Eva Glyn – The Olive Grove

The Olive Grove by Eva Glyn is a moving contemporary novel set on a Croatian island, Korcula. A story that’s about second chances and fresh starts, one that will tug on your heartstrings for some time after you have finished this book.

Antonia finds an advert looking for a multilingual housekeeper at a farmhouse on a Croatian island. She realises this chance won’t come again and she has been waiting for something like this for longer than she remembers. She plans to make this her fresh start and leave the ghosts of her past behind her. The only issue is this island and the residents have their own secrets and the scars from war and tragedy that is not so long ago.

Antonia finds herself drawn to Damir Maric, her enigmatic and intriguing boss. He just wants to make a better life for himself. He is a troubled man whose memories are still impacting his life and are beginning to take a toll on his waking hours too. We see Antonia and Damir begin to help each other and support one another, giving themselves a chance to have a fresh start.

Croatia is a place I have never been so this novel was really interesting to read. I have all heard of the horrors that played out over there but this book brings home the reality of the war and the aftermath. It highlights how people are still suffering to this day and how hard it is to move forward after such atrocities.

To read Antonia and Damirs journey to become more fulfilled and at peace with their life’s made this a beautiful story. The horrors of Damir’s memories are shown in flashbacks and we can understand what he has dealt with throughout his life. This alone made the story such a great read.

Eva Glyn’s characters are so well drawn that you can’t help feeling emotional as the story unfolds and the horror becomes reality. I was captivated by this book with its gorgeous setting and characters that really drive the story.

Thank you to Anne Cater and One More Chapter for my place on the tour and the gifted book.