Overview

We follow Carrie McClelland, a novelist who retreats to a remote cottage on the Aberdeenshire coast to recover from personal loss and begin a new book. She starts writing about Sophia Paterson, a woman living during the Jacobite rebellion of 1708. As Carrie’s research deepens, she realises that Sophia may not be a fictional creation at all, but someone she is remembering rather than inventing. The past and present begin to fold into one another, shaped by place, memory, and the pull of the sea.

Writing & Voice

We found Kearsley’s writing rich and immersive, with a strong emotional undercurrent. The prose is detailed without being heavy, allowing landscape and history to guide the mood. The shift between timelines feels smooth and purposeful, with each strand strengthening the other. The story unfolds gently, driven by feeling rather than high drama.

Characters

Carrie is thoughtful and inward looking, drawn to the past in ways she struggles to explain. Sophia, living two centuries earlier, is brave, intelligent, and caught between love and loyalty during a dangerous political moment. We enjoyed how their lives echo each other, showing how choices and emotions can repeat across generations. The supporting cast adds warmth and historical depth.

Themes

This novel explores memory, inheritance, and the way history lingers in people and places. We see how stories are passed down not only through records, but through instinct and imagination. The sea and the ruined coastline become symbols of continuity, holding secrets that refuse to disappear.

What Worked

• Sense of place: The Scottish coast feels vivid, cold, and alive.
• Balanced timelines: Past and present enrich each other rather than compete.
• Emotional depth: The romance and personal journeys feel earned.

Minor Quibbles

• The modern storyline moves more slowly than the historical sections.
• The time slip element may not convince readers who prefer strict realism.

Final Thoughts

We found The Winter Sea absorbing, romantic, and quietly powerful. It is a story about love, loss, and the way the past continues to shape the present, long after the waves have washed over it.

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)