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Beach #3
Grecian Holiday: Or, How I Turned Down the Best Possible Thing Only to Have the Time of My Life
Dear Mike, Arrived at the old villa 3 days ago. It's all blue shy, white walls and heat here -- you'll see. Jade's's already heading for trouble and I can't suss Sarah out. Hope you and your mates are having a blast on your trek, especially without me dragging you down. I bet deep down you're glad I bailed out. Ill see you before this postcard even finds you. Miss you! Kelly XOX When Kelly opts out of a summer of roughing it with her intimidating, intense boyfriend, Mike, she doesn't realize she's opted into a summer that will change everything, especially herself.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
9 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Kate Cann
45 books239 followersWhen I was a child, I wanted to be a witch. My first foray into writing was a series of nasty spells full of rats’ tails and bats’ wings. Then, when I turned thirteen, I began keeping a lurid diary, full of adoration or loathing, depending on who I was writing about. I used my later diaries for the Diving In trilogy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 23, 2019
3.5
Cant believe it's been about a decade since I used to read these kind of books. Definitely gives me a different perspective. Greece, friends, boys, party. Very easy read.
I do like that Kate Cann explores more on the topics of identity/finding yourself/coming of age, confidence, sex, relationships, control etc.
You have the introvert, the extrovert and the mediator of the friend group of course...but I like how she spends time focusing on each girls strengths and struggles rather than just glossing over the issues. Overall, not bad, not great. Essentially what I was expecting. Good, light palette cleanser
Cant believe it's been about a decade since I used to read these kind of books. Definitely gives me a different perspective. Greece, friends, boys, party. Very easy read.
I do like that Kate Cann explores more on the topics of identity/finding yourself/coming of age, confidence, sex, relationships, control etc.
You have the introvert, the extrovert and the mediator of the friend group of course...but I like how she spends time focusing on each girls strengths and struggles rather than just glossing over the issues. Overall, not bad, not great. Essentially what I was expecting. Good, light palette cleanser
June 11, 2012
I must admit I was really surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this book. I had never read anything like this before. I was really able to identify with the characters because I just finished my first year of college. And thats what I liked most cause I could understand where they going through. I loved the characters. Its seems as it was just going to be about Kelly but it wasn't it turned into a story about three completely different girls learning about eachoher and who they really are. This book excellent and I can't wait to read Spanish Holiday! I hope its just as good as this one.
January 23, 2018
Teen romance with way too much sex.
July 26, 2018
It lost a star because she got back with Mike. He is too abusive and I can't stand him. In the beginning when she said "maybe I show just throw myself out of the window," because of Mike? Really? They kept leaving Sarah out and that really annoyed me. This is my second time reading this book, but I forgot the end which is not usual with me as I remember the plot of every book I read. Thyme scented honey sounds disgusting tbh. When Sarah asked "What's that chewing noise," and Jade said "chewing" that made me laugh. They kept talking behind Jade's back and were kind of bad friends to each other.
She hardly knows Sarah and Jade "I thought about how I didn't really know them but I didn't care," that sounds like a really good gap year murder plot.
She hardly knows Sarah and Jade "I thought about how I didn't really know them but I didn't care," that sounds like a really good gap year murder plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2020
Ya know, this only gets so many stars because it’s nostalgic for me. I read this at 17 when I bought it in Ireland and brought it back home. My parents tossed it because it was too “raunchy.” In rereading it, it’s not really raunchy or inappropriate or anything. The sex scenes are fairly muted and quietly sexy. I love the idea the book presents of moving and living in a Greek farmhouse and just absorbing the culture. That hits close for me. I love that. Maybe someday.
September 21, 2021
I hate Mike. I skimmed most of the ending after Mike showed up in Greece.
May 11, 2020
I used to love Kate Cann so much. It was like the early days of YA contemporary but for British teenagers. This re-read reminded me of how enjoyable her novels are and although I'm sure they won't age well in terms of language (slang has already moved on a couple of decades from then), they deal with the kinds of issues that teenagers still deal with even today. The dream holiday aspect is just so delicious as well, it's hard to resist this book. Going to reread all her others as well. So glad I kept them!
January 17, 2021
Die Loctation in der das Buch spielt zieht einen in den Bann, Sommer in Griechenland - herrlich. Aber! Die Charaktere in dem Buch haben sehr toxische Beziehungen zueinander. Würde ich Jugendlichen nicht empfehlen, die das nicht reflektieren können, sonst denken sie noch, dass das gute Freundinnen sind oder so eine Beziehnunb aus sehen sollte.
April 11, 2024
I remembered vaguely reading this book when I was in my teens, ordered it on vinted for a reread… obviously a lot more basic now I’m older but still enjoyed it. Enjoyed the progression of Sarah throughout the book, although Jade and Mike just really annoyed me.
Loved the idea of the Greek summer away though.
Was a lovely nostalgic read
Loved the idea of the Greek summer away though.
Was a lovely nostalgic read
December 7, 2025
een erg vlot te lezen YA boek
maar waar je als volwassene toch wel wat vragen bij hebt
hoezo 9 weken griekenland? zonder te werken daar? en 9 weken gratis verblijf?
enfin niet te hard over nadenken, maar genieten van de groei van de meisjes, hoe hun onderlinge relaties veranderen en mee genieten van de griekse zonen YA boek
maar waar je als volwassene toch wel wat vragen bij hebt
hoezo 9 weken griekenland? zonder te werken daar? en 9 weken gratis verblijf?
enfin niet te hard over nadenken, maar genieten van de groei van de meisjes, hoe hun onderlinge relaties veranderen en mee genieten van de griekse zonen YA boek
May 10, 2022
I never really finished it but I was close. I think I got the whole picture of the book and it was good.
September 28, 2022
Fun, easy read for a young adult
August 2, 2023
3.5
I read this because I was a big Kate Cann fan when I was a teenager. Still some good characters but no where near as good as some of her others.
I read this because I was a big Kate Cann fan when I was a teenager. Still some good characters but no where near as good as some of her others.
August 6, 2024
I’m going to be honest, I did not like any of these characters until the end and even then it was only Sarah. Lmao
June 21, 2025
I remember younger me raging over her boyfriend and wishing the end was different. That still holds true
December 27, 2025
Full marks for nostalgia aka I read this in high school
March 27, 2020
This was so much fun! I really loved this!! I love summer books!
December 15, 2011
This was a bit of escapism for me. A tiny bit. The other bit of me appreciates the fact I was never a typical teen with all the drama that goes along with it. This is why I don’t read much teen chick lit. I don’t relate with it much at all.
Kelly has a controlling jerk of a boyfriend named Mike. When he pressures her to go on holiday with him and his mates, Kelly feels overwhelmed by his overbearing, controlling nature and for once sticks up for herself and says no. Mike goes off with a huff to ride around Europe in a van with a gaggle of blokes. Kelly serendipitously falls into a dream vacation; a casual friend, Jade, has had a couple of people drop out of her holiday plans and invites Kelly to summer in Greece with her and her friend Sarah.
I don’t know if this is a cultural difference but as an American of nearly 40 years, I have never known anyone to be able to afford going off for an entire summer. That’s where the above mentioned escapism comes in: what a dream!
Jade is the wild, outgoing, bloke chasing friend. Sarah is the dowdy, moody, spiritual, cooking-mama friend (the only one I like and relate with). And Kelly is the happy-to-be-there, good-natured, zero personality of her own, anti-heroine of our story.
The descriptions of Greece and the wonderful farmhouse they stay in are what kept me interested in the book. The relationship with the three and the growth of the characters (especially Sarah) is also interesting. But the constant details of beach going and club hopping and partying left me bored. Three things I have no interest in doing on vacation or any other time of the year.
This is more of a 2.5 star book for me. I’d have considered a 3 if it weren’t for the incredibly disappointing choices Kelly makes regarding her manipulating, control freak boyfriend.
Kelly has a controlling jerk of a boyfriend named Mike. When he pressures her to go on holiday with him and his mates, Kelly feels overwhelmed by his overbearing, controlling nature and for once sticks up for herself and says no. Mike goes off with a huff to ride around Europe in a van with a gaggle of blokes. Kelly serendipitously falls into a dream vacation; a casual friend, Jade, has had a couple of people drop out of her holiday plans and invites Kelly to summer in Greece with her and her friend Sarah.
I don’t know if this is a cultural difference but as an American of nearly 40 years, I have never known anyone to be able to afford going off for an entire summer. That’s where the above mentioned escapism comes in: what a dream!
Jade is the wild, outgoing, bloke chasing friend. Sarah is the dowdy, moody, spiritual, cooking-mama friend (the only one I like and relate with). And Kelly is the happy-to-be-there, good-natured, zero personality of her own, anti-heroine of our story.
The descriptions of Greece and the wonderful farmhouse they stay in are what kept me interested in the book. The relationship with the three and the growth of the characters (especially Sarah) is also interesting. But the constant details of beach going and club hopping and partying left me bored. Three things I have no interest in doing on vacation or any other time of the year.
This is more of a 2.5 star book for me. I’d have considered a 3 if it weren’t for the incredibly disappointing choices Kelly makes regarding her manipulating, control freak boyfriend.
June 2, 2008
Another great book from Kate Cann. Think this was the first one I read. Well written, deals with a few teen issues that other books fail to address well. Good for escaping from real life!
**edit** I've just re-read this and enjoyed it as much as I did when I was younger. I love the escapism, and the writing makes you want to read more. I think the book deals with teen angst over relationships really well. The characters are well established and the story is mostly believable (all except for where they got the massive amount of money needed to spend 9 weeks in Greece without getting a job!!)
This is classed as YA, but I'd say that its more in the 15-21 age range - I don't know if its particularly suitable for younger teens.
**edit** I've just re-read this and enjoyed it as much as I did when I was younger. I love the escapism, and the writing makes you want to read more. I think the book deals with teen angst over relationships really well. The characters are well established and the story is mostly believable (all except for where they got the massive amount of money needed to spend 9 weeks in Greece without getting a job!!)
This is classed as YA, but I'd say that its more in the 15-21 age range - I don't know if its particularly suitable for younger teens.
August 7, 2023
I saw this on one of those retro nostalgia Instagram pages and was like ahhhh I remember this book!! I think it came free with a teen magazine over the summer one year.
... it turned out I did not remember this book 😆 Or at least I'd forgotten about 95% of it. I was maybe thinking of a different (but similar) book?
Regardless, and even bearing in mind not much really happens, I still enjoyed it. It was like a coming of age type thing but although some experiences and maturation happens over the summer the ending left us with the situation unresolved which was a bit annoying. We're left to make our own minds up about how it all played out. It was an easy read though when I was looking for a break from the heavy vampire sagas I'm on at the moment.
... it turned out I did not remember this book 😆 Or at least I'd forgotten about 95% of it. I was maybe thinking of a different (but similar) book?
Regardless, and even bearing in mind not much really happens, I still enjoyed it. It was like a coming of age type thing but although some experiences and maturation happens over the summer the ending left us with the situation unresolved which was a bit annoying. We're left to make our own minds up about how it all played out. It was an easy read though when I was looking for a break from the heavy vampire sagas I'm on at the moment.
April 3, 2015
Eh this wasn't my favorite book, to say the least. The whole time I was dying at the girl's lack of independence! All she did was do as her boyfriend asked her to, and even when she finally decided she would break free from his control, she still ends up with him! They argued for like the whole first part of the book, making up then breaking up. Then when she goes to Greece they are apart but they are thinking about each other, but really, they are both needy and desperate and it was kind of sad and upsetting to read. How could one get so wrapped up in a relationship to allow one to mistreat them so?! All the flying accusations and the boyfriend, Mike, not even listening to her?
December 31, 2012
Originally, I thought this would be my favorite of Kate Cann's "holiday" books (Spanish, California, and now Grecian). It isn't. Jade (aka the slutty one) continuously got on my nerves, and since she never had a redemption moment, it just got more and more frustrating. I also never liked the relationship between Kelly and her boyfriend, and while she doesn't end up going back to him, it's never a firm no (which is how I feel it should've been).
Having finished reading this book, Kate Cann's holidays are over.
Having finished reading this book, Kate Cann's holidays are over.
August 24, 2012
The perfect holiday read! I read this on a plane and it definitely got me in the mood for my holiday. Technically quite light plotwise but not as fluffy as you might expect. Interesting characters which help things flow along and plenty of Kate Cann's usual spark. The only bad thing is it does end on a sort-of cliffhanger and it doesn't look like there is a sequel so I'm a bit disappointed. Still a great read though and ideal for a sunny vacation
September 2, 2009
This is the story of three young women who are renting a house in Greece for their summer holiday. I wasn't as interested in this one as the rest of the series because the main character is dating a jerk. I had a hard time sympathizing with her relationship problems since I hated her boyfriend in the first place. It was OK but there's better teen lit out there.
February 24, 2014
This book had a good start it hooked me in but as i read on the ideas she had for the story got weaker and weaker, I would not recommend this book to any one. The book repeated its self day after day with only the slightest difference sometimes there would be nerve raking scenes but no i would not recommend this book.
October 23, 2014
My best friend (at the time we were in High school) passed this book along to me and I actually had it for many years and I am pretty sure that I read it more than once. But even so, I am having a hard time dredging up exact details to the story. I know that I thought that it was cute, a light, fun, fast read but it wasn't so great that I sought out others in the series or by the author.
December 21, 2009
My daughter bought this as she was in a "Grecian" frame of mind, getting ready for a trip to Greece this past summer. It didn't sell in our garage sale and I thought, before donating, I'd read it for the heck of it. I wish I hadn't bothered.
June 28, 2011
At first i thought this book was really good and i was really enjoying it was boring and it had a stupid story line there could have been some action there or a bit m,ore romance where kelly could have snogged nick or skept with him it was one of the worst books i have ever read!!!!!!!!!!!
May 25, 2014
It wasn't bad, but I also would not say it was good. I was surprised by the turns the main character's relationship took and am still confused about the girl who saw spirits. Why was that brought up but never developed?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews