What a lovely but really rather sad story. Lily Christie is a ghostwriter, her marriage of 18 years has ended badly and she is struggling with life. Then her literary agent, Jane offers her the job of a lifetime, to travel to Portugal to meet Sofia Castello a famous singer during WWII who tragically died when her plane was shot down by the Luftwaffe! But Sofia is still alive and living quietly on the Portuguese coast. A dual timeline story with a heartbreaking tale to tell, the plot was very good with red herrings (not sardines) that had me totally fooled.

Briefly, Sofia was plucked from obscurity at the age of 16 and very quickly became a famous and wealthy singer. She met a refugee from Germany called Judith who she became close to and tried to help avoid the gestapo who were looking for her, or rather a valuable item she was carrying. In her position she was also able to help the Allies and it was this that caused the Nazis to target her. Now nearly 60 years later she is ready to tell her story, but why was she insistent on having Lily as her ghostwriter?

Sofia’s decision to fake her own death was based on things she believed at the time and her desire to lead a more private life. Her rise to fame was quick and probably not easy to deal with and now she could go back to obscurity. Sofia was a wonderful feisty woman with a great sense of humour and I really felt for her friend Judith who had a tragic life during the war. I loved to see the close relationship between Sofia and Lucy grow and how Lucy stood up for herself despite risking losing her job. A story full of passion, secrets, grief and second chances. A very enjoyable read.

What I loved:
Storyline!
Plot twists
Setting in Portugal during WW2

What I didn’t:
More details of the setting since you don’t see much Ww2 fiction set in Portugal
Past POV execution—I would Have preferred being immersed with present tense rather than past tense. It just made it feel like the book was telling rather than showing.

What a page-turner!
The mystery and twists within the plot had me racing through the book - and there were some real shocks contained within the story! Such a superbly-crafted story and I was completely absorbed.

The setting felt unique - I cannot recall previously reading a World War Two based novel with a Portuguese location. I’m always glad of the informative, educational aspects of a book - in this case, learning about Lisbon being a hotbed of both spies and refugees during the war. Do read the author’s note at the end for some really interesting points about her inspiration for this book.

Fascinating characters and an extremely clever plot that really show off Siobhan Curham’s skilled writing. A thoroughly enjoyable book!

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Story of Sofia Castello is a gripping, immersive and emotional tale. It will take you on a whirlwind journey of love, betrayal, grief, secrecy, profound friendships and of course resilience.

The setting for this book couldn't be more perfect. The picturesque beauty of Portugal that the author describes, is a juxtaposition of an otherwise heavy book. I loved each and everyone of these characters. They were all crafted so beautifully, especially the women. Their strength and determination, as well as loyalty to each other, was palpable, and made me love this book even more.

They had great banter and I even found myself chuckling at a few scenes. Sofia is quite the force to be reckoned with. Yet, the character development of Lily is not something that we can overlook. The ending was beautiful but also bittersweet in a sense. So much was lost but so much was also gained. This is one that will stick with me for a long time. I loved every minute of it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Siobhan Curham. For my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own. Pub date April 25th, 2025.

An absolutely captivating read that conjures up so many different emotions. I found it so hard to put down.
The dual timeline was so well written and kept me engaged the whole time. It's set in World War II in Portugal and opened up so much information that was happening in that period. The characters were very easy to invest in because the sheer quality of the writing and the pace of the story,
I found it to be a very easy read and easily compelling. I will certainly be looking for more by this author

Thankyou to Bookouture and also NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this advanced reader's copy.

I really enjoyed this book.
A captivating and emotional read, 'The Lost Story of Sofia Castello' by Siobhan Curham is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of friendship, love, resilience, and loss against the rich and tumultuous backdrop of Portugal during World War II.
The dual timeline is well-paced and structured, drawing the reader into the world of relatable characters with a strong focus on a resilient and inspiring female protagonist.
The writing is engaging and easy to read, making it a compelling page-turner.
This is a thoughtful and engaging read that will resonate with anyone who's experienced the complexities of life and human relationships.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this advanced reader's copy.

Look out for this book. Publication date: April 25, 2025.

Gripping tale of friendship, love, secrets and mystery. Love and lost followed by friendships being uncovered in many different ways.

In my experience of Curham's "The Lost Story of Sofia Castello," I found the reading experience challenging. While there were some unexpected twists, I felt that the story's overall concept was familiar and had been executed more effectively in other works, particularly Reid's "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," which shares a similar storyline but is better crafted. Though I managed to finish Curham's novel, it required considerable effort on my part.

this was such a perfect and beautiful book. it fit right amongst this genre but it stood out amongst them too. incredible. ive never seen this take on it before so was absorbed from start to finish and no in between.

everyone thought Sofia was an incredible singer. everyone thought she was dead. but decades later writer Lily is called upon to writer her memoir. Sofia was a singer of the time. and during war years she would have to use that voice as a front towards the Gestapo. but her nights were spent looking after those in need. and eventually she went on to use her fame to help the Allies. but something happened which changed her life forever and caused those around her to think she died. and now Sofia is finally ready to tell her story.

this is such an intimate and elegantly told story. it doenst shy away from the heartbreak and heart thumping moments of that time. and once again we are reminded of those horrors. and how and whoever you were living at that time it must have felt so scary. i felt that throughout this book. that tension, that danger, the fear. i dont know how they managed it. and for those that went above and beyond, that literally put themselves in harms way for either their loved ones or those who need saving, then i cant be in awe of them enough.
what Siobhan does so brilliantly is weave the humanity throughout this book. both with her telling and scene setting and mostly with the characters she gives us. and this book has some wonderful characters. she also manages to make you care about the past and present characters in equal measure. so you want to turn the pages rapidly to learn more about them. i was turning rapidly until the end!
not only that but she helps us see an arc and linkage throughout time and characters. and how other stories can help us heal. or help us learn. or at least like many when reading these books...they help us sit and think. which we never should stop doing about this time in our history. these stories be it fact or fiction need to be read again and again.

Talk about a heart wrenching book. I love historical books around World War 2. The story of Sofia Castello is just an incredible one. I love how the book was written. The transition between what's going on in the book world to Sofia telling her story is such an easy transition and easy to follow along with. The ending was perfect and I'm so glad with how it all ended. If you're looking for an entertaining story about a singer and a spy from World War 2 this is a great book to read.

Why did Sofia fake her death and why has she been hiding all these years? And why is she now willing to talk? This dual time line novel sees Lily,, a woman who is dealing with the end of her marriage, hired to write Sofia's memoir. Sofia lived a big life until she didn't. She did so much during WWII but all of that lingers. Lily knows that Sofia is holding back and so will you. No spoilers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. As is so often the case, it's the WWII story that is most interesting and Curham has hit on an intriguing niche. A good read.

I liked this one! I enjoy dual timeline stories and I found this one really unique. Great characters and a fun secret. Great read!

A fabulous historical fiction story that captured firstly my attention and then, as I read the story and became immersed in Lily and Sofia's worlds, it captured my heart.

Lily is a ghostwriter who is invited to write the story of Sofia Castello, the much-loved Portuguese singer who tragically died in a plane crash in 1941, while WWII raged on. In order to write the story though, Lily is let in on a huge secret; Sofia is alive and now in her eighties. She faked her death to save herself from a massive betrayal and Lily will hear her truth.

This is such a powerful story packed with secrets, betrayals and heartbreak, intertwined with strength, joy and resilience. Vivid descriptions of the horrors of the war, combined with the joy that Sofia Castello brought to the people took me on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride with these wonderful characters. I was so drawn to all of the main characters in the book; Sofia and Lily, of course, and also Gabriel, Jane and Trafalger, who was definitely the most complex and intriguing character. Some brilliant twists elevated this story to one of my favourite WWII based books and it is a story that will stay with me for a long time.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Siobhan Durham and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a dual time line story set during World War 2 and the turn of the 21st century. Lily is a ghost writer who helps famous people tell their life stories. When she is asked by her editor to go to Portugal to help Sofia Castello, a famous singer, she jumps at the chance. It comes at a difficult time in her life after a break up with her long term partner and, more excitingly, Sofia supposedly died in a plane crash during the war!
As Lily listens to Sofia’s remarkable story and learns why she has remained in hiding, Lily has nothing but admiration for her, someone who has suffered unimaginable hardship and danger in the 1940s.
The female characters in this novel are very strong, I liked Sofia immensely and felt sad for Lily’s situation. Their interaction was interesting, particularly the way Lily tried to draw the story out of Sofia and also how Sofia incorporated her own life into her songs.
There were many twists and turns along the way and it was not clear who was going to survive and why Sofia felt the need to remain hidden. Thankfully all was revealed at the end after much heartbreak and a lot of sadness and betrayal.
I definitely recommend “ The Lost Story Of Sofia Castello”. as an engrossing page turner of a book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Another unforgettable, powerful and captivating read by Siobhan Curham! This talented author continues to impress and inspire me with her gripping stories.The Lost Story of Sofia Castello is a unique and passionate WW2 focused tale that pulls on the heart strings with gusto! This energy charged, emotional drama with its mysterious plot had me glued to the pages. There are heaps of twists and turns that left me breathless. Siobhan draws upon her own experiences with Portugal, its people, history and landscape—making The Lost Story of Sofia Castello feel incredibly authentic.

Although the novel is filled with secrets, misunderstandings and shocking betrayals, there are some joyous developments along the way, too. But the traumatic years and events of WW2, were painful to read. It was easy to imagine what it must have been like to endure the bombings in London. I found Siobhan’s vivid descriptions reflected the tone and torture and I could even hear the piercing sirens and rains of bombs. Scary times. But in those awful moments, people connected and dealt with their fears in unusual ways as seen by character Trafalger. I won’t give anything away but look for it during those scenes when Sofia relates their time together in those first days.

I could appreciate the song writing aspects of the story since I do a lot of collaborating myself. I truly know how inspiration for songs can come from many sources. It was interesting to see how Ocean Longing came to be through a romantic rendez-vous of Sofia’s. This powerful attraction translated beautifully across the world in music and listeners adored it for various reasons. But when things went wrong, the song raised painful reminders in Sofia’s heart. For we bring our experiences, whether good or bad, to a song both as the creator and as a listener. When Lily hears the song, it reminds her of her failed relationship and loss—when she feels betrayed by her own body. Poor past relationship experiences can darken a person’s perceptions, making it difficult to recognise or accept something good when it comes along. So yes, we are shaped by our past and although we must learn from it—we must not expect that everything will turn out the same in the future. For if we hold on to that rigid view, we may misinterpret what comes our way.

One phrase, thought or tidbit of wisdom that stands out in this novel like a shining star on a dark moonless night is something singer Sofia shares with ghost writer Lily: ‘sometimes the things that seem like the end of the world are actually the prologue for something truly delightful…’ Things don’t always work out as planned and sometimes it is just as well they do not. Because they are paving the way for something better. Trials are not fun but they sharpen us and can make us more resilient. These words spoken to Lily by Sofia certainly resonated with me as I have found this to be so as well.

And I loved listening to Sofia tell her story of how she dealt with the war years. She was strong and brave in many ways. And although it was painful for her to resurrect those memories, it provided a healing eventually that caused her to question her perception of events. I thought Sofia writing a book about her War years is a creative way to provide another perspective on the events of the past.

The whole structure of the novel is cohesive. The plot has plenty of tension and mystery which results from us being given a series of bread crumbs along the way that lead up to massive revelations. The pacing is perfect, the setting is atmospheric and sometimes explosive (literally!), and the main characters are relatable and dramatic. And there’s lots of exciting action and surprises!

There is a wonderful cast of characters. I practically enjoyed Lily, Sophia, Gabriel, Trafalgar and Jane with their flaws and strengths. I loved the ending and felt satisfied with how the various strands came together and feasted on the twists, turns and surprises! The meaning of family is explored and how blood is not always the force that brings and holds people together. Sometimes having other common ingredients can create something new.

This story dug deep into my heart and caused me to feel great emotions. It also captured my mind and made me think about possible scenarios. I absolutely loved The Lost Story of Sofia Castello. Huge thanks to Siobhan for taking me on another unforgettable adventure. This is passionate, powerful, profound fiction. I look forward to the next instalment from this amazingly gifted author who is both courageous and highly dedicated to her craft. 5 Glorious Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

I was completely drawn into The Lost Story of Sofia Castello. The dual timeline weaves together war, secrets, and resilience so beautifully. Sofia’s story is tense and heartbreaking, while Lily’s modern journey of grief and reinvention is just as compelling. The mystery kept me hooked, but it’s the emotional depth that really lingers. This book makes you think about loss, survival, and the unexpected ways we heal. Absolutely loved it!

Back in 1941, singer Sofia Castello was mourned by the world following her death after the plane she was in was shot down by Germans.

Lily Christie is a ghost writer and her agent, Jane, calls her to a meeting for a secret job. Lily will have an expenses paid trip to Portugal with the possibility of ghostwriting Sofia Castello’s life story. Now in her eighties, Sofia is alive and well!

Following a rough time since splitting with her husband, Lily jumps at the chance of a break, but to also find out why Sofia faked her own death.

What a beautiful story this is, I found it emotional at times.

The story is told over a dual timeline. We follow Sofia on her journey to stardom and beyond.

It was difficult hearing Sofia’s story as she tells it to Lily. There were some touching and tender moments throughout the book.

The ending was not what I was expecting at all, it had a great twist to it.

A beautiful tale of bravery, secrets, revenge and romance.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

A nice story told in a dual timeline. The older one set during WWII is more interesting than the modern one (2000). Unfortunately, the modern part breaks the little tension there is in the part telling Sofia's story life. You will find in this novel what you usually find in a dual time story: romance and secrets. With a few red herrings (that was good), this story is light-hearted. I like Sofia's no nonsense temperament, while Lilly annoyed me a bit with her personality being rather weak and not much will to fight. Overall, a story for the heart, rather than about a world of spying!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

The Lost Story of Sofia Castello is a haunting, emotionally charged dual-timeline novel that explores the ripple effects of war, the resilience of women, and the cost of long-held secrets. Siobhan Curham delivers a story that feels both sweeping and intimate, with a mystery at its core that keeps you turning the pages while the emotional undercurrents keep you rooted in the characters’ journeys.

At the center of the novel are two women—Sofia Castello, a glamorous and enigmatic singer believed to have died in 1941, and Lily Christie, a struggling writer trying to piece her life back together. When Lily is hired to ghostwrite Sofia’s memoir, she expects a simple job. Instead, she discovers that Sofia is alive, living in hiding in a quiet Portuguese coastal town, and finally ready to reveal the truth about her past. Or at least, some of it.

As Sofia recounts her harrowing life during WWII—singing for Gestapo officers by night while secretly helping the Allies and caring for a young orphaned German girl—Lily is pulled into a layered, suspenseful story of love, danger, betrayal, and impossible choices. But as the memoir unfolds, it becomes clear that Sofia is still guarding her most painful truths. Why did she fake her own death? Who is she still afraid of after all these years? And why, really, did she choose Lily for this task?

The novel alternates between the 1940s and the year 2000, with both timelines delivering rich, emotionally resonant stories. Sofia’s narrative during the war is filled with tension, sacrifice, and moments of defiant humanity. Meanwhile, Lily’s modern-day chapters explore grief, personal reinvention, and the way stories—our own and others’—can help us heal.

Curham’s writing is elegant without being overly sentimental. The characters are deeply human, with flaws, fears, and moments of grace that feel authentic and earned. The relationship between Sofia and Lily is the emotional core of the novel—built on mutual vulnerability, shaped by generational differences, and ultimately transformative for both.

What makes The Lost Story of Sofia Castello stand out is how it balances suspense with emotional depth. The secrets Sofia keeps feel like they matter. The slow reveal of truth is both satisfying and surprising, with stakes that rise until the final, poignant twist. The setting—split between the golden light of coastal Portugal and the shadows of war-torn Europe—adds richness to the atmosphere and emotional weight to the narrative.

This novel asks powerful questions: What do we owe to the truth? How do we live with the choices we’ve made? And is it ever too late for redemption?

If you enjoy historical fiction with emotional resonance, mystery, and fully realized female characters, this is a must-read. It will stay with you long after the final page.

Perfect for readers who love:
• Dual timeline narratives
• WWII espionage and intrigue
• Female-driven stories
• The redemptive power of storytelling
• Found family and unexpected friendships
• Themes of identity, grief, and second chances

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for my ARCof this beautiful book.

The Lost Story Of Sofia Castello by Siobhan Curham is a totally gripping dual timeline novel that I adored. It is set in 2000 and during the war years, mainly in Portugal.
We see that secrets that have been kept for over fifty years now need to come to light. Fact is stranger than fiction, and I confess to reading with dropped jaw as the book sped towards its conclusion.
The war years were a time of fear and suspicion. There were agents and double agents, and the Gestapo, all lunching in plain sight. As Siobhan Curham sets the scene, my heart rate and pulse rate rose.
We see that friends are born in adversity as a young singer puts aside all thoughts of personal safety in order to rescue a young Jewish girl from the clutches of the Gestapo.
There are all the wasted years as we ponder on what might have been.
Portugal is a vibrant place, even in times of war. The golden sands and the heat contrast sharply with the grey London skies.
Characters maintain their joi d’vivre even into their eighties, persuading others to abandon their straight way of thinking, throw caution to the wind, and dive into life.
The novel alternates between the two time periods as an octogenarian opens up her life story to a ghost writer.
All the characters were well drawn and believable.
The whole story was mesmerizing and I didn’t want it to end. The Lost Story Of Sofia Castello is a page turner that will capture your heart as you read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.