Kristy Cambron delivers a beautiful story centered around a French castle and three women whose lives intertwine over centuries as they are each deeply impacted by the structure in “The Lost Castle.”
In present day, Ellie Carver is facing a daunting reality — she’s losing her grandmother, Lady Vi, to Alzheimer’s. In a brief moment of clarity, Vi hints at a story and photo of her at a French castle in the 1940s. Never having heard this story, and knowing it has deep meaning, Ellie leaves for the Loire Valley in France to seek answers to Vi’s past.
While on her journey, she meets Quinn Foley and his delightful grandfather, Titus Vivay, at the neighboring vineyard. Seeking out their help, Ellie and Quinn learn more about each of their histories — growing closer and closer.
“The Lost Castle” also reaches back to the 1940s, 1944 in particular, telling Vi’s story as a young woman and her involvement in World War II — and what her connection is to Titus’ vineyard.
We also learn the story of Aveline, a noblewoman set to marry a duke whose family owns the castle when a catastrophic event occurs during the French Revolution.
Cambron does a brilliant job of telling the stories of three extremely strong women, weaving together each woman’s story, bringing together their journeys as each searches for true love, success after sacrifice, and real happiness. She writes in a deliciously descriptive manner — for example: “Ghostly ruins took shape before her eyes, cutting through the mist and rising against the backdrop of trees. A shiver commanded attention as the chill of a night breeze swept along Ellie’s skin, dancing wavy locks of ebony against her cheek.”
“The Lost Castle” is a wonderful split-time novel, filled with not only romance but intrigue and suspense. Violet — both the color and flower — is an important piece of imagery throughout the story. And Cambron does a great job of subtly sharing reminders of important life lessons. This story reminds us that we can be safe, yet still feel hopelessly broken, and deals with ideas like staring down loss, overcoming despair, not abandoning hope, and choosing between what’s easy and what’s right.
Survival is a huge theme throughout “The Lost Castle,” whether on a small scale or in life’s major moments. And the story gives us an important reminder — the constancy of God.
This is another delightful story by Kristy Cambron, and I look forward to the next — the story of Laine, Ellie’s friend who works at the care facility where Vi resides.
Fans of Kate Morton and other similar authors will love this book.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.