The world is at war in 1940 when the Royal Navy decides to build a base for it’s Arctic convoys in Loch Ewe. Flora is the daughter of the gamekeeper, and against society’s conventions and his own father’s warnings, the son of the laird falls in love with Flora. Many years later, Flora’s daughter Lexie returns to the small cottage on Loch Ewe where she grew up with her mum, bringing her own daughter. Lexie is determined to uncover the truth about her birth, even though those who know what really happened seem determined that she never find out

Set in Scotland, with a dual timeline, the story follows the lives of Flora during World War II and her daughter, Lexie, in the late 70s. Lexie, disillusioned with life in London and no longer able to sing, returns to her late mother's cottage in the Scottish village where she grew up. But she finds it hard to adjust to her new life.

I loved reading both the characters' stories, and the background setting of the loch and the simple way of life added a touch of magic to the narrative. The two stories seamlessly interweave, and come together at the end with a lifelong secret being revealed.

I've already read a couple of books by this author and loved them, so I knew this would be a wonderful read. Her writing transports you to another time and place, with characters who will remain in your heart for a long time after you've finished reading. 

A beautifully written story I highly recommend.

I loved this book. I think Fiona Valpy is a great writer anyway as I have loved anything I've ever read that was written by her so I was very excited when I began to read 'The Skylark's Secret'. I was a great read. It was deep and emotional showing love of family, of past relationships and of survival. WE saw Fiona's and Lexie's stories her as they were told together. I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.

Fiona Valpy’s, The Skylark’s Secret was a beautiful book about the depth of mother’s love as well as friendship and love during wartime. I loved reading this book and especially loved the dual-storyline describing 1940s Flora and Alec and their very different familial bonds and mother and daughter, Lexie and Daisy in the present day.

The book is set in Loch Eowe, described as a quaint and close-knit crofting village in the Highlands. I found this setting to totally draw me into the story.

In each timeline, friendship, love, overcoming personal hardships and family are strong themes and are very compelling.

I am rating this book 5 stars, I enjoyed it very much!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

With grateful thanks to netgalley and fiona valpy for an early copy in return for an honest review.
I have read all the other books by this Author so I knew it was going to be a good one.i didn't realise how good,this is one of the most OUTSTANDING authors it felt so real as if I was actually there even down to the colour of the sky and the sound of the skylarks singing, this dual time line worked absolutely perfect between flora in ww2 and her daughter lexie in the late 70's it flowed seamlessly it really is quite a tragic tale of love and loss
I really can't praise this book enough and can highly recommend this OUTSTANDING book.

The Skylark’s Secret tells the asynchronous stories of a mother and daughter, Fiona and Lexie, and their lives at Loch Ewe in the Scottish Highlands. Fiona is an ambulance driver for the Wrens during WWII and Lexie is a washed up musical theater star with a young child. As Lexie returns to her home from London, she starts to explore her mother’s history and the past of the father who died before she was born. This story talks about life in the highlands during World War II and Fiona’s love affair with the laird’s son, Alex, despite the disapproval of his father. Lexie starts to unravel her mother’s secrets as we follow Fiona’s story as the war worsens.

The good:
This book was incredibly well researched and immersive. I felt very much a part of the story and the unique life in the highlands on the loch. I enjoyed Fiona’s story and definitely learned some things about history that I didn't know. I found Fiona’s story compelling and really loved Davie’s character.

The bad:
I’m not a fan of stories that tell split stories in two different times because I never feel like I get to know the characters as deeply. I felt like the storylines weren’t as well developed because only a portion of the book was dedicated to each one. I also had to look up quite a few words that were specific to the highlands and had very little context to help me unravel them, which I found a little annoying.

Overall, I enjoyed this book—I just wanted to hear more about Fiona!