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Liberty Tree
Young adult title from Irish bestselling author Paula Clamp.
Awkward city-girl Ellie is the last to be picked in every aspect of her life. At over six-foot, her one claim to fame is that a bomb was named after her when she was born. Little is expected of her and she has delivered exactly that...until now.
Ellie is putting everything into her frst trip away from home – studying folklore in a remote corner of Ireland. It is here that the Liberty Tree reveals a secret and a romantic pact begun decades before. As Ellie becomes entangled in the heart-warming, but potentially tragic love-story, she too begins to uncover her first love in the most unlikely of places.
What the critics say about Paula's writing:
"Paula has a touch of magic…once again she creates strong characters and writes about how there can be as many perspectives about a person as there are people."
Irish Examiner
"A humorous, happy-sad novel with the best cover I’ve seen in a long time."
Evening Herald
Awkward city-girl Ellie is the last to be picked in every aspect of her life. At over six-foot, her one claim to fame is that a bomb was named after her when she was born. Little is expected of her and she has delivered exactly that...until now.
Ellie is putting everything into her frst trip away from home – studying folklore in a remote corner of Ireland. It is here that the Liberty Tree reveals a secret and a romantic pact begun decades before. As Ellie becomes entangled in the heart-warming, but potentially tragic love-story, she too begins to uncover her first love in the most unlikely of places.
What the critics say about Paula's writing:
"Paula has a touch of magic…once again she creates strong characters and writes about how there can be as many perspectives about a person as there are people."
Irish Examiner
"A humorous, happy-sad novel with the best cover I’ve seen in a long time."
Evening Herald
314 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2012
2 people want to read
About the author
Paula Clamp
13 books12 followersPaula Clamp is an award-winning, bestselling novelist, writing adult and young adult fiction. She also writes for theatre and screen. She lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 14, 2024
This book is a love letter to Northern Ireland. It honors the land, the people, the culture.
Ellie’s mom died and left a photo of her in a small town in Northern Ireland, underneath a giant tree. Ellie goes on a journey to know her mom - and herself - better, and finds things (wonderful and tragic) along the way!
Ellie’s mom died and left a photo of her in a small town in Northern Ireland, underneath a giant tree. Ellie goes on a journey to know her mom - and herself - better, and finds things (wonderful and tragic) along the way!
September 20, 2024
Follow Frankie who is trying to find out about her mothers past following her recent death.
But will the secrets she uncovers leave her happy or wishing she’d never gone looking!
What a lovely read.
Flows easily.
Follow new relationships, old relationships, secrets, Irish history and mystery!
But will the secrets she uncovers leave her happy or wishing she’d never gone looking!
What a lovely read.
Flows easily.
Follow new relationships, old relationships, secrets, Irish history and mystery!
Read
April 17, 2025Unfortunately, this novel read like a tentative first draft in need of a lot of work. The fact that the MC lacks complete agency didn't help, and the manner in which every character seemed to end up acting... well, out of character, at some point, also didn't help. Not for me, sadly.
October 31, 2024
Well, I can honestly say I have never thought about hugging trees and books at the same time but man this book may be in my top reads ever. The whole time I was reading this I was torn between squealing out of joy and wanting to know more about Frankie’s past and the letters.
Frankie’s adventure is super relatable and she truly is the best kind of FMC (overthinkers unite). She’s on a quest for answers, but she also gets caught up in a love story that’s both sweet and complicated. The two guys she meets are seriously charming, but there’s more to them than meets the eye.
What I loved most is how the past and present weave together. Frankie’s own first love story is mixed with this older tale of heartbreak and betrayal that she uncovers. For being such a small town, the secrets, personalities, and love is what makes it so charming. The revelations from big city life being so different from feeling seen in the towns is exactly what draws me to small town living in my distant future.
I am so grateful to have read this book as it was the perfect blend of mystery and love. Over 5 stars for sure.
Frankie’s adventure is super relatable and she truly is the best kind of FMC (overthinkers unite). She’s on a quest for answers, but she also gets caught up in a love story that’s both sweet and complicated. The two guys she meets are seriously charming, but there’s more to them than meets the eye.
What I loved most is how the past and present weave together. Frankie’s own first love story is mixed with this older tale of heartbreak and betrayal that she uncovers. For being such a small town, the secrets, personalities, and love is what makes it so charming. The revelations from big city life being so different from feeling seen in the towns is exactly what draws me to small town living in my distant future.
I am so grateful to have read this book as it was the perfect blend of mystery and love. Over 5 stars for sure.
August 14, 2012
Just finished this one having devoured The Shee. This one is so completely different, less about the paranormal and more about what's weird and wonderful in the real world. I absolutely love Paula Clamp's writing style - refreshingly funny and dramatic at the same time. I'm counting the days until the next one.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews