The Lemon Tree Forest
- Martin Hesp
- Apr 21, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
A Travel Novel of Love, Loss and Second Chances
By Martin Hesp
From the wild hills of Exmoor to the sunlit shores of Greece, the vineyards of northern Italy and the snow-covered peaks of Switzerland, The Lemon Tree Forest is an epic journey across Europe – a story of love, memory, danger and redemption inspired by the landscapes Martin Hesp has explored over a lifetime.
When the past refuses to stay buried...
Forty years after a devastating night changed his life forever, Sebastian Franklin sits alone in the crumbling manor house he now calls home on the edge of Exmoor National Park.
A succession of violent winter storms has finally brought down part of the ruined west wing, forcing him to confront the memories he has spent decades trying to forget. Dusting off old notebooks, diaries and letters, he begins piecing together the extraordinary story that led him there.
What emerges is far more than a tale of first love.
A journey that begins in Greece
Years earlier, Sebastian had been living beside a remote stretch of the Greek coast known as The Lemon Tree Forest. Hoping to leave his past behind, he instead finds himself drawn into an unforgettable romance with Sasha, a young Italian woman whose arrival changes the course of his life.
Their relationship carries them from hidden Greek coves to the elegant streets of northern Italy and across the mountains into Switzerland. But powerful family loyalties, dark secrets and dangerous enemies soon threaten everything they have built together.
Back to Exmoor
As Sebastian tries to build a new life among the colourful characters of an isolated West Country valley, the past refuses to release its grip.
The old manor becomes a place of healing, mystery and unexpected friendship. Yet the memories of Greece continue to haunt him, and the two stories gradually begin to merge until they race towards an unforgettable conclusion.
Inspired by real landscapes
Drawing on Martin Hesp's fifty years as an award-winning travel writer, The Lemon Tree Forest blends authentic locations with unforgettable characters.
From the dramatic coastline of Greece to the rolling hills of Exmoor, every setting is rooted in places the author has explored, photographed and written about throughout his career.
Perfect for readers who enjoy
Character-driven literary fiction
Epic love stories
Travel-inspired novels
Atmospheric settings
Family secrets and mystery
Europe brought vividly to life
Begin the journey today. Available in Kindle and Paperback.
About Martin Hesp
Martin Hesp has spent more than fifty years travelling throughout Britain and Europe as an award-winning journalist and travel writer. The Lemon Tree Forest draws on many of the landscapes, cultures and communities he has explored during his career, blending authentic locations with an unforgettable story of love, memory and second chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Lemon Tree Forest based on a true story?
While the characters are fictional, many of the locations are inspired by real places Martin Hesp has visited and written about during his fifty-year career as a travel journalist.
Where is The Lemon Tree Forest set?
The novel moves between Exmoor in south-west England, the Greek coast, northern Italy and Switzerland.
What genre is The Lemon Tree Forest?
It combines literary fiction, romance, mystery and travel writing, creating an atmospheric novel inspired by some of Europe's most beautiful landscapes.
Is The Lemon Tree Forest available in Kindle and paperback?
Yes. The novel is available in both Kindle and paperback editions through Amazon.
Who would enjoy reading The Lemon Tree Forest?
Readers who enjoy evocative settings, character-driven stories, European travel, romance and mystery are likely to enjoy the novel.
