Late Learner

by Ciara Geraghty

‘A superb writer… the Irish Jojo Moyes. Her books are beautifully written, and infused with warmth, humour and human understanding' Irish Examiner

'An evocative, thought provoking, poignant, and often hilarious read. A terrific book by a superb writer at the top of her game. I loved it' Patricia Scanlan

Better late than never …

Ronda McCann lives a quiet, careful life. She cycles back and forth to her job at the local care home and plays chess with a robot in the evenings. At forty-four years old, she is perfectly okay with that.

But Ronda has a secret.

In her daydreams she’s fearless – brave, bold and impossible to ignore.

So when her comfortable little world suddenly starts to crumble, Ronda has a choice to make.

Keep playing it safe on the sidelines? Or finally step into being the person she’s always imagined herself to be?

Audible Audio

Published August 14, 2025

About the author

Ciara Geraghty is an Irish bestselling author. She lives in Dublin with one husband and three children.

Reviews

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Bee was one of my top reads of 2023, so I quickly downloaded the audiobook of Geraghty's latest.

Forty-four-year-old Ronda McCann lives a simple life, working as a caregiver in an old people's home and caring for her hypochondriac mother. She never married and hasn't had a relationship in many years. She's fine with it. Right? Ronda is risk-averse and dislikes confrontation, but life is just passing her by.

She can't drive, so she rides her bike to work and to other places. She's only had a couple of accidents, so why learn to drive?

Little and bigger events prompt Ronda to make some changes and take some risks.

I ploughed through this audiobook. It was comforting and enjoyable, in a realistic kind of way.
While this didn't make me cackle like Queen Bee, I nevertheless enjoyed my time spent listening to the dulcet Irish tones of Aoife McMahon while witnessing Ronda's mid-life blooming.

[Lindsey Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was such a heartfelt, uplifting, and emotional read. The story centres on Ronda, a 44-year-old care assistant who put her dream of becoming a nurse behind her after a difficult breakup forced her to move back home and rethink her future.

Ronda works in Green Gables Nursing Home which was full of charming and memorable characters. From the residents to Ronda’s colleagues, every character added warmth and personality to the story, making it easy to become invested in their lives. As Ronda’s mum begins considering a move into her sister Margo’s granny annex, Ronda realises she’s going to need to make some changes to her life.

I really connected with the characters and found myself cheering them on throughout. The story balances humour and heartwarming moments beautifully, while also including some genuinely emotional scenes that added depth and realism. Overall, this was a touching and feel-good read with plenty of heart, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting story with meaningful themes.

I read this as a tandem read with the ebook arc and the audiobook. The narration by Aoife McMahon was excellent with great regional accents from Dublin to Northern Ireland which added depth to an already great book.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ‘Late Learner’ by Ciara Geraghty, due to be published on 7 May 2026 by Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction.

Our main character is Ronda, a 44 year old care assistant who gave up on her ambition to be a nurse when her relationship ended and she had to move back home.

Her life at Green Gables Nursing Home is surrounded by many supporting characters, from the wonderful residents to her colleagues.

When Ronda’s mum says she’s thinking of moving to her daughter Margo’s annex, Ronda had to decide what to do - get her own place or learn to drive so her mum stays at home.

This was a warm hearted, emotional, amusing and moving story with really well developed characters.  You instantly warm to the characters, wanting the best outcomes.  There are some tear jerker moments, that add another layer of depth to the storyline. I really enjoyed it, and would recommended for a light hearted read. 

[nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book. i might only be 25, but i related to ronda so much so and it’s another year of me saying i’ll get licence and i honestly feel inspired to finally do that

[Harrison Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a high three stars, not a low three stars. Three and a half if you will. The story here is very sweet, with lots of fleshed out characters and interesting turns of events to keep things plodding along. It doesn’t do anything groundbreaking in terms of how it’s written (the device of Ronda imagining herself saying something brave but then snapping back to reality got a bit tedious. luckily it didn’t last forever), but it’s a very pleasant read. I always looked forward to coming back to it and found myself trying to squeeze in another few pages.

My main criticism is I wish it had ended one chapter before it did. You know how some books heavily imply something is going to be resolved in the ending, but don’t go so far as to show it happening, and that makes it all the more poignant? I thought that might happen with this book, but then the author seemed to tack on three more chapters at the end to really hammer in every single last point they could and tie things together with not an iota of intrigue left. The two chapters before, okay, but the final final final chapter really just felt like overegging the already overegged pudding.

Still though, I enjoyed this overall and would recommend it for an easy, plot-driven read.

[Agi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started really good and ended in the most impressive way - I adored the end. However, the in - between gave me headaches.
Don't get me wrong. I loved Ronda and her family, especially the quirky and taking no prisoners Margo. And I get it was a very character - driver story, it was all about the character development and less about events and actions, but something happening, please? Just a little something...? I kept reading, because I felt obliged to finish this book and well, altogether it was really not bad, filled with some so important messages and lessons and yes, OK, there were some things happening, but it all felt so flat somehow... The many, many characters - they were all brilliantly written, all with their onw backside stories and personalities, but it was so much.
Nevertheless, as I said, the end, even if it was rather on the short side, saved this story for me and left me with my heart swelling with pride for Ronda and hope for all other involved. Sometimes it's better to wait, instead of doing something just so - hence the "Late Learner". This story was filled with emotions, all kinds of them and was easy to read and it has many layers and is full of insight.
So it's really strong 3 stars. 3,5 actually.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! These days it is very rare to find a book with characters so distinct and compelling that they can reduce you to tears as well as make you laugh with delight. Ronda is 44 and a care assistant at Green Gables, a care facility in Dublin. Still living at home with her widowed, hypochondriac mother, Ronda has essentially given up on life. Very bright, but emotionally scarred, Ronda leads a very small life. Days are filled at Green Gables with a miserly, unappreciative boss, and a colorful cast of staff and residents.
Due to possible changes in circumstances, Ronda needs to learn to drive, and who better to teach her, than her super attractive, super successful, super everything younger sister, Margo. Tragedy, comedy, this becomes a bumpy ride in more ways than one.
Contrary to what you may think, this is not a depressing read, it is clever, funny, and full of insight. Ronda is a character to treasure. It was a real pleasure to read this book, and I will remember it fondly, for a long time.

[Dawn Thoma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be such a warm, emotional and uplifting read. The story follows Ronda, a 44-year-old care assistant who gave up on her dream of becoming a nurse after her relationship ended and she had to move back home.

Set around Green Gables Nursing Home, the book is filled with lovely characters, from the residents to Ronda’s coworkers, who all brought something special to the story. When Ronda’s mum starts talking about moving into her sister Margo’s annex, Ronda is faced with a big decision about her own future.

The characters were so well written and easy to connect with, and I found myself really rooting for them throughout. There were definitely a few emotional moments mixed in with the humour and heartwarming scenes, which gave the story even more depth. Overall, it was a touching and feel-good read that I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for something light-hearted but meaningful.

[adela🕯️🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

📱omg i loved this!!! i picked this up initially because i have severe driving anxiety and wanted something to read to make me feel seen, however this book really swept me away from the real world and into the world of ronda. i loved watching her character develop throughout as well as those around her. i can always tell a book is well written when something joyful/ tragic happens and it genuinely impacts my feelings!!

i’m so blue to be saying goodbye to ronda, margo, fatima and all the residents of green gables, especially ms. gallagher. I didn’t want the book to end!

I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you are looking for some light humour and relatable characters.

“The Kube” had be laughing out loud- if ykyk🤣

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Ronda who likes to daydream. Everything starts to change for her, starting with her mum wanting to sell the house, learning to drive and Donal the solicitor. A great read, I would have like more of an epilogue though!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written. Love all the care home characters brings tears to your eyes a few times but ultimately heartwarming. Really lovely.

[Lisa Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

[Mariella Venrooy]

DNF