Quite probably my favourite book of 2021, Devorgilla Days soothed my soul, raised my spirits and inspired me to make room for the magic.

A memoir of healing and hope, written with true grit, with heart and with warmth.

The author endured what can only be described as hell. Cancer, mastectomy, post-op infections, pneumonia and back surgery (plus more infections). Life literally could not carry on as before.

So, a move to Scotland. To a cottage named Devorgilla, derelict and in desperate need of tlc. Immediately embraced by the local community, Kathleen immerses herself in gentle pursuits. And in contrast, swims as often as weather permits in the sea. The place that soothes pain and lifts spirits. Here she pares life back to its simplest and finds a new way to be.

My favourite quote is towards the end of this beautiful memoir and is simply this:

'The pair of us together, once neglected and derelict, now revived and restored. We rescued each other'.

Very entertaining read and once started you just have to keep going. Well written, with good characters, I did sort of guess where it was going but there were quite a few false trails and lots of twists so I certainly didn’t guess all of the ending.

This is a truly amazing story of courage and fortitude. Diagnosed with breast cancer, suffering chronic pain and the cruellest neurological condition, our heroine decides to up and live in a remote part of Scotland.
It comes across really well, how a diagnosis of cancer dramatically changes how the sufferer looks at life and how what’s important changes.

There were parts of the book that made me chuckle. Not least the idea that people could leave their car engines running, just in case someone needed to move the car! What a wonderful way to be able to live. I was then transported back to the late 70s by the mention of Merlin Carothers, whose books I devoured at that time and here they were, being mentioned in this lovely story.

I have developed a great deal of admiration for this lady and strongly suggest you read this book to give you some idea of what people have to live and get on with. The Posh Pedlar has acquired another follower. You’ll definitely need to read it to understand that last sentence.

Reading this has infused me with tenderness and awe and longing for travelling and exploring remote corners of Britain. I might have Googled "cottages for sale in Scotland". If I end up moving to the middle of nowhere is going to be your fault, Ms Hart! Just saying!!

Kathleen Hart has written an ode to Wigtown, an ode to Dumfries and Galloway region, an ode to Scotland and its people. This small community really comes to life as a vibrant and full of life group of people. Wigtown seems to have so much to offer, and by that I don't mean only the famed hospitality of the Scottish people, but rather a good palette of events and groups and courses and gorgeous views and even silence to lick your wound in peace! Devorgilla Days is also an ode to "not giving up". Ms Hart's story is so powerful despite being told in such a calm, understated way, that whomever will read this pages is going to be convinced that no matter what, there's always light at the end of any dark tunnel.

A story of hope and embracing life. Following a long and difficult illness Kathleen starts a new life in Scotland. New friends, exciting chances and life in a new community await her. Thoroughly charming.

This was such a heartwarming read, it was so beautifully written. The author goes into detail about her harrowing ordeal with her poor health and subsequent treatment, before moving to Scotland on a whim. It completely tugged at my heart strings and was a huge reminder of the importance of hope.

“There are no rules. It is never too late.”

Kathleen Hart moves to Wigtown, Scotland after a series of serious health battles. Here, she finally has time to recover and to consider what she wants her future to look like. This is a story about a woman who “Marie Kondo’d” her life and has regained a new focus on what’s important to her: nature, community and healing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was very eager to learn more about Kathleen’s story. Although she had to face incredible health challenges, she did not become pessimistic but is instead trying to get back to enjoying life. While this may sound dark, I actually thought the book was full of hope. I really enjoyed the descriptions of nature and Scotland and in my opinion she managed to capture the spirit of the place. I was also impressed by the number of community clubs that she partakes in! This is an inspiring story about finding the light at the end of the tunnel. I just wish I was on a flight to Scotland now…

I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in Scotland, healing, and the power of taking charge of your own life.

“Devorgilla Days” is an autobiographical work telling the experiences of the author following long term and quite frankly harrowing medical experiences. She buys a small property in Scotland and we learn about her and the people she meets as she tries to rebuild herself physically and mentally.

I understand this book was inspired by the author’s Instagram account which I am not familiar with but I can certainly feel that sense of receiving snippets of information rather than a clear and detailed narrative. This is not a criticism. I think it works very well as it feels like a realistic telling of the story. After all, we don’t always remember our own lives in chronological order!

Hart doesn’t shy away from the details of her medical experiences which is to be commended. But her descriptions of the countryside, the characters she meets and, particularly, her swims are almost as powerful and I’m now keen to travel to that part of the world - however much she may want to keep it a secret - I fear the publication of the book will result in an increase in tourists to the area!!

Overall, this is a lovely telling of a very personal story which I am sure many will find inspiring, however much the author doesn’t feel inspirational!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I'm so picky when it comes to books that fall under the nebulous category of 'women's fiction', but this was absolutely delightful. Makes me want to go to Scotland, but only if I can find the exact setting from this book (or hot men in kilts, i'd take either). A very charming, uplifting read.

What a beautiful read, and I am sure a lot of people will be able to relate to it. I really enjoyed the scenery and location of the book, the descriptions painted the most beautiful picture of life in Devorgilla. I also found it interesting how aspects of the main character’s back story were drip-fed, so as a reader I felt like I was learning more and more about her as the story went on.

I don't often read non fiction but this book caught my eye because I am familiar with the area where it is set.

This is an interesting book that reads like a journal at times about a cancer survivors change of lifestyle after a move to the small town of Wigtown in Scotland where she is welcomed into the local community with open arms.

It is a heartwarming and uplifting story of courage, surviving, friendships and hope.

I am glad I took the plunge even though I felt a shiver coming on every time the author swam in the sea and totally recommend it.

My thanks to #Netgalley and #JohnMurryPress for the opportunity to review this ARC.
This book is so beautifully written I enjoyed every page. The descriptive narrative is a joy and I now have Wigtown and lifestyle envy.
I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone who they are at rock bottom because this book oozes hope and resilience with every page. So disappointed when I reached the last page.

A beautifully written book, telling a very honest and emotional story. I loved the escapism of the move to Scotland, and reading all about the different villages/towns. I would love more than anything to be able to pack up and start a new solo adventure, so I found this totally relatable and was lost in the story. I found the changes in the time lines a little confusing throughout, unless this was to do with the formatting? I found in certain places I was unsure if it was still telling the story in the present time or if it had gone into the past and a retelling. I thought that the settings and scenery were described beautifully and could picture yourself there. Would definitely join for a swim! A huge thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

This book is just what we need during these times ! It's a beautifully written biography of the author's move to a cottage in the Scottish town of Wigtown. It is such a heartwarming book , deeply inspiring and filled with hope and a sense of community. Highly recommended

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

What a very special book that was uplifting and heartwarming. Kathleen's story and her rediscovery of herself gives hope to all, especially when its needed.

This is a surprisingly compelling book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Following serious illnesses involving severe pain, hospitalisations and brushes with death, Kathleen Hart decides to relocate to the Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway, a quiet town known for its book shops and book festival. Seeking a calmer life to support her recovery, she takes on the renovation of a cottage, goes wild swimming in the sea, joins in with community life and takes up new hobbies, such as knitting and beekeeping. The book is uplifting, inspirational and engaging and there is no better advert for a simpler, calmer life than this.

After spending many years either in hospital or recovering from surgery, she decides to move to Wigtown in Scotland, where she buys a cottage that needs renovating. Wigtown is a small town boasting several book shops.
Here she goes wild swimming in the sea and joins lots of different clubs, becoming an established part of the local community. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Devorgilla Days by Kathleen Hart is an excellent book that is part memoir, part naturalist essays, part journal that I can say will confidently be one of the best books that I have ever read. Honestly.

This is the story of one woman, Kathleen, that moves to a small village in western Scotland in the quest of healing, happiness, and as a way to conquer the years of medical diagnoses and physical obstacles that she has tackled with fortitude and determination. This is a story of being able to settle with what is beyond our control, the process of healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and finding that ray of light that finally peaks through the overcast. This is one woman's story of a chance at life.

I have to say, I had not heard of @poshpedlar before reading this book, but I have to say I am now following, and now a fan. Ms. Hart has went through more medical concerns and complications, not even counting the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, then most people I have known. My heart went out to her on her reflections of all of the problems that ensued from the fallout that presented itself after her initial diagnosis and surgery. I am beyond impressed with her right off just from that. But her bravery to exit her comfort zone, move from western England and to a small village in Scotland into a true fixer-upper cottage where she knows no one or anything, was heroic. Her ability to create a life for herself, well-deserved, working through her traumas, her past, and finding herself, her ability to find happiness, and to find a future was just inspiring. And her ability to write all of this down in a series of entries, reflections, and essays, all the while having the talent to figuratively take the reader there with her was just stunning.

I loved every moment of her (hopeful) daily swims, her descriptions of the village, the landscapes, nature, her feelings, her hopes, dreams, fears...I loved it all. It was presently so perfectly, flaws and all. It is truly touching, memorable, and I am honored to be able to read her story and her life, and I can only hope that I can look onward in regards to my life with that mentality, drive, determination, and heart. I have already started following her on Instagram and have pre-ordered her book, which says it all.

This book is just stunning. Do yourself a favor and read this. It will change your life. I feel as if it has changed mine.

5/5 stars enthusiastically.

Thank you NG and Two Roads/John Murray Press for this stunning arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/27/21.

I loved this book. Kathleen Hart has been through some terrible health problems and moves to a remote cottage in Scotland to recover and to some extent rediscover herself. An absolutely heartwarming story.

A memoir of recovery and significant life changes as Kathleen moves to Scotland to make a new life. Enjoyable read and an appreciation of how cold water swimming was so significant to the journey