Paging Aphrodite

by Kim Green

Four strong women from different walks of life in Australia, London and San Francisco, they've all come to the breathtakingly beautiful isle of Corfu seeking the same thing—refuge. Between marriage woes, dead-end careers, and demanding families, these women need a vacation—a little sun, a few shots of Sambuca, and a couple of sexy Greek men will surely allow them to relax, right? Maybe not. Australian Claire Dillon is 46, still has amazing legs, and is ready for a change. Her husband is having an affair with a 29-year old masseuse, and her gay son is looking for a father figure in a series of unsuitable boyfriends. When she takes off for Corfu in the middle of disaster, everyone says she's gone mad—and she's out to prove them right.Parker Glass' marriage lasted eleven days, not exactly what the perfectionist interior designer from San Francisco had dreamed of. After a breakdown at work, her partner firmly suggests she use her scheduled honeymoon time for some much needed sun and relaxation in the Greek Isles. At first, the vacation seems just the thing for getting her life back on track... but sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. Anya Soberanes is convinced she's cursed—how else could she still be looking for her soulmate? When her aunt finds her unconscious in her San Francisco apartment after inadvertently overdosing on sleeping pills and telenovelas, her parents give her an either take a vacation with her friend's sister Parker, or check into a mental-health facility. As Anya discovers, facing her fears is easy in Greece—it's making her dreams come true that's the hard part.25-year old Londoner Kelah Morris wants more than anything to publish a brilliant novel and prove to her editor mother that she's destined for more than selling popcorn at the cinema. All Kelah needs is an escape from her overbearing parents, dead-end job, jailbird brother and just-published friends to free herself of her infamous writer's block. Butshe doesn't factor in the possibility of wild career success and true love on her island getaway.Together, these four women discover that sometimes you need to get away from it all to discover what you really need.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Greece, Beach Reads, Novels, Travel

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Tanya D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book for some easy 'fluff' reading. Really liked the characters. Really disliked that everyone lived happily ever after and that there wasn't any real character GROWTH by the end.

[Ren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to like this one. I gave it to a friend who read and enjoyed it, then gave it back to me. I brought it on my trip south. It was one of two books I had with me at the time. I made it to page 250... I just can't finish. I know the only reason I made it as far in as I did was lack of other reading material. Since arriving in Washington, I've gotten a library card and read several other books which I actually enjoyed and have a few more checked out. I just have no desire to finish this... so I'm not.

The story seemed to drag on and I had no real interest in how things turned out for the main characters. Anya was the only one I even really liked at all. That's a big sign to quit and move on. I hope whoever gets this next will enjoy it more.

[Heather View · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited for this but it was just to fluffy, predictable and I found it hard to really care for the characters.
The ending was also just so basic. Ok for the beach or when your bored, but it took me over a few weeks to read and I can put a book away in a day when it’s good. So it’s just slow I guess. I did enjoy the fact how the residence accepted and basically made them family in their temp home. That was one aspect I found charming.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama Mia meets hallmark movie - summer vacation edition. A delightful little palate cleanser. Needed an upper after the last two books and this delivered. An adorable little rom com set against a summer backdrop to be envious of during the cold NY winter.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute beach read. Got a little confusing at times, but was a quick, fun read.

[Annie Kostyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only gave it 3 stars because the ending was so disappointing,

[Mcvalens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, fluffy and mostly predictable.

[Paige Scharf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was recommended by my neighbor and I took it to the beach with me. It was a perfect beach read.

[Marta Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book so many times the pages are on the verge of falling out. Laugh everytime.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read. Romance with a twist of woman power.

[Nancy Rosaasen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expected fluff and was pleasantly surprised by some nice writing. It satisfied my junk food craving and turned out some pretty sentences.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUTHOR: Green, Kim
TITLE: Paging Aphrodite
Date Read: 03/07/14
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS: Women's Fiction; 2004;Bantam/Dell; 356 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: SA
TIME/PLACE: 2004;Corfu
CHARACTERS: Parker Glass/Interior Designer; Kelah Morris/aspiring novelist; Anya Soberanes/career girl who wants to get married; Claire Dillon/ middle-aged wife & mother

FIRST LINES: The bus stop is about 25 meters from the bank across the square. It is open from 7am to 11pm, I read.

COMMENTS: This was a nice escapist read -- it has been a cold & long winter who doesn't want to escape to a warm island beach. Four women from different backgrounds and 3 continents are at transition points in their lives and all decide to vacation for the summer in Corfu -- a Greecian island. Parker had lived w/ her boyfriend for several years but only managed to stay married for 11 days before he left her. She is sure he is just having a "moment" and will come back. She plans a get-away w/ her sister to Corfu but at the last minute her sister declines and a friend of her sister's takes her place. Anya is a Catholic Hispanic young working woman who believes she was born to be a bride but so far has not had a relationship that is headed for marriage. She believes a secret from her past has cursed her. Kelah is a recent college grad of mixed ethnic background, both parents are high powered professionals and she feels she has a lot to live up to. She wants to be a very serious writer . Claire is 46 years old and has been married since her early 20's, she has 2 grown sons and believes her life is going along smoothly until … her husband has an affair. Parker and Anya leave San Francisco, Kelah departs from London and Claire takes flight from Sydney, Australia. They vary in age from early 20's to mid 40's but all have a common bond: they are away from home & trying to figure out if they want to go back home & if so how will they change to adapt to the path's that had not previously planned.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having a little chic-lit Kim Green fest this winter - as the author is actually my cousin by marriage, which in my book, no pun, is a cousin. I feel funny applying the chic-lit label as this author along with others who focus on what might be a "chic" pov- actually are hitting some interesting subjects with smart raucous acidic humor. Not just a rehashed tale for girls who simply must get married by 30, more complex than Bridget Jones, less trash, more guts. And you will laugh and want to eat and drink well while reading.I totally enjoy and hope she writes more books. In this case- chic-lit and proud, what's next Green!

[Annette Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good the friend I loaned it to passed it on to 2 others before she gave it back! I had trouble keeping the four main characters straight at first, but once they started to come together and form their friendship I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to them next. I found myself relating at least a little bit to each of the characters, and enjoyed watching their progress over one long summer. I could see the beautiful Greek scenery too. Wish I were there!

[*Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a bland story of a group of women at different stages of their lives but all feeling disgruntled about love becoming friends while vacationing in Greece. Along with the friendships of the Greeks who live permanently on the island they've made their temporary home, as well as new friends and acquaintances, these women help each other recover from their heartaches and find healing and new purpose with their lives.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paging Aphrodite is a cute read if you want to escape to the beach in chick-lit form. Each chapter is told from the point of view of 1 of 4 women who are summering in Corfu---each one is there to escape something in their "real lives". It's slighly predictable and formulaic, but it is what it is-- an escapist beach read.

[Gianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very slow....reading. Some parts interesting. The topic of friends who meet in Greece and meet cool guys. But the writing is what doesn't make the book a page turner. I may not finish it...I've been reading it for a few months now...I can't wait until I get to the end! It's not awful...just kinda awkward writing at times.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but there was quite a deal more whining than I can take. Also the whole everyone's like family, friends, exes, boyfriends, husbands, anyone just came to Greece. And I'm thinking do these people really not have anything better to do and just free flowing money to go to Greece at the drop of a hat.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over a summer vacation & it was the perfect beach read. Like reading the journal of four women, who are all in the Greek isles. I felt like I was there with the characters. Wonderful setting, fun characters, very humorous, enjoyable read. I was sad when I was done with the book - definitely didn't want it to end - I felt like I was losing four friends.

[Marlena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun beach read. I enjoyed reading it while I was relaxing in Mexico on my spring break vacation. I liked how each chapter was about a different character yet the book still connected all of the characters together.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

lovely concept & story-line, actual writing not so good. a disappointment. i guess i was expecting something along the lines of my one of my favorite films "shirley valentine" and it did not deliver.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main reason I bought this book was because of the cover. It was an ok read. It's about 4 women who meet in Greece and become friends. I found that some of the storylines were boring or carried on for too long.

[Jennifer Hazlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, written from each character's point of view & how they dealt with their trials & triumphs, although had some trouble keeping everyone & their story straight. The setting reminded me alot of Maeve Binchy's book "Nights of Rain and Stars".

[melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and light.

[Kendall]

I read the first 1/3 of this cute summer read that takes place over seas. Need to finish it, as it is a better than average chick pick.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very definitely one of my favorites. One that I will be purchasing for my own collection. This one resonated deeply within me.

[Tutu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as "Is That A Moose in Your pocket".

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book to sit by the pool and read.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect beach reading. Especially while sipping your frappe on a beach in Greece.