Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy of this book. I’ve been a long term fan of Karen Swan’s books, always enjoying the flowing prose filled with descriptive sentences that allow the readers to really immerse themselves in the setting as well as the story. Whether the setting is Spain, Rome, Norway or Canada, there is a real sense of place in her books. This time her setting is St Kilda and the Scottish mainland in the 1930s, at the time of the evacuation of the inhabitants of the island of St Kilda, whose meagre population struggles for survival in a centuries old manner, cut off from much of modern conveniences. It is told through the eyes of Effie Gillies, a wild tom boy type whose skill at all the men’s work required for their survival, including rope work along the cliffs, captures the attention of Lord Sholto when he visits with his father, the Earl of Dumfries, just before the evacuation. She becomes their guide, her knowledge and understanding of birds catching the earl’s attention and admiration. But it’s his son who finds her more than a source of information, and his attention becomes irresistible to Effie. The two are drawn together, ever closer, until circumstances forces them apart.

The novel is the first of a trilogy, something new for Swan, as well as taking on historical fiction for the whole of a novel, rather than just a parallel story, as she has done on occasion. But just as in her past novels, the setting is wonderfully created with such loving detail there is no doubt about the meticulous research that went into it. And the time period rings true, the accuracy seemingly spot on. As a writer of historical fiction, I can say that is no easy feat and one of the reasons I am drawn to her novels is her attention to these kind of details so seamlessly slipped in. This novel is no different. The Cinderella story is also told with heart and understanding of Effie and draws the reader in, though at a few points it presents a little more facile than usually found in her novels. Its place as the first of a trilogy may have led the decision on the ending, which for me I would have liked to be a little less abrupt. Still, it’s an exhilarating tale, one that captured me immediately and I finished in only a few sittings.

I have read a few of Karen's books and loved them but this one I didn't love.
I found the first half was a bit of a slog until they were evacuated and then for me it really picked up. I know we had to have the back story of where it all began and I'll be honest I had to skim the dogs bit. I found it upsetting and unnecessary.
Effie is quite a character, very much a tomboy. I loved her fighting spirit.
The ending is left on a bit of a cliff hanger as there are more to follow. Not sure if I will read the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I loved this book, I enjoy Karen Swans way of expressing herself so many different ways in her stories, so to read this ARC is fabulous to me.

WE follow Mhairi, Effi and Flora and the Collie Poppit on St Kildan.

I love Karen Swan books, and this one didn’t disappoint, I really like how this was set in a different time and a place far away from civilisation, I really loved the twists and turn in this latest book, a story that makes you think about life and what is important.

A lovely read, 4 stars from me

I love Karen Swan and was really excited to read her new historical novel. It's a departure from her usual women's fiction/Christmas novels but just as fabulous!

Set in 1930, teenager Effie Gillies lives on the remote island of St Kilda, one of a dwindling population of only 36 people. It is a harsh life, with no amenities and a constant battle against the elements. Due to her elder brother's death and her father's growing frailty, Effie has become the family's main wage earner. She dresses like one of the men, hunts for their food and is one of the best climbers on the island. However, a daring stunt to win a race down the cliff-face against one of the island boys inadvertently impresses two important visitors to the island: the Earl of Dumfries and his twenty-three-year-old son Sholto. The Earl is obsessed with collecting rare bird's eggs and hires Effie to show him and Sholto the island, much to the annoyance of the other villagers. Having much in common (apart from from their class) Effie and Sholto soon become friends but will their friendship survive the islanders' evacuation to the mainland, where it soon becomes clear Sholto lives in a whole other world?

The Last Summer is a poignant story of first love. Effie and Sholto come from very different backgrounds but share a love of outdoor life and nature, particularly birds. When the islanders vote to be evacuated to mainland Scotland, it is a huge culture shock for Effie, who is used to the freedoms of island life and being treated like a man. She wears a too-big skirt held up by a bent nail, walks around barefoot and has never seen her reflection in a mirror. Now she is forced to conform and hide who she really is.

Running alongside Effie and Sholto's fledgling romance is a tale of murder and intrigue. While Effie manages to win over new friends and colleagues with her artless charm, she also makes dangerous enemies. What really happened on that last day on the island and will it come back to haunt her?

Meticulously researched, The Last Summer is one of those books that makes you believe you are actually there, from the wilds of St Kilda to a stately home in Scotland - Downton Abbey fans will love that part! The characters are brilliant and I particularly loved Effie. The only snag for me was that the book ended very abruptly, on a major cliff-hanger! Aargh!

However, The Last Summer is a five-star read and I have no hesitation in recommending it to Karen Swan's fans and anyone who loves historical fiction with a strong sense of place.

Thank you to Karen Swan and Pan for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

5+ Stars

I absolutely loved this story, I loved everything about it. It has a slightly different feel from Karen Swan's previous books but, in my opinion, she has taken her storytelling to another level. It is set around the real events of the St Kilda evacuation of 1930, something I only vaguely knew about, though I have since done some research. This set the scene for me and the author brought the way people lived on the island to life and I could really relate to their hardships and community.

I loved the characters, they are so well written and well-developed that I could really relate to them. Effie is a young St Kildan, who struggles every day to provide for her and her father, who cannot. She climbs the rocks to get eggs and birds for food and does it as well as any man on the remote island. She fights the prejudices of the men to do this and I admired her so much, I just loved her feisty nature. She is an expert ornithologist too and this and her determination is what will give her hope for the future.

Sholto is the son and heir of the Lord Dumfries’ who visits the isles to collect eggs for his collections. Sholto's attraction to Effie is undeniable but their backgrounds put a huge obstacle in the way. I like Sholto a lot. The story is full of wonderful characters and they all went towards creating a fabulous cast for this book.

I didn't realise when I started that this book would be part of a series, not something Karen Swan usually does, so I was devastated at the end that I was left in suspense! I even shouted out NO...to my husband's great amusement. I do hope I don't have to wait for too long for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book, it has everything you could want from a really good book. In my opinion, Karen Swan has outdone herself with this story.

Another really beautiful book by Karen Swan. Who really knows how to write a beautiful, touching, a times funny, romantic book. That is just really lovely. A great summer read.

Wowser this is a great book!! I felt totally transported to St Kilda, an island I admittedly knew nothing about, and was blown away by the way life was lived on the isles as recently as the 1930s. Everything about this book was totally absorbing, even more so once Effie and her father ended up in Dumfries.
I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I genuinely loved every minute of reading this novel and seeing Effie adjust to life on the mainland. Highly highly recommend.

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful story! I was unaware of the history behind the story and although I looked it up after I read the book it just proved the the author’s research had been meticulously done.
I found the initial part of the book a little slow, however it soon picked up a pace and ended with a heart stopping twist in the tale…….I really can’t wait for the next book in the series…I have so many questions!!!
Altogether a beautifully written book, a little different to the other books I have read of her however I think it is her best yet
Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoy Karen Swan's novels and this one was no different - although it is a move away from her more contemporary fiction and delves into historical fiction. I think it is a great move!

The characters were well-drawn, likeable (or not in the case of the Factor!) and I really wasn't sure which way the story was going to end. The novel covers the dwindling community of St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides and the last few months before they are evacuated to the mainland. Effie Gillies is 18 and a seasoned climber and bird expert. She has a very small family, just her and her elderly father, but her work on the ropes is key to ensuring that they never go without.

Her destiny is forever altered when Lord Sholto and his father comes to the island and she ends up being their tour guide. Their meeting sets in motion the second half of the novel, after Effie and her community have been evacuated and how she attempts to discover who she is away from all she has ever know on St Kilda.

I couldn't put this down and read late into the night under the covers to spare my poor husband the glare from my Kindle at 2am! I will look forward to more in this vein from Karen Swan. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the second Karen Swan book that I have given up on. Really hard to get into as the story is not going anywhere at all. Will not be recommending it. Sorry but gave up with it.

Very Gripping Read!

This book is not a genre that I would read a lot of. However, I'm really glad that I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book! I was hooked to the story from the beginning and could not put the book down!

I’ve read and enjoyed books by Karen Swan in the past but this was difficult to get into and I almost gave up, not something I do a lot. It’s a story based in a factual event - the evacuation of the inhabitants of St Kilda in 1930. The second half of the book is more interesting dealing with the changed circumstances of the ex-islanders and their struggles with the modern world of the 1930s. The ending is abrupt and extremely disappointing. Not sure if this was intentional or if I had a faulty copy but it seems others have had the same so have to think not. Would struggle to recommend but 3 stars for the last 40%.

I have always loved Karen swans books but I have to admit I really struggled to get into the last summer, maybe because it had a more historical slant being based in the 1930s, it was interesting to read about life on st kilda and the hardships that it entailed for the residents and the hierarchy that existed, I thought Effie was an amazingly resilient character with a fantastic knowledge of local birds and nature and glad that she could use this after the move to the mainland, all aided and abetted by the enigmatic lord sholto.
A very different read for me that took me out of my comfort zone
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

This wasn't your typical Karen Swan, but it I enjoyed it just the same.
It was a bit slow to start but a good read all the same.

A five star read! The Last Summer is an epic, sweeping novel full of romance, adventure and mystery… A story with the power to move readers in every possible way….

Thoroughly enjoyable story based round the harsh lives of St Kildans and their subsequent move to the mainland. Good depiction of their way of life and St Kilda. Strong characterisation with characters to love and some to loathe. Effie, the mainstay is feisty and unworldly with a love of nature and is beguiled by Lord Sholto when he visits her island so beginning a love story that progresses to the mainland but their future is thwarted by earlier incidents .
A story with a devilish twist and presumably it is not the last we hear of Effie and Sholto

It took a bit of getting into, this one. The story telling was wonderfully descriptive and the characters believable but for some reason it was slow to get going. However it is worth persevering. The difference in lifestyles makes for an amazing background to the story and the historical setting is intriguing. Can't wait for the next installment.

I really enjoyed reading this book, set in 1930 on the island of St Kilda, the first 65% of the book describes the struggles of the 36 residents of the island.. The Earl of Dumfries and his son Lord Sholto arrive on the island in May with the Factor to see for themselves the bird life on the island. As the men decide it is time to pluck the sheep on the nearby Island, Effie is offered the chance to take the Earl and his son to see some of the bird life.

When the government approve their evacuation to the mainland, they have just three months to pack up their lives and leave.

Effie the main character of the book has a fascination of wildlife, and the Factor Mathieson brings her different books to enhance her learning.

Once on the mainland, Effie and her father are taken to a small damp cottage which is to become their home. Effie is refused work with the men, and sent to the weaving factory. The next day a representative of the Earl arrives to ask Effie if she will catalogue his bird collection. Effie and her father leave the cottage and go to Dumfries,

The book ends nearly in mid sentence, with about 8 blank pages, whether this is how the book should end, I guess we will have to wait until either it is published or we read the next book in the series!

Another ace book by Karen Swan. Set on the Scottish island that the government moved people off. The twists were great. I hated the power the factor had. The house keeper at the big house did care about Effie. I loved when Effie first saw herself in the mirror. A very moving story. Set in a time I normally don’t like but it gripped you