One Greek Sunrise

by Mandy Baggot

A holiday dreams are made of... Newly single on the day she turns thirty, Freya Johnson boards a last-minute flight to Corfu. Little does she know this holiday will change her life forever.

Enter Hollywood film star, Nicholas Kaden, whose entourage is stirring up the village of Kassiopi while he films his new movie. He’s hot, he’s unexpectedly down-to-earth, but is he for real?

Throwing caution to the wind, Freya lets herself get caught up in this fairy-tale romance. But with all the media frenzy, she feels increasingly uncomfortable – and unwelcome – in Nicholas’s world. Will she hold on to what feels like fate? Or will she give in to the temptation, yet again, to run away?

From the queen of summer romance, a romantic and sun-soaked story set on the idyllic island of Corfu, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Lucy Coleman and Sue Moorcroft.

Previously published as Excess All Areas in 2008

Genres: Romance

304 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2024

About the author

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer represented by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary.

Mandy is best-known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, gorgeous heroes and always that happy-ever-after!

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance, her novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy's books have so far been translated into Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian and Italian.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, wine, cheese, Netflix, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1's Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Most recently, Mandy took part in BBC1's Ready Steady Cook with Greek celebrity chef, Akis Petretzikis.

Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and splits her time between Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK and Corfu, Greece.

Visit Mandy's website at www.mandybaggot.com

Reviews

[Lee-Maree Gallo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cringe. So much body shaming it was awful. Just because the protagonist was a larger woman does not make it okay to pass judgement or make comments on smaller women’s bodies. Also the Bruce Willis obsession was weird. The book should have been rewritten before it was republished. It read very outdated.

[Gianna Lian · Rating 3 out of 5]

rtc… but overall rating: 3/5⭐️s. The Greek island aesthetic was giving.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

📚 One Greek Sunrise
✍️Mandy Baggot
1⭐️
I was very lucky to spend my childhood and teen school holidays on a variety of Greek islands, which is what made me think this would be a light, enjoyable, nostalgic read. I was hoping for lush description of the fresh food, Santorini style white buildings with blue roofs - all those things that scream Greece. Unfortunately, I was incredibly disappointed as I didn’t get any of it. The most detail we got were the names of Greek foods in italics, but absolutely no insight into what a kleftico was. The characterisation of Freya wasn’t great, with too much focus being made on her weight. Her first spoken interaction in the book was with a child on a plane, during which Freya came across as completely vile. The relationship between Freya and Emma didn’t feel real and came across as purely transactional.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Bickford, my high school English teacher, would reprimand me for using the word 'typical,' but this was a typical sweet romance story. Girl meets boy, they clash, then begin to realize the other isn't quite so bad after all. Something happens to derail the romance - the tension in this book came from an unexpected source, so *that was different - but then it's all smoothed over and voila! A happy ever after ending.

The two main characters both had interesting lives, but I'm not a fan of the nearly insta-love that overtook both of them. More annoying, though, was how the audiobook narrator voiced the (male) American lead. I hope that's not how all English/Greek people think we Americans sound!

I like this author's story-telling, but will pay more attention to the narrator and whether or not there's an American in her books from here on out.

[Martha A · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good

I unfortunately read about Freya in reverse because I read the The Greek gift book first and wanted to learn what happened but read the one after this one and then found this one. But I love this one so much. I stayed up until over in the morning reading it. It is so good when someone who has been treated unfairly and abused finally is loved for who she is with all of her stuff. I was able to relate in so many ways coming from a past of abuse and finally having a man come into my life who loves me completely with all of my stuff. Great book.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roll on next book

Another beautiful story from mandy.
Can't wait for the next book which I believe carries on from this one, I'm sure there will be tension with Emma's father, and I'm looking forward to it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book to read. I found myself laughing quite a few times and I loved the personality of Freya.
The scenery described was so beautiful too.
The only reason it's not 5 stars is because I had to suspend belief with the time frame of their romance but other than that, I loved it.

[MetLineReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

another fun book set in Greece

An easy read, warmed to the characters despite having to suspend belief in a couple of things!

Great unravelling of the threads of the tale, a lovely setting and a heartwarming story despite a rather melancholy start!

[Scott Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

Lovely characters and for once a lead that isn't some perfect supermodel good read storyline about family a little weak but on the whole a really good book and a happily ever after that always makes you happy

[Haze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic read

I couldn't put this book down, 2 pages in I was hooked. Tears of Joy at the end though. Fantastic story and very well written, I felt like I was there 5 stars from me.

[Leanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to like this book. It had some good points. But when it got to the point of Emma being lightly pushed, falling on her butt and everyone freaking out because she was going to post the baby…. It’s just ridiculous.

She was like 5 weeks pregnant.

[Elif Karaosmanoglu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a basic love story, so predictable. The relationship between Freya and Nicholas developed so quickly (within a week) that it honestly wasn't realistic. Corfu could have been describe so much better, didn't enjoy it.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun listen. Enjoyed the characters. Listened to the audio—my one complaint would be the American accent if the hero.

[Samantha Pierskalla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad I only listened to this book otherwise it would have been a DNF. Would’ve only rated one star But, an extra star for naming the love interest Nicholas Caden… (Nicholas Cage)

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very lovely story with some real life problems. It is good to read about it

[Novelle Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fun summer book with a great romance and lovely friendship.

[Noor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh beetje slecht

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Susan Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Mel (ReadUntilTheLastPage) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at page 140 (45%)

[Jacqueline Cymber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Another Good read from Mandy, Enjoyed the the well written story. Good holiday book to read.
Would recommend this book.

[Anouska · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute read but it just felt a little rushed

[Elaine M Cleaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

Great fun, a light hearted escapist read if you love Greece and great humour!
Well written!
Very enjoyable!
A holiday read with a heart!
Recommended!

[Rach Schofield · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐ - An easy summer read, I enjoyed the story line but the body shaming was not it

[Caspy :3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

such a cute read, i love the dynamics between the two. my fav though is emma 100%. also i would thundercunt russel personally.

[Cheryll Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved the story, very enjoyable read. Always love a happy ending. Mandy Baggot you have done it again!

[Mrs S J Home · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent plot and storytelling but completely spoilt by the apalling grammar used for the past tense. ie. He was sat .... should read he was sitting. Unfortunately this occurs throughout the book and completely spoilt it for me.

[Lisa Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic story couldn't put it down & wanting it to go keep going

[magdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

welllllll idk?