A getaway to write a book…

Synopsis

Jessica is escaping to the Greek Retreat to discover if running away from a broken engagement really can lead to a happy ever after. She doesn’t believe life works that way, but her future could depend on it.

The Greek island of Kynos is an idyllic hideaway, offering its visitors the space and time needed to truly appreciate the traditional hospitality. The locals are always friendly and ready to entertain their guests, while the daily activities offer many different ways to explore the island and its heritage.

Jessica is hoping The Retreat will provide everything she needs in order to plan for a successful future, but has she left it too late?

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

My review

Jessica has written a successful series, but with the task to write something new, she does not know where to find her inspiration. Hoping to get over her writer’s block, she decides to head of the Greek Retreat, on the idyllic island of Kynos. The visitors are there able to find the peace and qualm they are seeking, and in Jessica’s case, hopefully a story that awaits her. The inhabitants of the island itself are welcoming Jessica, providing to all their needs and also the necessary entertainment when required. Slowly Jessica starts to write down what comes to mind, also making her wonder where her future truly lays, and if perhaps some things she left behind, she left it too late?

When I started this book, I thought that it would be about yes, Jessica trying to find inspiration to write a book, but all the while trying to overcome her own heartbreak. And as it’s been used in many other books, finding romance on the island.

So I was in a way happy that my initial thoughts were wrong, because why does a wonderful story always has to start with a heartbreak?

I am always in awe of people that are able to write (wonderful) books. I for sure don’t think that I would be able to do that, as my ideas would be like thirteen in a dozen, and I would be very repetitive. So I was eager to not only get to know Jessica better, but also to have a peek at her writing process and where she would get her inspiration from.

I have never been to Greece, although for sure it’s on my bucket list, despite the too many tourists visiting. Yes, I know I am being hypocritic, as I would be a tourist visiting the area. But perhaps the Greek Retreat would be more my thing, as it would provide me all I need of a vacation, alongside the peace and quiet I also long for.

Just like Jessica does, in order to find some kind of inspiration. Jessica isn’t facing any kind of real trouble in her life, but she feels the pressure of writing something great. And that pressure is making it not only more difficult, but makes Jessica also doubt herself. And that is something recognizable for us all, isn’t it. Haven’t we all wondered more than once that if we were good enough, if we were able to fulfil expectations. Or did we already give our best and are we just getting ready for failure?

Of course when Jessica arrives on the island, she needs to find her way around it. Even if there are some strange encounters with a few inhabitants (okay, just the one 😊), Jessica quickly makes new friends. New friends that are able to give her the right inspiration for her book.

And it was great to have a story in a story. Because we have sight into the whole writing process Jessica is going through. From having an idea, to discard other ideas, to get frustrated when they don’t coma quickly enough. To even get angry when the fictitious characters take their time for the romance to take off.

Writing a book is not an easy task, and here we get to see how difficult it actually can be, that it isn’t just a matter of putting words on paper. Even the simple task of giving your characters a name isn’t just that straightforward…

But beside Jessica getting on with her book, it is also a story about self-reflection. We see how Jessica not only finds her mojo back, but she also finds herself back. She starts to see and understand that what she has at home is a good thing, and that perhaps she needs to show her appreciation more. And perhaps that is also something we need to realize ourselves, the grass isn’t always greener, and that we have to be happy with what and who we have in our lives. And that is not just applicable in romance but in life in general. In a world where we share everything with everyone online, or to be more correct, the perfect snippets, we have to see the reality and not the fantasy. With Jessica being offline during her retreat, she sees exactly that, the reality and the beauty of that reality.

I enjoyed reading this peaceful story. It for sure was a surplus having two stories for the price of one as we get to see how Jessica’s writing story evolves. Having an insight in the process of writing a book for sure made my respect for authors increase. And of course I enjoyed spending time on a beautiful island, on a Retreat that I might need myself! 😊