I listened to this on audiobook. This is book 5 of a still ongoing series, think the author Julie is up to book 10 at present, however it is my understanding that the books can be read as standalone.

I’m pretty late to the party with this author as have never read any of her books until now but have been meaning to give her books a go for awhile now.

This was a lovely little number, highly entertaining with lots of drama and laugh out loud moments. Along with some fun and delightful characters for sure, although there were a couple of characters I did not like, being Tara and Corrine but I think that was the authors intention. I liked the character of a Maddie, she’s a bit like me in a way, in that she doesn’t appreciate her own self worth or just how pretty she really is. She’s not had it easy but she sure doesn’t let that stop her. I found character of Nick slightly annoying at times, in the way that he lets Tara just walk all over him and control him.

There were a few cheesy and unrealistic moments throughout, but you expect that on occasion with these sorts of books, but it was fine, didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story in any way.

Anyway overall the whole book was very well written by the author and the narrator did a spectacular job of telling the story, making each character unique in their own way. I will definitely be continuing this series.

This is a women's fiction/romance book which takes us to Croatia. The main character is a woman called Maddie, who joins her friend Nina and Nina's brother Nick on board a cruise ship, to help them with work. Nick has a posh girlfriend called Tara, but he gets close to Maddie too. Which girl will he end up choosing?

The story is full of different characters who are nice, as well as some who are very annoying, with their rich lifestyles turning them into brats. Maddie has to wait on them, but she gives them as good as she gets, and she is sassy and strong. I liked Maddie, and I enjoyed her story.

This is a great book to read for a summer holiday. It reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

The secret cove in Croatia is a feel-good summer romance mostly set on a boat sailing the Croatian coast. I’ve been to Croatia quite a few times and I feel like Julie Caplin caught the flair pretty well. Her detail level is spot on ­– she tells enough to make you feel the wind and sun on the skin and smell the delicious food but doesn’t bore you to death.

Her writing style is fresh and easy to read, perfect to take on a vacation, but also to escape daily routines on a rainy day. The characters are very likable. Can I meet Maddie and Nick in real life, please? The only downside was that the story is a bit predictable, but for me it’s acceptable in this genre.

I'm not a big romance reader but occasionally there's absolutely nothing better than a book like this to provide a dose of pure escapism.
Although a little far fetched in parts, this was a fun, light hearted story with great characters.
I also loved the sense of place, I definitely want to visit Croatia now!
With grateful thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and Julie Caplin for my copy.

So cute! Perfect quick summer read! I haven’t read any by Ms. Caplin that I recall but will definitely read more of her work. Especially since this is a series! I don’t think that you have to read the others in the series first for it to make sense- works as a standalone book.

☆☆☆☆☆
I am a big fan of Julie Caplin and loved getting to travel to the secret cove in Croatia. A great escape this summer when we couldn't really escape due to lockdown.

What a sweet, quick, and fun read! I adored this book, and it would've been even better had I been able to read in on a beach.. or a cove in Croatia!

I didn't realize this was the fifth book in a series, it stands well enough on its own and the characters are introduced and described well enough that I didn't feel as though I was missing anything having not read the previous books.

Adorable, A+, and would absolutely recommend. Thank you NetGalley!

Love, love, love this book! Julie Caplin quite literally never disappoints; every book in this series so far has been thoroughly enjoyable and I am looking forward to the next one. Characters are great, the plots are great, writing style is great - I have nothing negative to say at all,

Maddie is a struggling artist and so when through her friend Nina she is offered a job on a yacht doing the catering and cleaning she jumps at the chance, no bills, accommodation and a chance to do some painting in beautiful Croatia what could be better! Nina's brother Nick is one of the party with his model girlfriend Tara and immediately they wind up Maddie with their entitled attitude..... how unlike his sister he is...... but is it due to the obnoxious Tara or will he mellow when she is out if the way?

A lighthearted summer read, great descriptions of Croatia where I have been a couple of times and so can really picture it, and plenty of characters some good and some bad like Tara who is completely unlikeable!

It's a lovely read for escapism. Set in Croatia, it has good atmosphere and that feel-good romantic feeling as readers get to know Maddie and Nick. There are also interesting posh customers who readers will get to know and some island hopping. There is a bit of will they, won't they going on, but not too much. It's just relaxed, gentle reading.

I desperately wanted to enjoy this book but, despite the location being beautifully described, I found the characters (of which there were many!) difficult to feel any connection with and lacking authenticity.

I'm a recent convert to Julie Caplin and have since read all of her books that I can get my hands on.
The idea of working on a super yaucht sailing aroudn the Adriatic see sounds like an ideal way to spend a summer. As I've come to anticipate with Julie Caplin's books, the descriptions of the location are captivating and you are drawn into the story and transported into Maddie's world from the comfot of your own sofa.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC to read and review.

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #thesecretcoveincroatia #netgalley

Maddie has spent a ywae in France studying art history in university. Here she meets Nina and her other half who helps Maddie make the country home. During this time Nick Hadley, Ninas brother, is renting out his field and sheep to a modelling agency where he meets the gorgeous stick thin Tara who he starts dating. Nick and Tara find themselves whisked off to a superyacht with their super rich friends. Whilst Nina bags Maddie a job on board the boat. Their paths cross but will they ever be the same again?

The beautiful cover attracted me to this book. The sun you could see beating down inti the terrace i now know is the boats deck.

This book is a great summer romance read. Although their are some emotional subjects included in this book such as eating disorders, adultery and class. I do not feel this takes away from the summer feel of the book.

I felt an emotional connection with all the characters. All the characters were stronThank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #thesecretcoveincroatia #netgalley

Maddie has spent a year in France studying art history in university. Here she meets Nina and her other half who helps Maddie make the country home. During this time Nick Hadley, Ninas brother, is renting out his field and sheep to a modelling agency where he meets the gorgeous stick thin Tara who he starts dating. Nick and Tara find themselves whisked off to a superyacht with their super rich friends. Whilst Nina bags Maddie a job on board the boat. Their paths cross but will they ever be the same again?

The cover attracted me to this book. The beautiful sun so brightly beating down on the terrace which i now know is the boats deck.

This book is a great summer romance read. Although their are some emotional subjects included in this book such as class, adultery and eating disorders. I do not feel this takes away from the summer feel of the book.

However Tara's eating disorder was mentioned multiple times and Maddie sought opinion from Bills Dr although it was then never expanded on and no support given to Tara. Almost making it seem a natural and normal part of modelling and being an actress. Something that could be detrimental to the lives and mental health of our young adults today.

The characters were a good balance showing that you don't need to fit in to make friends for life. This was particularly prevelant beteeen simon and Douglas. Something refreshing to see in a book where there is a class divide and is to do with the media.

However i felt that all the characters were not likeable. Each one was rude, abrupt, whilst thinking that they were right. Halfway through the book Maddie started to mellow and show her true colours making her much more likeable. Although the character maddie was felt like she should have been the likeable fun loving character the whole way through to prevent the beginning feeling like a them against me book. Toward the middle and end Nick started to mellow but this felt natural due to him showing how one can change for lust or to fit in.

Lastly I would love a sequel of them all reuniting at the villa maybe in another 10 years or so to see how things have changed or maybe not.g individuals who merged fantastically together to create a fab novel.

The book was beautifully paced between new experiences and it not being rushed or too slow. Whilst still getting everything i wanted and needed from ir.

I would love a sequel expanding on Taras character and her thoughts and feelings towards love, friendship and the media.

I didn't realize this was a part of a series, but after reading this I want to check those out. The writing is so beautiful and makes me want to travel to Croatia and see it. The romance was a bit tougher for me to get into, but once I did I couldn't wait to find out what happened with them. Definite must read to be transported to another place.

Struggling artist Maddie has been offered a job working onboard luxury yacht for the summer. How can she say no? Especially as she needs a little artistic inspiration. But is waiting on a bunch of stuck up guests going to break her? Especially when she realises her best friends brother, Nick, is one of them.

However when Maddie and Nick find themselves away from the other guests. They realise they have more in common than they think.

Such a great summer holiday read!

I have being in such a reading funk since the last few reads have being so good, ive not read anything rarely because i didn't know what i wanted to read. I knew i had a review due for this and boy am i glad i did, because it made me read it and it meant i enjoyed it and it got me out of my reading funk.

We meet Maddie, with her dreams in tatters after another failed meeting in London her best friend (Nina) in Paris sends her an urgent SOS for some work in Croatia, she has not done anything like this before but she can cook, she can clean and can look after people so surely it shouldn't be too bad working aboard a little boat.

Nick - Ninas brother, has bagged himself a glamours model for a girlfriend and is going on an exclusive holiday to Croatia, whilst he isnt sure its really for him, he will give it a go, Throw in a bunch of guests on the ship, and Ivan who is in charge and you have an eclectic bunch ready for travel.

The real stars of this book are Maddie & Nick, whilst initially they have nothing in common, how could they when he has such a sense of self entitlement and is glued to a model who looks like she is going to blow over the edge of the boat. Maddie is miles away from that with her love of food, g&t and a personality that you warm to instatnly will this pair ever see eye to eye.

Turns out the pair do have much more in common than they first beilve and as the holiday goes on, the pair grow closer but things cannot be that simple. With water based drama, guests with a rude manner and Maddie learning to find her sea legs this is a wonderful story of romance, holidays and lots of delicious food.

This book was brilliant, it was sweet, it made me laugh, it made my heart smile and boy oh boy did i want to sample some of the wonderful food that was on offer at every place they stopped. This was the pick up i needed. This was a me book all over, and its the perfect summer lazy evening read.

Firstly Croatia is on my list of places to visit so already I was interested and hooked on the location. I love this kind of book for travelling myself as they just are so easy to read and get into. I’ve not read any of Caplin’s books before and I’d definitely pick more up or recommend them to friends.

The characters were good, although it did take me a while to really get into them. I think because my brain was getting carried away too much as Croatia being a character. Fancy a country being like a character? But it’s a strong part of this story and I think for me it did overpower things but not necessarily in a bad way at all.

Loved this book and great for wintery days, like now too. We all love some escapism.

I loved this book. Feel-good but nothin pretentious. My only issue was the ending seemed too abrupt.

If you are going on summer holidays, or are at summer holidays, and you’re not sure which book to take with you, I truly recommend you this one.

A fun romantic story with an amazing setting. After reading this book I feel like I traveled to Croatia. The description of Croatia was amazing and made me believe I was enjoying the breeze off the Croatian coastline. The characters are strong and relatable. I especially like Maddie who if given the chance I would choose as a best friend. A quick read that pulls you in immediately and keeps you interested until the end. I highly recommend this book but be prepared to want to plan your next trip to Croatia! I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book