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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Although slow to start, the story of Ellen, running away from London, a fiancée and her parents' expectations, picks up in Ireland and draws us in. Ellen discovers she has an entire extended family she didn't know about, and becomes enmeshed in their lives. Secrets are revealed and Ellen finds her true passion. I recommend to readers of women's fiction with a strong dose of romance.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars. It was a sweet little story set in beautiful Ireland. Makes me want to go back immediately. A little romance, a little supernatural element.
Now I want to go visit Ireland! This is my first Montefiore read and a perfect summer romance.
This was a very enjoyable book, and I'd like to read more by Santa Montefiore. I really like how she crafted her characters, and also brought in a bit of the spirit world. I also love any story that takes place in Ireland and shows some of its specialness.
Ik vond dit persoonlijk een van de betere van montefiore, ook had ik minder moeite met de personages uit elkaar te houden. Heel erg mooi boek, ik bevond me echt in Ierland.
Love. Mystery. Family Secrets. A beautiful setting.
We find Ellen escaping to her aunt's in Ireland in order to transform herself into a writer.
But, she isn't finding the time to do so, because...she meets Conor.
Still as a reader, I was wondering if I was truly invested in their romance.
There was also the backstory of Conor and his dead wife, Caitlyn. (She is more present than past.)
The beauty of the landscape of Ireland plays an important role in the story - and I enjoyed whenever the pets entered the pages.
But, I still felt something was still missing to make me fully engaged in their love story.
We find Ellen escaping to her aunt's in Ireland in order to transform herself into a writer.
But, she isn't finding the time to do so, because...she meets Conor.
Still as a reader, I was wondering if I was truly invested in their romance.
There was also the backstory of Conor and his dead wife, Caitlyn. (She is more present than past.)
The beauty of the landscape of Ireland plays an important role in the story - and I enjoyed whenever the pets entered the pages.
But, I still felt something was still missing to make me fully engaged in their love story.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
The landscape was beautiful. Santa Montefiore has captured the magic of Ireland and also of a rural Irish town - big families, a local pub, stunning scenery, small town gossip. The setting that Santa Montefiore has captured in this book is part of what had kept me reading. I also loved Ellens extended family she found in Ireland - the one she never knew of. I think the love and strength of a family was well captured here.
The protagonist, Ellen, bothered me at times. She seemed to not have the maturity one needs at 33, which got me at times - especially when she was falling for Mr Macausland. As soon as Mr Macausland was mentioned I knew they would fall in love - he was dark and brooding, he fit the cliche. By the end of the novel as family mysteries began to unfold I began to like him more, but I think the start of their relationship could've been better and Ellen was love-stricken like an 18 year old in a fairytale. Although the relationship between Ellen and Ida, Conors daughter, was written fantastically - I enjoyed that very much.
My favourite part of the book was the relationship between Ellen and her family, especially Peg. The warmth and the open welcome of Ellens extended family felt very real, comforting and typical of an Irish family.
I have read another book written by Santa Montefiore, Sea of Lost Love, and I picked up on some similarities - the runaway heroine, the brooding love-interest, the maternal figure, and the overbaring mother. However, both books had their pluses and I enjoyed them both. I am looking forward to the next book I read written by Santa Montefiore.
The landscape was beautiful. Santa Montefiore has captured the magic of Ireland and also of a rural Irish town - big families, a local pub, stunning scenery, small town gossip. The setting that Santa Montefiore has captured in this book is part of what had kept me reading. I also loved Ellens extended family she found in Ireland - the one she never knew of. I think the love and strength of a family was well captured here.
The protagonist, Ellen, bothered me at times. She seemed to not have the maturity one needs at 33, which got me at times - especially when she was falling for Mr Macausland. As soon as Mr Macausland was mentioned I knew they would fall in love - he was dark and brooding, he fit the cliche. By the end of the novel as family mysteries began to unfold I began to like him more, but I think the start of their relationship could've been better and Ellen was love-stricken like an 18 year old in a fairytale. Although the relationship between Ellen and Ida, Conors daughter, was written fantastically - I enjoyed that very much.
My favourite part of the book was the relationship between Ellen and her family, especially Peg. The warmth and the open welcome of Ellens extended family felt very real, comforting and typical of an Irish family.
I have read another book written by Santa Montefiore, Sea of Lost Love, and I picked up on some similarities - the runaway heroine, the brooding love-interest, the maternal figure, and the overbaring mother. However, both books had their pluses and I enjoyed them both. I am looking forward to the next book I read written by Santa Montefiore.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes