Contemporary story set in a fictional British "Concierge" services company's New York office. Chloe has moved from the London office to NYC in charge of corporate relationships, but finds herself suddenly having to take over Poppy's rosta of highly demanding VIP clients. This leads her into uncharted waters in every respect. The Concierge services is well described and authentic sounding, as are the characters in the company and their clients. Some of the client demands seem rather farfetched and unlikely to be realisable, probably to make a point rather than be true to life. ( )

The Greek Escape is the perfect summer read or even winter, as it is in Australia now, for that matter.

I was ready for a light summer romance read, ChickLit maybe. However this was so much more. As the story commences the reader is plunged straight into a mystery.

’This was not living. It was no life. She would be gone, yes. But she would also be free.’

Chloe flees England to recover from a broken heart and what better place to go than the company’s New York office leaving a whole ocean between herself and her hurt.
Chloe Marston is the corporate partnership director at Invicta, a high profile concierge company getting top-end clients their exclusive holidays and elusive chalets. Chloe’s job is to liaise with other companies, exclusive bars and 5 star restaurants but when life-style manager Poppy is unable to do her job Chloe must step in and is suddenly thrown into the whacky and extravagant world of the rich and famous as she takes on Poppy’s client base.

The main story is about Chloe and how she handles this new lifestyle whilst trying to recover from a broken heart. Chloe is quiet and reserved. She doesn’t believe in her own talent and worries she’s not sophisticated or pretty enough for the job. Chloe is surrounded by plenty of flamboyant and effervescent characters. Her good friend Elle, six foot tall with model looks and of Ghanaian descent, comes in and out of the story encouraging Chloe to step out of her comfort zone. Her sister, Kate, although living in England is in constant contact and a wonderful support to Chloe and the office gossip, Xan, was a wonderful addition and a campaigner for Chloe.

Chloe’s high profile clients are amusing with their outlandish demands. They are all hugely rich and just a little bit scary. Then there is Joe who wants Chloe to find a secluded house on a Greek Island. He is gorgeous, young and very down to earth. Almost too good to be true!
There is plenty of chemistry between the two but Chloe knows never to fraternise with a client. However the more time she spends with Joe in Greece the more she realises this is where she should be, away from the technology and pressure, where no one can find her.

There is also a side story told in separate chapters. This story had an underlying ominous feel and I was eager to see where this and the main story would intercept and when they do the story takes a turn as there are sinister undertones lurking just below the surface of this sweet romance as Chloe is mixed up in corporate take-overs, corruption and nefarious activities.

The story wrapped up well with a few surprises along the way. The Greek escape is a recommended read and I was held captivated from beginning to end. I will be on the lookout for more Karen Swan titles. ( )