Shortlisted for a 2017 RoNA Award With her whole life ahead of her, beautiful young Grace’s world changes forever when she’s married off to a much older judge. Soon, feeling lonely and neglected, Grace meets and falls in love with an Indian doctor, Vikram—he’s charming, thoughtful, and kind, everything her husband is not. But this is 1950s Ireland, and when she falls pregnant, the potential … pregnant, the potential scandal must be dealt with. As soon as she has given birth, Grace is sent to an asylum by the judge, while Vikram, told that Grace died in childbirth, returns to India heartbroken.
Thirty years later, after the judge’s death, his estranged daughter Emma returns home to pack up his estate, where she finds Grace’s diaries and begins to piece together the life of the mother she never knew. Meanwhile, Vikram is planning a long-awaited return to Ireland with his much-loved niece Rosa—who has grown up hearing all about her uncle’s long-lost love—to stand, at last, at the grave of the woman he adores. When the judge’s will is finally read, revealing he has sent letters to Vikram and Emma, the deception spanning both decades and continents finally begins to unravel, exposing long-buried family secrets along the way and raising the question of if true love can last a lifetime.
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I liked this book
Easy read. Indicative of times.
I liked it. It was a bit sad, in that no one had a happy life, but it was well written and held my interest.
A good read…..light reading, but well written. It flows easily from from setting to another.
This story was so different from what the title and the front picture would seem. Think love, loveless marriage, insane asylums, international relationships.
It is one of the best books I have read in a while
Enjoyed the book but predictable ending
Great read. Characters help build a story based on lies and deception. Difficult to put down once you get into plot.
I love historical fiction and the story line also gave me insight into the time period of this time. It made me sad and happy. It was a heart touching story.
Interesting twist…
Enjoyed very much. Did not want book to end. Loved the description of Irish Designer
The book just didn’t seem to flow easily. Sounded promising but I didn’t really enjoy it
I read this book during the COVID 19 quarantine and it was just what I needed. Although the plot was a little far fetched – it was a novel after all. The writing was clean, crisp and a good romance.
Well written, a real page turner.
Not normally attracted to this type of novel, I was compelled by the story line and narrative to finish the story. The characters were drawn with feeling and were believable- the twists and turns a little outlandish. It helped that I was very familiar with St Stephen’s Green and that part of Dublin. It gives a warm feeling.
It is a fast read for a little entertainment
Excellent read!
I enjoyed this book. The plot twisted and jumped back and forth in time and in locations. Kept it interesting and kept me guessing until the end.
Great story
I enjoyed the book.