Dedicated: The Island Villa By Sarah Morgan (Review by Sharon Steinman)
Rating 4.25
This book, told from multiple perspectives, gradually draws you into the intriguing story of the Swift family. Early on, the narrative describes the planning of a murder, piquing the reader’s curiosity. The plot revolves around Catherine, who is getting married for the fourth time and has invited her daughters to the wedding. She shares a close bond with her daughter Cassie, but has a strained relationship with her other daughter, Adelaide. Catherine acknowledges her role in the rift and hopes to mend it during their visit to Corfu. A successful romance author, she has published 60 widely acclaimed books.
Adelaide is not keen on visiting her mother, as she feels uneasy around her and perceives her as self-absorbed. However, her father persuades her to attend the wedding at her mother’s villa in Corfu.
Cassie, on the other hand, is thrilled about her mom’s upcoming wedding, though she knows little about the details. Eager to see her mom, who also happens to be her best friend, Cassie’s enthusiasm falters when it comes to meeting her sister Adelaide. Despite her efforts, she always feels rejected by Adelaide and struggles to establish a relationship with her. Cassie secretly wishes Adelaide would not attend and spoil the occasion.
It took me a while to become fully invested in the story, with my interest piquing around the 20% mark. I grew increasingly curious about Catherine’s mysterious fiancé as the details of their relationship remained vague.
I don’t want to reveal too much, as experiencing this story with minimal prior knowledge will enhance your enjoyment as it unfolds. Once I reached the halfway point, I found it difficult to put the book down. The vivid descriptions of Corfu’s vibrant blue waters and lush gardens surrounding the villa truly came to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with its well-developed characters, engaging family dynamics, suspense, and mystery, all woven together seamlessly. It successfully combines various genres, making for a captivating read. If you haven’t added this book to your reading list, I highly recommend doing so for this summer. It is sure to be a memorable addition to the Summer of 2023.
Buy the book!
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