Cover Image: My Heart Went Walking

My Heart Went Walking

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the arc.

I have been wanting to read a book set in Ireland. This is a fictional family drama about love, mistakes in youth, and family.

The MC is a 16 year old girl. This is her story about helping het heart find its way home. Also, about the triangles lies can create, but how in the end family is family, navigating into adulthood, etc. This is a story about sisters in a difficult position as well.

This book has a Christian theme woven in.

3.5*+

Was this review helpful?

This heartwarming story is set in the 1980’s in Ireland. It’s a story about sisters, true love, strength, hope, tragedy … I enjoyed it and loved how it ended. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a story of two Irish sisters growing up in a very busy household and how their lives change overnight when Una suddenly runs away to Dublin and begins a new secret life. It is a lovely book, will tug at your heartstrings.

Was this review helpful?

My Heart Went Walking by Sally Hanan is one of the best novels I’ve read recently. Although it deals with tough life situations in a real way, the feel isn’t one of doom and gloom, but hope and striving.

One night. One too many drinks. One bold move. And 16 year-old Una Gallagher is devastated to find out, a few weeks, later, she is pregnant.

Out of anger, fear, and a misguided sense of acting in love, convinced she has no other choice, Una runs from everything and everyone she loves in order to protect them. In reality, she has erected walls of protection around herself: walls of lies, guilt, pride, fear, and shame.

My Heart Went Walking is a novel about a good girl making bad decisions and learning to live with the domino effect of consequences. It’s about sorrow and rejoicing. About anger and love…acceptance and forgiveness. About real people and real life.

Sally Hanan’s debut novel caught me by surprise. Her writing is masterful: as I read, her settings and characters come to life and leapt into my heart.

Was this review helpful?

Absolute brilliant book.
This is a well written story of an Irish family in the 80s and how the main two sisters go through many issues .
This is one of the best books I've read recently and I definitely recommend it .

Was this review helpful?

My heart went walking says the title of this warm read..and it does make your heart walk, flutter, stop and sing too in places☺️
A beautiful story set in 1980s, Ireland, it talks about love, loss, friendship, family and friends who become more than family.
It is the story of a young 18 year old girl who finds herself at a crossroad in life and difficult life choices. She braves the world, and her circumstances to emerge as a strong and confident young lady.
It is definitely a perfect book to sit with a cup of coffee and ignore the mundane world, for it brings you erratic emotions and a balance of calm as well.

Was this review helpful?

I was fortunate to be able to read part of this lovely book several years ago, and knew then that it was going to be a stellar read.
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.
Ms Hanan will take you on a journey through Ireland that is so realistic, you can hear the brogue and taste the porridge.
A thoroughly enjoyable, immersive read, highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

My Heart Went Walking is a family story set in the 1980’s Ireland, which follows Una as she navigate life through love, loss and redemption. When Una found herself pregnant at 16, she decided to leave her little hometown, leaving her family behind, and her bestfriend Cullen – the father of her child. Little did she know that this action would cause everyone’s lives to change dramatically.

I’ve been trying to read books from new authors and as I have discovered, it is a kind of a hit and miss for me. This one though, is definitely a massive hit. Initially, I really thought that this would be a very difficult read given its quite foreboding summary but after reading the first chapter, I found myself just breezing through it.

The story was poignant, bittersweet and very heartwarming. I loved that not only we get the main character’s POV, we also got the POV of the other two characters she’s very much involved with.

I loved Una’s dynamic character. I liked the fact that she didn’t act like a damsel in distress in the situation she unexpectedly found herself into and when she set her mind into something, she’d really go and see it through. I mean, despite her young age, I loved that she’s got the nerves of steel. I wish I had the courage she shad when I was 16.

This is a family story and there’s nothing particularly new about the plot, but I really liked how the author made each character relatable and very human. Una’s sister Ellie is the perfect sister but not annoying in any way. The bond she shared with Una may have been tested, but at times, blood really is thicker than water. I loved that Una’s mom was realistically portrayed as someone who is not perfect but would do everything for her children. There really is no other love like a mother’s love for her child.

I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’ve always been fascinated by the beautiful sceneries I’ve seen on travel blogs and videos and some books set in Ireland which I’ve read in the past, so I guess I was really looking forward to reading more of these beautiful settings which are not too many here. It’s understandable though, because this book is more plot-focused which I appreciate too. That’s just me nitpicking so don’t mind me. Hah!

To sum this up, Sally Hanan’s debut is an absolute gem! The ending was perfection leaving me smiling and feeling so good. I really cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in her next book!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

An advance review copy was provided by the publisher, Fire Drinkers Publishing via Netgalley for an impartial and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I found the tone of this one to be a bit uneven given the seriousness of some of the topics (teen pregnancy, cancer). The differing POVs made it interesting but also frustrating in that a little honest conversation would've solved a multitude of problems between the main characters and their families. That said, the overall goodness of people was the saving grace and the ending was full of hope and love.

Was this review helpful?

What a beautiful book about love and finding yourself and where you fit in life.

I love Ireland so much. So I was excited to read this book and just imagine being there again. The characters were interesting and full of life. The story was engaging and had by heart breaking on second and fluttering the next!

Was this review helpful?

What a very pleasant trip into Ireland of the ‘80s. It’s the story of two sisters, Una and Ellie, and the ups and downs — pretty serious downs — of their lives. It’s a story of decisions and their consequences, love, forgiveness, and hope.

The storytelling is superb, and the writing is superior. Ms Hanan, I will most definitely read everything you write in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review My Heart Went Walking. I enjoyed it immensely.

Was this review helpful?

A women's fiction story that is so well written and real. I still can't believe I was granted the opportunity to read. So for that chance, thank you!
Being a woman has been hard since forever, no matter our culture, age, or location on the globe. But it is a whole lot easier when we support each other when we don't judge each other.
Believe!

Was this review helpful?

My Heart Went Walking by S. Hanan, published by Fire Drinking Publishing, is the gripping story of two sisters.
Set in the 1980ies in Ireland it's an Irish tale of love, loss and redemption.
I read the blurb and was intrigued, and what can I say, this book blew me away; gripped me with both hands; had me from the start, hook, line and sinker.
Una and Ellie are just teenagers when their lives change dramatically. Every one of them has her own drama, tragedy, redemption.
MHWW is a slow burn with just the right amount of everything, gave me all the feels, let me so easily connect with the characters. I love this unique story, I love the pace, I love the writing, 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

***SPOILER ALERT***
What a privilege to be given the chance to read this book. It was beautifully written. I was even glad that it ended on a positive note. I couldn't have handled Ellie dying! Was was to reach the end! Bravo Sally Hanan.

Was this review helpful?

My Heart Went Walking by Sally Hanan.

My Heart went walking for the characters in this book as well. Heartwarming , heartbreaking , sad , funny , joyful , emotional , I could continue but will suggest you read it for yourself.
Is Sally Hanan the next Maeve Binchy ? I think she could be.

Was this review helpful?