A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot is such a heartwarming escape! The story instantly charmed me with its mix of humor, romance, and the stunning setting of Corfu. Molly’s unexpected inheritance drew me in, and her chemistry with Christos was captivating—an unlikely pair thrown together by fate but with undeniable sparks. What I loved most was how the vivid descriptions of Corfu almost transported me there. From olive groves to crystal-clear waters, Baggot made the island feel alive. The emotional depth of the story, tied to uncovering the secrets of their shared inheritance, added a layer of meaning beyond the romance. It’s the kind of feel-good read that leaves you smiling and dreaming of sunny shores and second chances. Perfect for anyone craving a getaway without leaving their seat!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really hate giving low ratings for books. Especially for books that I have been given the opportunity to review before they are published. However, I felt like I needed to because this book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two main characters. I appreciated that the author was trying to create banter between both families, but it fell flat most of the time. I am glad that I was given the chance to try one of this author’s books, but I don’t think I will again unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Molly Adams from Portsmouth is a pharmacist who is trying to get her make-up business off the ground. One day she learns she has inherited assets in Corfu, Greece from Vaggelis Vlachos, a man she doesn't know but it turns out he knew her mother Janette. Was he by any chance her father? When she travels to Corfu with her mother and her best friend Siobhan she finds out that she has inherited a house, a boat, a truck, an olive tree and a cat jointly with Christos Baros, a gym owner from Athens who was Vaggelis' godson. The more the families get to know each other, the more they realise there are family secrets that could blow lives apart.

This is my first book by Mandy Baggot who seems to be quite a prolific author, with many books set in Greece, this being her thirtiest. Apparently Freya and Nicholas had their own story in a previous book, but this feels like a standalone.

The setting is gorgeous, the food descriptions are mouth-watering, but the story isn't very complex. The romance is slow-burn but the family secrets take too long to be revealed and aren't overly interesting. The cover is evocative and it's a nice fluffy, sun-drenched beach read for when you don't want to engage your brain or think too much about the reality of how Brits can move to Greece after Brexit.

3.5 stars

As I have enjoyed Mandy Baggot's novels it the past, I was thrilled to be approved for an eARC of her newest novel, A Green Island Gift (publication date April 28, 2025). When Molly Adams finds out she’s inherited an apartment in Kassiopi, Corfu, she’s pretty sure there’s been some kind of mistake. She doesn’t know a soul in Greece, especially the man who has left her an inheritance, Vaggelis Vlachos. She travels to Corfu with her mom and best friend to find out what she has been gifted. She has inherited 50% of an apartment, 50% of a boat, 50% of an olive tree and 25% of a cat....! She meets handsome Christos Baros, who inherited the other 50% of the apartment, boat and olive tree. He has no interest in sharing his share and is suspicious of the beautiful Brit, Molly, who has never met Vaggelis. As they get to know each other better and sightsee the island, they can't help but fall for each other.

This novel was a sweet romance. I adored the beautiful setting and the cast of characters. The only fault I found was that it took an excessively long time to discover the true identity of Molly's father. The revelation was considerably delayed, and the entire situation felt overly drawn out.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.