This wasn't a bad read, but I think I was just looking for a bit more in the end. This was a more heavy romance, and you should alter your expectations going in if you are looking for a lighter read with lots of sparks, steam, or banter. I never quite felt the connection between our FMC and MMC (maybe a bit more at the end). I also loved the idea of the Greek setting, but felt that this could have been developed a bit more to engage the reader. Both the character development and plot could have used a little more brushing up in my opinion.

A summer romance that respects the soul of Corfu—surprisingly refreshing.

Let me preface this review with a bit of context: I approached Greek Secret with a lot of skepticism. You see, my family is from Corfu—the very island where this novel is set—and I hold it incredibly close to my heart. I’ve seen firsthand how stories set in Greece can get it all wrong, especially when they feel more like a Pinterest board than a love letter to the culture. I’m talking about works like Mamma Mia (a Greek island with no actual Greek people?) or The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Alexis Bledel saying “giagia” like she just met the word five minutes ago). These depictions often feel shallow, gentrified, or just outright inaccurate.

So I picked up Greek Secret bracing for frustration… but to my surprise, I didn’t hate it. In fact, I quite enjoyed it.

The story follows Ruby, who takes a summer trip to Corfu to work in her aunt’s taverna—a well-loved local spot run by her aunt and uncle. For Ruby, this isn’t just a holiday; it’s an escape and an opportunity to reinvent herself while learning the ropes of the restaurant world from someone she respects.

Her start on the island is rocky—particularly with Yanni, the classic grumpy-to-sweet love interest—but things quickly soften as Ruby finds her footing. The romance between them is charming and believable, filled with banter and heart. More than that, I appreciated Ruby’s internal struggles—both emotional and physical scars—that gave her depth and vulnerability.

That said, I did have issues with Ruby as a character. Her voice felt inconsistent throughout the novel, and not in a “she’s figuring herself out” kind of way, but more like the author hadn’t fully pinned her down. In the first few chapters especially, she repeatedly brings up how she’s never told anyone her “dreams” (except her ex-boyfriend), and it started to feel less like vulnerability and more like immaturity. That level of anxiety over sharing your ambitions feels more appropriate for someone fresh out of high school, not someone nearing thirty.

This age mismatch continues in other parts of the book too. Based on her experiences—long-term relationships, multiple shared apartments, and time post-breakup—Ruby should absolutely be in her late twenties or early thirties. Yet, her thoughts and behavior often read like she’s barely 22. The timeline? As the kids say, the math ain’t mathing.

Still, even with those hiccups, Greek Secret did something really important: it respected the island. Corfu isn’t just a backdrop here. It breathes. It has texture. While I do wish the audiobook narrator had a better handle on the Greek language (seriously, basic pronunciation matters), the written story itself doesn’t fall into the trap of exoticizing the culture or turning the locals into caricatures. That alone earns it points in my book.

If you're looking for a light, heartfelt read that gives you a sweet romance and a touch of island life without making a mockery of the place—this is a good one. Grab a freddo espresso (metrio, of course), settle in under the sun, and let yourself drift off to Corfu for a little while.

Greek Secret is not your a-typical romance. It’s a story told through the lens of a woman who bears scars—some visible, most hidden—tucked away beneath the surface, much like the makeup she uses to conceal them.

In this book, love isn’t something easily trusted. Some wounds run too deep—scars that can’t be seen by the naked eye but are felt with every heartbeat.

This is a slow-burn story where romance takes a backseat to healing. Where the most unexpected person becomes the one you might trust with your whole heart... if only you weren’t too afraid to believe it’s even possible.

The narrative moves between past and present, and as you unravel what happened before, you begin to understand the choices made in the now.

Overall, I give this book a solid 4 stars because it gave me exactly what I needed: accents, emotional growth, a meaningful journey, and hard-earned healing.

The only thing I wish? That the beginning had picked up a bit faster. But once it did, I was in it—and I’m so glad I stuck around.

3.5 rounded up

This book is an emotionally rich summer read, perfect for anyone who loves Greece or dreams of going there. It follows Ruby, who, after losing her job and feeling lost, is offered a new beginning by her aunt in Corfu. Although hesitant at first, Ruby takes the chance and moves to work at her aunt’s bar and restaurant for six months.

The story blends humor, romance, and emotional depth—especially in Ruby’s evolving relationship with Yianni, which is filled with vulnerability and tension. Ruby’s journey of healing from a controlling ex is portrayed with authenticity, making her character deeply relatable.

Told with shifts between past and present, the narrative explores heavy themes like emotional abuse and grief with sensitivity. The emotional arc is compelling, balancing laughter with moments of deep sadness. A notable strength is the couple’s temporary separation, which felt meaningful and necessary for their personal growth. Their eventual reunion is both powerful and well-earned.

Thank you NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I am about to go on a two week Greek cruise so I was very excited to dive into this book to get me in the mood! It was a cozy read and I did enjoy Ruby’s journey and story.

#GreekSecret#NetGalley#ARC
This a cute little love story about a girl with a past just trying to find her place in the world as she comes across a love interest that she really tries to avoid at first. As the plot develops, we learn what her past is about and watch her grow as she tries to navigate who and how she wants to live her life. I gave it 3 stars mostly because it was just simply cute as well as an enjoyable audio to listen to.

This book sadly wasn't for me although it did make me want to see the beautiful landscape in the Greek Islands.
It was much to slow and rather boring. The main thing that took me out of the book was the rough and gruff voice of the male narrator.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

3.5⭐ (audio) I listen to tons of audiobooks, and as long as the narrator doesn't take me out of the story, it earns 4 stars from me. This was good.

4⭐ (story) When Ruby arrives in Corfu, she’s greeted by a sparkling sea, hot sand and a new future. She’s ready to learn the trade at her Aunt Hazel’s taverna and she’s certainly not going to be distracted by Yianni, her handsome colleague, no matter how much they are drawn to each other.

Because getting close to someone again means facing up to her past—and the reason she was so desperate to get away from home in the first place. But can she let go of the secrets holding her back, take a risk and put her trust in Yianni? And could making a new life for herself in Corfu finally bring her the happiness she deserves?

This is a lovely light beach read, especially if you're in love with Greece like I am! It's the classic starting over because your life is falling apart around you, which is a good setup for going to Greece and finding a hunka Greek man to fall in love with!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book takes readers on a deeply emotional and transformative journey. From the start, the story shifts between past and present, and while that was initially a bit confusing for me—especially since I listened to the audiobook rather than reading a physical copy—it didn’t take long before I was fully immersed.

What struck me most was the range of emotions I experienced. One moment I was laughing at the witty dialogue, and the next, I felt an unexpected sadness settle in. The heartbreak in the main character’s voice is palpable, even before you fully understand its source, and that emotional mystery kept me deeply invested.

The author handles difficult topics with care, including an abusive relationship and the grief of loss. These trigger warnings are worth noting, but the story never felt exploitative—instead, it focused on resilience and healing. I was especially moved by the way the main female character’s healing was portrayed. Her journey was raw and real, and it was beautiful to see her surrounded by a circle of supportive friends and, eventually, a partner who truly saw her.

I don’t always love when a couple in a romance separates in the middle of the story to “find themselves.” Sometimes it can feel like unnecessary drama or just a way to stretch the plot. But in this case, it worked. Their time apart was essential to their individual growth, and their reunion felt earned and full of depth. It reminded me that sometimes love needs space to breathe before it can come back stronger.

Overall, this book was touching, honest, and full of hope. It reminded me of the importance of community, of facing the hard things, and of allowing yourself to be loved—even when it’s scary.

Thank you, NetGallery, for the opportunity to read this book prior to its publication date. It definitely made me want to vacation in Greece, specifically in Corfu! The descriptions make the reader feel as if they are actually there. I could definitely relate to the fmc and the toxic relationship she was in with a narcissist, as well as how she questioned her own judgement following that relationship. I do have to say that I felt the story was a bit long, but overall, I liked it.

If you're looking for a quick, escapist romance read, Greek Secret might be just for you! It's a sweet romance that follows Ruby, who is recovering from a bad relationship and decides she needs a fresh start, so she moves to Corfu to work in her Aunt Hazel's Taverna. Well worth checking this one out. I loved the story, but I did find some parts a bit drawn out and repetitive... I think that's because I'm a binge reader though. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration by Moira Quirk.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, and the author for a complimentary ARC for review. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

First things first: Moira Quirk is one of my favorite narrators. She has one of those voices you want to listen to, so her narrating this book helped with the enjoyment factor.

Now the book itself: Greek Secret is the story of a woman recovering from....something....a lost job? A questionable relationship? We really don't know when we meet Ruby, landing on Corfu, in Greece to work at her family's restaurant for the summer. Very quickly, we meet the broody interest, Yianni: Ruby's new colleague.

This book is told as a dual timeline, which always peaks my interest and makes me want to continue reading to be able to put the whole story together. It definitely added to this story. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story, and how it felt like there were appropriately-timed pushes back to the past and through Ruby's memories of events. I do wish, however, some of the past was a little more fleshed out. There are some plot lines that are hinted at throughout the story that are never really tied up and explained, which was frustrating. This also focuses intensely on Ruby and her relationship with her ex with a lot of side characters that felt one-noted and there simply to advance the plot rather than to add to Ruby's story. I would have liked to get to know Ruby's family and friends more.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book that is a good, light summer read.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC audiobook of Greek Secret by Francesca Catlow, published by Brilliance Publishing
This was a wonderful story with a happy ending. The characters were genuine and likeable, I loved the storyline and setting. The author makes the reader feel like they are right there.
It took me a bit to warm up to the main character Ruby and her personality, but I did as her true self slowly evolved. I enjoyed following along as she worked through events and emotions from her past that have shaped who she is now. Ruby was working towards a goal of restaurant ownership and had a plan all mapped out. She makes her way to Greece,  meets new people in new places and had to prioritize herself again.
Loved the ending!
This is the first of this author's books that I've read, but not the last.
I also must add that the narrator was excellent with characters voices and accents

I loved this book. The descriptions of Corfu were absolutely beautiful and as for the characters I just loved them and wanted to know what happened next. A great story with unexpected twists in a wonderful location. My only criticism was of the narration with poor Greek pronunciation. I have listened to audiobooks by this author before and found them much more enjoyable with excellent pronunciation by a more professional actor..

This book is not for me. The pace is slow and the story focused on details rather than action. The audiobook narration is fine, but I found the male voices to be a bit gruff.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This was a clear miss. I disliked both the book and its narrator. The writing wasn't compelling at all, too descriptive in a bland, boring way, and the humor didn't land for me at all. It felt immature, I guess. It sounded as though the narrator moved away from her mic a bit or something, and her pronunciation of Greek words (spoken by actual Greeks in the story) was horrible. (I'm Greek, so, massive pet peeve alert.)
Shame. I was looking forward to this story!

Thank you to Netgalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.