📖 Book Review ~ The Laird's Secret by Linda Tyler

 

Bloodhound Books
18 January 2021

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

In 1953 life is getting back to normal after the war and Christina Camble is one of those looking to the future. But her trust in men is destroyed when she discovers her fiancé has a wife and child. She gives up her job and flat in a bid to escape London and moves to Scotland, where she hopes to get her life back on the right track.

Christina’s expectation of a peaceful life is interrupted when she meets handsome but reserved Alex MacDonald, the Laird of Craiglogie, a man physically scarred and emotionally wracked by his experiences in World War Two. As Christina and Alex cautiously get to know one another, she soon finds herself embroiled in his life and living in his house.

Christina realises she has made an enemy of family friend, Helen, who wants Alex for herself. As Helen sets her sights on Alex, she succeeds in driving a wedge between him and Christina.

Will Alex and Christina find their happy ever after and is it possible for two damaged people ever learn to love and trust again?

📖 My thoughts..

After an unhappy love affair, Christina Camble leaves her life in London and escapes to the beautiful Scotland Highlands to stay with her best friend, Vanessa and her family. Whilst nursing her emotional scars Christina comes into contact with Alex MacDonald, the enigmatic Laird of Craiglogie, an initial meeting which doesn't get off to the best of starts. However, it is obvious that both Christina and Alex have been hurt, Christina by her ill-fated love affair, and Alex, by his own past experiences. 

Set in 1953, there's an authentic post-war historical feel to the story and the author brings this alive in her descriptions of time and place. I especially enjoyed the references to Christina's role as a professional photographer, no quick digital copies in 1953 but the rather more studied version of camera with proper film and dark room development. 

The author writes well, and with gentle humour, and a wonderfully descriptive eye she brings to life both the Scottish coast and the cities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh as they must have appeared in the 1950s. There's also lovely details of Christina's burgeoning friendship with Alex MacDonald, and getting to know more about the stately, Craiglogie House and the people who call it home forms a big part of the story. There's a sweetly, charming sense of 'will they, won't they' in this romantic entanglement as, of course, true love never runs smoothly but the inclusion of a few hitches along the way only helps to make Christina and Alex's friendship all the more enjoyable.

The Laird's Secret is a gentle, love story about love, loss, friendship and family. I enjoyed reading it.

About the Author

Linda Tyler was born in London. She moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands.

Twitter @LindaTyler1 @BloodhoundBook