This is a story with a dual timeline, about Millie and Esther and their life. It deals with smuggling, which was a way of life for many, to supplement income and avoid high prices on certain goods. Millie is the modern heroine who buys what turns out to be the inn that Esther used for smuggling. The characters were well drawn I really enjoyed the novel and would recommend it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

A duel time story set around Christchurch harbour in Hampshire. Millie has just moved into a cottage at Mudeford which is at the mouth of Christchurch Harbour as she is waiting for her divorce to be finalised. The cottage needs to be renovated and when she uncovers a hidden cellar, her curiosity is roused about the history of the house.
Alongside this story we follow the events leading up to a big battle between smugglers and revenue men at Mudeford.
Having been to Mudeford, I think that Kathleen has captured the area well and I could visualise it well. The characters were well depicted too and I cared what happened to them.

My Thoughts:
We follow two women Esther and Millie which their stories are told over two timelines. In current time Millie while remodeling uncovers a hidden passage where she soon discovers it was used for smuggling she also learns about a lady named Esters where she learns her years old secrets. I enjoyed going back to 1784 with Millie and learning about Esther live as a smuggler and what she goes through.

#netgalley #thestormgirl This is written in two different timelines and sometimes that can make it confusing but this is so well written that it works and is an engaging, enjoyable story. I loved the characters and how they were written. 4/5 stars

I so enjoyed this book! Told in a very easy to follow dual timeline this story revolves around the Ship at Anchor pub in Mudeford in Dorset in 1784 and the present day. Esther Harris’s father owns the pub in 1784. Smuggling is rife during this time due to high excise duty and Esther is very involved. The pub has a secret tunnel behind the fireplace which leads to the reed marshes so a perfect hiding place for the contraband. In the present day recently divorced Millie has bought a rundown cottage to renovate. With the help of a local historian it’s confirmed to be the original Ship at Anchor pub. She hires local builder Nick Marshall and during the renovations the tunnel and other secrets are uncovered. The author perfectly captured each scene for me in both timelines. The gripping drama of smuggling in 1784 and the mystery and intrigue of the present day. I particularly enjoyed reading her notes at the end of the book which revealed that some of the characters really existed. Fascinating. My first Kathleen McGurl read but definitely not the last. My thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the opportunity to read and review this book and for introducing me to another author.

Dual timeline stories can be AMAZING...when they are done right...and such is the case here. Our introduction to Millie is bittersweet. She's just starting over after her divorce, moved to a new town with a lot of history (more than she even at first realizes), and just plain trying to find her footing once again. She makes fast friends with the neighbor across the way, only to find out she's more of a nosy nelly and a judgy judy than anything else. She tries to get the old time fixer upper she purchased refurbished, but the list of things to tackle is a mile long. She stumbles into a budding romance with a local gent, only to be warned off by another, which sets her imagination on fire regarding what might be instead of what is. In short, she's having a time of it, but that seems to be par for the course considering her new home.

Speaking of that home, we get whisked away from present day to experience the life of Esther Harris in all its colorful glory that took place in that very same town, in the former dwelling/establishment that graced the grounds so many centuries ago. That's right, centuries...and if history has taught us anything, it's that we must learn from it, and it can not be ignored. Esther, her father, her intended, and pretty much the whole of the townspeople were all connected in more than just the small town sort of way. Once upon a time, they were part of a smuggling group that while viewed as a victimless crime, ended up created some victims when things boiled over. What can you do when man gets it into his head that his way is the only way and guns are the chosen show of force? Esther knew better, as did her sweetheart, but sadly they weren't the majority, and when greed took over, the end came faster than they could have imagined, with results they dared never dream.

It was such a beautiful marriage of past and present. Seeing Esther come to life, just as Millie was doing the same in other ways. The big mystery of the smugglers tunnel was a curious twist, as was what was uncovered from so long ago. That same discovery though is one thing that tangled in my thoughts as it left too much up to supposition in lieu of hard facts, but that's the thing about the past...the only ones that truly know what happened are long gone from this earth, and the dead only tell so many tales.

Take a look back from a new beginning, and discover the magic within the storm.

This book is told through two time lines. Millie has moved into a new house, having split up with her husband. She employs a builder, Nick, who discovers she has a secret cellar behind the fireplace and a tunnel leads away from it towards the reed marshes behind the house. Millie checks with an antiquarian in the village and finds that her house used to be pub and the suspicion is that the tunnel was used by smugglers.
Meanwhile back in 1784 Esther Harris in running the pub The Ship at Anchor since her brother has been conscripted into the navy and her father has a bad back. She is also involved with the smuggling gang that works the south coast - most people are involved in some way or another, moving or storing goods, and they all benefit from the extra income and goods they couldn't afford because of the hefty excise duty. All goes well until one night the gang leader decides to bring in a double load and the excise men are waiting for them.
The writer uses both stories to slowly reveal the other's plot and interlink the lives of the Millie and Nick with those form the past.
The descriptions are good - it is obvious the author knows the area well and the characters well drawn. I particularly like Esther and Millie's nosy neighbour Sharon. It is a slick and easy read but it is obvious a good degree of research has been done regarding the smuggling at the time. The author's notes at the end confirm that many of the things in the story actually took place, if not at the actual time of the setting of the book.
With thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷

After reading (&LOVING) a couple of Kathleen McGurl's books back in 2020, I've since read most all of her backlist plus any of her new releases - and while I still enjoy them, I have found that it's becoming somewhat repetitive. This will work really well if you want the same types of books/plot devices/characters but maybe not if you're reading them back to back.

I would say The Storm Girl is one of her stronger titles, and there was a lot to like about it, but for someone that has read almost 10 of her novels, I would recommend The Forgotten Secret or The Secret of the Chateau to someone interested in reading a book by Kathleen McGurl.

This is a thrilling tale of smuggling in bygone days combined with a modern-day story that tries to solve an old mystery. I love this kind of dual timeline novel and this one had me gripped. Both threads were well narrated and morphed seamlessly into each other, keeping me turning the pages. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

This was the rare dual timeline novel where I was equally interested in both time periods. The book is told in alternating chapters between 1784 where Esther helps smugglers avoid paying fees on goods and present day where a divorced woman buys an old inn and begins renovating it and discovers a secret passage behind the fireplace leading to the area where smuggled goods were kept. The device for linking the two stories, a hidden area behind a fireplace, was much more believable than other novels where somehow the modern day character finds a book or wedding dress or what have you in the house that has somehow been overlooked by other generations of characters, Anyway, both time periods and characters were well-rendered and interesting, and the smuggling storyline was fresh to me, not a historical fiction topic I have previously read about.

Another great book by Kathleen McGurl. I look forward to her dual time novels, and this one did not disappoint.

The novel takes place in two time periods. 1784 and present day. In 1784 the book follow Esther Harris, the daughter of a local publican whose family enjoys a bit of smuggling on the side. When her brother is pressed into the Navy, Esther takes on the mantle of chief smuggler for the family, as her father is to infirm to assist. Smuggling was a dangerous occupation with the Revenue men around. Some could be bribed, some could not.

In the present is Millie Galton, recently divorced and purchasing an old cottage in Mudeford to renovate. Millie hires a local builder Nick Marshall and through the renovations they discover a hidden passage behind her fireplace. The mystery of the passage and it’s smuggling past are too enticing to resist.

I enjoyed the dual time periods, the smuggling history and the mystery. This is a great book to curl up with on a lazy afternoon.

Thanks to Netgalley, HQ Digital and the author, Kathleen McGurl for the chance to read and review this book.

I loved this dual timeline novel about Esther Harris who in 1784 lived with her father in his pub and took part in helping smugglers hide contraband, her love for one of the smugglers and how she copes when one of the loathed revenue officers discovers their secret and wants her for himself.

Then there's Milly Galton in the present day. Milly is recently separated from her childhood sweetheart and has bought a rundown house with an inheritance. She employs a builder, Nick to renovate the property and discovers that not only is there a secret passage behind her fireplace but that the house was once one of two local pubs.

Often when there are dual timelines one tends to be much stronger than the other, but in this case I enjoyed both Esther and Milly's storylines equally. Beautifully written with lots of twists and turns, romance and mystery, what's not to love?

My thanks to the publishers HQ and NetGalley for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

In a dual timeline story set in Mudeford near Christchurch in Dorset, divorced, Millie moves into an old historic former Inn needing renovation; as the work progresses, the house begins to give up its secrets. In 1784 Ester lives and works in the Inn at Mudeford. She and many townsfolk are involved in smuggling. The sense of betrayal and danger immerses the reader in the historical part of this story. Historical details vibrantly bring 1784 Mudeford to life. The Inn is the link between the past and present, and the two interwoven timelines create an engaging story full of adventure, mystery and romance.

I love the clever plotting that links the two time periods, the believable characters and the mystery to be solved.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher

This was a captivating story that has me gripped throughout. The timelines were set around 1784 and the present day. If I had to choose I would say the older time suited me best of all. It had much more danger and tension. Esther was the main character in the older time and she was involved with the smugglers. There were also two suitor wanting to marry her. The link between the two stories was the inn/house. Millie in the present day had moved in and was having the old building restored and modernised sympathetically. There were some surprises for them and links to the past. What a dangerous time to live in (1784) particularly for the poorer people. There were a number of interesting secondary characters in both stories. I enjoyed reading the author’s notes. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The same central location but in two different times
A home with surprises, secrets and crimes.
A fascinating read that will slowly unfold
As threads from the present and past are told.

In the present this is the new home and fresh start,
But a pet cat and new kittens will play a key part
As they reveal a secret that's been hidden for years
Should this be a celebration or will it end in tears?

Back in 1784 this home was an inn
That played a special role in the local smuggling.
The hiding of contraband, keeping its whereabouts a mystery
Are all entombed in this home's history.

What a fascinating insight into the history of those times
Alongside a present day murder mystery, rumours and crimes.
There's also romance in both eras, too,
But others involved may part them before dreams come true.

It is a story with great characters, a huge sense of mystery
All skilfully entwined with the location's fascinating history.
The romances are in danger of being thwarted by others
And the ending the answer to a centuries old mystery discovers.

The author's writing is engaging and a pleasure to read
Such a different dual timeline could be just what you need.
It has elements of family drama, crime thriller and mystery
Alongside several romances both now and in history.

It is a fascinating, dual timeline read to escape into
With such a clever plot, I recommend it to you.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
I really enjoyed it and this is my honest review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this amazing book

sometimes i struggle with a duel-time book but in this case there was no struggle, one timeline was about smuggling and the village and the other timeline was so different that you couldnt confuse the two

but both timelines were compulsive reading and how they joined up was interesting and reading the authors notes at the end brings a smile to your face

cant wait to see what this authors writes about next, she has a way of writing that draws you in

Present Day: After her divorce, Millie Galton has moved into an old house in Mudeford, determined to start afresh. Once work starts on the house, the fireplace reveals a secret that takes Millie back to the house’s original use and introduces her to the world of smuggling.

1784: When her father becomes unable to work, Esther Harris takes over his role of hiding smugglers’ contraband in the cellar of their pub. Knowing that she could be caught at any moment, secrecy is a must. When a battle occurs between the revenue men and the smugglers, people’s loyalties are tested to the limit and Esther has a decision to make: does she follow her heart or protect those she loves?

Kathleen McGurl’s dual timeline books are always a good read and this is no exception. I really got a feel for the geography and history of the locations used in The Storm Girl and could see the research that had been undertaken to make the plot as accurate as possible. The area was really brought to life in both time frames and I could easily visualise the pub and the activities that went on there.

I loved the character of Esther, a woman ahead of her time whose strength showed throughout the whole book. I admired her tenacity and loyalty and willed her to have a happy ending. Millie showed a different sort of strength in her willingness to leave everything behind and start a new life in a place she had no connection to.

The plot has a bit of everything: history, romance, murder… It moves on at a good pace and by switching the timeframes as you are reading, Kathleen McGurl leaves you wanting to know what is going to happen next all the time. The two stories, although set in different times, link together nicely and a mysterious event that happened in the past is soved in the present, providing yet another connection.

I always look forward to reading Kathleen McGurl’s latest book and she has certainly not disappointed with The Storm Girl.

I always enjoy Kathleen’s books and this one was as good if not better than her others. This was a dual time-line which I love and dealt with smuggling in Dorset and present day. The characters seemed to read like a Poldark novel which is no bad thing. Highly recommended. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Dual historical novel set in the present and 1800's; history of smuggling in England and the lives of the people involved with it. Present time, a woman buys a house that was previously a tavern with a secret tunnel used by the smugglers. A quick read, probably, best as a beach read. I read it one sitting, it was interesting but predictable.

I first discovered Kathleen McGurl a few years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed every book she's published since. However, I have to say that this one was a disappointment for me...not because it wasn't well written or plotted out well but because the story really didn't interest me. I've never been all that interested in stories around smugglers and I have to admit being far more interested in the present day plot than the historical one. I loved wondering what was going to be uncovered next in the renovation of the 18th century house rather than the play out in the past.

Thirtysomething Millie, recently separated from her husband and going through a very amicable divorce, buys an 18th century house in much of need of some TLC...if not, complete renovation. She hires builder Nick to undertake the renovations for her and a discovery is made that begins an exciting and interesting historical journey for Millie who thus seeks out a local historian to clue her in on the history of her new "old" house.

Rewinding back to 1784, Esther Harris works alongside her brother and father in their pub The Ship at Anchor. But besides this, she also works by night with the smugglers (or free traders) as they loot and store smuggled items in their very secret and purposely built cellar beneath the pub. She faces many difficult decisions and challenges, one of which questioning her steadfast love for one man when she is given an opportunity to wed another. But she must choose carefully...for there will be consequences far reaching should it be the wrong one. And then the battle raging between the smugglers and the Revenue and Customs officers brings things to a head...never knowing who to trust and who might betray them.

The present and the past are interwoven beautifully with each aspect of the past revealed at just the right time the story unfolds in the present. One of my favourite things about dual timelines.

However, this was not one of my favourites of Kathleen McGurl's but that isn't to say it isn't well researched or well written, because it is. Reading is subjective and what appeals to one does not to another. As I said at the beginning, the subject matter wasn't an appealing one to me and I found little interest in it. But I did read it to the end all the same.

I do look forward to more by Kathleen McGurl as she is a wonderful storyteller and a master at weaving the past with the present, however tenuous the link. It just so happens, this story wasn't for me but it was still exceptional storytelling.

I would like to thank #KathleenMcGurl, #Netgalley, #HQStories and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheStormGirl in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.