Beside the Turquoise Sea: Enjoy a gorgeous getaway to Crete with Emma Burstall's newest summer beach read for 2025

The BRAND NEW breathtakingly gorgeous getaway novel from Emma Burstall, the bestselling author of Beneath the Lemon Trees ☀️ Perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan! Can one magical Crete villa change everything?

Now her children have moved out, Edie has begun to feel lonely in the home she shares with her husband. She hopes returning to Crete, where she and Ralph spent their honeymoon, will help heal the growing rift between them.

And when Edie stumbles upon the website for the Villa Ariadne, with its breathtaking views and peaceful surroundings, it feels like the perfect place to spend a week together, along with their closest friends Mac and Hannah. But then, Edie invites a fifth guest: her feisty, independent colleague Jessica, with unexpected consequences.

It's clear from the moment they arrive that the villa is special, and under the golden Greek sun, Edie hopes to rekindle the relationship she’s felt slipping away from her. But when conflict arises between two of her fellow guests, will Edie be prepared for revelations that could change her life forever?

Readers have fallen in love with Emma Burstall's gorgeous novels:

'With a delightful Greek backdrop and an enticing mix of a fractured family, strained friendships, plus a healthy dose of mystery, love and loss, Beneath the Lemon Trees is a gorgeous summer escape' Kate Frost

'A wonderful escapist novel – mysteries, revelation and happy endings make it a perfect summer read' Rachel Burton

'Brilliant' Phillipa Ashley

'A novel to lose yourself in' Faith Hogan

'Step into a world of pure escapism in this gripping tale of family secrets, sibling rivalry and summer romance' Chat Magazine

'A charming, warm-hearted read... Pure escapism' Alice Peterson

'Burstall is a great writer, and this is not your usual run-of-the-mill chick lit... I was gripped from the start' Daily Mail

'Burstall has a true knack for transporting you to her world' Jane Corry

‘Wow, what an incredible rollercoaster of a read! From the minute I picked up this book, I was swept away by the vividly described landscapes and mouthwatering descriptions of Crete's delectable cuisine.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Fabulous, fabulous book, loved every minute of it. The storyline, the varied characters. The setting made me feel I was on holiday.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Loved it. A magical villa, a broken family, a dead best friends husband being awkward, beautiful food descriptions, clear blue seas. Just read and escape. Perfect for September blues.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measures! I loved this book so much and could relate to it and the characters! Beautifully written, really made you feel like you were right there in Greece!’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A charming book about marriage, grief, friendship and parenting, all set in a charming villa under the Cretan sun.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘What a lovely story, full of loss and grief, love and hope.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

© 2025 Boldwood Books (Audiobook): 9781835615430
© 2025 Boldwood Books (Ebook): 9781835615492

Release date

Audiobook: 11 June 2025
Ebook: 11 June 2025