I really enjoyed this book from O’Gorman. It was sweet and uplifting; perfect for the summer.

The drudgery of Olivia’s life is not to be ignored when we first meet her, struggling with working and living in London. Despite having an amazing flatmate (and, actually, I would love to have him on my contacts list!!), Olivia knows she is just settling with the convenience of what she is doing – even if she hates every minute of it. So, when the opportunity arises to return home for a few months, Olivia grabs it with both hands.

Yet, the community of Sandycove works its magic on Olivia. I loved how O’Gorman presents Sandycove and the community; the village is full of such lovely people who genuinely look out for one another. Olivia cannot help but acknowledge this as she becomes more and more involved in village life. Olivia is like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly with the longer she stays at Sandycove, making her decision to return to London even harder.

I liked watching Olivia get more settled in Ireland. Her relationship with her mother improves significantly after learning more about her father and grandparents. I found myself wishing that the writer had made this past story a bit more central to the plot. On the other hand, this would have been at a detriment to Olivia’s experience at Sandycove and how she starts to put roots down, even if she knows it might be only temporary.

The subplots were all really interesting and engaging. I loved reading about Bronagh and could understand how she feels about her family. She is such a supportive friend to Olivia that I wanted her to find success with romance after so many failures. Jessica’s story was a bit obvious but I appreciated how O’Gorman handled it with sensitivity and that it didn’t drag down the generally positive atmosphere of the story.

This was a great summer read that had a happy ever after – just what I was after! Although there is romance, I think this story focuses more on friendships and connections; the importance of village life that allows you to feel like you belong. When I learned about Olivia’s past business ventures, I was hopeful that she would be brave enough to restart it and I do wonder that this, coupled with the past stories of Olivia’s family, could have meant this book could have been a mini series?

O’Gorman has created a wonderful setting of Sandycove. Yes, everyone seems to know everybody’s business but, despite the slight cheesiness, it is all rather warm and supportive. It was an idyllic summer read and I enjoyed every chapter of it.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

This is a novel which takes a look at someone returning to her roots and re-evaluating her goals and aspirations. Liv ran away to London and on returning to Ireland, takes another look at the assumptions she made about herself when she was a young girl. The community of Sandycove emerges as a welcoming and largely caring one. Life has moved on from the place that Liv remembers in some ways and she sees her place in it through a different filter.

I enjoyed some of the characters who Liv meets. Not everyone has a picture- perfect life and there are some darker moments below the surface. On the whole however, the overall tone is hopeful, with people encouraged to fulfil their potential and look forward with confidence. The ties of family bonds are strong as is forgiveness and sticking together. There are also a couple of four-legged friends who add to the general colour of the plot.

In short: Starting over and following your dream

Loved the beautiful descriptions that this author could weave around me with likable protagonists embedded in life situations that felt real. This I think was my first book by the author, and I enjoyed it completely. The cover completely drew me in too.

Returning home to a seaside village in Dublin after ten years woking in London. Liv is amazed at the change in the community.

As she reconnects with old friends and family can Liv find her old self and reignite her happiness?

A lovely heartwarming book.

They're so amazing and remind me of my small town nosy as they are.
Life's what you make it is a beautiful fluffy read circled around discovering your crown, family and friendship with a heavy dose of Love
So if these are up your alley. Then this is the book for you.

This was an unexpected book. Everything from the writing to the turns the story took or even who the lead character's partner was to be left me guessing. The last part was resolved earlier than the other things. I enjoyed this book as I sat down to read in a few short sittings.
When I started the story, it seemed like I would be getting a familiar but well-written story of a woman finding herself. This was better than that. Liv has a tough life which she endures on a daily basis to the best of her ability. She is a wiz as a personal assistant to a woman who sounds scary, to say the least. In a twist of fate, when her mother needs her the most, she is given a paid vacation to take immediately. She heads home to help and bask in the familiarity of friends and sights of her younger years. The most realistic part of the book was Liv's stubbornness held on to her London life, even as all evidence pointed that she was better off elsewhere. She had made the decision years ago, and her ego would not let her cave. This is how most people in the real world operate, and it translated well to the character in the book.
The complications of a close-knit town are not far behind, and the nicer people in the cast rally around to help Liv find a new path forward. A couple of romances are thrown into the mix, some slow and others quicker to become something. Overall, it is a satisfying read, with vibrant characters and lovable relationships, which I would recommend to other readers of the genre.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Great title and fabulous cover!
Enjoyable characters, beautiful settings, a cozy community (and a cute dog), surely you won't need anything more. Happy reading (I'm sure you will!)!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

this was such a fun little read! i liked to learn about these characters . and the town! omg. so cute! i'm super pumped to read more in the future for sure!!!!!

This was a story I really enjoyed. Olivia is working in London in a job she hates for a boss she despises and dating a man who is not worthy of her. When her Mum needs help back home in Ireland, she takes 4 weeks leave and goes home. There she finds out who she really is and what she deserves. A beautiful story with some drama, love and a lot of Kylie!

Another lovely Irish book that I am always a sucker for. Liv returns home to Sandycove near Dublin to look after her mother and is soon drawn back into the local community, she is a lovely character who had lost some confidence mainly due to her horrible boss in London but back home she is soon feeling rejuvenated and back to her old self.... but is that enough to keep her there? Great light beach read

Life's What You Make It by Sian O'Gorman is a heartwarming and beautiful story of hopes, dreams and family. This is my firat time reading anything by Sian O'Gorman and it won't be my last.
A story set between London and Sandycove a picturesque seaside willage close to Dublin in Ireland. I must say, the location was gorgeous and the descriptions really captured the spirit and bought the place to life for me. I very easily became invested in Liv,the main character in the story. She has returned for a short break to Ireland to help her Mum run her shop. Liv is not at her best when she comes back home and is keen to take the pressure off of her mother whilst she recovers.
As she settles back into village life, she begins to realise how easily she has slotted back into this tight knit community and how much freedom she has compares to her rat race life back in London. Just having the choice to do as she wishes and not what she has to do as well as dressing as she wants too. It seems her return to her village is the key to finally finding happiness and having the life whe really wants.
I was cheering Liz on from the minute I started reading. A woman who has been downtrodden by her boss at work and is floundering. I saw she was still a kind and caring woman who loves her family and friends with her whole self. Her flatmate Roberto is also her best friend and their relationship is so supportive of each other and real. As she connects with her real self after she comes home it is beautiful to see her begin to unfurl as a flower in the sun does.
A story that has been written so well it is seamless and just flows. Along the way we have joyous moments but also moments that are emotional. These have been dealt with sensitively by Sian O'Gormen. The sense of place is perfect, I could picture myself living in Sandycove, a village where everyone knows everything and everyone very easily. A perfectly woven story that touches your heart as you read it so you never want it to end.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the copy of the book.

This is another gorgeous read from this fabulous author. Straight away, I liked Liv and felt sympathy towards her. She is clearly a hard-working and caring person, and a great heroine for this book. I also loved her interactions with Robin and how their closeness was maintained despite the distance when Liv goes back home to Ireland.

The descriptions of Ireland and the picturesque village of Sandycove are absolutely wonderful and jump off the page.

There is a great balance of drama, romance, soul searching and light-hearted elements in this book. Liv clearly finds going home to look after her Injured mother an opportunity to take stock, reflect and make tracks for a new journey…

This has been a beautifully written and uplifting story about love in all its forms – a love of home, a love of family, a love of friends, romantic love and last but not least self-love and self belief.

I would highly recommend this book and author to fans of authors such as Cressida McLaughlin, Victoria Walters, Kate Frost and Rosie Dean.

I love this author’s books and I was really looking forward to reading this one.

It’s set in the beautiful village of Sandycove, and it’s really refreshing to read a book set in a genuine location. I could picture the setting so well.

The characters are wonderful and I really liked Liv. She’s very kind and caring, but has lost a bit of her self-confidence while living in London. She returns home to Sandycove to help her mum out, and finds her old, sparkling self start to return.

As she finds herself drawn back into the local community, I was swept along and drawn into the story.

A charming and enjoyable page-turner, I just loved every minute of this gorgeous book. Highly recommended.

I had the absolute privilege of being able to read this during my break from school. And I’m so glad that I did, because I was able to read it in about two days!

From the first page I. was. hooked.

One of my favorite aspects of stories like this, a lot of times, is the friendship aspect. When a main character has a great friend foundation, along with a love story, that just sings to me… Liv and Roberto are complete friendship goals. The kind of friends that love without judgement.

On top of that, the setting of Ireland was just too much for my heart to handle. Sian O’Gorman is a brilliant writer who can write with depth and suck a reader in, seemingly without effort.

I can’t wait to read more from this author!

From the first page to the last you will find your self so absorbed in this book. It’s a book who’s main character is trying to find herself, going home and taking charge of life. It’s witty and full of emotion.

It is inspiring to read a book that is based on a small town and its people. I enjoy reading books that include themes of community and belonging. They leave you with a smile on your face. This book for sure did the same. Liv's character, her story, and her struggles are all so relatable. Youngsters all over the globe leave their homes and families behind to pursue better opportunities. This book is a subtle reminder that while we move away from our families, a part of us always stays back.

It is a good read, and you won't be disappointed. Even though it is based in a small town, there is enough drama to keep the reader engaged. As time passes, one realizes that priorities change, and so do our dreams and goals. It is a book for someone who is away from home or is homesick. It's like chicken soup for the soul.

It is a heartwarming read, and I give it 4/5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for the copy in exchange of an honest review.

A great read. Olivia is stuck in a rut in her life in London, moves back temporariily to the village where she grew up , Sandycove near Dublin to help out at her mother's shop. Lots of description of village life and characters are fairly well portrayed. Story a little predictable in places, but it was a relaxing , feel good read
Thank you to Net galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4138685783

I enjoyed Life’s What You Make It on a personal level and on a book lover level. On a personal level, I just got Liv. I’m also 10 years away from home and at that point in life where I’m questioning things. My values have also been realigned and I’m wondering what the best way forward for me is. Needless to say I got sucked into Liv’s story and I was 100% committed to finding out what happened in the end.

I felt a lot of emotions reading Life’s What You Make It. Besides Liv’s story, I felt empathetic towards many of the characters in this book. It’s not hard when they are a super friendly and living bunch, part of a tight-knit community. Ah that sense of community that you can only get in Ireland. Reading about it brought a tear to my eye at times. But this book didn’t just make me feel sad and wistful. It also made me feel excited and hopeful and proud of who I am.

I also enjoyed Life’s What You Make It because it is a damn good story. Fair enough, you could say that this book is predictable. But so what? Sometimes you need a reliable, comforting book and that’s exactly what I got. I got a book that make me smile, that made me nostalgic, that made me hopeful and that gave me four solid hours of bliss. That what you want from a book, right?

After a decade in a stressful job in London, Liv welcomes the opportunity to go home to Sandycove near Dublin to temporarily help in her mum’s shop while her mum recovers from a fall. So much has changed in Sandycove since she left home and Liv soon finds herself making new friends and feeling part of this lovely community.

This is a lovely, warm read which made me want to jump on a plane and head straight to Sandycove. There are some great characters in the story who each bring something different to Liv’s life and have their own interesting sub-plots. If you enjoy starting over stories with a strong sense of community, this is a great one to dive into.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC which I thoroughly enjoyed reading in exchange for an honest review.