Thank you Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review!

I was eagerly anticipating the release of Flora's book and to learn more about the ongoing mystery that Karen Swan has been building up in the previous two books of this series (Effie and Mhairi's books). It was great to be reunited with the entire cast of St. Kildan's. We got to learn more details about certain characters we hadn't learned in the previous two books, and it was interesting to see the different perspectives on similar events.

On the outset Flora's character didn't initially seem as if she had as much depth as Effie and Mhairi. But as the novel progresses we see her character grow, mature, and come face to face with some challenging decisions and hardships. The romance between Flora and James felt a bit quick, and she seemed to be riding through the earlier bits of the pre-evacuation with ease. But as one of Flora's learnings goes: 'luck never gives, it only lends' .

As we're in the third novel now, more of the mystery has been revealed and different motives for who committed the crime. One of the main obstacles for James and Flora felt a bit contrived and out of character (i.e. based on what we understand of their personalities, it felt like the challenge could have been overcome sooner).

A bit akin to the first novel, this one had a mix of both the ruggedness of St. Kilda for the first portion of the novel, with glamour mixed in later on as our female lead ventures out into the wider world.

But ah! The cliffhanger! I knew not to expect anything less based on the other two novels but still the ending and abruptness did leave me ruminating long after I should have gone to sleep. I did find some of the trauma of this novel to be more triggering to me which may have contributed to this.

I saw the next installment will be Jayne's (The Hidden Heart') and based on what we've seen of her character so far, her novel's sure to be another thoroughly absorbing read.

Overall rating this one 4 out of 5.

I have really enjoyed the previous books in this series and was thrilled to be offered a chance to read this latest book in this story of young people growing up on St Kilda, then moving to the mainland.
In this novel we follow the story of Flora MacQueen, the island’s most beautiful young woman. She meets 2 young men, both of whom profess their love to her. Only one is the one she wants, and they get engaged before he leaves for the Antarctic. When it seems like he has perished Flora must use her beauty to make her way in the world.
Each of these novels advances the storyline of the last, but in a way which overlaps with previous strands. I wondered if this third book might resolve one of the mysteries of the series but it looks like there is more to come,which I’m very much looking forward to.
Thanks to the publishers and to NetGalley for this reading opportunity.

This is the third book in the saga set on St Kilda. This book is Flora's story.
Flora falls in love with James Callaghan, a visitor to St Kilda and soon they plan to marry. However, before they can James embarks on an expedition and disappears.
The residents of St Kilda are moved to the mainland. Following this, Flora's family suffer a trauma that leaves them in need of money.
Flora ends up in Paris where she is an overnight sensation as a performer, but her home and family are always at the back of her mind. Very soon, events from her past life catch up with her.
This is a great story that ends with room for more!!

Although this is the third book in the Wild Isle series it is still a stand alone story.
From the very first page it draws you in and you just can’t put it down.
It is an emotional rollercoaster story of a young girl whose beauty has always been her greatest asset but also her biggest downfall especially where men were concerned.
A brilliant story with a cliffhanger ending just can’t wait for the next book
Five stars all the way

Heartbreaking, poignant, compelling: an epic page turner I thoroughly enjoyed.
Great characters, excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

If you have read the previous two books in the series then you need to read a this one. However, if this is your first read, then lucky you, you have two more excellent books to discover. These books can be read out of sequence, but the are best read in the order they were written..
This is Flora’s story in depth with snippets from friends Mhairi and Effie.
The relocation of the islanders of St Kilda I’d part of history and the descriptions of the way of life, the disruption and the island itself are amazing.
Initially I thought that this was the final book in the series, and was pleased to find there was to be another, but disappointed to find that some questions were not answered in this book and that the ending seemed rushed. I found some of Flora’s decisions strange, especially as her upbringing on St Kilda was strict and sheltered.
However, with so many threads still to be resolved, we have a treat to look forward to in book 4. Cannot wait!

This third in the series is written from the perspective of Flora MacQueen - a beauty - who has always wanted more than St Kilda can offer. Flora and James met, fell in love but all is not smooth. James disappears and Flora is left pregnant and faced with the dilemma of how to keep her reputation and build a future for herself.

As the inhabitants of St Kilda are evacuated to the mainland, Flora finds herself trading on her beauty and becoming a Parisian star in a theatre show. Secrets are uncovered and book 3 left on a cliff-hanger.

It was lovely to meet the same main characters but this time hear the story from Flora’s viewpoint.

Life on St Kilda’s is beautifully portrayed - its harshness and natural beauty.

All done with a sting in the tail!

The third book in The Wild Isles series.

As the book kept reviewing the past, I did find it difficult to get into at first, but the brilliant writing of Karen Swan enabled me to get fully engrossed in the story,

Flora MacQueen, the dreamer of the girls always expected a better life than living on the Island. she meets a Scottish businessman James Callaghan and they fall in love......tragically on one of his adventures he disappears, and is presumed dead....

When the Island is evacuated, Flora faces a tough time, her father is injured in an accident, and Flora is persuaded to sell her beautiful hair to raise some money.... her life changes when she meets a theatre impresario who tempts her to become a dancer in Paris.

A very special, moving story set on a Scottish island- St KIlda and then onto the mainland when everyone had to evacuate it. Daily life is dependant on the weather which can be very harsh at times, but the community usually pull together. Love, friendship and heartache abound, with secrets along the way. I enjoyed it, but was disappointed with the very abrupt ending- I wasn’t aware that it was a series, so am really looking forward and cant wait to read the next book.

Grateful to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for an ARC. I continue to enjoy this series and feeling drawn into the life of the community on St Kilda.

As I’ve read both the second and third instalments, I’ve swung between frustration at not being able to remember everything from the earlier books and SF light irritation at reading the same story again and again… but overall I think it balances out with the different perspectives filling in enough of the gaps. I think reading the books too close together would exacerbate the feeling of repetition.

I love Karen Swan’s writing and the detailed research she has clearly conducted to write her stories. These books make me wish I could time travel and be a fly in the wall of life in St Kilda just for a few hours… just as the tourists used to do in Flora, Effie and Mairie’s day.

I was surprised that this book wasn’t a conclusion to all that has gone before but searching the internet yesterday, I think the deal was for a 6 book series! I hope the remaining books do not all cover the same ground again… but I’d love to know more of what became these girls.

This is the third book in this series and what a great book it is. You will feel emotional in all ways as you enjoy reading this. I didn't want to put this down, if I could I would have read this through the night. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

Another great read. When Flora fall for the Handsome James they soon become engaged but a tragic accident leaves her bereft and she also faces another problem that will change her life. After the islanders of St Kilder are forced to leave she and her family fall on hard times after her father has an accident and Flora has a change of fortune but their are still many obstacles to overcome as she tries to adjust to her new life but can she let go of the past or will the secrets she holds eventually come out. A story of love, deception and relationships that will make you want to keep reading and I can't wait for the next book in the series what a cliffhanger at the end.

Having read and enjoyed the first two books in this series I was very pleased to receive an ARC of this… the third book. Another brilliant addition to this series with great characters making it a wonderful saga. I could not put this one down.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

enjoyed this, the third episode of Karen Swan's Wild Isle series, the most of the series so far. We get yet another re-telling of the story of a group of close-knit friends who are part of 1930 evacuation of isolated Scottish island, St Kilda, this time through the eyes of Island beauty, Flora Macqueen. We learn a little more about what happened in the final days in each volume as different characters come to the fore.
Tourists James Callaghan and Edward Rushton are both smitten with Flora, who despite her bare feet, and unfamiliarity with exotic footstuff such as sandwiches has a 21st century vocabulary which allows her to spar with her suitors on the island using the expressions such as "patriarchy* and "metrics". We know from the earlier books that it is James who wins her heart and who she is to marry rather than be resettled with the other islanders.
The book opens with Flora performing at the Casino de Paris and is mostly a flashback as to how and why she got there.
I recommend this book, it does work as a stand alone but I would certainly read the other volumes first. I look forward eagerly to the next volume and that the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC copy.

This is the third book in the saga and concentrates on Flora.
Flora falls in love with a visitor to St Kilda and they plan to marry. However before they can do that he dies on an expedition leaving Flora alone and pregnant.
Flora ends up in Paris where she is an overnight sensation but home is always at the back of her mind and events start to catch up with her.
Is she in danger and what about her friends?
Who can she trust?

Another wonderful read again, this time featuring Flora who falls in love with James Callaghan. Set on St Kilda we see events from Flora’s point of view in the months before and after the evacuation of the community.

Again the hardness of life on St Kilda provided such a magnificent setting and the sense of friendship was a major pull for me in this book. The three women who feature in this and the two previous groups are strong and capable and each have a dream of what their life will be like. Flora is the beautiful one, with a talent for singing and is kind and attentive to her friends. She falls in love with James but circumstances tear them apart and Flora finds her move to the mainland very different than she had imagined.

I loved the opportunities that came to her and she finds herself with a new life in Paris, away from family and friends. The mystery at the centre of all of the books weaves itself back into Flora's life . There is romance, tragedy, friendship and longing in this one and I have loved being back with these woman and their lives.

Another page turner, a historical romance which pulls you in and wont let you go !!!
Brilliant. !!

The Lost Lover is the latest in the Wild Isle series and tells the story of Flora - one of the trio of friends who see their lives change dramatically ahead of the evacuation of St Kilda.
Having read the first two in the saga I was keen to pick up the third and hopefully read to a dramatic conclusion - but Karen Swan expertly weaves Flora's tale to keep us guessing.
The first half of the book deals with Flora's version of events the summer before the evacuation as she meets handsome strangers Edward Rushton and James Callaghan and gets caught up in a love triangle. However, the plot thickens as the days of the St Kildans start to countdown to leaving the island and multiple tragedies befall the friends and family around them.

Flora's beauty ensures that once on the mainland she is spotted by a showman and she gets whisked away to the bright lights of the city. Once there she must decide what she really wants and who she really is.

I really enjoyed the story although I must admit it did take me awhile to get into it, probably because I was trying to remember what had happened in the previous two books. As always, Swan's characters seem to jump off the pages and become real and I found myself wondering what was happening when I had finished reading! Looking forward to the next one!

Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance release copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Another great book from this author, great storyline and characters. I would recommend to others.

Flora MacQueen's story in the Wild Isle series is heartbreaking and tragic.

While I did enjoy reading how her life progresses after the evacuation from the island, having read the previous book The Stolen Hours in the series,it felt around the 50% was a re-read. Which is good for someone who is reading it as a standalone.

This is the third book in a series that I have already enjoyed, so that said, it was good to reconnect with the characters, I did find that there were quite a few events from the previous two books woven into the storyline, but I still enjoyed it and it was a good reminder of previous plotlines. The author once again leaves us with a cliff hanger ending wanting more!