The Last Song of Winter – Lulu Taylor | Book Review | #TheLastSongOfWinter | #HistoricalFiction | @MissLuluTaylor

An island full of secrets. A truth that could change everything . . .

1940s: Young and romantic, Veronica cannot help falling in love, even with unattainable men like handsome film star Jack Bannock. Her other passion is St Elfwy, the windswept jewel of an island off the coast of Pembrokeshire. It becomes her retreat, a refuge from war and a place to recover from lost love. But even peaceful St Elfwy cannot prevent tragedy and heartbreak. . .

Present Day: When Romy arrives on St Elfwy, now a bird sanctuary and retreat, she only has the enigmatic warden for company. As she devotes herself to understanding the lure of this beautiful, haunting place, she is drawn into the past and the tale of Veronica Mindenhall. The island hides stories of betrayal and loss, as well as redemption – but it is a perilous path to discover its secrets. . .

MY THOUGHTS

My thanks to Maya of Pan Macmillan for the tour invite and for the paperback copy to review. The Last Song of Winter is published in ebook, audiobook and paperback formats (21 November 2024).

This dual time story has a main setting of a private island off the coast in Pembrokeshire but also flits between Paris and London. Veronica’s story starts in 1938. The daughter of an actress and a playwright father, she has a privileged albeit sheltered life and like any 16 year old young girl has her crushes however it is not until she lives in Paris that she finds love.

In the present day Romy has been given permission by the island’s trustees to occupy a cottage on St Elfwy whilst she writes her book. Romy seems rather a fragile character, recovering from health issues however she has not been completely honest with the Trust about her reasons for staying on the island.

As much as I was intrigued by Romy’s present day timeline, it was Veronica’s story that hooked me. Her time in Paris is very much a coming of age, with the encouragement of supporting characters like the enigmatic Irène. When war separates Veronica from those she cares most about, it is her beloved St Elfwy that provides her with comfort and peace, at least for a while.

Veronica and Romy are the main characters however there are many supporting ones who also play their part in this story of love and tragedy including handsome crooner Jack, the rather unpleasant playwright and actor Oswald Grey and Richard, the island warden. The island of St Elfwy was a character in its own right, having become not just a bird sanctuary but also a retreat albeit with its own history of death and danger.

I very much enjoyed the way the two timelines came together with some surprising revelations. Although initially I felt that Romy’s main purpose was to be a vehicle to expand on Veronica’s life, she was nevertheless an interesting character who despite her fragility showed a surprising strength of character in the face of unexpected events.

With its background themes of heartache, love and betrayal, the 550 pages of this intriguing and haunting historical novel flew by. Superbly drawn characters, vividly described locations and a storyline of intrigue and drama, make this one to recommend. This is the first book I’ve read by Lulu Taylor – I’m delighted to see she has an extensive backlist. I’ve already purchased another to read.

Lulu Taylor is the author of ten novels: THE WINTER SECRET, HER FROZEN HEART, THE SNOW ROSE, THE WINTER CHILDREN, THE SNOW ANGEL and THE WINTER FOLLY, as well as HEIRESSES, MIDNIGHT GIRLS, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES and OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE.

Lulu was brought up in Oxfordshire. She has lived and travelled all over the world but now lives in the Dorset countryside with her husband.

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