The Distant Shores is part of the much loved Deverill series, and what a beautiful addition it is. We find ourselves in the 1980’s with Margot – a young author who, following her recent success, has taken herself off to Ireland where she is going to reside within an old castle for the next nine months as the writer-in-residence.

The castle has been in the Deverill family for more than 300 years but now, the most recent Lord Deverill – also known as JP – has put the castle up for sale and is instead living in the nearby hunting lodge. Margot finds herself approaching the reclusive man partly expecting him to chase her away, so when he instead offers to work on the book alongside her it is safe to say Margot is rather shocked by this turn of events.

As she gets closer to the Deverill family and the secrets of their past, Margot also grows closer to both JP and his rather attractive son Colm. Despite JP’s willingness to help her with her work, other family members are far more reluctant to welcome Margot in to their lives, and into the secrets their family hold.

This was such a fascinating read that had me captivated from the start. Margot is a strong, incredibly intelligent character who has a good heart and acts with the best of intentions. She has a certain warmth about her that really draws you in and allows you to connect with her. The storyline itself is beautiful and immersive, with a intriguing plot that has plenty of depth and drive throughout. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to future releases by Santa Montefiore.

I read quite a lot of this book but I struggled and gave up in the end. It was my first book by this author and sorry to say that I won't be reading any others. Whilst I could see it was well-read, there were just too many characters to keep track of. I also struggled to really care what happened to them - I just wasn't curious and I wasn't rooting for anyone, not even the protagonist. I didn't realise this was the final book of a series so perhaps one reason was that I hadn't read the rest of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Santa Montefiore for this ARC in return for my honest review. Ever since Songs of Love and War was released I've been captivated by the Deverill saga so I eagerly await each new release. This definitely didn't disappoint, from the opening pages I was hooked and used all my spare time reading this book. Once again I found the Deverill story completely captivating, the characters enthralling and because I'm from Cork originally myself, I don't need too much help in picturing the scenery, the people and places. I'll be very sorry if this is the last book in their story as I'm hoping against hope for another installment.

The Distant Shore by Santa Montefiore

Blurb
Margot Hart travels to Ireland to write a biography of the famous Deverill family. She knows she must speak to the current Lord Deverill – JP – if she is to uncover the secrets of the past. A notorious recluse, JP won’t be an easy man to crack. But Margot is determined – and she is not a woman who is easily put off.

My main issue with the book was keeping track of who everyone was! It looks back at 300 years of the family’s history, but wasn’t in depth enough for me to keep track of all the names and so that when a family member was mentioned I struggled to remember which generation they were from, and by the end of the book I gave up caring!

To be fair it was only when I’d finished the book that I realised that this was actually the fifth book about the Deverill family and am sure that if I’d read the others first I would of felt differently

I look forward to Sante Montefiore's new publications and this one was no exception. We meet up again with the Deverill family and learn some past mysteries. Quite an emotional read in parts.

I’ve read and enjoyed couple of other books by this author so was excited to receive this review copy via NetGalley. Unfortunately it was not for me. I realised after a few pages it was the final book in a series and that I knew none of the characters. I persevered until about a third of the way through and then gave up.
I really couldn’t get my head around all the characters and so I cared very little about them. They really didn’t come alive.
Margot is writing a book about the Deverill family in Ireland and is staying in a hotel which was once their family home, employed as an author in residence.
There is some mystery about past events within the family but I did not really have the enthusiasm to read on and discover what it was.
I would expect that readers who have enjoyed the previous four books in the series will like this one but it definitely was not to my taste despite finding other books by Santa extremely enjoyable. I will however, still be keen to read subsequent books she writes.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Shuster UK for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful story.

This may be one book in a series but it definitely didn’t feel like it when I was reading it.

It’s the 1980’s and Margot is a young author who has just written a successful book about Eva Peron and is now in Ireland at an old castle as the writer-in-residences for the next 9 months.

The castle belonged to the Deverill family for the past 300 years but the most recent Lord Deverill (JP) put it up for sale and is living as a recluse in the nearby Hunting Lodge.

Margot goes to see him and instead of him chasing her away, he invites her to work on the book with his support.

As Margot gets closer to the facts of the past, JP and his attractive young son Colm get closer to Margot.

The story is interwoven with the story of the spirits that inhabit the castle who themselves haven’t found peace.

I loved this story and the feeling of how those from the past still sometimes need to come to terms with their deeds.

It’s a beautiful and memorable read and one I would definitely recommend! ⭐️❤️📚

I didn't realise until AFTER reading The Distant Shores that this is the last in the Deverill series!!! This is testament to Santa's skill in writing that it reads so well as a standalone book. Although now I need to go back and read the rest of the series!!!

After Kitty dies she vows to stay in her ancestral Castle until it is owned once again by a Deverill as it has been sold and is now a hotel, and Margot arrives at the castle for 9 months to write a book on the Deverill history, which much of the family is against.

The book tells the story from both Kitty's and Margots point of view, With both characters being so well written it feels like they are in the room telling it themselves. Well I guess they kind of are.

There is a lot of drama, heartache, a little joy and of course suspense throughout, with even the occasional snigger moment.

Santander has outdone herself this time, an entertaining and highly recommended book.

I’ve read a number of Santa Montefiore books before including all the Deverill ones so I was pleased but surprised to see another. This is a great continuation / conclusion (?) but also has plenty enough background in it for anyone who hasn’t read the others.

This takes place a number of years after the last book and the Deverill castle is no longer owned by a Deverill but is a hotel, Margot is a published historian who has been invited to be the hotels writer in residence whilst compiling a history of the Deverill family which understandable meets resistance from some of the family.

This was a bit of a slow starter for me but once it got going I found myself mentally back in Ballinakelly with the characters older but certainly in the case of Lord Deverill not wiser. Margot is a brilliant strong character with a beautiful soul and good intentions, I really liked her bravado and warmth she injects. The effect she has on the Deverills throughout the book feels true and I think it’s her character and her impact that really pulls you in. 9/10