Escape to Greece

MNEMOSYNI’S MUSINGS…

Maria A. Karamitsos

Summer is upon us! Here are some recently released novels that will transport you to Greece—no passport required. Perfect for the beach or days at the pool.

One Greek Summer Wedding by Mandy Baggot

Boldwood Books (May 10, 2024)

Mandy is the award-winning author of more than two dozen summer romance reads, including Under the Greek Sun and One Greek Sunrise. When singer Cara is invited to a wedding on Corfu, she sees it as a mixed blessing: some time to heal on the beautiful island but it’s going to stir up memories of her lost love. Meanwhile, Akis Diakos, brother of the groom, should be looking forward to planning the bachelor party, but burdened by the weight of family expectation, he must make a decision—one that could ruin his little brother’s life forever. When Cara learns that her Aunt Margot brought her there under false pretenses, 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 them both to face their fears.

Another Greek Summer by Francesca Catlow

Gaia & Fenrir Publishing (July 7, 2024)

Six summers ago, Alice, a university student, travels to the idyllic beaches and turquoise seas of Corfu, where she meets moody bartender, Nico. For the past year she’s been obsessing over the unattainable Ethan, but when Nico opens up to her like no one else ever has, she realizes there’s more to his brooding disposition than she could ever have imagined. When her holiday comes to an end, Alice doesn’t want to leave Nico, but she must return to finish her degree. Her whole life is planned out, and living in Corfu isn’t part of the equation.

Six years later, Alice is back on Corfu, but not out of choice. She promised herself never to return, too afraid to face the man she left behind. But her now fiancé, Ethan, has booked a surprise getaway to Corfu, forcing her to face her past. Two summers, six years apart. Will hearts recover or be broken—again?

An Island Love Song by Emma Cowell

Avon (July 9, 2024)

In this brand-new book from the author of The House in the Olive Grove and One Last Letter from Greece is an emotional and romantic novel set on Hydra. While a paradise for most, the island is home to the darkest secrets of sisters Ella and Georgia. But as they return to Greece to scatter their mother’s ashes, they must confront their past. The island urges them to meet the past head on, but can they build a future on the ruins of their past?

A Greek Island Escape by Kate Frost

Boldwood Books (February 29, 2024)

The newest book from the author of several escapist reads, including The Greek Heart and One Greek Summer, takes us to Kefalonia. Xanthe Fox has it all: a famous, drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend, a dream career, and bright future – until heartbreak sends her life into a tailspin. So when her Greek godmother unexpectedly leaves her an island villa, she jumps at the chance to put her life in London on hold and escape to the island hideaway to rethink her future. While renovating the house, she discovers more about her estranged family. Not everyone is happy to see her. Unfazed by her hostile neighbors and after making a mortifying mistake with a sexy builder, Xanthe is equally charmed by Kefalonia and a handsome, brooding gardener. Chasing dreams, taking chances, and saying ‘yes’ has the potential to turn Xanthe’s life upside down, but will a summer escape allow her to sparkle once more?

Last Days in Plaka by Henriette Lazaridis

Pegasus Books (April 9, 2024)

The latest book from the author of Terra Nova and The Clover House takes us to the Plaka. Anna, a young Greek-American woman seeks a connection to her parents’ heritage. Irini, an elderly widow, once wealthy, now depends on the kindness of others. As they join the priest to study the Book of Revelations in preparation for a pilgrimage to Patmos, they form an unlikely bond. Anna delves deeper into Irini’s stories of her estranged daughter and lost wealth. Looking for a revelation of her own and driven by a sense that time is running out, Anna makes a decision that puts her in peril, exposes Irini’s web of lies, and compels Anna to confront the limits of her own forgiveness.

The Song of Youth by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Independently published (July 22, 2024)

Effrosyni is the author of several novels, predominantly contemporary romance with a mix of fantasy and paranormal elements set in Greece. In her forthcoming supernatural romantic comedy set on Milos, a 45-year-old landscape designer wishes to be young again. Her wish fulfilled—for just a few hours at a time, she gets the chance to find true love. Being young again whenever she wishes makes Emilia feel exuberant, but it pales in comparison to the way a handsome widower makes her feel. Together, they rescue a puppy, and now she feels like she is being rescued too. But he’s in his 50s and only has eyes for the real Emilia, not the younger version. The only problem is her angelic gift keeps expiring in the most awkward moments. How much longer can she keep her secret? Will she choose the gift of youth or the sweetness of love?

Summer at the Santorini Bookshop – Rebecca Raisin

HQ Digital (May 7, 2024)

The author of the best-selling Little Venice Bookshop takes us to Santorini. After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just bought a small bookshop on the island, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her. But life there is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake date her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on her side, she reluctantly agrees. As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop—and fake date her way to love?

The Greek Villa by Sue Roberts

Bookouture (May 29, 2024)

The latest in the ‘Summer Romances’ series is set on Corfu. After receiving a life-changing inheritance from a beloved, quirky older relative, 32-year-old Claudia bought a run-down villa in Greece. Though she’s never seen it in person, she’s sure that a little bit of paint will make it everything she’s ever dreamed. But the house is falling apart. The locals think she’s crazy and she starts to think the same, until handsome local builder Dimitri comes to her rescue. They grow close over glasses of Greek wine beneath the stars, after long, hot days working on the villa. Just as Claudia begins to see a future with Dimitri, his ex-girlfriend shows up. Though he reassures her that it’s over between them, Claudia thinks he’s keeping secrets. Then a pipe bursts, flooding the villa, and all Claudia’s hopes are dashed at once. Should Claudia call it quits and head back to her old life? Or is Dimitri hiding the perfect surprise?

At Any Cost by Jeffrey Siger

Severn House (February 6, 2024)

This is book #13 in the ‘Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis’ series. After many suspicious fires the previous summer, Kaldis and his team are assigned to investigate. While wildfires in Greece aren’t unusual, he worries that this is a set up and he and his department will be forced to accept political blame for the blazes. He speculates that shady characters—both foreign and domestic—are involved. One lead after another points to arson, done for profit. They learn of plans to make Syros the center of the Metaverse, weaponizing the digital world for a mysterious entity’s nefarious plans. Can Kaldis and his team stop it before it’s too late?

Saving Elora by Jackie Watson

Hawthorn Wren (May 2, 2024)

In Book 2 in the ‘Apokeri Bay series’, we meet Anna, who has it all, or so it would seem. Fiercely protective of her daughter and husband, the secrets from her past and ten-year marriage remain hidden. Basking in a tropical paradise, a con artist tires of easily seducing gullible females. He craves a challenge, and the greatest one presents itself: to descend on a quaint Greek fishing village and betray his ex-wife for a second time. Meanwhile, Dominique, the mistress of a mafia don gives birth to a daughter. But the baby isn’t his, and it forces a childless wife and her adulterous husband to flee with Elora. And so begins a deadly game of cat and mouse. Hairline cracks appear in Anna’s idyllic Greek island life. Somebody is no longer willing to endure the happily-ever-after family façade. And when unwanted and unexpected visitors arrive on her doorstep it can mean only one thing. Anna’s carefully constructed world begins to crumble with devastating results.

Now your summer reading list is set! See you next time for more of Mnemosyni’s Musings.