Summer at the Santorini Bookshop - Rebecca Raisin

 

A Greek island holiday. A fake-dating pact. A chance at true love?

After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just taken on a small bookshop in Santorini, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her.

But life on the island is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake a romance with her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on side, she reluctantly agrees.

As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop – and fake date her way to love?

Purchase Links

US: amzn.to/40rvToW

UK: amzn.to/3u4QJOY

Aust: amzn.to/3QOc6x1

My Review:

Sunshine, books, a dreamy love interest? What more could any book lover need – Summer at the Santorini Bookshop is a brilliant way of escaping the not-so-great weather here.

Rebecca Raisin always gives us a great read, brilliant characters and excellent settings and this one couldn’t sound more idyllic. I loved the descriptions of the bookshop, the characters are funny but also relatable in many ways. The bookshop sounds like my perfect holiday destination!

Evie suddenly finds herself at a loose end when she loses her job and so is sent to keep an eye on her Gran, who is on husband number nine and a cause for concern (to Evie’s Mum and sister). Evie finds herself in quite the situation as soon as she arrives and is determined to do all it takes to support her Gran – even if that means getting close to Georgios (the landlords grandson).

With some ups and downs, can Evie keep her Grans antics from her Mum as well as make the bookshop a success and keep Georgios onside whilst also figuring out what she actually wants to do next.

There are some really funny moments, the man with the donkey, the rescue dogs, the subtle hints about what happens to each husband.

Funny, heartwarming and entertaining. Perfect read for this summer, whether on a glorious beach or from a comfy chair!

 Author Bio:

 Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites2/

https://signup.harpercollins.co.uk/join/signup-hq-rebeccaraisin

Elodie's Library of Second Chances - Rebecca Raisin

 

An uplifting story about fresh starts, new beginnings and the power of stories, from the bestselling author of Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop!

When Elodie applies for the job of librarian in peaceful Willow Grove, she’s looking forward to a new start. As the daughter of a media empire, her every move has been watched for years, and she longs to work with the thing she loves most: books.

It’s a chance to make a real difference too, because she soon realises that there are other people in Willow Grove who might need a fresh start – like the homeless man everyone walks past without seeing, or the divorcée who can’t seem to escape her former husband’s misdeeds.

Together with local journalist Finn, Elodie decides these people have stories that need sharing. What if instead of borrowing books readers could ‘borrow’ a person, and hear the life stories of those they’ve overlooked?

But Elodie isn’t quite sharing her whole story either. As the story of the library’s new success grows, will her own secret be revealed?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elodies-Library-Second-Chances-heart-warming-ebook/dp/B09YH6YXR9

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Elodies-Library-Second-Chances-heart-warming-ebook/dp/B09YH6YXR9

Amazon Aust: https://www.amazon.com.au/Elodies-Library-Second-Chances-heart-warming-ebook/dp/B09YH6YXR9

My Review:

Another smashing read from Rebecca Raisin, another book that is well written, has a comfortable and cosy feel and contains warm, interesting characters the reader will grow to love.I have enjoyed the authors previous books but this one is my favourite I think.

 

Ellie Astor has everything, face of a massive company where she is in line to take over from her parents and although she loves her family she knows she wants more from her life. A chance advert shows the way – becoming the librarian in a small town where someone is needed to turn things around and quickly. Applying under her full given name and actual surname, she becomes Elodie Halifax.

 

Elodie has a huge task in recruiting new members but sets on a massive idea, she just needs the help of some key locals and persuading them is no easy task, especially when it seems someone is out to sabotage her and reveal her “true identity.”

 

I love Elodie, she is an amazing character and sees the good in everyone, she’s a million miles from the conceited, rich, stuck up type she could be. She cares about people, the library and she loves her family no matter what. Her relationship with her brother is great, she is so supportive and encouraging. I love her and she instantly makes those around her feel special. 

 

Her genius idea is impressive to say the least and could be the only chance to save the library and help some of her friends. There are four characters in particular who are an integral part of the story and Elodies plan, as soon as I came across each one I loved them, what brilliant characters that each have their own tale to tell.

 

I was engrossed from start to finish, I didn’t want it to end! A book full of heart, kindness and compassion; a great setting and well written characters. Highly recommended read. 

Author Bio:

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites/

Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop - Rebecca Raisin

AVAILABLE HERE

Goodreads Blurb:

Rosie Lewis has her life together.

A swanky job as a Michelin-Starred Sous Chef, a loving husband and future children scheduled for exactly January 2021.

That’s until she comes home one day to find her husband’s pre-packed bag and a confession that he's had an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, Rosie drowns her sorrows in a glass (or three) of wine, only to discover the following morning that she has spontaneously invested in a bright pink campervan to facilitate her grand plans to travel the country.

Now, Rosie is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, and the chance to change her life! With Poppy, her new-found travelling tea shop in tow, nothing could go wrong, could it…?

My Review:

What an utterly charming, delightful book! I was fully immersed in Rosie's new adventure after finding herself alone and determined to prove her (quite awful sounding) husband wrong in that she isn't predictable and boring. A travelling tea shop sounds like the perfect idea to me -and I do love a book that makes me drool for the wonderful treats and delights it describes!

Rosie seems like a woman I would be friends with, shes brave, independent and really funny - I laughed out loud several times throughout. She's been pushed out of her comfort zone but she goes with it and makes the best out of each new situation. I think the combination of her and new friend Aria is wonderful.

 Aria is probably my favourite - a mobile book van, come on!! Books and a tea shop is my idea of heaven. Their friendship is so well written, they support each other perfectly. Both need someone to guide them and work through their different problems, which they do as the story progresses. I could really imagine going to some of the festivals mentioned and sitting with a book from Aria coupled with a wonderful tea from Rosie. 

I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the wonderfully annoying, yet gorgeous, Max. I liked how he continued to push Rosie into new, uncomfortable things and yet she found utter pleasure from them. He really healed her heart and confirmed her ability to be happy and push her boundaries. I think their relationship was well written, sweet and gave Rosie the happy ending I know I was hoping for. 

I have never read anything by Rebecca Raisin before - shame on me! I will be rectifying that. I loved this book, I have never felt tempted by camper vans etc but this genuinely made me imagine life on the road, having adventures and meeting new friends. 

I highly recommend - a book full of adventure, self-discovery, friendship and heart. Thank you to HQ Digital UK and Rebecca for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.