A Letter from Ireland is an absolutely heartbreaking page-turner about families, secrets and unbreakable friendships by Ann O’Loughlin.
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A Letter From Ireland
My whole life, I’ve been haunted by a secret I’ve left behind on the coast of Ireland. I may be gone, but if you’re reading this Casey, I need to tell you everything…
When Casey’s dear friend Rosie passes away, her heart breaks in two; Rosie didn’t even tell her she was sick. And when a mysterious letter arrives from beyond the grave, describing the secluded island where Rosie spent every summer, Casey questions if she really knew her friend at all. With Casey’s hectic job ruling her life, and her marriage crumbling around her, she books a ticket to this beautiful Irish island to feel close to Rosie again, and find out what secrets she has hidden there.
Casey rushes to Rosie’s tumbledown cottage and immediately falls in love with the glimmering shores and breathtaking coves of Scarty Island. Why did Rosie keep this magical place a secret, even from her own husband? Desperate for answers, she jumps to the aid of locals organising afternoon teas for tourists, and helps handsome but overworked pub owner Shay.Though Shay stays tight-lipped, Casey notices how his hazel eyes shine when she makes him laugh, and how her heart skips a beat when his rough hands brush hers.
But just as Casey finds herself falling for Shay’s quiet strength, a final letter arrives that changes everything. The tear-stained pages tell the story of a forbidden romance and a tragic day at sea that destroyed Rosie’s life. It could shatter Casey’s blossoming romance and tear the small island community apart.
Will Casey find the strength to confront the ghosts of the past and confess her love for Shay? Or will she decide that some secrets are meant to stay buried, and say goodbye to Scarty forever?
An utterly uplifting and heart-stopping read bursting with Irish magic that will tug at your heartstrings. Perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Tricia O’Malley and Mary Alice Monroe.
My Review
Ann O’Loughlin’s A Letter from Ireland is a poignant and heartwarming exploration of friendship, loss, and the hidden secrets that bind people together. Against the backdrop of Scarty Island, Casey uncovers Rosie’s hidden life in the novel.
Casey’s world is shaken when her friend Rosie dies, leaving a letter suggesting a secret life on an Irish island. Casey heads to Scarty Island to uncover Rosie’s hidden past.
Scarty Island, with its rugged beauty and tight-knit community, comes alive through O’Loughlin’s evocative writing, enhancing Casey’s self-discovery. The author adeptly portrays the difference between Casey’s hectic city life and the tranquil island lifestyle, providing solace for both the protagonist and reader.
At the heart of the novel is Casey’s relationship with Shay, a hardworking pub owner with his own hidden burdens. Their romance is filled with authentic and tender moments of connection. O’Loughlin is amazing at building their chemistry, making readers root for them even as secrets threaten to tear them apart.
Rosie’s letters are woven into the story, showing a tragic love story and a heartbreaking event that shaped her life. These letters keep the plot going, slowly unveiling secrets and adding emotional depth to Casey’s search for answers. The novel gets more intense when a forbidden love affair and a tragic shipwreck occur, creating an intriguing contrast with the tranquil island setting.
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its ability to delve into the depths of grief and depict the journey of healing. Casey’s journey isn’t just about finding out Rosie’s secrets, but also dealing with her own messed-up life – her failing marriage, her dead-end job, and the emptiness in her heart after Rosie died. O’Loughlin tackles these themes with sensitivity and grace, creating a character arc that feels real and easy to relate to.
The final letter from Rosie brings a powerful climax to the story, filling Casey with a mix of emotions as she is forced to face not only Rosie’s life but also her own. The resolution presents a bittersweet choice for Casey – embrace a new chapter or return to her altered old life.
Overall, A Letter from Ireland is a beautifully crafted novel with romance, mystery, and emotional depth. Ann O’Loughlin’s skillful storytelling and vivid depiction of island life make this a must-read for women’s fiction fans. Casey’s healing journey and the hidden secrets will stay with you well beyond the end of the book.
About the author:
Ann is the Irish author of five novels and has been translated into eleven languages. Her first novel The Ballroom Cafe was also an ebook bestseller and in the top 20 bestselling books of 2015 on Amazon UK. Ann loves to write and often gets up at 5am to get the words down, before starting her other job of writing as a news reporter. A leading journalist in Ireland, Ann has covered all major news events in a long career with Independent Newspapers, Ireland. She is now a senior journalist with the Irish Examiner specialising in legal issues. Ann has also lived in India. Originally from the west of Ireland she now lives on the east coast with her husband and family.
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