Under a Greek Sky by Francesca Catlow
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Women's fiction
Read: 2nd October 2025
★ 1 star
(did not finish)
DESCRIPTION:
Escape to sun-drenched Corfu, where family secrets and second chances bloom under endless Mediterranean skies. Under a Greek Sky is perfect for fans of Karen Swan, Kate Frost and Paige Toon.
When her happily-ever-after is shattered by a fiancé who disappears along with her life savings, Lorena desperately needs a new start. Then her seemingly perfect parents separate, and her mother decides to return to Corfu, the island of her birth, to renovate a family beach house. Lorena goes too, keen for a chance to shut the world out for a while.
The sun-soaked island with its stunning beaches and glittering sea is just the distraction Lorena needs. Not least handsome, mysterious Christos. But as long-held family secrets start to emerge, clouds gather over their Greek island paradise.
Why has Lorena’s mother always refused to return to Corfu until now? What secrets of his own is Christos keeping? When her father reappears on the scene, all hope of peace seems lost. Is Lorena about to watch another happily-ever-after implode, or can she learn from the past and open herself up to a new future?
Let Francesca Catlow sweep you away to enchanting Corfu—the perfect place to rediscover romance and embrace new beginnings.
MY THOUGHTS:
Things started off interestingly enough but then it just became something of a drone and drugery. I wanted to like this book. I really did. I thought it was going to be a fun romance and light reading under a blanket of sunshine by the azure waters of the Mediterranean, but....BUT...it was just full of family drama. Even the allure of whatever secret their mother was harbouring to keep them away from their Greek family wasn't enough to keep me turning the pages.
The characters weren't in the least bit likeable. I wasn't sure what the author was doing with Serena who, half the time was a petulant madam and the other half a weeping child, and Lorena did nothing but ooze self pity, her internal monologue one long constant moan. And mother Thalia? I guess I didn't stick around long enough to get a read on her.
I came here for the stunning Corfu scenery of blues and whites against the azure waters and brilliant sunshine. Add a little romance for some light reading but no. There was so much repetition of self pity. Yes, I get Jonah did the dirty and stole her life savings and her father upped and left with a woman half his age but no one wants to read about that constantly. Everything was just too monotonous.
I pictured the stunning Greek islands and wanted to immerse myself into this book so much and wanted to like it but I just couldn't. I couldn't even finish it. I hate leaving negative reviews because I know it's the author's hard work and I cannot even begin to appreciate how much work goes into writing a book so I do commend anyone who does. I just couldn't connect with the characters, I couldn't like them and I just didn't want to remain in their company.
I would like to thank #FrancescaCatlow, #Netgalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for an ARC of #UnderAGreekSky in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Francesca loves to travel. Born and raised in the heart of Suffolk, England, she has travelled extensively in Europe with her French husband and, more recently, their two children. In 2024 she relocated to France where she spends her days dreaming up stories and her evenings sitting in her garden relaxing with her family.
In 2023 Francesca was a finalist for the prestigious Kindle Storyteller Award, and was nominated for an Innovation Award for her work with libraries in Suffolk.
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