The House in the Olive Grove: The new sweeping, emotional, romantic escape for summer 2023 from the author of ONE LAST LETTER FROM GREECE
£2.80
‘A glorious story that celebrates the power of love’ – Bestselling author ADRIANA TRIGIANI
‘I adored The House in the Olive Grove. It is a hymn to friendship and love, and is utterly perfect’ – Bestselling author LIZ FENWICK
Will one week in Greece change their lives for ever?
Chef Maria is running a successful cookery school in her home village of Petalidi, Greece – but she is also running from the secrets of her past.
Food journalist Kayla thought this was going to be just another work trip. But right before she leaves for Greece, she discovers that her whole life is built on a lie.
Jewellery-maker Alessandra has always lived according to her own rules – despite what it has cost her to do so. But she has just had some devastating news.
As these three very different women come together at the house in the olive grove, unlikely friendships blossom and a season of self-discovery begins. Will the sumptuous flavours, sapphire waters and golden sands of Greece give each of them the answers they so desperately seek?
The breathtaking, escapist second novel from Emma Cowell, perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan.
Readers love The House in the Olive Grove:
‘Emma Cowell creates worlds of warmth, laughter, healing and hope in her delicious novels. The House in the Olive Grove is a glorious story that celebrates the power of love.’ – Adriana Trigiani
‘Light your favourite candle, pour yourself a glass of ouzo, play Leonard Cohen’s ‘Bird on a Wire,’ and let author Emma Cowell transport you to Petalidi, Greece.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I adored The House in the Olive Grove. It is a hymn to friendship and love, and is utterly perfect.’ – Liz Fenwick
‘A homage to Greek cooking, bee keeping and to the closeness of small communities … The book has an exceptionally strong emotional pulse.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A culinary twist, female solidarity, friendship and romance, what more does one need for a perfect summer read?’ – Nadia Marks
‘This book is food for the soul.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Evocative, compelling, moving. A glorious story.’ – Kate Frost
‘I loved how beautifully Greece and the food were described – it makes you wish you were there yourself.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Sunshine and friendship, broken hearts and secrets. Cowell’s exquisite writing is as delicious as the food she describes.’ – Jennie Keer
‘Eloquent prose brings to life the feel of the breeze off the ocean, the enticing aroma drifting from Maria’s kitchen and the sweetness of the bees’ honey.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A sweeping novel about sisterhood, courage and new beginnings that will inspire and delight.’ – Tessa Harris
‘Cowell has written a lovely atmospheric novel that will engage and entertain you.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The glorious setting will instantly transport you to sunnier climes!’ – My Weekly
‘A gorgeous read and a real nod to the friendships women can form.’ – Best
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Avon (25 May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 1595 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 430 pages |
| Page numbers source ISBN | 0008515875 |
by Amazon Customer
Good value
by MMacD
Very readable. Not too taxing. Very descriptive with good strong characters. Lovely summer read.
by sparkle
Great author for around the pool read, lovely story, love the bees, just sweet
by Mr R Preece
Nice story
by Janie S
This book is about food (did you guess?) and relationships formed when people are thrown together. The food was spectacular, simple but delicious and I can honestly say that I enjoyed every plateful except for the octopus! The relationships were convoluted and painful but all was worked out eventually with no surprises. The book is about 5 chapters too long, hence 4 stars, nevertheless I enjoyed it and will read it again. Recommended.
by Laura
Three women, all facing their own demons.
Maria has been running her cooking school in Greece for ten years, having come back from New York with both physical and emotional scars. However, the village she grew up in is not very keen to have her back.
Kayla is a celebrity chef who has come to Greece to interview Maria. However, secrets and past trauma threatens to bring her perfect life down around her.
Alessandra is bold and doesn’t hold back but behind the bravado lies heartbreak.
Can these three women hold each other up when outside forces want to see them fall?
This was my introduction to Emma Cowell and I was very keen to get reading.
It took a couple of chapters to settle in as the characters are all introduced. As I got further into the novel, I became completely engrossed in the lives of these three women. The plot got richer as I progressed through and by the end, I was smiling, laughing and crying with these characters. I also wanted to push Maria and Leonidas together and tell them to stop being daft. Whether they do stop getting in their own way is something I’ll leave you to discover yourselves.
Maria has the kind of courage I wish I had. She faces adversity head on and I loved that.
Kayla is trying to hold her life together – she wants to show the world she’s strong and, as a celebrity, she believes she needs to keep that facade going at all times. She has an idea of what her life should look like and is too hard on herself.
Alessandra is also not one to shy away from life. She doesn’t apologise for who she is but even she is eventually scared when having to face things from her past and inevitable events in her future.
What these women have in common is that they don’t realise how amazing they truly are and how they all have the potential to inspire each other. It’s like they all hold a mirror up to each other and between the three of them, there is a lot for the reader to relate to.
The setting is just stunning. I could feel the sun, see the village and smell the incredible food made. Tip…. don’t read this when you’re hungry. LOL!
The inclusion of the bees with the occasional paragraph from their point of view was a great touch. The feeling of magic is threaded through the whole book and I loved that. It gave me that ‘anything is possible’ feeling.
It deals with themes such as loss, illness, friendship, trust, faith and love and does so with care.
I really hope this isn’t the last we hear of these characters. I hope we get to check in with them again.
This book was lovely and would make a perfect holiday companion or if you’re looking for a book to read in garden, lounge, whatever. I throughly recommend this one.
I look forward to seeing what Emma Cowell does next.
(Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.)
by Amazon Customer
A lovely book exploring the lives of three different women, using Greece as the background. Not a complicated plot but certainly explored the varied avenues of human frailties. Also made me want to jump on a plane and go to visit. Certainly worth your time to read.
by Gillian Patricia Richards
A joy