I really struggled with this book and in the end found it a chore to get through. I was desperate to like it but didn’t think it compared to Moorcroft’s other novels. Instead, the writing felt incredibly dense, the plot slow and heavy with descriptions – not aided by the lengthy chapters. I didn’t really connect with the protagonist, finding her quite weak and reliant on others.

However, I liked the plot direction, finding this different to the writer’s other stories. The opening chapter is pretty dramatic as readers witness a car accident involving a cyclist. Fast-forward several years and Thea has put this behind her, living with her sister on the Isle of Skye, working as a gardener on a lavish estate. Yet, it would seem the past hasn’t forgotten Thea – in more ways than one – and the story sees how the cyclist from the accident keeps rearing his head and Thea’s family past becomes more prominant.

I liked exploring Thea’s family background, especially as it is revealed that she and her two sisters are all adopted from different families (which I am guessing shapes the other two books in the trilogy). Thea takes tentative steps into finding more about her birth mother, although she does rely heavily on those around her. Not just for emotional support, but even completing the administrative side of things. This made me despair towards Thea because I thought that time and life experiences would have made her a bit more independent, despite her aversion to reading the written word.

I think I got more into the book after the halfway point, as characters were properly established and it was like there was some definite direction to the plot. Furthermore, Thea has made more progress with contacting her birth mother by this point and I think it helped that the story moved away from the estate that Thea works at. Whilst Moorcroft does a great job of describing the setting, I didn’t feel too immersed in Skye, not like other books I have read.

Daisy the dog sounds the absolute cutest! My heart was in my mouth when Daisy’s ownership comes into question but she was one of my more favourite characters, adding a bit of life and soul to the narrative. Daisy seemed to bring a smile to all the characters and I loved reading about her. I hope she makes an appearance in the next book.

So whilst I wasn’t blown away by this story, I think I will keep persevering with this trilogy. Hopefully having a different sister at the forefront of the narrative will help me warm to the story more. Having enjoyed so many of Moorcroft’s books in the past, I am optimistic I will connect better to the next one.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Moorcroft’s work and this is another to put on the 5 star pile. I love everything about this book and it really is such an easy read and one I’d recommend as a gift or to be added to TBR.

This was a just a great read. I was just all in the story.
Loved the MCs. Lovely written book. i enjoyed more than I expected I would

Another lovely story from Sue Moorcroft, lovely characters that I became really invested in, and beautiful descriptions of Skye. I loved this book and I can’t wait to read the next instalment. Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and Sue Moorcroft for the opportunity to review this book.

Gorgeous escapist read, combining romance with family mystery, and set on the beautiful and remote Scottish island of Skye.

Having grown up in England, Thea now works as Head Gardener at Rothach Hall, grateful to live in such a peaceful location, far away from the harsh glare of fame she encountered following her brush with reality TV on a gardening show.

With her sweet cottage, a sister living nearby who also works at Rothach Hall, and their other sister not far away with her own family in Edinburgh, Thea has everything she could want, especially when an attractive stranger applies for the gardener post she is advertising.

But he is not the only stranger to visit the area and this could spell the end of the life Thea has carefully created if her secret is revealed.

This was another enjoyable read by Sue Moorcroft.

It was everything that I could have hoped for as a holiday read. So descriptive, i felt like I was there and I was instantly able to connect with the characters.

Thanks again for the opportunity to review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon, Harper Collins for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Set on the remote and beautiful Isle of Skye, Thea has taken refuge there away from the rat race and enjoying the anonymity and calm there.

A surprise encounter with a handsome man turns things around, can she escape her past and look forward to a happier future?

Another emotional journey from running away from secrets and finding out some family truths to acceptance of her new life and who she can share it with!

This took a little while to get into but once I did I was hooked. It was wonderful to read of an adoptive family so secure and dedicated to one another, and even more heartwarming for a reconnection with a birth parent. The main characters were wonderful and the two villains of the story made my blood boil. Absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the next instalment of life on Skye

I do love me a Sue Moorcroft book, she's talented and inspiring. Loved this book and look forward to the next instalment. The characters are engaging and interesting.

Whilst hard to get into at first, it was enjoyable at the end and took you on an emotional rollercoaster.

Sue Moorcroft is an amazing author and this book is no exception. A great summer read sat by the pool. I cant wait for the next book that she releases.

such another good book to read from sue never failing to give you a good storyline that will keep you involved throughout the book telling a lovely story set in scotland of thea and her 2 sisters lives staying together through good and bad and of course with all there troubles comes a happy ending for all

Well I am loving this first book in Sue Moorcroft's new trilogy.

I loved the setting and the closeness of siblings Thea, Ezzie and Valentina, as well as the incredibly interesting themes that are discussed in the book.

I also especially loved Daisy, her entrance into Thea's life and just about every scene she is in, she is a scene stealer!

This was a cosy but at times emotional book, full of all the warmth you would expect from this author

It was a pleasure to read and I already can't wait for my next visit to Skye.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I have read a number of Sue Moorcroft’s books and always find them enjoyable. This one is about Thea, who while in the public eye had a road accident with an unpleasant man and while the accident was not Thea’s fault she tried to help the injured man by attending road safety events which the he was promoting. To escape the publicity the accident had promoted Thea goes to Skye to work as a gardener in a stately home which is open to the public and where one of her sisters lives. Dev is trying to get an angle on Thea and the accident for a magazine he works for and has turned up in Skye only for Thea to think he has come about a seasonal gardening job. He arrives just in time to rescue a stray dog from a lake. Thea adopts daisy and employs Dev and he decides not to write the piece he was employed to as he starts falling for Thea. The book touches on many things including the use of social media and also family issues. Thea and her sisters were adopted and her adoptive parents have passed away so when Thea gets a chance to meet her birth mother she is torn. I liked the characters in the book but one of the most significant things about it is the description of Skye. Having never been there, the story really promotes the beauty of the island making any reader want to visit. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book.

Sue Moorcroft never disappoints and this story lives up to her formidable backlist. If you can't afford a holiday, but this book instead and have a virtual holiday in a wonderful landscape, peopled by beautifully written characters you will want to befriend. Loved it

Really enjoyed escaping to Scotland . Love the beautiful descriptions and getting to know the characters.
Once again Sue does it with her descriptions and allowing us into the characters.

A number of topics are explored but the main one is Thea trying to discover who her birth mother is . Will people discover Thea’s secret or is it safe?

I loved this escape to the isle of Skye, Thea and her sisters were great characters and with a good storyline and beautiful Island backdrop this a perfect summer read

A lovely read.
What I really loved was the way the author described everything, how you feel you are there seeing what they are seeing, feeling what they do.
As you read the characters really grow for you and you really hope things work out for them.
Definitely a must read.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thea escape to the Isle of Skye to escape a run of wrong turns. She secures a job as a gardener at Rothach Hall and life starts to become exactly how she wants it until an encounter with a stranger brings an unexpected turn.

You can escape the daily trudge through life via this book. It is well written and evocative of a beautiful place that many of us would love to visit. Combine that with a developing relationship and a family mystery and it is a pretty perfect combination. Throughly enjoyable light-hearted read.