Dreams and schemes…
Secret history…Mystery…
New chances…Romances?

A new writing retreat in Santorini is the start
For five guests with an author also playing a key part.
Strangers meeting with individual dreams
And an idyllic lifestyle isn’t quite as it seems.

Getting to know each other
Secrets and surprises to discover.
A supportive group that grows close together
In the beautiful Greek island weather.

An existing romance needs a second chance,
Goats and a dog lead others a merry dance.
Family, relationships and friendships, too,
Help heal wounds both old and new.

A lovely story with surprise revelations
As personal history and secrets sometimes bring complications!
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this my honest review.

Another wonderful story from Eva Glyn. The Santorini Writing Retreat. Zina and her husband Lambros have moved back to Santorini from Athens to live with her mother after her father dies. Lambros is running the farm and Zina has set up a luxury retreat. The first guests are arriving for a month long writing retreat led by bestselling author Jessica Rose. A friendly group take part and over the month share experiences, stories and life. It was good to meet Karmela again and see the next steps of her life's journey. Jo (aka Jessica) has never led a writing workshop before and is so nervous. Over the course of the month secrets are revealed and lives are changed. A wonderful look into human relationships and self awareness. Set amidst a stunning background. #netgalley #thesantoriniwritingretreat

So far I've enjoyed all of the author's books and this one is no exception. In fact, it's probably one of my summer favourites. The location of Santorini is perfectly depicted, giving the reader a real feel for the place. Each of the characters brings with them their own problems and I loved how through friendship they all manage to find a way through. I also like one of the characters from a previous novel making an appearance and linking this book with Croatia.

The book deals with some difficult issues of self confidence, trust and guilt, and these are treated in a way that has the reader empathising with all the characters.

All in all a delightful story and I enjoyed every page.

Zina returned to Santorini when her father died and her husband needed to escape from the pressures of his career. Whilst he tries to make a go of the farm she decides to update the farm's holiday accommodation into the setting for retreats. For the first retreat she invites best selling author Jessica Rose to run one for aspiring writers . Joining them are a selection of guests varying from a university professor to an ex-RAF pilot. Each brings issues and strengths to the mix, all set against the lovely backdrop of Santorini and its food and drink.
This is a follow on from The Dubrovnik Book Club, which I loved, but is easily read as a standalone book. There are secrets and marriage issues affecting those involved in the retreat, but friendship and compassion are there to help. An interesting insight into how books are written and something to immerse yourself in, especially if it is cold and wet outside or when sitting by the pool. Highly recommended if you enjoy character driven stories about love and friendship.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This book as the title says is based in Santorini with a mixture of characters who want to do some writing for a range of purposes. The characters are as diverse as their reasons for writing are. Whilst they start as mostly strangers, across the story they build some amazing friendships and bonds with each other and their hidden secrets start to come out. A lovely book with beautifully written characters and a great storyline.

A wonderful tale of women and how empowering they can be when they pull together.

Jessica Rose is a best-selling author - so why can't she make any headway with her next book? Zina was happy having made a life for herself in the big city - she certainly never intended to return to rural Greece, but here she is. Karmela just wants to write her book to make her mother proud - she just needs to be shown the way. Three women, brought together for different reasons . . .

I've read several books from this author (not always under this name) and she writes beautifully. This one is no exception, entwining the lives of three women who all want different things, showing how they can support and cheer each other on. A heartwarming story which I enjoyed. A perfect holiday read and one I'm happy to recommend. For me, 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

As a big fan of Eva Glyn’s writing, I couldn’t wait to read her new novel with its stunning cover and intriguing blurb. I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Santorini Writing Retreat’. It had everything I now expect from one of my favourite authors – wonderfully drawn characters, a stunning location and a plot that kept me turning the pages of the novel. The premise of using an actual writing retreat as the setting and then condensing the story into a month is ambitious but for me it really worked. The opening sentence ‘And above all, don’t forget there needs to be a terrible secret at the heart of the story’ and then 'resting her forehead on the glass. Oh, the irony.' was a very strong hook at the beginning. I wanted to know what this was and the reader knew from day one that the secret was not only going to be in Jo's new novel but it was one she had herself. When that secret was revealed, it was huge. I liked the way hints about what was involved were dropped throughout the novel which made the revelation all the more shocking.

The portrayal of Greece and Greek life is such that the reader is taken there through fabulous descriptions of the landscape, weather and food. The author’s descriptions of the sunrises and sunsets are beautiful through the use of an extensive palette of colours. I could be there!

The characterisation is particularly strong. It was good to meet one of my favourite characters from ‘The Dubrovnik Book Club’ again, too. Karmela has always fascinated me. In order to appreciate the journeys the characters take in the novel, especially Jo, Zina and Karmela, I enjoyed being in their heads, getting to know their inner thoughts and self-contemplation. The growth in the characters' strength of personality is done so well. They were different people by the end from the ones we met at the beginning of the novel. I loved the way the story finished with the knowledge that this wasn't the end. Real friendships have been made, relationships strengthened and past scars healed. A treat of a novel! Thank you to the publisher for an ARC.

Escape to Greece , Strangers meet at a writing retreat in Santorini. They forge friendships over the trials in their life. A heartwarming tale and a perfect summer read !!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

We have an author with a Terrible Secret who is running a writing retreat in part to get away from the "gilded cage" (she wouldn't let her authors use that phrase!) she's stuck in with a difficult marriage, her only friend the lovely gardener; a child of war who is only just now finding her feet and able to have the full range of human experiences in her 40s; two friends who want to write romance; a steady happy couple of women who are not even there to write; a man who needs to find a new place in the world; an older woman who has lost hers suddenly; and a young woman who's found herself back in her childhood home, sort of by choice but not really.

In this exploration of marriage, of friendship and of mothers and daughters, who will grow and prosper and who has particular reasons for being there? I loved the background setting of the non-touristy side of the island of Santorini and there was just enough of one author's book to show you what they're doing. There's a nice dog who remains free of all peril throughout, I'm glad to say, and lots of lovely scenery, food and drink. A satisfying and grown-up read, although I would offer a trigger warning for coercive control, although this mainly happens off the page.

I found out reading the author's note at the end that one character joined this book from the author's "The Dubrovnik Book Club" and I am certainly interested in her Croatian set novels, too.

Blog review coming on 27 May 2025: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/05/27/book-review-eva-glyn-the-santorini-writing-retreat/

An author returns to her home on a Greek Island to escape where she makes new friends and finds new stories. Fun, friendship and emotional.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Santorini Writing Retreat.

Zina has created a Writing retreat, after she’s returned from Athens to give her family home a new lease of life.

Attending the writing retreat is Jessica Rose, she’s not written another book after her first one, and this is the first one she’s attending. The other attendees are a mix of people, Ian was a pilot, Susan loves family history and Karmela who we’ve met in a previous book.

Along the way secrets that have been kept for a while are revealed and new truths are uncovered.

It was well written, lots of funny moments and the characters were relatable.

I highly recommend this book.

I absolutely loved Santorini Writing Retreat! It’s the kind of book that makes you want to pack a bag, book a flight, and chase your creative dreams on a sun-soaked Greek island.

The setting is gorgeous. But what really pulled me in were the characters. Each one had their own baggage, and watching them open up, grow, and connect was so satisfying.

There’s just the right mix of drama, secrets, and heartwarming moments. And as someone who loves books about writing, this one really hit the spot. It reminded me why stories matter and how powerful they can be in bringing people together.

Breathe in the beauty, exhale your worries.

I discovered The Santorini Writing Retreat on NetGalley and felt an instant pull—like a gentle invitation to pause and become part of a sun-drenched Greek escape. Eva Glyn’s narrative isn’t merely a story; it’s an immersive experience where you join a close-knit group of retreat-goers, sharing moments of laughter, memories of lost love, and secret smiles against a backdrop of breathtaking Santorini.

The sensory details are enchanting. Glyn’s words let you taste the hints of local cuisine, feel the gentle caress of the sea breeze, and see the island’s charm in every radiant corner. Each page carries the whisper of the Aegean, inviting you to savor every moment. It’s this perfect blend of beauty and emotion that makes every heartbeat of the story resonate so deeply.

In a world that often feels too noisy, this retreat whispers hope—reminding you to pause, connect, and listen to your heart. If you’re seeking an escape that offers both sensory delight and a tender journey into friendship and self-discovery, The Santorini Writing Retreat is your perfect getaway.

I simply loved this story, which had a strong female cast to help tell the story. The three key characters were Jessica Rose, a bestselling author whose success has been meteoric since publishing her hauntingly beautiful book centred around a lesbian love affair. Zina, who, along with her husband, Lambros, has returned to Santorini hoping to find a better life for them. Then there’s Karmela, whose only wish is to make her mother proud and to escape the memories of growing up in war-torn Sarajevo.
I honestly loved everything about this book and the secrets that were revealed along the way. Jessica Rose was perhaps hiding the biggest secrets, including her name and the toxic marriage she had found herself in, but that hardly scratched the surface. Yet, despite all that, she still had the strength to lead the retreat and deliver sound, helpful guidance to the gathered group of aspiring authors. Her indomitable inner strength eased the way for her to reveal her secrets to the group.
Zina and Lambros were still young, not even thirty, but Lambros had pushed himself to a near breakdown, and so, they had returned to her family farm on Santorini. Now, Lambros was working on reinvigorating her father’s farm, while Zina turned the farmhouse and buildings into a destination retreat. In my mind, I struggled to understand how they had become so beset with anxiety before even hitting their thirties. I considered my daughter and the stresses she has encountered since turning thirty, and I remembered that we live in distinctly different times. With the added lens of hindsight, I realised how skilled the author truly is.
Finally, Karmela, perhaps my favourite character, had so much to discover about herself. I can only imagine the debilitating pain of living through war and then being displaced while seeking safety. Having only known the devastating effects of conflict, it was impossible not to hope she would find her happiness again, and maybe even discover a common ground with her mother.
There is so much more that I would love to tell you, but that would lead me into the realms of spoilers, and that wouldn’t be good. Please read this beautiful book and enjoy the balm it brings to a busy world, which helps the reader escape from life’s stresses.

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins for the advanced copy.

It took me an about 25% of the book to really connect with it, but it was 100% worth it. I love a book about female friendships, and this one is excellent. I love that the 3 main characters (and even the secondary characters) are not described as being stereotypically perfect (petite, thin, gorgeous, in their 20s or at most early 30s). These are complex and interesting women, who are not perfect, and have interesting backgrounds and relatable problems (imposter syndrome, dealing with trauma, relationships, life not ending up the way you planned, etc).

I think I had trouble with the first 1/4 because of the number of characters and learning their backstories. That's a personal challenge for me in books, but this one made it worth it. I do appreciate that with the sheer number of women at the retreat, the author made each of their names very different. I find it impossible when an author has a large group and half the names are too similar (e.g. Paul, Pete, & Pat; or Susan, Sharon & Suzanne). And, even though the secondary characters play a critical role in the story, the author stayed focused on the main characters. I was never confused as to from whose perspective the chapters/sections were.

There are a lot of coincidences in the book (trying not to include spoilers), and having all of those coincidences occur at one retreat, strained credulity. I chose to think of it as a magical realism -- the retreat brought them together so they could all resolve their secrets and internal struggles. And that made it work for me.

I had not read The Dubrovnik Book Club, which apparently introduced Karmela, one of the main characters in this book. I had been thinking to myself that I would be interested in learning more about Karmela's experiences that led her to wanting to write her book, and I'm happy to see that that book exists. I have added it to my TBR..

And, let's be honest, who doesn't want to go to a writing (or whatever) retreat for a month!

The Santorini Writing Retreat
by Eva Glyn

Jessica Rose (Jo) is a bestselling English author, celebrated for her poignant novel and its successful film adaptation, "Only. Ever. You." As she prepares to lead an exclusive writers’ retreat in the scenic landscapes of Santorini, she grapples with her own internal struggles, questioning her creative voice and battling the shadows of her past. However, Jessica soon realises that she isn’t the only one facing personal challenges during this transformative getaway.

Zina Sideris, a skilled media relations expert hailing from Athens, has relocated back to Santorini with her husband to provide support to her widowed mother. In this idyllic but sometimes harsh environment, Zina has taken on the ambitious project of renovating a charming, old guesthouse, aptly named The Retreat House, to host the writers. Meanwhile, her husband, Lambros, devotes his time to nurturing their family farm, carefully overseeing the goats and cultivating a thriving pistachio crop. The couple finds themselves at a crossroads, each navigating their own life changes while managing the challenges of family obligations.

The retreat attracts a diverse group of aspiring writers, including Karmela, a passionate storyteller driven by the desire to honour her late mother's legacy, and Iain, who is struggling to articulate his thoughts on paper. Friends Susan, a librarian wanting to write her family history, Ellen was an artist how come with Susan to sketch and Diana and Sophie, two friends experimenting with their creative voices, they come together to explore the possibility of writing a romance book together amidst the stunning backdrop of Santorini’s dramatic cliffs and azure seas.

Throughout the novel, the breathtaking beauty of the Santorini countryside is vividly portrayed, serving as both a setting and a catalyst for self-discovery. "The Santorini Writing Retreat" intricately weaves the threads of three women’s journeys, showcasing how their intertwined lives shape and influence each other's paths over the course of the retreat. This empowering narrative highlights the significance of forging meaningful friendships, cultivating the courage to embrace one's authentic self, and the transformative power of love in various forms.

At its core, the story champions the discovery of personal identity, not merely as a storyteller but as a vibrant participant in one’s own life. With a rich and cleverly constructed plot and a cast of compelling characters, it is an uplifting read that encourages readers to reflect on their own stories and the connections they forge along the way.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn.

I was definitely drawn in by the vibrant cover and the promise of a moving, atmospheric read. It sounded like the perfect book to start the summer.

The Santorini setting is a definite highlight of this book, there are some lovely descriptions of the island and the delicious food. The idea of a writing retreat is also promising. But while the premise is strong, the execution feels scattered and would have benefited from a tighter focus. There are just too many storylines competing for attention, and as a result, no single arc feels fully fleshed out. Characters are introduced with intriguing backstories, but I didn't feel they were given the space needed to develop meaningfully. Unfortunately this prevented me from connecting deeply with any of them and feeling a little detached from the emotional core of the book.

Overall this was a pleasant and easy read, but not one that left a lasting impression.

Jessica, Zina, and Karmela are all involved with the writing retreat for different reasons but all of them find friendship and a future by the end of this genial novel. They aren't the only people at the retreat (there's a fairly large cast of characters, including Zina's husband) but they're the ones that get the most attention. Love the Santorini setting and Glyn's a good storyteller. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARc. A good read.

Jessica Rose is a bestselling English author, she’s lost her ability to write and due to feeling guilty. Jessica is hosting a retreat on the stunning Greek island of Santorini and it will give her a break from her troubled marriage and hopefully she will get her writing mojo back.

Zina Sideris was a media relations expert in Athens and she and her husband moved back to Santorini to help her widowed mother, Lambros is busy with the farm, his goats and pistachio crop and Zina renovated the old guest accommodation and opens The Retreat House.

The members are Karmela and Ian, Susan and Ellen, Diana and Sophie. All are here for a variety of reasons, Karmela is a professor and wants to write a historical novel, others are searching for answers to their family history and a purpose. On the stunning Greek Island, new friendships are made and bonds formed, they find the courage to share their own personal stories, speak up and Jessica can see she has to be honest about what she has done and she’s surprised by who’s willing to help her.

I received a copy of The Santorini Writing Retreat from NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Eva Glyn likes to showcase locations in her novels, this time it's Santorini and what’s happening in the area. Farming on the island is being reduced by new buildings being built for the tourist trade and I liked how Zina’s character repurposed one on her parents property and uses the wonderful produce and food grown in the area and from the family farm.

A narrative about keeping secrets, facing up to past mistakes and coming clean, relationships, marriage and outing controlling behaviour, how we are all a work in progress and the importance of friendship and beginning something anew and it's never too late.

Five stars from me and I felt an emotional connection to the characters, I cared what happened to them and want to travel to Greece and visit Santorini myself. I enjoyed catching up with Karmela and she was the main character in Eva Glyn’s previous novel The Dubrovnik Book Club and highly recommend reading both books.

A pleasant story set on the beautiful Greek island of Santorini. I primarily wanted to read this novel as I love any books set in the Greek islands, however the plot just never really captured me. There are plenty of interesting characters but for me, the novel felt somewhat short. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.