A Greek Island Escape

by Kate Frost

Can a Greek escape be the start of something special?

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 Xanthe’s Greek godmother unexpectedly leaves her a villa on the sumptuous island of Kefalonia Xanthe jumps at the chance to put her life in London on hold and escape to the island hideaway to rethink her future.

The break allows Xanthe the time to explore her passions, sift through her feelings and discover more about her estranged Greek family while renovating her godmother’s enchanting Villa Aster.

But not everyone is happy to see her. Unfazed by her hostile neighbours 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?

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Greece, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2024

About the author

Kate Frost has wanted to be an author ever since she wrote her first novel during the long months she spent off school following open heart surgery when she was seven. The novel was called London's Burning and was a time travel story set during the Great Fire of London.

Over the years Kate has worked in a cinema, a bookshop, a factory and as a part time lecturer at Bath Spa University teaching lifewriting to Creative Writing undergraduates. She's also worked as ground staff at Edgebaston Tennis Tournament, as a Virgin Vie consultant and as a Supporting Artist in the films Vanity Fair, King Arthur and The Duchess.

Kate has a MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University and has had articles and short stories published in The London Magazine, New Welsh Review and QWF. She now works as a freelance writer/author and lives in the UK with her husband, her son and their dog.

Reviews

[Jennifer (Jaye) (I was on a roll, now struggling to add comments - why???) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Secrets old and new*

This was an incredible escape into the world of Greece. I’m a huge fan of the country, its climate, food, and language. The sound of the beaches was particularly captivating, except the downside of Kefalonia, which felt like a place where everyone knew your business, warts and all despite its beauty.

We meet Xanthe, a young woman with a Greek mother who grew up in the United Kingdom. Her father abandoned her mother for another woman, causing immense pain and resentment in her mother. To Xanthe, it felt like history repeating itself, and her mother vowed never to return to Greece after her father’s betrayal.

Xanthe’s Greek godmother, a close relative, had left her a villa in Greece despite all of the fallout. This unexpected gift provided the perfect opportunity for Xanthe to take a break from her fairly successful stage career, singing and dancing. However, her boyfriend’s growing fame and ego led to a public breakup that catapulted her into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Feeling down on her luck, Xanthe decides to visit Greece and the villa her godmother left her. It was the perfect time for her to unwind and reflect.

Although it had been years since she had seen her godmother, they had maintained a close relationship through letters. Upon arriving in Kefalonia, Xanthe was met with hostility. However, she was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the garden, despite the villa’s somewhat neglected state.

As she explored the island, Xanthe began to uncover the reasons behind her mother’s deep-seated hatred for anything Greek. In her quest for comfort and solace after her breakup, she found herself drawn to the charms of a man who lacked any moral compass. This unexpected encounter was to be a bit of fun, it royally backfired but, it also raised concerns about her judgment.

One of the standout characters in the story was Xanthe’s best friend, Jude. Jude was a hilarious and eccentric figure who provided comic relief throughout the narrative. Xanthe also made progress in uncovering some of the secrets that her mother had kept tightly guarded.
An ideal beach read.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.

I have enjoyed many of this authors other books, and I especially love the novels that are set in Greece. I've been to Kefalonia, and can attest that it's a beautiful island, which is much different than many of the other Greek islands. I could absolutely be onboard with inheriting a villa on the island, so that part of the story was definitely swoon-worthy.

I can't really put my finger on why I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would. It's definitely not the setting or the descriptions of the scrumptious Greek food, nor the boistrous yet lovable Greeks she meets there. I think part of it is that I wasn't interested in Xanthe's life as a stage actress, so I skimmed everything related to that. I also was a bit irritated with how long it took to find out why Xanthe's Mom had completely divorced herself from her Greek life and her Greek family, and why she was so angry with her father and Agatha -- and then when we did finally find out why, it was like "that's it?". Not that the reason wasn't bad, but that was enough to cut off all ties with all your friends and family on the island and never return? It seemed a little unnecessarily overdramatic.

When I saw the direction the ending was going, I was admittedly a little upset, as it seemed pretty unrealistic that the person involved would uproot their life like they did -- but then after the progression of their lives was explained, it made a little more sense, and I was happy with the way it turned out.

Overall, this was another lovely bit of escapism from Frost, and as always, I look forward to the next.

[Ninemiki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many reviews describe this book as a lovely escape to a Greek island, but I didn't feel that way. The characters were not very relatable, and the storyline was predictable. Even the 'juicy' scenes were somewhat dull. It felt like I was standing outside a foggy window, looking in on the story without being involved. The words didn't move me; they just washed over me. By the halfway point, I just wanted to get it over with.

Sorry to spoil the mood—many other reviews were glowing, which is why I bought and read the novel in the first place. Unfortunately, I don't share their enthusiasm.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautifully written book by Kate Frost, with a narrative that immerses you in life in Greece. The food, the warmth, the locals are all evoked by the author's descriptions.

Xanthe has inherited a house from her Greek godmother, and being at a crossroads in her life, decides to take a short break there and see where her life will go next.

With family secrets and unfriendly locals, she might regret her decision!

This is a wonderful, romantic read that's perfect for when you're cooped up indoors on rainy days dreaming of the summer. Highly recommend.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was indeed a feel good romantic read from Kate Frost and it took place on a beautiful Greek Island. I wish I was there.
Xanthe inherits a cottage on a Greek island from her godmother and she goes there to fix it up and sell it after she leaves her cheating fiancée. Little does she know her Godmother. Set it all up so she’d meet the neighbor and fall in love while also learning about her families history and why her mom never came back to the island where she grew up. All in all it was a good story, slow at time but the description of the surroundings was fantastic and it made me feel like I was there. It made me want to book a trip to Greece. I enjoyed the ending, very sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Rosalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read

What a fun “beach read” even though it’s decidedly fall. I needed something lighter, and this sweet story of family, love and life choices fit the bill. What initially drew me to it was the setting on the Greek Ionian island of Kefalonia. Having sailed around Kefalonia earlier this year, it was delightful to visualize and “revisit” the lovely port town of Fiskardo and the stunningly beautiful beaches of Myrtos, Assos and Fteri. I wish I had a godmother who left me a house on Kefalonia.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, spent the day in the garden with the sun shining reading and being transported to Greece, I couldn't put it down. Loved the characters and how eventually after lots of upset the hidden secrets were revealed, and how the characters evolved once the hurt was gone. such a lovely book to read.

[Marg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Sam Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this only because it’s set in Greece (for obvious reasons)- super cute, liked the characters, and can’t wait to see the beauty in real life!!! 💙🤍

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Claire Jobling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story line, but not a lot of depth. Standard ‘gets left a villa and finds love over there’. 3 stars.

[Sarah Kingsnorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Frost - A Greek Island Escape.
This book is quite simply lovely.

Let Kate Frost whisk you off to the sunny Greek island of Kefalonia where Xanthe has inherited a house from her grandmother.
Carrying her own heartbreak could Greece be the fresh start she needs.
Xanthe also starts to uncover secrets from the past, that could help to heal the present.

Kate creates a beautiful setting that comes alive from the pages with vivid clarity.

#AGreekIslandEscape is full of sunshine. It has a big heart, some fabulous characters, a hot romance and it will leave you with all the feels.
Simply gorgeous!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice escape, grew tired of the descriptions of the male main character’s hunky body but of course one has to know this would exist going into this sort of book.😄

[Christina Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay plot, poor writing

I do not write reviews often, but was surprised by all the positive reviews on this book and felt the need to voice my disagreement. I was excited about the location of the plot but had to force myself through the book. It started strong with a good lead character and beautiful descriptions of landscapes of Greece and a mystery behind why the home in Greece was left to her. Unfortunately, the writing was rambling and overly wordy. I began skimming the pages about halfway through and that helped. The lead character was strong and enjoyable to read about but the supporting characters were predictable… slimy ex-boyfriend, gay best friend, moody new hot guy next door. There were attempts to be like the “Eat, Pray, Love” plot with multiple descriptions of Greek style meals, which fell flat. There were too many additional side plots thrown in that were not well fleshed out and did not add to the story. I rarely stop reading a book in the middle but I almost abandoned this one a few times.

[Lindsey's Literary Leanings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventurous, Intriguing, Entertaining

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

'A Greek Island Escape' by Kate Frost 🥘🥗🏺🏛🍷

Xanthe loved her life amongst the bright lights of the capital, and sharing a house with her friends, all of whom had the same mutual love of 'the stage'. She was very content with things as they were, not to say that she lacked ambition. She had always been aware of her mother's Grecian background, recalling holidays to visit her grandparents when she was young, days spent with their large and extended family, and also how those days had abruptly come to an end when she was still a child. She had never learnt the reason for this, her only connection to anyone in the small village where Elina had grown up, being her godmother Agatha over the last twenty years. Agatha had never been keen to discuss the unexplained fracture in the family, and now that the sad new of Agatha's passing had been received, and Xanthe had learnt of her inheritance, she felt she had to remind herself of what she had been missing all these years, and see what truths may unearth themselves in the process...... 👱‍♀️

Elina had assumed that she had left her old life back in Kefalonia two decades ago, with no intention of revisiting it. However, the death of Agatha had brought with it complications. Xanthe had kept in touch with her since their last visit, they had formed a bond, with Agatha visiting London a couple of times. She had therefore, been thoughtful enough to remember Elina's daughter in her will, very generously in fact. Now Xanthe was talking about visiting her mother's birthplace, in which her god mother had also lived, to see what she had been bequeathed. Elina was all too aware of the can of worms that this could produce and felt nervous about what Xanthe might discover, as she hadn't divulged any of what happened to make her cut immediate and extended family out of her life. Now her past is catching up with her and she wonders what she should reveal, if anything, before her daughter finds out for herself.......and maybe, the thought that she had left that part of her life in the past, wasn't the only assumption that Elina had incorrectly and hastily made.....🧑🏽‍🦱

I like a novel that literally takes you to another place, and that's what this one did. Giving me images of Agatha's beautiful villa and garden, and the beaches. Being a big character based reader, I like protaganists with something different about them, and accents are always fun to play in my head, although I can't actually speak any! My favourite was Jude, I adored him. When Xanthe is considering her best friends attributes and states that he isn't camp, I was rather disappointed, as this had been how I had been imagining him to be , so regardless, I continued with this narrative. The dialogue, I though leant itself perfectly to Jude being 'camp' and made him a really fun character. I was also very fond of Toula, imagining her as the mother in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding', who of course, has a daughter of the same name. Another couple of favourite scenes were Xanthe's dressing down of Austin in the restaurant, and her final text to him was pure gold! 📱
The twist in the story was cleverly developed and written, hopefully giving the reader an outcome that is somewhat unexpected. I had also thought through much of the book, that maybe there may have been a much closer involvement with three of the main cast of characters. I wonder if this was a deliberate underlying tone to mislead the reader. This turned out not to be the case. However, I am glad, as I think I prefer Kate's version.

The descriptions of events, scenery and characters personalities, come across so vibrantly in the writing that I spent most of the time reading with a smile on my face, although, I have to say, I finished it with severe 'life envy' as the main character in this amusing and absorbing read, appears to build a perfect life for herself.

I very much enjoy Kate's writing and look forward to reading more from her. 📖

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a bit of mystery and romance, A Greek Island Escape by Kate Frost is about a woman who travels to her mother's hometown to take a break from real life and revamp the villa she inherited from her godmother.

Summary: Xanthe Fox’s godmother Agatha has left her a villa, so she flies to Kefalonia, Greece, to revamp it. There, she meets her neighbour Dimitris, who was very close to Agatha. She also learns more about Agatha and her own family's history.

Tropes/Genres:
• romance
• contemporary fiction
• mystery (family secrets)
• neighbours
• set in Kefalonia, Greece

Review: This story has a nice message, though it was kind of slow in the beginning until about 53%. Using half a book to set the scene seems to be a bit too much. However, I enjoyed the part where Xanthe learned more about her Greek roots, her godmother Agatha, who left her the villa, and her family's history, which her mother kept a secret from her.

The bulk of the drama in this story is misunderstandings. In a way, it's realistic because some people are simply stuck in their bias and are too angry and hurt to care about asking for your side of the story or even believe it anyway. However, it gets boring. I just feel that while the story seems very relaxed, the writing feels choppy.

While Xanthe and Dimitris seem nice, I don't get how Dimitris is 31 and still follows his mother's lead (if she's angry, then he's angry too), and then he suddenly stands up to her later in the book. It feels very unbelievable and kind of... dumb. It feels like an excuse for how Dimitris treated her when they met – to be rude to her just because she made his mother upset despite knowing his mother gets upset at everything so easily. I like how he didn't judge her, though. It's nice that there isn't an unnecessary third-act breakup. Overall, apart from the beginning, they seem fine.

The epilogue is a summary of whatever came after the main story, which is fine. I’m glad that there was a nice ending for the good characters. However, I think it would've been better if the author showed the "after" instead of listing everything.

I think the mystery revolving around Agatha and Xanthe's family made up for the shortcomings of this book, though. It was interesting to read the letters to learn more about Agatha and Xanthe's relationship – they frequently wrote to each other. The family history wasn't very dramatic, but it was engaging enough. That itself, though, is another misunderstanding.

The part about Xanthe rediscovering her Greek roots is also one of the good parts of this story. Her mother tried to cut everything Greek about her away and embrace the British ways, but Xanthe was adamant about learning to read and speak Greek and clung to her heritage. I think that's nice! Perhaps first-generation immigrants like Xanthe can relate to them.

In conclusion, this is a nice casual read for those who like a bit of mystery and romance. A bit. If you're not a fan of situations derived from misunderstandings, I don't recommend it to you – there isn't any miscommunication between the couple, though. It's just the side characters.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the read.

[Jade aka MrsTosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I absolutely love this cover of this book, and wish I could escape to a greek villa all of my own.

This is the perfect book to read on a chilly and wet, spring day in England. I made myself a cup of tea, sat in my comfy chair was transported to the beautiful Island of 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.
When her heart is broken and her life implodes around her, Xanthe is left a villa by her Greek godmother, on the island on Kefalonia. Although they have kept in touch occasionally Xanthe is shocked and decides to use this opportunity to get her life back on track and mend her broken heart and think about what she really wants from her life.

Unbeknown to her, her Godmother has sort of set the hole thing up and Xanthe will learn of family secrets more about her mothers background and choices and eventually find love.

This is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys romance, travel and even a little mystery. This is the first book I have read by the author Kate Frost but it wont be the last. Her writing style really appeals to me and I found myself reading with a smile on my face. The characters are warm and likeable as it the whole description of the beautiful Island and food. I must admit I have always wanted to visit Kefelonia after watching Captain Corellis Mandolin many years ago and this book has just reawakened that dream.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I actually wish I could give half starts as this is a 4.5 for me!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved it! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or made me cry. And took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.

[Lisa Hemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful island of Kefalonia was the perfect hideaway for Xanthe to relax, reconnect with her Greek heritage, and reflect on her life and what she wanted to do next. Xanthe found the peace she never knew on the serene island and dreaded ever leaving this paradise on earth. Who would want to leave the rainbow of colorful flowers, the bluest of oceans or the romantic sunsets? She desperately needed this time at Villa Aster so she could feel closer to her late godmother Agatha and bring her house back to the cozy home it once was. Agatha’s artfully designed gardens were filled with her sculptures and Xanthe felt her presence as she relaxed at night under the twinkling stars. Xanthe deeply regrets never visiting her godmother in recent years and because of this she learned to “never put things off because you might miss your chance” which is why she was in Kefalonia in the first place.

Her godmother had saved all of the letters Xanthe had written to her, as well as personal journals that Xanthe devoured so she could understand her godmother’s life and why she chose to be alone. The only person she seemed close to was her neighbor Dimitris, a handsome gardener who tended to Agatha’s spacious gardens. Xanthe had no time for drama or romance because all she had was six weeks to get her godmother’s affairs in order, sell her house and get back to her life in London. What happens when the sunny days at the beach become the most important part of Xanthe’s day, especially when they were spent with a dangerously handsome and sexy Greek heartthrob who was slowly working his way into her heart? Was the roar of the applause after a successful West End show as desirable as it once was? Who did Xanthe really want to be and what if she could really have it all?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Frost returns with a gloriously escapist contemporary romance you are going to love: A Greek Island Escape.

Xanthe Fox has the world at her feet: a fulfilling career, a gorgeous boyfriend and a bright future. Everything seems to be going brilliantly for her until heartbreak strikes and her entire world is turned on its head. In desperate need of a fresh start and an escape from her London life, Xanthe heads off to the majestic island of Kefalonia and the villa left to her by her godmother for a chance to regroup and rethink about her future. But will her Greek island escape be the fresh start she so desperately needs? Or will it just lead to more problems?

Renovating Villa Aster gives Xanthe a much-needed project that offers her perspective and purpose – even if she makes a mortifying mistake with a sexy builder who could give any Greek god a run for his money. Xanthe soon finds herself charmed by Kefalonia and as she begins to fall under the Greek island’s spell, she wonders whether she has found somewhere she belongs – or whether the lure of her London life will ultimately prove impossible to resist…

Sue Roberts and Mandy Baggot fans will be enchanted by Kate Frost’s A Greek Island Escape. A warm-hearted, witty and engrossing tale about starting over, falling in love and finding happiness that is so delicious you will want to guzzle it down in one go, A Greek Island Escape by Kate Frost is the ideal summer read that will keep you glued to your sun lounger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Malin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*
I think this book made me realize I like plot-driven ones better than character-driven ones. And this one is more of the latter version. It focused a lot on Xanthe's character and her feelings about her family, reflecting it, finding things out. And also about her job, thinking about if it's the right one or if it's too much for her mental health. One point that I didn't like and don't understand is that throughout the whole book, she underlines the pressure on her and what it does to her mental health. She explains repeatedly that she feels sick before going on stage, and not the good kind of sick, and that that stress is not good for her emotionally. And yet, she goes back to an even bigger job on stage at the end. That I don't understand and it doesn't make sense to me. It also doesn't make sense for her character development. Another thing I really disliked about this book was the epilogue. You can't squeeze fucking SIX YEARS into one short epilogue! And with so many changes and plot, too! There was so much story going on in the epilogue....Well, to say some good things about this book: I liked Dimitris and their relationship, how it bloomed. I liked Toula and all the other people Xanthe found in Kallithea. I liked that they all had their own little story and background. Another thing where I was like, okay that's enough slices, is the amount of men cheating on their wives. Yes, of course it's bad, but you don't have to make almost all the men in the book cheaters. To sum it all up, even though it doesn't sound like it I realize, I enjoyed this book and the love story in it.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Greek Island Escape by Kate Frost

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Can a Greek escape be the start of something special?

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 Xanthe’s Greek godmother unexpectedly leaves her a villa on the sumptuous island of Kefalonia Xanthe jumps at the chance to put her life in London on hold and escape to the island hideaway to rethink her future.

The break allows Xanthe the time to explore her passions, sift through her feelings and discover more about her estranged Greek family while renovating her godmother’s enchanting Villa Aster.

But not everyone is happy to see her. Unfazed by her hostile neighbours 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?

My Opinion

This is only the second book I have read by Kate Frost but it was such a lovely read that I do need to read more. Xanthe has inherited a Greek villa and with that villa comes a lot of family secrets. This was a slow story but it had a great plot. With some great descriptions this will whisk you away to Greece.

Rating 4/5

[Jordan Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great chick lit!

Frost's focus on the Greek experience - food, scenery and life in general - really allows the reader to daydream and escape.

The book was well developed, with a light hearted plot. Frost's style of writing allows her to intergrade more heavy topics without weighing down the reader; I found that this made the novel feel less escapism-y.

I was definitely less interested in Xanthe's life as a theatre actress than the other aspects of the book. I can't really put my finger on it but there was something about it that was just 'eh' (not super interesting but not insanely boring or irrelevant either). But I loved Xanthe as a character which made it much easier to read and enjoy those parts too.

As much as I want to believe that Dimitris would uproot his life for Xanthe and move to London for her, I know this isn't the most realistic end to the book, but its a chick lit. And as a chick lit the book succeeded in every way, it has the romance, tension, escapism and dreamy vibes that make it such a great read.

The book was a beautiful light read and I look forward to reading more books by Kate Frost when I'm in need of a comforting read (paired well with a glass of wine)!

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful, contemporary romance,
Where an inheritance gives new possibilities a chance.
When Xanthe’s romance very publicly goes wrong
Escaping to Kefalonia is something for which she now longs.

Kefalonia is where her Mum and her family grew
Then drama split her family through.
Since she was twelve they never went back
The exact reasons why is something Xanthe sadly lacks.

Her Godmother leaves Xanthe her home there,
Xanthe decides to go to show her care.
She’s ready for a break from roles in shows
What she’ll do next, no one knows!

With family dramas and secrets galore
Xanthe the past and present will explore
What happened to split her family so?
Her Mum won’t say but she wants to know.

With a close knit community with friendships and angst,
Maybe there’s also romance if she gives it a chance.
But not everyone is supporting or kind
And just who she can believe she needs to find!

A story where dreams may change
And opportunities life rearrange
Where misunderstandings cause mistrust
And finding the truth is a must!

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of A Greek Island Escape by Kate Frost, published by Boldwood Books

I love happy endings! And I want a Villa in Greece. This was a new author for me, but I'm hooked on her books after this one, incredible characters, settings and descriptions. I loved the plot and the ending!

At the beginning of the novel we meet main character Xanthe and her friend and roommate Jude. Xanthe has one more performance and the she plans to escape for 6 weeks of rest and relaxation to Greece, where her godmother Agatha has left her a villa. She would also like to forget her ex, Austin, who shattered her belief in his trust and  romance.
This was such a great novel, I loved the story.
The description of the island made me feel like I was there, experiencing it myself.
I loved following Xanthe's story as she fixed up the villa, struggled with relationships both at home in London and in Greece. It was such a feel good novel. I would say an absolute must read if this is your genre. I loved it and will be following Kate Frost for more books.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reaction to this book changed when I got to the ending. I liked it as another ‘finding your way’ kind of tale, but found some parts of the ending different from the average.

Xanthe is not too connected to her Greek heritage, especially since her mother actively distanced herself and her children from it. The same mother is not happy with Xanthe going to Greece to look into the house that was left to her.

Our protagonist is weary and looking to reassess her life. It is only once she gets to the house and starts to bring it back to life that the ball starts rolling. There are mistakes made and conversations that may or may not lead somewhere before things get serious. The romance builds slowly, but the reader is in no doubt as to the participants.

I liked the overall plot, and, as I mentioned earlier, I liked the ending. I would recommend this book to fans of the genre and would try another book by the author.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are plenty of laughs to be had, in this new escapist romance from Kate Frost.

Xanthe and best friend Jude are both in the West End in musicals, which instantly git my attention in this story,

Xanthe though is to spend six weeks in Kefalonia sorting out what to do with the villa she has been left, while also curious as to why her family haven't been back to the island since she was 12 years old.

There are sexy Greek men, an irate mother next door, new friends a whole lot of fun as this story unfolds.

I absolutely loved Jude, who was hilarious pretty much in any scene he was featured in.

And Xanthe has some tough decisions to make over the course of this story.

I was totally gripped to see how things would turn out, and felt completely transported to the island of Kefalonia, which is somewhere I would love to visit myself.

Another gem of a book from this author.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Evelyn Backus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best way to describe this book is when you’re told to do a creative writing piece about a time in your life and all you know is heavy description so you make it really descriptive but it is clearly written by a 6th grader because there isn’t anything else there. Yeah, that was this book if you just add in some sexual parts here and there.

It wasn’t that it was bad it’s just that it wasn’t really good. While I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Greece, pretty much everything else was lacking. I figured out the mystery aspect in the first few chapters of the book, there wasn’t much character development to our main character, and the romance was not it. It was an attempted grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, but it was so rushed and random, it did not feel real at all. Basically, if you’re going into this planning to get a cutesy romance set in Greece, that’s not what this book is. The romance is very much the sub plot and not very good.

Overall, it had a lot of potential and I think some people would enjoy it but I personally wouldn’t recommend it.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely holiday read

I read this book during half-term when I thought I’d get time to lose myself and read it in one go. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and had to fit it in between chores and demands from family and grandchildren. I loved Xanthe from the beginning and felt for her during her embarrassing moments. Kate’s descriptions of Greece made me want to get on a plane and visit ASAP! The Greek dishes Kate quoted got looking up the recipes. Hence I invested in a cookery book about Greek cuisine.
I wondered if Xanthe’s attraction for Dimitris was headed for a disastrous ending and I found myself holding my breath. Their romance seemed too fast and Xanthe was on the rebound (I thought so) but I enjoyed the plot. Xanthe having to make difficult decisions was typical of the crossroads a lot of women have to face and I liked the outcome, despite the angst. A great read with lots of twists and turns about family members.

[Megan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

'A Greek Island Escape' really is a beautiful, heart-warming read that transported me to Greece and the world of musical theatre. I really enjoyed getting to know Frost's characters, Xanthe and Dimitrios and likeable, and it was a pleasure to follow them during this book. All of the other characters only added to the feel good sense of the read and I could feel their strong relationships.
The plot is good, again it is enjoyable and takes us on a journey from London to Greece. There was a bit of everything in this plot but perhaps too much as I did think the book was a bit too long. If it had been shortened a bit then I think this would have been 5 stars from me.
'A Greek Island Escape' is the perfect escapism read. Pick this up and you will soon find yourself in Kefalonia and surrounded by love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kephalonia shimmers in the sunshine and is a beautiful setting for Xanthe's escape from her troubles. Whilst Xanthe is busy trying to renovate the villa which her godmother has left her, she meets a variety of locals. Some are warm and welcoming but several are the complete opposite. Romance is on the cards but not a smooth path.

The past hangs over the story and whilst it is clear that Xanthe wants to find out more about her Greek family, it is equally clear that her mother is reluctant for her to uncover the past. Xanthe has to decide whether she is ready to take a risk and step off her career path which she has followed since a teenager. With a mystery to uncover and romance bubbling away, this is a great holiday read.

In short: Sun, sea, romance
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book