September 24, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Can one Greek summer heal the secrets of the past?

Could discovering a family secret encourage Kat to follow her heart?

Shattered by the sudden loss of her twin, Nik, Kat is lost in grief. The comfort of family feels both soothing and suffocating, but everything changes when she inherits a house on the breathtaking Greek island of Agistri from a mysterious uncle she’s never met.

Arriving on Agistri, Kat is mesmerized by its crystalline waters, lush pine forests, and the citrus-scented air. Among the white-washed houses and warm, welcoming locals, she begins to feel her heart heal. The island offers more than solace, sparking courage in Kat to face her loss — and maybe even embrace the spark of unexpected love…

But as she unearths her family’s buried past, Kat must also confront her own fears of belonging, forgiveness — and the possibility of rediscovering happiness in the shadow of heartbreak…

About The Author

My Review

Set on the picturesque Greek island of Agistri, the story centers on Kat, who is still mourning the tragic loss of her twin brother. Her path to healing begins when she unexpectedly inherits a house from an unknown uncle, sparking a journey filled with grief, self-discovery, and transformation. The vivid descriptions of Greece make the setting come alive, and Kat’s renovation of the old home is both symbolic and deeply personal. As hidden family secrets begin to surface—about her mother, brother, and mysterious uncle—Kat is forced to confront painful truths. Her emotional struggles are raw and relatable, pulling the reader into her world completely.

The book explores themes of loss, family, identity, and resilience with tenderness and honesty. The characters feel real, flawed, and deeply human, and the story is sprinkled with warmth, hope, love, and delicious Greek charm. This is a touching and uplifting novel that lingers long after the final page.

My Rating

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Everything is about to change for Cordelia Franks – she just doesn’t know it yet.

When Cordelia decides to train to swim the English Channel, she understands why no one believes she can do it. After a lifetime of never finishing anything, she doesn’t really believe she can either. But she’s determined to try.

As she strides into the Channel with hours stretching ahead of her, Cordelia swims against every milestone in her life so far. Every failed relationship, every friendship let go, every exam failed, every tricky job she quit. A life lived never giving it her all. Until now.

With every stroke, with every mile, Cordelia knows that this is finally her moment. Because if she keeps this promise to herself, if she doesn’t give up, nothing will ever be the same again.

And waiting in France is an unimagined future and someone who does believe in her…

About The Author

My Review

This is a reflective, slow-burn novel that uses the backdrop of a Channel crossing to explore one woman’s life in deeply personal detail. As Cordelia Franks swims for over eight hours, her thoughts drift through childhood trauma, controlling family dynamics, school struggles, illness, and recovery. The narrative structure—anchored in a physically grueling present while unraveling an emotionally complex past—makes for a thoughtful and layered read.

Janet Hoggarth does a commendable job weaving in vivid detail about the Channel swim, from jellyfish stings to dodging shipping lanes, grounding Cordelia’s internal journey in physical reality. While the book may take a bit to gain momentum, its emotional payoff is worth the investment.

Side characters like Desi and David bring warmth and heart, balancing heavier themes such as eating disorders and bullying. This isn’t a light read, but it’s ultimately an insightful one—about endurance, both in water and in life.

My Rating