The story starts in the present day when Millie Galton buys an old house after separating from her husband. When Nick Marshall visits the house to give a quote for the refurbishment, they find a hidden entrance in the fireplace. As they start to research the history of the house, Millie finds out it used to be a pub that was central in the smuggling of trade items back in 1784.

The story then flips between 1784 with Esther Harris, daughter of Luke who ran the pub The Ship at Anchor in 1784 and helped the free traders land, store and distribute the smuggled trade items. She tells her life story that led to the renowned battle at Mudefud Quay between the free traders and Revenue Officers.

It is easy to follow the two time periods and you really feel for the hard times that Esther and her family faced.

A great read that mixes factual historical details with fiction.

One thing I have to mention first: The Storm Girl is addictive! I read it on two evenings in a row!

18th century smugglers on the famous Dorset-Hampshire coast. Brave folk risking their lives, to get goods into England in order to circumvent the prohibitive taxes. And to profit a little from it, of course... But there's always a risk!

Add to that the glorious coastline, a bunch of troubled characters, and a mystery through time, and you have the perfect combination. I loved it!

In the present day, Millie Galton has treated herself to the kind of home she'd always craved, but her ex-husband had other ideas. While she is milling over the demise of their marriage, she plans to renovate the former inn she bought in Mudeford. She considers several offers, when a nosy neighbour warns her off a few, but by then it's too late. She's already engaged the services of Nick, who gets stuck into the project – and discovers a hidden cellar and tunnel. But where might it lead to?

Back in 1784, Esther struggles to keep their inn open. Her father's suffering from a poor back, and her brother ends up sailing the seas. And the man she loves – and who loves her in return – doesn't propose for lack of prospects. There's also her work with the smugglers, adding to her stress. When a revenue officer takes more than a passing interest in her and discovers their hidden cellar, she must take an important decision.

The historical setting is exquisite. We learn in detail the lay of the land, and the (often only) way of life there was for fishermen and villagers. The plot around Esther is utterly gripping. All the characters are very well-defined, and act in line with their station at the time. Her fate seems bleak, and full of dangers, yet there are also glimpses of enduring friendships, a strong sense of loyalty, and the attitudes of ordinary folks towards the Law and its officers.

The present-day setting is quaint. Millie's house is no longer an inn, and she is free to do as she pleases following her divorce. There is a sense of sentimentality towards her past, which she soon comes to understand. Her budding romance with Nick is also credible, especially given her neighbour's interference. Who should she believe? But then, a murder is discovered, the plot of which was quite complex in some ways, which I found intriguing, but it was resolved a little too smoothly for my liking.

The Storm Girl is a wonderful tale about the fight against poverty, dangers people faced, and chances they took. It's also a story about new beginnings, and the often confusing emotions that come with these.

It's a compelling novel. Highly recommended.

Loved this story. Based on the history of smuggling on the South coast of England, the tale switched between the 1700's and present day. Two stories centred around the same property, a pub in the 17oo's and now a house in serious need of TLC. The link with the smuggling started when a hidden door to a cellar was found and the start of a tunnel. Local historian Arthur, had plenty of information about the active smuggling of goods back in the day. Two love storied also developed during the two time periods. Very well written and a page turner.

Not for me unfortunately. I tried to get into it but just couldn’t settle into it. Might come back to it eventually

Fascinating read and well told double stranded story with a foot in the last and the present. Really enjoyable and lovely to know there is a basis in historical fact. Well written with mystery and intrigue throughout and a great big dose of love and loyalty. A great read.

Thank you Netgalley

A fantastically written story, giving gripping descriptions and multi-dimensional characters to carry you through a time gone by.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, would recommend for fellow fans of historical fiction, and certainly not the last book I will read by this author.

Historical fiction at its best, switching between 1784 smuggling on the coast to present day and a mystery to solve. When Millie moves to Mudeford following her divorce she employs a local builder to renovate her house. What follows is a romance sprinkled with murder, mystery, history and more. A fantastic read that transports you back to moody old England at the time when smuggling was a common occurrence and entire villages were involved.

Historical drama set around a smugglers village linked to a modern day story. Female characters in both times were excellent and the stories were well written. An intriguing read.

A well researched, interesting book set within two timelines which works perfectly. A very interesting story told by the two heroines who were extremely likeable. A must read!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Kathleen McGurl’s The Storm Girl is the latest atmospheric, immersive and enthralling tale of skullduggery, betrayal and secrets from this talented storyteller.

In 1784, necessity dictates that Esther Harris takes over her father’s role of helping smugglers to hide contraband in the pub’s secret cellar. A dangerous undertaking that could have deadly consequences should it ever be discovered, Esther must tread carefully and not arouse anyone’s suspicions or else risk a fate worse than death. But when the free traders’ ship is trapped in the harbour, tensions rise and the danger intensifies when a battle between the smugglers and the revenue officers leads to murder – and to Esther making an impossible choice between familial duty and her heart’s desire…

In the present day, Millie Galton is looking for a fresh start after her divorce. Having found her dream home, which overlooks the harbour in Mudeford, Millie starts putting all of her plans into action. Millie has got quite a challenge on her hands, but she wasn’t expecting to uncover a devastating discovery from centuries earlier that could be linked to a powerful secret that has lain hidden for so long. Can Millie solve a mystery that has haunted Mudeford for so long? And can her new home be the safe haven she had hoped it would be?

Kathleen McGurl has the storyteller’s gift and she has this exquisite ability to conjure up the past and draw her reader into her story by imbuing her narrative with atmosphere, suspense, intrigue and romance.

The Storm Girl is a layered, exciting, emotional and powerfully told page-turner written in the tradition of Barbara Erskine full of bold characters, evocative period details, nail-biting tension and emotional intensity that will keep readers hooked all through the night.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

This was an enjoyable book. It was a dual timeline story that was in the current day and also told in the 1780s when there was a lot of smuggling due to the high duties to be paid to the government. It was interesting to read about this time and the efforts that the smugglers went to and the fact that most of the town was involved in someway. Esther and her father, ran a bar and had a secret tunnel and storage area in the basement to hide the contraband.

The current day story is about Millie, a woman who is starting over and who buys a house that just calls to her but needs a lot of work, and when they start working they discover a hidden tunnel under the house that part of it had caved in.

Seeing how the two stories came together, was really interesting and I loved the characters I love the interaction between the characters.

My rating:

Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Women’s Fiction
Historical Fiction



Review:

This is a beautiful vividly written dual time line story. The story captured me from the start and slowly pulls you in until it’s almost impossible to put the book down. The characters are interesting and well developed. The books centers around two strong women who live in the same place but over two hundred years apart. The dual time line and the setting in beautiful Dorset giving a historical insight into the area, was what I enjoyed most.

Review copy provided through NetGalley at no cost to me.

The Storm Girl is my first Kathleen McGurl nsovel, but it won’t be my last.

A dual-timeline story, this book follows Esther, in 1784, beginning with an opening faintly reminiscent of Alfred Noyes’s “The Highwayman,” though it quickly moves beyond that trope. Our historical heroine is no lovestruck maiden idly braiding her hair in moonlit windows; rather she is a vibrant and dimensional young woman, acting with her own agency.

Similarly, recent divorcee Millie, our present day heroine, is bright and curious, and game for minor adventures. We first meet her as she is rescuing kittens (and a mama cat) from a blocked off fireplace, and her helper Nick, sparks her love of a good mystery when he suggests that said fireplace would be worth restoring (something she was already considering.)

Both women end up tangled in a mystery involving smuggling, which we modern audiences think of as a romantic form of crime, but is really very violent and dangerous, still, the puzzle that begins in the past is resolved in the present in a gripping story that is well plotted and perfectly paced.

What I especially loved about this book was that the author captures the language and tone of each period with great accuracy. You really don’t need to be told the date of each chapter; rather the writing makes it obvious where the story is in time.

I also loved that there were equal parts suspense and romance. Nothing ever got TOO tense or TOO fluffy; instead there was balance, and that made for a delightful read.

I’ve long been a fan of parallel narratives. Now I’m a fan of Kathleen McGurl and The Storm Girl as well.

Goes well with: hot tea and blueberry cobbler with a dash of firelight.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily, and it reflects my personal opinion.
The book is a dual timeline novel, clearly delineating each time with a new chapter. The historical and contemporary characters were realistic and engaging. The detail in the historical plotline made the story very interesting and the author evoked the feelings around that time, accurately describing the beliefs that smuggling was only a way for people to get what they enjoyed and it wasn't really stealing because it was only not paying the government taxes. The work on the house in the contemporary storyline was interesting too, and while the outcomes of both romances were fairly predictable it all made for a very enjoyable read. I've now signed up to follow this author.

Alright, who do I need to be having words with?! *puts hands on hips* I swear, you lot have been holding out on me. I can’t believe this was my first Kathleen McGurl read.

I am a sucker for dual timeline stories; most especially when there is a mystery involved. Add in real historical events with a fictionalised take and you have yourself ‘Laura Catnip’ personified.

I have to admit I was h-o-o-k-e-d (that’s hooked, but more!) from the prologue. I had to have a stern word with myself (which never goes over well as you can imagine! *smirks*) that I was not to flick to the end just for reassurance… the struggle is real! *shrugs*

Esther and Millie are both special to me in different ways.

Can you imagine being Esther during this turbulent time? Smuggling would be fraught with danger but imagine the excitement of living life on the edge. (Although, there were two chances of getting me into that tunnel!) However, she’ll do what she has to do to protect those she loves. Even sacrifice her own happiness if necessary. (I was stress eating over a certain odious character.)

Divorce is never easy, but Millie is embracing her fresh start with gusto. It’s all about rediscovering herself and what she needs/wants in life which may include a little frisson of romance. Some places just call to the soul and Millie’s cottage has certainly done just that.

Who needs to eat, sleep, basically adult, when you are reading a story this good? As Esther and Millie’s stories unfolded, I had to find out what happened!

Drama, romance, suspense, intrigue, you name it, TSG has it in spades. Me being me, there were a few tears! Well, did you expect anything less? Pfft, I don’t think so. *crosses arms*

TSG is a definite must-read for all my fellow historical mystery/dual timeline readers!

What a captivating story full of twists & turns between the centuries as Esther Harris nickname Blue to the Smugglers helps her Pa run The Ship at Anchor Pub & they hide Contraband beneath the Pub, then bring the years forward & Millie buys the house & during renovations finds out some of it's secrets linking it back to those days of Smugglers . So I highly recommend this as a good read . #Netgalley, #Goodreads, #FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk , #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/358a5cecda71b11036ec19d9f7bf5c96d13e2c55" width="80" height="80" alt="100 Book Reviews" title="100 Book Reviews"/>,#<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>

The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl. Pub Date May 11, 2022. Rating: 3 stars. Told in dual timeline format, this historical fiction novel is set at a house with secrets past involving smugglers. In the 1700s, Esther helps her father smuggle contraband in hopes to help their pub survive and continue being in business. In present day, Millie buys the house and starts to unravel the mysteries imbedded within. Honestly, this book was slow and did not keep me wanting to turn the pages. I love dual timeline historical fiction, but this one was a miss for me. Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #thestormgirl #HQ

The Storm Girl is a beautifully written story set in 1784 which follows the life of Esther Harris and her family as they run the local pub which also doubles as a smugglers den. We also follow Millie Galton, in the same location and in the present day. She has recently divorced and has moved to the village of Mudeford and now lives in the pub which is now a cottage.

During the renovations of Millie's new cottage, she discovers the secret of the old pub and we all learn more about the time of smugglers and illicit ships carrying the cargo.

I really enjoyed this book and loved how both stories were entwined with each other. Both main characters are strong willed characters and I particularly loved Esther as in 1784 I can imagine that strong willed women were not encouraged. Esther pays no attention to this and is an integral part of the smuggling. I don't really know too much about this but I really enjoyed learning about this particular era and just how dangerous smuggling really was for everyone involved. Capture could sometimes result in hanging.

I really loved The Storm Girl, the author has clearly done a lot of research about smuggling during this time which adds excitement to the story.

I haven't read any of the author's books but I definitely will after thoroughly enjoying The Storm Girl.

This is a dual time book which I could not put down and found it very fascinating.

Millie moves into an old house in Mudeford and decides to renovate it she uses Nick and they seem to have a bit of chemistry between them they go on a few dates. Millie is interested in the history of her house which she discovers used to be an Inn and was used as a hiding place for the smuggled goods.

Esther lives in the inn with her Father and she helps the smugglers with the cargos when they come into land as they have a secret tunnel leading from the inn to the area outside. Esther is in love with Sam will they be together only time will tell.

The book had a few mysteries about it and found it was well written and was really interesting to read about the smugglers in this time.

Would recommend this book.

The Storm Girl is a detailed story with a great deal of potential.

McGurl has combined the local history and research of smuggling together to create an entertaining plot. The overall feel of the story was engaging in the historical sense and captured the imagination. The writing style was enjoyable enabling the reader to escape into the story.

I have read a few of McGurl's novels... The Girl from Bletchley Park and The Lost Sister... yet this one doesn't have the same feel as the others. For me, I found that the past viewpoint was more interesting with how smuggling came to affect everyone. The present day plot didn't seem really interesting until nearly halfway and there was some repeatition of the fact that Millie had seperated from husband Steve 3 times over the first quarter of the story. Some points were revealed early in the present day so, I was able to easily guess what was going to happen in the past, which lost some of the anticipation.

The character development of The Storm Girl is ok. The characters are realistic and relateable, with their own personalities. There is a good amount of backround information so the reader can quickly become invested in the charaters.

Esther belongs to a family of smugglers, although they prefer free traders. The lifestyle is dangerous and has high stakes for those who are caught. Esther has to frequently take over handling the smuggling and the daily running of the family pub from her father who suffers from a poor back. I was able to symphaise with Ether, who lost her mother at 12.... she had to grow up quickly to be there for those who need her...

Millie is in the process of going through an amicable divorce, yet still remains friends with her soon to be ex-husband. Having bought a home with some historical significance, she begins to renovate to make it her long term home. Soon into the renovation she finds a secret cellar and tunnel, which links back to Ether's life and timeline. Millie has good interaction with other characters, her neighbour, Sharon and the man she hires, Nick.

I would recommend reading The Storm Girl to lovers of Historical Fictions with a Mystery twist, as it is a character driven dramatic story filled with secrets, murder and betrayal...