I have read an Elisabeth Gifford book before and loved it, so couldn't wait to read this one; it didn't disappoint! It is full of beautiful descriptions that really make this book so atmospheric. I loved all the parts which made this feel very real - the mentions of Gaelic and the descriptions of the harsh winds etc. It really made it feel as though the author has researched this well and it painted a beautiful picture.

The opening was quite graphic with the mentions of fingernails being taken off etc but it just meant that I was immersed right away wondering what would happen.

It is a compelling love story, I couldn't help but want Fred to be happy and for it all to work out for him. There were lots of twists and turns of emotions whilst reading this which is an ode to the author. It takes a lot of talent to really immerse a reader like this.

I loved this story and miss it now I've finished it!

A gorgeous sweeping love story set on a remote Scottish island.
I knew I would enjoy reading this novel because who doesn’t love a good historical romance?!
But what really grabbed me was the relationship between Chrissie and her beloved island of St Kilda. The remote Scottish island felt like it’s own character. The descriptions of the wild winters and the isolation which eventually doomed the inhabitants of the island in the 1920s was utterly gripping.
This novel covers a truly fascinating period of Scottish history, beautifully written and well researched by the author.

Highly recommended!

(Many thanks to Corvus for the ARC)

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed this story very much and felt like I knew each character personally due to the description of them. I enjoyed the storyline. This is not my usual genre but in this instance I am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. Thanks again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is a strong story line through out but, for me, the highlight was the incredible descriptions of life on St Kilda. I could hear the waves and the howling gales. I could see the small bothies and I could smell the fulmar oil in the lamps. Every now and then you get a book which you can’t put down but also don’t want to finish as you know that the next thing you read will probably be a disappointment.

This was an atmospheric novel set partly on a remote Scottish Island and partly in World War Two France.
Chrissie lives on the Island of St Killda which is incredibly isolated and poor: the dwindling number of residents live off the land and rely on boats from the mainland which come infrequently with supplies and post. Sometimes in the Winter the Island is completely cut off.
The story is told from Chrissie’s point of view as she explains to her daughter Rachel Ann about her background. Rachel is keen to find out who her father is- she has never known him.
Chrissie and Rachel Anne now live on the mainland after the Island was evacuated so Rachel feels a desperate need to learn about where she has come from.
Fred is a soldier who has escaped from a prisoner of war camp and he is making his way across France with the help of many brave French citizens who hide him and arrange guides to get him into Spain. The thought of his lost love keeps him going and the wonderful Summer he spent on St Kilda as a student with his best friend Archie, However he has not spoken to Archie for years and this becomes a central aspect of the novel.
The book switches between Fred’s account of his escape and Chrissie’s story to her daughter.
This is a romantic novel which also examines the way of life on a remote Scottish Island in the 1920s. It has been really well researched and evoked this way of life with some wonderful descriptions. The cliff climbing to trap the birds for winter food was beautifully written.
The part set in France reminded me of a book I read many years ago- Fair Stood The Wind For France by HE Bates although the romance aspect is based in Scotland. This part is nail biting as Fred tries to evade the Nazis and make it back home.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend for readers who enjoy historical romance novels with wonderful descriptive language,
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

My perfect book, it ticked so many boxes for me. This book is a love story and it is set on a remote Scottish island. It is full of the history of an island people and their struggle to survive. It is a beautifully crafted tale that is so believable. I know I will now have to visit St Kilda and immerse myself in the old stories. This novel may not be a true story but it is backed up by the history. I feel such a sadness when communities are lost. I must read more novels by this author as this has left such an impression on me. There are two words that describe this book the best and that is beautiful and isolation. It will be easy to loose yourself here.

I would like to thank netgalley Atlantic books corvus for the opportunity to have read the lost lights of St. kilda before publication.
Having read the other works of Elisabeth Gifford I was excited as I love her books as they have soul dignity but above all they are mesmerising she is a wonderful storyteller.
St kilda has intrigued me for many years and I think this book epitomizes what life was really like for chrissie her family and the many St. kildans, this beautifully written book was really outstanding iam quite speechless I never wanted it to end a life of sheer determination there love of god keeping them going at times.
I really can't praise this OUTSTANDING book enough and I can honestly say it's the best book I've read in 2019