I have always really enjoyed Lucy’s books and was very excited to read The island getaway, the thought of being transported to wonderfully warm and sunny Kefalonia was so tantalising as I was sat here listening to storm Darragh raging around!
Such a beautiful setting and fantastic sounding Ionian escape hotel gave all the perfect holiday/beach vibes!
Initially I struggled to get into the book and acquainted with the myriad of characters, but as I progressed through the book and became familiar with the eclectic mix of personalities and their back stories I found myself enjoying the read, I particularly loved Nelly,Evelyn and Miranda and loved the way they became linked during there stay at the hotel and all the other characters who added such a depth to the storyline and the overall sense of friendship, making up and second chances!
A lovely book to pack for your next sunny holiday destination
Thank you NetGalley fir this early read

Absolutely amazing. I love the different character storylines and how they all interlink at one point or another. Could definitely read this again.

Thank you Lucy Diamond, Quercus Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Some wonderful characters find themselves at ‘The Ionian Escape’ hotel in Kefalonia.
They all have a story to tell and different reasons for being at the hotel. Some are workers there, some holiday makers and some are escaping from their normal lives.
Each chapter gives a clearer insight into a character by describing their background and dropping clues as to their reason for their stay.
The staff become people with names and a background, not just a receptionist or bartender.
Some rather beautiful stories emerge, some uplifting, some upsetting. But all well written and difficult for the reader not to become involved in the stories.

I started reading this having just returned from Greece – and it was wonderful to escape back to the sunshine! There’s a mix of characters all with back stories and all of whom are really different and written beautifully. I imagined Miranda to look exactly like Hannah Waddingham for some reason, whilst Evelyn was pure Iris Apfel!

The stories all intertwine – with flashbacks to the 1980s that you realise must be connected – but it takes a while to unravel the connections.

It covers a huge cross section of topics – from first love, sibling rivalry, later life relationships, coercive control – but all wrapped up in a stunning location.

It was a beautiful escapist read – which made me smile and cry!

A big thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC – I’d recommend pre ordering for a sunshine escape in the depths of January gloom.

I love this author and feel like I have grown up with them as have read all of their books since the very beginning.

This was an uplifting heartwarming read although certain aspects were quite sad and heartbreaking. I loved the characters and how each of them had their own story. And each chapter was dedicated to a different character.

Loved the descriptions of the setting which made you want to get on a plane and jet off in search of sunnier climes.

This was a poignant beautiful read

This was a really nice escapist book which I very much enjoyed. It's heartfelt and in places a bit of a tearjerker, and it's a fantastic beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this ARC.

The Ionian Escape Hotel in sunny Kefalonia, Greece, welcomes new guests: disgraced actress Miranda Vallance, here to hide, and 82 year old terminally ill Evelyn Chambers, here to scatter the ashes of her dead wife. There is also Leonora Neale who we discover is the Nelly from Nelly's 1983 diary, where Nelly decided to stay in Kefalonia to work on a boat, until heartache forced her to return to the UK. Now she is back with her husband Frank, a celebrity chef who is rumoured to have behaved inappropriately with some female assistants which seems to be an ever so familiar tale right now.

This would be enough on its own but there are chapters dedicated to the receptionist, the office manager, the boss, the bartender and the cleaner, who doesn't even get a name. This is in theory a nice idea but it slows the story down too much and bogs it down with unnecessary side stories that add nothing too interesting.

This is a nice escapist and predictable read about second chances in a gorgeous setting with great landscape and food descriptions. I just wish it had kept to the main protagonists.

3.5 stars

Another book that I am not sure what to think about to be honest. I mean, it was a lovely and multilayered story, thought over and a step away from Lucy Diamond's previous books - it felt a bit serious in tone, more mature than usual.
On the other hand, there were many, many characters thrown together in - yes - very beautiful setting. But so many that I truly had problems to check whose turn it is and who is telling the story now.
I think my problem is that it was so brilliant happy end for all of the characters that it felt just too unrealistic. Also, all the "bad" characters and "good" characters, either stereotyped or - of course! - learning their lesson. It's just, there was nothing new in this story and some of the coincidences were too much over the top, just to keep the plot going.
But - after initial confusion and some problems into getting into it, it turned out to be a lovely story. The characters were growing on me with every page and even though their stories really felt too superficial and easy, I found myself engrossed in their lives. There are some emotional moments as well, actually I'd say more than usual and it is thought - provoking. Altogether - an enjoyable read.

This is a great read! It's full of different stories that all intertwine at the hotel 'The Ionian Escape' in really interesting ways. Every smaller story is engaging and the characters are well developed. I quickly got to a point where I couldn't put the book down as I needed to know what was going to happen to each character next.

There are some quite hefty themes dealt with in here; death, loss, abuse and others but they're dealt with organically through the characters and each story is ultimately quite uplifting. It's not a taxing read but it is a very enjoyable one. If you're a fan of Lucy Diamond, this is very much written in her usual style.

This is lovely, uplifting book, full of vividly portrayed characters in beautiful Kefalonia.
Simply, a delight to read. I enjoyed this book from page one.

I always enjoy this author and this book is no exception. Set in the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia you really feel you are there. Lots of characters each with a story to tell and you do get invested in them all. An easy feel good read for a dark winters day.

Set in a hotel on Kefalonia, this book is told from the point of view of some of the guests and staff. Mostly in the present day, there are also flashbacks to previous times which adds to the stories of some of the individuals. I found the book a little chaotic at first, there are a lot of people and some of them are quick to anger, but as the plot starts to come together, I became more engaged with the book and started to like the characters more. A lot happens in the book and some of the coincidences stretch credibility a little too much, but as the stories of the main characters develop, the plot hooks you in. Kefalonia and Ithaca lovely, but beyond a couple of descriptions and naming of a couple of the touristy places, they are little more than the backdrop.
So, this book turned out much better than I initially expected,quite emotional but also thoughtprovoking. For an escapist read, you could do a lot worse .Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Deliciously Escapist..
On the island of Kefalonia, basking in the warmth and the heat of a Greek sun, sits The Ionian Escape Hotel. This popular place is bustling with new arrivals , all looking for an escape from the everyday, hoping for a break in the sun - but, what are they bringing with them? Beautifully observed and deliciously escapist, in a well imagined setting, a cast of glorious characters is brought to life - baggage and all. Compelling and engaging,

Fell in love with Evelyn from the get go- her personal mission was perfectly described in a mixture of emotions, reflections and interactions with the other guests.
Each chapter tells a little more about one of the characters and all are deftly woven through so the book feels like it flows naturally from person to person.
The blurb quotes are not wrong that it is an uplifting read, once you have dried your tears!

Oh this book had me in tears. Compliments to Lucy. Different story lines that intersect at the hotel.
Past romances, family fallouts, public betrayals. Fulfilling death bed wishes. So many arcs that cross over that you can understand and relate to.
Lucy Diamond stories will always make you feel and this is no exception. Enjoy I did.

This is set on the beautiful greek island of Kefalonia, which I have been lucky enough to visit.
We meet each character who all have a different story to tell.
Duska is the receptionist at the Ionian hotel, who is a new mum. Is she doing the right thing leaving her new baby with her husband?
Miranda, the disgraced actress who is in hiding.
Frank and Nelly, whose marriage tetters on a knife edge.
And the lovely Evelyn, who was my favourite character. What a story she has to tell!
I love the way Lucy alternates each character by chapter, giving you a little bit of intrigue before moving on to the next character. You just want to read on to find out what happens next.
I love Lucy's books and look forward to reading each one every year. She has that special ability to make you warm to each character even if they start out as not very nice.
The setting is perfect, and we are given a little tour when Miranda takes a drive out with Evelyn.
A must-read for all Lucy's fans.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

An enjoyable light read set in Kefalonia, a Greek Island. centering round an Hotel. The book involves several characters who are either guests at the hotel or work there with the stories told by several different (mainly) women. Several different plots which slowly unfold within this book. with a few leaps into the past as well as the present which luckily I didn't confusing as each chapter clearly indicates which story one is reading. Good. well developed characters especially Miranda and Evelyn and their growing friendship plus wonderful sunny descriptions of this Greek island makes this a book to escape the winter gloom or take away next summer.

I love Lucy Diamond’s novels so was looking forward to reading some feel good fiction during the winter.
The Island Getaway is set on a hotel in Kefalonia where Miranda, Evelyn and Nelly are all coming to escape. Miranda is a disgraced soap star, Evelyn a grieving widow and Nelly the wife of a celebrity chef.
I enjoyed the characterisation and the back stories of all three women as well as discovering more about the women working at the hotel. I loved the Greek island setting which made this an enjoyable escapist read. It’s not my favourite Lucy Diamond novel but recommended if you’re a fan of this genre.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Kefalonia, an island to escape to , to get away from paparazzi, and to put your life in order. a travelogue of the island , perfect winter reading, with a suitable ending to everyone's problems.

The Island Getaway is just amazing. You can feel the heat and sunshine as you read it. The characters are so realistic you cry and laugh with them. Miranda was just fabulous I loved the connections and discoveries she made. Roll on summer!