Travel to the delightful Irish village of Sandy Cove where
The folks work together and for each other take care.
That's where artist Ella Caron in a cottage now resides
Recovering and recuperating, and lots more besides.

When her late mother's friend Lucille comes to stay
With secrets and surprises along the way.
New neighbours, new friends and secrets to keep
Along with new feelings that run so deep.

Lucille may be in her eighties but she's lively, too
Always making plans for life and fun to do
But keeping them away from her two sons may
Make things difficult for them all some day.

Get ready for Mr Bear to come to call
For a delightful girl to woo them all
Can Mr Bear be tamed for real
Or is he just learning how to feel?

As relationships develop, keeping secrets is tough
But when they big reveal happens will things get rough?
To find out what happens, you really need
This delightful, uplifting book to read!

Thanks for my copy of this book
I really enjoyed it - hope you take a look!

The second in the Starlight Cottage Series. I did not read the first book and would consider this as a stand alone book. Ella is trying to recover from her mother's death and an accident that has left her in a solemn mood. She never imagined that her mother’s eccentric best friend Lucille would insist on moving in to keep her company. Lucille by her side, Ella finds herself laughing more than she has in years and it soon becomes clear that Lucille has her own reasons for coming to Sandy Cove: she wants Ella to help her move to her own little cottage by the sea. Then Lucille’s son Rory comes to town and her dream is under threat: he wants her in Tipperary, where she can safely grow old in their family home. Ella admires Lucille’s sense of adventure but she can’t help but wonder if Rory is right. Especially when she sees the rickety old cottage Lucille intends to buy and realizes that the real reason she wants to escape could turn Rory’s life upside down. The characters are wonderfully developed with the doubts and concerns as well as lives most can relate to. The book provides an escape and a brief look at Ireland. I will be going back to read the first book just to learn more about these wonderful characters.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

Ella is recovering from an accident when her late mother's friend decides to move in with her. Lucille is vivacious and full of life despite her advancing years. She encourages Ella to live life to the full and Ella soon finds herself ready for romance...
The Lost Secret of Ireland is a warm and uplifting book about being offered a second chance at love, set in picturesque Ireland.
Ella has had an emotional few years. Enduring multiple miscarriages that ultimately resulted in the disintegration of her marriage. Her mother's death and now Ella has fallen from a ladder and is slowly getting her mobility back but is anxious of leaving the house. Into this mix arrives Lucille who is determined to enjoy her twilight years but this puts her at odds with her sons.
Ella makes friends with a local single dad Thomas whilst having an antagonistic dynamic with Lucille's son Rory. It was enjoyable to see how these relationships developed and who would steal Ella's heart.
The characters come to life and have a very human feel. I liked the contrast between Ella with Lucille and Thomas with Rory. Village life and the Irish landscape are beautifully described so readers become immersed in the plot.
The Lost Secret of Ireland is a gentle novel with lively characters and an engaging plot.

The Lost Secret of Ireland by Susanne O’Leary is the second book in the Starlight Cottages series, but as each book in the series is about different main characters, they can be read out of order or as standalone books. I enjoyed The Lost Girls of Ireland and do recommend the whole series. Ella Caron is an artist that lives in the Starlight Cottages in the wonderful and friendly village of Sandy Cove, Ireland. Ella fell while painting and broke her leg, but is recovering slowly. While telling her mother's dearest friend, Lucille decides to come and help her rehabilitation. The problem is, Lucille has lied to her children about where she is. Ella enjoys having Lucille there and begins to recover quickly, when Lucille's son Rory shows up looking for her. Lucille has her own reasons for coming to Sandy Cove: she wants Ella to help her move to her own little cottage by the sea. It seems Lucille's plans to make changes as well as keeping secrets from both her children and Ella may cause some problems. Does Rory want the best for Lucille, or is he interested in what he and his brother want? As Ella begins to fall for Rory, she is not sure what to believe or how to help both Lucille and Rory get what they want and need.

I enjoy multi-generational stories and the relationship Lucille and Ella have is wonderful. They each provide something to the relationship that the other needs. Rory seems to be a caring man, but is there a selfish streak when it comes the family home? Once again we meet wonderful characters living in this quaint community, some that we met in the previous book in the series. I like that there is also a historical element to the story that we learn as part of Lucille's secret. This is a story of family, community, secrets and healing. The romance between Ella and Rory is slow, sweet and uplifting. I would love to visit this area of Ireland.

Set in Sandy Cove, Ireland, Ella is recovering from a fall. Her elderly friend decides to move in with her and nurse her back to health. Lucille seems to have several reasons for coming to Sandy Cove and moving into the row of Coastguard Cottages. Ella has to admit that life is better with Lucille but lying to Lucille's sons puts her into a very tricky position. A great story. Love the descriptions of the beautiful country. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Lost Secret of Ireland by Susanne O’Leary is the second book in the contemporary romance Starlight Cottages series. While this is the second book in this series the Starlight Cottages series is a spin off of the author’s contemporary romance Sandy Cove series which has six books.

Both Starlight Cottages and Sandy Cove are the type of contemporary romance that change the main characters within each new installment with the setting being the common theme among the series. This of course means that each can be read as s standalone or in any order if choosing to do so but there are glimpses of previous characters here and there for those reading in order.

Ella Caron is an artist that lives in the Starlight Cottages in the quaint village of Sandy Cove Ireland. Ella is currently on the mend from a broken bone after taking a fall so as she is telling her mother’s old friend, Lucille, about her situation Lucille decides she needs to come for a visit and help Ella while she heals.

Ella finds she quite enjoys Lucille’s company but Lucille seems to be hiding something during her stay. After Lucille’s son, Rory, arrives searching for his mother Ella finds that she’s not sure Rory really has Lucille’s best intentions in mind but keeping secrets from him isn’t easy for Ella as she finds herself more and more drawn to Rory.

I have been following the Sandy Cove and now the Starlight Cottages from the beginning and find that I quite enjoy these light romances with such a lovely setting. This latest story I found myself more drawn to Lucille and wanting to know her story than the romance but that was quite alright as I still liked getting to know Ella too even with Lucille stealing the show. But yet again this was another fun installment and I’ll be sure to return to Ireland and this series more in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a very lovely read a feel good read. I finished it in one sitting.
I look forward to reading more by Susanne

Just a lovely story which caught me up with the romance, setting and warm stories. Very much enjoyed and didn't want it to end! Will absolutely be looking out for others in this series.

When Ella, an artist, falls off her ladder and breaks her pelvis she has to recuperate at Starlight Cottages in Sandy Bay in Ireland. Lucille is the best friend of Ella's late mother and decides that she wants to come and stay and look after Ella but Ella is convinced that there is more behind the sprightly 85 year olds visit than she is letting on.

A lovely story and great to be back in Sandy Cove again to meet up with some of the characters from previous books. These series of books are all lovely warm stories that you quickly get engrossed in and can't put down and definitely make you wish you lived somewhere like Sandy Cove

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

This author writes such lovely books. It is like visiting one of your favourite little getaway spots and seeing what is new with the locals you know well and meeting new people every time. This book was no exception, I love the intereactions between the parties but do wish there had been a little more interaction with the local residents from Wild Rose Bay that we know and love. I liked these characters and the storyline, while it had a few small issues for me, was thoroughly enjoyable. I so would love to go and stay at one of the Starlight cottages, which this book centers around..

Thsi book is about Ella, one of the residents on the Starlight cottages, who is recovering from a broken pelvis that she got while painting a ceilinig and falling off a ladder. Her late mother's friend, Lucille calls and says she is coming to stay with her to help along her recovery and Ella suspects escaping from her life for a bit. Lucille is a very spry 85 year old who is taking life on a journey and lving for all she is worth. Ella knows there is an underlying reason she is there and decides to keep her secret when Lucille tells her she told her two sons that she is on a cruise. Adding to the storyline is the handsome new neighbour with his little daughter, 5 year old Amanda, who was portrayed wonderfully, a little bit precocious and a lot sweet. I loved the relationship between Lucille and Ella, unlikely roomates who are bound by their love for Ella's mother. When Lucille's son Rory tracks her down, Ella wonders why this man infuriates her so much. As the story progressed I was caught up once again in this beautiful area.

This was a lovely story, it was upbeat and fun; Lucille would be a hoot to hang out with, she had more energy than most of the younger characters in the book. I cannot wait for the next tale from this author.

The Lost Secret of Ireland is the 2nd book of the Starlight Cottages series. But the first book of this series is actually the last book of a different series. And it seems the Starlight Cottages, where the heroine Ella resides, was already featured in that book.

In this book, Ella, who has been alone till her 45 years of age, despite her efforts to create a family with the right person, is fortunate enough to have 2 people come into her life and open her heart to the joys and travails of being in a relationship. This book was a lovely, heart-warming read but it didn't hold my interest as well as it could have. This book is worth 4 stars according to me. I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author Susanne O' Leary for this ARC and give confirmation that all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Touching story of Irish Village by the Sea. You will fine it hard to stop reading. Great Series. You will imagine yourself in the cottages by the sea.

Fluffy, romantic story set in a beautiful location. Similar to Jenny Colgan novels though not as likeable. While Ella is trying to recover from a fall that broke her pelvis, she has an unexpected house guest who pushes her and helps her recover more quickly. A surly son is attached to Ella's house guest. One who aggravates Ella to no end, until....

I loved The Lost Girls of Ireland so much I couldn't wait for the next in the series. I do hope there's going to be another! The second book, The Lost Secret of Ireland, tells the story of another resident in the Starlight Cottages - Ella. Ella is an artist who has had a bad fall from a ladder and is recovering at home with friends coming to help her when her late mother's friend calls to say she's coming to visit and help look after her. Lucille is 85 years old and a bundle of fun and mystery. What could she be hiding? Find out when you read it!! Both women are brilliantly written characters who are independent and fun. You'll love reading their story.

This is a second book in the Starlight Cottage Series but can be easily read as a stand alone.
Ella is an artist and lives alone in a small cottage at Sandy Cove near Killarney in Ireland. Ella had a fall from a ladder and has been in bed for two months after breaking her pelvis. Ella’s neighbors have been caring for her. Ella’s friend Lucille comes to visit to help Ella recover.
Lucille has a family home in Tipperary but wants to sell it and move into a cottage in the village close to Ella. Lucille does not want her sons to know she is planning to sell her family home.
Lucille gets caught up in village life and is researching her family history but is keeping secrets from Ella,
Gradually under Lucille’s supervision Ella starts to recover and gets to know her next door neighbor and his young daughter.
Ella starts a new project illustrating a children’s picture book but is distracted by Lucile’s secretiveness and the interruptions by visits from Lucille’s son.
This was about families, friendships and secrets.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Lost Secret Of Ireland' by Susanne O'Leary.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Susanne O'Leary , Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 31st August 2021.

This is the second book I have read by this author. It is also the second book in the 'Starlight Cottages' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland' which is the seventh book in the 'Sandy Cove' series which can also be read as a standalone and which I highly recommend.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'For fans of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.' I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Susanne O'Leary and if this is half as good as 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 22 chapters and an epilogue The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Ireland 🇮🇪 UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in Ireland is even better as I have been on holiday in Ireland many times so may even recognise some places Emma has set the book around.

This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist is Ella Caron. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

Well done Susanne you have done it again!!!! OMG! OMG!! I cannot remember the last time I was so gutted to come to the end of a book!! I absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like I was packing my bags and being whisked away from my Irish holiday when I read the last page. Absolutely gorgeous!!!

The book is so well written with its stunning and vivid descriptions that I genuinely felt that I was standing with Ella throughout feeling the Irish breeze in my hair and smelling the ocean. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly and I think the title change was definitely a good move as 'The Lost Secret Of Ireland' suits it perfectly.

Although this book is the 2nd in a series it can be read as a standalone with no problems. In fact I never came across anything in the book that would make me think it was part of a series. I am however looking forward to reading the previous book and being whisked back to Ireland again. The storyline was realistic and just beautiful. It starts off in such a sad place and from the rain a rainbow was born. I loved getting to know everyone on Sandy Cove and Starlight Cottages and enjoyed the atmosphere and my gorgeous surroundings. It genuinely felt like I was on holidays and after not having one for so long this was definitely the closest thing.

The storyline was filled with romance, stunning settings, love, secrets and family. It made me feel all bubbly inside and it had an air of mystery trying to work out what it was that Lucille was up to. There was plenty of laughter, hope, love and some tension and sadness mixed in. Absolutely everything you want in a romantic getaway.

The characters were all solid, realistic and I loved that they all had their own unique personalities. Ella and Lucille are such strong and determined women, one who had to get over the ordeal of a broken pelvis, unable to have had children and a divorce and the other dealing with the loss of her husband and his stuck up family. I love it when the protagonist is such a strong female lead being a woman myself it's great to see, having two was an extra bonus!!! Lynette is such a whirlwind and it was beautiful to see her relationship with Ella and the way they supported each other through thick and thin. Sunny is such a mature girl and i really liked her attitude. Rory and Thomas well phew, what handsome and romantic men. It wasn't just the main characters that made this book but also all the neighbours too, I really enjoyed meeting them all. I enjoyed watching Ella and Thomas and Rory's friendships and relationships grow and their bond develop. Maura, Saskia and the cute but wicked Mandy all stood out to me too. Susanne portrayed Irish Country life perfectly and it was exactly the same when I went on holidays for a fortnight many years ago, the close knit community where everyone knew each other and was so helpful.

Susanne I fell on love with your heart warming, page turning and stunning book which took my heart away and left me gutted when my holiday ended. Welcome to my favourite author list. I have already added all your books on my wish lists and I cannot wait for my next Irish adventure!!! Please get these put on the big screen!!

Overall an absolutely stunning, heart warming romance that will have you heading off to Ireland in the blink of an eye.

Genres covered in this novel include Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance and Holiday Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Debbie Macomber, Nicholas Sparks and just anyone and everyone whether you are looking to get away or for romance this is the book for you!!!


218 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

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Sandy Cove is a tiny coastal village in Ireland and Ella Caron is trying to recover. Ella moved from Paris to Sandy Cove for the quiet and tranquility of the village so that she could grieve the loss of her mother. She needed space to process her loss and never imagined her mother’s best friend Lucille would move in with her to keep her company. As Ella spends more time with Lucille she finds herself letting her guard down and laughing more. Lucille wants to live the rest of her life in Sandy Cove, but when her son Rory arrives he has other plans for Lucille’s life. But when Rory and Ella build a friendship, Ella can’t help but wonder if Rory is right. I thoroughly enjoyed this continuation story in the series. This sequel was ever bit as good as the first book. I was so engrossed with this story I didn’t want to put it down. This feel good escape was exactly what I needed.

Thank you Susan O’Leary for another wonderful story. I really enjoyed this story, and felt as if I was transported to Ireland. The plot was captivating, the characters were relatable, and this story kept me entertained. This fantastic story is a must read and I highly recommend this book.

The Lost Secret of Ireland by Suzanne O'Leary is another in the amazing tales of Wild Rose Bay and of the four cottages near the lighthouse. Ella is an artist in her mid-forties. Her main income stream comes from illustrating children's' books, but she also sells paintings and take on an occasional commission. It was during one such commission that she stood atop a rickety ladder, against the advice of the client, and fell. She broke her pelvis and had been bed ridden for the past two months. She has survived thanks to the generosity of her neighbors and of the village in general. Now she was out of bed, just, and had gotten a call from her deceased mother's dearest friend, Lucille, who had determined that she would come and live with Ella for a few months and see her back to full mobility. It was a given, no options were given. Lucille proved to be a demanding roommate; she saw to it that Ella did her physiotherapy daily and got her out of the house. They lingered over dinner and a glass of wine, and basically had a good life. But, something was going on with Lucille and Ella couldn't begin to figure it out. Then Rory, Lucille's son arrived. She had told him she was on a cruise, but with a variety of clues, he had figured it out. Now Ella was in the middle of it.

The descriptions of small town life make this book. The people who populate the village and their lives are so endearing that the reader is immediately drawn in. This is a lovely feel-good novel about village life and the changes one makes as one gets older and sees more of life with a different lens. It's about discovery and change and just how wonderful life can be.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lost Secret of Ireland by Bookoutre through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #bookoutre #thelostsecretofireland

If you are in need of a pick-me-up novel full of family, love and a mystery along the way then The Lost Secret of Ireland (Starlight Cottages Book 2) by Susanne O'Leary is the book for you. A precocious five-year old neighbor, older adults and community support Ella’s life is full and busy. However, there does seem to be a mystery to be solved as this story continues.

A small village story that focuses on relationships The Lost Secret of Ireland is a wonderful romantic mystery novel. The second in the series this has sealed Susanne O'Leary as a go-to writer for me. It does read well as a stand-alone if you haven’t read the first book yet.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Lost Secret of Ireland (Starlight Cottages Book 2), by Susanne O’Leary.

Ella is living in Sandy Cove, a small village nestled on the Irish coast, and has had a disastrous few weeks, breaking her pelvis whilst painting a mural and falling from a dodgy ladder! She is now relying on her friends and neighbours to help her, and they are rallying around, helping with her shopping and making meals for her, but she is finding it slightly overbearing. When her late mother’s best friend, Lucille, offers to come and stay to help Ella get back on her feet, she jumps at the chance. It soon becomes apparent that Lucille has other reasons for coming to Sandy Cove, though, and although she is Ella’s lifesaver, she is also continuing with her secret mission and keeping her reasons very much to herself.

Each character brought their own ‘little bit of something’ to Sandy Cove and before long, you can see that they either are or will shortly become a part of village life. The Lost Secret of Ireland is very much a book about the importance of friends and family and how living in a small community automatically brings people closer together.

Although this is the second Starlight Cottages book, it can be read as a stand-alone novel, although I think it will definitely make you want to read the first!