I was so excited to escape to Greece vis this story but unfortunately it wasn’t the five star vacay that I wanted. I had two major problems with this book one being that it was way too slow and drug out and the second being the chemistry between the characters. Or should I say lack of chemistry because I couldn’t care less about them or their romance. Unfortunately this was an unoriginal idea that wasn’t even executed well

As usual, MB really evokes the Greek setting masterfully.; so well that you can believe you are thee on Corfu - which is one of my favourite spots..

The premise, a strange divided inheritance, is original and well executed. the development of the romance between Molly and Christos is rather too slow for my liking but is well done. I found the great cast of characters a little off-putting but overall this is a very entertaining read.

I'm always a big sucker for and big fan of Mandy Baggot's books especially any set in her beloved Corfu. And this was no exception.

There is an unexpected inheritance, family secrets, a fabulous Greek guy and there more we get to hear about the guy who left this inheritance, the more i loved him too.

It's unusual to learn that you have been left amongst other things a quarter of a cat (and seeing the beneficiaries try to decide who owns which leg is amusing), half an olive tree, half a truck that may not work, half a boat that may or may not work and half an apartment that needs a lot of work - but that is exactly the situation for Christos and Molly.

Molly has her own suspicions as to why she may have been left this, and her mother's responses are interesting. Christos and his family reminded me of the vibe and family from A Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I loved their dynamics.

There is a lot more to this than first meets the eye, and when you add in a recent family feud, what feels like a dare devil nature from Molly and you have an immensely enjoyable book.

I read this in a rare dose of sunshine in the garden and totally felt transported to Corfu. I loved the spattering for Greek words for flavour within the pages and generally just loved every word of this. Another winner from Mandy Baggot.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The story follows Molly Adams, a relatable and spirited pharmacist with dreams of launching her own cosmetics line. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she inherits a peculiar assortment of things—including half an apartment, part of a boat, and even a quarter of a cat—from a man she never met. The catch? She shares this odd inheritance with Christos Baros, a brooding gym owner from Athens. Their initial friction is fun to read, especially as it slowly melts into something deeper, thanks to their undeniable chemistry and contrasting personalities. Molly is endearing with her down-to-earth charm, while Christos’s guarded exterior slowly softens in a believable, satisfying arc. The side characters, including Molly’s friend Siobhan and Christos’s warm yet quirky mother, add depth and humor. Corfu itself feels like a character in the story. The lush landscapes, sparkling seas, and delicious Greek cuisine are described so vividly that you’ll practically smell the olives and feta. The setting adds a cozy, atmospheric charm that enhances the romantic and introspective tone of the novel.

Although the plot isn’t particularly twisty, it’s the emotional beats and the slow unfolding of Molly’s connection to her mysterious benefactor that keep the pages turning. There’s a lovely balance between the sweetness of the romance and the emotional weight of family secrets and personal growth. A Greek Island Gift is feel-good fiction at its best—perfect for anyone looking to escape into a sunny, romantic world filled with warmth, laughter, and love.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

When Londoner Molly is informed that she inherited part of an appartement in Greece she is sure that this must be a mistake, since she doesn't know anybody from Greece and has never even heard the name of the man who passed. Still she goes to Corfu with her mother and her best friend to find out if this inheritance is legit. Once there she meets Christos who is inheriting along with her and his family. Over the course of a week old memories are talked about, secrets are reveiled and Molly and Christos develop feelings for one another...
I enjoyed reading this book, it was an entertaining romantic comedy set on a Greek Island. However I could not always relate to the main characters and I thought the secret surrounding Molly's father dragged on too long.
Still an entertaining summer read, perfect for a beach vacation.

Mandy Baggot once again whisks readers to the golden splendor of Greece in her new book, 'A Greek Island Gift'. This richly warm tale brings a happy mix of humor, romance, and an edge of mystery, against the beautiful setting of Corfu.

The setup is intriguing right away: Molly Adams, a pharmacist who is attempting to start her own cosmetics company, inherits half an apartment and other odd things such as half a boat and a quarter of a cat on the Greek island from a man she has never met. She shares this inheritance with Christos Baros, a self-made gym owner in Athens who has his own stake in the deceased.

The writer is at her best in developing affable and likable characters. Molly comes across as endearing immediately, with her earthy personality and desire to unearth the mysteries surrounding her life. Christos, who seems standoffish at first, slowly begins to show a more affable side as he deals with the unforeseen common inheritance. Their early confrontations, stemming from the differences in their personalities and way of life, lead to a slow-burning romance that is natural as well as captivating.

The island of Corfu really comes to life in the pages of Mandy Baggot. Her descriptions of the island's scenery, the mouth-watering smells of Greek food, and the relaxing ambiance make it seem like it's a character in its own right. Readers will be pining for a break to the olive groves and turquoise seas.

Aside from the main romance, the narrative touches on family secrets and the nuance of relationships. Molly's journey of self-discovery trying to determine why she feels such a connection with her enigmatic benefactor gives an interesting dimension to the tale, and one remains uncertain. The interactions among Molly, her closest friend Siobhan, and Christos's mother contain some laughs along with actual heartfelt moments.

Although the plot is straightforward, it's the author's clever storytelling and the lovable characters that make 'A Greek Island Gift' such an enjoyable read. The author's own touch of humor comes through, bringing lightness and charm to the story. The pacing is mostly well-balanced, with the romance and the mystery unfolding at a good pace.

For readers who love escapist fiction with vivid settings, realistic characters, and a sweet love story, 'A Greek Island Gift' is ideal. It's a joyful ride to the Greek islands that will leave your face smiling and maybe even give you a taste for some feta and olives. This book is a testament to Mandy Baggot's ability to craft enjoyable and feel-good stories that transport readers to beautiful locales and leave them rooting for the characters' happiness.

This novel is a sweet romance with a lovely setting and great characters. However, I felt the story moved too slowly. The reveal of Molly’s father took too long, and it felt dragged out. While I enjoyed the book, it was a slow read and didn’t pull me in as much as I expected.

When Molly learns that she has an inheritance in Corfu, Greece, she is confused as she knows no one who has ever lived in Greece. This is her story of traveling to Corfu, facing her future, learning about the past, and meeting Christos, with whom she will have to share her inheritance!

This is definitely a rom-com worth reading - the absolutely gorgeous setting of Corfu, meddling British and Greek women, the model-like Christos, plenty of sincere moments, and so many secrets revealed as a result of Molly and Christos' shared inheritance. It's definitely a slow-burn romance full of humor, and flat-out laughs.

A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot was a sweet story. I found myself hoping for a little more character development, but I enjoyed it nontheless.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the chance to read this. I suddenly would like to book a trip to Corfu, Greece because of how beautiful it sounds based off this book! I did struggle to get through some parts in the middle of the book but overall I did have a fun time reading it - I really adored the cast of characters!

A lovely summer romance set in Greece. There’s a mystery inheritance, a great and humorous best friend,, two stubborn mothers and a 1/4 share of a feral cat. However, the family element of this story is what really makes it.
Molly has never known her father and her mother refuses to talk about him. She feels that she needs to know about him to cement her identabd when she gets a mysterious inheritance from an unknown Greek man she thinks she finally has the answer she’s been looking for. However, the answers not as straightforward as that.
I loved the setting in Corfu and Christo and Molly. Perfect beach read.

I got this arc from Net Galley. I wanted to love it, but it fell short for me. There’s not many books with a Greecian backdrop, but this book just felt inorganic. You could tell it was written by someone who respects Greek culture, but certainly not Greek themselves. I had a hard time getting into this book and couldn’t connect to the characters. This was my first book from this author.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Good setting with a family drama

The main attraction for me was the inheritance of 25% of a cat. Like, how do you decide which quarter of the cat is yours? Does she get a leg and an ear, or does she feed the cat once every alternate day? Unfortunately, the cat doesn’t appear until the halfway point.
The dual POV helped get both sides of the story. The main characters have issues to deal with, so each getting their POV brings some balance to the plot.
What we don’t get in the blurb is the presence of a tiny but overbearing family on both sides. Though it’s just a mother and friend for the FMC and a mother and a younger sister for the MMC, they stand out more than the main leads!
Not sure if the MMC’s mom was supposed to be the typical Greek mother, but she reminded me of OTT and stereotyped Indian moms – loving but super suffocating and hyper. Reading scenes with her gave me quite a bit of stress, though I think they were supposed to be funny.
The pacing was pretty fast, so enough, although the story didn’t progress much, the % moved ahead steadily. This helped since people seem to go around in circles about the past.
Still, I empathized with the main character’s concerns and vulnerabilities. Their fears were valid. I also liked the career choices.
That said, the romance part didn’t hit the mark. There was some attraction, but I didn’t vibe with it. I can’t say I could feel their chemistry to root for them. Add all those secrets and drama to the mix, there wasn’t enough focus on the couple’s connection or the supposed something they felt for each other.
However, the setting was great. Reading about sweaty and hot summers in Corfu when living in a tropical country didn’t help, lol. I was sweating already. Still, I enjoyed the description of the views, the sea, and the buildings. It has an old-world charm and sounds attractive.
To summarize, A Greek Island Gift has its moments and deals with some important themes about family, relationships, secrets, etc. Read it as a family drama instead of a romance. You may like it better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I have been through an emotional wringer… a tearjerker! I was completely absorbed from the first page… My heart was in my throat

I truly loved this story! It was such a fun romance with twists and turns. I was never bored and really loved how everything turned out! I would recommend if you are looking for an island romance with some surprises and Greek family love/drama!

As for spiciness of the book, there was some flirting but it’s a 0/5🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Mandy Baggot for this ARC and a chance to read it before it hits the shelves!

Another lovely story from one of my favourite authors!
This book is set on the island of corfu, and now I want to go there; it sounds idyllic! The story was lovely, and it really made me want the very best for the characters. I don’t think I can find a negative!
Massive recommendation for this one, particularly if you like a book to read in the sunshine that will make you feel warm inside.

A cute little story set on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu. This novel follows Molly, who finds she has inherited an apartment in Corfu. She is convinced it’s a mistake, after all, she’s never been to Greece, but once she arrived she’s in for a shock. It’s not a full apartment, it’s a 50% share with the gorgeous Christos Baros plus half a truck, half a boat and quarter of a cat. Christos has no need for these items as he’s a successful businessman online Athens, but when his world collides with Molly, Will their shared fortune turn into a shared future? I found this book to be somewhat of a slow burner and whilst enjoyable, it lacked the pace of the authors previous books and didn’t draw me in as much as I expected. I would rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot is such a heartwarming escape! The story instantly charmed me with its mix of humor, romance, and the stunning setting of Corfu. Molly’s unexpected inheritance drew me in, and her chemistry with Christos was captivating—an unlikely pair thrown together by fate but with undeniable sparks. What I loved most was how the vivid descriptions of Corfu almost transported me there. From olive groves to crystal-clear waters, Baggot made the island feel alive. The emotional depth of the story, tied to uncovering the secrets of their shared inheritance, added a layer of meaning beyond the romance. It’s the kind of feel-good read that leaves you smiling and dreaming of sunny shores and second chances. Perfect for anyone craving a getaway without leaving their seat!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really hate giving low ratings for books. Especially for books that I have been given the opportunity to review before they are published. However, I felt like I needed to because this book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two main characters. I appreciated that the author was trying to create banter between both families, but it fell flat most of the time. I am glad that I was given the chance to try one of this author’s books, but I don’t think I will again unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Molly Adams from Portsmouth is a pharmacist who is trying to get her make-up business off the ground. One day she learns she has inherited assets in Corfu, Greece from Vaggelis Vlachos, a man she doesn't know but it turns out he knew her mother Janette. Was he by any chance her father? When she travels to Corfu with her mother and her best friend Siobhan she finds out that she has inherited a house, a boat, a truck, an olive tree and a cat jointly with Christos Baros, a gym owner from Athens who was Vaggelis' godson. The more the families get to know each other, the more they realise there are family secrets that could blow lives apart.

This is my first book by Mandy Baggot who seems to be quite a prolific author, with many books set in Greece, this being her thirtiest. Apparently Freya and Nicholas had their own story in a previous book, but this feels like a standalone.

The setting is gorgeous, the food descriptions are mouth-watering, but the story isn't very complex. The romance is slow-burn but the family secrets take too long to be revealed and aren't overly interesting. The cover is evocative and it's a nice fluffy, sun-drenched beach read for when you don't want to engage your brain or think too much about the reality of how Brits can move to Greece after Brexit.