What a treat it is to have a new Cathy Kelly book to read. This Irish author has brought me much pleasure over the years with her stories about realistic characters and the challenges that they face, as is the case here.
Rose was a well-known therapist who made a name for herself on TV-until she disappeared from viewers’ screens. She has been living on a Greek island where, with the help of two of her closest people (her sister and brother-in-law), she hopes to run successful week long therapy retreats.
To this beautiful villa come six people who either want a new start or who feel that one is being imposed upon them. These guests include a woman with serious anger issues, another who has been dealing with addiction, a woman adrift, a husband and wife, and a scientist who may be an enabler.
What will happen as these people become known to themselves and to each other? Will Rose be able to help them? Will she, herself, in return be helped in the process? Readers will want to know.
Kelly excels at creating her characters. I feel like I knew each one.
In addition, the setting is beautifully described. If it were possible to visit the location of this book, I would! Corfu seems idyllic.
Fans of Kelly will certainly want to read this. Some new fans for the author will also be found, I think.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins U.K. for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 26 February 2026
Description:
from the publisher
Six people gather on a fabulous Greek island, each one hoping that ten days in the sun, writing their life stories, will magically fix their lives.
Rose Talisman is pinning it all on a fresh start.
Five years after her career as a tv therapist ended in one catastrophic instant, she is opening a retreat in Corfu. The understated, luxurious Villa Artemis is surrounded by wild pines and sea views.
Just six guests. One week. Time for Rose to help them face their secrets – and move forwards.
But Rose has staked everything on the retreat. It has to work – or she loses it all. And people’s secrets have a way of revealing themselves in ways no one expected.
Nobody’s past is staying hidden for long…
Will that include Rose’s, too?
‘A triumph […] vivid and wise and uplifting’ Marian Keyes
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 