Under a Greek Sun

Mandy Baggot

Description

Escape to Corfu with this sizzling summer romance, from bestselling author Mandy Baggot

Eve Collins is looking forward to the holidays.

Her job as a counsellor has been as taxing as it has been rewarding, and she can’t wait for some downtime on the Greek island of Corfu with best-friend, Gabby. But between Eve’s brother, Ben, unexpectedly joining and Gabby’s job at the animal rescue centre keeping her busy, Eve might have to start mucking in…

When Gianni arrives in the village of Episkepsi, it’s like a model has stepped straight off the pages of Vogue Italia… with an uptight personality to match. He may be super-sexy but there are obvious chips on those broad shoulders.

As Eve and Gianni get to know each other and both start to lean into the Greek customs and avrio mentality, an initial attraction starts to turn into something more. But with so much family drama in both their lives, neither of them were looking for a holiday romance...

-

'The slow-burn romance between Eve and Gianni was perfect, and the Greek cast, particularly, adorable. A gorgeous summer read with all the ingredients I like best.' Sue Moorcroft, author of An Italian Island Summer

'Mandy Baggot at her best - equal measures heart, humour and romance. A must read.' Sandy Barker, author of A Sunrise Over Bali

'Mandy Baggot is the queen of sexy, fun, Greek-set stories.’ Isabelle Broom, author of The Summer Trip

'A delightful escapist romance packed with sunshine, second chances and an utterly charming cast of characters.' Nina Kaye, author of Just Like That

'I loved the quirky local characters and even quirkier animals at the sanctuary. It was fun and romantic and a wonderful trip to Corfu!' Leonie Mack, author of A Taste of Italian Sunshine

'A sizzling summer read full of romance, drama and Greek sun! ... Mandy Baggot just gets better and better!' Katie Ginger, author of The Little Library on Cherry Lane

'This is Mandy Baggot's best book yet... Full of Mandy's trademark humour, wonderfully drawn characters and sizzling romance, there is also a deeper emotional level to this book. I loved every word of it.' Sue Fortin, author of Sister Sister

'This book is so cute. I love Eve and Gianni so much. I recommend this book to people who want a good summer holiday romance read' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Netgalley Review

'What a truly stunning read this book is and Mandy never fails to disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Netgalley Review

'This gorgeous summer read has everything you need to cast your cares aside and simply bask in the warmth of the Greek sun, warm characters and totally absorbing storyline. Love it!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Netgalley Review

Sujets

• Sea Stories
• Mashups
• Feminist
• Holidays
• Siblings
• World Literature
• Humorous
• Women
• 21st century
• Erotic romance novels
• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Romantic Comedy
• Sibling
• General officer
• Woman
• Feminism
• The Women
• Animals
• Summer
• General
• Holiday
• International
• Greece
• Family Life
• Romance
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Boldwood Books
• Date de parution: 18 avril 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781805493556
• Langue: English

Extrait

UNDER A GREEK SUN


MANDY BAGGOT
CONTENTS



Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71


More from Mandy Baggot

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by Mandy Baggot

About Boldwood Books
For Tanera
Thank you for your never-ending support, for always believing in me and my books, and for working your socks off every single day!
1
BYRON ACADEMY COLLEGE, BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE, UK

‘Not gonna lie, this place sucks and Kirsty is a total bitch.’
Eve Collins desperately wanted to nod in agreement to Josh’s statement but that wasn’t the done thing when you were in a student support role. Yet Josh always made excellent points when asked to underpin his angst and Eve always listened.
‘Expand please, Josh.’
Josh did his usual dramatic shrug and the back of the flimsy plastic chair he was sitting in warped as if it was made of bubble-gum. Eve asked constantly for more comfortable seating but apparently another vending machine full of sugary overpriced snacks was preferable over her ‘harmony hub’ meant to soothe. College courses were harder than ever before, the pressure to achieve even greater and the number of stressed-out, brain-fried pupils lining up for a session with her could be likened to an airport security queue.
‘This is student support,’ Josh began. ‘You’re supposed to support me , but lately I feel this is just a place for me to vent my rage, so I get it off my chest and don’t get so worked up that I go and… I don’t know… spray obscenities or hairy penises on the walls.’
Josh paused to inhale, and Eve contemplated why his anger might lead him to graffiti a hairy penis. Freud would be her go-to for that…
‘No matter what I say, here or on Tik Tok to a sad soundtrack, nothing changes. I end up in here with you trying not to think about how my addiction to Polos is getting really out of control!’
As Josh said these final words, he popped another hard white mint into his mouth and sucked.
‘Kirsty tells me you haven’t been completing your assignments,’ Eve said.
As she dropped this onto Josh, she watched his expression to see how he might react. There was no accelerated sweet movement from cheek to cheek, no quirk of his eyebrows. She pulled at the hair scrunchie on her wrist and then carried on:
‘So, are you just trying to be bad-ass by challenging Kirsty to take things further with a warning on your file… or is there anything going on at home that might be making things difficult?’ She had gone from good cop to bad cop in one swift and fluid motion. This usually sorted those taking the piss from those who really needed help.
‘Expand,’ Josh quipped, the word drenched in sarcasm.
‘Is everything OK with your parents? Any worries about money? Your sister, is she still into the occult?’
‘What?’ Josh exclaimed. ‘My sister isn’t into the occult! She’s into animals. Practically a zoologist!’
‘I know,’ Eve answered. ‘I was just checking you were listening.’
‘And you’re not listening to me ! My only problem is Kirsty thinks I can do all this work as well as have time for my shifts at Noo Fork in Chan’s and, you know, also have a few moments on my weekends to explore my more creative side.’
She didn’t miss a beat. ‘You mean play Animal Crossing .’
‘Are you judging me, Eve?’ Josh snapped. ‘You’re not supposed to judge me. It says so in the college handbook.’
‘I’m not judging you, Josh. But I find the best form of defence with tutors is attacking the assignments. Then they don’t tend to come at you with: “Josh, can you stop discussing The Great British Sewing Bee when you should be unravelling the mindset of Lord Sugar”.’
Josh let out a gasp then, fingers going to the student lanyard around his neck and gripping hard. ‘I feel seen! Do you have cameras in the classrooms? Because, if you do, that’s a breach of my civil liberties.’
There weren’t cameras, Eve simply knew her students well. That was at the absolute heart of what she did here. Her qualifications in psychology and philosophy meant she could be working at a clinic earning substantial sums out of stressed out divorcees still quibbling over that wine cooler they received as a wedding gift from goodness knows who or business owners on the verge of a breakdown. But Eve had long ago decided that the people she really wanted to help were people struggling the same way she had when she was a student at this very college. She might be giving Josh a little tough love here, but she was also going to be his shoulder to cry on if it was required.
‘Josh,’ she said, more softly. ‘You know you can tell me anything and it will go no further unless I’m concerned about your safety.’
‘I’m concerned you know I watch Sewing Bee .’
‘Listen, I can fend Kirsty off but only if I know what I’m dealing with… what I’m really dealing with.’
Josh sighed, folding his arms across his chest and adopting a brooding look. And then it hit Eve. Not what was there, but what wasn’t .
‘Josh, you haven’t mentioned Kit-Kat for a while. Is he doing OK? Still cleaning himself more than people on a body wash ad?’
Kit-Kat was Josh’s calico cat who had turned eighteen in January. Josh had dressed him up in a pet tuxedo on the special day and posted a pic to his socials stating, ‘18 today. Lick… I mean like.’
And that was when Josh’s expression changed. His solid-set obstinate jawline folded like a concertina and his lips began to quiver. Eve was already, instinctively, reaching for the tissue box.
‘I can’t… even pass by the canteen and see those two-finger chocolate bars without shedding a tear. It was… last month. He had a bowl of his favourite food – the one for gravy lovers – and then he just sauntered out into the garden, lay under his favourite bush to sleep and never woke up.’ Josh sniffed. ‘He was already stiff when I found him, with an expression I’ve never seen him wear before. He looked like… Alan Carr. It was… chilling.’
Eve passed him a tissue and Josh took it, wiping at his eyes.
‘Josh,’ she began, softly. ‘Losing a pet is a valid excuse to give yourself a time out.’
‘Seriously, have you seen the other students on my course? I’m already the gay geek. I don’t want to be the gay geek who weeps over the loss of his old pussy. I mean, can you imagine?’
Eve gritted her teeth. She knew the group of students Josh was referring to. They embraced difference as well as Will Smith had reacted to Chris Rock’s Jada joke at the Oscars. She’d spoken to the principal before about stamping out this kind of slow drip-feed social bullying, but complete eradication didn’t seem easy to achieve.
‘Josh, I will get you some extra time on any outstanding assignments. I will speak to all your tutors and I’ll speak to Mr Gilligan about sorting out Brent and his crew.’
‘How… how did you know?’ Josh asked, still sniffing. ‘About Kit-Kat?’
Eve passed him the whole tissue box. ‘You always talked about him a lot. You haven’t mentioned him in our last couple of sessions. When we’re upset about something, we do one of two things. We either talk too much or not enough.’
And that last sentiment had always been the crux of what ran through Eve’s family. There was her mother, Glenda, who always talked too much to gloss over whatever was really going on. And then there was her brother, Ben, who shut down completely the minute he was challenged about anything. Her dad, Dave, he hadn’t run deep at all. What you saw was what you got and he’d pretty much operated on one level. Eve had always been a bit envious of that non-emotional freedom, that ability to almost switch off your brain for a bit and take life as it came without question.
‘Thanks, Eve,’ Josh said with complete sincerity, dabbing at his eyes with another tissue.
‘You’re welcome,’ she answered.
2
THE HUNTER’S MOON, BROOKLY HEATH, HAMPSHIRE

‘There we go. Two Old Viceroys,’ Eve said, setting the pint glasses on the bar.
‘Ta, Eve. What d’you think of the Old Viceroy then?’ Ted, one of the regulars, asked her as he put the slight foam head to his lips and sipped. ‘I’d say it’s not as aromatic as Foundland Kipper, but it does have heavy tobacco notes that suits me just perfect.’
‘Suits me perfect too,’ Stanley added, lifting his bald head from the newspaper. ‘Like smoking inside again.’
Eve shook her head and recommenced polishing the glasses now her only two customers were served. Being a bar person was her other job. Not that she really needed a second, but this one was personal. She had worked evenings here at The Hunter’s Moon for the past six years and it was a job she had literally begged for. This used to be her dad’s local pub, where he had brought her as soon as she was old enough to get up on the bar stools. Long afternoons spent watching the locals win and lose on the spin of three matching fruits, listening to an eclectic mix of Queen-meets-Pink Floyd on the jukebox, the television blasting out the horse racing and Ben dropping pork scratchings on the sticky carpet and picking them up and eating them. An