The Irish Child Published by Bookouture by Daisy O'Shea
on July 16, 2024
Genres: Adult, Family & Relationships, Ireland, Women's Fiction, Historical, Irish Literature
Pages: 321
Source: Netgalley
Format: ARC, eBook
Find the Author: Goodreads
Find the Book: Amazon | Goodreads
ISBN: 1835250793
Rating:
A salty breeze whips the tears from my eyes as I stare out at the emerald Irish Sea. Everything I’ve lost, the child my great grandmother Nellie lost, all feels so present here, in the land my family left years ago. How will I ever move on? Will I ever uncover the truth about the little girl who went missing all those years ago?
When Boston-born Erin arrives in wind-tossed Roone Bay, she’s heart-sore, tired and lonely. Her marriage is over: she’s come to build a new life for herself on Ireland’s rugged southern coast. And to unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family’s ancient Bible that has haunted her since childhood. But hazel-eyed former lifeboat volunteer Finn, the only local historian around, quietly refuses her pleas to help.
So Erin settles in to the town, with its whitewashed cottages and ruddy-cheeked fishermen, and begins her quest alone. Who was her ancestor, Nellie, and why did she leave Ireland for America? What happened to her missing child, Annie, and did Nellie ever see her again?
Just as Erin despairs ever uncovering the truth, one rain-soaked night she is rescued by Finn, who finally agrees to help. And by firelight and candlelight each evening, just as it would have been in her great-grandmother’s time, Finn and Erin grow closer as they share their stories.
But just as Erin wonders if Roone Bay could be her forever home, she makes a devastating discovery. Will she be able to face the truth, which changes everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her family’s Irish legacy? Or will she run, just as Nellie did all those years ago, and lose the best chance at happiness she’s ever had…?
This gorgeous, heart-breaking, totally immersive story of an Irish family’s legacy is perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Kathleen McGurl and Tricia O’Malley.
I didn’t realize that this was a series until just a bit ago. That doesn’t matter in the long run, however, as this book stands on its own.
This book was incredible. It was heartbreaking, uplifting, romantic, and incredibly sad. There is just so much to this story. And the overall message is one of healing and moving on from things you can’t change.
The historical aspect, where we get to see a glimpse of what the Irish experienced in their quest for a better life–it just added so much depth to this tale.
I’m going to pick up The Irish Key very soon– this author is a superb storyteller.
About Daisy O'Shea
Writes women's fiction with a touch of romance.
Currently lives in West Cork, Ireland.
Signed in August 2023 for a three book deal with Bookouture.
