This was my least favourite of the Deverill books. There were too many recaps of previous stories, and while some might appreciate that, I found it too repetitive. It was nice to revisit with the Deverill clan, but this fell flat. Lots of spirits.

I absolutely loved the first three books in this series. I didn’t care for the 4th book and when the 5th came out i didn’t know what to think. I think the story lost steam in the 4th book and I couldn’t even get through a quarter of this last one. Santa Montefiore is one of my favourite authors and I purchased the first 4 books in this story. I grabbed The Distant Shores when it was in the “read now” section but I just couldn’t get into it. That being said I might grab it at a later date and give it one more try since I’m usually a fan of her books.

Thank you to Santa Montefiore, Simon and Schuster Canada, and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Santa Montefiore. Her writing is unlike any other and she weaves her historical fiction stories so beautifully! I actually fell quite easily into this one and wanted to take my time with the characters and the story (and then a reading slump hit ugh.)

I enjoyed getting to know Margot and the many layers she is made up of. Carefree, interested in history, a writer, and yet she has a part of her past that is eluded to and we do not learn the story until the last bit of the book. JP is also a character of many layers. An alcoholic, a very lonely person who tends to push those who care about him away, a regretful man. It is very interesting watching his life and story unfold on the pages and see the change that occurs.

I really love revisiting the Deverills and need to go back and read them from the beginning so I can fill in some blanks!

If you’re look in h for a wonderful historical fiction author I highly suggest Santa Montefiore!! You won’t be disappointed!

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the other 4 books in the Deverill series, I was very eager to read this one ,as well. I was not disappointed!
Margot Hart, as a well-known author, has taken a “writer in residency” post at the historic Castle Deverill.in Ireland. The thought of living in a castle, newly converted to a sumptuous hotel, for nine months, is a dream come true.. Not everyone in the town of Ballinakelly is eager for Margot to write the history of the Deverill family. With the aid of the present Lord Deverill, a drunkard and a recluse, she sets about researching this fascinating , scandal- ridden family. She never counted on being drawn into the world of the Deverill’s!
Santa Montefiore has once again given us a delightfully descriptive and thoroughly enjoyable read. It really makes you want to travel to Ireland to see the luscious greenery ,as she describes the countryside..
The five book series is well worth the read! I loved it and would highly recommend for warm and cozy reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review The Distant Shores.

3.5 stars. This is an atmospheric novel which will take you to the most amazing castle in Ireland where the main character is an author in residence working on her book about the Deverill family. This is the 5th novel in a series, but I didn’t read the first books and it didn’t seem to matter. The story was weaved from multiple points of view, including a character who was a ghost. There are supernatural elements which adds a unique perspective and some great twists. I enjoyed this story of family and their generational struggles, secrets, betrayal, loss, overcoming substance abuse, and rediscovering joy.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.