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Carmel Sheehan #2
The Future's Not Ours To See
Carmel is stuck. The future could be bright, but something is stopping her.
Despite the promise of a bright future away from Ireland, Carmel Sheehan is drawn back to the miserable marriage she feels duty-bound to honour. But when she returns to her monosyllabic husband and his malicious sister, she begins to realize that she cannot endure them any longer.
She finally understands that she can’t begin to live a fulfilled life until she uncovers what led her to where she is now. Armed only with some letters and an old photograph, she begins the arduous journey of discovery as she tries to decipher her tangled past and embrace the possibilities of a future that has been in the making since before she was born.
Despite the promise of a bright future away from Ireland, Carmel Sheehan is drawn back to the miserable marriage she feels duty-bound to honour. But when she returns to her monosyllabic husband and his malicious sister, she begins to realize that she cannot endure them any longer.
She finally understands that she can’t begin to live a fulfilled life until she uncovers what led her to where she is now. Armed only with some letters and an old photograph, she begins the arduous journey of discovery as she tries to decipher her tangled past and embrace the possibilities of a future that has been in the making since before she was born.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
3835 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Jean Grainger
93 books1,606 followersJean Grainger was born in Cork, Ireland. She has been a tour guide of her beloved home country, a teacher, a university lecturer and a playwright. She began writing fiction at the suggestion of her clients on tours, many of whom were sure all the stories she told them would make for a great book. Her first book, The Tour, has become a Number 1 bestseller on Amazon. It tells the story of a disparate group of American visitors to Ireland, who, along with their Irish tour guide have a life changing experience in the magical Emerald Isle.
Her second book, So Much Owed, is a family saga set during the Second World War. The story centres on the Buckley family of West Cork and how their lives are pulled in different directions as they become embroiled in the war. It is a sweeping family saga of intrigue and romance against the background of occupied Europe.
In her third novel, Shadow of a Century, she tells a tale of a battered old flag found in New York in 2016, a century after it was used during the Easter Rising, when Ireland made her final bid for freedom from Great Britain. This tells the story of a journalist who uncovers a story, one with much more to it than a flag.
Her fourth novel, due out in Spring 2016, Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, is set in the 1970s in Cork, Ireland and is a novel about friendship. Three boys, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, though from very different backgrounds are united in a deep but often times challenging friendship. As their lives progress, only by staying strong, can they prevail. Or fail.
Her novella, Letters of Freedom, tells the story of Carmel, stuck in a pointless marriage, when a figure from her past emerges and changes everything with a ‘like’ on Facebook. This quick read will touch your heart.
She lives in Cork with her husband and her two youngest children. The older two come home occasionally with laundry and to raid the fridge.
Her second book, So Much Owed, is a family saga set during the Second World War. The story centres on the Buckley family of West Cork and how their lives are pulled in different directions as they become embroiled in the war. It is a sweeping family saga of intrigue and romance against the background of occupied Europe.
In her third novel, Shadow of a Century, she tells a tale of a battered old flag found in New York in 2016, a century after it was used during the Easter Rising, when Ireland made her final bid for freedom from Great Britain. This tells the story of a journalist who uncovers a story, one with much more to it than a flag.
Her fourth novel, due out in Spring 2016, Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, is set in the 1970s in Cork, Ireland and is a novel about friendship. Three boys, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, though from very different backgrounds are united in a deep but often times challenging friendship. As their lives progress, only by staying strong, can they prevail. Or fail.
Her novella, Letters of Freedom, tells the story of Carmel, stuck in a pointless marriage, when a figure from her past emerges and changes everything with a ‘like’ on Facebook. This quick read will touch your heart.
She lives in Cork with her husband and her two youngest children. The older two come home occasionally with laundry and to raid the fridge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 2, 2017
I really enjoyed reading The Future's Not Ours to See by Jean Grainger. I found it a captivating read and a great sequel to Letters of Freedom. Discovering Carmel's story was an intriguing and satisfying journey. I enjoyed watching her personality and self-confidence blossom! The cross-cultural aspect was also an interesting addition. I don't want to include any spoilers, so I will just say that there is a dark twist involving Carmel's sister-in-law Julia that makes the book engaging and prevents it from being all "candy and roses."
November 4, 2019
What an absolutely terrible book! I want to say it was one of the worst books I have ever read!
First of all, I didn’t know it was the second book of a series as it didn’t say this on Amazon when I downloaded it. The first book was only a novella introducing the story but from what I could grasp was pivotal to the story as it was the foundations for the entire story.
So from the start I felt lost as to what was happening, I considered reading the novella but for £1.99 for 49 pages and I wasn’t enjoying the second book any way I decided not to bother. It’s not that I’m a cheapskate as I’ll pay anything for a good book (emphasis on good!). The most frustrating thing was that I reached the end of the book, and the author says “Get book 1 in this series for free. Just go to my website” Would have been nice to know that at the beginning! I haven’t decided whether to bother yet (plus I’ve not had proper internet access since finishing the book) as I’m not sure it will change my mind on things but if I do and it does I will amend this review!
Anyway, the second bad thing about the book was that the characters were so cheesy and were written to such extreme personalities. On the one hand, you had the ’nice’ people that couldn’t do enough for Carmel, but it was to the extreme, it was actually quite trite and sycophantic. Then you had the ‘bad’ people, and to the author, this meant they had to be ugly in appearance, smell and swear. It was laughable. Then you had the protagonist, who I know had had the worst childhood and had been rejected left right and centre, but she was just so pathetic every time Sharif told her he loved her a few seconds later if he looked pensive she would assume he didn’t. The same with Joe every time he wanted to speak with her she assumed he had changed his mind about being her father, it was like change the record, he’s already put your mind at rest a million times already.
The book was repetitive and just awful I was relieved when it actually ended on 90% on my kindle, and the rest was an introduction to another of the author’s books (no thanks!).
Ok so I went ahead and read the novella to see if it changed my perspective on the second book, and I’m afraid it didn’t, it was just as inane and insipid. I hate to be so callous as I always like to find the good in things but I just can’t in these books as they were just awful! I wish I’d read the novella first to save myself the time from reading the second book.
As I previously said, the characters were just unlikeable, and everything was just so repetitive. Ah well, you can’t win them all!
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
First of all, I didn’t know it was the second book of a series as it didn’t say this on Amazon when I downloaded it. The first book was only a novella introducing the story but from what I could grasp was pivotal to the story as it was the foundations for the entire story.
So from the start I felt lost as to what was happening, I considered reading the novella but for £1.99 for 49 pages and I wasn’t enjoying the second book any way I decided not to bother. It’s not that I’m a cheapskate as I’ll pay anything for a good book (emphasis on good!). The most frustrating thing was that I reached the end of the book, and the author says “Get book 1 in this series for free. Just go to my website” Would have been nice to know that at the beginning! I haven’t decided whether to bother yet (plus I’ve not had proper internet access since finishing the book) as I’m not sure it will change my mind on things but if I do and it does I will amend this review!
Anyway, the second bad thing about the book was that the characters were so cheesy and were written to such extreme personalities. On the one hand, you had the ’nice’ people that couldn’t do enough for Carmel, but it was to the extreme, it was actually quite trite and sycophantic. Then you had the ‘bad’ people, and to the author, this meant they had to be ugly in appearance, smell and swear. It was laughable. Then you had the protagonist, who I know had had the worst childhood and had been rejected left right and centre, but she was just so pathetic every time Sharif told her he loved her a few seconds later if he looked pensive she would assume he didn’t. The same with Joe every time he wanted to speak with her she assumed he had changed his mind about being her father, it was like change the record, he’s already put your mind at rest a million times already.
The book was repetitive and just awful I was relieved when it actually ended on 90% on my kindle, and the rest was an introduction to another of the author’s books (no thanks!).
Ok so I went ahead and read the novella to see if it changed my perspective on the second book, and I’m afraid it didn’t, it was just as inane and insipid. I hate to be so callous as I always like to find the good in things but I just can’t in these books as they were just awful! I wish I’d read the novella first to save myself the time from reading the second book.
As I previously said, the characters were just unlikeable, and everything was just so repetitive. Ah well, you can’t win them all!
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
June 21, 2018
This is another great book by author Jean Grainger. I really enjoy her stories because they are written differently than most authors. It’s not a cheesy love story with everything perfect. Her stories have heart, sadness, laughter and a little bit of mystery. This was a can’t put this book down and I enjoyed every page. The only thing I didn’t care about (and it’s silly) is the main female character’s name. I just couldn’t get use to her name….Carmel.
The story is about Carmel and her life as a lonely person first as a child who was never adopted and then in a loveless marriage of 17 years. She decides she wants to find out who she really is and with a few things escapes her marriage. Along the way she meets Sharif who is an older doctor with a hospice type facility. He knew Carmel’s mother and helps her get to know about her past. They two fall in love and for the first time, Carmel feels like she is someone and someone who is loved. The book continues with various stories throughout the book which all come together at the end. All the characters are very well written and you just want to shout to Carmel, you are somebody!!! I highly recommend this book and I think you would too after reading it.
The story is about Carmel and her life as a lonely person first as a child who was never adopted and then in a loveless marriage of 17 years. She decides she wants to find out who she really is and with a few things escapes her marriage. Along the way she meets Sharif who is an older doctor with a hospice type facility. He knew Carmel’s mother and helps her get to know about her past. They two fall in love and for the first time, Carmel feels like she is someone and someone who is loved. The book continues with various stories throughout the book which all come together at the end. All the characters are very well written and you just want to shout to Carmel, you are somebody!!! I highly recommend this book and I think you would too after reading it.
April 19, 2018
The Future’s Not Ours to See: Letters of Freedom Book 2 is by Jean Grainger. It is a lovely sequel set in London and Ireland. The book is about second chances and how the past affects the future. It is hard to put down; but if you must, it is easy to get into it again. Jean Grainger has created an everlasting love story.
Carmel Murphy Sheehan had decided to leave Bill. She had never been accepted as his wife or as the Mother his daughters needed. Instead, she get rain, tears, and the icy grip of her sister-in-law’s hand on her family. She cleaned and cooked but got nothing out of it except hatred and powerlessness. She had met with Sharif who had told her about her birth mother. Now, she felt the need to leave Ireland and go to Aashna House in England. Nothing would change for her here.
When Carmel gets to Aashna House, she is greeted with open arms. Sharif welcomed her with all the love he felt for her and introduced her to the love her Mother had for her.
Just how far would she go to find happiness? Would it remain a trip of a lifetime and cause her to turn many corners and face many trials.
Carmel Murphy Sheehan had decided to leave Bill. She had never been accepted as his wife or as the Mother his daughters needed. Instead, she get rain, tears, and the icy grip of her sister-in-law’s hand on her family. She cleaned and cooked but got nothing out of it except hatred and powerlessness. She had met with Sharif who had told her about her birth mother. Now, she felt the need to leave Ireland and go to Aashna House in England. Nothing would change for her here.
When Carmel gets to Aashna House, she is greeted with open arms. Sharif welcomed her with all the love he felt for her and introduced her to the love her Mother had for her.
Just how far would she go to find happiness? Would it remain a trip of a lifetime and cause her to turn many corners and face many trials.
April 17, 2018
The Future's Not Ours To See #2 - Starts where Letters of Freedom ends. A well written emotional ride of a story. The plot is fast paced and filled with a gamut of emotions. All the characters have personalities and are realistic, as is their dialog. This author does a wonderful job with descriptions of all sorts; and she carries you from emotion to another as the story unfolds. The agony and growth of the main female character is heart wrenching and uplifting at the same time. The metamorphosis she experiences is awe inspiring; yes, you can say she becomes a beautiful butterfly with all the love and the support. I wish I could say more, but this is a review, not a book report.
Everything I've read by this author is well worth the time invested. You walk away with something substantial that actually has meaning. There are so many fun, likable characters that when an evil one appears, it is dramatic. Start with Letters of Freedom and finish the journey with The Future's Not Ours To See and What Will Be Will Be.
Letters of Freedom #1 - Heartwarming. A well written, sad but uplifting story about two women and their losses. The short story is mesmerizing and can't be put down and ends too soon. Although the two don't meet, they end up sharing the same family. The abandoned child finds she had someone all along and now she's part of a real family and treasured. I contacted the author to review her books after reading Shadow.
What Will Be Will Be #3 – Another wonderful, heartwarming period in Carmel’s story. Carmel has grown so much in the past year and that growth brings great happiness and bigger changes to her life. Ms. Grainger’s talent to tell a story, with vivid descriptions; interesting, caring characters; and realistic dialog and adventures makes this book difficult to put down. Nothing different from the other books of the series. The ending is a perfect way to finalize the series, but it also leaves the future open for another book down the road.
Everything I've read by this author is well worth the time invested. You walk away with something substantial that actually has meaning. There are so many fun, likable characters that when an evil one appears, it is dramatic. Start with Letters of Freedom and finish the journey with The Future's Not Ours To See and What Will Be Will Be.
Letters of Freedom #1 - Heartwarming. A well written, sad but uplifting story about two women and their losses. The short story is mesmerizing and can't be put down and ends too soon. Although the two don't meet, they end up sharing the same family. The abandoned child finds she had someone all along and now she's part of a real family and treasured. I contacted the author to review her books after reading Shadow.
What Will Be Will Be #3 – Another wonderful, heartwarming period in Carmel’s story. Carmel has grown so much in the past year and that growth brings great happiness and bigger changes to her life. Ms. Grainger’s talent to tell a story, with vivid descriptions; interesting, caring characters; and realistic dialog and adventures makes this book difficult to put down. Nothing different from the other books of the series. The ending is a perfect way to finalize the series, but it also leaves the future open for another book down the road.
April 29, 2018
Letters of Freedom #1 - Heartwarming. A well written, sad but uplifting story about two women and their losses. The short story is mesmerizing and can't be put down and ends too soon. Although the two don't meet, they end up sharing the same family. The abandoned child finds she had someone all along and now she's part of a real family and treasured. I contacted the author to review her books after reading Shadow.
The Future's Not Ours To See #2 - Starts where Letters of Freedom ends. A well written emotional ride of a story. The plot is fast paced and filled with a gamut of emotions. All the characters have personalities and are realistic, as is their dialog. This author does a wonderful job with descriptions of all sorts; and she carries you from emotion to another as the story unfolds. The agony and growth of the main female character is heart wrenching and uplifting at the same time. The metamorphosis she experiences is awe inspiring; yes, you can say she becomes a beautiful butterfly with all the love and the support. I wish I could say more, but this is a review, not a book report.
Everything I've read by this author is well worth the time invested. You walk away with something substantial that actually has meaning. There are so many fun, likable characters that when an evil one appears, it is dramatic. Start with Letters of Freedom and finish the journey with The Future's Not Ours To See.
What Will Be Will Be #3 – Another wonderful, heartwarming period in Carmel’s story. Carmel has grown so much in the past year and that growth brings great happiness and bigger changes to her life. Ms. Grainger’s talent to tell a story, with vivid descriptions; interesting, caring characters; and realistic dialog and adventures makes this book difficult to put down. Nothing different from the other books of the series. The ending is a perfect way to finalize the series, but it also leaves the future open for another book down the road.
The Future's Not Ours To See #2 - Starts where Letters of Freedom ends. A well written emotional ride of a story. The plot is fast paced and filled with a gamut of emotions. All the characters have personalities and are realistic, as is their dialog. This author does a wonderful job with descriptions of all sorts; and she carries you from emotion to another as the story unfolds. The agony and growth of the main female character is heart wrenching and uplifting at the same time. The metamorphosis she experiences is awe inspiring; yes, you can say she becomes a beautiful butterfly with all the love and the support. I wish I could say more, but this is a review, not a book report.
Everything I've read by this author is well worth the time invested. You walk away with something substantial that actually has meaning. There are so many fun, likable characters that when an evil one appears, it is dramatic. Start with Letters of Freedom and finish the journey with The Future's Not Ours To See.
What Will Be Will Be #3 – Another wonderful, heartwarming period in Carmel’s story. Carmel has grown so much in the past year and that growth brings great happiness and bigger changes to her life. Ms. Grainger’s talent to tell a story, with vivid descriptions; interesting, caring characters; and realistic dialog and adventures makes this book difficult to put down. Nothing different from the other books of the series. The ending is a perfect way to finalize the series, but it also leaves the future open for another book down the road.
November 5, 2022
Meeting Dr. Sharif Kahn and reading the letters her mother left with him before her death, has immeasurably changed Carmel Sheehan's life. Ireland and her old life of drudgery are now behind her and she is happier than she ever thought possible. Yet for some reason, Carmel remains uneasy and feels unworthy and undeserving of her good fortune. This restlessness eventually sets into motion a series of events that allows Carmel to unsnarl the mystery of her early life and to finally accept that she deserves the bright future being offered to her.
"The Future's Not Ours To See" is Book Two in Carmel Sheehan #2 by Jean Grainger. Carmel's journey of understanding and self-acceptance is at once arduous and uplifting. As her indomitable spirit and innate goodness are recognized and celebrated by Sharif and the family of her choosing, Carmel learns to accept her feelings and to forgive herself for notions of her own shortcomings. In the process of her self-discovery, Carmel uncovers a piece of her past that helps smooth over some of the emotional deprivation of her early years. As always, Grainger's characters are complex creatures that we get to know so well they soon feel like old friends. At least the nice ones do, but as in real life, some bad actors creep their way in despite all efforts to forestall their advances. In keeping with her authentic characterizations is Grainger's prose; rich and generous but never wordy or cloyingly sweet. Jean Grainger is a masterful storyteller. Five stars.
#TheFuturesNotOursToSee #JeanGrainger #TheCarmelSheehanStory #BookTwo #Twitter.savsandy #ReadMyLips.home.blog #Goodreads.Savsandy #Instagram.sandragarlandhardy #Amazon.Kindle.savsandy #KindleUnlimited.savsandy #Facebook.SandraGarlandHardy
"The Future's Not Ours To See" is Book Two in Carmel Sheehan #2 by Jean Grainger. Carmel's journey of understanding and self-acceptance is at once arduous and uplifting. As her indomitable spirit and innate goodness are recognized and celebrated by Sharif and the family of her choosing, Carmel learns to accept her feelings and to forgive herself for notions of her own shortcomings. In the process of her self-discovery, Carmel uncovers a piece of her past that helps smooth over some of the emotional deprivation of her early years. As always, Grainger's characters are complex creatures that we get to know so well they soon feel like old friends. At least the nice ones do, but as in real life, some bad actors creep their way in despite all efforts to forestall their advances. In keeping with her authentic characterizations is Grainger's prose; rich and generous but never wordy or cloyingly sweet. Jean Grainger is a masterful storyteller. Five stars.
#TheFuturesNotOursToSee #JeanGrainger #TheCarmelSheehanStory #BookTwo #Twitter.savsandy #ReadMyLips.home.blog #Goodreads.Savsandy #Instagram.sandragarlandhardy #Amazon.Kindle.savsandy #KindleUnlimited.savsandy #Facebook.SandraGarlandHardy
December 21, 2022
England ~ Carmel divorced Bill and married Sharif, a doctor of Pakistani roots who runs Aashna House a well~run and remarkable nursing home where Dolly spent her last years, happy around her friends. Dolly was Carmel's mother who was also good friends with Sharif's mother. Some devastating family secrets here that would further complicate an already volatile situation plus Julia was trying to destroy Sharif's life's work and medical profession because of her greed and fear that Carmel would want part of the Sheehan ancestral farm for the divorce settlement... which Carmel did not, but was just lawyer talk. So Carmel, with her newfound confidence settled the matter. The book's title is a phrase from the song "Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)". The reason why I did not give this and the first book 5 stars was... there was too much psychobabble, too much personal internalizing and the ubiquitous self~pity on being unloved and alone... etc... etc. My culture does not believe in such things. We are pragmatists and fatalists and do espouse the "que sera, sera doctrine"... we tend to face Life's challenges with whatever emotional reserves we have and we do not run out of said reserves. Some of us run amok, though, but very seldom. The global pandemic was such a trial but no news of amok~crazed individuals surfaced globally.
June 12, 2020
Book 2 in the Carmel Sheehan series:
"As someone raised in an orphanage, Carmel knows she should be grateful for a roof over her head and a respectable family, but she would love nothing more than to escape Birr, Co Offaly and get away from her husband, the monosyllabic Bill and his horrible sister forever.
Life as Mrs Sheehan should be bearable, all she had to do was look after the house and cook Bill’s meals. She didn’t even need to speak to him, in fact, he preferred that she didn't.
But, as her fortieth birthday approaches, Carmel knows the change must be now or never. Her birth mother has offered her a lifeline from beyond the grave in the form of handsome, charming and kind Dr Sharif Khan.
He's offering her a new life in London, one he assures her that her birth mother Dolly would want her to take, but the decision must be hers. A life filled with joy, friendship and the legacy of her mother’s enduring love for her awaits.
But can Carmel do it and scandalise the parish? Can she finally realise her own worth and live her life on her own terms?" synopsis copied
Love this continuing saga!
"As someone raised in an orphanage, Carmel knows she should be grateful for a roof over her head and a respectable family, but she would love nothing more than to escape Birr, Co Offaly and get away from her husband, the monosyllabic Bill and his horrible sister forever.
Life as Mrs Sheehan should be bearable, all she had to do was look after the house and cook Bill’s meals. She didn’t even need to speak to him, in fact, he preferred that she didn't.
But, as her fortieth birthday approaches, Carmel knows the change must be now or never. Her birth mother has offered her a lifeline from beyond the grave in the form of handsome, charming and kind Dr Sharif Khan.
He's offering her a new life in London, one he assures her that her birth mother Dolly would want her to take, but the decision must be hers. A life filled with joy, friendship and the legacy of her mother’s enduring love for her awaits.
But can Carmel do it and scandalise the parish? Can she finally realise her own worth and live her life on her own terms?" synopsis copied
Love this continuing saga!
October 3, 2017
I received this book "The Future's Not Ours To See" as an ARC book and I found it absolutely AMAZING. The author wrote it as a sequel to her novella "Letters of Freedom" and developed an engrossing story of her main character, Carmel, and her life going from a lonely orphan, then an unloved and neglected wife to a beautiful desired woman with an exciting, happy future. Carmel's story will tear at your heart strings, bring you to the point of tears, maybe shock you a bit, make you smile with delight and keep you reading and turning pages right to the very end.
The characters in this story are delightful, well-developed and memorable. I am under no obligation to do a review for this story but I am delighted to do one. Jean Grainger is a writer who delivers a story worth reading.
The characters in this story are delightful, well-developed and memorable. I am under no obligation to do a review for this story but I am delighted to do one. Jean Grainger is a writer who delivers a story worth reading.
September 25, 2017
It's hard for me to describe, but again, with this latest book from Jean Grainger, I was immediately and completely immersed in this story. It is like an Irish modern day fairy tale for Carmel, with a total life change at 40. I found the emotional descriptions of Carmel's previous life devoid of love to be so touching that those scenes brought me to tears several times. It is a hopeful story of learning to believe in yourself and to finally take a chance on happiness. I have to clear my schedule to read Jean's books, because once I start a book, I don't want to come up for air until I've finished!
December 22, 2017
I don’t know when I have enjoyed a book more than this one.
I have to admit it is hard to think of this as a novel, it had to be based on real people’s life experiences. The story is complex but fast moving. Often you just can’t put it down. At one point I thought I saw where the story was heading and dreaded it, but the author went in a completely different direction, removing my dread and filling me with joy in the surprising outcome. If you want a great read, you have found it. You may not agree with the writer’s social thinking at times, but her insights will give you something to think about. Jean you did a great job!
I have to admit it is hard to think of this as a novel, it had to be based on real people’s life experiences. The story is complex but fast moving. Often you just can’t put it down. At one point I thought I saw where the story was heading and dreaded it, but the author went in a completely different direction, removing my dread and filling me with joy in the surprising outcome. If you want a great read, you have found it. You may not agree with the writer’s social thinking at times, but her insights will give you something to think about. Jean you did a great job!
September 16, 2017
Reading this story felt like coming home. The author does a fabulous job developing her characters and when I finished the book I knew I would miss them. This has never happened to me except for Letters of Freedom and this book.
I laughed and cried throughout this story as secrets were revealed and people died. The author's writing style was comfortable and welcoming. She makes it seem that writing a book is easy which I am sure it is not.
Please don't stop writing because your stories are my soft place to land at the end of the day.
I laughed and cried throughout this story as secrets were revealed and people died. The author's writing style was comfortable and welcoming. She makes it seem that writing a book is easy which I am sure it is not.
Please don't stop writing because your stories are my soft place to land at the end of the day.
January 27, 2018
I really liked Letters of Freedom and was looking forward to reconnecting with the characters in this book. But the continuing story of Carmel disappointed me. Where Letters of Freedom evoked a lot of emotion in a short novella, The Future's Not Ours To See is a full length novel that just couldn't sustain that emotion for me. It was too repetitive and too slow moving. I haven't given up on this author, however. I have Under Heaven's Shining Stars loaded on my Kindle and plan on reading it in the near future.
February 8, 2018
Jean Grainger is a born storyteller, no doubt about that. I have now read 5 of her full length novels and one novella, and always before have given them 5 stars. Somehow, this one just doesn’t make it. The basic story is very interesting with believable characters (well, mostly. The male protagonist seems too good to be true), but as others have said, there is just so much repetition. We are told the heroine’s background over and over and then some more. That said, I am anxious to read yet another of Grainger ‘s stories. I think this was just a little bump.
November 21, 2021
This is an interesting series, once again featuring little known bits of history - in this case what became of unwed mothers and their offspring in Ireland between 1920 and 1970 or so. The characters are well drawn as usual and it was great to see Carmel bloom in her new setting, and I liked the compassionate treatment of gay characters as well as the dying and grieving.
I'm always dismayed when I read a book filled with typos, misprints and such. They're really distracting and it's not that hard to fix.
I'll read the 3rd and final book in this series but for now I'm happy to take a break.
I'm always dismayed when I read a book filled with typos, misprints and such. They're really distracting and it's not that hard to fix.
I'll read the 3rd and final book in this series but for now I'm happy to take a break.
July 31, 2025
Carmel is a lovely protagonist. She’s been through so much already (in the first book, abandoned as a baby at a Catholic care home in Ireland then as a young woman married off to a cold hearted widower with two young daughters) and now she’s got a wonderful fiancé and reunited with a good deal of her birth family. Of course there’s challenges for her to face in this volume- chiefly, her treasured husband-to-be is dealing with fraud and bribery against the lovely hospice he leads. Carmel has grown a good bit in these 2 books and I’m cutting this review short to go read the third installment .
January 4, 2018
Lovely read
Well, I have now read all of Grainger's books in about 2weeks and have enjoyed all of them. What struck me most about this love story were the vivid descriptions of some Irish customs and attitudes. Not all these were positive, of course, but I respected the fact that a different slant was put on the "mother and baby home" experience. Another lovely book with enough drama to make it interesting. Highly recommended.
Well, I have now read all of Grainger's books in about 2weeks and have enjoyed all of them. What struck me most about this love story were the vivid descriptions of some Irish customs and attitudes. Not all these were positive, of course, but I respected the fact that a different slant was put on the "mother and baby home" experience. Another lovely book with enough drama to make it interesting. Highly recommended.
April 12, 2018
This book is a sequel to Letters of Freedom, but works as a stand alone also. I was delighted to learn where Carmel's journey took her. These characters draw you into their world. Once started I cannot put Jean Grainger's books down. Her stories are so wonderful even though parts make me cry! Carmel had been alone so long. It is great to see her run after (and find) love. I highly recommend this book.
May 18, 2020
The Carmel Sheehan Trilogy
The Carmel Sheehan Trilogy
The trilogy tells of a young woman, raised in an orphanage.
The effects of post institutional
malady, lack of nurturing, and deprivation of stimulation and relationship needs.
Leads her to a dysfunctional marriage with a stonewalling husband.
The characters go between UK and Ireland tracing roots, some historical fiction, personal transformation, love of family, cultural diversity and self. Pleasant read.
The Carmel Sheehan Trilogy
The trilogy tells of a young woman, raised in an orphanage.
The effects of post institutional
malady, lack of nurturing, and deprivation of stimulation and relationship needs.
Leads her to a dysfunctional marriage with a stonewalling husband.
The characters go between UK and Ireland tracing roots, some historical fiction, personal transformation, love of family, cultural diversity and self. Pleasant read.
August 4, 2020
What an Alluring read
I was so excited to start the 2nd book in this series after enjoying the first book so much.
This continuation of the story did not disappoint. I was so caught up in the characters, their struggles, and their hopes that when I came to the end of the book, I didn’t want the story to end. I look forward with childlike anticipation for the next book in this series. Such a well written story that takes you through many emotions and leaves you wanting more.
I was so excited to start the 2nd book in this series after enjoying the first book so much.
This continuation of the story did not disappoint. I was so caught up in the characters, their struggles, and their hopes that when I came to the end of the book, I didn’t want the story to end. I look forward with childlike anticipation for the next book in this series. Such a well written story that takes you through many emotions and leaves you wanting more.
November 11, 2020
I have enjoyed both Carmel Sheehan novels so far. I am about the begin the third. They are not the usual genre I read but so far I have enjoyed all the series written by Jean Grainger. I can highly recommend her books especially the Robinswood series. All of her characters become so real. Her plots are really good and she gets to the point all the time and doesn’t take us on wild goose chases to get to that point. Keep writing Ms Grainger. Thank you.
December 13, 2020
Redundant!
The first book in this series was excellent and I would give it 5 stars. I was looking forward to reading the second book. I was so disappointed when I realized the second book is the middle third of the first book. Then I discovered the third book is the final third of the first book. What a disappointment! I see no reason why the second or the third one were published. They serve no purpose!
MBJ
The first book in this series was excellent and I would give it 5 stars. I was looking forward to reading the second book. I was so disappointed when I realized the second book is the middle third of the first book. Then I discovered the third book is the final third of the first book. What a disappointment! I see no reason why the second or the third one were published. They serve no purpose!
MBJ
October 2, 2017
This book is a follow-up to "Letters of Freedom". While I liked the characters, the story seemed to drag. Carmel's history was repeated just too many times. But another positive thing about this story was the telling of Ireland's treatment of unwed mother's and the children born to them. I really wanted to like it more but it is not the best example of this author's skills. Ms Grainger is a favorite author of mine,
November 26, 2017
A lovely book
It's sometimes good for the soul to read a story with great characters where everything turns out well in the end. Jean Granger's books remind me so much of Maeve Binchy. I'm not a "cryer", but seemed to spend a good portion of this book in tears, happy tears. A very enjoyable book.
It's sometimes good for the soul to read a story with great characters where everything turns out well in the end. Jean Granger's books remind me so much of Maeve Binchy. I'm not a "cryer", but seemed to spend a good portion of this book in tears, happy tears. A very enjoyable book.
January 13, 2018
Great read
This is the second book I have read by Jean Grainger. She does not disappoint! When I read a book, I enjoy getting lost in the lives of the characters and "seeing" places I have never been. Ms. Grainger weaves a tale of love and loss and brings her characters to life in a beautiful way.
This is the second book I have read by Jean Grainger. She does not disappoint! When I read a book, I enjoy getting lost in the lives of the characters and "seeing" places I have never been. Ms. Grainger weaves a tale of love and loss and brings her characters to life in a beautiful way.
August 11, 2018
A sweet love story
This book is mostly extremely happy. At first I thought it was too much like Cinderella to be real and/or interesting, but it is both. The characters are varied and great. One or two very bad apples. All the rest are like members of a happy family. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book is mostly extremely happy. At first I thought it was too much like Cinderella to be real and/or interesting, but it is both. The characters are varied and great. One or two very bad apples. All the rest are like members of a happy family. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 26, 2020
The Future’s Not ours to See
Absolutely intriguing! I look forward to reading more of a true love story. True patience, understanding and unconditional love are but a part of what made Sherif their world complete!!! It is a must read lively hood that will teach and give tips to better relationships!
Absolutely intriguing! I look forward to reading more of a true love story. True patience, understanding and unconditional love are but a part of what made Sherif their world complete!!! It is a must read lively hood that will teach and give tips to better relationships!
December 27, 2020
This book and the one before are both MUST READS.
The story of the way children were treated back in the day of unwed mothers in Ireland was something that could be cruel but with this story it went beyond. What an intriguing tale and the twists the story takes keeps you turning the pages. Love this wonderful story tellers writing. Brilliant!
The story of the way children were treated back in the day of unwed mothers in Ireland was something that could be cruel but with this story it went beyond. What an intriguing tale and the twists the story takes keeps you turning the pages. Love this wonderful story tellers writing. Brilliant!
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September 14, 2021It’s an enjoyable trilogy but I thought it would be better split into two the third book ended quite abruptly, but I don’t see why ther was so much more I would have liked to have known .lik how did the birth go and how did she get on being a mum. I’m sure I’m not on my own with these thoughts so please reply to neilsouthcoat@gmail.com
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