Another lovely summer/beach read! A perfect international romance with well developed characters and settings.

When my friend Amanda (who has an amazing blog ChocolatePages and you should check her blog) told me about The Secret Cove in Croatia I knew I had to read this book.
You see, I love reading books set in different countries that talk about people, food and love, but I have never read that type of book set in my own country.
I wanted to see what perspective foreign author would have on Croatia and it’s residents, and critical side of me wanted to check if descriptions will be authentic.

I have to say, I was so impressed by the way Julie Caplin described Croatia and I truly believe this book will make you consider to take a trip to this country after you finish it.
It was obvious that the author loved places she visited while she was doing her research for this novel, and I applause her for the way she described everything.

There are plenty of places and food mentioned, and even some characteristics of Croatians.
I like how characters of the book drank Karlovačko, our national beer, or Cedevita (which, actually, you can find in more then three flavours and everyone drinks it, not only kids (I’m drinking lime-mint flavour as I’m writing this review)).

The story itself was pretty enjoyable, although I think I would like it more if it was little shorter.

The writing style was also really good and now I understand why so many readers are in love with Caplin’s work.

However, there are two things I didn’t particularly like:
1. The characters were unlikeable, and they were all black and white (even though I wasn’t a fan of the main character who was “white” (and here I talk about personalities)).
I wish they were more dimensional, especially the one character who is pictured as main villain.

2. I don’t like the way author handled a serious topic called eating disorder (bulimia).

This is the fifth book in the series, but it can be read as standalone.

I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a relaxing summer read filled with sunshine, sea, food and romance.

I loved this book. I’m a big fan of Julie Caplin’s previous books and this one was just as good as the others. It was a wonderful summer read and I highly recommend it.

This was a fun and entertaining read. This had lovely descriptions of the location and food.
The main character was easy to relate to.
A well written book and an excellent read

So I devoured this book in one sitting! Loved the theme, location, and loved the heroine's attitude for life. She had appeared before in the Paris book in this series as a minor character, and I had been hoping that Ms. Caplin would give her a book of her own. She had spunk and charm, and really grew as the book moved along. Loved Nick, and how it all ties together with book three.
Ms. Caplin, your books are a fun read on rainy days or during the snowy season where I live. Thanks, and can't wait for the next one!

I haven't read any other books in this Romantic Escapes series but I will now. I really enjoyed this book by new-to-me author Julie Caplin.
While reading I had my phone beside me looking up pictures of Croatia, the islands and the boats, to get a better feel for what Julie was describing. What a beautiful, stunning place! I have friends that are going there soon and I now really jealous!
This was a fun, breezy romance and a perfect summer read. Join Maddie as she takes a summer job working on a luxury yacht, waiting on some very posh guests. This is where she finally meets her friend Nina's brother, Nick. She just didn't think Nick would be such a jerk. Poor Nick, a sheep farmer, is trying to fit in with his model girlfriend and her ultra showy friends. Deep down he's a really great man and soon learns it's better to be himself.
This story will took me away on a trip around Croatia and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was given an advanced readers copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the 5th book in the Romantic Escapes Series, and I can see what it has been such a popular series withother readers. I have not read the previous books, but I can say I really want to now!

If you could sail away on a luxury yacht on the beautiful Croatian coast, would you? This is exactly what Maddie Wilcox did! She doesn’t mind that she will be part of the crew waiting on the posh guests that have hired the yacht, after all, she will get the chance to meet her best friends brother. At least she will know someone that she can chat to, right…?

If you are looking for a superb summer read then this one should be on your radar. The guests seem shallow and with no real substance, but the real star of the show is Maddie. Like me, she got a real eye-opener to the way that fame has gone to the heads of some people. Thank goodness that other guests can remember where their roots are and how to treat people!

Nick and Maddie should get on because he is the brother to her friend. While they don’t exactly hit it off there is a good amount of cheeky tension and a spark or two between them. Nick is on board with the willowy model Tara, and he is a sheep farmer. Along with these two guests, there are others who are memorable for all their own reasons. Some were fabulous and others, well, the least said about them the better!

The author really has done a stunning job of describing the setting, the beautiful arbours, markets, food and, scenery, they are full of vibrant details.


The author has included some near misses, misunderstandings and erm a yucky moment that just fit wonderfully into the drama of her story. A story that I was completely able to immerse myself in and I adored every sun-kissed moment.

It is one I would definitely recommend.

Float away to the Adriatic Sea for a romantic read. This book reminded me of a wonderful holiday spent in Croatia. Wether you have been or wish to day dream this book is perfect. Maddie and Nick are lovable characters unlike some of the others in the book. An easy read, perfect summer reading. Thanks to Julie Caplin and Netgalley for the e book copy.

<i>The Secret Cove in Croatia</i> by Julie Caplin is a fun summer beach read. The story follows Maddie, a recent but older college graduate, who takes a last minute job aboard a luxury yacht sailing around Croatia for two weeks. The book is a light summer read and Caplin gives lovely descriptions of Croatia.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Read this whilst sunning myself in Spain (not on a yacht unfortunately!). I have visited Croatia and loved it so that immediately drew me to this book.
A humorous romantic tale in the close quarters of a yacht populated mostly by entitled spoilt 'rich kids'. Rest assured everyone gets what they deserve in the end. Happy days!

Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this book.

When Maddie gets a job as a crew hand on a yacht for Ivan. Things take an unexpected turn when she finds and falls in love with Nick her best friends brother. Nick is the unhappy boyfriend of one the guests on the yacht who is going out with supermodel Tara.

Will things ever be plain sailing for them both and will they live happily ever after.

A lovely summery read, was excited to read this book as I’m due to visit Croatia in October the descriptions of the towns, harbours, food and people were enchanting and you felt as if you were there on the harbour watching the yachts, fishing boats etc arriving and leaving!
Maddies story of being down on her luck and out off work takes you on a magical tale of new experiences, new friends, new places to visit and ultimately a new relationship and a lovely happy ever!
Perfect read for this time of year, pack it in your holiday bag!
Thank you net galley for this advance copy to read and enjoy x

I really enjoyed this book. I have not read any of the previous books in the series.

Maddie has just completed an Art History degree and is feeling a bit disheartened. She gets a job offer from her friend to be a hostess on a yacht for a bunch of rich people where she is expected to cook and clean after them. One of the couples on the boat is her friends brother Nick and his supermodel girlfriend Tara.

Maddie and Nick clash from the beginning and Tara and her model friend Cory treat Maddie like rubbish. Bring on the drama and the nastiness, and a lovely book about touring around Croatia.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

This was such a beautiful read, it included adventure, romance and a vacation to remember. The secret cove in Croatia is the fifth book in the romantic escapes book series but I found really easy to read as a standalone (I seriously need to stop reading books partway through a series though, it's absolutely killing my TBR list!)

Here we get to meet both Maddie and Nick, Maddie is working on a cruise ship while Nick is on vacation with his supermodel girlfriend. I have to admit there was more than one point throughout the book where I could feel myself internally screaming at all of the general snobbiness that was going on within the cruise, you know it must be good writing when you can feel yourself getting angrier! I loved getting to get a glimpse into what Croatia must be like as well as the different sort of experience you could have on a cruise ship. I did warm up to Nick in the end and was happy as to how the story ended. A great four star read!

Rating: 4/5

Would I read again: Yes

Would I Recommend: Yes

Would I read another book from this author: Yes

Well you certainly get to escape to a beautiful part of the world in this story. Julie Caplin's descriptions of Croatia sparkle in the sunshine. What can be more escapist than a luxurious yacht and a millionaire's lifestyle? Maggie is a great antidote to the excesses of the beautiful people who are its passengers. With her feet firmly on the ground, you see through her eyes the ludicrously shallow reactions of the models with their obsession with Instagram. Just like Instagram, she shows you that under the surface, all is not picture perfect and bulimia lurks.

I did find myself getting very impatient with Nick. A sheep farmer, he seems to be unable to say no and there are several times when I could hardly believe that he would go along with Tara's suggestions. Nevertheless, he proves to be an appealing hero, with a keen sense of home and family. There are some genuinely funny moments brought to us through the antics of the models who are completely over the top and self - obsessed. Although number 5 in a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. It is a lovely, light read.- perfect summer reading.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

LOVEDDDDD! I wish I could go to Croatia right now and enjoy such a beautiful place. Maddie is my girl and I love her, she and I would get along great. Also I really wish Cory and Tara got pushed overboard Dx they were so annoying lol. Nick I wish you’d spoken up sooner but you still my boy too. This was a fun read and let’s be honest, rich people can be annoying but intriguing. I’m so happy I got this arc from NetGalley I can’t wait to read her other books!

A well written book, easy to read and very enjoyable. The Secret Cove in Croatia takes us on a delightful summer cruise.

The characters are generally well rounded, and the two main characters are easy to connect with. I loved Maddie. I liked the fact that she is happy to go off on her own in foreign country, though she still has a few insecurities. I definitely appreciated the way she speaks her mind. I do sometimes get a little fed up of insecure, feeble heroines, so it’s great to read one who is more confident.

I really disliked Simon straight away, he’s one of those entitled people who don’t take no as no. A smarmy jerk. This opinion was then confirmed by his dangerously reckless behaviour later in the book.

I quite liked Nick, though I found him to be rather pathetic and weak willed around Tara.

The descriptions of the places are lovely, not too long, but really give the atmosphere of being in Croatia, without feeling intrusive.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated the multiple strands of storytelling - it is not just a romance. I was left feeling satisfied and like I had been to the islands in question.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Quotes:

With big bones, Maddie was never going to be a size ten; she was a healthy twelve to fourteen and her stomach had never, and was never going to be, flat and, yes, she had muffin tops – double chocolate chip muffin tops. All bought and paid for.

‘… those shorts. Serious fashion crime… Oh, dear God. A travesty. Those are men’s shorts. No wonder you look like a pudding on legs. Fabulous legs, by the way.’ She actually walked around Maddie as if she were a prize pig on show.

We were the kids on free school meals. I’m the first to go to university, which my mum views with deep suspicion. The way she carries on, you’d think I’d taken up witchcraft.

Honestly, you young people. Every communication tool under the sun and none of you seem able to talk to each other.

My Review:

This was a fun and amusing read that entertained with clever observations and mocking wit while simultaneously taunting me with delectable descriptions of mouth-watering dishes and lush exotic locals as the characters cruised the Croatian Coast on a luxury yacht. Well, the lovely main character of Maddie was actually employed as a last-minute addition to the crew on said luxury yacht. Poor Maddie, she was required to clean up unspeakable messes and smile as the vile and petty “stick insect” models squealed like toddlers, pranced like show ponies, and barked orders and insults at anyone who dared to offer a differing opinion to their plans while they fleeced a wealthy boyfriend and enjoyed an extravagant vacation at his expense.

This was my first experience dabbling in this cunning wordsmith’s skills and my willpower to abide my diet regime was sorely tested by her deviously penned and artfully detailed meals. It took all I had not to succumb, although I did dream of a succulent pasta and wine-fueled binge after feeling compelled to Google Croatia and several of the items and places mentioned. Ms. Caplin’s oddly enticing characters were intriguingly and comically drawn; even the villainous harpies kept my interest primed as I was curious as to if or how their duplicity would be exposed, although I will also admit to gleefully hissing my displeasure at their unrepentant self-absorption. I seem to love to hate narcissists.

In addition to falling into a circuitous yet interesting and educational Google stoked lesson on Croatia, Mr. Google also assisted me with several fun new additions to my Brit Word List with duff them up – hit them many times; oik – an uncouth or obnoxious person; and cadge – ask or beg for something. Mr. G is one of my all-time favorite boyfriends, as unlike most of the human variety, he never fails to perform.

My first thought when I started this book was “why the hell am I on a photoshoot in some backcountry town in England if the story is meant to be in Croatia?” Well, it turns out that’s to help set up a couple of character BEFORE jetting us over to Croatia. Which in the long run I was actually thankful for. Don’t think you’ve been duped; those scenes are needed and actually play a pivotal part of the story.

As we go in and Maddie is working on this luxury boat I can’t help but think she’s a little too relaxed and informal for 5 star service. I’ve worked in those kinds of settings (not on a boat coz I get sea sick real bad, and I mean before we even undock I’m sick bad), and if I even showed the slightest hint of the attitude she showed sometimes, I’d have been fired. My bosses wouldn’t have cared if I knew the guests or not. I would’ve lost my job.

I didn’t really like that familiarity with all the guests. I think I would have enjoyed that aspect more if it matched my experiences more closely. But then again, maybe things are different in Europe? Or maybe because it was a small kind of company the appearance of detachment and being unruffled isn’t needed as much?

The rest of the story was pretty dream like though. Imagine sitting on a private yacht in your own bay with crystal clear water, all the sea life and amazing sunny weather? Other than the whole being on the boat thing, this sounds almost perfect to me. If there was a way I could zap my sea sickness into nothing, it would be perfect.

Yes, I liked the romance. But the sights, the relationship building (not just the romance ones, but even their relationships with themselves) and the way I was transported to these breathtaking locations really stole the show for me. Unfortunately for my purse strings, this book has added yet more sights for me to see when I get to Europe! Maybe I can talk my Croatian friends into taking me so we can try and get locals discounts… If there are any.

Maddie Wilcox manages to score a summer job on a luxury yacht for the summer sailing the gorgeous turquoise seas of Croatia on the Adriatic. The opening was recommended to Maddie by her best friend, Nina, and Nina's brother will be among the guests. Nina's brother Nick Hadley, however, has been brought along on the cruise by Tara, an extremely spoiled (and slack-jawing beautiful) model who needed appropriate eye-candy on her arm. No secret they both turn heads.

Maddie's character is relatable. She has her degree but what she really wants to do is paint and become an artist. She quickly becomes acclimated to the yacht and her master, but the guests, although few in number are more than a handful, particularly Tara. The model borders on contemptible and she and Nick clash.
In the meantime, the reader is treated to a travelogue producing an ache for the road (on in this case the water), the food and the people paint a picture of its own. A scuffle with Simon results in an introduction to the extremely rich William Randall, director and producer and leads to a fun portion of the book.

I was happy thinking the romance part of the book was downplayed a little, but then of course circumstance would throw the two together to realize they weren't all that different. Still, the novel is a delightfully well-plotted and fast read that comes together with satisfying resolution in the conclusion. The author's writing style is light-hearted, dialogue realistic, and the characters were well-developed. My only negatives would be the over-used clichés of the triangle, and the oft-repeated mantra of Maddie's lack of self-confidence. We get it.

I was given this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review. If you are looking for a delightfully refreshing summer read, grab this one. You won't be disappointed.