Really enjoyed this book, which embraced all the beauty of a Greek island yet with an undercurrent of suspense. The setting is wonderful but I particularly enjoyed the relationships between the characters and how the dynamic shifts during the course of the story. The book also deals with some difficult themes such as domestic violence, which are treated with sensitivity by the author.

Great setting, great characters superbly told.

Edie is a school teacher who is lonely after her kids have moved out. She and her husband have become distant from each other. So, she arranges a trip to Crete with her friends, Mac and Hannah, as well as last-minute guest Jessica, a colleague of Edie’s.

This story takes us back to Villa Ariadne, from Beneath the Lemon Trees. It was fun seeing some of the characters from that book in this story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read set in beautiful Crete. It was a page-turner with some twists and turns, a little bit of magic, romance, and fresh starts. I look forward to more stories from this author.

Thanks @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, @rachelsrandomresources, and the author for this arc.

Beside the Turquoise Sea is an enjoyable enough escapist read centered in Greece. I do think some of the secondary characters were a bit one dimensional even with the twist in there. Would have liked a bit more communication between Edie and Ralph before the resolution.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Boldwood Books for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This is a standalone sequel to Beneath the Lemon Trees. Yet again, Villa Ariadne in Crete, through caretaker Katerina, chooses some apparently worthy guests - Edie and husband Ralph who have a neglected empty nest marriage, friend Hannah and husband Mac plus colleague Jessica.

I don't mind a bit of magical realism. I liked the warm and eclectic community of Porto Liakáda, including April and her unruly family, and painter Marina who gives unwanted prophecies. The gorgeous cover drew me in and the many descriptions of the breathtaking scenery and the delectable food are beyond evocative - it made me want to book a holiday to Crete.

However, this is where my enjoyment ended. Midway through the book the genre seems to change into a mystery, when Jessica goes on a day trip to Knossos but doesn't return or answer her phone. I was honestly thinking I'd landed in a different sort of book, especially as the next topic we got was domestic abuse and accusations of murder.

Gone was my happiness about a lighthearted summary read. The atmosphere turned toxic, Jessica, an independent child-free woman was painted as horribly selfish, and the ending was very abrupt. In the course of a week, marriages, friendships and group dynamics were thrown into disarray and it didn't make for the relaxing feel-good read I had been expecting.

2.5 stars

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me a copy of this book. I read the previous book Beneath the Lemon Trees which is set in the same idyllic location, so I couldn't wait to return there and see if it was just as magical as I remembered, and it was. Four longstanding friends all in need of a break,take a holiday to Crete and stay in the beautiful Villa Ariadne. A last minute discussion sees one of the four invite along a work colleague, which starts to shake up the dynamics of the group. A great story well written and one I'd definitely recommend.

I love Emma Burstall's books and feel this one is the best I have read. Wonderful narratives and descriptions. Highly recommend.

Beside the Turquoise Sea is part lit fic and part magic realism, following a pair of empty nesters as they travel to Crete hoping to add some spark back to their marriage. Edie and Ralph are such relatable characters. Once madly in love, now they're a bit disconnected and stuck in the rhythms of their daily routines.

Edie books a (magical?) villa in Crete for themselves plus another couple they've known for years. However, things get complicated (as they always do) when they impulsively decide to invite one of Edie's colleagues to tag along.

If I'm not mistaken, this is part of a series of standalone novels that are set in the same villa, which magically brings the right people to its doors. Perhaps if I had read the first book, I would have better understood the mythology of the magical villa. That piece of the story felt quite underdeveloped; I wish I'd had more of the backstory. The magical element almost felt like an addendum.

The author has a gift for describing scenery and food with lush, vivid detail—the island feels alive, and I can just imagine a big beautiful Greek salad in front of me. (So much so, I immediately added ingredients for Greek salad to my grocery list!)

That said, I enjoyed it but would have liked more magical realism.

Beside the Turquoise Sea by Emma Burstall is a contemporary fiction novel due to be published June 11, 2025.

A vacation in a beautiful place, complicated family dynamics and an exploration of friendships are all things that I normally really respond to in books. Unfortunately in the case of Beside the Turquoise Sea, I did not enjoy the actual story and could not sympathize with any of the main characters so my overall reading experience suffered as a result.

However, I would read another book by this author as the overall writing style was good and the setting was excellent and well described. I think I would much prefer a book centered on the secondary characters and their mischievous pets.

Thank you very much to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital early review copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Edie and Ralph return to their honeymoon destination of Crete on vacation to rekindle their marriage and bring their best friends, Mac and Hannah, along with a colleague. They will be staying at the magical Villa Ariane.

This book took me through a range of emotions and I quickly found myself disliking a few of the people in the storyline and adoring others. The vacation makes them rethink how well they really know each other and factor what happens when vacation is over.

There's a quick mystery thrown in that adds some tension and volatility to the storyline that will leave you guessing and the outcome will leave you speechless to say the least.

The descriptions of the villa, town, and views were wonderful and the locals were so nice it makes you want to pack a bag and go there immediately.

Beside The Turquoise Sea is the second book in this series set in Crete, but can be read as a stand alone. I look forward to reading Beneath The Lemon Trees which is the first book in the series and any future books to come.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

A great follow on book by Emma on the island of Crete. Beneath the Lemon Trees is the first book where families come and stay although Katrina the Housekeeper believes that it’s the Villa Ariadne that chooses the guests. Edie and Ralph want to return to the island that they honeymooned in but this time friends Hannah and Mac friends accompany them alongside a work colleague Jessica. Lots of comings and goings as relationships are pushed to the max. Easy to read chapters and a wonderful storyline. Thanks to Emma and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and author Emma Burstall for this eARC

Going off the synopsis and the cover I was expecting a story of self-discovery and reinvention set against the beautiful Crete backdrop.

What I got was none of that.
The characters are all deeply unlikeable and under-developed.
The plot was… I honestly don’t know what the plot was. Part second-chance romance, part mystery, part drama but none of the storylines were cohesive or well executed.
The “twist” could be seen by a blind person from 10 km away and given the topic it involves there was a distinct lack of sensitivity, I’d even go so far as to say trivialization.
It was well written, unfortunately that is the only positive thing I can say.

A charming book - a bit of escapism. Perfect for a day at the pool or the beach.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

In need of an holiday, and to spend some time with her husband, they’ve not spent much quality time with their work taking much most of it, Edie books Villa Ariadne, in Crete. The country they were in for their honeymoon.

They also invite their friends Mac and Hannah. Even though Edie, isn’t that happy about it, they invite Jessica too, who works with Edie and is single.

But, even the beautiful views and scenery doesn’t help when the atmosphere at the villa changes and it appears that everything isn’t well between Mac and Hannah as Edie and Ralph thought.

Soon, there’s arguments and unpleasant moments between them, then when Jessica doesn’t come back from her sightseeing, the situation is even more tense.

What Edie thought would be a nice relaxing break, is anything but. Will the couples get back to how they were and enjoy the holiday, before they have to leave?

I loved reading this book. I enjoyed being back in Crete, meeting the residents of the village again, the descriptions of the surroundings and food.

I highly recommend this book.

Emma Burstall's "Beside the Turquoise Sea" is a sun-soaked journey to Crete that risks whisking readers away on a wave of emotion and revelation. The book revolves around Edie, whose dreams of reawakening her troubled marriage by bringing her husband Ralph and close friends to the Greek island are reshuffled upon meeting Edie's work friend, Jessica.

The breathtaking views of the Villa Ariadne make it so much more than just a backdrop; it's a catalyst for contemplation and revelation. The author masterfully weaves a tale of tattered friendships, simmering resentments, and deep, old secrets that bubble just beneath the perfectly painted facade. In the bright Greek sun, Edie is forced to confront harsh realities, not only about her friends but about herself. It's a novel that beautifully balances escapism with actual emotional depth and shows that even paradise is not immune to the fuzziness of life. It is a perfect read for someone who enjoys a balance of warm moments, common struggles, and the alluring charm of a Greek island getaway.

My rating:

Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Women’s Fiction
General Fiction


Review:

This is an interesting nicely written story set in a beautiful location which puts you in the holiday spirit as soon as you start reading. The plot is a bit more complex and focuses on the relationships between characters the dynamic of different personalities, how relationships change over time and how this affects the friendships with friends and family. The characters are portrayed realistic, their actions were explained well.

Overall a nicely written story, that started off a bit slow but then picked up and flowed well with well developed interesting characters A great holiday read!

Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.

“Beside the Turquoise Sea” is by Emma Burstall. This book is a sequel to “Beneath the Lemon Trees,” but can be read as a stand-alone, so that’s a point in its favor. For me, this book was a bit slow - there were a lot of unnecessary details in the beginning. But, once the five people agree to go to Crete, things pick up a bit. There’s friction between the five people (as expected), and twists in the storyline are there. While I believe the author did a great job of capturing Crete, this book missed the mark for me. Overall, if you want to armchair travel to Greece and like revealed secrets in unexpected ways, this might be a book for you to pick up.

I was initially very confused and thought I’d read this book before but then realised it was the same setting as a previous book by this author. I’m always drawn to books set in Greece and the Greek islands so this book immediately appealed to me. Unfortunately I wasn't really drawn to the characters and didn't really care very much what happened to them.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Edie decides that taking her husband Ralph, back to Crete for a holiday, may rekindle their romance now that their children have left home. She finds the beautiful Villa Ariadne and books, including their longtime friends, Mac and Hannah and a colleague, Edie works with, Jessica.

The perfect holiday seem to come undone when arguments and secrets are revealed, that will change their friendships forever.

A great read!

Beside the Turquoise Sea
by Emma Burstall

In this interesting story, Edie and her husband, Ralph, embark on a nostalgic journey back to Grete, the enchanting destination of their honeymoon decades earlier. They are joined by their cherished friends, Mac and Hannah, who have their own dynamic friendship with Edie and Ralph. Just before their departure, Edie introduces her colleague, Jessica, a vibrant and adventurous spirit, whose presence ignites a spark of curiosity in Hannah. Eager to expand their group, Hannah proposes inviting Jessica along, setting the stage for an intriguing blend of personalities.

As the five vacationers arrive at their stunning Villa Ariadne overlooking the crystalline waters of the Aegean Sea, the idyllic surroundings contrast sharply with the underlying tension simmering among them. Each character brings their own baggage—emotional strains, unspoken grievances, and hidden secrets that threaten to surface.

Throughout the story, the relationships among the group are tested, revealing a complex web of interactions filled with jealousy, love, and betrayal. As unexpected twists unfold, the characters confront their deepest fears and desires, leading to moments of anxiety and angst that grab the reader's interest

Emma Burstall's story delves much deeper than the allure of sunshine and sandy beaches; it explores themes of truth, self-discovery, and the difficult journey of letting go of illusions. Ultimately, it challenges the characters to embrace the lives they genuinely aspire to live, while navigating the complexities of friendship and love.

It felt like a vacation with secrets tucked beneath every sunset.

Edie’s story pulled at me. It’s about marriage, change, and rediscovery with just the right mix of warmth, tension, and those little life truths that sneak up on you. I loved how the villa almost became its own character, and how each guest brought something different to the table. Literally and emotionally.

If you love stories about second chances, friendship, and quiet personal transformations wrapped in a beautiful setting, this one’s for you. Perfect summer escape.

4 stars and a daydream of booking my own trip to Villa Ariadne 🏝️💙