When I read the first book in this trilogy - I became obsessed. It was everything I love about historical fiction - a sweeping, epic story that brought a War and a people to life; love, loss, and strong female characters that made you want to cheer them on. In my review I compared the feeling I got reading it, to how I felt when I read Gone with the Wind. It just had me hook, line and sinker.

So I was absolutely thrilled when I got an advanced copy of book two from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster. I couldn't wait to dive right in where I had left off; Kitty and Jack having a torrid affair, Celia having just bought Deverill Castle, thereby keeping it in the family, and Bridie back in Ireland and ready to reclaim her lost son and her honour among her people.

I can't say that I disliked this second book, only that it fell a little short for me. You see ... Kitty and Bridie weren't the strong women of the previous book. Rather, they were both hard-hearted, cynical and their story lines felt like they were more "filler" than necessity.

On the other hand - Celia's story line was BRILLIANT. In the first book, she was a cousin on the sidelines - only in Ireland for the summer, otherwise entertaining herself in London. But in this book, she moved to Ireland to reclaim the Castle for the family and set-upon restoring it to a grandeur it likely had never seen before. What occurs, is an evolution of a silly, self-centered young lady, into one of courage, strength and determination. And honestly, if the book had been more about her, and her father (his past, etc) - I think I would have felt as passionately about this book as about the previous one. I sincerely hope that book three takes us to South Africa, and really focuses on Celia's new life there.

Another positive character and plot, which could have been further developed, was Martha's character. Bridie's daughter (although whisked away from her mother at birth by the nuns in the convent), you know that book three will focus on her, and her relationship with her twin brother Jack.

I assume that Kitty and Bridie will both still be important characters in the third book, hence the continued story line in this book. My hope is that the strong, passionate, smart women who graced the first book return; and that their self-centered alter-egos take a hike.

As part of a trilogy, Santa Montefiore does an excellent job of reminding the reader of what transpired in the first book, without bogging us down with it. However, that said, this isn't a stand alone book. You really need to read the first one before reading this one.

3.5 stars. Solid, and had it been edited to favour Kitty and Martha's stories more, it would have been a 5 star read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion and review.

This is the second book in the trilogy about the Deverill family. I absolutely loved the first book and couldn’t wait to read the second book. This book was not a disappointment I loved it, I devoured it, It was so sad when it was over it left me wanting more. In this book we see our cast of characters from the first book, they are all here. This book takes place almost immediately after the first, and we see Kitty, struggling with her heart and her head, trying to decide what is best for her and for little Jack. I, along with the ghostly Adeline, watched them and wanted to offer advice but people must make there own mistakes. Celia is more present in this book and she turns out to be more than the flighty little girl from the last book, her take is intriguing and I relish reading the completion of it in the next book.

The landscape of Ireland is so prevalent in this book, but some of our characters have left to go to New York, and it was really fascinating to see New York in the decadent days of the flappers and to see how the stock market crash affected everyone in all corners of our world.

I loved hearing more of the the shocking revelations of Barton Deverill, his story might be the most fascinating of all, as it is his tale that has left the Deverill family cursed to remain in limbo until someone unites the families and breaks the curse.

The only issue I have with this book, is Bridie, I don’t like her, which I guess is a good thing, it means the author has done her job beautifully. I don’t understand her anger and really don’t want her to be the one to hold Castle Deverill when all is said and done. This book had some really high highs and some very low lows, I love the way the story goes I feel so involved in these people’s lives. I can’t wait to see where the author takes them on the next part of their journey.

This really is an epic novel by a master story teller! Set in a small Irish village during the Great Depression we follow several story lines that are all interconnected due to the family relationships and the power of the Castle Deverill. There is so much of interest going on in this novel that even the supernatural characters and events were readily accepted as a natural part of the story. (This reviewer does not usually like supernatural elements in fiction.)
Although the second in a trilogy it could easily be a stand alone novel because Montefiore has made the transition absolutely seamless by using subtle references and character's reminiscing to fill in any gaps. You do not need to have read the first in the series in order to have a complete understanding of the plot of this novel. But, by the time you finish this magnificent novel you will be anxious to read the third in the series, as well as keen to go back and read the first!
I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book, although I have to admit it seemed a little slow at times. We meet all the characters (and even the ghosts of some dead ones) again. The slight touch of magic is what's making this trilogy unusual. It's comforting to imagine a world where the loved ones who passed away are never really far and still take an interest in our lives.

The second installment of the trilogy kept me turning the pages late into the night and had some twists that I didn't see coming, which is always a bonus.

I think this trilogy is slightly similar to "The Spoils of Time" by Penny Vincenzi, which is my all-time favourite. So for those who read and enjoyed it, there's a good chance you'll like this one, too.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with an ARC copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Book 2 in Santa Montefiore’s Deverill Chronicles Series, this book is also known as Daughters of Castle Deverill.

I loved Songs of Love and War (The Girl in the Castle) and while it had a fitting conclusion there was enough hanging to make me jump right into this one. It picks up right where Songs left off.

Following the lives of Kitty, Bridie and Celia from Ireland, New York City and into Africa, where the past is set to collide with the present. They must be courageous, daring and find their own way.

As author Jojo Moyes states ‘nobody does epic romance like Santa Montifore. Everything she writes, she writes from the heart.” It’s so true, not being a fan of the romance genre she writes multi layered historical stories with a wide cast of characters that aren’t confusing to follow. The plots (yes more than one) are intricate and draws me right in.

Definitely a series I am anxious to continue with and an author that has ranked up there in my ‘must read’ pile.