Debut author Sue Roberts comes to the blog today with a story full of heart, sunshine and second chances in
My Big Greek Summer
Mandy and Danny have been together since school with only a small break before marrying some eight years earlier. Work and Mandy’s need to ‘help’ everyone at the pub where she is bar manager has interfered with their ‘together time’, and they’ve fallen into a routine of take-aways, television and too tired. Of course, this is where Danny decides it’s his chance to ‘try something new’, leaving Mandy devastated, lonely and hopeless, her lack of focus at work has her boss ‘suggesting’ a break. Remembering a favorite childhood holiday in Greece, Mandy books a hotel and flight and is off to Rhodes for a near-fortnight stay.
Far from the bustling and bright seaside she remembered, the hotel is sparkling clean but run down, many shops are shuttered, the pool is up the road at another small establishment, and the all-inclusive resort is teeming with both tourists and money – leaving little for the older, established (or now shuttered) community. Despite the changes, the time is exactly what Mandy needs, first to regroup and relax, then to test the waters with the very handsome Costas, and think of a way to make her childhood memories come to life. She loved that holiday and it seems as if her entire vacation will be wasted if she’s not able to make a difference – however difficult it may seem.
Starting the wheels in motion for renovations and a music festival – Mandy heads back to Liverpool – still working out details and ideas, and helping in every way she can with the festival. Of course, Danny’s fling was simply that and he’s back and wanting her again – a series of choices and the ‘old familiar’ in which she wasn’t really happy, or can she take the chance and grab for the life she wants? Greece is calling…..
A solid debut with a bit of extra padding and some moments where Mandy was too passively existing with situations that were the ‘safe’ ones, and it almost felt as if the lessons (albeit small ones) learned in her days away were simply there to serve the moment. But, Mandy is made of stronger stuff – even loving (and we see just how much she does through her descriptions ) Liverpool, there’s something missing – and that is the frisson of excitement that she had in Greece when every day was something new, different and exciting. A lovely introduction to this author’s heart and storytelling – I look forward to more.
Title: My Big Greek Summer
Author: Sue Roberts
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy, Second Chance, Setting: Greece
Published by: Bookouture
ISBN: 1786813637
Published on: 3 May, 2018
Format:eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Pages: 288
Rated:
Heat:
Get Your Copy: Amazon ♦ Barnes&Noble ♦ Kobo ♦ IndieBound ♦ Google A holiday can solve everything… can’t it? A hilarious, hot new summer escape about kissing your past goodbye and learning to love again…
Carefree, thirty-something Mandy thought she’d be married to first-love Danny forever.
So when she discovers her heart-throb husband has had a fling, she realises it’s time to make some BIG changes. But what will Mandy do now she’s single for the first time in her adult life?
Determined to find her spark again, Mandy hops on a plane, ready for adventure and a second chance at happiness. Escaping to a sun-drenched Greek island, the glittering blue seas, golden beaches and delicious cocktails are exactly what she needs.
Over one spontaneous summer, Mandy has the time of her life making new friends in a pretty little Mediterranean village by the sea. And she finds herself unexpectedly falling for a tall, dark, handsome stranger. But Mandy soon realises that even paradise has its problems…
Can a holiday romance really heal her broken heart? Or will someone in Mandy’s old life call her home again?
A copy of this title was provided via Publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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2 responses to “My Big Greek Summer by Sue Roberts”
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You’ve got me craving a vacation now!
Joy Weese Moll recently posted…Movies and Books #BriFri
Completely agree – especially since it’s pollen central here with that and pollution making it near unbearable outdoors …. Greece would be nice.
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