Review of 'The Lost Promise of Ireland' by Susanne O'Leary
Susanne O’Leary’s The Lost Promise of Ireland
Release date: Dec. 17, 2021
So lovely, insightful and charming! This gem is another delightful satisfying read by Susanne O’Leary. I love curling up with her books and being transported to Ireland. Her stories make me feel happy, hopeful and uplifted. Her settings are always magical and well described and we get to visit them through the lives of her characters. She has a natural gift in giving us people we can relate to, those seeking fresh starts and ones that we would like to be friends with: to share a cup of tea and cake and to offer a helping hand—even point them in the right direction. But they don't need our help as through a great feel-good story design, they always find their way and resolve their issues, fulfil their dreams and experience the happy beginnings they desire under blue Irish skies.
Once again, in The Lost Promise of Ireland, we are quickly drawn into the story through Susanne’s smooth flowing writing style where we feel part of this quaint seaside community that is about to be threatened by a new company trying to move in and destroy the natural balance of things. Susanne taps into our secret thoughts and wishes of escaping to a place where life is simpler, purer and happier and we feel the urge to protect those winning attributes of Sandy Cove. For there are many with a tired spirit who long to explore the Irish seascape under the stars, on the beach, in the sun and to feel reborn. This gives our hearts a good airing through a whiff of salt air, reminding us of our own past experiences and the ‘what if scenarios’ if we also had the courage to launch out and follow our dreams. Where would they take us and what would we find? What fascinating and unusual people would we meet?
This novel is a little quieter than the previous ones in the series but no less moving. For it is a story of realisations and maturity. It explores, for the older person, the wish to go back to a favourite place of his/her youth where they felt happy and free. When they could conquer the world with their optimism and enthusiasm. When they were with an admirer that made them feel attractive and loved. This novel surveys all those things by allowing Maggie to do just that while raising the usual questions. Is the place the same? Will she find her old friends she has not seen in many years? Will they look different, act different or even recognise her? Will she recapture an old love that left her wounded and undone? Why did her American boyfriend promise to stay in touch and then drop off the face of the earth? Will she have a second chance to set things right and solve the mystery? Of course, everyone changes over time and nothing stays the same. For the experiences of life and the people we meet will influence us.
Maggie has been dealt a curve ball and the balance in her life has been challenged. The shock from her marriage break-up, leads her to seek out a soothing setting—one that is familiar and safe. She packs her car for a summer break and returns to the village of her teenage summers when her parents owned a cottage by the sea in Sandy Cove. What meets her there are some unexpected plots and developments. Romance is definitely part of the story’s fabric but there are surprises along the way. An old flame that disappeared reappears and a secret crush surfaces from the past. Maggie has much to sort out as she discovers everything is not as it seems and some people are definitely not who they appear to be, leaving her bewildered and at times at a loss and confused.
This novel is not so much about romantic fireworks but more like a full moon rising slowly and softly spilling across the sea—quiet, gentle but certain and secure. There are many familiar thoughts that an older individual (middle aged) can relate to and for those in long term relationships, plus mothers who fear losing their sons to ‘another woman’ and being forgotten. This story contains a box of letters that the new house owner finds and gives to its previous occupant. It opens a pandora’s box of memories for Maggie. Where will all this lead her?
I highly recommend this heart-felt story as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Book 3 of the Starlight Cottages series does not disappoint. Maggie is a very likeable character for she is sincere. And although she is a bit out of touch with what’s going on around her sometimes and occasionally naïve, this makes her very human for who hasn’t at one time or another been deceived by someone? It may seem that her greatest folly is her trusting nature but, at the end of the day, it becomes her greatest attribute when placed in the right hands and loved by the right heart. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC to review.
