A Beautiful Loan

by Mary Costello

A young woman finds herself in and out of love in this intimate, intense novel from “a truly startling talent” (Kevin Barry).

In 1985 Dublin, nineteen-year-old Anna Hughes is in thrall to Peter Gallagher, an older, worldly man. Introverted and naive, Anna is captivated by Peter’s experience, his wide circle of friends and his thirst for adventure. Her obsessive longing for him leads to marriage and, eventually, a crushing betrayal.

When Anna meets a kindhearted Algerian man, she finds herself falling in love with him. Life with Karim offers stability and renewed hope and, slowly, Anna begins to uncover deeper layers of herself.

Unfolding over twenty-five years, this is a novel about the loss of innocence, the shame and humiliations of love, and the psychological cost of seeking salvation in others. A Beautiful Loan is a devastating story about what it means to be a woman, as well as a testament to literature’s ability to give us a language when we’re lost for words.

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Mary Costello lives in Dublin. Her collection of short stories, The China Factory, was nominated for the Guardian First Book Award. Academy Street is her first novel.

Reviews

[Eliza Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great and gut wrenching chronicle of a woman whose meekness allows the men around her to control her life since she was very young. A testament to the beauty and solitude of finding oneself over the years, it reads more like a diary than a novel and is bare in its contemplative nature. A philosophical through line guides the reader’s emotional journey alongside narrator Anna’s, adding depth and intellect. Like a polished, grown up, and more desolate rendition of Sally Rooney’s Normal People.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a stunning novel! I was fascinated at Anna’s life and the decades as they went by. From her first marriage and the chaos and heartbreak of it, to her love for her dog, and her interest in becoming a Muslim, there is so much to take in. As she finds who she really is, I felt the emotions she felt - grief, fear, longing, love, confusion. I already miss her since I’ve finished the book. It was truly as if I walked in her shoes as she narrates her life story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Margot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mary Costello has a great way with words and some passages are really poetic. But…..I grow weary of novels about spineless woman who float through life. This story has been told a few times too many. Perhaps it would appeal more to younger readers not ones in their sixties.

[Daisy H · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s no denying that it’s beautifully written, but I’ve decided that I have no interest in books about women who stay in awful relationships without the reader getting even a hint of an explanation as to why.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Beautiful Loan by Mary Costello will be published March 2026 2.75 stars from me. I received a free prepublication copy from the publisher, and wish I could be enthusiastic, but I can’t. I liked the writing; the author does a good job of bringing the reader in. I was so frustrated with the main character, though, that I wanted to slap her. Dublin, 1985, Anna falls in lust with Peter, an older man who disappears for weeks and weekends on high adventure trips. She never knows when she is going to see him again, and over and over refuses to question where he is going, and with whom. No one in her family likes him, nor her friends, his friends are rude to her (HELLO? GET A CLUE?) This goes on for years. Her next relationship is with a (originally) kindhearted Muslim man, Karim, who she keeps secret from her family and friends because of his religion and prevailing anti-Muslim sentiments. He eventually presses her to convert, and becomes controlling about where she goes, who she sees, what she wears, guilting her about her Irish Catholic belief system. A through line in the book is her beloved dog, who Karim forces to sleep outside in the cold. I was hoping Anna’s character would develop, and grow a backbone and stand up for herself, but it didn’t happen. Disappointed.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unexpected love story of one woman, two toxic relationships, and one dog. It's heartbreakingly painful, along with being insightful and enlightening.

When we are young and fall in love with someone older who seems to have life figured out, the temptation to shadow them can leave us without our senses. When we then meet a relatively kind person whose faith is at first appealing, and then burdensome and divisive, it is too easy to allow ourselves to be manipulated.

If there's a moral to the story, it's the ability to know yourself well enough to say no to years of loneliness and submission as a critical component of contentment. For as beautifully as this story is crafted, my heart didn't break as much for anyone as it did for the little dog Boo.

A very satisfying 213 page read, and perfect for a book club.

[Leanne Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic insight into Anna’s life. A heart wrenching book at times, seeing how the men in Anna’s life controlled her. Her feelings of inadequacy and always seeking approval. I could se part of myself in Anna at times, I could relate to her in some aspects on how she feels & feels towards herself.

I found it so interesting. From her first marriage that was filled with heartbreak, grief & betrayal to her relationship with Karim, and seeking solace in Islam.

I loved seeing Anna transform throughout the book, and not to forget Boo her beloved dog 🥺 definitely my favourite character ❤️

I loved this book! It’s not something I would normally read but I am delighted I did branch out & read it. I would genuinely recommend this book it was a beautiful book.

Thank you so much @gillhessltd for a copy of this book

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Beautiful Loan
Set in Dublin in the 1980's, Anna Hughes meets Peter, an older man. The relationship progresses to eventual marriage, yet all the while, Peter seems only partially interested in Anna, spending much time away pursuing his own interests.When the relationship finally ends, Anna meets Kamir, and quickly falls in love. She immerses herself in his Muslim faith. It seems she continually bends herself to adapt to the men with whom she is involved. I found Anna likable, yet I was frustrated by her inability to free herself from these loves that obviously were not in her best interests.
Thanks to Book Browse for an advance copy.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna is a fully flushed out, well written even if I don’t know that I like her, perfectly human character. Sometimes I found her frustrating, sometimes endearing. I don’t think I liked being reminded how pathetic we can be when we’re chasing boys. In general I found the narration quiet, a telling.
What is it with book husbands named Peter being asses? Peter Marrow from Three Pines anyone?

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of a woman without confidence who, unfortunately, turns herself over to men who either betray her or control her, but never allow her to be herself and free. It was well written and I felt great frustration over Anna’s missteps and inability to stand up for herself

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

*well-written, easy to read
*strong character development
*kept my interest from cover to cover
*highly recommend