🏝️🏖️🏨❤️ “Greek Heir to Claim Her Heart” (Greek Paradise Escape #1) (2022) ❤️ 🏨🏖️🏝️ – Book Review
In this heartwarming read by Jennifer Faye, escape to a Greek island paradise for Valentine’s Day…
From Greek island fling . . . To forever?
Managing a luxury resort on a picturesque Greek island is more than a job for Hermione Kappas. It’s been her lifeline since losing her home and family. So when gorgeous Atlas Othonos, who has recently inherited the resort, arrives set on selling it, Hermione has just two weeks to change his mind. But as their Valentine’s Day deadline approaches, it’s Hermione’s feelings for Atlas that are changing into something more…
About the Author
Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming
contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and
enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into
nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews
Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a
TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a $25 e-gift card to Amazon (INT)
Ends February 16, 2022
Thank you in advance to the author, Jennifer Faye, for providing a complimentary review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
To say I am a fan of Jennifer Faye is a bit of an understatement. But, let me be clear – that doesn’t mean I don’t like other authors out there. It’s just that next to Debbie Macomber, I’ve read far more of Faye’s books, especially of the Harlequin Romance line. In fact, Faye’s books are the only Romance line ones I currently have.
I’ve been reading Faye’s books since March 2020. It’s difficult to believe that in almost two (2) years, I’ve read now eleven (11) books by the author:
❤️ 7 – Harlequin Romance (including
this one; six of them set in Greece)
🎄 1 – Hallmark Published
(Christmas in Bayberry)
🏝️ 3 – Bluestar Island Series
I think it’s safe to say that when I see a book by her – I definitely want to read it. This was NO different. A sweet, island escape around Valentine’s day? Be still my heart.
I’ll admit that right off, the cover just didn’t grab me. That’s why most of the time, books shouldn’t be judged by the cover. But, covers do attract the reader to at least look at the book.
Once I started reading? Let me put it this way, I started at 12:50 pm, and finished about 10 hours later with quite a few stops here or there. That’s quite a record for me. I honestly couldn’t put this down for any real length of time. I read 70 pages in one (1) hour, 83 pages the next. I’d safely say that this was definitely read under four (4) hours. That’s almost a record for me.
I usually attribute this to short chapters, which seem to keep the story rolling and flowing – and me reading chapter after chapter. The larger font is a bit of a bonus too. The story is fast-paced but not so much that you feel the author is rushing right through the telling of it. Faye’s vivid writing had me feeling like I was right there at the resort watching this unfold. There were a few typos, but nothing to detract from the overall story and what a story it was!
Hermione is mourning the loss of the island and resort’s owner – Thea. Atlas is more than a bit miffed his wayward, absentee mother left him an island and a resort in her will. He’s got his own company to manage and doesn’t have time to deal with this.
Hermione is heading home in a storm while Atlas is heading to the resort. Talk about a collision course. Of course, they avoid an accident, but Atlas needs to get his vehicle towed. Since it won’t be until the morning, Hermione (risking the last ferry home) takes him to the resort. There’s only one room. Atlas offers the use of the room and shower, Hermione only accepts the shower, opting to sleep in her office.
That should’ve been a clue to Atlas about who this woman was. Still, he enjoys her company and doesn’t want the night to end. Yet, it does.
The next morning, he is a bit irritated to learn Hermione is the resort’s manager. And, Hermione learns Atlas plans to sell the resort.
Hermione, looking out for not just herself but the employee who’ve become a family, sets out to show Atlas what the resort is really about. Of course, Hermione is stunned that Atlas is alive as Thea never really talked about what happened, but often spoke about her love for her son.
Right off though, there is a mystery around Atlas and his mother Thea. What happened between these two, why did she leave him the resort?
Hermione has Atlas meet the employees which is a dirty, but sweet trick. She doesn’t have time for much though – there is a wedding and a Valentine’s Day ball to plan for. Of course, Atlas doesn’t plan to be around then. And, Hermione isn’t thinking about love after a disastrous relationship where her ex also took something far more valuable than just money.
Then, there’s that ruby heart being loaned to the hotel and the story behind it … and of course, Hermione and Atlas’ attraction to each other.
Of course, there are a few things Atlas sees that could use improving – the security system for one. Another – the resort’s exclusivity that even extends to the employees. He has an issue with the “haves” and “have nots” system. Yet when it comes to needing help in a time of crisis, the resort employees help each other as it is more of a family. That’s not something Atlas is used to.
Over the course of what seems like a REALLY short read, Faye crafts a sweet romance set in what can only be described as a paradise over a two (2) week period, yet it never feels rushed.
I absolutely adored Hermione’s assistant Adara who arranged a fun surprise for Hermione and Atlas on a yacht/boat. Almost everyone can see what Hermione and Atlas fail (or don’t want) to see – they both care deeply for each other, perhaps love? I had to laugh at the idea of Atlas talking to Adara then giving her a raise for the audacious plan.
At one point, Hermione prompts Atlas to talk and tells him she’s an okay listener. Saying she was great would be bragging, and saying she was terrible wouldn’t get him to talk – she opts for middle of the road. I loved that humbleness about her, and the humor.
This is more of a fling turning something serious rather than a whirlwind romance with some light and refreshing humor sprinkled in.
I loved the history of the island and resort and why Thea left it to Atlas.
There really wasn’t much to dislike about this read – perhaps Atlas’ insistence on selling it and his unresolved issues with his mother. It wasn’t until around 6% to go that Atlas learns why his mother left and never came back for him. That was cutting it a bit too close to the end for me.
And, the ending was SO sweet too! I kind of saw one point playing out the way it did, though it was nice to actually get that part resolved.
I was almost too busy reading to take proper notes for the review. That’s another sign of how fast this story went by and how GOOD this book was!
This is basically categorized as a sweet romance – no bad language at all. There is a “between the chapters” intimate scene, but no real graphic descriptions or talk about it. Not even the characters discuss it.
Fans of the author and genre won’t want to miss this one! I’m definitely excited
for book #2. And, if you’re looking for a bit of a romantic getaway – this book
serves that up too.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
– Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Thanks so much for hosting the first book in my Greek Paradise Escape trilogy! 😊
ReplyDeleteYou're so very welcome! It was a pleasure! 😊
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