Make sure you have time set aside to read this one. It is not a difficult read, but it does take its time in rolling out the story, and you’ll miss important details if you try to skim.
As you can tell from reading the blurb and other reviews, this is mostly Bea’s story. She’s at loose ends due to a recent breakup. But when she receives a letter in the mail, she is reminded of the person she had hoped to be.
The letter was written by her younger self, a school assignment from 17 years prior – a time capsule of sorts.
I do want to interject here and say that this premise is genius, and I think it would be an excellent idea for teachers to implement this type of task. Especially in light of how much the world has changed over the past 18 months.
How fascinating would it be to have a reminder? Although, I suppose some people would prefer to forget. But I digress.
Anyway, as Bea reads and rereads the letter, she starts to realize that she can take back control of her life. And it starts with revisiting her desire to go to Ireland and find her roots.
There are chapters interspersed that follow Lucy in the early 90s. How Lucy and Bea are connected make up the heart of the story. And the trip to get there takes most of the book.
I thought that the author did a decent job of telling the story from both characters’ points of view, but I will admit that it took me a long time to understand what the author was doing.
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The dual settings of Ireland and NYC were interesting. Although, having lived in NYC I found myself picking apart whether or not the author was accurate about locations.
I think this is because in one of the earliest chapters, Lucy and her friends talk about a lottery for visas to NYC, and then discuss “Cheers Bar.” It was apparent that the author was trying to be relevant in some way. As one character points out, it only existed in television.
But the name of the bar was just Cheers.
And it was in Boston.
Now, I understand that three girls in Ireland might not have made that distinction and that all American big cities are the same. But unless I missed it, that was never addressed. And it made me look more carefully at the other places mentioned.
The “twist” was also a bit questionable. It didn’t bother me at all, but other readers might find it odd or even distasteful. I think that will totally be a matter of personal choice.
Oh, and I liked the reference to Innisfree. It’s the location of one of my favorite movies!
There were quite a few good things about the book. But it wandered a bit much, and I found myself wishing the author would just get on with it. If you’re looking for a novel to kill some time with, that has a bit of heart and a message of taking control of your own life, this is it.
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About Carmel:
Carmel Harrington is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband Roger, children Amelia and Nate and their beloved rescue dog, George Bailey. An international bestseller and regular panellist on Irish radio and TV, her warm and emotional storytelling has captured the hearts of readers worldwide, translated into nine languages. Carmel’s trademark is to write warm, uplifting stories with humour, heart and hope. She loves to write about family, friendships, love and life within complex, twisting plots. Carmel’s novels have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award in 2016 & 2017 and her debut won Kindle Book of the Year and Romantic eBook of the Year in 2013.
