Somewhere Inside of Happy

by Anna McPartlin

'And just like that my boy was gone.'

Maisie Brennan is standing on a podium on the twentieth anniversary of the death of her son, trying to find the first breath that will help her start talking to a room full of strangers. A daunting task at the best of times, but she's also menopausal and one hot flush away from totally losing it.

But as Maisie begins her story, she soon relaxes and word by word disappears into her past, back to 1st January 1995 – the day when one misunderstood action led to a chain of events that changed her life for ever...

If you laughed and cried reading Anna McPartlin's bestselling story The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes, then Somewhere Inside of Happy will have you smiling and tearful all over again.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Romance, Drama, Irish Literature

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2016

About the author

Anna McPartlin is an international best selling author, currently published in 15 languages across 18 countries. Pack Up The Moon and The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes were nominated for Irish book awards. Rabbit Hayes also won a silver readers book award in Germany. In the UK it was a Simon Mayo and Richard and Judy book club pick and in the USA it was a Barnes & Nobel Book of the Month.
In the last few years Anna has been honing her TV scriptwriting skills working on medical drama ‘Holby City’ for the BBC (UK), legal drama ‘Striking Out,’ for RTE (IRE) and historical adaptation Jesus His Life for History Channel (USA).
Anna was nominated for an Irish Film & Television Academy award for her one off bi-lingual drama ‘School Run,’ and is currently in development with Hot Drop Films / Treasure Entertainment and funded by Screen Ireland for the film adaptation of ‘Rabbit Hayes.’ She is also in development for a crime series ‘Serious Crimes,’ with Blinder Productions (Virgin Media) in IRE. A historical crime drama with Noho Film & TV (UK) and ‘Richter,’ an RTE/NZ TV co-production crime drama with Blinder Productions.
Anna’s first children’s book the ‘Fearless Five’ came out May 2019. Her next fiction novel ‘Below The Big Blue Sky,’ is on shelves in UK and IRE in April 2020 and she is currently working on her ninth commercial fiction title.
Anna started out briefly as an actress and stand-up comedian but although her heart wasn’t in performance, she revels in storytelling and shining a light in dark places. Anna’s USP is in tackling difficult subjects with understanding, empathy and humour that spills onto every page.

Reviews

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on [Between My Lines]

Green Giants is my feature where I share some of my favourite books by Irish Authors.   I’m passionate about Irish Authors, they supply us with an entertaining and exciting mix of books, hopefully you will find something new to try.  Today I’m featuring Anna McPartlin who mixes up funny and heartfelt with aplomb.

 

It has been a few years since I read a book by Anna McPartlin and I had forgotten just how she can stab you right in the heart with all the feels. Her book worlds are skilfully built up so that you travel through every emotion right along with the characters.

 
First Line of Somewhere Inside of Happy by Anna McPartlin:

“The room was silent, but for the sound of shuffling, an unidentifiable clicking and Maisie’s own heartbeat.”

Five Great Reasons to read Somewhere Inside of Happy by Anna McPartlin:
 

Authentic Dublin setting: The main character Maisie is a Dub and every word out of her mouth just rings true to me. The setting comes across so authentically in the book and it really added to the atmosphere.

Emotional Storyline: We know from the outset that Maisie’s son dies but we take a long time to discover exactly why. As there is a back and forth storyline, my heart was full of the dreads for what was ahead.

“My first-born, Jeremy, was conceived in violence and he died in violence, but while he was alive he was the light of me life.”

Relevant Coming-of-Age Plotline: I don’t want to reveal the plot as it’s a spoiler. But it’s an important one and it shows the struggle a teenager can have when they feel different. Again it all rang so true and I could see exactly how and why the book was playing out why it did. There is a powerful message behind the book and I loved it.

Engaging Characters: The characters, seriously I love them. Maisie has a heart of gold, she is a domestic abuse survivor and will do anything for her children; her son Jeremy is caring and takes his role of man of the house very seriously, her daughter Valerie is a bit of a moody rebel but very vulnerable underneath the brash exterior. And the side characters were equally charismatic.

Great Balance: The plot covers a lot; life after domestic violence, caring for a mother with an Alzheimer’s disease, teenage struggles and the death of a child. But it does it effortlessly. It never feels too much, it just feels realistic and lifelike.

 

Overall huge thumbs up. I need to go back over Anna McPartlin’s back catalogue and see I have missed any of her previous books. Hopefully I have as I look forward to devouring them!

 



 
Who should read Somewhere Inside of Happy by Anna McPartlin:
I’d highly recommend this book to you if you like emotional plots that have a powerful impact, engaging characters and an Irish setting. Fans of authors such as Maeve Binchy, Sheila O’Flanagan and Sinead Moriarty should also enjoy this one. Warming it will make you laugh and it will make you cry.

 

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

 

[Annemiek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, i cried my eyes out

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books that take some time to really engage with, you need to learn a little about the characters and the plot before you can fully immerse yourself into the story. There are other books that totally embrace you immediately. Somewhere Inside of Happy is one of those books. I read the prologue and was instantly a fan of the lead character Maisie Bean Brennan. Those few opening pages are exquisite, they are the hook that snares you, and keeps you spellbound right up until the very last full stop.

Maisie stands before an academic audience to launch the book that she wrote to celebrate the life of her sixteen-year-old son Jeremy who died twenty years ago. The coughs and whispers settle down, and Maisie takes a deep breath and begins to talk, The audience and the reader are then taken back to New Year's Day in 1995 and the following five days. Five days that changed Maisie's life. Jeremy was "born in violence and died in violence", yet Maisie adored her boy. His sister Valerie looked up to him, his grandmother Bridie thought he was the best and his friends respected him.

Jeremy was different. He knew he was different, he struggled with being different, and being different was the reason that he died at such a young age.

Somewhere Inside of Happy is told in multiple voices. Along with Maisie, the voice of Jeremy is loud and clear, and beautifully depicted. His younger, more boisterous and cheeky sister, Valerie is a larger than life character, dealing with her fading memories of the father who has been gone for so long and dealing with the guilt that she feels for still loving him, despite what he did to her Ma, and to Jeremy. Wonderful grandmother Bridie, her voice loud and clear despite the exhausting and damaging effects that Alzheimer's Disease has on her. There's Fred, wonderful, caring, kind Fred; the police officer who picked Maisie up so many times over the years, the guy who found her on the floor, broken and bleeding. We hear from friends of Jeremy; Dave and Rave; two boys with issues of their own, boys who are having to cope with hidden problems that overwhelm them whilst trying to keep up the tough-guy image to everyone around them.

When Jeremy goes missing, the absolute and utter despair felt by his family as they search for him is almost tangible, and at times I thought that I couldn't bear to read on, as the pain is so so real, but then Anna McPartlin flings in a slice of down-to-earth, Irish humour, and although the heavy and dark themes are still there, there are also the sun-spots of hope and happiness, and love and joy that add another dimension to this beautiful novel.

At its heart, Somewhere Inside of Happy is the story of a mother's love, but is also a story about how expectations, beliefs and decisions can change a life for ever. The power of love is strong, but doesn't always overcome everything.

Anna McPartlin's background as a stand-up comedian shines through in her writing, she expertly and cleverly combines humour with some of the darkest, most emotional subjects. Somewhere Inside of Happy is warm, often funny, emotionally draining and quite heartbreaking. It is also hopeful and contains a message that is so very important. I have the utmost admiration for Anna McPartlin, fans of Rabbit Hayes will adore Maisie, and readers new to this author have such a treat in store for them.

[Abril Camino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me enamoré de la narrativa de Anna McPartlin con «Los últimos días de Rabbit Hayes», así que cuando vi este libro disponible en Nubico me lancé a por él sin dudarlo. La trama nos presenta a Maisie Bean, una mujer que sufrió un infierno de maltrato con el padre de sus hijos y que lleva unos cuantos años sobreviviendo como madre soltera y al cuidado de su madre, enferma de demencia. Hasta que un día, su hijo mayor, Jeremy, desaparece. Y su búsqueda se convierte en el tema central de la novela, que iremos viviendo desde los puntos de vista de diferentes personajes.
Si tuviera que resumir la lectura en una sola frase, diría que es una de las novelas más tristes que he leído en mi vida. Quizá la más. De esas novelas que te remueven por dentro. Y duelen.

[Ivonne. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta es una historia muy real, de las que vemos u oímos a diario, Maisie Bean es una madre soltera que vive en el área de Tallaght en Dublín, con sus dos hijos, Jeremy de 16 años, Valerie de 12 y su madre que sufre de Alzheimer, la veremos luchando con dos trabajos para sacar adelante a su familia, no siempre puede darle gustos materiales, pero los llena de mucho amor, logró librarse después de mucho sufrimiento de un marido maltratador y ahora que por fin su vida va mejor le toca batallar con los olvidos de su madre y la rebeldía de su hija adolescente, pero en su hijo Jeremy tiene un gran apoyo, con solo 16 años asume el papel del hombre de la casa, adora a su familia y es muy responsable amoroso con su abuela, ayuda en todo lo que puede con su cuidado y el de su hermana, trata siempre de hacer lo mejor por su familia, pero esconde y reprime lo que siente, no sabe que le pasa y porque es así, solo sabe que es diferente.
La noche del primero de enero después de siete años de estar sola Maisie decide aceptar una cita para salir a cenar con el policía que siempre la ayudó cuando era maltratada por el ex marido y además la ama en secreto desde hace mucho tiempo. Jeremy queda al cuidado de su abuela y su hermana, pero su amigo de toda la vida Rave, va a visitarlo y decide salir un rato con él, ambos desparecen después de haber estado reunidos con sus amigos, se tejen mil historias y se inventan otras tantas, pero nada concuerda con el buen comportamiento que siempre tuvo Jeremy.
Preciosa historia llena de emoción amor, fragilidad, secretos, intolerancia e incomprensión hacia los jóvenes, hay angustia si, pero también hay momentos divertidos.

Se las recomiendo mucho, puede incluso ayudarte a pensar diferente, sobre todo a ser más tolerante y aceptar que "Nadie debería sentirse nunca como un ciudadano de segunda clase por su sexualidad. No hay nada que temer de los homosexuales. El miedo proviene de la forma en que la sociedad los ve y los trata. Ahí es donde reside el dolor. Ahí es donde reside el infierno y el horror"

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another sweet story by Anna McPartlin, narrated by one of my favorites - Aoife Mcmahon. Although I did not enjoy this one quite as much as The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes and Below the Big Blue Sky, it was still an easy and enjoyable listen. There were two elements that brought down my rating: too much jumping between timelines and it felt like the moral of the story was bigger than the actual story. If you haven't read to the other two books mentioned above, I strongly recommend you do.

The Story: Maisie Bean is a fighter. Seventeen years ago, she went on a first date that went so badly it was enough to put the girl off chips. The marriage that followed was hell but it gave her two children: funny, caring Jeremy and bullish but brilliant Valerie. Just as it seems everything might finally start going right, sixteen-year-old Jeremy goes missing.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Anna McPartlin. She writes with such humour and warmth that you feel all the emotions the wonderful Bean family are going through. Full of fabulous characters with a storyline etched in sadness and a thought provoking message.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich weiß gar nicht was ich sagen soll, außer das ich geheult habe wie ein Schlosshund.

Das Schicksal von Maisie und Jeremy ist unglaublich und es macht mich wütend, weil ich weiß, dass es in der Realität oft genau so ist.

Oft werden Schwule verteufelt und das ohne Grund. Egal ob schwul, lesbisch, bi oder hetero... wir sind alle Menschen. Vielleicht sollte dieses Buch mal in Schulen durchgesprochen werden um die Augen zu öffnen.

Ich werde es auf jeden Fall weiter empfehlen.

[Basileia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qué bonito escribe McPartlin, pocas autoras me hacen sentir tanto. Historia muy triste pero, tal como la cuenta, con un toque de humor y esperanza. Descubrir la vida espantosa de la que renace Maisie, la tristeza de ver a una abuela perdida por culpa de una enfermedad traicionera, el dolor que provoca la desaparición de unos chicos estupendos... Todo eso aderezado por la omnipresente iglesia y sus valores desfasados que tanto daño han provocado durante mucho tiempo. Toca temas delicados, muy próximos y algunos que te dan rabia por ser tan injustos. Un libro bonito pero duro.

[tamsbookishsideoflife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallo ihr Lieben,
diese Rezension schreibe ich gerade ganz frisch aus meinen Emotionen heraus.
Gekauft habe ich mir das Buch auf Empfehlung einer lieben Freundin Britsbookworld und ich wurde absolut nicht enttäuscht.
Irgendwo im Glück bekommt von mir 5 von 5 absolut verdienten Sternen und gesellt sich zu meinen Jahreshighlights 2019. Die letzten Tage von Rabbit Hayes war 2018 bereits ein Highlight von mir und nun folgt das zweite Buch auf dem Fuße.
Das Cover lässt absolut nicht auf die Geschichte schließen. Das Buch ist keine leichte Kost. Aber vom Inhalt werde ich hier nichts verraten, denn ich rate euch inständig: lasst euch in die Geschichte hineinfallen.
Anna McPartlin hat jedem einzelnen Charakter in dem Buch eine außergewöhnliche Stimme gegeben und ich bin vor allem ein großer Fan von der kleinen Valerie und der Protagonistin und Mutter Maisie. Obwohl ich für das Buch jetzt länger gebraucht habe, bleibt die Geschichte ein absoluter Pageturner. Ich bin wirklich bewegt und absolut begeistert.. Mir sind sogar ein paar Tränen entwichen. Ich bin dankbar für dieses großartige Werk!

[Lainy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 427

Publisher - Black Swan

Blurb from Goodreads

Maisie Bean is a fighter. A survivor. Seventeen years ago, she went on a first date that went so badly it was enough to put the girl off chips. The marriage that followed was hell but it gave her two children: funny, caring Jeremy and bullish but brilliant Valerie.

Just as it seems everything might finally start going right, sixteen-year-old Jeremy goes missing. The police descend and a media storm swirls, over five days of searching that hurtle towards an inevitable, terrible conclusion.

Maisie is facing another fight, and this time it’s the fight of her life. But she’s a survivor. Whatever the odds, she’ll never give in.


My Review

The book opens in present day, Maisie Bean is about to do a talk and she is feeling nervous. She takes the reader back to the past that shows us how she got to where she is and why she does what she does. She has two beautiful kids who have their own issues after watching their mother survive and abusive relationship. They live with Maisie and her mum whose illness provides more stress and strain on the family. Her youngest is moody, argumentative and trying to find herself and Jeremy is the apple of everyone eye, sixteen but responsible, kind, caring and trustworthy. This is what sends everyone into a panic when he doesn't come home, the media get involved and things from the past won't stay buried.

McPartlin has a style where she can hit some very dark and unsettling topics but still infuse the story with humour and provide light relief which I think is an amazing feat for an artist. The characters you immediately warm to, or hate pending on which ones we are talking about. She whirs up a storm and covers many issues in life that the reader can identify with or at least one of them. Friendship, love, domestic abuse, sexuality, homophobia, media scrutiny, personal growth, family secrets, the list goes on and on whilst not overstretching the story or realism.

I could have easily read this in one sitting had time permitted, you are drawn in within the first few chapters and I gasped out loud at least once. A very talented writer, I have read her before and I will read her again, I think her writing gains strength with age and experience, 4/5 for me this time.

[Aishling Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere inside of Happy was a very enjoyable read,some funny moments but also a lot of sad ones. A heart wrenching story about Maisie Bean a mother of two who has survived so much from her abusive husband, And just as things start to feel somewhat normal to Maisie her son of sixteen goes missing and like all mothers she fights to the end.
This book takes you on a journey of hope and heartbreak but it's a book well worth reading.. I so enjoyed it 👍

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those feels, oh, those feels! Anna McPartlin created characters you simply have to love - they're so real, full of life and they struggle with hardships with all their might. I couldn't believe how well the author managed to balance all the levels of this story - it's touching, sad, romantic, bitter, hilarious all at once. And the prose is so readable and feels so effortless! I guarantee you won't regret reading this gem.

[Kim Ebner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5 stars from me. This was a lovely read and I enjoyed it. The characters were very real and mostly likeable. My only criticism is that I found the story a little slow in parts. Other than that, it's a good read that I recommend.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years ago when I read Anna McPartlin's début novel Pack Up the Moon I remember thinking here is an author with real talent with plenty of excellent books to come in the future. This was clearly shown with Anna's remarkable release last year The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes. When I started that book I was extremely wary as I thought the book was going to be a very hard read full of doom and gloom considering the subject matter. In fact it turned out to be the complete opposite as the book was a tour de force full of humour and laughter finely balanced with the more serious aspects of the theme being explored. Really I couldn't recommend Rabbit Hayes highly enough. Now a year later Anna is back with Somewhere Inside of Happy. I am often left wondering how does the plot of the book connect to the title sometimes I'm still left guessing at the end but here the title is so apt, memorable and bitter sweet especially when you discover why that it will bring a tear to your eye. The only thing I wasn't keen on with this book was the cover everything else is just phenomenal. I much prefer the Irish cover for the trade paperback edition but that is just my personal preference. But cover aside the plot did sound like another absorbing, emotional read. I knew I was once again in for another roller-coaster of a read and it certainly proved to be that as I barely came up for air until I finished the very last page.

Told over the first six days of the new year of 1995 and from several characters viewpoints Somewhere Inside of Happy will leave you an emotional mess but ultimately uplifted. You will be so glad that you took the time to read this book and that Anna had the guts and determination to write about themes which are really not dealt with in the women's fiction market. Well at least not in this way. Right from the prologue you are sucked into the life of Maisie Bean Brennan a woman you will laugh and cry with and by the end you will discover just how remarkable she is and what a very special family she has despite all the trauma and suffering they have endured. We meet Maisie just as she is side stage about to take her place behind a lecturn to address a group of college students. Family members and friends are also in the audience for what is a momentous special occasion.

From the outset the author's deft touch with humour and wit is evident as Maisie already battling nerves has to contend with a hot flush and a mouth as dry as sandpaper. How can she face these people and tell her story? But she can and she will do it for her son Jeremy - a boy twenty years gone but not forgotten. A boy misunderstood at the time but full of love and good nature. Maisie begins her story on the day 'when one misunderstood action led to a chain of events that changed her life for ever.' We then move back to 1995 to just the first six days of what proved to be a year that will be forever etched in Maisie's mind. This line had me crying and it was only the prologue 'My first born Jeremy, was conceived in violence and died in violence but while he was alive he was the light of my life'. He certainly was the light of this incredible book.

Maisie Bean has been through a lot in her life but one thing is for sure she loves her kids and her mother and will do absolutely anything for them. Living in the Tallaght area of Dublin Maisie works two jobs, weekdays at the local dental surgery and weekends in a factory. A single mum she can't always give her kids the material possessions they would like but she has an abundance of love. Love which was not knocked out of her despite suffering horrendous, repeated abuse at the hands of ex husband Danny Fox. Right from the first date Danny was a nasty piece of work but once he had sunk his claws in it became very hard to fight to release his grip. Eventually after much trauma and the help of Garda Fred Brennan Maisie is free but there is always that lingering feeling that Danny could reappear when least expected after all he does have two kids he probably feels he has some rights to. Jeremy is 16 and Valerie is 12.

Both children were brilliantly written and I loved both of them for different reasons. Jeremy has taken on the role of the only male in the house and fulfils his role with pride. He is always there to help Maisie with Bridie although as both children said when it comes to dementia they draw the line at toilet duties and leave that to Mum. Jeremy is hiding things. Outside appearances to his family make it seem as if everything is OK and sure Maisie has enough to juggle every day with Bridie and work etc not to mention Garda Brennan after many years he has just asked her on a date. Maisie hasn't really noticed anything unusual with Jeremy but the reader can see all is not well. He is under pressure both socially and emotionally. His best friend Rave isn't having the best time of it either. Friends since they were young boys they live in each others pockets and Jeremy can't bear to see his friend endure such blatant lack of love and care. As for Valerie she was an absolute tonic throughout the book. Just on the cusp of becoming a teenager she said things like they were and she couldn't wait to pull Maisie up on her language as the swear jar became ever more full.

So why is Maisie recounting her story of the six days that forever are stamped on her brain? Well the boys go missing in bad weather following a drinking session in the park and what unfolds will leave you torn apart, an absolute wreck but eventually you will sit back and think wow and realise just what an amazing story Anna McPartlin has written. I read the first half of this book with an increasing sense of dread and tension. You knew something was going to happen but not the exact details. I had a knot in my stomach reading and all the signs were ominous. I had my fingers crossed that the characters would find their somewhere inside of happy but can life turn out the way we want it to? Once the boys are officially declared missing and the search begins the guilt descends upon Maisie. How could she have not know Jeremy had been gone for 30 hours? Why did she let herself have a sliver of happiness and release on a date with Fred? Why did she not know something could have been wrong with Jeremy? So many questions, so much pressure and guilt on Maisie. As a reader you don't want her to feel this way. My heart was just breaking after everything Maisie and her children had been through only to come out the other side stronger and then this happens. How can so much bad fortune beset such a loving family? 'Why? What have we done to deserve it? Maybe she was cursed or had done something bad in a previous life or was simply born under an unlucky star...or maybe it was simpler that that. Maybe things went pear shaped for Maisie and her family because she was weak'. How on earth could Maisie think that about herself?

She was one the strongest, most amazing characters I have read in a long time. Yes she has her vulnerable side but don't we all? I wanted to reach through the pages and hug Maisie and comfort her and offer solace. Tell her things would turn out ok and Jeremy and Rave would be found safe and well and everything would be explained. I felt her pain, anger, fear and horror that she was once again suffering. The chapters just got more intense, raw and honest and also eye opening the more we uncovered what actually was going on. Thankfully Anna also included chapters from the boys and their friends perspective. It would have been a let down not to get the full picture.

The writing throughout this book was just beautiful and having the chapters short enough and told from every major characters viewpoint was excellent as it gave great flow to the book. Not one character was out of place or under utilised, yet at the same time this gave the reader an insight into how everyone was feeling and how they were reacting to events unfolding. The humour is there from the outset but never used in the wrong place. Reading one line you were crying but by the next the author had you chuckling away to yourself. The character of Bridie was written with such sensitivity that at no point did I feel she was being made a fool of or just there for the comedy value. Dementia is a serious illness which touches so many family's lives (including mine). It's not a laughing matter but Anna just has this knack of using just the right word or phrase to convey wit whilst dealing with a serious issue. You don't feel all maudlin and sad (although you may be crying) because if the characters don't when really they should be in the depths of despair than neither should the reader. Anna nailed the chapters told from Bridie's perspective, her absolute innocence almost returning to a childlike state, her confusion and lashing out and then the sombre reality when she realises she is not a young nurse but rather she is old and her daughter Maisie is just trying to look after her. Bridie searching around the house for Jeremy just tore at my heart. In books we never get to hear the dementia sufferers voice and I applaud Anna McPartlin for giving Bridie her voice because it certainly needed to be heard.

Without question Somewhere Inside of Happy is a contender for my book of the year. I really didn't think Anna McPartlin could better Rabbit Hayes but she has and that's not to take anything away from what I said about that book when I reviewed it last year. The books are totally different but Anna has shown she is just an absolutely superb writer who can turn her hand to any topic and write about it with such sensitivity while providing her readers with a gripping emotional story. Never do I gasp out loud at a book but here I did as I just couldn't stand what was happening at a certain point. I thought Anna McPartlin just what have you done to me and can only imagine how Anna found the strength to write the later half of the book. I came to this book after a series of really so-so reads and was just at the point where I thought will I ever read a book again that will grab me and just not let go? Thankfully this beauty then came into my life and restored my faith that there are wonderful books and authors still out there waiting to be read and when you least expect it a little gem will come along. Honestly I don't give five stars all that easily but this book deserves that and much more and no matter what I say no words will do this book the justice it so richly deserves. 'You're an amazing woman Maisie Bean.You have no idea how special you are and it needs to be said' . She really doesn't know how special she is but you will if you pick up this outstanding book which I really urge you to do.

[Consuelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinceramente no sé qué nota ponerle, estaba entre un 4 y un 5 porque durante toda la historia he sentido mucha angustia y me ha faltado mucho el humor de la autora que presentan otros libros, es una historia triste, tiene su base como otros libros de Anna en la pérdida, pero no sé porque en este me ha faltado algo que los otros encontraba, un contrapunto, un llanto y una carcajada y aquí hay muchas menos carcajadas (casi nulas) y no me lo esperaba.
Pero pasa una cosa y es que solamente la parte final,los últimos 30 minutos del libro merecen un cinco y como el resto de las historias de esta mujer es una Joya.

[madame Gabrielle]

je ne terminerai pas ma lecture. le vocabulaire et la traduction française me freinent, malgré le fait que j’aimais bien l’histoire. je le relirai peut-être plus tard, mais en attendant, d’autres lectures m’attendent.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally reviewed on Becca's Books.

Wow. Right now, that's all I can think to say. Wow. This was absolutely stunning.

I was blown away by Anna McPartlin's The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes. I'm talking huge, gulping sobs that lasted for what seemed like an eternity. So, when I was offered the chance to read an eBook of her latest novel, Somewhere Inside of Happy, I couldn't say yes quick enough. The blurb reeled me in right away and I just adored the sound of this story. I have to admit, it's not what I was expecting, what with Maisie's sixteen-year-old son Jeremy going missing, but let me tell you something, it made for one hell of a heartbreaking, yet uplifting and powerful story. One that will stay with me, I'm sure, for a very long time to come. It touched me deeply on so many levels, and it's a story I must recommend to each and every one of you.

The blurb above pretty much gives you a vague idea of what this novel is about. Focusing beautifully on the ins-and-outs of the Bean family, I felt at home and comfortable within these surroundings all at once. Anna depicted a chaotic but cosy family life, something I'm more than familiar with, with an absolutely brilliant collection of colourful, joyful characters, who bought this story into glorious, technicolour life. Before we're introduced properly to the Bean family though, the story opens with a sad, sad prologue, which leads the reader beautifully into the tale of Maisie Bean's life and the disappearance of her son Jeremy.

I'm sure I read the majority of Somewhere Inside of Happy with a lump in my throat, and the handful of times where that wasn't the case, I was giggling away at Anna McPartlin's gorgeous style and turn-of-phrase. Despite a heavy cloud of foreboding hanging over me as I waited for the inevitable, steeling myself for whatever was going to come my way, it was joyful, funny and utterly heart-warming. Maisie Bean was wonderful in terms of this story's leading lady. I don't think I could have loved her more if I'd tried. Mother to Valerie and Jeremy, with a horrid past in terms of relationships behind her, I had so much respect for this woman. What I felt most, though, was that she deserved to be happy, and so when we're taken back in time to when the story truly begins, I sincerely hoped that despite the tragic circumstances which the story began with, there would be at least a small portion of happiness involved in there somewhere. Thankfully, there was...

There was so many themes intertwined within Somewhere Inside of Happy by Anna McPartlin. If it wasn't the dissection of family life, troubled teens, friendship or blossoming relationships, then it was detective/crime work, Jeremy's disappearance and Maisie Bean's mother Bridie, who completely stole my heart away. I found this novel to be a constant back-and-forth between light-heartedness and sadness, which in turn left me feeling strangely happy but trying to blink back the tears as I turned the final few pages sucking in my breath.

To say I was completely dedicated to this story would be an understatement. I couldn't bear to turn away from it. I was desperate to see the days leading up to Jeremy's disappearance be revealed to me, and even more desperate to reach the special chapters of after he'd gone, too. Right the way through, my mind was repeatedly jumping ahead of itself, trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together. I was fervently hoping for a different outcome, despite being completely aware of how it would end, but it was as if I couldn't help myself from doing so. I adored the Bean family. Each member held something unique and special in my eyes, so beautifully constructed were they by the author. From beginning to end, I was captivated. Anna McPartlin is a magnificent storyteller, and Somewhere Inside of Happy only goes to prove that. Stunning, heartbreaking and ultimately, a novel of acceptance, love and friendship, this was yet another book that stole my heart away, and will keep it for a long time to come yet. I'm still thinking of these characters now. Of Maisie Bean and her strength and determination. Of Jeremy and his friends... It's just so, so special.

Becca's Books is awarding Somewhere Inside of Happy by Anna McPartlin with five of my bookish stars. I adore this author, I adore this story, and I really must recommend it to everyone, because it is simply beautiful. It will, quite possibly, change the way you think about certain aspects of life, and when you come across a book like that, you know it's a keeper.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet again, Irish author Anna McPartlin tackles difficult issues. Grief - as in the superb ‘The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes’ - dementia and homophobia. And there is laughter and tears. It is a thoughtful book with strongly drawn characters, Irish humour and a fair amount of ripe language. It is the story of Maisie Bean, a single mother who has fought bravely to escape a violent husband and raise her two children, Jeremy and Valerie. The story starts, on January 1, 1995, when Jeremy disappears.
Ever since his mother found the strength to leave her abusive husband, Jeremy has been the man of the family. He has been responsible, thoughtful, helpful, caring for his grandmother Bridie who suffers from dementia, keeping an eye on his younger sister Valerie. In doing so he has repressed who he is because he doesn’t really understand who he is, all he knows is that he is different.
‘Somewhere Inside of Happy‘ is an examination of generalisations, assumptions and misunderstandings, how the crowd dynamic and a troublesome media can turn a whisper into fact. How a community looks the other way whilst a drug-addict father neglects his son and how gays are referred to as ‘queer’ and worse. The mirror held up to society is not a pretty one. It is a reminder to us all to be more respectful of others, to stop ourselves being unfair and condemnatory about things we do not understand. The setting is Ireland in the Nineties, not that long ago. The title of the book is actually a place within Jeremy, to where he retreats, curled up, when the outside world gets too much.
If I have one criticism, it is the Prologue set twenty years after the main story. It tells us so many things I would expect to discover through reading the book.
My favourite character? Bridie. She is drawn with such affection, a ‘game old bird’ dancing with her sixteen-year-old grandson.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strange one. If there was a 3 1/2 stars then I would have probably chosen it! I upped it to 4 purely for the ending! We meet Maisie who is looking after her two children and her old mother who suffers from Alzheimers. She was a battered wife many years ago until she plucked up the courage to leave her husband. Maisie's life is hard. She struggles to bring up her children on her own and care for her mother. Her elder son Jeremy helps her out a lot, especially with his grandmother. One day, Maisie gets asked out on a date by Fred Brennan - the policeman who protected her from her husband all those years ago. Her children aren't happy with this, but she goes on her first date in years. During her time out, her son Jeremy goes missing. This is the story of how he died.

It started off well for me. It starts with Maisie, many years later, addressing a crowd and telling them the story of how Jeremy died. The story switches between all the different characters, but this is easy to keep track of. You feel a certain empathy with Maisie, and feel so happy for her when she goes out with Fred Brennan, but also feel so sad as you know how its going to end. The story seemed to slow in the middle - I just think I wanted to know how Jeremy died, but you don't get to find this out until the very end. A sad ending, but nice to see that Maisie's life didn't turn out all bad.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein tolles Buch 📖!

[Britsbookworld · Rating 5 out of 5]

DIESES BUCH WAR GROßARTIG !!!! :) <3

Ihr Lieben, wie versprochen gibt es heute ENDLICH die Rezension zu dem Buch "Irgendwo im Glück" von Anna McPartlin :) Und das Buch bekommt von mir 5 von 5 Sterne. 🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟

Bisher kannte ich von der Autorin nur das Buch "Die letzten Tage der Rabbit Hayes". Dieses konnte mich damals schon begeistern. Jetzt bekam "Irgendwo im Glück" die Chance von mir gelesen zu werden und wer bei dem Cover und dem Titel denkt: Oh ist bestimmt ein locker leichter Frauenroman, mit guter Laune und Liebe - SORRY da liegt man ABSOLUT FALSCH mit !!!

Weder das Cover noch der Titel lassen auf den Inhalt des Buches schließen, denn dieser hat es in sich und ich sage euch jetzt worum es geht (OHNE SPOILER) .

In dem Buch geht es um Maisie. Eine erwachsene Frau, die mit ihren zwei Kindern und ihrer Mutter zusammen in einem Vorort von Dublin lebt. Doch Maisie hat schon einiges hinter sich - einen gewalttätigen Ehemann, der sie fast tot geprügelt hätte und doch blieb sie jahrelang bei ihm. Zwei Jahre nachdem sie sich endlich dazu durchringen konnte ihren Mann zu verlassen, scheint alles gut zu laufen, doch dann erkrankt ihre Mutter an Demenz und Maisie muss eine neue Herausforderung in ihrem Leben bestreiten. Mit der Hilfe ihrer Kinder, der dreizehn Jahre alten Valerie und dem 16 jährigem Jeremy gelingt ihr dies aber ganz gut.

Als alleinerziehende Mutter hat sie es nicht leicht, sie hat zwei Jobs, ihre Mutter Bridget, die mal gute und mal schlechte Tage hat und doch klappt es irgendwie, bis eines Tages Jeremy verschwindet und ihr Leben erneut zusammenbricht.... Sie weiß nicht wo er ist, wo er steckt oder ob ihm etwas passiert ist und die Suche nach ihm und seinem besten Kumpel Rave beginnt. Die Teenager sind wie vom Erdboden verschluckt und Maisie weiß nicht was sie machen soll... Es ist das Jahr 1995, in Irland ist die Scheidung vom Mann noch verboten, und so versucht auch ihr gewalttätiger "noch" Ehemann wieder in ihr Leben zu treten... Für Maisie ein Alptraum.

Ob sie Jeremy finden wird, ob ihr Mann ihr wieder weh tun wird und wie es mit ihrer Mutter und auch ihrer Tochter weiter geht, dies verrate ich hier nicht ;)

Meine Meinung: Wieder einmal hat die Autorin es geschafft mich mit ihrem Schreibstil zu fesseln, Die Seiten flogen nur so dahin und gerade der besondere Schreibstil machte die Story interessant. Was Anna McPartlin perfekt beherrscht ist es, allen Personen ein Gesicht zu verleihen, denn die Story wird aus all ihren Perspektiven geschildert. So ist man bei Maisie, bei Valerie, bei Jeremy und auch bei Maisies Mutter Bridget, die mit ihrer Demenz leben muss.

Das Buch schildert viele Aspekte des Lebens, die nachvollziehbar sind. Häusliche Gewalt, die einfach nur schrecklich ist, wie es ist einen Elternteil langsam aber sicher wegdriften zu sehen und wie sich der Betroffene selbst damit fühlen muss. Das Leben von Teenagern, die sich oftmals unverstanden fühlen und wie man als Frau, nach so vielen schlimmen Jahren versucht ab und an ein bisschen Glück zu finden...

Absolute Lese-Empfehlung von mir :)

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was pretty good until half way in, the adult characters were pretty interesting (especially Bridie).

Sadly the ending really put me off - like what was the point of this story?? Cause since there are no tied-up ends it all feels like its tragedy porn (internalized homophobia literally killing jeremy immediately after his very first gay kiss .......seriously??) used to make a point about how we live in a homophobic society.

It reads like a story written for cis(allo)het people since otherwise youre just preaching to a choir. I dont have to read about a teenaged boy killed by internalized homophobia to know how our homophobic society harms and kills us every day...

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 Sterne 🌟

[Irena BookDustMagic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3,5

[Agi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book that I read in 2015 was Anna McPartlin’s „The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes” and believe me, I have never forgotten this novel. It made such an impression on me that I couldn’t stop talking about it every time when I had a chance, and I kept my eyes peeled for Anna’s next release. When my review copy of „Somewhere Inside of Happy” arrived I couldn’t stop admiring this book’s cover – it’s in a rather unusual yellow colour, but it’s beautiful and so very optimistic. And I didn’t wait long to start reading, and when I started, I couldn’t put it down.

I know I’ve read only two books by this author, but one thing grows clear for me, that Anna McPartlin is an absolute expert of writing books about often difficult, taboo, emotional subjects in a way that always leave you feel warm deep in your heart and optimistic.

The story is told from multiple points of view, and each of the voices is incredibly distinctive and clear. So we have Maisie there, and her story is bitter – sweet, fun and sad; Jeremy, so much more mature than his age, the responsible and loving Jeremy; his sister Valerie, larger than life and with big mouth, but it’s all only a mask, as she’s fighting her own demons and she only wants to hide her insecurities; Bridie, Maisie’s mother, and it was incredible how well the author captured her characters and how well she pictured a person suffering from dementia, how much emotion and understanding she was able to put into Birdie’s words; Fred, the police officer who knows the family and its history and who so often picked Maisie up after she fell; we also have Jeremy’s friends and Maisie’s ex – husband, and Anna McPartlin did it again – she wrote incredible, down – to – earth characters that made you root for them immediately from the beginning. Maisie Bean Brennan deserves standing ovation. I loved her from the opening scenes and I’ve never stopped loving her. She was strong and fierce, and vulnerable, and so normal, and I am not going to forget her. She had such a hard life and yet she finally found the courage to leave the abusive husband, and when she thinks her life is maybe not perfect but OK enough, the next tragedy strikes, and I don’t know how I would cope in this situation and if I would be able to forgive, just like Maisie did. We also get a chance to experience about Maisie’s very turbulent past, especially the times when she was married – reading it I have unconsciously clenching my fists and my heart went to Maisie. She’s a fighter, this one. A real fighter.
As we read, it turns out that almost all of the characters have some issues that overwhelm them, that have secrets but they try not to show anything, they want to be strong and keep going.

However, I have one small, teeny tiny „but”. We know from the beginning that something very sad and emotional is going to happen, and we also know what it is: that Jeremy dies – this is NOT a spoiler! There came a moment that I started to feel desperate for it to happen. Don’t get me wrong, I DIDN’T WANT it to happen, my whole being was begging NO, if I could I would change it, but on the other hand this whole situation felt a little too dragged on. I also started to hope that, somehow, it isn’t going to happen, the whole story in between has kind of watered down my alertness. But even with this feeling, the pace was brilliant and the story has broken my heart.

The story also surprised me with its message, to be honest, but not in a bad way. Maybe I didn’t realise that it’s still such a taboo subject, still so controversial but Anna’s take on the issue was truly heart – breaking and incredibly sad. It also gives us a very clear insight into what life in a small town in Ireland in the mid 90s could look like for some people.

Also, Anna McPartlin has managed to put into words the absolute feeling of despair and disorientation the family felt after Jeremy went missing, from all the family member – they all missed him so much and all in their own way, and she wonderfully, brilliantly described all these feelings. They were palpable through the pages and they broke my heart more than once, but also, in a very clever way, the author managed to divert our attention from these sad events using this fantastic, inimitable, down – to – earth Irish humour – I loved it!

There were many moments in the book that made me laugh and cry, but I must mention one of them, that especially stuck in my memory. It was so moving in my opinion – when Rave used the words „somewhere inside of happy” about Jeremy. It was a short scene, a moment, but I am never going to forget it.

”Somewhere Inside of Happy” is this kind of book that I’d love to be able to read over and over again for the first time. It had me hooked from the start to the end, it was a powerhouse of a book and it made me feel so very emotional. It is already one of my top reads this year. It is so emotional that it made me cry actual tears, and I don’t often cry like a crocodile when reading. Yes, the books might make me sad and shed some tears, but they don’t often leave me in such a snotty state, and at the same time feeling so optimistic and full of hope.

”Somewhere Inside of Happy” is one of the warmest, heartbreaking books I have ever read. The author perfectly mixes the darkest, important issues with her exquisite sense of humour and delivers a fantastic, unputdownable book with fierce, strong and vivid characters. It is a story that for sure is going to stay with you for much longer – just like „The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes” is still with me, I won’t forget „Somewhere Inside of Happy”. It tugged at my heart – strings, I felt a part of this story, I kept my fingers crossed for the characters and I cried together with the broken family. With such a subject you could think it’s going to be a sad book, and it is, but it is also incredibly uplifting and I felt so proud at the sight of Maisie telling us to be proud and live the life we want to live. It was a beautiful book. Beautiful. Highly, highly recommended!

[Gustaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jag vet inte vart jag ska börja. Den här boken har stått obemärkt bland hyllorna på jobbet i flera månader utan att jag lagt märke till den alls. Sedan började jag bläddra i den av en slump, vilket slutade i sträckläsning.

Jag blev så oerhört berörd av den här historien. Jag grät floder på slutet. Den är så fin, och rå, och ärlig och insiktsfull och... jag kan inte riktigt säga något mer än att det här var en fantastisk läsupplevelse och att jag hoppas att många fler får uppleva det.

[Susan C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only read one of Anna McPartlin books “The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes” - and that I gave a 5 star rating too. This author is just so so SO good in how she writes her stories - yes they are emotional, but you will really get to know the characters so well and be sure to have a box of tissues near you for the end. Such an incredible writer! Ms McPartlin I hope you keep writing more!!!

[Meggies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie Bean hat eine schreckliche Ehe hinter sich. Gewalt und Demütigung lag an der Tagesordnung. Doch sie konnte sich aus der Ehe retten und führt nun zusammen mit ihren beiden Kinder Jeremy und Valerie sowie ihrer demenzkranken Mutter Bridie ein neues Leben. Maisie müht sich ab, die Familie mit zwei Jobs und der Pflege der Mutter am Laufen zu halten. Sie hat Hilfe durch ihren Sohn Jeremy, der mit seinen 16 Jahren schon sehr erwachsen zu sein scheint. Zumindest in den Augen der anderen. Aber er hat auch seine Ängste und Sorgen, aus Pflichtgefühl gegenüber seiner Familie versucht er diese jedoch zu verbergen und den "starken Mann" zu markieren.
Und dann passiert das Undenkliche: Jeremy verschwindet.

Wer die Bücher von Anna McPartlin kennt, weiß, dass diese nicht gerade leichte Kost sind. Es geht um den Tod, verlorene Liebe, neue Anfänge und Schicksalsschläge. Die Protagonisten durchleiden einiges, müssen neu ins Leben finden und stecken so vieles ein, dass sie nicht verdient haben. Und doch steckt in den Büchern eine Leichtigkeit, die ich gar nicht so richtig beschreiben kann.

Auch hier in "Irgendwo im Glück" ist es so, dass die Protagonistin Maisie eine schreckliche Vergangenheit hat. Ihr Mann war brutal, hat sie geschlagen, gedemütigt und ihr das Leben zur Hölle gemacht. Doch sie hat aus diesem Leben herausgefunden und zusammen mit ihren beiden Kindern, Jeremy und Valerie und ihrer Mutter Bridie einen Neuanfang gewagt.

Nun, ein paar Jahre später, hat sie es geschafft, wieder ein geregeltes Leben zu führen. Ihre Kinder Jeremy und Valerie sind nun 16 bzw. 12 Jahre alt und helfen ihr so gut es geht. Vor allem Jeremy ist sehr gewissenhaft und unterstützt seine Mutter vor allem mit der nun dementen Bridie, die nicht nur durch die Vergesslichkeit, sondern auch durch ihr oft aggressives Verhalten gegenüber Maisie eine große Last geworden ist.
Doch Maisie gibt sie nicht auf. Sie erträgt es, dass ihre Mutter manchmal nicht mehr weiß, wer Maisie ist und aus Angst auf sie einschlägt.

Maisie ist eine sehr starke Persönlichkeit. Sie hat ihren Lebensmut nie verloren, hat sich immer wieder selbst aus der Tiefe heraufgeholt und versucht, dies auch an ihre Kinder weiterzugeben. Maisie nimmt vieles auf sich, findet Lösungen und bietet ihren beiden Kindern vor allem eine Familie. Zwar ohne Vater, dafür aber mit viel Liebe, viel Geborgenheit und vor allem mit einem offenen Ohr.

Valerie sieht dies manchmal nicht so. Sie ist etwas zickig, was aber an der beginnenden Pubertät liegt. Trotzdem lernt sie zu schätzen, was ihre Mutter für sie tut. Gleichzeitig will sie jedoch auch ihren Vater sehen, von dem jedoch keiner weiß, wo er sich aufhält. Verständlich, aber für ihre Mutter Maisie nicht gänzlich nachvollziehbar.

Als dann der Ruhepol der Familie, Jeremy, verschwindet, fängt ein neues Kapitel an. Wieder holt die dunkle Zeit Maisie ein. Doch es gibt für sie etwas, dass nicht in Frage kommt: aufgeben.

Hilfe bekommt sie dabei von dem netten Polizisten Fred Brennan. Erst denkt Maisie, dass er schuld daran ist, dass Jeremy abgehauen ist, doch nach und nach ergibt sich ein schreckliches Bild.

Die Umstände für das Verschwinden sind furchtbar und damit schneidet die Autorin ein Thema an, dass in unserer heutigen Zeit leider immer noch gerne totgeschwiegen wird, obwohl es zu unserem Alltag mittlerweile dazugehört.

Mit sehr einfühlsamen Worten, einer fesselnden, leichten Schreibweise und vor allem mit den ungewöhnlichen Mischungen der Themen schafft es die Autorin, mich so dermaßen in den Bann zu ziehen, dass die 464 Seiten nur so im Flug vergehen. Ich fühlte mich fast geborgen. Alle (guten) Charaktere waren sympathisch, authentisch. Ich habe sie alle lieb gewonnen.

Maisie und ihre Familie finden einen Weg und sind dann "Irgendwie im Glück".

Fazit:
Ein herzzerreissendes Buch voll Liebe, Freundschaft und Zusammenhalt.

[Ela | everydayescapes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nach dem emotionalen Buch „Die letzten Tage von Rabbit Hayes“ habe ich mich sehr auf den neuen Roman der irischen Autorin Anna McPartlin gefreut. Der Prolog des aktuellen Buches nimmt gleich das eigentliche Ende vorweg, sodass die Geschichte von Maisie und ihren Kindern quasi von hinten aufgerollt wird. Nach dem Prolog springt die Geschichte 20 Jahre zurück ins Jahr 1995 und Maisie Bean erzählt ihre Lebensgeschichte. Mittelpunkt ist dabei das Verschwinden von Jeremy sowie die verzweifelte Suchaktion nach ihm. In Rückblicken erfährt man zudem wie Maisie ihren Mann kennengelernt und wie sie unter seinem gewalttätigen Terror gelebt hat, wie sie entkommen ist und wie sie nun mit dem Schicksal ihrer demenzkranken Mutter umgeht.

Maisie ist eine starke Persönlichkeit, die schon einiges in ihrem Leben miterleben musste, dadurch aber nur härter wurde. Sie hat nie rumgejammert und hat trotz der Gewalt immer das Beste für ihre Kinder versucht. Jeremy hat nach der Trennung seiner Eltern die Rolle des Mannes im Haus eingenommen. Für sein Alter ist er sehr erwachsen, zuverlässig, fürsorglich und kümmert sich liebevoll um seine demente Großmutter oder nicht immer ganz einfache Schwester Valerie. In dem ganzen Chaos hat er aber auch vergessen, dass er selber noch ein halbes Kind ist, das sich selbst noch finden und verstehen muss. Die ganze Familie Bean besteht aus stark gezeichneten Persönlichkeiten, die man schnell lieben und verstehen lernt.

Um in die Geschichte selbst hineinzufinden, habe ich einige Zeit gebraucht, denn die Handlung zog sich für mich einige Male zu sehr in die Länge. Besonders die Rückblicke in die Vergangenheit empfand ich dabei als teilweise sehr schleppend. Interessant wurde das Ganze, als Jeremy verschwindet und obwohl Protagonistin Maisie eine schreckliche Vergangenheit hat, so empfand ich hier erst das erste Mal so etwas wie Emotionen, auf die ich lange gewartet habe. Obwohl man das ungefähre Ende kennt, ist die Entwicklung der Geschichte und die Suche nach Jeremy sehr spannend, interessant und ereignisreich. Durch die verschiedenen Sichtweisen der Familienmitglieder und Freunde rücken die Ereignisse in ein immer klareres Licht und man erlebt durch die unterschiedlichen Perspektiven sowohl die Ereignisse am Abend von Jeremys Verschwinden, als auch die Ereignisse und Gefühle jedes Einzelnen während der Suche nach ihm.

Anna McPartlin greift in „Irgendwo im Glück“ schwierige, aber wichtige Themen wie Demenz, Gewalt, Trauer und Sexualität auf. Und sie setzt besonders zum Ende damit wichtige Botschaften: sich nicht nur auf Vorurteile und Missverständnisse zu beschränken, nicht alle sofort in die gleiche Schublade zu stecken, einfach mal versuchen jemanden zu verstehen und einfach mal respektvoller und toleranter miteinander umgehen. Allein wegen dieser kleinen aber wichtigen Botschaften, ist das Buch eine Leseempfehlung.

Abschlussworte
Zwar fand ich „Irgendwo im Glück“ gesamt gesehen etwas schwächer als McPartlins Vorgänger „Die letzten Tage von Rabbit Hayes“, da mir persönlich diesmal einige Stellen zu detailreich und langgezogen waren. Trotzdem hat die Autorin erneut einen gefühlvollen und interessanten Roman geschrieben, der mit Leben vollgepackt ist und dabei ganz klar eine wichtige Botschaft enthält. Auch wenn man vielleicht einige wenige Abstriche machen muss, verpassen sollte man diesen Roman trotzdem nicht.