Beside the Turquoise Sea swept me away with its vivid setting and emotionally resonant story. What begins as a hopeful getaway to rekindle a fading marriage slowly unfolds into a deeper exploration of friendship, truth, and the turning points we all face in midlife.

Edie is a relatable and quietly brave protagonist. Her decision to return to Crete, the site of her honeymoon, is full of longing—for connection, for clarity, and for a spark she fears may be gone. The Villa Ariadne, with its dreamy views and tranquil charm, becomes the perfect backdrop for both healing and upheaval.

The group dynamics are wonderfully drawn, especially when Edie invites her bold and unpredictable colleague Jessica to join them. Tensions simmer and secrets emerge, adding a rich emotional layer to what might otherwise have been a light vacation tale.

This book is about more than sunshine and sea—it’s about facing truths, letting go of illusions, and embracing the life you truly want. Perfect for fans of character-driven fiction with a strong sense of place.

I struggled my way through this flat read with underdeveloped characters and setting. There wasn't much to grasp onto and with a setting like Crete that was a missed opportunity. Each time something happened, and I would think we're finally going to see Crete up close. Nope, just more dry dialogue. I could give you basic stats for characters, but honestly, I'm never looking for cold bullet points. I read for characters that get my emotions shaken or stirred. 🍸I didn't feel so much as a dull rattle. I was bored from beginning to end and if you're wondering if I finished it. I did. My thoughts didn't change.

The premise is two longtime couples who have been friends for years decide to vacation together in Crete along with a co-worker. The marriages are under stress and the characters are hoping the trip will be a fresh start. There are some predictable twists and issues that arise which brought nothing of note to the table. Creating a luscious setting to explore would have been better than adding weak plot devices.

It's possible I am not the right audience for this novel. So be sure to take other reviews under consideration.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Edie hopes returning to Crete with her husband and friends Mac and Hannah will bring back their life to what it was. Unfortunately she takes pity on a colleague Jessica with disastrous results.

I was slightly confused when I started reading this as had deja vue as the Greek villa was the same in Emma's previous book! However I realised that the cast of characters were new despite the setting being the same! I did enjoy this, it is an easy accessible read. Maybe does not capture the essence of Greece quite as much as others in the genre however I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters and how the story played out. Good beach read.