Kate Ryan and her husband, John, have a rollicking pub in the Irish village of Mountfern . . . four lovely children . . . and such wonderful dreams. But all that is about to change one fateful summer when American millionaire Patrick O’Neill comes to town with his irresistible charm, and money to burn. As love and hate vie for a town’s quiet heart, old traditions begin to crumble away. . . . … .
Patrick O’Neill builds the grand hotel of his dreams, with its promise of wealth and change. Loyalties are challenged, jealousies ignited, and tragedy strikes before the foundation is laid. Suddenly Kate and John Ryan’s lives and family are bound up with the newcomer in ways they can never imagine. And Patrick O’Neill faces his own crisis of conscience and heart as the events he sets in motion take on a life of their own in a town that will never be the same again.
Praise for Firefly Summer
“The best Binchy yet.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Totally engrossing . . . unforgettable . . . an absolutely grand story . . . a lyrical and compelling family drama . . . Mountfern and its residents come vibrantly alive.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer
“The secrets hidden behind lace curtains, a young girl’s first kiss, children’s summer games, unexpected pregnancies, sudden deaths. She makes us feel as if we also know the place and its people. . . . One of those good old-fashioned stories that are as comfortable and comforting as home itself.”—Philadelphia Inquirer
more
Always enjoy Binchy
If you like tedious children’s dialogue, this is your book! The first 65% of the book is filled with such dialogue and all the story line from this first 65% could be told in 2 paragraphs. Then from that point on the story finally gets better and by then became interesting. It’s a tale of small town Irish life told in such a way by the author, …
Ponderous
I like Benchy, but this is a bit slow moving. A good story with good characters.
Great read especially if you love Ireland and their folksy ways. Great story line too.
This book I believe is part of a series of books and this one was toward the end of the series. I love this author and how she shapes and builds the characters and you embrace them and can’t get enough of their stories so it’s good to have a couple other books with them and their story continued.
Predictable plot further marred by excessive and late development of minor characters at the crisis point. Frustrating.
Maeve Binchey has a way with words.
Nice, unpredictable story, like all Maeve Binchy books, she can sure tell a good story and this one seems like real life in Ireland in the 60’s. All of her books are good, and never boring, each one different and good in its own way. I always feel like I could walk into these stories and meet real people living ordinary lives, but with all the ups …
Love this author!
Love all of her books!!
I loved the community feel.
This story seemed unrealistic all the way around.
I love this author. This was not my favorite of her books but still a good summer read.
Many characters with intricate ordinary lives, and yet Binchy makes their loves and losses mean so much
I love everything by Maeve Binchey. Each book is a special treat with engaging characters and story lines.
This is a wonderful book. Enjoyed every page and the characters are amazing.
You are living this book. You are in Fernmount and experiencing all these people’s lives. It is so typical Maeve Binchy, it’s hard to put down.
I read this book a long time ago. I loved it and love anything by Maeve Bunche! Cozy , warm stories.
I’ve read many of Maeve Binchy’s books, but simply could not get into this one. Very slow moving and too much chatter/filler…only made it thru first half and moved on to something else to read