A lost love. A devastating secret. And a summer that could change everything…
Two years on from her husband’s death, dressmaker Ellen is learning how to live again and put memories of a difficult marriage behind her.
However, never far from her mind is another memory: Alexandros, her first love from the summer she turned eighteen.
The moment she’d arrived in his hometown of Kardamyli in Greece, Ellen had been intoxicated by the scent of orange blossom in the air, the days of endless sunshine and sparkling azure waters – but most of all by Alexandros himself. They were meant to be, until a devastating secret forced Ellen to leave and never look back…
But now, when her best friend suggests they recreate their teenage summer in Greece, Ellen knows it’s time to confront her past. Will Greece give her the freedom – and happiness – she desperately craves? And there, amidst the lush olive groves, could she rediscover the love she thought she’d lost forever?
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My Review
This book is about a widow returning to Greece to confront buried secrets, lost love, and the possibility of a second chance.
Ellen is an instantly likeable heroine carrying years of quiet heartache. As the truth behind her past slowly unfolds, her decision to walk away from the love of her life at eighteen becomes deeply understandable, making the lost years feel even more tragic. Now widowed from an unhappy marriage she kept hidden to protect her son, Ellen has spent much of her life putting others first.
When she returns to Greece with her best friend Penny to recreate a teenage holiday, the trip becomes far more than a getaway. Immersed in a warm, welcoming community, Ellen begins rediscovering herself and the strength she’s long buried. At the same time, the strained dynamics of her friendship with Penny surface, revealing years of imbalance and unspoken tension.
This is an emotionally rich story about resilience, friendship, forgiveness, and second chances. Ellen’s journey toward honesty and happiness is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Beautifully written and deeply moving, it’s a story filled with unforgettable characters and powerful emotional payoff that lingers long after the final page.
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