Dropping my suitcase at my feet, I stare up at the Greek guesthouse with its faded blue shutters, clambering purple bougainvillea and wrought-iron balconies spilling pink and red geraniums. I haven’t felt truly at home anywhere since I lost my sister. But maybe Eleni’s is different. I have a feeling that anything is possible here…

Annie always has a plan, always knows where her life is headed. But this summer, heartbroken after her sister’s death, she just feels untethered and alone. An invitation to stay at her old friend Kassia’s family guesthouse on the island of Crete comes at the perfect time – an excuse to get on a plane and leave her crumbling life behind for a few weeks.

Before she even finishes unpacking, Annie is wrapped up in the noisy warmth of Kassia’s chaotic, loving family. She soon finds herself cooking with Kassia’s mother, playing with the children under the orange trees… and meeting Kassia’s handsome brother-in-law Alexandros over dinner. Romance is the last thing on her mind, but the night she spends with him, swimming by moonlight and gazing at the stars in the lavender-scented air, heals something in her that she didn’t know was broken.

This was only supposed to be a temporary stay, but the longer Annie spends on Crete, the more she feels that this magical place might hold the key to her future. And as this life-changing summer draws to a close, can she leave her old plans behind her and find the courage to let her life make a map all of its own?

Fans of Kate Frost, Jenny Colgan and My Mamma Mia Summer willlove this gorgeous novel about love, friendship and fresh starts in the Greek sunshine.

Previously published as Staying at Eleni’s.

What readers are saying about Michelle Vernal:

‘LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOVVVEEE, LOVED IT!!!… Absolutely stunning!!!… Gorgeous… I was completely swept away!!... Had me in stitches… DO NOT START THIS UNTIL YOU CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!!... I absolutelyLOVED… Perfect read to lift your spirits and keep you hooked… Absolutely gorgeous.’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Had me jumping for joy… Hilarious and had me giggling so hard… I am still laughing now while writing this… Heart-warming.’ leannebookstagram, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heart-warming and utterly addictive… Definitely ticked all the boxes for me!… Wonderful, cosy, magical.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Page-turner… Stunning… I adored it beyond words… Beautiful, warm, romantic... So full of heart you can almost hear it pulsing on every page.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I’ve fallen head over heels… Beautiful… Perfect!! An absolute joy to read… Heart-warming… I absolutely loved it.’ Staceywh_17, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I am seriously in love with the whole story!… Amazing… Who could not fall in love… Fantastic… I highly recommend!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐