A review by yvo_about_books
One Summer in Santorini by Sandy Barker

lighthearted medium-paced

0.0

Finished reading: June 7th 2025
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. 
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