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. This a place where lives begin and lives ended. A place where the only witnesses were the skylarks and the deer".

Half of this story is set in the 1940s during World War II and follows Flora Gordon. The other half of the story is set in the 1970s and follows Lexie Gordon, Flora’s daughter. Both stories are in Loch Ewe, a Scottish Highland. Even decades apart and under very different circumstances, both Flora and Lexie must face their fears, accept losses, be open to love, and learn how to handle secrets. Valpy carefully crafts two love stories decades apart with striking similarities and differences.This multi-layered, well-constructed story, is beautifully written, almost lyrical in its detailing and visually descriptive narrative of the stunning Scottish scenery, blended seamlessly with its overnight transformation to busy naval base, with all the ensuing upheavals, disasters and heart-breaking moments this brings with it; always of course balanced with some fun and laughter to ease the stresses and tensions away. Fast forward to the 1970s, when peace has once again been restored to this sleepy village, and it becomes a haven and refuge for Lexie and her baby daughter Daisy, as they return to the cottage of Lexie’s youth, to reminisce and discover her true heritage, heal mind and body to find a new sense of belonging, away from the hustle and bustle of the London lights. This is such a hauntingly beautiful book. A dual timeline between the 1940s and the 1970s, with the 'real' story set during WW2. The small quiet crofters village of Aultbea in the Scottish Highlands, nestled on the edge of Loch Ewe, is suddenly transformed into a bustling naval base after the onset of the war. Loch Ewe becomes the safe harbour and meeting point for the merchant and naval ships which will sail on the deadly Arctic convoys to Russia. A fascinating point in history, this fictional story shows how the local people became involved in the fight against Hitler, as well as how their lives were changed forever. Beautiful descriptions of the scenery surrounding the Loch and the Highlands really bring the setting to life, and the central theme of the love story between the two key protagonists, Alec- son of the local laird- and Flora- daughter of the Laird's gamekeeper- is all the more poignant for it.

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. It was nice to read about what was happening in Scotland during WWII and about their involvement in the Arctic Convoys taking supplies to Russia. The historical information was well researched. I looked up one of the events and the author had written it just like it happened, but included two of the fictional characters to make it come to life for the reader. I just can't say enough about this extraordinary book! It would make a great choice for book clubs! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review. Loch Ewe, a remote highland village, served as a base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys in WW2. The gamekeeper’s daughter Flora and members of her close-knit community each played a role in supporting the convoys and the war effort. But Flora was also in love with Alec, a sailor from a higher social class.

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The second time line is the late 1970's when Lexie, Flora's daughter, comes home from London with her daughter, Daisy. She had a flourishing career in musical theater but lost her voice. Her mother has just died and she hopes to stay in the cottage until she comes up with a new plan for her life. Book Genre: Cultural, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Romance, Scotland, War, World War II I found Fiona Valpey's books while reading Kindle Unlimited last year and now she is one of my favorite authors. I hope there are a lot more of her books in my future. THE SKYLARK’S SECRET was my first Fiona Valpy book but I can asure you it won’t be the last. I fell in love with the way she managed to pull me in and make me picture it all like I actually lived both women’s lives. I understood all Flora did in the name of love and I also stood by Lexie every step of the way.

I always appreciate Author’s Notes at the end of historical fiction so I can learn the historical facts behind the story.The Skylark’s Secret is a dual timeline novel that follows Flora during WWII, and Flora’s daughter, Lexi in the late 70’s. Both storylines are set in what sounds like a remote and beautiful place, Loch Ewe, Scotland. Lexi's part of the story is how Lexi finds out the truth of what happened prior to her birth & also opens her eyes to the locals who she was unsure of. Loch Ewe Scotland 1940, Flora Gordon and her father Ian live in Keeper’s Cottage in the remote North-West highland village of Aultbea and her father is the local gamekeeper. The residents of the little fishing community have a peaceful life nestled on the banks of Loch Ewe until during WW II it finds itself the main base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys, suddenly the harbor is busy with naval ships and it soon becomes a German target. Flora's dad’s boss The Laird is a horrible man, a bully and his son Alec is not at all like his father. Growing up Alec, Flora and her brother Ruaridh are best friends and they had a great time playing together. Alec is now an officer in the Royal Navy, he’s stationed at Loch Ewe and when he and Flora develop feelings for each other the laird isn’t happy. He makes it very clear to Flora that she’s nothing but the help and would never be good enough to marry his son. Although the story is written in two time periods, the stories of a mother and in later years her grown daughter, it is very easy to follow . Many of the characters are the same in both stories.

Flora and her father live as keepers for the big house where Flora's beau resides. This book takes us through the struggles of watching loved ones leave over and over from this safe haven and cross the deadly seas to take supplies to allied countries. I loved the descriptive nature of this book. I really felt that I was walking the wind-swept trails with the characters. I could hear the wind, smell the salty sea air, and understood the heartache of a war that took far too many loved ones. This is a story within a story and to be honest, either of them would have stood up to individual, independent scrutiny and still come away rated highly by me. Together, they inexorably drew me in and took me on a unique journey, far away from my home, to another pace and way of life that to be honest, I didn’t want to leave behind when the book was finished. I admire the author for her attention to detail, particularly with the research she must have done into that area of Scotland during the war. While this is a fictional story, it’s heartbreaking to think how much of it is based in reality. You really get the sense of how much the author wanted to pay tribute to all those who made sacrifices made during the war. I think she did them justice. 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.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. 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. The story is told in two time lines. Flora lives in Loch Ewe. Her father is the gamekeeper for the laird. She and her brother are best friend's with the laird's son, Alec, and when they grow up realize that they feel more than friends but his father is against the union. During the war the town houses a naval base so Flora works with the Wrens and Alec is a naval officer working the Arctic runs. 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!