A family story told over two timelines. History and a modern mystery come together through family stories.
Another great read from Gill Paul, it didn't disappoint.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for granting me an advance copy.

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

I really enjoy books set around the time of the Romanov family and I was drawn to this one due to the story being centred around the middle daughter Maria Romanov. I was more than happy to request a copy of it from NetGalley, it's just taken me some time to get around to reading unfortunately.

Told in different time frames the story draws you in and relates the events happening to the characters at different times in their lives. Whilst some readers don't always enjoy stories told in this way, I find them easy to cope with and sometimes they can engage you in the story even more than if it had been told chronologically. Based on real people and real events the Author has woven a story that could be true and could be what happened to Maria, if she had escaped from the execution or attempted execution of all the close family members that took place one fateful day.

As I was reading the story I came across this passage that had me gasping ~ Maria has fallen on some ice and has broken her leg.

'Once they left the room, she gripped a pillow between her teeth and felt along her thigh with her fingers, poking through the swelling to see where the bone was cracked and how it should lie. Biting down hard, she pushed it into place, almost passing pout with the pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tied the chair leg to her thigh as a splint, pulling hard to tighten the knots. When it was done, she dragged the bed covers over herself, laid her head on the pillow, and lost consciousness.'

How many people would be able to do something like this? I know that I doubt that I would be able to do so.

This was a well written and researched story, the Author includes a section at the end of the book that relates facts that some of the story was based on that was interesting to read.

I loved the Secret Wife and I requested this one as soon as I saw it, then I foolishly forgot about it.
What a stunning book, I loved the cover, it drew me in.
I was enraptured by the first chapter.
What a beautiful story, I love how the author turns a what we know is a well known piece of history and then adds more depth, tugging at heart strings and making it catch your breath whilst reading it.
Pure brilliance.
I loved it!

The imagined story of the fallen Russian royal family and the aftermath of their demise. Painting the picture of what might have happened to their possibly only surviving child, the middle daughter of Tsar Nicholas, Maria. Vividly painting the traumatic events she may have gone through, the love she may have found and lost, her strength and determination to find remaining members of her family all the while raising her own.
This story is deeply moving, I cried and laughed, dreamed and hoped along with her through her journey.
One the other side we have Val, the daughter of a troubled Bolshevik soldier who was one of the ones tasked with guarding the royals and who believed that he could claim Maria as his own, but ultimately lost trace of her.
A gripping and imaginative story, full of twists and turns, will keep you reading late into the night! Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and to Headline for an advance copy of The Lost Daughter.

I can't remember the last time I stayed up to read a book, yet this one kept me reading and turning the pages until I finished it at gone 1am.

Here is a great interpretation of what-might-have-been had any of the Romanov children survived the murders in 1918.

The story takes the characters and the reader on a romping escape through post-revolution Russia across a land rife with famine and neglect, through the economic experiments of the 1920s, into the purges and "great terror" of the 1930s, and on to the siege of Leningrad in the 1940s. And then back to the glorious palaces and gardens.

It fast-forwards to 1970s Australia and back again, with each of the eras and locations clearly indicated. In between we experience the physical and emotional pain of separation, domestic abuse, starvation, sub-zero temperatures, childbirth, broken limbs and broken spirits. Yet there is hope and happiness too.

The story comes across as very well-researched and is brought to life with colour and pomp and some very good characters. You can almost smell the fear, it is so well-written.

I loved this book. And I believed it. Every. Single. Word.

As always Gill Paul does not disappoint. I have always found the romanticized story of the Russian royal family and the assassination intruiging. especially the stories of Princesses dealing which have ensues over the years. Paul present another angle and writes in a beautuful.fluid way with characters that seem real. An excellent read.

Gill Paul is such a fantastic writer. Fluid and enjoyable prose and a gripping story. I look forward to more.

Very good. Loved the gripping nature of this book, even though I had worked out the twist early on it was still worth the journey to see if I was right. Highly recommended especially if you have read The Secret Wife as it does allude to the story but it's not necessary to have read it.

I’m actually pleased to report that I enjoyed this book. This is probably my first positive mini reiew…. Anyway, it’s my first book by the author, and it definitely will not be my last. I enjoyed the way that Maria and Val’s stories came together, and how they were connected was a bit of a shock but it all worked perfectly. I loved following Maria through her turbulent life, from the lowest she could ever to be through to the highest as well. I liked the transformation of Val as well, from this shy woman, to a confident one. Gill Paul’s writing style instantly gripped me, and I look forward to her other books.

I am going to start by saying that this is a stunning historical fiction read that has been sat on my digital TBR for far too long. I really wish I had picked it up sooner.

It has two timelines, one in 1918 and the other in the 1970s. I was curious how these two would eventually link up as they also span two different continents. A story of tragedy, love, betrayal, and heartbreak, one amongst the turmoil of 1918 Russia, and in the 70s a daughter trying to discover the meaning behind her fathers’ mysterious ramblings.

What an absolutely fabulous read, full of emotion and completely addictive. From the start, I noticed the details that showed the evidence of a well-researched book. I was immediately taken in with the authors take on the story of the Romanov family. Maria is one of Tsar Nicholas II daughters. At 19 Maria is taken from the opulent lifestyle as Russia is in a period of transition, a period of turmoil and suffering that many experienced for many years to come.

In the 70s I met Val, she is confused with her father. He has dementia and is dying, but she wonders if his mysterious conversations have anything to do with his past. They are troubled words and she finds herself unable to leave them alone. She sets out to discover the truth and also finds herself making decisions about her own future.

There is something about the history of the Romanovs and Russian history of this era that really does pique my interest. It may seem a morbid thing to be interested in, but my interest lies in the social class and structure of the time. A time in history that is tragic as people of all classes are persecuted, depending on who is in power. But it is the human resilience and inventiveness of trying to stay alive rather than bowing down to an authority that would rather you were dead than alive. The Author has done an amazing job of mixing fact with fiction to give a glimpse into Russian life at the time.

The story between the two times was one that had me hooked. I found the characters were very easy to follow and recognisable. The alternating timelines were again very easy to keep up with. I found a story that was heartbreaking and also hopeful, heartbreaking because of what had happened, but hopeful towards a better future. It had a dramatic and at times tense atmosphere to the reading, I found myself constantly wondering and worrying about the fate of some of the characters. I was totally caught up and mesmerised by the whole story.

The story of Val is a gradual one, she slowly starts to unravel a decades-old mystery that has kept its grip on her father. Her story really did compliment that of Maria. I was unsure how they would link, but when I started to see little things coming together I was even more compelled to read. By the end of the story I was a bit of an emotional wreck, happy wreck I will add… enter the box of tissues…I found the concluding chapters brought everything together beautifully and completely, although I was gutted to have finished the story.

This was an absolutely wonderful read, it has an amazing balance of human endurance to overcome heartwrenching odds. In case you have not guessed it yet, I absolutely adored this story and it is one I would Highly Recommend. Also left me wanting to read more by this author.

Before I start this review I have to say I absolutely adored this book and devoured every word scared that I might miss something!! How can I do this mesmerising book justice in my review?

This amazing journey starts in 1918 where the Romanov family are imprisoned. We meet Marie a chatterbox who makes friends with the guards. Sadly the family life’s lives are doomed.

In the 1970’s Val is planning to leave her abusive husband and start a new life with her daughter Nicole. She gets a call from the care home who is looking after her father , he has been ranting he didn’t mean to kill her and Val thinks he is talking about her mother who left them when she was a child.

This amazing book takes us on a remarkable journey where you are so engulfed in the story time will stand still. I loved the character Maria and her fight for herself and her family and how the two timelines connect at the end.

A must read book. Gill Paul you captured my heart and I will definitely be reading you’re other books.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I am in complete awe of the way the author takes a well known piece of history, researches and presents it with meticulous detail, mixes in a few “what ifs”, and builds an enthralling story that entirely captures your heart.

I’ve long had a personal fascination with the tragic story of the Romanovs, and the early part of this book takes you behind the scenes, into the heart of the family and their entourage, as the moment we all dread and know is coming inexorably approaches. The book’s focus is on Maria, the middle child, the warmth of her personality drawing your eye from outset, while the author paints a vivid picture of the family’s life in confinement. What follows is a flight of the most extraordinary imagination, grounded in a period of history so vividly described that the reader can’t help living through and feeling every moment.

The author’s descriptions of the reality and human impact of the siege of Leningrad broke my heart, but the book is full of events from Russian political and social history that would satisfy the most exacting historian. It’s also an exceptional love story, so powerful that you feel it as strongly as its wonderfully drawn characters – and a gripping and powerful account filled with strength, a passion for survival, endurance, and hope. I mentioned when reviewing The Secret Wife that my perfect read needs to have characters I can believe in, whose emotions make me ache as they do, whose anguish and sadness moves me tears – and this book is, by my standards, thoroughly perfect.

I very briefly worried about the modern thread, as the story moved to Australia in the 70s – but Gill Paul is a consummate story teller, and seamlessly weaves and blends the two stories and timelines together. I very quickly became equally engrossed in the story of Val, her Russian emigre father and Chinese mother, her abusive marriage, and the central mystery – full of small and significant secrets and discoveries – that gently pulls the book’s two threads together.

The book’s construction is incredibly clever, its narrative inspired, the writing fluid and engaging, and the whole book one that I struggled to set aside or to get out of my thoughts when I wasn’t reading. It moved me deeply, engaged my every emotion, and made the everyday world disappear – you really can’t ask more than that, can you? One of my books of the year.

The Lost Daughter is another superb book from Gill Paul. I’m a huge fan of Russian history and the fate of the Romanov family has always intrigued me.

The story is told in two parts. One follows Maria and her experiences in Russia and the other follows Val as she tries to solve the mystery her father left behind.

My favourite character was Maria as I really admired her bravery and determination particularly when in such a hopeless situation. She never gives up always believing that there is a way out and things will get better. Her immaturity at the beginning, particularly involving the opposite sex was very touching to read about, even when it gets her into some difficult situations. It was very interesting, and brave, of the author to suggest Maria as the daughter who survives rather than the popular presumption of Anastasia. I felt that added an unusual angle to the story and made it more intriguing.

The author has obviously done her research and I felt I could really picture the Romanov family’s last days. I felt huge sympathy with the characters and the situation they find themselves in. The reader is made aware early on in the book about what is going to happen to the family so I was on tenderhooks from the start waiting for things to turn. The fear and tension felt by those involved were almost palpable and I found myself holding my breath at times.

This was a fast paced, hugely addictive book which was very hard to put down. There was always lots of action happening and things being discovered that makes you want to keep reading to find out more about. I did find some of the scenes with Val quite hard to read, particularly when they were describing her experience with her violent husband. I especially liked how the author has cleverly included actual historic events into the story. I always enjoy being able to look these up and learn more.

This is the third book by the author that I have read and in my opinion it’s the best so far! If you haven’t read anything by this author yet I would recommend starting with this one.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for invitations me onto the blog tour and to Phoebe from Headline for my copy of the book.

OMG I have a NEW FAVOURITE AUTHOR!! Although I have read some of Gill Paul’s books before, it was some time ago. I’m a huge fan of stories about the Titanic and I first came across Gill when I read Titanic Love Stories which was about the 13 newlywed couples onboard the Titanic. It has pride of place on my bookshelf as I love it so much but I have to admit to not connecting the author to her recent works of fiction. Another book blogger who lives close to me is a massive fan and has told me many times to try her books but The Lost Daughter is actually the first one that I have read. But it certainly won’t be the last because as soon as I finished The Lost Daughter, I was straight onto Amazon and ordered paperback copies of Another Woman’s Husband and The Secret Wife. And I can’t wait to read them as The Lost Daughter has shot straight onto my list of favourite books of the year-I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT FROM START TO FINISH!

I found the concept of this novel fascinating as it combines a factual accounts of what happened to the Romanov family with a fictional account of “what if THIS happened?” and the result is a believable storyline that flows beautifully along two separate timelines. We follow Maria, who comes across as a strong and likeable young woman, as she first attracts plenty of attention from the guards who are keeping her and her family prisoner. Then we are introduced to Val as she goes to visit her dying father in his nursing home and his final words to her start her on a journey of discovery for herself and her daughter. I become completely engrossed in both timelines and desperate to uncover the secrets that connected them. The writing was so immersive that I became utterly involved in the story and everything around me just melted away as I became part of that narrative.

This is definitely one of the best books that I have read this year! I formed such an emotional attachment to Maria and wanted to know every little detail of the journey that she found herself on. Gill Paul pitches her story perfectly and gives her readers a vividly portrayed, sumptuous historical triumph. If you’ve never read this authors work before, make this your first-you won’t regret it!

Highly recommended by me!

Gill Paul is one of my favourite writers. Her books sweep you off your feet and transport you to a time in history you are glad you didn't have lived through.
This is the second book where the subject is one of the lost daughters of the Russian Royal Family who were executed in 1918. I have always been fascinated by the story that one of the daughters, Anastacia may have escaped, many women have claimed to be her , a film was made, but none have been proven.
In her last book, The Secret Wife, Gill Paul wrote about Titania and what if she had escaped, what happened to her?

In this book she explores the question what if Maria escaped? She was a very friendly girl especially with the guards and a few of them liked her very much.
These two books although fiction are not without the realms of possibility. As we know how difficult it was for the guards to think about killing the young woman and children they had grown fond of .
It is said that the remains of the bodies of the royal family were covered in acid so nothing was left. The only body identified was that of Tsar Nicholas 11.
I believe that if any of the family had survived they would have stayed in hiding as they would surely have been made to disappear if discovered by the authorities.


This story tugged at my heartstrings. I never realised how much the Russian people suffered during the rule of Stalin. Neighbours telling tales on each other and children being forced to spy on their parents. Countless arrests were made in the middle of the night and no one felt safe in bed.
The Second World War brought more hardship and thousands of people died. Maria had such a hard life especially after the privileged life she led before. I admired everything about her.
This part of the story was quite a tense and harrowing read. Danger was around every corner and people became insular as no one could be trusted.


The second part of the story is set in Australia in the 1970’s. Val’s boorish Russian father dies leaving behind stories untold, especially about what happened to Val’s Chinese mother all those years ago. Val has to handle her brutal husband first before she can get to her father's possessions. The law and her husband’s old friend’s network is against her but Val gets strength from her young daughter, friends and the thought of maybe finding her own mother again.

This book is just brilliant. It provoked every emotion in me and kept me glued until the end...and what an ending !
At the end of the book is a historical afterward by Gill Paul. I really appreciated this as I was uninterested in history at school probably down to the way it was taught. Gill makes it all so interesting. I know her stories are fiction built around true events but there's always a part of me that thinks….this just might be true!

I received an Arc of this story from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read a Gill Paul story prior to this one however I am now going to fix that as I loved this story and the clever way in which she told it weaving together historical fact with believable fiction.

For a long time I have been interested in the history of Russia and one of those interests is the Russian Royal family and the mystery surrounding their deaths which to this day I don’t believe all the facts are known.

Gill Paul transports us as readers firstly to 1918 Russia where the Royal family are under house arrest and trying to remain positive about their increasingly worsening situation. The main focus of her story is Maria - a naive but lovable character whose decisions and relationships will be responsible ultimately for her future fate.

The story also takes us to 1970s Australia where we are introduced to Val who has fled the controlling and violent ways of her father to marry a man of similar ilk. Vals daughter gives her life meaning and is the catalyst to allow her to want for a better life. When the nursing home her father is in contacts her following his confession that ‘he didn’t want to kill her’ Val is led on a path of uncovering many secrets that were buried deep.

Gill Paul weaves the stories of these two women seamlessly and flawlessly links them together. This story is a ‘what if’ story of hope, family, emotion and despair and had me gripped from the beginning with the character development and well researched and descriptive plot. A great read!

#TheLostDaughter #NetGalley

The Lost Daughter is the second book based on the Romanov family from historical fiction author Gill Paul and this time our attention turns to a different daughter of a famous family that for all the wrong reasons have left a huge mark in history. Previously we followed the fortunes of Tatiana but now it's Maria's turn to step into the spotlight as the author weaves a wonderful story as to what could have happened to Maria had she survived that horrific event that saw an entire family wiped out. Admittedly I did have a small amount of trepidation when beginning this book as I feared it may have been too similar to The Secret Wife in terms of the plot and I questioned what could the author have added that had not already been mentioned in the previous book.

Boy was I proven wrong, as within a couple of chapters I was sucked right into the story that took me on a roller-coaster ride through the history of Russia beginning in the summer of 1918 and taking me right up to the 1970's and on into the present day. This story was packed full of tension, horror, loss, heartache, death, destruction, romance, friendship and love. It really did deliver on all fronts and it certainly was an eye opener in terms of some of the events that unfolded. You needn't have read The Secret Wife to enjoy this brilliant story but trust me once you finish this exceptional read you will want to get your hands on Tatiana's story as soon as possible.

Gill Paul has clearly been struck by the tragic story of the Romanov’s and how the course of history may have been altered had they not been so cruelly executed in the manner in which they were at Ekaterinburg in July 1918. Gill's passion for her subject matter shines through from every page and the research undertaken must have been extensive and intensive given so much rich detail is apparent throughout every chapter. The book could have been in danger of straying into reading like a history textbook but instead alongside the necessary historical detail regarding wars and the political situation, the human aspect of the story was brilliantly interwoven and it all made for a riveting read. One which was packed full of twists, turns and of course surprises and reveals arise when you least expect them to, leaving the reader astounded and amazed yet at several points deeply heartbroken.

This is simply because you become so invested in the characters and given so much is being thrown at them one wonders can a positive outcome ever make itself known? Another aspect of the novel which I loved was that this was a dual timeline story and this is my absolutely favourite kind of historical read. We moved back and forth between Maria's story and that of Val in Sydney in 1973. I slightly preferred Maria's story simply because so much was going on in the world at the time and I was just completely hooked by everything she was experiencing. But Val's story was crucial to the overall plot and I really enjoyed how the story lines began to interconnect and make sense the further I read. It was very cleverly written by the author and to keep all the threads and sub plots going without confusion arising or even giving too much away which would have ruined the dramatic conclusion was a feat in itself.

The story begins as Maria in all her innocence has been transported to the small town of Ekaterinburg alongside her mother and father while the remaining sisters and their younger brother remain at Tobolsk until Alexei is well enough to travel on. The Romanov family have been imprisoned, their countrymen are revolting and a royal family is not what is wanted. Maria feels out of place in the family, that she is the least favourite, the least attractive and the sister to receive the least amount of attention and affection from her parents. She has a keen eye for photography but feels constrained by the rules imposed by their imprisonment. To ease the boredom she engages with several of the guards and strikes up a friendship with some. Although an unnecessary, forceful event leads to an altering of her state of mind.

The family firmly believed that Ekaterinburg was merely a stopping place before being sent into exile or that a member of their family in Britain may rescue them. That was not to be and in dramatic, horrific scenes the unthinkable happens and the family are wiped out. Through sheer chance Maria is wounded but not fatally. She awakens to a brutal scene before her eyes in some forestry and sees one of the guards she has made friends with - Peter Vasnetov. Peter rescues Maria and takes her away deep into the forest. So begins a unique relationship that will only deepen the further they venture into spinning a web of secrets that must be kept hidden at any cost. For the truth to emerge that one of the Romanov princess's survived would be disastrous. Maria has narrowly escaped death once at the cost of losing her family bar Tatiana she does not wish to venture down that road quite so soon again.

The relationship and subsequent story that developed between Maria and Peter was fascinating and it occurred at a real turning point in history. It didn't feel out of the realms of possibility and this reader would have liked to believe that something like this could have occurred. I was delighted to see such breath and depth to the story and that the timespan was so far reaching. That the author really took us on a journey and we were allowed to witness the transformation Maria undergoes. From a life of riches and ease as the daughter of a royal family to someone who is just another member of Russian society battling through the hardships inflicted by the powers that be in the hopes of making Russia the greatest and most productive nation. Far from feeling like the odd one out, Maria establishes herself as a woman of great strength, courage and tenacity. The deep love between herself and Peter keeps them united through the innumerable bad times which seem to far outweigh the good especially as we reach World War Two.

The chapters set during this time period were incredibly evocative and powerful. I could visualise the deprivation, hardship, sorrow and tragedy that ensues for Maria, her family and so many innocent others. At times this was a difficult read given what the characters were enduring and at once stage there was just such injustice and it didn't seem fair at what befell a character that had come to mean so much. But through everything Maria garners her strength and never stops believing that good can overcome evil, that justice can prevail and that love can win out. She is a changed person from the young girl we first meet because life has thrown so many obstacles and ordeals in her way but it is the manner in which she overcomes these and learns time and time again to adapt is what makes me admire her so much. Gill Paul has given Maria Romanov a tremendous voice in this story and she has shone from every page.

As for the story with Val, as I have previously stated although not my favourite of the two it still did hold my attention. Val and Maria both demonstrate similar personality traits and it was enjoyable seeing these comparisons emerge between the pair. Val in the beginning is meek and sub servant in her marriage to Tony. Tony is the complete opposite to Peter in that he is a brute who rules the roost with an iron fist. He loves exerting his authority and controlling every aspect of Val's life. Even more so when the father she has lost contact with dies and Val is left a house and some money. But the straw that breaks the camel's back is when daughter Nicole becomes the focus of his tensions and anger explosions. Val was a character who needed to grow a backbone and find the courage to leave the situation she was in. If she could not do this than a life of danger and terror would be hers forever.

As she clears her fathers house of its belongings she starts to realise he was not the man she believed him to be and maybe the ramblings of an old man in his last days in a nursing home may actually make some sense and have an element of truth in them. Strange connections with the past begin to appear and Val questions everything she has ever known especially when it comes to what she has been told about her Chinese mother. It was brilliant to see Val emerging from a cocoon of fear and terror. She started to think for herself, to strike out on her own and to bring a resolution to what has been niggling away in the back of her mind ever since she heard the mutterings of her father. Extraordinary events begin to unfold and a real sense of mystery began to emerge and of the past resonating in the present. As if everything was aligning in one big over arching story, the ending the reader could only simply guess at but in the process of doing so my enjoyment of this incredible story only grew stronger.

It was only as I regretfully neared the end of The Lost Daughter did I fully understand how clever Gill Paul had been in dropping the most subtle of hints every now and again. It made me realise what planning must have gone into this story once the research had been concluded and the writing itself began. I found myself engaged in the lives of Maria and to a slighter less extent that of Val from beginning to end. By the last paragraph I was sad to say good bye to these characters but can safely say I was deeply satisfied with the ending.

The Lost Daughter is an unmissable read that you will wish could continue on and on as the chapters simply fly by and you feel as if you have only begun the book and then it has ended. You lose time while reading this excellent read as you are transported back in time to witness a remarkable story that as I have said you wish had some elements of truth in it as to the eventual outcome. This is definitely an impressive read and a worthy companion to The Secret Wife and one of my reading highlights of the year.

Gosh, I don’t think I can put into words how much I loved The Lost Daughter. As soon as I finished the final page, I wanted to talk to someone about it, say “Oh my god, this novel, you have to read this now!”. Then I sat down to write my review, and poof, all my words were gone. I couldn’t seem to get past “amazing”, “awesome”, “brilliant” … which are all true but I’m guessing a review should have a few more words, right?

There are a few authors for whom I’d happily drop whatever it is I’m doing or reading and Gill Paul is, without a doubt, one of them. I knew that from the second I discovered her work. Picking up one of her novels always fills me with joy and excitement because I know she will take me on the most delightful journey. High anticipations, you ask? Check! But all of them were met and then some.

In The Secret Wife, Gill Paul already introduced us to the Romanov family and their dramatic circumstances. That story was centred around Tatiana Romanova and if you haven’t yet read it, you most definitely should as it is a brilliant novel. This time around, in The Lost Daughter, the focus is on the middle child of the family, Maria. And it’s an even more brilliant novel! Yes, that’s right, I said it. And used the “brilliant” word again. I must add that I loved how Gill Paul tied these two novels together with little references to Tatiana’s story.

We meet Maria in 1918, a most turbulent time in Russia. There’s been a revolution and people have turned on the royal family. Tsar Nicholas, his wife and children are prisoners of the new regime. Their circumstances are very different from what they’re used to. Maria is nineteen years old and a lovely, bubbly chatterbox who seems to be able to make friends with just about anyone. I warmed to her from the start as she’s a truly likeable character. But what will become of her?

The other thread of The Lost Daughter has us traveling all the way to Australia, where we meet Val. When she gets a phone call from the nursing home where her father is a resident, she decides to visit him although it’s been years since they last talked. But his words “I didn’t want to kill her” leave Val with a mystery to solve and set in motion a lot of changes in her life. Who was her father really? What secrets was he hiding?

From the first page, I found myself transported into the lives of Maria and Val, both extremely realistic and believable characters. I couldn’t quite see how the two threads of the story would come together but the road to get there was just marvellous.

This exquisitely written novel had me utterly engrossed and throughout the story, I often found myself with a lump in my throat. The Lost Daughter is a story across the ages and country borders about love, family, war, loss, survival and hope. But also about the strength of women, in sometimes horrifying circumstances. It is immensely absorbing, moving and powerful and I couldn’t tear myself away. When I flipped the final page, there was a happy sigh, a “wow” and then a little bit of sadness that I had come to the end.

I can’t even begin to imagine the painstaking amount of research Gill Paul must have gone through to come up with this incredibly captivating tale. If you are a fan of this genre, I can honestly not recommend her books enough. This is undoubtedly historical fiction from the top shelf and whenever Gill Paul publishes her next novel, I will be first in line!

I was delighted to be approved and advance ARC of this novel, and it skipped the rest of the TBR pile.

This book follows much like the Secret Wife with the dual time line in 1970s Sydney and Post-Revolutionary Russia. The time line for Russia itself is from just after the February Revolution right up to 2007, which covers Lenin, Stalin, WW2, Breshnev and then current day Russia, which is a feat of research in itself.

The attention to detail though with the home-made remedies, the clothes, the shoes, the purges. I could go on but I would say if anything rings a bell with you, or interests you about the Russian Revolution then please do pick this up.

Grand Duchess Maria Romanov has survived the assassination attempt, and is rescued by one of the soldiers. The novel charts both of their survival and is intertwined with facts. I didn’t know some of the guards in Ekaterinburg were imprisoned for becoming too friendly with the Grand Duchesses.

Maria’s story brings alive the horror of the executions, but also the dream of what if one of the Grand Duchesses did survive.

Definitely recommend and now have Gill Pauls books other novels in my TBR pile.