The Girl from Donegal

by Carmel Harrington

I LOVED The Girl from Donegal. The storylines are so captivating and the sense of the secret that travels around the world is magical . . . unputdownable’ CATHY KELLY Can you ever forget your first love?Donegal, Ireland, 1939As the world teeters on the brink of WWII, Eliza Lavery is alone in the world after her fiancé, Davey, was lost following the Irish War of Independence. But a fateful meeting on the wild beauty of Ballymastocker Bay could change everything.Hamilton, Bermuda, 2022Eight decades later, troubled by her future, Saoirse O’Donnell walks on the pink sands of Bermuda’s Horseshoe Bay. When she uncovers a connection to Eliza, all those years before, she hears a story that promises to influence her own heart and her own choice – but that also reveals a long-buried secret.Two women must each make a choice between their past and their present in this sweeping, epic love story spanning two continents, three generations, and joy and tragedy over nearly a century.Praise for The Girl from Donegal‘A timeless love story, beautifully told across eighty years and two continents . . . Carmel takes us on an emotional rollercoaster’ HAZEL GAYNOR‘[The] characters are unforgettable and drawn with real heart – you’re rooting for them from the get-go and with them all the way’ CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD‘A terrific read with fabulous historical detail and great characters. Thoroughly engrossing’ SHEILA O’FLANAGAN‘A beautifully told international saga encompassing war and tragedy, life-changing decisions and love in its many facets’ ROISIN MEANEY‘One of the best books of the year . . . it’s Carmel’s best book yet . . . I lost whole days of my life to this beautiful, sweeping story and I can confidently predict that readers everywhere will too’ CLAUDIA CARROLL‘An atmospheric story, sweeping across 80 years, of two women who get a second bite at the cherry’ Sunday Independent

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Ireland, Romance, Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2023

About the author

Carmel Harrington is an International bestseller of thirteen novels. She is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband, Roger, children Amelia and Nate, and their beloved rescue dog, George Bailey.

Her latest novel, The Stolen Child, was a Sunday Times best crime fiction of the year selection and was described as ‘Endlessly surprising. This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease.’ Carmel’s debut was a multi-award-winning novel, and several books have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. She is a regular on Irish TV screens and radio and has been a guest speaker at Literary events in Ireland, UK and USA. She was also Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.

Carmel’s emotional and gripping storytelling, with relatable characters, twisting plots and evocative locations, has captured readers' hearts worldwide. Her novels, including The Lighthouse Secret, The Girl From Donegal, A Mother’s Heart, and The Moon Over Kilmore Quay, have been Irish Times, Sunday Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers.

Carmel loves hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @HappyMrsH, or join Curl Up With Carmel Book Club, an online book club on Facebook.

Reviews

[theirishbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, Memorable, Timeless.

I think this book is definitely going to be in my favourite books of the year. I can't stop thinking about this book.

This is the first novel I have read by the author and I cannot wait to read more.

It is not very often I cry or tear up when I read a book but I will admit I shed a few tears when reading this one.

I loved the history, the romance, the family sagas. There wasn't anything I didn't like. I can't recommend it enough. It was a 5 star read for me.

Thank you to HarperCollins Ireland and Carmel Harrington for a gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! A terrific read that takes us on a journey from Donegal to Bermuda. A dual timeline novel filled with fabulous characters. We meet Eliza, Kate, Esme and Saoirse and we are rooting for them all as they negotiate life's paths, struggles, decisions. The tragedy that brought Eliza and Kate together is a riveting read and the story of the SS Athenia was new to this reader. So beautifully done by Carmel Harrington who never fails to pull at our heartstrings and make us wonder what we would have done in similar situations. Loved this from start to finish.

[jo-booksy]

Irland har alltid intresserat mig... och trots att "chick-lit varningen" är överhängande kan jag tänka mig att läsa denna. Ibland vill man inte vara så seriös, haha. Och jag kan skippa boken med gott samvete om den skulle visa sig övermäktig.

[Emily Bagg · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn’t finish - my eyes hurt from rolling so hard.

[Susannah Hughes-Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where are all of these marriage material Donegal men in real life?
Asking for a friend.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When The Girl from Donegal, the brilliant new book from one of my favourite authors Carmel Harrington, came through the door several weeks ago, I only left it a few short days before picking it up to read. Boy, was I glad I chose not to let it lay in my tbr pile because once I started reading I could not stop. Carmel has such a way with words that instantly I was drawn into the unfolding story.

This book is a just one more chapter kind of book and before you know it you glance up from the different worlds inhabited by Eliza and Saoirse and you find that you have read more than half the book and several hours have passed by unnoticed. I read this in two sittings and would have inhaled it all in one go with work being the only reason I had to pause and take some time away from what was a wonderful, gripping and very well plotted story. It’s an unforgettable love story following two women decades apart who are torn between their first and last loves. The transition between the past and the present were seamless and I was so caught up in both strands of the story that I could have continued to read about both of them for many more pages as I was enjoying everything so much.

The story moves back and forth between the present day and the early days of World War Two and does so without ever seeming jarring as we learn of an incredible love story from the past which will hopefully help the character of Saoirse in the present. Saoirse arrives in Bermuda to visit her Aunts Kate and Esme. They are not strictly her Aunts but they have such a close relationship she views them as being relatives. As she lands in the exotic paradise she remembers the time nine years ago she arrived as her marriage had broken up. She is with Finn now but she feels a sense of foreboding and throughout I felt that Saoirse had such a restlessness and unease about her. That she wasn’t fully comfortable and happy in her own skin and with the life she was now leading back in Ireland. Yes, she loved her work in Ballymastocker Bay in Donegal where she runs a horse riding stables but to me she was exuding vibes of not having put past ghosts to rest. That there was a lot left unsaid and not dealt with when it came to her previous marriage and until she had confronted these demons she wouldn’t be able to move forward with her life. She loved Finn and initially it frustrated me that she kept secrets from him and wasn’t open and honest and not to herself either.

I loved how Carmel chose such a beautiful setting for the present day timeline of the story and how in time the setting connected back to the past. I’d never read about Bermuda in a fiction book before and through such wonderful writing and such glorious descriptions of pink sandy beaches, palm trees, mangroves, the hibiscus, the poinsettias and the small but comfortable house that Esme and Kate inhabit I truly did feel as if I was transported to a warm place from away from the dreary winters day that was ongoing outside as I sat and thoroughly enjoyed every blissful moment I spent reading this stunning read. As Saoirse settles into the rhythm of island life, Kate now in her 90’s slowly starts to reveal her story to Saoirse. I think she did this because she knew at her age that time is precious and she wanted to share her experiences and how they had moulded her and taught her many life lessons.

Kate’s story is incredible and it could have been an entire book itself and I think in the future Carmel should go for it and write a book completely in the historical fiction genre as this aspect of the story was so brilliantly executed. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the modern-day timeline, I did of course but for me just ever so slightly Kate’s retelling of Eliza’s story had me transfixed from beginning to end. Through sharing her life, I felt Kate, was trying to help Saoirse make some important decisions which she couldn’t avoid for much longer. If she didn’t only pain, hurt, anger and distress would ensue. Deep down Saoirse knows she needs to confront her hidden pain in order to try and move on and fully embrace the relationship she now has with Finn. Will hearing Kate’s story help or hinder with the choices she has to make?

The story of the past follows Eliza Lavery in 1939, she lives in Ballymastocker Bay and is a journalist for the Rathmullan Gazette. She is all alone as her family died in a house fire and fiancée Davey was arrested and killed during the War of Independence. She resides above the newspaper offices and lives a quiet life of routine but the effects of the terrible heartbreak she has suffered linger on. She feels that she has no purpose.That she just meanders along without any real goal in life now that those she loved the most have been taken from her. The years stretch out in front of her and she has allowed her life to become very small and solitary. The ambition and fire she once had is gone and the newspaper owner Larry and his wife Eimear have become like surrogate parents to her but still that is not enough. What do you do when all you want is the people who meant everything to you just to come back but that is impossible?

As Eliza stands overlooking the bay with nothing only her memories for company, she meets Matthew. He is in the Royal Navy and as the world stands on the cusp of another World War he is just about to be shipped out to Bermuda to form a Royal Navy station on the island. The pair share dinner together and Eliza comes to realise that she has let her world become too small and it's time to make some changes and become adventurous. Well she certainly takes this advice to heart and even though she vowed she would never love again as her heart can’t take any more pain, she accepts a proposal from Matthew. This all seemed very sudden and I don’t think Eliza loved Matthew as much as she had Davey. They were more or less virtual strangers but I think Eliza wanted to take what he was offering her, a new life in Bermuda and to see where the wind would take her so to speak. It was a rash and somewhat impulsive decision but she hopes she will grow to love him. But little does she expect the incredible and frightening journey that she is about to unfold taking her from the wilds of Donegal to the heat of Bermuda.

I couldn’t get enough of the chapters set on board the Athenia, the ship that Eliza embarks upon to begin her journey across the Atlantic. The writing and imagery powerful and vivid. Not knowing the history of the Athenia everything that occurred was a complete surprise for me and I really felt as if I was there with Eliza and the wonderful Mrs.Montague whom she shares a cabin with as the worst befalls them. It was epic stuff with endless action and drama and I was completely enthralled. What occurs on the Athenia sets in motion a whole turn of events that has such an impact on Eliza. She grows and matures on that journey in ways she could never have imagined. She becomes a leader and also undertakes a role that she would never have dreamt of. If she had never had that chance encounter with Matthew at the bay Eliza would have continued to lead her small little ordinary life and be wracked with pain and guilt. Instead, what unfolds is an astounding story which will leave you on the edge of your seat and have you questioning just what you would do if placed in the same predicament? Will the heart or mind win out?

The Girl from Donegal is a complete triumph for Carmel Harrington. I adored her previous book, A Mother’s Heart and didn’t think she could top it but she has. The two books are vastly different in style but you can tell just how much she is enjoying writing and she is giving her readers both old and new, fantastic stories that really get you thinking and whisk you away from the everyday troubles that occupy us on a daily basis. That’s what books should do and I find myself always looking forward to a new book from this talented author. Everything was very well researched and so carefully plotted and you couldn’t guess as to what the specific ending would be especially considering both of the main female characters experience so many ups and downs in their respective journeys.

Just when you think a conclusion has possibly been reached, Carmel throws in another curveball. Not so that things go off on a tangent or become far fetched and not in line with the way the majority of the story had developed. No, said curveballs and unexpected twists and turns slotted perfectly into the plot and off you go again on another eventful strand and I just soaked up and enjoyed every minute of it. The Girl from Donegal, is a scintillating read that blends imagination with historical fact and I loved every minute of it. It’s heart-breaking and painful in equal measure but also a beautiful read which you will be sure to devour in short order.

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saoirse is staying with her aunts.

Oh my goodness yes! I adored The Girl from Donegal. It’s what might be termed a ‘proper’ story and I loved every moment of being immersed in Carmel Harrington’s story.

What is so fabulous is the complete plausibility and realism of the warm characters so that it is as if you’re reading about old friends whom you’ve cared for and missed and now they are back in your life. I truly felt I knew every one of them personally. With a couple of small exceptions there are no true villains, but rather real folk doing their best with the circumstances they find themselves in, making them achingly relatable. I was completely invested in the outcomes for Saoirse, Eliza and Kate in particular. Meeting them all was a complete delight. Of all the characters I think Matthew might be the one my heart went out to most. He is a catalyst for action and an example of how warmth and kindness is attractive and appealing.

That said, this is no ordinary story, even if the characters are identifiable. Oh no. Carmel Harrington’s The Girl from Donegal is sweeping, dramatic, absorbing and surprising. The story is filled with twists and turns and I was completely taken aback on more than one occasion. The 1939 sections are especially exciting and filled with historical detail and accuracy which makes the story all the more pleasurable. I’m not usually a great lover of dual time line narratives but I was absolutely riveted by this one.

The settings are amazing. Ireland, aboard the Athenia, and Bermuda vibrate with exceptional detail that appeals to each of the senses. From the temperature and colour of the sea, to the touch of a horse’s nose, through the sound of birds and the taste of rum punch, every aspect adds depth and texture, making The Girl from Donegal an alluring, captivating and glorious read.

I thought the themes explored by Carmel Harrington were quite simply wonderful. Grief, love, fate, responsibility, family and relationships are all aspects that hook in the reader, but even more fascinating is the way human fallibility and making the most of what life throws at us underpin the story. We can’t always choose what happens, but the author displays the fact that we can choose how to respond. The Girl from Donegal illustrates how being brave and taking a chance with our lives can both challenge and reward, but you’ll need to read the story to find out more.

I’m conscious that I may have been slightly vague as to the wonderful plot and people here, but I don’t want inadvertently to reveal anything that will spoil the sheer joy in reading The Girl from Donegal. Whatever you might think when you’ve read The Girl from Donegal, and read it you must, I hope you adore the story as much as I did. Oh, and I hope you have the opportunity to find your last love too.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Another fabulous read from Carmel Harrington.

[Shellygriff · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Jane Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story for when I was in Belfast. Probably a 3.7

[Maria Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating and unputdownable. The writing is simple and often times it summarizes too many events but the many plot twists made me forgive it all.

[Marie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, I laughed and I cried, how is this not a film!

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the dual timeline and the characters were fabulous! Saoirse was a strong woman not unlike Eliza, as for the “aunts” Kate and Esme they were a likeable pair, devoted to each other. The setting of Bermuda sounded idyllic and the storytelling was fast paced and emotional. A thoroughly engaging book, I adored it.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I heard about this latest book from Carmel Harrington, I was intrigued and knew that I had to read it. My late Mum was from Donegal and I spent every summer of my childhood there. It feels like home.

I love a dual timeline story and in this novel the author has created a perfect narrative, sweeping over eighty years, it is a story of loss, grief and most importantly of love. From the wildness of County Donegal, to the beautiful pink sands of Bermuda, the reader is transported through the years alongside a cast of characters who are beautifully drawn, with spectacular stories.

The prologue and opening of the story belongs to Saoirse; a young woman arriving on Bermuda to visit her Aunts Kate and Esme. Saoirse has packed much into her short life, spending time in Canada before returning to Donegal to open her own stables. Bermuda is her safe place. Her Aunt's house on Horseshoe Bay is the place that she ran to when her short-lived marriage ended, and she is back again. Newly engaged to Irish farmer Finn, but struggling to put her past behind her.


The reader is then introduced to Eliza in 1939, she works for the Rathmullan Gazette in Donegal. Eliza is beautiful and intelligent, but she carries a sadness with her at all times. Her fiancé Davey was killed on a prison boat during the Irish War of Independence and shortly afterwards her parents and younger brothers all died in a house fire. When she meets Matthew on Ballymastocker Bay, she is charmed by his looks and his manners, she is also surprised by herself when she agrees to meet him for dinner.

And so begins this beautifully interwoven story of two independent but vulnerable women, but the story is not all theirs. One of the most important characters is ninety-year-old Kate, who has spent the last fifty years living on Bermuda with her partner Esme. However, she has kept a lot of her early life very private and as the story progresses, the reader realises just how Kate and Eliza's story connect.

Carmel Harrington has taken real life events and woven them into this fictional story. The horror of the sinking of SS Athenia on the first day of World War Two is sensitively handled and plays such a central part of this sweeping story.

As both Eliza, and Saoirse battle their emotions, trying to make the right decision about their future, the author creates shocking and unexpected events that leave the reader reeling, and that add such depth and emotion to the story.

This is a beautiful story set over many years and two continents, it deals with grief and loss so very well, yet there is always hope for the characters, and love .... it's the love that gets them through.

A stunning story, told with care and compassion. Highly recommended.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl from Donegal is Carmel Harrington’s first foray into historical fiction and I loved it just as much as her contemporary fiction. It’s a dual timeline story spanning more than 80 years and ranging from wild Ballymastocker Bay in Donegal to the beautiful pink sands of Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda. In 1939, Eliza is alone in the world having lost her fiancé and family, but a chance meeting offers the possibility of a new life across the Atlantic just as the Second World War is about to begin. In more recent times, Saoirse has come to Bermuda to spend time with her aunts Kate and Esme as she tries to work out what she wants for her future.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was that although there were the two timelines, the author spent several chapters in each which really allowed me to get to know the characters and to get immersed in their stories. There are three leading ladies in the book – Kate, Eliza and Saoirse – and I enjoyed getting to know all of them. I would probably say that Eliza was my favourite although I had a soft spot for Kate too, particularly in the historical strand of the story.

Both Eliza and Saoirse had some difficult decisions to make regarding love. Eliza in particular was in a very difficult situation, being ‘torn between two lovers’ as the old song goes. She and Saoirse had some real dilemmas to work through and although I knew how I wanted Saoirse’s story to play out, I just couldn’t say for Eliza. Carmel Harrington very cleverly kept me guessing throughout and I have to say that I thought the resolution was just perfect.

The Girl from Donegal is a proper page-turner! When I wasn’t reading it, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It’s captivating blend of secrets, romance and emotion. Carmel Harrington is a gifted storyteller and with this book has shown she can turn her hand just as easily to historical fiction as she can with contemporary fiction. I see that her next novel, The Lighthouse Secret, which is due out next week is also a dual timeline story and I can’t wait to read that too!

[Jeanniehay64 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was initially drawn to this book by its author, who I love, and by the title. Donegal holds a special place in my heart, and I loved the beautiful setting on the wild Atlantic coast, I also loved how the story took me to the Canadian Rockies and then the beautiful island of Bermuda. The warm pink sandy beaches were the perfect escape for me on a cold wet Irish day.

This is a historical fiction book with family, emotion and romance all added, which made it a page turner for me.

Three strong woman, Kate, Elza and Saoirse are all born in different eras but each face similar situations and problems. Elsa and Saoirse both are torn between their first and last loves I marvelled at their strong decisions, wondering if they would follow their heart or their head

This book was beautifully plotted. I was constantly surprised as I never guessed how the story would go . I was educated by the events of the sinking of the SAS, Anthenia which give me a glimpse into an event I had previously never heard off.

This book moved me. I was in engaged in the stories, and the characters, which became like friends to me. This book deserves to top the charts. Bermuda is on my wish list along with a run sizzle . Maybe the second is more realistic than the first .

[ericas.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1939, the world is on the brink of World War 2, and Eliza still mourns the loss of her fiancé in the Irish War of Independence. However, a meeting with a stranger on a beach is about to change her life. Now, in 2022, the decisions that Eliza made back in 1939 are being observed by Saoirse as she visits her aunt Kate in Bermuda and tries to find answers to the secrets of Kate’s past.

After reading The Lighthouse Secret by Carmel Harrington a few weeks ago, I asked in my Stories for people’s favourite Carmel Harrington books, and The Girl from Donegal came up a few times. I listened to this on audio and although the Bermuda accent was ~questionable~, the voice actors did really well.

I really loved the dual storyline in this book and the way that the two timelines connected was done so well. This story was beautiful, thrilling, funny, and heartbreaking - I shed some tears at one point! There is a chunk of this book set on the SS Athenia (whose story I had not heard of until now), and I felt like I was watching a movie as I listened to this part. Carmel Harrington’s storytelling is brilliantly done and the heartbreak hits you right in the gut.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction I’d recommend this one.

[Lesley McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl from Donegal is an awesome read, a family saga which is told as a dual timeline story and the author Carmel Harrington brings alive a period in history which was all new to me
Set in Donegal, Ireland as well as Hamilton Bermuda the main characters Eliza and Saoirse share their challenges over eighty years , and the reader learns of the grief , loss and loves which shaped these women and their families
There is tension , tragedy , suspense and heartbreak , but the author has created strong female characters who have to make difficult decisions in choosing their life partner.
Love is the thread which weaves this novel and its characters together , it is a riveting read which had me reading into the night , often with tears running down my face ,
Any one who enjoys a family saga with strong male and female characters will find this an excellent read and the journey from Ireland to Bermuda is well worth the ride with a quick flight to Canada adding to the excitement
A five out of five star rating for this paperback edition of the book

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl From Donegal literally swept me off my feet with its beautiful prose, endearing characters and breathtaking landscapes. To say I was captivated by all this novel offered is an understatement. This powerful dual timeline is brimming with love, passion, determination and wonder. Three courageous women are moulded by traumatic events yet transformed by the journeys they take, the choices they make and the men they encounter.

The Girl From Donegal pulls fiercely on the heart strings, awakens a slumbering soul and uplifts the struggling spirit. It is so easy to fall into step with these fascinating characters and walk a mile in their shoes. For Carmel Harrington has such a way with words she just glides us into each scene. My emotions were all over the place as the drama unfolded in both timelines. I felt fear, sadness, sympathy and apprehension but also expectancy, joy, love and relief.

We first meet eighty-nine year old Kate in the Prologue at Palm Tree Cottage, Bermuda, with her vintage cookie tin (which was also her mother’s sewing box). It is now ‘the gatekeeper to Kate’s memories.’ This passage is a wonderfully warm account of her memories. We also feel the love of this woman’s mother in the description. But those memories are laced with sorrow. As Carmel beautifully writes: ‘Grief was its own mistress, coming and going as she saw fit, no matter how long someone was gone from you. And just when you thought you could bear the unbearable, she came back for more.’ Her story is moving and as it unfolds, so will the tears!

Our first encounter with lovely Eliza in 1939 is on a Donegal beach, Ireland. She is thinking about the love of her life, her late fiancé Davey, who died years earlier in the Irish Civil War. This location holds many of her best memories. Here we learn about her childhood, growing up with Davey and a vivid description of who he was and his importance in her life. While lost in her thoughts of the last time she felt an embrace, she has a chance encounter on her favourite beach with a kind and gentle Royal Navy officer named Matthew from Northern Ireland. He falls madly in love with her at first sight. Though her heart still mourns for Davey, after much contemplation, she decides to move forward with her life and prepares to head to Bermuda where Matthew is stationed.

Eliza boards the SS Athenia with mixed emotions but on route she begins to unwind until the unthinkable happens, and survival becomes her number one mission along with trying to help others escape as best she can. When she first entered the ship, she met an Irish couple with two children. They become friends. Little do each of them know the importance of their crossed paths and how it will affect their lives. Eliza bonds with the lively five year old girl, Kate, and helps take care of her while her parents take a much-earned break. But it is on this evening when trouble strikes. And everything changes.

A focal point in the story is the fated passenger ship. Placing Eliza and other characters on the SS Athenia is a clever move as it brought history to life: giving us a strong connection to the past. Many were fleeing England, Ireland and a number of European countries to evade the clutches of Hitler. So, for civilians to find themselves trapped in their own battle in the middle of the ocean on a steam turbine passenger liner, defenceless and unprepared, it would have been a frightening experience. And Carmel, being the word wizard she is, paints a clear picture of what it may have been like. Transporting us to that first ship torpedoed by a U-Boat in World War II allows us to imagine the fear and panic the passengers felt as they scrambled to find their loved ones and then sought out a lifeboat. In this treacherous hour, children were separated from their parents in the stampede to safety. Two children in the fictional account of The Girl From Donegal provide an inside view. One is five year old Kate and the other a boy who is separated from his father by the events. Eliza takes them under her wing and tries to help them find their way back to their parents. Of course, there are obstacles and disappointments on the journey that put me on the edge of my seat.

Saoirse in the present day, takes a trip from her home in Ireland and heads to Bermuda for her aunt Kate’s 90th birthday. Saoirse is engaged to be married to an Irish farmer. But she harbours a secret. With unfinished business in Canada, she leaves her aunt’s home to take a side trip to the Alberta Rockies where she worked for a year as a ranch hand. It was here she got seriously involved with a rodeo guy. But things did not end well and although nine years have passed, the exit from the relationship still haunts her. She returns for closure before embarking on her marriage to the Irishman. But surprises await her and she must make some hard decisions.

This novel moves freely between the three settings: Ireland, Canada and Bermuda with three Irish women. Each dealing with major life dilemmas. Each needing to make hard choices but through the stories shared of Eliza (who has passed on) and as Kate opens up about her past, young Saoirse is able to learn from them and sort out her own romantic issues. Everything comes together in a wonderful blend of hope, strength, restoration and healing.

There are some great twists in this novel. Not as predictable as one might think: especially in the area of Eliza with her choices and the outcome. Carmel certainly builds the tension in this area and the climax holds quite a surprise!

I could rave on about The Girl From Donegal as it moved my heart in so many ways. But now I just need to say to everyone: read it, weep, laugh, sigh and feel its love and wonder. This glorious novel should not be missed. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to HarperCollins Uk for my review copy.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful yet harrowing story depicting loss, bravery, courage and second chances. A gripping story line that I instantly found myself drawn into and loved until the end.
The women within the story are all such determined and individual characters and I liked how they were all linked with one another. Eliza was without a doubt my favourite character, as she went through so much but continued to carry on and her actions were so admirable. The relationship between her and Kate was just so adorable and I liked how this progressed for them both.
The dual timeline perspective was such a good way of telling the story and the chapters within the past kept me reading and wanting more.
The ending with its twists and surprises was so beautiful and emotional and was the best ending for the book.

[Valerie Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have enjoyed books by this author previously; I like her narrative style where readers get to know the characters across several years as the saga unfolds. I enjoyed the storyline of Eliza and young Kate as tragedy throws them together, although I thought some parts were a little odd, e.g. children did not grow up so quickly in 1939 so to describe 13-year-olds as 'on the brink of adulthood' with passionate kisses following quickly seemed unlikely. I didn't like Saoirse's storyline: keeping such a secret from someone you're engaged to was bizarre, and so dishonest, and then to visit Riley! This book didn't seem to have the level of romance this author usually delivers and I think it is only average.

[Ciara Hoare]

This book was lovely. The relationship between Saoirse, Kate and Esme was beautiful and refreshing, as most relationships in books are romantic.
The parallel between Eliza Matthew and Davey's love triangle in the 1930s/1940s side by side with Saoirse, Finn and Riley's love dilemma was laid out very clearly and explained well.
This book showed me to follow your heart and be happy rather than pleasing other people. It involves putting yourself and what you want or need first. It celebrates the importance of family and being there for each other. It shows that family isn't always blood.
I laughed and cried during this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is an absolute gem! While it took me a little time to fully immerse myself in the story, my perseverance was richly rewarded—I was completely captivated by a third of the way in. The author’s vivid and evocative descriptions of Canada, Donegal, and Bermuda transported me, making me feel as though I was right there alongside the characters.

Kate, Eliza, and Saoirse are truly unforgettable. Their emotions, struggles, and triumphs felt so real that I couldn’t help but root for them at every turn. Their journey is filled with love, pain, and hope, making for a deeply moving and immersive read.

This is a mesmerising, beautifully written book that I wholeheartedly recommend!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmel’s writing always hits me right in the heart.

I truly loved this book. The intertwining stories of Eliza, Kate and Saoraise are so beautifully written. And I held my breath for a lot of Eliza’s story.

War is always horrible to read about but it is another angle that I have not thought about. People moving around the world during the war and the impact this was have. How harrowing the time on Athenia must have been.

This book will stay with me for a long time and only for good reasons.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story alternates between 1939 and 2022, I loved reading about Eliza who lived in Ireland in 1939 just before WWII happened. I found her story incredibly interesting and heartfelt. A love story at it's best. In 2022 Saoirse finds out she has a connection with Eliza and then we see the stories intertwine. There is a lot of historic detail through out this book which made it even more interesting to me to read, you can see Carmel has researched well into this novel. I loved it from the start to the very end. A must read.

[Sarah Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accidentally started this book when I pressed the wrong button on my kindle 🤣🤣 I thought it was going to a fluffy light hearted read but it was so much more than that. I preferred Eliza and little Kate’s story much more than the modern timeline. The whole Riley thing was just a bit annoying but I really really loved the ending. The history of the historical tragedy was played out respectfully and overall a worth while read if this is your sort of thing!

[Mr G Diamond and mrs j diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an exceptional story. I loved the two time periods and obviously the historic memoir that goes with it.
what a surprise in each little chapter. Something that you didn’t see coming. So refreshing.

Such a good storyteller. This is the first time I have read a book by this author but definitely won’t be the last. I’ve just downloaded another one to start another adventure.

Well done Carmel 👏👏❤️

[Valerie Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with a fascinating story.

I chose this book primarily because it was set in Ireland, but the inclusion of a real event from the first day of the second world war created so much more depth and interest. The characters were so well drawn that you became involved with their lives...I wanted Eliza to marry Matthew!
Superb read!

[IE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eliza’s and Kate’s story was enthralling, however, I found Saoirse so unnecessary to the main story line, mid way through I got so bored with her indecision and repetitive rehashing of past relationships; I skipped some of her chapters. It was the SS Athenia that made the book tolerable and interesting to me, however it is light on the historical side of things.

[Andrea Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect mix of romance and historical fiction, transporting the reader to times gone by. I was lost in the story and teared up at times at some heartbreaking moments. I have read and loved other books by this author and this is one of the best! Really great read