Beside the Turquoise Sea by Emma Burstall

PUBLISHER: Boldwood Books
PUBLISHED: 11 June 2025
FOMAT: Digital (via NetGalley)
PAGES: 258
ISBN: 9781835615508

Find the book on Amazon, Goodreads and Storygraph

🌟 Review Note:

Thank you to author Emma Burstall, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of this beautiful story. I was thrilled to take another literary trip to Villa Ariadne!

As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.

About the book

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?

About the Author

I studied English at Cambridge University before becoming a journalist for local and national newspapers and women’s magazines. I live in South West London and have three children. As well as visiting Cornwall, New York and Crete (of course!) I like reading (a lot), hiking with friends and wild water swimming.

The Author, Emma Burstall can be found at EmmaBurstall.com and on Facebook, Instagram and Threads

Emma Burstall is the talented storyteller behind Beside the Turquoise Sea, the latest novel in her beautiful Crete series. This sun‑drenched, captivating story — out now with Boldwood Books — explores secrets, lies, friendship, and love, all set against the dreamy backdrop of Villa Ariadne, where nothing is quite as it seems. It’s a perfect follow‑up to Beneath the Lemon Trees, introducing readers to the sights, sounds, and emotions of this captivating Mediterranean setting.

Emma has also written a range of other heartfelt stories, including The House on Rockaway Beach, which captures the vibrancy of New York’s urban coastline, and a popular five‑book Cornish series set in the fictional village of Tremarnock. Her standalone titles — The Darling Girls, Never Close Your Eyes, and Gym and Slimline — further showcase her gift for capturing moments that shape women’s lives. Whatever the setting, an Emma Burstall book is always warm, captivating, and deeply emotional, making you feel truly invested in every character and scene.

My thoughts

Oh, I absolutely adore the escapes I take with Emma Burstall, and this one felt like a warm hug wrapped in Mediterranean sunshine. From the very first page, I felt as if I’d been dropped straight into that beautiful villa in Crete — surrounded by olive trees, blue skies, and the sound of the sea. It’s a special sort of magic that only this author can create.

Emma Burstall has this remarkable gift for capturing the beauty and complexity of relationships — making every character feel like someone you already know, or would love to meet. The quiet loneliness that settles when the kids have left home, the awkward spaces that can arise in a long marriage, and the hopeful moments where change and connection can still find their way… she writes it all with such warmth and sincerity. You don’t just read her stories — you live them.

Edie, Ralph, their friends, and the fiery, intriguing Jessica felt completely real to me. I was invested from the very first chapter, drawn in by their dynamics, their struggles, and their moments of belonging and rediscovery. The Villa Ariadne became a character too — a sun-drenched backdrop that felt as vivid and inviting as the people within its walls.

That’s the beauty of an Emma Burstall book: it’s more than a story, it’s an experience. The way she weaves emotion, setting, and character together creates a world you don’t want to leave, a place you carry with you long after the final page is turned.

Brilliant book, lovely characters, a dreamy setting… what more do you need?

Five sunshine stars from me! 🌞🌊📚

See About My Reviews and Review FAQ for full star rating explanations and review guidelines.

This review may also appear on my social media channels and selected book platforms. All links were correct at the time of publication.

DISCLOSURE: I received an advance or review copy of this book. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.
DISCLOSURE: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley/Zooloo’s Book Tours. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.
DISCLOSURE: I purchased this book myself. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.

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