Daisy Chain Dream

Daisy Chain War #3

by Joan O'Neill

In this, the the third part in the compelling Daisy Chain trilogy we see love blossom for our heroine, Lizzie Doyle, as she prepares to marry her childhood sweetheart, Pete Scanlon. For the younger generation, too, the past is never far behind; young Biddy Plunkett finds that a chance encounter with old flame, Anthony Quinn, changes her life for ever. And though John Doyle's long-lost father, Paul, is finally home with his wife and son, the trauma he has suffered since the war proves a bigger battle for Karen and John, and a new threat to the family's happiness lurks in the wings. But there is a happy ending, and a new beginning for the Doyle family, and their friends as the struggles and heartache of wartime look to be finally over.

Genres: Historical Fiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Joan O'Neill is a well-established, best-selling author of adult fiction both in Ireland and the UK. Originally published over in Ireland, the Daisy Chain trilogy has been in print since 1990 and the reissues have proved to have enduring appeal to readers of 10 and above. Joan has three grown up daughters and lives with her husband in idyllic County Wicklow in Ireland. In between writing she is a keen water-colourist and travels frequently to Italy to gain inspiration and paint.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed reading the Daisy Chain trilogy. Each book exploring different characters but they are all entwined in some way. It was an easy restful read but gave an insight into what life must have been like in Ireland during and post war time. Also what it was like for the people living in those times.

[Holly is Happy Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve finished all three books in the series and overall liked all three. This last book was about Lizzie getting married but focusing more on Biddy. We didn’t find out much about what happened to the characters. There was no epilogue. That’s why it’s only a 4.

[Josie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Re-read in March 2012: This was all over the place. It starts off with one story, then just when that's heating up, the focus abruptly switches to another set of characters. Then in the last 30 pages we suddenly have Lizzie's wedding in America, completely out of the blue. It felt like Joan O'Neill couldn't keep her focus, or even remember what was going on. There's all this drama about Anthony joining the IRA, then that's not mentioned again till near the end when someone says to him, "Hey, aren't you in the IRA?" and he's all, "Oh... yeah. Not any more. It got too heavy for me and I ducked out." WHAT. Chekhov's gun, anyone? Also, and equally hilariously, I loved when Karen started reminiscing fondly about Gran, and how Gran had defended Karen's white wedding even though she was pregnant. Lol, re-read Daisy Chain War, sweetheart. Gran was the one loudly commenting about how plump you looked and how you'd brought disgrace on the family.

But this gets two stars because 1) Biddy was cute, even though she lost her backbone towards the middle. I mean, seriously? She falls pregnant and she and her mother have a blazing row. Then her mother is all, "You're a sinner and you're going to a home for Fallen Women!" And Biddy just goes along with it?? I couldn't understand WHY when she was so fierce before! I wanted her to be all, "Fuck convention! I'm having this baby and I'm going to make something of myself too!" But no. I do admire her for not wanting to marry Anthony, though. THANK GOODNESS. And once she's been rescued from the home, she does begin to assert herself again. And 2) I also think Vicky is great! I can actually see how she's grown from a child in Daisy Chain War into the successful adult she is in the sequels. I love the way she swans in wearing fancy clothes, and everyone basically adores her, but she's still the same sassy Vicky.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is better than the second book, but not quite as good. I like how the author finished off the book, having everyone happy, but it's obvious there is more in her characters lives to come, though it will probably not be written. :)

[Selah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is better than the second book, but not quite as good. I like how the author finished off the book, having everyone happy, but it's obvious there is more in her characters lives to come, though it will probably not be written. :)

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conclusion to the series!