Sophie's mother was a painter and has recently passed away. Whilst going through some of her things Sophie discovers that there is a painting that her mother did that no one knows about . She decides to look for this and it takes her to Greece where she discovers some secrets to her mother. Its a romantic story that makes you wish you were in a Greek taverna eating Spinakopita!

I love this gorgeous cover! This book was very descriptive, you could picture the beach and the amazing sky. I was expecting more about the finding of the picture but instead we have a love story. I liked the characters for the most part but at times Sophie thought too much. It is a nice love story spanning two generations.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I went through a kaleidoscope of emotions reading this book. I was drawn to the plot mostly for the romance and promise of an art-chase mystery. I stayed for the beautiful descriptions of Greece and Greek food (though honestly I wish there was even more). For a while the pacing was good and really making me wish I was on a beach vacation, reading this on a lounge chair. I enjoyed the hunt for the missing painting, though I was hoping for a tad more chase and intrigue. Unfortunately, the underlying theme of child-loss/miscarriage was, well, not so underlying and suddenly becomes IN YOUR FACE. It consumes the book and literally everyone with a uterus in the book has experienced loss. I get that we are supposed to feel the heavy tragedy and the unity the women all share, but it felt a little too forced for me. Like we were being forced to feel sorry for all the characters. It wasn’t organic for me. I’ve experienced loss of pregnancy, so I should have felt sympathetic, right?! But instead I felt annoyed. It felt like an easy ploy to give the characters something to bond over or to strengthen their relationships and I absolutely HATE when authors do this. Readers don’t need trigger gimmicks.

A compelling story. Highly recommended. A perfectly paced and beautifully observed story... I really did race through Well written, with a plot and characters that haunt you long after you've finished.

I loved how this book instantly transported me to Greece. I really enjoyed this book it was a heartwarming read. Thank you for my ARC

A story about love, loss and a mother's decision to put her child first at the expense of her own happiness. This book will appeal to the romantics out there as it offers a poignant love story between two young, grieving people who manage to find a way to trust each other despite being let down in the past.
For me personally, the plot twist was quite obvious and at times the story stalled in unnecessary details regarding the environment at the expense of elaborating more on the characters' past and relations. The side story about Tasha and her IVF treatments, although relevant to many struggling couples out there, was a bit boring for me and I struggled to feel the genuine connection between two best friends in this case.

Emma Cowell's debut novel which was very enjoyable even if slightly predictable. Although I struggled through the first chapter with the language, the description of grief is real and heartfelt. The insights to life and love and loss is heart warming and inspired. Grief and grieving is a sensitive hard journey.
This is the tale of Sophie, shattered by the death of her beloved mother, when she discovers a box of photos and a path to follow to the village of Methoni in Greece, to discover more about her mum, and more about herself!
Beautiful Greece as a backdrop is fantastic, the characters beautifully drawn. The story touching, around love and loss, where we are always with one or the other. I need a holiday in Greece now!!!!
Really enjoyed reading this book, and following through the characters journeys.
Thank you NetGalley for the early read.

Having just finished this book I feel warm & cocooned as if I have just come back from a break in Greece myself.
A fabulous debut novel evoking the sights, smells and traditions of Greece whilst dealing with the heart-breaking, sensitive storylines of grief, miscarriage and IVF.
This book completely drew me in , the writing is superb and I would 100 per cent recommend it. Thank you so much for letting me read an advance copy.

From the very beginning, reading Sophie's preparations for her mother's funeral, I knew this was going to be a very special book. How wonderful to experience a story written by someone who obviously loves words, can use them to their best and can write the most evocative descriptions.
Sophie went to the Greek island of Methoni with many doubts and fears, not quite knowing what she would find or who she would meet. Her hunt for the elusive painting of her mother's is fascinating. The people who surround her are kind, gentle and caring, which makes the book so readable. Descriptions of the homes and the food are just so 'Greek'!
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy. I loved this book and hope to read more y this author.

This is a very enjoyable summer read where we are transported to Greece to enjoy the scenery and food of the area. Sophie is in the midst of grief over the loss of her mother but she has also experienced an abusive relationship and the person responsible is reluctant to leave Sophie alone. When Sophie finds a sketch in her artist mothers belongings she sets out to find the missing completed painting and in doing so finds a part of her mothers life she didn’t know existed.

Although Sophie’s best friend adds to our understanding of her past I did find her in Involvement in the story irrelevant at times. Sophie is a good main character and as she walks in her mothers footsteps the past and future collide to form a happy ending

what a fab story the warmth of greece and some good food tells the heartbreaking story of sophie to begin with and then unfolds to a brilliant love story of love and anger and ends so tearful and happy whoever reads this book is sure to shed tears so good

Absolutely loved this story and all it had to offer. The book was brilliantly written and kept me on tenterhooks with what would happen...

I love a book that is so descriptive it feels like you could step right into the book and be in that location. This author did that for me. The level of emotions this book ranged from was a lot, from friendship to abuse, grief from a loss, and more. But it still was a very well-written book and Sophy was a strong lead character.


I received an Arc from Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

Grief changes everyone - often in unforeseen ways. With style and deft prose, author Emma Cowell has created a beautiful homage to family, love, and the paths grief takes us down. For Sophie, her mother's death leads to an unexpected discovery and a journey into the past. Traveling from England to Greece and back again, Sophie finds a mystery that changes her life, her love, and her overall aspect of life. An excellent read worth adding to your shelf.

This story follows Sophie's search for happiness, a painting, some new direction to her life, etc as she attempts to fulfill her mother's last request. The question is, was this the real reason that Sophie was directed towards Methoni? This book is so much more than a love story, although it is a love story to Greece. An enjoyable page-turner.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Wow, what an absolutely stunning read, loved the characters, loved the storyline, love the setting. One of the best books I've read lately

I enjoyed parts of this book but did find some of it overlong and repetitive so making other parts drag. Excellent descriptions of sunny Greece to escape to with some mouthwatering food involved. Good characters but I did rather blow hot and cold with the main one, Sophie, plus her friend Tash who almost seemed superfluous with her IVF subplot. Full of frustrations and misunderstandings., many unnecessary. On the whole a little predictable but a good holiday read. A generous 4 star, more a 3.5.

An intense read at times. A story of a daughter finding her dead famous artist mother’s missing painting. Took you between Greece and London. Throw in family secrets, miscarriages, controlling x partners . and a very beautiful love story times two and you have this amazing book. A great read..

I enjoyed Emma Cowell's debut novel immensely. Greece, and the coastal village where most of the action takes place, is a compelling and attractive character in itself. So, too, are the main characters explored thoroughly so that they are convincing as they move alternately from London to Greece. There's a nice mix of emotional and differing behaviour to give the narrative texture and colour. The storyline entertains until the last page, with a gamut of emotional themes that are relevant in past and present cultures.
The only mild criticism I have is that I found Sophie's internal ramblings repetitious, slowing down the pace of the story. I feel sure a final edit would address this anyway. Otherwise, it’s a lovely story that I could see on film.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this manuscript for an honest review.

This is the first book that I have read in one day, in a long time! I didn't want to leave Greece when it was over. As Sophie started uncovering her mother's secrets, I found myself flipping faster through the pages and loved the sub plot of her journey in the special seaside town of Methonis. I like a story about self discovery while also taking the reader on a trip in a beautiful destination. I will be reading more from this author!