May 9, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Ally Novak is perfectly happy being single – in fact, her career depends on it.

As the Divorced Diva – blogger, brand ambassador and businesswoman extraordinaire – she’s spun three failed marriages into gold, building a brand that celebrates single life.

So when her wealthy ex-husband Julian invites her to front his new wellness retreat, Ally jets off to his exclusive Greek island, certain it’ll be just another glamorous gig.

What she doesn’t expect is to find another ex on the island – the one who got away, and the only one she can’t forget.

Is fate handing her a second chance at love, or is it simply a case of too many exes in paradise?

About The Author

My Review

This is a sparkling romantic comedy packed with sun, secrets and sizzling chemistry.

Three-times-divorced Ally runs the hugely successful brand Divorced Diva, so when her most recent ex-husband Julian invites her to his exclusive wellness retreat on a private Greek island for a PR project, she’s intrigued. Travelling in luxury, Ally arrives to discover an ultra-wealthy paradise — and the unwelcome surprise of her first ex-husband, Tommy, already there.

As always, Sandy Barker delivers charm, humour and heart in abundance. The island setting is pure escapism and the resort so lavish you can’t help but dream of being pampered there, even while knowing you’d feel completely out of place. Alongside the simmering romance between Ally and Tommy, a gentle thread of mystery adds extra depth and intrigue to the plot.

There are some deliciously spicy moments — not for everyone, but they fit the story naturally rather than feeling tacked on. With warmth, wit and emotional undercurrents, this is a perfect poolside read or a winter warmer that brings Greek sunshine straight to your sofa.

My Rating

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Stella has spent decades trying to forget the heartbreak that made her flee the Italian village of her childhood. But when her new fiancé surprises her with a trip back to Liguria for her upcoming birthday, she is forced to confront the past, her first love and a tragic family rift.

Amy is mourning her beloved grandpa and curious to know more about the old coin necklace and mysterious postcard that he left her. Following his trail to the Italian Riviera, a chance meeting leads Amy to Stella’s village in the hills and to secrets that have lain buried since the war.

Against a backdrop of cobbled medieval streets, sunlit piazzas and rustic olive groves, both Stella and Amy make surprising discoveries about their families – and themselves.

By facing up to the past and opening their hearts, can Stella and Amy find happiness in the Italian village in the hills?

About The Author

My Review

This is a beautifully layered story of self-discovery, family secrets and second chances, set in the breathtaking Ligurian village of Leto.

The novel follows two women on very different journeys. Sixty-year-old Stella returns to her childhood home while visiting Italy with her new fiancé, only to find herself running her uncle’s shop after he suffers a fall. Meanwhile, twenty-something Anna arrives in Leto seeking answers about her grandfather’s mysterious wartime past, prompted by a postcard found among his belongings.

Despite the age gap, both women are immediately likeable and relatable, and their stories intertwine in satisfying and often surprising ways. The village itself feels alive — Springfield’s vivid descriptions of sun-soaked streets, close-knit locals and mouth-watering Italian food make it impossible not to wish you were there.

The exploration of Leto’s fascist history and its lingering effects adds emotional depth and quiet tension, showing how the past continues to shape the present. With romance, mystery and heartwarming resolution, this is a captivating escape for lovers of historical fiction and Italian settings.

My Rating