This is a wonderfully romantic story. Almost like reading a grown up fairy tale, since it is based on the folklore of Selkies. For the uninitiated a Selkie comes from Celtic and Nordic mythology and is a seal which when it sheds its skin transforms into a human.

The book is set towards the end of the 19th century in a small fishing village on the Yorkshire coast. Effie, a young widow has lost her husband to the sea. He drowned when the fishing boat he was on hit rocks and all the men were lost. She is left to bring up her baby son Jack alone. It is at this time when Effie is down on the beach that she finds to her complete surprise a baby wrapped in a seal skin floating in a basket on the waves. She rescues the baby and it is from this point on that Effie finds herself with not one but two babies to take care of.

Effie is a very independent young woman who is quite modern in her thinking for the times. She rejects the church and refuses to attend all year round apart from Christmas. This, and the fact that Effie’s marriage to Jack’s father seemed to happen rather quickly keeps her somewhat alienated from the rest of the village. The fact that her grandmother is a herbalist and looks after the ill’s of the poorer people in the village gives fuel to rumours that she is perhaps a witch, though it doesn’t stop them asking for her help in times of need.

It’s an absorbing narrative as the book takes the reader over several years of Effie’s life. Struggling with the knowledge that one day she may have to give up the little girl she rescued as a baby and who she has grown to love just as much as her own son. As well as Lachlan, the baby’s father who is a complex and fascinating character, there are other equally interesting supporting characters, such as Effie’s grandmother Alice and Walter, Effie’s good friend who would like to be much more than just friends.

It is a very emotive story but without being sentimental in any way. I’m not usually a huge fan of romantic fiction but I would defy anyone not to fall for the charms of this book. The setting alone on a windswept Yorkshire coastline is a perfect recipe for a cosy read by the fire. Wonderful!

Highly recommended. I read this book straight through the night until the dawn. The author seamlessly draws you into the book, and as you read on, you agree to yourself - 'yes, I DO think Selkies exist'. Historical fiction is blended with ancient legends, with perhaps some wise woman medicine added for good measure. A strong female character has two children to care for, and two men to choose to be with. Does she make the choice you would have made? Find out. Then book a trip to the Scottish islands.

Daughter of the Sea was such a pleasant surprise. I honestly didn't expect the romance aspect to play a big role, but the author did a great job in finding a perfect balance between everything. I was hooked to the story from the start and I couldn't wait to see how everything would unfold. First of all the setting of the story felt magical and I was able to fully visualize the village in my mind. Secondly, I loved the characters and due to the authors great writing I was able to connect to them. The book starts with the main character Effie finding a baby, wrapped only in a sealskin, in a basket floating on the sea. The same day she gets the news that the ship her husband was on has been lost at sea. When no one comes forward to claim the baby she decides to take care of her herself. Together, including her son Jack, they form a family of three. However, one night she gets a visitor who looks strangely a lot the baby and he claims he is the father. They strike a deal and Lachlan leaves Morna with Effie but comes to visit every 6 months.

I loved the magical elements in this book a lot. It was subtle and a great addition to the story. I really enjoyed the growth of the characters, and that the author really took the time to tell their story. Lachlan was a very honorable man and I fell in love with him as much as Effie did. However, he is hiding something and will Effie accept him and his daughter if she found out. I loved the development of their relationship, it felt very organic and there was no rushing. I also loved the the bond between Lachlan and his daughter Morna. The side characters were a great addition and completed the story. I especially loved Effie's aunt Alice. I hope the author will write more books like Daughter of the Sea, because I love historical fiction with a sprinkle of magic. I really enjoyed Elisabeth Hobbes writing style and I really look forward to reading more of her books.

Oh my…what a beautifully written story from beginning to end. “Daughter of the Sea” is a first time read by new author, Elisabeth J. Hobbes to this reader.

When I opted to read this book, I was a little hesitant. However, I am so glad that I did. Not having read a historical fiction with witchcraft entwined in the story was quite a surprise. This is one story that I could not put down once I started.

The story centers on Effie, an outcast of her village and one some believe to be entangled at the rumors that her grandmother was a witch. Her husband has left on another fishing expedition and as she walks along the beach, she discovers an infant baby. She takes the child home in hopes that the parents will come claim the child but is also met with the news that her husband has been lost at sea as there were no survivors of on the fishing boat. Effie then takes the responsibility to foster the child, named Morna. Some time pass and a knock on the door reveals Morna’s true father, Lachlan coming to lay claim to the daughter. Unfortunately, he must leave but asks Effie if she would care for Morna until he returns. When he returns some six months later, Effie finds herself questioning Lachlan for answers about him and his daughter…stories that one would believe magical, fantasy and mystical.

The was a well-written story that kept my attention and drew me into another world of fantasy. Although there is some romance, there was no focus on that as much as wanting to understand the motives of Lachlan and Effie’s dilemma of understanding the hero’s tale. I typically do not read historical fictions such as this but thought this was worth the read. It had a bit of romance, intrigue, mystery and emotional all wrapped up in the story. I highly recommend and look forward to reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a magical story ,it was so beautifully written it took my breath away .Wonderful characters ,atmospheric ,set in a time when witchcraft and folklore were believed .Such an interesting read I have to say I shed a few tears at the ending .I absolutely loved this book .Many thanks to the Publisher .The Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

Suspend belief and enjoy. Having been to the Yorkshire coast I can appreciate how hard and isolated the life must have been there in a small fishing community in the days before good communications. Effie is such a brave and resourceful woman that you really feel for her bringing into her family an unusual child she finds in the shallows, wrapped in a sealskin. She also has to make a choice between two men: Walter, safe but boring son of local gentry and Lachlan, the mysterious father of the child she found. This magical story pulls at your heartstrings. The ending is a 'wow' moment.

This was such an enjoyable read, and very different to my usual reading. I normally avoid supernatural novels, but I was intrigued by the idea of the selkies. I’m Scottish, have spent my life on an island, or by the sea. My grandmother was from the Isle of Harris, and had many such stories that she told us as children.
The book is beautifully written, the narrative never flags, and the characters are all so finely drawn. I was completely drawn into the story of Effie and Lachlan. The descriptions of the coastal areas are so evocative, the story of village life for Effie as a young widow with her baby, where she is something of an outcast, is so sad. Then she finds the baby girl who she rears as her own, as no one comes to claim her, till Lachlan does, looking for his daughter Morna.
Her grandmother plays a big part in the story, and in the lives of Effie’s little family. Alice has an other- worldly presence about her too.
I was totally invested in this charming story, and it is rounded off excellently, which isn’t always the case with books of any genre. I found it completely enchanting and absorbing. It is truly story telling at its best. Highly recommended.
I will look for more of this author’s work. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew I would love it, historical fiction blended with legend and witchcraft folklore, this is definitely a book I need in my life.
It was so well written and the characters were well developed and endearing, I also found the story so interesting and emotive. A really enjoyable read, I loved it.

Where do I start? I adored this book on so many levels. Part love story, part grown up fairytale. I had forgotten how much I loved myths and legends as a child but this book brought it all back. It made me smile. It made me cry. Read it and see what emotions it evokes in you. You won’t be disappointed. A truly special book.

I received a free e-ARC of this book through Netgalley.
I read a lot of historical fiction, but I have to admit that I've never read one like this. Effie is our independent main character who doesn't really fit into the village where she lives, but she is married and has a baby to take care of. One day she finds a baby in a floating basket about to be swept out to sea. This is one of the things that changes the trajectory of her life. The baby's father shows up nearly a year later and strikes a deal with Effie. There is a good amount of romance in this book as well as the limitations of being a woman during this point and place in history. It was an interesting book.

What a fabulous read! An amazing story that had me hooked from the first page.
Effie’s husband has just left on another fishing trip. Her young son Jack is with her Grandmother so Effie goes for a walk along the beach. As she walks along she hears a cry from the sea. She wades out a little and finds a baby girl wrapped in a seal skin. She takes the infant home with her assuming someone will come forward to claim her. Later that night she hears that her husbands fishing boat has been lost at sea with no survivors. As there have been no claims on baby Morna Effie decides to foster her. Late one night in Midsummer there’s a knock at the door. The man standing there tells Effie that he is Morna’s father. Effie believes him as his daughter is the image of him. The man asks Effie if she will continue to care for Morna. She’s happy to agree as she has grown to love her. Lachlan, the child’s father says he’ll return in Midwinter. Effie is something of a loner in her small village. She doesn’t attend church other than on Christmas Day and is generally looked down on. Her only real friend is Walter who comes from a wealthy business family and would like their friendship to become romantic. However, Lachlan returns in Midwinter and Effie agrees to continue her care of Morna if he tells her more about himself. She is shocked by what she hears as his story applies to his daughter too.
I was completely gripped by this read and highly recommend to others. Many thanks to Sara Roberts, One More Chapter, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review

I was completely transported by this beautiful story.

Fully formed and complex characters, including the two children, a clever and intriguing premise, a well told narrative and the writing was both evocative and provocative.

Highly recommended.

This is truly one of the most outstanding captivating stories I have read.
Not what I was expecting from the synopsis & as the story unfolded not my usual type of book.
Beautifully written our author takes us on a mystical journey that is set on a windswept British coastline .
Effie the main character has always been classed as an outcast in her village & has lead a very solitary life.
Her grandmother is thought of by many as a witch which sets them apart from the village.
As Effie is walking along the shore with waves crashing around her she thinks she hears a crying sound.
On noticing a small basket being thrown about in the waves & what she thinks is a babies cry, she wades in to the sea to retrieve it.
To her amazement there is a baby girl wrapped up in a seal skin.
Effie is immediately enraptured by this little girl who instantly captures her heart.
I was so engrossed in this wonderful story it was such a page turner for me.
I enjoyed every page from the beginning to the very end.
A beautiful poignant story that will hold you right up to the last page.

With grateful thanks to one more chapter fir an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Well I have just finished this absolutely outstandingly beautiful and poignant story iam lost for words actually, from beginning to end this wonderious book took me on an amazing journey that took my breath away at times,the beauty the love that was shared was truly magnificent I've read other books out selkies and totally adore these mystical tales I have nothing but admiration for this outstandingly amazing author.
Thank you.

Description
It was the cry that she first noticed, the plaintive wail that called to her over the crash of winter waves. Wrapped only in a sealskin, the baby girl looks up at Effie and instantly captures her heart. She meant only to temporarily foster the young orphan but when news reaches Effie that her husband has been lost at sea, and months pass without anyone claiming the infant, she embraces her new family – her son Jack and her adopted daughter Morna.

Effie has always been an outcast in her village, the only granddaughter of a woman people whisper is a witch, so she’s used to a solitary existence. But when Midsummer arrives so too does a man claiming to be Morna’s father. There’s no denying Lachlan is the girl’s kin and so Effie is surprised when he asks her to continue looking after his daughter, mysteriously refusing to explain why. She agrees, but when he returns six months hence she pushes him for answers. And Lachlan tells a story she never anticipated … one of selkies, legend, and the power of the sea.

Review
This isn’t the type of book I would normally choose to read, however I was swept away with this well written mystical tale. As confused as Effie I didn’t know what I wanted her to do but was very satisfied with the ending. A very enjoyable bit of escapism. Thank you for this ARC copy.

Daughter of the Sea by Elisabeth J. Hobbes

On a windswept British coastline the tide deposits an unexpected gift…

This has to be one of the best reads of the year if not , the best .

It was the cry that she first noticed, the plaintive wail that called to her over the crash of winter waves. Wrapped only in a sealskin, the baby girl looks up at Effie and instantly captures her heart. She meant only to temporarily foster the young orphan but when news reaches Effie that her husband has been lost at sea, and months pass without anyone claiming the infant, she embraces her new family – her son Jack and her adopted daughter Morna.

I loved reading every chapter , every page , every word .
Captivating , beautiful , spellbinding.
More worthy of 5 stars .