I haven’t read any of Lizzie Lee’s books before so I was really pleased to win a paperback from the publisher in an Instagram competition. It arrived promptly and I couldn’t wait to read it. The cover is pretty and the blurb intriguing and I was hooked from the first few pages with the mess Nina’s life suddenly spirals into.

Nina’s a great lead and her relationship with her father Theo shines through. I also really love her friend, Heather, the schoolteacher who has a delightful way of avoiding swear words.

Kefalonia came alive and all the people in the little town were wonderful to spend time with.
I quickly became invested in the house renovation and wanted Nina’s dream to become a reality against all the odds thrown at her, including her dad’s stubbornness.
I loved the conservation aspect of this book and the geeky, turned hot enemy to lover dynamic with George. Vassilis, the builder, is another story!

Overall, it was a great read and I’m looking forward to discovering more of Lizzie Lee’s books.

Here’s the blurb

Sun, sea and second chances are on the cards this summer…

At thirty-three, Nina Pappas never imagined she would be back in her childhood bedroom, but having lost her job, her flat and her boyfriend (to her best friend, no less!) in one disastrous day, that’s exactly where she finds herself.

So when her dad, Theo, suggests she join him for the summer in Kefalonia, Nina is more than ready to trade heartbreak for healing – and the concrete jungle for the shimmering Ionian sea. A few sun-soaked weeks under the Greek sky, filled with balmy, thyme-scented evenings and lashings of sumptuous home-cooked food, might just be the reset she needs. And she might even enjoy renovating the house Theo’s inherited if it involves working with the irresistible and brooding local builder…

But island life isn’t all sea views, sunsets and souvlaki. As Nina finds herself clashing with the determined (yet undeniably handsome!) conservationist, hellbent on derailing Theo’s plans, she discovers that starting over is rarely straightforward – and that following your passion is one of the bravest things you can do. That, and recognising real love when it crosses your path…

Escape to Greece this summer in Lizzie Lee’s brand-new uplifting and feel-good read about taking a chance on life and love. Perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Sue Roberts and Jo Thomas.

Final thoughts – it’s well worth a read!