Book: The Lost Secret of Ireland
Author: Susanne O'Leary
Pub Day: August 31st 2021
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
About the Book:
An enchanting summer romance set on the gorgeous Irish coast, where fresh starts are made, love beckons and secrets are sure to unfold… In the tiny village of Sandy Cove in Ireland, Ella Caron is trying to recover. When she moved from Paris to a beautiful coastguard cottage on the sea, she wanted peace and quiet and the space to grieve after her mother’s death. She never imagined that her mother’s eccentric best friend Lucille would insist on moving in to keep her company. With Lucille by her side, Ella finds herself laughing more than she has in years and it soon becomes clear that Lucille has her own reasons for coming to Sandy Cove: she wants Ella to help her move to her own little cottage by the sea. But then Lucille’s son Rory comes to town and her dream is under threat: he wants her in Tipperary, where she can safely grow old in their family home. Ella admires Lucille’s sense of adventure but she can’t help but wonder if Rory is right. Especially when she sees the rickety old cottage Lucille intends to buy and realises that the real reason she wants to escape could turn Rory’s life upside down. As Ella and Rory get closer, sharing a moment under the stars that feels meant to be, Ella finds herself caught between the man she is falling for and the loyalty she has to Lucille. Ella knows that she must convince Lucille to tell her family the truth, but it may force them to leave her and Sandy Cove for good… A dreamy Irish romance that will warm your heart and show you that it’s never too late for a second chance. For fans of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Lost Secret Of Ireland' by Susanne O'Leary.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Susanne O'Leary , Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 31st August 2021.
This is the second book I have read by this author. It is also the second 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 seventh book in the 'Sandy Cove' series which 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 this book is 'For fans of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.' 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' 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 22 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 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 Ella Caron. 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 Ella throughout feeling the Irish breeze in my hair and smelling the ocean. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly and I think the title change was definitely a good move as 'The Lost Secret Of Ireland' suits it perfectly.
Although this book is the 2nd 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. I am however looking forward to reading the previous book and being whisked back to Ireland again. 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 and family. It made me feel all bubbly inside and it had an air of mystery trying to work out what it was that Lucille was up to. There was plenty of laughter, hope, love and some tension and sadness mixed in. Absolutely everything you want in a romantic getaway.
The characters were all solid, realistic and I loved that they all had their own unique personalities. Ella and Lucille are such strong and determined women, one who had to get over the ordeal of a broken pelvis, unable to have had children and a divorce and the other dealing with the loss of her husband and his stuck up family. I love it when the protagonist is such a strong female lead being a woman myself it's great to see, having two was an extra bonus!!! Lynette is such a whirlwind and it was beautiful to see her relationship with Ella and the way they supported each other through thick and thin. Sunny is such a mature girl and i really liked her attitude. Rory and Thomas 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 watching Ella and Thomas and Rory's friendships and relationships grow and their bond develop. Maura, Saskia and the cute but wicked Mandy all stood out to me too. 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.
Susanne I fell on love with your heart warming, page turning and stunning book which took my heart away and left me gutted when my holiday ended. Welcome to 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!!
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 Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance and Holiday Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Debbie Macomber, Nicholas Sparks and just anyone and everyone whether you are looking to get away or for romance this is the book for you!!!
218 pages.
This book is just £1.99 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.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
@SusanneOLeary @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio
Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 20 novels, mainly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also written three crime novels and two in the historical fiction genre. The wife of a former diplomat, she has also been a fitness teacher and a translator. She now writes full-time from either of two locations, a rambling 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 doing yoga, she keeps writing, producing a book every six months.
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoroleary
Twitter: https://twitter.com/susl
Website: http://www.susanne-oleary.co.uk/
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B094VYG5HQcover
Apple: http://ow.ly/YNd250EPllu
Kobo: http://ow.ly/GOLz50EPjvY
Google: http://ow.ly/TeJS50EPlo3
Comments