Faith is a great author whose book I always enjoy. This was one that had me hooked from the very first page to the last. Highly recommend.

Constance Macken is from Galway. In 1957, at 10 years old she falls into a disused well in her neighbour's garden. Found by her friend, Dotty, they become friends for life. With a terrible secret. Years later they have a falling out and don't speak for many years. We meet Constance in her crumbling mansion on the island of Pin Hill in the present day. Local temporary wildlife ranger, Ros is befriended by Constance and they look out for each other. They're joined by Heather, Dotty's daughter, and the three women become firm friends bringing much happiness to Constance's life. A lovely story of consequences, inter generational friendships and life. #netgalley #thewomenatoceansend

This is such a beautifully written story about women of different generations, who, over the course of their lives, have come to find solace, refuge, or return to a place they felt was simply home.

Constance lives in Ocean's End at the top of Pin Hill Island. Once it would have been glamorous, but now, unfortunately, it is decaying. Once the home of an author, who was once popular but now lies forgotten, it is now a memory of what it used to be.

Ros is a blow-in, someone who came to love the island and also built a friendship with Constance. Their first meeting was a surprise, but they got to know each other and their friendship blossomed.

Heather is returning to the island after many long years. She has brought the ashes of her mother, Dotty. It was her final wish to be taken back to the island.

The author has once again created such a magnificent backdrop to a story that encompasses life, love, loss, and regret. This author always manages to bring a tear to my eye somewhere, this book was no exception. The way she builds her characters and their relationships is wonderful. She introduces the characters and shares the details of their lives, but does not reveal everything. It is told in a back-and-forth style and also alternates between characters. The author does this so well and it did not take long for me to get to grips with the characters.

The story is told via each character, they gives details of their childhood, for some of them, it was not a happy one. The past and the present stories tell of hardships and determination, but they have secrets, and these need to come out at some point. Mistakes of the past need to be settled, whether it is admission or forgiveness.

This is a stunning story, the backdrop of the house, garden and the island is just wonderful. The friendships that are built through the story are very captivating. It is so nice to see unconditional friendship. There are many surprises in the story and these come from various sources, not obvious but soon become a realisation that the island has more to offer.

If you are a fan of contemporary fiction that shows how lives can be changed, or have been changed through a single act, then this book is one you want to have a look at. It has some secrets and mysteries, there is romance and there is of course, friendship. A stunning story and one I would definitely recommend.

A wonderful tale of three strong women of different generations, set on an island off the Irish coast, it spans a timeframe of many years, from when Constance was a child and best friends with Heather's mother. Times changed and Heather's mother left the island, but made Heather promise to return with her ashes when she died. Ros has been sent there to research the flora and fauna on the island and takes this responsibility very seriously. The story shows how their lives intertwine and how they help each other to survive.

EXCERPT: Dear Heather,
Today, I came across a photograph taken of you when you were just a small kiddie one summer long ago on Pin Hill Island. I've been thinking of the old place a lot recently, my age, I suppose, I've come to that stage when there's more to regret than to look forward to. Sorry, I'm trying to be more optimistic, more to remember - that's better.
I've been thinking about people too, about my parents, my mother mostly, buried so far away, about Constance and Maggie; probably all gone now. I don't expect you to understand this, Heather, I know it wouldn't have made any sense to me years ago, but I dearly want to be buried next to them all, not in some place where I'm just another faded headstone. When I die, I want you to bring me back to the island, there's money to pay for it in my account and you'll have the house, of course, but this is my only request.
Well, there's one other small thing. The little letter box beside my bed; if by some miracle Constance outlasts me, (that'll be down to all that fresh air and clean living!) that's for her. I want you to take it to her. There are letters inside, I'd like you to open them together, but not until I'm gone. I don't think I'm brave enough yet to face you both with all I have to say.
I know I have no right to ask, but I also know that you won't refuse, you have too much of your father in you to say no!

Take care,
Mum.

ABOUT 'THE WOMEN AT OCEAN'S END': Three women, all with secrets waiting to be uncovered, meet on a beautiful island off the Irish Coast.

Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her.

Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised, this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future.

Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back.

Now, in a faded art deco house near the ocean's end, these women must come together to save the house they love, and each other, because they might have run from their troubles but only time will tell if they can overcome their past.

MY THOUGHTS: The Women at Ocean's end is a multi-generation novel focusing on friendship and family not always having to be blood.

Three women, all adrift in their own way, discover strength in friendship and shared goals. Constance, in her 80s, has lived on the island for a good part of her life; Heather arrives to fulfil her mother's wish to be buried on the island; and Ros finds herself in a temporary position as wildlife ranger on the island, which comes with a cottage and little else.

As each of these women's lives unravel to some extent, they draw together for support and, in doing so, forge a strong friendship that they all come to cherish and rely on.

Faith Hogan explores mother/daughter relationships, grief, loss and abuse in The Women at Ocean's End. I came to love these characters, Constance in particular, as secrets and ghosts from the past are exposed, faced up to, and laid to rest.

A comforting read.

⭐⭐⭐.9

#TheHouseatOceansEnd #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: I have worked in all sorts of jobs, as a fashion model, an event’s organizer and in the intellectual disability and mental health sector. The constant throughout has been a love of books! I have read and written all of my life.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria & Aries via Netgalley for providing an e-ARC of The Women at Ocean's End by Faith Hogan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.

What resonates with this story is the depth of emotion and the bonds of friendship that the three women share. Constance was best friends with Dotty in the late 1950s, and their friendship endured, reinforced by a dark secret they shared. Heather is Dotty's daughter; their relationship has always been challenging because of the darkness Dotty carried with her. Ros's young life is full of obstacles. Losing her mother broke her heart but also made her day-to-day living difficult, forcing her to give up her dreams. A potentially dangerous oversight brings Constance and Ros together, and Dotty's death means Heather has to return to the small Irish isle to fulfil her mother's last wish. The three women bond over their grief, history and love of the old house and the charismatic isle. Although this story explores an abusive relationship which defines two young lives, it is their bond of friendship and eventual triumph over the darkness that is thought-provoking. The disturbing aspects of this story are sensitively written and necessary to understand the protagonists and the events that unfold in their lives.
I love the storytelling and the emotional journey it took me on. Evocative and lyrical descriptions bring the setting to life, and it's easy to visualise how it helps the women heal and find the peace they need. The characters are multilayered and relatable, making it easy to invest in their lives. It's an emotional, immersive and resonating tale of friendship, loss and love.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was a tremendously powerful read full of emotional ups and downs. Great characters which covers a good age range each bringing their own experience and memories as Constance,Heather and Ross came together to save the art deco house they they all loved so much. A very memorable read which was endearing and certainly touched the heart. Fabulous.

Ocean’s End, the once stunning house perched on the cliff top at the westernmost tip of Pin Hill Island, is showing its age – it certainly needs a new roof, which would cost a fortune, but as Constance never goes upstairs any more, it doesn’t matter too much that there are pigeons nesting in one of the bedrooms. Since moving to the island with her author mother, now long gone, she’s had a full life – a career as a teacher, loved and respected by the small community, and a marriage that came to a sad end. And before that, there was a darker incident in her past that she wishes she could forget – but hopes she’ll still have the opportunity to put things right.

She now looks forward to the daily calls of the postman, her only caller – and although the once beautiful garden is now overgrown with brambles, she can still manage to feed the birds, the island a haven for wildlife. Until, one day, she accidentally locks herself out – her cries for help heard by Ros, temporarily living in a tied cottage and working as the island’s ranger. Ros has found happiness on Pin Hill Island – the wonderful landscape, the sea views, the wild goats, a home of her own for the very first time – but she knows the time will come when she’ll have to move on.

Heather arrives on the island to bury her mother Dotty’s ashes, according to her wishes – but has fond memories of spending time with Constance when she was a child, and before the rift between the two women who were formerly close friends. She’s at a crossroads in her own life – her marriage over, her business sold, wondering how to fill her days – and knows that, however sad the reason for her visit (although she and her mother, who had her demons, were no longer close), visiting the island will be balm to her soul.

The story builds slowly, with flashbacks to Constance and Dotty’s childhood – and once the three women find themselves together the book explores their back stories, along with their present day lives and their hopes and dreams for the future. Their supportive friendship is simply wonderful – there’s a real depth to them all, and an immediate emotional connection as they become closer than any family. And as their stories unfold, we learn about their disappointments, their mistakes, their regrets – but all the time enjoying being part of their newfound closeness, sharing their laughter and their tears. There’s also a strong supporting cast – a few individuals who aren’t quite what they seem to be, along with a few light touches of unexpected and particularly lovely romance. And the book’s central secret, that darkness in Constance’s past, is finally shared – and, with the joy they’ve found in their present day lives and the strong connections between them, the world doesn’t come to an end.

“Captivating” isn’t a word I often use, but it totally sums up how I felt about this book – it’s a powerful story, beautifully crafted, told with exceptional warmth, with a vividly drawn setting and a very special house that becomes another character in the story, tremendously uplifting, and I loved every single moment. The author’s writing has never been better – the perfect descriptions, the very real and touching relationships, the authenticity of every emotional touch – with a story I found exceptionally engaging, very moving, and which will linger in the memory for some considerable time to come. Just wonderful.

Elderly Constance Macken lives alone in her run down house called Ocean’s End on Pin Hill Island just off the Irish Coast. Constance is looking back and reflecting on her life with her mum Maggie, best friend Dotty and husband Oisin.

Heather Banks is newly divorced and has sold her chain of flower shops and she's proof money can't buy you happiness. Heather arrives on the island to bury her mother, to reconnect with Constance and to find her way again and a purpose.

Ros Stokes is the temporary wildlife ranger on the island, she lives in a sweet little cottage and for the first time in ages she has a home and likes her job and not the cranky farmer who lives next door.

She meets Constance and Heather, and the two younger women help her with her over grown garden and Constance keeps the kettle boiling and cooks delicious food and treats.

I received a copy of The Women at Ocean’s End from NetGalley and Aria & Aries in exchange for an honest review. Faith Hogan has sold millions of books and understand why and she has a way of not only immersing the reader in the plot, she creates the best characters and its set in the prefect place and I wanted to move to Pin Hill Island and be friends with the trio.

A narrative about living on an island and in an old art deco house, memories and regrets, secrets and loss, sorrow and troubles, finding the courage to share this and righting the wrongs of the past and making your way and the importance of friendship and found families. Five stars from me, I cried and laughed along with Constance, Heather and Ros and please write a sequel Faith Hogan.

Constance has lived at Ocean’s End since childhood and has experienced her every joy and sorrow in her 90 years. As she faces her immortality, she wonders if the time has come for the secret she’s been harboring her whole life to be confessed.

Ros has barely graduated and finds comfort and tranquility filling in for a temporary conservationist position at Ocean’s End. Will it be enough to help heal the shame she carries inside?

Heather returns to Ocean’s End to clear out her recently passed mother’s house. Fresh from a divorce, Heather is lost and feeling untethered. Will she be able to find purpose and meaning as she faces an uncertain future?

The story alternates between past and present timelines, building on Constance’s friendship with her best friend, Dotty, Heather’s mother, and their unfortunate fallout. Ocean's End brings the three new friends together to form a bond and love so strong that it profoundly impacts each of their lives.

This is another lovely read by Faith Hogan, who introduces readers to heartwarming characters while sweeping them away to the spectacular beauty of Ireland.

Highly recommend as a must read.

Three women all living their own lives or trying to find themselves drawn together and a chance for each of them to find what they truly need in life.

Wow this was such an emotional and heartfelt read. It really pulls at your heartstrings and almost had me in tears. Its so well written and captures the various emotions so perfectly. The ending although not how I wanted it to end, was the right one for the book. It finished the story beautifully. The story is told by the main characters and we see into each of their lives both past and present. The characters are all very likeable. The setting is described perfectly and makes it sound like a place to fall in love with like they did. Ros was probably my favourite though I loved Heather and Constance too. A real heartwarming, emotional read.

I find a Faith Hogan like a big hug, I love the sense of community in them and this one is no different. Our heroines are Constance, Ros and Heather and this book is one of those clever ones written in a dual timeline which I find so intriguing. The women come together to save the house at Ocean's End and save each other too. The perfect story of friendship, I loved it.

Another excellent novel from a favourite author!

An island off the Irish coast is the wonderful setting for this superb piece of writing. Constance Macken has lived there for decades, in a home whose days of splendour are in the past and the past is weighing heavily on her conscience. As she enters her ninth decade she knows that time is running out to put right the wrongs of the past. Heather Banks, on the other hand, arrives on the island to bury her mother in accordance with her final wishes. Recently divorced and having recently sold her business, there is nothing for her to rush back for. Ros Stokes, newly qualified and on her own, has settled into her first real job on the island where she has her own cottage - tied to the job and has found happiness there. Three women - one island.

I have adored every novel which this author has produced and this one is no different. In the past, I have likened Faith Hogan to the late writer, Maeve Binchy, but I truly believe that with this latest book we shall be comparing other authors to Faith in the future. She really knows how to create a fabulously entertaining story with a good range of characters who work both on their own and together. Absolutely highly recommended and, once again, fully meriting all five sparkling stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book set on the coast from Ballycove in the west of Ireland.

It’s a story of friendship between Dotty and Constance, as well as their relationships with their mothers.

Ros, who works as a wildlife ranger, when she meets Constance also forms a friendship with her. We also meet Heather, estranged daughter of Dotty.

The story is a dual timeline from the 1950s to the present and it’s also about family relationships. Something happened years ago, when both friends were 10, which they’ve have kept between themselves.

What was that and how does it affect everyone involved and will both friends now reveal the secret they’ve kept all these years?

I highly recommend this book.

The House at Ocean‘s end follows three women—Ros, Constance and Heather, The storyline follows events from the 1950s with the present day. I love Faiths books although this one isn’t top of my list but I’m not sure why. Thanks to Faith and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Another lovely read by the author, though not set in Ballycove this time, a new location and a new set of characters.
It took me a little while to get into this but once I was I was totally invested in the characters,
The tale of Constance, Heather and Ros, three very different women, at very different stages in their lives and the specialness that they bring to each other. Dealing with some series subjects this is a beautifully written book full of emotion.

I absolutely adored this book, what a delightful read. Seeing how the relationship develops so beautifully between 3 women of different generations. Each has a different story that has impacted on their lives. They support each other so effortlessly- Girl Power at its best.

And what a glorious setting, such a wild location. One of my favourite books in 2025. Five stars from me.

I love the authors books and was very excited to receive an arc of this. I went between reading digital and audio for this. This is true to the authors style of writing as it's very well written with beautiful characters. I found it very slow at the start and once it got moving and the three stories/characters started to intertwine. Overall a lovely summer read. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

Meet 3 generations of women who create a bond when their lives intertwine.

Constance has lived at Ocean's End for many years, while Heather arrives on the island to bury her mother, who grew up with Constance. Ros is the island ranger, and this tale stitches their lives together to save the house they love.

With the usual richness and depth of characters Faith Hogan is known for, you will lose yourself in the lives of these three women and the secrets that are revealed.

It took a little while to get started and understand how the 3 stories intertwine, but a definite read for Faith Hogan fans.

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to review this beautiful book.

Another beautiful, emotional read by Faith Hogan. Loved the setting and the beautiful friendship between Constance, Heather, Ros and the poor Dotty. I really felt I was there with them at oceans end and even cried while reading.

Very moving well written book.