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My Heart Went Walking
The only man she’s ever loved is seeing her sister.
And now they have to save her together.
Sally Hanan’s sublime debut mixes the prose of Sue Monk Kidd with the dialogue of Maeve Binchy. With captivating warmth, she pulls us in to how it felt to live in Ireland’s changing culture of the ‘80s, and how it often made a woman’s decisions for her.
“I can’t bear to keep walking. But you can’t keep a secret in this town unless you leave with it.”
Kept apart by their love for one man, two sisters embark on their own paths towards survival, love, and understanding, until they finally meet again in the worst of circumstances. And the reality might break them all.
My Heart Went Walking is a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that sweeps from the small Irish town of Donegal to the “big smoke” of Dublin City; a book that celebrates the pull of family and the chance of redemption. It is a novel for everyone who feels connected to the Irish approach to life—that of grit and laughter—and also for everyone who loves an overriding message of hope and restoration in all things.
And now they have to save her together.
Sally Hanan’s sublime debut mixes the prose of Sue Monk Kidd with the dialogue of Maeve Binchy. With captivating warmth, she pulls us in to how it felt to live in Ireland’s changing culture of the ‘80s, and how it often made a woman’s decisions for her.
“I can’t bear to keep walking. But you can’t keep a secret in this town unless you leave with it.”
Kept apart by their love for one man, two sisters embark on their own paths towards survival, love, and understanding, until they finally meet again in the worst of circumstances. And the reality might break them all.
My Heart Went Walking is a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that sweeps from the small Irish town of Donegal to the “big smoke” of Dublin City; a book that celebrates the pull of family and the chance of redemption. It is a novel for everyone who feels connected to the Irish approach to life—that of grit and laughter—and also for everyone who loves an overriding message of hope and restoration in all things.
352 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2022
79 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Sally Hanan
7 books159 followersSally Hanan is an Irish import to the US. She made the eight-hour crossing back in the '90s with a husband and two young children in tow. Since then she has managed to raise her above-average kids, develop a solid addiction to Facebook, and clean up when someone is about to visit.
Readers have described Sally’s writing as “inspiring,” “captivating,” “funny,” and “profound.” She is a 2021 Readers' Favorite gold medal winner for her nonfiction and has won numerous awards for her fiction and poetry in smaller writing competitions.
Sally has a nursing degree from Dublin, Ireland, and is a book editor and occasional lay counselor and life coach. An Irish native, she lives near Austin, Texas, thanks to a fortuitous green card lottery—in a gorgeous 1930s home with her “hunk of burning love” husband and their spoiled-rotten doggie.
Readers have described Sally’s writing as “inspiring,” “captivating,” “funny,” and “profound.” She is a 2021 Readers' Favorite gold medal winner for her nonfiction and has won numerous awards for her fiction and poetry in smaller writing competitions.
Sally has a nursing degree from Dublin, Ireland, and is a book editor and occasional lay counselor and life coach. An Irish native, she lives near Austin, Texas, thanks to a fortuitous green card lottery—in a gorgeous 1930s home with her “hunk of burning love” husband and their spoiled-rotten doggie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
April 26, 2023
"My Heart Went Walking" by Sally Hanan is a debut novel!
Una Gallagher tells her mam she's pregnant. She's sixteen-years-old, unmarried, and scared. She's part of a devoutly Catholic family and community of Donegal, Ireland during the 1980's.
Not wanting to bring shame to her family, the unborn child's father, Cullen, or give up her child, as her mum insists she does, young Una runs away without telling anyone she's leaving, where she's going or why.
Una's younger sister, Ellie, is beside herself with worry. Cullen is not only the unborn child's father but Una's BFF since childhood. He continues to connect with Una's family and, as time passes, develops more than just a friendly relationship with Ellie.
Two sisters, one boyfriend, an unborn child, and two families. What will happen to these three individuals and the families that surround and love them?
Una, Ellie, and Cullen are three protagonists offering first person narratives leading the reader through this story. I enjoyed each character's point-of-view, the layering of two separate scenarios and how the author brought both together.
This was just what I needed after listening to back-to-back reads with heavy topics. This one is Women's Literary Fiction that's easy to read, has a rural Ireland setting, and wonderful characters.
The pace is, at times, a little slow and everything falls into place a little too perfectly but it is an enjoyable diversion, I never lost interest and I welcomed the respite of a lighter read! I am looking forward to what this author comes up with next!
I recommend to readers who enjoy Women's literary Fiction or just a light read! 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, BookSirens, Fire Drinkers Publishing and Sally Hanan for a free ARC. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Una Gallagher tells her mam she's pregnant. She's sixteen-years-old, unmarried, and scared. She's part of a devoutly Catholic family and community of Donegal, Ireland during the 1980's.
Not wanting to bring shame to her family, the unborn child's father, Cullen, or give up her child, as her mum insists she does, young Una runs away without telling anyone she's leaving, where she's going or why.
Una's younger sister, Ellie, is beside herself with worry. Cullen is not only the unborn child's father but Una's BFF since childhood. He continues to connect with Una's family and, as time passes, develops more than just a friendly relationship with Ellie.
Two sisters, one boyfriend, an unborn child, and two families. What will happen to these three individuals and the families that surround and love them?
Una, Ellie, and Cullen are three protagonists offering first person narratives leading the reader through this story. I enjoyed each character's point-of-view, the layering of two separate scenarios and how the author brought both together.
This was just what I needed after listening to back-to-back reads with heavy topics. This one is Women's Literary Fiction that's easy to read, has a rural Ireland setting, and wonderful characters.
The pace is, at times, a little slow and everything falls into place a little too perfectly but it is an enjoyable diversion, I never lost interest and I welcomed the respite of a lighter read! I am looking forward to what this author comes up with next!
I recommend to readers who enjoy Women's literary Fiction or just a light read! 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, BookSirens, Fire Drinkers Publishing and Sally Hanan for a free ARC. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
December 19, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars for a work of literary fiction that takes place in early 1980s rural Ireland. The book opens with Una Gallagher telling her mother that she is pregnant. Una is 16 and unmarried--still a source of shame in Donegal, Ireland. Her mother decides that she must give the baby up for adoption. Una flees to Dublin because she wants to keep the baby. How she manages to find help in Dublin from an unlikely source and keep her baby is a heartwarming story.
She eventually manages to reconnect with her family and the father after the first attempt goes awry, when she sees her younger sister and her boyfriend together. Her seeing the two of them a few moments after she gets gets off the bus from Dublin seemed a bit contrived when I read it, but it does work well with the rest of the story.
The author provides a glossary of Irish terms and English equivalents which is helpful if you are not from Ireland.
One quote: Ellie, Una's sister: "Sometimes I feel like I'm just watching us happen, like I'm an actor in a movie and all this loved and stuff is part of someone else's life."
Thanks to Sally Hanan and Fire Drinkers Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#Irishfiction #NetGalley
She eventually manages to reconnect with her family and the father after the first attempt goes awry, when she sees her younger sister and her boyfriend together. Her seeing the two of them a few moments after she gets gets off the bus from Dublin seemed a bit contrived when I read it, but it does work well with the rest of the story.
The author provides a glossary of Irish terms and English equivalents which is helpful if you are not from Ireland.
One quote: Ellie, Una's sister: "Sometimes I feel like I'm just watching us happen, like I'm an actor in a movie and all this loved and stuff is part of someone else's life."
Thanks to Sally Hanan and Fire Drinkers Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#Irishfiction #NetGalley
December 11, 2023
☘️ A pregnant teen Una is at the center of a hurricane of tangled emotions, tangled relationships, and tangled hearts. Beautifully written and beautifully read by the author. In the end, after much anger, pain, and forgiveness - mostly to do with Una; her sister Ellie; the man they both love, Cullin; and Ellie’s hard fight against leukemia - it finally gets sorted, and life and love have a chance to begin all over again. Totally recommended, especially for the romance crew.
Una, Ellie, Cullin, Robbie
and the baby Kieran ♥️
Una, Ellie, Cullin, Robbie
and the baby Kieran ♥️
February 5, 2022
The only man she’s ever loved is seeing her sister.
And now they have to save her together.
Rural Ireland
Una Gallagher is a 16-year-old pregnant teen in the beginning of this book. She has disclosed her pregnancy to her mother who wants her to give up the baby. Una then leaves town, keeping a secret from Cullen, the baby's father, and begins a new life in Dublin.
When she cones back to Donegal, she sees that her younger sister and her child's father are together. Cullen was devastated when Una left and spent time with her family and begins seeing Una's younger sister.
This book looks at decisions, the choices one makes when he/she there is no other choice, the consequences of those actions/decisions, and how it affects others. It's a look at relationships, family bond, and love in various forms.
This was an enjoyable book and a nice change of pace. The characters and their voices are distinct, and I could see where they were coming from. All three had to grow up fast as they had to deal with things at young ages. I also enjoyed the title and thought it was very apt.
This was a heartwarming debut novel, and the author is off to a good start. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Thank you to Fire Drinkers Publishing and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
And now they have to save her together.
Rural Ireland
Una Gallagher is a 16-year-old pregnant teen in the beginning of this book. She has disclosed her pregnancy to her mother who wants her to give up the baby. Una then leaves town, keeping a secret from Cullen, the baby's father, and begins a new life in Dublin.
When she cones back to Donegal, she sees that her younger sister and her child's father are together. Cullen was devastated when Una left and spent time with her family and begins seeing Una's younger sister.
This book looks at decisions, the choices one makes when he/she there is no other choice, the consequences of those actions/decisions, and how it affects others. It's a look at relationships, family bond, and love in various forms.
This was an enjoyable book and a nice change of pace. The characters and their voices are distinct, and I could see where they were coming from. All three had to grow up fast as they had to deal with things at young ages. I also enjoyed the title and thought it was very apt.
This was a heartwarming debut novel, and the author is off to a good start. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Thank you to Fire Drinkers Publishing and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
February 10, 2022
Una Gallagher, a 16-year-old living in Donegal, a small Irish village, confesses to her mother that she's pregnant. Rather than give her baby to the nuns for adoption as her mother insists, she lies to her friend Cullen about who is the baby's father and runs away to Dublin.
I really enjoyed this book and found the characters to be very authentic. The story is told from the POVs of Una, her younger sister Ellie, and Cullen, Una's childhood best friend. The book was well written and very easy to read. The ending was really of the too good to be true class but it was heart-warming. I feel like Sally Hanan is extremely proud of this book and she has every right to be. I'll definitely be on the look-out for whatever she does next. 3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars.
The author has provided a glossary of Irish terms and English equivalents which is very helpful.
My thanks to Netgalley, Fire Drinkers Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: February 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and found the characters to be very authentic. The story is told from the POVs of Una, her younger sister Ellie, and Cullen, Una's childhood best friend. The book was well written and very easy to read. The ending was really of the too good to be true class but it was heart-warming. I feel like Sally Hanan is extremely proud of this book and she has every right to be. I'll definitely be on the look-out for whatever she does next. 3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars.
The author has provided a glossary of Irish terms and English equivalents which is very helpful.
My thanks to Netgalley, Fire Drinkers Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: February 5, 2022
February 3, 2022
In a Nutshell: A debut Irish fiction with teenage characters dealing with not-so-teenaged issues. The book is engrossing, with just a little more fine-tuning required to make it stand out.
Story:
Where the book worked for me:
❤ The book begins with a pronunciation guide of the Irish names and locations, and a glossary of the local lingo used. A big thank you to the author for this.
❤ The author makes good use of Irish slang in the story, lending the characters an authentic sound.
❤ The dialogues are where the author truly shines. The three character perspectives are teenagers, and every line of theirs is exactly as someone of their age would speak. It was one of the most natural-sounding dialogue writing I’ve seen in a novel in a long time.
❤ There are some really beautiful lines in the novel. One of my favourites was: “Gossip is like petrol in this town; it runs a lot of motors, starts a lot of fires.”
❤ I loved the way Ellie’s and Cullen’s characters were written. Because they were so sincere and sweet in their distinct ways, I could connect to both of them easily.
❤ There are frequent mini time jumps and while this was a risky approach to follow, I liked how they worked in this story.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
💔 The plot is a bit too meandering at times because of its conversational casual approach.
💔 While the dialogues feel quite genuinely Irish, the story itself doesn’t make much use of the setting. Except for a mention of Donegal and Dublin and some other places, there is nothing to make the locale feel Irish. It could have taken place anywhere.
💔 There were some plot points that weren’t quite convincing to me. This is mainly in Una’s perspective, where there were a few logical jumps, and too many convenient turns in the events to take the story ahead smoothly.
💔 I didn’t like Una. Though her perspective should have kept me the most emotionally involved, I found myself tuning out of her narration because she seemed too shortsighted and self-oriented and even irritating at times. As one-third of the book roughly is about her, my enjoyment of it slipped downwards.
💔 The first person voices are a bit confusing because though there’s no overlap in the nature of the characters (Una is courageous but judgemental; Cullen is pragmatic and sad, Ellie is idealistic and cheerful), the writing misses out on their individuality and makes them sound very similar in their thoughts. So I was, at times, muddled up about which character's perspective I was reading.
Overall, this is a very good debut novel that brings to life the story of three teenagers caught in unusual circumstances. A nice, emotional and uplifting read.
3.5 stars from me, rounding up to 4.
My thanks to Fire Drinkers Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of “My Heart Went Walking”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
1983, Donegal, Ireland. Seventeen year old Una Gallagher discovers that she is pregnant after a drunken post-party romp with her best friend Cullen. When her mother threatens to send her away to the nuns, Una realises that the only way to keep her baby safe is to run away from home. Her younger sister Ellie is the most heartbroken at her sister’s unexplained disappearance. Cullen too is devastated as he doesn’t know the reason behind Una’s decision. Ellie and Cullen come close to each other in their sorrow. But soon an event occurs which threatens their happiness. Will the three youngsters be able to get their life back on track?
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Una, Ellie and Cullen.
Where the book worked for me:
❤ The book begins with a pronunciation guide of the Irish names and locations, and a glossary of the local lingo used. A big thank you to the author for this.
❤ The author makes good use of Irish slang in the story, lending the characters an authentic sound.
❤ The dialogues are where the author truly shines. The three character perspectives are teenagers, and every line of theirs is exactly as someone of their age would speak. It was one of the most natural-sounding dialogue writing I’ve seen in a novel in a long time.
❤ There are some really beautiful lines in the novel. One of my favourites was: “Gossip is like petrol in this town; it runs a lot of motors, starts a lot of fires.”
❤ I loved the way Ellie’s and Cullen’s characters were written. Because they were so sincere and sweet in their distinct ways, I could connect to both of them easily.
❤ There are frequent mini time jumps and while this was a risky approach to follow, I liked how they worked in this story.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
💔 The plot is a bit too meandering at times because of its conversational casual approach.
💔 While the dialogues feel quite genuinely Irish, the story itself doesn’t make much use of the setting. Except for a mention of Donegal and Dublin and some other places, there is nothing to make the locale feel Irish. It could have taken place anywhere.
💔 There were some plot points that weren’t quite convincing to me. This is mainly in Una’s perspective, where there were a few logical jumps, and too many convenient turns in the events to take the story ahead smoothly.
💔 I didn’t like Una. Though her perspective should have kept me the most emotionally involved, I found myself tuning out of her narration because she seemed too shortsighted and self-oriented and even irritating at times. As one-third of the book roughly is about her, my enjoyment of it slipped downwards.
💔 The first person voices are a bit confusing because though there’s no overlap in the nature of the characters (Una is courageous but judgemental; Cullen is pragmatic and sad, Ellie is idealistic and cheerful), the writing misses out on their individuality and makes them sound very similar in their thoughts. So I was, at times, muddled up about which character's perspective I was reading.
Overall, this is a very good debut novel that brings to life the story of three teenagers caught in unusual circumstances. A nice, emotional and uplifting read.
3.5 stars from me, rounding up to 4.
My thanks to Fire Drinkers Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of “My Heart Went Walking”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
November 28, 2021
This is the bittersweet, sometimes humorous, sometimes rambling story of Una, Ellie and Cullen, and the decisions, omissions and mistakes they make in their youth that will affect and shape the rest of their lives. Una and Ellie both love Cullen. Una falls pregnant with Cullen's child and fearing that the child will be taken away from her, she sets off on her own, far from anyone who could help her. Una makes it through, but Ellie is diagnosed with Leukemia and the moment of reckoning draws near for all three of them.
Some mistakes have a silver lining, and "all is fair in love and war."
How the author achieved her "happily ever after" within this tangled web of family woes is what will keep the reader's attention until the very last page is turned. The writing and imagery were often emotive and lyrical.
I'm rating this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Some mistakes have a silver lining, and "all is fair in love and war."
How the author achieved her "happily ever after" within this tangled web of family woes is what will keep the reader's attention until the very last page is turned. The writing and imagery were often emotive and lyrical.
I'm rating this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2021
It's hard to believe that Goodreads invites authors to rate and review their own books, but in this world of blatant cries for publicity, I mustn't join in. Or not. I will ignore the review that said "This book did not wow me" and replace it with my dazzling five smackers for posterity.
This is my debut novel. :) It's still on NG. Audiobook coming soon. I pick up the galley copy daily, run that velvety matte cover across my cheek (like Molly Shannon in Superstar with a tree), dip my eyes in a current of words, and grin like a lunatic. I hope reading it leaves your day(s) brighter too.
This is my debut novel. :) It's still on NG. Audiobook coming soon. I pick up the galley copy daily, run that velvety matte cover across my cheek (like Molly Shannon in Superstar with a tree), dip my eyes in a current of words, and grin like a lunatic. I hope reading it leaves your day(s) brighter too.
February 6, 2022
Una Gallagher lives in Donegal, Ireland, with her parents and younger siblings. Una shares a room with her sister Ellie and her best friends at high school are Tanya and Cullen. Growing up in a small village, everyone knows your business, and it’s hard to keep anything a secret. After one youthful night of drunken passion, and Una’s pregnant and Cullen’s the father.
Una’s mum’s not very happy with her daughter, she wants to send her to stay with the nuns, and put her baby up for adoption. Una wants to keep her baby, despite not have a lot of money and a proper plan, and she runs away to Dublin. By leaving home in such a rush you do question Una’s decision making and of course she’s very young and scared. Una turns to the Protestant church for help, father John finds a couple Des and Catherine who offer her a place to stay. Una misses her family, but she feels like she can’t return home due to her pregnancy and her mother’s beliefs about unwed mothers. I was a teenager myself in the 1980’s, people did think very differently then, about single mothers and unplanned pregnancies, and fortunately times have changed.
Ellie’s now sixteen and dating Cullen and Una discovers her sister is sick with Leukemia. Una loves Ellie, she wants to help her beat the terrible disease, and Una’s shocked when she visits Ellie the first time in hospital. Una made a mistake, she’s forced to grow up very quickly, accept the consequences of her actions, and she’s a wonderful mother and helps Ellie in her time of need.
I received a copy of My Heart Went Walking from NetGalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing in exchange for an honest review, the stories about family ties and the bond between sisters, second chances, and the past doesn’t define a teenage girl’s future and her being able to move forward. A great debut novel by author Sally Hanan, and I loved the references to 80’s music, fashion and makeup trends, and three and a half stars from me.
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https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
Una’s mum’s not very happy with her daughter, she wants to send her to stay with the nuns, and put her baby up for adoption. Una wants to keep her baby, despite not have a lot of money and a proper plan, and she runs away to Dublin. By leaving home in such a rush you do question Una’s decision making and of course she’s very young and scared. Una turns to the Protestant church for help, father John finds a couple Des and Catherine who offer her a place to stay. Una misses her family, but she feels like she can’t return home due to her pregnancy and her mother’s beliefs about unwed mothers. I was a teenager myself in the 1980’s, people did think very differently then, about single mothers and unplanned pregnancies, and fortunately times have changed.
Ellie’s now sixteen and dating Cullen and Una discovers her sister is sick with Leukemia. Una loves Ellie, she wants to help her beat the terrible disease, and Una’s shocked when she visits Ellie the first time in hospital. Una made a mistake, she’s forced to grow up very quickly, accept the consequences of her actions, and she’s a wonderful mother and helps Ellie in her time of need.
I received a copy of My Heart Went Walking from NetGalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing in exchange for an honest review, the stories about family ties and the bond between sisters, second chances, and the past doesn’t define a teenage girl’s future and her being able to move forward. A great debut novel by author Sally Hanan, and I loved the references to 80’s music, fashion and makeup trends, and three and a half stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
August 8, 2021
I truly loved this book. A strength is how Sally Hannan captures the real life of two sisters in Ireland of the 1980’s.
The characters are bursting with personality. My favorite was Una, without a doubt. She has a life full of pain, loneliness and sorrow but still manages to bounce up on her feet. She is a very strong female character.
The books descriptions are impeccable as they make Ireland come alive.
I highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters are bursting with personality. My favorite was Una, without a doubt. She has a life full of pain, loneliness and sorrow but still manages to bounce up on her feet. She is a very strong female character.
The books descriptions are impeccable as they make Ireland come alive.
I highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 5, 2022
I seem to have a soft spot for Irish authors and can list off probably a dozen or more that have appealed to me over the years so I guess it's no surprise I thoroughly enjoyed Sally Hanan's debut novel My Heart Went Walking. Though she lives in Texas now Sally grew up in Ireland and seems to have acquired the story telling gift of some of her compatriots. Set in 1980's Donegal and Dublin with characters I liked though sometimes despaired over, a storyline I enjoyed even though I picked the major conflict very early on, and a denouement that worked well for me because I'm a sucker for hea type endings. If you enjoy womens fiction with a focus on family and coming of age themes this is likely to be your cuppa tea too.
The protagonist is Una Gallagher and though the story is mostly from her perspective we also hear from Cullen her "best friend", and Ellie one of Una's sisters. As the story opens, sixteen year old Una has just fessed up to her Mam that she's pregnant. Unsurprisingly the news didn't go down well and the next morning Una receives a note from her mother telling her she must give the child up for adoption. Right then we get a sense of the strength of this young girl as she packs a bag and leaves all she loves and holds precious - her family, her best friend Cullen. We also find out real quick that she is a kind and thoughtful girl. Vowing not to tell the father as she doesn't want to ruin anyone elses life, and not wanting to bring shame on herself or her parents she decides she must stay away. With little-to-no money and nobody to turn to it's tough surviving those first weeks. With the help of some incredibly supportive and generous strangers Una finds her place and begins to make a new life for herself and her son but throughout it all she is desperately homesick and misses her one true love.
Readers get to feel the strength of our young characters emotions and we get to see how Una's well intentioned actions have backfired. Not only that but we see how desperately sorry she is at having thrown away her chance of happiness, and how Una's angst prevents her from moving on and forming any new relationship. Though Una has made sure her family know she's okay and safe, her communications have all been one sided and the family have no way of contacting her. This is bad enough until a family emergency, one of life or death proportions, arises. It's a story of learning to accept help, of forgiving ones self, and others, of learning to live life and to make the best of every situation. As it says on the cover its a story of love, loss and redemption.
I've steered away from the plot but it was a story that tugged at the heart strings in so many ways and yet managed to make me smile. I feel sure this will not be the last we see of Sally Hanan's writing. My thanks to her for the offer of a the ARC, thanks also to Fire Drinkers Publishing and NetGalley.
The protagonist is Una Gallagher and though the story is mostly from her perspective we also hear from Cullen her "best friend", and Ellie one of Una's sisters. As the story opens, sixteen year old Una has just fessed up to her Mam that she's pregnant. Unsurprisingly the news didn't go down well and the next morning Una receives a note from her mother telling her she must give the child up for adoption. Right then we get a sense of the strength of this young girl as she packs a bag and leaves all she loves and holds precious - her family, her best friend Cullen. We also find out real quick that she is a kind and thoughtful girl. Vowing not to tell the father as she doesn't want to ruin anyone elses life, and not wanting to bring shame on herself or her parents she decides she must stay away. With little-to-no money and nobody to turn to it's tough surviving those first weeks. With the help of some incredibly supportive and generous strangers Una finds her place and begins to make a new life for herself and her son but throughout it all she is desperately homesick and misses her one true love.
Readers get to feel the strength of our young characters emotions and we get to see how Una's well intentioned actions have backfired. Not only that but we see how desperately sorry she is at having thrown away her chance of happiness, and how Una's angst prevents her from moving on and forming any new relationship. Though Una has made sure her family know she's okay and safe, her communications have all been one sided and the family have no way of contacting her. This is bad enough until a family emergency, one of life or death proportions, arises. It's a story of learning to accept help, of forgiving ones self, and others, of learning to live life and to make the best of every situation. As it says on the cover its a story of love, loss and redemption.
I've steered away from the plot but it was a story that tugged at the heart strings in so many ways and yet managed to make me smile. I feel sure this will not be the last we see of Sally Hanan's writing. My thanks to her for the offer of a the ARC, thanks also to Fire Drinkers Publishing and NetGalley.
February 9, 2022
This book was exactly what I needed; sometimes reading thriller after thriller leaves you yearning for something else. The story of sisters Una and Ellie, both falling in love with Cullen, has a lot more to it than just that. It has an unmistakable 'Irish' feeling to it, with the big gap between growing up in a small rural town and having to start a new life in the 'big city', without being able to fall back on family or friends.
Una is wise beyond her years, and yet so young. She, her sister Ellie and Cullen have to grow up fast as it turns out that the choices they make are not always the best ones... until it turns out that maybe there are different choices to make, not only for themselves but also for their loved ones.
I really, really enjoyed this beautifully written book and the only small comment I have is that I found that part of the ending was a bit rushed and improbable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing for this review copy.
Una is wise beyond her years, and yet so young. She, her sister Ellie and Cullen have to grow up fast as it turns out that the choices they make are not always the best ones... until it turns out that maybe there are different choices to make, not only for themselves but also for their loved ones.
I really, really enjoyed this beautifully written book and the only small comment I have is that I found that part of the ending was a bit rushed and improbable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing for this review copy.
February 5, 2022
**Happy Publication Day**
The story is set in Ireland during the ‘80s, where things were changing and yet the same. It’s about family, friendships, love, loss, decisions, and acceptance.
Una has a decision to make at a young age, and she does what she feels is the best. She runs away from home to make a new life with people who become her new family. Yet, she feels the pain of staying away from her family and loved ones.
Then comes a situation where she has to go back, and secrets need to come out before people move ahead. How does it change Una’s life? Will she find what she’s looking for?
My Heart Went Walking is a debut novel firmly rooted in the Irish culture. The narration is much like the dialogue or thought, with a focus on emotions and actions.
The story spans over 2-3 years. We see how the lives of the people involved keep changing over time. The book has three POVs- Una, her sister Ellie, and their love Cullen.
All three of them are teens, and hence the tone has a sense of similarity. However, they are different people. I loved Una’s voice throughout the book, and Ellie’s in the second half. They grow up through the story, and that makes them more real.
Ellie is a sweet and loving sister- someone hard to hate even if you root for Una. She has more grit and compassion than one would expect from her and deserves a mention.
I wished the other main character (unnamed to avoid spoilers) had more space, at least towards the end. That person enriched the story but was left on the sidelines.
One reason I read books set in Ireland and Scotland is to enjoy the descriptions of the landscape. This book doesn’t have any of it. Of course, to include it would mean the author would have to change the entire narrative style (not a feasible option). The story works with this narration, and I can’t blame the author for my expectations.
I finished the book in two days (you can finish it in one sitting if you have the time) though the second half is a bit heavier than the first. A special thanks to the author for including the pronunciations of the names on the first page of the book.
To sum up, My Heart Went Walking is indeed a heartwarming story of finding that love has a way of changing our lives in the most unexpected ways and understanding that families will always matter.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #MyHeartWentWalking
The story is set in Ireland during the ‘80s, where things were changing and yet the same. It’s about family, friendships, love, loss, decisions, and acceptance.
Una has a decision to make at a young age, and she does what she feels is the best. She runs away from home to make a new life with people who become her new family. Yet, she feels the pain of staying away from her family and loved ones.
Then comes a situation where she has to go back, and secrets need to come out before people move ahead. How does it change Una’s life? Will she find what she’s looking for?
My Heart Went Walking is a debut novel firmly rooted in the Irish culture. The narration is much like the dialogue or thought, with a focus on emotions and actions.
The story spans over 2-3 years. We see how the lives of the people involved keep changing over time. The book has three POVs- Una, her sister Ellie, and their love Cullen.
All three of them are teens, and hence the tone has a sense of similarity. However, they are different people. I loved Una’s voice throughout the book, and Ellie’s in the second half. They grow up through the story, and that makes them more real.
Ellie is a sweet and loving sister- someone hard to hate even if you root for Una. She has more grit and compassion than one would expect from her and deserves a mention.
I wished the other main character (unnamed to avoid spoilers) had more space, at least towards the end. That person enriched the story but was left on the sidelines.
One reason I read books set in Ireland and Scotland is to enjoy the descriptions of the landscape. This book doesn’t have any of it. Of course, to include it would mean the author would have to change the entire narrative style (not a feasible option). The story works with this narration, and I can’t blame the author for my expectations.
I finished the book in two days (you can finish it in one sitting if you have the time) though the second half is a bit heavier than the first. A special thanks to the author for including the pronunciations of the names on the first page of the book.
To sum up, My Heart Went Walking is indeed a heartwarming story of finding that love has a way of changing our lives in the most unexpected ways and understanding that families will always matter.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #MyHeartWentWalking
August 1, 2021
This heartwarming story is set in the 1980’s in Ireland. It’s a story about sisters, true love, strength, hope, tragedy … I enjoyed it and loved how it ended. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
March 16, 2023
My Heart Went Walking is a compelling and poignant novel about the choices people make, and the far-reaching impact those choices make for so many others. Set in Ireland in the 1980’s, it is the story of Una, her best friend Cullen, and her sister Ellie. The lyrical writing and twisting emotions are evocative of the work of Maeve Binchy, and debut author has given us a warm cast of characters and a story that is captivating. There are secrets, there is heartache, but there is also love, friendship, and family to provide hope for the wonderful people who live on the pages of this book.
April 25, 2022
In the mid 1980's 16-year-old Una finds herself pregnant after a drunken night with her best friend, Cullen. When she confides in her mother she is told that she will be sent to a convent for the nuns to take care of her and the baby will be given up for adoption. She tells Cullen that the baby is someone else's so he won't feel responsible to marry her and she runs away to Dublin. This is one of those stories where lies are told supposedly to protect people and in my head I'm screaming just tell the truth but what 16-year-old thinks clearly. These characters were so well developed and even though at first I didn't care for Ellie, Una's younger sister, she helped her sister only knowing that she needed help, always finding the good even though at times her situation seemed impossible. Una was fortunate to be taken in by an older couple, Catherine and Des, who were a delight and so loving every kid deserves to have grandparents like them.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing for an opportunity to read this.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing for an opportunity to read this.
February 1, 2022
If, as I do, you enjoy discovering a book you can disappear into for as long as you’re reading, caught up by the story, feeling for its characters, hoping beyond hope for a happy ending… well, this might just be a book that you’ll enjoy as much as I did. One reason why I really loved this book was Una’s voice – a young girl caught up in a problem situation so frightening and insurmountable that the only answer she can see is to flee from her family and rural home and take her chances on the streets of Dublin. I was in love with her from the very beginning – despite her situation, her humour and big heart are always amply evident. I felt for her so much as her situation became increasingly desperate, and heaved a sigh of relief when she fortunately encountered the real kindness of strangers, leaving her youthful naivety behind as her personal strength began to develop.
But Una’s isn’t the only voice. The story is also told by Cullen, the love of her young life – also a compelling and likeable character, a good man, who struggles to understand why she chose to disappear. And then her sister Ellie steps into the foreground – first through her encounters with a grieving Cullum, then picking up the narrative herself with an equally distinctive and compelling voice, until her own story begins to shape the story and drive the wonderfully emotional tale that continues to unfold.
The supporting characters are just as strong and well developed. In Dublin, I simply adored Catherine and Des and their exceptional kindness, while handling some pretty serious (and well-presented) issues of their own. It’s initially difficult not to be rather more ambivalent about Una’s mother, whose entrenched views set the whole sorry story in motion: but there’s no doubt that her actions are driven by the moral standards of her environment – it’s the 1980s, but rural Ireland is still stuck in the 60s – and your sympathy for her certainly grows.
The 1980s – that time of great change – are wonderfully captured in the story, the era recreated with many familiar contemporary references. But I also really loved the story’s essential Irishness – the wonderful dialogue, the humour, the importance of family. There’s a pronunciation guide at the front of the book for those names and places that might be unfamiliar – and a glossary that helpfully ranges from “banjaxed” through “gobshite”, via Jaffa Cakes to “yoke” (I suspect primarily for a US audience – I was reading in an Irish accent from the very beginning…!).
In terms of emotional engagement, the story really is quite wonderful – I felt for its very real characters, laughed with them, shed tears at times, and cheered their little victories. The whole story has exceptional warmth, with a feel-good quality that only grows towards the book’s end – and the writing really is excellent, the author a natural storyteller. Love, loss and redemption – it certainly worked for me, and this is a book I’d thoroughly recommend to all. And that Maeve Binchy comparison? Yes, I think it’s wholly justified… I loved it.
But Una’s isn’t the only voice. The story is also told by Cullen, the love of her young life – also a compelling and likeable character, a good man, who struggles to understand why she chose to disappear. And then her sister Ellie steps into the foreground – first through her encounters with a grieving Cullum, then picking up the narrative herself with an equally distinctive and compelling voice, until her own story begins to shape the story and drive the wonderfully emotional tale that continues to unfold.
The supporting characters are just as strong and well developed. In Dublin, I simply adored Catherine and Des and their exceptional kindness, while handling some pretty serious (and well-presented) issues of their own. It’s initially difficult not to be rather more ambivalent about Una’s mother, whose entrenched views set the whole sorry story in motion: but there’s no doubt that her actions are driven by the moral standards of her environment – it’s the 1980s, but rural Ireland is still stuck in the 60s – and your sympathy for her certainly grows.
The 1980s – that time of great change – are wonderfully captured in the story, the era recreated with many familiar contemporary references. But I also really loved the story’s essential Irishness – the wonderful dialogue, the humour, the importance of family. There’s a pronunciation guide at the front of the book for those names and places that might be unfamiliar – and a glossary that helpfully ranges from “banjaxed” through “gobshite”, via Jaffa Cakes to “yoke” (I suspect primarily for a US audience – I was reading in an Irish accent from the very beginning…!).
In terms of emotional engagement, the story really is quite wonderful – I felt for its very real characters, laughed with them, shed tears at times, and cheered their little victories. The whole story has exceptional warmth, with a feel-good quality that only grows towards the book’s end – and the writing really is excellent, the author a natural storyteller. Love, loss and redemption – it certainly worked for me, and this is a book I’d thoroughly recommend to all. And that Maeve Binchy comparison? Yes, I think it’s wholly justified… I loved it.
September 4, 2021
This is a bittersweet, heartwarming story set in Ireland in the 1980s. It reminds me of both Sally Rooney and Maeve Binchy. It is a tale of two teenage sisters whose paths drift tragically in different directions. The main character, Una and her boy next door love, Cullen leave too many words unspoken and this emotional immaturity has far reaching consequences. It’s a novel about family, but also about the limited choices available to young women in Ireland at that time. It’s a tearjerker, but also made me smile at times.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2021
My Heart Went Walking is a family story set in the 1980’s Ireland, which follows Una as she navigates life through love, loss and redemption. When Una found herself pregnant at 16, she decided to leave her little hometown, leaving her family behind, and her bestfriend Cullen – the father of her child. Little did she know that this action would cause everyone’s lives to change dramatically.
I’ve been trying to read books from new authors and as I have discovered, it is a kind of a hit and miss for me. This one though, is definitely a massive hit. Initially, I really thought that this would be a very difficult read given its quite foreboding summary but after reading the first chapter, I found myself just breezing through it.
The story was poignant, bittersweet and very heartwarming. I loved that not only we get the main character’s POV, we also got the POV of the other two characters she’s very much involved with.
I loved Una’s dynamic character. I liked the fact that she didn’t act like a damsel in distress in the situation she unexpectedly found herself into and when she set her mind into something, she’d really go and see it through. I mean, despite her young age, I loved that she’s got the nerves of steel. I wish I had the courage she shad when I was 16.
This is a family story and there’s nothing particularly new about the plot, but I really liked how the author made each character relatable and very human. Una’s sister Ellie is the perfect sister but not annoying in any way. The bond she shared with Una may have been tested, but at times, blood really is thicker than water. I loved that Una’s mom was realistically portrayed as someone who is not perfect but would do everything for her children. There really is no other love like a mother’s love for her child.
I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’ve always been fascinated by the beautiful sceneries I’ve seen on travel blogs and videos and some books set in Ireland which I’ve read in the past, so I guess I was really looking forward to reading more of these beautiful settings which are not too many here. It’s understandable though, because this book is more plot-focused which I appreciate too. That’s just me nitpicking so don’t mind me. Hah!
To sum this up, Sally Hanan’s debut is an absolute gem! The ending was perfection leaving me smiling and feeling so good. I really cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in her next book!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
*An advance review copy was provided by the publisher, Fire Drinkers Publishing via Netgalley for an impartial and honest review.*
I’ve been trying to read books from new authors and as I have discovered, it is a kind of a hit and miss for me. This one though, is definitely a massive hit. Initially, I really thought that this would be a very difficult read given its quite foreboding summary but after reading the first chapter, I found myself just breezing through it.
The story was poignant, bittersweet and very heartwarming. I loved that not only we get the main character’s POV, we also got the POV of the other two characters she’s very much involved with.
I loved Una’s dynamic character. I liked the fact that she didn’t act like a damsel in distress in the situation she unexpectedly found herself into and when she set her mind into something, she’d really go and see it through. I mean, despite her young age, I loved that she’s got the nerves of steel. I wish I had the courage she shad when I was 16.
This is a family story and there’s nothing particularly new about the plot, but I really liked how the author made each character relatable and very human. Una’s sister Ellie is the perfect sister but not annoying in any way. The bond she shared with Una may have been tested, but at times, blood really is thicker than water. I loved that Una’s mom was realistically portrayed as someone who is not perfect but would do everything for her children. There really is no other love like a mother’s love for her child.
I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’ve always been fascinated by the beautiful sceneries I’ve seen on travel blogs and videos and some books set in Ireland which I’ve read in the past, so I guess I was really looking forward to reading more of these beautiful settings which are not too many here. It’s understandable though, because this book is more plot-focused which I appreciate too. That’s just me nitpicking so don’t mind me. Hah!
To sum this up, Sally Hanan’s debut is an absolute gem! The ending was perfection leaving me smiling and feeling so good. I really cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in her next book!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
*An advance review copy was provided by the publisher, Fire Drinkers Publishing via Netgalley for an impartial and honest review.*
July 28, 2021
My heart went walking says the title of this warm read..and it does make your heart walk, flutter, stop and sing too in places☺️
A beautiful story set in 1980s, Ireland, it talks about love, loss, friendship, family and friends who become more than family.
It is the story of a young 18 year old girl who finds herself at a crossroad in life and difficult life choices. She braves the world, and her circumstances to emerge as a strong and confident young lady.
It is definitely a perfect book to sit with a cup of coffee and ignore the mundane world, for it brings you erratic emotions and a balance of calm as well.
A beautiful story set in 1980s, Ireland, it talks about love, loss, friendship, family and friends who become more than family.
It is the story of a young 18 year old girl who finds herself at a crossroad in life and difficult life choices. She braves the world, and her circumstances to emerge as a strong and confident young lady.
It is definitely a perfect book to sit with a cup of coffee and ignore the mundane world, for it brings you erratic emotions and a balance of calm as well.
July 18, 2022
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Fire Drinkers Publishing, and Sally Hanan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and feelings are 100% my own, and independent of receiving an advance copy.
Well, I wasn’t expecting this!! I know I owe a lot of reviews, but I had to write this one now while I’m still under the effects of the story. When I started reading this I thought it was actually another book that was a different genre and had a completely different storyline. They had similar covers with the same color scheme, so I got mixed up. So I start reading this and was a little confused, but honestly, after the first few pages, I was immediately caught up in the story.
Here is the gist of the story (I don’t usually like to put a recap in my review because a) there is a blurb from the publisher that tells you what you need to know and b) there are other reviews that do a better job than I ever will, but here goes. This is the story of Tara. Tara is sixteen and part of a large Catholic family living in a small town in Ireland. Tara is a good girl who helps her mom with cooking, cleaning and watching her brothers and sisters. Tara is also pregnant. One night, while at a party she decides to sleep with her best friend, Cullen, who she happens to be secretly and deeply in love with. She’s not sorry she did it. But when she tells her mother, her mum is crushed. She had high hopes for Tara to be the first one off to college and make something of her life. Her mum is furious and adamant that she will not raise this baby for her. She must give it up for adoption. Tara can’t imagine giving up her baby and runs off to Dublin to make a life for herself and her unborn child. But Tara must talk to Cullen first. She can’t leave without saying goodbye but she is not going to tell him the baby is his. She doesn’t want to ruin his life as well and she knows he will do the right thing.
So off she goes to Dublin, no plan, no money, pregnant and alone. One of the reasons I loved the book is because of the characters. Tara is a strong willed, defiant young girl who takes on the world at a young age. It is her strength and determination that helps her get through some tough times. But when you are sixteen and pregnant, alone in a strange city with no money, well, things can get bleak very quickly. It is her coming of age story that makes this book what it is. The supporting characters are well drawn and complex. It is such a moving story - I read it in one afternoon. I just couldn’t put it down.
It was a sweet, emotional story about family found and biological It really is like life, with hardships and broken bonds, and sometimes how a person’s kindness can change everything about your life. And of course, love.
Well, I wasn’t expecting this!! I know I owe a lot of reviews, but I had to write this one now while I’m still under the effects of the story. When I started reading this I thought it was actually another book that was a different genre and had a completely different storyline. They had similar covers with the same color scheme, so I got mixed up. So I start reading this and was a little confused, but honestly, after the first few pages, I was immediately caught up in the story.
Here is the gist of the story (I don’t usually like to put a recap in my review because a) there is a blurb from the publisher that tells you what you need to know and b) there are other reviews that do a better job than I ever will, but here goes. This is the story of Tara. Tara is sixteen and part of a large Catholic family living in a small town in Ireland. Tara is a good girl who helps her mom with cooking, cleaning and watching her brothers and sisters. Tara is also pregnant. One night, while at a party she decides to sleep with her best friend, Cullen, who she happens to be secretly and deeply in love with. She’s not sorry she did it. But when she tells her mother, her mum is crushed. She had high hopes for Tara to be the first one off to college and make something of her life. Her mum is furious and adamant that she will not raise this baby for her. She must give it up for adoption. Tara can’t imagine giving up her baby and runs off to Dublin to make a life for herself and her unborn child. But Tara must talk to Cullen first. She can’t leave without saying goodbye but she is not going to tell him the baby is his. She doesn’t want to ruin his life as well and she knows he will do the right thing.
So off she goes to Dublin, no plan, no money, pregnant and alone. One of the reasons I loved the book is because of the characters. Tara is a strong willed, defiant young girl who takes on the world at a young age. It is her strength and determination that helps her get through some tough times. But when you are sixteen and pregnant, alone in a strange city with no money, well, things can get bleak very quickly. It is her coming of age story that makes this book what it is. The supporting characters are well drawn and complex. It is such a moving story - I read it in one afternoon. I just couldn’t put it down.
It was a sweet, emotional story about family found and biological It really is like life, with hardships and broken bonds, and sometimes how a person’s kindness can change everything about your life. And of course, love.
September 8, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
For a debut novel by this author, Sally has produced an uncomplicated and enjoyable read. It’s storyline shows empathy for her characters and the strong family bond that exists more readily in Ireland than other places in Europe. A story of a developing understanding of oneself, love, loss and finally contentment and a return to love. All ends well …
For a debut novel by this author, Sally has produced an uncomplicated and enjoyable read. It’s storyline shows empathy for her characters and the strong family bond that exists more readily in Ireland than other places in Europe. A story of a developing understanding of oneself, love, loss and finally contentment and a return to love. All ends well …
February 4, 2022
I was initially drawn to this book by the Donegal setting. My Mum is from a small town in County Donegal, Ireland and I spent every summer there when I was younger. Donegal will always be my spiritual home and I was eager to see how Sally Hanan portrayed the place and the people.
What appears at first to be quite a simple tale about three young people soon turns into something much more complex, with the lead characters all having their own unique voices.
Sixteen-year-old Una flees the rural town of Donegal for the dark, more dangerous streets of Dublin. Una has found herself in a situation that she cannot deal with at home. Despite the 1980s setting, Ireland and the majority of the people still have old-fashioned and out dated views, more in keeping with the UK in the 60s really. Una is a determined girl and despite having no plans for her future in Dublin she is quite resourceful.
Cullen is the love of Una's life. A steady, good natured boy who is distraught when she disappears. Cullen cannot believe what Una tells him about her condition, he's confused and dismayed and in love.
Ellie is Una's sister. Left behind in Donegal, she, like Cullen is devastated by Una leaving town. At first Ellie's character is just that of Una's sister, but she soon develops and her character becomes a huge part of the story.
This is not all doom and gloom though. Una is lucky in Dublin and comes across the kindness of strangers which is heart warming and a delight to read about. She has difficult decisions to make and the story didn't go where I expected it to by any means.
Sally Hanan writes very well. I do think that this is a novel that could be enjoyed by both Young Adult readers as well as the Adult market. It's a slice of recent history and it's a wonderful depiction of Irish life, including the humour that so often helps this community to get through the tougher times.
An author to watch for sure, and I'd be happy to read more from her, especially if she continues with the Irish settings.
What appears at first to be quite a simple tale about three young people soon turns into something much more complex, with the lead characters all having their own unique voices.
Sixteen-year-old Una flees the rural town of Donegal for the dark, more dangerous streets of Dublin. Una has found herself in a situation that she cannot deal with at home. Despite the 1980s setting, Ireland and the majority of the people still have old-fashioned and out dated views, more in keeping with the UK in the 60s really. Una is a determined girl and despite having no plans for her future in Dublin she is quite resourceful.
Cullen is the love of Una's life. A steady, good natured boy who is distraught when she disappears. Cullen cannot believe what Una tells him about her condition, he's confused and dismayed and in love.
Ellie is Una's sister. Left behind in Donegal, she, like Cullen is devastated by Una leaving town. At first Ellie's character is just that of Una's sister, but she soon develops and her character becomes a huge part of the story.
This is not all doom and gloom though. Una is lucky in Dublin and comes across the kindness of strangers which is heart warming and a delight to read about. She has difficult decisions to make and the story didn't go where I expected it to by any means.
Sally Hanan writes very well. I do think that this is a novel that could be enjoyed by both Young Adult readers as well as the Adult market. It's a slice of recent history and it's a wonderful depiction of Irish life, including the humour that so often helps this community to get through the tougher times.
An author to watch for sure, and I'd be happy to read more from her, especially if she continues with the Irish settings.
February 5, 2022
My Heart Went Walking
by: Sally Hanan
Fire Drinkers Publishing
With a richly crafted narrative and captivating Irish setting, Hanan's writing won't let go of your heart for the entirety of this book. 1980s Donegal and Dublin provide the atmospheric locale for the immersive story of two sisters and the young man they both loved.
Unexpected life circumstances forced Una to make decisions at the young age of sixteen that would affect both her future and those of her sister Ellie and friend Cullen. Hanan gives us the diverse yet intertwining perspectives of all three main characters, allowing readers to feel their uncertainty and distress as events unfolded. Each character showed determination, courage, and purpose as they grew and changed in the progression of their lives and relationships.
Family bonds, cultural expectations, and community relations supplement and deepen the central story of Una, Ellie, and Cullen. This is a beautifully perspective novel that stirred my emotions and made me think about choice, regret, acceptance, and ultimately, hope. The directions that our lives take can change in an instant, taking us to the most unexpected places in our search for truth, healing, and resolve.
Thank you to Net Galley and Fire Drinkers Publishing for the advance readers copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#Irishfiction #NetGalley
by: Sally Hanan
Fire Drinkers Publishing
With a richly crafted narrative and captivating Irish setting, Hanan's writing won't let go of your heart for the entirety of this book. 1980s Donegal and Dublin provide the atmospheric locale for the immersive story of two sisters and the young man they both loved.
Unexpected life circumstances forced Una to make decisions at the young age of sixteen that would affect both her future and those of her sister Ellie and friend Cullen. Hanan gives us the diverse yet intertwining perspectives of all three main characters, allowing readers to feel their uncertainty and distress as events unfolded. Each character showed determination, courage, and purpose as they grew and changed in the progression of their lives and relationships.
Family bonds, cultural expectations, and community relations supplement and deepen the central story of Una, Ellie, and Cullen. This is a beautifully perspective novel that stirred my emotions and made me think about choice, regret, acceptance, and ultimately, hope. The directions that our lives take can change in an instant, taking us to the most unexpected places in our search for truth, healing, and resolve.
Thank you to Net Galley and Fire Drinkers Publishing for the advance readers copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#Irishfiction #NetGalley
November 15, 2022
My Heart Went Walking was a very engaging and easy read. I believe I finished it in about 4 sittings; though I should have gone to bed earlier I didn't want to stop! The insight into the human heart and the backflips we do with fear and anger and such was wonderful. It was humorous and creative and I did have to google a few things to make sure I understood certain items and vernacular, it made for a more beautiful story!
July 16, 2021
My Heart Went Walking by S. Hanan, published by Fire Drinking Publishing, is the gripping story of two sisters.
Set in the 1980ies in Ireland it's an Irish tale of love, loss and redemption.
I read the blurb and was intrigued, and what can I say, this book blew me away; gripped me with both hands; had me from the start, hook, line and sinker.
Una and Ellie are just teenagers when their lives change dramatically. Every one of them has her own drama, tragedy, redemption.
MHWW is a slow burn with just the right amount of everything, gave me all the feels, let me so easily connect with the characters. I love this unique story, I love the pace, I love the writing, 5 stars.
Set in the 1980ies in Ireland it's an Irish tale of love, loss and redemption.
I read the blurb and was intrigued, and what can I say, this book blew me away; gripped me with both hands; had me from the start, hook, line and sinker.
Una and Ellie are just teenagers when their lives change dramatically. Every one of them has her own drama, tragedy, redemption.
MHWW is a slow burn with just the right amount of everything, gave me all the feels, let me so easily connect with the characters. I love this unique story, I love the pace, I love the writing, 5 stars.
September 10, 2021
Full disclosure: I didn't much like this book.
My Heart Went Waking is a tale about a teenage girl who falls unexpectedly pregnant after a drunken bout of rolling in the
Here's my issue with it: I felt it was too superficial. It proposed interesting, complex topics, such as teenage pregnancy, first time love and relationships, messy family dynamics, life changing and life threatening illnesses, guilt and self-doubt, etc. And therein lied the problem. This book attempted to tackle so many topics, that in the end did a poor job of properly exploring any one of them. There's this saying in Spanish: "Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta", which has a half way meaning somewhere between "Jack of all trades, master of none" and "Don't bite off more than you can chew".
All of these plot lines also made the story very messy. There were just too many things going wrong for too many characters all at the same time. It made the story progression very jumpy. On top of that, the writing was quite inconsistent in the character's personalities. Conversations, reactions and emotions were all over the place. Pieces of dialogue came seemingly out of nowhere from time to time, and a lot of their responses felt out of character from what I'd grown to expect from them. Not even the eye color of the male main character was consistent. We cycled through blue, brown and green within the first third of the book.
I also felt a lot of good opportunities for drama went to waste, while silly stuff was played up. The reveal of Cullen being the father should have been one of the major climaxes, it had huge potential for being emotional and heartbreaking, but the author went another route and the result was decidedly a plain lukewarm reveal. While on the topic of the baby, I'm not happy with how that was done either. Kieran felt like little more that a background prop. A plot element seldom brought to the forefront. Una largely lived her life, and freely moved around like he didn't even exist most of the time. It didn't seem realistic. I expected the baby to be a lot more prominent and a more central part of the story and Una's new life.
I don't know that the whole "Ireland’s changing culture of the ‘80s" came across all that much, but I certainly appreciated the pronunciation guide and glossary at the beginning of the book.
Ultimately, I was unsatisfied with how this book was executed and wish the ending would have been different. I feel a bittersweet ending would have fit better and been more realistic.
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**I received a advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing for the opportunity**
February 12, 2022
Really liked this book!And am always
excited to find a new author whose writing style I enjoy. Looking at her other books now. Love the Ireland setting too!
excited to find a new author whose writing style I enjoy. Looking at her other books now. Love the Ireland setting too!
October 17, 2021
I don't even know how to review this book!
It was gripping, I read about 3/4 of it today alone, and I definitely recommend it as a good read. It hit a ton of tough topics... maybe too many for one story. And while I am the first to grab a book with an ending tied up with a pretty bow, this ending was a little too happy. Made it feel less realistic. Still a great book though. And clean... no open door surprises or excess swearing.
I read this as an ARC thanks to Netgalley.
It was gripping, I read about 3/4 of it today alone, and I definitely recommend it as a good read. It hit a ton of tough topics... maybe too many for one story. And while I am the first to grab a book with an ending tied up with a pretty bow, this ending was a little too happy. Made it feel less realistic. Still a great book though. And clean... no open door surprises or excess swearing.
I read this as an ARC thanks to Netgalley.
January 24, 2022
I so enjoyed My Heart Went Walking. The story of Una, Ellie and Cullen was told in a very compelling way. There was such a complicated situation with Cullen. As you’ll guess from the book information, he is the love interest for both sisters but probably not in the way you might be thinking. That’s so vague isn’t it, but I don’t want to give anything away.
Una, our main character, is such a strong woman. She is in a very difficult situation, a situation very much frowned upon in 1908s Ireland, and she makes brave choices. She had to decide whether to tell the while truth of her situation with the devastating fallout that would cause. I really admired her tenacity and the way she made positive decisions for herself which led her to a very different kind of life she might not have expected. I adored Catherine and Des for the unconditional love, kindness and support they gave to Una.
The author has captured the setting of 1980s Ireland so well I feel, though I am not myself Irish. The expectations of family and community are clear. Being a teenager myself in the 80s, I enjoyed the references to the music, fashion and contemporary issues of the times There was a lot of warmth and humour even though there are some very difficult times for the characters. The author made her characters feel authentically Irish to me, not least through the dialogue. There’s a very helpful glossary of Irish words and phrases for readers who might not be familiar with some terms, although many have an American ‘translation’.
While My Heart Went Walking has its tense and poignant moments, it is a warm, emotional and uplifting book. I’d be keen to read more by Sally Hanan, who has a natural storytelling style. My Heart Went Walking is a beautifully written novel about the ties of family and of love.
Una, our main character, is such a strong woman. She is in a very difficult situation, a situation very much frowned upon in 1908s Ireland, and she makes brave choices. She had to decide whether to tell the while truth of her situation with the devastating fallout that would cause. I really admired her tenacity and the way she made positive decisions for herself which led her to a very different kind of life she might not have expected. I adored Catherine and Des for the unconditional love, kindness and support they gave to Una.
The author has captured the setting of 1980s Ireland so well I feel, though I am not myself Irish. The expectations of family and community are clear. Being a teenager myself in the 80s, I enjoyed the references to the music, fashion and contemporary issues of the times There was a lot of warmth and humour even though there are some very difficult times for the characters. The author made her characters feel authentically Irish to me, not least through the dialogue. There’s a very helpful glossary of Irish words and phrases for readers who might not be familiar with some terms, although many have an American ‘translation’.
While My Heart Went Walking has its tense and poignant moments, it is a warm, emotional and uplifting book. I’d be keen to read more by Sally Hanan, who has a natural storytelling style. My Heart Went Walking is a beautifully written novel about the ties of family and of love.
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