By Robyn Rossit
Deborah Hemming is an author who I’ve never read before, but when I read the description for her latest novel Goddess, I was definitely intrigued.
Agnes Oliver is a rising author finishing up her first book tour. On her flight to New York City, she meets Jack Verity, film-maker and ex-husband of actress turned wellness guru, Geia Stone. Intrigued by Agnes, Jack invites her to a party at his house in the Hamptons hosted by Geia. Agnes finds herself not only welcomed into Geia’s inner circle but also invited to Geia’s inaugural Goddess Summit on a remote island in Greece. At the exclusive wellness retreat, she starts to observe some odd and unexplainable occurrences. Determined to find out Geia’s secret, Agnes feels a need to protect her fellow women at the summit.
Goddess was certainly a fast-paced read, perfect for a weekend binge. I found myself drawn into the various settings of the story, whether it was on the plane at the beginning, at the house in the Hamptons or later on in Greece. Hemming knows how to paint a clear image in her reader’s mind. I think this story would be an interesting adaptation and would translate so well to the screen.
Agnes was an interesting main character. She’s focused on her writing career but sort of ends up thrown into this bizarre wellness retreat by chance and is swept away into Geia’s world. I enjoyed Agnes’ growth throughout the story. Of course, Geia herself was also interesting. She certainly reminded me a lot of Gwyneth Paltrow and her wellness company, Goop. It was an interesting, fictional parallel with its own unique twists and turns.
My one critique of Goddess was that the ending felt a bit rushed and there is a lot that happens in the last quarter of the book. The premise was interesting enough that I would have enjoyed a bit more time unpacking the climax of the story. The ending was satisfactory but left me wanting more.
If you’re looking for a quick read to binge over the weekend or perhaps to the beach this summer, Goddess would certainly be a great choice!
Thank you, House of Anansi, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.