A short, summery novel of family drama plays out on the Greek island of Crete. Stella books a vacation stay at Villa Ariadne, BENEATH THE LEMON TREES.
Stella’s good friend Louise is joining her, and their four teenage children. They are looking forward to a break from British summer weather, and a change of scene. Stella is sometimes preoccupied, as she’s had a tough year. She helped nurse her best friend Harriet, and after she passed away, is still supportive of Harriet’s husband Jon and their daughter. Being stressed and sad made her spend less quality time with her husband and kids until Al decided it would be better if they separated. Her son Hector is unhelpful and scowling. Her daughter Amelia, one of the nicest characters, gets little time in the pages, simply because she doesn’t have a problem attitude.
The group has the run of an entire hillside villa, so much nicer than a hotel for the kids, but at the same time, it means they are together constantly, swimming, heading to the beach or exploring the scenery. They buy food in the village and hike it up the hill path, or eat in a taverna. As they are all starting to relax and lighten up, something happens that drops the mood and wipes the smiles. I did see it coming, and sorry, it’s not a murder mystery, though even that would not have been a surprise.
Some of the local people in Al Porto Liakáda – who are all quite friendly – include Katerina, the housekeeper, and Marina, an artist. There’s also a taverna owner originally from Leeds, married to a local man, with her personal family dramas every day. No Greek legends are called upon but we get a flavour of the food and drink, spot undersea wildlife and sniff the scented air. Katerina remarks knowingly that a holiday spent in this villa can change the guests. That does happen, and I’ll let you decide if it’s for the better.
BENEATH THE LEMON TREES by British writer Emma Burstall seems like a story you’d write on holiday, and fill the pages with whatever was around you while interspersing the drama. Don’t be surprised if this romance-flavoured story for adults makes you want to visit the Greek islands too.
Heartbroken after the loss of a friend and the collapse of her marriage, Stella hopes that this trip to the idyllic Greek island of Crete will give her and her family a chance to heal. And when she first steps into the breath-taking Villa Ariadne, with its views over the azure waters and intoxicating scent of lemons, Stella’s troubles seem to melt away.
Until the arrival of an old acquaintance, and an unwelcome revelation, threaten to undermine the peace at the villa, and Stella is forced to make a difficult decision.
But with the help of Crete’s beautiful scenery and the kindness of its locals, Stella is about to discover that Villa Ariadne can still offer an escape… and so much more. Can she open herself up to the possibility of love and find the strength to start again?
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