An Accidental Odyssey by KC Dyer – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Gianna Kostas is on the cusp of a fairy-tale life. Sure, she’s just lost her job, but she’s about to marry one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. On her way to taste wedding cakes, though, things go sideways. Shocking news sends Gia off on a wild journey halfway around the world in pursuit of her ailing–and nearly estranged–father.

In Athens, she learns Dr. Kostas, a classics professor, is determined to retrace Odysseus’s famous voyage. This is a journey her father is in no condition to take alone, so Gia faces a tough decision. When an unexpected job offer helps seal the deal and quash the guilt Gia feels from her disapproving groom-to-be, the journey is on. But as Gia adventures–and eats–her way around the Mediterranean, she discovers that confronting epic storms and ripped surfer dudes might be the easy part.

Along the way, as she uncovers family secrets, finds heartbreak, and learns more about a certain archaeologist with a mysterious past of his own, Gia discovers that fairy-tale endings might be messy and complicated, but they can happen anywhere.

 

 

Review:

An Accidental Odyssey by KC Dyer is the second book in her An Exlibris Adventure series.  I have not read the first book, and thought this read well, since it is more of a standalone. Gianna (Gia) Kostas, our heroine, is set to marry one of New York’s wealthy eligible bachelors, and leaving her job writing food stories and recipes. Her fiancée, Anthony, makes all kinds of plans for the wedding, with his mother’s help, and Gia just follows his plans.  Until she gets a call that her father has collapsed, and she rushes to the hospital; her father Ari is already planning to leave, and says he feels fine, having a minor TIA incident.  When she returns the next morning, he has already left, leaving behind his medicine. 

Gia discovers her father, who is a professor, is determined retrace Odysseus’s voyage and left for Athens. She decides he can not do this alone in his condition, despite his denials, and follows him to Greece; leaving her fiancée to handle all the wedding plans, as she expects to be back in a few days.

What follows is a wild adventure across the Mediterranean, with Gia joining her father in his discoveries, and gets approval to write a daily food blog on Mediterranean food in all the countries they are visiting.  Along the way she meets a wild array of different and fabulous people, including Dr. Raj Malik, an archaeologist, who works closely with her father.  Of course, Gia finds herself attracted to Raj, as he is to her; but she is still trying to keep her relationship with her fiancée; even though she doesn’t like his overall dominance. Gia also begins to learn more about her father’s earlier past life, the women he loved; as well as family secrets.

An Accidental Odyssey was very well written by KC Dyer, who gave us fabulous trips and scenery through the journey. I did like Gia and Raj, and hoped they would end up together, not with as her fiancée, Anthony. You will need to read the book to find out what happens.  I did think there was a bit too much details, but overall, it was a very good story line. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

KC DYER is graciously offering a paper copy of An Accidental Odyssey to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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