These books get you in the mood for a summer by the sea
Summer isn’t here yet. But we can always dream of it! And what better way to do that than with books? Whether you’re the romantic type or prefer thrilling crime novels, a good book can not only make your holiday more enjoyable, but also make the wait for it more bearable. The following books are perfect for getting you in the mood for summer by the sea, for sunny days by the pool at the Hotel Lemongarden, for relaxing moments on the beach, or as a read whilst sipping a cocktail at the beach bar:
7 April 2026
Cliff Fall, by Edith Kneifl
Genre: Crime
In brief: A gripping crime novel with depth
Laura Mars has to go to Pula to see the solicitor because she has inherited something from her late grandmother. However, the solicitor has been murdered and the will is nowhere to be found. Instead, Laura stumbles upon her grandmother’s diary – and with it, a host of revelations about her own family. And then there are her lovely relatives and a rather handsome detective. Laura sets about gradually sorting out the tangled mess of her life. The story is rich in Croatian history, real-life situations and plenty of culinary delights.
The Unheard-of Story of My Family, by Miljenko Jergovic
Genre: Historical family saga
In brief: A moving story of epic proportions
Great-grandfather Karlo Strubler was an official with the Austro-Hungarian railway. But then the Danube Monarchy collapsed, and Yugoslavia, too, proved to be short-lived. Strubler and his descendants, friends, neighbours and colleagues appear time and again, their stories interwoven in various ways; the narrative is as fragmented as the former empire. By turns sad, touching, funny and profound, the story spans many lives, four generations, four nations and three wars.
The Little Bay in Croatia, by Julie Caplin
Genre: Romance
In a nutshell: Light reading with plenty of local colour for those particularly hot days!
Is it possible to write a romantic novel that makes hearts melt like lemon sorbet in the sun without resorting to clichés? Probably not. But for some reason, you forgive Julie Caplin for the tropes that are so familiar in her genre. This instalment in her ‘Romantic Escapes’ series follows Maddie, who is set to spend a few weeks working as a stewardess on a boat in the Croatian Adriatic with her friend Nina. Whilst she immediately falls in love with the sunshine, sea and countryside, she struggles with her job at first. Her guest, Nick, doesn’t exactly make things any easier for her. Yet it soon becomes clear that there might be something more between them than just dislike...
The news came on 23 May at around 11 a.m., by Zoran Ferić
Genre: Short story
In brief: A humorous look back at life in Yugoslavia under Tito
What happens when a group of men in their mid-sixties meet up again forty years after leaving school and retrace the journey they took back then? In the case of Tihomir Romar and his gang, this means a trip along the Dalmatian coast and many memories of the past. Black humour, love free from clichés, and conflicts that inevitably still smoulder forty years after leaving school all play a part, whilst at the same time Ferić offers a sensitive insight into his country.
Croatia, by Miriam Mack
Genre: Recipes & Stories
In brief: A lovingly designed coffee table book
Miriam Mack takes readers on a journey to the most beautiful places in her homeland, Croatia. She showcases the landscape, people and stories in all their diversity. Croatian cuisine plays a special role: sweet and savoury classics of Croatian cuisine are beautifully presented and enriched with stories about the ingredients and dishes. A must-have to keep coming back to.
Tip!
Why just look forward to it when you could make it happen right away? Book your holiday today at the Hotel Lemongarden, Croatia’s most beautiful hideaway. And who knows, perhaps this is where your very own love story with the country and its people will begin.
