Blog Tour Review, Secrets of an Irish House

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Secrets of an Irish House
Ann O’Loughlin

384 pages
Bookouture
published September 5, 2023

Amazon | Goodreads

About the book

 

Pushing her key into the gate lock, Katie looks up nervously at the grand tree-lined entrance sweeping up to Kilcashel House. This was not her home by choice, but if she was ever to move on from her past and uncover the truth about her beloved Harry, she would make it her home…

Perched on the edge of the roaring Irish Sea, Kilcashel House was somewhere New Yorker Katie never imagined she would live. But when her partner Harry dies suddenly with a diamond engagement ring in his top pocket, Katie is shocked to learn that he has left a house in Ireland to her. But that is not the only secret Harry was keeping. Katie soon learns that Harry also left the house to his ex-wife Maggie.

The two women could not be more different but are left with no choice but to go to Ireland together to try and uncover Harry’s past. But arriving at Kilcashel, they are met with unpaid bills and a huge list of repairs. As they walk through the house, they start to encounter little signs of the life Harry was building here – a new kitchen, clearly for Katie, a beloved horse for Maggie. Bit by bit they uncover a new side to the man they both loved.

With the help of handsome local gardener Dan and a band of friendly locals, together they turn the crumbling house into a stunning home full of life once again. Soon Katie realises that it is more than just the house that has stolen her heart. Could this be where she finally realises her lifelong dream of starting a bakery? And as she gets closer to Dan, might she be able to open her heart once more after such a tragic loss?

But when a letter arrives revealing the truth about Harry’s past and an unexpected tragedy strikes the house, will Katie want to realise her Irish dream or be forced home for good?

An absolutely glorious and emotional read about family secrets, friendship and finding home. Perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Cathy Kelly and Kathleen McGurl.

My Review

Honestly if I knew where this one was going, I might not have chosen it, but I did enjoy the read.  If this were a romance, the trope would be forced proximity, but since this is about friendship, I am not sure that is considered a trope.  Friendship. Grief. Starting over.  Second chances.  So much in this heartbreaking and heartwarming book.

It’s about how a group of women, all grieving, that despise, tolerate and then love and care for each other.  That despite their differences, they also shared so much.  I felt so much as I read this one.  And the more I read, the more my feelings changed and grew.  We all suffer challenges and tragedy at some point, but with care, we can heal and make it out the other side.  A quote that caught my eye, “Life is one long challenge.  You can choose to lie down in the face of the challenge, or you can ride them and move on.”  What a great piece of advice, whether it’s a small set back or a life altering test.

I loved the cast of characters and all their quirks.  I liked how the characters grew through strife as they moved to Ireland and adapted.  I always love when food is part of a story.  And I love how the women in the book rose up and helped each other.  I didn’t even mind the tears I shed.


 

Author bio:

Ann is the Irish author of five novels and has been translated into eleven languages. Her first novel The Ballroom Cafe was also an ebook bestseller and in the top 20 bestselling books of 2015 on Amazon UK. Ann loves to write and often gets up at 5am to get the words down, before starting her other job of writing as a news reporter. A leading journalist in Ireland, Ann has covered all major news events in a long career with Independent Newspapers, Ireland. She is now a senior journalist with the Irish Examiner specialising in legal issues. Ann has also lived in India. Originally from the west of Ireland she now lives on the east coast with her husband and family.

 

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