- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Pan; Main Market edition (12 July 2018)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1509838112
- ISBN-13: 978-1509838110
Synopsis
Before every new beginning, there must be an ending . . .
Running from heartbreak, Chloe Marston leaves her old life in London for a fresh start in New York. Working at a luxury concierge company, she makes other people’s lives run perfectly, even if her own has ground to a halt. But a terrible accident forces her to step into a new role, up close and personal with the company’s most esteemed and powerful clients. Charismatic Joe Lincoln is one of them and his every wish is her command, so when he asks her to find him a secluded holiday home in the Greek Islands, she sets about sourcing the perfect retreat.
But when Tom, her ex, unexpectedly shows up in Manhattan and the stability of her new life is thrown off-balance again, she jumps at the chance to help Joe inspect the holiday house; escaping to Greece will give her the time and space to decide where her future truly lies. Tom is the man she has loved for so long but he has hurt her before – can she give him another chance? And as she draws closer to Joe, does she even want to? As magnetic as he is mysterious, there’s an undeniable chemistry between them that she can’t resist.
But whatever her heart is telling her, she’s in over her head – another client’s wife has mysteriously disappeared and serious allegations about Joe threaten more than just her happiness. Who can she trust? And will Chloe uncover the truth in time?
Review
I am a huge fan of Karen Swan and always look forward to the summer and Christmas when she always releases new books. Her past summer books have taken us to Paris, Rome, The Hamptons and this time to Greece in The Greek Escape. The plot is narrated from the point of view of the main character, Chloe, whose love life is the main feature of this book. Chloe has to help out at her concierge firm when her friend has an accident, and becomes a lifestyle assistant to the very rich including a Russian Oligarch, a world famous opera singer, and a music mogul. Whilst her job might involve sorting problems out for others and giving them anything they want, including roses falling from a bridge in Paris and a dinner party on an ice berg, she does not seem to be able to sort out her own life. Chloe runs away from trouble, she is is New York after leaving the London office of her company where she was in a relationship with Tom, her boss. When Tom arrives in New York she chooses flight over fight again and goes house hunting with a client in Greece. I did love Chloe though, she is smart, sassy, unassuming and a lot of fun. Her heart is in the right place and she is very loyal, which can also be a fault at times.
As well as Chloe, there are a fabulous cast of characters. Elle is one of her best friends and Chloe’s complete opposite; Chloe has auburn hair, pale skin and is not particularly tall where as Elle is nearly six foot tall and her height is emphasised by her afro hair and she has ebony skin. She is frivolous to Chloe’s more sensible approach. Chloe’s clients really do show that money can just about buy you anything except manners. Some of the funnier requests are Penguins for a black tie party, a submarine, and a doctor who won’t leak that a very famous singer has an STD.
Karen Swan is a skilful writer in that she is able to grab your attention from the very first page, and never loose it. I always find myself immersed in her books and oblivious to whatever else is going on around me, needless to say I read this in two days. The beautiful Greek Islands are brought vividly to life in the prose; the sights, smells and tastes are a delight for the senses. She also brings the same beautifully descriptive prose to the street food and the wonderful clothing market with its beautiful colours in New York. My favourite destination in this book though was the beautiful Greek Island of Hydra, a place where there were no cars, only Donkey’s, and no internet access; perfect for a get away.
The Greek Escape is the perfect summer read and a surely another bestseller for Karen Swan. It’s mix of beautiful locations, wonderful characters, romance and glamour make for a fabulous reading experience. I highly recommend this book as part of your summer reading; a perfect summer read.
Thank you for reading my review of The Greek Escape. Tomorrow I have an exclusive interview with Karen Swan the I’m really excited about. Please let me know tyour thoughts in the comments and I appreciate all your likes and shares. Remember you can follow me on social media and by subscribing to my blog. The Greek Escape will be published on July 12.
