Beneath the Orange Blossom
by Emma Cowell
Having read and loved all of Emma Cowell’s books I couldn’t wait to dive in to Beneath the Orange Blossom. I knew I was in for a treat, and it has been such a joy to read. An emotional rollercoaster, but an absolute joy!
Ellen is an easily likeable character, and I could almost physically feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. So much heartache for such a lovely lady. I’m not sure I could have just ignored the love of my life on the say so of his mother, but as the story progresses and I learnt more of the truth behind her decision to stay away, the more I could understand why, especially as she was only eighteen at the time. Such a heart-breaking waste though. So many years of true love missed out on.
Ellen is now a widow, and her marriage wasn’t even a happy one which makes things even more heart-breaking, especially as she kept things to herself, even from her best friend, allowing everyone else to believe her husband had been a lovely man, mainly to protect their son. She’s a stronger woman than I think I could ever be. I was over the moon for her when she agreed with her best friend, Penny, to do something for herself for once and return to Greece in an attempt to re-create the holiday they enjoyed in their teens. An excellent chance for her to relax and let her hair down.
However, even her friendship with Penny is strained and I felt so sorry for the fact that she seems to have spent most of their friendship over the years bowing down to whatever suited Penny best. Always being the one to back down and just do whatever Penny wanted to do, to keep the peace. Between this, her abusive husband, and an unlikable daughter-in-law she really does put up with a lot from a lot of people. I’m not sure how she remained so patient with everyone.
I could talk about this book for hours, but I’m really trying not to spoil it for anyone.
I really enjoyed Ellen back in Greece. I love how she effortlessly integrates herself into the community. I can understand Penny being annoyed by her working when they were supposed to be on holiday, but I could also understand Ellen’s need to help with a desperate situation. Plus, Penny was still, even now, dictating what they should and shouldn’t do without much thought about what Ellen might want. The tension between them is palpable and builds over the course of the holiday until Ellen decides to come clean about her marriage. Penny’s reaction really shocked me.
I was glad Ellen had someone to turn to, and I couldn’t blame her for grabbing on to a second chance at happiness. Although, that wasn’t going to happen without its own heartbreak which needed to happen in order to move forward.
Honestly, I was emotionally drained by the end of this book. In the best way of course.
Beautifully written, as always.
Unforgettable characters with a story that will stay with me for a very long time to come.
** Many thanks to the author and publisher for my digital arc via NetGalley**
A lost love. A devastating secret. And a summer that could change everything…
Two years on from her husband’s death, dressmaker Ellen is learning how to live again and put memories of a difficult marriage behind her.
However, never far from her mind is another memory: Alexandros, her first love from the summer she turned eighteen.
The moment she’d arrived in his hometown of Kardamyli in Greece, Ellen had been intoxicated by the scent of orange blossom in the air, the days of endless sunshine and sparkling azure waters – but most of all by Alexandros himself. They were meant to be, until a devastating secret forced Ellen to leave and never look back…
But now, when her best friend suggests they recreate their teenage summer in Greece, Ellen knows it’s time to confront her past. Will Greece give her the freedom – and happiness – she desperately craves? And there, amidst the lush olive groves, could she rediscover the love she thought she’d lost forever?
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