Review of 'The Women at Ocean's End' by Faith Hogan

Review of 'The Women at Ocean's End' by Faith Hogan

Release date: June 5th, 2025

Publisher: ARIA

REVIEW

What a powerful story! It left me in a puddle of tears! The Women At Ocean’s End by Faith Hogan is an incredibly moving, deeply probing story that explores lasting friendships, family connections/mother daughter relationships, physical and emotional abuse, haunting secrets, separation/death, traumatic divorce, fresh starts and new love to name a few of the scenarios covered. The topic of grief runs like a knotted thread throughout the storyline in each of these women’s lives: Constance, Heather and Ros. Dotty, too. They each deal with it in their own way.

As always with Faith’s stunning novels, Ireland’s inspiring landscape plays a prominent role. This time it is not set in Ballycove but rather on one of the small islands off the Mayo coast in western Ireland. The author tells us in her Acknowledgements that Pin Hill Island (in the novel) was inspired by Achille Island, a stunning location of exceptional beauty. I have seen photos of this natural wonder and it is easy to see why a writer would be inspired to use this location. It is an idyllic haven, known for its rugged mountains, tall sea cliffs, peat bogs and clean beaches. A perfect place to start over, unveil secrets and seek reflection. In fact, its wildness mirrors the emotional state of the characters as they face new and old challenges.

Faith Hogan’s novel paints a vivid portrait of what life would be like living in a remote yet picturesque location. Who wouldn’t be inspired by such breathtaking grandeur! The setting serves the plot well as a valuable framework where we can watch the seasons change, see what is happening around the characters and connect on an emotional level with them. We are able to step into their shoes and feel the impact of the environment on their lives. We all know vacationing by the sea can offer renewal and refreshment of spirit, mind and body. And this little island offers these women a heavy dose of nature’s nurturing.

I loved the cast of characters but one stole (and broke!) my heart: George the kid (baby goat) rescued by Ros. It says a lot about her care for animals and the environment. There are some very moving passages when Ros is choked up over the injured goat. But it makes her aware of her own deeper sadness which stems from the loss of her mother. This is an example of how the natural environment (including animals) plays an important role in revealing each character’s past and path to healing. Ros is an intriguing person and her journey—a touching one. I marvelled at the amazing things she did and aspired to do during her interlude job position within a Parks and Wildlife capacity. Ros had top qualifications with text book knowledge but little practical application experience. Initially she doubts herself taking on the role offered her, after her predecessor, Max, steps down from the position due to his cancer.

Heather is the daughter of Dotty: a woman we get to know through flashbacks or a past timeline. Heather lands on the island to bury her mother. She has come through some rough patches with the end of both her marriage and business. Spending time with Ros and Constance, helps her sort out her life and begin a new chapter: one that makes her happy and fulfils her wishes. She in turn offers them consolation and joy.

Constance is a haunted women. She carries some bad childhood experiences. Yet Dotty was closer to her than a sister until an incident happens that divides them. They spent so much time together—saving each other. Yet Constance’s past holds her back. Worse is the fact her present is filled with new challenges that will inevitably affect her future. She wants to set some things right that have been buried and festering too long. The John 8:32 opening scripture definitely suits her: ‘and the truth will set you free’. But time is of the essence. She must unload her heart full of secrets before it is too late.

The importance of stories in society comes shining through in The Women at Ocean’s End. Constance’s mother was a writer. Maggie Macken had a lot of fans and a plan is devised to honour her. Heather argues that readers deserve a chance to enjoy the novels. She ‘found them to be a complete escape from worries and misery…’ so they could do the same for others.

The psychology of anger and its sources are explored in this novel. Why do people explode into sudden emotional outbursts? We know that emotions pushed down will not stay put. Like a volcano, the lid will blow off eventually. We see this in both Constance’s and Ros’s reactions.

The Women at Ocean’s End has a valuable purpose. It provides healing, restores happiness and births new ventures. The three women work together to save this cottage, while learning a lot about themselves and each other. As a result some very positive things happen. Grief turns to hope, chaos to peace. There’s a beautiful ending. Each of these women rise like phoenixes out of their ashes. Fabulous novel! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Aria publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.