Just ok for me. Not terrible but very predictable and started to feel like a slog over time. Not a very enjoyable read due to that. Too many characters at once, many of them with no attachments to the story really.

i know when i want to lose myself in book set in greece this is the author to turn too.
the characters, setting and story line make you feel like you are part of the plot and it is such a fun easy read to get lost in.
a great book for your summer holidays.

Molly's life is turned upside down when she receives an inheritance from a Greek who she has never heard of. After she travels to Corfu, with her mother and best friend, she finds an intriguing mystery at the centre of this news and meets a family who she comes to care deeply about. Corfu itself dominates the story with its sparkling seas and beautiful environment. It is definitely a read for the summer.

Molly finds herself drawn towards Christos who has left the island to establish his businesses. She too has ambitions to set up a business and a huge determination not to be knocked off course. Both Christos and Molly share a childhood with absent fathers and both were largely raised by their mothers. Molly's relationship with her mother is at times strained as she longs to know just who is her father. Secrets from the past cause some huge changes to family dynamics for all of the characters.

In short: family secrets

Looking for your next vacation or beach read? You need to pick up A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot and throw it in your bag! Molly Adams and Christos Baros have never met. They don't even live in the same country. But they have each recently inherited 50% of an apartment, a boat, a truck, an olive tree, and also 25% of a cat. Crazy, right? But true! They meet in Corfu, Greece, where the sunshine is plentiful, the temperatures are hot, and the views of the island and sea are stunning. Reading their story, I feel like I took a vacation to Greece - I loved all the Greek phrases that are interspersed throughout the book, the descriptions of the landscape, and the yummy Greek favorite dishes that are enjoyed. I really enjoyed how Molly and Christos approached their far-fetched, crazy (but fun) predicament. We get to hear from both Molly and Christos POV in alternating chapters. They disagree on what to do with their recent inheritance, but come together rationally to find a solution. There was no over-the-top drama, but there were some ups and downs, all while becoming friends. I expected their story to be purely romance, but instead I found this book to be more suited to women's fiction and I truly appreciated the growth journeys for all characters involved, as well as the empowering messages that are entwined in the story.

This is my first book by Mandy Baggot and I will be reading more of her work in the future. A Greek Island Gift would make a fun rom-com movie!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free DRC in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun and lovely story! oh yes I had a lot of fun reading this one by Mandy Baggot, one of my favorite author! Everything is fun in this story, the main characters, the place they are in, the story, the romance... It's a perfect read when you want to relax, imagine yourself on vacation, and want a bit of fun in your life! I read this book in no time! A real page turner! I am giving this book a 4 stars out of 5! I warmly recommend it!

A fun read with laughter all the way through
As everyone involved has to decide just what to do.
There are secrets to uncover
And so much more to discover!

Imagine her surprise when Molly receives a letter
Stating she's inherited from someone she's convinced never met her!
The person lived in Greece and she's not been there before
She doesn't know anyone there, of that she is sure.

However when she tell her mother she gets a huge surprise
It seems she's been there before but she didn't realise.
The person is someone she met when a young child
And photos of them together shock her - that's putting it mild!

The fun starts when she travels to discover her bequest
With her Mum and friend alongside her, hoping for the best.
Get ready for more surprises with a shared inheritance
And maybe even romance, if only she'll give them a chance.

If you're looking for a warm, fun read
This is hopefully just what you need!
A great story which brings relationships to life
Dealing with attraction, romance and strife!

For my copy of this lovely book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I’m a big fan of Mandy Baggot, so it’s no surprise to anyone that I loved this book, what I did really love was the complete uniqueness of this story story, the shared inheritance and everything involved that brings of main characters together was really fresh and different. I also want someone to leave me a quarter of a cat. I have too many animals, but the thought of someone leaving you a cat in their will is so lovely.

What I love about Mandy’s books is how quickly you absorbed into the story and lost between the pages, transporting the reader via her vast knowledge and immense skill as an author. She doesn’t just describe Greece to the reader she transports you there via sound, sight, smell and even taste. If you’re looking for a story full of fresh starts, loss, friendship and love, pick a A Greek Island Gift.

Who ever heard of inheriting half an apartment and boat, but only 1/4 of a cat?
I haven’t inherited anything but I’d love to inherit all of Christos.
I love the Greek setting and the shenanigans of both Christos’ and Molly’s families because it enlivened the book.
I liked Molly’s determination to launch her cosmetic products but also to work things out with the inheritance and discover some truths about her paternity.

Last time I was on blogtour featuring novels set in a Greek Island it was Crete. After the third blog tour I felt it was a sign of the universe and went to Heraklion and fell in love with Crete and the history of the island.
Now it's Corfu, another island that seems to be everywhere and it's full of history.
This is not a book about history, it's a lovely story that made me smile and having fun with the cultural and character clash of the two main characters.
It's the right book if you want to feel good, travel to a wonderful place, and feel the Greek sun.
Liked it, recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

The Blurb :
When Molly Adams finds out she’s inherited an apartment in Kassiopi, Corfu, she’s left thinking there must be some mistake. She doesn’t know anyone in Greece at all.
But when she arrives there’s a shock. Molly hasn’t inherited a whole apartment, it’s only 50%. But there’s more - she’s also inherited 50% of a boat, 50% of an olive tree and… 25% of a cat.
Christos Baros is coming home to Corfu for the summer. A self-made entrepreneur, owning three gyms in Athens, he has no need for half an apartment, half a boat, half an olive tree or a quarter of a cat, but he knows these things are important to his mother.
Molly and Christos’s worlds collide in a whirlwind and the irresistible charm of the Greek island draws them even closer together. But as they uncover the secrets of their shared inheritance, will they discover that sometimes, sharing what you never wanted can lead to exactly what you need?


My Thoughts :
As soon as I see Mandy Baggot has a new book out, its added to my list straight away and this one did not disappoint.
We meet Molly Adams. Molly is trying to launch her very own make-up brand called Mollify with the help of her best friend Siohban.
When Molly receives a letter, informing her that she has been left something in a Will on the Island of Corfu to a man named Vaggelis Vlachos, who she has never met, let alone heard of. Molly seeks out
answers, soon she is jetting off to Corfu, with her mum Janette and friend Siohban in tow.
Soon Molly learns that not only she has inherited 50% of an apartment, 50% of a boat, 50% of an olive tree and 25% of a cat named Armeena. She is told she owns this along with a guy named Christos Baros.
Christos used to live on the Island but now lives in Athens where he owns a few Gymnasiums.
He is back to visit his family after his Godfather Vaggelis passed away and soon learns he too has inherited the other half of Vaggelis’s belongings.
As Molly and Christos get to know each other in one way or another there is an undenying spark between the two and as much as they try to resist, can the Greek Island work its charm?!.
I loved learning about the past of Molly and Christos and what brought them both to where they are today. We also learn of some secrets and lies from both sides including Molly’s mum knowing more than she has let on.
Soon the reader will get lost lost in the whole story of love, friendship, loss and starting over.
Mandy Baggot delivers us pure escapism, I just know every time she releases a book, I am going to be lost in the world of Greek Islands.
She takes us on a journey and transports us through the tastes and smells of the country with added descriptions of the scenery, we all know too well.
Mandy Baggot is one of my top go to Authors, hope there is more stories very soon.

Light-hearted travel romance with depth

This is a light hearted travel romance set in a beautiful Greek paradise. It is very suitable for reading on your holidays, beside a pool or even a fireplace. But it also adresses more serious topics such as what is success and what is family. Very readable!

An unexpected inheritance takes Molly, her best friend and her mum to Corfu. There is lots of laugh-out-loud humour in this story from the cast of characters, and it draws you into the Greek way of life, making it a lovely escapist read. The romance is sweet, both helped and hindered by friends and family members. It's a heartwarming read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Mandy Baggot returns with a glorious romantic escape readers will swoon over: A Greek Island Gift.

Molly can hardly believe her ears. How could she possibly have inherited an apartment in Corfu when she doesn’t know anybody in Greece? There must surely be some mistake, however, when she packs her bags and leaves for Corfu, she realises that she has in fact inherited property. Only she’s joint owner of an apartment – and also of a boat, an olive tree and a cat! Molly seems to be lurching from one shock to another. But just when she thinks that she cannot handle any more surprises, she meets the other co-owner, Christos Baros, and sparks quickly begin to fly.

Back home for the summer, Christos is a self-made businessman who is certainly in no need of half the things he has jointly inherited with Molly. Yet, knowing how important these things are to his mother, Christos has no choice but to go along with whatever fate wants to throw his way. Meeting Molly has him feeling things he has no business feeling and as his world and hers collide, Christos wonders whether he’s come home in more ways than one…

Fate has brought Christos and Molly together, but will their Greek island gift be enough to bind them together forever? Or are there simply too many obstacles in their way?

A sun-soaked summer romance that is the next best thing to a holiday, A Greek Island Gift is vintage Mandy Baggot. Funny, whimsical, emotional and so deliciously readable I gobbled it up in one sitting, A Greek Island Gift is a wonderful tale about learning to trust, taking a chance on happiness and falling in love that I thoroughly enjoyed.

When Molly Adams learns that she has received an inheritance and she needs to go to Corfu in Greece to get the details she is very confused. As far as she knows she has never been to Greece. She doesn't even know anyone in Greece. And then her mum calls and talks about her Greek ex, Vaggelis, who has just passed away and Molly is suddenly convinced that this man might just be her long lost father.

Molly works in a pharmacy but her dream is to release her own make up brand. She has done all the development, done testing, she has growing social media presence. She just needs one approval and a cash injection and she is ready to go. Could travelling to Corfu to claim this inheritance help her understand who she is and help her start up business at the same time?

Molly, her best friend Siobhan and mother, Janette, all head to Corfu. It quickly becomes clear that things aren't as straight-forward as they might be. Molly has inherited half of a rundown apartment, half a barely seaworthy boat, half a dilapidated truck, half an olive tree and a quarter of a disagreeable cat.

The other half has all been inherited by Christo Baros who was Vaggelis' godson. He loves his family but he is glad that his life is in Athens where he runs three very successful gyms. He doesn't understand why his godfather has structured his will in such a way. He is all for just selling everything and getting what little he can for it and going back to Athens.

While it is all sorted, Christos spends time with Molly and soon he realises that she is more than just his shared inheritor. And when the family secrets come out from both sides, they both realise that there might be more to this situation than meets the eye.

I have read a few Mandy Baggot books now, mostly set in Greece. There was one a few books ago that felt quite manic in terms of the humour and the pacing, but although this one is humourous the pacing felt just right to me. Each families had the time to unravel their particular stories, surprises and all.

I really like the entrepreneurial part of Molly's story. She has worked really hard to develop her products and her brand, and she is able to use her time in Corfu to come up with some great marketing imagery. She does, however, need just that push to take the leap of faith required to launch! I understand that the character that helps with this is from an older backlist book which was a nice touch, especially to those readers who have been following this author for a while. I hadn't read that book but I got the idea pretty well I think.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

Molly, a pharmacist receives a letter that requires her to go to Corfu, Greece. It seems that someone she doesn’t know left her his inheritance.
She arrives in the island only to find out that she in not the only one who is being summoned, she gets 50% of an apartment, 50% of Dynamo, a boat, 50% of a truck, 50% of an olive tree, and 25% of a 15 year old mean cat.
Vaggelis Vlachos left his god-son the other half of the inheritance.
I always enjoy tMandy Baggot’s greek adventures under the sun!
Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy.

Quirky story of a shared inheritance and I loved that they got to share a quarter of a grumpy cat. The author's first hand acquaintance with the Greek way of life made the characters credible and with so many relatives interfering in the blossoming romance between Molly and Christos, it's amazing that they fall in love. Easy to read, perfect for the beach or garden, I enjoyed being transported once again to my beloved Greece. There's also a bit of a twist at the end. Fab.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Mandy Baggot’s A Greek Island Gift is a sun-drenched delight that transports readers straight to the heart of Corfu. With her blend of humor, heartfelt emotion, and vivid storytelling, Baggot h a tale as given us a story will strike a chord with many whilst being a fun, escapist read.
The story follows Molly and Christos, two strangers brought together by an unexpected inheritance. As they navigate the complexities of their shared legacy, their journey unfolds amidst the wonderful (and highly desirable) backdrop of Greek island life. It is so descriptive at times, I swear you can almost feel the Mediterranean breeze added to the food descriptions enough to make any mouth water, I was soon dreaming of being right there.
The characters in this book are a charming array , from the endearing locals to the quirky animals at the sanctuary, each figure adds depth and charm to the narrative. The slow-burning romance between the protagonists is both believable and captivating, making their eventual connection all the more satisfying.
A Greek Island Gift is more than just a romantic escape; it’s a story about second chances, self-discovery, and the unexpected gifts life can offer. Whether you’re lounging on a beach or curled up at home, this novel promises a heartwarming escape to sunnier climes.

This is a lovely, easy-to-read holiday romance set on a gorgeous Greek island—full of blue seas, sunny skies, and that perfect escapist vibe. Molly is a strong, independent lead, juggling the emotional journey of uncovering the truth about her father while also launching her own makeup brand. The story itself isn’t overly complex, but there’s just enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. It’s a bit of a slow burner, but the setting and character development make it a gentle, enjoyable read—ideal for a relaxing getaway or a bit of armchair travel.

*A Greek Island Gift* by Mandy Baggot is a warm, feel-good story set on the beautiful island of Corfu. I absolutely loved the charming characters, especially Molly and Christos, and how their unexpected inheritance brought them together in the most surprising ways. The sunshine, the humor, and the slow-blooming romance made this such a comforting and joyful read. It’s the perfect escape if you're dreaming of summer, love, and a little bit of mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest feedback and review.