Connections was truly a unique story about two people brought together when researching family history Tommy in Ireland and Anna in the United States. Secrets are revealed and mysteries solved. Jumping back and forth between countries, families, and time did get a little confusing at times. I think a second reading may be in order to truly enjoy this book to its fullest. In the end, I wished for was an epilogue to give a hint at what happens between Tommy and Anna after they met otherwise this was an interesting read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my unbiased opinion.

A search for the truth about a 100-year-old incident that was kept from police files and the press, and which was uncovered only by accident during an inter-continental search for family tree information.

A genealogist's dream. Everyone's story of cooperation and connection.

I read this EARC courtesy of Books Go Social and NetGalley. pub date 10/08/19

Connections is the book for folks who are interested in genealogy, in uncovering secrets from the past and how those actions might affect circumstances and situations in the future. The author, Patrick Ryan, presents the story in multiple countries and throughout the United States, offering insight into how these generations lived, especially when facing insurmountable problems.

Tommy, in Ireland, and Anna, in the US, each start doing some ancestry research at the same time. In the process, they discover a mystery from decades past where allegations were charged and innocent people were found responsible for actions they didn’t commit. As the two communicate across the Atlantic, they piece together the past while simultaneously getting to know one another. In addition, Ryan’s story also tackles multiple intensive sub plots too, including alcoholism, abuse, drug addiction, and sexual abuse.

Overall, I liked the story and the premise. The writing though at times, was less coherent than I would have liked. It took a little while to follow the plot and get into the story. There were so many elements and side stories, at times it felt like too much was going on. That stated, I do think it is worth the read, especially if the idea of researching the past appeals to you.

An interesting story of two young people "meeting" over the internet as a result of their searching for family history. Tommy in Ireland found a relative who became a Bishop and survive an assassination attempt whilst Anna in America looked into the Polish background of her family. Quite a convoluted family history set mostly in the 1920s of immigrant USA but that kept me reading even if many of the characters were rather unpleasant.. The developing online romance between Tommy and Anna and their 21st century lives in Ireland and America respectively did not grip me at all and felt rather teenage in both language and context - hence the three stars. Their conversations seemed very stilted with little flow to the story. I think that it could well be better received by teens/young adults than someone of rather more decades shall we say. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Two people brought together by searching family lines. Anna in then US and Tommy in Ireland. The story was ok. I got a bit turned around on where the story was at with all the back and fourth. Then family secrets are cliche. But most in books are.