The Metal Heart is poignant and beautifully crafted. Set on a remote island off the coast of Scotland during World War II, the novel follows the lives of two very different women brought together by circumstance: Valerie, a young woman with a troubled past, and Claire, a dedicated nurse with a secret of her own.

Lea's prose is exquisite, transporting readers to the rugged and windswept landscape of the Scottish island with vivid descriptions and evocative imagery. Against this atmospheric backdrop, the author skillfully weaves together the intertwining stories of Valerie and Claire, exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship.

Lea's characters are richly drawn and multifaceted, making them very believable.
I found this book very moving and I was quickly captivated by the story.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

This book is set in Orkney.
From the very first page I was invested in the story
The writing is so beautiful
Another great book by this author

The Metal Heart is an emotionally moving tale that captures the raw beauty of wartime through the lens of a star-crossed love story.

The author, Caroline Lea, paints a vivid picture of Orkney during the second world war and skilfully draws the reader into the lives of twin sisters Dorothy and Constance as they experience their individual battles with their rival claims of duty and desire. The juxtaposition of fear, guilt and redemption in Dorothy's feelings for Cesare, the prisoner-of-war she befriends, against the ever-increasing tensions between the islanders and the newcomers make for a heartbreaking, but also ultimately uplifting, read.

The Metal Heart will make your heart swell with both sorrow and hope as it explores how far humanity can go in the darkest of times and captures the lasting power of beauty, freedom and love. It is a captivating and unforgettable story that is sure to move readers to tears.

A novel based on true events set on wartime Orkney. I liked the story but the characters lacked emotion and written in black and white..an interesting glimpse into a period of history.

In 1940's Orkney the war is never far away & ships sinking are a regular occurrence. When it is decided to bring Italian Prisoners of War there to build barriers to stop enemy ships to slip in between the islands. On Seal Holm sisters Dot & Con live in their leaking bothy. Their parents are dead & Con is suffering from a terrible fear of others- particularly men. When going to ask the Major in charge of the camp if someone could repair their roof. Cesare, having been injured in the quarry comes to do it & their is an instant attraction between them. Cesare is an artist & along with some of the other prisoners ask permission to build a chapel & from two rusty huts a thing of beauty emerges amongst the brutality of war & the evil of one of the guards who will not leave the girls alone.

This was a book I picked up & put down quite a bit. Having seen the miracle of the Italian Chapel (& if you've not seen it- look it up!) I really enjoyed the story of it's building. The story of Con I found less engaging although I was rooting for Cesare & Dot. Overall it was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

As a Scottish person I'm perhaps overly picky about books set in Scotland and being half Italian too I am aware of the Italian PoW camps that were dotted around Scotland too so I was intrigued to see how this book would pan out however it just didn't work for me. I didn't connect with the characters and they didn't feel real to me taking into account the setting and the time period and some of the events of the novel just seemed farcical.

Review not posted anywhere else.

Unfortunately I have tried multiple times to complete this book but have just not been able to get into it. I dont think there is a particular reason, it's just not for me.

A captivating and heartfelt historical novel based on the building of the Italian chapel on Orkney. Dorothy and Constance are identical twins and after tragedy strikes they retreat from the world to a small island, looking for peace and sanctuary. This peace is all too short lived as hundreds of Italian prisoners of war are relocated to the island. Gradually though, the twins lives become entwined with that of the prisoners, especially Constance, who in befriending Cesare opens her world to new possibilities and love. Tragedy though has not finished with the twins and secrets become uncovered at a terrible price. This is an atmospheric and compelling novel, which absorbs the reader and leaves one rather heart sore and moved by the end (but also frantically googling the Italian Chapel and ferry times to Orkney). An assured and well written novel, and an author that will be added to me 'must read' list.

An interesting premise - based, I believe on actual historical facts - an atmospheric setting and good writing.

Dot (Dorothea) and her twin sister Con(Constance) live alone on a tiny Orkney island. Isolating themselves after their parents are presumed drowned. Instead they find their island invaded by Italian prisoners of war who are forced to build sea barriers to prevent German U-boats. On the day of his arrival Dot saves prisoner Cesare from drowning and so begins their gentle romance.

Based loosely on historical events this is a mix of war, romance and thriller. It's a slow paced read with a dramatic conclusion.

This is the story of 2 sisters who live on a farm holding on a remote Orkney Island - its set in 1942. A group of Italian prisoners are sent to the Island to build barriers to the islands. Their once quiet lives is completely taken over by all of these men on their Island. One of the prisoners Cesare starts a friendship with Dot. Con also has history with one of the guards - Angus. This is a beautiful atmospheric novel about sibling relationships, love and the lengths you would go to do something for someone. Its captivating.

The Metal Heart is a beautifully written , moving and atmospheric novel based on a historical event. I did find it a slow read that took me a while to engage with but if you enjoy this genre it's an interesting and insightful read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

The Metal Heart is set on the fictional Scottish island of Selkie Holm in 1942. Sisters Dot and Con live an isolated life away from society after a traumatic event left them feeling vulnerable. When prisoners of war are sent to live on the island Dot forms a bond with an Italian man called Cesare who uses his skills to build a chapel.
I have read other Caroline Lea novels and did find this one more of a struggle to get into. It is based on a real chapel that was built by POW’s but the factual accuracy doesn’t follow all the way through.

A powerful, emotional story about love and war, trauma, obsession and power, compassion and kindness.

The heart of the story is the bond between the two sisters, Dot and Con, living isolated in their remote refuge after an assault which has left Con fearful and distrustful. Interwoven with the complex sisterly bond is historical detail about the conditions for foreign POWs, a suspense-laden plotline about obsessive love, and a sweet romance that develops despite the adverse conditions.

There is a strong sense of time and place throughout – you can taste the sea salt and feel the wind’s chill through your bones as you read – and the ways the main characters face their challenges are a testament to the perseverance and endurance of the human spirit.

I was quite worried towards the end of the story, as in the build-up to the climax I wasn’t sure how the author was going to manage a happy-ish ending for the characters at all, and I was desperately rooting for it after everything they had been through. However, Caroline Lea skilfully navigates those dangerous waters to deliver an ending which, while not exactly happy, is certainly both narratively satisfying and satisfyingly unexpected.

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

What an amazing book really found it gripping and very interesting to read about the Italians in Orkney during the war.

The story centres round twins Dot & Con who live on a small island off Kirkwall. Con has suffered a traumatic experience and refuses to live in Kirkwall anymore. Dot is the stronger of the two.

The Italians come to live on the island to build the barrier to connect the island up to the other islands. I really enjoyed the bit about the Italians building the Italian chapel which is amazing to see.

The ending was very good as well.

An interesting second world war tale set in the Orkney islands. The metal heart is told from the point of view of abpair of twins Con and Dot alone in this world and with Con having what we would now recognise as PTSD? They move alone to a deserted island which is then identified as a place for a prisoner of war camp to hold Italians. Based on a true story with artistic licence we then see the war from a different point of view. Overtime we see the prisoner's as a truly diverse group of men who when treated well almost become part of the island's building their own chapel, finding friendship and love and when tragedy strikes showing that your enemy is not always who you expect.

Set in the Orkney Isles in the years of WW2 it tells of the hundreds of Italian Prisoners of War who were brought to the Island. Whilst working to build controversial sea defences the POW created the most remarkable Catholic Chapel from what they could scavenge from the island. It still stands today. A testament to their time on the Island.

Against this fascinating backdrop Caroline Lea has woven a story of love. Of trust, both misplaced and rewarded. Dorothy and Constance are twins; women who have lead their entire lives within this small island community. Orphaned and trying to come to terms with events in their past, the women, particularly Con are often remote from those around them. They volunteer to nurse the POWs and it is here that Dot meets and falls in love with Cesare, an Italian craftsman, struggling to cope with the ongoing reality of war.

The story is in essence simple, but the emotions, conflicts and tensions around it are not. They are beautifully complex and expertly drawn. The characters that tell this story are well rounded, motivated by genuine and complex emotion. Caroline Lea an author with an eye for detail; be it in the beauty of Cesare’s vision and craftsmanship or in the Orcadian landscape so vividly painted.

This is a story of strength, of survival in the toughest of times and carving out your own place in the world even when the world seems to be turning against you. It is an exploration of where truth is found and the strength it can take to live up to the expectations of truth, when those around you are taking a different path.

In the characters of Dot and Con the author has created two strong women. Flawed, at times desperate but ultimately strong. It is their story, vibrancy and integrity that brings this story to life, will stay in your mind and make you want to explore beyond these pages.

Visually stunning, atmospheric, and beautifully described. This moves between the POVs of different characters which gives a better an insight into the characters. An absolutely beautiful novel by Caroline Lea. Full of tense and anxiety ridden moments , ‘The Metal Heart’ had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Spellbinding and beautiful, this is highly recommended

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Really nice relaxing read, great for the summer holidays.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.