Book: The Lost House of Ireland
Author: Susanne O'Leary
Pub Day: June 8th 2022
About the Book:
An enchanting story about forgotten family secrets that will transport you to the charming village of Sandy Cove on the beautiful Irish coast.
Allegra Casey is searching for a new beginning. So when she discovers an engagement ring buried in the sand near her home in Cape Cod, the last place she expects it to lead her is to the west coast of Ireland. But when she arrives in the tiny village of Sandy Cove, she finds herself falling in love with the crashing waves, the picturesque coast and the warm-hearted people.
As soon as she settles into her cottage at the old coastguard station, Allegra meets her eccentric neighbours. They believe the ring belonged to Davina Courtney, whose family still live on the Strawberry Hill estate just outside the village. And when Allegra visits the old mansion, she meets the charming, enigmatic Max Courtney-Smythe, the great-nephew of the former owner.
As they try to solve the mystery of the long-lost ring, Allegra and Max grow closer, and it soon becomes clear that their feelings for one another are mutual. And as she spends more time with the local community, Allegra wonders if she’s finally found the place she can call home.
But the reappearance of the engagement ring causes problems among the heirs of the estate and, as Max suddenly grows distant, Allegra wonders whether she should never have travelled to Sandy Cove. Is thiswhere she will finally find true love, or is she destined to leave this magical place alone?
Fans of Mary Alice Monroe, Debbie Macomber and Sheila O’Flanagan will fall in love with this delightful, feel-good Irish romance.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Lost House Of Ireland' by Susanne O'Leary.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Susanne O'Leary , Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 8th June 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the fourth book in the 'Starlight Cottages' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland' which is the first book in the 'Starlight Cottages' series and seventh in the 'Sandy Cove' series, 'The Lost Secret Of Ireland' which is the second book in the 'Starlight Cottages' series and eighth book in the 'Sandy Cove' series and 'The Lost Promise Of Ireland' which is the ninth book in the 'Sandy Cove' series and the third book in the 'Starlight Cottages' series and all can also be read as a standalone and which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Mary Alice Monroe, Debbie Macomber and Sheila O’Flanagan will fall in love with this delightful, feel-good Irish romance. .' I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Susanne O'Leary and if this is half as good as 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland', 'The Lost Promise Of Ireland' and 'The Lost Secret Of Ireland' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 24 chapters and an epilogue The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA 🇺🇸 and Ireland 🇮🇪 UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in Ireland is even better as I have been on holiday in Ireland many times so may even recognise some places Emma has set the book around.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist is Allegra Casey. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
Well done Susanne you have done it again!!!! OMG! OMG!! I cannot remember the last time I was so gutted to come to the end of a book!! I absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like I was packing my bags and being whisked away from my Irish holiday when I read the last page. Absolutely gorgeous!!!
The book is so well written with its stunning and vivid descriptions that I genuinely felt that I was standing with Allegra throughout feeling the Irish breeze in my hair and smelling the ocean. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly.
Although this book is the fourth in a series it can be read as a standalone with no problems. In fact I never came across anything in the book that would make me think it was part of a series. The storyline was realistic and just beautiful. It starts off in such a sad place and from the rain a rainbow was born. I loved getting to know everyone on Sandy Cove and Starlight Cottages and enjoyed the atmosphere and my gorgeous surroundings. It genuinely felt like I was on holidays and after not having one for so long this was definitely the closest thing.
The storyline was filled with romance, stunning settings, love, secrets, deceit, friendship, community and family. It made me feel all bubbly inside and it had an air of mystery trying to work out what it was that a certain person was up to. There was plenty of laughter, hope, love and some tension and sadness mixed in. I was intrigued by the mention of Fungie the dolphin so looked him up which geve me some more fascinating information to read!! Absolutely everything you want in a romantic getaway. I loved the ending which is absolutely perfect and gives me yet another relationship to look forward to watching develop in your next book 🥂
I always love it when I see a new book by Susanne as she is one of those authors who writes stunning books I know I am going to love!!!
The characters were all solid, realistic and I loved that they all had their own unique personalities. Allegra, Ellie, Lydia and Lucille are such strong and determined women, each of these amazing women have their own stories to tell which you can find in the rest of the 'Sandy Cove' series and I loved adding Allegra to my list.. I love it when the protagonist is such a strong female lead being a woman myself it's great to see, having four was an extra bonus!!! Allegra grows into such an independent woman throughout the book and it was beautiful to see her relationship with Ellie, Lydia and Lucile and the way they supported each other through thick and thin. Rory and Max well phew, what handsome and romantic men. It wasn't just the main characters that made this book but also all the neighbours too, I really enjoyed meeting them all. I enjoyed meeting Ellie, Lydia, Jason, Lucille and Rory again along with new faces such as Allegra, Max and Gwen and continuing to see friendships and relationships grow and bonds develop and secrets revealed. The only two people I disliked were Edwin's and Kate but you never know Edwin's may grow on me. Susanne portrayed Irish Country life perfectly and it was exactly the same when I went on holidays for a fortnight many years ago, the close knit community where everyone knew each other and was so helpful.
I absolutely love each and every visit Susanne takes me on to Sandy Cove where every time it feels like I'm meeting up with old friends again while knowing I will make new ones.
Susanne I fell in love with yet another of your heart warming, page turning and stunning books which took my heart away and left me gutted when my holiday ended. This is exactly why your on my favourite author list!! I have already added all your books on my wish lists and I cannot wait for my next Irish adventure!!! Please get these put on the big screen!! Here is to your next gorgeous success 🥂
Overall an absolutely stunning, heart warming romance that will have you heading off to Ireland in the blink of an eye.
Genres covered in this novel include Contemporary Fiction, Romance Novel, Women's Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary Romance and Holiday Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Mary Alice Monroe, Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan , Nicholas Sparks and just anyone and everyone whether you are looking to get away or for romance this is the book for you!!!
280 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@SusanneOLeary @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio
Susanne O'Leary is the bestselling author of more than twenty novels, mainly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also written three crime novels and two in the historical fiction genre. She has been the wife of a diplomat (still is), a fitness teacher and a translator. She now writes full-time from either of two locations, a ramshackle house in County Tipperary, Ireland or a little cottage overlooking the Atlantic in Dingle, County Kerry. When she is not scaling the mountains of said counties, or keeping fit in the local gym, she keeps writing, producing a book every six months. Visit Susanne at her website, http://www.susanne-oleary.co.uk Social Media
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Buy Links:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B09RT3PQDHsocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/cqJh50HOonm
Kobo: http://ow.ly/xOgz50HOott Google: http://ow.ly/4cSu50HOoys
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