I’m a huge fan of Sue Moorcroft’s books (after all, Sue has appeared here on Linda’s Book Bag more times than I have!) and had life not been so overwhelming that I didn’t know if I’d be able to meet deadlines I would immediately have signed up to the recent blog tour for her brand new book, Over the Sea to Skye. Over the Sea to Skye is the final book in Sue’s Skye Sisters Trilogy and I was thrilled when Becky Hunter sent me a surprise copy.
Over the Sea to Skye was published on 5th June by Harper Collins imprint Avon and is available for purchase here.
Over the Sea to Skye
One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…
Valentina Taylor’s life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.
But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…
Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.
Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?
My Review of Over the Sea to Skye
Separated from husband Gary, Valentina is heading to her holiday home on Skye with son Barnaby.
Over the Sea to Skye is another fabulous book and, whilst it is the third in a trilogy, there is absolutely no requirement to have read the first two books Under a Summer Skye and A Skye Full of Stars – though I suggest you do, because they are so very good. Any backstory or essential detail needed from the other books is incorporated seamlessly into this third one so that the reader is never at a disadvantage.
The Skye setting is meticulously researched and beautifully depicted making the reader want to head there immediately. Both the history and geography of the area feel authentic and engaging. And yet these features never dominate, but rather act as a backdrop for events. Reading Over the Sea to Skye is like taking a holiday in book form.
Sue Moorcroft seems to have an indefatigable ability to draw in her readers to her stories and make them care about her characters instantly. I was immediately desperate to discover Valentina’s strand and found her incredibly relatable – not least because she is pulled in several directions and has to set aside her own wishes and desires, in order to accommodate her sense of duty and the needs of others. With her young son Barnaby to consider, my heart went out to her as she always put him first. Her strength, her loyalty and her realisation that she is responsible for her own happiness make Valentina compelling. It felt devastating that her burgeoning relationship with Xander seemed unattainable despite their obvious attraction and I felt all of her emotions with her.
However, that’s not to say that, whilst Valentina is wonderful with Barnaby, the author idealises parenthood. There’s the full range of relationships between parent and child here, especially as all three Wynter sisters are adopted, and Over the Sea to Skye illustrates that no two people have quite the same experience. I thought this aspect of Valentine’s story was written with sensitivity and considerable understanding, making it both believable and emotional.
The plot is hugely entertaining, and filled with the perfect balance of everyday life and dramatic events. There’s romance, of course, but, more importantly, there’s a wonderful exploration of family, career and marriage that is as thought-provoking as it is interesting. Obviously I won’t spoil the read for others but this story is brilliant for distracting you from the real world.
I really loved Over the Sea to Skye. It’s a narrative that feels ‘real’; the events here could happen to any one of us and as a result I felt I had been given a privileged insight into the lives of those involved. Mind you, I won’t be placing stickers on my car – but you’ll have to read the book to find out about that bit! Treat yourself to a perfect summer read in Over the Sea to Skye – you might just love it as much as I did.
About Sue Moorcroft
Sue Moorcroft is an award-winning Sunday Times and internationally published author of emotionally compelling, feel-good, page-turning fiction who has reached #1 on Amazon Kindle UK and Top 100 Amazon Kindle US, Canada and Italy. Her novels, short stories, serials, courses and columns have appeared around the world. An army child, Sue was born in Germany and then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK.
For further information, visit Sue’s website, follow Sue on Twitter/X @suemoorcroft and find her on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
English (US) · 