The Last Summer: A wild, romantic tale of opposites attract . . . (The Wild Isle Series Book 1)

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Initially I thought I would struggle with the narration being such a strong Scottish accent, however, within minutes I was hooked and I feel that it actually bought more delight and realism to the characters in this already delightful book. The story starts on a small remote island off the North of Scotland called St kilder, set in the 1930s, with the inhabitants living in a manner we could not even imagine with no idea of mainland life. They are all controlled by a few misely characters and currency is materials. A delicious romantic tale of wild 1930s Scotland . . . perfect for everyone dreaming of summer' – Rachel Hore

Throughout the many hours listening I was kept hooked and I didn't want this to end! Especially like it did! Literally a cliff hanger - excuse the pun! After losing her mother and her brother it is just her and her father, with poor health, surviving and she is desperate for her father's attention as not being his son Effy has to compete with the male islanders to provide for her father. I can't thank you enough NetGally, Macmillan UK audio and the author Karen Swan and the superb narrator for this advanced copy of this audiobook.

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

I'm a fan of Karen Swan's books, always enjoying her flowing prose full of descriptive sentences that allow readers to really immerse themselves in the setting, as well as the story. She is an author that I am very glad to have discovered. A delicious romantic tale of wild 1930s Scotland . . . perfect for everyone dreaming of summer' - Rachel Hore, author of A Beautiful Spy I like the idea of a book set on a remote island and the descriptions of the location were very good. Unfortunately, the story didn’t grab me.

The book is in two parts, following the life of eighteen year old Effie before and after the evacuation from the island in 1930. Wild-spirited Effie Gillies has lived all her life on the small island of St Kilda. But when Lord Sholto, heir to the Earl of Dumfries, visits, the attraction between them is instant. For one glorious week she guides the handsome young visitor around the isle, falling in love for the first time – until a storm hits and her world falls apart. Oh my goodness I absolutely adored this book. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read one of her books. I went on such an amazing journey with Effy and just fell in love with all the wonderful characters. I preferred the first part of the book, mainly due to its historical research and slower pace, but I can see other readers will prefer the faster paced second part developing the characters and their relationships. I believe this is the first in a series and I look forward to meeting up with Effie and Sholto again. On another note, I did not feel the cover matches the book, I would have preferred a more accurate representation of St Kilda- the bird life, the cliffs and the rugged sea.

Publication Order of At Tiffany's Books

I’m a fan of Karen Swan’s novels, enjoying the flowing prose filled that allows the reader to lose themselves in the setting as well as the story and appreciate a real sense of place. In The Last Summer the setting is St Kilda and the Scottish mainland in the 1930s. The tale is told through the eyes of Effie (Euphemia) Gillies, young and strong-willed who, when Lord Sholto, heir to the Earl of Dumfries visits, shows him around the isle as his guide, imparting her knowledge of the birds and nature. Admiring Effie, Lord Sholto finds her more than a source of information, and Effie, too, is smitten; they are drawn together until circumstances force them apart. When a unique visit from the mainlands Earl and his son throws Effy into being a guide for a week she easily impresses with her knowledge of the island and the bird inhabitants and obviously her amazing climbing skills! Of which will never be forgotten. Effy also has her first experience of that loving spark but sadly once again Effys actions are not well received by her father and the others! However, her ambition and her spark creates many open doors for exploring and despite initial prejudices for her name sake, she wins the hearts of many surprising characters! I can imagine in the 1930s this spirited girl existed and I hope it's true! Waar dat mee te maken heeft? Met twee dingen: de schrijfstijl van Karen Swan die ervoor zorgt dat alle beschrijvingen van het prachtige eiland tot leven komt en de unieke karakters. Je volgt namelijk de onverschrokken, dappere en eigenzinnige Effie die haar hele leven tot nu toe heeft doorgebracht op het afgelegen eiland St. Kilda - ver weg van de buitenwereld en de ontwikkelingen die zich op het vasteland hebben afgespeeld (zoals de Industriële Revolutie). Maar dan komt de rijke en vooral enorm aantrekkelijke Lord Soltho op het eiland, die haar hart voor het eerst in haar leven sneller laat kloppen. Set on the remote island of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago in the months leading up to the 1930 evacuation of the villagers to the mainland of Scotland. Swan uses real events to weave a fictitious tale of resilience.