map map of you cover by Isabelle Broom - a second chance romance novel that takes place on the Greek island of Zakynthos

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If you have been hanging around our little corner of the internet for a while, you know the origin story of His and Hers Book Club. I started this site partly as a creative outlet to share my own reads, but mostly to help my wife find her footing in the literary world. She has spent years trying to pin down her specific reading style, often struggling to finish books she starts purely for recreation.

So, when she actually finishes a book? It’s a big deal.

We aren’t entirely sure when My Map of You by Isabelle Broom ended up in our luggage. It was likely a grab-and-go purchase at an airport while we were traveling abroad. My wife admitted she grabbed it solely for the cover. It’s hard to blame her. That image radiates a wistful longing for lounging on a Greek island, surrounded by an idyllic paradise.

As a guy, second chance romance novels aren't usually my go-to genre. But my wife finished this one. She was ecstatic about reaching the last page and wanted to debrief, so I took it upon myself to read it too. She warned me she had mixed feelings.

After turning the final page, I have to say: I second that statement.

What is 'My Map of You' Actually About?

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of why this book caused a few debates at our dinner table, here is the setup.

The story follows Holly, a 29-year-old living in London. She finds herself in a strange predicament after receiving a letter from an aunt she didn’t know existed. The bad news? The aunt has passed away. The good news? She left Holly a house on the Greek island of Zakynthos.

The letter is cryptic. It hints at a secret falling out between Holly’s mother and this mystery aunt but keeps the details vague. Holly is shocked but eventually books a two-week ticket to the island to inspect the property and sell it.

Naturally, as soon as she arrives, the plan to "get in and get out" falls apart. She falls in love with the island: the people, the scents, the food, and the leisurely atmosphere. And, because we are squarely in romance territory, there is a tall, dark, and handsome love interest living right next door. As Holly unravels the mystery of the house, she has to juggle conflicting feelings about what she actually wants from her life.

The Good: Why I Wanted to Move to Greece

On paper, this sounds like the perfect vacation read. If you are currently sitting on a white sandy beach, this book might just be your best friend. Even sitting here looking at the snowy landscape outside my window, there were elements I genuinely enjoyed.

The London vs. Island Reality

As someone who used to live in London and ran away screaming for many of the same reasons Holly does, I related to the cultural shock. Broom does a fantastic job highlighting that realization that the grass might actually be greener on the other side. The contrast between the grey, high-pressure city life and the slow warmth of Zakynthos felt very real.

The Sensory Details

The descriptions of food, tastes, and locations were top tier. Honestly, it made me want to book a same-day ticket to Zakynthos. You can practically smell the ocean and taste the feta.

The Second Half

I enjoyed the latter part of the book much more than the beginning. Once the plot finally started moving, we got hit with a few revelations I didn't fully expect. It saved the experience for me.

Too Much Romance?

If you need a break from love stories and want something gritty, see why I couldn't sleep after reading this chaotic entry

Read Our Dungeon Crawler Carl Review

The Not-So-Good: Why We Had Mixed Feelings

Despite the scenic setting, the book had some significant flaws that my wife and I spent hours discussing.

The Pacing Issues

The first half of the book is a pain to get through. Nothing substantial happens after she receives the letter. I felt like giving up multiple times before I even reached page 200. It requires patience.

The "Hallmark" Trope

As a guy, I struggle with this specific romance formula. You know the one:

Girl has a seemingly ideal life.
Moves to a small remote community.
Meets a handsome guy.
Throws her life into disarray.
Cheats on her current boyfriend.

By the end of the book, the narrative justifies the cheating and hands her a "happily ever after" with some seriously lucky breaks. It feels a bit like the author was writing relationships from a place of imagination rather than experience. The interactions often felt unrealistic, and frankly, I didn't buy the romance.

The "Tour Guide" Writing

At times, chapters would drag on without any plot progression. It felt like the author was showing off exactly how many places she knew on the island. It gave off strong "I am working with the Greek Tourism Board" vibes rather than serving the story.

Editing Inconsistencies

I had a specific gripe with the editing. The beginning feels like it was written by a completely different person than the end. The first hundred pages are stuffed with metaphors and idioms in every other sentence. By the end, the text flows fluidly. It feels like the editing team didn't push the author to rework the opening to match the tone of the rest of the book.

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The Verdict

While it sounds like I am throwing a lot of shade, I didn't mind reading it as much as I thought I would. The conversation with my wife afterwards was the highlight of my week. We kept jumping between salivating over the food descriptions and bashing Holly for her questionable life choices.

Given that this is a debut novel, Isabelle Broom shows a lot of potential. I am curious to check out her more recent work to see how it compares.

His & Hers Rating: 3/5 Stars

Quick Stats: My Map of You

Author: Isabelle Broom
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction
Setting: Zakynthos, Greece
Perfect for: Beach reading, fans of travel fiction
Our Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Frequently Asked Questions About Second Chance Romance Novels

We get a lot of questions about the specific sub-genres we review. Since we are trying to help you find your next great read, here is a quick breakdown based on what people are asking right now.

What defines a second chance romance novel?

Usually, second chance romance novels feature a couple who were together in the past, broke up due to external circumstances or a misunderstanding, and meet again years later to rekindle their relationship. My Map of You is a slight variation on this—it is more about a second chance at life and family connection, rather than just reuniting with an ex-lover.

Is 'My Map of You' part of a series?

No, this is a standalone novel. You don't need to read anything else to understand the story, which makes it a low-commitment option for a vacation.

Is this book appropriate for younger readers?

It is generally tame, but it deals with adult themes like inheritance, family secrets, and relationship infidelity. It falls firmly into the adult contemporary romance category rather than Young Adult (YA).

What are other books like 'My Map of You'?

If you enjoyed the Greek setting and the "inheriting a house" trope, you might enjoy The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This is my next read, and so far I’m finding it quite enjoyable! Will post a link to the review below once I’m done.

Looking for more recommendations? If the Greek Islands aren't your thing, maybe you'd prefer something a bit darker. Check out our thoughts on They Both Die at the End.

Or, if you want to see what else my wife has managed to finish lately, stay tuned for our review of the one and only Babel, by R F Kuang!