One Last Letter From Greece by Emma Cowell is a romance as well as a woman coming to terms with the death of her mother. We join Sophie at her mother's funeral. It all happened so fast. She wasn't ready. Her ex, Robert, shows up simply to make everything worse. Her mother had been an artist, and she showed it in the way she lived, and how she dressed. Sophie wasn't ready to clear up yet, but she did open a box of pictures and in it she found a photo of a painting she had never seen. She took it to her mother's agent who never seen it either. She determined to find it and so she made plans to go to Greece, where it had been painted. Her friend, Tasha, was going through IVF and she wanted to be here, but she couldn't move on until she found this painting so off she went. She quickly fell in love with the place and with a man there, Theo. It all happened so fast. Then, she found the painting.

Sophie was a complicated character who had some growing to do. She had to get past being her mother's daughter and become the person she was meant to be. There were so many complications, which she took on one at a time. All she knew was that she loved Theo, the rest could be sorted. Or could they? She learned so much about her mother and about herself. The plot was a little convoluted, but readable, and told so much of a story that it was worth it. Theo was a good character, as well, with a back-story that had colored his view on life, making this whole scenario unlikely. It was a good read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of One Last Letter from Greece by Harper Collins UK, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #harpercollinsuk #emmacowell #onelastletterfromgreece

Great description of Greece and Greek food, heartwarming and beautiful characters. Plot was great going in the journey with Sophie but I didn't like the abusive ex getting between Sophie and theo.

This gorgeous, emotional, sentimental story will resonate with any daughter who has lost their mother.
Sophie is left in the throes of grief and uncertainty when her beloved flamboyant Mother Lyndsay dies way too soon. Left with a feeling of despair he decides to take a trip to Greece in the hope of finding a painting missing from her Mothers collection. As soon as she sets foot on Greek soil she is overwhelmed by the friendliness the community offers. A chance meeting with Theo who comes to her aid after she treads on a sea urchin sets her broken heart fluttering. Both have their own problems and had previous relationship disasters but the spark between them is more like a flame and hard to extinguish. A secret is then uncovered that rocks their world leaving them both with challenges and decisions to overcome.
One Last Letter from Greece is a beautiful story and I was hooked from the start. Tears of sadness and joy surround this tale making it an emotional ride but one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers Harper Collins for the ARC.

A very poignant story full of emotion. Sophie and Theo are extremely likeable characters and I felt and instant connection to them and their story. Beautifully written and descriptive, you will feel every emotion and see every sight.

What didn't work for me was Tasha's IVF / fertility struggles. Although relevant to many couples these days, I didn't see the need for this plot point within the story.

This was such a sweet book, it unfortunately starts off with a funeral which to me is not the best of starts but once I got through those early chapters I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting and flowed along nicely. A great debut novel. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

When I first started this book it did take me a couple of chapters to get into. However, I am pleased that I persevered as in the end, I really did enjoy this. Sophie is not only grieving the loss of her Mum, a known artist, but dealing with the end of a rather toxic relationship. Her mum was an artist who spent a lot of summers in Greece. Sophie wants to find a missing painting from a set of four that her Mum painted so she takes time off and goes to Greece to try to trace the missing painting and come to terms with her grief. She meets local fisherman Theo and begins to fall for him as well as trying to find the painting. I loved the description of the characters, you can clearly see an image of them and I think everyone could fall for Theo from the descriptions! This book is very atmospheric and you can feel the sun on your skin, visualise the scenery and just imagine being there. We discover where the missing painting is, more about Sophie's toxic relationship with Robert and more about Theo and his past. I did enjoy this and it is a good summer rad especially if you're headed for Greece! Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read a review copy.

This is a sweeping saga of the various types of love there are and how deeply each can affect you. I can’t simply call it a love story or a romance as that does not do it justice. The storyline swept me up into the centre of it all and didn’t let me go until the last page.

The setting in Greece sounded magical, the characters were likeable and the plot flowed well. The book allows you to escape to a world full of hope and fulfillment for a short time and isn’t that what we read books for? Thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for the chance to read the ARC of this ebook. You allowed me to believe in undying love.

I absolutely adored this book. When Sophie travels in search of her mother's missing painting, following her death, she finds more than she bargained for. Theo complicates her visit but fate has another path for them. Living in different countries and running their own businesses cannot prevent destiny. A beautiful, emotional read.

A brilliant debut novel.
Gripping, warming. Every word pulled to my heartstring.

Thank you, NetGalley for the early read.

She paints a picture with words!

When Sophie loses her mum, she discovers a copy of a painting that was part of series she completed in Methoni, but this one has not been seen since. To help her get away from it all and grieve, she flies off to Greece in search of this painting.

Like her mum, Sophie falls in love with the place, although she has mixed experiences with the locals - a flirtation with a handsome fisherman versus a message from spirits from the village shopkeeper.

Nevertheless, the sunshine, food and company are just what Sophie needs right now as she adjusts to life without her mum in it and learns to trust again after her previous relationship went sour.

Whilst the main storyline is somewhat cheesy and predictable, this book covers some heavy subjects such as loss, abuse and miscarriages so comes with a trigger warning. I definitely needed some tissues handy at times.

The writing was so descriptive I could picture the scenes and almost even taste the food she described, without being over the top and cringey. It really raised the bar and made this novel stand out from other romances.

It was a fast-paced easy read, allowing me to escape the current chilly weather and transporting me to the coast in Greece. I wish I could have sampled some of the dishes described though.

Would totally recommend

Thank you NetGallery for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book has everything you could want in a book: relatable characters, love, suspense, heartbreak, food, amazing setting and much more. This book was made all the more amazing by the fact I am currently in Greece, and can taste the foods, see the sights and smell the scents described through the book. I did not want this book to end. This is the perfect holiday read.

What a wonderful love story. I enjoyed this book so much, that I want to read a follow-up.
Sophia has just lost her Mum at 59 years old to cancer. She was an artist who was well known & loved. Sophia's Mum would visit Methoni in Greece to paint & one her paintings is unaccounted for. She decides to go to Greece to find the painting.
A series of events change her life. Loved the characters, loved the country, loved the writing!

I enjoyed this story immensely. It is a very emotional story, some laugh out loud moments, a fair amount of angst, anger and aggression, plus a few incidents that are very sad. The story is well-thought through. Some of the twists in the story might be predictable but that doesn’t at all detract from the readability.

Sophie is ar a very low point in her life. She had been in a very abusive relationship and for a long time she had been too embarrassed to tell anyone. Eventually she plucked up the courage to leave, and she went back to live with her mother. Her boyfriend Robert doesn’t accept that she has left him, and keeps contacting her, demanding the she goes back to him. Soon after Sophie returned home her mother Lyndsey, a famous and well-respected artist, becomes ill, and Sophie gives up her life to nurse her. The story begins just before her mother’s funeral. Sophie is distraught, not sure what she will do now. A few odd things occur, and she finds something of her mother’s that sets her on a course, she will go to Greece to the place where her mother had completed a series of paintings, and see if she can find the one that is famously missing. Having made the decision even finding somewhere to stay at short notice is easy. It all seems meant to be!

She falls in love with the village by the sea, with the people and the food, back home she owns a catering company and finds many recipes to add to her repertoire! She meets many lovely people, as well as a few who don’t seem to like her! She is helped by a fisherman, Theo, who comes to her aid when she accidentally steps on a sea urchin and gets poisonous spines in her foot, and there is an instant spark between them. But she is only there for three weeks, too short a time for anything serious … but her heart says otherwise. There are twists and turns in her search for people who might know something about the painting. There are various incidences that cause issues for Sophie, but it seems that all is successfully settled by the time she is due to go home.

There are still unexpected major issues to overcome however, before there can be a happy ending. The story is well written, it draws you in and you have to keep turning the pages to see what happens next. Perfect for a lazy day in the sun!

I haven’t read anything by Emma Cowell before but I really enjoyed it.
Sophie has lost her mum Lyndsey After her battle with cancer and is devastated. When she stumbles across a box of pictures it opens a whole new side to her mums life.
Lyndsey returned to Greece throughout her life and paints. Sophia discovers there is one of her collection that has never been found so Sophie desides to spend some time in Greece herself looking for the missing painting.
On arriving she meets Theo and her life changes forever.
A beautiful summer read full of friendship, love and new beginnings.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an ARC of this lovely book.

This book is so beautifully written, set in a gorgeous Greek Island with such vivid descriptions I could imagine them perfectly. It is a lovely book to escape with,a fantastic holiday read.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was engrossing and heartwarming.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

One Last Letter From Greece
by: Emma Cowell
Avon Books UK, Avon
Pub Date: June 09, 2022
General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Women's Fiction

The pages of Emma Cowell's impressive debut novel transport readers to the picturesque Greek village of Methoni, in a story of self-discovery, familial resolution, and healing. Sophie's steps lead her toward the uncovering of her recently deceased mother's puzzling secrets. She journeys from her life as a caterer in London to Greece to trace the mysterious legacy of an item belonging to her mother.

Cowell writes beautifully, capturing the scenery, food, and culture of the Greek setting. From the scents of saltwater, lemon and olive oil, to the sights of deep blue sky and seascapes, her expressive words entirely envelope me in the setting. The romantic theme in the book is gentle and enchanting. I'm drawn to stories about mother daughter relationships, and Cowell tender-heartedly portrays Sophie's layers of grief, memories, and acceptance. Eagerly, I will watch for more books by Cowell, certain there will be captivating characters and splendid settings.
Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books UK, Avon for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

I was initially drawn to this book by the setting – I’ve always been fascinated by the history and the beauty of the country – and by the description of the book that called it “escapist.” What I found was a novel that offered so much more than that.
No one is ever prepared for the death of a loved one, even when that death is expected. Sophie is no exception as she struggles to accept the death of her mother. Sorting through her mother’s things, Sophie discovers a message from her mother which she doesn’t understand, but which ultimately leads her to a small town in Greece., There Sophie uncovers things about her mother she never knew. In the process, she finds an unanticipated romance that offers the healing she seeks and the love she so desperately wants. But only if she’s strong enough to reach out and grab it.
The small town in Greece is so much more that just the backdrop of this novel. The author paints such vivid pictures I could feel the breeze ruffle my hair, hear the waves against the sand and see the brilliant colors of the sunrise and sunset over the water. Even more than that, the pictures she paints are a harbinger of the mood of the coming scene and a reflection of the character’s emotions.
This is an engrossing, highly emotional story of love and loss, of two people searching for that elusive something that will help them heal from past hurts. They discover, just maybe, event have drawn them together for find healing in each other. It’s a story that will stay with me a long time.

A sublime story perfect for sunny days around the pool or laying on a beach hearing the waves crash around you

A wonderful romance and story about a last letter from a mother to her daughter. And who doesn't love a book that takes the main character to Greece? (extremely jealous). But I was able to live vicariously through this novel and truly did not want it to end - although the ending was perfect. This will be a keeper for me!

A beautifully written, compelling story. This book will truly test your emotions as it deals with loss, grief, secrets & several other upsetting issues. After losing her mother,a chance descovery has Sophie heading off to Greece to find answers to her mother's hidden past. Certainly worth reading.