Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

Who wouldn't love this book!? The characters make you feel you are part of their lives, you experience their highs and lows just as you would in your own lives with the hope that the ending would turn out well for them, after all a love story always does doesn't it? Set in wonderful Greece this is a fabulous book, humerous, poignant and a true reflection of modern life. A great read - highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. A story of friendship, family, new beginnings, second chances, love and community spirit. Well written with a large cast of characters which I liked getting to know as friendships were formed within the choir. I particularly liked the setting of this book, the descriptions were vivid and I could imagine being on the small island of Santaniki.

I can recommend this heart-warming and uplifting read. Perfect for a summer's day.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The setting for this story is sublime and beautifully described, making it the perfect holiday read. The themes are popular at the moment, a group of people drawn together by necessity, in this case, they are Ex-Pats on a small Greek Island, who need a distraction and are intrigued by the creation of an island choir.

There are lots of characters, and through short chapters, the reader shares their stories, finding out why they are on the island, what motivates them, their emotional state, and what they are hiding from the others. I like following the fortunes of many characters, but for some readers, this can be off-putting.

This is an emotional story and you empathise with the characters, not all are likeable, but their flaws make them realistic and relatable. The choir is a good medium for bringing the community together, and whilst not a new theme, it is used to good effect in this book.

The book also explores contemporary issues, focusing on the humanity angle and shows how small communities react.

A nice mix of characters and a well-told story, in a vividly described setting, something for those who read to escape.
I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Sorry to say that i couldnt finish this. I just didnt gel with the story or the setting. I was bored to tears. Sorry.

This is such a beautiful novel. The setting is, of course, stunning, and I could picture it so well.

The characters are what really makes this book so special though. They’re so well drawn, and their lives intersect and make for such a rich tapestry of life.

The focus is on the group of ex-pats who join the choir, and we get to know them all in turn. They each have their secrets, their worries and their dilemmas. As the choir develops, lives are changed, and friendships are formed.

What I also loved in this book, however, is that we get a glimpse into the predicament and the lives of the refugees who have arrived on the island. It’s very thought-provoking to see the human stories behind what we often see on the news, to see what these people have to go through.

A very well-rounded book, with the perfect pace, wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. A touching and fascinating story. Highly recommended.

I loved the setting of this book, the warmth of Greece leapt off the pages and the stories of this odd assortment of expats and how their lives fitted together matched the warmth of the climate. Really enjoyable and charming. Thank you.

Best-selling historical author Leah Fleming makes her contemporary debut with The Olive Garden Choir, an uplifting, charming and addictive tale of love, secrets and friendship that is a must-read for fans of Joanna Trollope and Santa Montefiore.

The sun might always shine in Santaniki, the beautiful island close to Crete, however, life is far from peaceful and idyllic for a community of British expats who have chosen to make their home there. This group of people all have their own worries, problems and anxieties, so when retired bookseller Ariadne Blunt suggests that they form a choir, they are far from enthusiastic. Yet, after a little gentle persuasion, they give in and gather in her beautiful olive garden to rehearse. However, even bursting into song at regular intervals does not stop them from thinking about the many challenges which they have to face.

Ariadne cannot help but worry about her partner Hebe whose health is failing while group member Clive is still not over the loss of his wife and each day is a struggle as he finds himself unable to cope without her. Pilates teacher Della might be surprisingly flexible, however, her alcohol intake seems to be increasing by the hour, while Chloe the village Queen Bee is battling a family dilemma that could have serious repercussions. The choir, however, is not a place for doom and gloom, but a group that will strengthen friendships and also enable its members to find themselves and a place where they can truly belong – like Mel, the English wife of a taverna owner who surprises everyone with her beautiful voice.

The Olive Garden Choir soon proves to be not merely a group that has brought together a motley group of expats, but a place to grow, heal and start again.

Leah Fleming has outdone herself with The Olive Garden Choir. Sparkling with charm, pathos, emotion and heart, this fantastic tale of redemption and renewal will make you smile and have you wiping away a tear or two. Written with flair, style and sensitivity, The Olive Garden Choir is packed with vividly drawn characters it is impossible not to care about, humour, drama and intrigue and a magnificent setting that will make you want to pack a bag and book the first flight to the Mediterranean.

A first class read from an outstanding storyteller, The Olive Garden is a feel-good and captivating tale that should not be missed!

Rating

he Olive Garden Choir is a departure in terms of genre for Leah Fleming. Normally she writes historical fiction but this time she has turned her attentions to a more modern day story set on the small island of Santaniki. Crete would be the nearest large island but for the ex-pat residents who have settled here, Santaniki is their little haven and each character we meet is there for very different reasons.

This book is very character driven and honestly there are a lot of characters to get to know. From the get go I felt there was far too many and I did lose track of who was who and what their storyline was. I did feel the community spirit, unity and close bonds the author was trying to achieve but this feeling could have been increased ten fold with a few less characters. Some of them could have been saved for a future book set on the island which in the ends notes the author says she has ideas for swimming about in her mind. Concentrating on a select few, really getting to know them, their motivations, their opinions and what makes them who they are would have been better. Instead I felt I was introduced to a wide range of characters and that I just scratched beneath the persona of their personalities.

Moving away from these issues I had and on reflection asking myself was The Olive Garden Choir a good read overall? Well yes it was but I still feel several days after fishing reading it that although it was good it could have been outstanding with some tweaks. More character development based on a smaller number of people combined with lengthier chapters would have helped hugely. The chapters were so brief and never settled on any one character for any significant period of time instead they flitted between far too many people and this unsettled me as I couldn't get to grips with any one person. Taking a further step back from all of this I do think the author raised a lot of topical issues and how they could be dealt with and viewed especially on such a small island. Gossip was rife but the choir that Ariadne Blunt puts together in time for the festive season allowed for exploration of sensitive issues and in turn these were explored and dealt with with such tact and an understated appreciation for what the group was trying to achieve.

Through helping others the characters in turn were able to help themselves. The topical issues in question were never thrown in the reader's face instead they were slowly and subtly weaved into the overall storyline. I never at any point felt opinions or a certain stance were being rammed down my throat. Instead a balanced side to all stories was presented and the reader was able to observe as things unfolded and then in turn decide who they sided with. Living on such a small island people were in each other's pockets and narrow mindedness could also rear its ugly head if afforded the opportunity. I understood why people felt frightened to share their fears and worries but I hoped as I read through the story that the bonds of friendship, tolerance, acceptance,understanding and forgiveness would be qualities that began to shine through.

The island was brilliantly described and as it was so small it was the ideal setting to allow things develop in such a way that people couldn't fail but become involved in the choir which became so much more than just about singing. The descriptions of the island were stunning and by the time I finished reading I did think to myself, god there really is something to be said for just leaving everything behind and starting afresh perhaps later on in life when you could retire to warmer climes and just enjoy and embrace a more relaxed steady pace of life. The island itself is a character offering safety and shelter from storms during the winter months but it can also show its harsh and unexpected side. After the summer season when the tourists have all left and the days are not as sweltering and intense, the islanders and ex-pats reclaim the island for themselves. But it is during the quiet season that Ariadne realises the people need something to unite them. To help each individual open up and blossom, to share their load and to come together as a strong unit which can help others in times of need and bring a smile to a face in the times of utmost despair.

As there are too many characters to go into too much detail, I will just mention a few and the situation they find themselves in when we first arrive on the island. Ariadne was the glue that held the unusual bunch together but she has her own worries as her housemate Hebe has started to act oddly and has been caught doing strange and unusual things. They have shared a bond for many years and are happy and contented yet Ariadne feels things are about to alter and she is powerless to stop the rapid onslaught of fate. Will the choir and getting involved with helping others take her mind of things or will everything prove too much and cracks start to appear too far apart ever to be brought together again? Chloe is married to Simon. They lead a safe and comfortable life and are well off but Chloe worries for her daughter Alexa from a previous marriage. Alexa lives in London but has become distant and the lack of communication is starting to really bother Chloe. Just what is going on? How can she reconnect with a daughter who seems to just want to pull further and further away? Will it be too late?

Mel, originally from England but now married to a local named Spiro, is doing her best to raise her two young boys and help run the family taverna. But mother-in-law Irini has a sharp tongue and is not afraid to use it. Mel never hears a good word said and it is like she is looked upon with disdain as the taverna struggles along through harsh economic times Mel does her best. But will her best ever be good enough? I loved Mel she was my favourite character and I could see she had so much room to grow and mature and to grow in confidence and self belief but whether this would be allowed to happen remained to be seen. Sammia is a refugee from Syria expecting her first baby, she arrived on the island with her husband and her brother and sister in law and young nephew. In Syria they had good jobs but now they have been reduced to nothing. How can they solider on amidst such hardship and the traumas they have witnessed? Will the island opens its arms or shut its doors especially at a time when Sammia needs help the most?

Clive wanders the island with his faithful dog by his side. He is very lonely since his wife Lucy died two years ago. He can see no way of moving on, of reaching that point of acceptance. Is it possible to move forward when you have lost the one you loved the most and who was by your side through thick and thin? Colonel Arthur Templeton Brown is in his 90's but the choir brings back many memories for him of his war years and in his old age the company of others is always very much appreciated. Della, the local pilates instructor, is no saint and has many weakness and harbours a secret, although I think the majority of the residents knew what was wrong with her. Maybe not the exact reason why but they knew what she was doing. Della came across as a dark person filled with anguish and disgust for herself but she didn't really know how to claw her way back to the light.

Natalie has been on the island for two years and is the local caterer and baker although for herself she only eats the bare necessities to get by. She is haunted by past experiences and feels everything will catch up with her. Really I wanted her to open up to confess everything and a load would be shed and she could open herself up to someone special. But was she too far gone in the doldrums for this to occur? Finally we have Kelly and Gary who live in a huge contemporary house and have everything they could possibly want. Or do they? What is Kelly's problem that she comes across so haughty and as if she is above everyone else? What exactly is Gary hiding that is eating him up inside and will he ever feel able to make his confession?

Even after naming all the characters and giving the briefest of overviews above I can see how it backs up my point in the beginning that really and truly there are just too many and that there was no way I could keep track of them all and stay focused on the various story lines. I appreciate what the author had wanted to achieve with this book but it didn't all come to fruition for the reasons I have explained. The ending didn't leave me as fully satisfied as I would have liked. Things seemed rushed and then there were plenty of cliffhangers and questions remaining unresolved and unanswered which was then confirmed when I read the end notes. There definitely needs to be a return to Santaniki because I do want to know what happens next because when I take stock of each individual storyline I did enjoy them but bringing everything together there was just too wide of a scope and not enough attention and development could be given to those that needed it the most.

The Olive Garden Choir is an enjoyable read with charming elements but there is potential for an awful lot more if some refinements were made. You will fly through the short chapters but I was left with a feeling of wanting more because there wasn't enough within the pages of the book for all that needed to occur.

The Olive Garden Choir’s large cast of characters concentrates mainly on the expat community, with the local people playing more of a background role - the exception being Mel’s fearsome Greek mother-in-law, Irini, although even perhaps she can mellow in the right circumstances? However, there is plenty of local colour injected by the descriptions of authentic Greek food and island traditions. There is also the lovely addition of recipes for some of the traditional dishes mentioned.

The reaction to the arrival of a family of refugees, including pregnant Sammia, fleeing the conflict in Syria and is mixed, ranging from downright hostile (at least initially) to neutral, to welcoming. Ironically, the expats don’t see themselves as migrants, although of course they are incomers to the island as well.

Ariadne’s belief in the healing power of music is proved correct as the formation of the choir and the coming together of its members provides opportunities for social interaction, breaking down barriers as well as reigniting old passions for music and revealing hidden talents.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a large cast of characters but aside from Ariadne and Hebe (who have to feature because of their love of books), my favourite character was definitely Clive. I loved his touching devotion to his deceased wife, Lucy, and his continued reliance on her imagined advice. I’m sure he’s right in believing that Lucy would have wanted him to move on and take advantage of a second chance of love and companionship.

In fact, second chances and the possibility of new beginnings feature prominently in the book which is one of the things that makes it such a heart-warming and uplifting read. But the cycle of life includes endings as well as beginnings so be prepared to have your emotions wrung at some points.

Whether you’re dreaming of your first trip to the Greek islands or, like me, dreaming of returning one day, The Olive Garden Choir is the ideal book to conjure up the unique atmosphere of that lovely part of the world. It might just also restore your faith in human nature and in the power of communities to come together for the good of others.

I'm afraid this is really not my cup of tea. It's a romance set on Corfu about a group of British expats who all have their own stories and their own life challenges to face. The book tells of these interlacing stories through the bringing together of the individuals in a choir preparing for a Christmas carol singing concert. Each of the characters has a story arc about their relationships, facing illness, getting over bereavement, finding new love, reuniting with family. These are all perfectly pleasing stories if scarcely surprising. I know that this is a type of narrative that many readers enjoy but for me it's too superficial and and bitty and ultimately unsatisfying.

If you're looking for a super read encompassing a whole community - look no further!

Ariadne and her partner Hebe have settled on the island of Santaniki, close to Crete, where there are plenty of other ex-pats to socialise with. Ariadne comes up with the idea of getting everyone singing together with a community choir, and as it's heading towards the festive season, perhaps a Carol Concert for Christmas. As we get to know the inhabitants, there is plenty to find out about them all. Secrets and lies come tumbling out as well as events which change their focus.

This is a lively read; with a good spread of ages and nationalities, it is a lovely warm read and one which I took to my heart. There is lots going on to keep the reader's attention; the characters are many, varied and so true to life! Both well plotted and extremely well written, this is my first Leah Fleming novel and I really hope it won't be my last. A real treat to read, and well worth a full five stars.

My thanks to publisher Head of Zeus for my copy via NetGalley, and to Victoria Joss for inviting me to take part in this blog tour. This is my honest review.

A really good read plenty of fabulous characters all very different but all with a story to tell and there's a lovely sence of community spirit at it's heart from couples with family problems to refugees and many other groups of different people who all come together over the Christmas period and after forming a choir a beautiful story unfolds in this well written novel thoroughly enjoyable

Sorry I wasn't a fan of this book. I didn't get invested into the characters lives and decided not to finish to the book. The setting seemed lovely, and I regret that I wasn't drawn in more, but in honesty I just wasn't.

I'm on the blog tour, but will post an extract instead.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have always wanted to go to Crete and after reading this great book it has made me want to go even more. A really lovely read.

I would like to thank Head of Zeus for asking me to review this book I am a fan of Leah Fleming's writing so was excited to read The Olive Garden Choir.
Leah Fleming as created a GEM here, I adored reading this book. We are on an island very near to Crete and having retired from work Ariadne wants to create a choir with other English speaking residents. All of the residents have their own problems to overcome and are need of some community support.
Leah brings the heat of Crete to the UK in this brilliant story about hope and community friendships, her story telling is just sublime.

Thanks to netgalley and head of Zeus for an early copy in return for an honest review
Oh oh oh what a totally OUTSTANDING EXTRAVAGANZA of a book having read many of this author's books but this one really does beat them all with an underlying message of hope and understanding in a small community I really can't praise this book enough would highly recommend to friends and family I cried and laughed

I enjoyed this book. I have previously visited Crete so it was nice to read a book that was set there.
The characters were easy to relate to. Initially it took me a while to get into this book but once I did I really enjoyed it
It was also very unpredictable which I liked