I wanted to read this novel because its set in Greece and I'd spent some time there teaching english. I wasn't expecting to become as absorbed as I did in the story. I'd never given Maeve Binchy a chance before and I was missing out! She is a tremendous writer - some of her characters (Vonni, Thomas, Elsa etc.)whose lives become intertwined, are truly convincing, her work is so descriptive no wonder this Dublin born novelist has had so many awards bestowed upon her and many of her books have been adapted to film. I read this one pretty much straight through, it was a cold and wet autumn so escaping off to Aghia Anna for a while was no problem whatsoever. Recommended