This was a beautiful book set in WWII and modern times. I have loved previous books by Fiona Valpy’s and add this too the collection.
A tragic story of wartime loss set in rural Scotland. Can’t wait for more from this author

I enjoyed this book but found that it was a little disjointed skipping from each timeline from one chapter to another.

The storyline itself was beautiful and was very informative about a part of World War II that I had no idea about, and now want to read into, The conclusion was beautiful when you find out the real story of Lexie and Flora, and the history of the local area, and its legacy.

I have read another book by the author and would love to read others as she picks stories that are rarely discussed, the real people's tales.

Valpy presents a historical fiction told in dual timelines which sometimes proves hard to follow. However, these two storylines were beautifully intertwined with a lot of similarities in the two characters’ paths. Unfortunately, I connect fully with either of the two main characters. Some of the minor characters were quirky & interesting but couldn’t quite hold my full attention, and I kept leaving and then coming back to the book several times.

Fiona Valpy's writing style must be praised. The simple descriptions of land, sea, and atmosphere are phenomenal. This is a beautiful story of resilience & compassion with impressive storytelling. Despite a few slow sections & some average characters, I finished this read with a smile on my face & a sense of pleasure. Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Fiona Valpy for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I was unable to download this audiobook in time as I didn't realize it was on my shelf. It was archived too quickly from the time I requested it.

This was a very different kind of WW11 story because it mainly focused on a small community in Loch Ewe, Scotland. Loch Ewe is a beautiful north-facing loch that was used as a convoy collecting point during WW11.
The novel takes place during that time. Its told in duel timelines that are both heartbreaking. I found myself very upset during most of it and wanted things to go much differently.
I know that war is a hard thing and it leaves scars but this story made me very sad. Having said all that I found the writing very good and I couldn’t stop reading. I did gain more insight on this terrible war.
One day I hope to visit Scotland and I would very much like to see the northern lights.
Thanks Amazon Publishing via NetGalley.

I always enjoy world war 2 stories, and this one had. the bonus of being a dual time line one!
I was really excited to read this book, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations, neither of the stories had me hooked, especially the modern day one. I did enjoy this book, but I read a lot in this genre, and there are better options out there!

I loved the setting of Scotland! This was my first book by Fiona Valpy, and it definitely will not be my last. Her writing style had me enamored from the first few chapters. I enjoyed the alternating story line between Lexi and her mother. Don't miss this if you are a historical fiction fan.

I bawled my eye's out as I put together the secret of Lexi's parentage. The book was wonderfully written, I have yet to read something from FIona Valpy that doesn't bring me to tear and wish I could follow the characters for just a little bit longer.

Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys find a new home in a remote village. When they do, things change forever in the village. When a village girl, Fiona, falls in love, her father disapproves. Decades later, her daughter returns to the village to unwind the secrets that are her past. Can she unwind her past and make peace with it?

This lovely historical fiction book is set in two time periods, in the Scottish Highlands,. The first is during WWII when the British Navy used Loch Ewe to send ships out in the Arctic convoys. The second is during the late 1970s. The descriptions of the Highlands were gorgeous, and the depictions of the way of life fascinating. The war changed the people in that small village, and those changes had consequences that were discovered many years later.
I highly recommend this book. 4 stars.

I liked that this book was set in Scotland. The characters were well rounded and the setting very interesting. I always love to learn something new about what happened during WWII. So much to learn. A good read.

Never read a book by this author before and although i love a good historical book and this was was thoroughly enjoyable and will deffo look for more from this author.

Another great piece of writing by Fiona Valpy I love how she mixes historical facts with fiction. The storyline is excellent, the writing is descriptively superb and the attention to detail, extensive research and strong believable characters all add up to making this a must read book.

Lexie's quest to learn more about her own history and her mum Flora's story takes us back and forth from 1942 to the 1970's, set in a small, tight-knit, remote community, one that looks after it's own and protects it's secrets. I loved reading and learning about this aspect of WW2 that I had never previously even thought of; the harsh reality of war for those aboard the merchant ships of the Home Fleet on their arctic convoys in the late 1930s and the anguish and tensions in the villiages hosting this war time effort and supporting and protecting evacuee children..

A historic , beautiful yet tragic story of wartime loss, class issues and life in rural Scotland.with a look at more modern day life and love. - I absolutely devoured this one. and cannot wait to read more from this wonderful author

This was a beautiful story told in 2 timelines WW2 and 1970’s. I was totally absorbed in this story and found the characters to be well written and believable.

Beautiful story! The dual timeline is very intriguing - WW2 and 70's are two different worlds, but they are brought together by a common thread.

#TheSkylarksSecret #NetGalley

Thank you to the author Fiona Valpy, the publisher, and NetGalley, for providing my an ARC in exchange for my candid review.

I loved this book. It is the story of a tiny Scottish town located on a loch that became a naval base during World War II, initially to protect the fleet from bombing, and later as a strategic link to providing essential supplies to the war effort in the USSR. The story is told in two parts, one taking place in the 1970's when a daughter comes back to the tiny Scottish town after becoming successful and then failing in the London musical theater scene. The other part is the story of her mother's experiences as a WREN during World War II and her love affair with the dashing son of the Lord.

It is a story of sacrifice and determination in so many involved with war efforts in some many part so of the world during the World War II.

It is an intriguing, new story of World War II and I would recommend it to anyone.

It's taken a few days to finish, but I've definitely enjoyed reading this.

The writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the descriptive writing which really helped set the scene.

The characters were great and really well written. I loved Flora, Bridie and the rest of the gang and I loved the sense of community they had going and how they all looked out for one another. The only one I didn't like was Sir Charles..honestly what a horrible character! Poor Alec and Lady Helen having to put up with him!

The story also took me on a rollercoaster of emotions especially with quite the cast of likeable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fiona for the chance to read this book.

Loch Ewe, 1940. When gamekeeper’s daughter Flora’s remote highland village finds itself the base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys, life in her close-knit community changes forever. In defiance of his disapproving father, the laird’s son falls in love with Flora, and as tensions build in their disrupted home, any chance of their happiness seems doomed.

Perfect for fans of dual time line stories of a family. Set in Scotland it's the story of Fiona and her daughter Lexie. As in all the best of the genre. there are secrets. lies, and a positive ending. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

This is an emotional journey that takes the reader back and forth between WWII and the 1970's in Scotland. A promising young singer has her dreams dashed by an unexpected pregnancy and scarring on her vocal chords.
She moves with her baby from the bustle of London to her home in a small village in Scotland where her mother has recently died taking family secrets with her. This story pulls at your heart from many directions.