REVIEW
A Secret Daughter From Ireland is a beautiful heartbreaking story of hope, healing, family roots, belonging, lasting love, awakening, reckoning, reconciliation and reunion—to name a few! It always does my heart ‘good’ to read an Ann O’Loughlin story as her words forever resonate in my being. She covers well topics of family significance, Irish roots, friendship and often difficult life and health experiences. I love the fact that she has started a new series and Orchid Bay Book 1 is a winner. This series is already showing amazing promise with its secrets, divine settings and complex characters that become friends you want to know and remain in contact with. Even the prickly ones in this story are redeemed by the end and you learn to love them warts and all. The descriptions are atmospheric and mesmerising, as they always are in Ann’s books. For the mystery and magic of Ireland are always present.
After Becky’s mother passes away, she receives a surprise inheritance: a house in Ireland. Things are not going so well for her in New York once she has had a traumatic experience that makes her want to run away to Ireland with her daughter to start afresh. Fear lurks in her heart as she worries that her troubles might follow her to the Emerald Isle. Her late mother, though, harboured many surprising secrets that only come to light once she has passed away and after Becky has moved to Ireland. What is the connection or the story behind this house on Orchid Bay she has inherited? She must unravel the mystery to understand her mother’s past and even to see forward a future for herself and her daughter. Her time in Ireland at first proves to be challenging as she has a few unfriendly neighbours who pounce on her at every chance possible. But she meets some lovely people too, including a chef who offers his kindness and help plus delightful reprieves in the mountains.
A Secret Daughter From Ireland more than once had me in tears as I was moved by the missed opportunities, the regrets, losses and mistakes of the past women involved noted in letters found on the premises. But the present offers the American inhabitants of the Irish home wonderful twists that had me cheering. For the positive outcomes are welcomed and wished for. Although there is a lot of heavy introspection, there is still a sense of freedom and wholeness throughout the text. For Becky it is an enlightening journey of self-discovery. It leads to a sense of proper placement, a home where she and her daughter can belong. After the loss of her mother and business, and a terrible personal threatening experience, the choice to flee to Ireland, provides direction and answers she never expected. Plus it gives her and her daughter a much craved sense of ‘belonging, safety and stability’ in a house that harbours secrets, surprises and solutions. The ending is wonderful and it made my heart happy to have read another uplifting, honest and genuine story by Ann O’Loughlin. Loved it immensely and highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC.
