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!

Fantastic third book in the series. I don't think it matters if one hasn't read the other two previous novels in the series as they stand alone as from different voices. I did wonder at first as some of the scenarios were repeated from the previous books. However Flora's story pulls the reader in and leave one wanting more to know what happens next. Based on the island of St. Kilda as it was evacuated in the 1930s and follows Flora to the mainland and ultimately Paris. An enthralling read.

I absolutely loved this book and read it far too quickly! Although it does go over a lot of the story already told in previous books it was still lovely to be back this time with Flora. The ending was perfect although the cliffhanger does make me wish I had the next book to read immediately!

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC

I couldn't wait to get back to the thrill of the lives of the St Kildans and their epic move. I've been hooked on this series since the first book.
Each book is the story of a different resident on the isle, told in their point of view. This means in many ways, each book can be read as a standalone, but, if you have read the other two, there is a deeper understanding of the relationships of the characters and their emotions.
This time, the story is told from Flora's perspective. Flora is the eye-candy on the isle but pretty much unaffected by it, unless outsiders come to visit, and are stunned by her natural beauty.
A visit from another rich family, spurs on an unlikely romance between her and one of holiday makers, with a promise to return, and make her his own.
But an unexpected surprise, followed by tragedy, and a huge move from the isle to the mainland means that Flora's beautiful future has been snatched from her.
Her looks continue to catch the eyes of all and sundry, leading her to end up in Paris as a star performer in a theatre show, where more secrets are uncovered.
There were highs, then lows, then highs, followed by another cliffhanger, with excitement and frustration in equal parts!
I wanted a happy ending, but equally I am now sure there will be another story to follow, because (please, Karen Swan!) we can't be left not knowing!
I loved this next book. Even though we hear the same story, at the beginning, it is both a refresher for those who have read the first two, and another dimension to add to what we already know.Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

Oh my goodness, what a story. I loved the previous two books in the series and have been looking forward to the release of this one. It was such a good read and had me on the edge of my seat anticipating what would happen. These stories have focused on three friends who grew up on St Kilda, their stories begin at a time of change on the island as they become women and their way of life changes dramatically. Each book tells the story of a different friend, Effie, Mhairie and Flora all in the same time frame but from each girl's perspective; this is Flora's story, the beauty of the trio. They are beautifully written and provide a fascinating insight into a way of life which no longer exists.

These books are romance stories but with so many great characters and twists they are much more too. There is drama, mystery and intrigue too. I thought this was the last in the series but I was wrong and I now desperately need to know what happens next.

I am a fan of Karen Swan's books but I think the Wild Isles series may be her best. Do read them but start from the beginning, these books definitely need to be read in order to get the full impact of the story unfurling.

I had been eagerly anticipating the next instalment in this series on St Kilda and it absolutely did not disappoint. The only disappointment was that I read it too quickly! This time it’s Flora’s turn to take centre stage and the twists and turns of her experience both on the island and then her first year off it were just incredible to read. From the cliffs of the furthest reaches of Scotland to having her name up in lights in Paris- it was fascinating. I love Karen Swan’s writing, you feel totally immersed in the story and the characters feel utterly authentic. I’m so pleased that (according to the ending) there are more novels from this series to come. Thank you!

Another spellbinder from Karen Swan. The storylines continue to intertwine with the three characters Mhairi, Effie and flora with the emphasis on Flora. Life on St Kilda is well drawn and the adaptation to life on the mainland demonstrated how lives changed and the beauty that is Flora sacrificed herself to survive . Swan skilfully brings together the plot lines but leaves us with a cliffhanger. Is there more to come ?

The story begins on the beautiful island of St Kilda, with Flora and her family living in poverty. When tourists arrive on the island, she is fascinated by Edward, and hoping to escape the drudgery of her life is persuaded to leave with him.

Although this is the third book in the series and features characters from previous books, it can also be read and enjoyed as a standalone story. Fiona discovers that the glamorous life in Paris she was promised was an illusion, her spirit and determination see her through.

A romantic love story, with heartbreak and tears, I found this a compelling read.

The Lost Lover is the third instalment of Karen Swan’s Wild Isles series. This book is Flora’s story; the eldest girl of one of the larger St Kilda families evacuated to the mainland at their request. The first section is re-told narrative from her perspective, before moving on to her story once she arrives on the mainland - very much a coming of age story.

Although this book could be read as a stand-alone, the threads which are woven through the three books are worth building from book 1. I was expecting this to wrap the storylines up but it ends on another cliffhanger - nevertheless I enjoyed it as much as the others. The complexity is reminiscent of Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters series and I now can’t wait to see what comes next!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this DRC in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY WORD!!!

I had been eagerly waiting for the next installment of the St. Kilda series, and this did not disappoint! I had to abandon the book I was reading so that I could devour this one! This time it was Flora´s story, and it was breathtaking, and the ending........oh! Did not see that ending coming......does this mean there´s another installment to come....I certainly hope so!!!

Utterly captivating, engrossing, gripping your heart and mind throughout. Can´t recommend this series enough!

My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

What a wonderful story. Having loved the first two books in the series, I couldn’t wait to read this one and it did not disappoint. I found myself exclaiming out loud in parts and imagining the lives of the islanders. This is a fantastic book that tells the drama of the lead up to the evacuation of St Kilda and how the islanders cope on the mainland, along with a massive helping of romantic drama that leaves you desperate for a happy ending.

Continuing the stories of the girls of St Kilda at the time of the evacuation in 1930s, this is Flora's story. The eponymous lost lover is Edward who Flora meets on St Kilda when he visits with wealthy friends. She is led to believe he has died when on an Arctic exploration vessel so after leaving St Kilda is persuaded to use her beauty and singing skills to perform in a revue in Paris...a very alien environment for a girl brought up on St Kilda! I was completely absorbed by this book and can't wait for the next book as their story is not over yet.

This is the third book in the tale of St Kilda's but is written in such a way to enable it to be read as a standalone. While this is great for new readers and will make it a fantastic novel for them, it means that a huge amount of the novel is a rehash for those of us who follow the books. I know it is told from a different point of view but for me, too much of the story was the same. I enjoyed the bit in Paris, but I'm afraid it just wasn't enough. I was disappointed as I was really looking forward to the next chapter in the saga

Thanks to Pan MacMillan and Netgalley for a review copy of this novel. Karen Swan adds another wonderful addition to the Wild Isle Series and proves once again her undoubted skill at evoking a true sense of place and time in all her novels that just draw in the reader completely. The story in this offering revolves around Flora, the beauty of St Kilda whose spirit and manner draw in anyone who meets her, much to the disapproval of Mathieson, the factor and the reverend. Still she carries on, enjoying the time with her close friends Mhairi and Effie as they look forward to the opportunity to earn money with the arrival of summer boats and the rich tourists it brings. This particular summer brings two young men, Edward and James. One flamboyant and handsome, the other quiet and taciturn, but with a manner about him that Flora finds irritating at first, but eventually compelling. But Edward sets about wooing her with flare and determination and soon she’s bewitched by his presence and all the glamour he represents and shows her. She has long yearned to escape the dreary life of the island and it’s this yearning that draws her on board Edward’s sailboat and to a decision she knows might change her life. But the night on the boat leads her in an entirely different direction and to James. James becomes more than a hope of escape, he becomes the person she loves most in the world. But there is so much they have to endure before they can be together and their ability to weather the terrible storms that they both face may not be enough.

I’ve loved all of Swan’s novels and each one has its own particular space and idea that drives it with incredible research and detail woven in so seamlessly and beautifully I can only admire and enjoy her talent. This novel possesses all those qualities as does the other two novels in this series. I became completely won over by Flora as I was by Effie and Mhairi in the other two stories and as the threads from the general narrative are woven back into Flora’s story I didn’t feel as though it was a repeated narrative. Small little revelations that each story contains contribute to the overall picture of the key events that occurred during the St Kilda evacuation and will ultimately create a great denouement. I had thought it would occur in this novel so I do have to say I was disappointed to discover that it hadn’t and that it ended on a cliff hanger, but it does give me an opportunity to inhabit this world once again in the next offering in this series. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read the third book in this series. I loved the previous two books, especially the parts set on St Kilda and how the islanders lived.
However, as I had read the previous two books, as other readers have noted, there is a fair amount of repetition in this one, and even though the story is told from different points of view, I would have preferred a completely new and original story. Of course, this would have been fine if reading this as a standalone book.
This is the reason that this book gets 4 ⭐️ from me, rather than 5.

Utterly impossible for me to put down. A heartbreaking story… I really haven’t been able to put this one down and found I had devoured the entire book in just one sitting… I have loved this book so much, I wish I could give it five hundred stars. All I can say is "WOW - read it. You won't be disappointed.
I was hooked… I wiped tears away tears… If you love a really good romantic saga, then this is definitely the book for you I absolutely loved this book… A heartbreaking story but one that gets you so engaged in it you cannot put it down…

This is the third booking the series and follows Flora's and James story. Lots of tension near the end and a good contrast of how Flora has to change when she leaves St Kilda. An emotional read which I really enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot - there are already some reviews like that out there if that's what you are looking for.

This is the third book in this series, again largely set on the beautiful isolated isle of St Kilda, but this time also on the Scottish mainland and Pairs! You'll have to read it to find out how Paris comes into the story...

Having read the first two novels, I was a little surprised when this book included events from the earlier ones - albeit from a different point of view. This means that anyone who has not read the earlier books could read this one as a standalone, as the characters and island way of life are all well described again.

Once again we are left on a cliffhanger finish - so I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Another fantastic book set on the beautiful island of St Kilda. Karen Swan is such a talented author who has the ability to captivate readers from the beginning to the end of her stories. What I appreciate about this series is that it is not necessary to read the books in a specific order, as each book focuses on the life of a different woman from St Kilda. I also appreciate the way she includes real-life events in her narratives.

In the third book, we are introduced to Flora, a captivating and beautiful woman with a voice as enchanting as a nightingale. Flora yearns for a better life beyond the confines of the island. Although she has never ventured beyond its shores, she has seen images in magazines of fashionable clothing and alluring red lipsticks that she desires. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters two friends, James and Edward, during their day trip to the island. This meeting presents an opportunity for Flora to escape the island and pursue a life filled with greater possibilities.

Flora's journey takes her through love, engagement, pregnancy, and ultimately heartbreak as she loses the love of her life.
"he walked inside her shadow, leaving footprints on her soul."

Devastated, Flora and her family leave the island when everyone is evacuated to Scotland in search of a better life.
"St Kildans had left behind not just their home but their whole world"

However, a tragic accident leaves her father hospitalized and the family in dire need of financial assistance. It is during this difficult time that Flora meets a theater producer who recognizes her potential for stardom.

This is a classic tale of rags to riches that takes us on a journey from the rugged and isolated st Kilda to the glamour of Paris in 1930.
It is a story filled with friendship, love, and loss. It also poses the thought-provoking question, "Is the grass always greener on the other side?"

The ending is truly remarkable, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment of this captivating series!

Although this is book three in the Wild Isle series it can be read as a stand alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.