HOT GREEK SUMMER

by Shirley Goldberg

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

Shirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting their lives and loves over. Her new books Hot Greek Summer and What Happens Next are coming March and May 2026.

Middle Ageish, Eat Your Heart Out, and A Little Bit of Lust are all part of the Starting Over trilogy. They're humorous/romantic women's romantic fiction with a dash of rom com for readers who enjoy the mature hero and heroine. And "mature" is not a synonym for stodgy. As Sunny Chanel says, "I'm middle-aged, not dead." https://www.amazon.com/Shirley-Goldbe...

But wait, there's more! Middle Ageish, Shirley's take on starting over and dating in your middle ages has been revised and has a new cover––grab it everywhere.

Shirley's friends like to guess which stories from the novel are true. 

Shirley's website http://shirleygoldberg.com offers a humorous look at living single, cultivating men friends and dating later in life. .

Tune in and get ideas for your next read and links to book freebies and deals in Shirley's newsletter. Grab 'em whilst they're hot!

Shirley's characters believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and she agrees.

Reviews

[Tanisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy picking up romances that step outside the typical age range, so a later-in-life love story immediately caught my attention. Stories featuring older characters brings a different kind of emotional depth and life experience, and this one really leaned into that. The setting in Crete added such a beautiful backdrop, and it made the entire story feel like a bit of an escape.

The book is told in alternating point of view, though we spend most of the time with the FMC, which I really enjoyed. Her journey felt heartfelt and meaningful, and I appreciated how the story explored moving forward after loss and finding love again later in life. The MMC was easy to root for, and I loved the way his feelings developed. Their connection felt genuine and mature, which made their romance especially satisfying to watch unfold.
While one of the side characters did not fully grow on me, I still appreciated how the supporting cast helped move the story along and created opportunities for the main couple to connect.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. The setting, the later-in-life romance, and the emotional themes made it a memorable read. I did wish the ending and epilogue had been a bit more expanded, but it still left me happy to have taken the journey with these characters.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Rainbow Bookish Owl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Hot Greek Summer by Shirley Goldberg. It was such a fun and heartwarming read, especially getting to spend time with Cassie and Stavros, as well as Bea and Petros. Their stories felt vibrant and full of personality, and I appreciated how the romantic tension unfolded in a sunny, escapist setting.

One of the aspects I liked most was the focus on love after partner loss or divorce. The book handles the idea that life (and romance) doesn’t simply end after heartbreak with warmth and optimism. It was refreshing to see characters navigating second chances later in life, especially since both protagonists are older than those in many contemporary romances. That perspective gave the story a layer of maturity and emotional depth that I found really appealing.

Cassie did frustrate me at times as it sometimes felt like it took her a long while to truly let herself relax and embrace the possibilities in front of her. However, her hesitations were understandable given her past, and they ultimately made her growth more satisfying.

Overall, I’d rate this about 3.5 stars. It’s an engaging, feel-good romance with meaningful themes about resilience, healing, and opening your heart again. While there were moments that tested my patience, I genuinely enjoyed the journey and found it to be a charming and uplifting read.

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book not knowing what it was about. Honestly, the title made me interested. I thought that this was a feel-good romance but I was shocked when I realized that the story was a bit steamy. I don't really believe in instalove but other than that I think the overall execution of the story is okay.