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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a really disappointing read- the one plot line I was interested in went absolutely nowhere. The main character was annoying AF and her internal monologue drove me crazy. I was so tempted to DNF early, but I wanted to see how it ended- disappointingly- that’s how.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Finished reading: June 7th 2025
DNF 31% (107 pages)
DNF 31% (107 pages)
"I mean, can't I go on this trip, and have it be about me? Seeing somewhere new and hanging out and sailing and shit?"
WARNING: it's another unpopular opinion!!
I admit my first experience with Sandy Barker's writing hadn't been a completely positive one, but I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting in A Sunrise Over Bali enough to give her books a second chance. I decided to turn to One Summer In Santorini, the first book of the same series, and see if my experience would be different with a new character in the spotlight. Unfortunately things didn't exactly go as planned... And I saw no other way out but to resort to yet another DNF. Why? Multiple reasons, but one of the main issues I had was without a doubt with the main character Sarah. Have you ever hated a character from the very first chapter? I didn't think it was possible, but it is what happened as soon as I met Sarah. Abnoxious, self-absorbed, toxic, completely despicable... I don't think she has one redeeming quality, and I absolutely hated having to spend time inside her head and watch her criticize and look down on just about everything and everyone. The writing style and snarky tone just didn't work for me, and then I'm not even talking about the constant repetition of certain elements (he's too young! but he's so sexy! I don't want to be with anyone! but he's so attractive! UGH.). The rest of the cast isn't much better to be honest, and I actually stopped reading to check out the reviews and see if things would improve later on. Then I saw that there was going to be a dreaded love triangle on top of things, and that's when I decided to just throw in the towel instead. I mean, the descriptions of the Greek setting and food were nice, but definitely not nearly rewarding enough to make up for everything else... At least not in my opinion. To look at the bright side of things: at least I now know that Sandy Barker's writing or at least her characters clearly aren't my cup of tea at all? It's also one less series I have to worry about finishing I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Cute book but the main character was annoying. The ending was abrupt with no closure.
I thought this was a cozy mystery set on the island of Santorini. But no. This is chick lit!! I do NOT READ chick lit!! The descriptions of the greek food and the islands were wonderful. It is very clear that the author has been to the Greek islands.
But the main character Sarah, aged 36 and still single - was very annoying. I gather she needs a man to function and I detest females who have never learned to live an independent life. Sarah came across as very clingy. And the fact that she was hooking up with a young man almost 10 years younger than her, and she was also being romanced by an older man in his 40s, does not speak well of Sarah's character.
After a bad breakup Sarah decides to spend the summer sailing around the greek islands. Except that this summer really only lasted 10 days!! And she ended up being romanced by 2 men. At age 36 Sarah still does not know who she is or what she wants. She was currently a high school teacher but she had also been a tour manager. You would think that at age 36, one had some idea of what they wanted out of life. I got the impression that all Sarah wanted, was another man in her life. And that attitude gives off clingy vibes - which most men run away from.
I will not be reading any more from this author. And now I will have to check every book with this kind of cover to make sure they are cozy mysteries and NOT chicklit!!
But the main character Sarah, aged 36 and still single - was very annoying. I gather she needs a man to function and I detest females who have never learned to live an independent life. Sarah came across as very clingy. And the fact that she was hooking up with a young man almost 10 years younger than her, and she was also being romanced by an older man in his 40s, does not speak well of Sarah's character.
After a bad breakup Sarah decides to spend the summer sailing around the greek islands. Except that this summer really only lasted 10 days!! And she ended up being romanced by 2 men. At age 36 Sarah still does not know who she is or what she wants. She was currently a high school teacher but she had also been a tour manager. You would think that at age 36, one had some idea of what they wanted out of life. I got the impression that all Sarah wanted, was another man in her life. And that attitude gives off clingy vibes - which most men run away from.
I will not be reading any more from this author. And now I will have to check every book with this kind of cover to make sure they are cozy mysteries and NOT chicklit!!
A light and sunny read on the surface; romance, travel, and food in equal parts. But, there's more to One Summer in Santorini than that. Barker has a sharp and excellent eye for characters and description. She throws us into the deep end, and into close quarters with an eclectic group of travellers sailing the Greek Isles.
There's tension, undercurrents, bad behaviour and lots of flirting.
Our main protagonist Sarah, keeps us informed with her internal chatter that feels very real, and refreshingly Australian. And while she starts out on a holiday to forget her nasty ex, Sarah discovers a great deal more about herself as she unwinds and gets up close and personal with her sailing family.
Tears, tantrums, laughter, and love - a great combination.
There's tension, undercurrents, bad behaviour and lots of flirting.
Our main protagonist Sarah, keeps us informed with her internal chatter that feels very real, and refreshingly Australian. And while she starts out on a holiday to forget her nasty ex, Sarah discovers a great deal more about herself as she unwinds and gets up close and personal with her sailing family.
Tears, tantrums, laughter, and love - a great combination.
BookClub: Cat & Dan *
Month: September, 2024
* BookClub Cat & Dan is just a "book club" where me and Cátia pick up a book from the 24 previously selected each month and have to "force" ourselves to read a book.
-------------------------------------------------
All I wanted was a nice Greek holiday romcom.
Synopsis:
The story begins with Sarah, a mid-thirty year old woman who decided to go on a vacation to Santorini in order to escape her failed relationship. There, she goes on a sailing trip with a bunch of strangers but then meets a gorgeous man who embarks on her yacht. Then she meets a “silver fox who promises her the world” and now she has to choose between the two.
“Will Sarah dive into a holiday fling, embark on a relationship, or stick to her plan – steer clear of men, continue her love affair with feta, and find her own way after all?” - taken from the synopsis.
Review:
I would be lying if I said this was interesting, captivating or intriguing.
According to some Greek reviewers, the description of the island was good but I have seen other Greek reviewers also criticise her for not knowing or getting some facts wrong. The difference between a Nescafé and other kind of coffees/caffeine drinks, the water temperatures on the islands, even the difference between salads and naming everything a Greek salad. However, I am NOT Greek nor have I been to Greece (yet) so I cannot comment on these descriptions. I leave it to the Greek-BORN reviewers.
However, I skimmed over many descriptions because of the poor writing and the lack of ability of keeping the reader engaged. All these reviewers who say the descriptions and writing transported them to the Greek islands must have read a different book than me.
She’s supposed to be well travelled, travelling across continents but somehow gets outrages by some things that are somewhat normal amongst travellers (?) or, at least, things she should have known in advance before booking.
A bit of false advertising because the book is literally called One Summer in Santorini and she spends a total of one day in the island before setting off to other islands. Yes, they’re still Greek islands but it’s disrespectful to claim “they’re all the same anyway”.
Calling a bunch of strangers ‘family’ is wild. I know you’re sharing close quarters with them for a month or two but get your shit together. You don’t know them that well to call them ‘family’ so early in the book.
Obviously, I spoiled myself the ending to make sure if it was worth continuing and nope. Glad I DNF’ed it.
Sarah, the female main character, was an immature snob and hypocrite. It’s ironic how a 7 year age difference (late 20s-early 30s) is a HUGE problem for her but suddenly a FIFTEEN (15) year age difference is somewhat okay (?). She would describe herself as chronically single and being “rusty” in relationships when her last relationship ended, like, 3 months before the start of the book. Bro. As a chronically single person, I am insulted
The inconsistency in Sarah’s characters, the lack of plot and average-to-poor writing, the constantly dumping of information on the islands as if Sarah was an expert then getting it wrong was exhausting.
I DNF’d it. I will not be continuing the series. I was a complete waste of my time and I do not recommend it.
Month: September, 2024
* BookClub Cat & Dan is just a "book club" where me and Cátia pick up a book from the 24 previously selected each month and have to "force" ourselves to read a book.
-------------------------------------------------
All I wanted was a nice Greek holiday romcom.
Synopsis:
The story begins with Sarah, a mid-thirty year old woman who decided to go on a vacation to Santorini in order to escape her failed relationship. There, she goes on a sailing trip with a bunch of strangers but then meets a gorgeous man who embarks on her yacht. Then she meets a “silver fox who promises her the world” and now she has to choose between the two.
“Will Sarah dive into a holiday fling, embark on a relationship, or stick to her plan – steer clear of men, continue her love affair with feta, and find her own way after all?” - taken from the synopsis.
Review:
I would be lying if I said this was interesting, captivating or intriguing.
According to some Greek reviewers, the description of the island was good but I have seen other Greek reviewers also criticise her for not knowing or getting some facts wrong. The difference between a Nescafé and other kind of coffees/caffeine drinks, the water temperatures on the islands, even the difference between salads and naming everything a Greek salad. However, I am NOT Greek nor have I been to Greece (yet) so I cannot comment on these descriptions. I leave it to the Greek-BORN reviewers.
However, I skimmed over many descriptions because of the poor writing and the lack of ability of keeping the reader engaged. All these reviewers who say the descriptions and writing transported them to the Greek islands must have read a different book than me.
She’s supposed to be well travelled, travelling across continents but somehow gets outrages by some things that are somewhat normal amongst travellers (?) or, at least, things she should have known in advance before booking.
A bit of false advertising because the book is literally called One Summer in Santorini and she spends a total of one day in the island before setting off to other islands. Yes, they’re still Greek islands but it’s disrespectful to claim “they’re all the same anyway”.
Calling a bunch of strangers ‘family’ is wild. I know you’re sharing close quarters with them for a month or two but get your shit together. You don’t know them that well to call them ‘family’ so early in the book.
Obviously, I spoiled myself the ending to make sure if it was worth continuing and nope. Glad I DNF’ed it.
Spoiler
In fact you’re curious, she doesn’t choose between neither man and, apparently, this series is the love triangle between the two.Sarah, the female main character, was an immature snob and hypocrite. It’s ironic how a 7 year age difference (late 20s-early 30s) is a HUGE problem for her but suddenly a FIFTEEN (15) year age difference is somewhat okay (?). She would describe herself as chronically single and being “rusty” in relationships when her last relationship ended, like, 3 months before the start of the book. Bro. As a chronically single person, I am insulted
The inconsistency in Sarah’s characters, the lack of plot and average-to-poor writing, the constantly dumping of information on the islands as if Sarah was an expert then getting it wrong was exhausting.
I DNF’d it. I will not be continuing the series. I was a complete waste of my time and I do not recommend it.
Thought I'd give this a 3* rating, but even that felt generous. Down to 2*.
The book immediately started off with Sarah making her way to Greece for a boat trip, continuously pointing out that she's chronically single (after a few months? No, honey, you're not chronically single) then spending all of said boat trip unsure between two men, both of whom I didn't really like, or connect with.
She complains that one is too young for her, but the larger age gap between her and the other guy seems to be okay. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, except maybe some of the other people on the trip. Hannah was a spoiled brat. They drink all the time (nothing wrong with that) but they kick out a woman for doing just that. What was the point of even introducing her? Sarah and Josh just run hot and cold all the time. Her brain runs hot and cold all the time. Woman, seriously. You're making us women in the 30s look bad. I couldn't believe this was someone in her thirties. All I got was horny teenager who thinks she's mature. And, bloody hell, the number of times she said the word 'lover' in the last few chapters? "I now had a lover." "He was now my lover." "Her husband and my lover." Did you forget his name all of a sudden? We get it, you finally got laid even though you said you weren't looking.
I did love, however, all that is Greek. Though I did expect more of Santorini than a chapter because, you know, the title? The Greek food, the islands, the people... all of that was amazing and made me miss my holiday in Greece all over again - which was the reason I picked up this book in the first place. I wanted to be transported there again. The book did great on that part. The food. Ah, I miss the food <3
But Sarah? It started off well, but I found myself becoming increasingly irritated towards the end of the book and by the end, I was huffing in frustration at everything she did.
Description of all that is Greek? Beautiful. The characters? Sweet baby Jesus help me.
The book immediately started off with Sarah making her way to Greece for a boat trip, continuously pointing out that she's chronically single (after a few months? No, honey, you're not chronically single) then spending all of said boat trip unsure between two men, both of whom I didn't really like, or connect with.
She complains that one is too young for her, but the larger age gap between her and the other guy seems to be okay. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, except maybe some of the other people on the trip. Hannah was a spoiled brat. They drink all the time (nothing wrong with that) but they kick out a woman for doing just that. What was the point of even introducing her? Sarah and Josh just run hot and cold all the time. Her brain runs hot and cold all the time. Woman, seriously. You're making us women in the 30s look bad. I couldn't believe this was someone in her thirties. All I got was horny teenager who thinks she's mature. And, bloody hell, the number of times she said the word 'lover' in the last few chapters? "I now had a lover." "He was now my lover." "Her husband and my lover." Did you forget his name all of a sudden? We get it, you finally got laid even though you said you weren't looking.
I did love, however, all that is Greek. Though I did expect more of Santorini than a chapter because, you know, the title? The Greek food, the islands, the people... all of that was amazing and made me miss my holiday in Greece all over again - which was the reason I picked up this book in the first place. I wanted to be transported there again. The book did great on that part. The food. Ah, I miss the food <3
But Sarah? It started off well, but I found myself becoming increasingly irritated towards the end of the book and by the end, I was huffing in frustration at everything she did.
Description of all that is Greek? Beautiful. The characters? Sweet baby Jesus help me.