What a powerful story! It left me in a puddle of tears! The House At Ocean’s End by Faith Hogan is an incredibly moving, deeply probing story that explores lasting friendships, family connections/mother daughter relationships, physical and emotional abuse, haunting secrets, separation/death, traumatic divorce, fresh starts and new love to name a few of the scenarios covered. The topic of grief runs like a knotted thread throughout the storyline in each of these women lives: Constance, Heather and Ros. Dotty, too. They each deal with it in their own way.

As always with Faith’s stunning novels, Ireland’s inspiring landscape plays a prominent role. This time it is not set in Ballycove but rather on one of the small islands off the Mayo coast in western Ireland. The author tells us in her Acknowledgements that Pin Hill Island (in the novel) was inspired by Achille Island, a stunning location of exceptional beauty. I have seen photos of this natural wonder and it is easy to see why a writer would be inspired to use this location. It is an idyllic haven, known for its rugged mountains, tall sea cliffs, peat bogs and clean beaches. A perfect place to start over, unveil secrets and seek reflection. In fact, its wildness mirrors the emotional state of the characters as they face new and old challenges.

Faith Hogan’s novel paints a vivid portrait of what life would be like living in a remote yet picturesque location. Who wouldn’t be inspired by such breathtaking grandeur! The setting serves the plot well as a valuable framework where we can watch the seasons change, see what is happening around the characters and connect on an emotional level with them. We are able to step into their shoes and feel the impact of the environment on their lives. We all know vacationing by the sea can offer renewal and refreshment of spirit, mind and body. And this little island offers these women a heavy dose of nature’s nurturing.

I loved the cast of characters but one stole (and broke!) my heart: George the kid (baby goat) rescued by Ros. It says a lot about her care for animals and the environment. There are some very moving passages when Ros is choked up over the injured goat. But it makes her aware of her own deeper sadness which stems from the loss of her mother. This is an example of how the natural environment (including animals) plays an important role in revealing each character’s past and path to healing. Ros is an intriguing person and her journey—a touching one. I marvelled at the amazing things she did and aspired to do during her interlude job position within a Parks and Wildlife capacity. Ros had top qualifications with text book knowledge but little practical application experience. Initially she doubts herself taking on the role offered her, after her predecessor, Max, steps down from the position due to his cancer.

Heather is the daughter of Dotty: a woman we get to know through flashbacks or a past timeline. Heather lands on the island to bury her mother. She has come through some rough patches with the end of both her marriage and business. Spending time with Ros and Constance, helps her sort out her life and begin a new chapter: one that makes her happy and fulfils her wishes. She in turn offers them consolation and joy.

Constance is a haunted women. She carries some bad childhood experiences. Yet Dotty was closer to her than a sister until an incident happens that divides them. They spent so much time together—saving each other. Yet Constance’s past holds her back. Worse is the fact her present is filled with new challenges that will inevitably affect her future. She wants to set some things right that have been buried and festering too long. The John 8:32 opening scripture definitely suits her: ‘and the truth will set you free’. But time is of the essence. She must unload her heart full of secrets before it is too late.

The importance of stories in society comes shining through in The House at Ocean’s End. Constance’s mother was a writer. Maggie Macken had a lot of fans and a plan is devised to honour her. Heather argues that readers deserve a chance to enjoy the novels. She ‘found them to be a complete escape from worries and misery…’ so they could do the same for others.

The psychology of anger and its sources are explored in this novel. Why do people explode into sudden emotional outbursts? We know that emotions pushed down will not stay put. Like a volcano, the lid will blow off eventually. We see this in both Constance's and Ros’s reactions.

The House at Ocean’s End has a valuable purpose. It provides healing, restores happiness and births new ventures. The three women work together to save this cottage, while learning a lot about themselves and each other. As a result some very positive things happen. Grief turns to hope, chaos to peace. There’s a beautiful ending. Each of these women rise like phoenixes out of their ashes. Fabulous novel! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Aria publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

The house at Ocean‘s end follows three women—Constance, Heather, and Ros. The story blends events from the 1950s with the present day and explores the themes of trauma, loneliness, and hope with warmth and compassion.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys heartwarming stories about friendship and resilience. If you’re a fan of Faith Hogan’s work then you’ll love this read!

The House at Ocean’s End by. Faith Hogan is a delightful read and is the story of three women, who meet and enjoy each other’s company.
Constance Mackenzie, in her ninth decade has lived at Ocean’s Drive since she was a child. She looks back on her life and knows that there are things she must attend to before she dies.
Ros Stokes works on the island as a ranger temporarily, but then doesn’t get the full time position. She is a friend of Constance and has helped with maintenance work on the house.
Heather Banks used to stay with Constance when she was a child. Her mother was a childhood friend of Constance.
The two younger woman enjoy Constance’s company and are with her until the end of her life.
An enjoyable life affirming book.
Highly recommended

I just loved this book; it was like a warm hug. Someone taking me through bad news and making it all about hope! The book centres on the lives and friendships of three women who are different in terms of background and age and stage of life. They somehow intertwine their lives and end up as each other's advocates and cheerleaders and make their lives better and brighter. The author deals with bullying, mysogny, trauma, and loss in a beautiful way. The island itself is shown to be a hard place, where it is hard to make a living, yet it is also a place that allows you to thrive, to look after a house, a goat and a garden and to live life in joy.

What a fantastic read. Constance and Dotty shared a secret that would affect their lives and also eventually end their friendship. When Constance is coming towards the end of her life Dottys daughter returns to the Island to bury her mother and when Ros arrives to start a job the three women instantly bond and especially as they try to save the house at Oceans end which has become very rundown., Beautifully written and very poignant in parts I really enjoyed it

Oh wow! I was there at Oceans End. I really felt as though I was there, the descriptions were excellent and propelled me into the lives of these kind and loving women.
There’s Constance who is elderly and everyone loves her, Heather who is in her fifties, but she’s lost her place in life following her divorce and lastly Ros who has no one in her life to care for and love her, but still she continues to survive and do her best.
I loved this book so much.

This is a tender heartfelt read telling the story of the lives of 3 women who live just off the coast of Ireland.

Constance, Heather and Ros are all women who have had struggles and lived life. Their relationships with each other is told over 6o years and I loved just loved how the author made me as a reader feel all the emotions.

I loved getting to know these women.

This is a lovely book of friendship which brings 3 women together. I so enjoy the authors writing - she engages you and has such warmth and compassion for her characters. Thoroughly recommend.

I really enjoyed this novel - definitely a 5 star read!

The story centres around there women drawn together by Ocean’s End. Constance - at 90 is struggling to keep her home going, Ros loving her job in conservation on the island but still processing her mother’s sudden death from cancer and Heather, daughter of Constance’s childhood friend, Dotty, is coming to terms with her mother’s death and their estrangement.

The story shifts between the events of the 1950s which profoundly affected both Constance and Dotty’s lives and led to the breakdown of their friendship and the present day meeting of the three women.

The women are drawn together in an effort to save the house and the literary legacy of Constance’s mother.

A heartwarming tale of friendship, hope and compassion.

A delight to read.

A thoroughly absorbing book set on a small island near Ireland. Constance, Heather and Ros all come into each others lives at a critical time for all of them. A gentle story spanning 6 decades, I couldn't put this book down.

Always enjoy books by this author, this is achange from her usual characters in Ballymore Cove. Set in completely different place with lots of characters to get to know, all with an easy to read storyline. Thoroughly enjoyed, look forward to her next one.

I love Faith Hogan. I was expecting to see some of the usual Ballycove residents but this story is set on a little island just off the coast. A lonely widow, an old friends daughter, a newcomer to the island. These 3 ladies become the best of friends. The story is set in 1957 when the 2 friends were neighbours and something terrible happens and then also in the present time. I lovely but sad story.