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Primrose Square #1
The Secrets of Primrose Square
From the number one bestselling author Claudia Carroll comes a warm, feel-good story that will make you laugh and cry, and above all, leave you with a feeling of hope.
'A wise, warm and witty gem . . . I loved it' Carmel Harrington
'Funny, smart and thoroughly engaging' Liz Nugent
'It made me laugh and it made me weep . . . a stunning book' Sinead Moriarty
So many stories hidden behind closed doors . . .
It's late at night and the rain is pouring down on the Dublin city streets. A mother is grieving for her dead child. She stands silently outside the home of the teenage boy she believes responsible. She watches . . .
In a kitchen on the same square, a girl waits anxiously for her mum to come home. She knows exactly where she is, but she knows she cannot reach her.
A few doors down, and a widow sits alone in her room. She has just delivered a bombshell to her family during dinner and her life is about to change forever.
And an aspiring theatre director has just moved in to a flat across the street. Her landlord is absent, but there are already things about him that don't quite add up . . .
Welcome to Primrose Square .
Praise for Claudia
'Modern, warm, insightful and filled with characters that felt like friends at the end' Emma Hannigan
'Original, poignant and funny . . . [full of] wit and humour' Sheila O'Flanagan
'It bubbles and sparkles like pink champagne' Patricia Scanlan
'Full of warmth, humour and emotion . . . I guarantee you'll love it' Melissa Hill
'A wise, warm and witty gem . . . I loved it' Carmel Harrington
'Funny, smart and thoroughly engaging' Liz Nugent
'It made me laugh and it made me weep . . . a stunning book' Sinead Moriarty
So many stories hidden behind closed doors . . .
It's late at night and the rain is pouring down on the Dublin city streets. A mother is grieving for her dead child. She stands silently outside the home of the teenage boy she believes responsible. She watches . . .
In a kitchen on the same square, a girl waits anxiously for her mum to come home. She knows exactly where she is, but she knows she cannot reach her.
A few doors down, and a widow sits alone in her room. She has just delivered a bombshell to her family during dinner and her life is about to change forever.
And an aspiring theatre director has just moved in to a flat across the street. Her landlord is absent, but there are already things about him that don't quite add up . . .
Welcome to Primrose Square .
Praise for Claudia
'Modern, warm, insightful and filled with characters that felt like friends at the end' Emma Hannigan
'Original, poignant and funny . . . [full of] wit and humour' Sheila O'Flanagan
'It bubbles and sparkles like pink champagne' Patricia Scanlan
'Full of warmth, humour and emotion . . . I guarantee you'll love it' Melissa Hill
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2018
154 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Carroll
42 books453 followersClaudia was born in Dublin and is a graduate of UCD, the College of Music and of the Gaiety School of Acting. Since then she has worked extensively as an actress on the Irish stage, but is probably best known for her role as TV’s Nicola Prendergast in the long running Dublin soap opera, ‘Fair City.’
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
February 24, 2019
This charming and beautifully written book is set in Dublin and about the lives of the residents at Primrose square.
Without giving anything away, we have Susan and her husband who is grieving over the loss of their daughter, we do not find out how she died until later on in the story. Their lovely neighbour Jayne is a widow and talks to her dead husband’s ashes, she keeps an eye out for Susan and her other daughter Melissa.
The book is told from 3 house holds, the characters really come to life and I loved finding out what their secrets were. The neighbours lives were intertwined and it was lovely to read how they all helped each other out in times of trouble.
I was pleased the story was not all sweetness and light, the characters had their own problems to deal with. There were times for laughter and for sadness but told in a very compassionate and understanding way, that kept me wanting to read more about these wonderful people.
A very engaging book. I enjoyed meeting the residents of Primrose Square. It made me envious as I can count on one hand the names of my neighbours, where you are lucky to get a hello as they are rushing from their car to their house. Primrose Square sounds idyllic and I would love there to be a sequel to this book to find out how the residents are getting on.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Without giving anything away, we have Susan and her husband who is grieving over the loss of their daughter, we do not find out how she died until later on in the story. Their lovely neighbour Jayne is a widow and talks to her dead husband’s ashes, she keeps an eye out for Susan and her other daughter Melissa.
The book is told from 3 house holds, the characters really come to life and I loved finding out what their secrets were. The neighbours lives were intertwined and it was lovely to read how they all helped each other out in times of trouble.
I was pleased the story was not all sweetness and light, the characters had their own problems to deal with. There were times for laughter and for sadness but told in a very compassionate and understanding way, that kept me wanting to read more about these wonderful people.
A very engaging book. I enjoyed meeting the residents of Primrose Square. It made me envious as I can count on one hand the names of my neighbours, where you are lucky to get a hello as they are rushing from their car to their house. Primrose Square sounds idyllic and I would love there to be a sequel to this book to find out how the residents are getting on.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
February 18, 2023
Couldn’t get into this one at all just not for me.
August 22, 2018
I’ll let you into a secret. The Secrets of Primrose Square is not the sort of book to which I’d normally be attracted. I assumed it would be ‘chick lit’ (although I really don’t like that term) which is not a genre I generally read. I know, a prejudice on my part potentially preventing me from reading some great books. However, luckily, I read an extract from the opening chapters of The Secrets of Primrose Square on the Readers First website and found myself immediately drawn to the stories of Susan and Melissa. In return for providing my ‘first impressions’, I was entered into their weekly prize draw and was fortunate enough to win a copy of the book.
Now let me tell you some secrets about the book itself…
You’re going to find Melissa tugging at your heart strings, both because of the situation in which she finds herself and the way she responds to it. You’re going to wish you had a neighbour just like Jayne and that when you get to her age you have the courage to do what she does. You’re also going to sympathise with her intensely once you meet her son, Jason, and daughter-in-law, Irene. You’re going to hope you or anyone close to you never has to go through what Susan is going through. You’re going to make some assumptions about some of the other characters that will probably turn out to be wrong. Most of all, by the end of the book, you’re more than likely going to feel like you know Primrose Square as if you lived there yourself.
Some of the many things I enjoyed about the book are the way the author creates a distinctive narrative voice for each character, complete with Irish colloquialisms in many cases. I also loved some of the humour. For example, Jason’s initial encounter with Jayne’s new friend or the catty comments that fly to and fro between the actresses playing Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mrs Bennett in the theatre production of Pride and Prejudice that aspiring theatre director, Nancy, is working on. (It reminded me of the great scene in The Importance of Being Earnest where Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax swap insults disguised as polite chitchat and Cecily deliberately gives Gwendolen sugar in her tea when she didn’t want sugar, and cake when she expressly asked for bread and butter.)
I’ll confess that I didn’t engage quite as much with the character of Nancy, although the behind the scenes detail of the work involved in a theatre production were fascinating and clearly informed by the author’s own experience. The secret that Nancy is trying to leave behind in London by moving to Dublin I found a little underwhelming when finally revealed. However, I loved the relationship she forms with Melissa. If you’re anything like me though, it is the central story of Susan and the life-changing event her family have experienced that will keep you turning the pages.
The Secrets of Primrose Square is a story of finding a way through grief, the importance of a sense of community, having the courage to make a new start and the precious gift of female solidarity. By turns it is heartbreaking and heart-warming. I would say it’s the perfect feel-good read.
I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Zaffre, and Readers First, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Now let me tell you some secrets about the book itself…
You’re going to find Melissa tugging at your heart strings, both because of the situation in which she finds herself and the way she responds to it. You’re going to wish you had a neighbour just like Jayne and that when you get to her age you have the courage to do what she does. You’re also going to sympathise with her intensely once you meet her son, Jason, and daughter-in-law, Irene. You’re going to hope you or anyone close to you never has to go through what Susan is going through. You’re going to make some assumptions about some of the other characters that will probably turn out to be wrong. Most of all, by the end of the book, you’re more than likely going to feel like you know Primrose Square as if you lived there yourself.
Some of the many things I enjoyed about the book are the way the author creates a distinctive narrative voice for each character, complete with Irish colloquialisms in many cases. I also loved some of the humour. For example, Jason’s initial encounter with Jayne’s new friend or the catty comments that fly to and fro between the actresses playing Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mrs Bennett in the theatre production of Pride and Prejudice that aspiring theatre director, Nancy, is working on. (It reminded me of the great scene in The Importance of Being Earnest where Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax swap insults disguised as polite chitchat and Cecily deliberately gives Gwendolen sugar in her tea when she didn’t want sugar, and cake when she expressly asked for bread and butter.)
I’ll confess that I didn’t engage quite as much with the character of Nancy, although the behind the scenes detail of the work involved in a theatre production were fascinating and clearly informed by the author’s own experience. The secret that Nancy is trying to leave behind in London by moving to Dublin I found a little underwhelming when finally revealed. However, I loved the relationship she forms with Melissa. If you’re anything like me though, it is the central story of Susan and the life-changing event her family have experienced that will keep you turning the pages.
The Secrets of Primrose Square is a story of finding a way through grief, the importance of a sense of community, having the courage to make a new start and the precious gift of female solidarity. By turns it is heartbreaking and heart-warming. I would say it’s the perfect feel-good read.
I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Zaffre, and Readers First, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
October 28, 2019
Late at night, Susan, a mother stands in the pouring rain in the streets of Dublin grieving for her teenage daughter, Ella. She is standing outside the home of the boy she feels is responsible for Ella’s death. Back home, her daughter Melissa is trying to cope with her own grief, worrying about her mother and missing her father who is in Lebanon in the army. Widow and nearby neighbour Jayne, is concerned about Melissa and also her mother Susan. She longs to be able to help this family. But Jayne has her changes to make and she is not at all sure her son and daughter in law are going to like what she has planned. Then there is Nancy, an aspiring theatre director who is running from incidents and scandal back in London in her past. It is interesting to see how these woman and three stories connect.
Melissa absolutely had my sympathy from the outset. Twelve year old she is left trying to deal with so much, you cannot help but feel for her. Jayne is the kind of neighbour anyone who want. So what if she talks to her husband’s ashes which sit on the mantelpiece. There are plenty worse things she could do. Susan’s grief has turned her into someone she hardly recognises herself. She needs help. But who can help her and how? Many of the characters are likable or understandable in the way they behave. Jayne’s son Jason and his wife Irene would be two of the unlikable ones. They are self- centred in the extreme. Can they change? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
I found this an engaging novel covering some deep seated issues. Some aspects of the plot are dealt with in a humorous way. You may even find your thoughts challenged about some people, even if you don’t agree with the actions. I really liked all the inside info about acting and directing a play. Interesting too that the play is the Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It’s a book about family, dealing with what life hands you, friendship and community. An enjoyable read that deals with some sensitive issues and one that definitely engages the emotions.
Melissa absolutely had my sympathy from the outset. Twelve year old she is left trying to deal with so much, you cannot help but feel for her. Jayne is the kind of neighbour anyone who want. So what if she talks to her husband’s ashes which sit on the mantelpiece. There are plenty worse things she could do. Susan’s grief has turned her into someone she hardly recognises herself. She needs help. But who can help her and how? Many of the characters are likable or understandable in the way they behave. Jayne’s son Jason and his wife Irene would be two of the unlikable ones. They are self- centred in the extreme. Can they change? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
I found this an engaging novel covering some deep seated issues. Some aspects of the plot are dealt with in a humorous way. You may even find your thoughts challenged about some people, even if you don’t agree with the actions. I really liked all the inside info about acting and directing a play. Interesting too that the play is the Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It’s a book about family, dealing with what life hands you, friendship and community. An enjoyable read that deals with some sensitive issues and one that definitely engages the emotions.
July 8, 2018
Although my usual reading matter of choice are crime thrillers, I do have a penchant for Maeve Binchy and her warm, insightful and ultimately uplifting novels set in Ireland and the irreverent humour of Marian Keyes. According to the premise of Claudia Carroll’s novel this big hearted tale of female friendship and the lives of those who reside in Primrose Square, Dublin 2 appears to share much in common with these novels. Sadly I found the whole novel pretty laboured and uninspiring stuff that frustrated with its repetition and hackneyed set-pieces, all mined to cringeworthy and highly predictable ‘comic’ effect. Although the ‘secrets’ are eminently guessable (pretty obvious), the exact circumstances are eked out painfully over the entire length of the novel which only serves to highlight the plodding pace further.
The beautiful residential Primrose Square is located just off the main thoroughfares of Dublin and is home to a handful of well-maintained Victorian properties set around a community square and children’s playground. As a blissfully safe oasis within touching distance of a vibrant city, the properties are highly sought after and the neighbours friendly, but for four ladies residing within the square, the secrets they have long held dear are about to surface and bring them closer than ever before because there is plenty of drama hidden behind their closed doors. The Secrets of Primrose Square is about companionship, friendship and the benefits of a support network in facing the often painful truths which we all encounter at times. Whilst the characters of Jayne, Susan, Melissa and Nancy might appear to be markedly different, all muddling along and dealing with their own problems and hidden concerns, they are far stronger together and they about to find out just what they can confront and achieve between them!
Number 18 is home to the once happy Hayes family but after the death of wilful seventeen-year-old eldest daughter, Ella, and deployment of army husband Jack, to the Lebanon, only embittered, heartbroken and obsessed mother, Susan, and her twelve-year-old daughter, Melissa, remain. Increasing neglectful of Melissa, a burning desire for vengeance and hatred of the teenage boy whom Susan holds responsible for Ella’s tragic death is threatening to destroy her remaining family life as she risks a restraining order and the attentions of social services. As Melissa does her best to maintain a semblance of normality at home, reassure the school counsellor and be the responsible adult, her plight is painfully obvious to compassionate, sixty-six-year-old widow, Jayne Dawson, next door at number 19. As Jayne steps in as pretend grandmother to Melissa and offers the young girl much needed love and stability, she too labours under a secret as she muses on the introduction of her Florida based online male ‘friend’ into her heart and the reaction of her money grabbing son and snobby daughter-in-law to ageing hippie, Eric. Into this mix comes thirty-three-year-old born and bred Londoner, Nancy Thompson, running from a messy past and some very vicious gossip and seeking a fresh start as the assistant director on the forthcoming production of Pride and Prejudice at the nearby National Theatre. As the house sitter for a mysterious landlord at the fully revamped and high-spec number 24 at just a fraction of the market price, could Nancy’s fortunes have changed for the better? And might the text message attentions of her mysterious landlord ease the pain of her past?
As Melissa, Jayne and Nancy pass into each other lives, first on the fringes and quickly becoming increasingly more involved, they find common ground and unexpected understanding, solidarity and friendship across the generational divide as they support each other and gradually confront their dilemmas. The progression of the unfolding drama does not make for stimulating reading as each chapter offers a snapshot into the lives of the group and gives a sense of their burdens. From behind the scenes with Nancy’s demanding theatre luvvies, a high maintenance Spanish director and a bitchy cast, it is all such banal low-brow humour from the off. I had hoped for some insightful moments given the author’s previous acting career but alas, originality never seemed on the horizon. The reaction to Eric, Jayne’s yoga practising, chakra realigning, long-haired and sandal wearing hippie beau by her son, Jason and daughter-in-law who suspect him of being a gold digger is the stuff of a 1980’s sitcom and full of jaded slights against everything new age and Eastern. Susan’s inpatient stay at a psychiatric hospital/rehab centre is perhaps the most cringeworthy with group therapy sessions so lacking in emotional sincerity and any modicum of subtlety that they only serve to offend.
I could not relate to any of the women purely because they exist for one sole comic purpose and Claudia Carroll does not bother to furnish them with credible and ongoing lives outside of their allotted niche. They are so far from well-realised creations and due to how flimsy they appear I found even relating to the world painted in Primrose Square impossible. Ella’s presence is felt throughout the novel and perhaps, in truth, a little overdone to the point of becoming frustrating, especially given that she is portrayed as one-dimensionally as the rest of the cast with her spirited attitude, feminist views and protest marching dynamism.
Lacking in emotional depth and sincerity, Claudia Carroll does not share Maeve Binchy’s eye for credible, humane and realistically flawed characters and her chick lit humour lacks the incisive bite and originality of Marian Keyes. Disappointing, The Secrets of Primrose Square is unoriginal and overlong with the resulting outcome a predictably contrived and plodding tale of caricatures and tiresome humour. For a superior brand of women’s fiction I highly recommend Dorothy Koomson, Lisa Jewell and Jane Fallon.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
The beautiful residential Primrose Square is located just off the main thoroughfares of Dublin and is home to a handful of well-maintained Victorian properties set around a community square and children’s playground. As a blissfully safe oasis within touching distance of a vibrant city, the properties are highly sought after and the neighbours friendly, but for four ladies residing within the square, the secrets they have long held dear are about to surface and bring them closer than ever before because there is plenty of drama hidden behind their closed doors. The Secrets of Primrose Square is about companionship, friendship and the benefits of a support network in facing the often painful truths which we all encounter at times. Whilst the characters of Jayne, Susan, Melissa and Nancy might appear to be markedly different, all muddling along and dealing with their own problems and hidden concerns, they are far stronger together and they about to find out just what they can confront and achieve between them!
Number 18 is home to the once happy Hayes family but after the death of wilful seventeen-year-old eldest daughter, Ella, and deployment of army husband Jack, to the Lebanon, only embittered, heartbroken and obsessed mother, Susan, and her twelve-year-old daughter, Melissa, remain. Increasing neglectful of Melissa, a burning desire for vengeance and hatred of the teenage boy whom Susan holds responsible for Ella’s tragic death is threatening to destroy her remaining family life as she risks a restraining order and the attentions of social services. As Melissa does her best to maintain a semblance of normality at home, reassure the school counsellor and be the responsible adult, her plight is painfully obvious to compassionate, sixty-six-year-old widow, Jayne Dawson, next door at number 19. As Jayne steps in as pretend grandmother to Melissa and offers the young girl much needed love and stability, she too labours under a secret as she muses on the introduction of her Florida based online male ‘friend’ into her heart and the reaction of her money grabbing son and snobby daughter-in-law to ageing hippie, Eric. Into this mix comes thirty-three-year-old born and bred Londoner, Nancy Thompson, running from a messy past and some very vicious gossip and seeking a fresh start as the assistant director on the forthcoming production of Pride and Prejudice at the nearby National Theatre. As the house sitter for a mysterious landlord at the fully revamped and high-spec number 24 at just a fraction of the market price, could Nancy’s fortunes have changed for the better? And might the text message attentions of her mysterious landlord ease the pain of her past?
As Melissa, Jayne and Nancy pass into each other lives, first on the fringes and quickly becoming increasingly more involved, they find common ground and unexpected understanding, solidarity and friendship across the generational divide as they support each other and gradually confront their dilemmas. The progression of the unfolding drama does not make for stimulating reading as each chapter offers a snapshot into the lives of the group and gives a sense of their burdens. From behind the scenes with Nancy’s demanding theatre luvvies, a high maintenance Spanish director and a bitchy cast, it is all such banal low-brow humour from the off. I had hoped for some insightful moments given the author’s previous acting career but alas, originality never seemed on the horizon. The reaction to Eric, Jayne’s yoga practising, chakra realigning, long-haired and sandal wearing hippie beau by her son, Jason and daughter-in-law who suspect him of being a gold digger is the stuff of a 1980’s sitcom and full of jaded slights against everything new age and Eastern. Susan’s inpatient stay at a psychiatric hospital/rehab centre is perhaps the most cringeworthy with group therapy sessions so lacking in emotional sincerity and any modicum of subtlety that they only serve to offend.
I could not relate to any of the women purely because they exist for one sole comic purpose and Claudia Carroll does not bother to furnish them with credible and ongoing lives outside of their allotted niche. They are so far from well-realised creations and due to how flimsy they appear I found even relating to the world painted in Primrose Square impossible. Ella’s presence is felt throughout the novel and perhaps, in truth, a little overdone to the point of becoming frustrating, especially given that she is portrayed as one-dimensionally as the rest of the cast with her spirited attitude, feminist views and protest marching dynamism.
Lacking in emotional depth and sincerity, Claudia Carroll does not share Maeve Binchy’s eye for credible, humane and realistically flawed characters and her chick lit humour lacks the incisive bite and originality of Marian Keyes. Disappointing, The Secrets of Primrose Square is unoriginal and overlong with the resulting outcome a predictably contrived and plodding tale of caricatures and tiresome humour. For a superior brand of women’s fiction I highly recommend Dorothy Koomson, Lisa Jewell and Jane Fallon.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 26, 2019
I'll start by saying I love the setting, Claudia Carroll really portrays Dublin well. I felt as if I was back in Dublin through the whole book. I enjoyed the mention of O'donoghues Pub (my favourite alongside Temple Bar).
The cover is lovely and I like the theme of you never know what goes on behind a closed door.
I did though find myself reading on more to read more about Dublin than the characters. There were too many of them for me to connect well with each of them. It had a slow start, faster in the middle and slower again at the end for me. It took me longer to read than I thought it would.
The cover is lovely and I like the theme of you never know what goes on behind a closed door.
I did though find myself reading on more to read more about Dublin than the characters. There were too many of them for me to connect well with each of them. It had a slow start, faster in the middle and slower again at the end for me. It took me longer to read than I thought it would.
July 15, 2018
What an impressive story of women's friendship, of their strength or to borrow a well known 90s phrase - Girl Power! For that is what this is 4 very different females, of assorted ages, all showing their inner strength and courage in assorted circumstances.
There are four main characters and the focus changes between them all. The one thing they have in common is their address is on Primrose Square.
There is plenty I would like to say about the specifics but I think this works better as a book you don't know too much about in advance. It will mean the writing is even more powerful especially in the case of Susan and Melissa's stories.
This is a book that makes me proud to be a woman and the writing deals with a whole host of issues with great compassion. It is a very well written and researched book, and feels like a slight change of direction from the author.
I tend to think of romantic comedy when it comes to Claudia Carroll, but yet this is a book that had me thinking and feeling far more than it did laughing. The Secrets of Primrose Square is a book that needs to be read steadily so that you don't miss anything, as there is a lot going on, and some information is shared really slowly building up not to shocking reveals but ones that make sense in the context of what you have been reading.
Without a doubt its a very good book, and I will be sad to say goodbye to Susan, Melisa, Nancy and Jayne.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zaffre for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
There are four main characters and the focus changes between them all. The one thing they have in common is their address is on Primrose Square.
There is plenty I would like to say about the specifics but I think this works better as a book you don't know too much about in advance. It will mean the writing is even more powerful especially in the case of Susan and Melissa's stories.
This is a book that makes me proud to be a woman and the writing deals with a whole host of issues with great compassion. It is a very well written and researched book, and feels like a slight change of direction from the author.
I tend to think of romantic comedy when it comes to Claudia Carroll, but yet this is a book that had me thinking and feeling far more than it did laughing. The Secrets of Primrose Square is a book that needs to be read steadily so that you don't miss anything, as there is a lot going on, and some information is shared really slowly building up not to shocking reveals but ones that make sense in the context of what you have been reading.
Without a doubt its a very good book, and I will be sad to say goodbye to Susan, Melisa, Nancy and Jayne.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zaffre for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 27, 2018
This is the best book I've read so far in 2018 and by far! This book is very intelligent, very beautiful, full of strong emotions (you sometimes want to cry, sometimes you want to smile, sometimes you feel lovely, sometimes you feel stressed, sometimes you feel angry), this book is also full of wonderful characters living a very charming neighborhood of Dublin where people living there are not only neighbors but also friends. This book is mostly about a mother grieving over her dead daughter and about a sister grieving over her dead older sister. I really liked how we discovered only very far into the book how the girl died and what happened exactly. It gives suspense and tensions to the book. Also it's really really well written. I can only rave about this book!
October 20, 2021
cw: grief, loss of a child & sibling, drug abuse
I wasn't disappointed as I picked this book up because I have already read this author and enjoyed her books..I'm glad that I haven't read the blurb/reviews as I think it is better to go into the story blind. However, there are some heavier topics so that is why I included content warnings. I like the hopefulness of the story despite the real-life situations the protagonists expirenced.
I wasn't disappointed as I picked this book up because I have already read this author and enjoyed her books..I'm glad that I haven't read the blurb/reviews as I think it is better to go into the story blind. However, there are some heavier topics so that is why I included content warnings. I like the hopefulness of the story despite the real-life situations the protagonists expirenced.
June 26, 2019
Maljka - per RFS
.
Si sa, noi donne abbiamo la curiosità nel sangue!
La prima cosa che mi ha colpito di questo libro è stato il titolo, a seguire la trama e poi sicuramente la copertina. In genere mi piace pensare che sono i libri che scelgono me, ed in genere lo fanno attraverso la copertina.
Ci troviamo a Dublino, più precisamente a Primrose Square, una piazza in cui
la pace e la collaborazione tra vicini regna sovrana, se non fosse che ognuno di loro ha un segreto da custodire e che vorrebbe rimanesse tale.
Una donna è distrutta dalla perdita tragica di una figlia, un’altra ha perso il marito e la terza ha un segreto che la rincorre da Londra; i destini di queste donne si intrecceranno nel modo più inaspettato. I loro nomi sono Susan, mamma di due adorabili (o meglio dire che una volta erano due) figlie, che si trova a lottare con uno dei pericoli più temuti oggi: la droga. La seconda è Nancy, una ragazza fuggita da Londra a causa del suo passato, che ha trovato lavoro a Dublino, che per un caso fortuito si troverà a dimorare in questa piazza e cio’ le causerà un bel po’ di guai, e per ultima troviamo Jane, una donna sulla sessantina, amata e benvoluta da tutti che ha perso il suo amato marito Tom ma che, per tutte le incurabili romantiche, vivrà una storia davvero da favola e cuoricini. Sono donne toste, quelle di Primrose Square!
È un romanzo travolgente, che vi farà scendere qualche lacrima ma dove il lieto fine è assicurato. Ci si affeziona ad ognuna di loro, con le loro strampalate storie, i loro difetti e il loro inguaribile romanticismo; per non parlare di quanto, in questa storia , l’amore e l’aiuto tra vicini, che al giorno d’oggi difficilmente ancora esiste , fa da padrone.
Troviamo, in un romanzo così pieno d’amore sorrisi ed ilarità, anche temi importantissimi e d’attualità come il bullismo e la droga , diffusi tra i ragazzi; temi che purtroppo ci fanno paura, che a volte sono un taboo, ma a causa dei quali nessuno di noi vorrebbe perdere un figlio.
È molto scorrevole e mai banale. La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è eccelsa. Ho amato tantissimo Jane, la vicina amorosa e premurosa che tutti vorremmo e al tempo stesso ho odiato la nuora: scorbutica, spocchiosa e piena di se! Mi è piaciuta tantissimo la descrizione della piazza : si poteva viverla e sentirla scorrendo le pagine, era come se anch’io fossi li, sono riuscita a sentirmi in primo piano e vivere le vicende insieme ai protagonisti.
È sicuramente un’ottima lettura da fare sotto l’ombrellone!
.
Si sa, noi donne abbiamo la curiosità nel sangue!
La prima cosa che mi ha colpito di questo libro è stato il titolo, a seguire la trama e poi sicuramente la copertina. In genere mi piace pensare che sono i libri che scelgono me, ed in genere lo fanno attraverso la copertina.
Ci troviamo a Dublino, più precisamente a Primrose Square, una piazza in cui
la pace e la collaborazione tra vicini regna sovrana, se non fosse che ognuno di loro ha un segreto da custodire e che vorrebbe rimanesse tale.
Una donna è distrutta dalla perdita tragica di una figlia, un’altra ha perso il marito e la terza ha un segreto che la rincorre da Londra; i destini di queste donne si intrecceranno nel modo più inaspettato. I loro nomi sono Susan, mamma di due adorabili (o meglio dire che una volta erano due) figlie, che si trova a lottare con uno dei pericoli più temuti oggi: la droga. La seconda è Nancy, una ragazza fuggita da Londra a causa del suo passato, che ha trovato lavoro a Dublino, che per un caso fortuito si troverà a dimorare in questa piazza e cio’ le causerà un bel po’ di guai, e per ultima troviamo Jane, una donna sulla sessantina, amata e benvoluta da tutti che ha perso il suo amato marito Tom ma che, per tutte le incurabili romantiche, vivrà una storia davvero da favola e cuoricini. Sono donne toste, quelle di Primrose Square!
È un romanzo travolgente, che vi farà scendere qualche lacrima ma dove il lieto fine è assicurato. Ci si affeziona ad ognuna di loro, con le loro strampalate storie, i loro difetti e il loro inguaribile romanticismo; per non parlare di quanto, in questa storia , l’amore e l’aiuto tra vicini, che al giorno d’oggi difficilmente ancora esiste , fa da padrone.
Troviamo, in un romanzo così pieno d’amore sorrisi ed ilarità, anche temi importantissimi e d’attualità come il bullismo e la droga , diffusi tra i ragazzi; temi che purtroppo ci fanno paura, che a volte sono un taboo, ma a causa dei quali nessuno di noi vorrebbe perdere un figlio.
È molto scorrevole e mai banale. La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è eccelsa. Ho amato tantissimo Jane, la vicina amorosa e premurosa che tutti vorremmo e al tempo stesso ho odiato la nuora: scorbutica, spocchiosa e piena di se! Mi è piaciuta tantissimo la descrizione della piazza : si poteva viverla e sentirla scorrendo le pagine, era come se anch’io fossi li, sono riuscita a sentirmi in primo piano e vivere le vicende insieme ai protagonisti.
È sicuramente un’ottima lettura da fare sotto l’ombrellone!
October 13, 2018
Amazing story was hooked from the first till the last page
July 7, 2021
3.5⭐️ - this was a charming little book about a square in Dublin and the lives of the residents. Whilst the stories and characters were sweet, I feel the book was a bit too long.
December 26, 2021
Such a good story!!! I want to live in Primrose Square soo bad 😭
August 3, 2018
A little dose of Irish charm.
Primrose square, is a quiet little get away in the mist of a bustling city. Each home is place of warmth and love and a little bit of that Irish welcome. Filled with non-stop joy of reading through, this novel is going to make you want to laugh and cry along with each of the characters we come to know.
Alternating between the different neighbors of the little square, we come to learn some of their secrets, new loves and new friends through 18,19 and 24 Primrose square.
We come to know about Melissa and the trouble she is going through with her mother and the death of her older sister. We follow through mom's trouble of being able to cope and deal with her daughter's death, left with unanswered questions, she takes a few wrong turns in life.
And then there's Jayne, the loving older lady who lives next door to Melissa and her family in number 19, a widow after her husbands death a few years before, we get a glimpse in to her life and through her, we met her son and his wife and twin daughters. But most of all, we see how she is like a member of the family to Melissa when she needs someone the most, the loving next door neighbor who is only too happy to help look after the young girl and who we follow on her own little adventure of finding love.
And then we get to meet Nancy who ends up moving in to number 24, renting the beautiful house through a website while she takes on her new job at the theatre nearby, trying to move on with her life after leaving everything and everyone behind her in London. We get to see her struggles and find out her own little secret just like the other ladies of Primrose Square.
Focusing on three house holds, we come to know the ladies more, we come to love their little quirks and the things that they do as well as learning to cope with their own little secrets, when they just want to try and pretend that everything is okay really.
But in all honestly, The secrets of Primrose Square is a rather charming read that fills your heart with warmth and loss, the joy and laughter of young and old coming together in times of need. It's a book filled with happiness and sadness, lifting you up and holding you down with each character in their perfectly written way.
Kudos to the author who has really driven the image of the square in to our minds, she has created a masterpiece through her writing style and has shown us that things can and nearly always do get better, no matter how hard we may think things can be. With our friends and family behind us, we can almost do anything in the world.
Primrose square, is a quiet little get away in the mist of a bustling city. Each home is place of warmth and love and a little bit of that Irish welcome. Filled with non-stop joy of reading through, this novel is going to make you want to laugh and cry along with each of the characters we come to know.
Alternating between the different neighbors of the little square, we come to learn some of their secrets, new loves and new friends through 18,19 and 24 Primrose square.
We come to know about Melissa and the trouble she is going through with her mother and the death of her older sister. We follow through mom's trouble of being able to cope and deal with her daughter's death, left with unanswered questions, she takes a few wrong turns in life.
And then there's Jayne, the loving older lady who lives next door to Melissa and her family in number 19, a widow after her husbands death a few years before, we get a glimpse in to her life and through her, we met her son and his wife and twin daughters. But most of all, we see how she is like a member of the family to Melissa when she needs someone the most, the loving next door neighbor who is only too happy to help look after the young girl and who we follow on her own little adventure of finding love.
And then we get to meet Nancy who ends up moving in to number 24, renting the beautiful house through a website while she takes on her new job at the theatre nearby, trying to move on with her life after leaving everything and everyone behind her in London. We get to see her struggles and find out her own little secret just like the other ladies of Primrose Square.
Focusing on three house holds, we come to know the ladies more, we come to love their little quirks and the things that they do as well as learning to cope with their own little secrets, when they just want to try and pretend that everything is okay really.
But in all honestly, The secrets of Primrose Square is a rather charming read that fills your heart with warmth and loss, the joy and laughter of young and old coming together in times of need. It's a book filled with happiness and sadness, lifting you up and holding you down with each character in their perfectly written way.
Kudos to the author who has really driven the image of the square in to our minds, she has created a masterpiece through her writing style and has shown us that things can and nearly always do get better, no matter how hard we may think things can be. With our friends and family behind us, we can almost do anything in the world.
October 20, 2019
The Secrets of Primrose Square is the eighteenth novel from Irish author, Claudia Carroll. I have been a fan of Carroll since her second book, He Loves Me…He Loves Me Not, was released back in 2004 and I have enjoyed all of her books since. The Secrets of Primrose Square is the first contemporary book in what appears, so far, to be a duology. There are four parts, spanning the four seasons, and each chapter is helpfully titled with the name of the character and their location. Set in Dublin, Ireland, Carroll focuses on the lives of those who live in the upmarket square.
At 19 Primrose Square is Jayne. Jayne is a widow, who has met a new man, Eric, online, much to the disgust of her only son. Jason, and her daughter-in-law, Irene, are strapped for cash, desperate to put Jayne in a nursing home. The couple believe that Eric, an American, is only interested in Jayne for the cold, hard cash. In fear of losing their inheritance, Jason and Irene, do what they can to break up a new relationship. Will Jayne and Eric be able to pursue a romantic relationship?
Susan lives at 18 Primrose Square. She is a mother grieving the loss of her child, unable to forgive the teenage boy she believes is to be blamed. Susan cannot care for the daughter, Melissa, who still needs her, or communicate with her grieving husband. To make matters more difficult, Susan’s partner works in the defence force and is frequently away. Will Susan be able to find her way back to her family again?
New neighbour Nancy dreams of being an actress and living in Primrose Square. Being an unknown actress doesn’t pay the bills, yet fate leads her to house sitting in this prestigious square. Friendships blossom between the ladies in the square, leading Nancy to taking Melissa under her wing, providing a role model for the young girl. Is it all to be good to be true for Nancy?
Full of warmth and wisdom, Carroll brings readers relatable, quirky characters they will grow to love.
At 19 Primrose Square is Jayne. Jayne is a widow, who has met a new man, Eric, online, much to the disgust of her only son. Jason, and her daughter-in-law, Irene, are strapped for cash, desperate to put Jayne in a nursing home. The couple believe that Eric, an American, is only interested in Jayne for the cold, hard cash. In fear of losing their inheritance, Jason and Irene, do what they can to break up a new relationship. Will Jayne and Eric be able to pursue a romantic relationship?
Susan lives at 18 Primrose Square. She is a mother grieving the loss of her child, unable to forgive the teenage boy she believes is to be blamed. Susan cannot care for the daughter, Melissa, who still needs her, or communicate with her grieving husband. To make matters more difficult, Susan’s partner works in the defence force and is frequently away. Will Susan be able to find her way back to her family again?
New neighbour Nancy dreams of being an actress and living in Primrose Square. Being an unknown actress doesn’t pay the bills, yet fate leads her to house sitting in this prestigious square. Friendships blossom between the ladies in the square, leading Nancy to taking Melissa under her wing, providing a role model for the young girl. Is it all to be good to be true for Nancy?
Full of warmth and wisdom, Carroll brings readers relatable, quirky characters they will grow to love.
October 5, 2018
A warm, uplifting story about acceptance, letting go and moving on. I really enjoyed the non stereotypical characters, and spending time with them gave me a cosy feeling.
Everyone should have neighbours like one ones at Primrose Square. They all endure life trials but their involvement in each other’s lives, gives them strength to cope. And watching them move from good neighbours, to great friends, to almost like family gave me all warm fuzzies.
An inspirational and heartwarming read.
Everyone should have neighbours like one ones at Primrose Square. They all endure life trials but their involvement in each other’s lives, gives them strength to cope. And watching them move from good neighbours, to great friends, to almost like family gave me all warm fuzzies.
An inspirational and heartwarming read.
September 12, 2019
Loved this book, following Susan , Melissa, Jayne and nancy through their own personal problems. Nothing is as you think but you have everything to learn and praise from reading this book.
August 7, 2018
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2018/0...
I found it so easy to identify with our four main female characters, despite their different stages in life and different circumstances. Susan with her grief and the healing journey she takes; Nancy and her money grabbing family; Jayne who’s on the run from something she doesn’t want to deal with and my favourite character, Melissa (Susan’s daughter). Not only identify but that all important emotional connection I need to feel was there from the beginning.
There’s plenty of intrigue that kept me curious and wanting to know more. I do enjoy a story that shares a little information and gets you thinking about possibilities. A couple of things I was sure about in fact I was wrong about! A reminder that things are not always as they seem on the surface …
The story isn’t only set in Primrose Square. I loved everything about the theatre scenes, quite a juxtaposition to the poignancy at the Wellness Centre. The secondary characters in both these settings are fabulous and give solace and companionship as well as light-hearted moments.
Tackling sensitive issues that are associated with a loss of power, Claudia Carroll shows she has a deep understanding of motives and human nature. She has written about these issues so very well, exploring the darker side of emotions and opening the cracks that never lay buried for ever because they need to be talked about and healed. So poignant and heartbreaking but also a glimmer of light even though life has changed.
One not to miss!
I found it so easy to identify with our four main female characters, despite their different stages in life and different circumstances. Susan with her grief and the healing journey she takes; Nancy and her money grabbing family; Jayne who’s on the run from something she doesn’t want to deal with and my favourite character, Melissa (Susan’s daughter). Not only identify but that all important emotional connection I need to feel was there from the beginning.
There’s plenty of intrigue that kept me curious and wanting to know more. I do enjoy a story that shares a little information and gets you thinking about possibilities. A couple of things I was sure about in fact I was wrong about! A reminder that things are not always as they seem on the surface …
The story isn’t only set in Primrose Square. I loved everything about the theatre scenes, quite a juxtaposition to the poignancy at the Wellness Centre. The secondary characters in both these settings are fabulous and give solace and companionship as well as light-hearted moments.
Tackling sensitive issues that are associated with a loss of power, Claudia Carroll shows she has a deep understanding of motives and human nature. She has written about these issues so very well, exploring the darker side of emotions and opening the cracks that never lay buried for ever because they need to be talked about and healed. So poignant and heartbreaking but also a glimmer of light even though life has changed.
One not to miss!
July 26, 2018
I really enjoy books told from several perspectives and this was definitely no exception, all four women - neighbours - featured had their own tales to tell, each interwoven within the setting of Primrose Square. I initially wanted to learn more about teenager Melissa’s struggle to cope with her grieving mother, absent father and daily life; as the story developed I grew to love the character of her neighbour Jayne and her warmth and compassion and how she has finally moved on from the devastation of widowhood. Nancy was the fresh face Primrose Square and indeed Melissa needed although she too has her own struggles which were only compounded as her story developed.
This was a very heartwarming book, avoided being too saccharine and with very good strong female characters. I’ve not read any Claudia Carroll books before so I can not compare however I will definitely read more after reading this
This was a very heartwarming book, avoided being too saccharine and with very good strong female characters. I’ve not read any Claudia Carroll books before so I can not compare however I will definitely read more after reading this
September 19, 2018
A lovely, uplifting story that will make you cry at the same time. I wanted to read through to the end so I could see what happened. Great read
December 20, 2020
This was the best book I have read in a long time! It made me cry several times and it left me smiling at the end. My heart is so full from this book it could burst!
June 25, 2025
I originally wanted to read this before going to Dublin but (surprise, surprise) only managed to read half of it before Dublin & then finished it after getting back. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting from this book (I don't even remember buying it) but I guess I expected a cute, short story. Though the book was cute and kind of short it wasn't just that. It reminded me a bit of Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond since the story also followed multiple characters and each of their stories.
I especially loved the theme of “you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors.” Everyone had their own life, their own struggles, and I appreciated how the book slowly revealed all the pieces (though sometimes it took too long to reveal things/lots of chapters (esp towards the end) were cliffhangers).
I LOVED Jayne. She is by far the best character—so, so, so sweet and kind. I would kill to have a friend/neighbour/grandma/relative like her. I absolutely hated Jason, though. He was a HUGE asshole who didn't deserve Jayne and even though I didn't LOVE Eric (I didn't hate him either, he was just like OK (loved that he was so good to Jayne though)), Eric did not deserve Jason's rudeness. I also don't get how Jayne allowed Jason to be so rude, like she lowkey should've put a stop to it. I also didn't really like how Jason was only decent to Eric after Eric paid off his debts and offered him a business deal. Like, bffr.
When I first read the part were Melissa forgave Josh, I wasn't a huge fan. 'Cause up until then we had been told Josh was the cause of the older sister's death (forgot her name, oops) and it felt weird that Melissa simply forgave him. Yeah, she didn't know why her mum hated Josh and that her mum thought Josh had given the sister the drugs but, c'mon... If your mum hates a kid so much because she thinks he's responsible for your sister's death, don't just "be cool" with him?? Also, when Melissa was trying to justify it by saying Josh seemed as upset as anyone else and that he had said so many lovely things about her sister... girl where?? Josh seemed normal, maybe a tiny bit upset but not super upset and he said like 1 nice thing about your sister, and the nice thing was like a normal thing to say, nothing out of this world.
And, yeah, after learning everything, it would make sense for Melissa to forgive Josh since he actually "wasn't to blame" but at the time neither we (reader) nor Melissa had that information, like we didn't know he wasn't to blame so it wouldn't have made sense for us or for Melissa to forgive him.
On to forgiving him... Yeah, technically Josh did eventually try to help the older sister quit, but he also introduced her to drugs in the first place—so he’s definitely lowkey to blame. Also, I would've preferred/it would've been better (imo) if Josh and the sister had been romantically involved. Like yeah he tried and she didn't want to, but it would've hurt more (imo).
I also have mixed feelings about the mum forgiving the actual guy responsible for the drugs situation (Marc or whatever his name was). Part of me was like "girl get revenge wtf, press charges!!" but also the other part understood that she needed to move on. But still—he could hurt someone else and she should've pressed chargers because he needed to understand there were consequences to his actions.
The dad? Meh. I didn’t love that he just left to Lebanon or wherever he went. I still am not sure if he HAD to go or wanted to go. The book kind of mate it seem like it was kind of his decision, and not that he was "forced" by the army, so I didn't really like that.
Overall, this book surprised me. It was more layered than I thought it would be, and even if some of the character choices frustrated me, I enjoyed the story.
I especially loved the theme of “you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors.” Everyone had their own life, their own struggles, and I appreciated how the book slowly revealed all the pieces (though sometimes it took too long to reveal things/lots of chapters (esp towards the end) were cliffhangers).
I LOVED Jayne. She is by far the best character—so, so, so sweet and kind. I would kill to have a friend/neighbour/grandma/relative like her. I absolutely hated Jason, though. He was a HUGE asshole who didn't deserve Jayne and even though I didn't LOVE Eric (I didn't hate him either, he was just like OK (loved that he was so good to Jayne though)), Eric did not deserve Jason's rudeness. I also don't get how Jayne allowed Jason to be so rude, like she lowkey should've put a stop to it. I also didn't really like how Jason was only decent to Eric after Eric paid off his debts and offered him a business deal. Like, bffr.
When I first read the part were Melissa forgave Josh, I wasn't a huge fan. 'Cause up until then we had been told Josh was the cause of the older sister's death (forgot her name, oops) and it felt weird that Melissa simply forgave him. Yeah, she didn't know why her mum hated Josh and that her mum thought Josh had given the sister the drugs but, c'mon... If your mum hates a kid so much because she thinks he's responsible for your sister's death, don't just "be cool" with him?? Also, when Melissa was trying to justify it by saying Josh seemed as upset as anyone else and that he had said so many lovely things about her sister... girl where?? Josh seemed normal, maybe a tiny bit upset but not super upset and he said like 1 nice thing about your sister, and the nice thing was like a normal thing to say, nothing out of this world.
And, yeah, after learning everything, it would make sense for Melissa to forgive Josh since he actually "wasn't to blame" but at the time neither we (reader) nor Melissa had that information, like we didn't know he wasn't to blame so it wouldn't have made sense for us or for Melissa to forgive him.
On to forgiving him... Yeah, technically Josh did eventually try to help the older sister quit, but he also introduced her to drugs in the first place—so he’s definitely lowkey to blame. Also, I would've preferred/it would've been better (imo) if Josh and the sister had been romantically involved. Like yeah he tried and she didn't want to, but it would've hurt more (imo).
I also have mixed feelings about the mum forgiving the actual guy responsible for the drugs situation (Marc or whatever his name was). Part of me was like "girl get revenge wtf, press charges!!" but also the other part understood that she needed to move on. But still—he could hurt someone else and she should've pressed chargers because he needed to understand there were consequences to his actions.
The dad? Meh. I didn’t love that he just left to Lebanon or wherever he went. I still am not sure if he HAD to go or wanted to go. The book kind of mate it seem like it was kind of his decision, and not that he was "forced" by the army, so I didn't really like that.
Overall, this book surprised me. It was more layered than I thought it would be, and even if some of the character choices frustrated me, I enjoyed the story.
July 18, 2018
Household Happenings... Harassing and Happy
Set in Dublin in a set of houses called Primrose Square...with a set of neighbors with extremely interesting lives.
This is a bang up to date book that uses modern phrases, many previously unknown to myself (being as I am a bit of an oldie) but I know now what they are and the meanings, so I have learnt a lot.
This also applies to how teenagers think and why that act as they do.
I so enjoyed reading this book and read it in a couple of days as I couldn't wait to get back to it.
I have never read anything from Claudia Carroll before but this has fueled my appetite for more.
I find it difficult to explain about the story line as I don't want to spoil the story for someone else but I will say that the widow in the story was a source of amusement as she tries to explain to her son and her dead husband's ashes how and why she has a new man in her life that she has met on the internet.
This is a great story thoroughly engaging, sad, funny and highly recommended.
Do read it.
Set in Dublin in a set of houses called Primrose Square...with a set of neighbors with extremely interesting lives.
This is a bang up to date book that uses modern phrases, many previously unknown to myself (being as I am a bit of an oldie) but I know now what they are and the meanings, so I have learnt a lot.
This also applies to how teenagers think and why that act as they do.
I so enjoyed reading this book and read it in a couple of days as I couldn't wait to get back to it.
I have never read anything from Claudia Carroll before but this has fueled my appetite for more.
I find it difficult to explain about the story line as I don't want to spoil the story for someone else but I will say that the widow in the story was a source of amusement as she tries to explain to her son and her dead husband's ashes how and why she has a new man in her life that she has met on the internet.
This is a great story thoroughly engaging, sad, funny and highly recommended.
Do read it.
November 12, 2024
I must be missing something when most people think this is so good? I kept reading, thinking the story would get better, but for me it just got worse and I was relieved when it was finished! I didn't hate it, but couldn't warm to what for me was a predictable fairy story, all fluff and happy endings. I liked the Dublin setting and the concept, hence 3 stars.
February 26, 2021
I fell in love with the cover and I'm happy I did. The story wasn't as light-hearted as I had expected -- and that's not a bad thing!
It's all about the friendships, old and new, on Dublin's Primrose Square. Everyone has some big life-changing event that has happened, and they're all dealing with them in their own way. And they all help and get help along the way.
Overall a book that made me feel hopeful and inspired, in a heartwarming way.
It's all about the friendships, old and new, on Dublin's Primrose Square. Everyone has some big life-changing event that has happened, and they're all dealing with them in their own way. And they all help and get help along the way.
Overall a book that made me feel hopeful and inspired, in a heartwarming way.
January 14, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and reading how the characters lives intertwine with each other. It was an enjoyable read and I didn’t want to put this book down.
January 24, 2024
An enjoyable read, just slightly slow and unexciting in some parts
August 23, 2023
This is not a book to read in a hurry, you need to take you time to absorb the little bits and pieces of every character. It is not a story, it’s many stories all linked together. If you like a book who ends well, you won’t be disappointed.
August 6, 2018
4.5 Stars
Review to follow...
Review to follow...
August 2, 2018
The Secrets of Primrose Square is set in a fictional residential area of Dublin. Behind the closed doors of the square there are secrets, which of course, will not remain secret for much longer. Susan and Melissa are mourning the loss of young Ella, their respective daughter and sister. Susan blames one of Ella’s school friends for her death and has taken to standing outside his house each night s a constant reminder of what he has done. Pre-teen Melissa is worried that she is also going to lose her Mum who is sinking into a deep depression since the death of her elder daughter. Pensioner Jayne is expecting a visitor from the US; Someone she has never met before, but one with whom she hopes to further develop their online relationship. Her family are not happy though, suspecting their ‘inheritance’ will disappear as their mother follows her dreams. Nancy has just moved to Dublin from London to work at the National Theatre. She hopes to leave behind bad memories and experiences as she rents a house in Primrose Square, but this is just the start of her problems. I fell in love with Dublin when I visited there a few years ago and since then I have enjoyed a number of books set there, as I can imagine myself walking in the characters’ footsteps. For that reason I was really looking forward to reading this book. There is much to like and enjoy about this book. The main characters are all women, and although they all face adversity throughout the novel, they all eventually overcome their demons. Furthermore, they all do it themselves, with the help and support of their friends; none of them have to rely on a man to help them regain their confidence and self respect. There is a huge emphasis on friendship and how strong relationships can help you during the difficult times of your life, and also how good it is to share your successes with your friends. It was interesting to see the different types of challenges that each of the women faced, and how they initially reacted, before taking a positive stand e.g. pretending it wasn’t happening; trying to deal with the problem alone; blaming others. At times the story was very moving, and I had the occasional lump in my throat. At other times it is very uplifting and there are some funny moments. The character of Irene, the snobby daughter in law is quite amusing, and I’m sure most readers will know someone like her. However, the book is not without flaws. The book focuses on just three houses within the square; you soon get to know the inhabitants pretty well, and they are sympathetic and generally well drawn characters, although they do descend into caricature at times. Many of the secondary characters were also quite predictable: the warring ‘dames’ at the theatre; the wronged boyfriend; the antagonistic son bought off by the new boyfriend. The title led me to expect that there would be more than three houses involved in the story. In fact, there is little or no mention of any one else at all from the square. A few extra characters would have given the book a little more variety and depth. Also, ‘secrets’ is rather a strong word to use. Only one of the characters has something that she is hiding from her neighbours. It seems that the only people in the dark about most things are the readers , due to the device the author uses to reveal a little more of the story each chapter, ending each with a gentle ‘cliff hanger’. I have to say that the ending is rather predictable as I had worked out how most of the story lines would end, long before the final reveals. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I would not rush to read another of Claudia Carroll’s books right away.
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