Book Review: The Greek Escape by Karen Swan

Title: The Greek Escape
Author: Karen Swan
Publisher: Pan Macmillan 
Publication date: 24th April 2018
Pages: 432
RRP: $29.99
Format read: Paperback
Source: copy courtesy of publisher


Blurb

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 seriously allegations about Joe threaten more than just her happiness. Who can she trust? And will Chloe uncover the truth in time?


 My thoughts

 The Greek Escape is the perfect summer read or even winter, as it is in Australia now, for that matter.

I was ready for a light summer romance read, ChickLit maybe. However this was so much more. As the story commences the reader is plunged straight into a mystery.

’This was not living. It was no life. She would be gone, yes. But she would also be free.’

Chloe flees England to recover from a broken heart and what better place to go than the company’s New York office leaving a whole ocean between herself and her hurt.

Chloe Marston is the corporate partnership director at Invicta, a high profile concierge company getting top-end clients their exclusive holidays and elusive chalets. Chloe’s job is to liaise with other companies, exclusive bars and 5 star restaurants but when life-style manager Poppy is unable to do her job Chloe must step in and is suddenly thrown into the whacky and extravagant world of the rich and famous as she takes on Poppy’s client base.

The main story is about Chloe and how she handles this new lifestyle whilst trying to recover from a broken heart. Chloe is quiet and reserved. She doesn’t believe in her own talent and worries she’s not sophisticated or pretty enough for the job. Chloe is surrounded by plenty of flamboyant and effervescent characters. Her good friend Elle, six foot tall with model looks and of Ghanaian descent, comes in and out of the story encouraging Chloe to step out of her comfort zone. Her sister, Kate, although living in England is in constant contact and a wonderful support to Chloe and the office gossip, Xan, was a wonderful addition and a campaigner for Chloe.

Chloe’s high profile clients are amusing with their outlandish demands. They are all hugely rich and just a little bit scary. Then there is Joe who wants Chloe to find a secluded house on a Greek Island. He is gorgeous, young and very down to earth. Almost too good to be true!

There is plenty of chemistry between the two but Chloe knows never to fraternise with a client. However the more time she spends with Joe in Greece the more she realises this is where she should be, away from the technology and pressure, where no one can find her.

There is also a side story told in separate chapters. This story had an underlying ominous feel and I was eager to see where this and the main story would intercept and when they do the story takes a turn as there are sinister undertones lurking just below the surface of this sweet romance as Chloe is mixed up in corporate take-overs, corruption and nefarious activities.

The story wrapped up well with a few surprises along the way. The Greek escape is a recommended read and I was held captivated from beginning to end. I will be on the lookout for more Karen Swan titles.

Content: infrequent use of swearing. 

My rating 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

About the author

Karen Swan is a Sunday Times Top Five bestselling writer. She is the author of twelve other novels. She previously worked as an editor in the fashion industry but soon realised she was better suited as a novelist with a serious shopping habit. She is married with three children and lives in East Sussex.