The inheritance of a lifetime

Synopsis

Welcome to the Hummingbird Hotel!

When florist-to-the-stars Abbie Coleman catches a glimpse of her boyfriend through the window of Tiffany’s, she couldn’t be more excited. Keen to share her happiness, she organises a huge surprise party for all their family and friends… except things don’t quite work out as she expected, and instead of planning a flower-filled wedding, she finds herself single, and fired from a job she loves.

Desperate to escape her heartbreak, she jets off to her aunt’s quirky Hummingbird Hotel on the gorgeous island of Corfu. Little did she know that instead of spending her time lounging by the pool, drinking cocktails, and soaking up the sun, she’d be stepping into the role of the island’s newest hotelier.

The arrival of unexpected guests sends Abbie into a tailspin of panic, and she’s forced to turn to snippy, but charismatic, vineyard owner-turned-chef, Nikos Angelopoulos, for help. Why does the kitchen fill with smoke whenever she makes coffee? Why is there a naked man swimming in the pool? And why do the hotel’s toiletries turn their guests’ hair pink?

Despite all the chaos, the Hummingbird Hotel works its magic on Abbie, and she finds herself with a decision to make. Will she return home to the drizzly grey skies of London? Or will she take a leap of faith and embrace the new opportunities that little corner of paradise has to offer, and maybe, just maybe, discover a sprinkle of romance along the way?

My review

When florist Abbie Coleman inherits Hummingbird Hotel on the island of Corfu, it’s the perfect escape for her. Because what she thought would be a marriage proposal, ended up in disaster. Not only didn’t her boyfriend think about marrying her, but now Abbie has also lost her job. Perks of having a relationship with your boss, right?
Unfortunately, Hummingbird Hotel will not be the relaxing holiday she expected to be, because guests are being expected and Abbie has to pretend to be hotelier, even if she is in a state of pure panic.
Luckily she can count on the unexpected help of neighbour/ vineyard owner/ former chef Nikos Angelopoulos.
While fighting with coffee machines, wondering why there is a naked man in her pool and other mysteries, Abbie discovers the paradise that Corfu and Hummingbird Hotel is. But what will her final decision be? Going back to London and sell the hotel? Or take a leap of faith and stay in Corfu where her dreams may be realized, and even having a chance for romance?

Reading something from this author is always wonderful. You know somehow what to expect, fun, romance with a twist of mystery, but you know you will enjoy every bit of it.
And with the start of this new series, she managed again to write about characters that you will love.

In the first chapters, I felt truly sorry for Abby. Her hopes and dreams all get crushed at once, and that makes her think about her future and what she truly wants.
And is there a better way to overthink everything by taking off to Corfu?
I admired how Abbie managed to remain calm in certain situations and even at moments where I would throw the towel in the ring myself, she never gave up.
She won’t allow a grumpy neighbour to burst her bubble, she keeps her calm when a naked man appears, and even when she nearly manages to burn the whole place down, she just never gives up.

Nikos may give you the wrong first impression, but the way he offers his help to Abbie, even if he is facing his own struggles, made me truly like him.

The mysterious sabotage elevated this story even more, because when the truth came out, it was not what I expected and the whole coming out, warmed my heart.
Even discovering the past between Abbie’s mother and aunt was bittersweet, but added again that extra layer to make this even a more beautiful story!

I have never been to Corfu myself, but the way the author managed to grasp the beauty of the place, but also the wonderful inhabitants, makes me dream of going there myself.
This was again a wonderful escape to a place offering new opportunities and left me longing for more reading material about Abbie and Nikos! Because it’s obvious that their story has just begun!