The Vanished Days

Settle in for an epic journey of the heart! "There is properly no history; only biography." — Ralph Waldo Emerson Emerson must have been thinking of a book like this one, which brilliantly combines factual events, historical figures, and an exquisite fictional narrative into one of the most absorbing, enthralling romances I've ever read. The author's end notes themselves are a breathtaking historical lesson, adding such dimension to her characters - both fictional and based on real people. Adam is telling the story of how he and Lily came together, and even when he's telling her side of the story you can feel his respect for the truth and the love he has for her. The surprise twist was a stroke of genius, a masterful secret barely hinted at until it was revealed at the perfect time. The HEA was sublime, perfectly sweet and satisfying for these two. If you're not a fan of history and just want a romance that gets straight to the point, this isn't the book for you. Adam and Lily's story must be told alongside all the political intrigue of their day because without it, there is no story. This is a book you want to take your time with, rereading the beautiful prose and going back and forth to check what you've just read against what you read a few pages ago. It's the first book I've read by this author, and now all I can think of is grabbing all her other books and carving out the time to meticulously pour over each one like I did with this one. I spent far too much time researching the internet for more background information on the people and events referenced throughout. This is not a book you just read and move on from; this will give you a book hangover that will stay with you for days as you process everything you've learned along the way. It's everything a book should be, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Book: THE VANISHED DAYS By Susanna Kearsley Series: Scottish Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Release Date: 10/05/2021 Overall Rating : Five Stars but deserves 1000! Overall Blog Rating: Five Saltire Flags This book takes place in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. It is a time when there is so much upheaval in Scotland. Between politics, religion and a Union most don’t agree to! King James Stuart being dethroned and fleeing to France. The Jacobite movement started, and as Jacobite is the Latin name for James. Also many Scot’s were not happy about joining the English parliament with “The Treaty of Union by Acts of Union!” Plus so much bigotry and religious issues with Catholicism, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and it was a total disaster! On top of that there was the unsuccessful Darien scheme backed by Scotland to gain wealth and influence for a new colony Caledonia. This novel centers around the life of Lilias (Lily) Aitcheson-Graeme narrated by Adam Williamson. Scotland 1683-1707 Adam will never forget the first time he met Lily, it was shortly after “The Treaty of Union by Acts of Union” was passed between Scotland and England parliaments in 1707. This was to form The Great Britain Parliament. Adam was staying at his friend’s home with his pregnant wife Helen, where he had been taken ill. His friend Turnbull was away, so in his friend’s place with another man Lily was being interrogated-to be able to get the proof her marriage was genuine. As her husband Jamie Graeme was a dead sailor, Lily was trying to prove she was his heir and attempting to get his back wages too. This was all due to her as Jamie Graeme’s widow, however the problem was all her witnesses were dead and they never married in a Kirk. It was an Episcopalian ceremony, where this religion seemed to have many prejudices against it and the marriage took place outside a Kirk. Lily and Jamie’s relationship which began as children, where he was always so kind and protective, but from a noble family. Lily was also warned by her Grandmother that they were of two different classes, where Jamie would always be the Lord and she the servant. In other words, she would never be good enough for the happy go lucky boy Jaime Graeme, who was also her very best friend. This also details Lily’s relationships with a few different families even though she was an orphan. One was her fathers second wife, another was a family she worked for and third was a woman named Barbara who found her. This is how Lily met her foundling sons where she eventually fell in love with the eldest son named Matthew, though he was a bit of restless spirit and couldn’t stay in on place for long. This novel also has several different timelines one is current day 1707 and the other time lines start in 1683 to 1699 when Lily was eight years old until she was about twenty-three. It shows her hardships and tragedies that she has struggle through, yet still be true to herself and the ones she loves. It also shows how Adam is immediately smitten with her right from the beginning, even through his research and when he gets to understands her and her true dilemma. This book weaves true history with a fictional story that is absolute brilliant. It show how the Jacobites are supporter of James II and his descendants in their claim to the British throne after the Revolution of 1688. Drawing most of their support from Catholic clans of the Scottish Highlands. It shows how he is dethroned no matter how hard he tries to get his throne back. Yet this book did sweep me and my Jacobite heart away! It show how politics, religion and union are a big part of this tale too and how the author did such detailed research which will give readers a history lesson too. This is a prequel, crossover and a type of companion book for Kearsley’s 2017 novel, “The Winter Sea.” It includes so many familiar families that are in the book, So for fans of that book this is like a dream come true!