In 1971, Nan Douglas and her toddler twins arrive on the remote island of Inniscuiilin, long-lost family of the eccentric Miss Campbell. For fifteen years they all live quietly up at the Big House, until the twins start planning their future – forcing Nan to confront their past…. Because someone, somewhere believes that the twins aren’t twins. That they’re not even Nan’s children. And that Nan isn’t Nan. Only Nan herself can prove them wrong – but it’s a gamble. Win or lose, she’s still at risk of losing her beloved family.
After struggling through a major reading slump since February—life’s been a bit overwhelming lately—Entitled was exactly what I needed to dive back into the world of books! I was hooked from the third page, and by the time I texted my partner, telling him I wouldn’t be able to put it down, I knew I was in for a treat.
What really drew me in was the unique way the author introduced us to the character of Nan. We first meet her as a young girl, one of the few women breaking barriers to attend medical school. Watching her grow and adapt to an entirely new environment, all while navigating her personal struggles, was deeply satisfying. The transitions between different phases of her life, including her painful betrayal and the formation of her character, kept me intrigued.
As the story unfolded, I started to piece together that Nan wasn’t just a standalone character—she was, in many ways, the creation of Malcolm, whose roguish personality and God-complex behavior influenced her in ways I hadn’t expected. It was fascinating to watch their lives intertwine.
There were a few plot twists, and while I won’t give anything away, the final twist had me completely shocked yet not entirely surprised—it was perfectly executed. The ending was a satisfying cliffhanger that left me eager to know more about the story and its characters. I felt a bit heartbroken that one of the children followed in Malcolm’s footsteps, but so relieved that the other didn’t. It definitely opens the door for a deeper exploration of these dynamics, and I’m hoping for a sequel (fingers crossed!).
If you’re looking for a book that combines intense twists, emotional depth, and well-developed characters, Entitled is a must-read. I can’t recommend it enough!
Author Biography.
Gill Merton is the non de plume of five writers based around Edinburgh and the Lothians: Simon Bramwell Coreen Connell Sheila Corrigan Anne Hamilton Elizabeth Nallon. Entitled is their first collaborative novel, adapted from an original short story by Sheila Corrigan, and was made possible by funding from The National Lottery Awards For All. Earlier publications include: The Writing Group: an original stage/radio play (First recorded 2017) A Way With Words: an anthology of prose and poetry (Pilrig Press, 2015)
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