I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book is about Lily Bristol and her ex-husband Oliver, who through one of those crazy twists of fate end up both trying to use a reservation after their divorce. Oliver brought his new girlfriend (Angela) and Lily ends up hooking up with a guy named Ricky from Sardinia (where they are) but while all this is happening they both also can't stop thinking about each other and their shared memories. 
Overall I did not care for this book. I'm going to try to be honest here without being (a) cruel or (b) overly dramatic. I found Lily's character to be a complete mockery of a strong and independent woman. She has random conversations with strangers and just is everything that I would hate to become as a women and as a wife. Oliver has some extreme jealousy issues and may be addicted to sex since he can't seem to stop having it with his new girlfriend. However (**SPOILER ALERT**) he apparently NEVER THINKS TO ASK HIS NEW GF ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL. Sorry the caps were dramatic I just can't believe that any logical person in this day and age would overlook that in a new relationship. Anyways moving on the characters were irrelevant and unrealistic, the story line was half-hearted and not at all engaging, and I honestly couldn't even read most of the conversations they were so awkwardly structured. I did not care for this novel. However, all of that being said I know these are popular novels and that some people do like them so that's fine. Amazon has mostly 4 star reviews. So maybe its just me.

I would like to thank Anita Hughes, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for giving me this book for my honest review.
Review By Stephanie
Emerald Coast takes place in this amazing coastal town of.....Emerald Coast! Anita does an amazing job describing this coast, I totally saw everything about this town so vividly! Not only did we see this perfect setting in present time but we also got a detailed look at the past as well.
Emerald Coast is a journey of recently divorced Lily and Oliver.  Be chance these two are staying at the same resort at the very same time! Oliver is there with his girl friend and Lily is there by herself but has her butler Enzo set her up so she doesn't look lonely to Oliver. Now these two.... I really was like one minute....I was like why are these two divorced and then next I am like wow Lily is annoying. The story follows these two moving on to better things....but will they really move on or will one chance night prove that they are meant to be.

Lily and Oliver are divorced and so when Lily arrives in Sardinia to stay in a hotel booked ages ago she has forgotten that she booked it to go with Oliver to try for a reconciliation and so when she finds the room already occupied she is horrified......not only is Oliver on the island but he has bought his girlfriend!

There is only one thing for it Lily has to find someone quick and Ricky the boutique owner will do fine.....but how will she feel when she keeps bumping into Oliver and is there still some spark there?

A great light hearted easy read perfect for the summer - I haven't been to Sardinia but it is now on my list!

Anita Hughes is able to see the brightest side of life from food, to drinks, from landscapes to exotic trips. Her descriptions are warm, she really enjoys life


Emerald Coast published by St.Martin's Press this August 1 is able to make the difference.

Why?

Real old values are back. Love is love and is not connected with the value of money able to ruin everything and everyone and it is a sentiment treated with respect and not with superficiality.
Rich people are not light people without any kind of ethic or problem or brain.
Rich people have a brain, a heart, feelings, culture, a life and problems as well.
The story is not just interesting.
It is written very well and there are portrayed real characters with their sufferance, joys, happiness. They live their life in the entire intensity of it. In a word: they are alive.

I have loved also the interconnection, fusion in the various chapters between the "now" and "past", present and memories.

Anita Hughes is "a succulent describer."
She describes a beautiful vacation, passing through cocktails to fabulous dinners, stunning views, as no other ones can do better than her with a vision of life that it is incredibly beauty.

Of course, life is also something else and this time Anita added also the "something else:" feelings, sentiments, real life, real love, real sufferance, avoiding superficiality.


Sardinian's location chosen by Hughes for her characters is Porto Cervo.

What I loved the most was the historic reconstruction of Sardinia as a touristic exclusive locality. I didn't know this story.
The Aga Khan, his arrival to this island, his love for the island and the decision of inviting a lot of people, VIPS, like Grace Kelly and so on in this corner of italian Paradise. I guess that these bits can interest a lot the reader, because the life of the jet-set is interesting and because every locality speaks of us, our past, our traditions.

The love-story is set up in various parts of the world but mainly in Italy and it pays a lot because the Bel Paese presents a different dimension, also when we speak of "exclusive places."

The beginning is this one: Lily is 35 and she is divorcing from her biggest love of her life: Oliver, after 10 years of marriage, and a daughter, Louisa of 6 years.
Their love starts when Oliver works in Naples, Italia. Both in their 20's, their love bloomed in Spello a medieval locality of Umbria, and continues to Florence where Lily arrives thanks to Oliver for later, leaving for the USA.
This love-story continues through letters, when Oliver decides to afford to San Francisco where Lily lives for trying to see if a real love can be possible.
The answer is yes.
There is another man, Roger, very appreciated by the parents of Lily, in particular by Lily's mother, but Lily is uninterested to him declaring to her mom: "I am sorry I am engaged with Oliver."
Oliver thinks that this is perfect.
They love each other, they want to spend the rest of their life together and so what should they wait for?

Oliver doesn't still have a house and a good work and stability, but love is love and money is not anymore the priority for this couple, but starting their life together seeing what will happen later.


Being Hughes a positive writer there is a good happy end for everyone, of course.

Thanks to Lily's good advice, in fact, Oliver will become a great food critic, for the Chronicle of San Francisco at first and later for the NYT.
Lily arrives in Sardinia for launching her new store. She has stores in Milan, and USA. Oliver is there as well because of a restaurant's review for the Times with his new flame, Angela a florist from New York.

Can ten years spent together being deleted for a couple maybe still in love? How much important memories are for us?

If for some people moving on pretty simple because they lived terrible experiences with their partners, for Lily is difficult. She still loves Oliver and she feels shame declaring that she is a young to-be-soon divorced woman although she wants this divorce, and she asks to her personal butler to find for her a sort of companion for let think at her husband that she is not alone.
At the same time they both remember. The beauty of the beginning, their marriage, their years spent together, their living together.
And: will their love-story survive at a divorce?


I suggest this book to everyone. I know that it will be appreciated.


I thank NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this eBook.

If you're looking for the perfect book to completely escape into, Emerald Coast is it! While I was reading it I felt like I was indulging myself, it had a decadent feel to it as most of the people visiting this exotic locale are glamorous. Though it wasn't quite as scintillating, I still felt a similar vibe to Nigel May and Jackie Collins, it had that same breezy style and stunning setting that their books both have.

The premise for this put a fresh spin on a standard romance; Lily and Oliver are already divorced so there is no brand new love story here. Instead, they both reflect on their relationship throughout the book so you learn about their past that way, which was fun. Both were pretty complex characters with their own quirks and habits that made them endearing. I connected more to Lily than to Oliver, she was a lovable scatterbrain while he was a bit annoying at times.

My favorite part of this was the gorgeous setting, Hughes did a fabulous job of bringing the Emerald Coast to life. The writing was rich and the descriptions were vivid and so easy to conjure up. Add in a little humor and a bit of raciness, what more could you want for a fun, summer beach read?!

A pretty good read but a little predictable for my taste. This author has a nice writing style. It's very descriptive and brings to setting to life for the reader. The characters were interesting but I never really connected with them. The story is about a couple, Lily and Oliver Bristol, who recently divorced yet find themselves at the vacation spot they had planned before things went bad. The only available room is the adjoining room next door. They spend quite a bit of the time together reflecting on their marriage, the good times and bad, and talking about the future.

I would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice easy read.

A very enjoyable book about a recently divorced couple, Lily and Oliver, who end up in adjoining rooms while vacationing in the Emerald Coast. They were to go on that trip together before their divorce but since the trip was never cancelled, they each decided to go not knowing the other would be there at the same time. Oliver takes his new love interest with him on this trip which at times ends up being a bit awkward, especially for Lily, who then decides to have her butler Enzo find her a respectable man to spend time with while she's there in the Emerald Coast preparing for the opening of her new home furnishing store. Was the idea of having a male companion made to make Oliver jealous? Or did she really want some companionship and maybe a new love?

If you're looking for a good beach read this summer and plan to read all day long while soaking up the sun, this is the perfect book. A spectacular setting with vivid descriptions, reading this book really made me wish I was in the Emerald Coast. This was a nice "beach escape" for me.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thoughts Ninja Review Team and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Marriage is not always perfect. It is something you have to work on every day. When it comes to a strong relationship, there has to be trust and no secrets. Lily and Oliver Bristol found this out the hard way and it cost them their marriage. In this book we learn what happened to cause their divorce and how they have moved on. But, is there still something between them? Are they still in love or is it just the memories that make it seem so?

When Lily goes on a business trip to Sardinia, she had forgotten the reservation for her and Oliver. When she finds a man’s shaving kit in her room, she thinks there is a mix up in the reservations. She quickly asks for another room. The only room available is the adjoining room. Lily gets the surprise of her life when she finds out Oliver is the man who was using the room. He was also on a business trip, but he brought his girlfriend Angela with him. Lily decides it’s time for her to move on and is introduced to Ricky, a local boutique owner and they hit it off really well and see each other while Lily is I town. Lily and Oliver still seem to bump into each other often and their thoughts are flooded with memories. Will either be able to really move on and find love again?

With the beautiful setting of Sardinia’s Emerald Coast, fashion and food, along with an intriguing story, this book is one that I will definitely want to revisit in the future.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

Oliver and Lily are recently divorced from each other and are trying to cope with that situation. Lily is traveling to the Emerald Coast for a grand opening of one of her stores and before the divorce happened, both she and Oliver, were planning on going together. Unbeknownst to Lily, her ex-husband decided to go anyway and to bring his girlfriend. Luckily, the suite next to their booked suite was available so Lily was able to stay in that suite. It would be okay. After all, what could possibly happen?
They go through all the ups and downs of learning how to be single again. Since Oliver brought a girlfriend with him, she enlists her concierge to find a guy for her to show her around the island. They both begin to realize that finding love again isn't easy because they both have serious trust issues. Can they continue to move forward with their lives and find the right kind of love again while still dealing with these issues?
The book was good; however, the author goes from present to past and back to present again in much of the book. For me, personally, that type of book is not my favorite to read; although, some readers may not mind that at all.
Also, a couple of parts, for me, dragged a bit. The story, however, is a good one and though this is the first book I've read by this author, I'd would definitely read another one by her.
I was offered the chance to review this book, Emerald Coast. I was provided an eARC by St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review for which I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.

I just had a hard time getting into this book. I didn't like the narrative and the main character seemed a little whiny. I didn't like how she kept talking to herself. Sorry!

Fans of Anita Hughes' books will not be disappointed by her newest book. The setting is on the Emerald Coast and the descriptions are so vivid you feel as if you were there as well. I did find lily, the main character, a little tiresome with her being so wishy-washy about everything, as well as so scatterbrained. I also felt the storyline was a little too predictable. Otherwise this is a good quick read, and would be perfect to read on the beach or by the pool.

Lily Bristol has just recently signed her divorce papers from her husband of ten years, Oliver when she decides to head to a luxurious resort in Sardinia to see about her business there. However, when Lily arrives she finds a man's things in her suite and discovers that Oliver has also decided to use the trip that they had booked prior to divorcing.

Luckily for Lily there is an opening at the resort for her to change rooms seeing how Oliver is traveling with his new girlfriend. However unlucky for Lily the new suite is right next door to her ex-husband causing them to cross paths more than once on the trip. Lily becomes determined to continue her trip and even have a good time enlisting the help of her butler Enzo.

Emerald Coast by Anita Hughes is a bit of a different type of romance read as Lily and Oliver are freshly divorced but the book takes the reader on a journey looking back at their relationship and the ten years they had together. Alternating the past between Lily and Oliver and where they are at now in their lives intertwines the story showing just how love can go astray and gives a deeper meaning to the current events in their lives.

I actually enjoyed the characters in the book and had my suspicions on how things would turn out in the end all the while I was reading. The one character complaint that I would make would be I found it a bit odd that Lily was so forgetful in her day to day life but manages a successful business that spans the globe, a bit contradictory there. But making this book also shine was the lovely setting it takes place in, the author does a great job giving the feel of Sardinia bringing the area and customs to life. With the twist of focusing on a divorced couple and the lovely setting I found this one quite unique and an interesting read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A truly delightful story with atmospheric descriptions of a beautiful place.

A very good read about what happens when a married couple make their successful careers a higher priority than their marriage? Lily is a very successful business owner and Oliver is a food critic for the best restaurants. When their priorities put their marriage on the back burner feelings are hurt, choices have to be made, pride takes center stage, communication breaks down-all eventually leading to divorce. And that's exactly what happens to Lily and Oliver. Having already booked a luxury vacation in Sardinia neither of them thought to cancel it after the divorce. What happens when they both arrive-Lily alone but Oliver is not alone? How will it play out and what does it say about relationships? This is a very good beach read.

Emerald Coast is a scintillating book about a newly-divorced couple who are still coming to terms with the things that tore their marriage apart. When Lily goes to Sardinia for the grand opening of her store, she discovers that Oliver is there as well...and he's brought a girlfriend. This book is a real page-turner, as the two of them explore new loves, trying to rebuild their lives after their divorce. The setting is exquisitely described by the author, putting the reader right there on the beach, on a luxury yacht, and exploring the beautiful Emerald Coast! The relationships between Oliver and Lily and their new loves are intertwined with their own love story, and the events that led to their separation. This book is perfect for tucking away in a beach bag!
I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
I really liked the way this book was written and the setting of the book Sardinia was so lovely and well described, I felt like I was there.
A slightly humorous, lighthearted story about a divorced couple, at the same hotel in next door rooms,reflecting on their new lives, their history and moving on into new relationships. It is told from both perspectives which I liked.
A good summer read. 3.5***

Emerald Coast is the first book I've read by Anita Hughes, and it definitely won't be my last. I love the storyline and all of the characters.

EMERALD COAST by Anita Hughes is a quick romantic read about what happens to two recent divorcees who find themselves in adjoining hotel rooms in Sardinia after finalizing their divorce. In trying to find themselves, they just keep running into each other. Hughes does a great job with the imagery of the location. She has you feeling the wind in your hair and the sand in your toes and definitely gets you caught up in the frustration of her main characters. I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Emerald Coast
Anita Hughes

No one does travel romance better than Anita Hughes! Read straight through and finished it in a day. I was transported to bright white sand and turquoise blue seas and was ready for a tropical drink by the end. The story is about lies, broken trust and lack of communication after a couple's marriage ends. Lily and Oliver are successful thirty-somethings who get busy with life and stop trying to nurture their marriage. Choices are made, pride takes over and hurt feelings leads to disaster. . The characters were likable and the plot moved quickly. Gorgeous descriptions of super-yachts, breathtaking scenery and incredible cuisine make this the perfect summer beach read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Great Thought's Ninja Review Team for the advance reader copy. This review is my honest opinion.

Emerald Coast is the perfect pool side read for a hot summer day. Get your sunblock ready, you won't move until you're finished with this destination read!

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.