What do you think?
Rate this book
Robinswood #1
What Once Was True
Robinswood, Co Waterford, 1939.
The once grand Irish house is home to two very different families.
Despite delusions of grandeur, Lord and Lady Kenefick and their adult children, live a life of decayed opulence as the money needed to keep such a large house and grounds ever dwindles.
Meanwhile, the Murphy family, Dermot, Isabella and their three almost grown up girls, live and work on the estate and do their best to keep everything running smoothly.
Social structure is vital. Everyone knows their place, but as war looms, both families find themselves drawn into the conflict and begin questioning everything that once was true.
The once grand Irish house is home to two very different families.
Despite delusions of grandeur, Lord and Lady Kenefick and their adult children, live a life of decayed opulence as the money needed to keep such a large house and grounds ever dwindles.
Meanwhile, the Murphy family, Dermot, Isabella and their three almost grown up girls, live and work on the estate and do their best to keep everything running smoothly.
Social structure is vital. Everyone knows their place, but as war looms, both families find themselves drawn into the conflict and begin questioning everything that once was true.
394 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2021
14934 people are currently reading
6832 people want to read
About the author
Jean Grainger
86 books1,566 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 580 reviews
March 11, 2020
A fantastic story. Absolutely loved it!
This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm off straight away to get the second in the series.
I love anything set in Ireland and set in my home county is the icing on the cake. I live near Waterford city and worked in Dungarvan for many years. Great seeing these names coming up.
The Murphys were a great family. Typical of their time. I enjoyed their whole story.
Lady Kenefick was a right snob but was acting as the upper class English did. They completely looked down on the Irish and that went on for many years, even after they lost everything.
If I have one small complaint it's that as things like this did happen.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves Irish history and to anyone who likes a really good read.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm off straight away to get the second in the series.
I love anything set in Ireland and set in my home county is the icing on the cake. I live near Waterford city and worked in Dungarvan for many years. Great seeing these names coming up.
The Murphys were a great family. Typical of their time. I enjoyed their whole story.
Lady Kenefick was a right snob but was acting as the upper class English did. They completely looked down on the Irish and that went on for many years, even after they lost everything.
If I have one small complaint it's that as things like this did happen.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves Irish history and to anyone who likes a really good read.
July 9, 2022
Two stars -- it was OK. A feel-good historical women's fiction yarn about Ireland during WWII, which started rather slowly but did become quite gripping at the end.
For the most part the writing, the story and the characters were on a simplistic side and not particularly convincing. It made me think about a Downton Abbey distilled of complexity, with all the plot lines resolved in the first season.
I'd love to read a more realistic novel about this period of the Irish history or perhaps a non-fictional book.
For the most part the writing, the story and the characters were on a simplistic side and not particularly convincing. It made me think about a Downton Abbey distilled of complexity, with all the plot lines resolved in the first season.
I'd love to read a more realistic novel about this period of the Irish history or perhaps a non-fictional book.
June 26, 2018
Absolutely wonderful story. Kept me coming back for more with each chapter. Just couldn't put it down. Having read nearly everything written by this author I can easily say that this is, in my opinion, probably her best yet.
October 22, 2018
I love Jean Grainger's books. This book was hard to put down, The history of the Irish and the English during WWII was very interesting and the characters were very well developed. The story was marvelous! I highly recommend this book.
February 19, 2019
This is the first book I have read by author Jean Grainger. It was good, but not an edge-of-your-seat plot; if it was a flavor, I’d assign it vanilla. The Murphy family, Dermot, Isabella, Eve, Kate, and Aisling live on the Keneficks estate in Ireland and serve widowed Lady Kenefick in running both the outside and inside. Due to gambling debts, when Lord Kenefick died he forced the family into destitution. All assets in the estate must be liquidated, including letting the longtime caretakers go.
The new Lord Kenefick, son Sam, decides to join the RAF to fight Hitler. That move is controversial as the Irish are bitter against the British. Following Sam, two of the Murphy daughters decide to join the WAAFs, a move that their parents would not support so it was done in secret.
The whole plot is in the same category as Downton Abby, which in my opinion is a good thing. I give the story 3 stars, overall it was good. However, the glaring publishing errors were ridiculous: lots of spacing errors, even a repeated sentence – or was it a paragraph (which made no sense the second time) on one page. 3 stars for the author/story; -1 star attributed to the publisher/proof reader. Even with those errors, I still recommend the story to those who like historical fiction.
The new Lord Kenefick, son Sam, decides to join the RAF to fight Hitler. That move is controversial as the Irish are bitter against the British. Following Sam, two of the Murphy daughters decide to join the WAAFs, a move that their parents would not support so it was done in secret.
The whole plot is in the same category as Downton Abby, which in my opinion is a good thing. I give the story 3 stars, overall it was good. However, the glaring publishing errors were ridiculous: lots of spacing errors, even a repeated sentence – or was it a paragraph (which made no sense the second time) on one page. 3 stars for the author/story; -1 star attributed to the publisher/proof reader. Even with those errors, I still recommend the story to those who like historical fiction.
January 26, 2023
4.5 Stars
This was book one in a saga about two entwined, but of different social classes, families in Waterford, Ireland during WW2. It was an enjoyable read that felt like a season of Downton Abbey, but better, maybe. While not full of Ireland's role during the war, it offered some light historical detail. I would have loved it with even more detail, but it encouraged further research on my part. I'll definitely be moving on to book two.
May 2, 2019
I got this book for free on KIndle Unlimited and had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised and it was a really good book about two families during the beginning of WWII. One the owners of a grand house in Ireland the other the family of servants who work there. The owners find themselves in dire straights financially and must sell the house and all it's belongings. This leaves the family of servants homeless and without jobs. The ensuing story is how they all get along afterwards. The author did a great job with the characters, I felt a connection with them from page 1 and some I really liked others not so much, but that's part of the story. There was a twist about 3/4 way through that I didn't see coming and I really don't know why the author put it in. I don't think it was necessary and it only went on for a chapter. Perhaps she wanted some action in the book, I don't know. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
September 29, 2018
This was my first Jean Grainger book to read. The characters were so vibrant believable. I've been on a WWII historical fiction kick and this book gave me great insight into the Irish perspective.
February 8, 2024
Irish based story and author, this book follows three daughters through, leaving home and finding love, and surprises you with a chase. Would be an easy vacation read
June 25, 2025
Enjoyed! A different side of WWIl through the eyes of the Irish.
July 3, 2020
Set in Ireland as WWII is beginning, (British) Lord Kennefik has died after gambling his wealth away and leaving his family unable to sustain their ancestral home. This story follows his arrogant British wife, his spoiled daughter and his noble and handsome (of course) son as they lose their life of privilege, as well as the lives of the Irish family that has served them for years. There was a predictable romance, and all the loose ends tied up just a little too neatly in the end, but I did enjoy the historical references and learned some about the early years of the IRA and Irish independence. Undecided if I'll read the sequel.
December 8, 2022
I am hooked on Jean Grainger books! I was so happy to see that this one is a series, and that Caroline Lennon is the narrator for more than one (listened on Audible)! The narration was half the fun, she did such a great job with all of the different class and country accents. Toward the end of this book I was biting my nails, on the edge of my seat, worried for them all! Such a great story, I absolutely love this style of writing. Already started book 2 in the series!
July 2, 2023
I always love finding a new historical fiction author I find remarkable! Jean Grainger teaches a great deal while allowing you to care about the characters. This taught me how Ireland's background affected their attitude and involvement in WW II. It was layered and very interesting! I look forward to reading many more of her books!
July 13, 2018
Radar???
On page 141, “radar “ is referenced. How does one write a novel about WWII and not know radar didn’t exist in the thoughts of a rural Irish teenager? Beyond that ghastly gaffe, the writing is abysmally poor. Sorry to have wasted my money.
On page 141, “radar “ is referenced. How does one write a novel about WWII and not know radar didn’t exist in the thoughts of a rural Irish teenager? Beyond that ghastly gaffe, the writing is abysmally poor. Sorry to have wasted my money.
August 19, 2022
Very few WWII stories are told from the perspective of the Irish. This was an enjoyable audiobook to listen to- a story I fell into from the start, with characters and relationships that I enjoyed throughout.
September 4, 2019
Loved it! Now, on to the sequel- “Return To Robinswood”. I’ll catch up with this review afterwards!
June 8, 2019
Wonderful
I love Jean Grainger, family sagas and Ireland ! I thoroughly enjoyed reading What Once True: An Irish WW2 Story. I'm anxious to read The Robinswood Story Book.😀
I love Jean Grainger, family sagas and Ireland ! I thoroughly enjoyed reading What Once True: An Irish WW2 Story. I'm anxious to read The Robinswood Story Book.😀
October 16, 2020
I found the first half of this book slow. It’s an nice story if you want an easy and underwhelming read. The second half was better but I didn’t like how the writer left things open ended throughout the book. You are reading through a particularly dramatic event or scene then all of a sudden the next chapter starts with you having to envision how the previous may have ended. Overall not horrible but not a favorite storyteller of mine either.
June 26, 2018
I always get so caught up in a book by Jean Grainger. This sweeping saga kept me mesmerized. Jean Grainger's characters came alive and drew me into their story. I highly recommend anything by this author.
March 17, 2019
Rating: 4.7
March 30, 2019
Simplistic and under-developed characters .Weak and unbelievable plot.
April 14, 2021
Why did I chose this book? If you own a Kindle- you know those ads they show you when you open your device? Well, another book by this author was advertised. When I went to locate that book at my local library- I found the only book they had was this one, and in audio-format. I decided to give it a shot- since I'm still missing the opportunity to travel internationally...why not take a trip to Ireland during WW2?
General Summary From Amazon- Robinswood, Co Waterford, 1939. The once grand house is home to two very different families.Despite delusions of grandeur, Lord and Lady Kenefick and their adult children, live a life of decayed opulence as the money needed to keep such a large house and grounds ever dwindles.
Meanwhile, the Murphy family, Dermot, Isabella and their three almost grown up girls, live and work on the estate and do their best to keep everything running smoothly.
Social structure is vital. Everyone knows their place, but as war looms, both families find themselves drawn into the conflict and begin questioning everything that once was true.
From the leafy grounds of an Irish stately home, to the bombed out streets of London in the Blitz, allow yourself to be swept away once more in Jean Grainger’s latest bestselling historical saga.
My thoughts and impressions
I'll start with my bias- I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife type story telling. Exploring how various classes of people live and interact with each other, but a gentle tone to the story, conflict is handled with grace. Another bias- One of my favorite authors is Maeve Binchy (still sad that she has died, oh how I looked forward to when she would release a new book). This book really reminded me of her story telling ways. Even the gruffest character or the meanest snob ended up with some sort of redeeming quality. And finally a story that takes place in Ireland during WW2Set in Ireland during WW2? How could this possibly be anything short of a very good read?
It was an easy going read- and I learned a lot about the history of the conflict between Ireland and England over time and especially at the start of WW2. I found it curious how some of the characters (Lady Kenefick) struggled to cope with changing times both in terms of class struggles and finding a partner to love.
I appreciated the plot twist towards the end of the book after a relatively easy going story line that was a pleasant surprise with a little added action.
It's worth noting that I listened to this book in audio format. The narration was spot on and kept me engaged throughout the book. I suspect reading it might have felt sluggish as the plot really just plods along but in audio-format it really worked.
And finally- since my library has so few books by this author- I think that marketing feature of Kindle will pay off- as many of this author's other works are included in Kindle-unlimited...might be time to finally consider signing up!
General Summary From Amazon- Robinswood, Co Waterford, 1939. The once grand house is home to two very different families.Despite delusions of grandeur, Lord and Lady Kenefick and their adult children, live a life of decayed opulence as the money needed to keep such a large house and grounds ever dwindles.
Meanwhile, the Murphy family, Dermot, Isabella and their three almost grown up girls, live and work on the estate and do their best to keep everything running smoothly.
Social structure is vital. Everyone knows their place, but as war looms, both families find themselves drawn into the conflict and begin questioning everything that once was true.
From the leafy grounds of an Irish stately home, to the bombed out streets of London in the Blitz, allow yourself to be swept away once more in Jean Grainger’s latest bestselling historical saga.
My thoughts and impressions
I'll start with my bias- I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife type story telling. Exploring how various classes of people live and interact with each other, but a gentle tone to the story, conflict is handled with grace. Another bias- One of my favorite authors is Maeve Binchy (still sad that she has died, oh how I looked forward to when she would release a new book). This book really reminded me of her story telling ways. Even the gruffest character or the meanest snob ended up with some sort of redeeming quality. And finally a story that takes place in Ireland during WW2Set in Ireland during WW2? How could this possibly be anything short of a very good read?
It was an easy going read- and I learned a lot about the history of the conflict between Ireland and England over time and especially at the start of WW2. I found it curious how some of the characters (Lady Kenefick) struggled to cope with changing times both in terms of class struggles and finding a partner to love.
I appreciated the plot twist towards the end of the book after a relatively easy going story line that was a pleasant surprise with a little added action.
It's worth noting that I listened to this book in audio format. The narration was spot on and kept me engaged throughout the book. I suspect reading it might have felt sluggish as the plot really just plods along but in audio-format it really worked.
And finally- since my library has so few books by this author- I think that marketing feature of Kindle will pay off- as many of this author's other works are included in Kindle-unlimited...might be time to finally consider signing up!
June 1, 2022
I was very underwhelmed with this book. Somehow I ended up with 5 Jean Grainger books on my bookshelf and have never ready anything by this author. Don't ask...I'm a collector, not a hoarder! Anyway, I felt it was past time to figure out if I even like her writing. I am not impressed. This was about 90% love story & family drama and 10% war topics. I was hoping for the opposite. The story finally got exciting in the very end but it didn't last long and then we were back to boring. This is unfortunate because I already have the 2nd for this series and an entire other series waiting for me. Not sure I have the heart to pick them up...
May 22, 2020
Not a mystery!
This was a lovely book with the end of the old aristocracy during WWII and the changing of their lives. Simple story with an aristocratic son and the caretakers beautiful daughter having been raised together fell in love.
The young man's mom was an absolute, total snob as was his sister. However, the old Lord died leaving the family with nothing but a title. They had to sell everything to pay the Lord's debts.
Then lovely daughter, her sister and the Lady were kidnapped and the three of them joined together to escape. After this event, everything changed between the two families. Happy ending.
This was a lovely book with the end of the old aristocracy during WWII and the changing of their lives. Simple story with an aristocratic son and the caretakers beautiful daughter having been raised together fell in love.
The young man's mom was an absolute, total snob as was his sister. However, the old Lord died leaving the family with nothing but a title. They had to sell everything to pay the Lord's debts.
Then lovely daughter, her sister and the Lady were kidnapped and the three of them joined together to escape. After this event, everything changed between the two families. Happy ending.
June 4, 2020
Four and a half stars rounded up to five. I love books about World War II and I love books about Ireland so this was perfect for me. It tells the story of two families, Lady Kenefick and her children Samuel and Lillian, and the Murphys, Dermot, Isabella and their three girls, Eve, Aisling, and Kate. The Murphys work for Lady Kenefick in her manor house, Robinwood. The story is told from different points of view and travels from Ireland to war torn England. This was a fast read and a very enjoyable one. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2023
All I can say is that I learned a bit more about British-Irish relations, and that made reading this book worth the while. Some of the characters were fairly well-developed, like the Murphy parents and girls, but some were hard to identify with as they were based on cliches we learn about the upper-class. There were several topics that were not explored sufficiently. For example, Kate and Samuel's relationship, WAAF, Violet's transformation, Americans in Britain to fight in WWII. We know that the war shattered class barriers, but the transformation of some characters, such as Violet, was too fast and drastic. It is still a lovely story and easy to read.
May 9, 2024
I just loved this book, the characters, the Ireland setting, the conflicts between the Irish and the British at that time, the familial bonds and love, the imperious way of Lady Kenewych, the younger generation watching the old ways change in the advent of WW 2….. Gish - just so much to soak in. I’m thrilled that there are two more books in this series. Audible narration was so lovely with the Irish accents!
January 21, 2021
One of the best romance/historical/war fiction I've read recently; hard to put down and with great characters, both young and older, while for once the series continues past the hero and heroine marry and live forever happily, to hero and heroine marry, have children, family obligations (like parents to help support etc) and must make a living too...
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
July 11, 2019
The story of the Murphy’s, an Irish family who with the help of their three grown daughters are caretakers of the grand estate of Lord and Lady Kenefick until war looms and both families are drawn into the conflict.
4 stars
4 stars
April 27, 2022
It's a great yarn. Book 1 in a series. I read it quickly because home with Covid. I learnt that the republic of Eire had only seceded from the oppression of the United Kingdom in my father's life time!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 580 reviews