I love this author and was excited to pick up this book... it did not disappoint. I was transported to Portugal with the beautifully descriptive writing, and I was so invested in the characters that I was sad for the story to end. A beautiful, emotional story of courage, betrayal, resilience and secrets. Highly recommended reading for lovers of WWII historical fiction. I've already recommended it to several people, this story will stay with me for a long time. Can't wait to read more by this author. 5 easy stars from me!

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Siobhan Curham for a digital arc for review. All opinions are my own.

I liked the split-timeline aspect of this novel and the unraveling of Sofia's story as the book went on. The fact that the public thinks she died decades ago and is now willing to tell her story made it interesting.

This was a great historical fiction. I love when we get multiple time periods. The overall story of Sofia Castello was very interesting and such an easy read. loved the ending and the twist for Sofia herself.

Lily Christie is dealing with the end of a 16 year relationship and is ready to go anywhere to get out of London. She receives a call from her Agent offering her a job ghost writing the autobiography of someone famous. Once she signs an NDA, she is informed it is the memoir of Sofia Castello, a world-famous singer during the beginning of WW1, who was killed when the plane she was flying in was shot down by the Germans. It seems that she was not on the plane and went into hiding. She is now in her eighties and living in a cottage on the Portuguese coast. Lily accepts the job and flies to Lisbon to meet Sofia. Moving to the cottage, they develop a friendship and Lily hears a story that was absolutely shocking. Lily knows that Sofia and Gabriel, the son of a close friend who has passed away, are keeping secrets from her. What are they and how will they affect the book?

I loved this story. First the setting was amazing. I don't think I have read any books set in Portugal during the war. Lisbon was a powder keg, with spies from all over passing information to one another, and even capturing and jailing refugees. Sofia lived quite the life. She was raised by a single mother who died when she was only sixteen. She was on her own after that and not only did she survive, but she became a superstar. She is a feisty, strong, smart, independent woman and her life was fascinating. Why was the plane she was in shot down? You will have to read this to find out. Lily was morose when the book began. I understand why she was so depressed and down in the dumps, so was happy that Jane was there to support her. I really liked what she told her about the caterpillar's process to become a butterfly and how that gave Lily some hope. Lily becomes stronger and moves forward as the story unfolds. This was a great dual timeline story with Sofia's story set prior to and during WW1, and Lily's storyline is set in the year 2000, the new millennium. Siobhan Curham brings these two storylines together in a surprising way that gave this story a fantastic ending. Although I had a few inklings of what might happen, I was still surprised at the final reveals. If you are an historical fiction buff, I highly recommend The Lost Story of Sofia Castello.

Sometimes when you pick up a book you just know straight away that it is really going to work for you! This is one of those books. I was hooked by the end of the prologue and basically couldn't stop reading from that point on!

Ghostwriter Lily Christie wants to continue to write for a living, but she is a bit disheartened after her last couple of gigs with people who barely cared about the story that they were telling even though it was their own story! She could do with a break. When she is contacted by her agent with a request for her to write a new book, she is a little bit surprised by the secrecy surrounding it. Having been presented with a Non Disclosure Agreement:

"Go on then, put me out of my misery - who's the client?" I ask as I sign it, praying I won't be disappointed.
"Sofia Castello," she replies enigmatically
I frown. "The singer."
"Yes!" She smiles.
"The singer who sang "Ocean Longing"?" I ask, certain I must be mistaken.
"The very one."
"But it can't be." A shiver runs up my spine. "She's been dead for years!"

The book then follows Lily to Portugal where she meets the enigmatic Sofia who both wants to tell her story but also wants to keep her secrets. It's a difficult path for Lily who knows that Sofia isn't telling the whole truth . She doesn't understand why Sofia would specifically request Lily as a ghostwriter but then not be willing to be honest.

As far as the world is concerned, Sofia died in a plane accident during WWII when the plane she was travelling in was shot down by the Germans. Prior to her death, Sofia had a meteoric rise to stardom. Originally from a small fishing village in the north of Portugal, Sofia moved to Lisbon when she was 16 and became a varino, selling fish while dressed in colourful costumes. What set Sofia apart from the other varinas? Her ability to make up witty songs about her fish. One day, a man from a bar offers Sofia a chance to sing in his bar, and thus, from these humble beginnings a star is born. Right from the beginning though, the story of who Sofia is has been blurred between what the public knows and what the truth is. Soon, Sofia is working with major record companies, recording songs that will soon become anthems for Portugal during these troubled times.

Portugal was a neutral country during WWII, but that doesn't mean that Lisbon wasn't a hot bed of political activities from spying to German agents hunting down Jewish refugees and more. With Sofia's growing public profile she is able to attend events where she becomes useful for what she can learn and share. She also becomes friends with a young German girl, which brings her great joy in the friendship but they are both in danger.

It isn't only in Portugal that Sofia's fame is growing, and so she is sent to London to put on a show to help raise morale. There, Sofia falls in love with a man who she knows very little about, other than that he does important war work. Even here, the line between truth and untruths is very fine. Who can Sofia trust? Maybe just her musical partner?

I loved this book! There were twists and turns all along the way. There were some things that I saw coming but there were also a couple of reveals that I didn't!

The modern storyline which is set in the year 2000 was interesting too, with Lily using the time in Portugal to really take stock of her life, but the real star of the show was Sofia's story. I didn't think that the Lily's story really needed the nice little bow that was presented in the epilogue, but I do understand why the author chose to finish the book that way.

The sights, sounds and food of Portugal came to life as well. I could really do with a Portuguese custard tart right about now just thinking about this book! And the description of the air raids on London that Sofia witnessed were so well done.

I have read a number of Siobhan Curham books now, and I have liked them all. Sofia Castello's story will stick with me for a long time and I think it is Curham's best book yet! I loved it from the very beginning to the end

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host, and with Bookish Books challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. This also counts for my read on a theme book club where the current theme is War. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.
Rating 4.5/5

The Lost Story of Sofia Castella is an intriguing historical novel told with a dual timeline. Lily is asked to pen the memoir of Sofia Castello, whom the world thought died in 1941 during a Nazi attack. The story reveals family secrets and the brutality of World War II. This book kept me turning pages. Thanks to the author, Bookouture, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Wow. This is a mystery with historical fiction. Very "Evelyn Hugo" reminiscent. I really loved this one and could almost hear the voice of Sofia reading the story to me.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a wonderful, engaging book. I felt hooked from the very first page!

Enjoying this one very much … although only at 16%

Updated - finished. Requested this read because my nephew's wife was from Portugal, the setting of The Lost Story of Sofia Castello. I loved talking to her about the women that sold fish throughout the seaside villages and the beauty of the area.

This book is about a woman who writes memoirs for people and her relationship with Sofia Castello (the focus of her book) who disappeared in WW2.

Loved the characters, loved the story, loved the setting. Highly recommended.

This book is my favorite historical fiction book of 2025 so far.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Bookouture for approving my request to read the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Apr 25, 2025. Approx 400 pages.

SO beautiful. Such a powerful story. This author writes so beautifully and this story was just so lovely and heart breaking and moving. Loved it.

This story will get a hold of your heart from the get-go and won't let go even after you finish it! This is the first book for me to read by this author but won't be the last. Highly recommend this page-turner!

I really enjoyed The Lost Story of Sophia Costello, a woman in her 80s with a past that will break and make your heart.
She tells her story to the recently dumped Lily Christie, who agrees to venture to Portugal to meet an unknown person, its all daggers at dawn kind of stuff.

Sophia’s heart still aches for Trafalgar, a man she met in the depths of WWII and lost again.
Lily helps her delve into her story during which both women bond.
Can the past be left behind or will it uncover some twists and turns along the way?
You’ll meet some great characters and find yourself gripped to the unfolding story of the past and present.

Siobhan Curham's The Lost Story of Sophia Castello is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to the evocative landscapes of Portugal during WWII. From the very first page, I was drawn in by the engrossing prologue, a hallmark of Curham's storytelling that sets the stage for an unforgettable journey.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the rich tapestry of characters, particularly Sophia, Lily, and Jane. Each character is beautifully crafted, with their own unique motivations and complexities. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, while the focus on Sophia's determination to help refugees adds a profound depth to the narrative.

Lily's journey is particularly inspiring; her perseverance and desire to move on from her troubled past and her awful ex-boyfriend highlight her strength and resilience. As she navigates her challenges, Lily's growth becomes a powerful testament to the importance of self-discovery and healing.

The themes of female bonds and faith resonate throughout the novel, with Sophia's heartfelt appeals to St. Anthony of Padua adding a spiritual layer to her quest. The emotional depth of Sophia and Judith's relationship truly moved me, showcasing Curham's ability to explore the intricacies of human connections against the backdrop of historical turmoil.

Curham's writing style is both lyrical and engaging, making it easy to become immersed in the story. I appreciated how well-developed each character was, providing a comprehensive understanding of their motivations and backgrounds.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Lost Story of Sophia Castello to anyone who loves historical fiction, especially those interested in WWII narratives. This book is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of female solidarity. Siobhan Curham has once again proven her talent, and I can't wait to see what she creates next!

Siobhan Curham is a genius at telling WWII stories that are not solely focused on the war itself, but people living their lives while the world is happening. Like other books by Curham, the story is told in present (2000) and the past (1941). I found myself loving the 1941 storyline and wanted more of that. I do see the need for Lily’s storyline in 2000, but I was less interested in her relationship woes.

The Lost Story of Sophia Castillo is one of mystery, love and resilience. The vivid details make the reader clearly visualize the scenes without bogging one down. It is a fast paced book with well developed and love-able characters. The storyline is rich and of course has a few twists. I highly recommend Siobhan Curham’s books and cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Lily is a writer suffering from a broken heart. She receives the offer of a lifetime to write the memoir of Sofia Castello, a famous Portuguese singer who died during WWII. It turns out she's living on the coast of Portugal. So she heads out to Portugal to work with her and help tell her story of what happened and why she ended up faking her death.

This was another enjoyable read by this author. I've read a few books of hers and have enjoyed all of them. I loved the characters, especially Sofia, who came from nothing and became a world-famous fado singer, who the world thought had passed away in a plane crash. It was a rich, full story full of twists and turns, some mystery, as well as some romance. Sofia had also befriended a young German girl who had escaped Germany and was looking to make her way to America.

Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.

The best story I have read this year! A WWII story told to a young woman from the older woman who lived it. They both share secrets they need to get out. Wonderful!! Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC. The review is my own.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. It pulled me in from the last page through the last page. The characters are inviting and appealing. The setting in Portugal makes me want to visit. The story is at times sad, maddening, and romantic, but always interesting. I would definitely read more from this author.

I found this story fascinating. I loved the dual POVs. Lily is interviewing the once world-famous singer, Sofia Castello, to ghostwrite her memoir. Sofia is supposed to be dead. Sofia tells her story and Lily finds out the whole truth about what really happened and how she ended up ‘dead’. There are few people that know that Sofia is alive, and Lily is able to connect those people to both the present and the past. Sofia is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Siobhan does a great job writing a story that easily sucks you in. I needed to know more of the truths to Sofia’s life.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.

Happy publication date for this striking novel. I went in without knowing much about the plot and I’m glad because I’m not normally a huge historical fiction fan but I really enjoyed this one - it was the right mix of emotionally charged without the emotion being overdone (which I often feel is the case with historical fiction) and I loved the settings - London & Lisbon/Portugal were so well described I felt like I was truly there and I appreciated that the female characters had strong and developed personalities. I read this in one day and trust you’ll fly thru it just as quickly as well!! Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity for an e-arc for this lovely book!!.

THE LOST STORY OF SOFIA CASTELLO by SIOBHAN CURHAM is an interesting WW11 novel with the story taking place between Lisbon in Portugal and London, with the two timelines of the war years and modern times working seamlessly together.
The rags to riches story of Sofia Castello, from “varina” to famous singer in 1940, her friendship with Judith, her passionate stand against the Nazis, her singing tour in London and the betrayal that led to her supposed death, is well told to English ghostwriter Lily Christie in 2000…….
As Lily hears more of Sofia’s story, and shares her own story of betrayal, the two women become close, but there is still a secret that somehow involves Lily, and greatly concerns her……
I love the metaphor of the butterfly.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling this exciting read for you.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.