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Sandy Cove #3

Dreams of Willow House

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A gorgeous, compelling page-turner about one woman’s journey to the heart of Ireland and the family secret she’s destined to discover…

Cordelia Mirafiore has never truly felt at home in South Florida, so when she’s unexpectedly called to the reading of a long-lost relative’s will in Ireland, she’s hopeful that escaping to Willow House to meet her family might help her to figure out who she really is…

As soon as Cordelia reaches Sandy Cove, the views of the blue ocean and stunning coastline around her provide a sense of calm she has never felt before. She meets her cousins Maeve and Roisin, who welcome her with open arms, finds herself drawn to a handsome man who is also an outsider in town, and feels an instant spark.

But the rest of the McKenna family aren’t so willing to accept Cordelia, or even believe that she’s family. When they learn that Cordelia is to inherit a third of Willow House, she is forced to prove who she is. All she has are old parish records and a battered box of family photographs, but they lead her to secrets she may not want to uncover.

Can Cordelia find the courage to face her family’s past? Can she trust the mysterious man who has swept her off her feet? Or will the lies told for generations force her to leave Sandy Cove forever?

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2019

4009 people are currently reading
491 people want to read

About the author

Susanne O'Leary

57 books381 followers
Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She's been inspired to represent people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.

When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.

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5 stars
1,508 (53%)
4 stars
919 (32%)
3 stars
332 (11%)
2 stars
63 (2%)
1 star
19 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Carrie.
3,576 reviews1,697 followers
November 17, 2019
Dreams of Willow House by Susanne O’Leary is the third book in the contemporary romance Sandy Cove series. Each book of the series has changed the main character who has come to Sandy Cove so they can be understood as a standalone. However, those that follow from the beginning will notice the previous leads are now secondary characters so you will get updates on what has happened to them since their story was told.

In the first book of the series Maeve McKenna had come to visit her elderly aunt for a little vacation from her hectic job and instead found herself staying in Sandy Cove after finding love. In the second book Maeve was joined by her sister Roisin after Maeve’s aunt had left for America. Roisin had pitched in with restoring Willow House while working out her marital problems.

Now, Cordelia Mirafiore finds herself headed to Sandy Cove under sad circumstances. Cordelia was an only child raised by her single mother and after her mother passed she was left without any family at all. When Cordelia saw Maeve and Roisin aunt being interviewed and talking of her own roots some things seemed to fit Cordelia’s mother so she contacted her wondering if they were family. Soon the two became close despite having evidence of Cordelia’s true family roots and when she passed Cordelia travels to Sandy Cove for the funeral only to find she’s in the will.

Following the Sandy Cove series from the beginning I was immediately sad to find we’d lost Aunt Philomena. Continuing onward though I couldn’t help but become intrigued with the family drama and how things would work out with Cordelia whether she was family or not. Along with all of the family intrigue there is a romance also involved eventually so when it’s all wrapped together it’s definitely a page turner.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Profile Image for Robin Loves Reading.
2,900 reviews468 followers
November 6, 2019
My rating: 4.5 Stars

Cordelia Mirafiore is saddened by the loss of her relative. I loved that character in the first two books of this series, Secrets of Willow House and Sisters of Willow House. Cordelia has been included in the reading of her will.

The thing is, although she drew close to her relative (do not want to name the individual in case readers of this blog have not read the previous books in the series), she has a lot of doubts about the truth of the family connection. She is about to meet cousins Maeve and Roisin, who are very happy to meet her and to not begrudge her in any way when it comes to sharing whatever inheritance is facing the three of them.

Will Cordelia inherit part of Willow House, or will some of the other family relatives force more proof to be found before Cordelia is truly accepted? There are some things found, including some old photographs that lead to long ago family secrets. Meanwhile, Cordelia has a chance at love.

What a delightful story! I so loved this book, as well as the first two stories. I was drawn into the family, the gorgeous backdrop in Ireland, and was very happy to see that Cordelia could find a fulfilling future.

Susanne' O'Leary is a wonderful writer, and I always feel good when I read her books. It was a marvelous book and I just had to read it in one sitting. I look forward to more from her in the future.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Nila (digitalcreativepages).
2,672 reviews222 followers
November 15, 2019
Having read the previous 2 books in the series, I wondered if this would be the same kind of story. But this blew me away. There was mystery and intrigue, lost family and relationships, and hints of a new love.

Cordelia was at the Willow House at the funeral of Aunt Phil. Will read by the lawyer made her the part owner of the House. But there was a secret. She had not told the truth about herself and her relatives to Phil. So was she the real cousin?

My third book by author Susanne O'Leary, was a sweet read about family, relationships with a mystery. I loved the flow of the prose more than the earlier books. I didn't remember the other characters so this book worked well as a standalone. Backdrop of Ireland added to the richness of the story, gave it a heartwarming feel.

Susanne was brilliant in evoking my emotions, and this book somehow brought out a special zing to it. Cordelia's longing for a family more than an inheritance could be clearly felt. Amidst doubt and suspicion cast by other family members, she shone with her genuineness.

Families written were complex, and it was nice to see Cordeliawas dealing with each one of them as well as standing up for herself. Overall, a fun read, I would say.
Profile Image for Ann.
6,026 reviews83 followers
March 14, 2020
Cordelia is traveling to Ireland for the funeral of her beloved aunt. She had just connected with this family tie and is heartsick that the time was so short. Now she is meeting her cousins at Willow House which she is inherited a 1/3 share. Will the family be torn apart when they examine the photos Cordelia has. Happily we get to revisit Maeve and Roisin from the previous books. Can be read as a stand alone but you'll want to read Secrets of Willow House and Dreams of Willow House. The family saga is wonder and real. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
336 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2022
Very good..it had romance and mystery but not cheesy. Last of this series that I know of. Maybe there will be more.
Profile Image for Monica Mac.
1,693 reviews40 followers
November 8, 2019
Cordelia is an American woman who grew up in a single parent family. With an Irish mother who never spoke about her roots and the reasons she left Ireland, there is a big gap in Cordelia's knowledge about her family. Enter Phil, whom she becomes close to and who she is sure is related to in some way, but she is not entirely sure.

When Phil passes away, Cordelia makes the trek to Sandy Cove and Willow House, Phil's house. She meets distant cousins Maeve and Roisin, who welcome her, but have some doubts about her identity. She also meets Declan O'Mahony (is that not the most Irish name ever?? lol) whom she is attracted to but isn't sure about.

There is a lot to sort out for Cordelia and the backdrop of Sandy Cove is just gorgeous. It makes me want to go to Ireland, that's for sure!

For some reason, this particular book didn't quite have the same emotional tug on me as the others in the series but it was still a well-written book and I enjoyed reading Cordelia's story.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

p.s. I finally found out what the "Og" in Sean Og's name means, yay! If I wasn't so old I would learn Gaelic, fascinating language.
Profile Image for Els .
2,279 reviews52 followers
November 15, 2019
I cannot believe it’s already part 3! They say that time flies when you are having fun and it’s true. I am most certainly having a lot of fun reading this series.

The author always combines drama and happiness in the most delightful way. You just have to keep on reading and reading and read a bit more. When you have finished it, you wish you already had the next part handy as well.

I have never been in Ireland, but the way this part of the country is described only makes me want to go there even more.

This story is about family, love and unraveling devastating secrets, but will the outcome bring everybody together or create a rift between them? 5 stars.

Thank you, Susanne O’Leary and Bookouture

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
200 reviews
September 28, 2021
Third book in the series. Enjoyable story which follows on from Book 1, Maeve story and Book 2 Roisin story. A few unexpected twists but I felt it ended abruptly. Great Series for the Romantic at heart.
2,012 reviews
May 15, 2024
The author is amazing! She continues to provide stories of people, some related, from Sandy Cove. These stories are unique and totally delightful! I highly recommend this series and this author. I'm on to the next book about Sandy Cove!

Amazon synopsis:
Cordelia Mirafiore has never truly felt at home in South Florida, so when she’s unexpectedly called to the reading of a long-lost relative’s will in Ireland, she’s hopeful that escaping to Willow House to meet her family might help her to figure out who she really is…

As soon as Cordelia reaches Sandy Cove, the views of the blue ocean and stunning coastline around her provide a sense of calm she has never felt before. She meets her cousins Maeve and Roisin, who welcome her with open arms, finds herself drawn to a handsome man who is also an outsider in town, and feels an instant spark.

But the rest of the McKenna family aren’t so willing to accept Cordelia, or even believe that she’s family. When they learn that Cordelia is to inherit a third of Willow House, she is forced to prove who she is. All she has are old parish records and a battered box of family photographs, but they lead her to secrets she may not want to uncover.

Can Cordelia find the courage to face her family’s past? Can she trust the mysterious man who has swept her off her feet? Or will the lies told for generations force her to leave Sandy Cove forever?
1,005 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2022
Book 3
"Cordelia Mirafiore has never truly felt at home in South Florida, so when she’s unexpectedly called to the reading of a long-lost relative’s will in Ireland, she’s hopeful that escaping to Willow House to meet her family might help her to figure out who she really is…
As soon as Cordelia reaches Sandy Cove, the views of the blue ocean and stunning coastline around her provide a sense of calm she has never felt before. She meets her cousins Maeve and Roisin, who welcome her with open arms, finds herself drawn to a handsome man who is also an outsider in town, and feels an instant spark.
But the rest of the McKenna family aren’t so willing to accept Cordelia, or even believe that she’s family. When they learn that Cordelia is to inherit a third of Willow House, she is forced to prove who she is. All she has are old parish records and a battered box of family photographs, but they lead her to secrets she may not want to uncover." synopsis copied

Can Cordelia find the courage to face her family’s past? Can she trust the mysterious man who has swept her off her feet? Or will the lies told for generations force her to leave Sandy Cove forever?
Profile Image for Tracy M.
285 reviews3 followers
April 21, 2023
Sometimes secrets are better off remaining unrevealed. Unfortunately the newly bursting ancestry sites often provide more than just a curiosity fulfilling “roots” aspect of information.

Childhood safety of certain secrets is often overlooked when a jumbled amount of emotions arises. Which is what happens in the case of Frances. Discovering a safety net provided truth; she furiously leaves Ireland and her family forever. A fluke of events connects her own daughter to a long separated relative an ocean jump away & things unfurl.

Back in Ireland, the death of a good woman brings everyone together & a surprise at the will reading causes friction. Especially from Mrs. McKenna.

While filing for her Irish Passport, Cordelia is left with more questions and opts to do her own research ahead of Mrs.McKennas pushing for proof she’s actually related.

Saddened shocks are discovered and the 3 girls are left to form their own pact on what part of these pieces are to continue a secret.

I enjoyed the camaraderie of the community. That no one just seems left out on their own to just reside locally. That even newcomers are welcomed (even if at an arms length as far as gossip sharing goes).
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,365 reviews569 followers
July 5, 2020
I felt completely at home reading this book, being back in Sandy Cove and at Willow House. It has been a while since I read the second book int the series, but with the first mentions of Phil, Maeve and Roisin, things came rushing back to me.

That being said it can easily be read as a standalone as we have a whole new main character, Cordelia, who appears to be a long lost relative of the family. But just what is she hiding and what secrets will be uncovered about the McKenna family generally.

I really enjoyed seeing just where this story would take Cordelia, her new found friendship with Sally, and seeing how drawn towards Declan she is. It was interesting seeing Ireland through the eyes of an American, and her searching for her real roots is interesting.

A really warm and easy to get into story, that I was very invested in. Another strong addition to the series.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
3,271 reviews52 followers
October 11, 2021
Gearing up for my next trip to Ireland, so trying to get in the mood by reading some books set there. I didn't read Book #1 or #2 in this series, but you don't need to. However, the plot of this book bothered me--an American woman jumps on the idea that she is the long lost cousin of a famous Irish romance writer simply because the birthday, first name, and location of the woman missing is the same as her mother. The "mystery" is learning more about her family background and she falls in love along the way. I didn't get attached to any of the characters which led to the 2 star rating of the book being "okay." Several steps seemed unbelievable in the plot, too, like how Cordelia is instantly invited to come to Ireland to run the family B&B because a woman trained as a beautician would know how to cook full Irish breakfasts and learn the secrets of running a successful business in a week?
Profile Image for Michelle.
40 reviews30 followers
August 5, 2023
Originally, I had not planned on reading the whole series. However, once started, I immediately fell in love with each character, one by one, as the story progressed Into the next book of the series. Although somewhat predictable, and very detailed at times, This series Is an easy read that allows your imagination to envision the setting around you as you read, as well as be empathetic to each of the main characters' needs. The series continues with 3 additional books, beginning with the estranged relationship between Sally, one of the less leading main Characters in the previous books, and her daughter, who comes to Sandy Cove after a failed relationship. However, because the story line ended happily for the main characters, I think I'm going to take a break from this series and continue another series I that I had previously started.
91 reviews
April 17, 2020
Cordelia arrives in Ireland for the funeral of Phil, the aunt that she met when Phil was doing a book tour in the States, but Cordelia wasn't strictly honest with Phil who had been looking for her cousin Frances, Cordelia's mother, all the details matched apart from her mother's surname! When the will is read and Cordelia finds she has been left a third of the estate she is horrified she is going to have to prove who she is!

A great third book in the series and lovely to be back with all of the characters from the first two books, I love the descriptions of Sandy Cove and the the beautiful Willow House and can definitely recommend the whole series
Profile Image for Eileen Vernor.
265 reviews5 followers
September 9, 2021
Part mystery, part love story

One of the many things I love about this series is it reminds me of the 21 books of ‘Indian River’, based in a mythical town in Northern California that attracts lost souls and broken hearts. Like the Willow House series, one book builds upon another featuring a relative of a character in the last book.

Sandy Cove in County Kerry, Ireland provides the perfect Willow House backdrop for healing lost souls and broken hears with some mystery for dessert. And the author’s beautiful descriptions transport the reader to the wild coast of Western Ireland.
69 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2023
Very light read; Hallmark-movie style. No real conflict, everyone and every place is attractive and sparkly, warm and welcoming. If you're looking for an easy read with the only challenge being the desire to keep all the family relationships straight-and that's not really necessary-enjoy. No surprise that's it's happy endings all around. Little redundancies were annoying-why did the main character have to mention she was from Morristown, NJ over and over; some guy was a "trouper" and this was mentioned at least three times. There are other ways to say the same thing. Turns out romantic fiction is not my thing.
531 reviews8 followers
September 21, 2020
DNF. I couldn't recommend this book but that doesn't mean it does not have merit. It simply isn't my style of story. It's a lightweight story of a woman searching for her roots after the death of her mother. To do so, it's complicated, she travels to Ireland (from the USA). After a few chapters I looked at the ending but wasn't convinced to read on and discover how the story played out. The book was on sale through Kindle so taking a chance on it cost little.
2,460 reviews
March 29, 2023
Cordelia was Philomena's personal assistant and she meets the very handsome Declan at the glorious Phil's funeral. He was a top-notch reporter and blew a report wide open. A whistle blower. Then he was banned and lost his job. Now he is an investigative reporter instead. He and Cordelia both feel as if they were meant to meet. Phil's will holds some very major surprises. A share in Willow House. What? But Cordelia is not really sure that she is really part of this family after all
Profile Image for Debbie Odachowski.
491 reviews
January 22, 2024
Another great read from Ms. O'Leary

How I loved this book . I do miss Phil but she's still guiding the girls throw all their trials one way or another. I liked the introduction of the new characters to spice up the story lines. Can't wait to see what is in store for them all. Can't get enough of the Irish countryside and what it has to offer. Enjoy!
37 reviews
May 9, 2020
A wonderful fun, up lifting, story, about three Irish girl cousins.

To start, they're uncertain about their real relationship, but they continue on, trusting they will learn the truth. As the story evolves, they learn they are cousins but with a convoluted twist
Profile Image for Sandra.
105 reviews
September 20, 2020
Interesting light read

After having read some historical fiction recently, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was light, but definitely had a twist that you did not see coming. All in all a very enjoyable read
Profile Image for Kathi Rutherford.
139 reviews
Read
February 28, 2021
I loved following this family of characters,as they gather for a family funeral in Ireland!A new person will be joining them to find out if she really has Irish roots,while paying her respects.A big surprise is in store for all of them!
379 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2022
Great read

Having a mission to find out your past is always a good start to any novel. Then you add a bucolic little Irish town on the coast with mountains and beautiful beaches. Its a wonderful escape. 0
26 reviews
November 9, 2022
even better than the previous book!

Another good Sandy Cove book. It really moved the story along and added new layers to the characters. This book was even better than the previous one.
302 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2022
Sharing family secrets

A nice story about how in the end, family always stays strong and loving. The three women were more like sisters and worked together. Glad it all turned out so well in the end. Enjoyed reading the series. Will Red the other books.
432 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2022
Wonderful

Another fantastic beautifully written drama love story centered in Sandy Cove Ire!and. Such gem of a setting. Susanne brings you in on her adventures completely. I just love her writing styles.
Profile Image for Michelle RumbleWheatley.
18 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2023
Great read

Another awesome story based in Sandy Cove - makes you feel like you are there...highly recommend to anyone. Be sure to check out the first 2 books in this series before reading !!!!
48 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2023
Celebration of Ireland

Covers the beauty of the Emerald lsle with gentle romance. Lovely book to chill out with. Follows the hidden secrets of families in the beautiful village of Sandy Cove.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews

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