Synopsis: “Two lost souls… and the wild, beautiful island between them

Fiercely independent, Liza never takes time off work but she planned this holiday months ago. She’s here for a reason, determined to shed one skin and try on another. Somewhere on this wild and beautiful island at the edge of the Atlantic, she’s hoping that answers can be found.

These days, Jamie divides his life between Sheffield and his beloved Harris, a place of solace and calm since childhood. Passionate about preserving the secrets of the land, he’s just as protective of its people. He’s happily stuck in his ways because that’s the safest place to be.

Summer in Harris stretches ahead: a time of endless sunshine and relentless rain, wind-whipped seas and sugar-fine beaches, clouds of midgies and the famous machair bursting with wildflowers. Liza and Jamie meet and wish they hadn’t. But the island has its own plans for both of them. Hope is on the horizon, but her greatest battle is about to begin. . ..”

My Review

This was another fantastic audiobook, in the Flora’s House quartet, and definitely my favourite so far.

I loved being back on the Scottish Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, but during the summertime instead this time, although the weather was still very mixed like in the previous two books. This book is about Liza and Jamie. She’s a workaholic from Bristol, and he’s a photographer from Sheffield.

I really enjoyed the story of Liza and Jamie as they kept meeting each other across the island. I liked both of them, although Liza was a bit prickly at first. As I learnt her backstory I had a lot more empathy for her, and ended up liking her a lot. Jamie was very likeable from the beginning, as was his aunt, who he was visiting on the island.

Of the course the island is a huge character in itself in these books, making me want to visit, if only the weather could be guaranteed, and I could stay at Flora’s House.

It was a real delight to listen to this as Amanda Abbington’s and Simon Pegg’s narration was flawless. They were absolutely perfect portraying Liza and Jamie. I loved Amanda’s narration of the first book, so I knew she would be brilliant for this story as well. Simon Pegg is one of my favourite actors, so it was a real treat listening to him.

Highly recommended on audio, especially if you enjoy uplifting books set in Scotland.

Book 18 of 20 Books of Summer 2026