Retreat to the Spanish Sun by Jo Thomas

Eliza has a full house! When her three children grew up and moved out, she downsized to a smaller property... but now they're all back. Every room in the house is taken and Eliza finds herself sharing her bed with her eldest daughter and her daughter's pug. Combined with the online course she's trying to finish, plus her job to fit in, there just isn't the peace and quiet that Eliza needs.

So when an ad pops up on her laptop saying 'house-sitters wanted', Eliza can't resist the chance to escape. She ends up moving to a rural finca in southern Spain, looking after the owner's Iberico pigs, learning about secret gastronomic societies... and finding a new zest for life and love along the way.
 

A light Summer read was definitely what I was in need of and Jo Thomas has certainly provided this in her new release Retreat to the Spanish Sun where she introduces us to Eliza a mum of three adults who are like boomerangs that keep coming back home to her small flat. Eliza is desperate for some space and peace and quiet to be able to complete her coursework so when an opportunity arises to house sit over in sunny Spain she snaps up the opportunity but never did she think that this was going to set her on her own little adventure.

This book does need to come with a warning for those on a diet because the mouth-watering, tongue tingling delights that are plentiful in this novel bring out so many cravings for the little tapas temptations that are on offer. Jo Thomas has such an incredible skill when it comes to descriptive writing not only for her edible delights but also for the idyllic settings that she whisks us off to in each and every one of her books, it is a pure tonic for those of us on staycations not being able to jet off to these glorious settings because once you have read a book by Jo it sure feels like you have escaped to some kind of paradise.

There is a gentle sprinkling of romance in this novel but this doesn’t overshadow the main storyline where Eliza is beginning to find herself and open up to new friends and take on new tasks and it was wonderful to see her blossom. I loved learning about how the pigs are raised along with Eliza  to produce the very best Iberico ham and I could see how important it was for Josep to keep his line of well established produce going after so much hard work and determination. The importance of traditions and for traditions to be shared amongst all certainly shines through in this novel and brings so many people together to maintain strong and loyal friendships and connections.

This book is certainly one I will be recommending everyone take with them on their holibobs or staycations this year.

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