This is a touching novel that takes a difficult subject, and manages to inject humour into it.

Sinead is in hospital, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. As happens when you find yourself in hospital, you find yourself on a ward with people that you might not gravitate towards outside. You get glimpses into their lives and loves, and their struggles. And their visitors which I always find hardest when I am in hospital.

This being Ireland some of the characters are hilarious. Margaret Rose the matriarch of her family, with her two daughters and erstwhile husband.

What the author does is set us up in a bed people watching (and listening) the carries on which can make it difficult, as it being Ireland there is a lot of talking.

This novel may not be for everyone as it is conversations, and eavesdropping on Margaret Rose’s telephone conversations, which can make it difficult to follow. But stick with it as there is a warmth to the novel that stays with you afterwards.

An excellent, distinctive debut. a story that will stay with me! The author effortlessly and light-heartedly evokes feelings of sympathy from the reader for each of the characters but at the same time exposes the heart-breaking situations so many women found themselves dealing with, alongside the contradictions of the nation’s religious devotees and the failure of the state to provide an operational health service for patients desperately in need.

Such a sad story told by the main character who is suffering from cancer

Suffering myself at the moment this hit home and I totally understood how she was feeling

Worth a read

Wow what a fabulous book, I went through all the emotions with this one from laughing to crying. I read this in a couple of days and will definitely be adding this to my pile to read again.

Beautiful yet heartbreaking... stayed with me after reading! Hard at times but keep with it. Can’t wait for the next one.

I do love a debut and this did not disappoint, I loved the writing style and find very immersed in the story. It was very moving and emotional for me to read. I would love to read more by this author.

Set in Ireland this is a bittersweet story with other characters interspersed into the narrative. I absolutely loved it and hope to read more by this compelling and talented author. A very strong 5/5!

Sinead a successful property developer has just been admitted to hospital. She has a huge secret .... she has not told her husband Alex that she has terminal cancer and that it is too late for any treatment!!

On her ward we meet several patients who are all battling with their health. These strangers bond and we discover their individual stories.

A thought provoking and moving read of bravery and survival told in a sensitive and sometimes funny way.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

First of all, huge thanks to NetGalley and the author @ecfeeney11 for an e-copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I must admit that this book has been living on my Kindle since August but I felt like I wouldn't be brave enough to read it due to the raw subject matter.

"As You Were" is the debut novel following the story of Sinéad Hynes, a mother of three sons and wife to Alex. The significance of the magpie on the front of the book becomes apparent at the start: "I didn't tell a soul I was sick. Ok, I told a fat magpie. She was the first beating heart I met after the oncology unit and she sat shiny and serious on the bonnet of the Volvo."

The heart-breaking subject matter is always present as 99% of the action takes place on a mixed-sex ward where Sinéad encounters Jane, Hegarty, Shane and Margaret Rose. Each patient has their own tragedies and stories to tell and some provide some relief from the seemingly impending passing of Sinéad.

Perhaps to mirror morphine-induced treatment and Sinéad's state of mind, Feeney employs stream of consciousness. Never a great fan of this narrative voice since James Joyce during my first semester of university, it seemed apt and appropriate.

I can't say I "enjoyed" the book due to the subject being so heart-rending, it was thoughtful, sensitive with sharp and witty dialogue. I look forward to more from @ecfeeney11.

A difficult subject, sensitively written with humour and charm.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's dark really really dark but it's also laugh out loud funny in parts ; sometimes skipping between the two literally between sr couple of paragraphs. Large sections will ring true to anyone who's ever used the Irish health service I'm afraid. Terrifying and life affirming in one small book. Strangely fresh I've certainly never come across a book quite like it.

Following Sinéad who has just found out that she has terminal cancer. she is unwilling to tell her family about her diagnosis and she soon gets herself admitted to a hospital where she meets four other patients who all have tragic stories to tell. We get to know more about them at the same time explore the new reality that Sinéad has found herself in.
Whilst this book really explored and exposed the strength and tenacity of women and the power and strength they have. The main character wasn't really doing it for me. While I do believe that is the main angle of this book. I do not think Sinéad was a character that was meant to be loved by the readers, I think what she was meant to be was understood. I understood her and that made reading about her and the abusive relationship she had with her father, her cheating on her husband, and little mention of her children. It was strange but understandably so. On many occasions while I was reading, I couldn't help but think, she is doing this because she doesn't love herself.

If you are looking for a book that highlights the journey of strength, courage, and determination, then you can check this one out,

Just finished this book yesterday and can't say that the story gripped me to be honest. Found it very confusing, especially at the start and although I finished it, it never really got me gripped.

I approached this book with some trepidation thinking that it was going to be a tough read. However, the topic, although extremely difficult, was handled in such a unique and creative way that I was comforted and impressed by the resilience of the characters. I can see this as a stage or tv/film production and would hope that whoever had the pleasure of producing it would maintain the contemporary approach. I'll really look forward to seeing more work from this sensitive and distinctive author.

I struggled to get into this book, the authors style of writing was one that I couldn’t really follow... I persevered! I think this is a niche book in my personal opinion & wasn’t for me.

The main character Sinead was hard to warm to, the characters on the ward seemed a little unrealistic, not one I wanted to pick up and finish in a hurry.

Although it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be I am grateful however to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the book prior to publishing!

Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me. I found the plot dark and difficult to follow and the characters were difficult to relate to.

I found it quite tricky to get through this book. It's very emotional but I found the plot a bit difficult to follow.

Very conflicted about the book. I think this book wasn't for me. While I loved the way Elaine Feeney writes. Her sentences are thoughtful; but I just couldn't enjoy the larger picture—the plot, the other characters, the changes in women's lives in Ireland. Parts of the book were funny, some tender. Our protagonist Sinead is in a hospital and she has confided her illness to google and a magpie only. We meet many women characters in the ward and get acquainted with their stories. Perhaps, too much was happening or perhaps this book just isn't for me. I would love explore if Feeney writes short stories; I think she has a gift of wonderful writing.

It's dark really really dark but it's also laugh out loud funny in parts ; sometimes skipping between the two literally between sr couple of paragraphs. Large sections will ring true to anyone who's ever used the Irish health service I'm afraid. Terrifying and life affirming in one small book. Strangely fresh I've certainly never come across a book quite like it.

This was not my sort of thing at all. I found the characters hard to relate to, and the “issues “ felt predictable and forced.