Get ready to go on a wonderful adventure to Greece. Emma Crowell has created a story with many twists and turns, and a real sense of a Greek experience. Enjoyable!

I loved everything about this book the setting was perfect, I felt s though I was actually on the island. The characters were all likeable and interesting. This is a perfect summer holiday read. I didn’t want it to end. Thoroughly recommended.

Reading Under the Lemon Tree felt like taking a deep breath of citrus-scented island air — refreshing, soothing, and filled with unexpected warmth. Told in the first person, Kat’s journey gripped me from the very first page. Her grief after losing her twin brother, Nik, is palpable and raw, and the way she navigates that pain — with all its quiet moments and crashing waves — is both heartbreakingly real and beautifully written.

When Kat arrives on the sun-drenched Greek island of Agistri, I felt like I was there beside her, the descriptions so vivid I could almost feel the sea breeze and taste the lemons. The writing is evocative and poetic without ever losing its emotional honesty — it truly brought the setting and Kat’s internal world to life.

But what really moved me was how this one Greek summer becomes a turning point. The mysterious inheritance, the secrets slowly revealed, and the quiet courage Kat discovers within herself — it all unfolds so naturally and compellingly. And yes, there’s a love story here too, one that blooms gently and honestly, never overshadowing Kat’s personal growth but complementing it in the most tender way.

Uncovering a family secret doesn’t just shift Kat’s understanding of where she comes from — it gives her the strength to finally follow her heart. Under the Lemon Tree is about grief, yes, but also about healing, hope, and the surprising ways we find ourselves again. An absolutely stunning, soul-soothing read.

Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell is a heartwarming and poignant tale of grief, healing, and self-discovery set against the stunning backdrop of the Greek island of Agistri. After the sudden loss of her twin brother Nik, Kat is left struggling to find meaning in a life that feels incomplete. The love and support of her family both comforts and stifles her, until an unexpected inheritance—a house from an uncle she never knew—gives her the opportunity for a fresh start.

Arriving in Agistri, Kat is enveloped by the island’s beauty: crystalline waters, pine forests, and the intoxicating scent of citrus. As she immerses herself in the warmth of the local community, she begins to heal, finding the courage to confront her grief and even opening her heart to the possibility of love once more. But as Kat renovates her new home, she uncovers a family secret that forces her to confront not only the past but also her own fears about belonging and forgiveness.

Cowell’s writing captures the essence of the island, making it almost a character in itself, while Kat’s journey is both emotional and uplifting. Under the Lemon Tree is an adorable and captivating read, filled with hope and the promise of new beginnings, and is a perfect choice for those seeking a story of healing and rediscovery.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This is the fourth book I have read by Emma Cowell, and it is as absorbing as the other three. The majority of the action takes place on the small island of Agistri, close to Aegina (which by co-incidence I visited many years ago), where most people seem to know each other and their business. There are complex family dynamics and emotions, with a side of ancient and modern Greek philosophy.

The idyllic sounding location and the on/off romance between the two leading characters are brought wonderfully to life. The older characters, Kat's parents and the housekeeper at Petros's house, are also glorious. Definitely worth a read this summer.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Oh my goodness what a beautiful story set in Greece. Sad at times but very compelling. It really brought Greece to life as I've never been there. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Under the Lemon Tree is another gorgeous read by the very lovely Emma Cowell. I have loved every one of her books and, as always, this one is so beautifully written you can’t help but love the perfectly imperfect characters and fall in love with Greece all over again.
When we first meet Kat, she hasn’t long lost her twin brother, Nik. I can’t even begin to imagine that kind of devastating loss. My heart went out to her and her parents.
When she discovers she has inherited a house, on a Greek island, from an uncle she had never met she is naturally shocked and intrigued. As was I!
I loved following Kat on her journey to Agistri. It sounds like such a beautiful place. I could totally envisage her renovations of her new home and could quite happily live there myself.
I was not prepared for the secrets she discovers about her uncle, her brother, and her mother. Kat’s pain was almost palpable, and my heart ached for her at times throughout this story.
This is such a rollercoaster of an emotional read, set in a stunning location. A heart-warming tale of family dynamics, love, grief, friendship, personal growth, ambition, hope, achievement, romance, true love, and delicious Greek food. I was completely captivated!

** Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley **

Despite being filled with a tragic event, grief, the complexity of families and odd, unnecessary secrets on which much of the storyline hung, this would probably be a good book to read lying on a beach somewhere hot, probably Greece. While it was an easy read, it fell short for me. It was just too cliched. The rich, suave, famous love interest. The inheritance that came just at the right moment and the success that came out of it. What was most jarring for me however was the reason why everything briefly seemed to go wrong. The connections and explanations were unconvincing and would have been unlikely to have brought about the reaction they did. It was an artifice which could have been crafted in a far more convincing way, if it was even needed at all. I'm not a regular reader of romance novels, so if I do they need to have a level of depth and meaningful complexity Under the Lemon Tree lacked for me. But that's not to dismiss it out of hand. if you enjoy an old school romance you may well love this.

A poignant and heartfelt story about family and loss and dealing with the past to move into the present. Emma writes so well and it's calming and emotional. What I love is that she gets the little details right and there's just enough nuance to make you feel as if you are there. Lots for bookclubs to discuss.

This is a lovely novel set mostly in Greece, full of vivid color and scent and sound and detail. I loved traveling to Greece this way! The romance itself is lovely but what I especially enjoyed was Kat's story of healing and grounding after the loss of her twin in a tragic accident. The way the author wove the story of Kat renovating her new home on the island with the story of rebuilding after loss, was just beautiful. Also...the food! Also... the tribute to family and friendship!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful read set in Greece with great characters and a storyline which kept me hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A very can’t put down read. Set mainly in on a Greek Island. So many twists and lies that were told. The setting was amazing. The main character was so accident prone and I could so relate to that.. Loved the linen mentions . The Greek house sounded stunning by the end. Excellent that famous people can be normal. The twin element was so moving . Gosh families can be over powering. The food descriptions were fab. A lovely lovely summer read. Hard to review without spoiling . Read it.

2 stars

Firstly, although this is a negative review, I mean no hate towards the author and I could see why others would definitely enjoy this book. However, this book just didn't work for me.

I am honestly so disappointed with what this rating ended up being because in the beginning, I was thoroughly enjoying the story. The reasoning behind our protagonist Kat's actions and why she wanted to go to Greece was understandable and I could really emphasise with Kat's grief over the loss of her twin brother Nik. It wasn't until Chapter 25 that the characters (mainly Kat's friends and family) really began to irk me so much that I just couldn't look past it. Now it's not even like something big happens in this chapter, its only then that I began to be aware of how her friends and family treated Kat which led me to start writing down each time it happened from this point on which led to me compiling this list:

- Kat is constantly kept in the dark about several things, for example her brother Nik knowing about her Uncle in Greece and even travelling to the island without her knowing. Yet for some reason her friend Lizzie and ex husband Jamie along with at least her mother (and maybe her father) were all aware of this and yet no-one told her because Nik wanted to "protect her". Protect her from what? At this point Kat would've been 31 and in the present day she's 37 so I fail to see, and the author gives no reason as to why the other characters are coddling her so much. It honestly became so frustrating!

- When Kat brings up her own frustrations to Lizzie about all the secrets being kept from her, Lizzie tells her to "get some perspective" and to stop looking in the past... Obviously finding out about the secrets surrounding her family is a big part of her identity so the fact that her longest friend just dismissed this but then has the audacity to get annoyed at Kat when she didn't immediately tell her that her Greek neighbour was a famous actor baffled me. Like my girl you have been keeping a secret for 5+ years so you really don't have a leg to stand on.

- Now moving on to probably the biggest factor of this book that I just didn't get was the inclusion of Jamie in all of Kat's business. We are told that they are separated and almost divorced. So why he still so involved in Kat's life? So much so that he even travels with her parents to Greece... I didn't get why he calls her wifey and she still has him saved in her phone as husband but she is very quick to act upon her attraction to Andreas (which there's nothing wrong with as they are separated but I just don't understand their dynamic at all)!
When Jamie meets Andreas, Andreas tells him that he's heard a lot about him and Jamie responds "all good things I hope. She is still my wife." This wasn't even said in a jokey sarcastic way as later on Jamie tells Kat that Andreas' mansion and staff are "somewhat out of her league"??? I just don't get why is he so involved, even as a plot device there is no reason for him to be around so much.
Another example is when Andreas tells Jamie that he can help himself to the wine because what's his (Andreas') is Jamie's but then Jamie responds "well you already have something of mine, so it's only fair to share," I'm sorry what? They are separated and almost legally divorced... Why is Jamie even there? Why is he so involved still?
Jamie then tries to get Andreas to come outside clearly looking for a fight because apparently he wants to act like a teenager. He does apologise to Kat the next morning but when she implies that he will also have to apologise to Andreas he says "what pretty boy next door? You must be joking?" I would understand if Jamie was acting this way because he is jealous and wants to get Kat back but it isn't written like that as at no point does he try together back to her and that though never crosses Kat's mind, so why why why is he included?

Overall, I was really enjoying this book but then all the characters became really annoying and hypocritical and while Kat may have addressed her frustrations in her mind, it took until 78% for her to begin standing up for herself and even that was lacklustre.

However, this is not to say I can't see why other people would enjoy this book. The two stars are for the evocative Greek Island setting and the explorations of grief which I thought was well done.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I just finished a great book. Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell was so enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

A fabulous escape to the Greek Island of Agistri with plenty of sunshine to lift the spirits. Well developed characters throughout although Kat, the main female character is a little frustrating at times. Basically the book is dealing with grief, finding comfort and moving on. A little predictable at times especially between Kat and the love interest with the usual not listening and misunderstandings. A light feelgood uplifting book to take on holiday.

I was hooked from the beginning, a sad start but the grief is handled so beautifully and her journey through her grief slowly begins to heal by the love of family and new friendships. There’s a family’s buried past, time for forgiveness and love and laughter where you least expect it.

Kat is having a difficult time after the death of her twin Nik. She then discovers that they've been left a house on the Greek island of Agistri from an uncle she never knew she had. She decides to go there and finds there are a loads of secrets.

A beautiful story which is heart breaking in moments but a brilliant read and will keep you hooked in all the way through.

Lyrically written, this novel covers love, loss, and deeply hidden family secrets. Things migrate from the past to the present when Kat moves to her family’s homeland, Greece. She and her deceased twin brother have inherited a home there willed to them by an uncle she never knew about. Each new secret revealed causes Kat to reevaluate herself and redefine her parents.
A touching and beautiful novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A beautiful Greek island setting, this tale of love, friendship and relationships was just perfect to devour on a cold spring day