The Irish Daughter of New York

Maggie O'Halloran #1

by Kate Hewitt

Maggie O’Halloran gazes at the Statue of Liberty, her eyes wide with wonder. “At last,” she breathes softly. “This is where my future begins…”

New York City, 1891: Stepping off the boat she boarded in Ireland, Maggie O’Halloran’s heart is filled with hope for this brave new world. But when her father isn’t waiting at the docks as planned, her excitement vanishes with the terrible realization she and her brother Danny are utterly alone—homeless, penniless and without a friend in the world.

Life on the Lower East Side is hard and grindingly poor, but Maggie is determined to survive. As she gazes longingly into the windows of Manhattan’s famous department stores, she dreams of owning her own millinery shop and becoming independent at last. And when fellow Irishman Brendan O’Donoghue offers her and Danny refuge, Maggie finally feels hope for their future.

Finding work with a wealthy family on the Upper East Side, Maggie’s dreams begin to feel closer than ever before. But just as her fortunes finally change, her brother’s involvement with a notorious New York gang brings terrible danger to both her and Brendan’s doors. Facing a heartbreaking decision, can Maggie save her brother and protect the new life she’s built? Or will the American dream she has held so close to her heart be lost forever?

The first book in the Maggie O’Halloran series, this is a sweeping, epic and heart-wrenching story of one woman’s determination to change her fortunes against all odds. Perfect for fans of moving historical fiction, Kristin Harmel and Jean Grainger.

Genres: Historical Fiction

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.

She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.

Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.

Reviews

[ishraq [s-ia] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well… this was interesting!

thank you to netgalley and author for an arc xx

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Irish Daughter of New York
by Kate Hewitt

Set in New York City in 1891, The Irish Daughter of New York is a deeply moving story of hardship, and fierce determination, and pride. From the moment Maggie O’Halloran steps off the ship from Ireland—only to realize her father is nowhere to be found—the stakes are heartbreakingly high. Maggie and her younger brother, Danny, are instantly thrust into the harsh realities of immigrant life on the Lower East Side, where survival requires grit, sacrifice, and resilience.

Kate Hewitt brings Gilded Age New York vividly to life, contrasting grinding poverty with the glittering promise of opportunity just out of reach. Maggie is a strong heroine—practical, and ambitious. Her dream of owning a millinery shop feels both prideful and reaching especially as she navigates work among the wealthy elite and finds unexpected kindness in fellow Irishman Brendan O’Donoghue. The emotional tension deepens as loyalty to family collides with the danger of gang life, forcing Maggie to make difficult choices.

Heart-wrenching, this first book in the Maggie O’Halloran series is a powerful exploration of the immigrant experience and the cost of chasing the American dream. Perfect for readers who love character-driven historical fiction filled with courage, sacrifice, and determination in a better tomorrow.

I received a complimentary e-copy and I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. I personally didn’t connect with Maggie, so it’s a 4 star read for me.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional novel indeed but also heartwarming. Kate Hewitt can tell a story that keeps the reader gripped and this novel is no exception. I got a good idea of what it was like to arrive in America as an Irish woman at the end of the 19th century. Not a very nice welcome at all !! The historical background is well researched and the characters are relatable, but not finely drawn in their development leading to a predictable conclusion. Still the storyline is an interesting one and I enjoyed the novel.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Maggie O’Halloran series. When their mother dies Maggie O’Halloran packs herself and her 14 year old brother off to New York where their father has said he will meet them. But after a long voyage they arrive to find no sign of him. He’s let them down once again. It’s 1891 and New York City is full of immigrants all looking for work and lodgings, and to make matters worse Maggie was pickpocketed, and they have no money.

Briefly, Maggie and Danny find somewhere to stay, Maggie working as a seamstress but Danny starts hanging around the streets and after he gets involved with some unsavoury characters they are asked to leave their lodging. Luckily store owner and fellow Irishman Brendan O’Donoghue offers them lodgings with him. However, it’s clear that he has set his cap at Maggie, but Maggie has her sights on bigger things and finding a job with a wealthy family is her first step…

Maggie is one determined lady, and you have to admire her spirit, although I feel she could have been kinder towards Brendan. Danny needs a good smack, he knows he’s doing wrong, he knows he’s upsetting his sister, but just keeps doing it. The setting is wonderful and the story good, if a little predictable. An enjoyable family drama and I’m looking forward to book 2.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent historical fiction

This book, set in NYC in the late 1800's, focused on Irish immigrants Maggie and Danny O'Halloran. They came over from Ireland to meet up with their father who they haven't seen in years, but when they arrived, he was nowhere to be found. The two were on their own, and had to struggle to make their way just to survive.

For the most part I enjoyed this story. Maggie was very courageous and she was determined to carry out her dreams. The only downside was that I felt Maggie was not treating Brendan very well after all he'd done for them. I can't say any more than that because it would give away spoilers.

All in all, I hope there is a sequel to the story, it ends abruptly and I do want to know what happens to Maggie, Danny and Brendan.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Maggie and her brother, Danny, as they tried to make a life after arriving in New York. I connected with them as they struggled to find work, a home, and their missing father. I liked the author’s writing style and stayed invested in the plot. My only negative reaction was when the story ended without complete resolution, but then I realized this is the first in a series. I’ll definitely come back for the rest of the story.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Irish Daughter of New York, by Kate Hewitt, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book one in the Maggie O'Halloran series. Maggie and her brother left Ireland, and arrived in New York, alone with little to no money. This was a sad story at times, the 1800 are so different from the 2020's. I liked Maggie and Brendan.