3.5 - This was a fun armchair travel adventure between a grown daughter who decides to help her estranged Greek father realize his dream to retrace Odysseus's famous voyage. Gianna knows her father needs help if he's going to accomplish his voyage so she takes a break from her life in New York and her fiancé to travel around Greece and Italy working as a food blogger. This book was full of mouth-watering food descriptions, gorgeous locales and interesting Greek history with a sprinkling or romance and LOTS of complicated family drama. I did feel this was a bit longer than it needed to be but I enjoyed this second installment in Canadian author KC Dyer's ExLibris travel adventure series. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘯!

I didn’t read book one in this series and I was nervous to start reading, fortunately I was able to connect with the story and Gia’s journey, and what an amazing journey it was.
The Mediterranean setting was just perfect, I loved the food the magical places Gia visited and fell in love with the characters, what more can you expect.

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this gifted copy.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬-𝘓𝘪𝘵, 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘦.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

An Accidental Odyssey by kc dyer is a wonderful read that took me from New York City to many different areas of Greece and all over Italy. We flew, drove, rode, took trains and boats, and it was one adventure after another. The descriptions of the scenery, the sites, the accommodations, the people, and the food made me feel like I was there. It makes me want to return to Italy and see some of the sites we haven’t visited yet, and Greece has always been on our bucket list.

An Accidental Odyssey is a quick-paced read that held my interest from the first page to the last. The premise behind the book’s title—the accidental odyssey— is that Gia had to get her ailing dad his meds after he signed himself out of the hospital against medical advice after having a minor stroke, so he could travel to Greece to continue his studies to retrace the famous voyage of Odysseus.

The connections made throughout the book to this story brought me back to high school English classes. We see every sight and adventure through Gia and her father’s eyes as they are brought closer together. They both find more common ground between them, which helps heal and enrich their relationship since they had been nearly estranged. There are also family secrets uncovered, and Gia learns more about her family history, particularly more about her father. Hearing those stories seems to soften Gia’s attitude and behavior toward her dad.

We meet Raj, an archaeologist who is helping her father in the quest for him to prove his theory. Gia and Raj have chemistry when they meet in a small bar on her first night in Greece. Little do they know the ramifications of that first meeting in many different ways. She’s engaged to someone rich back in New York, but they seem to have a one-sided—relationship even if Gia can’t see it. I hate how Gia’s fiancé Anthony treated her throughout and how he was never available except on his terms. Raj is the complete opposite, and they try to ignore their attraction, but how is that working?

An Accidental Odyssey has a nice flow, but there are a lot of twists and turns, all of which have an importance to the story. Many emotions are brought out—anger, tears, sadness, sorrow, heartache, fear, laughter, feelings of accomplishment, contentment, and ultimately love. There are also family and friends, work, freelancing, teasers of Gia’s travelogue articles all about food that started each chapter after telling us the location she was in and the food being highlighted.

The characters we encounter through Ari, Gia’s dad, are just that—characters! Each adds another layer to the story. What you see is not what you get. There is an unexpected ending that, while sad, brings closure to the story. There could be a happily ever after on several fronts. I love the playfulness of the cover and look forward to reading more in this series. I have the first book, Eighty Days to Elsewhere, sitting in my pile to TBR pile to read, and I had no idea it was part of this series.

Ms. Dyer takes the reader on a beautiful journey of discovery, making every vista come alive and bringing heart and soul to each of her characters. I can hardly wait to read whatever Ms. Dyer writes next.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

Gia Kostas is about to have it all. At least that’s what (almost) everyone keeps telling her. Sure, her dream of becoming a food writer will have to go on the back burner, but Gia’s about to marry a rich, handsome, and successful man. Why chase dreams when you already have a real-life fairy tale?
When Gia’s aging father has a stroke, checks himself out of the hospital, and takes off to Greece, Gia finds herself hopping a plane halfway across the world. She soon learns that her father, a semi-retired classics professor, has arranged a trip to retrace Odysseus's voyage through the Mediterranean with the help of the Exlibris company and a very handsome archeologist. Determined to save her father from himself (or at least try), Gia agrees to drop everything back home and join his quest.

I loved the food descriptions. I kind of want to travel to Greece just to try some of the dishes I learned about in the book!

Gia’s relationship with her father was complex and intriguing. The author did a great job depicting the push-and-pull between them based on their generational and cultural differences. Gia is often frustrated by her father’s laidback attitude and promiscuous ways. Meanwhile, Ari thinks Gia worries too much and becomes annoyed when she tries to make him change his plans.

The book is set post-COVID at a time where the virus is still a major concern, but world travel is beginning to pick back up. It was interesting to see current events through this lens.

After chasing her father to Greece to ensure that he takes his medicine on his archaeological expedition, an unemployed food writer finds her engagement in jeopardy while a friendship with a young archaeologist threatens to blossom into something more.

The second in a loosely-connected series, this novel sits on the border line of contemporary spicy romance and women's fiction. To me, Gia's own self-discovery takes the lead with the romance in step just behind, but the romance has a strong presence as well. The idyllic Mediterranean setting and travel theme was especially welcome in the midst of pandemic isolation; reading this book was like a mini-vacation in itself. This will be an excellent choice for book clubs with readers who enjoy either romance or women's fiction (or both!), especially since the romance, though spicy, lacks explicit sex scenes if members of your book club can't handle steam.

Gianna “Gia” Kostas is on the threshold of major life changes. She’s just completed an internship at NOSH—without a permanent job offer on the table but is set to marry Anthony Hearst, one of the most eligible bachelors in New York. On her way to a cake tasting with the most talked about—and expensive—baker in the city, Gia receives an earth-shattering call.

Her father, Dr. Aristotle Kostas, suffered a stroke and was admitted to the hospital. Long estranged, Gia and Ari had just been making headway on repairing their relationship. The next morning when Gia visits, Ari has checked himself out—and left his prescription in the room! Unable to find him, she pressures his graduate assistant to reveal Ari’s plans and learns he went to Greece.

Worried about her father and irritated with his irresponsibility, Gia hops on a flight to Greece (as one does) planning to give Ari his medicine and a stern talking to and then immediately return to New York. Once she finds Ari, she learns that his heart and mind are set on recreating Odysseus’s famous voyage. A retired Classics professor, Ari has a theory he’s determined to prove to leave his mark on the field and make Gia proud of him. With an unexpected job offer and opportunity to spend time with her father—and keep an eye on him—Gia decides to accompany him on his travels around the Mediterranean.

Aided by archeologist Dr. Rajnish “Raj” Malik, as well as a full cast of secondary characters who love the warm-hearted and bigger-than-life Aristotle Kostas, Gia realizes there’s more to her father than she realized, and they are both surprised to uncover shocking family history that changes everything. As Gia comes into her own as a daughter and writer, she begins to question her future.

The setting for the book is exquisite, and Gia’s travel writing is sure to make you hungry for Mediterranean food—if not hungry to travel to Greece and Italy! It was fun to see how dyer recreated some of Odysseus’s traps for Gia as she and Ari retraced his route.

I enjoyed Gia and her snarky comments (except I’d have been happier if she hadn’t said “just saying” as much) as well as her friendship with her BFF Devi. Because I went on an archeology dig in college, I also liked revisiting that environment! Herman, the bird, was a highlight.

The book is primarily about Gia and Ari’s relationship as well as Gia learning what she wants from a romantic partner with the romance secondary. I loved Raj and wish there had been more scenes with him but I understand why they were somewhat limited.

A great choice for fans of Float Plan, People We Meet on Vacation, and The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.

Get your baklava and spanikopita ready because this book is going to take you on a Grecian food journey!

Because I've basically been grounded since the pandemic started, I love books that take me on a vacation. The descriptions of the food and views had me sailing around Greece right beside Gia! I've always dreamed of being a food blogger, so I was rooting for Gia's success in her journaling career. 

I always really enjoy romance books that focus on more than just the romance between two characters. I watched Gia rekindle her relationship with her father, appreciate her relationship with her best friend Devi, and learn to love herself.

Over the course of the story, Gia grew and matured. She was pretty annoying at times, but her flaws felt realistic to me. Also, Anthony is one of the worst characters ever so I'm glad she finally came to realize it as well. 

Overall, I thought this was a really cute book and I want to read more books from KC Dyer!

Gia is planning her wedding to the most eligible bachelor until she gets a call that her dad, Aristotle, is in the hospital. Aristotle not following the doctor’s order flees to Greece to prove a theory he has on the travel journey of Odyssey. Without thinking, Gia leaves her life to follow her ailing father to ensure he is taking his meds. During her time in Greece, Gia discovers a lot about herself and happiness, and her root.

This book started really strong and pulled me in right away. I really was so intrigued with her life with her fiancé and what was going to happen between her and Raj. Raj and Gia’s first meeting was so spicy and I needed more.

But the first part of the book was only a tease because Dyer went on forever talking about Aristotle and the relation between her and her Dad.
I really wanted this book to focus more on Gia and Raj. This isn’t the romance novel that I was expecting but still enjoyed the book because it did make me want to travel to Greece and eat their food.

This was a fun journey of a story.

It took a bit for me to really connect with Gia, and there were moments throughout the book where I was a little annoyed with her. But overall I enjoyed her progression.

I was frustrated that it took so long for her to realize that her boyfriend was a jerk. But c’est la vie.

This book really made me want to travel and eat Greek/Italian food. So just be prepared to feel foodie wanderlust.

Loved the escape of this book and its setting - made me think of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in the best way! Definitely had a good amount of family stuff that was not romance oriented.

An Accidental Odyssey by K.C. Dyer is the second book in her An Exlibris Adventure series. I have not read the first book, and thought this read well, since it is more of a standalone. Gianna (Gia) Kostas, our heroine, is set to marry one of New York’s wealthy eligible bachelors, and leaving her job writing food stories and recipes. Her fiancée, Anthony, makes all kinds of plans for the wedding, with his mother’s help, and Gia just follows his plans. Until she gets a call that her father has collapsed, and she rushes to the hospital; her father Ari is already planning to leave, and says he feels fine, having a minor TIA incident. When she returns the next morning, he has already left, leaving behind his medicine.

Gia discovers her father, who is a professor, is determined retrace Odysseus’s voyage and left for Athens. She decides he can not do this alone in his condition, despite his denials, and follows him to Greece; leaving her fiancée to handle all the wedding plans, as she expects to be back in a few days.

What follows is a wild adventure across the Mediterranean, with Gia joining her father in his discoveries, and gets approval to write a daily food blog on Mediterranean food in all the countries they are visiting. Along the way she meets a wild array of different and fabulous people, including Dr. Raj Malik, an archaeologist, who works closely with her father. Of course, Gia finds herself attracted to Raj, as he is to her; but she is still trying to keep her relationship with her fiancée; even though she doesn’t like his overall dominance. Gia also begins to learn more about her father’s earlier past life, the women he loved; as well as family secrets.

An Accidental Odyssey was very well written by KC Dyer, who gave us fabulous trips and scenery through the journey. I did like Gia and Raj, and hoped they would end up together, not with as her fiancée, Anthony. You will need to read the book to find out what happens. I did think there was a bit too much details, but overall, it was a very good story line.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the second book of the ExLibris Adventure series. I read the first book around the beginning of the lockdown that kept us all at home and fell in love with the travel themed story and the escape it provided! When I heard this book was coming out I was excited to escape once again, and this book did not disappoint!

Gia Kostas has a complicated relationship with her father. But when he has a health scare and then immediately sets off for Greece, she feels a duty to go after him and make sure he’s okay. Somehow instead of simply delivering his medication, Gia finds herself tagging along as they retrace Odysseus’s famous voyage, eat good food, meet interesting people, and learn more about each other.

This was such a sweet story! Just like with the first book in this series, this story offers such an escape with vivid imagery of the cities they traveled to in Greece and Italy, and mouth watering descriptions of the delicious food they ate. And while there is a sprinkle of romance involved, the real heart of this story lies in the relationship between Gia and her father. Their relationship is portrayed so truthfully with both of them making mistakes and getting frustrated with the other (and me sometimes getting frustrated with them too!), but still loving each other at the end of the day.

This was a delightful book.

Gia is planning her wedding when she gets a call that her father suffered a heart attack. At the hospital, he tells her that he's okay. When she checks on him the next day, she finds out that her father has checked himself out without his medicine. Hunting him down, she finds out that he went to Greece. By the time she finds him, she realizes that she can't leave him by himself. Through this trip, she discovers what she wants out of life.

This was a surprisingly fun book. Gia is a great character to travel around the world with. She has a good head on her shoulders most of the time unless it involves her fiance, who showers her with so many expenses that you know he's up to no good. I like that the relationship with her father is at the forefront of this book. There is romance, but it's the perfect amount. Instead, Gia worries more about her father's health and tries to get a job as a food writer for a magazine she had been working temporarily for.

The book is long for a women's lit, but the pacing is never slow. Gia goes on many wacky adventures while keeping an eye on her father, who keeps leaving her behind, writing articles, trying to squeeze in communication with her best friend, and her fiance, who keeps making wedding plans without telling her.

It makes me almost want to travel. Too bad travel brings out the worse in me.

Review based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

So originally I thought this was going to be a shorter book but it was quite long. I liked it but the writing didn't capture me like I thought it would. The story was a little drawn out.

Gianna Kostas has a complicated relationship with her professor father, Aristotle, who has had several women in his life, several children, and has been away much of her life. Her folks are divorced but her dad is trying to reach out to Gia a bit more. Then he has a health scare and takes off for his Greek homeland to prove a theory he has about Homer and the Odyssey. Gia impulsively follows him, leaving her fiancé to handle marriage plans and a business launch on his own. It turns out her dad has planned this literary adventure for some time and has been working with the attractive and kind Dr. Rajnish Malik. Gia is able to convince her former boss to hire her to write a food blog and there is a lot of Mediterranean food and history in the story. The characters and family relationships are tinged with a bit of fantasy and I wish I could have accompanied them with my dad. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.