Secrets. Secrets breed more secrets. Yet, what happens when long buried secrets are revealed? They may be freeing but they may also lead to discord and conflict. Are secrets best left secret?

What secrets does best-selling romance novelist Catherine Swift have to reveal? Or, should silence prevail? On the surface, Catherine's life may appear charmed. That image is false. Considering she's a romance novelist one would expect that aspect of her life to be the most successful aspect and she'd be joyously happy. One would be wrong. She's about to embark on her fourth marriage. She doesn't even reveal the groom's name in the invitation to her daughters, a bit of a mystery to be sure.

Adeline and Cassie, from different fathers, couldn't be much more unalike and it shows in their reactions. Adeline is buttoned-up, cool, and keeps a tight rein on her emotions and initially throws the invitation in the trash. Cassie, on the other hand, is bubbly, instantly likable, and adores her mother. Adeline, not even close. She felt abandoned by her mother. Cassie and she are not even close although Cassie wishes they were and is delighted by her mother's announcement. Both are vulnerable yet strong, as is Catherine, if that makes sense.

Morgan is one of my go-to authors. An author that I'll drop whatever else I'm reading to read. She had me from the first page with this one. The characters are wonderfully developed with their strengths and weaknesses shown by actions, not simply description. They became instantly real to me. All are far more complicated and needy than it might at first appear, of each other and others, but I won't detail the plot further. I'm sure others have done a far better job of it than I might. Let's just say, no surprise, love and acceptance are key needs. Let’s face it, we sometimes miss what is right under our noses, focusing on past hurts. Catherine's memory of a former teacher's words are haunting, reminding us how easily mere words can both wound and drive us, I will note. Dysfunctional or not, this family needs not just each other but others. How they get there and what they find, secrets or not, is a captivating story. You won't regret reading this or any of Sarah Morgan's work.

Thanks #NetGalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing - #CanaryStreetPress , not to mention #SarahMorgan and her wonderful assistant Judie for introducing me to the Swift Family. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and look forward to whatever comes next from Morgan.

It had been a while since I’d read a story by this talented author and when I was fortunate to get this one ,I was thrilled. Once again, by the time I finished it, I was reminded of what a talented storyteller this author truly is.
The story presents us Catherine Swift. A bestseller romance writer whose real life has been nothing close to a fairytale. After three failed marriages, she’s hoping this fourth one is THE ONE and invites her daughters to the wedding in Corfu.
Meanwhile her oldest daughter Adeline is attending out of obligation. Her childhood memories were heartbreaking and meeting her half sister Cassie, intensifies the emotional turmoil.
Then there is the mystery of who is the groom.
Aside from the storyline, this is a story about family, or lack thereof. It’s a story about how the experiences and hurts one has as a child, will definitely affect and mold the individual one becomes. That even when you can’t forget, forgiveness is possible.
It’s also a story about second, and third chances in life and love.
A bit heavier than the usual stories by this author, but still a well written and engaging one with characters that are perfect in their imperfections.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin/Canary Press. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Sisters who were estranged, their mother has been keeping the truth from her daughters, the island of Corfu and the shock waves once the truth is shared all add to up a wonderful story by Sarah Morgan.

Sarah Morgan does it again writing a can't put down story. Adeline, Cassie, Catherine and Andrew gather at Catherine's villa for her remarriage to Andrew. Her daughters are not thrilled with the upcoming wedding but each has different reasons for their objections. Once the true story comes out and they hear the reasons their mother kept the true story from them the four of them blend into the family they've hoped to be.

My thanks to #NetGalley for giving me a chance to review this five star read.

I want to thank Netgalley, Canary Street Press and Sarah Morgan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love and look forward to Sarah Morgan's summer and Christmas books each year but this one just fell flat for me. I stopped after it was revealed who Catherine Swift was marrying after her invitation to both daughters was vague. BUT I returned to the book on a flight to Florida for spring break after finishing my other book. Needless to say, I just did not find Catherine's reasons for her affair to be that compelling nor her secrets that followed. It is hard to hate the bad guy when we never really meet the bad guy or see him being bad. We just get a first hand account that is told after years have passed. Actually, I wanted more from Adeline realizing that the one letter was from Cassie. I would have had loved to seen a chapter of Adeline reading the letter for the first time and watching her reaction. This would have been more compelling than Cassie confessing that she wrote to Dr. Swift and Adeline simply replying "I know." No matter what, I will be next in line for Ms. Morgan's Christmas book.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the author. I liked this book. I really liked this book. Love and romance, along with secrets add to the hint of intrigue. This author has written a cannot put down novel with likable characters. The mother and daughters have problems to work out as the mother is getting married again. Surprises add to the story of this cozy romance. Enjoy.

Catherine Swift, best selling romance author, is about to get married for the 4th time and hopes her daughters will be happy for her but she worries about choices she made in the past. Things don't go as planned and her daughters are upset and confused and have so many questions and are not content with her 'stories'. This story of family and secrets and being honest about love.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. I always look forward to a new Sarah Morgan book and this book was no exception. As usual Ms. Morgan has a somewhat dysfunctional family in the centre of her plot. The twists in this book make it exciting from start to finish. Once again the author's book has many different emotions running throughout the story, love, hurt, jealousy, regret but most of all forgiveness. The three main women all have strong characters but are extremely different in nature, however their family bond ends up being stronger than anything else as they find their way back to each other. This is going to be a terrific summer read when it comes out for those who pick it up. It is a great story that will hold your interest and you will find it hard to put the book down.

The mother is a celebrated romance author and one of her daughters follows in her footsteps and writes her parents romance. When secrets that have been kept for years come out they threaten to destroy a family. It was a fun read to see how it all works out. Romance and a beautiful setting in Greece. I really enjoyed this book

I have read all of Sarah Morgan's novels and have loved them. I feel the same about The Island Villa. I could not put it down and read it in one day. It is a story about a fractured family caused by secrets being kept for many years. Although one daughter is a psychologist and writes an advice column, she has never gotten over her childhood trauma and feelings of abandonment. The other daughter always had a great relationship with her Mom, but it might change when secrets are revealed. There are many twists, turns and surprises when the family gathers at a Greek Villa for their mother's fourth wedding.

This book shows what happens when people don't share their true feelings and keep secrets hidden for years to protect themselves and others. It is a good lesson to learn through these very believable, vulnerable characters.. I would highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.

Placeholder. Will update when the Harper Collins union new contract is finalized. Thank you again to the publisher for the copy.

Great story! The Island Villa is the type of book you don't want to put down for fear of finishing it too early.

First off I have to say how beautiful this cover is! The Island Villa by Sarah Morgan was really good! I loved the Mediterranean setting, plot, and all the dynamic characters. This book is full of family drama and romance, and will keep you entertained from start to finish. Recommended for a fun summer read!

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the character development from the beginning to the end. The storyline definitely kept me occupied, and I did not want to put the book down. Would love to check out more books from this author in the future and highly recommend this book to friends and family. Add this to your to be read list.