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LoveTravel #7

Een sprong in het diepe

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Selena Harper dacht altijd dat zij dé perfecte baan had: haar werk op een luxe cruiseschip brengt haar naar de prachtigste plekken ter wereld, van Alaska tot Zanzibar, met spanning en avontuur in elke haven. Met veel korte romances, maar weinig liefde. Wanneer ze zich klaarmaakt voor haar volgende verlof – en plotseling in de steek wordt gelaten door haar vriendin die zich net heeft verloofd – begint ze zich af te vragen of het leven op zee eigenlijk nog wel is waar ze ooit van droomde. Waarom is zij de enige die nog alleen is? En hoe kan ze nou heimwee hebben zonder een thuis?

In een opwelling besluit ze een week naar Kreta te gaan, samen met Alekos, een onverbeterlijke vrouwenverslinder. Het magische eiland heeft een onverwachte uitwerking op Selena…

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

17 people are currently reading
1094 people want to read

About the author

Belinda Jones

34 books351 followers
Belinda Jones was born in Turnbridge Wells, Kent England. At the age of 19 she moved to London, where she resided for the next ten years before moving to California. She now lives in Los Angeles.

Belinda Jones writes books for women which focus around travel and womens issues, particularly relationships. Her books tend to fall into the romance, chick lit and women's fiction categories

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5 stars
441 (38%)
4 stars
376 (33%)
3 stars
248 (21%)
2 stars
44 (3%)
1 star
30 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,557 reviews258 followers
July 12, 2024
Predictable but a really good sun bed read all in all, zero concentration required.

Three stars.
Profile Image for Karyn.
231 reviews19 followers
April 24, 2020
I think there was too much going on in this book.
It starts out with selena, getting ready for her vacation and lands up in greece with a guy she kind of does not like and not ready to be involved with.
The author gives us a brief about the mythological characters from greece.
More characters join in as the story continues, but doesnt get your attention.
We do get a tiny glimpse of Greece and it does not do much for the imagination.
The ending does not make you happy or excited, it's rather boring.
Profile Image for Aijou.
86 reviews45 followers
April 3, 2013
การเดินทางอาจทำให้เราตกหลุมรักอย่างช้าๆ แต่ว่าลุ่มลึก
นิยายของเบลินดา โจนส์ เป็นเรื่องราวเช่นนั้น เสน่ห์ของเธอคือการท่องเที่ยว--และแน่นอน ตกหลุมรัก

สำหรับเรื่องนี้ เธอจะพาเราไปตกหลุมรักหนุ่มกรีก ล่ำบึก ผิวแทน ตาสีเหลือบเขียว และขี้ตื๊อเป็นที่สุด
โดยตัวแปรคือหญิงสาวหัวดื้อที่เป็นมิตรกับทุกคนยกเว้นตากรีกขี้ตื๊อเสน่ห์แรงคนนั้น

เดี๋ยวนะ ทำไมฟังดูน้ำเน่านิดหน่อย?

โดยส่วนตัวแล้วคิดว่าเรื่องนี้ เน้นหนักไปที่ความสัมพันธ์ของผู้คนมากกว่าเสน่ห์ของเกาะครีต (เมื่อเทียบกับ I Love Capri ที่หนาปึ้กและสนุกมากๆ ขอแนะนำเลย!)
พออ่านๆ ไปแล้วนึกภาพออกแค่ว่าเป็นเกาะเล็กๆ ทะเลสวย อาหารอร่อย เหล้าพื้นเมืองอร่อย (ดูคุณเบลินดาจะชอบให้นางเอกลองเหล้าพื้นเมืองนะ) แต่นักท่องเที่ยวยุ่บยั่บ ซึ่งถ้าเปิดใจอาจจะเจอคนดีๆ ที่จะมาเป็นเพื่อนใหม่ของเราก็ได้ -- หรือไม่ก็ไม่เจอ

นางเอกเป็นคนไม่เห็นดีในการใช้ชีวิตคู่ เพราะผ่านประสบการณ์แย่ๆ มาสองสามครั้ง พอเจอพระเอกท่าทีเป็นเสือผู้หญิงก็เอาแต่ถอยอย่างเดียว
"ฉันไม่เลือกที่จะเสี่ยง" -- นางว่า
แต่คุณเบลินดาก็จัดฉากให้สองคนนี้ต้องเกี่ยวก้อย(?)กันไปครีตจนได้ (ซึ่งในความเห็นคิดว่ามันก็น้ำเน่าแหละ แต่ก็น่ารัก)
พระเอกที่ต้องพึ่งพานางเอกอยู่เกือบครึ่งเล่มดูน่ารักดี แต่ไม่ถึงกับว่าอ่านแล้วเคลิ้มตามอะไรทำนองนั้น ดูเหมือนคุณเบลินดาแกจะเคลิ้มกับหนุ่มอิตาเลียนมากกว่า อ่านเรื่องในคาปรีกับเวนิสแล้วหลงรักหนุ่มอิตาเลียนจริงๆ นิสัยน่ารักน่าเอ็นดูและเสน่ห์แรงมาก

คำว่าน่ารักชักจะเยอะไปแล้ว
เอาเป็นว่าเรื่องนี้เป็นเรื่องชิลๆ ที่อ่านได้เพลินดีก็แล้วกัน
Profile Image for Debbie .
34 reviews44 followers
January 30, 2011
This book was lovely, from start to finish, with some great twists to the plot. I was a little sceptical at first, as I usually won't read "chick-lit" as a rule - it annoys me and I find it really shallow. But once I had gotten into the story and gained an interest in the characters, I was able to relax a little more and enjoy it properly. So yeah, all in all, a nice easy fun read, and just as good as the last Belinda Jones I read (although that was a long time ago!). I think I would probably read another of her books too. Now I just need to find my own Alekos lol.
Profile Image for Reem Al-Faqih.
22 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2022
It was so predictable and SO meeeeh!! The same as every chick-flick there is!! Easy to read, no concentration required but would not recommend.
Profile Image for Leah.
1,650 reviews338 followers
September 16, 2009
Selena Harper always thought she had the perfect job: working on a luxury cruiseship, she’s whisked around the world from Alaska to Zanzibar with excitement and adventure awaiting her in every port.

But as she prepares for her latest shore-leave – and finds herself unexpectedly deserted by her newly-engaged best friend – she begins to wonder if life on the ocean wave really is her dream come true. Why is she the only one who isn’t settling down? And how can she be feeling homesick when she has no home?

On a whim, she agrees to spend a week on the idyllic island of Crete, in the company of Alekos, a man she’s convinced is an incorrigible womaniser. Steeped in mythology, the island soon starts to work its magic on Selena – and, more worryingly, so does Alekos. Is he really the cad she’s always thought him to be? Or could it turn out that his home is where her heart is? Read my review underneath…

One thing you can count on with a Belinda Jones novel is the beautiful descriptions of all of the countries her novels take you to. I’ve loved all of her novels I’ve read so far (Cafe Tropicana, Divas Las Vegas & The California Club) and would have a hard time picking a favourite. It would probably be the one I’ve just finished: Out of the Blue.

The descriptions of Greece were fantastic and I really want to go to Crete after reading the book. It sounds like such a beautiful place. The book itself was fanastic. I saw the twists coming I have to say but that didn’t really put me off or make the book any less enjoyable.

I thought all the characters were great, bar Jules. Selena and Alekos were touching but funny with each other and that kept the book going. Alekos did seem full-on but after learning his reasons, it was understandable. It’s actually a good thing to read about a man who IS serious about having a relationship and isn’t worried about showing feelings.

The minor characters were great, I loved Greg and glad he got a happy ending. Cherry and Richard were also great. Jules was irritating throughout the whole book and I can’t believe how devious she was. Who needs ememies with a friend like her?

I think my only problems with the book as not learning why Jules didn’t marry Dom and how Alekos hurt his hand in the first place which made Selena go to Greece with him. Apart from that I flew through the book and didn’t want to put it down or want it to end. A great read and I can’t wait for Belinda’s next novel.

Rating: 5/5
Profile Image for Dawn Cheshire.
27 reviews
December 29, 2014
Really enjoyed this book, the first few chapters didn't grab me that much, but one I got into the book I couldn't put it down. Would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romantic comedy.
Profile Image for Jessica Jones.
41 reviews6 followers
February 14, 2020
Not the best book I've read.
I found myself skim reading some of the latter chapters as the story just seemed to drag😔 The book is in first person, which I really struggle to read for some reason so it was never going to be the most enjoyable for me. ⁣

The author is very descriptive and gives alot of detail into the island scenery, having worked in travel some of the references, especially towards the cruise ships themselves seemed accurate. ⁣

It took along time, about half way through, for anything exciting to actually happen. Then the story seemed to drag again towards the end, tbh I just wanted it to finish at that point hence the skim reading. ⁣

All in all and ok book, loved the descriptive writing, the ending was quite predictable but there just wasnt enough excitement going on for me.
⁣⁣
Profile Image for Nancy Kamenyero.
35 reviews
June 10, 2017
I liked the idea of the main character working on a cruise ship; but was disappointed that by chapter 3 she has left the ship and is heading for dry land, where she stays for the remainder of the book. The plot twist was what made this book good for me, but it happened 5/6th of the way in the book! And everything unraveled very quickly from that point on. The descriptions of the island of Crete made it sound stunning, and added allot to the book; it was almost it's own character in this book.
16 reviews
March 23, 2019
I didn't expect the story would have that kind of plot twist. It was really enjoyable from first to finish. At first, I thought it was really bored when I flash read the novel. I took the time to start reading it properly. Once I start, it actually very entertaining.
Profile Image for Juju.
82 reviews
August 5, 2017
Nice pleasant light read. Made me want to get a job on a cruise ship & visit Greece!
Profile Image for Kim Rickman.
31 reviews
February 27, 2018
Good read

I enjoyed this book. Although a little predictable, it has a nice warm feeling about it. A lovely, gentle read.
Profile Image for Shopoholic4321.
15 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2019
Really enjoyed this book, made me wish I was on holiday in Greece with the amazing descriptions and the storyline really kept me gripped as you never knew which way it was going to end.
1 review
February 14, 2021
Loved it!

Loved this book. Can't wait to start the next one.
Had me hooked from the start and couldn't put it down
346 reviews7 followers
November 17, 2022
Found this book for free in a book box. Terribly written. So much exposition and explanation i wish it had just been written in past tense so that the constant retroactive filling in of gaps didn't feel so lazy and boring.
Profile Image for Rea Cobb.
439 reviews699 followers
May 30, 2011
I am always on the look out for a new author to try. Whilst in the library looking to see if there were any of my favourite Christina Jones books I caught a glimpse of this book Out Of the Blue by Belinda Jones which looked bright and inviting and just the book to get me into my up and coming holiday. As this was a first book I was about to read by Belinda Jones I have to admit I was unsure what to expect.


The books main character is Selena who works as a tour guide on a cruise ship, which suits her well as she doesn't like to stay in one place too long.

Working on the ship with Selena is Alekos who is rather taken by Selena but no matter how many times he tries to win her around she is not interested and truth be told she cannot wait for her contract to end so she can go back to her friend Jules apartment in England and get away from him.

Selena's plans are somewhat turned upside down when she leaves the ship to go back to England when Alekos is on the same plane as her sporting an injury to his arm. He informs Selena he has to go back to his home town of Crete and look after his brothers water sports business whilst he is away but he has a problem as he cannot do this alone with his injury and he cannot find anyone to help him.

Selena feels sorry for him and decides to go with him for a week to help him out but as soon as she agrees to this she wonders if she has made a big mistake.

Her time in Crete changes her opinion of Alekos and they both share some wonderful times together but of course there is always trouble in paradise but you don't usually expect your best friend to be the trouble!!

As this was my first book of Belinda Jones I had no idea how much I would like this book. I enjoyed this book, it was very light hearted, in my opinion a beach read as the setting of the book is on a cruise ship then in Crete, and also you can pick the book up at any moment and become enveloped straight back into the story within a page. The only thing I found with this book compared to many books I have read recently is I didn't seem to warm instantly to Selena and I think the problem was when the book first opens and we meet Selena we also meet two of her work colleagues and I find it seems the personality of the two colleagues (who you do not meet again in the book) were presented to us more strongly than the main character.

If the other books Belinda has wrote are anything like this I think I can safely say I have got my next few holiday reads sorted!!
Profile Image for Rhia.
101 reviews
April 17, 2013
This is one of my favourite books of all time.

Which is ridiculously out of character for me. To be fair, I read it when I was 15, 4 years ago! And I hadn't read many books of it's genre yet (I went on to read most of Belinda's other books after it but none of them compared - the only one that came close was I Love Capri)
I think the fact that I read it on holiday in the sunshine added to it but really it's just a darn good book.

I liked the different setting - a cruise ship and then Greece. To this day I still want to work on a cruise ship and my dream holiday (that I'll probably never get to go on) is a trip to Elounda. I also loved the bits about Greek mythology and getting to explore wonderful places in Greece.

I fell in love with life and all it's possibilities when I read this book.

Alekos. The perfect man, in my eyes at least.
Except that one awful thing he does which I pray doesn't happen every time I reread it but unfortunately it never changes.
He's alpha-male but not overly so. He's sweet and fun and knows how to be serious at the right moments.

Selena herself doesn't evoke much of a strong feeling from me. She's likeable enough and you can't help but care for her.

As for the minor characters - I love them all. Greg and Cherry (and Richard) are wonderful, I adore them. The couple on the boat were a sweet addition. Even her friends and the guests on board the cruise ship at the beginning are great.
Jules however is an irritating bitch and the book would've have been perfect without her. Seriously, this book didn't need any of that drama for me to enjoy it.

I can't really describe why I love this book so much - I suppose a large part of it is just nostalgia.
I don't read books of this genre anymore. I used to read quite a lot but they're all pretty same-y and I got bored of them a couple of years ago. This one will always be different though and although it isn't perfect, it holds a special place in my heart.
Profile Image for Ulya A.K.
69 reviews26 followers
September 22, 2009
Surprisingly i really liked the book.. Initially i was interested in another of Belinda Jones' book, Cafe Tropicana, but somehow never managed to pick it up. By chance i came across this book, so thought i'd give her a try and i was not disappointed.

The story revolved around Selena Harper, who works on a cruise ship, going from one port to port and loving it. As her latest 2-month leave came around, she finds herself deserted by her newly-engaged best friend. Surprised to find herself feeling homesick, when she has no home to go to in the first place, she agrees to go along with Alekos, to the beautiful island of Crete. She believes him to be a terrible womanizer and only pursuing her because he could not believe that she would reject him. However, the more time she spends with him, she begins to question whether he is truly the person she thought he was..
Profile Image for Passant Alaa.
19 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2022
This Book was a breeze, a breath of fresh air, i was on vacation and i found this in a beach bookstore that lends you books to help u pass your vacation. And OMG it was exactly what I needed, it is witty, funny and a lot of visuals and scenes that makes u feel like ur on her vacation to, the romance in it was incredible , it’s the kind of book u put on a big fat smile the whole time ur reading it!
Profile Image for Julie.
Author 5 books229 followers
March 6, 2015
A light-hearted romantic story set against the gorgeous background of Elounda, Crete. Very enjoyable story with the usual conflict between hero and heroine waiting to be resolved. In this case though I’m not sure that I fell for Alexos enough to wish for a happy ending, especially after what happened with Selina’s friend. I kind of kept hoping that she’d see sense and find her ideal match in Greg. I don’t want to spoil the story so you’ll have to read it to find out what actually happens.
Profile Image for Margaret.
559 reviews8 followers
March 24, 2021
(FYI, there is a major storyline difference between the Kindle version & the older paperbacks. This is for the Kindle version. I agree with another reviewer that if I had read the paperback, I would have given it only 1 or 2 stars.) A little more emotional tension involved than some of her other books, but still good. I love the Greek setting. I also thoroughly enjoyed the encounter at the Acropolis because, without giving anything away, I'm a fan of the event taking place.
Profile Image for Cj.
41 reviews12 followers
January 10, 2010
Belinda never fails to write great novels. She has her characters so well sussed and there is always laughter and tears. Bring it her characters to life in the movies I say. What about Working Titles movies getting in on them as they seem to have a great way with selecting the right person for the right role.
163 reviews
May 15, 2010
Out of the Blue

Just finished reading this book, and loved it, it was one of those books you just cant put down, this was the first book Ive a read by Belinda Jones and it wont be the last! Can recommend this book its well worth a read.
Profile Image for Lizzie.
34 reviews4 followers
August 23, 2012
I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone! I was swept up in Selena's story and found myself getting angry and frustrated on her behalf! The other characters are all brilliant and play their roles within the book perfectly. I feel like I went all the way to Greece with the characters. a definite must-read
Profile Image for Kimiko-K.
174 reviews
December 30, 2012
This is such a delightful book to read! I'm so glad that I picked it up by accident and am reading her other books now! It's just so hilarious and I totally love her unique and witty writting style! Damn, I am raving arent I? Anyway, not too intense on sex and all and the best thing is that the storyline got lots of twists and unexpected encounters that leaves you thinking, :Isn;t living great?"
191 reviews
Read
July 29, 2011
you felt like you were on an actual greek island with this book, very good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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