It’s an absolute pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for Together Under A Snowy Skye by Lisa Hobman, and to share my review. Published on 24th August by Boldwood Books, it’s now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading copy (provided via netgalley).
I’ve mentioned before that I first discovered Lisa’s lovely writing quite a long time ago – I was actually reading books as part of the panel for the RNA Awards (as it was way back in 2013, I doubt anyone will tell me off for sharing that!), and was totally enchanted by Bridge Over The Atlantic (you’ll find my review of that one here), later signed by Aria Fiction and re-released as A Seaside Escape. It’s been a total delight to rediscover her writing since she joined Boldwood: Dreaming Under An Island Skye (in February 2021, you’ll find my review here) was followed by Under an Italian Sky (you’ll find that review here – when I read it, it was called Under a Sicilian Sky) – and just loved the wonderful stories of second chances and starting over (and certainly fell in love with Skye…). In fact, not just Skye, but Highland villages in general, because I absolutely loved Starting Over At Sunset Cottage too (you’ll find that review here) – and the Edinburgh setting certainly didn’t lessen my enjoyment of It Started With A Kiss (you’ll find my review of that one here).
But I must admit that Glentorrin and Skye have totally captured my heart, and I was so delighted to see that this book takes us back to that beautiful setting (and at Christmas – how perfect!) and the wonderfully warm community who now feel like my friends too…
After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.
Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiancé with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.
Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.
Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindhearted Dexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.
But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.
Do second chances work? Or is Dexter right? That she deserves much more? Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart? Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?
Every now and then, an author gets everything absolutely right – this was one of those times, and I loved this book from its very beginning as Millie couldn’t contain her delight at sharing the news that she was expecting a baby, only to find that fiancé Harry (goodness, what an awful man!) doesn’t feel quite the same way. So, eight months later, she travels alone to Skye in the run-up to Christmas – and heavily pregnant – to attend the wedding of best friend Jules, and we find ourselves back in the warm and wonderful community of Glentorrin. If you haven’t visited before, it won’t matter a jot – but if you have, it’s particularly lovely to be able to catch up with everyone’s lives.
Millie stays with Dex, Jules’ brother – they’ve been friends (and nothing more, although she might have liked it to be otherwise) for a very long time, and he really is the loveliest big bear of a man, wonderful company, gentle and caring, navigating his own world of new relationships as he settles into his new life on the island. At first, not a lot happens – it’s all about establishing the relationship between Millie and Dex, the frisson between them, and getting to know the other locals who play their part in the story. And about the arrival of Nigel – no, not the new baby, but a gorgeous homeless Jack Russell (with such a sad little story of his own) who’s firmly decided that he’s found his new family. But everything begins to become difficult when Harry – after a long silence – gets in touch with Milly, with an apparent change of heart. And, as Dex seems destined to be nothing more than a good friend – although his newest relationship does ring a few alarm bells – and Harry appears with a ring and plans for the future, she becomes convinced that she should give their relationship a second chance.
This book really had everything I could have possibly wanted – the Christmassy feel and the preparations for the wedding, the lovely friendships, plenty of drama, and a romance I really believed in and wanted to happen but that looked increasingly impossible as the story unfolded. As for the book’s ending – well, I don’t think it could have been much more perfect. A touch predictable maybe? Who cares – it was everything I wanted, and left me with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face, and you really can’t ask for much more than that. The writing really is excellent, and the whole story’s so beautifully told – such well drawn and engaging characters, the perfect setting, plenty of lightness and loads of warmth, touches of humour, and a real depth to the emotional content. Very highly recommended – I loved this one.
About the author
Lisa Hobman has written many brilliantly reviewed women’s fiction titles – the first of which was shortlisted by the RNA for their debut novel award. In 2012 Lisa relocated her family from Yorkshire to a village in Scotland and this beautiful backdrop now inspires her uplifting and romantic stories. Her first title for Boldwood, Dreaming Under an Island Skye, was published in February 2021.
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Oooh I like Glentorrin too! One for later in the year for me. ❄️
You’ll really enjoy this one. Never too early for Christmas here – nicely cooling when I read this one on of the hottest days of the year!