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May All Your Skies Be Blue
From the author of the beloved debut Boys Don't Cry - an unforgettable story of love and loss and how the ones we love never really leave us.
He's leaning in. I'm leaning in. 'The future is ours to make, Shauns,' he says, lips almost touching.
Summer, 1991.
sun-stung and sticky with cool ice-pop juice, walks to the middle of The Green to get a good gawk at the new salon. And at the owner's kid. Hands deep in his pockets, his jet-black mop of hair hides the tension in his face at the thought of going back home.
stands well hid behind her ma - her eyes dark and haunted like the rest of her. The salon is theirs, a fresh start. The smell of her ma's Body Shop perfume clings to her jumper - Shauna can't be anywhere else other than here.
Instantly inseparable, their friendship blooms. But as time passes and tell-tale blushes and school fights develop into something deeper, conflicting responsibilities threaten to pull Shauna and Dean apart.
When all seems lost, will they find each other under the same blue sky?
He's leaning in. I'm leaning in. 'The future is ours to make, Shauns,' he says, lips almost touching.
Summer, 1991.
sun-stung and sticky with cool ice-pop juice, walks to the middle of The Green to get a good gawk at the new salon. And at the owner's kid. Hands deep in his pockets, his jet-black mop of hair hides the tension in his face at the thought of going back home.
stands well hid behind her ma - her eyes dark and haunted like the rest of her. The salon is theirs, a fresh start. The smell of her ma's Body Shop perfume clings to her jumper - Shauna can't be anywhere else other than here.
Instantly inseparable, their friendship blooms. But as time passes and tell-tale blushes and school fights develop into something deeper, conflicting responsibilities threaten to pull Shauna and Dean apart.
When all seems lost, will they find each other under the same blue sky?
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
83 people are currently reading
4079 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
October 21, 2024
It’s not like me to have read a book this far in advance, but given how much I adored Fíona’s debut, I just couldn’t wait - and this didn’t disappoint.
This may be a fairly short novel, but it absolutely packs in the emotion and heartache. It’s a devastating love story where you can tell from the beginning that there’s unlikely to be a happy ending, so the following chapters as you see how much these two characters mean to each other just break your heart more.
One of the other strong themes of the story is friendship, and I absolutely loved the dynamic which she’s created between the four main characters, with the ups and downs as they grow up and come of age. It also looks at the heartbreaking impact which dementia and alcoholism can have on families, so it’s really not afraid to go deep, and you’re all likely to need tissues! But nothing is done in an overly sentimental way and that’s what I love about Fíona’s writing - she brings that Irish humour and sweary irreverence to the most heartbreaking stories, and makes them feel authentic and fresh.
This book blew me away, and has absolutely cemented Fíona as one of my favourite authors - I’ll be raving about this book to anyone who’ll listen, and can’t recommend pre-ordering this one enough as I just know you’ll all love it. Calling it as one of the best books of 2025 already!
This may be a fairly short novel, but it absolutely packs in the emotion and heartache. It’s a devastating love story where you can tell from the beginning that there’s unlikely to be a happy ending, so the following chapters as you see how much these two characters mean to each other just break your heart more.
One of the other strong themes of the story is friendship, and I absolutely loved the dynamic which she’s created between the four main characters, with the ups and downs as they grow up and come of age. It also looks at the heartbreaking impact which dementia and alcoholism can have on families, so it’s really not afraid to go deep, and you’re all likely to need tissues! But nothing is done in an overly sentimental way and that’s what I love about Fíona’s writing - she brings that Irish humour and sweary irreverence to the most heartbreaking stories, and makes them feel authentic and fresh.
This book blew me away, and has absolutely cemented Fíona as one of my favourite authors - I’ll be raving about this book to anyone who’ll listen, and can’t recommend pre-ordering this one enough as I just know you’ll all love it. Calling it as one of the best books of 2025 already!
November 26, 2024
Head is pounding from the crying 👍
October 6, 2024
I inhaled Boys Don’t Cry, the debut novel by Irish writer Fíóna Scarlett, one of my favourite reads of 2021, and it’s one I still ponder about. So when a proof copy of her second novel, May All Your Skies Be Blue, arrived, I greedily dived in and finished it in one sitting. I quite literally could not put it down until I knew how the story ended; so obsessed by every tiny little detail was I.
North Dublin, 1991: Our two teenage main characters set eyes on each other for the first time, but Dean and Shauna’s lives will never be the same again. Their emotional rollercoaster of life is told through pitch-perfect dialectal, heartfelt prose as we follow Shauna, Dean, and their gang of friends and family over thirty-odd years.
Dean and Shauna have a deep connection, but it is fraught with tension. Both have family responsibilities beyond their young years, which clash with their desire for tenderness, escape, and fun times.
Using a dual-perspective timeline, Shauna narrates her now and her memories, only confounding the emotional tension as the power of love, loss, regret, and the indelible marks one person can make on your life are shown in full colour. I could not tear my eyes away as I found myself completely immersed in the characters’ lives, feeling their struggles and longing for their happiness.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but I can confidently say May All Your Skies Be Blue is one memorable read. The emotional depth of the characters and the raw portrayal of love, loss, and regret left me utterly captivated. They will stay with me for a very long time indeed. I wanted to reach out and hug them.
No wonder the proof copy arrived with tissues; it broke me. I was undone, bawling. Just g’wan and get a copy preordered; you’ll not regret it! 5⭐️
Thanks a million to Phoebe at Faber Books for the opportunity to read a proof copy in return for an honest review. The outstanding May All Your Skies Be Blue is due for publication on February 13th, 2025. It’s an exceptional piece of literature that touched my heart in ways I never expected.
North Dublin, 1991: Our two teenage main characters set eyes on each other for the first time, but Dean and Shauna’s lives will never be the same again. Their emotional rollercoaster of life is told through pitch-perfect dialectal, heartfelt prose as we follow Shauna, Dean, and their gang of friends and family over thirty-odd years.
Dean and Shauna have a deep connection, but it is fraught with tension. Both have family responsibilities beyond their young years, which clash with their desire for tenderness, escape, and fun times.
Using a dual-perspective timeline, Shauna narrates her now and her memories, only confounding the emotional tension as the power of love, loss, regret, and the indelible marks one person can make on your life are shown in full colour. I could not tear my eyes away as I found myself completely immersed in the characters’ lives, feeling their struggles and longing for their happiness.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but I can confidently say May All Your Skies Be Blue is one memorable read. The emotional depth of the characters and the raw portrayal of love, loss, and regret left me utterly captivated. They will stay with me for a very long time indeed. I wanted to reach out and hug them.
No wonder the proof copy arrived with tissues; it broke me. I was undone, bawling. Just g’wan and get a copy preordered; you’ll not regret it! 5⭐️
Thanks a million to Phoebe at Faber Books for the opportunity to read a proof copy in return for an honest review. The outstanding May All Your Skies Be Blue is due for publication on February 13th, 2025. It’s an exceptional piece of literature that touched my heart in ways I never expected.
Read
March 11, 2025«Adorei, adorei, adorei a maneira como a autora desenvolveu a relação entre estas duas personagens. Foi absolutamente credível e real, e, por isso mesmo, lindíssima. Aliás, diria que esta verosimilhança com a realidade é o principal ponto positivo de May All Your Skies Be Blue: embora seja uma história pontuada por momentos tristes, poderia acontecer com qualquer pessoa.»
Review completa em: https://ritadanova.blogs.sapo.pt/may-....
Review completa em: https://ritadanova.blogs.sapo.pt/may-....
September 10, 2024
this was so beautiful oh my days
June 24, 2025
It was a 4 until the ending - I have never felt so much from a book until those last few chapters
October 30, 2024
Have the five stars Fíona, have them. Twice now you’ve broken my heart, I hope you’re happy with yourself.
September 22, 2025
i loved ‘boys don’t cry’ and i wanted to love this…but i couldn’t.
firstly, the two time frames confused me. it took me a while to work out that there was in fact two, largely due to the presence of the salon in both (or maybe not? i didn’t know what time frame i was in half of the time). but either way, i think the writing style added to this confusion, and maybe a reread would be required.
but even if i did reread, i don’t think the rating would improve. i didn’t feel invested in their relationship - i felt no chemistry between them. it felt like an imitation of sally rooney, where out of nowhere, the male says something profound (e.g. connells ‘i’m not religious…’ comment in normal people). there was no build up to these comments. although i understand this is not some lovey-dovey romance, paired with the lack of tension was a lack of the evidence of this ‘bond’ they shared. i felt more scenes of just the two of them (away from the friend group) would have helped the romantic element, because frankly, it felt like a friendship with some random moments of infatuation.
i didn’t think the long time frame worked either, as her pining became rather pathetic. i think the author was going for a great love-esque thing, but without the proper build up and limited romantic interaction between them, it fell flat.
however, i’d do admire how it touched on certain topics, and its sense of place and community. i would read future books by this author due to her writing, but unfortunately, i didn’t like this one as much as i hoped to.
firstly, the two time frames confused me. it took me a while to work out that there was in fact two, largely due to the presence of the salon in both (or maybe not? i didn’t know what time frame i was in half of the time). but either way, i think the writing style added to this confusion, and maybe a reread would be required.
but even if i did reread, i don’t think the rating would improve. i didn’t feel invested in their relationship - i felt no chemistry between them. it felt like an imitation of sally rooney, where out of nowhere, the male says something profound (e.g. connells ‘i’m not religious…’ comment in normal people). there was no build up to these comments. although i understand this is not some lovey-dovey romance, paired with the lack of tension was a lack of the evidence of this ‘bond’ they shared. i felt more scenes of just the two of them (away from the friend group) would have helped the romantic element, because frankly, it felt like a friendship with some random moments of infatuation.
i didn’t think the long time frame worked either, as her pining became rather pathetic. i think the author was going for a great love-esque thing, but without the proper build up and limited romantic interaction between them, it fell flat.
however, i’d do admire how it touched on certain topics, and its sense of place and community. i would read future books by this author due to her writing, but unfortunately, i didn’t like this one as much as i hoped to.
August 11, 2025
Absolute corker of a book, that I will be recommending to absolutely everyone .
It was a warm nostalgic look at childhood, the friendship, the parents.
The struggles we go to in pretending all is alright.
As time crept forward, and the glances at today left clues as to what was happening.
I was crying before hitting the last few chapters.
I'm left feeling a little bit broken for what could have been, and what is.
Boys don't cry was the first book I read this year, and it too left me in bits.
It's safe to say I'm going to be reading everything this author writes from now on.
It was a warm nostalgic look at childhood, the friendship, the parents.
The struggles we go to in pretending all is alright.
As time crept forward, and the glances at today left clues as to what was happening.
I was crying before hitting the last few chapters.
I'm left feeling a little bit broken for what could have been, and what is.
Boys don't cry was the first book I read this year, and it too left me in bits.
It's safe to say I'm going to be reading everything this author writes from now on.
May 11, 2025
2.75
Started off strong, then towards the middle it went from lit fic to cliché almost-romance, then towards the very end it veered into melodrama in a way that was supposed to elicit emotion but made me roll my eyes at how pathetic the protagonist sounded. She was also pining after this person (and being enabled by everyone around her) despite not seeing him for over 20 years? Not very believable to be honest.
The ending was so unnecessary and just there for shock value.
The idea was there, I just wish this had been planned and plotted out better. What a frustrating read.
Started off strong, then towards the middle it went from lit fic to cliché almost-romance, then towards the very end it veered into melodrama in a way that was supposed to elicit emotion but made me roll my eyes at how pathetic the protagonist sounded. She was also pining after this person (and being enabled by everyone around her) despite not seeing him for over 20 years? Not very believable to be honest.
The ending was so unnecessary and just there for shock value.
The idea was there, I just wish this had been planned and plotted out better. What a frustrating read.
October 8, 2024
Sweet, sentimental and very well written
April 23, 2025
Very sad but really enjoyed this
April 1, 2025
Shauna & Dean - you’ve broken me!
A beautifully crafted, character driven read.
A solid 4.5!
A beautifully crafted, character driven read.
A solid 4.5!
July 31, 2025
irish slang is still such a headache to read for me
September 3, 2025
5- Fíona, I don’t know why I ever doubted you! This came together so beautifully and broke! my! heart!
November 8, 2025
Honestly the first straight romance I’ve been invested in.
March 30, 2025
It’s 1991 and inside her ma’s new hair salon, Shauna meets Dean for the very first time. Two teenagers, drawn together by a spark, a connection. And as the years roll by that connection remains, against all the odds that life can throw at them.
This is a story of what ifs, what could have beens and what should have beens. It’s a story that portrays those long ago teenage years so evocatively that it made my heart ache. The author captures it all; the awkwardness, the embarrassments, the joy and the despair. They’re all here, portrayed so magnificently that it’s impossible not to fall in love with these characters and share in their emotions and feel part of their lives.
Told from two alternate timelines, then and now, this is a love story spanning decades, crossing continents and encompassing friendships and families. A short book but it certainly packs such a punch.
This is a story of what ifs, what could have beens and what should have beens. It’s a story that portrays those long ago teenage years so evocatively that it made my heart ache. The author captures it all; the awkwardness, the embarrassments, the joy and the despair. They’re all here, portrayed so magnificently that it’s impossible not to fall in love with these characters and share in their emotions and feel part of their lives.
Told from two alternate timelines, then and now, this is a love story spanning decades, crossing continents and encompassing friendships and families. A short book but it certainly packs such a punch.
November 28, 2024
I wasn't a fan of Fíona Scarlett's debut Boys Don't Cry and unfortunately I'm not a fan of this either.
In 1991 Shauna and her mum move for a fresh start. Her mum opens a salon and Shauna quickly falls in with a group of kids from the area. She is instantly infatuated with one of the boys, Dean.
In the present, over the course of one day, Shauna encounters people from her past as she works in the salon.
I think my biggest issue was I found the characters to be flat and the central relationship didn't feel real. This book relies on you being emotionally invested and I was not.
A miss for me sadly.
*read via NetGalley
In 1991 Shauna and her mum move for a fresh start. Her mum opens a salon and Shauna quickly falls in with a group of kids from the area. She is instantly infatuated with one of the boys, Dean.
In the present, over the course of one day, Shauna encounters people from her past as she works in the salon.
I think my biggest issue was I found the characters to be flat and the central relationship didn't feel real. This book relies on you being emotionally invested and I was not.
A miss for me sadly.
*read via NetGalley
November 24, 2025
It’s been awhile since a book made me cry this much! Loved the characters so heart achingly realistic and infuriating characters. You know you feel close enough to them to tell them you are being so stupid but also empathetic enough to understand that you would probably do the same. That is this book and I hated it! As in I loved it so much and it felt so real that I hated how painful it was :( amazing book - going to cry myself to sleep
April 28, 2025
I wanted to like this more than I did cos I loved Boys Don't Cry so much but unfortunately this didn't hit the mark. The way it was written was confusing as some chapters had dates and some didn't which threw me off. I did get invested towards the end but definitely not so memorable
September 27, 2025
An easier read after a few heavy books. I enjoyed the first half but the second half turned quite cliché. It was no Boys Don’t Cry sadly
December 10, 2024
He’s leaning in. I’m leaning in. ‘The future is ours to make Shauns’, he says, lips almost touching.
May All Your Skies be Blue by Fíona Scarlett publishes February 13th with Faber Books and is described as ‘an unforgettable story of love, loss, regret and the indelible marks one person can make on your life.’ Having been left devasted after reading Boys Don’t Cry, Fíona’s debut from 2021, I knew that my heart was about to be put through the wringer again.
May All Your Skies be Blue explores the fragility of relationships, charting the course of lives altered by a pivotal moment in time. In 1991 Shauna Ryan and Dean Whelan meet for the very first time.
‘Standing behind her. A girl. Carved sharp edges. Well hidden behind her ma. Eyes dark. Haunted like the rest of her. Dean gave her a quick wave and a smile. She looked about, then back, the realisation the wave was hers as she lifted her hand. Tentatively. Quickly. Hiding herself even further behind; Dean wondering if he’d imagined seeing her at all.’
Shauna is new to the neighbourhood, having moved there with her mother who is opening a new hair salon. From that first glance there is a spark of something special between Dean and Shauna and she soon becomes part of his close friend group, including Pamela and Mark. As all four navigate their teenage years, we get glimpses into their personal lives and the issues that all are facing. The electricity between Dean and Shauna is ever present, pushing and pulling them across the years. Conflict and turmoil result in cracks appearing but their bond, through it all, grows and strengthens.
Now, Shauna runs the salon and over the course of a day, she converses with various clients and friends, but Shauna is not herself. She is on tenterhooks, on edge, just about holding herself together. With the chapters weaving through the course of their lives, intermittently jumping from the past to the present, we begin to get a better understanding of Dean and Shauna’s relationship and the path that it took.
With Fiona’s Scarlett trademark style, the reader is carried along on an emotional, hankie-soaked journey as we track the lives of Shauna and Dean. To say that this book has an impact is an understatement. Every turn of phrase, every single piece of dialogue is honest and so very touching. There is a unique raw beauty that sits layered under every word, every sentence. There is a truth, an authenticity that just cuts to the bone.
‘Shauna. Love. Everyone needs dreams,’ whispered back, and right there under a full moon. Suspended low and aglow. A promise is made. From me to Ma. And Ma to me.
With many cultural references from the 1990s scattered throughout, this is a story that will resonate with so many. We have all been awkward teenagers with that first love, that first blush, that first kiss. We have all experienced the highs and lows of those frenetic years when every single emotion is heightened, and every glance becomes something extraordinary and delicate.
Fíona Scarlett writes authentic prose. There is a depth and a sheer beauty that embeds itself in the heart of every reader. I read Boys Don’t Cry more than once and I know, without a doubt, that I will read May All Your Skies be Blue multiple times also. The decisions we make, the choices we select have a ripple effect on the lives we lead and on the person we become. At every moment we take a path that leads us in an unexplored direction, clueless of the outcome that’s ahead.
Dean and Shauna’s story is a contemporary one that will appeal to readers of all ages. A gifted wordsmith, with a captivating voice, Fíona Scarlett’s distinctive style offers every reader an opportunity to read a piece of literature that will leave an indelible print on your heart forever. A powerful and affecting, deeply moving novel, May All Your Skies Be Blue is another exquisite tale from this Irish author who has clearly made her mark. My recommendation – Get your pre-orders in now!
We sit on the edge of the pier. The four of us. The furthest point. The Y-shaped concrete jetties embracing us as our feet dangle over its edge. And there. Endlessly sprawled in front of us. The sea. A kaleidoscoped charcoal. And blue. And navy. White horses galloping to shore. Ours. Our eternal wildness. Huddled in. The full chill of winter not yet swallowing us whole.
May All Your Skies be Blue by Fíona Scarlett publishes February 13th with Faber Books and is described as ‘an unforgettable story of love, loss, regret and the indelible marks one person can make on your life.’ Having been left devasted after reading Boys Don’t Cry, Fíona’s debut from 2021, I knew that my heart was about to be put through the wringer again.
May All Your Skies be Blue explores the fragility of relationships, charting the course of lives altered by a pivotal moment in time. In 1991 Shauna Ryan and Dean Whelan meet for the very first time.
‘Standing behind her. A girl. Carved sharp edges. Well hidden behind her ma. Eyes dark. Haunted like the rest of her. Dean gave her a quick wave and a smile. She looked about, then back, the realisation the wave was hers as she lifted her hand. Tentatively. Quickly. Hiding herself even further behind; Dean wondering if he’d imagined seeing her at all.’
Shauna is new to the neighbourhood, having moved there with her mother who is opening a new hair salon. From that first glance there is a spark of something special between Dean and Shauna and she soon becomes part of his close friend group, including Pamela and Mark. As all four navigate their teenage years, we get glimpses into their personal lives and the issues that all are facing. The electricity between Dean and Shauna is ever present, pushing and pulling them across the years. Conflict and turmoil result in cracks appearing but their bond, through it all, grows and strengthens.
Now, Shauna runs the salon and over the course of a day, she converses with various clients and friends, but Shauna is not herself. She is on tenterhooks, on edge, just about holding herself together. With the chapters weaving through the course of their lives, intermittently jumping from the past to the present, we begin to get a better understanding of Dean and Shauna’s relationship and the path that it took.
With Fiona’s Scarlett trademark style, the reader is carried along on an emotional, hankie-soaked journey as we track the lives of Shauna and Dean. To say that this book has an impact is an understatement. Every turn of phrase, every single piece of dialogue is honest and so very touching. There is a unique raw beauty that sits layered under every word, every sentence. There is a truth, an authenticity that just cuts to the bone.
‘Shauna. Love. Everyone needs dreams,’ whispered back, and right there under a full moon. Suspended low and aglow. A promise is made. From me to Ma. And Ma to me.
With many cultural references from the 1990s scattered throughout, this is a story that will resonate with so many. We have all been awkward teenagers with that first love, that first blush, that first kiss. We have all experienced the highs and lows of those frenetic years when every single emotion is heightened, and every glance becomes something extraordinary and delicate.
Fíona Scarlett writes authentic prose. There is a depth and a sheer beauty that embeds itself in the heart of every reader. I read Boys Don’t Cry more than once and I know, without a doubt, that I will read May All Your Skies be Blue multiple times also. The decisions we make, the choices we select have a ripple effect on the lives we lead and on the person we become. At every moment we take a path that leads us in an unexplored direction, clueless of the outcome that’s ahead.
Dean and Shauna’s story is a contemporary one that will appeal to readers of all ages. A gifted wordsmith, with a captivating voice, Fíona Scarlett’s distinctive style offers every reader an opportunity to read a piece of literature that will leave an indelible print on your heart forever. A powerful and affecting, deeply moving novel, May All Your Skies Be Blue is another exquisite tale from this Irish author who has clearly made her mark. My recommendation – Get your pre-orders in now!
We sit on the edge of the pier. The four of us. The furthest point. The Y-shaped concrete jetties embracing us as our feet dangle over its edge. And there. Endlessly sprawled in front of us. The sea. A kaleidoscoped charcoal. And blue. And navy. White horses galloping to shore. Ours. Our eternal wildness. Huddled in. The full chill of winter not yet swallowing us whole.
March 26, 2025
I loved this book, Fiona Scarlett writes from her heart yet again . Every alternative chapter goes from present to past. Yet again, not a happy book but you still have a few laughs. I love her Irish idiocies .
August 17, 2025
When Shauna’s mom opens her own hair salon, Shauna doesn’t realize she’ll end up falling for Dean, a local boy. First love, first kiss — all so sweet and precious. The whole setup feels lovely: small-town life, a tight-knit community, the everyday routine turning into something special.
The problem for me was the structure and the language. The story jumps between past and present, and it’s all written in Irish street slang. For me, that made the reading experience difficult.
This book might be a little gem, but probably only for readers who can really tune into that style.
The problem for me was the structure and the language. The story jumps between past and present, and it’s all written in Irish street slang. For me, that made the reading experience difficult.
This book might be a little gem, but probably only for readers who can really tune into that style.
Read
February 13, 2025#Gifted
So many of us loved Boys don’t Cry by Irish author Fíona Scarlett, and I’m delighted to share her second novel, May All Your Skies Be Blue, available to buy from today.
This is a dual timeline story, set between 1990’s Dublin and the same area in the present day.
Dean, Pamela, and Mark welcome new kid Shauna to the neighbourhood, and they quickly become a foursome, debating wether Oasis or Blur are better, roller skating, and getting into various scrapes, as kids are known to do.
As the years pass however, Dean and Shauna become closer but they struggle to fully accept their feelings for each other. When they do seem to be on the right track, life throws obstacles in their path, and the question of “what if” plagues them both from then on.
In the present day setting, Shauna is now running her mums hair salon and is constantly reminded of not only Dean but of what life used to be like, and what it could have been.
This is a story about love, in all its forms. Romantic love, yes, but also the mother-daughter relationship is explored and in this case, it’s quite poignant as Shauna’s mother ages and becomes more unwell.
This is also a warm, deeply nostalgic read, spanning 30 years of two people’s lives.
It’s heavily imbued with Irish culture and so many 90’s references, which I loved.
I found myself getting invested in both timelines, so I was happy to jump between the two, which isn’t always the case with a book structure like this.
I think the author has a particular talent for writing emotive reads like this; while I didn’t sob like I did with Boys Don’t Cry, this is an at times somber story about regret, missed opportunities, and the sacrifices we make for those we love, so keep the tissues on standby.
Fíona Scarlett is a great writer, I’m already looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
With many thanks @faberbooks for my early copy. All opinions are my own, as always.
So many of us loved Boys don’t Cry by Irish author Fíona Scarlett, and I’m delighted to share her second novel, May All Your Skies Be Blue, available to buy from today.
This is a dual timeline story, set between 1990’s Dublin and the same area in the present day.
Dean, Pamela, and Mark welcome new kid Shauna to the neighbourhood, and they quickly become a foursome, debating wether Oasis or Blur are better, roller skating, and getting into various scrapes, as kids are known to do.
As the years pass however, Dean and Shauna become closer but they struggle to fully accept their feelings for each other. When they do seem to be on the right track, life throws obstacles in their path, and the question of “what if” plagues them both from then on.
In the present day setting, Shauna is now running her mums hair salon and is constantly reminded of not only Dean but of what life used to be like, and what it could have been.
This is a story about love, in all its forms. Romantic love, yes, but also the mother-daughter relationship is explored and in this case, it’s quite poignant as Shauna’s mother ages and becomes more unwell.
This is also a warm, deeply nostalgic read, spanning 30 years of two people’s lives.
It’s heavily imbued with Irish culture and so many 90’s references, which I loved.
I found myself getting invested in both timelines, so I was happy to jump between the two, which isn’t always the case with a book structure like this.
I think the author has a particular talent for writing emotive reads like this; while I didn’t sob like I did with Boys Don’t Cry, this is an at times somber story about regret, missed opportunities, and the sacrifices we make for those we love, so keep the tissues on standby.
Fíona Scarlett is a great writer, I’m already looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
With many thanks @faberbooks for my early copy. All opinions are my own, as always.
December 30, 2025
|#Netgalley|
I was a little reluctant to read Fíona Scarlett's "May All Your Skies Be Blue", mainly because I had seen so many people say that it was very emotional. Having previously loved (and cried over) "Boys Don't Cry" by the same author, I was nervous going in to this one.
Our main character in this novel is Shauna, who moves to The Green with her mother Maggie when Shauna is a teenager. Maggie opens a hair salon and soon becomes a hit with the local ladies, while Shauna is almost immediately drawn into a small, but tight, friend group. Mark and Pamela become her friends instantly but it's Dean who steals Shauna's heart.
Dean has trouble at home, with an older sister threatening to leave because of their parents. Dean and Shauna want to get away, but with a revelation from Maggie comes a very difficult decision for the young couple.
In the present, we join Shauna as she attempts to get through a difficult day. We go back and forth between now and then to find out what happened to the friend group, and how their lives turned out because of the paths they chose.
I loved the writing, I loved that the book wasn't overly long (240 pages or thereabouts). I really love how this author writes her characters, they're so real.
However (please don't hate me) - I didn't cry. I could see the end coming a mile off (albeit not with the big light on?!) and I found it hard to find empathy for Shauna. I felt that the people in her life were very clear with what they wanted for and from her, and she made decisions that went against that. I didn't like how she treated certain people at certain times and although her actions came from a place of love, there was still an element of martyrdom that I found hard to stomach.
I'll always love stories set in Ireland about friend groups growing up together, and this definitely was no exception. I just don't think it hit me as much as it did others, which is fine! Please don't let me put you off, because I know this has a LOT of fans. And I did enjoy it, just not as much as I hoped.
Sincere thanks to the publisher for the arc via Netgalley.
#SharonReadThis25
I was a little reluctant to read Fíona Scarlett's "May All Your Skies Be Blue", mainly because I had seen so many people say that it was very emotional. Having previously loved (and cried over) "Boys Don't Cry" by the same author, I was nervous going in to this one.
Our main character in this novel is Shauna, who moves to The Green with her mother Maggie when Shauna is a teenager. Maggie opens a hair salon and soon becomes a hit with the local ladies, while Shauna is almost immediately drawn into a small, but tight, friend group. Mark and Pamela become her friends instantly but it's Dean who steals Shauna's heart.
Dean has trouble at home, with an older sister threatening to leave because of their parents. Dean and Shauna want to get away, but with a revelation from Maggie comes a very difficult decision for the young couple.
In the present, we join Shauna as she attempts to get through a difficult day. We go back and forth between now and then to find out what happened to the friend group, and how their lives turned out because of the paths they chose.
I loved the writing, I loved that the book wasn't overly long (240 pages or thereabouts). I really love how this author writes her characters, they're so real.
However (please don't hate me) - I didn't cry. I could see the end coming a mile off (albeit not with the big light on?!) and I found it hard to find empathy for Shauna. I felt that the people in her life were very clear with what they wanted for and from her, and she made decisions that went against that. I didn't like how she treated certain people at certain times and although her actions came from a place of love, there was still an element of martyrdom that I found hard to stomach.
I'll always love stories set in Ireland about friend groups growing up together, and this definitely was no exception. I just don't think it hit me as much as it did others, which is fine! Please don't let me put you off, because I know this has a LOT of fans. And I did enjoy it, just not as much as I hoped.
Sincere thanks to the publisher for the arc via Netgalley.
#SharonReadThis25
January 28, 2025
4.5⭐️
It’s Summer in 1991 and Dean walks to the middle of The Green to get a good gawk at the new salon & at the owner’s daughter. Shauna stands well hid behind her ma , her eyes dark and haunted like the rest of her. The salon is theirs, a fresh start, with the smell of her ma's Body Shop perfume clinging to her jumper - Shauna can't be anywhere else other than here. Instantly inseparable, their friendship blooms but as time passes & tell-tale blushes & school fights develop into something deeper, conflicting responsibilities threaten to pull Shauna and Dean apart. When all seems lost, will they find each other under the same blue sky?
Well, it’s safe to say I needed the tissues, what an absolutely beautiful story that I devoured in one sitting! I am the first to admit I am a big fan of Irish fiction and this is a perfect example of exactly why.
The writing style is warm and welcoming, inviting the reader in to feel like they are part of the action, inviting you into the conversations in the homely kitchens, the dancing at the school debs and the chit chat in the hair salon, interacting with all the characters seamlessly. Switching between dual timelines is also cleverly done, building the background of the relationship between the two perfectly, the emotions emanating through.
It’s hard to say much more without giving anything away, which I really don’t want to, but just know this is a book that will leave you feeling nostalgic & sentimental for years gone by & the memories. Although I’d figured out some elements I was captivated by this book, meaning Shauna and Dean will definitely have a place in my heart for many years to come.
📚RELEASED 13 FEBRUARY📚
It’s Summer in 1991 and Dean walks to the middle of The Green to get a good gawk at the new salon & at the owner’s daughter. Shauna stands well hid behind her ma , her eyes dark and haunted like the rest of her. The salon is theirs, a fresh start, with the smell of her ma's Body Shop perfume clinging to her jumper - Shauna can't be anywhere else other than here. Instantly inseparable, their friendship blooms but as time passes & tell-tale blushes & school fights develop into something deeper, conflicting responsibilities threaten to pull Shauna and Dean apart. When all seems lost, will they find each other under the same blue sky?
Well, it’s safe to say I needed the tissues, what an absolutely beautiful story that I devoured in one sitting! I am the first to admit I am a big fan of Irish fiction and this is a perfect example of exactly why.
The writing style is warm and welcoming, inviting the reader in to feel like they are part of the action, inviting you into the conversations in the homely kitchens, the dancing at the school debs and the chit chat in the hair salon, interacting with all the characters seamlessly. Switching between dual timelines is also cleverly done, building the background of the relationship between the two perfectly, the emotions emanating through.
It’s hard to say much more without giving anything away, which I really don’t want to, but just know this is a book that will leave you feeling nostalgic & sentimental for years gone by & the memories. Although I’d figured out some elements I was captivated by this book, meaning Shauna and Dean will definitely have a place in my heart for many years to come.
📚RELEASED 13 FEBRUARY📚
August 7, 2025
It’s interesting how sometimes the books you think you’re going to absolutely love, end up being the ones…. you don’t.
The plot, setting, writing - pretty much everything, all seemed a BIT OF ME. Young romance, Ireland, familial relationships, coming of age, dual timelines… this is a book I’d typically eat up! It could have been the fact that I was busy when I read it and not completely absorbed but I was pretty unmoved by this book, even towards the end (which I saw coming and therefore didn’t find that interesting).
I actually think this could be a me problem tbh because the book has raving reviews soooo take what I say with a grain of salt. I did love the Irish slang, the setting and the relationship between the main character and her mother.
The plot, setting, writing - pretty much everything, all seemed a BIT OF ME. Young romance, Ireland, familial relationships, coming of age, dual timelines… this is a book I’d typically eat up! It could have been the fact that I was busy when I read it and not completely absorbed but I was pretty unmoved by this book, even towards the end (which I saw coming and therefore didn’t find that interesting).
I actually think this could be a me problem tbh because the book has raving reviews soooo take what I say with a grain of salt. I did love the Irish slang, the setting and the relationship between the main character and her mother.
May 29, 2025
4,25⭐
At first, this wasn’t an easy read - especially as a non-native english speaker - because of all the irish slang 😅 But I got used to it (not gonna lie, had to google some words 🤭), and honestly, it added so much charm and atmosphere to the story.
I ended up absolutely loving this book. The final chapter had me full-on sobbing 😭
As a '90s kid, I also had a blast spotting all the references - it brought back memories.
Sad but beautiful 🫶🏻
At first, this wasn’t an easy read - especially as a non-native english speaker - because of all the irish slang 😅 But I got used to it (not gonna lie, had to google some words 🤭), and honestly, it added so much charm and atmosphere to the story.
I ended up absolutely loving this book. The final chapter had me full-on sobbing 😭
As a '90s kid, I also had a blast spotting all the references - it brought back memories.
Sad but beautiful 🫶🏻
September 13, 2025
Thank you Faber and Faber and NetGalley for an advanced copy of May All Your Skies Be Blue by Fíona Scarlett.
Fíona’s debut Boy’s Don’t Cry, is one of my favourite reads this year, so I couldn’t wait to read May All Your Skies Be Blue and I will continue to read everything she ever writes.
Heart wrenching and a story close to home, this one made me tear up.
Fíona writes different characters so well and explores difficult relationships in ways most people will be able to relate to in some way.
A five star read for me.
Fíona’s debut Boy’s Don’t Cry, is one of my favourite reads this year, so I couldn’t wait to read May All Your Skies Be Blue and I will continue to read everything she ever writes.
Heart wrenching and a story close to home, this one made me tear up.
Fíona writes different characters so well and explores difficult relationships in ways most people will be able to relate to in some way.
A five star read for me.
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