Ideal holiday pool read! Made me want to visit Santorini. Really enjoyed it .
Thank you Net Galley

Evie is an introvert who likes quiet when she can
But her family are extroverts - especially her Gran!
When she loses her job Evie’s Mum has a new plan
She’s sending her to Santorini to keep an eye on Gran!

Her arrival at her Gran’s home follows a car ride that was fraught!
But what she hears there stretches her nerves taut!
Her gran is being loudly berated by a handsome man
Evie’s determined to stop him shouting at her gran!

What a fun read this proved to be,
With financial dramas and secrets you’ll see.
With laugh out loud moments and fake romance, too.
What happens when fake becomes feeling like true?

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and plot,
With twists in the end having you worrying will it work out or not?
For my complementary copy I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review!

I enjoyed this fun beach read, just made for book people. Evie needs a fresh start after being laid off from her dream job, being a book scout for books to be turned into movies. Her sister and mom ask her to go to Santorini to look after her grandma who has just married husband number 9 and is trying to run a bookshop in Greece and might have gotten into some trouble over there. When she arrives her grandma encourages her to ‘fake date’ her landlords grandson so she has time to sort out her troubles.


I love Greece, and loved Santorini so between that and the fact that it takes place in a bookshop was right up my alley. I loved the crazy characters that came to the bookstore, as well as Evie’s mom and sister aka the ‘fun police.’ I liked Evie and could relate to the fact that she wasn’t a ‘peopley person’ and preferred to have her nose in a book reading her latest romance, all the hoping to translate books to real life in regards to romance. This was my first read by this author and I look forward to reading more.


Thanks to @hqpublishing, @netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this book

Perfect summer beach read, set in the beautiful Santorini. Wonderfully described with colourful characters.Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

The Blurb :
After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just taken on a small bookshop in Santorini, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her.
But life on the island is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake date her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on side, she reluctantly agrees.
As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop – and fake date her way to love?

My Thoughts :
Always a hug fan of Rebecca Raisin, I was happy to read this new offering.
We meet Evie Davenport, who has just lost her job as a book scout. When Evie’s mum tells her that Granny Floretta has just opened a bookshop over looking the sea in Santorini, Evie jumps as the chance to go over there and check it out. This suits Evie’s mum and sister as they have been having some reservations about Floretta’s 9th and new husband. So they and are happy for Evie to go and check him out, especially as they have heard Granny Floretta has no money left.
On arrival Evie finds Floretta in an argument with Georgios, who is her Landlords grandson.
Its all about the unpaid rent and the threat of closure. Soon Floretta comes up with an idea that involves Evie fake dating handsome Georgios to try and keep on her Landlord on side and buy her some time to pay her rent before she is thrown out.
Evie agrees and as their relationship develops, she is plesently surprised at how much she likes and connects with Georgios.
Evie has got her work cut out to save the Bookshop. She also has to keep her secret that she only went out with him initially to help her Granny.
Would Georgios be happy that their relationship was originally based on a lie or can the couple truly find love with each other!?.
Once again, the reader will get soaked up in the beautiful surroundings and scenery of Santorini.
Rebecca Raisin always delivers pure escapism wherever we end up. And this did not disappoint.
A great mixture of fun, laughter, sunshine, rescue dogs and romance, what more could we want!.
Cant wait for more from this Author.

Summer at the Santorini Bookshop was such a cute romance read. It includes a fake dating troupe and the main character saving her grandmothers book shop, what more could we need in a romance book. This book was so wholesome and the characters were so loveable.

Evie needs a fresh start after being made redundant from her job as a book scout. Evie’s mum sends her to Santorini to help her grandmother with her bookshop. Evie meets Georgios, her grandmothers landlords grandson, and her grandmother wants Evie to fake date him while she gets the overdue rent money.

This book was so entertaining, I loved the contrast between Evie and her grandmother. Evie is sensible and stifles to the rules whereas her grandmother is carefree and a free spirit. I also liked the romance, it was well paced and I could see it developing. Of course the bookshop was an amazing setting and I loved reading about the rescue mission. It was the perfect setting for these characters.

I highly recommend this book, with its loveable characters and perfect setting, it is a great summer book for romance lovers.

This book really takes you to Santorini, it is well described. You can feel the atmosphere of a small island and community.
Evie fakes a romance to help her Gran. And save the bookshop. Does true romance get in the way?

Sunshine, books, a dreamy love interest? What more could any book lover need – Summer at the Santorini Bookshop is a brilliant way of escaping the not-so-great weather here.
Rebecca Raisin always gives us a great read, brilliant characters and excellent settings and this one couldn’t sound more idyllic. I loved the descriptions of the bookshop, the characters are funny but also relatable in many ways. The bookshop sounds like my perfect holiday destination!
Evie suddenly finds herself at a loose end when she loses her job and so is sent to keep an eye on her Gran, who is on husband number nine and a cause for concern (to Evie’s Mum and sister). Evie finds herself in quite the situation as soon as she arrives and is determined to do all it takes to support her Gran – even if that means getting close to Georgios (the landlords grandson).

With some ups and downs, can Evie keep her Grans antics from her Mum as well as make the bookshop a success and keep Georgios onside whilst also figuring out what she actually wants to do next.
There are some really funny moments, the man with the donkey, the rescue dogs, the subtle hints about what happens to each husband.
Funny, heartwarming and entertaining. Perfect read for this summer, whether on a glorious beach or from a comfy chair!

I loved this book from the start! What better place to set a romance novel than the stunning Greek island of Santorini. Evie is sent to Santorini to “babysit” her wayward grandmother, Floretta, who is on marriage number 9. All is not well in paradise with talk of Floretta’s elusive husband, gambling and the loss of all her money. Throw in a quaint bookshop and some ideas to increase revenue and a “fake” relationship with the Greek God Georgio and you have all you need for a wonderful book.

Rebecca Raisin does not disappoint with this book and it has left me with a warm heart and a desire to go to Santorini.

Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A Greek island holiday. A fake-dating pact. A chance at true love?

After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just taken on a small bookshop in Santorini, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her.

But life on the island is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake a romance with her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on side, she reluctantly agrees.

As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop – and fake date her way to love?

My Opinion

Evie doesn't need to be asked twice to keep an eye on her grandmother in Santorini following her arrest. As a book lover she jumps at the opportunity to come up with ideas to save the bookshop. Rebecca Raisin has written some great characters and I especially enjoyed reading about the antics of the rescue dogs - I would recommend keeping a close eye on your wallet. This book will whisk you away to Greece and will keep you smiling as you see how both sides of the story unfold. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Rating 4/5

Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Harper Collins Publishers Ltd for a copy in return for an honest review.

In true Rebecca Raisin style, this is a sweet novel full of fun.

I love the setting. The Santorini sunshine and the Greek food make me wish I was there. The bookshop sounds fabulous, and the idea of a night-time library with a jazz band and cocktails really is appealing. Sign me up now!
Our hero Georgios is every bit as dashing as a romcom hero should be, with added bookishness, and Evie is just the right amount of awkward to be delightful, in a whacky-weird, but appealing way. They are fun characters to get to know. Grans adventures give an exciting edge to the story. What will she get up to next? And as for those crazy dogs, I'll leave you to find out more.

If you're looking for a light summer read with a little tongue in cheek humour and a little romance, then this is for you.

Evies dream job in Hollywood has just fallen through; so timing couldn’t be better. Gran is living a fun, quirky and carefree life, well that’s the report Evies mum keeps getting. After marrying husband number 10 and taking over his bookshop Evie heads off to Santorini to check on her Grandma under strict orders from her Mum and her controlling sister. Gran asks Evie to fake date the landlords Grandson while she works on her debt issues.

The adventures and the love story that Evie goes on, in order to save the bookshop and get her career back on track, makes it hard to put the book down. Fun, easy and entertaining read that I wish there was more of.
If I had it my way, I’d be booking my flight straight to Santorini today!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

“Summer at the Santorini Bookshop” by Rebecca Raisin invites readers on a sun-soaked Greek island adventure filled with romance, family drama, and the charm of a quaint bookshop. Evie’s journey from a jobless book scout to a reluctant participant in a fake-dating pact to save her grandmother’s shop is a delightful rollercoaster of emotions.

Raisin effortlessly transports readers to the picturesque setting of Santorini, immersing them in the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of the island. From the azure waters to the whitewashed buildings, every detail comes alive, making it the perfect backdrop for Evie’s escapades.

The characters, especially Evie and Georgios, are endearing and relatable, each with their quirks and vulnerabilities. Evie’s determination to help her grandmother and navigate her complicated feelings for Georgios is both heartwarming and entertaining. The chemistry between them sizzles off the pages, keeping readers eagerly turning to see how their fake romance unfolds.

What sets this book apart is its perfect blend of humor, romance, and heart. Raisin skillfully balances light-hearted moments with deeper themes of family, self-discovery, and the importance of following one’s heart. As Evie grapples with her own insecurities and fears, readers are reminded of the power of love and resilience.

“Summer at the Santorini Bookshop” is a charming and uplifting read that will leave you longing for your own Greek island adventure. Rebecca Raisin has crafted a story that is as refreshing as a sea breeze and as comforting as a good book, making it a must-read for fans of feel-good romance.

Evie is plodding through life quite content with her job but when it all changes and she looses her job. It just so happens her mother needs her to go check on her gran who has married and set up a bookshop in Santorini. So what perfect chance? However Evie arrives just as she discovers her gran arguing with a man & discovering she has recently been arrested over a dispute with the landlord.

Evies gran has a solution though, Evie should fake date Georgios to keep things sweet while Evies gran sets about the launch of the year at the bookshop. However - as readers all know, does fake dating ever really work out?


I absolutely adored this book, it was just a delight. It was summery, it was bookish and just the right amount of spice. Evie was brilliant, she is who i want to be. She is herself, she is bookish and she is flawed. However - watching her experience new things, meet new people (as someone who is not a people person) was brilliant. Been able to see her flourish allows for the reader to really feel an attachment.

Now Georgios was just as divine, he likewise has commitments to his family and ensuring the bookshop turns a profit and rent is paid. Yet as his path begins to cross more and more with Evies we see the pair develop together.

Filled with beautiful surroundings, wonderful food and all things bookish this is a summer read to devour. You really feel that just for those few hours you have been transported on holiday.

When I first started reading Summer at the Santorini Bookshop I was frustrated with how each character seemed so over the top, well Evie's family anyway. Her mother and sister with their video calls, the portrayal of the 83 year old grandmother and Evie's Victorian morals and her social anxiety ... but, the further I delved the more magnetic I found it and after I'd finished I really missed them all. A great holiday read.

This is such a fun filled romp of a read. Books, sunshine and great characters proved the perfect mix and throw in the gorgeous setting of Santorini, then I’m there. They say Santorini has a way of stealing hearts - well mine has been certainly been stolen, as I could picture myself at the bar in Epeolatry with Gran and Evie.
The library in the bookshop sounded wonderful and I loved the idea of the cocktails to match. A real feel good story that was perfect reading on a sunny afternoon.

Today is the release day for Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin. Hooray! I have read a number of this author's books so I was always going to read this one!

Rebecca Raisin has written books with a wide variety of settings and what I know from the books that I have read is that there are always going to be great descriptions of several factors - the place where the book is set (wherever that might be), the food and books, and that is once again the case with this book.

Evie loved her job as a book scout right up until the time the business was taken over by a new owner, who promptly made her redundant. There aren't all that many opportunities to find another book scout job. What exactly is a book scout? It is someone who reads books and tries to identify stories that could be made into movies. In other words, Evie gets to read books for work! Absolutely a dream job right?

When her mother realises that Evie is at something of a loose end she packs her off to Santorini with strict instructions to work out what is going on with her quirky grandmother. Floretta has led a colourful life. She has been married multiple times, apparently lost and found several fortunes. Most recently she has married a Greek man and settled down to open a bookshop. The only problem is that she can't afford the rent which has led to an altercation with the landlord.

It isn't long before Evie is called into help soothe the frazzled tempers by dealing with the landlord's gorgeous grandson, Georgios. They just need to keep Georgios's grandfather from either kicking Floretta out or from selling the building long enough to finish the renovations for the bookshop and for it to start paying for itself. What better way to delay either of these eventualities than suggest that Evie fake date Georgios. It's the perfect plan!

Whilst Evie and her grandmother work towards a glamourous opening of the bookshop, Evie begins to realise that fake dating Giorgis is going to be much harder than anticipated. When exactly does it cross the line from fake to real?

There is an endearing cast of colourful characters led by Floretta but there are others, ranging from the man who comes in and rearranges the colour coordinated shelves, the goat farmer, as well as a group of stray dogs with various bad habits. The book is filled with humour and I found myself smiling the whole way through it. In fact, I think this is my favourite Rebecca Raisin novel so far. Until the next one at least.

Is this a bookshop I would love to visit if I ever made it to Santorini - Absolutely!

Thanks to Netgalley, Rachel's Random Resources and the publisher for the review copy. I will be sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books.

Rating 4.5/5

I loved this book and devoured it!

Santorini is somewhere I've wanted to go for ages and this was a nice taster!

Any books about bookshops are right up by my alley - and this one including a bar in it was intriguing, Can I go and work from Muses please?

After losing her job as a book scout, Evie needs a fresh start. She is sent by her mum to check on her eccentric grandmother who has just taken on a new husband and as we find out, a small bookshop in Santorini.

Drama meets her when she gets there - to save the day, she is asked to fake-date the grandson of her grandmother's landlord (the reasoning behind this towards the end of the story is brilliant!). As her new adventure plays out, she makes new friends with the locals, and the rescue dogs that her grandmother brings to the family.

I love that every twist and turn is hilarious, the characters of Santorini are hilarious and you never know what is going to happen!

This is a great holiday read - you cannot fail to smile whilst reading it!

3.5⭐
Genre ~ women’s fiction
Setting ~ Santorini, Greece
Publication date ~ April 11, 2024
Page Count ~ 343 (36 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 20 minutes
Narrator ~ Georgia Maguire
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ island life, fake dating, slow burn, no steamage

Evie has lost her job. She heads to Santorini to help out her gran, Floretta, in her bookshop, while she searches for her dream job, which is to find hidden gems in the romance genre and turn them into movies.

Being a bookshop based book it's full on with bookish talk. They come up with great ideas to drum up business. It’s very predictable, but that’s perfectly fine because I’d probably be mad if it turned out any other way. Slow moving, too, but such is island life, I suppose. Speaking of the island, sounds like quite a lovely place to be.

Regarding the fake dating with Georgios ~ I wasn't a super big fan of it with this one. I can't say too much because I don't want to give anything away, but I was not a fan of Evie's reaction at the end. At times, too, she was a little much and comes off immature. I can't say I was feeling their chemistry, but on paper they seem perfect for each other.

There's a nice lot of side characters, except one, there's always gotta be one that makes you mad. Gran is awesome and I absolutely loved their relationship. Makes me miss my Gram, who I called Germ (grrr, not with the jer sound), but she hated it because of the spelling 🤣. She's a little crazy with being married 9 times and all, and she's quite the story teller. Gran, not my Gram. Roxy was an absolute delight, as well, and I hope she gets her own love story. And who wouldn't love 6 rescue dogs that steal wallets, pee all over the place and toot like it's a mustang starting up?

Overall, I think this will definitely appeal to those that enjoy a summery bookshopy type of read....so perfectly titled it seems.

Little niggle ~ when the character is American I feel like the spellings should be the American way, not British.

Summer at the Santorini Bookshop is a lovely and heartwarming story. We have booklover, introvert Evie who has lost her job and goes to Santorini to check on her Gran. When she finds out her Gran needs help, she does her best to help. But she might find more than she was expecting.
In this quirky rom-com, Rebecca Raisin created a story about finding your people and accepting yourself. A story about the love of books and words….and even dogs!
I really liked the characters (although I wanted to shake Evie once or twice), human and canine. I loved the setting and I adored the way it talks about books and stories.
It was such a unique story, it made me laugh but also reflect. And it certainly increased my need of going to Greece!
I deeply enjoyed reading this book. Like always, Rebecca Raisin created a captivating story.