It is the late 60’s in Tullamore, County Offaly, and life is full of exciting possibilities for Fiona Tracey, as she prepares to leave Ireland to work for a wealthy family in New York.
Fiona’s parents have the local shop and bar, and her younger sisters are already leading independent lives. Bridget is at a convent school preparing to be a nun and Angela has led a life of her own since she was … since she was hospitalised up in Dublin for years with childhood polio.
Then, sudden tragedy forces Fiona to postpone her departure for New York. As her mother sinks into illness and depression, her responsibilities mount. When help is offered by her aunt and cousin, Fiona is mystified by her mother’s animosity towards them.
As summer approaches, an American architect, Michael O’Sullivan, takes a room above the bar. Within a short time Fiona finds herself involved in an unexpected and passionate affair.
Then, as a surprising incident threatens Bridget’s vocation, Angela uncovers information which explodes old family secrets.
Before Fiona can embark on an independent life again, perhaps in New York, she must find a new understanding of her family – and of herself.
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I enjoyed this book. There was a solid story with a minor twist and I was entertained.
Good and entertaining!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. I think it was well researched and the characters were believable. I would read more by this author. *S*
As an American, I find it interesting to read about other countries and their convention during the same time frame as America. Even in the 60s, Fiona was bound and determined to get to the US for better opportunities. As Americans, we indeed take this for granted. Lovely story about a family with too many secrets which rise to the surface when tragedy strikes.
TRITE! There are better options.
I enjoy almost any book set in Ireland. Many secrets were part of the family’s past. The girls seemed to be working out their futures. A little romance keeps the story going.
I really enjoyed this book.
Great story line, great characters, and easy to read. It was very realistic in that it was easy to imagine these things happening to a family, maybe even their families.
A complicated story of family trials and secrets that finally has a good ending.
I enjoyed reading this book.
very well written, carried me along. Love to get lost in a book.
Not quite finished but have been enjoying this book a lot.
Really liked this book set in Ireland. The main character wants to go to America but life’s circumstances get in the way. Interesting family situations and how the characters deal with life’s events.
It was ok. Not much action. Characters not very realistic.. Mother got well rather immediately after having drugs taken away.
The book was a bit trite and predictable.
Very much enjoyed this slice of Irish life. Rich relatable characters that made you want the best for them.
I enjoyed this book as it was somewhat different from the books I usually read. Was interesting the from the start to the finish.
Well developed characters. Sweet without being overly so. Family secret and anger not understood, but eventually outted.
I enjoyed this book very much. Well written , such a range of life’s emotions. The character’s come to life with day to day living and the ups and downs of living.
Very interesting story