Can she secure her family’s future?

Isle of Bute, Scotland, 1945

Celia Scott, matriarch of a farming family on Bute, expects her grandson Martin to take over Westervoe farm after the war. She dismisses her other son Angus, weakened by a crushed leg, and undervalues Jennet, her granddaughter, who returned home pregnant after leaving nursing. Though ashamed of Jennet’s son, Jamie, Celia lets them stay. Confident in Martin’s return, she sends away the McCabe evacuees who helped during the war.

When Martin refuses to come back and Celia is injured, she decides the family must abandon the lease on the farm. Jennet resists, determined to keep it for Angus and Jamie, clashing with her grandmother. She calls back Mollie McCabe for help and takes in holiday lodgers. Jennet persuades Angus to try running the farm for a year, but the return of someone from her past makes her question whether staying on Bute is the right choice.

Previously published as Staying On

PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD

'Compelling from the start, heartfelt and beautifully written.' - Rosie Clarke

'If you like Catherine Cookson, you’ll love Evelyn Hood’s books.’ - Lizzie Lane

‘Evelyn Hood’s characters step off the page and into your heart.’ - Sheila Riley

‘This is addictive and heartfelt storytelling, with colourful characters you'll never want to say goodbye to.’ - Jane Lark

''Loved the strong, relatable characters. A lively, refreshing read.' - Kate Eastham

'Wonderfully descriptive, with memorable characters and a true sense of place.' - Tracy Baines

'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters makethese engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas

‘Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood’ – Renita D’Silva

'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine

‘Hood is immaculate in her historical detail’ - Scottish Herald

'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair

'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine

‘Touching, romantic and unforgettable’ - Reader Review

‘Love all her books’ - Reader Review

‘Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories’ - Reader Review

‘I cannot put her books down’ - Reader Review

‘Love everything Evelyn Hood writes’ - Reader Review

‘Evelyn Hood is a fantastic writer, bringing the past to life and drawing you right