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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I'm glad I chose another Santa Montefiore book in the library as it once again didn't let me down. I've been a fan of Ireland for so long and now that I'm finally living here, I love it even more! This book made it clear that moving here was the best decision ever! Just like Ellen I didn't feel at home in my 'home' country.
This book contains all the things I like: love, the afterworld, castles, ruins, folklore and above all, a happy ending!
This book contains all the things I like: love, the afterworld, castles, ruins, folklore and above all, a happy ending!
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Good escapist reading, set on the Connemara coast of Ireland. If you don't believe in the possibility of ghosts you won't like this book. I'm not big on romances but I did enjoy this one, probably because of the Irish setting.
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was kind of fun to read a book set in Ireland right around St. Patrick's Day. This was a light read--an enjoyable escape.
Thank you, Simon & Schuster, for providing this book for review!
Overwhelmed with her mother's expectations and a life she does not want to continue living, Ellen flees to Ireland in search of an aunt her mother rarely spoke of and whom Ellen has never met. Upon arrival, Ellen discovers a whole new family: uncles and cousins she never knew she had, her mother's surprising history, a rough musician with whom she finds a kindred spirit, and a man burdened by a family secret and town gossip pertaining to his long-dead wife Caitlin. As Ellen begins to piece together her new life and discover her true self, a Pandora's box of family history and Irish roots unravel.
Montefiore likes to take her time in this novel. I've never read her before, but I want to read her now. Her language is lush, the descriptions stunning, the dialogue authentic, and the characters so fully fleshed -- including the secondary characters. I fell in love with the landscape, and then I fell in love with Ellen's transformation and liberation, and then I fell in love with her and Conor's love. Everything was so deep and purposeful, and I was filled with a sense of longing to be there at that moment while I was reading (so much so I had to turn on my Irish playlist to satisfy myself!).
I'm not sure what I could compare this to. It has that ghosts-torturing-from-the-beyond feel to it, reminding me of Wuthering Heights, but Caitlin and Conor's relationship was nothing like that. She had something wrong with her, an ability to charm and quick to jealousy, much like borderline personality disorder. It was a tumultuous past that inflected Conor with guilt. But watching this dark man change into something light and wonderful around Ellen felt modern and true, realistic and beautiful. I couldn't put this book down, and whether it was for the landscape or the story, I'm not sure. It's worth reading and savoring.
Overwhelmed with her mother's expectations and a life she does not want to continue living, Ellen flees to Ireland in search of an aunt her mother rarely spoke of and whom Ellen has never met. Upon arrival, Ellen discovers a whole new family: uncles and cousins she never knew she had, her mother's surprising history, a rough musician with whom she finds a kindred spirit, and a man burdened by a family secret and town gossip pertaining to his long-dead wife Caitlin. As Ellen begins to piece together her new life and discover her true self, a Pandora's box of family history and Irish roots unravel.
Montefiore likes to take her time in this novel. I've never read her before, but I want to read her now. Her language is lush, the descriptions stunning, the dialogue authentic, and the characters so fully fleshed -- including the secondary characters. I fell in love with the landscape, and then I fell in love with Ellen's transformation and liberation, and then I fell in love with her and Conor's love. Everything was so deep and purposeful, and I was filled with a sense of longing to be there at that moment while I was reading (so much so I had to turn on my Irish playlist to satisfy myself!).
I'm not sure what I could compare this to. It has that ghosts-torturing-from-the-beyond feel to it, reminding me of Wuthering Heights, but Caitlin and Conor's relationship was nothing like that. She had something wrong with her, an ability to charm and quick to jealousy, much like borderline personality disorder. It was a tumultuous past that inflected Conor with guilt. But watching this dark man change into something light and wonderful around Ellen felt modern and true, realistic and beautiful. I couldn't put this book down, and whether it was for the landscape or the story, I'm not sure. It's worth reading and savoring.
Ellen Trawton desperately needed peace and solitude away from her pushy mother and a fiancée she didn't love, so she arranged to go and stay with her, Aunt Peg in rugged countryside of Connemara. Ellen's mother had not spoken to her sister for thirty years and if, Ellen hadn't been rummaging through some old letters of her mother's she still would not have known her aunt existed. Ellen left a note, but she never said where she was going as she knew her mother would only try and bring her back, but Ellen just needed time to herself and she also hoped this would be the place she would make a start on her novel.
Shortly after arriving at Aunt Peg's home it's easy for, Ellen to see that her mother and her aunt are like chalk and cheese not only in looks, but personalities as well. Peg's house is over run with a variety animals. Any stray, lost or injured animals all seem to find a home with, Peg as she can't say no to anyone. Ellen soon gets to know a few of the animals who all have all been named such as, Bertie the pig, Harry the IIama, Waffle the dog and Charlie the donkey just to name a few.
Within the next few days, Ellen is introduced to the rest of Peg's family whom have also been hidden away from her. Ellen also finds out about the murder mystery of, Caitlin Macausland which took place at the Lighthouse in the area many years ago. Caitlin's husband still lives in the area with his two children, but he tries to keep to himself that is until he meets, Ellen.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. An easy and enjoyable read with strong characters that I found very entertaining. Well worth reading and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a good story.
Shortly after arriving at Aunt Peg's home it's easy for, Ellen to see that her mother and her aunt are like chalk and cheese not only in looks, but personalities as well. Peg's house is over run with a variety animals. Any stray, lost or injured animals all seem to find a home with, Peg as she can't say no to anyone. Ellen soon gets to know a few of the animals who all have all been named such as, Bertie the pig, Harry the IIama, Waffle the dog and Charlie the donkey just to name a few.
Within the next few days, Ellen is introduced to the rest of Peg's family whom have also been hidden away from her. Ellen also finds out about the murder mystery of, Caitlin Macausland which took place at the Lighthouse in the area many years ago. Caitlin's husband still lives in the area with his two children, but he tries to keep to himself that is until he meets, Ellen.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. An easy and enjoyable read with strong characters that I found very entertaining. Well worth reading and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a good story.
Santa Montefiore has published over a dozen novels in the last decade or so, and Secrets of the Lighthouse is her latest release.
Desperate to escape her domineering mother, leaving behind her fiance and her job, Ellen Trawton flees London and claims refuge at the home of her only known relative in Ireland, an aunt she has never met. There she unexpectedly uncovers some shocking family secrets and, as Ellen tries to make sense of her mother's hidden past, she is challenged to make some decisions about her future.
Caitlin Macausland, was a beautiful and vibrant woman until she plunged to her death from the Connemara lighthouse, now she is a restless spirit, watching over her husband and their children. In the five years since her death, Caitlin has been satisfied that she is still the woman Connor loves most, until he meets Ellen.
Set mainly in rural Ireland, I would describe Secrets of the Lighthouse as a contemporary gothic romance, complete with an abandoned castle, a vengeful ghost, spurned lovers and heartbreaking tragedy. Ellen's arrival in Connemara is the catalyst for the revelations of secrets related not only to her family but also of what happened the night Caitlin died. Romance is a strong theme with not only the developing relationship between Ellen and Connor but also
The story unfolds from the first person perspective of Caitlin and the third person, which follows Ellen. Caitlin is an interesting character, initially attracting our sympathy for her tragic early death, it fades as she is consumed by envy and bitterness. Through Caitlin Montefiore explores the themes of mental illness, obsession, vengeance and redemption.
Ellen
One thing I found discordant was Ellen's stated aged, supposedly in her early thirties (about the same age as Caitlin when she died) I thought her behaviour and attitude more appropriate for someone in their mid twenties - late twenties at a stretch.
I loved the setting, I'm a sucker for anything that takes place in Ireland and the village of Connemara, with a pub named the Pot of Gold, and surrounded by windswept moors and craggy cliffs.
**unfinished**