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Emerald Isles #2
The Irish Child: Totally tear-jerking and compelling Irish fiction
A salty breeze whips the tears from my eyes as I stare out at the emerald Irish Sea. Everything I’ve lost, the child my great grandmother Nellie lost, all feels so present here, in the land my family left years ago. How will I ever move on? Will I ever uncover the truth about the little girl who went missing all those years ago?
When Boston-born Erin arrives in wind-tossed Roone Bay, she’s heart-sore, tired and lonely. Her marriage is over: she’s come to build a new life for herself on Ireland’s rugged southern coast. And to unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family’s ancient Bible that has haunted her since childhood. But hazel-eyed former lifeboat volunteer Finn, the only local historian around, quietly refuses her pleas to help.
So Erin settles in to the town, with its whitewashed cottages and ruddy-cheeked fishermen, and begins her quest alone. Who was her ancestor, Nellie, and why did she leave Ireland for America? What happened to her missing child, Annie, and did Nellie ever see her again?
Just as Erin despairs ever uncovering the truth, one rain-soaked night she is rescued by Finn, who finally agrees to help. And by firelight and candlelight each evening, just as it would have been in her great-grandmother’s time, Finn and Erin grow closer as they share their stories.
But just as Erin wonders if Roone Bay could be her forever home, she makes a devastating discovery. Will she be able to face the truth, which changes everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her family’s Irish legacy? Or will she run, just as Nellie did all those years ago, and lose the best chance at happiness she’s ever had…?
This gorgeous, heart-breaking, totally immersive story of an Irish family’s legacy is perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Kathleen McGurl and Tricia O’Malley.
When Boston-born Erin arrives in wind-tossed Roone Bay, she’s heart-sore, tired and lonely. Her marriage is over: she’s come to build a new life for herself on Ireland’s rugged southern coast. And to unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family’s ancient Bible that has haunted her since childhood. But hazel-eyed former lifeboat volunteer Finn, the only local historian around, quietly refuses her pleas to help.
So Erin settles in to the town, with its whitewashed cottages and ruddy-cheeked fishermen, and begins her quest alone. Who was her ancestor, Nellie, and why did she leave Ireland for America? What happened to her missing child, Annie, and did Nellie ever see her again?
Just as Erin despairs ever uncovering the truth, one rain-soaked night she is rescued by Finn, who finally agrees to help. And by firelight and candlelight each evening, just as it would have been in her great-grandmother’s time, Finn and Erin grow closer as they share their stories.
But just as Erin wonders if Roone Bay could be her forever home, she makes a devastating discovery. Will she be able to face the truth, which changes everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her family’s Irish legacy? Or will she run, just as Nellie did all those years ago, and lose the best chance at happiness she’s ever had…?
This gorgeous, heart-breaking, totally immersive story of an Irish family’s legacy is perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Kathleen McGurl and Tricia O’Malley.
310 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2024
4440 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Daisy O'Shea
12 books57 followersWrites women's fiction with a touch of romance.
Currently lives in West Cork, Ireland.
Signed in August 2023 for a three book deal with Bookouture.
Currently lives in West Cork, Ireland.
Signed in August 2023 for a three book deal with Bookouture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. I love books that take place in Ireland.
I really felt connected to Erin’s character. She wanted so much to find out more about her family history and about Nellie. But after almost 200 years, it’s hard to find any kind of information. She needed more than to just find out about Nellie though. She needed something to restart her life after losing her husband. She needed a purpose, and to figure out how to handle her survivor’s guilt.
Nellie’s story made me sad. I can’t imagine what it was like during the famine in Ireland, and how hard it was to have to leave behind everything she knew to head to America. And to arrive in America to find out there’s nothing there for her either?! And yet she figured it out. She got a job, took care of her son and her friend’s family. She survived through so much tragedy.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.
I really felt connected to Erin’s character. She wanted so much to find out more about her family history and about Nellie. But after almost 200 years, it’s hard to find any kind of information. She needed more than to just find out about Nellie though. She needed something to restart her life after losing her husband. She needed a purpose, and to figure out how to handle her survivor’s guilt.
Nellie’s story made me sad. I can’t imagine what it was like during the famine in Ireland, and how hard it was to have to leave behind everything she knew to head to America. And to arrive in America to find out there’s nothing there for her either?! And yet she figured it out. She got a job, took care of her son and her friend’s family. She survived through so much tragedy.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.
June 3, 2025
This is an emotionally deep and beautifully written story that will tug at your heart strings. I loved all of the characters, the history of Ireland during the Great Famine, the searching for long lost family and the vivid details of this Irish village by the sea.
July 11, 2024
What a beautiful story about an Irish family’s legacy’.
I was drawn into the story from the first page to the last page. The suffering the Irish went through during the famine was heartbreaking to read about. The authors writing made you feel so many emotions.
The setting goes between Ireland and Boston in a present and past timeline.
The story is heartbreaking in many ways. But, it is also a story full of resilience, bravery and sacrifice.
I highly recommend this wonderfully written book.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I was drawn into the story from the first page to the last page. The suffering the Irish went through during the famine was heartbreaking to read about. The authors writing made you feel so many emotions.
The setting goes between Ireland and Boston in a present and past timeline.
The story is heartbreaking in many ways. But, it is also a story full of resilience, bravery and sacrifice.
I highly recommend this wonderfully written book.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 16, 2024
This story was so sad at times. Two women each dealing with losses and trying to move on. I think it’s a well written book. It will tug at your heartstrings
July 23, 2024
The Irish Child by Daisy O’Shea was a family saga that took place mostly in one time, with flashes to long ago. Erin had had a rough time and needed to get away. When she told her parents she was going to Ireland they couldn’t believe it. For what purpose? She just needed to. Her ancestor, Nellie O’Mahoney had come to the newer nation during the Great Hunger. The Irish didn’t call it the famine, because it wan’t. There was plenty of food, but the great lords exported for a profit, leaving the rural Irish to deal with a disease that was turning potatoes black and inedible. Nellie’s husband had been smart, he had planted some other vegetables as well and warned her never to tell anyone she had food. Then he accepted his landlord’s offer for a new life and went on a great ship to America. He promised to sent for Nellie and little Annie. They didn’t hear from him. Little Luke was born. His da didn’t know abut him. When they got off the ship two things happened: a man came to meet them, telling them that da was dead, and Annie ran off, thinking she saw da and got lost.
Erin got a slow start in Roone Bay, but eventually she settled in, until her parents showed up, and with them the man they wanted her to marry. She was having none of it. But people saw him and made assumptions. Erin was a good character: a woman in search of herself. She was surrounded, in Ireland, by caring, smart people and she grew into herself. She still could find not trace of Nellie or Annie, but she hung in, asking when she could. Tramping graveyards. The only man in town who cared about history slowly decided to help. What a good story this is, but genealogy always appeals to me, finding how information that was lost. The plot was good and moved slowly with lots of interruptions. It was a good read. Thanks, Daisy O’Shea for writing about Ireland!
I was invited to read The Irish Child by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #DaisyOShea #TheIrishChild
Erin got a slow start in Roone Bay, but eventually she settled in, until her parents showed up, and with them the man they wanted her to marry. She was having none of it. But people saw him and made assumptions. Erin was a good character: a woman in search of herself. She was surrounded, in Ireland, by caring, smart people and she grew into herself. She still could find not trace of Nellie or Annie, but she hung in, asking when she could. Tramping graveyards. The only man in town who cared about history slowly decided to help. What a good story this is, but genealogy always appeals to me, finding how information that was lost. The plot was good and moved slowly with lots of interruptions. It was a good read. Thanks, Daisy O’Shea for writing about Ireland!
I was invited to read The Irish Child by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #DaisyOShea #TheIrishChild
June 23, 2024
O my aching heart! Once again I am moved to wordless wonder by the passion, loss and beauty of Ms O’Shea’s poignant story that involves the Great Hunger of Ireland. Due to the author’s excellent writing, it was easy to walk in Nellie’s steps and experience her grief and the endless disappointments she faced. How she battled her fears and yet found courage to keep going. First in waiting two years for her husband to send for her and their children. And then when the time came, she found courage to cross the ocean in one of the ‘coffin ships’ as they were called to America. Worst yet, the bitter shock that met her when she arrived—starting with losing her daughter Annie. My heart anguished at the rough and challenging path she trod, how alone she must have felt at times. The author brings home vividly and powerfully the awful predicaments many women and children found themselves in. The men who made sacrifices, too. These were terrible times.
Without question, The Irish Child is a heartbreaking tale etched in tears but also a telling to remind us of the anguish the Irish suffered during the famine at home and abroad. So many lost loved ones in Ireland, on the crossing, on the battlefields. Many fought in another country’s wars. Numerous Irish joined in the fight for freedom in the American Civil War. This novel touches on all these areas and more.
The Irish Child is told in two timelines. In the modern thread, Erin, a violinist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is an American with an Irish heritage. After surviving a terrible accident and losing the love of her life, she decides to get away to heal. Her parents have other ideas for her but she knows she must follow her heart. After receiving her grandparent’s Bible, it sparks something deep inside her that inspires her to take a journey to Ireland, Roone Bay (Cork area) to find out what happened to her ancestor Nellie. In doing so, she hopes it will provide her with answers, peace and direction. When she begins to explore possibilities in the town where Nellie and her family once lived, she meets many intriguing persons who touch her life in various ways. During the search for her ancestor Nellie, she starts to feel a connection to the land and her family’s past. She also stumbles across an unexpected love that may carry her into the next stage of her growth.
In the historic timeline we are given first-hand account of Nellie’s life. This is woven beautifully together with the modern thread. There are many suspenseful moments when I was holding my breath. Tears often streaming from my eyes as I could relate to the difficulties she faced. Those of us who have Irish ancestors certainly cannot help but feel emotionally broken by this story. I also personally went to Ireland seeking my own family’s past and it was quite moving to walk on the paths they once walked. I was incredibly inspired by the landscape they saw and loved and did not want to leave! I had a rush of tears when I said good-bye as this beautiful island fiercely pulled at my heart to stay. I believe there is a spiritual connection to our ancestors that can span centuries, so I fully relate to Erin’s emotions through her search to learn about Nellie.
I loved this novel immensely and commend Ms O’Shea at delivering it with such thoroughness, compassion and grace. She never pulls back or masks the pain these people experienced. This novel sings of sacrifice, courage and resilience. It is also shows us the power of love in Nellie’s and Erin’s life. Though they had great losses, there are tender moments of joy. And the wonderful inclusion of music is glorious as it is such an important part of Irish culture. (Being a musician I can relate to the need to create!) The ending is well delivered and uplifting, so I also had some happy tears!
I whole-heartedly recommend this stunning portrayal of the Irish during the famine years, plus the accurate account of what is involved in ancestry research. Be prepared with tissues: the love that flows across these pages will capture your imagination and soften your soul. The Irish Child is a must read for dual time line lovers of quality fiction. History with Heart. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
Without question, The Irish Child is a heartbreaking tale etched in tears but also a telling to remind us of the anguish the Irish suffered during the famine at home and abroad. So many lost loved ones in Ireland, on the crossing, on the battlefields. Many fought in another country’s wars. Numerous Irish joined in the fight for freedom in the American Civil War. This novel touches on all these areas and more.
The Irish Child is told in two timelines. In the modern thread, Erin, a violinist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is an American with an Irish heritage. After surviving a terrible accident and losing the love of her life, she decides to get away to heal. Her parents have other ideas for her but she knows she must follow her heart. After receiving her grandparent’s Bible, it sparks something deep inside her that inspires her to take a journey to Ireland, Roone Bay (Cork area) to find out what happened to her ancestor Nellie. In doing so, she hopes it will provide her with answers, peace and direction. When she begins to explore possibilities in the town where Nellie and her family once lived, she meets many intriguing persons who touch her life in various ways. During the search for her ancestor Nellie, she starts to feel a connection to the land and her family’s past. She also stumbles across an unexpected love that may carry her into the next stage of her growth.
In the historic timeline we are given first-hand account of Nellie’s life. This is woven beautifully together with the modern thread. There are many suspenseful moments when I was holding my breath. Tears often streaming from my eyes as I could relate to the difficulties she faced. Those of us who have Irish ancestors certainly cannot help but feel emotionally broken by this story. I also personally went to Ireland seeking my own family’s past and it was quite moving to walk on the paths they once walked. I was incredibly inspired by the landscape they saw and loved and did not want to leave! I had a rush of tears when I said good-bye as this beautiful island fiercely pulled at my heart to stay. I believe there is a spiritual connection to our ancestors that can span centuries, so I fully relate to Erin’s emotions through her search to learn about Nellie.
I loved this novel immensely and commend Ms O’Shea at delivering it with such thoroughness, compassion and grace. She never pulls back or masks the pain these people experienced. This novel sings of sacrifice, courage and resilience. It is also shows us the power of love in Nellie’s and Erin’s life. Though they had great losses, there are tender moments of joy. And the wonderful inclusion of music is glorious as it is such an important part of Irish culture. (Being a musician I can relate to the need to create!) The ending is well delivered and uplifting, so I also had some happy tears!
I whole-heartedly recommend this stunning portrayal of the Irish during the famine years, plus the accurate account of what is involved in ancestry research. Be prepared with tissues: the love that flows across these pages will capture your imagination and soften your soul. The Irish Child is a must read for dual time line lovers of quality fiction. History with Heart. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
July 18, 2024
Heartbroken Erin leaves her hometown of Boston for a new beginning. After losing her husband in a tragic accident she has never felt so alone as she does right now, she needs a change. So she moves to Roone Bay on the beautiful southern coast of Ireland. She is determined to find the answer to a note she found in her family’s Bible. She has thought about that note since she was a child. When Finn, the local historian refuses to help her solve the mystery, she wonders how she will ever find the truth. Erin wants to know all about her ancestors, and why Nellie left Ireland and settled in America? Erin also knows about Annie, and must uncover everything she can about the missing child. Erin feels close to her ancestors in Ireland and is soon offered a job. She must decide if Ireland is her new home or is America where she belongs.
The Irish Child, written by author Daisy O’Shea is a wonderful story about family and the need for new beginnings. I loved Erin’s story and my heart broke for her. I cheered her on as she uncovered her family’s history. O’Shea is phenomenal in her description of the Ireland Coast. Feeling the sea breeze on my face is exactly what I needed. This amazingly written time slip story had me fly through the pages making this book an unputdownable treasure. This is the second installment in the Emerald Isle Series but can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book.
The Irish Child, written by author Daisy O’Shea is a wonderful story about family and the need for new beginnings. I loved Erin’s story and my heart broke for her. I cheered her on as she uncovered her family’s history. O’Shea is phenomenal in her description of the Ireland Coast. Feeling the sea breeze on my face is exactly what I needed. This amazingly written time slip story had me fly through the pages making this book an unputdownable treasure. This is the second installment in the Emerald Isle Series but can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book.
July 18, 2024
This book had me wanting to head to Ireland to search for my own lost relatives! Have you ever been? It’s definitely on my list of places I’d like to visit. I really enjoyed the authors style of writing. It really helped me to visualise the main characters surroundings but also feel all the emotions that she was feeling. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Erin has suffered a horrific tragedy, an accident that took her husband‘s life and left a permanent scar on her heart. Every time she closes her eyes she re- lives that traumatic day. The only way to get away from it is to get away from home.
She grew up hearing stories about her long lost Irish family and she’s looking forward to the opportunity to find out where she came from.
Erin is staying at the most adorable bed-and-breakfast and wants to get started right away with researching her family tree, but it doesn’t appear that it’s going to be as easy as she thought. Everyone is very friendly except for the one man who might be able to help her get the information she needs. In a moment of weakness she is able to soften the Irish brute and convince him why it’s important to her to find out what happened to members of her family. Erin might have come to Ireland for one thing but a whole new reason might make her want to make her stay.
Erin has suffered a horrific tragedy, an accident that took her husband‘s life and left a permanent scar on her heart. Every time she closes her eyes she re- lives that traumatic day. The only way to get away from it is to get away from home.
She grew up hearing stories about her long lost Irish family and she’s looking forward to the opportunity to find out where she came from.
Erin is staying at the most adorable bed-and-breakfast and wants to get started right away with researching her family tree, but it doesn’t appear that it’s going to be as easy as she thought. Everyone is very friendly except for the one man who might be able to help her get the information she needs. In a moment of weakness she is able to soften the Irish brute and convince him why it’s important to her to find out what happened to members of her family. Erin might have come to Ireland for one thing but a whole new reason might make her want to make her stay.
July 15, 2024
The Irish Child marks the latest addition to the captivating novels by the talented author Daisy O'Shea.
In the midst of recovering from her marriage falling apart, Erin embarks on a journey to Ireland, her ancestral homeland. Settling in Roone Bay, she delves into uncovering the mystery surrounding her ancestors leaving Ireland and what happened to Nellie’s daughter during the voyage to Boston.
Daisy's descriptive writing style painted such vivid picture that it left me yearning to explore the Emerald Isle myself! I felt a deep connection with Erin, as if she were my closest friend. This book had me completely engrossed, unable to set it aside! Have some tissues handy.
Get your hands on a copy now.
In the midst of recovering from her marriage falling apart, Erin embarks on a journey to Ireland, her ancestral homeland. Settling in Roone Bay, she delves into uncovering the mystery surrounding her ancestors leaving Ireland and what happened to Nellie’s daughter during the voyage to Boston.
Daisy's descriptive writing style painted such vivid picture that it left me yearning to explore the Emerald Isle myself! I felt a deep connection with Erin, as if she were my closest friend. This book had me completely engrossed, unable to set it aside! Have some tissues handy.
Get your hands on a copy now.
December 13, 2024
3.5 rating.
This was a huge improvement to book 1. While these are standalone stories within each book since there is direct interaction with several characters from the first book it is still best to start there.
The story, while still fairly simple, is more complex overall and was quite compelling. Very good and quick read.
This was a huge improvement to book 1. While these are standalone stories within each book since there is direct interaction with several characters from the first book it is still best to start there.
The story, while still fairly simple, is more complex overall and was quite compelling. Very good and quick read.
July 23, 2024
Awwww
What a lovely story. Full of twists and turns but takes you deep into the story. Tears laughter and much more. Can't wait for the next one
What a lovely story. Full of twists and turns but takes you deep into the story. Tears laughter and much more. Can't wait for the next one
July 19, 2024
O’Shea’s latest is set in Roone Bay again & what a lovely setting in Ireland! Partly #historicalfiction as it alternates in the past, it’s also a compelling, wonderful, immersive, yet heart-breaking, #womensfiction story of discovering the legacy of an Irish family.
September 5, 2024
I loved the "past" story line and the history that was weaved into the story. I've never thought much about the Irish history so it captured my attention and has made me want to read more about the famine.
The writing however seemed stilted and sometimes the "present" story felt forced.
I'm not a super emotional person so maybe I'm one of the few that was annoyed with Erin's mental health issues but I wanted to tell her to get on with her life already a couple of times.
The writing however seemed stilted and sometimes the "present" story felt forced.
I'm not a super emotional person so maybe I'm one of the few that was annoyed with Erin's mental health issues but I wanted to tell her to get on with her life already a couple of times.
July 20, 2024
The Irish Child is the second in the Emerald Isles series by Daisy O’Shea. It’s not necessary to have read the first book in the series in order to enjoy this one but it was a fantastic read so I suggest you go back and read it if you get the chance. This book focuses on a new character Erin Ryan, but the setting of Roone Bay remains the same and as beautiful and enticing as ever. The story opens with a brief prologue set in 1847 at the height of the Irish Famine as a young child named Annie and her mother Nellie and baby brother are emigrating to America after their father finally sent money for them to travel. Things are at a desperate stage in Ireland as the population’s staple food source, the potato, has failed for several years due to blight. As a result of this millions of people have either emigrated or died.
Annie and her family reach Boston but as they wait for their father to collect them Annie gets separated from her mother and knocks her head falling unconscious and so the story begins. I was desperate for the prologue to carry on from where it left off as I wanted to know what happened to Annie. But the story unfolds over the course of the book thanks to Erin as she herself is undergoing a personal journey in the wake of tragedy. The two stories between the past and the present slowly but effortlessly start to emerge and again I was so impressed by the writing of Daisy O’Shea and I was again getting Maeve Binchy vibes which is only a good thing.
Annie arrives in Roone Bay as someone who is lost and directionless. She has been through great trauma following the loss of her husband Kenny in a car crash and she is attempting to find peace and move on. She is disillusioned and feels abandoned and is in a state of depression which she is finding difficult to shake off. ‘Everything I had ever believed in, my future, my love, simply gone’. She believes she has a connection to Roone Bay as her ancestor Luke O’Mahoney came from the area and by tracing her roots she hopes it will help her in some small way. She feels a connection/pull to Luke’s mother Nellie and by finding some trace of her ancestors be it records of where they lived or the cottage itself or even records of when they left and maybe it will help her start the healing process. ‘The strange thought came to me that if I knew where I’d come from, maybe I’d have a better idea of where the future might be’.
Erin stays in the local hotel which has been newly opened. Characters from the previous book make an appearance as they are connected to the hotel and it was lovely to see them mentioned again and to see how they are getting on since we last left them. But it’s Erin whose story is waiting to be told and also the story of the past which I have to say was absolutely riveting and really reminded how much I love history. Don’t worry this book doesn’t read like a history book at all as there are alternate chapters between Erin and her search for answers in the present and Nellie’s experiences in the past. It was evident the author had done lots of research into the Famine and as I was reading I was reminded that this is a part of Irish history that shouldn’t be forgotten and I was thinking I would definitely have to teach this topic to my class in the coming school year. The chapters set during the Famine and Nellie’s subsequent journey to America and her experiences there were fantastic. Everything felt so real and vivid and my own history lessons from when I was in school came flooding back to me and reminded me what an awful time Famine was in Irish history and how it changed the social and political structures of the time.
I won’t go into detail as to the specifics of Nellie’s story but suffice to say it was brilliantly told and the desperation, hopelessness and despondency that pervaded throughout Ireland at the time can be felt with every turn of the page that Nellie featured in. I found her story to be engrossing and fascinating. She showed herself to be a determined mother who always put the needs of her children first and foremost and as the American aspect of her story unfolded I couldn’t get enough of it. There were so many twists and turns and above all else I was desperate to know what had happened to Annie. The author showed that when so many people left Ireland at the that time given they had no other choice the grass wasn’t always greener on the other side and that difficulties and adversity waited them on foreign shores. That may be true for quite a number of Irish emigrants but also there were plenty as who did succeeded with Noel the owner of the hotel being one.
Nellie’s story in the past ever so slightly edged it out for me over Erin’s but that’s not to say Erin’s wasn’t brilliantly told. It certainly was. I love the author’s writing style and you can tell that she is deeply invested and interested in the topics and themes that she is writing about. There is great characterisation and you feel such an emotional response especially regarding the Famine aspect of the plot. Erin is in no rush to return back to return to her old life for it has changed irreparably and she can’t stand the pressure her mother puts on her to find a new man. She feels smothered and Roone Bay is affording her the chance to find some air and also find the part of herself that has been lost after such a hideous time. Erin is told about a local man named Finn, who might be able to help her with search into her ancestry. She goes to call on him at his cottage but he is not the most welcoming and she is instantly turned off.
Finn is a loner and not sociable preferring to live in his cottage with no water or electricity with just his dog for company. He is a musician and knows a lot about the history of the local area and of course he is good looking. Is he meant to help Erin in her quest or will he maintain his stand offish demeanour? He definitely hid behind a smokescreen making it hard for people to get close to him. I wondered was Finn hiding something in his own life that made it difficult to open up to people as when he first met Erin I found him to be unnecessarily rude and even a bit obnoxious. She only wanted a little help after all and aren’t us Irish known for their hospitality? As Erin treads in Nellie’s footsteps she feels that she is doing the right thing and Roone Bay is where she needs to be. Finn starts to melt a little bit and I enjoyed the slow burner of their friendship and that over time they started to work together to find the answers that Erin so desperately wanted.’I still have that feeling that I’m meant to be here. Like a pigeon that lost its bearings and final scented home on the breeze’.
The Irish Child was a thoroughly enjoyable story with both compelling thought provoking characters and an appealing and riveting plot. I do hope the author continues to write more in this series as I am loving it and it reminds of the old favourite Irish authors that I grew up reading like I have said Maeve Binchy but also the early days of Marian Keyes and Sheila O’Flanagan. I loved the ending and wasn’t expecting it but it fitted so well with the overall story and I was deeply satisfied when I reached the final word. More like this please Daisy O’Shea.
Annie and her family reach Boston but as they wait for their father to collect them Annie gets separated from her mother and knocks her head falling unconscious and so the story begins. I was desperate for the prologue to carry on from where it left off as I wanted to know what happened to Annie. But the story unfolds over the course of the book thanks to Erin as she herself is undergoing a personal journey in the wake of tragedy. The two stories between the past and the present slowly but effortlessly start to emerge and again I was so impressed by the writing of Daisy O’Shea and I was again getting Maeve Binchy vibes which is only a good thing.
Annie arrives in Roone Bay as someone who is lost and directionless. She has been through great trauma following the loss of her husband Kenny in a car crash and she is attempting to find peace and move on. She is disillusioned and feels abandoned and is in a state of depression which she is finding difficult to shake off. ‘Everything I had ever believed in, my future, my love, simply gone’. She believes she has a connection to Roone Bay as her ancestor Luke O’Mahoney came from the area and by tracing her roots she hopes it will help her in some small way. She feels a connection/pull to Luke’s mother Nellie and by finding some trace of her ancestors be it records of where they lived or the cottage itself or even records of when they left and maybe it will help her start the healing process. ‘The strange thought came to me that if I knew where I’d come from, maybe I’d have a better idea of where the future might be’.
Erin stays in the local hotel which has been newly opened. Characters from the previous book make an appearance as they are connected to the hotel and it was lovely to see them mentioned again and to see how they are getting on since we last left them. But it’s Erin whose story is waiting to be told and also the story of the past which I have to say was absolutely riveting and really reminded how much I love history. Don’t worry this book doesn’t read like a history book at all as there are alternate chapters between Erin and her search for answers in the present and Nellie’s experiences in the past. It was evident the author had done lots of research into the Famine and as I was reading I was reminded that this is a part of Irish history that shouldn’t be forgotten and I was thinking I would definitely have to teach this topic to my class in the coming school year. The chapters set during the Famine and Nellie’s subsequent journey to America and her experiences there were fantastic. Everything felt so real and vivid and my own history lessons from when I was in school came flooding back to me and reminded me what an awful time Famine was in Irish history and how it changed the social and political structures of the time.
I won’t go into detail as to the specifics of Nellie’s story but suffice to say it was brilliantly told and the desperation, hopelessness and despondency that pervaded throughout Ireland at the time can be felt with every turn of the page that Nellie featured in. I found her story to be engrossing and fascinating. She showed herself to be a determined mother who always put the needs of her children first and foremost and as the American aspect of her story unfolded I couldn’t get enough of it. There were so many twists and turns and above all else I was desperate to know what had happened to Annie. The author showed that when so many people left Ireland at the that time given they had no other choice the grass wasn’t always greener on the other side and that difficulties and adversity waited them on foreign shores. That may be true for quite a number of Irish emigrants but also there were plenty as who did succeeded with Noel the owner of the hotel being one.
Nellie’s story in the past ever so slightly edged it out for me over Erin’s but that’s not to say Erin’s wasn’t brilliantly told. It certainly was. I love the author’s writing style and you can tell that she is deeply invested and interested in the topics and themes that she is writing about. There is great characterisation and you feel such an emotional response especially regarding the Famine aspect of the plot. Erin is in no rush to return back to return to her old life for it has changed irreparably and she can’t stand the pressure her mother puts on her to find a new man. She feels smothered and Roone Bay is affording her the chance to find some air and also find the part of herself that has been lost after such a hideous time. Erin is told about a local man named Finn, who might be able to help her with search into her ancestry. She goes to call on him at his cottage but he is not the most welcoming and she is instantly turned off.
Finn is a loner and not sociable preferring to live in his cottage with no water or electricity with just his dog for company. He is a musician and knows a lot about the history of the local area and of course he is good looking. Is he meant to help Erin in her quest or will he maintain his stand offish demeanour? He definitely hid behind a smokescreen making it hard for people to get close to him. I wondered was Finn hiding something in his own life that made it difficult to open up to people as when he first met Erin I found him to be unnecessarily rude and even a bit obnoxious. She only wanted a little help after all and aren’t us Irish known for their hospitality? As Erin treads in Nellie’s footsteps she feels that she is doing the right thing and Roone Bay is where she needs to be. Finn starts to melt a little bit and I enjoyed the slow burner of their friendship and that over time they started to work together to find the answers that Erin so desperately wanted.’I still have that feeling that I’m meant to be here. Like a pigeon that lost its bearings and final scented home on the breeze’.
The Irish Child was a thoroughly enjoyable story with both compelling thought provoking characters and an appealing and riveting plot. I do hope the author continues to write more in this series as I am loving it and it reminds of the old favourite Irish authors that I grew up reading like I have said Maeve Binchy but also the early days of Marian Keyes and Sheila O’Flanagan. I loved the ending and wasn’t expecting it but it fitted so well with the overall story and I was deeply satisfied when I reached the final word. More like this please Daisy O’Shea.
July 22, 2024
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THE IRISH CHILD by Daisy O’Shea is a captivating dual timeline Irish family saga in this women’s fiction/romance/historical fiction mash-up. This book is the second in a series that is loosely tied together by the Roone Bay setting, but it is easily read as a standalone with some of the characters carried over from The Irish Key.
In the present-day timeline, Erin has physically survived a tragic accident and the loss of her husband, but mentally she cannot move forward. When she discovers a mystery in the family Bible surrounding an ancestor named Nellie, it inspires her to travel to Ireland to look for answers. It is also the perfect escape from her overbearing parents and a chance to find peace.
In Roone Bay, Erin begins to feel a connection to not only her ancestor but also the current inhabitants. She soon discovers she is stronger than she believes and can cope with the painful memories and return to her love of music without feeling guilty. With a job offer and a possible love interest, Erin begins to want to set down roots and stay.
In the past timeline, Nellie, her husband, and their small daughter are trying to survive the Great Hunger in Ireland. Her husband leaves for America and promises to send money for Nellie and Annie to follow. When Nellie eventually gets her husband’s ticket, she now has two children that she must get to America. At the crowded dock, after a terrible voyage, Nellie loses her daughter and discovers much worse. Her journey is a story of terrible loss, fighting to survive, and always moving forward.
I loved this emotional story even with the depiction of a horrific time in Irish history and all the difficulties of both the main female protagonists. The author’s writing pulled me into both timelines effortlessly and I found both intertwining stories gripping. There are no punches pulled in the descriptions of famine, loss, pain, and grief but the author tempers it with the strength, courage, and love of both Erin in the present and Nellie in the past.
I highly recommend this beautifully told story. This women’s fiction/romance/historical fiction mash-up is an emotional and engaging Irish family saga.
THE IRISH CHILD by Daisy O’Shea is a captivating dual timeline Irish family saga in this women’s fiction/romance/historical fiction mash-up. This book is the second in a series that is loosely tied together by the Roone Bay setting, but it is easily read as a standalone with some of the characters carried over from The Irish Key.
In the present-day timeline, Erin has physically survived a tragic accident and the loss of her husband, but mentally she cannot move forward. When she discovers a mystery in the family Bible surrounding an ancestor named Nellie, it inspires her to travel to Ireland to look for answers. It is also the perfect escape from her overbearing parents and a chance to find peace.
In Roone Bay, Erin begins to feel a connection to not only her ancestor but also the current inhabitants. She soon discovers she is stronger than she believes and can cope with the painful memories and return to her love of music without feeling guilty. With a job offer and a possible love interest, Erin begins to want to set down roots and stay.
In the past timeline, Nellie, her husband, and their small daughter are trying to survive the Great Hunger in Ireland. Her husband leaves for America and promises to send money for Nellie and Annie to follow. When Nellie eventually gets her husband’s ticket, she now has two children that she must get to America. At the crowded dock, after a terrible voyage, Nellie loses her daughter and discovers much worse. Her journey is a story of terrible loss, fighting to survive, and always moving forward.
I loved this emotional story even with the depiction of a horrific time in Irish history and all the difficulties of both the main female protagonists. The author’s writing pulled me into both timelines effortlessly and I found both intertwining stories gripping. There are no punches pulled in the descriptions of famine, loss, pain, and grief but the author tempers it with the strength, courage, and love of both Erin in the present and Nellie in the past.
I highly recommend this beautifully told story. This women’s fiction/romance/historical fiction mash-up is an emotional and engaging Irish family saga.
July 20, 2024
With her marriage over, Erin goes to Roone Bay, Ireland to start over and unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family’s ancient Bible. She wants to know more about her ancestor Nellie, both what drove her to leave for America as well as whether or not she ever found her daughter Annie. Erin doesn't know where to start looking, and former lifeboat volunteer and historian Finn finally agrees to help her after a rainstorm forces him to save her life. The two grow closer and share stories, and a devastating discovery makes her question whether this truly will be her forever home.
We begin with the circumstances leading Nellie and Annie to go to Boston during the potato famine. It's from Annie's point of view, and it's heartbreaking to see how fast children can get lost. From there, we get to see Erin's arrival in Ireland and follow her as she tries to acclimate to a new country. We also see Nellie's story, and how she survived in Boston after the traumatic arrival.
The dual timelines show both women with their insecurities and pain, trying to make a life in a new country with welcoming people around her. Finn's secrets are devastating to Erin only because of the full extent of her loss, which we don't know about in the beginning. Her parents are pieces of work, more concerned with appearances and their views of the world when they talk to Erin. They love her, but it feels very conditional, which is likely why she's so out of sorts and searching for a place to belong. She finds it by accepting the way others reach out and allowing herself to feel again. This is a great story about moving on from grief.
We begin with the circumstances leading Nellie and Annie to go to Boston during the potato famine. It's from Annie's point of view, and it's heartbreaking to see how fast children can get lost. From there, we get to see Erin's arrival in Ireland and follow her as she tries to acclimate to a new country. We also see Nellie's story, and how she survived in Boston after the traumatic arrival.
The dual timelines show both women with their insecurities and pain, trying to make a life in a new country with welcoming people around her. Finn's secrets are devastating to Erin only because of the full extent of her loss, which we don't know about in the beginning. Her parents are pieces of work, more concerned with appearances and their views of the world when they talk to Erin. They love her, but it feels very conditional, which is likely why she's so out of sorts and searching for a place to belong. She finds it by accepting the way others reach out and allowing herself to feel again. This is a great story about moving on from grief.
July 17, 2024
Boston-born Erin arrives in Roone Bay ostensibly to search for her Irish roots and to discover why her ancestors left Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century to make a new life in America. However, there are complex personal reasons as to why Erin has left America and we learn that she too has secrets and has suffered her own fair share of heartache.
As always the author draws you into this lovely Irish coastal town which we first came across in The Irish Key, and whilst this is definitely a stand alone story and can be enjoyed as such, it was lovely to meet up with some of the well loved characters we have met before. The gentle pace of the story moves between two time frames so that we can picture life during the troubles of the past whilst at the same time enjoy Erin's journey of discovery in the present day.
There's a gentleness to the story which I rather enjoyed, and with neither time frame seeking to steal the limelight, I felt an affinity with Erin's story as she tentatively made changes to her life and her burgeoning relationship with the handsome Finn brought an interesting romantic element. Bringing the past to life in a special way Nellie's rather sad story explained her reasons for leaving Ireland during the time of the Great Hunger and as my own ancestors also left Ireland during this tragic time I felt an immediate connection to her story.
The Irish Child looks at the heartbreaking secrets of the past, weaving together the bonds of motherhood, and of the family ties which, even though broken, can be pieced together in time.
As always the author draws you into this lovely Irish coastal town which we first came across in The Irish Key, and whilst this is definitely a stand alone story and can be enjoyed as such, it was lovely to meet up with some of the well loved characters we have met before. The gentle pace of the story moves between two time frames so that we can picture life during the troubles of the past whilst at the same time enjoy Erin's journey of discovery in the present day.
There's a gentleness to the story which I rather enjoyed, and with neither time frame seeking to steal the limelight, I felt an affinity with Erin's story as she tentatively made changes to her life and her burgeoning relationship with the handsome Finn brought an interesting romantic element. Bringing the past to life in a special way Nellie's rather sad story explained her reasons for leaving Ireland during the time of the Great Hunger and as my own ancestors also left Ireland during this tragic time I felt an immediate connection to her story.
The Irish Child looks at the heartbreaking secrets of the past, weaving together the bonds of motherhood, and of the family ties which, even though broken, can be pieced together in time.
August 1, 2024
In this dual timeline and multiple perspective novel, readers follow Erin, an American visiting Roone Bay in Ireland, as she attempts to reconnect with her past, specifically her ancestor Nellie (who was the first of her family to arrive in America) and her missing daughter Annie. As Erin settles into life in Roone Bay, local historian Finn refuses to help her discover her family’s past and her place in their local history until one rainy night when a sharing of stories brings Finn and Erin closer together. The path to happiness and to her great-grandmother and great-aunt’s secrets is by no means easy, as devastating discoveries and new information might just change everything Erin knows about her family’s Irish heritage and her chance for a new life. The fantastic narrative threads of this novel connect readers to Nellie, fleeing the famine, and Erin, whose modern struggles might resonate with readers, as they both search for family and belonging after a time of struggle. All of the characters are complex and unique, with backstories and personalities revealed to the readers as the novel progresses. A fantastic, charming, and immersive historical fiction novel, readers will love the dual perspective’s blend of historical and modern fiction in O’Shea’s latest book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.
August 9, 2024
Bittersweet story spanning generations and continents.
"When Boston-born Erin arrives in wind-tossed Roone Bay, she’s heart-sore, tired and lonely. Her marriage is over: she’s come to build a new life for herself on Ireland’s rugged southern coast. And to unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family’s ancient Bible that has haunted her since childhood. But hazel-eyed former lifeboat volunteer Finn, the only local historian around, quietly refuses her pleas to help.
So Erin settles in to the town, with its whitewashed cottages and ruddy-cheeked fishermen, and begins her quest alone. Who was her ancestor, Nellie, and why did she leave Ireland for America? What happened to her missing child, Annie, and did Nellie ever see her again?
Just as Erin despairs ever uncovering the truth, one rain-soaked night she is rescued by Finn, who finally agrees to help. And by firelight and candlelight each evening, just as it would have been in her great-grandmother’s time, Finn and Erin grow closer as they share their stories.
But just as Erin wonders if Roone Bay could be her forever home, she makes a devastating discovery. Will she be able to face the truth, which changes everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her family’s Irish legacy? Or will she run, just as Nellie did all those years ago, and lose the best chance at happiness she’s ever had…?" synopsis copied
"When Boston-born Erin arrives in wind-tossed Roone Bay, she’s heart-sore, tired and lonely. Her marriage is over: she’s come to build a new life for herself on Ireland’s rugged southern coast. And to unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family’s ancient Bible that has haunted her since childhood. But hazel-eyed former lifeboat volunteer Finn, the only local historian around, quietly refuses her pleas to help.
So Erin settles in to the town, with its whitewashed cottages and ruddy-cheeked fishermen, and begins her quest alone. Who was her ancestor, Nellie, and why did she leave Ireland for America? What happened to her missing child, Annie, and did Nellie ever see her again?
Just as Erin despairs ever uncovering the truth, one rain-soaked night she is rescued by Finn, who finally agrees to help. And by firelight and candlelight each evening, just as it would have been in her great-grandmother’s time, Finn and Erin grow closer as they share their stories.
But just as Erin wonders if Roone Bay could be her forever home, she makes a devastating discovery. Will she be able to face the truth, which changes everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her family’s Irish legacy? Or will she run, just as Nellie did all those years ago, and lose the best chance at happiness she’s ever had…?" synopsis copied
July 20, 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Get ready to be transported across the sea to Ireland. I love books set there- the history, the people, really everything about Ireland is appealing! Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “The Irish Child”.
Erin travels to Ireland from Boston after losing her husband. She decides to research her ancestors. What follows is a time slip story between Boston and Ireland.
The story is heartbreaking, yet hopeful. This should be in everyone’s list of books to read this summer! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheIrishChild #DaisyOShea #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInIreland
Get ready to be transported across the sea to Ireland. I love books set there- the history, the people, really everything about Ireland is appealing! Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “The Irish Child”.
Erin travels to Ireland from Boston after losing her husband. She decides to research her ancestors. What follows is a time slip story between Boston and Ireland.
The story is heartbreaking, yet hopeful. This should be in everyone’s list of books to read this summer! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheIrishChild #DaisyOShea #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInIreland
September 22, 2024
What a moving story, covering the harrowing lives of the Irish Community when the potato crop fails. The promises of a better life over seas.
I loved the brief history of Irish words and names, as well as the desperate measures they went through.
The two main characters Nellie and Erin, both young and in love. But both find themselves widowed at a young age. Their stories of survival are portrayed through the pages, both completely different yet their determination is equally as strong.
Great descriptions of Ireland, America centuries ago and modern Ireland. Great characters too.
Great easy read, that hooks you from the start.
I loved the brief history of Irish words and names, as well as the desperate measures they went through.
The two main characters Nellie and Erin, both young and in love. But both find themselves widowed at a young age. Their stories of survival are portrayed through the pages, both completely different yet their determination is equally as strong.
Great descriptions of Ireland, America centuries ago and modern Ireland. Great characters too.
Great easy read, that hooks you from the start.
June 17, 2025
Heartbreaking story
Taking place during and after the Irish Potato Famine, and also current day this story follows the life of Erin, after a devastating loss, who travels to Ireland to learn what happened to her ancestors. Three, she meets Finn, who reluctantly helps her solve the mystery of her ancestor Nellie, and Nellie's daughter Annie. The duel storyline of Erin and Nellie is very compelling and the history is fascinating. There's a budding romance between Erin and Finn. I found this book very enjoyable.
Taking place during and after the Irish Potato Famine, and also current day this story follows the life of Erin, after a devastating loss, who travels to Ireland to learn what happened to her ancestors. Three, she meets Finn, who reluctantly helps her solve the mystery of her ancestor Nellie, and Nellie's daughter Annie. The duel storyline of Erin and Nellie is very compelling and the history is fascinating. There's a budding romance between Erin and Finn. I found this book very enjoyable.
October 3, 2025
This was a decent domestic drama, told in two different time periods. In the present day, Erin is suffering through heartbreak when she surprises her family and picks up and leaves Boston for Ireland. And back in 1840, Nellie travels to America in the steerage section of a huge ship, with her two young children in tow. Both women suffer through tragedies, and I was surprised at how everything turned out. Since I have Irish ancestors on both sides of my family tree, I found this book to be quite interesting.
February 10, 2025
happiness and sadness intertwined for a beautiful story
Daisy O’Shea is a fantastic writer. She brings both America and Ireland together by the characters in her stories. These stories intertwine great happiness with great sadness, but always end on a pleasant note, giving the reader hope for the future for those involved in the story. Having read one, I can’t wait to read all of them and hope she will keep writing along into the future.
Daisy O’Shea is a fantastic writer. She brings both America and Ireland together by the characters in her stories. These stories intertwine great happiness with great sadness, but always end on a pleasant note, giving the reader hope for the future for those involved in the story. Having read one, I can’t wait to read all of them and hope she will keep writing along into the future.
November 22, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book and looked forward to reading more each evening. I appreciated the absence of f-bombs and the lack of excesssive alcohol use. Kindness endured throughout the book, and that was certainly refreshing.
Sometimes the thoughts and actions of the characters were hard for me to believe. Erin had no money worries, and neither Erin nor Finn was afraid to take on big projects.
Sometimes the thoughts and actions of the characters were hard for me to believe. Erin had no money worries, and neither Erin nor Finn was afraid to take on big projects.
June 15, 2024
This is such a beautiful piece of fiction, set between Boston and Ireland and spanning generations. I was totally immersed in this lovely, emotional read and a family's Irish legacy. This is such a lovely read which I strongly recommend to lovers of romance, it is just perfect. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
July 25, 2024
A compelling Irish story going back to the potato famine times. After Erin suffers a personal tragedy she needs to get away and so decides to go to Ireland and see if she can trace any of the family that she has grown up hearing about. I loved the characters and storyline in this book with both of the genealogy and the history aspects, throw in a bit of romance and you have a perfect story
July 26, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of The Irish Child by Daisy O'Shea.
This is a perfect book for curling up on an afternoon, easy to read, switching between the present day and the potato famine.
Its a story of hardship and loves and lives lost. And of love found where you least expect it.
This is a perfect book for curling up on an afternoon, easy to read, switching between the present day and the potato famine.
Its a story of hardship and loves and lives lost. And of love found where you least expect it.
July 28, 2024
Amazing story!
What a lovely book! I found it hard to put down. Daisy O'Shea is an amazing writer who not only brings her characters to life she allows the readers to learn the wonders and hazards of life in rural Ireland during harrowing time. How brave and desperate the people were who were forced to immigrate to America. I highly recommend this novel as well as it's prequel.
What a lovely book! I found it hard to put down. Daisy O'Shea is an amazing writer who not only brings her characters to life she allows the readers to learn the wonders and hazards of life in rural Ireland during harrowing time. How brave and desperate the people were who were forced to immigrate to America. I highly recommend this novel as well as it's prequel.
September 7, 2024
A story of a woman who has experienced significant loss and is in working to heal. When she was young her father received the family bible and she became curious about the story of Nellie, her Irish ancestor. She travels to Ireland and in her quest to learn about Nellie, she experiences her own healing.
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