When Emily read over her grandfather's last letter she determines he is being ripped off by someone - she just can't determine who. He's sold his boat, has mentioned he's sold some of his land, but will not divulge any details. Determined to find out what is going on, she goes to her business partner, Dougal, who runs an art gallery with her, and tells him she must go to Maniros. Dougal protests that they have an art gallery turn, but she quickly convinces him they will put up a notice that they are closing for upgrades to the business, then they will go to Greece and paint three paintings while they are there. Of course, her main reason for going is to investigate what is happening with her grandfather.
Shortly after her arrival, Emily can find out nothing from her "Gramps" as she calls him, and goes out to the beach to work on her first painting. While she is there, her ex-lover Alexi Karivalis saves her from being knocked into the sea by a kid riding too close to her on a bicycle. Emily quickly dons a pair of sunglasses in the hopes that this will stop him from recognizing her. This seems to work, Alexi goes about talking to her, looking over her shoulder to view what she's painting, until finally she manages to gather her things and beat a hasty retreat.
She hasn't fooled Alexi for one second, though. He pretends that he doesn't recognize her until at last she goes up to her grandfather's old house in the hills and realizes that Alexi is the one her Gramps sold the land too. Furious he has taken advantage of her grandfather - or so she thinks - she tries to race down the hillside. However, she doesn't make it before she is discovered trespassing by Alexi. They have an arguement, and he lets it be known he has recognized her from the start, and that she is childish for playing such a game.
Aware now that Alexi is the one taking advantage of Gramps, she intends to stick around the island until she uncovers what he has done and to reveal it to Gramps, who likes and trusts Alexi to no end. The only problem is the longer that Emily is around Alexi, the more she realizes that she never fell out of love with him. And with the way he is trying to draw her back in to his life, she fears that despite everything that he has done in the past, he stands a good chance of breaking her heart a second time.
I like this story. The premise is really simple, and it's a bit predictable in some places, and there is a spot and the end that seems a bit out of left field, but Emily is a refreshing heroine because she doesn't come across as being too perky, feisty, or too perfect. She was spirited as a girl, but heartbreak with Alexi tempered her into a smart and vulnerable woman. Her character motivation is compelling and believable.
Alexi is interesting because he is an alpha male, yes, but also the author allowed there to be a little bit of his personality to be...well, "lost in translation". It is very believable that as an English girl, raised in England, that she might have moments when certain things the hero does or says doesn't make sense to her. But Alexi clearly has understanding and intent of what he's doing. I found that very refreshing in this book. The characters knew one another intimately, but after coming together five years later, there was still mystery to be discovered in their individual personalities. Very smart, indeed.
The character growth is far more compelling for me than the actual storyline - Grampa basically spills the beans early on that Alexi is helping him rather than robbing him, and by all the outward appearances, I really didn't see any reason to doubt his claim. The investigative part of the story could've been dropped, and the romance would still have been there, fresh as you like it.
I do think I'd read this story more than once, just because it's interesting to watch the way Emily evolves, and how she turns her own past heart ache into personal strength. Walk Upon the Wind gets a thumbs up from me. It's an engaging romance, perfect for days when you're craving a relaxing, summery themed read.
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