Would you hold on tighter if you knew you were saying goodbye forever?In 1959, factory girl Stella Hegarty finds herself falling unexpectedly for the charms of a handsome US marine based in Derry.Caught up in a whirlwind of romance, Stella finds herself planning a new life in America with her beloved Ray.But when tragedy steps in, both their lives are thrown into turmoil and they come to realise … turmoil and they come to realise they may have said their first, and last goodbye.
In 2010, Annabel Jackson, reeling from the loss of her father, agrees to accompany her mother Stella back to Ireland to meet her family for the first time. In Derry they both start to realise that sometimes you have to say goodbye to what you thought you always wanted, in order to find what you have needed all along.
Editorial Reviews
“One of the most scrumptious books i think I’ve ever read”
All Things Books
“Like a hug in a book! … ideal book for those who doubts there’s such a thing as having it all” – Woman’s Way
“An amazing story of first love and how, even years later, the feelings can still exist. Based on a true story, this was my favourite tale of true love in recent years. Sweet, warm and endearing, it stayed with me for weeks after I had finished it. For all of us that believe there is a soulmate out there for everyone.” Bleach House Library
Quite simply, this is one of the nicest, warmest and moving love stories I have read in years and I found myself very emotional while reading it. It had some personal meaning to me, as it was a similar tale to a relative of mine, and I had to stop reading a few times in order to pull myself together. I didn’t want it to end and the lump in my throat remains with me, even as I write this review. Margaret Madden
I LOVED this book. I was completely absorbed in it …I really couldn’t put it down – At Home with Mrs M
“A feel-good, touching and amusing tale which readers will find hard to put down” – Irish Independent
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Charming story with appealing characters.
This was a good book, and is a reminder of the invisibles to others, that impact a life in a deep way. I’m glad I read it.
Lovely story. Enjoyed immensely
The characters are really likeable. I enjoyed the brief quotes from the letters at the beginning of the chapters.
I could not put this book down. I think I connected with the main character as she had to give up some of her dreams for awhile as she had to take on a great responsibility of helping her large family survive in northern Ireland in the early 60s. Separated from her American first love and finding each other again will bring tears to your eyes.
It is an interesting journey for the daughter to understand her mother as she was as a poor girl in Ireland, and to see her in a different light, bringing a new closeness between them.
This was such a good story although a sad one. It’s a story of two people in love that had their future together interrupted by circumstances beyond their control. The only hope was to have the answers they both sought of unending love. Thanks Claire for this great story.
This book was really about how we all have to make choices in life and then live with the consequences. I enjoyed seeing how Stella was about to get on with her life and live it to the fullest extent but when the time came to “go back” she was able to without remorse. I enjoyed the book very much
It was unusual, romantic, tragic, and had a happy ending. What more could you want? A very good read.
Well written. A great love story
Very good read.
This is about second chances for lost love. Stella Falls in love with a Marine stationed in her hometown and her fathers death cause her to throw her chances with Ray away. Fast forward to 2010 and her daughter and she go through the death of her husband, felt deeply by her daughter, Annabel. So Annabel was shocked when her mom asked her to return …
God story of lost love.
Meh
Good
I didn’t have a bad story line, and there were some unpredictable turns. However, the inbetween turns part got long.
Sweet story that is well told. Happy ending!
Entertaining and very well written. A book about second chances, both sad and uplifting…..
What a lovely book. I was enamored with the story, the setting, and most of all, with the characters. I loved strong Stella, cheered with her daughter’s transformation, but Sam was the one who really stood out. A catalyst. We readers probably can all relate to the “what if” in our own lives. Author, Claire Allan, perfectly captured the nostalgia …
I still have tears after finishing this incredibly moving story about conflicts, family, loss, and enduring love.
A book I would thoroughly recommend.