The Wild Isle Series by Karen Swan 2 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
The Stolen Hours [Hardcover]
The Last Summer

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781529084412; 9781529084382

Overview:
Dive into The Wild Isle Series with this evocative two-book collection from Karen Swan, pairing sweeping romance with the stark beauty and history of Scotland’s remote islands. The Last Summer, the opening novel in the series, sweeps readers to the windswept shores of St Kilda in the 1930s, where Effie Gillies finds a connection that challenges the boundaries of class and convention. The Stolen Hours follows as a graceful, emotionally charged second chapter, continuing the island’s stormy history into a narrative of love, loss, and resilience. Together, these two novels weave a seamless, immersive saga—part historical romance, part suspenseful island drama—perfect for fans of lush settings, authentic period detail, and character-driven storytelling. Karen Swan’s signature blend of travel-inspired research and heart-led plots paints St Kilda with vivid texture, inviting readers to stay up late as waves crash against cliffs and destinies hinge on fleeting moments. This collection showcases Swan at her best: ambitious, atmospheric, and deeply human.

What This Collection Covers:
Set against the backdrop of the Scottish archipelago, The Last Summer introduces Effie Gillies and the sudden, transformative pull of a visitor from outside the island’s world. The narrative moves from a week of intense connection to the quiet aftermath of evacuation and new responsibilities on the mainland, exploring themes of love versus duty, exile, and what home truly means. The Stolen Hours carries the momentum forward into a later era, where generations of island lore, family ties, and the consequences of long-ago choices ripple into present lives. Together, the two novels illuminate a remarkable era—the interwar years on St Kilda—and the enduring power of courage, community, and second chances. This set is ideal for readers who relish immersive historical romance with strong female protagonists, richly drawn settings, and a sense of historical discovery.

Book-by-Book Guide:
The Stolen Hours — In 1929 on the remote island of St Kilda, Mhairi MacKinnon faces a stark choice: marriage as a practical pathway to security or continued uncertainty. As the eldest of nine, she is propelled toward an arranged match with a suitor arranged through a distant connection, a plan that shifts the course of her heart when she discovers feelings for someone unexpected. The novel follows the emotional costs of duty and the pull of true affection, set against the stark, windswept landscapes of a place where evacuation and change loom on the horizon. The result is a poignant meditation on love, resilience, and the courage to redefine one’s future. The Last Summer — Effie Gillies, wild-spirited and rooted on St Kilda, encounters Lord Sholto, heir to a noble line, and experiences a week of intense connection that tests the boundaries of class and expectation. When a storm alters their plans and their lives, Effie’s world expands beyond the island’s edges. The narrative traces their evolving relationship through upheaval, eventual separation, and the push-pull of dreams versus duty, eventually weaving Effie’s island past with a promising, complicated future on the mainland. This book sets the tone for The Wild Isle series, balancing romance with historical intrigue and a keen eye for place.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This two-book collection is ideal for adult readers who crave immersive historical romance with a strong sense of place. Fans of novels that meld sweeping landscapes with intimate love stories will find both titles absorbing weekend reads and compelling discussion material for book clubs. Gift buyers seeking a complete, atmospherically rich series featuring a⁠n award-worthy author will appreciate the continuity of setting and mood across the two books. Readers who enjoy novels anchored in real history, with evocative travel-inspired settings and resilient heroines, will find this pairing particularly satisfying as a shared reading experience or a thoughtful present.

Key Benefits:

• Complete two-book collection in one purchase for convenient gifting or personal library expansion
• Immerse yourself in a single, richly realized setting with interconnected stories
• Historical romance with strong female leads and atmospheric, travel-inspired settings
• Ideal for fans of sweeping epics and character-driven narratives
• Includes two editions from The Wild Isle Series by a best-selling author

About the Author:
Karen Swan is a Sunday Times bestselling author renowned for lush, evocative storytelling and meticulously researched settings. Her work frequently explores travel, historical context, and the emotional journeys of unforgettable characters. The Last Summer is the first novel in The Wild Isle series, a five-book historical saga inspired by the evacuation of St Kilda in 1930. Swan’s novels are celebrated for immersive atmosphere, emotionally resonant plots, and a distinctive voice that blends romance with historical texture. Readers often praise her for transporting them to far-flung locations while delivering contemporary themes of resilience, hope, and the complexity of love. This collection showcases Swan’s knack for marrying place with heart, inviting readers to linger in the world she so carefully builds.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you’re after an immersive historical escape with modern emotional depth, this two-book set delivers. The Last Summer provides a compelling entry point into The Wild Isle series, while The Stolen Hours deepens the saga with interwoven destinies and a broader sense of community on St Kilda. The combination offers a satisfying reading experience—from the thrill of first love to the weight of long-standing loyalties—paired with the beauty of remote island settings and the allure of a true authorial voice. Owning the full set means you can trace the evolving relationships, themes, and atmosphere across the early landscape of Karen Swan’s acclaimed Wild Isle series. It’s a thoughtfully curated gift for readers who appreciate dedication to craft, place, and emotion.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.