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Breeda Looney Steps Forth
Breeda Looney tells herself she's happy with her simple life in a remote Irish fishing village.
Sure, there are days she talks to no one but the cat, her panic attacks have become public spectacles, and crabby Aunt Nora considers her a total waste of skin.
But Breeda is about to stumble upon an old family secret never meant to see the light of day. Her beloved father, said to have died when Breeda was a child, might actually still be alive.
A lifetime of lies will force Breeda to revisit the darkest corners of her past if she’s to ever bring home her long-lost daddy.
But secrets rarely exist alone. And as Breeda digs deeper into the family dirt she realizes she’s barely scratched the surface…
Breeda Looney steps forth. But what on earth is she about to discover?
* Heartfelt, compelling and often darkly funny, Breeda Looney Steps Forth follows one woman's quest to find her truth and, ultimately, her place in the world. With a cast of colorful characters, and brimming with surprisingly tender moments, Breeda Looney will stay in your heart long after the final pages... *
Sure, there are days she talks to no one but the cat, her panic attacks have become public spectacles, and crabby Aunt Nora considers her a total waste of skin.
But Breeda is about to stumble upon an old family secret never meant to see the light of day. Her beloved father, said to have died when Breeda was a child, might actually still be alive.
A lifetime of lies will force Breeda to revisit the darkest corners of her past if she’s to ever bring home her long-lost daddy.
But secrets rarely exist alone. And as Breeda digs deeper into the family dirt she realizes she’s barely scratched the surface…
Breeda Looney steps forth. But what on earth is she about to discover?
* Heartfelt, compelling and often darkly funny, Breeda Looney Steps Forth follows one woman's quest to find her truth and, ultimately, her place in the world. With a cast of colorful characters, and brimming with surprisingly tender moments, Breeda Looney will stay in your heart long after the final pages... *
- GenresContemporaryFiction
302 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2020
71 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Sands
2 books8 followersBorn in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, Oliver Sands maintained his relative sanity by escaping into the works of fiction his parents kept in their modest bookcase. It was there he discovered his love of character and story.
He left the North with an engineering masters and a dark sense of humour, and spent some years in Galway, Dublin and London, before totally ignoring his aversion to heat and Vegemite by settling in Sydney.
Oliver's debut novel, 'Breeda Looney Steps Forth', was highly praised by PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "his lyrical prose consistently impresses. Tense and affecting, this is a worthy page-turner."
Oliver's second book, 'The Stranger's Bed', released in September 2023, is a gripping suspense about grief, guilt and the risks one woman will take to uncover the truth about her missing friend.
To learn more about his books and to say hello please visit OliverSandsAuthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 12, 2021
Wow! I didn't expect to love this book when I picked it up in the first place!
The book description and the book cover gave me all the right vibes of a cosy, relatable read giving me the vibes of Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine kind of feels as well.
Well, these two books turn out to be different for me.
The book started out rather as a cosy read talking about a woman who is in her late 30s living life as it is.
And yes, the first few pages will give you the romance, chicklit vibes.
But oh boy, it's more than that! And yes, as you keep reading on, you are going to get into a family of intense personalities who appear rather subtle and complicated.
You will get deeper into knowing these characters more. First bad impressions will not last long! There's more than that meets the reading eyes. (What, ahem!)
I love character driven stories and this one freaking awesome book has more than one character to know about. The main character is developed fine and good but it's the aunt Nora who's description, development and character shines the most. I was more invested in this character rather than the main character's. Her character is interesting and tells the story of a woman who struggled in the past.
This is a story you will love reading. As the chapters progress, the story gets more intense and the various characters mentioned get involved in the plot and blended so well.
I loved knowing the characters and this read gets more interesting towards the end. And that's how this book stands out from the rest!
The ending is wholesome and very satisfying!
Thank you #NetGalley for the book #BreedaLooneyStepsForth
The book description and the book cover gave me all the right vibes of a cosy, relatable read giving me the vibes of Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine kind of feels as well.
Well, these two books turn out to be different for me.
The book started out rather as a cosy read talking about a woman who is in her late 30s living life as it is.
And yes, the first few pages will give you the romance, chicklit vibes.
But oh boy, it's more than that! And yes, as you keep reading on, you are going to get into a family of intense personalities who appear rather subtle and complicated.
You will get deeper into knowing these characters more. First bad impressions will not last long! There's more than that meets the reading eyes. (What, ahem!)
I love character driven stories and this one freaking awesome book has more than one character to know about. The main character is developed fine and good but it's the aunt Nora who's description, development and character shines the most. I was more invested in this character rather than the main character's. Her character is interesting and tells the story of a woman who struggled in the past.
This is a story you will love reading. As the chapters progress, the story gets more intense and the various characters mentioned get involved in the plot and blended so well.
I loved knowing the characters and this read gets more interesting towards the end. And that's how this book stands out from the rest!
The ending is wholesome and very satisfying!
Thank you #NetGalley for the book #BreedaLooneyStepsForth
May 21, 2020
“It had recently dawned on Breeda that without her mother to care for her life had lost its meaning. She was rudderless, each featureless day a carbon copy of the one that had gone before. And worse were the nights… it was like she was off kilter with the universe, two steps too far to the left.”
Breeda Looney Steps Forth is the first novel by Irish-born Australian author, Oliver Sands. It’s two years since Breeda Looney gave up her job in Galway to nurse her dying mother back in Donegal. It’s a month since Margaret Looney died. So it’s little wonder Breeda is depressed, and the panic attacks don’t help matters. Nor does her critical Aunt Nora. Who can blame her for indulging in a drink…
Soon after her thirty-seventh birthday, Breeda learns of a new arrival in town, taking her thoughts back to the awful time in her childhood when she inexplicably became pariah to her classmates. Surely after this long, Dervil Sneddon no longer hates her?
Then Breeda accidentally discovers that the father she had believed long-ago drowned did not drown at all, and she has been lied to for twenty-five years. Why? But that certainly isn’t all: more shocking revelations follow, cementing her resolve to track down the father who might still be alive, explain the deception, and assure him of her unfailing love.
Sands populates this perfect depiction of an Irish seaside town with a typical cast of characters although, even if they start out a little stereotypical, they gain plenty of depth by the final pages. Breeda is a rather tragic figure, plagued by Catholic guilt and a sense of obligation that makes her the perfect target for her manipulative aunt, who acts pious while lacking any true charity.
Equally loathsome are the grown woman who holds onto resentment like a teenager, even if she does sort of have an excuse, and the nasty gossiping shopkeeper. Then there is the charming womaniser, the quirky neighbour, the supportive best friend, the sympathetic boss, and the mysterious biker.
The story doesn’t go quite where expected, and because Breeda doesn’t know all the facts (and neither do we), Sands has us fooled quite a few times. This is a tale of grief and guilt, secrets and lies, betrayal and shame. Intriguing, moving and often darkly funny, this is an impressive debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Books Go Social.
Breeda Looney Steps Forth is the first novel by Irish-born Australian author, Oliver Sands. It’s two years since Breeda Looney gave up her job in Galway to nurse her dying mother back in Donegal. It’s a month since Margaret Looney died. So it’s little wonder Breeda is depressed, and the panic attacks don’t help matters. Nor does her critical Aunt Nora. Who can blame her for indulging in a drink…
Soon after her thirty-seventh birthday, Breeda learns of a new arrival in town, taking her thoughts back to the awful time in her childhood when she inexplicably became pariah to her classmates. Surely after this long, Dervil Sneddon no longer hates her?
Then Breeda accidentally discovers that the father she had believed long-ago drowned did not drown at all, and she has been lied to for twenty-five years. Why? But that certainly isn’t all: more shocking revelations follow, cementing her resolve to track down the father who might still be alive, explain the deception, and assure him of her unfailing love.
Sands populates this perfect depiction of an Irish seaside town with a typical cast of characters although, even if they start out a little stereotypical, they gain plenty of depth by the final pages. Breeda is a rather tragic figure, plagued by Catholic guilt and a sense of obligation that makes her the perfect target for her manipulative aunt, who acts pious while lacking any true charity.
Equally loathsome are the grown woman who holds onto resentment like a teenager, even if she does sort of have an excuse, and the nasty gossiping shopkeeper. Then there is the charming womaniser, the quirky neighbour, the supportive best friend, the sympathetic boss, and the mysterious biker.
The story doesn’t go quite where expected, and because Breeda doesn’t know all the facts (and neither do we), Sands has us fooled quite a few times. This is a tale of grief and guilt, secrets and lies, betrayal and shame. Intriguing, moving and often darkly funny, this is an impressive debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Books Go Social.
August 29, 2022
Even though this was an easy read with some nice moments of dialogue, it didn’t hang together.
I don’t get why Breeda is characterized as a failure in the first place. She moved home to be with her dying mother, it’s been four weeks, she seems to have the capacity to get another good job when she wants to, what’s the problem?
The author acts as though google doesn’t exist, which certainly moves the plot along and necessitates a road trip for Breeda, but it’s annoying.
And then we have the redemption of Nora. Even though Malachi turned out to be an awful man, Nora still had him run out of town by the IRA, thereby leaving her niece fatherless, just because she felt bad about sleeping with him. She then faked his death, and then somehow bought a house with the money she somehow got from life insurance, and then evicted her niece from the house that should have been hers. So she’s a wagon whatever way you look at it.
And why would SHE have gotten the money from the life insurance, and why wouldn’t her sister have made sure that the house was left to Breeda? It doesn’t make sense !
Oona, the so-called best friend, is also clearly a frenemy, inviting Dervil to her barbecue even after she’d been so rude to Breeda.
But I don’t believe that any Irish person, no matter what their grudge was, would behave the way Dervil did. Breeda made her a carrot cake and dropped it round to her and Dervil said she didn’t “do cake”, and didn’t invite her in for a cup of tea. It just wouldn’t happen. It wouldn’t!
So that a no for me.
I don’t get why Breeda is characterized as a failure in the first place. She moved home to be with her dying mother, it’s been four weeks, she seems to have the capacity to get another good job when she wants to, what’s the problem?
The author acts as though google doesn’t exist, which certainly moves the plot along and necessitates a road trip for Breeda, but it’s annoying.
And then we have the redemption of Nora. Even though Malachi turned out to be an awful man, Nora still had him run out of town by the IRA, thereby leaving her niece fatherless, just because she felt bad about sleeping with him. She then faked his death, and then somehow bought a house with the money she somehow got from life insurance, and then evicted her niece from the house that should have been hers. So she’s a wagon whatever way you look at it.
And why would SHE have gotten the money from the life insurance, and why wouldn’t her sister have made sure that the house was left to Breeda? It doesn’t make sense !
Oona, the so-called best friend, is also clearly a frenemy, inviting Dervil to her barbecue even after she’d been so rude to Breeda.
But I don’t believe that any Irish person, no matter what their grudge was, would behave the way Dervil did. Breeda made her a carrot cake and dropped it round to her and Dervil said she didn’t “do cake”, and didn’t invite her in for a cup of tea. It just wouldn’t happen. It wouldn’t!
So that a no for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2020
This is the first time I've felt compelled to review a book on Good Reads. I bought this book because of the good reviews which for me are usually reliable. But something went seriously wrong this time! For me this book was terrible. I guess if you enjoy low grade angst from a weak and flabby character then it's for you. But it wasn't for me. I kept on to the very end, hoping that useless Breeda would eventually 'step out' as the title promised. Thankfully it happened in the last two pages otherwise I would have been seriously put out. Perhaps I'm just not suited to books about weak people who can't stand up for themselves and always see themselves in the wrong, even when they're obviously not. You need a great magnitude of empathy to get anything out of this.
March 7, 2020
This just wasn’t for me. The premise was good but the characters were all unlikeable. Breeda herself was useless and rather dim. The ending was muddled and quite a few strings were left hanging loose. I expected a quirky read but this just fell short.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review all opinions are my own.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review all opinions are my own.
March 6, 2020
I'm seeing a lot of books springing up claiming to be for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine but I wondered how many of them can actually match up to Eleanor. I am delighted to say that Breeda Looney Steps Forth certainly does match up to Eleanor as Breeda perfectly filled the Eleanor shaped hole in my life.
You can't help but take 37 year old Breeda into your heart as she grieves for her mother and suffers from embarrassing panic attacks. It is when clearing out her mother's things that she finds an 18th birthday card that had been sent to Breeda from her father. The only problem is that Breeda's dad died when she was 12. Is the card a delusion of her mother, as Aunt Nora claims, or has Breeda been told a pack of lies?
As Breeda searches for the truth, she uncovers a boat load of family secrets. There's nothing I love more than a book full of secrets, so Breeda Looney Steps Forth gets a big tick for that. Set in Ireland and London, the lyrical prose carries the beautifully heartwarming story forward at a rate of knots and I absolutely raced through it. I really would have liked to savour the story a bit more but I got totally carried away in my haste to discover everything about Breeda.
Although at first it would appear that Breeda has led quite a sheltered life, she is a much stronger character than I first took her to be. Breeda has some tough decisions to make and her inner strength shines through in her dogged determination to find her father: the man with a reputation for having an eye for the ladies, infamous Mal Looney. I also loved reading about Breeda's tempestuous relationship with her Aunt Nora; it felt like they were always pulling in opposite directions but there are always two sides to every story and this all pulls together nicely at the end.
Hilarious at times but ultimately totally heartwarming, Breeda Looney Steps Forth is an outstanding debut from Oliver Sands; it's completely brilliant and wonderfully charming. I loved every single moment and, as I plan to read it again, I most definitely recommend it. A well deserved 5 sparkly stars for my new friend, Breeda!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
You can't help but take 37 year old Breeda into your heart as she grieves for her mother and suffers from embarrassing panic attacks. It is when clearing out her mother's things that she finds an 18th birthday card that had been sent to Breeda from her father. The only problem is that Breeda's dad died when she was 12. Is the card a delusion of her mother, as Aunt Nora claims, or has Breeda been told a pack of lies?
As Breeda searches for the truth, she uncovers a boat load of family secrets. There's nothing I love more than a book full of secrets, so Breeda Looney Steps Forth gets a big tick for that. Set in Ireland and London, the lyrical prose carries the beautifully heartwarming story forward at a rate of knots and I absolutely raced through it. I really would have liked to savour the story a bit more but I got totally carried away in my haste to discover everything about Breeda.
Although at first it would appear that Breeda has led quite a sheltered life, she is a much stronger character than I first took her to be. Breeda has some tough decisions to make and her inner strength shines through in her dogged determination to find her father: the man with a reputation for having an eye for the ladies, infamous Mal Looney. I also loved reading about Breeda's tempestuous relationship with her Aunt Nora; it felt like they were always pulling in opposite directions but there are always two sides to every story and this all pulls together nicely at the end.
Hilarious at times but ultimately totally heartwarming, Breeda Looney Steps Forth is an outstanding debut from Oliver Sands; it's completely brilliant and wonderfully charming. I loved every single moment and, as I plan to read it again, I most definitely recommend it. A well deserved 5 sparkly stars for my new friend, Breeda!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
February 24, 2020
A gorgeous story. Set in modern Ireland and steeped in the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, Sands tells a delicate story of one woman struggling to find the truth about her past while battling her daily demons. From the rain and mist of the Galway coastline to the dangerous streets of London, this story is told with passionate and lyrical grace. It was a pleasure to read.
Highly recommended!
I received a free advanced copy and have voluntarily written this review.
Highly recommended!
I received a free advanced copy and have voluntarily written this review.
March 17, 2020
This is one of those books that I didn't know whether I would enjoy it or not when I picked it up. However, this is a fun and quirky read, which is just what I need right now as I am sitting home wondering when I will be back to work. It was nice to have a book that was so unique to delve into.
February 21, 2021
What a surprise to take a chance on a new author and be rewarded. I was in the middle of Jane Harper's new book, The Survivors, and was finding it so meh. An ad for Breeda Looney Steps Forth popped up on my kindle and I thought, what the hell. Glad I did.
One reviewer commented that there were several cliches that didn't work in this book. I disagree. The two cliches I picked up [school yard bullying that haunts a person well into adulthood and severe emotional reaction to a family death] were given fresh coats of paint. And very deftly by this new author.
Breeda is the quintessential mid-30s, 21st century woman...somewhat displaced and searching for light. Haunted by the pivotal event over which she had absolutely no control: her childhood. A father's abandonment is a gut punch. Breeda works her way through it as best she can and with her remarkably crafted character, this reader came away inspired.
One reviewer commented that there were several cliches that didn't work in this book. I disagree. The two cliches I picked up [school yard bullying that haunts a person well into adulthood and severe emotional reaction to a family death] were given fresh coats of paint. And very deftly by this new author.
Breeda is the quintessential mid-30s, 21st century woman...somewhat displaced and searching for light. Haunted by the pivotal event over which she had absolutely no control: her childhood. A father's abandonment is a gut punch. Breeda works her way through it as best she can and with her remarkably crafted character, this reader came away inspired.
March 12, 2020
I really looked forward to reading this so in comes Breeda, who is dealing with the death of her mother. She gave up her job to look after her and takes a part time job in a wine shop. As we go through the story we learn that Breeda is very unhappy and after thinking her father died when she was younger finds an 18th birthday card from him in her mother’s belongings and embarks on a quest to find him. We also learn that Breeda was incredible unhappy at school after being victimised, bullied and left out. The reasons for this do become apparent towards the end of the book! Her aunt is seemingly a fussy old lady who is incredibly opinionated and at first glance not very likeable although throughout t he book becomes more amusing.
The story is a little predictable but is still very enjoyable and incredibly easy reading to lose yourself in.
The story is a little predictable but is still very enjoyable and incredibly easy reading to lose yourself in.
April 21, 2020
Oliver Sands is a fine storyteller. In Breeda Looney he's created a flawed, yet highly sympathetic character who grapples with grief, anxiety, betrayal, family secrets and lies. Although it deals with some difficult themes, the book is anything but depressing. For me, it's the best kind of novel because it made me laugh and cry, and it warmed my heart. I couldn't put it down. 4.5 stars
June 11, 2020
I was drawn to Breeda from the start of her story, she's a wonderful character. After her mother died it's only Breeda and her Aunt Nora who are left (aunt Nora would try the patience of a saint). I don't want to say too much and give anything away but Breeda life as she knows it is turned upside down after her mother's death. A wonderfully written story that pulled at my heart strings. Huge 5 stars.
May 6, 2020
4.5/5
After her mother died Breed Looney has no one to call family except her controlling, manipulative and demanding Aunt Nora. She still believes everything will be fine. But Breeda keeps discovering new lows in her life, until she can't take it anymore.
But a shocking discovery gives her new hope, new mission in her life. Her father, said to have died when Breeda was a child, might actually still be alive.
Breeda's search for her father will open all the can of worms of her past. She will go against the only family she have, Aunt Nora. And this past will shatter everything that Breeda once believe in. Breeda will begin to wonder is it even worth it?
Review-
First of all I would advice you to not compare this to Eleanor Oliphant while reading this. I know there is a great amount of similarity between both the books but still comparison will dull the intensity of this book.
I love the writing, characterization, plot and the set up of the book. The town is also as much as a part of this book as its characters and it gives us a wholesome feel and connects even more to the readers.
This book just gets sadder, sadder and more sadder. You feel really sorry for Breeda but at the same time empathize with her decision and her situation. You want to help her badly but the more important part is Breeda should help herself.
This feel so close to reality. Breeda doesn't exactly understand what is happening to her and she is chasing a new way of happiness and ignoring a harsh reality which is exactly right in front of her.
Don't judge the characters in the beginning because each character has their own secrets and their own reason to act in certain way. The most shocking has to be Aunt Nora. Though I understand some of her actions but I couldn't justify some harsh things she did to Breeda. Oona is the perfect best friend we all want in our life
The only problem was with the architecture of the house in some important scenes. Like there are one or two scenes where architecture of the house plays an important part in terms of characters position. But I felt it was messy and confusing.
The most important part about the ending is accepting you have a problem and you want to get a solution for it. Breeda will help you and connect with you in so many ways and at the end she will give you courage and inspire you to accept yourself as it is.
After her mother died Breed Looney has no one to call family except her controlling, manipulative and demanding Aunt Nora. She still believes everything will be fine. But Breeda keeps discovering new lows in her life, until she can't take it anymore.
But a shocking discovery gives her new hope, new mission in her life. Her father, said to have died when Breeda was a child, might actually still be alive.
Breeda's search for her father will open all the can of worms of her past. She will go against the only family she have, Aunt Nora. And this past will shatter everything that Breeda once believe in. Breeda will begin to wonder is it even worth it?
Review-
First of all I would advice you to not compare this to Eleanor Oliphant while reading this. I know there is a great amount of similarity between both the books but still comparison will dull the intensity of this book.
I love the writing, characterization, plot and the set up of the book. The town is also as much as a part of this book as its characters and it gives us a wholesome feel and connects even more to the readers.
This book just gets sadder, sadder and more sadder. You feel really sorry for Breeda but at the same time empathize with her decision and her situation. You want to help her badly but the more important part is Breeda should help herself.
This feel so close to reality. Breeda doesn't exactly understand what is happening to her and she is chasing a new way of happiness and ignoring a harsh reality which is exactly right in front of her.
Don't judge the characters in the beginning because each character has their own secrets and their own reason to act in certain way. The most shocking has to be Aunt Nora. Though I understand some of her actions but I couldn't justify some harsh things she did to Breeda. Oona is the perfect best friend we all want in our life
The only problem was with the architecture of the house in some important scenes. Like there are one or two scenes where architecture of the house plays an important part in terms of characters position. But I felt it was messy and confusing.
The most important part about the ending is accepting you have a problem and you want to get a solution for it. Breeda will help you and connect with you in so many ways and at the end she will give you courage and inspire you to accept yourself as it is.
June 6, 2020
The initial description about this story made me want to read it from the outset. Breeda reminded me of the leading ladies in another two of my favourite books: Eleanor Oliphant and Needlemouse. She is the oddball, the outcast, the butt of the joke and seems to be a very lonely person.
When we first meet her, she is grieving the death of her mother who she had looked after since giving up her job. She is prone to panic attacks, drinks too much and even her Aunt Noora despairs she will ever be ‘normal’. However, Breeda’s dull and contented life comes to an end with the accidental uncovering of an old family secret, the father she thought long dead is in fact alive. Armed with this knowledge she sets out to find him, something that Aunt Nora is determined will not happen. Thus, begins a journey that takes Breeda from her home town all the way to Camden Town and back again. Long kept secrets are exposed which threaten everything Breeda has ever known and believed in.
Oliver Sands has written a character worthy of the comparisons made earlier. He has written a tale that is comic, a mystery and also intensely sad. I loved reading Breeda’s journey (both physical and mental). I loved the rich characters he has created. This was a great read and I can highly recommend this book.
When we first meet her, she is grieving the death of her mother who she had looked after since giving up her job. She is prone to panic attacks, drinks too much and even her Aunt Noora despairs she will ever be ‘normal’. However, Breeda’s dull and contented life comes to an end with the accidental uncovering of an old family secret, the father she thought long dead is in fact alive. Armed with this knowledge she sets out to find him, something that Aunt Nora is determined will not happen. Thus, begins a journey that takes Breeda from her home town all the way to Camden Town and back again. Long kept secrets are exposed which threaten everything Breeda has ever known and believed in.
Oliver Sands has written a character worthy of the comparisons made earlier. He has written a tale that is comic, a mystery and also intensely sad. I loved reading Breeda’s journey (both physical and mental). I loved the rich characters he has created. This was a great read and I can highly recommend this book.
November 14, 2020
Oliver Sands
The magic on the prose in this book brought me straight in to the world of Breeda Looney. What Oliver does so well is describe setting and place as if you're walking alongside Breeda as she struggles to tie up the frustrations of the present with unknowns of the past. Initially she remined me of my old friend Angela McAuley from Ballymena, NI who wouldn't go out with any man unless he looked like Bryan Ferry. She ended up with some guy who looked like Kevin Keegan but that's another story.
Breeda is the victim of the manipulative ways of those around her. She's been taken for a fool. Now with the author Oliver Sand's deftness of touch the story telling is truly inspiring. Breeda has to escape the confinement of how she's been brought up. She has to face up to the lies and the treachery she'd been fed by those who should've been there for her in a truthful way. And when she searches for answers she hasn't counted on just how brutal they can be. A great story of a downtrodden soul like Breeda stepping forth with courage to be who she wants to be and not what others have controlled her into being.
The magic on the prose in this book brought me straight in to the world of Breeda Looney. What Oliver does so well is describe setting and place as if you're walking alongside Breeda as she struggles to tie up the frustrations of the present with unknowns of the past. Initially she remined me of my old friend Angela McAuley from Ballymena, NI who wouldn't go out with any man unless he looked like Bryan Ferry. She ended up with some guy who looked like Kevin Keegan but that's another story.
Breeda is the victim of the manipulative ways of those around her. She's been taken for a fool. Now with the author Oliver Sand's deftness of touch the story telling is truly inspiring. Breeda has to escape the confinement of how she's been brought up. She has to face up to the lies and the treachery she'd been fed by those who should've been there for her in a truthful way. And when she searches for answers she hasn't counted on just how brutal they can be. A great story of a downtrodden soul like Breeda stepping forth with courage to be who she wants to be and not what others have controlled her into being.
February 18, 2020
Breeda gave up a good job and pretty much her life to be home and look after her mother, not that she would have it any other way. To keep her occupied she has been doing a few hours at the local wine store- and also making good use of the discount offered. Her mother sadly passed away a few weeks ago and Breeda is now thinking she should get back on the horse so to speak. Breeda lost her father when she was twelve years old so when something turns up that disputes this Breeda is curious and sets out to find out who and why and a lot more besides. Her Aunt Nora believes she is a “waste of skin” and dispels her notion. Breeda however has other plans! I liked Breeda, she had determination and a sense of fun despite all that was going on. I had to smile a “Cheeses Christ” as the cheese shop- a nod to the religions of Ireland.
A wonderful uplifting fun read- a good plot, larger than life characters and a smile along the way. Loved it!
A wonderful uplifting fun read- a good plot, larger than life characters and a smile along the way. Loved it!
March 29, 2020
That was a curious experience. I've never read a book settled at Ireland before and I guess I'm not used to the language. But I could enjoy a lot the narrative. I love the author's prose, the voice is quite good to read. But I couldn't warm up to Breeda and her story.
I was mostly frustrated all the time. Everytime I expected a great turn, it just didn't happened. And it was a little tiring to see her being badly treated by almost everyone. Not even her friends were that great.
I was mostly frustrated all the time. Everytime I expected a great turn, it just didn't happened. And it was a little tiring to see her being badly treated by almost everyone. Not even her friends were that great.
March 30, 2020
I wasn’t immediately drawn into this story about Breeda Looney’s search for answers about her past. But about halfway through I did find myself starting to enjoy it more. I found Breeda herself a little one-dimensional, and not very realistic. She’s meant to be “the awkward loner, out of step with the rest of the world”. So many of my favourite literary characters fall into this category, including Frederik Backman’s Ove and Britt-Marie, and Craig Lancaster’s Edward, but Breeda just didn’t do it for me and I just never felt I really understood her. On the positive side, Breeda was surrounded by characters that I did relate to. This included her wonderful, supportive friend, Oona, and Breeda’s aunt, Nora, “wound-up like a tight spring in her tween two-piece”. I found the story a bit cliché-laden, but I did get invested in finding out what would happen. The premise was interesting, and I got caught up in Breeda’s search to find out what really happened to her Dad.
March 18, 2020
A great book! I thought that it started off a little slow but once it gets going it really sucks you in, I stayed up late just so I could finish it. I really enjoyed the characters in this one, I found myself really getting attached to them and at the end I was sad that I wouldn't be able to read about them anymore. Breeda, Oona, and Aiden were my favorites, I wish Aiden was in the book more but I understand why he wasn't. I also like how the family relationships were handled well without being over the top and unrealistic, at times this book made me very emotional. I would be interested in reading more books by Oliver Sands, I'm a big fan of his writing style.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in family dynamics/drama, great characters, and a great setting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in family dynamics/drama, great characters, and a great setting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
March 24, 2020
Breeda grew up in Ireland. Her Dad died when she was young, and her Mum recently died leaving her and her Aunt Nora. She had an unhappy childhood, always feeling on the outside of the group of friends, and very left out - usually due to one girl with a vendetta against her. She has a job in a liquor store, which just helps her to drink more than she should, but which doesn't excite her. All in all her life isn't the best.
One day she finds an 18th birthday card from her father, but this can't be possible as he died in a drowning accident when she was 12. Breeda starts to investigate which sets off a chain of events that Aunt Nora would rather avoid, with some interesting results.
I quite enjoyed the book but was very irritated by Breeda, and I found the plot a little contrived, and not necessarily the best thought out. A good read but not a great read.
One day she finds an 18th birthday card from her father, but this can't be possible as he died in a drowning accident when she was 12. Breeda starts to investigate which sets off a chain of events that Aunt Nora would rather avoid, with some interesting results.
I quite enjoyed the book but was very irritated by Breeda, and I found the plot a little contrived, and not necessarily the best thought out. A good read but not a great read.
April 9, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed Breeda Looney Steps Forth. It was reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, another book I loved. Breeda is grieving the loss of her mother, seeing her suffer from embarrassing panic attacks. While cleaning out her mother's effects, Breeda discovers her father may not have died as she had been led to believe.
First impressions lead you to believe Breeda is simple and has been sheltered much of her life, however the character develops nicely through the book and by the end you realise she is much stronger than originally thought.
Aunt Nora is another character who I originally found rather irritating, however by the end her story is nicely with Breeda's and I found her witty and likeable.
First impressions lead you to believe Breeda is simple and has been sheltered much of her life, however the character develops nicely through the book and by the end you realise she is much stronger than originally thought.
Aunt Nora is another character who I originally found rather irritating, however by the end her story is nicely with Breeda's and I found her witty and likeable.
April 10, 2020
This was the story of Breeda Looney, a young woman whose life is not quite what she wants it to be. Her mother died, her boyfriend recently called off their relationship, she has an overbearing, controlling aunt, and to top it all off she keeps blacking out which fuels the town rumour mill that she is the village drunk.
They do say that things have to get worse before they get better, and that is very much the case when Breeda discovers some hidden truths about her past which send her on a journey from Donegal to Camden Town.
This book was a great read, dark and realistic where the characters were complex and believable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Would recommend it for sure.
They do say that things have to get worse before they get better, and that is very much the case when Breeda discovers some hidden truths about her past which send her on a journey from Donegal to Camden Town.
This book was a great read, dark and realistic where the characters were complex and believable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Would recommend it for sure.
February 25, 2020
I’d love to meet Breeda!!
What a delightful lass Oliver Sands has created. The novel’s beautifully descriptive writing of the Irish landscape kept me enthralled and definitely wanting to know what happens next.
Breeda travels through quaint Irish towns to the big smoke in London, navigating herself through deep family secrets and uncovering more and more about her family. You will be hooked until the end. This is a book that gives you hope!
I received a free advance copy and have voluntarily written this review.
What a delightful lass Oliver Sands has created. The novel’s beautifully descriptive writing of the Irish landscape kept me enthralled and definitely wanting to know what happens next.
Breeda travels through quaint Irish towns to the big smoke in London, navigating herself through deep family secrets and uncovering more and more about her family. You will be hooked until the end. This is a book that gives you hope!
I received a free advance copy and have voluntarily written this review.
March 14, 2020
I am grateful to have be able to access with book through NetGalley. I feel like this book is a sort of mix between Eleanor Oliphant and Keeping Up Appearances. Breeda is a sweet woman struggling with her mental health, as so many are today. She is genuine and relatable. Her aunt Nora is concerned with what people think and will do anything to keep things nice and tidy. The Irish setting is a dream, there's something extra special about books set in faraway places. This novel is very enjoyable, it's a great read for fans of the physiological fiction.
March 15, 2020
I was looking for a book set in Ireland for a reading prompt, and when I saw this available decided to give it a go. It was fine - a quick, one sitting read. And I found myself caught up in what the possible family drama could be, but then felt kind of let down by the end. I really wanted to know what happened the priest as well, as those flash backs seemed odd to include if they weren’t really relevant...unless my brain just failed to connect the dots. This wasn’t a new favorite book for me, but I definitely see the likeness to Eleanor Oliphant, and if you liked that, I would recommend this.
March 15, 2020
Deary me, what a life that lassie's had! I'm still not entirely sure what 'the blackness' is or was in this story but that didn't detract too much. Breeda is treated badly by one and all it seems, certainly in her formative years. Now as an grieving adult she finds that perhaps her daddy may yet be alive. When she returned from London I had high hopes for her, but I did worry it may become a bit predictably saccharine. It didn't, well, not too much! Personally I'd liked to have seen Nora get her comeuppance but that's just me.
March 30, 2020
I received a copy of this book from TBC Reviewers request- Thank you
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this novel – I loved Eleanor Oliphant and hoped this would be in the same vein- thankfully it really is.
If you are looking for a book that is so full of human emotion that seems to be un channelled then this is the book for you
It’s exceptionally well written and has the added benefit of raising questions that it provides the answers to (or the skills to decipher them yourself) a fab read thank you
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this novel – I loved Eleanor Oliphant and hoped this would be in the same vein- thankfully it really is.
If you are looking for a book that is so full of human emotion that seems to be un channelled then this is the book for you
It’s exceptionally well written and has the added benefit of raising questions that it provides the answers to (or the skills to decipher them yourself) a fab read thank you
March 14, 2020
The premise and the setting are great but I have to admit I found it all a bit depressing.
Chapter after chapter of the main character being miserable, everyone treating her horribly and her not being able to stand up for herself.
By the time she hits the Shiraz in that London wine bar I was ready for a bottle or two myself...
I’m sure plenty of Eleanor fans will love this - I just wish Breeda found her spine much earlier in the story.
Chapter after chapter of the main character being miserable, everyone treating her horribly and her not being able to stand up for herself.
By the time she hits the Shiraz in that London wine bar I was ready for a bottle or two myself...
I’m sure plenty of Eleanor fans will love this - I just wish Breeda found her spine much earlier in the story.
April 4, 2020
The story is of Breeda who has spent the last few months caring for her dying mother and then grieving for the loss. She is adrift, and this is a sort of coming of age story for Breeda because she may finally be able to shake off the weight on her heart.
The setting is based in a close-knit community in Ireland. This means that both the good and the bad are common knowledge amongst the general public. The villain of the piece, for the most part, was Breeda's aunt. She holds herself to the strictest of standards, making her a caricature of a righteous older woman. During many parts of the story, I felt like there was something off about the picturization and only at the end did I register that it was written by a man(I genuinely did not pay attention to that fact when picking it up). This fact made my discomfort, with some parts of the story, make sense. It did feel like someone outside of Breeda narrating it all, despite us having access to her thoughts.
I think the story has potential, and if the reader is not as finicky as me with regards to the turns stories take, they will be able to enjoy this more than I did. Until the halfway point, I still was involved and even liked the last chapter or so, but the big climactic scenes did not sit well with me. There are some interesting dynamic interactions that I think can be dissected by reading groups, but overall it was not a book for me.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
The setting is based in a close-knit community in Ireland. This means that both the good and the bad are common knowledge amongst the general public. The villain of the piece, for the most part, was Breeda's aunt. She holds herself to the strictest of standards, making her a caricature of a righteous older woman. During many parts of the story, I felt like there was something off about the picturization and only at the end did I register that it was written by a man(I genuinely did not pay attention to that fact when picking it up). This fact made my discomfort, with some parts of the story, make sense. It did feel like someone outside of Breeda narrating it all, despite us having access to her thoughts.
I think the story has potential, and if the reader is not as finicky as me with regards to the turns stories take, they will be able to enjoy this more than I did. Until the halfway point, I still was involved and even liked the last chapter or so, but the big climactic scenes did not sit well with me. There are some interesting dynamic interactions that I think can be dissected by reading groups, but overall it was not a book for me.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
May 21, 2020
This beautiful book follows Breeda as she tries to unravel the mysterious of her life and come to terms with so much that's gone wrong. I really enjoyed this book and I sympathized with Breeda in so many ways as she is very relatable. This book was so endearing and totally unexpected too. I wasnt sure if I would like it after reading the summary but I really did.
This book was gifted to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are mine and mine alone.
This book was gifted to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are mine and mine alone.
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