Book Review: Those Summer Nights by Mandy Baggot

Sunshine, soft white sand and a sizzling hot millionaire – you don’t get trouble in paradise, right?

Imogen Charlton is sorted. Dead-beat husband? History. Dream job? Application sent. But then her impulsive brother, Harry, spends every last penny on a Greek restaurant in Corfu, and is determined to run it himself. It’s up to Imogen to bring him to his senses.

When sexy millionaire Panos Dimitriou offers to buy back his family taverna, Imogen wonders if all her prayers have been answered (and all her fantasies about to come true). But Harry won’t budge, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Bright pink bougainvillea tumbling over whitewashed walls, endless blue skies, the sparkling Mediterranean; it’s hard not to fall for Corfu. And that’s not all Imogen is falling for…

As the sparks of passion fly between Imogen and Panos, is Imogen having second thoughts on selling the restaurant? And will she have to choose between love and a new dream?

This summer, spend long sunny days on the beach, and balmy nights in Greek tavernas on the gorgeous island of Corfu. Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Miranda Dickinson and Lindsey Kelk.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for the Advance Reading Copy.

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. Don't get me wrong - it is a FABULOUS read. I truly loved it. The sights, smells and sounds of Greece came flooding back to me through the pages of this glorious book. I fell in love instantly with the characters, and the village of Acharavi in Corfu. Greece has a huge piece of my heart since my first holiday in Crete at the age of 15, and Those Summer Nights brought it all back to me.

Although I love Imogen and Panos ,my favourite character is Panos's grandmother, the indomitable Elpida. Not the stereotypical image I had in my head of a little old lady dressed entirely in black, Elpida is a force to be reckoned with, but in an adorable way. She dresses in bright colours, lycra and short dresses, but her values are still firmly rooted in family and tradition, and she does her best to make her grandson see sense.

Those Summer Nights certainly heat up with passion between Imogen and property tycoon Panos, who are battling each other over his determination to turn the peaceful little village into another Kavos *shudder*.

The tricky subject of bipolar disorder is handled well with great sensitivity in the character of Harry, Imogen's brother. He has a propensity for impulsive hare-brained schemes which have all but destroyed his marriage. But he surprises everyone with the work he puts in when he buys a dilapidated taverna he renames Halloumi, his dedication to make a go of it infecting everyone around him.

And the descriptions of the food... wow, they made me yearn for a bloody good moussaka and baclava!

So why a love/hate relationship with the book, when I loved everything about it? After I finished it, I spent hours torturing myself looking at holidays online. I'm pretty sure Greece is my spiritual home. But this year, I will just have to go sit in the garden at the first hint of sunshine, with Greek yoghurt and honey, and reread this book. If I concentrate hard enough, I could be at Halloumi...

Maybe next year!

Those Summer Nights is published today and you buy it here (other retailers are available!).