I love to read historical fiction and The Skylark’s Secret was no exception. This novel was different from most that I have read because it was set in Scotland and told the story of living in a coastal town during WWII. Skylark’s Secret also tells a dual story of women in the same family from 1939-1980. I felt a part of the village and felt as if I were in their beautiful country.
Thanks to NetGalley for loaning me this book. I was not required to review it.

My first by this author and I was not disappointed. Split between WW2 and 1978+ the story follows Flora during WW2 and her daughter Lexie later in 1978. It goes from Floras life and her relationship with Alec to Lexie and her discovery of who she is. We also meet many other amazing fictional characters in both eras. Set in Scotland’s, Loch Ewe the historical aspect is well researched plus the additional of fictional places.
Thanks Fiona Valpy and NetGalley.

Lexie is a talented singer, having the leading lady part in the west end when suddenly her voice changes and she finds out she is pregnant, with no hope of her voice recovering Lexie and her daughter Daisy move back to her childhood home of Althea. Here Lexie learns the story of her mother Flora and her Father Alec.

A fantastic book switching between narratives of Lexie and Flora.

Fiona Valpy pens a beautiful story interweaving the past and the present from the war-torn years to the most recent. Stamina and courage are so evident in the lives of those who lived during World War II, but so many times the heartbreak and the secrets were never revealed. Flora and Lexie are excellent examples in The Skylark's Secret and it is the end of the book before the true story is unveiled. You must read this one.

I absolutely love Fiona Valpy's books. She has the gift of being able to transport you to any place and any time with her beautifully descriptive writing.

Lexi is forced to return to Loch Ewe, a remote Highland village, as a single parent following the death of her mother and the fall of her west end musical career.

Determined to find out more about her past and her parents, she soon befriends her mothers best friends and starts digging for clues.

The chapters alternate between Lexis story (set in the 1970s) and her mother Flora's story (set in 1940s war time) and we soon begin to see long kept secrets unravel.

A story of family, friendship, community, love, loss, heartbreak and overall, hope. I absolutely loved The Skylarks Secret and would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. This is my first book by Fiona Valpy. I enjoyed the storyline and the small Scottish town the story is set in. She brought it to life wonderfully and I could easily place myself there looking out at the ships in the Loch.

Reading about both mother and daughter's lives simultaneously, we learn the truth of Flora's life. I rather liked going back and forth between the two time periods, separated by several decades as it gave two perspectives to the same story. While I don't mind reading WWII era books, I found the details on the war to be too many and I skimmed over much of it.

Fiona Valpy always writes such good stories, The Skylark's Secret is no exception.

I love these stories set during WW2 where everyone has to pull together.

Although desperately sad in some parts the overwhelming feeling was of hope.

I will continue to read Fiona's books for as long as she writes them.

I was unable to access the book so I am unable to give an honest review. I will say that the premise of the book looked very interesting so I was disappointed that I was unable to actually read it..

I received a free ARC of this book from Netgalley.
It started off a little slow, but then I really enjoyed the main characters as the book goes back and forth between mother and daughter when they are both young adults dealing with relationships. Lexie never knew her father and she has questions that her mother Flora, recently deceased, will never be able to answer. Flora's closest friends are obviously still keeping secrets from Lexie that she is finally able to discover as they bond.

A 2 timeline story set late 1970s and WW2. After her mother dies, Lexie returns from London with her young daughter to rural Scotland where she grew up. She has never met her father who died a war hero before she was born. Apart from his name and his wartime job, she knows little about him and so seeks to find out the story surrounding her mother and father.
The villagers seem evasive but gradually the tale evolves. Nice ending. A nice gentle tale with accurate research about the area during wartime.
Thanks Netgalley for ARC for an honest review.

Unfortunately this story was written in a style I don't care for, going back and forth between stories. It was rather slow at times and difficult to keep interested in.

Set in Loch Ewe, Scotland and told in dual timelines, this novel explores the story of Flora in the early 1940s, and her daughter, Lexie, in the late 1970s. Lexie has come home after health issues interfered with her singing career. Her mother has died, and Lexie has questions about her father that have been left unanswered. Reading this book, I learned about a time in Scotland's history when Scottish forces teamed with Americans to aid the Russians during World War II. Loch Ewe was instrumental during that time in making sure the Russian people were supported with food and medical supplies during a time when the Germans were fighting the world to further their cause. I found out so many things I didn't know as I read this book. And I enjoyed the mystery that unfolded with each page until it's ultimate conclusion. There are love stories, triumphs and tragedies, and family dramas. I recommend this story about resilience and loyalty and the power of love. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

As a lover of World War 11 fiction, I’m always looking for stories written in a different perspective or stories about a part of the war I’m not familiar with. I never really thought about Scotland’s participation in the war and I had never heard of the Russian Arctic Convoy. I’m definitely been inspired to do more research on this because of this novel. I loved all the references of Scottish music, too., and plan on looking into those as well. The story is inspiring and uplifting, everything I love about this genre. I felt the big reveal was a little unbelievable but certainly didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book

Set in Loch Ewe during the 1940s and decades later, this remote Scottish highland village is filled with characters that knows everyone. Romance is fractured, people are put in their places, disapproved friendship and love is found throughout, unhappy marriage, boys being sent to war and some don't return is weaved with beautifully written storytelling. I found myself drawn in and really felt for some of the characters. The main character, decades later, is found unraveling the truth about her mother and the others in the village. I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the ARC.

Lexie Gordon thought when she left her small village she would never have to return to the place where she felt judged and stifled. But, sometimes life has a way of causing you to go back to your roots.

The dual timeline of WWII and the 1970’s that Fiona Valpy created was masterfully done. Each one had beautiful stories and poignant reminders of making difficult decisions and loving others above yourself. The ending had me saying, “Bravo!”

Thank you to NetGalley for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my opinion.

The Skylark’s Secret by Fiona Vaply is a story about a daughter’s journey to discover the secrets her mother held so close. Loch Ewe, 1940s, the remote highland village becomes the base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys, life in the close-knit community changes forever. The gamekeeper’s daughter, Flora, falls in love with Alec, the laird’s son. Decades later, Flora has passed away, and her daughter, Lexie Gordon, is forced to return to the village and the tiny cottage where she grew up. With a daughter of her own, Lexie learns that her mother and the village had secrets, secrets that will question everything she thought she knew about her parents and her village. Lexie is determined to fill the missing pieces in the story her mother always told her. When she finally learns the truth, will she be able to finally forgive, grieve for those lost and find a place to truly call home?
The Skylark’s Secret is a beautiful story of love and sacrifice. Set in the beautiful Scottish highlands, it is a story of love, war, and community. It is a story of a mother’s love and the secrets she holds in her heart. Ms. Vaply’s descriptions are so vivid that I could image the crystal blue waters of the loch and the rolling hills of the highlands. Told from Flora’s and Lexie’s perspectives and times, a story is revealed of wartime bravery, love found and lost, and the true meaning of home. It’s a slow simmer that keeps you hooked as you want to know the secrets and when one twist is revealed and you think you have it figured out, there is another twist! This book was my first by Fiona Vaply and it certainly won’t be the last. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Valpy. It is an awesome story and I highly recommend the Skylark’s Secret!

The Skylark’s Secret is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

If you like to visualise the setting of a novel in all its glory this is the book for you. Fiona did such a wonderful job describing the west of Scotland you could picture being there! Beautifully written tale written in alternate times-one during war time and the other in present day, covering hardships, and the romantic and sad times in relationships. A real treat to read.

This is a beautiful story about a mother and daughter, based on two timelines. Lexie has to come back to her Scottish home left to her by her mother Flora. They both have had young fatherless little girls and the similarities don’t end there.
The Second World War attracted ships to the village and it becomes the central point for arctic convoy ships to start from. Flora is in love with the local lard’s son who also loves her. Their love story will not have a happy ending but at least Lexie is the happy result. Lexie herself has a successful stage career in London and her mother is very proud of her achievements. However getting pregnant leads to the end of her career and the potential father washes his hands of them, not even knowing Lexie has the lovely Daisy as a result.
When you realise that Davy the fisherman who befriends Lexie is the same Davy who came to the village as a wartime refugee the story knots together.
This is a beautiful story well to9ld and moving in many ways. This is an author to look out for and a highly recommended read

I am not always a fan of duel narrative and time in books, but this technique was ideal for the telling of both stories. The switching between Lexie's story and Flora's did not bother me as I wanted to continue their journeys as they were both engrossing.
Flora, Lexie's mum, has her story told in the third person. During the second world war the home fleet was based at Loch Ewe and Flora, Alec and the rest of the community have their lives changed forever.
Lexie tells her story in the 1970's. After a successful career as a singer in the West End, Lottie returns to Loch Ewe after the death of her mother,with her small daughter and her career in ruins. With the help of Flora's friends she starts her new life and discovers the secret of her birth .
I really enjoyed this well researched book. The two beautifully entwined stories brought the two eras to life. Highly recommended.

What an enjoyable book. While characters and circumstances are fictional, they are all based on things that actually happened during WWII. This book is centered on a hidden cove in Scotland called Loch Ewe. There are 2 time periods that we jump between.

Flora and her father live as keepers for the big house where Flora's beau resides. This book takes us through the struggles of watching loved ones leave over and over from this safe haven and cross the deadly seas to take supplies to allied countries. I loved the descriptive nature of this book. I really felt that I was walking the wind-swept trails with the characters. I could hear the wind, smell the salty sea air, and understood the heartache of a war that took far too many loved ones.

Decades later we get to follow Lexie, Flora's daughter through a lost career in London's West End and back to her home town at the Loch. She uncovers secrets she never even knew to look for and while her world is rocked, she also finds acceptance and love.

An overall uplifting story.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.