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achoward's review
4.0
There are some books that you can't say a ton about in a review, because it all involves spoilers. This is one of those books. It isn't to say that the details are worth skipping, because they are not. This is quite a good book about homecoming and relationships and how family members interact with one another and the world around them.
We have a protagonistic duo in this book - both daughter (to open the book) and mother (as we travel between time periods) are involved in making the story that is shaped by their experiences both in the small Scottish town in which they live but also by the larger world outside that town.
If you enjoy literary fiction with familial conflict and the secrets small towns can hold, you'll very probably like this book, even if you have never set a toe on Scottish soil.
Four out of five stars.
Thanks to Amazon UK and NetGalley for the review copy.
We have a protagonistic duo in this book - both daughter (to open the book) and mother (as we travel between time periods) are involved in making the story that is shaped by their experiences both in the small Scottish town in which they live but also by the larger world outside that town.
If you enjoy literary fiction with familial conflict and the secrets small towns can hold, you'll very probably like this book, even if you have never set a toe on Scottish soil.
Four out of five stars.
Thanks to Amazon UK and NetGalley for the review copy.
thebookishpersuasion's review
4.0
The Skylark’s Secret tells the asynchronous stories of a mother and daughter, Fiona and Lexie, and their lives at Loch Ewe in the Scottish Highlands. Fiona is an ambulance driver for the Wrens during WWII and Lexie is a washed up musical theater star with a young child. As Lexie returns to her home from London, she starts to explore her mother’s history and the past of the father who died before she was born. This story talks about life in the highlands during World War II and Fiona’s love affair with the laird’s son, Alex, despite the disapproval of his father. Lexie starts to unravel her mother’s secrets as we follow Fiona’s story as the war worsens.
The good:
This book was incredibly well researched and immersive. I felt very much a part of the story and the unique life in the highlands on the loch. I enjoyed Fiona’s story and definitely learned some things about history that I didn't know. I found Fiona’s story compelling and really loved Davie’s character.
The bad:
I’m not a fan of stories that tell split stories in two different times because I never feel like I get to know the characters as deeply. I felt like the storylines weren’t as well developed because only a portion of the book was dedicated to each one. I also had to look up quite a few words that were specific to the highlands and had very little context to help me unravel them, which I found a little annoying.
Overall, I enjoyed this book—I just wanted to hear more about Fiona!
The good:
This book was incredibly well researched and immersive. I felt very much a part of the story and the unique life in the highlands on the loch. I enjoyed Fiona’s story and definitely learned some things about history that I didn't know. I found Fiona’s story compelling and really loved Davie’s character.
The bad:
I’m not a fan of stories that tell split stories in two different times because I never feel like I get to know the characters as deeply. I felt like the storylines weren’t as well developed because only a portion of the book was dedicated to each one. I also had to look up quite a few words that were specific to the highlands and had very little context to help me unravel them, which I found a little annoying.
Overall, I enjoyed this book—I just wanted to hear more about Fiona!
snipinfool's review
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lexie Gordon was a star on the London stage. She had been cast as the lead in a new play when circumstances forced her life in another direction. She returned to her hometown in the Scottish Highlands with her young daughter to begin their new life. Lexie's mother recently died, but she had not been home in years. She was unsure of how she would be received since it had been so long since she left. They lived in Lexie's childhood home surrounded by memories. As she told her daughter about growing up in the area, Lexie realized she wanted to know more about her father's life. He died in WWII before she was born. Her mother rarely talked about him or his family. She never stopped grieving his death.
Flora lived in the Keeper's Cottage on the Ardtuath Estate. Her father worked for the Laird on the estate. Her brother recently joined the Royal Navy. The loch nearby was used as a port for some of the warships, so there was a chance her brother would come into port. Flora also hoped to see Alec Mackenzie-Grant when he was in port as well. He was the son of the Laird and a close friend from childhood. Alec held a special place in Flora's heart and she hoped he would also remain safe from harm.
This story was told in two timelines. One was Lexie's in the present and one was Flora's life from the past. Flora's told her story of love and loss during the war. Lexie's life was vastly different from the one she had in London, but she found it suited her and her daughter. They were around people who knew Lexie since she was born and she realized she could lean on them when they needed support. As she found out more about her parents' life together, Lexie had greater admiration for the difficulties her mother faced raising a child as a single parent. I have always wanted to visit Scotland and pictures the author painted in words added to my desire to visit.
Flora lived in the Keeper's Cottage on the Ardtuath Estate. Her father worked for the Laird on the estate. Her brother recently joined the Royal Navy. The loch nearby was used as a port for some of the warships, so there was a chance her brother would come into port. Flora also hoped to see Alec Mackenzie-Grant when he was in port as well. He was the son of the Laird and a close friend from childhood. Alec held a special place in Flora's heart and she hoped he would also remain safe from harm.
This story was told in two timelines. One was Lexie's in the present and one was Flora's life from the past. Flora's told her story of love and loss during the war. Lexie's life was vastly different from the one she had in London, but she found it suited her and her daughter. They were around people who knew Lexie since she was born and she realized she could lean on them when they needed support. As she found out more about her parents' life together, Lexie had greater admiration for the difficulties her mother faced raising a child as a single parent. I have always wanted to visit Scotland and pictures the author painted in words added to my desire to visit.
inkstainedthumb's review
5.0
Absolutely beautiful book! I love how Lexie goes on that journey to discover her own history, essentially discovering who her mother was, and in turn who her father was. Flora, Lexie's mum, never told her who her father was. Shame had silenced Flora and thus, it wasn't until after Flora's death, and having a daughter of her own, that takes Lexie down a path of discovery about her path, with help from her mother's best friends.
karlyloar's review
4.0
BOOK REVIEW
Oh how I love historical fiction. And especially books based on WWII. And I’m also a sucker for the Scottish Highlands. So, this book definitely had a lot going for it from the start! I read The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona earlier this year, but I think I enjoyed this story more.
The Skylark’s Secret was a very heart warming story about love, hope, and family. Reading about how different countries were involved in WWII is absolutely fascinating and devastating to me. No matter how hard I try to wrap my mind around it, I still can’t fathom what it must have been like to live through those years. I loved the alternating storylines from the past in Flora, and in the present with Lexi. I loved the perspective. All of the characters were very likeable. Part of me didn’t want the story to end!
If you like historical fiction, you should definitely read this one! It publishes this Tuesday! Tomorrow! Go get it!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and author for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Oh how I love historical fiction. And especially books based on WWII. And I’m also a sucker for the Scottish Highlands. So, this book definitely had a lot going for it from the start! I read The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona earlier this year, but I think I enjoyed this story more.
The Skylark’s Secret was a very heart warming story about love, hope, and family. Reading about how different countries were involved in WWII is absolutely fascinating and devastating to me. No matter how hard I try to wrap my mind around it, I still can’t fathom what it must have been like to live through those years. I loved the alternating storylines from the past in Flora, and in the present with Lexi. I loved the perspective. All of the characters were very likeable. Part of me didn’t want the story to end!
If you like historical fiction, you should definitely read this one! It publishes this Tuesday! Tomorrow! Go get it!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and author for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
fayes_library's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ash_hermatz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beabeareads's review
5.0
I loved this book and can’t wait to read more of Fiona Valpy. I devoured this book because I loved the characters and the setting, and just wanted to spend time inside of this world. It felt cozy and comfortable and I just wanted to be friends with the folks in this book. I would highly recommend The Skylarks Secret
robn_e's review
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75