23 July 2016

Book Review: The Summer Escape by Lily Graham

"Amongst the beautiful olive groves and sea-front tavernas, summer has arrived on the sun-drenched island of Crete. 

After losing the love of her life, Ria’s life has been on hold. So when her boss becomes completely unbearable she makes the snap decision to run away to the Greek island of Crete, armed only with her passport. 

When Ria finds herself working for eccentric novelist Caroline, she meets handsome vineyard owner Tom. He’s charming, mysterious and Ria starts to wonder if it’s not just the beautiful Greek island that she’s falling for. 

But as Ria gets to know Tom better, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets. What is he hiding? Ria has some secrets of her own. Can she open up to Tom and learn to live again? 

This summer, escape to the sun with this charming and emotional story about starting over and grabbing happiness with both hands. "

Rating: 5/5

You can buy the book now.

Another book I have really enjoyed reading this summer is the new book from author Lily Graham. I have to admit I was initially drawn to this book because of it's gorgeous cover on Netgalley, where I first came across it. With its gorgeous beach scene, it certainly looks like the perfect summer read, especially with a title like The Summer Escape! I eagerly got stuck in, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

This book is set on the Greek island of Crete, somewhere I haven't yet visited but would certainly love to, especially after reading this book. Ria decides to escape work after yet another run-in with her boss, and ends up at the airport booking herself on a flight to Crete. She recently lost her fiancé in a horrible accident, and has been struggling ever since. She finds a job working as an assistant to a novelist, and ends up making a great new friendship. As well as that, she meets local vineyard owner Tom, who has some secrets of his own that Ria is determined to puzzle out...

I really warmed to the character of Ria straight away, and admired her for her craziness in just dropping everything and heading off to warmer climes when she doesn't really know what else to do! It does seem a bit madcap, but somehow seemed the right thing for her to do, especially when you find out a bit about her past and her heartache. The other main characters of the book include Tom, the mysterious vineyard owner, who I really liked and was sure that he had nothing to do with the past tragedies that happened at the vineyard years ago. There was also novelist Caroline, who is sorting out her memoirs, and I really enjoyed reading the developing friendship between the two women.

The setting of Crete is beautiful as well, and I enjoyed the beginning of the book, when Ria is struggling in the Crete heat in her UK work outfit, with pretty much only her handbag and the clothes on her back! It sounds like an idyllic island, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of everything around Ria, and the vineyards as well. Lily Graham writes beautifully throughout the book, with a good balance between dialogue and description, and it was thoroughly enjoyable to read. I was really into the story, desperate to find out what would happen by the end and whether or not Ria would end up wanting to return home to the UK or if Crete would be her new home! This is a really enjoyable, fun summer read, and you'll definitely be wanting a summer sunshine break after reading this! Definitely recommended!

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