The Stolen Hours
by
Karen Swan
A reluctant bride. A forbidden romance.
Publication date: 26th April 2023
Series: The Wild Isle #2
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 415
RRP: $34.99AU (paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: The Stolen Hours
The Stolen Hours is the second book in The Wild Isle series and is just as fabulously intriguing as the first. I love that Karen Swan has added a note to the reader in the front of the book giving a quick recap of the first book, The Last Summer.
I thought I had it all worked out at the end of the first book however this startling new story, set over the same time period, only from a different character's POV, left me with more questions and serious doubt as to my previous thoughts.
The Stolen Hours is from Effie's good friend Mhairi's point of view. Mhairi takes a trip to the island of Harris to meet a farmer in need of a wife. Whilst away from her family Mhairi falls in love; but not with the man she is now obligated to marry. Christianity and God's wrath weigh in heavily in this novel and Mhairi's concerns for her virtue are real. She feels like a fallen woman, through no fault of her own, and these feelings go on to manufacture the course of her last few months on St Kilda.
I loved seeing Effie from a different point of view and since this book's focus is on Mhairi I was feeling a compulsion to reread The Last Summer to see what hints I had missed about Mhairi's life.
Even though this book is set over the same time period with the same characters it is a whole separate story. So don't think this will be a rehash of a plot you have read before.
A bitter winter in a harsh unforgiving land and a village that works as one; betrothals, secrets, death, superstitions, loyalty and friendships, The Stolen Hours is a must read.
I finished this book eager for more!
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the author
Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of twenty-four books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year - one for the summer period and one for the Christmas season.
Previously a fashion editor, she lives in Sussex with her husband, three children and two dogs.
The Stolen Hours is the second of a five-book historical series called The Wild Isle, based on the dramatic evacuation of Scottish island St Kilda in the summer of 1930.
My review of the first book in this series The Last Summer: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2022/09/book-review-last-summer-by-karen-swan.html
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