Really great summer read, enjoyed this book. Great descriptions of the beautiful island of rhodes and funny yet heartwarming narrative. Look forward to reading more from this author.

First things first, thank you to NetGalley, Sue Roberts and Bookouture for the review copy. And now to my honest review...

I was realy excited when I came across My Big Greek Summer. As a Greek myself I am always curious about what non Greeks think of life in Greece. And with summer just a couple of weeks away, it sounded like the perfect read. Saddly, I didn't make all the way to Greece. Mostly because of Mandy. I was made to believe that she was the victim, when all she was, was indifferent to her husband and their relationship. The writing lacked spark and it failed to keep my interest.

First book I have read by this author and I did enjoy it - and it made me want to visit Greece!
After her husband has a fling and Mandy throws him out of the house, she needs to get away so heads to Rhodes. Whilst there she meets a group of friendly characters and can see their businesses are suffering so puts in palce a plan to help them even though her own life is falling apart.
An easy holiday read.

This story was cute and sweet, and I loved every minute of it. There was just enough of everything. Romance, betrayal, beginnings, endings and a bit of complicated relationships sprinkled throughout. This was one of those stories I need to read every now again. Nothing too complicated. Just some good reading to rest my mind.
I loved that this was set in Greece and really the reason I chose to read it. The main character Mandy really held the story together. She was real. A woman set in marriage, I say set and not stuck. She was just comfortable like we all are at times, but her comfort seemed to cause her problems.
There was really no part of this story that I can say bothered me (except the husband and his ways). I loved every character and how the story flowed. I will keep looking for new reads from this author.

Review:  This is a fast paced read and very funny. 

Mandy is single. She has never been single in her whole adult life and it is very new to her. She need to decide what to do with her life. What would you do if you were single? Well I know what I would do and it seems that Mandy has the same idea. Sun, sea and cocktails although I would properly give the cocktails a miss. 

With the help of new friends and a very handsome stranger Mandy begins to heal but will this summer become her reality or will she return to her old life?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I have enjoyed reading this summer book. It is well written and fast paced. For sure I was not bored reading it!

A great summer read... I wish I could have waited to read this in Greece when I go but then it's too late.
So we have Mandy who doesn't have a great job running a bar not far from Liverpool and life is just the same day in day out a bit like grounding day and her husband Danny wants more so he leaves her. Shocking.
Mandy is given time to go and take a break due to being so upset so she goes to Rhodes from her childhood memories. She goes and gets into Greek lifestyle and meets local apartment ownwr costas. She has decisions to make whether to go home or not or stay...she has a friend who turns into more her best friend comes out too.
It's not like a novel I've read before so wouldn't say it's a favourite it's a little.like she's documenting a jounal/ diary but I read it quick and enjoyed it.

I loved this book Mandy was a great character, though I did think the ending was slightly rushed , I hope this novel is part of a series.

A feel good novel with more depth than most. Mandy has to go to Rhodes to start a new life but it’s her life in Liverpool where we get to meet her. It’s a city where she finds out her husband is having an affair and where her life falls apart. So, it’s off to Rhodes for a new life (but I wish we’d got there sooner)

Once in Rhodes however, the story takes off so to speak. The descriptions of heat and amazement are evocative and immersive. The idea that she is here to explore a future as well as it being the place where memories come to the fore is nicely done. Lots of BookTrail places to visit!

Don’t forget to visit real Greek restaurants though as the character in the novel tends to eat at hotels. Naughty.

Rhodes is definitely on my list of places to go now!

The blurb sounded good. I was expecting something exciting like a Tilly Tennant, Holly Martin or Mandy Baggot.
I love a romance set in the sun but I didn’t get hooked at all. It felt overly padded out and the story wasn’t very exciting.
Thanks for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

An enjoyable read which brought a little bit of Greek sunshine to a cloudy April afternoon...

The heroine, Mandy, goes to Rhodes on a whim after being told to take time off work as a result of her errant, cheating husband. Although the Sea View Apartments weren’t quite what she’d hoped, Mandy manages to make the best of it and is taken care of by hunky Costas and the rest of the locals.

Whilst Mandy’s brainwave seems a little far fetched, with some lucky coincidences and the will of the locals, she manages to make it all come to fruition. Whilst she is motivated about the event, she seems content to let life find its own pattern/ let others take control. This pervades throughout the book and at times I wanted to give her a shake and tell her to wake up and smell the coffee!

The scenes set in Liverpool were well articulated and I could easily imagine the setting and the buildings. The scenes set in the pub were vivid and realistic, adding to my enjoyment of the story.

As a debut novel, this reads well and I’ll be interested to see how Sue Roberts’ writing progresses. Her writing reminds me of Mandy Baggot (whose books I adore for a pick-me-up), possibly as the heroine shares her name!

4* an enjoyable read

Sometimes you read a book and you think 'What a beautiful story' and you are aware that it is fiction. But here I felt like I was reading a diary. It seemed like Mandy was real and if I would live in Liverpool I could acutally meet here there.
The descriptions in the book were so real that I saw everything in my mind. I was in Liverpool, I was in Greece. It was as if I was an invisible friend going through all the emotions.
Sometimes it seems that a good friend is better for your heart than a lover but when friendship turns into something more, it's wonderful to enjoy it with your best friend.
I loved that everything came together and what a beautiful fairytale end. I dare to hope for a sequel, because closing this book feels a bit like loosing a friend. I am not ready to say goobye to Mandy. So, pretty please ....?
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read this wonderful story.

It’s exactly what you expect it to be - pool side summer fluff.

Sadly just not a story exciting enough for me.

1.5 stars

My Big Greek Summer was a nicely written boy that I enjoyed reading. It was sequential and characters were fairly well developed. The story is about a young couple who separate and the wife takes a holiday in Greece. It's a cute story but there was something missing in the story. The story is set in Liverpool, England and the differences in weather and mood are in stark contrast to Greece. I never felt terribly connected to the characters and didn't especially care about their marriage or the romance. The character of Costas was one dimensional and bland. For that, I would only rate it three stars.

I thank #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity for the opportunity to read this novel pre-prepublished for an honest review.

I loved My Big Greek Summer. Being a fan of the Greek Islands I’m instantly drawn to any books set there.

This one is set between Liverpool and a small village on the island of Rhodes. The main character, Mandy, has split up from her husband and after being encouraged to get away for a few days flies off to Rhodes where she remembers holidaying as a child. There’s cocktails, golden beaches and a man called Costas. What’s not to love!!

A great book, fun and uplifting that will put anyone in that holiday mood. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Being set in Greece, I was anxious to read this book since I have never been to Greece. This author did a great job describing how it felt to be in Greece that I felt like I was there with Mandy as she went along the streets in Thakos. Since her husband just decided to one day and up and leave her, she deserved this solo trip!! I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read. I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review of this book.

I was excited the second I heard that this book existed, I was even more excited when the absolutely gorgeous and summery cover was revealed, and I was incredibly eager to start reading the second this book hit my kindle.

In fact my level of anticipation seemed possibly too high for a book by a debut author, but I could just tell this would be something I would enjoy....

... and I'm delighted to say I was absolutely right. From around the 25% mark onwards I found myself reading this with a huge smile on my face and wasn't able to put it down. And yet you may think you are getting a Shirley Valentine-esque book especially when Mandy meets a Costas for herself, or a typical beach read about a girl going on holiday, but there is far more story there and the book lasts longer than the initial holiday to Thakos, Rhodes.

In fact for a romantic comedy the romance element for the main character was barely present, you were sort of aware of of a potential new romance, but it wasn't really in your face for the majority of the book. There certainly was comedy though, and generally plenty of smiles and laughs to be had.

From the moment that Mandy arrives at Liverpool airport for the flight to Greece, I found myself regretting not being on holiday myself as this is easily a fabulous poolside read.

With lashings of sun, greek men, delicious greek food, and an idea of an event that would bring much needed income to the villagers in Thakos, My Big Greek Summer has everything you could want from a summer read and I am already looking forward to seeing what this author writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I really enjoyed most of this book. For a while I felt like I was in Greece alongside her. But ultimately as a woman in my early twenties (22) I could not relate to this book, her marriage struggles, her romance with the guy or the books obsession with music. It is definitely for an older woman 30-50 who wants an escapist read that will leave you wanting more. eel like this story would suit an older woman as opposed to somebody looking for a book to escape domestic life. I hope I don't make people feel frustrated but as a millennial I don't identify with her friend group, age or activities. Ultimately solid read if you identify with the character. I couldn't get over her older age. I didn't connect with her or her life.

A wonderful read I devoured in just two sittings. You can't help but feel like you're right there alongside Mandy through the difficult times and the good. She's likeable, her story is relatable and you almost wish it was your story as you're transported to Greece and to the sleepy village and its inhabitants that become her home and family. One to brighten up a dreary day.

This was such a fun read with an unexpected end. This book is perfect for the summer and those looking for a new beginning. Mandy is a plucky character who makes a big life change. Most will be able to recognize her love for fun and a change. This was such a great book and would be a perfect vacation read. I really like it.