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Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
The Magic of Robola by Effie Kammenou is an emotionally-driven story of loss, love, and homecoming. New York event planner Eleni Pangalos left Kefalonia, Greece, thirteen years ago, severing every tie and promising herself never to return after she lost her parents and brother in a tragic car accident. She had returned three years ago to bury her grandmother. But when her grandfather, Andreas, dies, she returns to bury him at the family vineyard she swore never to visit again. Back home, she faces Nikko Varvos, her childhood sweetheart, and the very person whose heart she broke when she severed all ties. Will they have a second chance at love? Can Eleni successfully handle her grandfather's legacy?
Effie Kammenou’s novel was a great read for me for several reasons, but the most important one was the life the author brought to the characters. I found Eleni to be a genuinely flawed heroine, a woman who is successful as an event planner, helping all kinds of businesses, but she carries grief in her heart. Her relationship with Nikko is one that has been tested by abandonment and other challenges, and the author makes it an inspiring adventure. Eleni’s journey to healing was fantastic, and I was intrigued by the fact that she transformed her grief into purpose by honoring her family’s legacy. The Magic of Robola transported me to lush landscapes in Greece, and I enjoyed the imagery of the Ionian sunsets and the singular beauty of the Robola wine. This book is a compelling narrative about the courage to accept a second chance and the joy of homecoming.
