Cover Image: Under a Summer Skye

Under a Summer Skye

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Sue Moorcroft never lets you down and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Gardener Thea moves to the Isle of Skye with sister Ezzie to make a new life for herself. Deveron turns up at the Rothach Hall with an ulterior motive but soon finds himself questioning why he is really there. The descriptions of Skye, the hall, the village and all the characters makes you feel that you’re actually there. I got totally invested and lost in this the more I read and finding myself changing my thoughts on each character. This isn’t just a romantic read, it is escapism with twists and turns. Loved it! Thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Was this review helpful?

Thea has found peace on the Isle of Skye after running away from some issues that she had previously. But will the peace continue. Throw in a handsome stranger and you wonder how this story will pan out. I love the way that Moorcroft builds her characters and this book proved to be a delight to read.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon books and Sue Moorcroft for this ARC.
I have read a number of Sue Moorcrofts books previously and they have all been amazing. I loved this book but have to admit it’s not the best of hers I’ve read. It took some getting into and it’s wasn’t un-put-downable but it was enjoyable.

I think I struggled as I struggled to ‘like’ Thea…she came across as a little entitled and self absorbed. In happy to be challenged on that tho haha!

Would recommend for an easy read romance on holiday!

A chance encounter is about to change everything for Thea Wynter.

The moment she arrived on the Isle of Skye, life changed for Thea. Running from a succession of wrong turns, she comes to the island in search of blue sea, endless skies, and mountains that make the heart soar. Here, she feels at peace.
As head gardener at Rothach Hall, life is exactly how she wants it, with her days spent working in the glorious clifftop garden and her evenings in the cosy local village.

But an encounter with a stranger from the mainland brings with it an unexpected turn – and only time will tell if he is friend or foe.

It seems that even on Skye, life can catch up with you, and Thea is soon faced with the past she left behind – and with it, the family she’s never met…

Was this review helpful?

Sue Moorcroft has a way of painting with words. This time the story is on the Isle of Skye and you can imagine how it looks and the gardens that Thea is in charge of. The main characters of Thea and Dev, along with their families, are so clearly drawn that they come alive and you can't help to engage with them.
Just right for chilling in the garden or on the beach.

Was this review helpful?

Another great book from Sue, you can never go wrong with anything written by her. This is a lovely summer story and set in Scotland, I recommend this book to all and give it 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

Was this review helpful?

A lovely, escapist romance set on the beautiful Scottish Isle of Skye, this is a story of two conflicted protagonists, Thea and Deveron. While it has a cosy feel, it doesn’t shy away from some emotional themes around adoption and the things we might be prepared to do in difficult circumstances. It was my first book by Sue Moorcroft, and it’s easy to see why her books are so popular with readers. This one had all the right ingredients for an entertaining romance with plenty of obstacles and a satisfying ending. I particularly enjoyed the opening scene in which our hero and heroine meet, and a climactic scene towards the end (no spoilers!). Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Sue Moorcroft does it again! She never disappoints, always writes gorgeous stories in stunning settings, with extremely likeable characters that draw me into her wonderful books. Under a Summer Skye is set on the beautiful Isle of Skye, and is portrayed so vividly that I really want to go there. This is the first in a trilogy about 3 sisters, and it totally captivated me! As always there is a darker side to the story, and Thea learns that things are not always as they seem, which has far- reaching repercussions on her life. This is a wonderful story about families, secrets, love, romance, and the relationship between the three sisters, set on the wildly beautiful Isle of Skye. I loved it, and can’t wait to read the next story in the trilogy. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

I was excited when Sue Moorcroft said she was writing a trilogy as I really enjoy her writing style.
This her first in this series is Theas story who is the youngest of three sisters and it is set on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Thea is head gardener at the gorgeous privately owned Rothach Hall, which is open to the public, but it is also a place where she finds peace and contentment. Her sister Ezzie also works in the office there and regularly they meet up as they are both single. Thea has another sister Valenina who resides on the mainland of Scotland with her husband and little boy.
A chance meeting with Deveron as he is rescuing a dog is the start of a turbulent relationship as Dev tries to evade the reason that has brought him to Rothach Hall.
The three sisters are adopted and news that Thea’s birth Mother Ynez who lives in France, has Thea’s emotions in turmoil as she deals with the complexity and decision as to whether she wants to be reunited with her.
I loved this story and can’t wait for book two in this series.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers for the digital ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much to Net Galley, Sue Moorcroft, and Avon Books UK for allowing me to get the e-arc of this book 💕

4.5/5

Background:
Thea and Deveron's love story takes place on the beautiful Isle of Skye, told through their dual POVs. Deveron is a stranger from the mainland and catches Thea's eye even though she's given up on dating. They both work as gardeners at the same estate and Thea helped him get hired. As middle-aged adults, they are figuring out their love story with a cute dog named Daisy as Thea’s right-hand dog! Thea also tries to find her birth mother who left her as a baby. This is a trilogy, with each book focusing on the respective adopted sister's journey of truth and romance.

Quote;
“He slowly closed the remaining distance between them… Thea met him halfway, heart rate rocketing as their bodies brushed once, then melted together.”

Overall:
I love how descriptive this book was and it made me feel like I was in the book and it is getting me ready for summer! The romance has a strong plot and the characters are very human-like. The characters were very human-like and I felt like I could relate to them rather them just being characters in a book. Thea was sometimes annoying, but there was a reason behind it. Her life could be quite overwhelming. Thea is such a girl boss and does not let guys speak for her, but she does need Dev at some times. Dev is very caring and understanding toward Thea. We need more men like this in the world. Their first kiss was so cute and is beautifully written. The spice level was very low with closed-door romance. This book is a heartwarming and engaging read that I highly recommend!

This is my first read from Moorcroft but I will be reading more from her and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Under a Summer Skye comes out May, 9th 2024 in the UK and May, 14th in the US and Canada!

Was this review helpful?

Another fantastic heartwarming and entertaining book from Sue Moorcroft.
Another beautiful setting too! Sue really excels at creating gorgeous communities and breathtaking scenery.
Thea is an intriguing and likeable character who I instantly found myself rooting for. I especially liked how she met up with Dev (and Daisy) and how they gradually built up their friendship and helped each other with their issues.
Lots of intrigue happening, and some unexpected twists kept me glued to the story.
As always it’s much more than just a love story, so many other emotional happenings go on and lots of revelations too.
Honestly you really can’t beat a Sue Moorcroft story for feel good moments and a wonderful setting and adorable characters. She never disappoints with her words and I love this new series set in Skye with a cast of amazing characters. Can’t wait for book two!

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book in this series.
Thea lives on the Isle of Skye working as a head gardener at a stately estate. A past encounter threatens her cozy life.
There’s a lot going on in this book. There’s some family issues, some romance and a cute little dog. For some reason I just didn’t care too much for Thea, not sure why. It does make for a perfect beach read

Was this review helpful?

When Thea moved from her home in Suffolk to the beautiful Isle of Skye, she was hoping to leave the past behind. Now nine years later she has a job she loves at Rothach Hall and is very much part of the village community.
When Deveron Dowie arrives at Rothach Hall there is an instant spark, but Thea is wary. What is Deveron doing on Skye, and how much can Thea trust him?
As the summer moves on Thea and Deveron become closer, but the past can’t stay hidden for ever and when faces from the past reappear, Thea finds herself torn. Will her summer romance last the course or will the past destroy her future.
A beautiful setting, characters you will quickly warm to and an adorable dog, what more can you want from a book?

Was this review helpful?

Ooh what a lovely book, one of those where you feel you actually know the characters. Beautiful setting and a fabulous story. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Thea works at a private house on Skye, when Dev turns up for a seasonal job as a gardener. He had another agenda, but fell for Thea and couldn’t write the article he was there to do. Thea has a past and has been enjoying an easy life on the island, but it all turns when an article is written.

This was a lovely story, I found it a little slow to start, but spend up quickly. Full of great characters and the setting was fabulous. A 4.5 star read.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Was this review helpful?

In this secluded part of Scotland, Thea Wynter has found refuge as the head gardener at Rothach Hall, a grand manor on the Isle of Skye. She fled to Skye nine years ago with her sister Ezzie after a brief stint on TV. They are keeping a potentially damaging secret, but their life on Skye has felt secure—until a scandalous website, known for asking "where are they now?" questions, uncovers her location, threatening to reveal her past.

Deveron Downie, a former sports journalist, has reluctantly been working for the same gossip website as he's at a crossroads in his life. After his ex-wife and business partner betrayed him, he lost almost everything, and now he’s trying to figure out his next steps. He accepts a seasonal job at Rothach Hall, where he meets Thea. There's an instant attraction between them that grows stronger the more time they spend together. However, Dev has a secret that could shatter Thea's trust in him. He must decide whether to come clean or stay silent.

This book isabout adoption, drink driving, criminal liability, and the influence of internet trolls are woven into the narrative. Despite these heavy subjects, at the heart of the story is a touching romance that makes readers root for Thea and Dev, hoping they can overcome the challenges and start anew together.

Was this review helpful?

Sue Moorcroft is a master storyteller, and this book is another great story she wrote! I love her imagination in creating a world I can become totally immersed in a and lose my reality. I become a part of the community, not an observer. I enjoy gardening, so I fit right in with the other workers at the Roth Hall, an estate house located on Isle of Skye.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. There is so much within the pages. It is a story of secrets, searching for answers, forgiving, family, and finding love. It also has the cutest puppy named Daisy, who brings quite a bit of joy to the characters, and also this reader.

Of course, in a romance book, we all know things will work out in the end and there will be a happy ending. I have to say that when reading, I was wondering how the author was going to get the hero out of the mess he created. She did a wonderful job. Her plotting is very believable.

I definitely recommend this book highly! There are two more books to be released in this series, The Skye Sisters Trilogy, and I am so looking forward to reading them!

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Another Sue Moorcroft triumph!
Thea Wynter is a gardener at Rothach Hall, where she moved to eight years ago with her sister Ezzie after a difficult time. An accident resulting with a man, Fredek Kowski was injured & he's made it his life's work to sell his story & himself to anyone who will listen. Thea wants nothing to do with him. A new employee is not exactly honest with Thea but their friendship grows.
A great book that also explores family, however that may look to us all. Thea & her sisters are adopted but decided not to know who their birth mothers were until something happens to change with some new information. This takes her on a path of discovery.
Such an enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

I was eager to get my hands on Under A Summer Skye as previous books I’d read by Moorcroft I enjoyed immensely. My interest was tenfold since the story’s spectacular setting, the Isle of Skye, I was lucky to visit. Apart from very relatable characters, one of the things I liked was her spot-on research and descriptive writing. She transported me back to locations I was familiar with, and although I didn’t have the opportunity to be in the exact place where this keep-you-on-your-toes romance unfolded, I felt as if I were there. 

Even before the family dynamics kick in, the reader meets Thea and a passerby saving a puppy in distress. So swoon-worthy, his good deed not only hit Thea’s soft spot, but mine too. As chance would have it, his action prompted her to employ him at an estate where she is the head gardener. This is where it gets complicated because unknown to her, he isn’t who he makes out to be.

Dev is such a lovely man with genuine feelings, not to mention his rather good looks. But the pickle he’s got himself into causes unrest and a good part of the book is about how he’ll go about manning up. At times, he truly frustrated the pants off me and if it’d been possible, I would’ve told him to just get on with it and take me out of my misery! The author didn’t leave Thea off the hook either. A flooring revelation, misunderstandings and trust issues need to be dealt with.       

When I read, I like to be able to pronounce dialect words and here is where the author helps her readers get it right and on my part, much appreciated. She also broached delicate subjects with the utmost sensitivity, but that being said, she always has a way of getting you to root for her characters–Thea and Dev and company were no exception. And her choice of her heroine and hero’s age was right up my alley.   

Overflowing with breath-taking scenery, combined with angst, secrets, shadows of the past, jaw-dropping surprises and just the right amount of romantic chemistry, Moorcroft’s latest offering is the pure escapism summer read and the first book of a new trilogy. I cannot wait to see which of the other two sisters’ stories is coming up. Simply bravo!

Many thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The beautiful Skye setting makes this book the perfect read for anyone heading to Scotland for their holiday, the descriptions are wonderful. It is a light read with no real surprises; nicely entertaining.

Was this review helpful?

This book is the first title in the Skye Sisters Trilogy from this author. I have read and enjoyed many of Sue Moorcroft’s books; they always transport the reader to an interesting new location. As the title suggests, the books in this trilogy will be set principally on the picturesque island of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland.

The central character in this story is Thea Wynter, one of three sisters adopted from different families by a couple who died tragically young. Thea and her middle sister Ezzie live in Skye, where they work at Rothach Hall as head gardener and assistant manager, respectively. The eldest of the sisters, Valentina, lives in Edinburgh. Thea and Ezzie have good reason for having made the move from Suffolk to their more remote location, which is explained as the story progresses. Thea is content with her peaceful existence on Skye, but is not unhappy with the sudden changes caused by the introduction into her life of Deveron, who accepts a job as seasonal gardener at the hall, and Daisy a cute stray dog who she fosters. Thea hits it off with Deveron immediately, but doesn’t suspect that he may have an ulterior motive for befriending her. As if this is not enough upheaval, it looks as if Thea’s past may be catching up with her at the same time as she is suddenly confronted with news about her birth mother, who she previously knew nothing about.

I found myself quite captivated by this book, with its complex characters and glorious setting, and do not hesitate to recommend it; it would make a lovely summer holiday read. There was a lot going on in Thea’s once simple life all of a sudden and she was fortunate to have copious amounts of support from the community around her. It was a scary prospect when it seemed certain that a secret she had kept hidden might be about to escape. The tension built up by the author was palpable. I liked most of the characters in the story, but a couple of them were most unpleasant. Cuddly Daisy the dog sounded an extremely lively companion. Of course, Thea and her sister were fortunate to be living in such a lovely spot with the sea almost on their doorstep. I’m certain that many readers will be considering making the journey to Skye themselves by the time they finish the book. I look forward to reading the next book in this trilogy.

Was this review helpful?