All Our Missing Pieces

by Sophie Ranald

One house. Four strangers. A secret that changes everything.

When Orla Clifford inherits her grandmother’s crumbling Georgian house on Damask Square, she sees a chance to rebuild her life while restoring its faded grandeur. But beneath its peeling wallpaper and weathered floors, the house holds more than just memories.

To make ends meet, she takes in Luke, a handyman with artistic dreams; compassionate Livvie; and Beatrice – young, privileged and haunted by the question of her own past.

As Orla pours her heart into her morning journal, Beatrice searches through the house’s hidden corners, coming dangerously close to uncovering what Orla has spent decades concealing. What will happen when the secret Orla has carried for twenty years finally comes to light? Will it destroy the fragile bonds forming beneath this roof – or become the missing piece they’ve all been searching for?

A deeply moving story about the families we find, the secrets we keep and the healing power of forgiveness. All Our Missing Pieces is a must-read for fans of Jojo Moyes, Sally Page and David Nicholls.

Reader what people are saying about All Our Missing Pieces:

‘WHAT A READ!!! Loveable characters with twists and turns at every corner. I never predicted the final twist! A book I couldn't put down!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The story was told so beautifully and still has me waiting for more.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book was everything I needed and more. It hit every spot of what you wish for in books like this. I adored it. I was there or wanted to be there under that roof. The themes, the plot and the pacing were all perfect. I cherished this book so much and didn’t want to stop reading until the very last page.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Sophie Ranald blew me away with this one.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A wonderful read! This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. I will recommend it to everyone I know!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Readers love Sophie Ranald’s

‘LOVED LOVED LOVED. Everything about this story was wonderfully written. I was literally living the story. The characters were 100% believable. More please Sophie Ranald. Did I say I loved it?’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in a matter of hours! The perfect Saturday-night read which I found impossible to put down… I literally laughed out loud.’ Book Lover, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘SIMPLY BRILLIANT… I finished the book at 3:40 am and I was so happy that I lost my hours of sleep over this book. One of my great midnight reads.’ Book Reviews by Shalini, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A delightful romantic comedy that I literally couldn’t put down. The characters made me laugh and cry.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2025

About the author

Sophie Ranald is the youngest of five sisters. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived in South Africa until an acute case of itchy feet brought her to London in her mid-20s.

As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she’d never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. After one false start, It Would Be Wrong to Steal My Sister’s Boyfriend (Wouldn’t It?) seemed to write itself.

Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat.

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 2 out of 5]

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The Book Review Crew Blog

When Orla inherits an old house from her grandmother, she ends up living there with three other people—Beatrice the American, Luke the handyman and Livvie who wants a new start. The point of view changes with each chapter, without notice, I might add, so it was confusing because you don't know what character you're reading about. It was hard to get into the book; usually, different points of view let me get into the characters' heads, but I had a really hard time connecting with any of them. It was hard to find their unique voices.

Then there was the erratic storyline. The plot was formulaic. I was ticking off all the tropes used in my head as I read along. This story is about friendship, healing and starting over, which I appreciated, but I lost interest halfway through. I didn't care what happened to these people. This is supposed to be a heartwarming story, and I didn't find it that way at all. It was boring and predictable.

This is a very character-driven tale, but the characters are underdeveloped, and there isn't enough emotional depth for my liking. I did like the fact that this book shows that you can have a family without being blood-related. The ending felt very rushed and unfinished. Like the title, there were missing pieces.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️

All Our Missing Pieces by Sophie Ranald
Publication date: 29th May 2025

Emotional rollercoaster reads will always be a bit of me and THIS BOOK is the newest example! To be completely honest at first I didn't feel connected to the story but as the events unfolded I couldn't stop till I got to the end! This book is a reminder that family can be found and that secrets will always chip away at your soul no matter how well you think you've "put it in the past" but above all forgiveness is the most graceful thing we as humans can offer each other...❤️‍🩹

Plot Summary

When Orla inherits her grandmother’s old townhouse on Damask Square, she sees it as a chance to finally rebuild her life. The place is full of memories and in need of serious work, but Orla opens her doors to new lodgers—hoping for a bit of company and financial help; among them is Beatrice, a mysterious woman carrying secrets of her own. As the women settle in, the house begins to take on a life of its own—full of warmth, shared moments, and the slow reveal of truths that have long been buried. But Orla is also hiding something, and as her walls start to come down, the past may be harder to escape than she expected.

Tropes / What to expect

▪︎ Dual timeline ( Past and present)
▪︎ Women's fiction with a dash of mystery
▪︎ Found family
▪︎ Secrets

Thanks Storm publishing and NetGalley for the ARC

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A contemporary fiction tale, about four strangers who end up living in one house, and the unravelling of the secrets that change their lives. Told through dual-timeline and from multiple perspectives.

This story gently explores the silence, secrecy and shame that leads to life-changing choices, as well as the hope for forgiveness and second chances. The characters felt realistic, particularly Beatrice's search for belonging, and Orla's search for self-acceptance.

The final chapter offered an unexpected twist.

3.5 stars

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four strangers will converge on a house and nothing will ever be the same for them.

All Our Missing Pieces is a lovely reminder that some families are found. It also reminds us that secrets can fester and eat away at the soul.

Orlo Clifford is a well fleshed out character and I think everyone will identify with her on some level.

A great book that makes you think, pricks your heartstrings and leaves you feeling whole.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read prior to it's May 2025 release.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read that looks at the dynamics of four strangers who all end up living together. Orla inherits a dilapidated house in London and to help pay for the renovations she takes in lodgers. There is Luke who is doing most of the renovations, Livvie who needed to get out of her current housing situation and American Beatrice. Beatrice is the one who from the start that I struggled to take to but as the story developed I warmed to her. There are secrets and questions to be hidden, uncovered and answered throughout this. Although I enjoyed this I did struggle at the beginning to work out which character was talking. One thing I did like was the length of the chapters, and once I got to grips with who was ‘talking’ , the way the story developed. An interesting look at human nature and lengths people go to to uncover the truth about their pasts

[Mishael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending. This book loses a star for the ending and a star for the fact that the characters, so much of the time, are basically unlikable.

But that ending!

“The secrets continue….”

Just, no!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at people and what lengths they will go to in order to preserve their heritage--in this case a house! Young Beatrice is going to Clonmara to nanny for a family with two young children. She stays in an ancient house run by Orla and she recognizes it from her childhood. And because she was adopted, she is now eager to find her birth. parents as well. The novel reveals many different characters, all with their own reasons for living there and we see them argue, make-up, and "sometimes" find what they need!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Agnieszka Kruczynska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mooi boek, het main verhaal was best voorspelbaar maar veel dingen ook weer niet. Het was makkelijk om mee te leven met de karakters en het liet zien dat het leven gecompliceerd is.

[Damla · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Our Missing Pieces follows the intertwined lives of four strangers brought together by chance and circumstance. Orla, who has inherited her grandmother’s house in London, is trying to renovate it while also rebuilding her own life after personal upheaval. She decides to rent out rooms in the house to three tenants: Luke, Beatrice, and Livvie.

Luke is a handyman with aspirations of becoming an artist, and he begins helping Orla with the renovation work. Beatrice is an American woman who was adopted from Ireland. While working as a nanny for a wealthy family, she is also on a personal mission to find her birth mother. Livvie, meanwhile, is recovering from a difficult living situation and is simply looking for a place to start fresh. Each of these characters carries emotional baggage, and the novel unfolds through the alternating perspectives of the three women: Orla, Beatrice, and Livvie. As they navigate their personal struggles and slowly form connections.

The beginning of the book felt a bit confusing. I didn’t immediately realize that the point of view changes with each chapter, which made it hard to follow at first. After rereading the book’s description, things started to make more sense, and the story flowed better from that point on.

While the novel offers a heartwarming narrative with thoughtful moments about healing, friendship, and starting over, I didn’t feel fully engaged. The characters had potential, but I found it difficult to connect with them deeply. That said, the premise is compelling, and I appreciated the focus on how strangers can become a kind of chosen family when given the space and time to open up.

It’s not a bad book by any means, it’s gentle and reflective in tone, but I expected a bit more emotional depth or complexity. Still, for readers who enjoy character-driven stories about rebuilding life and finding connection in unexpected places, this could be a comforting read.

I received this copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

[Chloe - Lolos.literary.nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

- 5/5 Stars 🌸
- 1/5 Fade to black 🌶️
- Content: Adoption
- Dual timeline, multi POV, found family, family secrets
- “Only I hold the answer, the truth. And I do not know what I will do with it.”

🌸 My brain was constantly working while reading this one, just the way I like it. There were hidden secrets just waiting to be found, and they appeared at some of the most unexpected moments. I loved catching all the tidbits of info and piecing them together along the way.

The four main characters had such beautiful growth and development along the way. I fell in love with all of them in one way or another. I laughed with them and also hurt with them (especially the bomb drop in Ch. 55 🤯). The relationships between all of the four MC’s grew and developed and changed drastically throughout, which gave such insight into who these people are. Each one had such unique stories and they all complemented each other in ways I never expected.

I found myself going back after reading certain chapters to previous ones to make sure I was actually piecing it all together properly, and that’s the best to me, when I always want more. I didn't expect it to end on SUCH a cliffhanger, but it definitely has me wanting another book to continue their stories, but in another sense, it ended just as it should.

If you like secrets, trying to figure them out before its over, as well as some wonderful character development, this is 100% for you.

🌶️ Very tame here 🤗only light inference of certain themes!

This book was absolutely wonderful, it was my first from Sophie Ranald, and I am so very impressed. The story was told so beautifully and still has me waiting for more. She has become an auto-buy author for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book!

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Ranald’s All Our Missing Pieces is a heartfelt and twisty exploration of found family, buried secrets, and the unexpected bonds that form when four strangers are brought together under one roof.

When Orla inherits her grandmother’s crumbling London home, she decides to renovate it—but she can’t do it alone. Enter Luke, the handyman with heartbreak of his own; Livvie, desperate to escape a toxic living situation; and Beatrice, a privileged but searching young woman determined to uncover the truth about her past. What begins as a pragmatic arrangement quickly unravels into something deeper, as each character’s hidden pain and personal quest come to light.

Ranald balances warmth and tension beautifully—there are laugh-out-loud moments, quiet heartbreaks, and shocking reveals (yes, the kind that make you flip back pages to connect the dots). The shifting dynamics between the four feel authentic, messy, and ultimately uplifting, making this both a mystery and an emotional journey.

While the pacing lingers at times, the layered character development and the gradual unveiling of long-kept secrets kept me hooked. By the final chapters, the threads of loss, healing, and chosen family come together in a way that feels both satisfying and poignant.

If you love character-driven stories with mystery woven through, where the house itself almost feels like another character, All Our Missing Pieces is a tender, twisty, and rewarding read.

[Mary Polzella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orla Clifford inherits an old house from her grandmother and it becomes a labour of love for her to restore the crumbling house to what it once was. To help with the cost of renovations, Orla takes in Luke, a handyman who will help with the renovations to cover his living costs, and two additional borders, Livvie and Beatrice. Beatrice is a complex young woman who is searching for the answers to her past, Luke dreams of becoming an artist and Livvie is a soft and compassionate soul. Orla has her own secrets too which she pens into her diary every day. Slowly, comfortable relationships develop between them all as they go about their lives, all looking for something they are missing.

I felt the story was a little confusing when all the characters were being introduced in the first part of the book because it was a little difficult to understand which character was speaking, however it was worth persisting with as it's quite a moving read. The interactions and relationships forged between the characters are heartwarming and the twists revealed towards the end of the story provide some satisfying answers. This is a character-driven story about a group of strangers who come together for different reasons and who are ultimately searching for connection .

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Margaret Ennen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book, and I think these characters and this storyline had some real potential! Unfortunately, the story as a whole did not work for me. I was most thrown off by the structure of the book: each chapter rotates through the perspective of 3 out of the 4 main characters (we never get one character's point of view, which I was curious about and would've added something quite interesting to this story), but the chapters aren't labeled with the characters' names, so you have to figure it out from context clues or from the constantly changing POV. One character's story was told through 3rd person POV, one through 1st person, and one was 1st person but through journal entries, and this was quite difficult to follow. I enjoyed the British setting, and there were a few humorous moments between these characters/roommates. Overall, I felt disconnected from the bland and often unlikeable characters and confused by the disjointed plot and narrative structure. I would consider reading something else by this author to see if her other books are more my style, since many other reviewers say this is quite different from her 15+ other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read an ARC of this title.

[janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told through dual timelines and multiple POVs, this is a tale of four strangers living under one roof, each with their own pasts and secrets.

Orla inherits her grandmother's old townhouse on Damask Square. In desperate need of repair and tlc, Orla decides this is the perfect place to start again but needs some help both physically and financially so takes in lodgers that are willing to help rebuild the home in exchange for cheap rent.

Livvie just wants to be accepted and to belong somewhere, and she finds that in Orla.

Luke is very handy when it comes to DIY but is chasing his dream of being an aspiring artist.

Beatrice is over from America to work as a nanny for a wealthy family but is also searching for something.

The POV does change with each chapter, but we're not told who's POV is in place so it can be a little confusing at times as you have to quickly work it out yourself.

I'd have liked a bit more depth to the characters, especially Orla. There wasn't much emotion portrayed, so it was hard to fully connect with any of them.

A character driven storyline that shows that family doesn’t have to be by blood, it can be those we choose.

Thanks to the Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sophie Ranald has sixteen books to her credit. I found that bit of information puzzling given the erratic storyline in this latest book. I struggled to finish it with all the digressions, uninteresting plot points and characters I couldn’t care about.

Basically, four characters are in search of something. Orla, the mature character in the book has just inherited a ramshackle house in London from her grandmother and is renting it to the three other characters that comprise the story. She is maternal but odd in how she runs her rental. Livvie, is a young woman who comes there after an experience with bad roommates. Luke has just broken up with his girlfriend and is both living in and rehabbing the house. Beatrice is an American girl, quite spoiled, who has come to find her Irish birth mother. She is extremely uneven and unlikeable.

I was committed to finishing it but although my expectations were low, I was surprised by the preposterous ending.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced reading copy and provide honest feedback.


.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Initially I would say that I didn’t like this book, but as I read it I did get into the story and became more curious about how it was going to come together and end, I am glad that I finished this book. This story focuses on four characters and their interactions as roommates. Orla inherits a dilapidated home in England and takes on boarders to help with the renovation costs. Luke is the “ handyman” artist who is doing the work with free room and board, Livvie , a local resident needed to move out of her previous residence due to conflicts with fellow roommates, and Beatrice an American is on a type of “ sabbatical “ paid in part by her parents. Each of these people have a “ story and history “ that ultimately comes out as the story progresses, with conflicts and friendships and a few other interesting inactions thrown in. I ultimately liked parts of this book but my major complaint is that at times I did not know what character was speaking at the beginning of each chapter and also I am curious will there be a sequel, some things were left hanging at the end of the story.

[Ali Bunke · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Our Missing Pieces by Sophie Ranald is an engaging piece of women’s fiction that explores relationships in all their complexities. The story captures a wide spectrum of love and conflict, with themes of holding on, letting go, and how perspective shapes our experiences.
The narrative revolves around four intriguing characters: Orla Clifford, who inherits a charming but dilapidated house in Damask Square; Luke, a handyman trading renovations for a place to live; Livvie, a sweet and likeable young woman; and Beatrice, a privileged but flawed individual searching for her birth mother. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, weaving together past and present in a way that highlights the damage secrets can cause and the power of forgiveness.
I found the story touching and, at times, deeply emotional. While the ending felt a bit unfinished and left me with lingering questions, it also resonated with the authenticity of real life, where not everything ties up neatly. A thought-provoking read overall!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable read, set in a house in London. Orla has inherited a house, but it needs a lot of renovation. She takes in two lodgers and is then joined by a third. All seem to have complicated lives, Beatrice is adopted and looking for her birthmother, Luke has recently split up from a girlfriend with whom he shareda flat and Livvie has problems with her parents and in a flatshare. The book documents their lives as they live together and is told from 3 points of view. I spent the first few chapters trying to sort out who the narrator was at that time and it changed mid-chapter, though that became easier to distinguish as the book progressed. I did not really feel that all the characters were fleshed out either. Luke was too two-dimensional for me and Beatrice seemed to undergo a personality transplant .Orla is fairly mysterious, there is a secret which is revealed during the book and exchanged for another. I suppose feelings are fairly well described but I am not sure about some of the reasoning.
I thought the book got better as it progressed and I started to enjoy it more too. A good holiday read, though there is a more serious side to it.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

[What_Ash_Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a group of random people, who all come to live in the same house and the secrets they keep for a variety of reasons. A sucker for found family, I expected to like this book much more than I did, but, while it did improve, I could never quite forgive this book for all the confusion it cause in the beginning and all the work I mentally had to do to read it. It’s multi-POV and dual-timeline. One of the timelines is labeled, but the other is not, so instead of just being able to enjoy the story, I was doing mental gymnastics trying to figure out when in time the 2nd timeline existed. Is it before or after the labeled one. The narrators are also not listed in the chapter header so every chapter you have to figure out all over again whose POV you’re in. It was exhausting and I put the book down over and over because I just didn’t want to do it anymore. I did persevere, and it did get easier to distinguish, but in the end, if I wasn’t reading this to provide an ARC review, I definitely would have DNF’d this book, and almost never DNF a book. I do thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an e-ARC provided to me in return for an honest review.

[Erin Sparkes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Orla inherits her grandmothers house. Old and dilapidated it’s going to take time and money she doesn’t have to fix it up. Luke needs a place to live and a job, Orla offers him both to help get her house fixed. Livvie’s roommates have made her living situation unbearable but a room at Orla’s could be her salvation. Beatrice has come to the London to learn about her past, and her searching has lead her to Orla as well. Four broken people in a broken house trying to figure out their next steps.
I did enjoy this book until maybe around the halfway mark. It felt like it dragged out parts of the story too long and I don’t feel like the ending had a payoff that made it worth it. I don’t know if this is intending to be a series, I can’t see any information on if it will be. But as is it feels like an incomplete story, and even if there was a second I don’t know if I am attached enough to the characters to seek it out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Books for letting me have an advanced copy of All Our Missing Pieces for review.

[Kelly Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Our Missing Pieces by Sophie Ranald Is a complex story of the intersecting of four different people as they come together in a rental house in London, England. They each hold their own secrets, and as those secrets slowly become clear, relationships grow and change. Friendships and romances are developed, familial feelings grow strong, misunderstandings abound, and characters mature and learn as the book progresses.
I found the constantly changing of point of view from one resident to the next, sometimes with no indication of which one is speaking, to be confusing and frustrating. Aside from that, the book is well-written and the characters are intriguing and relatable.
Thank you to #StormPublishing for inviting me to read and ARC of #AllOurMissingPieces, and to #NetGalley for providing it.

[Pynkbyrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is new to me and I found I did like the book for the most part, especially since it didn't end exactly the way I thought it would. However, there were parts of the book I had issues with, like undeveloped characters and some events just seemed a little preposterous. The author did leave room for a follow-up, but I don't know that the plotline would sustain another whole book.

One thing that makes the story a little difficult is that the chapters are told by the three females' points of views and it's not immediately clear whose voice it is. Also, when a character is thinking or relaying a conversation, it isn't illustrated by italics or punctuation and this is such a pet peeve of mine.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review a digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine and freely given.

This is a 3.5 star book for me.

[LP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I liked the first half much better than the second; I lost interest pretty much at the halfway point. I didn't connect with any of the characters, although I did like Livvie and how she grew to stand up for herself. I found the beginnings of the chapters confusing - I couldn't tell which character's POV it was until a few paragraphs in, and then sometimes went back to the top of the chapter to re-read. I didn't like the abrupt ending with no resolution to what happened to them all. I mean, this wasn't horrible, I wouldn't recommend it, but I can see how others might like it more.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Orla Clifford inherits her grandmother's crumbling house on Damask Square, she sees a chance to rebuild her life while restoring the potentially beautiful house. Orla takes in three lodgers to make ends meet. But one of them, Beatrice, is looking for a secret in the house. Will Orla’s secret be exposed?
What wonderful characters and a wonderful story! Luke, Livvie, Beatrice, and Orla have a fabulous, yet complicated relationship. This heartwarming story was an emotional roller coaster that had me wanting more when it was over. This was a new-to-me author, and I loved her writing and will want to read more from her in the future!

[Patricia Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about secrets, love and loss. About life really. I found the story a little predictable and guessed the ending way before it was revealed although this didn't detract from my enjoyment. I didn't understand why the story was set in 2005/6 unless this was to catch the outer limits of the forced adoptions in Ireland. Even so I did think this plot was a little contrived. There also seemed to be a never ending supply of money to refurbish Orla's house and only one man doing the work. Still it is fiction! On the whole an enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Nicola Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing story of one girl's search for her birth mother, when all she really knows is the name of a house in Ireland. Even though she has little to go on, we follow her search through the ups and downs. Livvie and Luke are strangers who move in to Orla's dilapidated house and help to restore it to its former glory and the relationship they develop with Orla is very special, which leaves the third lodger Beatrice jealous and feeling excluded. The characters are very likeable, even Beatrice as she grows more vulnerable and begins to enjoy her new life. I know it's unlikely but I'd love a sequel to this book- can't say any more without spoilers!
Thanks NetGalley and Storm for the ARC.

[Frances Wilkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing

I am a fan of this author and was looking forward to reading her latest book, however, from the outset I found it a struggle to keep reading. The opening chapter had no heading but the second was headed March 2005 and had a different narrator, initially, I assumed we had gone back in time, but no we hadn’t, it wasn’t clear why the book had been set in 2005, though that may have been explained later in the book. More characters were added but everything felt so vague, as though this was trying to draw the reader in with hints but it didn’t work for me. I persevered for a few more chapters and then gave up. Sorry.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks @netgalley , the author & publisher for the ARC.

This book is about 4 people, who are strangers who end up living together and the secrets that change their lives. I started off enjoying it, but then by the second half, it just felt like it was being dragged out.
It's a dual storyline from multiple perspectives, which for me I just found a bit too much to keep up with, as well as a bit strange that some chapters were 3rd person, some were 1st person. It all felt a bit haphazard/disjointed, which having read this author before, I know her writing not to be. Had this not been an ARC, I personally think I would've DNF'd it and maybe gone back to it at a much later date.

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orla inherits her grandmothers house and needs to renovate, but leases rooms within. Beatrice one of the girls is a nanny and is going on her journey to find her birth mother. It’s an exciting read, but didn’t like Beatrice’s attitude towards her birth mother when she found her. I found her rude. Woman needed to adopt children in Ireland for various reasons and her birth was one of them. Did like the ending though. A good 3.5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely rate a book so poorly. I know authors put their heart and soul into them. However, this book felt somewhat erratic in its presentation. I was never sure which of the three female characters was narrating. There are four main characters, Orla, Beatrice, Livvie and Luke. The story of Beatrice, who is searching for her birth mother, is the only one we really see a conclusion for. Luke gets close to the end of the book, and is forgotten about. Orla has a juicy twist in her tale and has an abrupt finish. I can only assume there will be a follow-up to this book.