What a fascinating story and oh my, the ending really got to me, I had tears in my eyes, it was so gripping. It took me a long time to get into the story and although I was interested in keeping reading there was something about it that took me a while to get really involved. I found the dialogue was overly long at times, which I think slowed me from getting totally invested in the book. However, it did fill in a lot of back the story. The frequent swapping between characters' dialogue made it hard sometimes to know who was talking,

The historical aspects were fascinating and I enjoyed reading more about the life on Crete during the war years and the scene was well set. The characters were well written and I loved Eleni for her determination and sunny disposition, despite everything that life threw at her she remained optimistic. There is a wealth of characters in this book and they all brought a lot to the story, making a wonderful tapestry of people who made the story very interesting.

This is a fascinating love story, which brings the history of Crete to life. Despite me finding it hard to get into, the ending was so moving and the book is so well written that I would highly recommend reading it..

I found this book to be extremely slow and I did not connect with the characters and their story. I did finish the book as I was interested in the resistance movement in Crete and this part was well researched. A typical wartime love story.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the advance copy of this book.

I am not normally a fan of anything historical but this story was too gorgeous to not follow. Well written giving a true story as well as showing knowledge and empathy to the war, I would highly recommend this book.

I don’t have much to say about this - except that it’s one of the most wonderful books I’ve read. I was transported back in time to an island which I love. The characters came really came alive. At the end I felt like I knew each and every one of them. The description of places, although 80 odd wars ago, reminded me of the places I went to in recent holidays to Crete. Truly wonderful.

What seemed as though it might be the usual light 'beach read' turned out to be a gripping and well -researched story that was difficult to put down. It had me doing some research of my own to find out more about the invasion of Greece and its islands. It made me want to go there to explore; and it pulled at my heart strings and inhabited my mind and imagination even when I wasn't actually reading the book.
A story that will stay with me for some time, I'm sure, with well-constructed characters and a great sense of place and of history. Recommended.

Wonderful author,who hits the right spot this book set in create will make your geart sing with joy and on the flip side your will be breaking very authentic a truly memorable read.

I loved the character of Eleni., her positivity, energy, and determination. I loved the sense of freedom evoked in the descritions of her swims on her viots to her grandfather's home each summer. The opening chapters are idyllic, a pre-war summer love affair with the student staying at the house next door.
I found the dialogue too lengthy in some of the opening scenes and it was occasionally difficult to follow which character was speaking but it did provide the back story to the death of Eleni's mother and her father's loving but distant care for her, and also to the family of her love.
The novel soon becomes dark with the buildup to the Nazi invasion of Crete and a memorable description of the mass parachute drop. I found the complexities of the occupation of Crete fascinating and Elenis role inspiring but there was too much about the daily aspects of war-time resistance. The topic has been covered in other novels and the grim reality is not that different to say, France or Jersey, in the same period.
The perpetuation of the love affair, in spite of war, was intriguing and heart stopping. I agree with other reviewers that a good supply of tissues is needed. There were unexpected twists in the final chapters and the return at the end to a peaceful recent past was a delight.
The novel is well written with entrancing descriptions of Cretan beaches and cafés. The darker sections on the brutality of war are dealt with sensitively. There is a beauty thrghout the story, brought about by the moving portrayal even in the sadder moments, of love, friendship, and family.

A time slip novel set in Create. A very emotional, romantic read. Have your tissues ready when reading this one you,ll need it.

Thank you to the publishers and the author for giving me the chance to read this arc.

A really emotional read.A beautiful but at times heartbreaking story set in Greece during world war two. Otto and Eleni met and fell in love before the war but with Otto being German they would encounter many difficulties but they were Inevitably drawn back together during the war when he was forced to serve in the German army and she very bravely went back working for the resistance. So well written and you get drawn into the story and the characters lives as their love for one another is so poignant and believable even during the tragedies and atrocities are going on around them. Highly recommend this book

A love story in wartime, it’s always a bit of a cliche, but this is such a good read, I can forgive it. Elena returns to Crete every summer to be with her mother’s family, and 1936 is no exception. But this time there is a German family staying in the villa next door, and she finds herself falling for Otto. 4 years later they both return to Crete, this time with Eleni fighting for the Crete she knows and loves, and Otto as an invading German officer. But both are still in love with each other.

I found this slightly slow to start but once it got going, it was such a beautiful read, at times I had goosebumps. The struggles of Crete’s inhabitants, it’s allies and it’s enemies is portrayed so well. The description of Crete is so well written, I could imagine myself there, having visited the island, and the war graves, several times. At times I got a bit confused with some of the minor characters but soon worked it out. And there were some lovely, and unexpected twists. It was also nice to read of the authors own background and family in relation to this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Eleni has been coming to Crete her entire life, swapping her English home for cherished sun-baked summers with her grandfather in his idyllic shoreside villa. When she arrives in 1936, she believes the long, hot weeks ahead will be no different to so many that have gone before.
But someone else is visiting the island that year too: a young German man called Otto. And so begins a summer of innocence lost, and love discovered; one that is finite, but not the end.
When, in 1941, the island falls to a Nazi invasion, Eleni and Otto meet there once more. But this time Eleni has returned to fight for her home, and Otto to occupy it. They are enemies, and their love is not only treacherous, but also dangerous. But will it destroy them, or prove strong enough to overcome the ravages of war?

A time slip novel that transports you to the delights of Crete and the horrors of war. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Eleni and Otto although there were points in the book that I didn’t want to read on as I was so worried about what was going to happen! Obviously I had to read on because I had to know. A great read that brought tears to my eyes