This book has a dual timeline, set in Mudeford in 1784 and present day. Esther Harris lives with her father in a pub, which is also used to store goods smuggled into the county to evade their excessive taxes. But this is dangerous work, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. When they are betrayed, Esther finds she could lose everyone and everything she loves. In the present day, after her divorce Milly Galton has just moved into an old cottage, badly in need of renovation. Trying to get her new life started, she throws herself into the renovations and also into tracing the history of the cottage after her builder, Nick, discovers a secret tunnel.

This is a well written, well plotted and absorbing read. Esther is an unusual character for the time in that she joins in the moving of the smuggled goods, wearing men’s clothing, and doing such hard work too. I love that a lot of the characters, places and incidents are true and documented, it adds such realism to the whole story. For me Esthers story is the more powerful, but I liked Millies too. The link between the two - the house/pub - adds to the storyline, especially with the discovery of the smugglers tunnel. I’ve read one of this authors’ previous books, and I’ll certainly look out for her others. A really nice read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Fascinating story of smuggling and love!

This is a dual timeline story and both are great stories! In the 1780's we have Esther's story - she's the daughter of a pub owner and they help smuggle goods to their community. Present day is Millie's story - she's newly divorced and just moved into a new house...which happens to be the same pub Esther's family owned. Both stories have romance and mysteries. It's interesting to see how Esther's story evolves as Millie finds out about the history of her new house. I really enjoyed reading this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

I enjoyed this story and the dual timeline was handled well, in alternate chapters. It is fairly lightweight and romantic, but the historical aspects are based on real characters so well done to the author for that. This is a popular author and rightly so but I prefer more literary writing - there is no real tension or depth of character and the problems the main characters face are all resolved in happy endings.

Well written with a dual timeline story and well developed characters and a great setting. I was completely gripped by this book and I didn't want to stop reading. A really enjoyable read.

The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl

1784. When Esther Harris’s father hurts his back, she takes over his role helping smugglers hide contraband in the secret cellar in their pub. But when the free traders’ ships are trapped in the harbour, a battle between the smugglers and the revenue officers leads to murder and betrayal – and Esther is forced to choose between the love of her life and protecting her family…
Present day. Fresh from her divorce, Millie Galton moves into a former inn overlooking the harbour in Mudeford and plans to create her dream home. When a chance discovery behind an old fireplace reveals the house’s secret history as a haven for smugglers and the devastating story of its former residents, could the mystery of a disappearance from centuries ago finally be solved?
If I could give this book more than 5 stars , I would gladly give them.
Loved both stories equally , and being someone that finds the dual timeline titles some of my most enjoyed reads , have to say this one is up there with the best ones.
I enjoyed that it was the pub / house that linked Esther and Millie and the plot of renovation set Millie off on finding the history of her new home.
All the characters in the book were interesting and I never found myself skipping any part where the main characters were not part of the immediate story.
It was also very interesting to read the authors note at the end informing us on the inspiration that lead her to write the novel.

Millie Galton is starting over after her divorce, she’s moved into an old inn in Mudeford which she intends to turn into her dream home. She never imagined that her renovations would reveal the inn’s past as a den for smugglers and the mystery surrounding a tragic disappearance from the 18th century. Told in alternating voices between past and present this novel highlights what McGurl does best – bringing the past to life in such vivid fashion that you are transported to another time