Jessica Rose is a best selling author with a terrible secret. She has been asked to run a creative writing course at a newly opened retreat on a Greek Island.
The retreat is the idea of Zina who has come back with her husband to look after her mother, giving up a successful career in the process.
Then there is Karmela who wants to write her book and in doing so make her mother proud of her.
The other members all have their own secrets but they all come together and friendships are made, secrets are revealed and resolved.

The Santorini Writing Retreat is a richly atmospheric novel that blends literary personal circumstances with the allure of the Greek isles, weaving a compelling story about creativity, connection, and second chances. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Santorini, the book brings together a group of writers and their host, each carrying their own secrets, ambitions, and emotional baggage. What begins as a quiet retreat quickly evolves into a layered exploration of personal growth.

The book hosts a large cast of characters coming together for our retreat but the focus is on just three of them which both gives a wider look at the participants while not getting too detailed on all of the stories. The retreat center on a Mediterranean island with all the sun drenched splendor and fabulous food that includes adds to the escapist experience of this book.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Readers Copy of this book published on May 22, 2025

A wonderful eclectic mix of characters who set out on this writing retreat. It proves to be of more value in them discovering their true selves and facing up to their futures. The chemistry is electric as are their background stories but true and valuable friendships are formed. An excellent read

I loved this story. Three strong woman all with problems and secrets. . The story is told in days. Set on a beautiful Greek island. I loved the pistachio harvest. Hate controlling husbands. All their Mother’s were wise. I loved that. A gripping read with lots of secrets. You will love it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were interesting and likeable. The setting could have been used more because mostly it could have been an island anywhere. That said this is a cracking summer read, recommended.

The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn is like summer sunshine in book form, telling the stories of three women who strike up a lasting friendship at a writing retreat in the beautiful setting of Santorini. Jo, or Jessica Rose as fans of her best selling novel know her, should be almost finished her second book but instead a terrible secret that she has been hiding has robbed her of all her creativity so when the opportunity arises for her to go lead a writing retreat in Greece, she hopes that a change of scenery and a break from her troubled marriage might kick start the process and help to get her back on track. For Zina the success of the retreat will be the first real test of her decision to rebrand the family guesthouse following the death of her father and her return home from her life in the city. Karmela wants to write a book that will make her mother proud, forced to flee Sarajevo as a child she still carries the scars of that trauma and finds it hard to let anyone in. (Readers who are familiar with this author's previous books may recognise this last character.)
With a beautiful setting and descriptions of food that left me salivating this is a wonderful summer read. The characters are well crafted and the problems they face are compelling as they each embark on a journey of self determination. I will say that I struggle to believe that a group of prospective authors would be quite so easy going about some of the things that happen, but putting that quibble aside I really enjoyed the book, there are some really funny and light moments but the author also delves into some more difficult topics and manages to handle both in an expert manner and all the way through I was hoping for this group of friends to find their happily ever afters.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

A journey of self-discovery for three women, The Santorini Writing Retreat is a delightful trip to the Greek island of Santorini. Jo, Zina, and Karmela meet at a writer’s retreat where Jo, a bestselling author, is the instructor. The novel follows their lives and how they impact those around them during their short stay at the retreat run by Zina.

The perfect read for writers, those who love to travel virtually, and all who have faced challenges in their lives, this novel is also a great escapist read. It’s just right for afternoons at the beach or for summer evenings. You’ll be immersed in the landscape with its olive trees and pistachio groves, the views of the sea and the caldera, and the local cuisine. Not to mention the antics of the goats Zina’s husband tends to and a lovable dog named Sybil.

Each of the main characters in the story has regrets that stop them from living their lives to the fullest. Karmela suffers from the aftereffects of being a refugee and losing a friend to the war in Sarajevo and her strained relationship with her mother; Zina’s marriage is in jeopardy because she feels she had to abandon her own dreams in Athens for her husband and her mother; Jo is the victim of a controlling husband and at his mercy because of a dark secret. When Zina opens the retreat in Santorini, she hopes it will fill some of the void in her life. The first booking at the new country resort is for Jo, who is mentoring a small group of writers. But Jo’s secret threatens to ruin her reputation as a bestselling author.

Told from the point of view of each of the three women, the story flips back and forth between the problems that plague them. The alternating POVs add to the intrigue and suspense of wondering how the characters will respond to the challenges from one scene to another. Eva Glyn deals with real-life relationship issues while offering a touch of romance.

The friendship that develops between Jo, Zina, and Karmela turns out to be the cure for all their troubles, and also affects others on the retreat, as well as Zina’s family. A heart-warming story of opening oneself up to others, The Santorini Writing Retreat is a charming story of life changes against a beautiful backdrop. For more virtual trips to beautiful European locations, you can check out Eva Glyn’s other books.

fun book about healing and discovering yourself. the characters are really cool and the book is well written. would definitely recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I really enjoyed this book. Loved the setting and the different characters and how the story unfolds. Would recommend this book

I couldn't put this book down!!!!
I was completely caught up in this cleverly woven tale about relationships, family and friends. A real gem of a story.

Having read the Dubrovnik Book Club last year, I was thrilled to read this book by Eva Glyn.
And the added plus for me was that one character was someone I had met before!
Set in Santorini, we meet Zina and Lambros, a young married couple who have shifted back to Zina's family farm, away from Athens, to support her widowed mother and give Lambros a chance to balance his wellbeing and mental health.
He busies himself with building the farm back to what it used to be, and Zina creates a luxurious space where retreats can be held.
Her first is one for writers, hosted by a famous author who writes under a pen name and several unpublished writers looking to be tutored and guided by this person.
A colourful group of people congregate for a month-long retreat, including Karmela, whom we met in a previous book.
There are secrets, love stories, relationship difficulties, and much more tackled within the story, all set in a beautiful rural part of a country well-known for its tourism attraction beauty.
I enjoyed this read and was fully invested in the story, wanting to know what would happen to all the characters at the end!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins One More Chapter for an ARC.

The Santorini Writing Retreat is a paean to the goodnesses in our lives: the beautiful Greek islands, the craft of writing, and the promises of emerging friendships. Writing retreat owner Zina has returned home from Athens to breathe new life into her family’s holiday home business, and this writing retreat, featuring famous but reclusive author Jessica Rose, will be her first event. As the guests trickle in – among them former pilot Iain, family historian Susan, and budding writer Karmela who has already featured in a previous novel, “The Dubrovnik Book Club”, well-kept secrets, new revelations, and many a literary dream soon come to the fore …

Written with warmth and good humour, this was a real feel-good book full of relatable characters that I enjoyed very much – I cannot wait to see where the book club will meet next! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for the free ARC that I received in exchange for this honest and unbiased book review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5, rounded down

I grabbed this when I saw it come up on NetGalley because I read another book by Glyn, The Dubrovnik Book Club, and enjoyed it, plus I have been to Santorini, and it remains one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. This was nice, light, low-stakes read similar to the Dubrovnik Book Club. This seems like it would make a good beach read, or book to read on the plane while on your way to a vacation.

The story takes place at a writing retreat in Santorini and centers on the insecurities and difficulties that various attendees have in their relationships, careers and personal lives. A large majority of the issues that come up have to do with martial problems, and while that's certainly a believable and relatable issue, I was hoping for something a little more escapist. The story didn't gel for me quite as well as DBC as those characters just clicked better with me. However, there are some lovely descriptions of the scenery and food of Santorini, which is something I look forward to in a destination-read like this.

Overall this wound up a little too Hallmark movie-adjacent for me, though Dubrovnik Book Club was similar, and it didn't bother me as much. I think because this book had a lot more relationship drama than DBC where many of the characters dealt with more varied problems. If you liked Glyn's other work, or are just looking for a quick summer read, this will work fine, but it isn't going to something I see myself coming back to.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Santorini Writing Retreat is a warm, uplifting read about friendship, healing, and finding your voice. I loved watching Jessica, Zina, and Karmela grow through their time on the island—each with their own secrets, struggles, and breakthroughs. The Greek setting was absolutely dreamy, and the writing retreat backdrop added a lovely creative spark. While some parts felt a little predictable, the heartfelt moments and strong character arcs more than made up for it. A feel-good story perfect for a sunny afternoon escape!

I so enjoyed this book and being whisked to the beautiful island of Santorini with its sunlit cliffs and winding streets, making the perfect backdrop. The Santorini Writing Retreat is a delightful, feel-good novel about fresh starts and unlikely friendships. Zina has returned to her family home to open a creative retreat, but success is crucial with her marriage and career on the line. Jo, her first guest, arrives struggling with writer’s block — a secret that could change everything.

The story beautifully captures the evolving bond between the women. It is an uplifting read, both atmospheric and heartfelt. The author has done it again and created a wonderful novel—probably her best to date (and I've enjoyed them all). I highly recommend The Santorini Writing Retreat for anyone needing a sunny, absorbing escape.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC copy.

The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn is a contemporary fiction novel that transports you to The Retreat House in Santorini. Jo is a famous author who had a widely successful novel but lately lacks the creative spark for her next novel. She has a secret that is consuming her everyday life. She is moderating the writing retreat for five people who have signed up for a month of creative writing. Karmela is a professor who wants to write a historical novel set in medieval Dubrovnik. She was a refuge from Sarajevo during the Balkan War. Fans of The Dubrovnik Book Club will recognize her and appreciate receiving more of her story. Zina manages The Retreat House which she created after the death of her father. She and her husband moved to the farm to live with her grieving mother. Their marriage is being challenged with all of the changes. The women become friends over the course of a month and learn how valuable a friend can be when you are going through challenging times.

I recommend this novel for contemporary fiction and romance readers. It’s a great summer book, I was imagining reading it from a comfy chair at The Retreat House with a warm breeze and cheese with a glass of wine at my side. The novel speaks to the value of creating new friendships, being honest with yourself, and taking a chance for love.

Thank you Harper Collin’s UK, One More Chapter and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

A wonderful story of finding healing through friendship and belonging, this book celebrates characters finding the courage to live honestly and in a way that’s true to their personal values.
I loved this book from the first chapter, with its intriguing question about just what secret novelist Jo aka Jessica Rose is so keen to hide. As the story continued, the main characters were beautifully drawn with their individual foibles and strengths. It was lovely to meet Karmela from The Dubrovnik Book Club again, but this book works perfectly as a standalone.
For a while I wasn’t sure I liked Zina, but in the end I enjoyed her emotional journey as much as the resolution of the other characters’ problems.
Ultimately this was an uplifting and immensely satisfying story, with the setting on Santorini adding richness to the narrative. I enjoyed the details of island life and foods, and found myself dreaming of being able to spend a whole month on a retreat.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Once again Eva Glyn has crafted a story I won’t hesitate to recommend to everyone.

Jessica goes to Santorini to run a writing retreat, hiding the secret behind her best selling book. A tale of friendship and honesty , Perfect summer reading.

I absolutely loved this book and it is my new favourite by Eva Glyn whose books I have enjoyed before. It really felt as if I was part of the writing retreat myself with its wealth of characters with challenges and interesting back stories.

You quickly become involved with the dynamics of Karmela, her mother and Iain, Zina, Lambros and her mother, Jo with her secrets and the other participants on the retreat who all have their own resons for being there. I was keen to read the book having encountered character Karmela in The Dubrovnik Book Club by the same author.

Lots of words of wisdom for everyone in the pages of this book too which have been noted for use at a future date. Thoroughly recommend this title.