I am seriously excited to be sharing my review for the stunningly beautiful; The Daughter of the Sea by Elisabeth J Hobbes. This book is pretty special, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to Elisabeth Hobbes for my advanced reader copy.
About the Book
Daughter of the Sea by Elisabeth J Hobbes.
Release Date: 23rd December 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
On a windswept British coastline, the tide deposits an unexpected gift…
It was the cry that she first noticed, the plaintive wail that called to her over the crash of winter waves. Wrapped only in a sealskin, the baby girl looks up at Effie and instantly captures her heart. She meant only to temporarily foster the young orphan, but when news reaches Effie that her husband has been lost at sea, and months pass without anyone claiming the infant, she embraces her new family—her son, Jack, and her adopted daughter, Morna.
Effie has always been an outcast in her village, the only granddaughter of a woman people whisper is a witch, so she’s used to a solitary existence. But when Midsummer arrives, so, too, does a man claiming to be Morna’s father. There’s no denying Lachlan is the girl’s kin, and so, Effie is surprised when he asks her to continue looking after his daughter, mysteriously refusing to explain why. She agrees, but when he returns six months hence, she pushes him for answers. And Lachlan tells a story she never anticipated… one of selkies, legend, and the power of the sea…
Pre-order link: Amazon.co.uk/gp/product/
Review
Wow, oh wow!!
I am completely blown away by this enchanting and utterly beautiful story!
Daughter of the Sea tells the enchanting story of when Effie – who after losing her husband John to the sea – finds a truly special gift bobbing about on the sea. A little girl with wide soulful eyes who changes Effie’s life. I feel for Effie, her hardships and her losses make you become fully invested in her life and the story. She is a young woman who hasn’t always felt included, even when John was alive she felt disjointed from the community, she never felt accepted, it was as though she was always on the outside looking in.
I felt a real kinship with Effie in a way I can’t quite put into words, but I really connected with her. I loved watching her grow into a confident independent woman, she’s had her run of bad luck but she holds on to keep her little family happy and healthy. She is determined and selfless, kind and compassionate.
She decides to keep the baby, unwilling to let her go, even in those first few days she had a sense that this little girl was supposed to be with her, so she raises the baby along with her own son Jack. It’s hard work, but she watches with pride as the little girl grows and flourishes under her care. Then one night comes a knock on the door, standing in the doorway is a tall handsome stranger who says he is the little girl’s father. It’s not in question whether he is or not as the similarities are clear to see, Lachlan gives the baby her name; Morna and asks Effie to keep raising his daughter. No reasons, no explanations, just a promise he will return in six months.
Six months come and right on cue there he is standing in the doorway, this time with a tale which could be straight from a Fairy Tale, a story of magic and folklore, one that is threaded with her own life.
I love the bond between Morna and Jack, the way she looks after her adoptive brother, others look at him as a problem that needs to be locked away, but Morna teaches him and looks after him, it’s incredibly moving.
Lachlan…oh, Lachlan, Lachlan, Lachlan! Best hero ever!!
I was instantly put under his spell, he is every inch the romantic hero. There is a mesmerizing, alluring and magical quality about him that draws you in, from the moment Effie opened the door to him on that first stormy night I fell head over heels for him. He is charismatic, mysterious, sensual and other-worldly handsome.
Then we have Lachlan’s kisses – my goodness I am melting! So tender, so sweet and yet laced with real passion – my goodness that man destroyed me, I am completely and utterly in love with him. His gentleness, his sweet little smiles, and even his serious side had me sighing I just love this man!!
The romance, which really is an integral part of the whole story is perfect, Effie and Lachlan’s love for each other is so pure, there’s an innocent sweetness to them which makes the heart melt. They face some real challenges and a startling revelation that could cost them everything, that moment has me in tears hoping this will not be the end and they will work through to find their happiness. Their relationship is so full of confusing and complex emotions, pure love and temptation which grip your heart. Absolutely stunning!
I love the supporting cast too, they bring the community to life, among my favourites has to be Effie’s grandmother; Alice who is wonderful. She sees so much that isn’t shown, she speaks sense in her cryptic ways and always states truth and fact. I laughed and cried especially in one particular scene, I was an absolute mess!
Then we have Mary; Effie’s one true friend, she is a sweetheart, I would love to see her have a story of her own too and then there is Walter. I have to be honest and say I did have mixed feelings about him. I liked his kindness towards Effie and how supportive he is, but I also think he was a little manipulative and quite arrogant. The things he says about Jack was hurtful, he comes across as little set in his ways in his opinions over not just Effie’s life but also women as a whole. He has a vision I will grant you, but there was something about him which made me grind my teeth.
I would love to read more stories coming off the back of Daughter of the Sea, Mary for a start and Lachlan’s clan definitely need stories of their own. Just saying!
I don’t have the adequate words to fully convey just how much this touched my heart, it’s a story that will resonate with so many people, it tackles some tough topics such as loss, grief, life’s challenges and guilt. I was completely absorbed in the unapologetically romantic story. I honestly cannot say a single bad word about this, it will stay locked into my heart for a very long time.
I loved this so much that I am now going to purchase the paperback just so I can have it on my bookcase as the cover is as stunning as the story within.
Daughter of the Sea is enchanting, it really is perfect – there isn’t much more I can say without sounding like a broken record, but really this book is a truly special gift and easily Elisabeth Hobbes is at her absolute best.
Chicks,Rogues and Scandals 