What do you think?
Rate this book
The House of Hidden Letters
“A joy from start to finish.”—Alex Michaelides, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient
A beautiful and escapist novel full of heart, for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and readers who love book club fiction.
For Greek cottage. One euro.
Skye MacKinnon is desperate for an escape. When she wins a lottery to buy a run-down cottage on a Greek island for only one euro, Skye jumps at the chance to get out of England and start over. As she unlocks the tattered blue door of her whitewashed new cottage, the sun-kissed sea glinting in the bay outside her windows, Skye immediately feels like she’s found her true home.
Skye and the other lottery winners—the first residents in these houses since the 1940s—form a tight-knit group, finding in one another the strong relationships they’d been missing in their own lives. When Skye and local contractor Andreas find a set of mysterious letters, they begin to unravel the history of the prior residents, and the truth about life on Folegandros during World War II.
Sweeping, escapist, and full of heart, The House of Hidden Letters reminds us of the importance of human connection. Izzy Broom has written a poignant and hopeful novel for those who have found love and family in unexpected places.
A beautiful and escapist novel full of heart, for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and readers who love book club fiction.
For Greek cottage. One euro.
Skye MacKinnon is desperate for an escape. When she wins a lottery to buy a run-down cottage on a Greek island for only one euro, Skye jumps at the chance to get out of England and start over. As she unlocks the tattered blue door of her whitewashed new cottage, the sun-kissed sea glinting in the bay outside her windows, Skye immediately feels like she’s found her true home.
Skye and the other lottery winners—the first residents in these houses since the 1940s—form a tight-knit group, finding in one another the strong relationships they’d been missing in their own lives. When Skye and local contractor Andreas find a set of mysterious letters, they begin to unravel the history of the prior residents, and the truth about life on Folegandros during World War II.
Sweeping, escapist, and full of heart, The House of Hidden Letters reminds us of the importance of human connection. Izzy Broom has written a poignant and hopeful novel for those who have found love and family in unexpected places.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
September 14, 2025
I received a free copy of, The House of Hidden Letters, by Izzy Broom, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Skye decides to enter a competition to buy a Greek cottage, she decides to try for it. The cottage is not what it looked like at all. This book has all the emotions, so much going on, past and present.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
AN INTRIGUING AND MYSTERIOUS STORY OF HOPE FOR A NEW BEGINNING
SUMMARY
Change Your Life for €1. Skye is not impulsive, but when she sees a derelict Greek cottage for sale by lottery for one euro, she applies. She needs a fresh start far from London and her husband. Weeks later, she feels disheartened as she opens the tattered blue door, questioning whether it can ever be her home. During renovations, she finds a bundle of faded letters behind a wall that reveal a story of love, tragedy, and bravery. Meanwhile, Sky’s own past is always on her mind, reminding her that fate will follow no matter how far she runs. But what was she running from?
REVIEW
I loved Skye’s intriguing and mysterious story. Author Izzy Broom’s fabulous descriptions of the remote Greek island of Folegandros were fabulous. Mountains, a cobalt blue sky, a ribbon of sea, and a church high on a distant hill all serve as the backdrop for Skye’s new backyard. The book pulled me into the story, and I wanted to join Skye and help her renovate her crumbling cottage.
The story weaves a quick-moving and fascinating tale featuring three threads: Skye and her past, her new community on the island, and the thrilling story of love and tragedy told in the letters she found. All of the characters are simply engaging. Read it, and you’ll love it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher Berkley
Published March 17. 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
Change Your Life for €1. Skye is not impulsive, but when she sees a derelict Greek cottage for sale by lottery for one euro, she applies. She needs a fresh start far from London and her husband. Weeks later, she feels disheartened as she opens the tattered blue door, questioning whether it can ever be her home. During renovations, she finds a bundle of faded letters behind a wall that reveal a story of love, tragedy, and bravery. Meanwhile, Sky’s own past is always on her mind, reminding her that fate will follow no matter how far she runs. But what was she running from?
REVIEW
I loved Skye’s intriguing and mysterious story. Author Izzy Broom’s fabulous descriptions of the remote Greek island of Folegandros were fabulous. Mountains, a cobalt blue sky, a ribbon of sea, and a church high on a distant hill all serve as the backdrop for Skye’s new backyard. The book pulled me into the story, and I wanted to join Skye and help her renovate her crumbling cottage.
The story weaves a quick-moving and fascinating tale featuring three threads: Skye and her past, her new community on the island, and the thrilling story of love and tragedy told in the letters she found. All of the characters are simply engaging. Read it, and you’ll love it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher Berkley
Published March 17. 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
February 21, 2026
What an utterly absorbing novel this turned out to be! From the moment Skye wins a lottery that makes her one of six owners of a derelict cottage on the Greek island of Folegandros, I was hooked. The premise alone feels wonderfully escapist, but it’s the warmth, depth, and emotional pull that makes this book so special.
One of the first things I loved was the immediate sense of community. The other cottage owners are a delightful group and their friendships form quickly and authentically. Add to that Andreas, the local Greek builder—kind, capable, never pushy, always quietly there to help—and you have a setting that’s impossible not to fall in love with. There is a tad of romance between the two of them but it’s subtle and perfectly judged: present but never overpowering.
But this story is far more than a dreamy island escape. When Skye discovers a bundle of hidden letters tucked away in her fireplace, the novel opens into a second, deeply moving narrative. The faded pages pulled both Skye and myself into the life of Katerina during World War II, revealing a story of love, tragedy, and astonishing bravery. I fell in love with Katerina instantly. She is bold, brave, and fiercely determined, and even in the face of terrible events, she never loses her capacity to love or to hope.
The dual timeline is beautifully handled. Both narratives are equally compelling, and the novel treads that difficult line between Skye’s struggles and the island’s painful past with great skill. I could see the parallels between Katherina and Skye as they both have a fight on their hands for freedom. Their will to make their own choices is present in both storylines and I rooted fiercely for both Skye and Katherina as both of them – across different eras – are determined to follow their own path.
By the final page, I was convinced of two things: everyone who reads this book will want to move to Folegandros and become part of that island community, and I have discovered a wonderful new author whose work I’ll be seeking out again without hesitation. This was a truly fabulous read—thoughtful, hopeful and unforgettable.
One of the first things I loved was the immediate sense of community. The other cottage owners are a delightful group and their friendships form quickly and authentically. Add to that Andreas, the local Greek builder—kind, capable, never pushy, always quietly there to help—and you have a setting that’s impossible not to fall in love with. There is a tad of romance between the two of them but it’s subtle and perfectly judged: present but never overpowering.
But this story is far more than a dreamy island escape. When Skye discovers a bundle of hidden letters tucked away in her fireplace, the novel opens into a second, deeply moving narrative. The faded pages pulled both Skye and myself into the life of Katerina during World War II, revealing a story of love, tragedy, and astonishing bravery. I fell in love with Katerina instantly. She is bold, brave, and fiercely determined, and even in the face of terrible events, she never loses her capacity to love or to hope.
The dual timeline is beautifully handled. Both narratives are equally compelling, and the novel treads that difficult line between Skye’s struggles and the island’s painful past with great skill. I could see the parallels between Katherina and Skye as they both have a fight on their hands for freedom. Their will to make their own choices is present in both storylines and I rooted fiercely for both Skye and Katherina as both of them – across different eras – are determined to follow their own path.
By the final page, I was convinced of two things: everyone who reads this book will want to move to Folegandros and become part of that island community, and I have discovered a wonderful new author whose work I’ll be seeking out again without hesitation. This was a truly fabulous read—thoughtful, hopeful and unforgettable.
August 31, 2025
Delighted to have had the opportunity to have an early copy of this book!! Set in Greece, Skye arrives having won a lottery for an abandoned Greek house along with some others. Helped by Andreas to renovate the cottage, Skye finds her community, there to support her!! The story has two time lines, the present and also the previous cottage owners during the war! Skye finds this link during her time at the cottage. Really enjoyed this book, characters likeable and story line kept me wanting to know more!! 5 stars 🌟
May 21, 2026
I liked the story concept but I found it to be really slow. It didn’t grip me at all. I would like to have read more about Katerina’s story and read more letters.
March 27, 2026
This book ended up being a lot heavier than I initially thought it would be from the description. Somehow I missed that it was a WWII book.
I wanted to love this book more. I really enjoyed the island and it felt like I was there, and now I want to move to Greece. But I am not satisfied with the ending. I want to know what happened to Katerina when she left the island.
Also - there really should be trigger warnings for this book. Since I didn't see them anywhere: heavy DV, rape, and infant death.
I wanted to love this book more. I really enjoyed the island and it felt like I was there, and now I want to move to Greece. But I am not satisfied with the ending. I want to know what happened to Katerina when she left the island.
Also - there really should be trigger warnings for this book. Since I didn't see them anywhere: heavy DV, rape, and infant death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
This months book club pick. Wasn’t at all what I expected but really enjoyed it. Gave me Kristin Hannah vibes. Definitely worth a read.
April 4, 2026
A gentle, engaging read with just the right blend of mystery and romance, it’s a lovely dual timeline story and a great introduction to Izzy Broom’s work. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more.
Skye needs a fresh start, and when she spots a one euro lottery for a derelict cottage on a remote Greek island, it feels like the perfect escape. Winning it brings not just a crumbling home to restore but a whole new circle of friends and a community she didn’t know she needed. When she uncovers a bundle of wartime letters hidden in the cottage — and the discovery of long buried skeletons shakes the island — Skye is drawn into uncovering the truth, piecing together a story that’s been hidden for decades.
Overall, it’s an engaging, atmospheric read with a lovely mix of mystery, history and new beginnings. The setting is gorgeous, the story unfolds beautifully, and it’s easy to get swept up in Skye’s journey. A really enjoyable escape.
Skye needs a fresh start, and when she spots a one euro lottery for a derelict cottage on a remote Greek island, it feels like the perfect escape. Winning it brings not just a crumbling home to restore but a whole new circle of friends and a community she didn’t know she needed. When she uncovers a bundle of wartime letters hidden in the cottage — and the discovery of long buried skeletons shakes the island — Skye is drawn into uncovering the truth, piecing together a story that’s been hidden for decades.
Overall, it’s an engaging, atmospheric read with a lovely mix of mystery, history and new beginnings. The setting is gorgeous, the story unfolds beautifully, and it’s easy to get swept up in Skye’s journey. A really enjoyable escape.
May 15, 2026
Skye MacKinnon has won a lottery to buy a cottage on a Greek island for only one euro. The cottages date back to the 1940s and have largely been abandoned. It's up to Skye to get her cottage in working order, and once she sees the views, she is smitten. It's much different than her life in dreary England! While working on the cottage with local contractor, Andreas, she finds hidden letters dating back to the 1940s. Through these letters, Skye finds out more about the island during the war, the cottage's previous residents, and more. Broom includes chapters that flashback to the 1940s, which paint a brighter picture of the past. In addition to the flashbacks, there's also a focus on Skye, her new life on the Greek island, the other residents of the cottages, and the connection to the 1940s during WWII, when the Nazis infiltrated the island. The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom is a novel that will transport readers to sunny Greece and is perfect for readers who enjoy historical touches in their summer reads.
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
September 20, 2025
I so badly wanted to really love this book, but for some reason, I can't explain, I just couldn't completely connect with it. That's not to say it's a bad book because it really isn't, and i know im definitely in the minority with this one!
Told from dual perspectives and parallel timelines, this made it an interesting read.
In the present, needing to escape her past, Skye enters and wins a €1 house lottery, along with a few others. Arriving in Follegandros, Greece, she is shown to her new home. A very run down cottage in need of major refurbishment. On starting the work, Skye stumbles a stash of hidden letters, and the local builder, Andreas, starts translating them for her.
In the past, a young greek woman, Katerina, comes to realise that her village and home are slowly being taken by the Nazi's. She doesn't want to be sat on the sidelines while the war is raging around her. She wants to be fighting for her country.
I found most of the characters, apart from Skye and Andreas, to be rather flat, two dimensional. I wish they had had a little more about them because there was a lot of potential there for them to be more interesting.
If I'm being completely honest, I much preferred reading about Skye's story, I found myself more engaged with that part of the book and I think there could easily be a second follow on book, just with Skye and Andreas!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the ARC.
Told from dual perspectives and parallel timelines, this made it an interesting read.
In the present, needing to escape her past, Skye enters and wins a €1 house lottery, along with a few others. Arriving in Follegandros, Greece, she is shown to her new home. A very run down cottage in need of major refurbishment. On starting the work, Skye stumbles a stash of hidden letters, and the local builder, Andreas, starts translating them for her.
In the past, a young greek woman, Katerina, comes to realise that her village and home are slowly being taken by the Nazi's. She doesn't want to be sat on the sidelines while the war is raging around her. She wants to be fighting for her country.
I found most of the characters, apart from Skye and Andreas, to be rather flat, two dimensional. I wish they had had a little more about them because there was a lot of potential there for them to be more interesting.
If I'm being completely honest, I much preferred reading about Skye's story, I found myself more engaged with that part of the book and I think there could easily be a second follow on book, just with Skye and Andreas!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the ARC.
Read
September 30, 2025This is the perfect holiday read. It’s a beautiful story of love, loss and new beginnings. I loved it.
March 21, 2026
The House of Hidden Letters
By Izzy Broom
Published by Berkley on March 17th, 2026 (out now)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This book came as such a surprise for me! Even at 15% in, I didn’t think I was enjoying it. Then I realized that I was just too busy and wasn’t dedicating time to it. When I did, I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. It had so much more going on and going for it than I expected. It is very entertaining and propulsive - as you go further, every chapter starts to end on a cliffhanger and leaves you wanting more.
Read this if you like
-plot driven novels
-atmospheric settings
-WWII historical fiction
-mystery and intrigue
-Emma Grey’s Pictures of You
-dual timelines
📖 In present day, Skye is one of 5 people who win a lottery to purchase one of 6 abandoned homes on Greek island, Folegandros. Running from conflict at home, she jumps into the chance to renovate the long abandoned home with local contractor Andreas. When they come across some hidden letters (amongst a couple other things) from WWII, they learn more about the houses history and what led them to become abandoned.
Thank you to @berkleypub @netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
By Izzy Broom
Published by Berkley on March 17th, 2026 (out now)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This book came as such a surprise for me! Even at 15% in, I didn’t think I was enjoying it. Then I realized that I was just too busy and wasn’t dedicating time to it. When I did, I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. It had so much more going on and going for it than I expected. It is very entertaining and propulsive - as you go further, every chapter starts to end on a cliffhanger and leaves you wanting more.
Read this if you like
-plot driven novels
-atmospheric settings
-WWII historical fiction
-mystery and intrigue
-Emma Grey’s Pictures of You
-dual timelines
📖 In present day, Skye is one of 5 people who win a lottery to purchase one of 6 abandoned homes on Greek island, Folegandros. Running from conflict at home, she jumps into the chance to renovate the long abandoned home with local contractor Andreas. When they come across some hidden letters (amongst a couple other things) from WWII, they learn more about the houses history and what led them to become abandoned.
Thank you to @berkleypub @netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this one; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 If I win the lottery, there will be signs. My instagram will be filled with me reading books from exotic locations and I will most certainly be returning to the Greek isles. Twenty years ago, I was swept away by the majestic colors and rich history of the Aegean Sea. When a silver key is placed into Skye’s palm and she takes ownership of a villa abandoned since World War II, her world changes in the most remarkable way. Told in dual timelines, The House of Hidden Letters is a beautifully haunting reminder that our world is connected across time and space. In a moment when it feels like the walls are closing in around us, Izzy Broom’s novel feels poignantly relevant while still maintaining a breezy aura of hopeful escapism.
Would you buy a house on a remote Greek island for €1?
📖 Book Review 📖 If I win the lottery, there will be signs. My instagram will be filled with me reading books from exotic locations and I will most certainly be returning to the Greek isles. Twenty years ago, I was swept away by the majestic colors and rich history of the Aegean Sea. When a silver key is placed into Skye’s palm and she takes ownership of a villa abandoned since World War II, her world changes in the most remarkable way. Told in dual timelines, The House of Hidden Letters is a beautifully haunting reminder that our world is connected across time and space. In a moment when it feels like the walls are closing in around us, Izzy Broom’s novel feels poignantly relevant while still maintaining a breezy aura of hopeful escapism.
Would you buy a house on a remote Greek island for €1?
March 21, 2026
Thank you Berkeley and Penguin random house for the free book.
This was such a great read. It’s told in dual timeline between the past and the present and I think both stories were equally as compelling. I was excited to read from both pov’s and I loved how interwoven they were and how emotional each story was.
Skye’s is in present day Greece, an island called Folegrandos after she wins a house for one euro. The sense of small town community is strong and felt with every character. And then WWII 1942 and Katerina’s story and the mystery and awful history and tragedies that happened and how they can make peace with their findings from the letters and the houses.
Overall a great story.
This was such a great read. It’s told in dual timeline between the past and the present and I think both stories were equally as compelling. I was excited to read from both pov’s and I loved how interwoven they were and how emotional each story was.
Skye’s is in present day Greece, an island called Folegrandos after she wins a house for one euro. The sense of small town community is strong and felt with every character. And then WWII 1942 and Katerina’s story and the mystery and awful history and tragedies that happened and how they can make peace with their findings from the letters and the houses.
Overall a great story.
April 14, 2026
What an utterly beautiful story set in Greece. I felt completely transported into the story, the history, the love and intrigue it was all there.
Skye is trying to deal with something the only way she knows how, can she break free and stop the past reaching her?
Izzy made it sound like such a beautiful place and a true special community of people, the characters sounded so real and friendships seemed like they would last a lifetime 🇬🇷
I loved the relationships, friendships found family and Tigri the ginger cat!
This is definite MUST read for everyone
Skye is trying to deal with something the only way she knows how, can she break free and stop the past reaching her?
Izzy made it sound like such a beautiful place and a true special community of people, the characters sounded so real and friendships seemed like they would last a lifetime 🇬🇷
I loved the relationships, friendships found family and Tigri the ginger cat!
This is definite MUST read for everyone
May 12, 2026
I picked up this book at the library one a whim- loved the cover and the storyline intrigued me. I am so glad I picked it up? I love the descriptive detail of the remote Greek island, the cast of characters, and the inter-twined story of 2 very strong, brave women! There are themes of grief, abuse, and violence. The ending leaves you hanging which was the only draw back for me-I wanted a little more and for the story to feel complete.
May 25, 2026
The cover sold me: a gorgeous Mediterranean scene with a quote from Chris Whitaker (who wrote ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK): “Absorbing, beautiful, devastating.”
Skye wins a Greek cottage for one euro through a lottery. She flees for the island of Folegandros and escapes an abusive, controlling spouse.
The cottage needs a lot of work and as Skye makes friends with her neighbors, she realizes the island has secrets to uncover.
In a separate timeline, we meet Katerina in 1940. World War II is making its way toward their peaceful island and she must make heart-wrenching choices to survive.
Skye discovers Katerina’s letters and other secrets, giving her the courage to make a life for herself.
(Warnings: sexual assault, child loss, abuse)
The short chapters made the book fly by too fast! Although it wasn’t perfectly written in every way, I fell in love with Folegandros and this story.
Skye wins a Greek cottage for one euro through a lottery. She flees for the island of Folegandros and escapes an abusive, controlling spouse.
The cottage needs a lot of work and as Skye makes friends with her neighbors, she realizes the island has secrets to uncover.
In a separate timeline, we meet Katerina in 1940. World War II is making its way toward their peaceful island and she must make heart-wrenching choices to survive.
Skye discovers Katerina’s letters and other secrets, giving her the courage to make a life for herself.
(Warnings: sexual assault, child loss, abuse)
The short chapters made the book fly by too fast! Although it wasn’t perfectly written in every way, I fell in love with Folegandros and this story.
March 19, 2026
This was delightful. Why not it's only a dollar! Skye wins a cottage in the Greek lottery and get to renovate while living on a n island with 5 other owners. While she starts to fix up her cottage she finds a bundle of letters hidden in the fireplace, She has her Greek handyman Andreas help her understand them. I like that they read them over time to discover what is hidden in them.
The dual timeline was done so well.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The dual timeline was done so well.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2026
Such a good book and I could almost imagine being there in Greece! Can’t wait for the next book to come out in 2027……/
May 25, 2026
this book was so engaging and i loved the mix of mystery, romance and history. the storyline honestly unfolded in such a cool way and i wasn’t expecting to love this as much as i did! very fun, and easy read!
overall, i would like to visit greece please
overall, i would like to visit greece please
May 24, 2026
Well, this was the first of Izzy's books I have read & it certainly won't be the last.
It certainly makes me want to add Folegandros to my bucket list of places to visit.
It certainly makes me want to add Folegandros to my bucket list of places to visit.
March 15, 2026
I’m a sucker for novels set in Greece and also those written by Izzy Broom, so combining the two for me is a match made in heaven. The House of Hidden Letters is a beautiful story set on the Greek island of Folegandros, and follows Skye as on impulse, she enters a lottery to purchase a home for one euro and moves there to begin a new life within the local island community. Dreams of a fresh start are quickly hampered when she sees the state of the property but needs to turn the derelict property into her home and finally escape her past. As the renovations begin, she finds a bundle of letters telling a tale of long forgotten love, tragedy and bravery. This novel seamlessly intertwines past and present. It draws you in and pulls at your heartstrings with each chapter urging you on to continue reading. It’s a tale of love, friendship and secrets and will stay with you long after you turn the last page. One of my favourite novels of this year. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK Cornerstone and the author for the
August 27, 2025
The House of Hidden Letters was a really interesting book - and the dual narrative and timeline set it up for lots of potential.
Skye needs a fresh start and enters (and wins) the 1 Euro house lottery on the tiny island of Folegandros. She's a bit secretive about her past, even in the company of her new friends who have also come to refurbish the abandoned properties on the island.
The other narrative is told from the point of view of Katerina, a young Greek woman who realises her home is being slowly taken by the Nazis and can't bear to sit on the sidelines to watch.
I really enjoyed Skye's point of view and the budding romance with one of the other characters. The secondary characters (other than Andreas) were a little less developed than I would like but I did enjoy reading about their antics. For some reason I didn't really connect with Katerina's storyline (but that could also just be me being slightly WW2 fictioned out!) The ending resolved a little too neatly but overall an enjoyable read with great descriptions of the beautiful island! 3.5 stars for me. Would definitely read more by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers foir a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Skye needs a fresh start and enters (and wins) the 1 Euro house lottery on the tiny island of Folegandros. She's a bit secretive about her past, even in the company of her new friends who have also come to refurbish the abandoned properties on the island.
The other narrative is told from the point of view of Katerina, a young Greek woman who realises her home is being slowly taken by the Nazis and can't bear to sit on the sidelines to watch.
I really enjoyed Skye's point of view and the budding romance with one of the other characters. The secondary characters (other than Andreas) were a little less developed than I would like but I did enjoy reading about their antics. For some reason I didn't really connect with Katerina's storyline (but that could also just be me being slightly WW2 fictioned out!) The ending resolved a little too neatly but overall an enjoyable read with great descriptions of the beautiful island! 3.5 stars for me. Would definitely read more by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers foir a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2025
I was first drawn to this book after holidaying in Greece earlier in the summer. Then the description…
“For sale: Greek cottage. Price: One Euro.
Skye doesn’t make impulsive decisions. But when she sees a derelict Greek cottage for sale by lottery, she enters with dreams of a fresh start.”
I just had to read it!
Skye arrives at her new home on the beautiful Greek island. She soon meets Andreas, the builder who will help her renovate the cottage and one day, they discover a bundle of letters written by a previous owner during the war…
As Skye and Andreas begin to read the letters, the story splits into two timelines, revealing a wealth of secrets from both periods. All parties haven’t had an easy path - to say the least, but Katerina’s story was particularly heartbreaking and so tragic!
This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and there could easily be a second book! I would love to hear more from Skye and Andreas!
Thank you to Issie Levin from Penguin Random House UK for providing me with digital ARC of this book via @netgalley in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Out March 2026
“For sale: Greek cottage. Price: One Euro.
Skye doesn’t make impulsive decisions. But when she sees a derelict Greek cottage for sale by lottery, she enters with dreams of a fresh start.”
I just had to read it!
Skye arrives at her new home on the beautiful Greek island. She soon meets Andreas, the builder who will help her renovate the cottage and one day, they discover a bundle of letters written by a previous owner during the war…
As Skye and Andreas begin to read the letters, the story splits into two timelines, revealing a wealth of secrets from both periods. All parties haven’t had an easy path - to say the least, but Katerina’s story was particularly heartbreaking and so tragic!
This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and there could easily be a second book! I would love to hear more from Skye and Andreas!
Thank you to Issie Levin from Penguin Random House UK for providing me with digital ARC of this book via @netgalley in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Out March 2026
January 10, 2026
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Skye enters a competition to buy a cottage in Greece. She wins the competition but the cottage it not what is looked like at all. She finds a bunch of hidden letters that tell a story of a long-forgotten love, tragedy and bravery.
Skye enters a competition to buy a cottage in Greece. She wins the competition but the cottage it not what is looked like at all. She finds a bunch of hidden letters that tell a story of a long-forgotten love, tragedy and bravery.
April 5, 2026
If you read one historical this year this is the one. It's so good. It has it all. History of course. A love story. Two timelines. Possibly murder. An abusive(albeit not in great detail.) A Greek island. A lottery winner. A group of people who come together for each other. No. Matter. What.
This is a book that will capture your heart. It will also leave you on pins and needles in places. Things happen to make you think. To make you appreciate what you have. Always keep your friends close. Even the ones you might have just met.
When Skye wins a lottery she knows it's her chance. Her chance to get out of a horrible relationship. Her husband, Martyn, is awful. He is not who she thought he was. They had a whirlwind relationship and marriage. He wanted her and he got her.
Skye wins a house on a Greek Island. It's an older place that needs a lot of repair. It only cost her the price of a lottery entry. There are a few others who won houses too. Skye doesn't share any private things with the new neighbors. She keeps it to herself. Skye and her mother have problems also.
When Skye finds letters hidden in her house and starts reading them you get to know more about the history of the island. What happened to the previous owners.
Then we go to 1940 and meet Katerina. Katerina and Stefanos. They lived on the Greek island as the war starts. When Mussolini started taking over and started wars it was coming to Greece. To their peaceful island. Stefanos had to leave. He had to go defend their country. Katerina's sister's husband goes with him leaving the women behind.
A lot happens in both timelines. It's very easy to keep straight though. This is such a good book. It has so many things to keep you turning the pages. Some edge of your seat things too. A few mysteries. The love story was beautiful.
This book gave me a few feelings. Tears. Anger. Expectations. Hope. Love. Loss. It had it all. The writing was wonderful. This story will hold your heart.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for this ARC.
Five stars
This is a book that will capture your heart. It will also leave you on pins and needles in places. Things happen to make you think. To make you appreciate what you have. Always keep your friends close. Even the ones you might have just met.
When Skye wins a lottery she knows it's her chance. Her chance to get out of a horrible relationship. Her husband, Martyn, is awful. He is not who she thought he was. They had a whirlwind relationship and marriage. He wanted her and he got her.
Skye wins a house on a Greek Island. It's an older place that needs a lot of repair. It only cost her the price of a lottery entry. There are a few others who won houses too. Skye doesn't share any private things with the new neighbors. She keeps it to herself. Skye and her mother have problems also.
When Skye finds letters hidden in her house and starts reading them you get to know more about the history of the island. What happened to the previous owners.
Then we go to 1940 and meet Katerina. Katerina and Stefanos. They lived on the Greek island as the war starts. When Mussolini started taking over and started wars it was coming to Greece. To their peaceful island. Stefanos had to leave. He had to go defend their country. Katerina's sister's husband goes with him leaving the women behind.
A lot happens in both timelines. It's very easy to keep straight though. This is such a good book. It has so many things to keep you turning the pages. Some edge of your seat things too. A few mysteries. The love story was beautiful.
This book gave me a few feelings. Tears. Anger. Expectations. Hope. Love. Loss. It had it all. The writing was wonderful. This story will hold your heart.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for this ARC.
Five stars
March 23, 2026
I was so very kindly sent the eARC of House of Hidden Letters by the publisher an NetGalley.
I’ve read Izzy’s work before and loved it, but it was a long time ago.
At first I didn’t think this book would be for me - I tend to not to pick up historical fiction, but I gave it a go anyway and I’m so glad I did.
This is such a gorgeous novel that’s packed with suspense, mystery, and yearning for peace.
It follows the dual lives of Skye (present day) and Katerina (1940s).
Skye’s won an abandoned home on a small Greek island in a euro lottery, and upon starting renovations she makes several discoveries with her new community that uncovers the truth of the history of the island, and in particular their new homes.
Kat, meanwhile, is a headstrong young woman who’s swept up in a romance with a man who goes off to fight in the Second World War. She navigates life with strong determination to save herself and her family as the Italian and German soldiers descend on their small island.
It’s quite a heavy book with devastating topics, but they were handled well with care and sensitivity. I will put the triggers below if this is something you need to consider before reading.
If you liked Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, this might be worth your while!
About the book:
▫️Third person, dual timeline, dual narrative
▫️Historical fiction
▫️Suspense
▫️Romance (though it’s not the driving plot)
▫️Set on a Greek island
▫️Renovations
▫️Murder mystery
▫️Found family
▫️Closed door romance with some slight suggestive scenes
Triggers:
▪️Infertility (mentioned with side character)
▪️Violence (sexual, physical and emotional)
▪️Domestic violence
▪️Loss of child
▪️War
▪️Grief and bereavement
▪️Death (on page)
I’ve read Izzy’s work before and loved it, but it was a long time ago.
At first I didn’t think this book would be for me - I tend to not to pick up historical fiction, but I gave it a go anyway and I’m so glad I did.
This is such a gorgeous novel that’s packed with suspense, mystery, and yearning for peace.
It follows the dual lives of Skye (present day) and Katerina (1940s).
Skye’s won an abandoned home on a small Greek island in a euro lottery, and upon starting renovations she makes several discoveries with her new community that uncovers the truth of the history of the island, and in particular their new homes.
Kat, meanwhile, is a headstrong young woman who’s swept up in a romance with a man who goes off to fight in the Second World War. She navigates life with strong determination to save herself and her family as the Italian and German soldiers descend on their small island.
It’s quite a heavy book with devastating topics, but they were handled well with care and sensitivity. I will put the triggers below if this is something you need to consider before reading.
If you liked Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, this might be worth your while!
About the book:
▫️Third person, dual timeline, dual narrative
▫️Historical fiction
▫️Suspense
▫️Romance (though it’s not the driving plot)
▫️Set on a Greek island
▫️Renovations
▫️Murder mystery
▫️Found family
▫️Closed door romance with some slight suggestive scenes
Triggers:
▪️Infertility (mentioned with side character)
▪️Violence (sexual, physical and emotional)
▪️Domestic violence
▪️Loss of child
▪️War
▪️Grief and bereavement
▪️Death (on page)
March 27, 2026
The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom is a sweeping, dual-timeline novel that balances a fresh start in the Mediterranean with the heavy, haunting echoes of the past.
The story follows Skye, who impulsively enters a lottery for a derelict Greek cottage and wins. When she arrives at the tattered blue door, she finds more than just a renovation project; she discovers a bundle of letters hidden in the fireplace that reveal a story of bravery and tragedy from the 1940s.
What I Loved:
• The Unique Setting: This was my first time reading historical fiction set in Greece during the 1940s. Broom does an incredible job of painting the atmosphere of the era—it felt fresh and deeply researched.
• The Contrast of Resilience: I found the parallel between Katarina’s strength in the past and Skye’s journey in the present to be very moving. Seeing how these two women handled their respective "battles" was a highlight for me.
• The Mystery: There is a subtle, intriguing mystery surrounding Skye’s own past that kept me turning the pages.
A Few Notes:
While the present-day narrative was engaging, I found myself craving more time within the historical letters. The story of the past was so compelling that I occasionally felt the balance tipped a bit too far toward the modern timeline. Additionally, I would have loved to see more depth from the local community and side characters to really round out the "village" feel.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a deeply felt, escapist read that handles themes of fate and courage with grace. Perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop or Lucinda Riley.
Huge thank you to @izzybroom and @berkleypub for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The story follows Skye, who impulsively enters a lottery for a derelict Greek cottage and wins. When she arrives at the tattered blue door, she finds more than just a renovation project; she discovers a bundle of letters hidden in the fireplace that reveal a story of bravery and tragedy from the 1940s.
What I Loved:
• The Unique Setting: This was my first time reading historical fiction set in Greece during the 1940s. Broom does an incredible job of painting the atmosphere of the era—it felt fresh and deeply researched.
• The Contrast of Resilience: I found the parallel between Katarina’s strength in the past and Skye’s journey in the present to be very moving. Seeing how these two women handled their respective "battles" was a highlight for me.
• The Mystery: There is a subtle, intriguing mystery surrounding Skye’s own past that kept me turning the pages.
A Few Notes:
While the present-day narrative was engaging, I found myself craving more time within the historical letters. The story of the past was so compelling that I occasionally felt the balance tipped a bit too far toward the modern timeline. Additionally, I would have loved to see more depth from the local community and side characters to really round out the "village" feel.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a deeply felt, escapist read that handles themes of fate and courage with grace. Perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop or Lucinda Riley.
Huge thank you to @izzybroom and @berkleypub for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 24, 2026
The House Of Hidden Letters by Isabelle Broome, was a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Skye arrives on the island of Folegandros, Greece. She had entered a lottery and won a house there for one euro!. She had come all the way from England to settle on the island. The cottage unfortunately hasn’t been lived in for years, and needs lots of work to get it back to a liveable state. But she stays there anyway. Andreas, the hunky builder, introduces her to her house and he slowly becomes a friend. Then she finds some old letters in her fireplace downstairs, and the past is brought to life.
Skye has had a tough time and we find out through the book all about it. This is drip fed to the reader as the story goes along.
As this is a dual timeline story, the letters Skye finds help us travel back to 1940, but we stay on the island. We find out about the residents living there at that time, and in particular a girl called Katarina. She is a young teenager who meets a handsome young man and sneaks out to see him at night and is completely in love with him! She has a very strong personality and strong opinions too!! Stefanos then goes away to fight for Greece’s freedom.
This is a beautifully written book that really tugged on my heart strings. Both girls have a really hard time of it, but the message that comes through so strongly, is that community is a massive support system when help is needed. It’s what got both girls through the hard times and back to good times.
Many thanks to Random House for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #RandomHouse, #Isabelle_Broom.
Skye arrives on the island of Folegandros, Greece. She had entered a lottery and won a house there for one euro!. She had come all the way from England to settle on the island. The cottage unfortunately hasn’t been lived in for years, and needs lots of work to get it back to a liveable state. But she stays there anyway. Andreas, the hunky builder, introduces her to her house and he slowly becomes a friend. Then she finds some old letters in her fireplace downstairs, and the past is brought to life.
Skye has had a tough time and we find out through the book all about it. This is drip fed to the reader as the story goes along.
As this is a dual timeline story, the letters Skye finds help us travel back to 1940, but we stay on the island. We find out about the residents living there at that time, and in particular a girl called Katarina. She is a young teenager who meets a handsome young man and sneaks out to see him at night and is completely in love with him! She has a very strong personality and strong opinions too!! Stefanos then goes away to fight for Greece’s freedom.
This is a beautifully written book that really tugged on my heart strings. Both girls have a really hard time of it, but the message that comes through so strongly, is that community is a massive support system when help is needed. It’s what got both girls through the hard times and back to good times.
Many thanks to Random House for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #RandomHouse, #Isabelle_Broom.
June 4, 2026
4.5 Stars - When looking at the cover of this novel, it looks like the perfect holiday read, sunny, Island vibes, picturesque and romantic scenery.. Although it is absolutely a sun soaked novel set in a gorgeous location, my favourite part of the book was actually the location, the writing style and the beautiful imagery it painted in my minds eye, the rugged coastline, the beautiful blue waters with it’s boats, the mountains, trees. Island life, with the whitewash buildings, the church, the dilapidated cottages, the beach, the sun, the taverna, the gardens and the mini market…. The author described the scenery beautifully. The story is darker than I thought it would be and covers some serious themes… It’s a historical read with a dual time line involving lots of mystery and discoveries. A captivating, enlightening but sad, yet hopeful story.
My favourite characters were Katerina,Skye, Joy & Andreas. I loved the sense of community in the story and cared what happened to the characters.
An enjoyable bookclub read and I will look to read the next book in the series when it comes out. It really made you feel like you were in Greece or Cyprus. I had Zorba the Greek music in my head for days, traditional Greek music playing through my speakers 🤣 and enjoyed a Greek salad while reading this book 📖 I was fully invested and really appreciated all the little descriptive details and the love and time that I could tell had gone into producing this novel. 🇬🇷☀️❤️
My favourite characters were Katerina,Skye, Joy & Andreas. I loved the sense of community in the story and cared what happened to the characters.
An enjoyable bookclub read and I will look to read the next book in the series when it comes out. It really made you feel like you were in Greece or Cyprus. I had Zorba the Greek music in my head for days, traditional Greek music playing through my speakers 🤣 and enjoyed a Greek salad while reading this book 📖 I was fully invested and really appreciated all the little descriptive details and the love and time that I could tell had gone into producing this novel. 🇬🇷☀️❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews