Yet another fantastic book from Jo Thomas! I loved the Spanish setting and really loved Eliza as a character. I felt so sorry for her putting up with her children ( well not so much children anymore lol) the Spanish setting was lovely and too be honest I loved Juan and his crazy cooking ideas lol.

There was an element of mystery throughout that was incredibly interesting and I enjoyed learning about the different types of Spanish ham and the work that goes into curing it. Who knew!!?

Perfect summer read but do be warned that you will be craving tapas and a warm Spanish holiday while you read!

I’ve been a fan of Jo Thomas novels for a while and Retreat to the Spanish Sun, her latest novel, is a fabulous heartwarming read. It’s full of fun, friendship and food with great characters. The novel flows at a great speed and I was entertained from start to finish. I would rate this book 4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for the chance to review.

W we hat a lovely sunshine infused book. Eliza is a put upon single mum to 3 adults who still act like children. She should be loving and loving her life but instead is busy mothering. Sad he’s struggling to do a working from home job and undertake her foundation year at uni whilst all her newly flown kids have come back to the fold. She answers a house sitting advert to give herself some peace and quiet and to finish her final essay. This is where she meets Josep a brooding quiet man who’s house she is going to house sit for 2 weeks. She’s under strict instructions to not let in she’s house sitting…….erm well let’s see how that goes.
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a truly stunning read this book is and Jo never fails to disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written.

I have read quite a few books by this author and it is always great to pick up her latest creation. In this one, we join Eliza tripping over her own grown-up children as they have gradually moved back home. Juggling her own job and also trying to finish her college course while. Being there for her children isn't easy. But they are her family and she loves them. To try and get some space so she can finish her course she decides to take on a two-week house sitting g job in Spain.

Arriving in Spain and meeting the owner of the home she is going to stay in, is a nervy first meeting. The home is also a farm for special pigs that are reared to produce Iberico ham, expensive and with a unique flavour. Having time to herself, Eliza finds herself quite lonely so makes her way into town. Here again, she doesn't get the best of welcomes but soon discovers a local shop and a tapas bar. These places become like sanctuaries and at the tapas bar, she finds herself with like-minded people.

Reading this author's books is a pleasure and the research that goes into her work is amazing. It was great to learn about the lifestyle and pig rearing through to the ham, and they have brilliantly been brought into the story and are part of it. The different flavours and foods from the area are something that makes your mouth water while you read.

There is also a great set of characters in this book from various backgrounds. And, of course, there is a fabulous romance side to it as well as a wonderful main storyline that revolves around Eliza. This book has some brilliant moments and I scored it. It was wonderfully heartwarming, made me chuckle at times and has a fabulous feel to it as you read.

This was a wonderful book that readers of contemporary fiction and romance will adore. It is one I would definitely recommend.

What an absolute gem of a novel, love it. My first introduction to this author and what a great find, so much so I've just bought 4 more of Jo Thomas's books.
Eliza needs a break from her grown up children, from her job and decide what to do next with her life. On a whim, she signs up to a house sitting company and ends up in Spain. Before long she has immersed herself into the Spanish town and becomes acquainted with the locals. The story has lots of twists and turns and is a great read about a 40 something who wants to make changes to her life.
I felt like i was instantly transported to Spain's countryside, with the descriptions of the setting, customs, the people and most importantly the wonderful, varied delicious local delicacies. This is a perfect read for Spain lovers, foodies, those looking for a good story, with a hint of romance, new friendships and learning about yourself too.

I knew straightaway from the cover that I would enjoy this book. I've loved all of Jo's previous books that I've been lucky enough to read. However, as someone who has a great love of Spain and the Spanish language, Spain's history and food, this was such a treat. A novel of love, friendship survival in the face of adversity, dealing with being an outsider, as well as the wonderful history of the origins of Iberico and Serrano ham. I can honestly say I loved this from start to finish and can't wait for her next book.

A book with a great feel good factor from the start. Jo Thomas includes characters in her stories that we can all relate to and identify with. The Spanish Conversation club was a touch of genius.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance copy of this book.

I’m becoming a real fan of Jo Thomas books. This one was a great read that I devoured in a weekend. Beautifully written.

“Good food is like love. It’s for sharing with everyone, not to be kept for a greedy few. Food produced with love should be celebrated, just like falling in love.”

What an absolute gem of a novel! This is my first introduction to this author and I’m impressed.

Eliza Bytheway is a 45-year old single mom who has raised three kids and is trying to enjoy ‘free birding’ (empty nest) by adding to her education. Just when she’s got a rhythm going, her boomerang kids appear and move back in….yes, all three of her adult children and two pug puppies. When an opportunity arises for her to house-sit for two weeks in Andalucía, she jumps at the chance to finish her online course in peace under the hot mid-August sun. Eliza arrives at Josep Santiago’s cortijo and is instantly swept away by everything the new opportunity has to offer!

You’ll be treated to a sweet read featuring a mystery, a romance and lots of mouth watering food and family drama. Thomas explores the importance of how to let go and move on and how to be kind to oneself after putting everyone else first.

I loved learning about Black Iberian pigs and the difference between Serrano and Iberico ham. I enjoyed the ham swap and the drama with the piggies going to market, but most of all, I loved having a front row seat to Eliza’s growth. I’m glad I got to witness love and kindness coming her way. I was cheering for her throughout the whole book. I really wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Eliza, Josep nor Banderas and hope they appear again.

Be forewarned: you’ll be craving tapas, Flamenco and the southern Spanish sun after reading this 5-star book.

I was gifted this advance copy by Jo Thomas, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Penguin and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A lovely warn, feel good summer rea. Perfect for taking on holiday or sitting in the garden with. Beware you will feel the need to pop to the shops for ham, sherry, olives etc :-)

Really heartwarming and fun. Thoroughly recommend.

This book was a little slice of piglet- shaped paradise. Eliza needs a break, from her family and from her job. On a whim, she signs up to a house sitting site and bags a stay in a Spanish cortije. Before long, she has immersed herself in life in the Spanish Town and become acquainted with the locals, some less desirable than others.
The author beautifully creates the characters, colourful landscape and mouthwatering eats so much so that this book leaves wanderlust in its wake.

I enjoyed this book and could almost feel the warm sun on my skin as I read the description of the village and its inhabitants.
A slightly unbelievable storyline, but nonetheless enjoyable featuring easy to warm to characters.
Perfect summer reading for around the pool, or for the soggy British summertime where Jo Thomas’ imagination can take us somewhere warm & sunny.
I’d love a sangria & some tapas after reading this book!

A light Summer read was definitely what I was in need of and Jo Thomas has certainly provided this in her new release Retreat to the Spanish Sun where she introduces us to Eliza a mum of three adults who are like boomerangs that keep coming back home to her small flat. Eliza is desperate for some space and peace and quiet to be able to complete her coursework so when an opportunity arises to house sit over in sunny Spain she snaps up the opportunity but never did she think that this was going to set her on her own little adventure.
This book does need to come with a warning for those on a diet because the mouth-watering, tongue tingling delights that are plentiful in this novel bring out so many cravings for the little tapas temptations that are on offer. Jo Thomas has such an incredible skill when it comes to descriptive writing not only for her edible delights but also for the idyllic settings that she whisks us off to in each and every one of her books, it is a pure tonic for those of us on staycations not being able to jet off to these glorious settings because once you have read a book by Jo it sure feels like you have escaped to some kind of paradise.
There is a gentle sprinkling of romance in this novel but this doesn’t overshadow the main storyline where Eliza is beginning to find herself and open up to new friends and take on new tasks and it was wonderful to see her blossom. I loved learning about how the pigs are raised along with Eliza to produce the very best Iberico ham and I could see how important it was for Josep to keep his line of well established produce going after so much hard work and determination. The importance of traditions and for traditions to be shared amongst all certainly shines through in this novel and brings so many people together to maintain strong and loyal friendships and connections.
This book is certainly one I will be recommending everyone take with them on their holibobs or staycations this year.

A summer retreat and a new start in Spain with a sprinkle of romance. A light summer read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Yet another beautiful tale by Jo Thomas. Loved the setting, thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the characters. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to pre read this copy. Definitely recommend

I love stories that can transport you to instant sunshine and with Retreat to the Spanish Sun, you get it by the bucketloads!
Eliza has her three adult children living with her in her small flat and is trying to finish her college essay in time, when the perfect temporary house sitting job comes up in the south of Spain, gives Eliza the perfect excuse to get some peace and space.
Meeting the house owner Josef, Eliza doesn’t get much information other than Josef will be travelling for work for a few days and Eliza’s job is just to house sit and not let anybody know that he has gone.
For Eliza it’s a chance to get her essay completed and enjoy some peace.
But venturing into the main town, Eliza finds herself quickly finding and making friends with the members of a Spanish learning group, where Spanish isn’t actually being spoken or taught!
What should have been a working and studying holiday, Eliza gets caught up in a scandal of stolen genuine Iberico ham and the pompous older residents in the community.
This story focuses heavily on the importance of great food and traditions and the loyalty of friends.
The result is a mix of family, good food, friendship, traditions, action, romance and cute dogs and pigs! A lovely read.

A lovely read from Jo Thomas again, her books never fail to make me happy.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Jo Thomas new book Retreat to the Spanish Sun it was lovey to escape to some sunshine ☀️ during a very strange march. Jo Thomas books never fail to reel me in and keep me wanting more. Looking forward to purchasing the paperback to add to my Jo Thomas Collection!

Another great book from Jo Thomas. When Eliza goes off to Spain to write her essay she escapes her crowded flat and adult children and goes house sitting. However life takes on a new twist as she makes friends with the local and becomes a dog minder and pig farmer. Great characters and easy plot to follow with bite size chapters which I love. Thanks Jo and your publisher. Also thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.