A new to me author that was recommended. I do not usually enjoy mother and daughter stories, but this one was a dual timeline and well written; it absolutely captured my heart! I was willing to take the chance because I love stories set in the Highlands as well as WW2 and I was not disappointed. The historical detail is rich and informative, without being dry and boring. Flora and Lexie’s stories blend together in a way that captures the beauty and complexities of love, friendship, and family. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

I am a fan of HF, and the premise sounded intriguing.

She needs to piece the pieces of family puzzle together
so she can pass down history to her child.

I was not connected to characters and got lost in storyline.

This is a beautifully written story with a dual perspective on the lives of the mother,Flora and daughter,Lexi across the years from WWII to more recent times. The story of Flora and Lexi was warm and engaging, and as a reader I felt I got to know them both, through the ups and downs of their lives and how the setting of the Highlands managed to help them both to come to terms with the loss and loves in their lives.
The historical references are well researched and the descriptions of the Scottish Highlands are beautiful.
Wonderfully described characters come alive and show the compassion needed both in wartime and now to help the community stay together.

The Skylark's Secret follows a mother and daughter over two timelines. Flora's life is forever changed by the horrors and losses of WWII. She comes from a small town in Scotland, Loch Ewe, which is located in a cove, and used as a base to send many ships to sea. She will experience first hand the devastation of war and the suffering endured by so many people.
Her daughter Lexie left their hometown and her mother to pursue a singing career in London. Lexie comes home broken and sad with a daughter of her own. She feels like a failure, her career is over, she is almost broke, her boyfriend abandoned her when she became pregnant, and her mother has died. She is full of love for her child but fears the townspeople will judge her harshly and she initially avoids contact with even her closest friends and those that were her mothers.
Lexie realizes that she doesn't actually know much about her mother's life during the war, or her father who died before she was born. Told in the past through Flora's eyes, and in the present by Lexie slowly opening herself to the possibility of a new life, this was a heartbreaking and compelling read. At first, I was more interested in Lexie's story, but after several of Flora's chapters, I was hooked on both timelines.
I tend to gravitate towards historical fiction almost as a palate cleanser when I have read one too many mysteries, thriller, or horror books. Not only was the writing beautiful and descriptive, but I found myself really caring about many of these characters.

The Skylark’s Secret is a dual timeline novel that follows Flora during WWII, and Flora’s daughter, Lexi in the late 70’s. Both storylines are set in what sounds like a remote and beautiful place, Loch Ewe, Scotland.

I really enjoyed the history behind this story. I like learning about different aspects of history especially home front stories that take place during WWII. The fact that there were so many ships harboring in a lake baffles this desert-dweller’s mind! The author does an excellent job of describing what a huge impact hosting the Home Fleet made to that tiny village.

The love story between Flora and Alec was beautiful and real. I loved watching Alec and Flora try to navigate their complicated relationship. My favorite character was Davy, who was relocated from Glasgow to remote Loch Ewe during the war.

I could have used less descriptions of each and every voyage Alec took as part of the Arctic Convoys. It was just one too many voyage for me.

I always appreciate Author’s Notes at the end of historical fiction so I can learn the historical facts behind the story.

I recommend this to historical fiction lovers, and people who enjoy reading WWII home front stories.

The Skylark 's Secret was a wonderful story,such a heart warming story by "Fiona Valpy".. You really felt part of the story and the research was terrific! I felt like I was in Scotland. What a life these two had,mother and daughter .This is a heart felt story where you have to have tissues ready.Received this book from Net Gallery.This story goes back in time telling not only Flora's story but Lexie. You don't get confused as in some stories. Follow their lives as mother and daughter and the trials and the kind of lives they had. This story will stay with you!

What a fantastic, beautiful heart-wrenching story!

I absolutely ADORE Fiona Valpyv and read this book in two sittings. I read The Beekeepers Promise and instantly fell in love. Valpy has this incredible ability to transport the reader back to the epicentre of historical landmarks in time. As well as providing a detailed account to the environment in which the character lives within makes it extremely immersive.

As someone who has thankfully not lived through a war, the ability to be able to step into someones shoes to try and have a slight understanding of what times were like during WW2 is incredible. Whilst yes, this is set in a time of hardship and although that aspect does shine through, the love and community spirit that envelopes the book is heart warming and shows that love really does conquer all.

I think this book resonated with me more as my partner is in the Navy and I understand the ‘loss’ when they leave. Although thankfully I know he is safe. But also, the adjustment period back to civilian life when he comes home. Something many would not fully understand!

I love how the stories are set with a ‘past and present’ point of view from varying characters following a timeline of events each of the two characters sit in chronological order therefore it is easy to follow, albeit in different ‘time periods’. An interesting concept that keeps you hooked until the end, (with a few twists along the way!). I love multi-character point of view; I find it so interesting and I love the varying perspectives. A thought-provoking story that already has made me want to plan a trip to visit Loch Ewe!

I was very fortunate to be given this book as an ARC in digital form. This is the only book (so far) that I will buy in physical form to re-read myself in the future and to lend to friends and family. I would re-read this over and over and never get bored! Thank you to Fiona Valpy, Amazon Publishing and NetGalley.

I love when a historian fiction book leads me to dig in further to the events surrounding the plot I am reading, and this book did just that. A great WW2 story set in the Scotland that beautifully tells the story of life for these people during the war. It has a romantic side to the plot, but it doesn't distract, nor is it the main storyline. We hear the story being played out through the mother and daughter's perspectives in alternating timelines that are not difficult to follow at all. Really great and thoughtful story that will make you want to learn more about Loch Ewe and their role in the war.

This book was an amazing story into the war and the tale of two lovers both from the wrong sides of their community. Fans of historical fiction will fall in love with this book as I did. I highly recommend this book

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Fiona Valpy for giving me the opportunity to review The Skylark’s Secret.

I adored The Dressmaker's Gift so I had really high expectations going into this one - perhaps that it is why it didn't capture me the way I thought it would. That being said, this book has a great story that is wonderfully told. I'm a huge historical fiction fan and it was a real treat to learn about the Scottish history related to World War II.

The book centers around a mother (Flora) and daughter (Lexie) - one who lived through WWII and the other who is on a path of discovery in the late 1970s. Readers are given a front row seat to how WWII affected both Flora and Lexie when Lexie returns home after her mother has passed away. An aspect of the book that I appreciated was Lexie getting to know her mother better by delving into her past - something she didn't get to do (and a struggle she never understood) while her mother was still alive.

The book is beautifully written and I was left wanting more (I would've particularly loved to know how Lexie's homegoing experience influenced how she raises her own daughter, Daisy).

I had read other books by Fiona Valpy but I have to say I loved this one the best. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and I had a difficult time putting it down when I had other things to do. This book occurs during two timelines; one during WWII and the other in the 1970's-1980. It is about a daughter searching for her way in life after a disappointing change in her career and uncovering a secret about her family. Lexie (the daughter) searches for who her father is and who her mother (Flora) was growing up. She finds friendship and a home in the process of her search. It is about a young lady (Flora) dealing with her life during the war along with longing for a romantic relationship between differing lifestyles and social status. Chapter titles are provided to keep up with the timelines in the book. It is about town and land that loves deeply and has to adjust to how the war affects their lives. The characters are realistic and the writing flows easily throughout the book. It did take me a bit to learn who some of the characters were and how they all fit together in the story but it was not frustrating to keep up with the characters and two timelines. I could easily put myself in the story line and the events of the book.
This is a historical fiction book dealing with WWII in the Scottish Highlands. I had never read a book about what happened in Scotland during WWII so this was interesting to me. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or WWII books but it is also great for anyone who like reading about families and relationships. Pick up a copy and give it a try today. I was provided with an advanced copy of the book through Netgalley for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Overall 4.5*
The story is set around the beautiful Loch Ewe in the Highlands and is told from two viewpoints - that of Flora and her life there during WW2 and her daughter Lexie who heads for the bright lights of London as soon as she can, only to return back to the village after the death of her mother and the demise of her singing career, with a daughter of her own , who like her mother before her, has no father to help out. The stories of both these women highlight the struggles which they have as single mothers although in two different eras and the author weaves the story in a dual timelines effortlessly.
I have recently been reading quite a few stories set in and around WW2 and this is one of the best with plenty of information to keep the historians among us satisfied along with a good solid tale of mothers and daughters. Fiona is also very descriptive of the Highland area and this really sets the scene for you as the reader to be enveloped into the village.
I have been given this book as an ARC to be read for my book club, Thx.

The Skylark’s Secret is a beautifully written story set in Loch Ewe, Scotland. It follows Lexie Gordon and her mother, Flora, in dual timelines as Lexie returns home and sets out to learn more about her parents and family history. Lexie’s timeline is based in the 1970s and Flora’s begins in 1940 just as Loch Ewe becomes a port for the British Navy. and it’s allies. The historical facts of WWII interwoven within the story itself makes it that much more interesting and engaging.

Another lovely aspect are the vivid descriptions of the gorgeous landscape of Loch Ewe along with the constantly changing seasons of Scotland that lend more meaning to the timeframe of the story and especially Flora’s. Both Flora and Lexie are similar in that they are single mothers, but Lexie believes that her mother was so much a better person than herself and her journey to discover more about her parents leads to revelations about herself and the beliefs she had about her home and tight-knit community. That tight-knit community is full of warm and lovable characters that give the support and encouragement that Flora and Lexie both need.

This was a highly enjoyable read filled with love and loss, interesting characters and a wonderful plot.

This is a great story (well 2 actually) set on the shores of Loch Ewe in north west Scotland. The wartime story relates to the Arctic convoys; those who sailed in them and the impact on the local inhabitants. The second story, set in the late 70s, is about Lexie returning to her roots with her young daughter and trying to discover what happened to her mother and father in the war.

This is a part of the war which is not written about as much as other aspects and I found it very interesting. Who knew that the aircraft used on aircraft carriers at this time were bi-planes!!

This book is well-written, atmospheric, with some great characters, and has a few plot twists as well. Recommended.

Bouncing from one generation to another helps a daughter to return home to a community she left behind and to which she feels ashamed to have returned, an unwed mother, unemployed, and without even a smidge of interest from the child’s father. Like her daughter after her, her mother was also an unwed mother in circumstances that differed widely from her daughter’s experience, but since he died in wartime unaware, she yearns to know of him. Only the community can teach her what he was like, revealing along the way, a lifetime secret never shared by her mother. Moving exploration of tangled webs and the things people do for love — and for love of status. The reader learns of events through the eyes of both mother and daughter.

This was such a beautifully written book about such a sad time period. I enjoyed the alternating view points. I found it fun to read one view point and then find the things that were the same in the other view point be - people to mementos. It was like fitting puzzle pieces together. The book was filled with beautiful images from the scenery of this Scottish village to the songs Lexxie and Elspeth sang.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read historical fiction, about WWII or about Scotland.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with the book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC from Netgalley.

Written in the dual time line format, The Skylark Secret tells the story of Lexie and Fiona. Lexie goes back home to her Scottish hometown to learn the truth of her mom's (Fiona's) past.

It was a well written story of a WWII love story and a woman learning of her past. I learned a new information from WWII. The characters are well developed and you can't help feeling a kinship to Fiona and Lexie. There are enough twists to keep you interesting.

This beautifully written historical fiction work develops the story of love, lost love, and re-found love by oscillating between WWII and the late ‘70’s. A deep structure of one small community’s connectedness is revealed by this time travel. The author brings a fresh angle to Europe’s involvement in WWII - this time in a small, close-knit highland village in Scotland. Music as healing and music as a medium to share love are two central themes throughout the book, making the title perfectly fitting. The skylark is known for it’s song, but the metaphor of soaring over and keeping watch is another strong metaphor throughout the book. My emotions soared like the skylark, on both ends of the spectrum, while reading this heart-warming story.

This was such a phenomenal story that I couldn't put it down. The story goes back and forth between dual timelines in Loch Ewe, Scotland: 1940s during WWII where we meet Flora, the groundskeeper's daughter, her family, and her love, Alec, who is the son of the lord of the manor, and Lexie Gordon in approx. 1980, a single mom who has returned to her roots in Loch Ewe while struggling with many losses in her life. No spoilers - but it's so worth reading. It was fascinating to learn about the part that the upper Scottish Highlands played in helping the war effort with the Russian Arctic convoys to support the allies and help defeat the Nazis. This is the second book I have read by Fiona Valpy and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This historical fiction is told in alternating chapters by two women, Flora and her daughter Lexie, in two different timelines. Flora’s story takes us through World War II, and Lexie’s viewpoint is the late 1970’s. The setting is Loch Ewe, Scotland, where Flora, the gamekeeper’s daughter for a large estate, falls in love with the laird’s son, Alec. Unfortunately, Alec is a casualty of the war and dies without knowing that Flora is pregnant, and Flora is left to bring up Lexie on her own. Lexie’s narration begins when she returns to Loch Ewe after Flora’s death. Lexie had moved to London seeking a career as a singer and while she had a great voice and a chance at success, lesions ended her singing career. Now, her lover has dumped her and she is returning with their daughter, Daisy.

Lexie begins to ask questions of her mother’s friends, wanting to learn more of the relationship between her parents. We are privy to that knowledge because Flora’s story alternates with Lexie’s. Slowly, Flora’s friends reveal to Lexie the life they led during the war, and for the first time she realizes the depth of their courage and heroism. Loch Ewe is a natural deep water sea loch linking to the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow mouth. The natural protection against enemy submarines made it the perfect place for a convoy collection point and the loch was used for refueling as well as outfitting convoys with supplies. Flora and her friends joined the WRNS, and were on duty the night the SS William H. Welch ran aground and 14 of 74 crew members were killed. They participated in the search and rescue on the rocks during a snow storm, driving ambulances along the icy roads. Lexie understands the loss and sorrow these women experienced by losing friends, neighbors, brothers, lovers and husbands.

For the most part, the book was well-written with wonderful descriptions of Loch Ewe’s beauty and good character development. However, the use of Scottish words and sayings was excessive. I agree they added to the authenticity of place, but it was difficult to keep the story flowing. I had to stop and look things up, or puzzle out what was being said. The book is also much more of a romance with historical fiction tossed in, and romance just isn’t my preference. The book also moved very slowly, with a lot of pointless detail of baby play dates and hunting non-essentials. While there were a few details you might not figure out, the ending was totally predictable.

While I gave this book 3 stars, it’s quite possible that you may feel differently after reading it. It appears I am in the minority as it has received so many 5 star reviews on Goodreads.

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