Review: The Wonderful Life of Connie Maguire

 

Connie Maguire has always lived in the shadows. Battling low self-esteem, she has spent her life prioritising her only child — and he has flourished, becoming Ireland’s newest rugby star. On the day of her milestone birthday, with Liam’s career about to soar, Connie finally believes she might achieve some happiness.

Then tragedy strikes in the dark of night, changing everything.

On Ireland’s rugged west coast, the past refuses to stay buried, and Connie must finally confront the devastating truth of what happened on the night that destroyed so many lives. This powerful exploration of motherhood, guilt and redemption questions whether we can truly be free from the mistakes of our past.

 

Review

The (Wonderful) Life of Connie Maguire by Domhnall O’Donoghue is a contemporary Irish novel that delves into themes of identity, family, and personal transformation. The story follows Connie Maguire, a woman who has long felt overshadowed by the expectations and dynamics of her family. At a pivotal moment in her life, Connie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, seeking to reclaim her sense of self and purpose. She battles against Irish culture, societal norms and her own expectations to find a life with true meaning. 

The book has powerful themes that demonstrate how the ways we force mothers into hiding may change with the ages, but the pressure they feel to meet society's expectations stay firm. Fans of Lianne Moriarty will likely find a lot to love in this book as the author cleverly winds suspense into a wrought emotional drama. 

Purchase Links

https://www.mercierpress.ie/books/the-wonderful-life-of-connie-maguire/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonderful-Life-Connie-Maguire-ebook/dp/B0F5D1T2JB

https://www.amazon.com/Wonderful-Life-Connie-Maguire-ebook/dp/B0F5D1T2JB

Author Bio – 

Hailing from Navan, Co. Meath, Domhnall works as a travel journalist, columnist and author. He writes extensively for the Irish and British media, with work regularly appearing in the Belfast Telegraph, Woman’s Way, The Sunday Times and the Irish Examiner. Domhnall has received many prestigious honours for his writing, including the 2025 Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year award.

Mercier Press published his novels Crazy for You and Colin and the Concubine. His début novel, Sister Agatha: the World’s Oldest Serial Killer, was released in 2016.

As an actor, he appeared in the award-winning series Ros na Rún for nine seasons.

Social Media Links – 

Instagram: domhnall82

Facebook: Domhnall.o.donoghue

Review: Kitty's War

 

Kilkenny, 1939. Ireland might be neutral, but Kitty Flynn is caught in her own war. Forced to give up her child at seventeen, she escaped to London in search of a fresh start.

However, in 1941, upon hearing that her brother, Anthony, who had been injured during the Spanish Civil War, is now gravely ill, Kitty must return home to care for him. In a time where food and medicine are scarce, Kitty is relieved to secure a nursing job – that is, until G2, the Irish Intelligence notices her proficiency in German…

G2 are determined to use Kitty’s translation skills to extract information from the German internees at The Curragh Military Camp, even using Anthony as leverage.

Before she knows it, Kitty finds herself in the treacherous world of espionage. And soon Kitty must decide: will she sacrifice herself to save her brother?

Inspired by real life events Kitty's War is the new sweeping historical novel by the bestselling author of Dublin's Girl, Eimear Lawlor.

Review - This lovely, emotional novel set during World War II follows a strong protagonist as she is recruited into a very war-heavy position in war-neutral Ireland. 

The prose is lovely and the setting is palpable. The author brings so many juxtapositions to life - the changing roles of women, the political complexities of Ireland, and the complexities of innocent people being held responsible for events beyond their control. Some of the character and plot development gets lost in these big picture issues, but sometimes a book is more than a story. I found so much to think about as the pages turned. 

Purchase Link - https://amzn.eu/d/7gkDnzq

Author Bio – Eimear Lawlor was born in Co. Cavan and now lives in city of Kilkenny with her husband John and two sons. Unfortunately, her middle child Ciara passed away in 2016, who was the inspiration of her writing career. Her debut novel Dublin's Girl was an Irish Times bestseller and was inspired by the true story of her aunt, who worked with Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera as their private secretary.

Social Media Links – https://www.eimearlawlor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/eimearlawlorwrites/?hl=en

https://x.com/eimearlawlor58?lang=en

Review: The Evacuee's Secret

 

The Evacuee’s Secret

A forgotten village. A dangerous secret. A love that defies time.

In a Yorkshire village, condemned to be flooded as a reservoir, WW11 evacuee, Louise Pearson, commits a crime with devastating consequences.

A secret that keeps her away from her childhood home and her best friend and soul mate, Richard, for twenty years. 

In 1965, fleeing a dangerous marriage, Louise returns to Yorkshire assuming a new identity. But the village she once knew and loved is about to be submerged to create a reservoir. 

As the waters rise, so do the ghosts of her past. 

Will Louise uncover the strength to face her demons and reclaim the love she left behind? Or will the secrets that surface pull her under forever?

A heart-breaking story of love, loss and betrayal.

 

Review

The Evacuee's Secret by Deborah Klee is a dual timeline historical fiction novel that blends romance, mystery and drama over two decades. 

Louise flees her childhood home and young love after she commits a crime. She returns with an assumed name as the village is about to be destroyed. She's a complex character who serves the novel well. She is not exclusively likable, but instead challenges the reader to see through her behavior to the ways that trauma and loss of community can influence a person's choices throughout the lifespan. 

The author uses the metaphor of the flood expertly. She winds the imagery throughout the novel, ending with a beautiful symbol of water as a washing away of the past. 

The book contains adult themes but not explicit imagery. I found it an interesting book to review, well-crafted and compelling.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Evacuees-Secret-gripping-timeline-betrayal-ebook/dp/B0F3XB94P8

https://www.amazon.com/Evacuees-Secret-gripping-timeline-betrayal-ebook/dp/B0F3XB94P8

 

Author Bio –

Deborah writes uplifting page-turners about friendship, community, and emotional courage. The Evacuee’s Secret is a dual timeline WW11 story; the first book in Secrets of a Sunken Village series.

Her podcast, The Mindful Writer and YouTube channel, Castaway Books, connect authors with readers; aiming to support and celebrate other creatives.

Deborah lives on the Essex coast, where she loves to walk by the sea or the surrounding countryside filling her pockets with shells, and acorns, and her head with stories.

 

 

Social Media Links –

Facebook deborahkleeauthor

Instagram deborahkleeauthor

TikTok @deborahklee108