I could not put this book down!
The Skylark’s Secret is a duel timeline novel. Told from the view of a mother during WWII and then her daughter in the 1970’s. Sometimes duel timelines can be hard to follow, but I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author intertwined both stories.
A beautifully written story about the sacrifices mothers will make for their children. A heartwarming tale of love, loss, courage and bravery.
The setting is set in a crofting village called Loch Eowe in Scotland. During the war, it was the base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction that takes place during World War II, you will love The Skylark’s Secret. Fiona Valpy immerses you into the story, you feel like you are right there with them.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author, Fiona Valpy, for the arc of The Skylark’s Secret in return for my honest review. I truly enjoyed this book very much!

This was a beautiful story and the author’s writing captured me from the first page. The story is told from two points of view. Lexie and her mother Flora. The story moves back and forth through time as we uncover the story behind Lexie’s birth and the relationship between her mother Flora and the man she loved Alex.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction that takes place during World War II you’ll love this and the settings from Scotland are superbly done bringing this fictional town and all its inhabitants to life.

This is a wonderfully written tale set in Loch Ewe, with a dual timeframe centred around the lives of Flora during WW2 and her daughter, Lexie during the late 1970s. Following the death of her mother and an illness that sees an end to her singing carrer, Lexie returns home from London to Aultbea – a remote village in Wester Ross. Here she begins to slowly learn more of her mothers life and the role she played when the area becomes a naval base for the Home Fleet. Like many during the war, Flora and the villagers suffered hardships and heart break and here we see a glimpse of how this shaped and changed many people, and how the impacts of war also impacted the generations to come. We also see new relationships develop as hundreds naval servicemen, as well as evacuees, arrive in the village. There are also new relationships, and old ones reconnected, for Flora and it is through these connections that she learns more about her parents, their relationship and secrets long buried begin to unfurl.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the descriptions of the countryside were so accurate and intense that I could almost feel myself standing in the heather with the sea air blowing in my face. The inclusion of extracts from traditional Scottish folk songs was a lovely reminder to me, as a Scot who grew up with these songs, of the importance of these in telling the story of our homeland and its people. Overall, a very well written book, interesting storyline and enough intrigue to keep the reader gripped throughout. Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley UK for the free review copy in return for an honest review.

This story left me in awe. So many different pieces were woven together to make this emotional story of love, sacrifice, and strength. The writing was so detailed it made you feel as if you were right there alongside the characters. I loved every minute of this story. I think I was more sad when it ended then I was throughout the story because I loved the characters so much.

I am a fan of historical fiction, especially when it is woven into a story of family history.. Since I read and enjoyed Fiona Valpy’s Sea of Memories, I looked forward to reading her latest book, The Skylark’s Secret. After modern-day Lexie’s mother died and her own career in London’s musical theater came to a screeching halt due to an unfortunate event with her vocal cords, she decides to return (with her small daughter) to the little seaside town of Loch Ewe in the Scottish highlands to stay in the cottage where she grew up and where her mother lived before her. She has questions about her father, whom she never knew and about whom her mother would not talk. The story goes back and forth from present to around 1940 where we encounter Lexie’s mother, Flora, along with her father, brother, and friends in the village that is involved with the harboring of the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys during World War II. As would be expected, the close-knit community reels with the angst of sending their young men off to war and failing to see many of them return. We learn that Flora is the daughter of a games keeper and is in love with the laird’s son. The relationship is frowned upon by the laird and, in fact, is expressly forbidden. All of this is a fine premise of a story, but unfortunately, for me, everything gets bogged down in the narrative as it slowly takes place. We expect families to worry, young men to die, and Flora and her young man to struggle facing his father’s judgment. I found most of the book a slog to get through and really never felt engaged in the story, It was, frankly, very boring and tedious for me. Of course at the end of the book secrets were revealed, as one would expect from the title, and I found this part of the book more interesting and engaging. It just took too long to get there. I did enjoy reading of the transformation of Lexie herself and felt satisfied with the way things turned out for her. All and all. I was rather glad when the book ended, and I probably would not recommend it to my friends.

Tragic, traumatic and heart-warming by turns, a story of courage and fulfilment in difficult times. The dual timeline of this engaging novel features Flora in the 1940s and her daughter Lexie in the 1970s, both in the Scottish Highlands. Professional singer Lexie has returned to her ancestral home with her toddler Daisy, having been deserted by her director boyfriend when she became pregnant with their child. On her mother's recent death, she has inherited the cottage where she grew up. Her mother had also been a single parent, but highland communities take care of their own. A moving tale of love, loss, bravery and happiness against the odds.

This was an amazing story! Told in 2 storylines that was just so good! I fell in love with these warm characters! Historical fiction at its best! Highly recommend

A beautifully written story which is told over 2 time frames. This was a really interesting story about World War 2 in a beautiful and wonderful part of Scotland.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I liked this story, but I wasn't gripped by it. I think I have been more immersed in other Valpy novels than I was with this one. It's a good read though. I think possibly that the problem (at least for me) was the dual timeline. I particularly enjoyed reading about Fiona's life during World War Two, and I enjoyed Lexie's story too in the late 70s, except I didn't feel I got to know Lexie all that well. I think a little more time should have been spent on her part of the story. But otherwise, the historical detail, the sense of place (which Valpy does so well), was superb. The characters were all well-written too. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Amazon Publishing and Fiona Valpy for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. I'm a massive historical fiction fan and having loved Fiona's The Dressmaker's Gift, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read this book. The book drew me in from the start and I loved how the different strands of the book were interwoven into one story of love and sacrifice. Simply stunning writing, well researched, would definitely recommend.

Another great piece of writing by Fiona. I love how she mixes historical facts with fiction.
This story flits from 1942 to 1973. Lexie moves back to her childhood home in Scotland with her daughter Daisy. Her mum Flora has recently died and Lexie needs to know her own history.
With the help of her mum's childhood friends they help to piece together her story.
A story of wartime sadness, social casting and life in rural Scotland. Love and death paved the way for their small community.
A great easy read.

Beautifully written across several timeframes. I didn't want the book to end but at the same time I wanted to unwrap each new secret as quickly as possible. Great character development as well: it made me feel like I really got to know each of the characters as secrets were shared. Highly recommended.

This is the second book by Fiona Valpy that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It flips between the war years and the late 1970s, telling the story of young Flora and Lexie, her daughter. It does this very skilfully, on the way explaining how both Flora and Lexie became single mums. I love how Fiona Valpy gives such beautiful descriptions of the setting in Highland Scotland and the attention to detail throughout is excellent. This story not only tackles how it feels to be a single mother, it also looks at social class differences, friendship, family, how women were integral to the war effort and looks closely at life in a small community. It is an engaging read and I am grateful to Netgalley for being able to read and review this lovely book.

This story had me entranced from the first to very last page. A story of joy and laughter , sorrow and loss. A story of courage written with such empathy, I was often reduced to tears. The storyline is excellent, the writing descriptively superb and the attention to detail and extensive research add up to making this book a bestseller. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and TBC for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book (thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Fiona Valpy) and have just finished reading it. I was absolutely gripped by the story from start to finish. It had me looking up Loch Ewe to see if it was a real place; I had no idea of the role it played during WW2. I am a sucker for a dual timeline story but usually those have no
character crossover, and I loved that aspect of characters appearing in both periods in this story, it really added to the connection. I have previously read the beekeepers promise by the same author, which I enjoyed but it did not have me as gripped as this story. I now want to head off for the Scottish Highlands (and read more of Fiona's work)! #NetGalley #TheSkylarksSecret

A story of love, sacrifice, secrets, WW II, self discovery set in beautiful Scotland. I particularly enjoyed reading about Loch Ewe, the Scottish countryside, the local food, and I had no idea during WW II Scottish children from the cities were evacuated to the countryside. I have read all of Fiona Valpy’s books and The Skylark’s Secret is now added to that list. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Skylark's Secret, set in Scotland, is book with a duel timeline. The first follows Flora's life during WW2 and the second is her daughter Lexie in the 70's. Lexie returns from London after she is unable to sing on the west end after falling pregnant and straining her voice. Lexie moves into her late mothers Cottage and finds it hard to adjust to the village life.

I really loved the way this book was written, I loved reading about both characters lives and how different they were. I'm not usually a huge fan of split stories but i felt this one was written so well, the two stories intertwined seamlessly and came together at the end to reveal a lifelong secret.

This book is quite a tragic tale of love and loss, yet it is also such a beautiful story about family, friends and community.
I would definitely recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It is set in Scotland at Loch Ewe. It tells the story of Flora, who served in the WRENS during the war and of her daughter Lexie in the 1970s. There is a lot of historical fact woven into the story. I previously knew very little about the Arctic Convoys, so I learnt about that era, almost without realising I was learning. We also learn about life during the War at Loch Ewe; about the children sent there for safety, leaving behind all they knew, about fishing, hunting, Gaelic music, friendships and the emotional toll on everyone, especially those on board the Arctic Convoys.. however the story is by no means gloomy. There is love and romance, as well as descriptions of beautiful scenery. There was also a surprising twist near the end, which I didn’t see coming.
I had never read any of Fiona Valpy’s books, I would strongly recommend this book. I will now look forward to reading her other books.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Fiona Valpy and Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC of this enjoyable book.

I enjoyed the WWII storyline set in a unique area. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love books that offer more than one thing. This book offered a great story (actually two when I think of it), historical information and descriptions of Scottland I loved. Let's start with the story. I really liked the both main characters, Lexie and her Mum Flora. They have no easy lives, but their beliefs and strengths are obvious. I love their connection to music that is well shown through out the book and that connects not only them, but also each of them and their homeland. What I liked most about the story was that it was not an obvious and normal love story even though love plays a big role here. I'll continue with the historical background. This book brought so much new information about the WWII, I didn't expect to recieve and it inspired me to some internet research which broadened my view of this period. And that is a great achievement for a novel, I think. In addition to that I don't feel that this information was artificially included in the book. Just the opposite, you get so much information by just reading a great story and you don't even notice that it is included. Thanks to the author for that! And the last point: This book allowed me to travel to places I would like to visit and I am very happy that it was possible.
I recommend this book strongly.