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A review by lisamshardlow
The Skylark's Secret by Fiona Valpy
5.0
Set in dual timelines. In 1978, following her mother’s recent death, singer Lexie Gordon is forced to return to the Scottish Highland village where she grew up. A few years earlier, Lexie had escaped to perform on London’s West End, but it never truly felt like home. Now back, with a baby daughter of her own, she soon learns that her mother (and the village itself) have been hiding secrets that make her question everything. In 1940, gamekeeper’s daughter, Flora (Lexie’s mother), and the Laird’s son, Alec, are in love. But when their small village finds itself as the new base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys, and tensions build between Alec and his disapproving father, their love and happiness seems doomed. As Lexie pieces together her parents’ story, she discovers some courageous and devastating secrets.
This was very emotional throughout, but it was also very heartwarming. I really loved all of the characters, especially Flora, Alec, Lexie, Daisy, and Davy. I also really loved Bridie and how she and Mairi told Lexie the story of her parents. There were a lot of traditional Scottish songs and folklore included, which I really loved as well. Although this is fiction, it is based on actual events that happened during WWII in the Scottish Highlands, such as Loch Ewe being transformed into a Naval base, and children being evacuated from bigger cities to the countryside. I know that similar things happened in London, but it never occurred to me that they happened in other parts of the UK as well, so I learned a bit of history too. The ending was also very unexpected.
I don’t think that there was anything that I didn’t love about this. I was gripped by the story from start to finish. For this reason, I give it 5 out of 5 stars!
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, stories about war and WWII, Scottish culture and folklore, and some romance.
This was very emotional throughout, but it was also very heartwarming. I really loved all of the characters, especially Flora, Alec, Lexie, Daisy, and Davy. I also really loved Bridie and how she and Mairi told Lexie the story of her parents. There were a lot of traditional Scottish songs and folklore included, which I really loved as well. Although this is fiction, it is based on actual events that happened during WWII in the Scottish Highlands, such as Loch Ewe being transformed into a Naval base, and children being evacuated from bigger cities to the countryside. I know that similar things happened in London, but it never occurred to me that they happened in other parts of the UK as well, so I learned a bit of history too. The ending was also very unexpected.
I don’t think that there was anything that I didn’t love about this. I was gripped by the story from start to finish. For this reason, I give it 5 out of 5 stars!
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, stories about war and WWII, Scottish culture and folklore, and some romance.