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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
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
Just couldn’t get into the story. Way too much description not enough plot.
I loved the themes of love, forgiveness, and family that was highlighted through out this book!
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was pretty good. It took me a long time to get through this one. There were a lot of similarities between Secrets of the Lighthouse and her book, The Irish Girl, and the other books in the Deverill series, which I loved! I love how she describes Ireland though, makes me want to go there even more!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
I loved the setting. I figured out many of the twists in advance, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. full review to come.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dit was een lekker cozy verhaal waarbij je niet te veel moest nadenken (behalve wie wie was). Wel vond ik het best lang voor een verhaal dat niet echt spectaculair was en veel sterker was geweest als het een honderdtal pagina's minder was geweest...
Review first published on my blog The Fictional Reader
This is another book I got from the library. I’ve been on a library-kick lately! I’m actually using the library to lend out books in genres I wouldn’t usually pick up. If I don’t end up liking them then, I won’t have wasted money.
This sounded like an interesting and atmospheric read about a young woman trying to find her place in life, and the romance she finds along the way. That’s not how I would describe it though.
My favorite part of this book is the setting, by far. I really wanted to take a plane and taxi and go to Connemara myself. She made it sound like the most atmospheric and wonderful place on Earth. I loved Ellen’s life at her aunt’s place, feeding the animals, taking walks by the sea, getting lost in the scenery of Ireland. I wish I could do that myself. I also liked the family aspect of the book. This book is so centered around Ellen discovering the family she has in Ireland, and where she fits in. Family is such an important part of my life, and I was glad to see Ellen get to know hers.
But I was disappointed with the romance, and the “finding herself” aspects of the book. As for the romance, Ellen and Connor (is that his name?) don’t actually meet until page 100+. And their romance goes from attraction to slowly more, which I did find adorable. Bu I don’t like how Ellen treated a different man in her life at all. She also wanted to be a writer, but didn’t manage to do anything to pursue her passion at all. I’m not saying she should’ve written a novel in 2 weeks. But she didn’t seem to have any inclinations either…
This is another book I got from the library. I’ve been on a library-kick lately! I’m actually using the library to lend out books in genres I wouldn’t usually pick up. If I don’t end up liking them then, I won’t have wasted money.
This sounded like an interesting and atmospheric read about a young woman trying to find her place in life, and the romance she finds along the way. That’s not how I would describe it though.
My favorite part of this book is the setting, by far. I really wanted to take a plane and taxi and go to Connemara myself. She made it sound like the most atmospheric and wonderful place on Earth. I loved Ellen’s life at her aunt’s place, feeding the animals, taking walks by the sea, getting lost in the scenery of Ireland. I wish I could do that myself. I also liked the family aspect of the book. This book is so centered around Ellen discovering the family she has in Ireland, and where she fits in. Family is such an important part of my life, and I was glad to see Ellen get to know hers.
But I was disappointed with the romance, and the “finding herself” aspects of the book. As for the romance, Ellen and Connor (is that his name?) don’t actually meet until page 100+. And their romance goes from attraction to slowly more, which I did find adorable. Bu I don’t like how Ellen treated a different man in her life at all. She also wanted to be a writer, but didn’t manage to do anything to pursue her passion at all. I’m not saying she should’ve written a novel in 2 weeks. But she didn’t seem to have any inclinations either…