The Orphan at the Irish Adoption House: Completely unputdownable, tear-jerking and addictive Irish historical fiction

by Michelle Vernal

Ireland, 1920. As they take my baby away, I choke on my tears. I grew up alone, abandoned in a place like this. I won’t let my newborn share the same fate.

Arriving at St Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home, it’s not the first time Mary-Kate has faced hardship. She grew up in a poor orphanage in Dublin after her father died and her mother gave her up, and never stopped working for a better future.

But, as her baby is taken from her arms moments after coming into this world, Mary-Kate almost loses all hope. She can’t do this by herself. The baby’s father has made it clear he wants nothing to do with the child. And she hasn’t heard from her only friend since she was trapped here.

When a kind nun finally hands her a letter, it revives some of her determination. Help is coming for Mary-Kate and her baby. But as much as the secret plan to get them out raises her spirits, the letter is also gut-wrenching. Why was she left to grow up all alone… when her father is actually alive?

Could Mary-Kate really have a family out there to rely on? Or will counting on the offer of help in the letter leave her more alone than ever?

This achingly beautiful and emotional historical novel is perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Sandy Taylor. The family secrets will have you sobbing – and you won’t be able to put it down!

What readers are saying about The Irish Adoption House

‘Omg I went through quite a few tissues… It totally shattered my heart while at the same time putting the pieces back together again… Amazing.’ Leannebookstagram, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Wow! I have to say that this page-turner is so outstanding that I read it in a single day! Putting it down was not an option.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A heartbreaking and very powerful book… I couldn’t put it down… Brilliant… This book was magic… Just so heartbreaking… Captivating.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘What an incredible read!… Raw and heartbreaking… Attention-grabbing, page-turner… Excellent… Kept me hooked… One to add to your list!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Heartbreaking… Beautiful story that will tug at your heart… You instantly feel drawn… Definitely a must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. A brilliant read!’ read_books_sleep_repeat, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘What a wonderful book

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 6, 2026

About the author

Michelle Vernal is a bestselling author of warm, witty, and uplifting Irish fiction. Born in England to parents from Liverpool – often called “Little Ireland” – she grew up on her mum’s tales of Iocal families, music, and humour. Later, she lived, worked, got engaged, and travelled extensively in Ireland, experiences that inspire her much-loved novels, including the hilarious Guesthouse on the Green series. Her stories, filled with heart, humour, and unforgettable characters, have earned her a loyal readership worldwide.

For updates on Michelle's latest book releases you can follow her here: https://www.amazon.com/author/michell...

Reviews

[Dee Groocock · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the nineteen tens in Ireland, Mary-Kate is dropped off at an orphanage by her mum when she is six-years-old. Promising to return for her, Mary-Kate waits patiently for her return.

When she’s told her Uncle Ferg has come to take her to his house to live, Mary-Kate soon finds out that she’s really there to look after all his children, as well as doing all the household chores.

Uncle Ferg and Aunt Edie only care about their sons. Mary-Kate strikes up a friendship with her young cousin, Malachy … Mary-Kate is the only person he speaks to.

After finding herself pregnant, Mary-Kate is put into a Mother and Baby home … run again by mums. Trying to get on with her life, Mary-Kate tries to keep her head down and get on with her chores. Very hard to do when the nuns were awful to all the unwed mothers.

Finally, with help, Mary-Kate manages to move on to a new life.

This is a hard book to review as I don’t want to give away any spoilers, and there are many twists in this book.

I loved Mary-Kate’s character, and I felt sorry for her. Having read about nuns back in this period of time, my heart went out to all of those in the story.

The story is told from the 1910s, 1920s and the 1980s. This does work well and doesn’t make the story confusing at all. Each era is explained well in the tale.

This is the first book that I have read in the series and it doesn’t affect the reading of this story.

It is also my first book by this author and I shall certainly be adding more of her books to my kindle, as well as reading the other books in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of "The Orphan at the Irish Adoption House" by Michelle Vernal from NetGalley. the book starts in the nineteen teens when Mary Kate is only six years old. She is dropped off the the Adoption house by her mother. Mary Kate is forced to live at the orphanage run by nuns until she is twelve. she had a terrible time there not even being called by her name. just a number. When she is twelve a man comes and takes her to his home telling her he is her uncle and she is to live at their farm helping to take care of the family of seven kids. She is forced to live in a barn.
Three years later she ends up pregnant at 15 and now at another building run by nuns.the book writes of Mary Kate and her years at the farm and how she ended up at a home for unwed mothers. it follows her life to 1985. I don't want to give any spoilers of what becomes of Mary Kate.there are secrets that she finds out. I liked this book and found it to be a good one to read. I did not want to put it down wanting to know what becomes of Mary Kate and hoping for a "happily ever after' for her. I would give this book a 4.5.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Michelle Vernal’s writing is absolutely delicious, immersive, emotionally rich, and a joy to sink into. The setting is vivid and the characters feel entirely believable, which gave the story greater impact.

Where this novel truly shines is in the development of the characters. The heartbreak Mary-Kate is subjected to brought me to tears, and her journey felt raw and painfully real. Watching her friend Caitie’s transformation was empowering and honest, too. A importrant reminder of how courage can take many forms.

What stayed with me most was Mary-Kate’s determination and her fierce commitment to the truth. She possesses an inner strength she only recognises when she’s truly tested, and that quiet resilience made her story all the more powerful. I also loved the resolution. Stories about women helping women always resonate with me, and this one delivers beautifully.

A perfect weekend read. Highly recommended.

* I received an advance reader copy, though the opinions are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book and Mary-Kate’s story. I was intrigued from the very beginning. This book is beautifully written and well executed. I loved the structure of the story and how we jump to different years throughout the reading experience. I also think Vernal did a great job deciding which parts of the story to flesh out and which details to leave off the page. This story made me feel very emotional and had a satisfying conclusion. This book is part of an interconnected series and I loved it as someone who has not read any other work by the author. I'm an interest in reading more of her work.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the eARC! I really loved this book and would highly recommend it to other readers.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Orphan at the Irish Adoption House is an emotional historical fiction set in 1920s Ireland. Mary-Kate’s story is heartbreaking—growing up in an orphanage and then having her own baby taken from her at a Mother and Baby Home. What a great new series, which reads like a standalone, as I wasn’t lost at any time. This was a sad but hopeful read about resilience and a mother who refuses to give up. Short, emotional, and hard to forget. ★★★★☆

If you are a stickler for reading series in order you have lots of time this becomes out Feb 6/26!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC !

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another visit to St Patrick's Mother and Baby home and this time it's Mary-Kate's turn.
As with the previous two books in the series this is an engrossing tale of fiction interwoven with facts and another look at one of Ireland’s most shameful histories.
The main plot concentrates on Mary-Kate but it's a real treat to be catching up with the main characters from the previous two adoption books too.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 8.

A difficult life has Mary-Kate ending up in an Irish orphanage, then as a “helper” for her lost father’s family, and then to a home for unwed mothers.

THE ORPHAN AT THE IRISH ADOPTION HOUSE will pull at your heartstrings as you follow Mary-Kate through her life, but hope for the best.

I enjoyed the story and especially the characters except for a few of course. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number three in the Irish Adoption series by Michelle Vernal. It introduces the reader to Mary-Kate, a young girl who grew up in an orphanage in Dublin and revisits characters from previous books.

It is an emotional and heartbreaking story with a well paced plot and a cast of well drawn characters that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction based in Ireland.

[Melanie Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not love this series any more if I tried! Honestly, it has everything you could possibly want in a story. I love the characters, the possibilities of hope, all mixed in with a bit of grit and intrigue.