Under a Summer Skye
by Sue Moorcroft
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Pub Date May 09 2024 | Archive Date Jun 17 2024
Avon Books UK | Avon
Description
ESCAPE TO THE ISLE OF SKYE THIS SUMMER WITH THE SUNDAY TIMES AND MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, AND LOSE YOURSELF IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE SKYE SISTERS TRILOGY.
‘The perfect escapist read that will take you away from the real world and immerse you in its charm. Delightful.’ VERONICA HENRY
'A gorgeously warm and sunny book.’ CATHY KELLY
‘An intriguing and uplifting story with a beautiful setting.’ KATIE FFORDE
'A delightful summer read!' PHILLIPA ASHLEY
________
A chance encounter is about to change everything for Thea Wynter.
The moment she arrived on the Isle of Skye, life changed for Thea. Running from a succession of wrong turns, she comes to the island in search of blue sea, endless skies, and mountains that make the heart soar. Here, she feels at peace.
As head gardener at Rothach Hall, life is exactly how she wants it, with her days spent working in the glorious clifftop garden and her evenings in the cosy local village.
But an encounter with a stranger from the mainland brings with it an unexpected turn – and only time will tell if he is friend or foe.
It seems that even on Skye, life can catch up with you, and Thea is soon faced with the past she left behind – and with it, the family she’s never met…
From old lives to new beginnings, lose yourself on the beautiful Isle of Skye with Thea as she discovers how many possibilities life can truly hold if you look hard enough. A gorgeous, escapist read for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.
________
PRAISE FOR UNDER A SUMMER SKYE
'The perfect romantic read.' That's Life
‘Gloriously uplifting – the perfect escape.’ Alex Brown
'A beautiful, transporting novel to sweep you away.’ Fiona Gibson
‘A gorgeous, escapist, romantic read full of heart.’ Emily Stone
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9780008636807 |
PRICE | £2.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
the perfect summer escape that you would expect from Sue Moorcroft. I loved it and would 100% recommend.
A brilliant read by Sue Moorcroft who is a superb author.
Loved this book from the very first page you will not be able to put it down as there are unexpected twists and turns that keep you hanging and rooting for Thea Winter, head gardener at Rothach Hall in the Isle of Skye, who is happily hiding out from her previous life as a celebrity gardener on TV, you can't help but want Thea to have the life she deserves with a lovely man called called Deveron, who also has his own secrets.
Read this book, I guarantee you will love it!
Charming, enticing and atmospheric. Loved my escape to the Isle of Skye reading this latest from Sue Moorcroft!!
Thea is one of three Wynter sisters who has built a successful life on Skye as head gardener at the beautiful Rothach Hall where her sister Ezzie works as a manager. They both live in the local village overlooking the sea, and although picturesque, they both have their shadows and secrets which are following them.
I loved the descriptions of the gardens and the atmosphere of the island, so very Scottish!! With the long summer days this is a wonderful escapist tale to truly get lost in.
The characters and story unravels and reveals beautifully!
One of my favourite books from Sue Moorcroft!! Can’t wait for the next!!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for the early read! Hugely appreciated
Thanks to the Publishers and Netgalley for an early review copy.
I loved reading this, the first book in a new series.
We meet Thea who has been through an hard time, and is now head gardener at Rothach Hall.
The setting of this story was gorgeous and some of the characters were nice, especially Dev.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Thea and her sisters lives and in the other characters.
I highly recommend this book.
A lovely escapist read. beautiful descriptions of the Isle of Skye - really makes me want to go and visit! A great cast of characters and a well-written storyline. Highly recommended.
Sue Moorcroft transports us to stunning locations with every single book she writes and this is no exception. In fact it felt more immersive than ever and without ever being to Skye myself, the locations felt familiar, well-researched and beautifully described.
There’s an underlying mystery throughout much of the book, a moral dilemma that will challenge you as the reader. There are family secrets, gardens, dogs, drama, love, loss and so much more. If you love stories set in small communities with strong family ties, attention to detail and cute adorable dogs, you’ll love this one and the characters that you’re introduced to. You may even learn Scottish pronounciation too!
The best thing about the ending of this book is that there will be two more. This is such a brilliant start to Sue Moorcroft’s first Trilogy based upon Valentina, Esmerelda and Thea on the very magical Isle of Skye. So turn those last few pages with confidence that you’ll be seeing more of this wonderful trio!
Fantastic start to what promises to be a great series. This is the first in the Skye sisters trilogy and starts with Thea. Thea has always felt different but didn’t know how, she can’t cope with reading or filling out forms but she excelled at gardening which brought her to Skye along with her sister Ezz.
Dev Donnie is at a low point in his life when he meets Thea and is mistaken for an interviewee for a gardening position, he accepts the job and loves his new life but his past is threatening his future on Skye and with Thea.
Brilliant book and can’t wait for the stories of the other two sisters
I always look forward to Sue’s books. Always set somewhere different, in this case Skye, with wonderful descriptions, engaging characters, and an adorable dog. The relationship between the dog and her rescuers is so beautifully done. Although an uplifting story, there is always more to a Sue Moorcroft book and here adoption plays a large part, sensitively portrayed. Being adopted myself I found it particularly poignant. Not just a romance, there is tension too, as secrets come to the forefront. I was totally absorbed and loved it. A great summer read.
This is pure escapism!
Life on the Isle of Skye is going well for head gardener Thea, until the past comes back to haunt her.
Can she trust Deveron who has rocked up and stolen her heart?
I could imagine myself walking around the grounds of The Hall and the village as the descriptions were great.
A good holiday read.
I'm a big Sue Moorcroft fan so had high expectations of the first in her new series. And I wasn't disappointed.
A great story set on Skye (which I now want to visit!). I warmed to the characters and look forward to the next book to hear about another sister's story.
Highly recommend to Sue's fans and also fans of Milly Johnson, Jessica Redland, Jill Mansell, Heidi Swain etc.
Review of Under a Summer Skye by Sue Moorcroft. I am a huge fan of this author and always enjoy her books. This one was no different. A very well written enjoyable story. Great characters and character development, set in a lovely location. Recommend
A Scottish island. A stranger from the mainland. A summer of possibilities…Fresh and dynamic... Fast-paced and spellbinding...a book you will have a hard time putting down.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story and all the twists, turns and heartache it brought along the way.
Well worth every moment reading!
A chance meeting, a new puppy, love found and secrets discovered from long ago all in the Summer on the Isle of Skye.
Thea, the youngest of her Wynter sisters, works as a gardener at Rothach Hall on the Isle of Skye along with her sister Ezz.
A chance meeting with a very handsome stranger who happens to be holding a very sodden puppy brings Deveren to Rothach Hall, but is he friend or foe.
This story has many twists and turns, but a most enjoyable book and the first in a trilogy of the Wynter Sisters.
This book is set in beautiful Skye where Thea is head gardener at Rothach Hall. Thea meets Deveron who she thinks has come for a job interview but really he is there to do something that could have a detrimental effect on the cosy safe life that Thea has made for herself.
Thea and her two sisters were all adopted separately. None of them have ever known or searched for their birth patents but a chance meeting with an old neighbour sends Thea on a journey that she's not quite sure she wants to go on.
This was a really good read as you're always promised when you pick up a book written by Sue Moorcroft.
It covers adoption and discovering things about yourself later in life. The dangers of the Internet and social media and how it can be used for the good but also the not so good.
How people believe they have a right to delve into your life,to photograph you and to have an opinion of you that isn't true but it can be spread everywhere in minutes.
I was delighted to discover that this book is part one of a trilogy and I can't wait to read part two.
I was delighted to discover this will be the first in 3 books focussing on the Skye sisters and this one focuses on Thea, who is head gardener at Rothach Hall on Skye. As well as the developing relationship between Thea and Deveron, lots of other issues are covered such as adoption and blended families, telling lies for the right reasons, social media trolls and the negative impact this has - all handled sensitively and weaved into the overall storyline. You definitely find yourself rooting for Thea and Deveron, who despite both making mistakes and a whole lot of misunderstanding, are clearly good for each other. A great summer read - who wouldn't want to escape to Skye?
**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **
This is a dream of a book. I read it slowly so I could drink in the exquisite scenery of Skye, and really get to know the characters Sue has expertly created. She is a master at describing a setting so well that you actually think you are there, and painting her characters so vividly you feel as if you know them. Thea and Deveron are flawed, as we all are, and have sometimes made bad decisions but for the right reasons and I was routing for them right away and hoping they could see their way through the maze of misunderstandings, secrets and betrayal to be together. As usual, Sue brings in some complex issues - adoption, alcoholism, internet trolling - handling them sensitively and realistically. The research she undertook was evident in the authenticity of the storyline. The icing on the cake was Daisy, the little dog, and the cherry on top was the beautiful island setting. I can't wait to read the other two books in the trilogy. Sue has written another bestseller here.
Thank you for allowing me to review this book early.
Another brilliant heartwarming story from Sue Moorcroft. Bringing to life the Isle of Skye and the beautiful surroundings. Where the past invades the present and true love conquers all. A definite must read and guarantee you won’t stop until it is finished
Love Sue Moorcroft books and this one, the first in a series set on the Isle of Skye is another wonderful book by this author.
Sue Moorcroft’s books never fail to impress, entertain and please. This tale is set on the Isle of Skye and has lovely descriptions of the scenery. Both gardeners and dog lovers will particularly enjoy this romance. A most enjoyable read.
Absolutely loved reading this new offering from Sue Moorcroft.
A very well crafted novel about Thea, a woman who relocated to the Isle of Skye along with her sister Ezzie from England. A new seasonal gardener comes into Thea's life and she goes through a journey of discovery set against he beautiful backdrop of Skye which sounds glorious! I really enjoyed the characters and the backstory was well put together. Looking forward to he next instalment. Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy
This is my first time reading Ms. Moorcroft, and I didn’t really know what to expect. I love stories set in small communities, and the setting of the Isle of Skye in Scotland definitely interested me. And just 2% into the story, when Thea witnesses a handsome stranger rescuing a drowning dog, I was hooked.
Often when I read I’ll pause to look up the pronunciation of a word, because even reading silently to myself I like to pronounce things correctly. I didn’t have to worry about that here, thought, thanks to the author who skillfully and helpfully inserted pronunciations, such as Thea remarking to Dev that when she moved to the Island from Suffolk she thought “Sleat” was pronounced “sleet” rather than “slate” (so did I). And most surprising to me was learning that “Loch” is pronounced with a “chh” sound at the end rather than as “lock”! Who knew?! There are also lot of great descriptions of the countryside, the village, the ocean, the sky. And the author is obviously very knowledgeable about gardening, or did some thorough research on the subject.
Thea and her sister both work at a manor home that is partially open to the public, Thea as head gardener, and Ezzie in administration. In her previous life Thea had starred on a reality TV show, until a collision between her car and a bicyclist spun her world into chaos. But she, along with Ezzie, has made a new life for herself in this remote area. When Dev shows up just in time to rescue that dog, Thea mistakes him for a job applicant, and Dev seizes on the idea and runs with it. He’s actually there to try and secure an interview with Thea for a trashy celebrity website, a job he hates but has taken out of financial need. The thought of spending the summer on Skye, working with his hands in the gardens instead, seems like heaven and an opportunity too good to pass up. But the purpose of his original mission has already set wheels in motion, and he spends much of the book trying to do damage control and agonizing over whether or not to confess the truth to Thea. I loved Dev, but at times I wanted to knock him on the head and tell him he needed to come clean. I often had a feeling a dread, for of course the day of reckoning would come eventually.
This was a truly delightful read, that touched on some deep issues, as Thea, who was adopted, also deals with learning who her birth mother is. The secondary characters are not necessarily fleshed out well, but I was so caught up in Thea and Dev, and Ezzie, and eventually Thea’s birth mother, that I didn’t care. And the little dog, Daisy, who is a joyful character in her own right. I gather that the second book in the series will be Ezzie’s story, and I am eagerly looking forward to it.
*Received via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed*
Well written and enjoyable frippery.*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
This is one of my favourite authors and I couldn’t wait to start this and read it in almost one sitting.
This was a very poignant read which covered a lot of sensitive issues and had engaging characters and the story was encased in the beautiful setting of Skye. Reading this has made me want to visit this idyllic sounding setting.
I was excited to discover that this beautiful book is the .first of a trilogy and can’t wait to read more on what the sisters and the other characters get up to in the next instalment.
I have been a fan of Sue Moorcroft's novels for a long time and loved this the first in her new Skye Sisters series.
A tale of complex relationships, past secrets and true modern life problems. As usual in a Sue Moorcroft story, there are also some serious issues raised such as drinking, adoption and internet bullies. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, even if Sue did keep me on tenterhooks and reading on frantically waiting for the big bombshell to drop.
Loved the Isle of Skye setting, was on Thea’s side from page one and didn't want Deveron to lose the chance of a relationship with her (although I think I might have been less forgiving than she is in the novel). Even related to the dog, Daisy and her part in the book.
Now can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Sue Moorcroft has once again penned a lovely, summery read, whisking readers away to the wild, and wonderful Isle of Skye. In this remote corner of Scotland, Thea Wynter has found a haven, working as head gardener at local manor house Rothach Hall. She escaped to Skye nine years earlier together with her sister Ezzie, following a brief TV career. The two are hiding a potentially devastating secret, but since they ran away to Skye, Thea has been feeling safe. That is, until a nasty website that asks ‘where are they now’ type questions discovers her whereabouts and her past catches up with her …
Former sports journalist Deveron Downie has reluctantly been working for that trashy website as he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Following his ex-wife’s and business partner’s betrayal, he has lost almost everything and is unsure of his future, until he starts a seasonal job at Rothach Hall and meets Thea. The attraction between them is undeniable and almost instantaneous, and grows the more time they spend together. But Dev also has a secret, one that could destroy Thea’s trust in him in one fell swoop. Is it better to keep quiet or confess?
As always in Sue Moorcroft’s stories, there are some serious issues raised – adoption, drink driving, criminal liability, the power of influencers and/or internet trolls, and much more. But underlying it all is a wonderful, heart-warming romance that has the reader rooting for Thea and Dev, and hoping they’ll be able to overcome the misunderstandings and get a new beginning.
I am now dying to visit Skye for myself. Although not the usual sun, sea and sand type holiday destination, it definitely sounds incredible and well worth the long journey required to get there. For those who prefer armchair travel, this story is also ideal and I loved it!
Due Moorcrift does such beautiful novels. The way she describes scenery ect you feel as if you are right there with her characters. I cannot wait to read, share, and review this gorgeous tale of gardening mainland and all the secrets and storyline it will reveal as it is always such a treat unraveling her gorgeous novels.
This book is the first part of a series and it did not disappoint.
It’s all about Thea head gardener at Rothach Hall in the Isle of Skye. Thea is a lovely character who has been through a lot in her life but is very strong.
The setting was beautiful and just added to the romance in the story
I loved most of the characters ( no spoilers) with Dev being my favourite. The ending was perfect and I cannot wait for the next part in the series to catch up on Theas story and hopefully hear more about Thea’s sisters.
Thanks to NetGalley, Sue Moorcroft and Avon Books UK, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
What a beautiful setting for this tale of Thea, has definitely made me want to discover the Isle of Skye. I always enjoy books from this author and once again this was a wonderful tale with great characters. Definitely recommend
As a great fan of Sue Moorcroft, I was looking forward to reading this book, the first in a series, and wasn’t disappointed.
The story takes place on the beautiful rugged coastline and windswept island of Skye. Vivid descriptions bring alive the unspoilt countryside, flora and fauna. Thea is chief gardener at Rothach Hall, she is a likeable, relatable character and when Deveron applies for a job both become attracted.
However, due to an accident in Thea’s past, secrets lead to misunderstandings which make Thea wary of trusting newcomers. Suspicions arise regarding Dev’s real reasons for taking the job, causing conflict. Characters are well drawn, developing as the story unfolds.
Along with the main story, Thea discovers her biological mother, and has mixed feeling about their relationship. Thea and her two sisters had been adopted, and this intriguing story weaves its way along with the main romance.
The story is about relationships, family and community. The island, characters and sense of community draw you in with secrets explored as the story unfolds. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and am looking forward to reading the other two books in the series featuring Thea’s two sisters.
Sue Moorcroft books always make me happy and this one was no exception! I'd been looking forward to this one a lot, partly because the book cover is so beautiful, but also because being Scottish, I love reading books set here and Skye is absolutely beautiful!
This is the first book in a three part series following three sisters, with this one focussing on Thea. She moved to Skye eight years ago to escape bits of her past and now spends her days contentedly looking after the gardens at Rothach Hall, surrounded by incredible scenery.
However, when Deveron turns up, things change. He saves a puppy which Thea promptly adopts, but as she and Dev grow closer, we discover that he has his own secrets, and Thea's past is dragged back up. At the same time, other family secrets come to light and she has to navigate how to deal with that.
This was a lovely book and despite the flaws and mistakes made by the two main characters, both were very likeable too, making you want to root for them and their happiness.
Skye was also a beautiful setting and the author did the descriptions perfectly, I could picture the setting and great weather! It's made me look forward to summer now!
Thank you so much to Sue Moorcroft, Avon UK, Harper Collins UK and Netgalley! 💕
I have always loved Sue Moorcrofts books so was excited to read Under a summer Skye, the first book of a new trilogy following the lives of the three wynter sisters Thea,Ezzy and Valentina.
Book one concentrates on Thea the youngest of her siblings and her story of how she came to be living on Skye and working as a head gardener.
Thea’s life changed irrevocably one day and the repercussions of that event have followed her as she starts a new life on the beautiful Isle of Skye, full of revelations, new discoveries,angst, trust issues and heartache but balanced by friendships of locals and neighbours, family support , love and the most gorgeous little dog, we tag along as Thea experiences life changing experiences and enters a new phase of her life!
So excited to see what books two and three bring to the trilogy.
Thank you NetGalley for this early read.
This is a lovely story set on the beautiful Isle of Skye, which the author describes perfectly. Thea and her love interest are both appealing characters with flaws. I was rooting for them from the start, and it kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. We discover that Thea is adopted, and part of the story is about the way she deals with finding out about her birth family. As an adoptee myself, I felt Sue described the mixture of emotions involved in that search accurately. This is my first Sue Moorcroft book, and it's made me want to read her others. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
What a fantastic start to a trilogy based around the Skye Sisters Valentina, Esmerelda and Thea on the magestical Isle of Skye.
Prepare to be transported on Thea's journey of self discovery, her history and the trials and tribulations that unfold from that one night that turned many lives upside down. Who can be trusted?
But in the beautiful Isle of Skye where neighbours are more like extended family, the flowers are blooming and the sun shines over the idilic sea will the past ruin any chance of a peaceful and perfect future?
Buckle up for a bumpy ride, tears fell but my heart was left full ❤️ Another fantastic read and I can't wait to return to Skye and its characters in the books that follow.
Free courtesy of Netgalley
I absolutely love Sue Moorcroft books, and this one is no exception, I always finish her books wanting to go to the place the book is set.
Thea is head gardener at Rothach Hall on the Isle of Skye, she absolutely loves her job and life is easy for her, as she gets to work with her sister, who also works at the hall.
One day whilst she is spending her break, feeding the ponies, an unknown man runs across the paddock and jumps over the fence, straight into a stream, and comes out with a bedraggled puppy.
They both start to change Thea's life as her past, which she thought she had escaped, catches up with her and not in a good way. Is the stranger there to help her or cause her upset or maybe both.... What secrets are they keeping from each other, and can these revelations implode Thea's family
I loved the characters in this book, and you are desperate for things to work out well for them (except for one). I loved the setting and would love to visit Skye to see what it is like.
This book is the first in a trilogy and I am gutted I have to wait for next year for the second one.
I would definitely recommend this book as it is a lovely read
Thea has moved to Skye to be head gardener at an estate there. Her sister Ezzie is Assistant Manager there. Thea wanted to get away from all the publicity of when she was on a show about gardening. Love all of Sue Moorcroft's books
What a pleasurable read this book was. Can’t beat the Isle of Skye as a dramatic backdrop to a romance. The descriptions of the different settings and the characters relationships were exquisite and a joy to read.
Gosh Sue Moorcroft at her best . This is a first of a series and they are all going to be good, you just know it. Three sisters all adopted and sadly their parents are dead. Family secrets come out and two of sisters have a secret which I did not see. Two of them work on a lovely estate on Skye. The descriptions of Skye are lovely… Their past comes to the estate and their employer is amazing. You have a great love element, gutter press and a fantastic setting.. I don’t want to spoil it. Read it. Fab.
This was really difficult to put down so much so I was burning the midnight oil until the early hours. I loved the location on Skye - it brought back memories of my time in the area many years ago - Plockton and Broadford. The characters were wonderful and the story made for a compelling read. So much happened to Thea and I loved the twists and turns as the story unfolded. A brilliant setting and a heartwarming story. I loved it. Looking forward to the next book i this series.
I feel full of enthusiasm for this new series and the first story in the series has not disappointed. I had to read it as soon as I was sent a copy and it went right to the top of the TBR! Thea is an interesting central character and you begin to sense that there is quite a story in her background. Family means so much to her and you can tell that the three sisters are a tight knit unit. With a glorious setting and lots of potential in the local characters, you are hooked from the start. Thea has some vulnerabilities and a built in wariness around newcomers. When a mysterious stranger appears, it takes time for her to lower her defences. This is a novel with interesting things to say about attachment and relationships in adopted children and whether childhood experiences can be moved past. With second chances and a real feeling for the environment, I enjoyed it very much and can't wait for the second in the series
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