Cover Image: One Last Letter from Greece

One Last Letter from Greece

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

When Sophie travels to Greece in search of a lost artwork by her late mother, she does not expect to uncover family secrets, too. Will learning the truth help her cope with her grief? And will her relationship with handsome Greek fisherman Theo prove to be more than a summer fling?
This was a lovely romantic read for summer, with a strong element of mystery to keep the reader turning the pages, and a devastatingly attractive hero in the shape of Theo. The fact that both he and Sophie have their own issues to work through gives their relationship an extra edge, and you;re never quite sure how things will turn out.
Couple the intriguing plot with the atmospheric evocation of life on a sunny Greek island, and your perfect summer escape is guaranteed!

Was this review helpful?

This book was so wholesome from start to finish. The wrtiting was so good. I have never been to Greece but after reading I'm putting it in my bucket list. The journey of trying to find the painting was so beautifully done. I'll definetely be looking for authors other books.

Was this review helpful?

“Will talking in her mother’s footsteps help Sophie discover who she was meant to be all along?”

After her mother’s death and breaking up with her fiance, Sophie heads to mainland Greece, to Methoni in the southern Peloponnese, to uncover a family secret. Her quest is to find a missing painting created by her mother and in the process, use the opportunity to heal.

In my opinion, this could have been a five-star book except for three things: (1) too much concentration on her mother’s funeral at the beginning of the book and (2) too much concentration on her BFF’s fertility treatment and discussions about miscarriages throughout the book and (3) Sophie’s choice to change her return flight to Methoni. I believe a paragraph or two would have sufficed and readers would still understand that Sophie was grieving. I failed to see the connection between Tasha and her IVF treatments to the main plot of the missing painting and Sophie’s experiences in Greece. Yes, the friends were united in their struggle to start a family, but such a large part of the story didn’t need to be dedicated to this struggle. Frankly, I skipped these sections. They did not add to the plot nor propel it forwards. They actually took away from the main action. Finally, I was disappointed in Sophie’s prioritization when one of the most important decisions of her life was on the line.

Despite these minor disappointments, this was still a fabulous read. I loved the genuine characters and relationships, the Greek hospitality, the investigation of the painting, and the growth Sophie experiences. This debut author has amazing potential and I look forward to her next book.

The author deftly explores love, loss, and second chances in showing readers the journey towards self-love and self-actualization. I found myself humming “What The World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love” as I sat down to write up this review!

I was gifted this advance copy by Emma Cowell, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a new author for me and I really enjoyed the way she wrote. The story is told in the first person with lots of wonderful description and at times I could almost imagine I had joined Sophie on her Greek adventure. After the death of her mother (and a recent separation from her fiancé) Sophie decides to try and track down the fifth painting in a series (the Methoni series ) produced by her mum many years ago. The art world are unsure if this painting actually exists but, Sophie finds a photocopy of said painting and believes looking for it will not only help the grieving process but, provide a centrepiece for a future art exhibition in honour of her mums work.
She travels to the beautiful old fashioned town in Greece called Methoni and uncovers far more than she could have ever dreamed of!
Throughout the story Sophie is helped and encouraged by her friend Tasha who is undergoing IVF - even if this is via video and phone chats. Although written with humour this sensitive subject is dealt with well by the author.
This is a lovely summer read ideal to take away on holiday with you.

Was this review helpful?

This was a nice romance with some good characters and a nice twist.

It gave a real feel of Greece and the food leaving me feeling that I had been on vacation.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely romantic story in which Sophie, looking for a painting by her recently departed mother, travels to Greece. There she finds more than she expects and is finally able to understand her relationship with her mother whilst putting her own insecurities to rest allowing her to move on. A quick read that could easily have continued with this storyline.

Was this review helpful?

I have just finished One Last Letter from Greece; Emma Cowell’s debut book and it is brilliant.

Emma had me totally gripped from the beginning and kept me reading into the early hours.

I love the story's setting in Greece and Emma had a brilliant way of drawing you in that you felt you were there with them. I love the Greek people, especially the way that treat Sophie as one of their own, especially Christina.

I would definitely recommend this and look forward to reading more by Emma in the future. A story which will stay with me for a little while.

Was this review helpful?

This was an absolutely delightful read which swept me off to Greece and reminded me that romance novels, which I usually avoid, can be highly entertaining and offer hours of escapism.
This wasn’t just a fluffy romance novel, however. Apart from love, the storyline includes loss, grief, emotional and physical abuse, the art world, friendship and enormous family secrets. It avoids being totally predictable and overall I found it a warm, enjoyable, cosy read.

Was this review helpful?

This romance was fairly predictable. It seemed to drag a bit and just did not capture my attention. I was hoping for more description of the land. I did not like the main character.This romance was fairly predictable. It seemed to drag a bit and just did not capture my attention. I was hoping for more description of the land. I did not like the main character.

Was this review helpful?

This story swept me right into it and carried me along as it progressed and evolved. Mourning the loss of her mother, Sophie decides to travel to a place in the world that meant so much to her mother, in the hopes of coming to terms with her loss and the uncertainty of her future. What she finds there is love and a bit of mystery.

Theo is a fisherman who has given up his dreams in life in order to carry on family tradition. Even though his family is a bit messed up...

As these two people struggle with who they are, the circumstances that have impacted their lives, and who they want to become, they discover that some love really is all you need.

Thank you to Emma Cowell, NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance review copy.

Was this review helpful?

Sophie is grieving since the death of her mother. While clearing her mother’s possessions she finds a photograph of a beach scene labelled Methoni, Greece. Behind the photo Sophie finds finds a copy of a seascape that could have been a copy of a painting by her mother. Sophie is haunted by the seascape and needs to know where the original is located and who the man is in the painting.
Sophie travels to Methoni to try and discover the location of the mysterious painting. Sophie finds the place where the mysterious painting was painted and romance while searching for the missing painting.
I loved the descriptions of the seascapes and village life and the delicious food.
This was a love story about artists, art collectors, grief and family secrets.

Was this review helpful?

After the death of her mother, a famous artist, Sophie travels to Methoni in Greece in search of a missing painting and the secret of why her mother disappeared there on holiday every year.
The descriptions of Greece and, in particular, the food took me back to a holiday on a Greek islandmany years ago. In addition to the search for the missing painting there is a romantic interest in a local man, Theo. Counterbalancing the glorious location and food there are more serious subjects including abuse and miscarriages - the latter will strike a chord with anyone who has been unfortunate enough to have suffered from this. In summary not a light read (not that there is anything wrong with these), with the above subjects included, but one to make you think and either relate to the issues or to give thanks that you've not suffered from them.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Was this review helpful?

I knew straight away within the first chapter this was going to be a great read. These are the type of novels I love.
This novel revolves around Sophie who has lost her mum which I cannot possibly imagine. What better way to help ease the situation than a sunny country and feeling closer to your mum? Her mum loved Greece so much so that she travels there each summer for work. Sophie feels that her mum tried to separate her and her love of Greece. Maybe not, she just wants a break to have that part of her that makes her herself without the child part. That much I do understand.
Sophie is in search of a missing painting her mum had. There’s 5 paintings as a set that have been mysterious since their existence and now Sophie is on a quest to find them. Perhaps finding them means she will be closer to her mum.

As Sophie is in Greece she comes across some interesting people and I find it to be a fun adventure exploring with her as she begins to suss out people on her adventure to find her mum’s paintings and those that are not as nice. It’s a funny thing how our instincts keeps us in check. Towards the end of the novel it becomes predictable.

I love the front cover! If you are making a list of summer reads, this should be included. This novel is written in a way where it is as if you are sipping coffee with your friends over a catch-up. Instantly likeable and heart-warming this novel takes you on a sunny adventure.

Was this review helpful?

This was a quick and easy read that dealt with some hardhitting issues but did so sensitively ewhich I appreciated. It was well written with a good tone and pacing, an engaging plot and well developed characters that I fell in love with.
The book was full of vivid descriptions and vivid imagery to the point where I felt like I had slipped into the pages and could feel the sunon my face and sand between my toes, smell the glorious food and other smells and see the amazing sights and people captured within the book.
I loved it and will definitely be reading more by the author.

Was this review helpful?

One Last Letter from Greece is a gorgeous read!
Sophie is an instantly likeable character. My heart went out to her as it is devastating to lose a parent, especially when they’re only in their 50s. I can fully understand her need to get away for a while. When she finds there is the possibility that one of her mother’s paintings might be in Methoni, Greece, she makes it her mission to try to find it, giving her the perfect excuse to escape for a while.
Little does she know what she is about to discover.
I love how brave some people are when it comes to travelling alone as I can’t imagine me ever doing it. Methoni sounds like a gorgeous place though. I could almost feel the heat of the sun and could happily find myself sitting on a balcony, sipping pinot, watching the glorious sunset over the sea. Hopefully under happier circumstances though.
When Sophie meets Theo the chemistry between them is palpable, although not the most conventional of introductions. I was rooting for them from the very beginning. I fully believe in love at first sight. (It happened to me, and I have been married for twenty years next month.) I loved how their relationship develops but could also understand the practical issues they face, given that Sophie lives in London, has a business to run and a best friend who needs her.
I understood her friend’s initial reaction to her relationship with Theo too as I experienced the same scepticism at the beginning of our relationship. Those closest to us, naturally, don’t want to see us hurt and many can’t understand that ‘when you know, you know’ feeling. It makes us seem quite naive initially, like we’re being a bit stupid for believing someone could fall in love with you so quickly and unfortunately only time can change that perception. This made her friend’s reaction very relatable. Sophie’s reaction to her lack of understanding too. I really enjoyed the dynamic of their relationship. Their genuine love for each other and ability to be nothing but their absolute selves with each other is heart-warming.
I was totally swept along with the romance and intensity of this story. It isn’t without its ups and downs, as is often the case. A real rollercoaster of emotion. What Sophie finds out about her mother’s summer trips to Greece is just heart-breaking. My heart broke into tiny little pieces for one other character. I won’t say who though as I don’t want to give anything away.
This book made me cry (a lot), but also made me giggle at times and smile (a lot!). I absolutely LOVED it and can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s an excellent debut novel and I look forward to reading more by Emma Cowell in the not-too-distant future, I hope.
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**

Was this review helpful?

The story starts with Sophie's mum's funeral service and straight away we get insights into Sophie's life - her friends; her mum and her awful ex.
A chance find in her mum's cupboard leaves Sophie determined to hunt this lead down. And off she sets to Methoni, Greece. To not only find this lead; but to find herself and to find closure and a few other things to be found along the way - not giving away any spoilers.
The book ends, fittingly, with one last letter from Greece, but its not by who you would expect it to be; nor about what it will be about. A good ending to a lovely book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

With the recent death of her mother, Sophie feels the loss not only of her as a mother, but a best friend. While trying to cope with her grief, she comes across a picture that mother painted while in Greece. As a well-known artist, Sophie's mother had a good following. While going through some old photos, Sophie finds a picture, that is one of five. Not only that, her mother never discussed this with her and Sophie was quite surprised. However, this last photo of that painting was never found. Taking a chance, Sophie decides to leave her home behind and take a a trip to Greece, a chance that she might find that original painting. Booking this trip, Sophie will be there for 3 weeks in an effort to find that art. What will she find there? Reading this book was delightful, a comfortable and entertaining novel. With the backdrop of Greece, it was wonderful. I've been there and this book just makes me want to go back!! Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

A heartwarming read which transported me to Greece and made me wish I could stay there! Thank you for the advance copy which I very much enjoyed.

Was this review helpful?

This book is heartbreaking, raw, and emotional. I would have preferred a little bit more of the missing art and crime part of the story but it was an ok book over all.

Was this review helpful?

Sophie's mother was a painter and has recently passed away. Whilst going through some of her things Sophie discovers that there is a painting that her mother did that no one knows about . She decides to look for this and it takes her to Greece where she discovers some secrets to her mother. Its a romantic story that makes you wish you were in a Greek taverna eating Spinakopita!

Was this review helpful?