Review: The Skylark’s Secret by Fiona Valpy

Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you would like to skip to the chase, I liked this book a lot. See my star rating at the end of this review.

As with most historical fiction novels, I like to read the Author’s Note (Afterword) in order to be aware what is real and what is fictional as I read. For this novel, the time and place are real. The characters and story are the author’s creation. Ms. Valpy’s description of the Scottish Highlands is wonderful. If you don’t already want to visit this part of the world, you will after reading this novel. Scotland is moving up to the top of my wish list.

Also like a lot of historical fiction novels, this one alternates between the World War II years (1939 - 1944) and a generation later (1977 - 1980). Each chapter is titled with a main character’s name and the year, so it is easy to follow. This is not a Holocaust story. I loved that four strong women made up the majority of this tale. These women had their flaws and struggles, but their stories felt real. All of the characters, men and women alike, were well-drawn and believable in their stories and relationships.

As the title indicates, there is a secret. Naturally, I tried to figure out the secret throughout the book. I had four distinct possible “secrets.” I was wrong on all counts. I was glad to be wrong. I really do not like guessing the mystery too early. This secret was adeptly kept until almost the end of the book when it was perfectly timed to reveal. Nice job, Ms. Valpy!

One added bonus in this novel is Ms. Valpy’s use of Scottish folk song lyrics. These were wonderful. I was glad that I read this book on my Kindle. There is some Gaelic off and on throughout the novel. It was nice having the handy Kindle dictionaries to use for translation and definition.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Star rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (4 stars)

Wow - what a beautiful book! This story is told in two timelines - Flora during World War II, and her daughter Lexie 20+ years later. Both women have their share of hardships to endure and their strength to learn about. I found myself more drawn to Flora's storyline, with her star crossed lover constantly away doing his military duty and their class struggles when he was at home. I did appreciate both points of view though - the way one told the story and one learned the story. The writing in this book is gorgeous, and the way everything ties up at the end was both surprising and satisfying. Certainly one I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC of this book!

This book was a combination of my favorites, Historical Fiction and Romance. Fiona Valpy’s writing effortlessly tells the story of a mother and daughter - switching between Flora in 1940 Scotland and her daughter Lexie in 1978. Over the course of the book, Lexie learns about her (deceased) parent’s love (and loss) as well as sacrifices that were made. Valpy takes you on a vivid tour of Loch Ewe Scotland, easily transporting me away from my couch. I truly enjoyed disappearing into this book!

Told in dual timelines and spanning several decades, The Skylark’s Secret explores what it means to be a mother and to find one’s place in the world. Family relationships are tested are friendships are formed with issues such as class and background forming the backbone of this story.

As with other books by this author, setting plays a huge role in shaping the essence of the plot and story line. Scotland, and in particular the village and sea, were an interesting choice and it was fascinating to see the changes between Flora’s story line in the WW2 setting and Lexie’s in the 70s. I skimmed over a lot of the marine language however thoroughly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the Scottish Highlands.

Historical Fiction told in dual timelines is often hard to follow however the two storylines were beautifully intertwined with a lot of similarities in the two characters’ paths. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with either of the two main characters in the same way that I usually do with other previous books by this author. Some of the minor characters were quirky and interesting but could not hold my attention and I ultimately left and came back to the book several times.

This is a beautiful story of resilience and compassion with impressive storytelling and a fantastic setting. Despite several slow parts and a set of average characters I finished it with a smile on my face and sense that it will be a pleasurable read for many fans of the genre.

A wonderful, moving story about a place very near to my heart, the Highlands of Scotland. I love dual time line books and the mother's story told during World War Two is always an excellent time to set a story. Her daughter's story is set in the 1970's. As always with Fiona Valpy's books its beautifully written, immersing the reader in the story and living the journey of her characters.
Perfect historical fiction. Loved it .

In 1940 Gamekeepers daughter Flora Gordon's life is changed forever by the horrors and losses of WWII and when her remote highland village Loch Awe becomes a base for Arctic convoy ships.
Thirty-plus years later Flora has passed away, Lexie, her daughter, returns to the family cottage with her daughter, unhappy and feeling like a failure, her career finished, ditched by her boyfriend when she became pregnant, Lexie was anxious about returning. Still, she soon feels back at home as she learns more about her parents and their relationship and more about her father who died before she was born.
A charming story of a mother's love for her child and the sacrifices she made. The story is told in the voices of both mother and daughter.
The historical aspect is well researched, descriptive, engaging and informative. The complexities of love, family, and camaraderie are well written.
A historical novel with characters you will warm to as the story progresses.
I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and author Fiona Valpy for a pre-publication copy to review.

I'll start by saying that this was my first book by Fiona Valpy and it will not be last!

This book is told in two-time frames telling the story of Flora and Lexi. Ultimately this is a book about love, family, romance, war, friendship, community, songs, secrets, loss, and learning from and about your past.

Loch Eve, 1940 Flora Gordon lives in a remote highland village in Scotland. When her village becomes the base for the Royal Navy's Arctic Convoy, life in the remote village changes forever. The Laird is Flora's father's employer and when Flora and the laird's son, Alec, begin a relationship, there is no smooth sailing ahead for them.

During the late 70's Lexi Gordon, Flora's daughter has returned to her small village in the highlands after her promising singing career in London is halted by strained vocal cords. She has returned with a young daughter of her own and soon begins to unravel the truths about her past, her mother's past, and the village itself. As she learns more, she begins to remember her mother's songs, she rekindles her own love of singing.

This book is beautifully written and full of historical facts that are not overbearing and work well with this story. I enjoyed the use of both storylines to tell the story and unravel the truth. The dual timelines flowed effortlessly. There is never any confusion about what timeline or what woman you are reading about. That is a plus! If you have ever read a book and became confused because it isn't clear what or who you are reading about due to two-time lines, you will know why this is important to me.

It is also clear that the author did her research. I appreciated her attention to detail not only about the war but also in the village, landscape, and surrounding areas. She detailed the hardships suffered by both Flora and her daughter, Lexi.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My fascination with the Arctic Convoys which delivered war supplies and food to a starving, blockaided Russia during WWII began in high school when I read Alistair McClean's debut novel based on his personal experiences in the war, HMS Ulysses. Loch Ewe, Scotland, one in a cluster of 13 Lochs abutting the North Sea, is circled by very small crofting communities including Aultbea, Ardlair, Ardtuath, Slattadale, and Ghruididh, and played a pivotal role in the success of the vital arctic convoys. As the new home to the British Royal Fleet, Loch Ewe offered a safe harbor for the supply ships from Allied countries to assemble while awaiting a quorum. During that time, the population of the Loch Ewe area increased from a few hundred to over three thousand with military personnel, almost overnight.

The Skylark's Secret is an excellent tale of three generations in the tiny lock-side community of Ardtuath in the Scottish Highlands from pre-WWII 1939 into 1980. We begin with Flora Gordon, 20-something daughter of Iain, the gamekeeper of Ardtuath House, part-time home of Sir Charles and Lady Helen Mackenzie-Grand. Flora and her friends Mairi Macleod and Bridie Macdonald are very involved in the community as they receive and home children from the cities being bombed, adjust and adapt to the introduction of the Royal Fleet into the local community and do what they can to provide supplemental nutrition as the war escalates and rationing becomes a way of life. Flora lost her mother at a very young age, and her brother Ruaridh joined the British Navy a couple of years back so they don't see him often before the war, but with the fleet in the Loch, he is stationed locally as a signalman. Flora is in love with Alec Mackenzie-Grand, a childhood friend who is now an officer on one of the support ships for the Arctic Convoy. Sir Charles is not going to accept a marriage between his son and the gamekeeper's daughter, although Lady Helen approves of Flora for her son.

And then we follow Lexie, their daughter, as the years of post-war privations fade away, as she and her mother sing their way thorough joy and strife the old Scottish ballads and hymns of long ago. Lexie sings her way into a full scholarship at a college in London and develops an interesting and successful career as an actor and singer in musicals in London. Damage to her vocal cords brings her back to Ardtuath where she must adapt to living without her mother, and learn to accommodate the needs of her new daughter, Daisy. Altogether, an excellent read, over too soon. More, please, Fiona Valpy.
I received a free electronic ARC of this novel from Netgalley, Fiona Valpy, and LakeUnion Publishers. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Ms. Valpy writes an interesting, well-paced story with historical markers that tie the tale to an accurate picture of the past.

I can not recommend Fiona Valpy’s books enough. She really has a way with connecting two different time periods and this book is no exception. It was great. The two stories flowed so well together and the scenery was so rich. I felt like I was right there, a part of it all.
I have never read a WWII novel set in Scotland, so this was a new adventure for me. It was eye opening in some parts. I ended up doing a little research myself as I read, because my interest was so peaked. Incredible.
This book was so well done, so heartfelt, so tragic it pulled on all my emotions.
The leading ladies showed so much strength and bravery. My favorite kind of main female character.
The romance was well done.
My only complaint was I found Lexie’s story a little slow at times compared to Flora’s. I wanted to rush through to get to Flora’s perspective. I was so sucked in.
This was such a ride, and the surprise at the end... fantastic.
4.5⭐️s rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Fiona Valpy for a copy of this incredible novel. All thoughts are my own.

Beautifully written historical novel with stunning scenery and well developed characters. It introduced me to an aspect of World War Two that I have never thought about: the sailors risking their lives in the navy and their impact on the quiet rural communities in the Scottish Highlands. The switch between past and present as the story unfolded added to the intrigue and tension as I wanted to know how the story would play out. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction.

In 1940, WWII intrudes on Flora Gordon’s life when her sleepy Highland village, Loch Ewe, becomes a base for Arctic convoy ships and her life changes for ever.

Nearly 40 years later, after Lexie Gordon’s dream of being a West End star is dashed, she returns to her late mother’s cottage in Loch Ewe, feeling like a failure and thinking her world has ended. Trying to cope with her mother’s death and her own circumstances, she realises that she needs to find out more about her parents lives, particularly Alec, the father she never knew.

This is a beautifully told story of a mothers love for her child and the sacrifices made for that child. Lexie finds that her own life is echoing her mothers, and that far from being a naive country girl, Flora was a strong woman who loved her family very dearly. The Highland setting feels so real, as does the feeling of what is was like living through this small part of history. I really enjoyed the story being told in the voices of both mother and daughter. Having read several of this genre recently, this is definitely one of the best. An atmospheric read which captures the feeling of wartime Scotland as well as supposedly more liberated 70s.

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

I love dual time stories and read them often. The cover pulled me to this book, but I found the story a bit more difficult to capture me.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley

I got, The Skylarks Secret by, Fiona Valpy, From NetGalley for a fir and honest review
Loch Ewe, 1940.
Gamekeeper’s daughter Flora has her life altered by World War II as her remote highland village finds itself turned into a base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys. With life in her close-knit community changed forever.
In defiance of his disapproving father, the laird’s son falls in love with Flora, and as tensions build in their disrupted home, any chance of their happiness seems doomed.
1970’s
Flora’s daughter, singer Lexie Gordon, is forced to return to the village and to the tiny cottage where she grew up. Having long ago escaped to the bright lights of the West End, London still never truly felt like home.
Now back, with a daughter of her own, Lexie learns that her mother—and the hostile-seeming village itself—have long been hiding secrets that make her question everything she thought she knew.
As Lexie pieces together the fragments of her parents’ story, she finds the courageous, devastating sacrifices made in her name. It’s too late to rekindle her relationship with her mother, but can Lexie find it in her heart to forgive the past, to grieve for all that’s lost, and finally find her place in the world?
I read this book in a day which is something I do not normally do, but this is one of those stories that draws you in from the start, not only with the style of writing, but the way that the author draws you into the, story.
The story is told over two timelines, one set, during World War II, when Loch Ewe, was used as a naval base for the arctic convoys, where Flora’s relationship with Lexie’s dad and the problems which caused.
In addition to this it examined how the small village coped with the change from being a quiet village out of the way, from the world to being a naval base and its young men away fighting in the conflict, and the losses that happened.
The Second timeline was all about Lexie coming back to the village after being a rising star in the West End, with not only having her career ended, a lone parent and her mother just having passed away.
I loved the way that the book knitted the two parts of the book together, with little puzzles laid in the 1970's only to be resolved fully in the part which went back to the 1940’s. What also made the two timeline work was that as a reader I was never confused about which timeline I was in, while reading a chapter.
The only weak point in the story for me was the way that the people were written in that they were almost two dimensional stereotypes, with the Laird being a bully and his wife being timed, while the old people interfered with the life of the young. Having said that, the descriptions and personalities that the writer gave them was enough for the book.
What i must praise though is the writing about the place that the story is set in, was what made this book above average, the way that the land, sea and atmosphere was described really added to the atmosphere of the story.

This story is aimed at people who love stories about how the human spirit deals with the problems in life and how people are not just about what they do individually or how they respond to events at the time but also how it affects future generations. So if your into stories that have these elements then you should read Fiona Valpy’s latest book The Skylarks Secret.

One of my favorite times in history to read about, is World War 2. This was a beautifully written story! I had never really heard much or thought about the role that Scotland may have played during this time. It was very interesting to learn about the courageous and important role that Scotland had in the war.

I loved the characters and enjoyed the parallels between the lives of Lexie and Flora!

I can't wait to tell others about this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The beginning of The Skylark’s Secret held a lot of promise, but sadly did not follow through for me. However, the descriptions were beautiful.

I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a bit of a sucker for a dual-timeline book, and having read previous books by Fiona Valpy I was pretty sure that I'd like this one too - I wasn't wrong.
Set in Scotland in the present day with Lexie and during the second world war with Flora; Lexie returns to the small Scottish village she grew up in after fleeing to London to begin her West End career. She's apprehensive about returning to her old home by the loch but she soon feels back at home again as she learns more about her parents and their relationship.
Gorgeous descriptions of Scotland embellish this lovely story and make you really feel like you're there (or want to be there).

A new to me author that was recommended. I do not usually enjoy mother and daughter stories, but this one was a dual timeline and well written; it absolutely captured my heart! I was willing to take the chance because I love stories set in the Highlands as well as WW2 and I was not disappointed. The historical detail is rich and informative, without being dry and boring. Flora and Lexie’s stories blend together in a way that captures the beauty and complexities of love, friendship, and family. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

I am a fan of HF, and the premise sounded intriguing.

She needs to piece the pieces of family puzzle together
so she can pass down history to her child.

I was not connected to characters and got lost in storyline.

This is a beautifully written story with a dual perspective on the lives of the mother,Flora and daughter,Lexi across the years from WWII to more recent times. The story of Flora and Lexi was warm and engaging, and as a reader I felt I got to know them both, through the ups and downs of their lives and how the setting of the Highlands managed to help them both to come to terms with the loss and loves in their lives.
The historical references are well researched and the descriptions of the Scottish Highlands are beautiful.
Wonderfully described characters come alive and show the compassion needed both in wartime and now to help the community stay together.

The Skylark's Secret follows a mother and daughter over two timelines. Flora's life is forever changed by the horrors and losses of WWII. She comes from a small town in Scotland, Loch Ewe, which is located in a cove, and used as a base to send many ships to sea. She will experience first hand the devastation of war and the suffering endured by so many people.
Her daughter Lexie left their hometown and her mother to pursue a singing career in London. Lexie comes home broken and sad with a daughter of her own. She feels like a failure, her career is over, she is almost broke, her boyfriend abandoned her when she became pregnant, and her mother has died. She is full of love for her child but fears the townspeople will judge her harshly and she initially avoids contact with even her closest friends and those that were her mothers.
Lexie realizes that she doesn't actually know much about her mother's life during the war, or her father who died before she was born. Told in the past through Flora's eyes, and in the present by Lexie slowly opening herself to the possibility of a new life, this was a heartbreaking and compelling read. At first, I was more interested in Lexie's story, but after several of Flora's chapters, I was hooked on both timelines.
I tend to gravitate towards historical fiction almost as a palate cleanser when I have read one too many mysteries, thriller, or horror books. Not only was the writing beautiful and descriptive, but I found myself really caring about many of these characters.