The Wife's Irish Secret

Magnolia Manor #6

by Susanne O'Leary

‘I’ve never felt so at home in all my life. Ireland isn’t just in my blood; it’s in my heart. But I was mistaken if I thought this safe haven could erase my past…’

When Marian Fleury finds a love letter hidden in her husband Theo’s belongings, her heartbreak puts her on the first plane to Ireland. With her sister Claire’s wedding only a week away, she has the perfect excuse to escape to the Irish coast and decide where her future truly lies…

Marian is shocked by how quickly she adjusts to the beautiful sandy shores, shopping for dresses and collecting roses for the perfect wedding bouquet. As the ocean sparkles before her, the wind soft against her face, she manages to keep the pain Theo has caused her a secret and remembers that as a little girl she always wanted Ireland to be her home.

Yet just as Marian thinks her past is behind her, Theo arrives in town. He begs for her forgiveness, his handsome face and olive skin making her heart race like always, and suddenly she wonders if he might start afresh in the village with her.

But when she stumbles upon the woman her husband was sending letters to, in a beautiful cottage among the wildflowers, Marian learns that Theo has an even bigger secret. Can Marian find the strength to take the next steps in her own life, or is she about to lose everything?

Fans of Mary Alice Monroe, Sheila O’Flanagan and Debbie Macomber will be utterly entranced by this unputdownable second chance romance.

What readers are saying about Susanne O’

‘OMG! OMG!! I cannot remember the last time I was so gutted to come to the end of a book!! I absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like I was packing my bags and being whisked away… Absolutely gorgeous!!!… An absolutely stunning, heart-warming romance.’ Bookworm 86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was completely captivated… Amazing… completely melted my heart. This story is uplifting and inspiring and I found it to be unputdownable. I absolutely loved it.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Truly touched my heart. Impossible to put down… kept me tapping the screen of my Kindle deep into the night… will be with me for a long while.’ Robin Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I couldn’t put this down! Absolutely delightful!… Loved this!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I really wish I was still reading this book… I suppose I had to run out of pages at some point, at the rate I was devouring them… Perfect… A pure joy to read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Stunning… Once you begin it you won’t be able to put it down.’ Stardust Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I soon became addicted to reading this beautiful story… I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough… Draws you into the story from the first word… An emotional rollercoaster ride.

Genres: Romance

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2025

About the author

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She's been inspired to represent people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.

When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Wife's Irish Secret, by Susanne O'Leary, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book six in the Magnolia Manor series. Marian Fleury goes home to Ireland for her sister Claires wedding. I liked this book, I liked Marian, Claire, and Sylvia, but id not care for Theo or Sean/John.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finish an Irish novel by Susanne O’Leary, I smile and sigh with satisfaction. Her stories lift me up and sweep me away to the Island I love dearly. Ireland is both my spiritual and ancestral home. And when I fall into the pages of these stories, I am totally lost in the atmosphere, beauty and charm of not only the land and seascape but also the warmth, friendliness and quirkiness of a close knit community. Yes, secrets never last long in these quaint villages but when trials come, the support offered between neighbours, is outstanding. This peaceful and enriching lifestyle offers an escape into nature with its beauty to refresh us and its ability to make us feel secure. It often provides a second chance at life. The Wife’s Irish Secret is an ideal example of all these things and more. I was transported on a wonderful journey to magical Kerry, thanks to Susanne’s vivid sensory descriptions and pulled completely into its ocean of intriguing drama. I sincerely loved this new instalment of the Magnolia Manor series that kept me fully engaged from start to finish. And it began with the divine cover!

The novel opens with Marian Fleury travelling on a plane from Sydney to Dubai, then onwards to Ireland to her sister’s wedding. Marian, though, has a broken heart. She feels lost, misunderstood and ignored. Her relationship with her husband, Theo, is in trouble. They have lived in Queensland for seven years running a water sports gear shop. Theo loves surfing and his native home but Marian is unhappy. She’s tried hard to fit in but misses Ireland. Then after finding a love letter in her husband’s belongings, she is hurt and thrown by the discovery. But she does not talk to him about it. Upset, she leaves Australia and heads to Ireland hoping to find peace and fulfilment. While sitting on the plane, after a few drinks, she opens up to a stranger: a man willing to listen to her woes and life story. She figures she’ll never see him again so what she shares should not matter. He appears to be a sympathetic listener (who also asks a lot of leading questions). Little does she know, there will be consequences to her outpouring and she will regret spilling details of her life and that of her family’s.

Once arriving in Ireland, she settles quickly. She finally feels free and at home. Spending time with her family and receiving their support, provides the healing she needs. But although she has a fresh start, a new job and a comfortable accommodation, she is harbouring a secret that could jeopardise her happiness. Of course, conflicts arise and unexpected surprises. One being the arrival of Theo, her husband. How does his presence make her feel? Is their relationship over or is there a chance at reconciliation? Maybe. But honest communication must begin between them to sort out their problems. This is very much a story about relationships: how they should be nurtured, respected and protected.

Matriarch Sylvia has a few surprises of her own. And this new information adds even more layers of intrigue to this fascinating woman of strength and style, we have gotten to know over the course of the series. It was interesting to see how this secret is played out. In fact, I loved Sylvie’s clever tactics when she is under threat.

I enjoyed all the familiar and new characters, except one who drove me mad with his attitude and actions! But it was wonderful to meet up again with the Fleury family. I totally recommend The Wife’s Irish Secret for those who love feel good fiction with lots of heart set in a magical location. This novel is very special and made me homesick for Ireland. As Theo says of Marian’s love and connection to Kerry: It’s ‘A kind of memory that’s handed down through time.’ I experienced it on my own trips to Ireland. Race memory they call it. But whether your family roots are in Ireland or somewhere else, that desire to feel ‘home’ is in us all. This novel shines like a diamond, on this and many other points. I adored this beautiful, life-affirming read. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wife’s Irish Secret by Suzanne O’Leary is a romance novel. Having said that, it felt to me more of a romance novel about the land and people of Ireland. Once drawn into the book, it became increasingly important to keep reading the novel. The main character of Marian Fleury is a sympathetic main character with her vulnerabilities, flaws and struggles..

Marian is flying home to Ireland to see her younger sister get married. The truth really is that she is leaving Australia. She has been living there with her husband and children for years. However, she has been increasingly upset by her life with her husband feeling more and more excluded from his life. Then she found the letter from an old flame of her husband - only not so old as the letter was recent.

Marian shares information in a vulnerable state to someone who was going to use the information to enrich himself. This just adds to the emotional baggage that Marian carries. Then Theo finally responds by coming to Ireland to meet his wife (perhaps to reengage their relationship). Now Marian is in a bind with a number of things and feels like she is constantly running and keeping secrets.

I found that Marian’s present life was unable to maintain. No one can keep that many balls in the air without issues. I was increasingly worried for Marian and what was going to happen. The Wife’s Irish Secret by Suzanne O’Leary was a good read.

[Claire Turkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this gripping, gorgeous romantic book set in Ireland. Book #6 of the Magnolia Manor series and sadly the final instalment. Can be read as standalone too as there is plenty of backstory to keep you updated.

A heart broken Marian, after finding a love letter sent to her husband Theo catches a flight back home to Ireland where she opens up to a complete stranger about the Fluery family. With her sister Claire’s wedding only a few weeks away she settles into life at Magnolia Manor with the Fluery family.

I was completely captivated right from the start. The story is uplifting and inspiring. I couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed the familiar characters and the new ones. You feel invested in the characters and their stories. It’s full of love, family secrets, relationships and family drama.
I definitely recommend this feel good story with lots of heart and set in a beautiful place. It’s well worth the read.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #TheWifesIrishSecret in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 18 December 2025

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finding a love letter to her husband, Theo, from another woman, Marian Fleury travels to Kerry for her sister’s wedding and plans on staying for a while.

With everyone being so kind to her at Magnolia House, Marian soon starts to struggle with some secrets of her own. When Theo turns up asking Marian to forgive him, she finds herself in a predicament - does she want to go back to her husband and to the loneliness she felt in their marriage?

Unfortunately, this is the final book in this wonderful series. I shall miss it very much as I found myself loving the family and all the characters in each story.

Sylvia, the matriarch, is a force to be reckoned with. All the family want to stay in her good books, and I have enjoyed getting to know more about her in this final book.

This story is a tale of secrets, love and lies. With a trip down memory lane, this made for an enchanting story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so good to be back in Magnolia Manor and this time it’s Marian’s story. I’m impressed how the author has managed to add yet another family member to this saga. At the end of the last two books I’ve sadly thought, that’s it now there is no more to tell, only to be delighted with each new installment. As always you’re immediately invested on the new characters and their stories, luxuriating in catching up with the more established characters and feel like you know delicious secrets as the author provides brief backstories for them.
This book opens on a plane journey where Marian divulges more than is possibly wise to a stranger. We’ve all been there, but hopefully with not quite as many far reaching results.
Another beautiful warm hug of a read in this, a favourite series of mine.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wife’s Irish Secret by Susanne O’Leary is a Magnolia Manor novel in which we join Marion Fleury from Australia in meeting all her Fleury family in Kerry. She had been on the other end as his sister, Claire, investigated the relationships and she knew them almost as well as Claire did. She was on her way from Australia to attend Claire’s wedding and she planned to stay on for a while. She hated Australia and she wasn’t sure there was any life left in her marriage to Theo, anyway. On the plane she met a nice man named Sean and told him the Fleury story. What could it hurt? He was a stranger. It didn’t take too long before she found out what it could hurt and as she confronted herself and this man, and later, the family, she came to terms with many things in her life.

Marian is a good character, fully developed by O’Leary at age fifty-five and ready for more of life. Being around the Fleury women, she realized age was just a number. Look at Sylvia who was in her mid-eighties. She got a part-time job with Claire’s husband-to-be who was a PR person for books, mostly cookbooks and such, but branching out. She loved it. She took over Claire’s tiny apartment at Magnolia Manor and loved it, too. It was the first time in years that she had been able to take a breath. As much a coming-of-age novel as a romance. The plot is similar to the earlier ones in this series. Secrets...secrets...secrets. Many of the other characters are known to us from other novels and that is always a plus. Good read.

I was invited to read The Wife’s Irish Secret by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #SusanneOLeary #TheWifesIrishSecret

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marian Fleury discovers a love letter hidden in her husband Theo’s belongings. Driven by a sense of urgency, she promptly boards the first flight to Ireland, knowing that her sister Claire’s wedding is just a week away, she doesn’t have much time. Marian’s quest for the truth propels her back to her beloved Ireland.

Upon her return, Marian is instantly enveloped by a sense of belonging. Ireland has always held a special place in her heart, and she feels a deep connection to the land and its people. When Theo arrives shortly thereafter, Marian envisions the possibility of rekindling their marriage and settling in the picturesque village she cherishes.

However, her idyllic vision is soon shattered when she encounters the woman who Theo has been sending love letters to. But the love letters are not the only secret he has been concealing.

“The Wife’s Irish Secret” by Susanne O’Leary is a captivating tale of love, reconciliation, and second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, particularly Marian’s character. She exudes strength and courage, unafraid to confront the truth and embark on an adventurous journey to find it. It is a haven filled with cherished friends and family, who eagerly await Marian’s visits and provide warmth and support.

Returning to Magnolia Manor always feels like coming home for me. The village, with its enchanting beauty and sparkling sea, is a familiar and comforting place. I am an avid fan of this series and highly recommend this remarkable read to anyone seeking a captivating and heartwarming story.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really peaceful romance. I say peaceful because the setting for this book was so beautiful! Between the manor house and the beach, it seemed like the perfect place to go to getaway, or start living.

This is the 6th book in the series. It can be read as a standalone, but it did seem like there were some references to things that happened in earlier books that I didn’t really know anything about. It didn’t take away from the plot of this book though! The cast of characters in this book, well most of them, are so much fun and great characters. From Claire to Sylvia, and Pearce. The book was enjoyable because of all of these. I didn’t particularly love Sean or Theo. Sean was untrustworthy and Theo started off as selfish and overreactive.

I connected with Marian and Theo’s story a bit. Circumstances haven’t been the same, but it’s easy for a marriage to become less about romance and more about getting lost in the day to day. It’s easy to want to find independence and grow away from your partner. We have kids, and it seems like our relationship at times has been put on the back burner in order to keep the chaos under control in our home. Our kids are also neurodivergent and one of them is developmentally delayed. So this book gave me some hope that we can find our way back to the way that we were before kids.

If you’re looking for a hopeful romance, with a beautiful setting, then definitely check this one out!

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wife’s Irish Secret is the sixth and final book in Susanne O’Leary’s Magnolia Manor Series. This book features Marian Fleury, great niece of Fleury family matriarch, Sylvia. Having discovered a questionable letter from an old flame of her husband Theo after months of growing apart and years of being unhappy after they relocated to Australia, his homeland, Marian has decided to return home to Ireland early for her sister Claire’s wedding.

Upset and with a few glasses of airline wine in her, Marian responds when nice looking and friendly seat mate strikes up a conversation. While Marian spends some time talking about her issues, when she tires of baring her soul and he asks about her surname, she reveals far too much breaking the family rule to not reveal much to outsiders. But the stranger was just being kind and would forget all about it by tomorrow! Right?

But not when the stranger turns out to be author John Peters who has now written a vaguely disguised tale promising to reveal deep secrets of the family matriarch. And that’s when the plot presents unexpected twists and turns that will lead the reader on a true family adventure.

This is another well written story by Ms. O’Leary. With interesting characters in a beautiful Irish west coast setting, this story makes a lovely conclusion to the Magnolia Manor series. I very much enjoyed this book, and series, and do recommend it

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 6 in Susanne's Magnolia Manor series and this time we follow Marian!

Marian leaves Australia for her Sister's Wedding in Ireland confused and heartbroken after finding a love letter amongst her husband Theo's possessions...

After beginning to feel like heraelf again, Theo arrives begging for forgiveness... and of course, a once hidden secret begins to rear its ugly head!

Susanne has a lovely way of writing and for introducing the reader to her characters- you can't help but fall in love with them and really feel for them and their situations.

I loved Marian, she was such a likeable and relatable character. The pain of her finding and her path towards repairing her heart was somwthing that the reader felt too - a deep empathy and this is only possibly by fabulous writing.

When we meet Marian originally, she is on a plane, talking to a comolete stranger and divulging more then she probably should... I immediately thought, hmmm what could possibly go wrong here!

Learning the secrets of the characters was intriguing and brilliant revealed too!

It was lovely to visit Magnolia Manor again and see some familiar faces and what they were getting up too as well ❤️.

Susanne doesn't just start a story for you to read, she drags you into it and gives you a front row seat!

A lovely contemporary read!

[Doreen Montis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wife’s Irish Secret is the last installment in the Magnolia Manor series. Like previous books in this collection,, O’Leary introduces a new member to the Fleury family (Marian) who travels back to Ireland and rediscovers the beauty and charm of Kerry and the love of a family..

Marian is faced with a little love dilemma and a secret of her own that could lead to the exposure of larger family secrets. The book spends quite a bit of time covering back stories of previous characters, and for this reason, I felt a little disconnected from Marian. She seemed to be a character that was used to have a reason for telling Sylvia’s story. At times, the story was repetitive. Marian’s story wasn’t as interesting as Sylvia’s and I thought of Marian as an outsider and not a Fleury. The Wife’s Irish Secret was my least favorite book in the Magnolia Manor collection. I am saddened we won’t see more in this series as I loved the earlier books and characters. .

Although this book can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading them in order. If one were to read this book first, I think the characters would seem flat.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell into this story so easily. The characters felt familiar in a way that surprised me. I’ve had my own moment of calling time on a relationship and flying home to regroup, so the emotional beats here landed with a soft thud in my chest. Everything about the unraveling felt believable.

The plot thread with the writer drew me in straightaway. It’s the kind of twist that quietly hooks your imagination. You keep wondering where it will lead and what truths will slip through as the story deepens.

Susanne’s writing shines here. She always takes readers on an emotional journey, but never in a way that feels pushed. Her characters breathe on the page, and her descriptions of County Kerry are so vivid that I could almost smell the sea and feel the wildness of the coast. She paints people and place with such tenderness.

A heartfelt, evocative story that lingers long after you close the book.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marian was right to “run away” to Ireland. Theo, her husband was completely absorbed in being a surfer guy instead of seeing how miserable she was.
However, loose lips brings unforeseen consequences for Marian.
Sylvia was a rock star in the story and had absolutely nothing to regret or feel ashamed about.
The book highlights both the best and the worst of a small community: closeness but every one in all the business.
It’s a happy ending for the characters on the Emerald Isle.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wife's Irish Secret is a book of revealed and found secrets. Marian Fleury goes to Ireland to help with her sister’s wedding while making decisions concerning her own marriage. Sylvia, the matriarch of the family, still has some major part of this story. I like these women, the way that they are now handling life and the sense of family in this series. The men well, let’s just say not as much. Yet Susanne O'Leary writes a compelling story with honest characterization, people can change, which is what this saga has shown. A wonderful addition to the Magnolia Manor Series.

[Sarah J Stebbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good palate cleanser read. I have read all the other books in the series, and a few of her other series as well. Some I enjoy more than others, but I have liked all of them so far.

This is short, easy romance read with interesting characters. And set in the small town of Kerry, Ireland. As with a few other books by this author I found the drama near the end took me out of it a bit, but it ended with a happy ending so I was still satisfied.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful finsh to a lovely series.

Amazon synopsis:
When Marian Fleury finds a love letter hidden in her husband Theo’s belongings, her heartbreak puts her on the first plane to Ireland. With her sister Claire’s wedding only a week away, she has the perfect excuse to escape to the Irish coast and decide where her future truly lies…

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great conclusion to the Magnolia Manor series of 6 books.
The setting in Ireland, the characters, the storyline wound everything up nicely.
I would read these in order though, if you read them in a different order as there are spoilers from the other books .
An enjoyable family series.

[Carmen S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special.

The novel was ok. It reminded me of novels I have read in the past. I am a sucker for romantic stories, especially ones that take place on other countries.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it very much.

[Alona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I loved this series. So uplifting and in such an amazing setting! Sylvia is a kick in the pants throughout both both novels. A must read!!

[Tracy Fraley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

[Wendy Duncalfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the others in this series. Too much repeating of things, and very far fetched

[Tom Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series. This story felt rushed and left me wanting more details on the different story lines. It just felt disjointed.