I got this arc from Net Galley. I wanted to love it, but it fell short for me. There’s not many books with a Greecian backdrop, but this book just felt inorganic. You could tell it was written by someone who respects Greek culture, but certainly not Greek themselves. I had a hard time getting into this book and couldn’t connect to the characters. This was my first book from this author.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Good setting with a family drama

The main attraction for me was the inheritance of 25% of a cat. Like, how do you decide which quarter of the cat is yours? Does she get a leg and an ear, or does she feed the cat once every alternate day? Unfortunately, the cat doesn’t appear until the halfway point.
The dual POV helped get both sides of the story. The main characters have issues to deal with, so each getting their POV brings some balance to the plot.
What we don’t get in the blurb is the presence of a tiny but overbearing family on both sides. Though it’s just a mother and friend for the FMC and a mother and a younger sister for the MMC, they stand out more than the main leads!
Not sure if the MMC’s mom was supposed to be the typical Greek mother, but she reminded me of OTT and stereotyped Indian moms – loving but super suffocating and hyper. Reading scenes with her gave me quite a bit of stress, though I think they were supposed to be funny.
The pacing was pretty fast, so enough, although the story didn’t progress much, the % moved ahead steadily. This helped since people seem to go around in circles about the past.
Still, I empathized with the main character’s concerns and vulnerabilities. Their fears were valid. I also liked the career choices.
That said, the romance part didn’t hit the mark. There was some attraction, but I didn’t vibe with it. I can’t say I could feel their chemistry to root for them. Add all those secrets and drama to the mix, there wasn’t enough focus on the couple’s connection or the supposed something they felt for each other.
However, the setting was great. Reading about sweaty and hot summers in Corfu when living in a tropical country didn’t help, lol. I was sweating already. Still, I enjoyed the description of the views, the sea, and the buildings. It has an old-world charm and sounds attractive.
To summarize, A Greek Island Gift has its moments and deals with some important themes about family, relationships, secrets, etc. Read it as a family drama instead of a romance. You may like it better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I have been through an emotional wringer… a tearjerker! I was completely absorbed from the first page… My heart was in my throat

I truly loved this story! It was such a fun romance with twists and turns. I was never bored and really loved how everything turned out! I would recommend if you are looking for an island romance with some surprises and Greek family love/drama!

As for spiciness of the book, there was some flirting but it’s a 0/5🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Mandy Baggot for this ARC and a chance to read it before it hits the shelves!

Another lovely story from one of my favourite authors!
This book is set on the island of corfu, and now I want to go there; it sounds idyllic! The story was lovely, and it really made me want the very best for the characters. I don’t think I can find a negative!
Massive recommendation for this one, particularly if you like a book to read in the sunshine that will make you feel warm inside.

A cute little story set on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu. This novel follows Molly, who finds she has inherited an apartment in Corfu. She is convinced it’s a mistake, after all, she’s never been to Greece, but once she arrived she’s in for a shock. It’s not a full apartment, it’s a 50% share with the gorgeous Christos Baros plus half a truck, half a boat and quarter of a cat. Christos has no need for these items as he’s a successful businessman online Athens, but when his world collides with Molly, Will their shared fortune turn into a shared future? I found this book to be somewhat of a slow burner and whilst enjoyable, it lacked the pace of the authors previous books and didn’t draw me in as much as I expected. I would rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot is such a heartwarming escape! The story instantly charmed me with its mix of humor, romance, and the stunning setting of Corfu. Molly’s unexpected inheritance drew me in, and her chemistry with Christos was captivating—an unlikely pair thrown together by fate but with undeniable sparks. What I loved most was how the vivid descriptions of Corfu almost transported me there. From olive groves to crystal-clear waters, Baggot made the island feel alive. The emotional depth of the story, tied to uncovering the secrets of their shared inheritance, added a layer of meaning beyond the romance. It’s the kind of feel-good read that leaves you smiling and dreaming of sunny shores and second chances. Perfect for anyone craving a getaway without leaving their seat!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really hate giving low ratings for books. Especially for books that I have been given the opportunity to review before they are published. However, I felt like I needed to because this book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two main characters. I appreciated that the author was trying to create banter between both families, but it fell flat most of the time. I am glad that I was given the chance to try one of this author’s books, but I don’t think I will again unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Molly Adams from Portsmouth is a pharmacist who is trying to get her make-up business off the ground. One day she learns she has inherited assets in Corfu, Greece from Vaggelis Vlachos, a man she doesn't know but it turns out he knew her mother Janette. Was he by any chance her father? When she travels to Corfu with her mother and her best friend Siobhan she finds out that she has inherited a house, a boat, a truck, an olive tree and a cat jointly with Christos Baros, a gym owner from Athens who was Vaggelis' godson. The more the families get to know each other, the more they realise there are family secrets that could blow lives apart.

This is my first book by Mandy Baggot who seems to be quite a prolific author, with many books set in Greece, this being her thirtiest. Apparently Freya and Nicholas had their own story in a previous book, but this feels like a standalone.

The setting is gorgeous, the food descriptions are mouth-watering, but the story isn't very complex. The romance is slow-burn but the family secrets take too long to be revealed and aren't overly interesting. The cover is evocative and it's a nice fluffy, sun-drenched beach read for when you don't want to engage your brain or think too much about the reality of how Brits can move to Greece after Brexit.

3.5 stars

As I have enjoyed Mandy Baggot's novels it the past, I was thrilled to be approved for an eARC of her newest novel, A Green Island Gift (publication date April 28, 2025). When Molly Adams finds out she’s inherited an apartment in Kassiopi, Corfu, she’s pretty sure there’s been some kind of mistake. She doesn’t know a soul in Greece, especially the man who has left her an inheritance, Vaggelis Vlachos. She travels to Corfu with her mom and best friend to find out what she has been gifted. She has inherited 50% of an apartment, 50% of a boat, 50% of an olive tree and 25% of a cat....! She meets handsome Christos Baros, who inherited the other 50% of the apartment, boat and olive tree. He has no interest in sharing his share and is suspicious of the beautiful Brit, Molly, who has never met Vaggelis. As they get to know each other better and sightsee the island, they can't help but fall for each other.

This novel was a sweet romance. I adored the beautiful setting and the cast of characters. The only fault I found was that it took an excessively long time to discover the true identity of Molly's father. The revelation was considerably delayed, and the entire situation felt overly drawn out.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.