The STOLEN HOURS is book 2 in the Wild Isle Series by Karen Swan. It is set in the remote Scottish isle of St. Kilda and based on true incidents. While the characters in this story are fictional the island and its story is very much real. At the time of the story, it is 1929, the isle is residence to 36 people who live without any modern facilities available on the mainland at the time.
They don't have modern facilities like electricity, running water or heating however they have visitors on their isle from the mainland, news and magazines which sometimes reach them. This is how they know the difference in the way they and the mainlanders live. Though being such a small community and knowing each other's business and the probability of them being the last of line they are proud of their ways, of being the islanders.
In STOLEN HOURS we follow the path Mhairi's life takes (pronounced Vharee) she is 18 and one of the 11 in her family. As island life is getting more and more difficult in terms of sustenance her family wants her married off so it's one less mouth to feed. Soon she's on a short trip to a neighbouring isle and circumstances see a fellow married islander chaperoning her instead of her father. Things develop in a manner that Mhairi, who isn't a fan of the grumpy neighbour Donald, and yet feels an attraction between them.
Once returned to the isle they fight the attraction as Mhairi makes the ill-informed decision, to marry the man she went to meet with Donald, in a fit of jealousy. What follows is a long winter where the island is cut off from the mainland. Mhairi and Donald give in to their attraction. As Mhairi and Donald face the consequences they dream of a life together despite it being next to impossible. A lot happens as the island approaches spring and they receive the news of evacuation to the mainland. It is an uncertain future for the lovers as their days of stolen hours are coming to an end.
The backdrop of the Scottish island is spectacular, the lifestyle is backbreaking. Yet life goes on, there's love, friendship and hope in the hearts of the islanders. I loved the wilderness of the island and how it was an intrinsic part is the lives of these characters.
The friendships and sense of community were beautiful, though out of necessity, integrated into their lives.
It was humbling to see how the circumstances didn't even register for the characters and their dreams of a life filled with love and happiness were of primary importance for them.
It was natural to root for the lovers and Mhairi was an easy character to love and get behind to see her journey.
The ending though is abrupt and while we see the lovers united their circumstances leave a bitter taste and if not exactly a cliffhanger it makes you frustrated to wait for or think if we will get a closure for this couple or that's just it. I am not clear on how the series will progress and if we get to know how Mhairi's and her friends' lives progress, which is always a bit off-putting.
Two books are out in the series and the third is scheduled for a release this year. I suggest you binge-read all three towards the end of the year but do not hold your breath for an ending that concludes the stories for these characters. There is only an ending of some sort and not exactly the one you might want.
That said, if you are a fan of Karen Swan and love binge-reading series, pick up Books 1 and 2 except for the endings, I'm sure you will enjoy the setting, and the friendships and love the characters' experiences which rival the beauty of the wild island they all call home.
Summer, 1929. Mhairi MacKinnon is in need of a husband. As the eldest girl among nine children, her father has made it clear he can’t support her past the coming winter. On the small, Scottish island of St Kilda, her options are limited. But the MacKinnons’ neighbour, Donald, has a business acquaintance on distant Harris island also in need of a spouse. A plan is hatched for Donald to chaperone Mhairi and make the introduction on his final crossing of the year, before the autumn seas close them off to the outside world.
Mhairi returns as an engaged woman who has lost her heart – but not to her fiancé. In love with the wrong man yet knowing he can never be hers, she awaits the spring with growing dread – for the onset of calm waters will see her sent from home to become a stranger’s wife. . .
When word comes that St Kilda is to be evacuated, the lovers are granted a few months’ reprieve. But will a summer of stolen hours together just lead to more heartbreak . . . ?
The Stolen Hours is the second book in Karen Swan’s bestselling Wild Isle series, which began with The Last Summer.
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy