Under The Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell

 

Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell.

Published 8th May 2025 by Avon.

From the cover of the book:

Could discovering a family secret encourage Kat to follow her heart?

Shattered by the sudden loss of her twin, Nik, Kat is lost in grief. The comfort of family feels both soothing and suffocating, but everything changes when she inherits a house on the breathtaking Greek island of Agistri from a mysterious uncle she’s never met.

Arriving on Agistri, Kat is mesmerized by its crystalline waters, lush pine forests, and the citrus-scented air. Among the white-washed houses and warm, welcoming locals, she begins to feel her heart heal. The island offers more than solace, sparking courage in Kat to face her loss ― and maybe even embrace the spark of unexpected love…

But as she unearths her family’s buried past, Kat must also confront her own fears of belonging, forgiveness ― and the possibility of rediscovering happiness in the shadow of heartbreak…

This soul-stirring novel from Emma Cowell, perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan, offers an unforgettable journey of healing, heritage, and the hope that blooms under the Grecian sun.

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Months after the car accident that killed her twin brother, Nik, journalist Kat is still overwhelmed with grief at the loss of her spiritual 'other half'. Her family and friends mean well, but are smothering  her with their attempts to protect her in her fragile state. When she discovers she has inherited a house on the beautiful Greek island of Agistri from the uncle she never knew existed, she sees a chance to get away from their constant meddling in her life.

Kat is enchanted with Agistri from the moment she steps ashore. Although she regrets never knowing her uncle, she looks forward to time using her skills as an interior designer to transform the house he left her - and hopefully to finally follow her dream to become an author at the same time.

Renovations, writing, and the Greek sun reawaken Kat's spirits, helped along by the undeniable frisson between her and her handsome neighbour, Andreas, who she considers infuriating and attractive in equal measure. But Agistri is also a place that holds secrets about her nearest and dearest, and Kat will never find true happiness until she has made peace with the demons of her own, and her family's, past.

A new Emma Cowell book means a new heart-wrenching adventure under the Greek sun, and this time, under the shady branches of an ancient lemon tree too! The slow-burn story unfurls through the eyes of Kat, as she tries to navigate the unfathomable loss of her twin, and best friend, Nik - the Apollo to her Artemis, which Cowell uses as the most delicious mythological thread to trace the intricacies of their relationship, and the impact of the many secrets that come spilling out on Agistri. And secrets there are a-plenty, tied to the history of Kat's parents' generation, and her own, which they must all confront before healing and forgiveness can follow.  

In that way she does so well, Cowell combines the loveliest of stories with the heady atmosphere of Greece in all its splendour, particularly when it comes to the people, the environment, and culinary delights to set your tastebuds alight. She also displays her considerable writing talent, once again, to explore deep sorrow, regret, and the complicated feelings that come with family relationships mired in relatable emotional baggage.

This story thrums with multiple threads of second chances at happiness, and I revelled in every single one, especially the very best of will-they-won't-they love stories between Kat and Andreas, with twists and turns that kept my heart firmly in my mouth. The waves of emotion keep coming with the poignant highs and lows of the characters, and I shed a lot of tears as I shared their journeys. Cowell's best book yet - and it even has an adorable kitty character too!

Under the Lemon Tree is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Avon for ending me a proof of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Emma lives in Cornwall with her husband, Tony who is also a writer. A former actress and BBC presenter, segueing from being paid to talk for a living into writing was a natural progression, since story telling has been at the heart of her career to date. Outside of work, Emma is a keen angler and is attempting to learn Greek to maintain her love affair with the country where she has set her novels. She is yet to achieve a level of proficiency outside of tavernas and bakeries.