Under the Lemon Tree

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Pub Date May 08 2025 | Archive Date Not set

Description

Can one Greek summer heal the secrets of the past?

Could discovering a family secret encourage Kat to follow her heart?

Shattered by the sudden loss of her twin, Nik, Kat is lost in grief. The comfort of family feels both soothing and suffocating, but everything changes when she inherits a house on the breathtaking Greek island of Agistri from a mysterious uncle she’s never met.

Arriving on Agistri, Kat is mesmerized by its crystalline waters, lush pine forests, and the citrus-scented air. Among the white-washed houses and warm, welcoming locals, she begins to feel her heart heal. The island offers more than solace, sparking courage in Kat to face her loss — and maybe even embrace the spark of unexpected love…

But as she unearths her family’s buried past, Kat must also confront her own fears of belonging, forgiveness — and the possibility of rediscovering happiness in the shadow of heartbreak…

This soul-stirring novel from Emma Cowell, perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan, offers an unforgettable journey of healing, heritage, and the hope that blooms under the Grecian sun.

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PRAISE FOR UNDER THE LEMON TREE

‘I was engrossed, hanging on to every word, and so impressed by Under the Lemon Tree that I will be recommending it to all my friends.’ – Patricia Wilson

'A compelling journey of healing and family secrets. It evokes Greece through Cowell’s beautiful descriptions of food and family life.’ – Francesca Catlow

'Beautiful, emotional and uplifting escapism with an exquisitely vivid Greek island setting. Utter bliss.' – Alex Brown

‘Absolutely enchanting. I could feel the Greek sun kissing my skin as tenderly as the story warmed my heart.’ – Kate Glanville

Readers and authors LOVE Emma Cowell:

‘Emma Cowell creates worlds of warmth, laughter, healing and hope in her delicious novels’ – Adriana Trigiani

‘I adored The House in the Olive Grove. It is a hymn to friendship and love, and is utterly perfect.’ – Liz Fenwick

This book is food for the soul.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evocative, compelling, moving. A glorious story’ – Kate Frost

Makes you wish you were thereReader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sunshine and friendship, broken hearts and secrets. Cowell’s exquisite writing is delicious’ – Jennie Keer

‘A sweeping novel about sisterhood, courage and new beginnings that will inspire and delight’ – Tessa Harris

‘A lovely atmospheric novel that will engage and entertain youReader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The glorious setting will instantly transport you to sunnier climes!’ – My Weekly

‘A gorgeous read’ – Best

Can one Greek summer heal the secrets of the past?

Could discovering a family secret encourage Kat to follow her heart?

Shattered by...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9780008624545
PRICE £2.99 (GBP)
PAGES 384

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Average rating from 15 members


Featured Reviews

I guarantee you’ll want to hop on a ferry to Agistri and order a slice of Lemonopita, or at the very least, plan on Greek food for dinner!

I can always count on Emma Cowell to give me an emotional narrative rich with authentic Greek island life. This time she transported me to a scenic island near Athens and showed me that “life is really a beautiful collision of circumstances that none of us are able to predict. Who we love, where we go, who we meet” …. they’re all ingredients that randomly combine over time to make us who we are.

You’ll have plenty to ponder, especially if you’ve been reading recent news headlines. Perhaps we aren’t as tolerant of anything ‘different’ as we thought we were. Maybe this is our reminder that everyone needs and is deserving of love and respect.

I was wrapped up in a story highlighting characters who:
💙felt a need to right a past wrong
💙challenged the definition of ‘home’
💙were flawed and relied on second chances
💙learned the freedom in forgiving
💙discovered that love comes when we least expect it

My takeaway: Grief is “love that is missing its target.”

I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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I just finished a great book. Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell was so enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

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I was hooked from the beginning, a sad start but the grief is handled so beautifully and her journey through her grief slowly begins to heal by the love of family and new friendships. There’s a family’s buried past, time for forgiveness and love and laughter where you least expect it.

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A fabulous escape to the Greek Island of Agistri with plenty of sunshine to lift the spirits. Well developed characters throughout although Kat, the main female character is a little frustrating at times. Basically the book is dealing with grief, finding comfort and moving on. A little predictable at times especially between Kat and the love interest with the usual not listening and misunderstandings. A light feelgood uplifting book to take on holiday.

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Kat is having a difficult time after the death of her twin Nik. She then discovers that they've been left a house on the Greek island of Agistri from an uncle she never knew she had. She decides to go there and finds there are a loads of secrets.

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Lyrically written, this novel covers love, loss, and deeply hidden family secrets. Things migrate from the past to the present when Kat moves to her family’s homeland, Greece. She and her deceased twin brother have inherited a home there willed to them by an uncle she never knew about. Each new secret revealed causes Kat to reevaluate herself and redefine her parents.
A touching and beautiful novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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A beautiful Greek island setting, this tale of love, friendship and relationships was just perfect to devour on a cold spring day

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A beautiful story which is heart breaking in moments but a brilliant read and will keep you hooked in all the way through.

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A captivating story of love and friendship with a touch of sadness and grief. Set in what sounded like a most beautiful part of Greece Agistri the description of which made you feel you wanted yo be there. Kat was a great character and it was wonderful following her story arriving in Greece following a sad episode in her life. A gripping story which was beautifully written and a real page turner. I loved it.

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When Kat inherits a house from her uncle on the Greek island of Agistri everything changes. Falling in love with her surroundings gives Kat the encouragement to face the recent loss of her twin and while renovating the house she discovers a family secret that rocks her world. As she confronts her own fears she finds peace and happiness. An adorable read that I couldn’t put down.

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Move over Victoria Hislop, Under The Lemon Tree seals Emma Cowell’s place as mistress of the Greek romantic novel. Even the deepest, darkest and most difficult of emotions felt real and the author’s love for and understanding of Greek culture shine through.

Kat is devastated by the loss of her twin brother, never more so than when she inherits a house on the island of Agistri from an uncle she never knew. The house should have been for them both, but recognising her life needs to change, she heads to Greece intent on renovation – and to escape from the well-intentioned meddling of her family and friends.

This book has all the elements for a best-selling summer romance; a hot film star love interest, a gorgeous setting, secrets which tumble out to ensnare Kat at every turn. The descriptions of the house and the island are immersive, the food mouth-watering, the stray cat suitably independent. All in all, a great holiday read.

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I really enjoyed this book - the Greek setting was lovely and the writing and characters felt very authentic. The romance was an integral part of the story but this was also a story about grief and this was explored really well. I would recommend this and look forward to reading more from this author.

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Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. This was a lovely read. I was utterly immersed in the story, the beautiful setting and the engaging characters. While the level of interfering from the supporting characters was frustrating, and I didn't really understand why they'd been hiding things from Kat for so long, the cast was richly written. An entertaining, emotive, enjoyable read. I am keen to read more by this author.

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Kat is British of Greek heritage and inherits a house in Greece. Deciding to take a break from work after a difficult time she moves there to renovate the house. Her next door neighbour just happens to be Mr Gorgeous! I loved how the book weaves stories from the Greek myths of Artemis and Apollo into the chapters, reflecting the lives of Kat and Nic. The book is also a brilliant study of grief, one of the best, most moving ones I’ve read. I wasn’t expecting that. I was expecting a lovely sun drenched romance but the writings on grief absolutely floored me. They meant a lot.
It’s a delicious romantic summer story, with wonderful sounding food and a feisty interesting heroine and relatable family dynamics. I loved it.

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