aware of this and yet no-one told her because Nik wanted to "protect her". Protect her from what? At this point Kat would've been 31 and in the present day she's 37 so I fail to see, and the author gives no reason as to why the other characters are coddling her so much. It honestly became so frustrating!

- When Kat brings up her own frustrations to Lizzie about all the secrets being kept from her, Lizzie tells her to "get some perspective" and to stop looking in the past... Obviously finding out about the secrets surrounding her family is a big part of her identity so the fact that her longest friend just dismissed this but then has the audacity to get annoyed at Kat when she didn't immediately tell her that her Greek neighbour was a famous actor baffled me. Like my girl you have been keeping a secret for 5+ years so you really don't have a leg to stand on.

- Now moving on to probably the biggest factor of this book that I just didn't get was the inclusion of Jamie in all of Kat's business. We are told that they are separated and almost divorced. So why he still so involved in Kat's life? So much so that he even travels with her parents to Greece... I didn't get why he calls her wifey and she still has him saved in her phone as husband but she is very quick to act upon her attraction to Andreas (which there's nothing wrong with as they are separated but I just don't understand their dynamic at all)!
When Jamie meets Andreas, Andreas tells him that he's heard a lot about him and Jamie responds "all good things I hope. She is still my wife." This wasn't even said in a jokey sarcastic way as later on Jamie tells Kat that Andreas' mansion and staff are "somewhat out of her league"??? I just don't get why is he so involved, even as a plot device there is no reason for him to be around so much.
Another example is when Andreas tells Jamie that he can help himself to the wine because what's his (Andreas') is Jamie's but then Jamie responds "well you already have something of mine, so it's only fair to share," I'm sorry what? They are separated and almost legally divorced... Why is Jamie even there? Why is he so involved still?
Jamie then tries to get Andreas to come outside clearly looking for a fight because apparently he wants to act like a teenager. He does apologise to Kat the next morning but when she implies that he will also have to apologise to Andreas he says "what pretty boy next door? You must be joking?" I would understand if Jamie was acting this way because he is jealous and wants to get Kat back but it isn't written like that as at no point does he try together back to her and that though never crosses Kat's mind, so why why why is he included?

Overall, I was really enjoying this book but then all the characters became really annoying and hypocritical and while Kat may have addressed her frustrations in her mind, it took until 78% for her to begin standing up for herself and even that was lacklustre.

However, this is not to say I can't see why other people would enjoy this book. The two stars are for the evocative Greek Island setting and the explorations of grief which I thought was well done.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I just finished a great book. Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell was so enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

A fabulous escape to the Greek Island of Agistri with plenty of sunshine to lift the spirits. Well developed characters throughout although Kat, the main female character is a little frustrating at times. Basically the book is dealing with grief, finding comfort and moving on. A little predictable at times especially between Kat and the love interest with the usual not listening and misunderstandings. A light feelgood uplifting book to take on holiday.

I was hooked from the beginning, a sad start but the grief is handled so beautifully and her journey through her grief slowly begins to heal by the love of family and new friendships. There’s a family’s buried past, time for forgiveness and love and laughter where you least expect it.

Kat is having a difficult time after the death of her twin Nik. She then discovers that they've been left a house on the Greek island of Agistri from an uncle she never knew she had. She decides to go there and finds there are a loads of secrets.

A beautiful story which is heart breaking in moments but a brilliant read and will keep you hooked in all the way through.

Lyrically written, this novel covers love, loss, and deeply hidden family secrets. Things migrate from the past to the present when Kat moves to her family’s homeland, Greece. She and her deceased twin brother have inherited a home there willed to them by an uncle she never knew about. Each new secret revealed causes Kat to reevaluate herself and redefine her parents.
A touching and beautiful novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A beautiful Greek island setting, this tale of love, friendship and relationships was just perfect to devour on a cold spring day

A captivating story of love and friendship with a touch of sadness and grief. Set in what sounded like a most beautiful part of Greece Agistri the description of which made you feel you wanted yo be there. Kat was a great character and it was wonderful following her story arriving in Greece following a sad episode in her life. A gripping story which was beautifully written and a real page turner. I loved it.

When Kat inherits a house from her uncle on the Greek island of Agistri everything changes. Falling in love with her surroundings gives Kat the encouragement to face the recent loss of her twin and while renovating the house she discovers a family secret that rocks her world. As she confronts her own fears she finds peace and happiness. An adorable read that I couldn’t put down.

Move over Victoria Hislop, Under The Lemon Tree seals Emma Cowell’s place as mistress of the Greek romantic novel. Even the deepest, darkest and most difficult of emotions felt real and the author’s love for and understanding of Greek culture shine through.

Kat is devastated by the loss of her twin brother, never more so than when she inherits a house on the island of Agistri from an uncle she never knew. The house should have been for them both, but recognising her life needs to change, she heads to Greece intent on renovation – and to escape from the well-intentioned meddling of her family and friends.

This book has all the elements for a best-selling summer romance; a hot film star love interest, a gorgeous setting, secrets which tumble out to ensnare Kat at every turn. The descriptions of the house and the island are immersive, the food mouth-watering, the stray cat suitably independent. All in all, a great holiday read.

I really enjoyed this book - the Greek setting was lovely and the writing and characters felt very authentic. The romance was an integral part of the story but this was also a story about grief and this was explored really well. I would recommend this and look forward to reading more from this author.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. This was a lovely read. I was utterly immersed in the story, the beautiful setting and the engaging characters. While the level of interfering from the supporting characters was frustrating, and I didn't really understand why they'd been hiding things from Kat for so long, the cast was richly written. An entertaining, emotive, enjoyable read. I am keen to read more by this author.

Kat is British of Greek heritage and inherits a house in Greece. Deciding to take a break from work after a difficult time she moves there to renovate the house. Her next door neighbour just happens to be Mr Gorgeous! I loved how the book weaves stories from the Greek myths of Artemis and Apollo into the chapters, reflecting the lives of Kat and Nic. The book is also a brilliant study of grief, one of the best, most moving ones I’ve read. I wasn’t expecting that. I was expecting a lovely sun drenched romance but the writings on grief absolutely floored me. They meant a lot.
It’s a delicious romantic summer story, with wonderful sounding food and a feisty interesting heroine and relatable family dynamics. I loved it.

I guarantee you’ll want to hop on a ferry to Agistri and order a slice of Lemonopita, or at the very least, plan on Greek food for dinner!

I can always count on Emma Cowell to give me an emotional narrative rich with authentic Greek island life. This time she transported me to a scenic island near Athens and showed me that “life is really a beautiful collision of circumstances that none of us are able to predict. Who we love, where we go, who we meet” …. they’re all ingredients that randomly combine over time to make us who we are.

You’ll have plenty to ponder, especially if you’ve been reading recent news headlines. Perhaps we aren’t as tolerant of anything ‘different’ as we thought we were. Maybe this is our reminder that everyone needs and is deserving of love and respect.

I was wrapped up in a story highlighting characters who:
💙felt a need to right a past wrong
💙challenged the definition of ‘home’
💙were flawed and relied on second chances
💙learned the freedom in forgiving
💙discovered that love comes when we least expect it

My takeaway: Grief is “love that is missing its target.”

I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.