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25 Days in Athens
‘Please join us and celebrate the wedding of Ollie & Alec.
August 31st 2025.
Athens, Greece.
Kindly RSVP by August 1st 2025 to confirm your attendance.’
Will is not ready for this. How can Ollie be moving on from him so quickly? And GREECE?! The exact location that he and Ollie dreamed about getting married in one day… It’s been three years since Ollie and Will had spoken, their relationship crumbling after Ollie had proposed and Will had said ‘no’, but now, Will realises he might have made the biggest mistake of his life.
There is only one option.
With his mind made up, Will packs his bags and heads to Athens. He has 25 days until Ollie and Alec get married, 25 days to complete his mission to declare his love for Ollie, win him back and, of course, stop the wedding. The last person Will expects to run into on his first day in Athens is his childhood friend, Sam. But Sam isn’t the lanky little boy clutching his Pokemon cards anymore, Sam is now an impossibly handsome grown-up (although, still secretly clutching his Pokemon cards).
Surrounded by the beauty and history of Athens, Will has 25 days to work out what it is he really wants.
August 31st 2025.
Athens, Greece.
Kindly RSVP by August 1st 2025 to confirm your attendance.’
Will is not ready for this. How can Ollie be moving on from him so quickly? And GREECE?! The exact location that he and Ollie dreamed about getting married in one day… It’s been three years since Ollie and Will had spoken, their relationship crumbling after Ollie had proposed and Will had said ‘no’, but now, Will realises he might have made the biggest mistake of his life.
There is only one option.
With his mind made up, Will packs his bags and heads to Athens. He has 25 days until Ollie and Alec get married, 25 days to complete his mission to declare his love for Ollie, win him back and, of course, stop the wedding. The last person Will expects to run into on his first day in Athens is his childhood friend, Sam. But Sam isn’t the lanky little boy clutching his Pokemon cards anymore, Sam is now an impossibly handsome grown-up (although, still secretly clutching his Pokemon cards).
Surrounded by the beauty and history of Athens, Will has 25 days to work out what it is he really wants.
Paperback
First published June 5, 2026
About the author
Jack Strange
2 books154 followersAuthor of Look Up, Handsome, which the New York Times called 'a cozy and emotional holiday romance', Jack Strange is a native writer to Wales. He writes romantic comedies with gay male leads, as well as dystopian dark academia as J S Strange.
Jack is published by HarperCollins.
Born in South Wales, at 27 Jack moved to Vancouver, Canada, before moving back home to Wales. When he isn't writing, he's using Instagram and TikTok too much. You might also find him reading tarot cards online and at festivals. Or you might see him opening Pokemon cards online.
Jack is published by HarperCollins.
Born in South Wales, at 27 Jack moved to Vancouver, Canada, before moving back home to Wales. When he isn't writing, he's using Instagram and TikTok too much. You might also find him reading tarot cards online and at festivals. Or you might see him opening Pokemon cards online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 20, 2026
Steamy! Spicy! So much to love about these characters. You think you want the couple to get back together after two failed engagement proposals, but someone else enters the picture, and life is full of surprises. I often wonder if those who meant the most to us as children will always stay with us. The innocence? The clinging to a time when things were curious and wondrous. Always enjoy the balance between the sexual scenes and the building romance. Great way to explore Athens. Love the side characters. Lots to enjoy in this one.
June 22, 2026
This book is branded as a summer holiday romance novel, but it didn't feel like that to me. When I finished the book, it felt more like a story about self-discovery and figuring out what you really want, with a bit of romance thrown in.
Will, our protagonist, is single and has been since his long-term boyfriend Ollie broke off their relationship, after Will declined Ollie's marriage proposal - TWICE. It's been a while since they broke up, Will is still a bit hung up on Ollie for reasons I didn't entirely understand (like, he declined a marriage proposal TWICE, what did you think would happen?) and now Will has received a wedding invitation to attend Ollie and Alec's nuptials in Athens, Greece.
And instead of being happy for his former lover, Will decides to get to Athens early and declare his everlasting love for Ollie so he can break up the presumably happy couple and have Ollie for himself. SELFISH GIT, is all I could think at this point.
Fortuitously, Will runs into his childhood best friend Sam as he's dragging his suitcase along the road, and recruits Sam to be his fake boyfriend/date for the wedding.
I had lots of issues with Will's character. His scheming to stop the wedding, his whining, his sheer audacity, none of it was endearing and it made him very unlikable.
Sam on the other hand carried was sweet and kind and caring, and he deserved so much better than this walking red flag that is Will for 80% of the book.
I did like the self-deprecating humor in Will's voice, and I definitely liked Lydia, the hotel's concierge - she didn't mince words and she spoke truth in the face of Will's ridiculous scheme. I loved her and her take-no-prisoners attitude.
The book is a fairly quick read, and it does end on a good note for Will and Sam, though the way they got their HFN seemed slightly far-fetched and ever so convenient.
Overall still an enjoyable read, even with the OTT premise and Will spending 50% of the book pining for and scheming about Ollie, who was eventually revealed as being a bit of a miserable prick. Not sure what either Will nor Alec really saw in him. Ultimately, while this didn't feel like a romance novel for me, it does show character growth for Will on his journey to figuring out who he really is and what he really wants and needs.
** An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. **
Will, our protagonist, is single and has been since his long-term boyfriend Ollie broke off their relationship, after Will declined Ollie's marriage proposal - TWICE. It's been a while since they broke up, Will is still a bit hung up on Ollie for reasons I didn't entirely understand (like, he declined a marriage proposal TWICE, what did you think would happen?) and now Will has received a wedding invitation to attend Ollie and Alec's nuptials in Athens, Greece.
And instead of being happy for his former lover, Will decides to get to Athens early and declare his everlasting love for Ollie so he can break up the presumably happy couple and have Ollie for himself. SELFISH GIT, is all I could think at this point.
Fortuitously, Will runs into his childhood best friend Sam as he's dragging his suitcase along the road, and recruits Sam to be his fake boyfriend/date for the wedding.
I had lots of issues with Will's character. His scheming to stop the wedding, his whining, his sheer audacity, none of it was endearing and it made him very unlikable.
Sam on the other hand carried was sweet and kind and caring, and he deserved so much better than this walking red flag that is Will for 80% of the book.
I did like the self-deprecating humor in Will's voice, and I definitely liked Lydia, the hotel's concierge - she didn't mince words and she spoke truth in the face of Will's ridiculous scheme. I loved her and her take-no-prisoners attitude.
The book is a fairly quick read, and it does end on a good note for Will and Sam, though the way they got their HFN seemed slightly far-fetched and ever so convenient.
Overall still an enjoyable read, even with the OTT premise and Will spending 50% of the book pining for and scheming about Ollie, who was eventually revealed as being a bit of a miserable prick. Not sure what either Will nor Alec really saw in him. Ultimately, while this didn't feel like a romance novel for me, it does show character growth for Will on his journey to figuring out who he really is and what he really wants and needs.
** An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. **
June 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review <3
4.5
This book actually blew me away. The synopsis sounded like something I would enjoy, and I was excited to read it. As I got into the book, it kept getting better and better and it truly will be a book I remember for a long time
Starting off, this book is funny!! There were so many moments where I was legitimately laughing out loud. Either with dialogue or just situations that characters were getting themselves in. I couldn’t help but chuckle with everything that happened with Will and the hotel. Out of everything that made me laugh and love this book, that is definitely high up there for me. I’d didn’t expect to like that storyline so much, but I did. It’s creative and new and definitely makes this book stand out
THE ROMANCE!! I forget how great friends to lovers can be, but this book made it so much more impactful by choosing to make them friends who lost touch. Sam and Will finding each other again was incredibly touching. The way they’re able to bond about the past and talk about their current lives felt seamless. It’s like even with all this time, they spent no time apart. They were able to find their rhythm again and intertwined beautifully. They’re so nerdy and cute with each other and I really liked that
Also can we please talk about the journey Will went on. His original plan is to get Ollie back because he thinks his best version is when he’s with him. Will’s journey helps him learn that he’s his best version when he’s himself. Will wants closure, he wants an end, and he learns that others can’t give that to him. He has to figure out what he wants. He has to move on. He has to come to terms with what happened, even if it’s hard. I think Will’s journey to self love and acceptance speaks to many people
Also the friendships made along the way are perfect. Lydia absolutely killed it in this novel. She was so brutally honest and I loved her dearly. The couple next door who end up being such central characters in the story made me fall in love with this story. The painting class truly was one of my favourite scenes and it showed how much beauty and honesty is in this friend group
Also love that Willow got the ending I was hoping for!
Relationships are complex. Sometimes they’re easy to understand. Other times it’s a bunch of shades of grey. I think Jack Strange did a wonderful job of depicting that in this novel
And because I loved the book so much, here are some of my fav quotes:
‘How do I know you're not a roadside killer?'
'I have coffee.'
I get in the car.
“I've never resented my life, but I do feel frustration. I'm happy, but wistful. Like I'm craving a life that could have been but never was. Maybe it is time to think about what it is I want.”
“'But there's more to it. To me, Sam, you're safety. You're familiar. A missing piece.”
“'Because you know who you are.' He brushes his fingers along my cheek. 'And I'm so fucking proud of you for that.'”
“I understand what it means to be loved, to love another, and to love yourself.”
4.5
This book actually blew me away. The synopsis sounded like something I would enjoy, and I was excited to read it. As I got into the book, it kept getting better and better and it truly will be a book I remember for a long time
Starting off, this book is funny!! There were so many moments where I was legitimately laughing out loud. Either with dialogue or just situations that characters were getting themselves in. I couldn’t help but chuckle with everything that happened with Will and the hotel. Out of everything that made me laugh and love this book, that is definitely high up there for me. I’d didn’t expect to like that storyline so much, but I did. It’s creative and new and definitely makes this book stand out
THE ROMANCE!! I forget how great friends to lovers can be, but this book made it so much more impactful by choosing to make them friends who lost touch. Sam and Will finding each other again was incredibly touching. The way they’re able to bond about the past and talk about their current lives felt seamless. It’s like even with all this time, they spent no time apart. They were able to find their rhythm again and intertwined beautifully. They’re so nerdy and cute with each other and I really liked that
Also can we please talk about the journey Will went on. His original plan is to get Ollie back because he thinks his best version is when he’s with him. Will’s journey helps him learn that he’s his best version when he’s himself. Will wants closure, he wants an end, and he learns that others can’t give that to him. He has to figure out what he wants. He has to move on. He has to come to terms with what happened, even if it’s hard. I think Will’s journey to self love and acceptance speaks to many people
Also the friendships made along the way are perfect. Lydia absolutely killed it in this novel. She was so brutally honest and I loved her dearly. The couple next door who end up being such central characters in the story made me fall in love with this story. The painting class truly was one of my favourite scenes and it showed how much beauty and honesty is in this friend group
Also love that Willow got the ending I was hoping for!
Relationships are complex. Sometimes they’re easy to understand. Other times it’s a bunch of shades of grey. I think Jack Strange did a wonderful job of depicting that in this novel
And because I loved the book so much, here are some of my fav quotes:
‘How do I know you're not a roadside killer?'
'I have coffee.'
I get in the car.
“I've never resented my life, but I do feel frustration. I'm happy, but wistful. Like I'm craving a life that could have been but never was. Maybe it is time to think about what it is I want.”
“'But there's more to it. To me, Sam, you're safety. You're familiar. A missing piece.”
“'Because you know who you are.' He brushes his fingers along my cheek. 'And I'm so fucking proud of you for that.'”
“I understand what it means to be loved, to love another, and to love yourself.”
June 26, 2026
This book is, in a lot of different ways, very ridiculous. In some ways, that made for a hilariously entertaining read. The situations are often funny, which made the book feel original and refreshing. In other ways, however, all of the ridiculousness added up to a LOT. It was a little too much for me at times and I regularly lost my suspension of disbelief. The writing wasn't always as strong either, so I debated DNFing a couple of times. All in all, I am glad I stuck with it, but I also did enjoy the author's previous book more.
June 24, 2026
Happy publication month! Re-sharing my review from May.
It won’t take you 25 days to read this and come to the conclusion that Jack Strange’s latest is a cute MM romance. You’ll quickly learn, however, that it probably won’t move the genre forward much.
It’s not a bad thing! It goes down smoothly, as you follow our leads Will and Sam, the former heading to Greece after being invited to his ex’s wedding. There he reconnects with his childhood friend, Sam, a lovable nerd. But Will isn’t heading to Athens to be a willing participant in this wedding of Ollie and Alec. Instead, he wants to break it up and win back his ex. He quickly learns, with the help of Sam and these funny side characters (many mention this already, but Lydia is a standout), that maybe life after love could lead to more, healthier love.
There’s a lot to love here — I like the geeky elements here (Power Rangers and Pokemon lol) and even the mention of Real Housewives. It’s effective here because our two leads are so cute together as they fall back in love (growing up as good friends before going separate ways only to meet up in Greece as adults.)
However, those same moments I loved, felt like a well the author returned to quite often. Pokemon was mentioned plenty over and over, with the nostalgia bait kind of overstaying its welcome. I also found some of the dialogue and characterization to be surface level at times. I didn’t know if these men were in their early twenties or closer to thirty (I’m still unsure).
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC.
It won’t take you 25 days to read this and come to the conclusion that Jack Strange’s latest is a cute MM romance. You’ll quickly learn, however, that it probably won’t move the genre forward much.
It’s not a bad thing! It goes down smoothly, as you follow our leads Will and Sam, the former heading to Greece after being invited to his ex’s wedding. There he reconnects with his childhood friend, Sam, a lovable nerd. But Will isn’t heading to Athens to be a willing participant in this wedding of Ollie and Alec. Instead, he wants to break it up and win back his ex. He quickly learns, with the help of Sam and these funny side characters (many mention this already, but Lydia is a standout), that maybe life after love could lead to more, healthier love.
There’s a lot to love here — I like the geeky elements here (Power Rangers and Pokemon lol) and even the mention of Real Housewives. It’s effective here because our two leads are so cute together as they fall back in love (growing up as good friends before going separate ways only to meet up in Greece as adults.)
However, those same moments I loved, felt like a well the author returned to quite often. Pokemon was mentioned plenty over and over, with the nostalgia bait kind of overstaying its welcome. I also found some of the dialogue and characterization to be surface level at times. I didn’t know if these men were in their early twenties or closer to thirty (I’m still unsure).
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC.
June 11, 2026
Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and author Jack Strange, for providing me with the eARC of “25 Days in Athens”.
💭My Thoughts💭
If you would have told me the second hand embarrassment will take you out …. I didn’t think it could be done. I could not stop laughing and just side eyeing Will through most of this book. He truly makes decisions with little to no thought. And I love him for it.
Honorable mention to the hotel receptionist for being that girl. And the hotel …. That was the cherry on top. I couldn’t.
Sam was so levelheaded. Because if someone I liked had said he was there for his exs wedding, I would be done immediately. But Sam stuck up for Will and was there for him as a friend even when the feelings would make most walk away.
The ending was beautiful, I love how it went back to Wills crappy job and what he was able to get out of it.
Perfect read for vacation, or to feel like you are on vacation.
❣️Tropes❣️
MM Romance
Athens Setting
Childhood Friends
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Self Discovery
Pokémon
🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice Level: 🌶️
Publisher: Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter
Length: 396 Pages
Dual POV
💭My Thoughts💭
If you would have told me the second hand embarrassment will take you out …. I didn’t think it could be done. I could not stop laughing and just side eyeing Will through most of this book. He truly makes decisions with little to no thought. And I love him for it.
Honorable mention to the hotel receptionist for being that girl. And the hotel …. That was the cherry on top. I couldn’t.
Sam was so levelheaded. Because if someone I liked had said he was there for his exs wedding, I would be done immediately. But Sam stuck up for Will and was there for him as a friend even when the feelings would make most walk away.
The ending was beautiful, I love how it went back to Wills crappy job and what he was able to get out of it.
Perfect read for vacation, or to feel like you are on vacation.
❣️Tropes❣️
MM Romance
Athens Setting
Childhood Friends
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Self Discovery
Pokémon
🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice Level: 🌶️
Publisher: Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter
Length: 396 Pages
Dual POV
June 27, 2026
25 Days in Athens is everything I want from a summer romance. It’s funny, heartfelt, romantic and has just the right amount of spice.
I flew through this book in a couple of sittings because I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. The chemistry between the characters felt believable, the humour landed perfectly, and I found myself completely invested in Will’s journey as he tried to work out what love really meant.
Beneath the romance there’s also a story about second chances, moving on and figuring out what really makes us happy. It has plenty of emotional moments without ever feeling too heavy.
If you’re looking for a feel-good queer romance to pack in your suitcase this summer, I’d definitely recommend this one. Warm, witty, romantic and a lot of fun from beginning to end.
I flew through this book in a couple of sittings because I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. The chemistry between the characters felt believable, the humour landed perfectly, and I found myself completely invested in Will’s journey as he tried to work out what love really meant.
Beneath the romance there’s also a story about second chances, moving on and figuring out what really makes us happy. It has plenty of emotional moments without ever feeling too heavy.
If you’re looking for a feel-good queer romance to pack in your suitcase this summer, I’d definitely recommend this one. Warm, witty, romantic and a lot of fun from beginning to end.
June 17, 2026
Back in November I read Jack’s first book ‘Look Up Handsome’ and it kick started my reading romance books, and as soon as I saw this book coming out I knew it was for me. And my god was it.
The story was perfectly constructed, all the characters had realistic personalities with perfections and flaws, the drama was drama-ing and the spicy scenes were incredibly well written and felt integral to the story and not just there because they have to be, as so many spicy scenes feel.
This would get a six stars from me if I could.
The story was perfectly constructed, all the characters had realistic personalities with perfections and flaws, the drama was drama-ing and the spicy scenes were incredibly well written and felt integral to the story and not just there because they have to be, as so many spicy scenes feel.
This would get a six stars from me if I could.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No One Should Attend Their Ex’s Wedding This Overdressed, Underhealed, and Slightly Delusional
Jack Strange’s “25 Days in Athens” understands that the funniest romances are often powered by the least funny wounds, and that behind every flamboyant bad decision may lurk a person still trying to become someone worth wanting.
By Demetris Papadimitropoulos | April 6th, 2026
At the edge of Athens, two figures hold in the blue-gold dusk the novel’s truest promise – that after enough humiliation, noise, and longing, intimacy might finally arrive as steadiness.
Some romances are really about pursuit. “25 Days in Athens” is about something meaner, sadder, and more embarrassing: the wish not only to recover an ex, but to recover the shinier self you became while being chosen by him. Jack Strange begins with a premise that sounds built for mischief – Will Cooper flies to Athens for his ex-boyfriend Ollie’s wedding, half-hoping he might still derail it – and then steadily reveals the bruise beneath the farce. Will does not merely want Ollie back. He wants back the version of himself that once felt more adult, more enviable, more fully admitted into life while Ollie stood beside him. That is the novel’s real engine, and it is a sharper one than the setup first lets on.
The heartbreak here is not purely erotic. It is aspirational. Will misses a boyfriend, yes, but he also misses the sense that being attached to Ollie made him legible as the right sort of man: serious, progressing, selected, worth wanting in public. Strange is especially good on the humiliation buried inside that longing. What Will cannot at first admit is that he has tied love to status, tenderness to social sanction, desire to the fantasy of having finally become the sort of person life happens to properly. He is grieving a man, but he is also grieving a life-script.
That could have made for a dreary book if Strange were not so funny. Will narrates in ricochets – spirals of self-mockery, panic-flourishes, little defensive set pieces, sudden fantasies, overreactions that arrive so quickly they barely seem chosen. He is forever converting fresh shame into performance. The jokes are not garnish. They are flotation devices. Airports, taxis, bars, hotel lobbies, poolside humiliations, pirate-boat absurdity, accidental nude encounters, wedding-adjacent disasters – Will keeps turning exposure into patter because patter is quicker than self-knowledge. Strange understands that comedy is not the opposite of vulnerability here. It is vulnerability in one of its most practiced forms.
He is equally shrewd about the habits that make Will vulnerable in the first place. Will has learned to get to himself first. Body too soft. Job too minor. Prospects too stalled. Hair too thin. Life too unimpressive. Desire too compromised. He talks himself down before anybody else gets there. Even his fantasies are classed. He does not simply want tenderness. He wants the kind attached to education, polish, stability, and cultural authority. Ollie is not just the ex. He is the fantasy of being ratified by the right man.
At the Acropolis, what begins as a defensive performance becomes the first visible shape of another life.
That is why Sam matters so much. Sam is not merely the warm alternative waiting nearby. He is the novel’s counter-ethic. He notices. He feeds. He waits. He paints. He asks. He sees Will’s body and history not as problems to be solved or corrected, but as facts deserving attention. Fake dating, in a thinner book, would remain a lively contrivance. Here it becomes diagnostic. The more Will performs chosen-ness beside Sam, the more he begins to understand that being carefully seen feels different from being socially upgraded. Care has a different temperature from polish, and Strange is smart enough to know that this distinction – felt in the body before it is understood in the mind – is the whole game.
Athens helps. More than that, Athens does the hard labour of the novel. Strange knowingly enjoys the postcard surfaces – hot stone, cold drinks, rooftop views, whitewashed walls, cats, sea light, coffee, ruins – but the city is not simply decorative reward. It is the pressure system that keeps forcing Will into visibility. The nudist hotel strips away camouflage. The pirate cruise turns bodies into comic fact. The life-drawing class literalizes the experience of being looked at. Even the simple act of walking through heat becomes a form of exposure. Strange also gives Athens just enough friction to keep it from becoming brochure Greece: queer caution, local codes, the difference between tourist latitude and resident risk, the way belonging and passing are not the same thing. The setting is bright, yes, but brightness here is not innocence. It is glare.
Lydia, the receptionist at The Laurel Hotel, is one of the book’s best inventions. Dry, severe, unexpectedly tender, and equipped with the kind of moral impatience the novel badly needs, she keeps puncturing Will’s self-serving melodrama. Her withering “homewrecker” lands because it is funny and because it is true enough to sting. Strange gives her exactly the right function. She is not a wise oracle and not a stock comic side character. She is simply someone tired of nonsense and willing to call it by name.
In the hush of the studio, exposure turns into recognition, and the body Will treats as liability becomes, under Sam’s gaze, form, warmth, and fact.
The life-drawing sequence is the book’s hinge. Up to that point Will has narrated his body largely as comic liability – too exposed, too soft, too embarrassing, too insufficiently ideal. Then he becomes the model. Sam paints him. The scene matters not simply because it is charged, though it is, but because it changes the visual order of the novel. Will’s body stops being a running joke and becomes form: hair, fold, color, line, softness, presence. Not improved. Not tidied. Seen. Strange’s deepest instinct as a writer may be this one: desire can flatter, but attention can alter the terms on which a person exists to himself.
The prose is strongest when it trusts that comic-hurt register. Strange likes short-to-medium sentences with quick pivots, conversational rhythm, and image-clusters that feel half-invented and half-blurted. The diction is contemporary, playful, colloquial, sometimes knowingly silly, but it can turn unexpectedly tender without sounding self-conscious. Will’s voice in particular has velocity. It keeps darting forward to outrun whatever feeling is about to catch up. That style suits the novel because so much of the book is about the mind using wit as cover. When Strange leans into that speed, the pages feel loose, alive, and emotionally exact. When he reaches for the more earnest or summarizing line, the prose can flatten a little into explanation. Still, the dominant mode is winning: breezy enough to entertain, supple enough to carry pain.
Formally, the alternating Will and Sam chapters are crucial. Without Sam’s perspective, Will’s panic might swallow the whole book. Sam widens the frame, steadies the temperature, and prevents Will’s narration from becoming the only available truth. The 25-day countdown helps too. It gives the novel shape, pressure, and a slight, useful artificiality. Everyone is overheated, emotionally and literally. Feelings intensify because the structure insists on a deadline, and that very intensity becomes part of the subject. A holiday romance always risks seeming too accelerated to believe. Strange turns that risk into texture. The book knows that a month abroad can make people overread everything. It also knows that sometimes overreading is how buried truths first get legible.
The central achievement of “25 Days in Athens” is not that it tells a charming fake-dating, second-chance, vacation-romance story, though it certainly does. It is that Strange sneaks a considerably more exact book into that bright packaging: a book about shame, class aspiration, queer self-presentation, and the confusion between love and validation. Ollie is not simply the wrong man. He is the wrong criterion. He flatters the part of Will that wants admission into a shinier life. Sam reaches the part that wants permission to exist without shrinking.
A candlelit table set for pleasure becomes a tribunal of truth, where class fantasy, old lies, and romantic self-deception finally lose their cover.
Where the novel overreaches is in how generously it starts repaying pain. Once Strange begins rewarding Will, he becomes almost extravagantly kind. Sam is not implausible exactly, but he is conspicuously well-calibrated: emotionally patient, sexually deft, artistically gifted, lonely in attractive proportions, and wounded enough to deepen him without making him difficult. Will’s career turn also arrives with a convenience that softens some of the earlier tartness. You can feel the wish beneath these choices: after so much self-loathing, why not let life finally overcorrect? It is understandable. It is often pleasurable. It also makes the final stretch a little smoother, a little sweeter, than the sharper earlier pages had trained you to expect.
Even so, the ending earns itself by healing the right injury. The crucial scene is not the sexual consummation, satisfying though that is, nor even the relocation fantasy. It is the wedding. Will arrives in Athens imagining that romantic truth might still announce itself as interruption – spectacle, declaration, public reversal. Instead, he ends up officiating Ollie’s marriage to someone else. He says the vows. He watches the kiss. He does not object. Strange understands what release would actually look like for this character, and it is not triumph. It is surviving the scene he once imagined as his destruction and discovering that it is only a scene.
After the vows, the emptied stone and thinning light hold the novel’s quietest revelation – not heartbreak renewed, but release.
To the book’s credit, Ollie is not turned into a melodramatic villain. He is more banal than that, and therefore more corrosive. He is the kind of man who can offer real intimacy while steadily training someone else to accept diminishment as the daily weather of being loved. The ex who devastates you spectacularly is easy enough to diagnose. Harder is the one who collaborates with your worst opinion of yourself and lets you call that collaboration romance. Strange is very good there. Better, in fact, than the novel’s glossy setup first suggests.
That is what “25 Days in Athens” is really about beneath its rom-com machinery. Strange may think he is writing a funny, sexy, emotionally loaded queer romance about fake dating, second chances, and a life-changing month abroad. He is. But on the page he is also writing about how some people mistake being selected for being known, how class fantasy sneaks into desire, how shame narrows a life, and how care – actual care, patient care, unshowy care – can feel almost suspicious when you have spent years reading mild contempt as love.
I land at 79/100 – 4 stars: a novel more emotionally exact, formally useful, and thematically sharper than its sunny setup first implies, even if its late abundance sometimes smooths away too much of its early bite. Strange begins with a man who thinks love will reveal itself as spectacle. He ends with a man speaking vows he once hoped to interrupt, watching the kiss, and understanding at last that the life opening beside him is quieter than fantasy, less glamorous than longing, and far more his own.
These small compositional trials search for the balance between intimacy and skyline, testing how much of Athens must remain visible for the emotional threshold to hold.
The bare graphite scaffold reveals the painting before atmosphere arrives, when closeness, architecture, and negative space are still only a wager.
Here the page begins to take light – amber staining stone, blue entering air – as the image moves from structure toward feeling.
The swatch page fixes the review’s visual logic in advance, tying dusk blues, amber stone, chalky plaster, and muted rose to the novel’s shifts between exposure and ease.
All watercolor illustrations by Demetris Papadimitropoulos.
Jack Strange’s “25 Days in Athens” understands that the funniest romances are often powered by the least funny wounds, and that behind every flamboyant bad decision may lurk a person still trying to become someone worth wanting.
By Demetris Papadimitropoulos | April 6th, 2026
At the edge of Athens, two figures hold in the blue-gold dusk the novel’s truest promise – that after enough humiliation, noise, and longing, intimacy might finally arrive as steadiness.
Some romances are really about pursuit. “25 Days in Athens” is about something meaner, sadder, and more embarrassing: the wish not only to recover an ex, but to recover the shinier self you became while being chosen by him. Jack Strange begins with a premise that sounds built for mischief – Will Cooper flies to Athens for his ex-boyfriend Ollie’s wedding, half-hoping he might still derail it – and then steadily reveals the bruise beneath the farce. Will does not merely want Ollie back. He wants back the version of himself that once felt more adult, more enviable, more fully admitted into life while Ollie stood beside him. That is the novel’s real engine, and it is a sharper one than the setup first lets on.
The heartbreak here is not purely erotic. It is aspirational. Will misses a boyfriend, yes, but he also misses the sense that being attached to Ollie made him legible as the right sort of man: serious, progressing, selected, worth wanting in public. Strange is especially good on the humiliation buried inside that longing. What Will cannot at first admit is that he has tied love to status, tenderness to social sanction, desire to the fantasy of having finally become the sort of person life happens to properly. He is grieving a man, but he is also grieving a life-script.
That could have made for a dreary book if Strange were not so funny. Will narrates in ricochets – spirals of self-mockery, panic-flourishes, little defensive set pieces, sudden fantasies, overreactions that arrive so quickly they barely seem chosen. He is forever converting fresh shame into performance. The jokes are not garnish. They are flotation devices. Airports, taxis, bars, hotel lobbies, poolside humiliations, pirate-boat absurdity, accidental nude encounters, wedding-adjacent disasters – Will keeps turning exposure into patter because patter is quicker than self-knowledge. Strange understands that comedy is not the opposite of vulnerability here. It is vulnerability in one of its most practiced forms.
He is equally shrewd about the habits that make Will vulnerable in the first place. Will has learned to get to himself first. Body too soft. Job too minor. Prospects too stalled. Hair too thin. Life too unimpressive. Desire too compromised. He talks himself down before anybody else gets there. Even his fantasies are classed. He does not simply want tenderness. He wants the kind attached to education, polish, stability, and cultural authority. Ollie is not just the ex. He is the fantasy of being ratified by the right man.
At the Acropolis, what begins as a defensive performance becomes the first visible shape of another life.
That is why Sam matters so much. Sam is not merely the warm alternative waiting nearby. He is the novel’s counter-ethic. He notices. He feeds. He waits. He paints. He asks. He sees Will’s body and history not as problems to be solved or corrected, but as facts deserving attention. Fake dating, in a thinner book, would remain a lively contrivance. Here it becomes diagnostic. The more Will performs chosen-ness beside Sam, the more he begins to understand that being carefully seen feels different from being socially upgraded. Care has a different temperature from polish, and Strange is smart enough to know that this distinction – felt in the body before it is understood in the mind – is the whole game.
Athens helps. More than that, Athens does the hard labour of the novel. Strange knowingly enjoys the postcard surfaces – hot stone, cold drinks, rooftop views, whitewashed walls, cats, sea light, coffee, ruins – but the city is not simply decorative reward. It is the pressure system that keeps forcing Will into visibility. The nudist hotel strips away camouflage. The pirate cruise turns bodies into comic fact. The life-drawing class literalizes the experience of being looked at. Even the simple act of walking through heat becomes a form of exposure. Strange also gives Athens just enough friction to keep it from becoming brochure Greece: queer caution, local codes, the difference between tourist latitude and resident risk, the way belonging and passing are not the same thing. The setting is bright, yes, but brightness here is not innocence. It is glare.
Lydia, the receptionist at The Laurel Hotel, is one of the book’s best inventions. Dry, severe, unexpectedly tender, and equipped with the kind of moral impatience the novel badly needs, she keeps puncturing Will’s self-serving melodrama. Her withering “homewrecker” lands because it is funny and because it is true enough to sting. Strange gives her exactly the right function. She is not a wise oracle and not a stock comic side character. She is simply someone tired of nonsense and willing to call it by name.
In the hush of the studio, exposure turns into recognition, and the body Will treats as liability becomes, under Sam’s gaze, form, warmth, and fact.
The life-drawing sequence is the book’s hinge. Up to that point Will has narrated his body largely as comic liability – too exposed, too soft, too embarrassing, too insufficiently ideal. Then he becomes the model. Sam paints him. The scene matters not simply because it is charged, though it is, but because it changes the visual order of the novel. Will’s body stops being a running joke and becomes form: hair, fold, color, line, softness, presence. Not improved. Not tidied. Seen. Strange’s deepest instinct as a writer may be this one: desire can flatter, but attention can alter the terms on which a person exists to himself.
The prose is strongest when it trusts that comic-hurt register. Strange likes short-to-medium sentences with quick pivots, conversational rhythm, and image-clusters that feel half-invented and half-blurted. The diction is contemporary, playful, colloquial, sometimes knowingly silly, but it can turn unexpectedly tender without sounding self-conscious. Will’s voice in particular has velocity. It keeps darting forward to outrun whatever feeling is about to catch up. That style suits the novel because so much of the book is about the mind using wit as cover. When Strange leans into that speed, the pages feel loose, alive, and emotionally exact. When he reaches for the more earnest or summarizing line, the prose can flatten a little into explanation. Still, the dominant mode is winning: breezy enough to entertain, supple enough to carry pain.
Formally, the alternating Will and Sam chapters are crucial. Without Sam’s perspective, Will’s panic might swallow the whole book. Sam widens the frame, steadies the temperature, and prevents Will’s narration from becoming the only available truth. The 25-day countdown helps too. It gives the novel shape, pressure, and a slight, useful artificiality. Everyone is overheated, emotionally and literally. Feelings intensify because the structure insists on a deadline, and that very intensity becomes part of the subject. A holiday romance always risks seeming too accelerated to believe. Strange turns that risk into texture. The book knows that a month abroad can make people overread everything. It also knows that sometimes overreading is how buried truths first get legible.
The central achievement of “25 Days in Athens” is not that it tells a charming fake-dating, second-chance, vacation-romance story, though it certainly does. It is that Strange sneaks a considerably more exact book into that bright packaging: a book about shame, class aspiration, queer self-presentation, and the confusion between love and validation. Ollie is not simply the wrong man. He is the wrong criterion. He flatters the part of Will that wants admission into a shinier life. Sam reaches the part that wants permission to exist without shrinking.
A candlelit table set for pleasure becomes a tribunal of truth, where class fantasy, old lies, and romantic self-deception finally lose their cover.
Where the novel overreaches is in how generously it starts repaying pain. Once Strange begins rewarding Will, he becomes almost extravagantly kind. Sam is not implausible exactly, but he is conspicuously well-calibrated: emotionally patient, sexually deft, artistically gifted, lonely in attractive proportions, and wounded enough to deepen him without making him difficult. Will’s career turn also arrives with a convenience that softens some of the earlier tartness. You can feel the wish beneath these choices: after so much self-loathing, why not let life finally overcorrect? It is understandable. It is often pleasurable. It also makes the final stretch a little smoother, a little sweeter, than the sharper earlier pages had trained you to expect.
Even so, the ending earns itself by healing the right injury. The crucial scene is not the sexual consummation, satisfying though that is, nor even the relocation fantasy. It is the wedding. Will arrives in Athens imagining that romantic truth might still announce itself as interruption – spectacle, declaration, public reversal. Instead, he ends up officiating Ollie’s marriage to someone else. He says the vows. He watches the kiss. He does not object. Strange understands what release would actually look like for this character, and it is not triumph. It is surviving the scene he once imagined as his destruction and discovering that it is only a scene.
After the vows, the emptied stone and thinning light hold the novel’s quietest revelation – not heartbreak renewed, but release.
To the book’s credit, Ollie is not turned into a melodramatic villain. He is more banal than that, and therefore more corrosive. He is the kind of man who can offer real intimacy while steadily training someone else to accept diminishment as the daily weather of being loved. The ex who devastates you spectacularly is easy enough to diagnose. Harder is the one who collaborates with your worst opinion of yourself and lets you call that collaboration romance. Strange is very good there. Better, in fact, than the novel’s glossy setup first suggests.
That is what “25 Days in Athens” is really about beneath its rom-com machinery. Strange may think he is writing a funny, sexy, emotionally loaded queer romance about fake dating, second chances, and a life-changing month abroad. He is. But on the page he is also writing about how some people mistake being selected for being known, how class fantasy sneaks into desire, how shame narrows a life, and how care – actual care, patient care, unshowy care – can feel almost suspicious when you have spent years reading mild contempt as love.
I land at 79/100 – 4 stars: a novel more emotionally exact, formally useful, and thematically sharper than its sunny setup first implies, even if its late abundance sometimes smooths away too much of its early bite. Strange begins with a man who thinks love will reveal itself as spectacle. He ends with a man speaking vows he once hoped to interrupt, watching the kiss, and understanding at last that the life opening beside him is quieter than fantasy, less glamorous than longing, and far more his own.
These small compositional trials search for the balance between intimacy and skyline, testing how much of Athens must remain visible for the emotional threshold to hold.
The bare graphite scaffold reveals the painting before atmosphere arrives, when closeness, architecture, and negative space are still only a wager.
Here the page begins to take light – amber staining stone, blue entering air – as the image moves from structure toward feeling.
The swatch page fixes the review’s visual logic in advance, tying dusk blues, amber stone, chalky plaster, and muted rose to the novel’s shifts between exposure and ease.
All watercolor illustrations by Demetris Papadimitropoulos.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨4.5 stars✨
This was such a fun, entertaining rom-com that I could not put down!
Summary:
We follow Will as he gets an invite to his ex boyfriend Ollie's wedding in Athens, an ex boyfriend who he still harbours feelings for as they were together for ten years. So what does he decide to do? Oh go to Athens 25 days before the wedding in the hopes of getting Ollie to call off the wedding after realising he was still madly in love with Will. Spoiler alert: this doesn't happen. That premise is a bit similar to the film My Best Friend's Wedding which I also liked so no wonder I enjoyed this! All hope is not lost as while there he bumps into his childhood friend Sam who he lost contact with when Sam and his family moved to Greece and they develop feelings for each other.
Writing:
Personally, I thought the writing was really funny as there were times that I actually laughed out loud, especially at Will's melodramatic nature. For example, the opening scene is when Will finds out about the wedding and he proceeds to drop to his knees in an aisle in a supermarket and the he rings his best friend Alice and once he tells her, she drops to her knees in the middle of the street. I'm even laughing thinking back on it while writing this because that's actually so ridiculous. Imagine you're minding your business trying to do your weekly shop and that's what you see. That humour won't be for everyone but it definitely made me laugh. It also felt quintessentially British which I really enjoyed.
Characters:
1.) Will: One of the points of view we get in this book. Prone to spells of melodrama (see above) which were entertaining. Thankfully he realises pretty early on that Ollie isn't right for him so he doesn't really do much in terms of stopping the wedding. Treated poorly at his job causing him to have no qualms faking illness for the duration of his time in Greece, although that all works out nicely in the end for him. Made friends with a spider in his shoebox office.
2.) Sam: Our other point of view. Works at his family's coffee shop in Athens. Willing to fake-date Will which obviously turns into more. Good at painting. Feels insecure because he doesn't have a higher education. Him and Will are nerdy together which was cute.
3.) Ollie: Did not like this man... at all. He refuses to tell his soon-to-be husband Alec who Will was to even, instead claiming at first that they were just friends, and then that the feelings were one-sided on Will's behalf. Looks down on Sam because he doesn't have higher education even though he was more than capable of going toe to toe with him and challenging his thesis. Also has the audacity to ask Will to officiate the wedding as there is no one else to. And then Will forgives him FAR too easily in my eyes as there were little to no redeeming qualities to him in my opinion. Pompous git.
4.) Alec: Ollie's fiancé. I genuinely think the book would've been better if Alec left Ollie haha especially after he lied to him continuously. He was inoffensive and seemed like a decent guy.
5.) Lydia: Honestly my favourite character hands down. She's the receptionist at the Hotel Will is staying at, which happens to be a nudist hotel. She's no nonsense, honest and says thing as they are, especially when she's calling Will out for his melodrama or foolishness. Like with the plate smashing scene.
6.) Alice: Will's best friend back home. We only really saw her at the start and then sprinkled sporadically through the rest of the book. I would have liked to see more of her.
7.) Jemima and Tim: a couple of nudist's at the hotel. They were both entertaining when they were seen on the page.
Overall, I thought this was an entertaining rom-com that managed to perfectly balance the romantic parts and the comedy part, which I really enjoyed. I look forward to seeing what this author writes in the future.
I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This was such a fun, entertaining rom-com that I could not put down!
Summary:
We follow Will as he gets an invite to his ex boyfriend Ollie's wedding in Athens, an ex boyfriend who he still harbours feelings for as they were together for ten years. So what does he decide to do? Oh go to Athens 25 days before the wedding in the hopes of getting Ollie to call off the wedding after realising he was still madly in love with Will. Spoiler alert: this doesn't happen. That premise is a bit similar to the film My Best Friend's Wedding which I also liked so no wonder I enjoyed this! All hope is not lost as while there he bumps into his childhood friend Sam who he lost contact with when Sam and his family moved to Greece and they develop feelings for each other.
Writing:
Personally, I thought the writing was really funny as there were times that I actually laughed out loud, especially at Will's melodramatic nature. For example, the opening scene is when Will finds out about the wedding and he proceeds to drop to his knees in an aisle in a supermarket and the he rings his best friend Alice and once he tells her, she drops to her knees in the middle of the street. I'm even laughing thinking back on it while writing this because that's actually so ridiculous. Imagine you're minding your business trying to do your weekly shop and that's what you see. That humour won't be for everyone but it definitely made me laugh. It also felt quintessentially British which I really enjoyed.
Characters:
1.) Will: One of the points of view we get in this book. Prone to spells of melodrama (see above) which were entertaining. Thankfully he realises pretty early on that Ollie isn't right for him so he doesn't really do much in terms of stopping the wedding. Treated poorly at his job causing him to have no qualms faking illness for the duration of his time in Greece, although that all works out nicely in the end for him. Made friends with a spider in his shoebox office.
2.) Sam: Our other point of view. Works at his family's coffee shop in Athens. Willing to fake-date Will which obviously turns into more. Good at painting. Feels insecure because he doesn't have a higher education. Him and Will are nerdy together which was cute.
3.) Ollie: Did not like this man... at all. He refuses to tell his soon-to-be husband Alec who Will was to even, instead claiming at first that they were just friends, and then that the feelings were one-sided on Will's behalf. Looks down on Sam because he doesn't have higher education even though he was more than capable of going toe to toe with him and challenging his thesis. Also has the audacity to ask Will to officiate the wedding as there is no one else to. And then Will forgives him FAR too easily in my eyes as there were little to no redeeming qualities to him in my opinion. Pompous git.
4.) Alec: Ollie's fiancé. I genuinely think the book would've been better if Alec left Ollie haha especially after he lied to him continuously. He was inoffensive and seemed like a decent guy.
5.) Lydia: Honestly my favourite character hands down. She's the receptionist at the Hotel Will is staying at, which happens to be a nudist hotel. She's no nonsense, honest and says thing as they are, especially when she's calling Will out for his melodrama or foolishness. Like with the plate smashing scene.
6.) Alice: Will's best friend back home. We only really saw her at the start and then sprinkled sporadically through the rest of the book. I would have liked to see more of her.
7.) Jemima and Tim: a couple of nudist's at the hotel. They were both entertaining when they were seen on the page.
Overall, I thought this was an entertaining rom-com that managed to perfectly balance the romantic parts and the comedy part, which I really enjoyed. I look forward to seeing what this author writes in the future.
I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✧ Genre: Gay Romance
✧ Tropes: Fake Dating • Childhood Friends to Lovers (kind of)
✧ Rating: 3.25/5 ★
✧ Spice: 3/5 🌶️
✧ Summary:
After being invited to his ex-boyfriend’s Ollie’s wedding, Will flies to Athens with one very bad idea in mind: stopping the wedding and somehow winning him back. He ends up fake dating his childhood friend Sam, reconnecting with old feelings, and slowly realizing that maybe the relationship he’s been mourning wasn’t actually as perfect as he thought.
✧ Thoughts:
The premise is absolutely ridiculous. Although I had trouble getting into the book, I ended up enjoying this more than I expected. It’s a light, fun romance you can fly through fast. I loved the Greece setting, and I liked all the ridiculous side characters. However, the story was rather underwhelming, sometimes boring, and I had trouble with the writing style.
The romance itself was adorable. Sam and Will had good chemistry and I liked the childhood friends aspect mixed with the fake dating trope. I didn’t think I would love them as much as I did, but they were really cute together.
❝ ‘I make you happy?’
‘The happiest I’ve been in a long time,’ Sam says. ❞
Sam was adorable for most of the book and definitely carried the romance for me. I had trouble with Will in the beginning (he was frustrating and immature) and I really thought I would end up hating him. Why would you ruin your ex’s wedding after you rejected his proposal TWICE. 😭 BUT there was a looot of character development, and I grew very fond him. A lot of the side characters added so much charm and humor to the story, icluding Lydia, Tim, and Jemima.
Ollie... well, I sometimes liked him, but he was a walking red flag in some scenarios. The fact that he lied to his fiancé—I mean, you invite your EX to your wedding and tell your FIANCÉ that he’s just a FRIEND. And then came chapter 47, and I completely lost it. The way he handled the situation was horrible. I felt so bad for Alec. I was so frustrated with him, and although the issues were resolved, I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the ending.
Overall, I had a good time with it and I enjoyed it. The first half was just okay, but the last 40% saved it for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of the story itselt, but Will and Sam have my heart!
✧ Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
✧ Publication Date: 5th June, 2026
✧ Tropes: Fake Dating • Childhood Friends to Lovers (kind of)
✧ Rating: 3.25/5 ★
✧ Spice: 3/5 🌶️
✧ Summary:
After being invited to his ex-boyfriend’s Ollie’s wedding, Will flies to Athens with one very bad idea in mind: stopping the wedding and somehow winning him back. He ends up fake dating his childhood friend Sam, reconnecting with old feelings, and slowly realizing that maybe the relationship he’s been mourning wasn’t actually as perfect as he thought.
✧ Thoughts:
The premise is absolutely ridiculous. Although I had trouble getting into the book, I ended up enjoying this more than I expected. It’s a light, fun romance you can fly through fast. I loved the Greece setting, and I liked all the ridiculous side characters. However, the story was rather underwhelming, sometimes boring, and I had trouble with the writing style.
The romance itself was adorable. Sam and Will had good chemistry and I liked the childhood friends aspect mixed with the fake dating trope. I didn’t think I would love them as much as I did, but they were really cute together.
❝ ‘I make you happy?’
‘The happiest I’ve been in a long time,’ Sam says. ❞
Sam was adorable for most of the book and definitely carried the romance for me. I had trouble with Will in the beginning (he was frustrating and immature) and I really thought I would end up hating him. Why would you ruin your ex’s wedding after you rejected his proposal TWICE. 😭 BUT there was a looot of character development, and I grew very fond him. A lot of the side characters added so much charm and humor to the story, icluding Lydia, Tim, and Jemima.
Ollie... well, I sometimes liked him, but he was a walking red flag in some scenarios. The fact that he lied to his fiancé—I mean, you invite your EX to your wedding and tell your FIANCÉ that he’s just a FRIEND. And then came chapter 47, and I completely lost it. The way he handled the situation was horrible. I felt so bad for Alec. I was so frustrated with him, and although the issues were resolved, I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the ending.
Overall, I had a good time with it and I enjoyed it. The first half was just okay, but the last 40% saved it for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of the story itselt, but Will and Sam have my heart!
✧ Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
✧ Publication Date: 5th June, 2026
May 28, 2026
I absolutely adored Jack’s debut, ‘Look up, Handsome’ which was a cosy hallmark-vibe Christmas romcom, so I was very excited when he announced a brand new story, this time set in the warm sunshine in Athens. And for me - totally lived up to the hype I’d made in my mind!
This is a second-chance, destination romcom with queer characters and Jack seamlessly blends pop-culture, spice and some heartfelt moments into his new story.
This is a story which highlights that love can be messy sometimes. Chaotic even. But with patience, understanding, communication and accountability, love always wins!
The humour in this book had me chuckling out loud. I love Jack’s sense of humour and I think this was his funniest story yet. Lydia became an unexpected favourite secondary-character and her scenes always proved to be humorous.
The setting is wonderfully atmospheric. Jack has a brilliant way at fully placing you at the scene of each chapter - the warm Athens streets, the cosy coffee-shop, the glamorous nude-hotel (that was a surprise!) and it honestly makes the perfect summer/beach read. Highly recommend taking this one on holiday!
Much like his first book, I love how Jack was able to include several pop-culture bits like Britney Spears lyrics, Lindsay Lohan movies, Mamma Mia & the universally loved Cher. The added camp was appreciated by me!
There’s added spice in this book and it definitely gets racy in several places. It felt authentic in the story arc and was a notch-up from ‘Look up, Handsome’.
Jack included a couple of scenes discussing mental health which I absolutely appreciated and related to. Sometimes we can feel stuck in a place which isn’t quite unhappiness or depression, but a place where joy doesn’t exist which can feel confusing and lost. These scenes definitely made me feel a little less alone and provided me with a moment to pause for thought.
Overall - grab this book for your holidays this year! Loved so many things about this story and Jack’s writing. Well done and congratulations Jack.
This is a second-chance, destination romcom with queer characters and Jack seamlessly blends pop-culture, spice and some heartfelt moments into his new story.
This is a story which highlights that love can be messy sometimes. Chaotic even. But with patience, understanding, communication and accountability, love always wins!
The humour in this book had me chuckling out loud. I love Jack’s sense of humour and I think this was his funniest story yet. Lydia became an unexpected favourite secondary-character and her scenes always proved to be humorous.
The setting is wonderfully atmospheric. Jack has a brilliant way at fully placing you at the scene of each chapter - the warm Athens streets, the cosy coffee-shop, the glamorous nude-hotel (that was a surprise!) and it honestly makes the perfect summer/beach read. Highly recommend taking this one on holiday!
Much like his first book, I love how Jack was able to include several pop-culture bits like Britney Spears lyrics, Lindsay Lohan movies, Mamma Mia & the universally loved Cher. The added camp was appreciated by me!
There’s added spice in this book and it definitely gets racy in several places. It felt authentic in the story arc and was a notch-up from ‘Look up, Handsome’.
Jack included a couple of scenes discussing mental health which I absolutely appreciated and related to. Sometimes we can feel stuck in a place which isn’t quite unhappiness or depression, but a place where joy doesn’t exist which can feel confusing and lost. These scenes definitely made me feel a little less alone and provided me with a moment to pause for thought.
Overall - grab this book for your holidays this year! Loved so many things about this story and Jack’s writing. Well done and congratulations Jack.
May 31, 2026
This is officially my new favourite book by Jack Strange.
I loved absolutely everything about 25 Days in Athens. One of the things that made it so special for me was that part of the story is set where I live. The chapters based in Cardiff allowed me to picture every location perfectly. It genuinely felt like I was stepping into the book alongside the characters.
As someone who travels to Greece whenever I can, I also loved how connected I felt to the Greek setting. The atmosphere, the lifestyle, the little details; it all felt incredibly authentic. The research that clearly went into portraying Greece and its people made the story feel so much more lifelike and immersive.
My favourite chapters were Chapters 39 and 40. If you’ve read the book, you’ll know exactly why. If you haven’t… let’s just say I got very hot under the collar.
And can we talk about the Animal Crossing mention? Any book that references Animal Crossing is automatically a five-star read. That’s the law, right?
Will and Sam are such lovable characters. From the very beginning, you just know they’re meant to be together. Fate found a way to bring them back to one another, and as a hopelessly soppy romance reader, I absolutely adore the idea of fate working its magic.
Not only did I fall completely in love with Sam as a character, but every supporting character was crafted with so much care and personality that I couldn’t help but become attached to all of them.
The narrative itself was beautifully thoughtful and perfectly paced. It never felt rushed, but it never dragged either. The pacing was exactly what you’d want from a sweet summer romance, allowing every moment to breathe while still keeping the story moving.
And finally, Jack… there’s a lot of scope for a sequel here. Hint hint. Nudge nudge.
I loved absolutely everything about 25 Days in Athens. One of the things that made it so special for me was that part of the story is set where I live. The chapters based in Cardiff allowed me to picture every location perfectly. It genuinely felt like I was stepping into the book alongside the characters.
As someone who travels to Greece whenever I can, I also loved how connected I felt to the Greek setting. The atmosphere, the lifestyle, the little details; it all felt incredibly authentic. The research that clearly went into portraying Greece and its people made the story feel so much more lifelike and immersive.
My favourite chapters were Chapters 39 and 40. If you’ve read the book, you’ll know exactly why. If you haven’t… let’s just say I got very hot under the collar.
And can we talk about the Animal Crossing mention? Any book that references Animal Crossing is automatically a five-star read. That’s the law, right?
Will and Sam are such lovable characters. From the very beginning, you just know they’re meant to be together. Fate found a way to bring them back to one another, and as a hopelessly soppy romance reader, I absolutely adore the idea of fate working its magic.
Not only did I fall completely in love with Sam as a character, but every supporting character was crafted with so much care and personality that I couldn’t help but become attached to all of them.
The narrative itself was beautifully thoughtful and perfectly paced. It never felt rushed, but it never dragged either. The pacing was exactly what you’d want from a sweet summer romance, allowing every moment to breathe while still keeping the story moving.
And finally, Jack… there’s a lot of scope for a sequel here. Hint hint. Nudge nudge.
June 19, 2026
"Love is messy. It’s complicated. It doesn’t always make sense. One person’s decision does not make sense to another."
Will's invited by his ex-boyfriend, Ollie, to his wedding in Greece. Will took this a sign to win his ex back but reunited with his childhood best friend, Sam, who volunteered to be his fake date in the wedding.
I devoured this book. Literally sat down and read 80% and only stopped because I need to sleep. The next day, I picked this back again.
I am just recovering from a reading slump and this book was the definition of right book, right time. Ngl, it was very enjoyable and very fun when I read it but I know if I pick this up in a later or earlier date, it's gonna be a 3-stars for me.
This book is very dialogue heavy which made sense why I flew through it. The characters had flaws especially Will. I was very indifferent towards him and it was hard to root for him when his agenda was not good. He was also a little bit like a Debbie Downer which made sense along the way. However, I did adore Sam. He really carried this book at his back.
Nevertheless, this book made me laughed out loud which is very rare to happen. I love the backdrop of Athens, and I love the side characters. I am Lydia btw IYKYK.
"There’s no time limit on how long to grieve losing someone."
I did love the personal progress of Will, seeing him grow and step out of his comfort zone. Sam, as well, though we mainly focus on Will's part, but I also love his journey in finding happiness in little things and in his business.
It's really funny because once I finished this book, I looked up the author and found out that I dnf his first book back in December, but I kinda want to get back to it. Hmmm. Maybe.
Will's invited by his ex-boyfriend, Ollie, to his wedding in Greece. Will took this a sign to win his ex back but reunited with his childhood best friend, Sam, who volunteered to be his fake date in the wedding.
I devoured this book. Literally sat down and read 80% and only stopped because I need to sleep. The next day, I picked this back again.
I am just recovering from a reading slump and this book was the definition of right book, right time. Ngl, it was very enjoyable and very fun when I read it but I know if I pick this up in a later or earlier date, it's gonna be a 3-stars for me.
This book is very dialogue heavy which made sense why I flew through it. The characters had flaws especially Will. I was very indifferent towards him and it was hard to root for him when his agenda was not good. He was also a little bit like a Debbie Downer which made sense along the way. However, I did adore Sam. He really carried this book at his back.
Nevertheless, this book made me laughed out loud which is very rare to happen. I love the backdrop of Athens, and I love the side characters. I am Lydia btw IYKYK.
"There’s no time limit on how long to grieve losing someone."
I did love the personal progress of Will, seeing him grow and step out of his comfort zone. Sam, as well, though we mainly focus on Will's part, but I also love his journey in finding happiness in little things and in his business.
It's really funny because once I finished this book, I looked up the author and found out that I dnf his first book back in December, but I kinda want to get back to it. Hmmm. Maybe.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story was so enjoyable! This is the summer read I was looking for! What initially appears as a bubbly story remains light while also tackling some heavier themes. It balanced moving old from old relationships, finding yourself, the love you deserve and realizing the support you have. I thought this story was earnest, fun, engaging, and sentimental in all the right ways. Also loved the Pokémon shout outs :)
Will's ex (Ollie) is getting married in Greece, and Will isn't ready to let Ollie go. He accidentally books an non-refundable hotel stay in Greece for a whole month and finds himself on a whirlwind adventure. After only just arriving, he disastrously runs into his childhood best friend, Sam. Sam is gorgeous and can't believe the friend he's missed so much is suddenly in front of him. While the two begin to rebuild their friendship and maybe something more they run into Ollie with his new fiancé, Alec. One thing leads to another and now Will and Sam are fake dating, Will is helping with wedding plans and everything is kind of a mess.
Along the way Will starts to discover himself. With help from some new friends, shout out to Lydia who may be my favorite character, Will starts to see his value and explore what he wants from his future. In a book that balances a light atmosphere and some serious self discovery this story shines.
If you love a good summer romance I would recommend this, it had all the things I look for in one. It's got charming characters and if I got a sequel focusing on Lydia and Agnes I would love that. Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Will's ex (Ollie) is getting married in Greece, and Will isn't ready to let Ollie go. He accidentally books an non-refundable hotel stay in Greece for a whole month and finds himself on a whirlwind adventure. After only just arriving, he disastrously runs into his childhood best friend, Sam. Sam is gorgeous and can't believe the friend he's missed so much is suddenly in front of him. While the two begin to rebuild their friendship and maybe something more they run into Ollie with his new fiancé, Alec. One thing leads to another and now Will and Sam are fake dating, Will is helping with wedding plans and everything is kind of a mess.
Along the way Will starts to discover himself. With help from some new friends, shout out to Lydia who may be my favorite character, Will starts to see his value and explore what he wants from his future. In a book that balances a light atmosphere and some serious self discovery this story shines.
If you love a good summer romance I would recommend this, it had all the things I look for in one. It's got charming characters and if I got a sequel focusing on Lydia and Agnes I would love that. Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2026
I want to start my review by saying a huge thank you to the team at Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for granting me this e-arc on Netgalley in exchange for a totally honest review.
I am no stranger to Jack Strange's work. In fact, I would read his shopping list and probably rate it five stars. I adore his writing style, and this was absolutely no exception.
Will was such a likeable, raw character, with so much grit and strength. It was a delight to see his chaotic nature, but also the way he wears his heart on his sleeve and feels everything to such depth. Will and Ollie's relationship was written so well, and I actually felt immensely sorry for Will, without feeling as though Ollie was written as a villain in the relationship.
When Sam entered the chat, eeeek. I really warmed to him quickly and found him to be so protective of his old best friend. He had so much dimension to his character, despite not being the main protagonist, and I think the fake dating trope was incorporated into the narrative seamlessly. Their development throughout the book was second to none.
I felt such a range of emotions reading this novel: sadness, heartbreak, giddiness and warmth. I giggled uncontrollably, laughed out loud and even got teary during points. I felt such attachment to the places, narratives and characters in this novel and already miss them.
This book is the epitome of summer and it is the perfect romance read for anyone who craves Mamma Mia vibes all day long. This one was such an easy five star read for me, and one I would recommend everyone with a pulse to pick up this summer.
I am no stranger to Jack Strange's work. In fact, I would read his shopping list and probably rate it five stars. I adore his writing style, and this was absolutely no exception.
Will was such a likeable, raw character, with so much grit and strength. It was a delight to see his chaotic nature, but also the way he wears his heart on his sleeve and feels everything to such depth. Will and Ollie's relationship was written so well, and I actually felt immensely sorry for Will, without feeling as though Ollie was written as a villain in the relationship.
When Sam entered the chat, eeeek. I really warmed to him quickly and found him to be so protective of his old best friend. He had so much dimension to his character, despite not being the main protagonist, and I think the fake dating trope was incorporated into the narrative seamlessly. Their development throughout the book was second to none.
I felt such a range of emotions reading this novel: sadness, heartbreak, giddiness and warmth. I giggled uncontrollably, laughed out loud and even got teary during points. I felt such attachment to the places, narratives and characters in this novel and already miss them.
This book is the epitome of summer and it is the perfect romance read for anyone who craves Mamma Mia vibes all day long. This one was such an easy five star read for me, and one I would recommend everyone with a pulse to pick up this summer.
June 17, 2026
Will dreams of working in animation, but instead he's stuck doing menial Excel spreadsheet jobs in what is essentially a cupboard under the watch of an awful boss. At least he has his spider friend Willow for company. Three years after their breakup, his ex-boyfriend Ollie is getting married in Greece and, despite having turned down Ollie's proposals twice, Will has never stopped loving him.
After a spiralling drinking session with his friend Alice, Will impulsively accepts the wedding invitation and accidentally books himself a 25-day holiday to Greece, determined to stop the wedding and win Ollie back. When he arrives there, he unexpectedly reunites with Sam, his childhood best friend who moved to Athens years ago. They soon bump into Ollie and to save face, the pair pretend to be dating, but as their fake relationship develops, Will begins to realise that his memories of Ollie may have been coloured by nostalgia and that what he truly wants might be standing right in front of him.
This was such a sweet, funny romance set against a gorgeous Greek backdrop. I was initially a little hesitant about the idea of someone trying to stop a wedding, but the story handled it well and everything came together beautifully. Some of the resolutions felt a little too easy, but that's part of the charm of fiction.
Alongside the romance, the book touches on heavier topics including depression and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in different countries, adding some depth to an otherwise light-hearted story.
I really enjoyed this one, and the supporting cast brought so much humour and warmth to the story.
After a spiralling drinking session with his friend Alice, Will impulsively accepts the wedding invitation and accidentally books himself a 25-day holiday to Greece, determined to stop the wedding and win Ollie back. When he arrives there, he unexpectedly reunites with Sam, his childhood best friend who moved to Athens years ago. They soon bump into Ollie and to save face, the pair pretend to be dating, but as their fake relationship develops, Will begins to realise that his memories of Ollie may have been coloured by nostalgia and that what he truly wants might be standing right in front of him.
This was such a sweet, funny romance set against a gorgeous Greek backdrop. I was initially a little hesitant about the idea of someone trying to stop a wedding, but the story handled it well and everything came together beautifully. Some of the resolutions felt a little too easy, but that's part of the charm of fiction.
Alongside the romance, the book touches on heavier topics including depression and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in different countries, adding some depth to an otherwise light-hearted story.
I really enjoyed this one, and the supporting cast brought so much humour and warmth to the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“25 Days in Athens” is going to be my constant gay book recommendation for the rest of my life because this was such a fun book that just made me smile a lot!
You will think that Will and Sam are two very different people, but as the plot unfolds, we realise that Sam was the perfect person for Will. Sam is really calm, he’s a geek who has trouble making friends and talking to people. Will is friendly, he’s curious, he has had some bad luck in his life, but he’s much more outgoing person, as we see with him in Athens. He befriends a lot of people during his stay at the hotel, and that brightens Sam’s day. Sam is lonely, even though he works at his cafe with his mother, but he has no actual friends. So when Will shows up, they bring out the best in each other. Sam is finally around people, and he’s coming out of his shell, while Will finally realises that he was being a fool before. Next to Sam, Will realizes that love is something easy, something effortless.
Love is supposed to be fun, and I adored how Sam didn’t like how Will’s ex treated him the first time. He could be shy, but our boy Sam immediately detected the condescendent tone, and he wasn’t going to let his friend down!
Also, my favourite character was Lydia, and I hope she has her own HEA! She was the correct amount of spice that Will needed to get a grip! I loved her tough love.
“25 Days in Athens” is sweet, it’s cute, it’s just fresh! It’s everything I didn’t even know I wanted, and it will be with me for a long time because this was really so much fun.
You will think that Will and Sam are two very different people, but as the plot unfolds, we realise that Sam was the perfect person for Will. Sam is really calm, he’s a geek who has trouble making friends and talking to people. Will is friendly, he’s curious, he has had some bad luck in his life, but he’s much more outgoing person, as we see with him in Athens. He befriends a lot of people during his stay at the hotel, and that brightens Sam’s day. Sam is lonely, even though he works at his cafe with his mother, but he has no actual friends. So when Will shows up, they bring out the best in each other. Sam is finally around people, and he’s coming out of his shell, while Will finally realises that he was being a fool before. Next to Sam, Will realizes that love is something easy, something effortless.
Love is supposed to be fun, and I adored how Sam didn’t like how Will’s ex treated him the first time. He could be shy, but our boy Sam immediately detected the condescendent tone, and he wasn’t going to let his friend down!
Also, my favourite character was Lydia, and I hope she has her own HEA! She was the correct amount of spice that Will needed to get a grip! I loved her tough love.
“25 Days in Athens” is sweet, it’s cute, it’s just fresh! It’s everything I didn’t even know I wanted, and it will be with me for a long time because this was really so much fun.
June 6, 2026
25 Days in Athens is a light beach read - Will leaves Wales to go to a wedding in Greece. I love a good M/M romance and was intrigued by the premise of this novel. Will was dumped by his long-time boyfriend Ollie, who turns around and quickly gets engaged to someone else. They invite Will to their posh wedding in Greece, where he reconnects with his childhood friend Sam. He and Sam start fake dating, which of course doesn’t end up how they intend.
I wanted to like this book, but I just didn’t enjoy the main characters, especially Will. His fixation on Ollie, his ex-boyfriend, felt immature and the idea of attending the wedding just to try to win him back was completely unrealistic. His choices felt very childish. In some ways, his character felt like the one Julia Roberts plays in My Best Friend’s Wedding. However, I really enjoyed Sam, who is patient and kind, and leads an interesting life in Athens. The other side characters were quite entertaining, with the exception of Ollie, who did not treat Will well.
The pacing of this book was quite slow, and it felt like the story could have been condensed a bit. Overall, the writing style and main character didn’t work for me, so this book was not one I particularly enjoyed. Someone looking for a light vacation romance set in a sunny destination would enjoy it.
Thank you to One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I wanted to like this book, but I just didn’t enjoy the main characters, especially Will. His fixation on Ollie, his ex-boyfriend, felt immature and the idea of attending the wedding just to try to win him back was completely unrealistic. His choices felt very childish. In some ways, his character felt like the one Julia Roberts plays in My Best Friend’s Wedding. However, I really enjoyed Sam, who is patient and kind, and leads an interesting life in Athens. The other side characters were quite entertaining, with the exception of Ollie, who did not treat Will well.
The pacing of this book was quite slow, and it felt like the story could have been condensed a bit. Overall, the writing style and main character didn’t work for me, so this book was not one I particularly enjoyed. Someone looking for a light vacation romance set in a sunny destination would enjoy it.
Thank you to One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC from Netgalley
25 Days in Athens by Jack Strange
This is the kind of messy, emotional, sun soaked romance that feels like a movie playing out in real time ☀️🇬🇷
Will shows up in Athens with one goal: stop his ex’s wedding. After turning down Ollie’s proposal three years ago, he now has 25 days to fix the biggest mistake of his life… except Athens has other plans. Between stunning views, unresolved feelings, and running into a childhood friend who is definitely not a kid anymore, Will starts to question everything he thought he wanted.
What makes this one special is the emotional tension mixed with dreamy destination vibes. You get that classic “win him back” urgency, but also a deeper journey of figuring out what love actually means. My favorite part is the internal conflict… because sometimes the real question isn’t can you get them back… it’s should you?
☀️ Tropes & Vibes
✈️ destination romance
💔 second chance love
⏳ race against time
💍 stop the wedding energy
🏝️ summer in Greece vibes
👀 childhood friends to something more
🔥 emotional longing and regret
💛 self discovery journey
📚 Read this if you like…
☀️ summery escapist romances
💔 second chance with messy emotions
✈️ travel based love stories
👀 unexpected love triangles
💛 stories about choosing the right person not just the familiar one
#QueerRomance #SecondChanceLove #SummerReads #LGBTQBooks #RomanceReads
25 Days in Athens by Jack Strange
This is the kind of messy, emotional, sun soaked romance that feels like a movie playing out in real time ☀️🇬🇷
Will shows up in Athens with one goal: stop his ex’s wedding. After turning down Ollie’s proposal three years ago, he now has 25 days to fix the biggest mistake of his life… except Athens has other plans. Between stunning views, unresolved feelings, and running into a childhood friend who is definitely not a kid anymore, Will starts to question everything he thought he wanted.
What makes this one special is the emotional tension mixed with dreamy destination vibes. You get that classic “win him back” urgency, but also a deeper journey of figuring out what love actually means. My favorite part is the internal conflict… because sometimes the real question isn’t can you get them back… it’s should you?
☀️ Tropes & Vibes
✈️ destination romance
💔 second chance love
⏳ race against time
💍 stop the wedding energy
🏝️ summer in Greece vibes
👀 childhood friends to something more
🔥 emotional longing and regret
💛 self discovery journey
📚 Read this if you like…
☀️ summery escapist romances
💔 second chance with messy emotions
✈️ travel based love stories
👀 unexpected love triangles
💛 stories about choosing the right person not just the familiar one
#QueerRomance #SecondChanceLove #SummerReads #LGBTQBooks #RomanceReads
April 5, 2026
So far I have loved both of Jack's previous novels. Look Up Handsome and The Boyfriend Academy. Both very different genres, stories and characters. Both were exceptional. So I had high hopes going into this one, and by god did he deliver!
From the very off I loved Will's messy nature. His drama. From the very first page you know exactly who he is, how much of a loveable nightmare he is and I couldn't get enough! His desire to stop his ex's wedding led to some hilarious antics and situations that had me both howling and on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.
And Sam! Oh my goodness, Sam! I loved him from the moment he came on the page (quite literally).
This book was hilarious, emotional and super sexy! The sex scenes were *chefs kiss*. There seems to be a real boom of m/m romance at the moment, but with the majority of it being written by cis women there is a lack of the finer details that really make gay sex a beautiful experience. It's in the little things that often get overlooked by people who aren't gay men and it really added to the authenticity of it all which I absolutely loved.
I'll be honest, I didn't want this book to end and I really really REALLY hope that there are more to come. Jack is such a talent, an authentic one at that, and he really deserves all of the success that comes his way! It would be a shame not to get to experience his works even further!
From the very off I loved Will's messy nature. His drama. From the very first page you know exactly who he is, how much of a loveable nightmare he is and I couldn't get enough! His desire to stop his ex's wedding led to some hilarious antics and situations that had me both howling and on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.
And Sam! Oh my goodness, Sam! I loved him from the moment he came on the page (quite literally).
This book was hilarious, emotional and super sexy! The sex scenes were *chefs kiss*. There seems to be a real boom of m/m romance at the moment, but with the majority of it being written by cis women there is a lack of the finer details that really make gay sex a beautiful experience. It's in the little things that often get overlooked by people who aren't gay men and it really added to the authenticity of it all which I absolutely loved.
I'll be honest, I didn't want this book to end and I really really REALLY hope that there are more to come. Jack is such a talent, an authentic one at that, and he really deserves all of the success that comes his way! It would be a shame not to get to experience his works even further!
April 17, 2026
🏛️🍋🩲 - 25 days in Athens - Jack Strange - 🩲🍋🏛️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📅 Publication date: 18th June 2026
Tropes you’ll love:
☀️ Destination romance
💔 Second chance
👫 Childhood friends
🌱 Self-discovery
🏡 Forced proximity
Blurb:
Three years ago, Will said no to Ollie’s proposal. Now he’s been invited to his ex’s wedding… in Greece — the very place they once dreamed of getting married.
With twenty-five days leading up to the wedding, Will is forced to confront the past — and decide if he made the biggest mistake of his life.
But when he runs into his childhood friend Sam (who just happens to be very attractive 👀), things get even more complicated…
Set against sun-soaked streets, ancient ruins, and vibrant nightlife, this is a story about love, regret, and finding your way back to yourself.
My thoughts 💭
This book genuinely made me laugh out loud. Will’s hotel mishap had me in stitches 🫣😂
It’s such a feel good, easy, summery read that completely transports you to Greece. I loved the multiple POVs and the way the story unfolds across the 25 days. it kept things fresh and engaging the whole way through.
The characters were all so lovable, but Will’s dramatic energy? Absolutely iconic 😂👏🏻
And honestly… who doesn’t love a happy ending and a trip to Greece?
✨ Definitely one to add to your summer TBR!
Huge thank you to @onemorechapterhc for the early copy 💛
@jackstrangeauthor
#arcreview #summerreads #romancereads #bookstagramuk #greecevibes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📅 Publication date: 18th June 2026
Tropes you’ll love:
☀️ Destination romance
💔 Second chance
👫 Childhood friends
🌱 Self-discovery
🏡 Forced proximity
Blurb:
Three years ago, Will said no to Ollie’s proposal. Now he’s been invited to his ex’s wedding… in Greece — the very place they once dreamed of getting married.
With twenty-five days leading up to the wedding, Will is forced to confront the past — and decide if he made the biggest mistake of his life.
But when he runs into his childhood friend Sam (who just happens to be very attractive 👀), things get even more complicated…
Set against sun-soaked streets, ancient ruins, and vibrant nightlife, this is a story about love, regret, and finding your way back to yourself.
My thoughts 💭
This book genuinely made me laugh out loud. Will’s hotel mishap had me in stitches 🫣😂
It’s such a feel good, easy, summery read that completely transports you to Greece. I loved the multiple POVs and the way the story unfolds across the 25 days. it kept things fresh and engaging the whole way through.
The characters were all so lovable, but Will’s dramatic energy? Absolutely iconic 😂👏🏻
And honestly… who doesn’t love a happy ending and a trip to Greece?
✨ Definitely one to add to your summer TBR!
Huge thank you to @onemorechapterhc for the early copy 💛
@jackstrangeauthor
#arcreview #summerreads #romancereads #bookstagramuk #greecevibes
June 6, 2026
25 Days in Athens follows Will who gets invited to his ex-boyfriend’s wedding in Athens. Will decides to go to win his ex back but he happens to meet his childhood best friend Sam in Athens. There they enter a fake relationship to try to make Will’s ex jealous.
This was a book I was disappointed I didn’t like more. It had its moments but left a lot to be desired for me.
I did really like Sam. He was very sweet and overall worked well with Will. I did also love his moments of sass that he would have! There were some really funny moments.
I also loved some of the side characters, including Lydia, Tim and Jemima. They were all funny but added a bit of reality at time to the book. Lydia especially I loved, especially how she would hold no bars on her opinions.
Will I found very frustrating and annoying at times, especially at the beginning of the book. It definitely like a teenager at time, especially with some of the decisions he was making, rather than someone in his thirties.
I learned I really don’t like the trope of trying to win your ex back at their wedding, and I will say I didn’t expect it to last as long as it did. Some of the part of the storyline with Will’s job and it felt very unrealistic, even for a rom com book.
This could be a good book for someone who wants a light summer vacation read.
Thank you to the NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a book I was disappointed I didn’t like more. It had its moments but left a lot to be desired for me.
I did really like Sam. He was very sweet and overall worked well with Will. I did also love his moments of sass that he would have! There were some really funny moments.
I also loved some of the side characters, including Lydia, Tim and Jemima. They were all funny but added a bit of reality at time to the book. Lydia especially I loved, especially how she would hold no bars on her opinions.
Will I found very frustrating and annoying at times, especially at the beginning of the book. It definitely like a teenager at time, especially with some of the decisions he was making, rather than someone in his thirties.
I learned I really don’t like the trope of trying to win your ex back at their wedding, and I will say I didn’t expect it to last as long as it did. Some of the part of the storyline with Will’s job and it felt very unrealistic, even for a rom com book.
This could be a good book for someone who wants a light summer vacation read.
Thank you to the NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really liked the premise of this book: a guy gets invited to his ex's wedding but wants to steal him back, he ends up fake dating his childhood best friend to make the ex jealous, but things go awry.
Firstly, I found 25 Days In Athens to be a great palette cleanser and I raced through the fun, short chapters like my life depended on it, but I did have a few issues. Mostly this was own to one of the MMCs, Will. I found his character unbearable and just as I'd start to warm up to him, he would do something to make me angry or confused. As an offshoot from this, I found parts of the plot very unbelievable. I understand I'm reading a work of fiction, but there still needs to be an air of the plot being something that could happen in real life, there were a few plot points that made me scratch my head. My final bugbear was the pop culture references. They work now, but I fear even 12 months down the line some will feel incredibly dated.
That being said, I did like most of the side characters and found they drove the story really well, providing some lightness when things felt a little flat.
Overall, this was a pleasant summer read, and would work as a fun summer MM rom com to read by the pool.
Firstly, I found 25 Days In Athens to be a great palette cleanser and I raced through the fun, short chapters like my life depended on it, but I did have a few issues. Mostly this was own to one of the MMCs, Will. I found his character unbearable and just as I'd start to warm up to him, he would do something to make me angry or confused. As an offshoot from this, I found parts of the plot very unbelievable. I understand I'm reading a work of fiction, but there still needs to be an air of the plot being something that could happen in real life, there were a few plot points that made me scratch my head. My final bugbear was the pop culture references. They work now, but I fear even 12 months down the line some will feel incredibly dated.
That being said, I did like most of the side characters and found they drove the story really well, providing some lightness when things felt a little flat.
Overall, this was a pleasant summer read, and would work as a fun summer MM rom com to read by the pool.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an easy read, but I also kept putting it down and coming back to it. I kept waiting for it to hook me, but I just kept going to see if it would…it didn’t really ever get there.
Will goes to Athens for his ex’s wedding, intending to get him back, but ends up drunkenly booking an extended stay and running into his old childhood friend, Sam, on the road into town. What happens from there is a strange combination of fake dating, reconnecting, lying exes and a lot more casual nudity than I’ve ever read in one book. Will and Sam are friends then fake boyfriends then real boyfriends with a few hiccups along the way. Their story was sweet but felt very insta-love to me and, while they worked through some issues together, they were mainly Will’s with not much from Sam.
The crashing the ex’s wedding piece rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and didn’t really get much better throughout with Will and Sam’s interactions with Ollie and Alec. It felt like they all needed some closure and didn’t get there until the very end. It took away from the Will and Sam storyline and I ultimately felt like I didn’t get to spend as much time getting to see them together as a couple. Or even really as friends. I just wanted more.
Will goes to Athens for his ex’s wedding, intending to get him back, but ends up drunkenly booking an extended stay and running into his old childhood friend, Sam, on the road into town. What happens from there is a strange combination of fake dating, reconnecting, lying exes and a lot more casual nudity than I’ve ever read in one book. Will and Sam are friends then fake boyfriends then real boyfriends with a few hiccups along the way. Their story was sweet but felt very insta-love to me and, while they worked through some issues together, they were mainly Will’s with not much from Sam.
The crashing the ex’s wedding piece rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and didn’t really get much better throughout with Will and Sam’s interactions with Ollie and Alec. It felt like they all needed some closure and didn’t get there until the very end. It took away from the Will and Sam storyline and I ultimately felt like I didn’t get to spend as much time getting to see them together as a couple. Or even really as friends. I just wanted more.
April 27, 2026
Struggling in a dead end job with a supervisor determined to keep him from advancing in his career, Will is floored when he receives an invitation from his ex to attend his upcoming wedding in Athens. Shocked that Ollie has moved on so quickly (although they broke up 3 years ago), Will struggles with his desire to get Ollie back as his own. After a night of drinking, Will discovers that he has booked himself for a 25 day long trip to Athens, and when he tries to cancel, discovers he can’t get a refund. Taking this as a sign, he decided to go and put a plan in place to get Ollie back for himself. When he lands in Athens, he bumps into Sam, his childhood best friend that just disappeared one day and he hasn’t seen since.
Of course, this leads to all sorts of entertaining situations, self discovery, and confused feelings.
This was so much fun to read! There is a lot of Will that is relatable, especially struggling with feelings for someone that is no longer in your life. There are so many humorous situations in this story (wait until you read about the hotel he booked!).
If you love romantic, spicy, HEA books, you will enjoy this one. It will definitely make a fantastic summer read.
I realized after reading this that this is the third book by this author that I have experienced, and I have found all of his works enjoyable. I’ll be adding him to my list of authors to watch for.
Of course, this leads to all sorts of entertaining situations, self discovery, and confused feelings.
This was so much fun to read! There is a lot of Will that is relatable, especially struggling with feelings for someone that is no longer in your life. There are so many humorous situations in this story (wait until you read about the hotel he booked!).
If you love romantic, spicy, HEA books, you will enjoy this one. It will definitely make a fantastic summer read.
I realized after reading this that this is the third book by this author that I have experienced, and I have found all of his works enjoyable. I’ll be adding him to my list of authors to watch for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ll be honest: when I first started 25 Days in Athens, I didn’t think I was going to like Will. He is a bit of a chaotic mess at the start, but I very quickly fell in love with his quirkiness. He feels like a real person rather than a trope, and seeing his growth throughout the story made the payoff so much sweeter. Then there is Sam, who is a total dreamboat in every sense of the word. The dynamic between Sam and Will actually reminded me so much of me and my partner, which made me feel even more connected to their journey.
The book itself reads like an amazing high-budget rom-com that perfectly balances heart and humor. As a millennial, I was obsessed with the nostalgia woven into the pages. The Pokémon references were such a fun and nerdy touch that made the characters feel incredibly relatable. It is a sun-soaked, feel-good story that captures the magic of Athens and the messy beauty of second chances. I couldn't put it down!
Note: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (One More Chapter/ HarperCollins UK) for an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. So like how much would a trip to Greece really cost me, it can’t be that much right?!
The book itself reads like an amazing high-budget rom-com that perfectly balances heart and humor. As a millennial, I was obsessed with the nostalgia woven into the pages. The Pokémon references were such a fun and nerdy touch that made the characters feel incredibly relatable. It is a sun-soaked, feel-good story that captures the magic of Athens and the messy beauty of second chances. I couldn't put it down!
Note: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (One More Chapter/ HarperCollins UK) for an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. So like how much would a trip to Greece really cost me, it can’t be that much right?!
May 7, 2026
25 Days in Athens is a charming MM summer romance set against the beautiful backdrop of Athens, Greece. After finding out his ex is getting married, Will gets drunk with his best friend and accidentally books a 25-day trip to Greece. Determined to win his ex back, he heads to Athens with a plan, but everything changes when he unexpectedly reconnects with his childhood best friend.
As someone who’s never been to Greece, this book felt like the perfect form of escapism. I felt completely immersed in Athens alongside Will, experiencing the city through his eyes for the very first time. The vibrant summer atmosphere and gorgeous Greek setting made this such a fun and memorable read.
Will is an absolute hot mess in the best possible way: funny, messy, and incredibly relatable. I especially loved seeing his growth throughout the story as he learned more about himself, worked through his emotions, and slowly built a meaningful relationship with Sam.
This is such a fun, atmospheric summer romance filled with heart, humor, and self-discovery, and I’d definitely recommend picking it up!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
As someone who’s never been to Greece, this book felt like the perfect form of escapism. I felt completely immersed in Athens alongside Will, experiencing the city through his eyes for the very first time. The vibrant summer atmosphere and gorgeous Greek setting made this such a fun and memorable read.
Will is an absolute hot mess in the best possible way: funny, messy, and incredibly relatable. I especially loved seeing his growth throughout the story as he learned more about himself, worked through his emotions, and slowly built a meaningful relationship with Sam.
This is such a fun, atmospheric summer romance filled with heart, humor, and self-discovery, and I’d definitely recommend picking it up!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
June 20, 2026
So, Will is a little obsessed with his ex Ollie. When Will is invited to Ollie's wedding in Athens, at first he's not going to go, then he accidentally drunkenly books a 25 day vacation and then he comes up with a plan to attempt to win Ollie back before his wedding can happen. Only Will gets to Athens and immediately runs into his long-lost childhood best friend, Sam, and boy has Sam turned HOT.
Poor Will, he's a little bit of a mess. His job is dead and an awful (I think many can relate) and his best friend is moving on with her life and getting married. He deals with low self esteem, so it's not surprising he's so stuck on Ollie when he feels like he's not got much else going for him.
I loved that Will was a chubbier guy and I loved seeing him gain confidence throughout the story. For those worried, Will is a smart man comes to his senses pretty quickly about most things, including trying to ruin someone else's relationship.
Sam is adorable and so sweet. His and Will's childhood friendship was so nerdy and cute and it was fun to read them coming together as adults like they were never apart! And the spice in the book was *chefs kiss* There was also a cast of delightful side characters to really found the story out.
Even when the characters were doing dumb shit you knew everyone had their grey character moments. The story is a great, cute fun summer read. Lots of laughs and it left me with a big smile on my face!
Thank you NegGalley and HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Poor Will, he's a little bit of a mess. His job is dead and an awful (I think many can relate) and his best friend is moving on with her life and getting married. He deals with low self esteem, so it's not surprising he's so stuck on Ollie when he feels like he's not got much else going for him.
I loved that Will was a chubbier guy and I loved seeing him gain confidence throughout the story. For those worried, Will is a smart man comes to his senses pretty quickly about most things, including trying to ruin someone else's relationship.
Sam is adorable and so sweet. His and Will's childhood friendship was so nerdy and cute and it was fun to read them coming together as adults like they were never apart! And the spice in the book was *chefs kiss* There was also a cast of delightful side characters to really found the story out.
Even when the characters were doing dumb shit you knew everyone had their grey character moments. The story is a great, cute fun summer read. Lots of laughs and it left me with a big smile on my face!
Thank you NegGalley and HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2026
4.75/5
The perfect summer romance read! This book had the perfect romcom vibes without being too over the top silly (which sometimes can give me an ick while reading). I loved reading Will and Sam’s story - I laughed out loud, I may have teared up the odd occasion and I especially loved Will’s character development throughout the book!
I like a character that starts out at rock bottom and Will is really not having a great time; finding out is ex he is not over is getting married, and his job is at risk of being made redundant. Seeing him find himself in Athens and getting his confident back was so beautiful to see! What I really loved is that Sam wasn’t there to fix everything - Will did the hard work himself and Sam was there to support and show him what it’s like to be loved
There is also a great cast of side characters - Tim and Jemima, and especially Lydia! I hope she finds her happy ever after too!
If you’re looking for a summer romance, with romcom vibes, fake dating and a journey of self discovery, add this to your TBR!
Thank you so much to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the eARC!
The perfect summer romance read! This book had the perfect romcom vibes without being too over the top silly (which sometimes can give me an ick while reading). I loved reading Will and Sam’s story - I laughed out loud, I may have teared up the odd occasion and I especially loved Will’s character development throughout the book!
I like a character that starts out at rock bottom and Will is really not having a great time; finding out is ex he is not over is getting married, and his job is at risk of being made redundant. Seeing him find himself in Athens and getting his confident back was so beautiful to see! What I really loved is that Sam wasn’t there to fix everything - Will did the hard work himself and Sam was there to support and show him what it’s like to be loved
There is also a great cast of side characters - Tim and Jemima, and especially Lydia! I hope she finds her happy ever after too!
If you’re looking for a summer romance, with romcom vibes, fake dating and a journey of self discovery, add this to your TBR!
Thank you so much to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the eARC!
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