The Diary at the Irish Adoption House: A completely heartbreaking and addictive Irish historical fiction novel

by Michelle Vernal

Ireland, 1939: ‘Please,’ my tearful voice breaks as I press the leather-bound diary into Sister Louise’s hands. ‘Give this to the family who takes care of my baby. It’s all he’ll have to remember his Mammy...’

In the pale light of dawn, Sheila holds her precious baby close, tears welling in her eyes. For weeks she has been planning her escape to America, away from the cruel man she’s been forced to marry, who refuses to raise a child who’s not his own. But war is coming, making the crossing from Ireland far too dangerous for a child. Her chest aches with the most impossible to keep her son truly safe, she must give him away…

As she says her last goodbyes in the shadow of the adoption house, Sheila takes the diary she’s poured her heart into and tucks it in amongst his blankets, whispering a ‘One day, we’ll meet again, little one…’

Now, Sheila must escape her husband, facing the dangerous journey across the ocean, praying that one day she and her son can be reunited. But as she watches Ireland vanish over the horizon from the deck of the boat, her heart stops at a sickening thud, and the ship’s bells start to ring. Can she survive the perilous crossing to America? And will she ever make it back to her son?

An utterly heartbreaking and emotional novel about hope in dark places and the power of a mother’s love, perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe.

This book can be read as a standalone.

Readers are loving The Diary at the Irish Adoption House:

‘I think I went through a box of tissues! I loved this book! What a heartbreaking powerful read! Highly recommend!’ Bridge of Weir, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heart-wrenching… Takes you on a journey that will break your heart but it will also get into your soul… I loved it and would give it more than 5 stars if I could.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘My heart was in my mouth… I loved it.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So heartbreaking. You will fall in love with the characters right away. Highly recommend.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Perfect!... Had me invested from the beginning… Incredibly heartbreaking, emotional, and moving.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What readers are saying about Michelle

‘I absolutely fell in love… Heart-wrenching… Had me reaching for tissues multiple times while reading late into the night.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking… I was moved to tears… Gripping… Held my attention and my heart from beginning to end.’ Robin Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow wow wow!!!! I read this in less than twenty-four hours. So gripping, it had me hooked and unable to put it down.’ diane.likes.to.read, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

‘Heart-wrenching… Unputdownable… I couldn’t resist flipping through the pages, my eyes brimming with tears… Phenomenal.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘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, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2026

About the author

Michelle Vernal is a bestselling author who writes uplifting stories set in places readers long to visit, where ordinary women discover that home isn't just somewhere you live, it's the people who welcome you in.
Born in England to parents from Liverpool – often called “Little Ireland” – she grew up in New Zealand raised on her mum’s tales about Iocal families, music, and humour.
For updates on Michelle's latest book releases you can follow her on Amazon - click here:
https://www.amazon.com/author/michell...
Or for a free O'Mara family short story visit her website at: www.michellevernalbooks.com

Reviews

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was adopted?? Why didn't my parents tell me?

When Micky's parents passed away he was summoned to their solicitor's office. He didn't know why because everything had been taken care of.

He was devastated to find out he was adopted, and the diary his mother left told her story.

We hear Sheila's story in alternating timelines as we learn of what happened before she fell in love, what happened that put her in a home for unwed mothers when she was married but in an abusive relationship, and to current day.

The timelines made it a bit confusing, but the storyline kept my interest.

You will enjoy Sheila's story told through her diary jottings.

T​H​E DIARY AT THE IRISH ADOPTION HOUSE is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming read that reveals what really happened to women in Ireland, detailing how they had to work as servants to pay for their stay and ultimately give up their children.​ 4/5

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

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I switched off then, mesmerised by the carriage clock’s tick, wishing I could rewind time so that I was still outside pulling the winter vegetables.”

Finding the love of her life does not bring Sheila Reilly lifelong happiness. Instead, decisions are forced upon her and she loses the love that she found. Now pregnant, Sheila desperately wants to give her unborn baby the best life possible. Sadly, that choice is taken from her, leaving her to face unimaginable heartbreak. Until now, Sheila has recorded her most precious thoughts in a diary. But even that is taken from her.

Sheila finds herself at the St Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home, where her time is anything but easy. Alongside the grueling work, she has had to endure the nuns’ forced name change to Marie. Set in Ireland in 1939, this emotionally charged and captivating story delves into Sheila’s resilience as she navigates the difficult and heart-wrenching decisions as she navigates the difficult and heartbreaking circumstances thrust upon her.
Michelle Vernal has written compelling stories in this Irish Adoption House series. Although all are wonderful stories that will grab readers’ hearts, each book works well as a standalone.

What a touching story of resilience and survival! This truly heartbreaking and emotional read is a testament to Vernal’s as a storyteller. She brings to life the pain, struggles and resilience of a woman who consistently had choices taken away from her. This reader will be most certainly be back for more.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Caroline’s Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila was pushed into a marriage she never desired. Her husband is harsh and refuses to raise a child that is not his. Yet she faces an impossible choice. As she plans to reach America for a better life, her only option is to give up her son to keep him safe.

She decides to leave him at an adoption house in Ireland while crossing the ocean to begin a new life for herself and the son she had to abandon. She promises herself that one day she will reunite with him.

“The Diary At the Irish Adoption House” by Michelle Vernal is a compelling story of resilience and survival, capturing the hardest possible choice. Sheila was a remarkable person confronted with unimaginable decisions about her life. I admired Sheila’s extraordinary strength.

This exceptional and emotional story was hard to put down; as I moved through the pages, I was absorbed by the plot. I could not wait to see how it would end. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I strongly recommend this remarkable book.

Grab your copy today!!

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the fabulous Irish Adoption House series. I was completely captivated by this book right from the prologue and the story just got better and better as I progressed through the book. I had so much admiration for Sheila and the way she coped with everything. It’s an emotional and a heartbreaking read that brought tears to my eyes at times. One of the many things I loved about this book ( and the previous ones ) is that it’s based around where I’m actually from and my home town gets a mention. As I previously mentioned this is part of a series but it can most definitely be read as a standalone book. This is another book I 💯 recommend for fans of historical fiction saga books.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Irish Adoption House series. I have read and enjoyed them all. I do not usually stick with series but this one was good because though they are interconnected each one had its own very distinct story. The stories are emotional and heartbreaking - especially when you consider that real women endured these hardships.

This story follows Sheila who is fleeing an abusive situation. As with all these you want the women to win and find joy.

I’m glad I read this series.

[Julie Maintzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The Diary at the Irish Adoption House* was an emotional, powerful, and beautifully written story. I quickly fell in love with Sheila and admired the incredible strength she showed throughout everything she endured.

Sheila’s relationship with Mickey, her pregnancy, and the decisions others made about her future were heartbreaking and horrifying. Her experiences offered a painful look at how few choices women had during that time, especially when their families and society believed they had the right to control their lives.

The writing was polished and engaging, and the story flowed easily from one chapter to the next. Sheila was exceptionally well developed, and her courage, perseverance, and determination made me deeply invested in her journey.

This was a moving and insightful story about love, motherhood, survival, and a woman fighting to reclaim control of her life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to readers who appreciate emotional historical fiction centered on strong and resilient women.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **5 Stars**

*I received a complimentary digital review copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Diary at the Irish Adoption House by Michelle Verna is the fourth book in The Irish Adoption House series. It is set in Ireland in 1939, just as the threat of WWII is looming. It deals with the devastating circumstances faced by unmarried mothers in mother and baby homes in Ireland and the cruel realities of adoption during this period. This is an emotional and moving story.
Sheila has fallen for a ?? But ends up in a marriage with a cruel man who won’t acknowledge her unborn baby. She is badly beaten one night and seeks refuge in the local church. She is taken to a mother’s and baby home where her daily routine is harsh for anyone let alone a pregnant woman. Sheila decides to have her baby adopted and she travels to the US to start a new life.
She has kept a diary and asks a kind nun in the home to make sure it goes with her baby’s belongings so he has something to remind him of her love.
The lack of choices for women of this period is highlighted through the consequences of being trapped by family expectations and abusive relationships.
An emotional read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diary at the Irish Adoption House is the latest instalment in Michelle Vernal’s moving Irish Adoption House series — and it may be the most emotionally powerful yet.

This is Sheila’s story. After falling pregnant by the man she truly loved, she is forced into marriage with someone else. To protect her son, she makes the devastating decision to have him adopted before fleeing to America. On the day he is adopted, Sheila slips her diary beneath his blankets and whispers a promise that they will meet again one day. But first, she must escape her cruel husband and face a perilous crossing to a new life. Will she survive the journey?

Oh, my goodness — this story touched me even more deeply than I expected. Having read the earlier novels, I knew I was in for an emotional journey, but Sheila’s story tugged at my heartstrings in a way that stayed with me long after I finished reading. And while these novels are fiction, the history behind them is painfully real. My mother was adopted in 1945; she was a war baby. We know nothing about her birth parents or how to begin searching for them. Her adoptive mother, my gran, was the best mum she could have had, and Mum chose not to look for her birth parents while Gran was alive. Gran died in 1998, and Mum passed away in 2010 without ever beginning that search.

So now I find myself wondering what I would do. Should I try to trace my mum’s birth family and risk rejection, even though there is also the possibility of discovering something wonderful? I wish I had Sheila’s courage and determination.

These stories are heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, and this one affected me profoundly. It is a fabulous novel that can be read as a standalone, even though it is part of a series.

I highly recommend picking up a copy as soon as possible.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this series, and is set about 20-60 years after the first one. Its a multiple POV, non-linear timeline and uses diary entries and traditional narrative to tell Sheila's story. As with the previous books, this is a heartbreaking story. But unlike the rest of the Mothers in the series, Sheila is not an unmarried mother, but a battered one. It seems unbelievable that even in that situation, Sheila had no rights to keep her child, but that her husband was the one who could legally make the decisions. Having said that, and I'm not excusing the abuse, but there was a side to Jack that was only briefly mentioned which means it wasn't a wanted, or happy, marriage for either partner. I'm glad we live in more enlightened times.

This is a beautiful series. Sister Louise will forever be my favourite character, and Maudie has a special place in my heart too. Women standing up for women will always win.

[Julia Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

I hadn't read any of this author's books before, much less the ones from the Irish adoption house series, so I was relieved that it can be read as a standalone.

My heart broke for Sheila while reading this book, especially since I can relate to many things about her life. I found Sheila to be a well written character who you can truly root for, and I am relieved she had the happy ending she deserved.

The book raises so many questions - what was Sheila's life like in Georgia? What was Micky Glynn's life like as a traveler after Sheila never showed up? The fact that I even have these questions at all proves the ability of our author to write well rounded, compelling characters and create a plot that matters.

I definitely plan on one day reading the rest of her novels!

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This has to be one of my favorite series. They are sad but also filled with hope. This is Shelia’s story. She is forced to marry a man she doesn’t love and he won’t raise another man’s child. She is faced with an unimaginable dilemma. In order to save her child, and herself, she must escape to America and leave her son at the adoption house. This is the highest form of a mother’s love.
Thank goodness for Sr. Louise. She always saves the day. I would love a book about her. This can be read as a standalone, but the characters and the storyline are so great, you will want to read them all. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheDiaryattheIrishAdoptionHouse
#MichelleVernalBookTour
#NetGalley #Bookouture #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BookLove #Bookstagram

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Bookouture and NetGalley for the eARC! I loved The Orphan at the Irish Adoption House and was so excited to read this! This totally exceeded my expectations and was perfect! I loved the structure of the story. It had me invested from the beginning wanting to see how Sheila's story unfolds. I loved so many of the side characters like Darragh, Sister Lousie, Maudie and Winnie. My heart broke for Sheila. She was such a resilient, strong, and admirable FMC. This was incredibly heartbreaking, emotional, and moving. I love Vernal's writing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Irish Historical Fiction and stories about eldest daughters and their sacrifices for their families.

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed this series. I like reading about books set in Ireland, even if the fact that they’re in Ireland is a detriment to the women in these stories. This story probably spends the least amount of time actually in the adoption house. We get Sheila before she escapes to the home, and a later timeline of Sheila as an older woman, and the few months she spent at the adoption house.

I love that Sheila documents everything. Her love story with her son’s father, her decision to leave her husband, and her decision on how best to keep her son safe. Her diary is the one thing she leaves with her son when they leave the adoption house.

I love the way Michelle tells a story. It’s so easy to connect with the young women she writes about, and feel the things that they’re feeling throughout the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an emotional book, from page one I was totally invested in Sheila’s heartbreaking story. It is so hard to comprehend that it was incredibly difficult for unwed or abused mothers. They were stuck in a mother and baby home and pretty much used as slave labour and had no choice of what happened to their babies. This was so sympathetically written, I was rooting for Sheila to get her happy ever after. Highly recommend this book, it’s actually book 4 in the series and they are all fantastic so start at book one! This can of course be read as a stand alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 20 October 2026.

[Anne Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this latest book about the Irish Adoption House as I've like them all.
Poor Sheila all the cards were stacked against her when she started seeing Mickey. The man she had to marry was a vicious brute but Sheila was very brave in getting away from him and his violent bullying.
However the alternative wasn't a great deal either. Thank goodness for Sister Louise!
What i found interesting was that a former adoption house "inmate" had escaped to America and was devoting her life to helping as many of the unfortunate girls that she could.

I hope there's another one to come. I am leaving a review in exchange for my Arc. Thankyou.

[Diane Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diary at the Irish Adoption House by Michelle Vernal ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book 4 of the Irish Adoption House series. Each book features a new Mom. However the characters from previous books crossover.
This is Sheila's story. A riveting emotional story of a mom with a difficult decision to make. I'm sure there are many in a similar situation at this moment waiting the same options.
Young women finds herself pregnant and alone. Her options.... Marry someone she doesn't love, run away with baby or leave the baby behind. What would you do? Remember it's 1900's during the war and not 2026!
Read this book.... Would you do what Sheila did or make your own path?

[Lorraine · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

The Diary at the Irish Adoption House is book number 4 in the Irish Adoption House series by Michelle Vernal and although it can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series for the back story.

Written in a dual-timeline, it is a deeply moving historical fiction novel that grips you from the very first page. Vernal handles the harsh historical realities of these institutions with incredible sensitivity and Sheila’s diary entries are well crafted, capturing a raw ache and a profound hope that will shatter your heart before slowly putting it back together.

[Elaine Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another story of the Irish Adoption House .Sheila falls for the tinker Micky but is told by her parents that she is to marry there neighbour’s son Jack but Sheila doesn’t like him but there is nothing she can do about it as she is pregnant but it’s not Jacks.After the marriage Jack becomes abusive and violent.One night after he has beaten her black and blue she runs away and finally ends up in the home run by the nuns.All this time Sheila has kept a diary recording all that happens and she feels.Sheila has to make heart breaking decisions but will she make the right ones.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another visit to the horror that is St Patrick's Mother and Baby Home, and this time it's Sheila’s story.
Another visit to Rush too and a link to Maudie whom we met in the previous books. That said this works perfectly as a standalone read but I thoroughly enjoyed the mentions of and the catching up with some of the characters we've previously met.
Again a riveting read, with relatable characters interlinked with real-world events.
You know what you're getting with these books; there is a predictability to them, and they're all the more enjoyable because of it.

[Joyce tuffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Touching story.

This is the fourth book in the Irish Adoption House series about the women sent to a mother and baby home to have their babies. These are heart breaking things that happened to them and the cruel way they were treated.

[Ramona Ohanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this a 3 because I felt like I was rereading her prior books.

[Rosemary Buerger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to force myself to stop listening to go to sleep. I read this out of order. Highly recommend

[Judie Larabee · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

☺️

Closed door, low spice 🌶

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.

In Ireland, 1939, Sheila is pregnant by the man she loves, but due to pressures from her family, she is forced to marry someone else. Her husband is a violent man, and Sheila ends up at a home for unmarried women to escape him until her baby is born.

When her baby is taken away and given to another family, Sister Louise helps Sheila to escape to America, where she will be safe, especially from her violent husband. Sheila gives Sister Louise her diary to ensure it is given to her son one day and can only hope that he will come looking for her at some point.

This is a story that is hard to read at times. Knowing how awful some nuns were to the young girls and women who found themselves in the most difficult of times is not easy to read about.

I felt for Sheila and all the women in the Mother and Baby home, times were so difficult back then, especially with World War Two going on during that time period. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to get to America must have been horrendous, and the author manages to instil that fear into the pages.

An emotional story that has been sensitively written by the author.