Review of 'The Lost Story of Sofia Castello' by Siobhan Curham

Review of ''The Lost Story of Sofia Castello by Siobhan Curham

Release date: April 25th, 2025

Publisher: Bookouture

REVIEW

Another unforgettable, powerful and captivating read by Siobhan Curham! This talented author continues to impress and inspire me with her gripping stories.The Lost Story of Sofia Castello is a unique and passionate WW2 focused tale that pulls on the heart strings with gusto! This energy charged, emotional drama with its mysterious plot had me glued to the pages. There are heaps of twists and turns that left me breathless. Siobhan draws upon her own experiences with Portugal, its people, history and landscape—making The Lost Story of Sofia Castello feel incredibly authentic.

Although the novel is filled with secrets, misunderstandings and shocking betrayals, there are some joyous developments along the way, too. But the traumatic years and events of WW2, were painful to read. It was easy to imagine what it must have been like to endure the bombings in London. I found Siobhan’s vivid descriptions reflected the tone and torture and I could even hear the piercing sirens and rains of bombs. Scary times. But in those awful moments, people connected and dealt with their fears in unusual ways as seen by character Trafalger. I won’t give anything away but look for it during those scenes when Sofia relates their time together in those first days.

I could appreciate the song writing aspects of the story since I do a lot of collaborating myself. I truly know how inspiration for songs can come from many sources. It was interesting to see how Ocean Longing came to be through a romantic rendez-vous of Sofia’s. This powerful attraction translated beautifully across the world in music and listeners adored it for various reasons. But when things went wrong, the song raised painful reminders in Sofia’s heart. For we bring our experiences, whether good or bad, to a song both as the creator and as a listener. When Lily hears the song, it reminds her of her failed relationship and loss—when she feels betrayed by her own body. Poor past relationship experiences can darken a person’s perceptions, making it difficult to recognise or accept something good when it comes along. So yes, we are shaped by our past and although we must learn from it—we must not expect that everything will turn out the same in the future. For if we hold on to that rigid view, we may misinterpret what comes our way.

One phrase, thought or tidbit of wisdom that stands out in this novel like a shining star on a dark moonless night is something singer Sofia shares with ghost writer Lily: ‘sometimes the things that seem like the end of the world are actually the prologue for something truly delightful…’ Things don’t always work out as planned and sometimes it is just as well they do not. Because they are paving the way for something better. Trials are not fun but they sharpen us and can make us more resilient. These words spoken to Lily by Sofia certainly resonated with me as I have found this to be so as well.

And I loved listening to Sofia tell her story of how she dealt with the war years. She was strong and brave in many ways. And although it was painful for her to resurrect those memories, it provided a healing eventually that caused her to question her perception of events. I thought Sofia writing a book about her War years is a creative way to provide another perspective on the events of the past.

The whole structure of the novel is cohesive. The plot has plenty of tension and mystery which results from us being given a series of bread crumbs along the way that lead up to massive revelations. The pacing is perfect, the setting is atmospheric and sometimes explosive (literally!), and the main characters are relatable and dramatic. And there’s lots of exciting action and surprises!

There is a wonderful cast of characters. I practically enjoyed Lily, Sophia, Gabriel, Trafalgar and Jane with their flaws and strengths. I loved the ending and felt satisfied with how the various strands came together and feasted on the twists, turns and surprises! The meaning of family is explored and how blood is not always the force that brings and holds people together. Sometimes having other common ingredients can create something new.

This story dug deep into my heart and caused me to feel great emotions. It also captured my mind and made me think about possible scenarios. I absolutely loved The Lost Story of Sofia Castello. Huge thanks to Siobhan for taking me on another unforgettable adventure. This is passionate, powerful, profound fiction. I look forward to the next instalment from this amazingly gifted author who is both courageous and highly dedicated to her craft. 5 Glorious Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.