Ruby only expected to learn the restaurant business when she moves to Corfu to work in her aunt Hazel's taverna-she didn't expect to find love. This is a nicely atmospheric romance between Ruby and Yianni but also between everyone and Corfu. It might seem odd that Ruby wants to open a restaurant, given that her parents' place failed and that, more importantly, she's not a cook but she's a hostess who enjoyed bringing people together. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters and fine storytelling make this a good read.

OMG, you guys, Greek Secret is the ultimate summer vibe ☀️💙 If you love Greece (or just dream of vacay-ing there 🏝️), this book is IT.

Ruby’s life is in shambles—she’s lost her job and has no clue what’s next 😩. But then, her aunt (who’s visiting from Corfu ) drops a literal dream opportunity in her lap: come work at her restaurant & bar for six months. At first, Ruby’s like uhh no thanks because she doesn’t want pity, but after some friendly persuasion, she’s packing her bags and heading to paradise ✈️🌊.

And can we TALK about the chemistry between Ruby and Yianni?!? The tension, the vulnerability—I was rooting for them from page one 😍🔥. There are hilarious moments, some real tear-jerkers, and honestly, Ruby’s struggle with her controlling ex hit so close to home for me 💔.

Oh, and if you’re a The Little Blue Door fan, you’ll love the little Easter eggs 👀✨. Francesca just gets it, and I cannot wait to see where she takes us next!! 💕📖

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

A great summer read to take you away to a beautiful beachy town where love blossoms. Ruby has had ups and downs in life and is in need of a restart. Luckily her aunt has invited her to Greece to work in the family restaurant, Greek Secret, which is the perfect place to help Ruby on her way to fulfilling her dream of opening her own restaurant someday.
Greek Secret, by Francesca Callow, takes me away to the island of Corfu in Greece and to the beautiful beaches that Yianni and Ruby explore and enjoy as they get acquainted on a more personal level. I feel as though I’m there, or at least I want to be there. I’m fortunate, that I have a trip to Greece scheduled in a few months and I hope I can experience a bit of the excitement that Ruby felt as she explored Greece and experienced love in a whole new way.
I thank Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more books by Francesca Callow to prepare for my upcoming trip to Greece.

Greek Secret is a fun romantic getaway to the shores of Corfu, offering a journey of self-discovery, renewal, and of course, romance. The narrative follows Ruby, who, after a tumultuous past, seeks a fresh start by assisting her Aunt Hazel in running a small restaurant on the island for six months before returning home (she intends) to run​ her own restaurant.

This book vividly captures the essence of Greece, immersing you in its golden beaches and the warm, bustling atmosphere of local life. The island's charm is intricately woven into the story. While the plot unfolds at a leisurely pace, this tempo allows for a deep exploration of Ruby's journey and the relationships she cultivates, adding layers of richness to the narrative.​

Ruby's character is both relatable and endearing. Her aspirations to carve out a new path resonate deeply, and you will find yourself rooting for her success. Ruby and Yianni have chemistry right from the first few scenes of the book, which I thought was fun. This notwithstanding, their relationship is a definitely a slow burn, and you really get to experience them slowly developing trust in each other, which adds depth to their story.​ (Yes, he's her step-cousin. No, they're not blood related. No, it's not weird unless you make it weird!).

In short, this was a cute, fun read. If you've been to Greece, I think it will transport you right back--it certainly did for me! Greek Secret is a perfect summer read (or a read when it's cold and you want to imagine yourself in paradise instead!). You won't be disappointed.

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book. Perhaps maybe I’ll come back to it, because I love Greece and that’s half the reason I requested, but for right now, I’m not feeling it.
The writing to me was rather flat. Very “I did this, then I did this, and this is how I felt about it, and then this is what I did next.” I wasn’t drawn in or interested in any of the characters or their motivations.
Ruby says she wants to open a restaurant, she even explains why, but she’s drawn to the hospitality aspect of it, which didn’t really add up to me? Like, it threw me that, as far as I could tell, she didn’t cook. And I can understand that she didn’t want to tell anyone about her dream of opening a restaurant because her parents’ failed, but…wouldn’t that be motivation to figure out why? So you can do things differently/not make their mistakes? Also, she has a business degree but has exclusively worked in restaurants, cafes, and bars…her goal seems pretty obvious to me.
I also couldn’t tell how old she was. To me, she read eeeeeearly 20s, but context clues (I don’t remember if it was ever stated) told me she was late twenties at the youngest. Ruby’s voice read to me like an older woman trying to write a how she thinks a younger woman would be (as if she wasn’t one at some point!), and I couldn’t shake that.
Anyway, I wish I liked it, but DNF-ed at 33%.

This book is not for me. The pace is slow and the story focused on details rather than action.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Francesca Catlow and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3,5⭐ - sun, romance on a Greek island? Yes, please!

This book follows Ruby, hoping to get a fresh start after a traumatic experience with her ex, she travels to Corfu to work in her aunt Hazel's taverna. Upon arriving she meets Yianni, will he make Ruby forget about her past?

This was such an easy and fun read, with at times some heavy/sad topics. I loved following along Ruby's journey and the relationship she makes on the sunny Greek island.

The Greek setting in this book is perfect for summer time. I loved how the main female character was writing. She had great depth to her character.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book very much. I am thinking of going to Greece and reading this book made me want to go even more. It was a feel good book and the descriptions of Greece made it more intriguing.

I enjoyed the writing of Francesca Catlow and look foward to reading more books by her.

Greek Secret by Francesca Catlow is a sun-soaked escape to Corfu, filled with romance, self-discovery, and second chances. When Ruby arrives on the island to help her Aunt Hazel run a taverna, she’s determined to focus on her fresh start—not on Yianni, the charming colleague she can’t seem to ignore. But as the past she tried to leave behind begins to catch up with her, she must decide whether to take a leap of faith and embrace the new life that awaits.

Catlow’s writing captures the beauty of Corfu with vivid descriptions that transport you straight to its golden beaches and bustling tavernas. The chemistry between Ruby and Yianni is slow-burning yet undeniable, making for a heartfelt romance that unfolds naturally. While the story is light and perfect for a holiday read, it also touches on deeper themes of healing and learning to trust again.

A beautifully written, feel-good romance with just the right amount of drama, Greek Secret is perfect for anyone looking for an escapist read that balances warmth and emotion. Whether you’re a fan of Catlow’s Little Blue Door series or discovering her work for the first time, this book will leave you longing for a Greek getaway of your own.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

There was something about the step cousin thing that really put me off. I get they’re not technically related but it’s still weiiiiiiiird. Aside from that I felt like the story dragged on a little bit, too much repetition around the main characters dreams etc.
Definitely made me want to visit Greece though :)

With a beautiful writing style and story telling, I was transported to Corfu with Ruby! What a beautiful book, I loved every moment. A prefect Grecian romance full of freedom, love and overcoming!

Greek secret, you have my heart. This book follows Ruby who is desperately seeking a new life and a fresh start in beautiful Corfu. Her aunt Hazel gives her a chance and along with it her past rears it's ugly head.

From the first few chapters the author brings you straight into Greece and makes you feel that famous Greek warm welcome jumping off the pages. This book is full of loveable characters that you root for from the very beginning. This is a perfect holiday or beach read but is also perfect for cuddling up on the sofa and getting transported to Corfu. I feel the pace is just right for this light and easy read.

I look forward to reading more from this author and I'm so glad I got this arc. Thank you for the opportunity from the publishers and netgalley for the early access and allowing me to find another new favourite author.

Everything you hope for in a book. Great descriptions, a romantic love story and of course the unexpected twists. A must read for anyone who loves the Greek islands and wants to be transported there by a story full of surprises. As the story moves forward you soon find yourself caring not only about Ruby’s future but worrying about her past. The twists I really wasn’t expecting and I just couldn’t put the book down. I loved the whole family with such rounded characters it was delightful. A wonderful book to transport us to the Greek sunshine and so much more. Thoroughly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC