An Accidental Odyssey

October 11, 2021
A young woman sets out on an unexpected adventure in this unfocused romance from Dyer (Eighty Days to Elsewhere). Aspiring journalist Gia Kostas is living “every girl’s dream” in her engagement to Anthony Hearst, one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors. Though their relationship is far from perfect, she’s convinced Anthony is what she’s supposed to want. But when her absent father, retired history professor Aristotle Kostas, who recently suffered a minor stroke, abruptly leaves for Greece without his medicine, Gia abandons wedding planning to follow him—sparking a massive fight and maybe breakup with Anthony. Upon arriving in Athens, she unwinds at a bar and ends up in bed with a handsome stranger. The next day, her flighty father explains his wistful quest to retrace Odysseus’s steps and introduces her to his colleague and travel partner, Rajnish Malik—who Gia recognizes as her one-night stand. Despite the complication Rajnish’s presence poses, Gia agrees to join them, embracing the opportunity to discover who her father really is—and find herself in the process. Dyer nails the comedic tone—especially in scenes depicting Aristotle’s antics—but the messy, overcrowded plot often meanders. This is best suited for Dyer’s die-hard fans. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary.

October 15, 2021
A young woman's impulsivity brings clarity to her life. Twenty-five-year-old New York journalist Gianna Kostas' life is at a crossroads. Her internship at NOSH, a food publication, has come to an end without the promise of a new contract. Her engagement to headstrong Anthony Hearst (yes, those Hearsts) is ramping up, but Gia has reservations: "There's a fine line between supportive and bossy, I think, and then clamp my lips shut on the thought, guiltily." When Gia finds out that her father, Aristotle Kostas, who just had a stroke, has left the hospital and jetted off to Athens without his medication, Gia decides her only option is to follow him. Thus she sets off on an adventure, armed with just enough Greek to apologize for not speaking Greek. When Gia arrives in Greece she quickly realizes she does not want to return to her normal life but instead decides to follow her professor father on his quest to retrace Odysseus' route home from Troy. Furthermore, she successfully pitches a series of food articles documenting her Mediterranean sojourn to NOSH. But things become more complicated after Gia, thinking Anthony has ended their relationship, sleeps with a man who turns out to be her father's colleague. The author's Achilles' heel is spending too much time on ridiculous plot points (long lost siblings! near-death brushes with squid!) and not enough time developing the relationship between Gia and her father. But if you're willing to suspend disbelief long enough to overlook these twists and turns, the delicious descriptions of Mediterranean food and scenery are enough to keep you hooked. A mouthwatering voyage.

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