My Heart Went Walking, by Sally Hanan, is a book about family and friends, at its heart. There are three main characters we follow - sisters Una and Ellie, and the boy they both love, Cullen. All three begin (the book takes place over three years) as teenagers, so their stories at first all read with the same type of tone. The characters do grow up (Una faster than the others) and it becomes more of a young adult story. While there are a number of rather serious topics in this book (especially the limited choices for women in the 1980s), the story’s narration focused a lot on emotions and thought. I found the married couple mentioned two of my favourite characters - they were so kind and loving and I enjoyed their backstory. In the end, I think the overall thing this book presents is hope - that things may not happen the way we want them to, but there is always hope, and what a blessing that actually is. For me, this book was a solid 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I didn't always agree with Una's choices and decisions (and lack of communication), but that was in line with her being a teenager. In some ways, Ellie had a bit more spunk or grit and her character was one I enjoyed following - even if she, too, needed to work on communication (but then don't all teenagers?).

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

For a debut novel by this author, Sally has produced an uncomplicated and enjoyable read. It’s storyline shows empathy for her characters and the strong family bond that exists more readily in Ireland than other places in Europe. A story of a developing understanding of oneself, love, loss and finally contentment and a return to love. All ends well …

This book is set in Ireland in the 1980s. The author included a glossary in the front of the book, but, as I read it on an e-reader, it was not easy to go back and forth so I did not understand some of the language. Being from the U.S., I cannot speak to weather it captured the 80s in Ireland. I do wonder why the author chose this era. The characters were interesting enough to follow, but the overall story didn't really grab me. I think it was a fine first book for the author.

This is a bittersweet, heartwarming story set in Ireland in the 1980s. It reminds me of both Sally Rooney and Maeve Binchy. It is a tale of two teenage sisters whose paths drift tragically in different directions. The main character, Una and her boy next door love, Cullen leave too many words unspoken and this emotional immaturity has far reaching consequences. It’s a novel about family, but also about the limited choices available to young women in Ireland at that time. It’s a tearjerker, but also made me smile at times.

Lots of tears in this book, including my own as I reached for the Kleenex quite often. Set in beautiful Ireland, this book is very reminiscent of Maeve Binchy ( a favorite author) who would interject a real plot surprise right in the middle of what appeared to be a most ordinary story.

Una Gallagher, a good Irish Catholic girl, finds herself “in trouble” and makes a decision on her own how to handle her predicament, therefore, setting in motion a set of unintended consequences for herself and her family. The kindness of strangers, and her strong family ties, teachers her that she doesn’t always have the right, or only, answer.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this debut novel from Sally Hanan.

It took me a long time to finish reading My Heart Went Walking, by Sally Hanan. I had a difficult time maintaining any interest, and I kept reading other books, trying to finish this one. I enjoy reading about Ireland, but except for some of the word choice, the setting might have been anywhere. This was a long novel, but without any real complexity. There was an element of melodrama and too much soap opera in the plot to keep me reading. The writer can write well, but the plot needed tightening, or this needed to be two novels, a sort of serial kind of family saga.
I do appreciate the author, publisher, and Netgalley letting me read this novel. My comments and opinion are my own.

A poignant saga of loves lost and found set against a backdrop of the eighties.
The title is evocative and poignant – and not the least misleading.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started MY HEART WENT WALKING by Sally Hanan. A DEBUT novel about growing up in Donegal, Ireland. I was surprised to find the book has great Irish dialogue, witty, funny and engaging writing. There is a glossary at the beginning of the book which would be useful to readers.

The main characters are Una, Ellie & Callum. Their story is told in chapters and the pain each character is going through is on every page. I enjoyed the storyline which spans over a 3 year period from 1983-1986, set in Donegal and Dublin. The descriptions in the book are funny. Example:'' I can't help but stare at his wild grey hair. It's like the waves on the Donegal shore'' . There is more of this in the novel. I loved it, or maybe it's just my sense of humour'

This DEBUT novel is about teenage years, growing up in Ireland, family love and friendship.

I give a 4 star rating and would recommend this book.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

I love stories set in Ireland. Mauve Binchy is one of my favorite authors. My Heart Went Walking captured much of the spirit I love in Ms. Binchy’s novels. The characters were my favorite part of this novel and they were so relatable. I liked that this novel wasn’t your one dimensional love story where characters are stagnant. These character grew, matured and remained authentic. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes a good life story, and everyone who likes an authentic love story. The importance of family and the problems caused by secrets and misunderstandings are familiar themes, but the author created a unique and enjoyable story.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!

My Heart Went Walking is a story of being able to learn from making mistakes as a teenager, and basically how these mistakes don’t define the future. The story also focuses on the bond between siblings and family. I really liked how this book contained multiple POVs, as it allows for us, the readers, to see how each of the characters are thinking as the older sister, Una, runs away from home to Dublin.

Where this story fell short for me, however, was sort of the mundane events. There were moments where I felt as if I was supposed to feel something about certain characters, but I wasn’t. I couldn’t find myself becoming attached to any of the characters. I also think there may have been some issues with editing, as both football and soccer were used to describe the same sport, and while the setting is in Ireland, it was a bit weird to see the characters call it “soccer”.

I still think that this story was written with an amazing concept in mind, I just think at the end it fell a little short in terms of character. However, the lessons in this book contain good wisdom for the future.

3/5 Stars.

The story is set in Ireland during the ‘80s, where things were changing and yet the same. It’s about family, friendships, love, loss, decisions, and acceptance.
Una has a decision to make at a young age, and she does what she feels is the best. She runs away from home to make a new life with people who become her new family. Yet, she feels the pain of staying away from her family and loved ones.
Then comes a situation where she has to go back, and secrets need to come out before people move ahead. How does it change Una’s life? Will she find what she’s looking for?
My Heart Went Walking is a debut novel firmly rooted in the Irish culture. The narration is much like the dialogue or thought, with a focus on emotions and actions.
The story spans over 2-3 years. We see how the lives of the people involved keep changing over time. The book has three POVs- Una, her sister Ellie, and their love Cullen.
All three of them are teens, and hence the tone has a sense of similarity. However, they are different people. I loved Una’s voice throughout the book, and Ellie’s in the second half. They grow up through the story, and that makes them more real.
Ellie is a sweet and loving sister- someone hard to hate even if you root for Una. She has more grit and compassion than one would expect from her and deserves a mention.
I wished the other main character (unnamed to avoid spoilers) had more space, at least towards the end. That person enriched the story but was left on the sidelines.
One reason I read books set in Ireland and Scotland is to enjoy the descriptions of the landscape. This book doesn’t have any of it. Of course, to include it would mean the author would have to change the entire narrative style (not a feasible option). The story works with this narration, and I can’t blame the author for my expectations.
I finished the book in two days (you can finish it in one sitting if you have the time) though the second half is a bit heavier than the first. A special thanks to the author for including the pronunciations of the names on the first page of the book.
To sum up, My Heart Went Walking is indeed a heartwarming story of finding that love has a way of changing our lives in the most unexpected ways and understanding that families will always matter.
Thank you, NetGalley and Fire Drinkers Publishing, for the ARC.

Mit 16 Jahren schwanger zu werden war nicht der Plan. Auch das Sie um ihr Kind behalten zu dürfen, ihr Zuhause verlassen muß, war so nicht geplant. Aber bei all den ungeplanten Veränderungen in ihrem Leben sind auch ein paar richtig gute dabei. Sie findet ein neues Zuhause, neue Freunde und auch den Weg zurück nach Hause. Ein wunderbares Buch über das Erwachsenwerden unter widrigen Umständen.

I received an advance copy of. My Heart Went Walking, by Sally Hanan. I have mixed feelings about this book, I liked the characters, and the setting. I did not like the storyline, I do not know why Una ran away for so long. Una had a great family and love of her life, so I don't get why she left it all.

Such another beautiful debut that I quickly fell in love with. It is set in 1980's Ireland and tells the tale of two sisters in their teens whose lives unfold in different ways. It is a book full of love, loss, and redemption between family and friends. It show that good intentions do not always work out to be the best. The characters are so alive and realistic and each of their journey's was as well. As a woman with a strong irish catholic upbringing their troubles especially resonated. It's a very well written debut with a strong plot lines. I loved it.
Thanks you to Netgalley, the publisher and especially the author for such a thought provoking story.
5*

This is my first read of author Sally Hanan. It will not be my last. I devoured this one in one day and it was lovely. A tale of family, blood or not, of love and loss and dealing with the consequences of decisions made, and finally redemption. Hanan draws you in immediately and paints her characters so well you can't help but become invested. I loved them all, some more than others and I will miss them. I loved this one and would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. I liked the way it was written, just what a good Irish story should be. She really did a good job pulling me in to the characters. I enjoyed them and was invested in how their stories would play out. There was growth and change among them . Sometimes I was mad at one character, then later on upset over the next!
If you like a story with a lot of action, this might not be for you. But for a heartwarming tale of changing dynamics within a family, sacrifice, and love, I would definitely recommend.

If you love Maeve Binchy, you need to read Sally Hanan's debut novel about coming of age in 1980s Ireland where 16-year-old Una runs away from her family and small town of Donegal, pregnant and ashamed. She digs deep to find strength first to keep her baby and then return home and face her family. But she finds her best friend (the father of her child) falling in love with her sister. Only tragedy can bring them back together. The characters are well developed and engaging. I found it hard to let go when the book ended.

I'm looking forward to more releases from Sally Hanan. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy of My Heart Went Walking. I highly recommend it.

My Heart Went Walking is a story of love, loss, and growing up. The descriptions of Ireland, and especially Dublin, are so well done, it’s almost like walking the same roads I’ve walked for years. This book filled my heart at times, broke my heart at times, but throughout all the ups and downs there is and was always one thing - hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

For anyone who has stepped of the path and wondered how to get back on, for everyone looking for redemption in brokenness, this book is for you.
Though it is fiction, the characters become as familiar as friends, This beautiful story reminds us that sometimes the way to find the path again is to wander, because that is where growth happens.
Sally Hanan’s writing drew me into the story, brought me to all kinds of tears, and made me want to visit Ireland as soon as possible.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!! I enjoyed the book start to finish. I like how the chapters rotated between several characters and we had the opportunity to see the story from three perspectives. Perhaps not everyone dwells on the one that got away, but I have found myself spinning those memories up and most definitely building them into something they are not. Lessons learned from Una include; you make mistakes when you’re young and it’s ok they don’t define you forever, you have to Live Live Live for yourself and not others, and family can be a lot of things. The book had all the emotions with the addition of life lessons and family wisdom, plus the mention of chocolate buttons and jaffa cakes my absolute favorite treats.