Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland along with the picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay sounds like somewhere I'd really love to visit. My grandmother's mother came on a boat from Galway when she was 16 to America and I would really love to explore the land of my ancestors. It sounds so wonderful in Ireland.
Living in Dublin until the death of her husband, Lydia Butler, who she found out after his death had done a terrible thing flees with her daughter Sunny to Sandy Cove. There is the run-down cottage Great Aunt Nellie has left her, with little else she is ready to make a new life for her and her daughter after the scandal.
Her daughter is a typical young teen, a bit uncertain in her new school but upbeat and smart and willing to make new friends.
Typical day to day life follows Lydia as she looks for small jobs to do to keep herself and her daughter afloat. I even liked Helen, the doctor's wife, though she is a bit persnickety.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the area so much, the beach sounds lovely and the friendly neighbors so welcoming. There is a possible love interest for Lydia when she is open to the possibility with next door neighbor Jason who is so compassionate and understanding. He occupies his time as a woodworker. I am looking forward to more books in this heartwarming series.

Pub Date 05 May 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Lydia Butler recently lost her husband and is dealing with grief and adjusting to life with just her and her daughter, Sunny. Meeting with her attorney, she found out that he had been involved in some shady dealings before he passed away, in fact, he was a the airport fleeing the country when he suffered his heart attack. Lydia and Sunny have been left with nothing, even their home will be sold. Luckily for them, Lydia owns a cottage left to her by her great aunt Nellie, that had been rented as a holiday home over the years, and all proceeds were in an account. They pack up their meagre belongings, and she and Sunny head to Wild Rose Bay to Starlight Cottages. Lydia and Sunny begin to settle into their new lives, with Lydia going back to her maiden name and working for the first time in over 20 years. Fortunately for Lydia she finds some wonderful neighbors and townsfolk. As they learn how much everyone loved Great Aunt Nellie, they do even more research to learn more about her. Meeting their new neighbour, Jason O’Callaghan, causes some confusion for Lydia as she doesn't understand how she could possibly have feelings for this man so soon after the death of her husband. Working as a cleaner and washing hair in a salon, she does hope to return to Dublin and a life she is more familiar. As she and Sunny make friends and become accepted in Sandy Cove, she realizes happiness may be a bi different than what she had been dreaming of.

I have not read the Sandy Cove series, but will be adding them to my TBR after reading this book. I loved the setting of this small community on the beautiful coast of Ireland. The Lost Girls of Ireland was a delightful read/listen. The characters were wonderful, caring and people I would love to meet. Lydia was extremely strong and resilient. She did not wallow in self-pity, like many characters would, but moved forward, accepted her life, and made the best of it with her daughter. This was definitely a story of Happily Ever After. It was predictable and things fell into place rather quickly after their arrival, as well as the death of husband/father not evoking much grief or sadness did reduce my rating, but it was an enjoyable story that had me moving quickly to the next book in the series.

The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O’Leary is the first book in the contemporary romance Starlight Cottages series. While this is the first book of a new series it also is a spin off to the contemporary romance Sandy Cove series with the Starlight Cottages being near Sandy Cove.

Of course both of these contemporary romance series have the location of the series being what tie the books together which each new book having new main characters so they all can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. However there are glimpses of previous characters for anyone following the entire series from the beginning.

Lydia Butler has just found out that her husband had been involved in some shady dealings before he passed away leaving her and her daughter with practically nothing. Lydia did still own a run down cottage left to her by a distant relative so she packs up their things and she and her daughter head to Wild Rose Bay. Fortunately for Lydia she finds some wonderful neighbors and townsfolk including Jason O’Callaghan who is now her new neighbor.

I have been reading Susanne O’Leary’s books for quite a while now and have read the entire Sandy Cove series and really enjoyed it. The quaint setting on the beautiful coast of Ireland kept calling me back time and time again to meet all the lovely characters involved so I knew I would also enjoy this spin off series and thankfully i did. Watching these characters come together was a wonderful beginning to the new series and I’ll certainly be back for more.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a beautiful story and a nice book to read. I really like the characters and the descriptions! the atmosphere was cosy, I need to read the other books !

Lydia is devastated when her husband dies but then she starts to find out that his business dealings were not legitimate and he was bankrupt, her beautiful house and belongings are repossessed and if it wasn't for the legacy of an old cottage from her distant aunt she and her teenage daughter Sunny would be destitute. Never having even seen the cottage she and Sunny pack up and set off for a Sandy Bay, and are soon embroiled in the close knit community there, but can she really make her life there and keep the secrets of her father's deeds from Sunny?

Another lovely story in this series, great to catch up with some of the characters from previous books and to meet the new ones. I loved how Lydia met Jason chatting through the hedge so they got to know each other without knowing what they looked like. A great summer read in a beautiful setting

This book is listed as the seventh in a series, but it does not feel necessary to understand the people. I picked this up, having never visited Sandy Cove before, and it did not bother me.
The story begins with a woman finding out that she is in dire straits and has to abandon a carefully constructed life to set out on her own, as well as support her daughter. The relationship between mother and daughter was straightforward, had a believable number of ups and downs, and was probably the most entertaining thing for me since neither expected the other to rise up to the challenge the way they end up doing!.
In the new seaside town of Ireland that they find themselves in, society is tight-knit, and news travels fast. We have a wide range of supporting characters (who probably had/will have their own instalment in the series) who add to the colour. The love story was not bad, but I almost would not have missed it if it hadn't been there.
I found some interactions between our leading lady and other people in town a little abrupt. On the whole, I liked the book, the different world and everything that that entails. I would recommend it as a quick read to anyone who enjoys reading this genre.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

For some reason I don't usually read novels about Ireland but my mind has been changed with reading this book, very well written and characters. The settings have been so well described that you feel as though you have jumped into the pages to be in the story it's self. I am waiting for the next book to come out so that I am able to read more about Ireland and the community. 5 stars and I recommend this.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is the first in the Starlight Cottages series but if you read Susanne O’Leary’s wonderful books, you will recognize some of the side characters and of course Sandy Cove with it’s beautiful Wild Rose Bay. I really love this author’s books they’re always so heartfelt and uplifting. In a time when we can’t travel it’s nice to be swept away to Wild Rose Bay and see what the locals in Sandy Cove are up to. It’s like catching up with old friends.

In this book we have Lydia who has just found out that her recently deceased husband had been cheating on his taxes and embezzled money leaving her and their teen daughter, Sunny, almost destitute. The only saving grace is a property in a small Irish town that had belonged to her aunt and had been bequeathed to her upon the aunt’s death. So, Lydia and Sunny set out for the coast and hope this will be a place to heal. Little do they realize that this place will be a saviour to them and eventually become their home. It was a lovely book and I cannot wait for more tales from Wild Rose Bay.

Lydia Butler's world falls apart when her husband dies amid the revelation that he has been dishonest in his business dealings. The house is repossessed but Lydia has an inheritance from an old aunt so she and her daughter Sunny are not homeless. They uproot to Sandy Cove to start over again, hiding their identities and making the best of the situation. Can the friendly community restore their faith in themselves and heal their hearts...?
The Lost Girls of Ireland returns us to the Irish coast at Sandy Cove but can be read as a stand alone novel. We do meet some characters that have appeared in other books and I enjoyed catching up with them!
We only meet Lydia after the death of her husband so only see her past through her own eyes. She responds bravely to the devastating news of her husband's betrayal. Her faith in her instincts are shaken but she rallies to support her daughter Sunny as their lives transform.
There is a big splash of romance for Lydia which gives a much happier tone to the book. Again, this demonstrates her bravery as he prepares to trust a man again after being so badly let down. The community accepts Lydia and she feels torn as she remembers her old life. She has the dilemma of working out what and where makes her happy: does she want to return to her past lifestyle and career in Dublin or are there more opportunities in Sandy Cove?
The book was originally titled The Irish Rose in honour of the mystery that Lydia and her daughter investigate. Lydia's aunt had an interesting life and even a romance with a German pilot during WW2 but never married. I liked this extra dimension to the plot but wish we could have met Nellie!
The Lost Girls of Ireland is a warm and gentle novel about self rediscovery, inner strength and courage to face the future.

This is the first book I have read by Susanne O'Leary. It is also the seventh book in the Sandy Cove series but can be read as a standalone, as I did.

Set in Ireland, Lydia Butler's husband suddenly passes away. Their luxurious home and flashy cars are now a figment of her imagination due to her husband's dodgy business practices that have left their finances drained. Lydia is not completely destitute as her inheritance from her Great Aunt Nellie will provide her and her daughter, Sunny a home, although they would have to move away from their grand residence in Dublin to a cottage in the small village of Kerry.

Lydia takes on jobs around the village to help pay the bills but continues to dream of returning to her glamourous life in Dublin... until she learns that her feelings of loneliness can be sorted right where she is in Sandy Cove, a place where there is a great community, and love and friendship in all quarters. A wonderfully fulfilling read with appealing characters, highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I really enjoyed the story of Lydia and Sunny and how they worked through all the bad things that happened to have them sell everything to find the Lydia had the cottage in Sandy Cove . So she and Sunny packed up and moved. They had their doubts but see how things turned around for the both a the. A VERY GOOD READ.

Losing Everything and Finding a Better Life
This is a lovely work of Women's Fiction. The story takes place on the coast of Kerry, Ireland. A rich woman and her daughter lose all of their worldly goods along with their husband/father. As they learn to navigate their new lives, they find value in all they do, realizing the lack of value in so much of their previous life. The story is well-plotted and never gets 'preachy'. The description of the area makes me want to go there. It is a warm story with true friends and a very positive look at a small village without malicious gossip or snobbery. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O'Leary
Publication Date: May 5, 2021
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Description from NetGalley...
“The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live…

The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she’s charmed by American artist, Jason O’Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door.

But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she’s keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason’s arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good?”
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Thank you to @netgalley @bookouture for a digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
This is book one in the Starlight Cottages series. The Aunt Nellie’s storyline was quite interesting, though it could have used more meat, excitement and mystery. I don’t mind a predictable HEA romance, but I didn’t connect with the characters, so the story didn’t really capture my interest. If you enjoy quick reads and light romance, you might enjoy this one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me.

This is an utterly heart-warming story about companionship, family, forgiveness, loss, and love.

Lydia and Sunny are a delightful daughter-mother duo learning to survive and thrive after an unexpected tragedy has upended their good fortune and lives. Together, they start over despite the forces against them.

Their precious bond is what shines in this story where determination, passion, and strength collide on their journey to find happiness and hope.

Lydia is a mother with such empathy and goodness that seeing her find herself again on the road to new love and fulfilling avenues is a grand adventure. Her daughter Sunny's bravery and positivity is wonderful as they become a unit of two amongst a new town full of fun secondary characters.

The joy and romance are a whimsical whirlwind within the pages as these two characters find their way. A wonderful read indeed.

The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O'Leary takes us back to Wild Rose Bay with Lydia and her daughter, Sunny. They had to leave Dublin after Barry, Lydia's husband, died of a heart attack. What he was doing at the airport was anyone's guess. Only later did Lydia learn of the accusations against him, of theft, tax evasion, and other financial misdeeds. The bottom line was that it all needed to be paid back and Lydia would have to see everything they owned in order to do that. She and Sunny could take only their personal possessions, everything else must go. There was some good news, thought. Lydia's great-aunt Nellie had left her a cottage and a small nest egg. It was hers and couldn't be touched. She had owned it for 10 years and had forgotten all about it. It had been used as a vacation rental so she didn't know what to be prepared for, but they rented a van, loaded it up, and left Dublin early one morning.

It was a change of pace; there was no doubt about that. It was small, and cold, and the furniture had seen better days, but it was theirs. People there were friendly. The first she met was Sorcha, the storeowner, but there were others, and slowly Lydia felt a part of the place. Sunny had a rough start at school, but that came around, too. Without noticing, Lydia was happy. She found a couple of part-time jobs that were unskilled labor, but not so bad. They learned more about Aunt Nellie, and came to understand her. Then one day, there was a note from her solicitor. Barry had not forgotten about them. He had purchased a life insurance policy and the proceeds had bee deposited into her account. It was quite a bit. Now she had a decision to make: stay or return to Dublin?

What a lovely story. Watching Lydia become an independent woman with a life of her own was exhilarating. She had so many choices, and more importantly, she had a do, and a daughter she loved, and a beach to walk whenever she felt like it. She had good friends, and a lovely home. She had found herself and was now confident about the future. What a good read. Being in Wild Rose Bay is always a positive experience. It sure was this time! Not great literature, but a fun, inspiring read!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lost Girls of Ireland by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #thelostgirlsofireland

This is my first book by Susanne O’ Leary and one thing is clear, it is a beautifully written novel. I will definitely be looking out for more of her work.

A wonderful story about a mother and daughter starting over and rising above adversity.

I was glued to the pages and can’t wait for the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced reader’s copy.

This fabulous story is a rapid page-turner. It will whisk you away to the great Irish Sea. I absolutely loved this unputdownable read. Such a wonderful escape, it was phenomenal, loved it.

This is a wonderful story of starting over and second chances at life. When Lydia Butler inherits a cottage in Wild Rose Bay from her Great Aunt Nellie, it’s the only safe place for herself and her daughter Sunny. But when Lydia meets the next door neighbor Jason O’Callaghan, her life begins to turn around. As she becomes with friends with the town residents she hears so many stories about Aunt Nellie, and learns many things she never knew about her aunt . Lydia and Sunny begin to rebuild their lives and they surround themselves with people who encourage them. As new relationships develop and friendships are made, the problems of Lydia’s old life in Dublin begin to fade away.

Wild Rose Bay is described so well that you feel as if you are actually there. The characters are well developed and are very relatable. I really enjoy books by this author. Thank you Susanne O’Leary for such a wonderful and heartfelt story, it was a fantastic escape.

EXCERPT: 'Nellie Butler . . . Your great-aunt, was she?'

'That's right. On my father's side. I only met her once.'

'Interesting woman,' Sorcha said. 'Talk about rough times. She had them in spades. During the war, I mean. But she was a bit of a heroine, too, I believe.'

'Really?' Lydia looked at Sorcha, wanting to know more. 'In what way?'

'I don't really know. I can just tell you what I've heard. There was an old man in the village who knew everything about everybody, but he passed away last winter. Mad Brennan he was called. Not mad at all. Very sharp, actually. He told me once that your Aunt Nellie was a spy, but I think he was joking.'

Lydia laughed. 'A spy?'

'I know,' Sorcha said. 'That's impossible. What kind of spying could she have done around here? He was pulling my leg as usual. He loved having people on.'

ABOUT 'THE LOST GIRLS OF IRELAND': The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live…

The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she’s charmed by American artist, Jason O’Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door.

But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she’s keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason’s arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good?

MY THOUGHTS: This is a fairly predictable romance that missed the opportunity to capitalize on a family mystery and move the whole book up a level. Why speculate about Great Aunt Nellie if you're not going to follow it through? She was by far the most interesting character, the one with the most potential, and there was definitely the opportunity to run her story concurrently with Lydia's.

I really failed to connect with any of the characters and the plot was very thin, lacking in substance. I also didn't get the relevance of the title.

If you are looking for a (very) light romance, The Lost Girls of Ireland will fit the bill admirably. Personally, I prefer a little more depth.

⭐⭐.5

#TheLostGirlsofIreland #NetGalley

I: @susanne.olearyauthor @bookouture

T: @susl @bookouture

#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #irishfiction #romance #womensfiction

THE AUTHOR: Susanne O'Leary is the bestselling author of 22 novels, mainly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also written three crime novels and two in the historical fiction genre. She has been the wife of a diplomat (still is), a fitness teacher and a translator. She now writes full-time from either of two locations, a ramshackle house in County Tipperary, Ireland or a little cottage overlooking the Atlantic in Dingle, County Kerry. When she is not scaling the mountains of said counties (including MacGillycuddy's Reeks, featured in Full Irish), or keeping fit in the local gym, she keeps writing, producing a book every six months.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O'Leary for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Whereas I fell in love with the small oceanside town, I found much of the storyline to be predictable and felt the characters and their relationships could have been developed more. With that said, it is an enjoyable story of picking yourself up after a devastating loss with a wholesome (G rated) love story thrown in as well.

Note – this is the 7th book in a series but felt like a stand alone story. I don’t feel like I was missing out on a backstory by not reading the other books in the series first but since that is a possibility I wanted to mention it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and enjoy.