My Greek Books
Welcome back to My Greek Books! This month, come along to Kardamyli in the Peloponnese, to a tiny Cycladic island, and to the east coast of the US. Read on!
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Beneath the Orange Blossom by Emma Cowell
Avon (May 7, 2026)
About the author
A former actress and BBC presenter, by day Emma works in fundraising. She loves Greece, and visits often. She has made many friends there, who have been teaching her to cook Greek food. And she’s learning to speak Greek! She loves Greece so much, she has set all her books there. Emma and her husband recently moved to Greece.
Her other novels include Under the Lemon Tree (Avon, 2025) The Island Love Song (Avon, 2024) , The House in the Olive Grove (Avon, 2023), and One Last Letter from Greece (Avon, 2022).
About the book
In her younger years, Ellen and her childhood friend Penny spent a summer in Greece. In Kardamyli, Ellen met Alexandros and fell in love. They had planned for her to return to the US briefly, and they move to Greece, where they’d spend the rest of their lives together. But a devastating secret forced Ellen to leave and never return. And never contact Alexandros again.
Back at home, she never got over the love of her life and tucked it away with old photos in a box she hid under the floorboards. She got married and had a son. To the world, her home life seemed idyllic. But the only way she endured an abusive marriage was by focusing on her son, and later her grandchildren. And her small business designing and sewing clothing. She often thought about what could have been.
When her husband passes away, her lifelong friend Penny suggests a trip to Greece to recreate their long-ago trip. She decides that it’s time for her to do something for herself and they head to Greece. In Kardamyli, Penny wants to party. But when the town seamstress falls ill on the eve of a big dance festival, Ellen goes to the rescue. At the festival, Ellen dances and revels in her success. It felt good to be part of something bigger, something she chose to do, and help the community. Alexandros spots her on the dance floor. He’s happy to see her. But he wants answers. He never got over her betrayal. She struggles with the truth, as she knows it will hurt him more. Neither can deny that they still have a deep connection. But he won’t go further until she tells the truth. Will the truth set them free or cause more pain?
My Greek Books review
Beneath the Orange Blossom is a beautiful tale of love, loss, friendship, and hope. The story is layered and each character faces life-altering revelations. Emma Cowell loves Greece and it’s evident in her storytelling. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in a day. Pick up a copy and take a virtual trip to Greece.
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Promise Me Never by Liv Constantine
Bantam (August 18, 2026)
About the author
Liv Constantine is the pen name of Greek-American sisters Lynne Constantine (she also publishes under the name L.C. Shaw) and Valerie Constantine. They had been writing individually for years, but the magic they create together has made them international bestselling authors.
Their books have been translated into 29 languages and are available in 34 countries. They’ve sold more than 2 million books worldwide. Some are in development for both TV and film. Netflix’s adaptation of their book, The Last Mrs. Parrish, directed by “Forrest Gump” filmmaker Robert Zemeckis and starring Jennifer Lopez, is currently in post-production.
This book was written solo by Lynne Constantine, under the Liv Constantine pen name.
About the book
An aspiring author, Savannah leaves Maryland—and a secret past—to move to New York City. There, while polishing her manuscripts, she lands a job at the prestigious literary agency of bestselling author Bennett Bryson, hoping to get to meet him. At a literary festival, she quickly charms him and gets him to read her work and offer suggestions. Smitten, he extends his stay in the city so they can spend time together. After a whirlwind romance, she agrees to his offer to move in with him, but only if they marry. Savannah settles into his secluded home, and thinks her life is set.
Bennett becomes controlling. He tells her to enjoy the house, but she can’t go near his office, where he spends most of his days locked away, working on his next book. He reads her work and is deeply critical. His critiques become contradictory, and he basically tells her she may not have what it takes.
Savannah can’t seem to escape the shadow of Bennett’s first wife Poppy, an artist. From the housekeeper’s tales to pieces of her artwork all over the house (even in the bedroom), Poppy is everywhere. She died in a tragic accident, but Bennett’s deep feelings for her become like a third wheel in their relationship.
She’s lonely on the big estate and visits the town center. There, a stranger gives her a warning. Bennett isn’t what he seems. And be careful, because all the women in his life disappear. Savannah doesn’t know who to trust. She tries to unravel the mystery of her husband and his late wife. But someone figures she has secrets and puts her on notice. Will she find out the truth before it’s too late? You’ll have to read it to find out!
My Greek Books review*
Wow! Promise Me Never may be my favorite Liv Constantine novel yet! There were so many twists and turns that I never anticipated. Just when I thought I figured it out, a new twist came out of nowhere. I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know what happened! This is another book I finished in a day. Liv Constantine keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s no wonder they call Liv the queen of psychological thrillers. Don’t miss it!
*I read an advance review copy
Greek by Osmosis: My Life on a Small Greek Island, by Laura Aristidou Candris
Independently published (November 18, 2025)
About the author
Originally from Louisville, KY, Laura Aristidou Candris attended Transylvania University there, where she met her Greek husband. They married when she was 19. She studied law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and practiced law for 34 years, most of that time in Pittsburgh. She later became a mediator.
They loved everything about Pittsburgh—except the weather and the roads. The climate drove them to retire to Naples, FL, for the months they’re not on their beloved Greek island. In Naples, Laura serves on nonprofit boards, volunteers in the community, participates in four book groups, cooks, and writes. Greek by Osmosis is her first book.
About the book
In this memoir, Laura Aristidou Candris recounts her life from the time she met her husband and embraced the Greek culture. Her in-laws moved to the States and lived with them for a time, and she lovingly shares the recipes her mother-in-law taught her at the end of the book. It’s also the story about how an American fell in love not only with a man from Greece, but his tiny island and its way of life. Despite all the challenges, she loves her Greek home and her Greek life.
My Greek Books review
In Greek by Osmosis, Laura Aristou Candris looks back on her married life, her introduction to the Greek culture, then living the Greek life at their home on her husband’s native island. Though she is candid about the challenges (and frustrations) of building and maintaining a home on a tiny Cycladic Isle, it’s apparent that she loves every moment of her Greek life and their island home. You just might start dreaming of your own island home adventure. Grab a copy.
My Greek Books—October 2026
Well, that’s it for this month. Add these books Let’s meet her next month, where I’ll share more of My Greek Books. Til then, Happy Reading!
