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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Slow moving, could have been shorter. Just not my type of book.
This book is just a lovely love story, shared by mother and daughter. So warm, and I cried.
As a girl buries her father, her mother sweeps her off to the old family home across the Atlantic. As the story unfolds she learns of her mother’s past and the sacrifices she made for her family. She discovers she has a large family and that her mom still carries a torch for a past love. New beginnings abound.
I am not typically one for romantic books, but this one was outstanding. It wasn’t sappy and kept me wondering up until the end. I hope to see more books from this author!
This story is set in Ireland and the US during the 60’s and in 2010, The story follows a large, tight Irish family manage the normal lifespan struggles complicated by abject poverty through cross-Atlantic distances. The two older sisters and their mother who all have normal relationship concerns of one kind or another–often overlapping in time. …
I loved this book. Although I’m not generally a romance fan, these tough times make it more satisfying to read a happily-ever-after story.
I have thought of this story many times since I finished reading it. How many times have people let true happiness slip away by a misunderstanding on their own or someone else’s part? Stella went back one last time to see if she could find her dream, but not who would do this would find a happy ending.
I really liked this book!
I loved this book. A mother and daughter go back to Ireland to reconnect with family and the mother’s long lost love. They story goes back to the early 60’s and what happened between the mother and her soldier fiance and to the present with her daughter’s disintegrating relationship with her boyfriend. The ending made me cry and I rarely do when …
I loved this book! You can see the poverty of Northern Ireland in the 1950’s and 1960’s, yet you can feel the love of family. And with the American base nearby it’s not surprising that the local ladies met some of the marines and dreamt of going to America for a better life. This book goes between 2010 and 1959/1960 – looking back 50 years and …
This feel-good novel reminds us that love conquers all.
This is not a book I would normally read. The cover and the title drew me in. Then I read the blurb which sounded very exciting. Boy, am I glad I read this. This book brought me to the 1950s in Derry and then to present time. I loved seeing how one decision can change your life. Take chances people!!
What a beautiful story that Claire Allan …
A great tale incorporating history. It reflects the difficult choices and family priorities. Loved the story
Very well done. Very enjoyable.
Very well written…I like “tight” writing where the author keeps things moving. Even though you could anticipate the ending it was compelling enough to keep you from skipping pages just to see if you were right. Compassionate and realistic.
I really enjoyed the story line and the characters
PREDICTABLE YET ENJOYABLE.
It gets a little redundant around the 40 to 60% mark but it is seriously worth finishing!
I loved it.
Life throwing lemons and how we cope. I cried and cried!