One Greek Summer by Kate Frost

Absorbing, Adventurous, Intriguing

Contemporary Fiction/Family Drama/Romance

Harlow was required to fly out to a job in Greece, on the Island of Skopelos. She was aware that she had been second choice and strings had been pulled, but it would be good experience...if, and it was a big ‘if’ she wanted to stay working in the industry, which she wasn’t even sure of. She’d persevered with it over the years, operating in various roles, and was now taking what would be seen as a lesser position, something that she knew she would have to defend, the question was how?? He would be there too. They hadn’t really been in contact for a couple of years….well, in fact, he had attempted to get in touch and she had avoided him, and she knew that he wouldn’t just let that go either. Could a dream location turn this nightmare scenario around...she doubted it.

This is now my fourth novel of Kate Frost’s, of which I am enjoying working my way through. I love that time of each month when I settle down to read one of her charming tales set in a far off land bathed in sand, sea and sunshine…..with just a little sizzle…

The premise on which the story unfolds was a new one on me. Harlow’s life has been so ensconced in the world of film making with her mother’s career, that somewhere along the way, she either never considered or forgot about any dreams that she might have had for her future, wanting to impress and please her parents, particularly a mother who she got little from as a child. She has become used to being surrounded by an array of people in that world, abandoning the notion of following an acting career, not being one for the spotlight and more behind the scenes. However, it is difficult to find sympathy for her, when potentially she need never be out of a job and now gets to do it in one of the most picturesque places on earth. However, something unsavoury from her past is hinted at, and the impression that it is tied up with the glamorous environment and people in it, that her mum associated with and has inhabited as far as Harlow can recall and that this is something for which she still harbours a lot of resentment. It did seem strange to me though that Harlow should have followed in her mother’s footsteps when she states that she spent more of her childhood with her father. She is a perfectly likeable sensible character unlike Tyler, Harlow’s long term ‘friend with benefits’.

At the age of thirty-one and a difficult history largely also due to the industry in which he works, (also being film production), Tyler appears to still be living life like he is in his teens, hooking up with different women in the various locations he is sent to, and therefore makes the mistake of assuming that he can just pick up with Harlow where they left off. However, resentment has clearly been brewing with regards to the lack of contact between them, and he can’t resist initially winding her up first, leaving Harlow less inclined to play their usual games. I didn’t warm to Tyler, and even less so when I found out that he and Harlow were comparative ages, as he certainly doesn’t act it. Harlow’s mother, not being aware of what bonded Tyler and Harlow together in the first place, is clearly championing their relationship and like Tyler, favours casual hook ups rather than committed relationships, so she cannot see why Harlow feels that at this time in her life this is not what she wants any longer, and attempts to encourage Harlow to spend time with a man child who is effectively her boss whilst they are on location.

Having had a difficult relationship with her daughter since Harlow was conscious of any kind of relationship with her mother, Maeve aspires for Harlow to be a mini version of herself, not appreciating that they are in fact two very different people. She cannot understand why Harlow would not want ‘her life’, has convinced herself that it is a world that Harlow will eventually want to inhabit, and refuses to listen to anything to the contrary. When Harlow is eventually persuaded to have a proper heart to heart with her mum, she learns things about her occasional parent and gains an insight into her seemingly ‘charmed lifestyle’, but I think it is when Maeve learns that she isn’t as infallible as she has always believed and her daughter is the one to offer help, that she really learns how important that mother/daughter bond should be, and how it might not hurt to put down some more long term routes herself.

Adonis is every girl’s dream really. Having experienced sadness in his younger years, he is vulnerable, and because of this, extremely guarded around others. When he feels that Harlow has disrespected the relationship that they have started to build, he is quick to act, not wanting to put himself in harm’s way, but later realises that he may have acted in haste. He has lead a very sheltered existence, and like Harlow has ended up doing with his life what has always been expected from him. This is more based around his culture and therefore perhaps a more natural progression. However, like Harlow, he wants something more. When he reveals to Harlow what he would like to do, the strength of Harlow’s feelings for him is evident when she makes the offer she does and it struck me how unselfish that act was when she could have taken that gamble and ended up regretting it in so many ways. That level of maturity and sacrifice is definitely to be admired.

I really liked the closeness Harlow has with her father and his family. The relaxed manner in which they spent time together and the kinship that Harlow had with her Dad was palpable, and I was glad that she had that aspect to her life. The time they spent with her during their time in Greece, I felt a really fun sense of togetherness from them in the writing and also in the end scene. The emotions throughout the book really came across.

This book is a light hearted but also in depth look at a family dynamic from a central character’s point of view who has ended up with two parents with completely opposing outlooks and lifestyles, how she balances influences from both and how she retracts when she realises that she has got dragged into the one that she never really wanted to be a part of and builds a life with the influences from the other.

As a footnote, I feel it important to say that as a general rule, I do like it when authors amalgamate their imaginings with aspects from real life. However, the references to the making of films ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ I found a little cringey, particularly the first. However, this is probably because I am not a fan of the film, and I am not sure either film were the best representatives for a such a beautiful country. Disclaimer...not that I have ever been.