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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

Set on an island across the water from Ballycove in Ireland. Constance has lived at Ocean's End since she was a young girl. She is now in her eighties and her beautiful house is falling to pieces around her. Her mum was a famous author and shared her house with her friend Silvia and her daughter Dotty who was Constance best friend.
A traumatic incident happened to the two girls when they were young and later in life the stress of keeping it secret has destroyed their friendship.

Constance is lonely and often thinks back to days gone by ,but when she strikes a friendship with Roz the young women who is made wildlife warden on the isle things change for her.
Now Dotty's daughter Heather has came for a holiday and Constance couldn't be happier.

This story goes back to the past of Constance and Dotty and then to present day. This is such a beautiful heartwarming read. The three women in the book are three of the nicest people I think I've ever read about.
These days when all news seems to be bad I want my books to be uplifting and heartwarming. I steer away from books that are doom and gloom. I finished the book with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
A Faith Hogan book will never let you down. She is a wonderful writer.

Oh wow, Faith's books just get better and better.
This one truly got to me. I've shed so many tears reading this, both of happiness and sadness.
What absolutely wonderful, real characters Constance, Dotty, Heather and Ros are. I loved them equally, despite any flaws they may have, because honestly, are any of us perfect?

So many complex issues are dealt with throughout this journey, dark secrets, alcoholism, abuse to name a few.
Despite all that, this story is one of second chances and leaves you feeling uplifted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shannon from Head Of Zeus for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love Faith Hogan's writing and have read, I believe, all of her published titles. This one is so sad at the beginning that I will admit I almost stopped reading the book in the early chapters as it was making me feel so flat, however, I am glad I persevered to finish this very poignant novel that addresses a lot of difficult issues.

What a lovely book. I could not put it down. The setting is an island off the coast of Ireland. The book goes backwards and forwards starting with Dotty and Constance in their early years and continues until they pass away. The story itself is all about friendships past and present, relationships between mothers and daughters, alcoholism and many things inbetween. Constance lives on the island and is lonely and getting on in years. A young Roz comes to the island as a ranger and they forge an amazing friendship. The next character to arrive is Heather. Heather is the daughter of Constance’s estranged friend Dotty. The book really revolves around these three for the main part but also past dramas and upsets which makes you realise how Dotty does not fair well in her life and, therefore, her daughter, Heather, is not too friendly with her mom, Dotty. The three women revolve around each other is such a lovely way and although there are other characters, this being a small island, they all intermingle really well with the other villagers. Roz is hoping for her ranger job to become permanent, Heather cannot decide whether to stay on the island herself having divorced and sold her business in London. The opportunity then arises in a way that makes the three women happy and content with their lot. There are sad parts to the book, George the goat past away who sounded so cute, and uplifting parts also. On the whole I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It made me sad, it made me happy and it is a book that I could read again

A beautiful story which grabbed me right away. I haven't read any of the other books by Faith but, this was like a breath of fresh air. It was quite a sad story but very interesting to read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Another fabulous read from this author who gets to the heart of human emotion and relationships in their books and also paints a picture of what it was like to live in Ireland in the 19 and also took us on a journey to the beautiful remote location of oceans end which sounded like a haven for tranquility and healing.

The story is an emotional rollercoaster and explores the power of friendships and also delves into a lot of complex and traumatic issues and I had tears of sadness and happiness while reading.

This was a beautiful poignant read

An absolutely delightful story beautifully written. The beginning is slightly dark but as the story builds there is hope and lightness. Set in mainly on a small island off the west coast of Ireland with the odd dip into London and Galway. The story told by the voices of the women in the book Constance, Dotty, Heather and Ros in the present day with glimpses back to 1957 and 1981. Wonderful characters with real feelgood, heartwarming friendships and sense of community. One of Faith's best.

I was sent this book by the author to review- wow what a story - I could not put this book down.

Readers you will need a box of tissues to get you through this for me personally there was both happy and sad tears.

We meet Constance, Dotty, Ros and Heather not perfect with flaws, complex issues, secrets, drink related issues and abuse thrown into the mix. This is about second chances

Great Story and will be a good sunbed read due for publication June 2025.

A brilliant story sharing the beauty and love of friendships but also how easy it is to go wrong and not know how to bring it back. Thoroughly enjoyed this

Constance lives alone at the house at Ocean's end, on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland. The house was bought by her mother, Maggie ,a famous author whose books are no longer in print. The return of her best friend Dotty's daughter, Heather and the friendship of local Ranger , Ros provide her with friendship and love. Hidden secrets of Constance and Dotty's past are slowly revealed. Enthralling reading. Perfect for holiday/cold day reading.

An uplifting tale about doing your best, despite having heavy baggage. This is a well crafted story about three women and a house, told with warmth and compassion.
I enjoyed reading it so much.

I didn't even read the blurb before hitting download on netgalley. I didn't need to. With Faith Hogan's books, I know I'm going to love it.

Told in four points of view : Constance, Dotty, Heather, Ros, and spanning from the 1950s to the present day. Each woman tells her story.
It kept me hooked the whole way with shocking reveals and secrets, delightful twists and turns, and a sweet goat.

I loved how the friendships between the women were formed and how family isn't always blood.

Do yourself a favour, grab a cup of tea, a cosy blanket, and this book and get lost in the descriptions of the gorgeous setting and wonderful characters.

Have loved all Faith Hogan's previous books and this one lived up to my expectations. Based on a small island off the cost of Ballycove ( location for previous books.) It follows the stories of 3 ladies. We go back into their past discovering sadness and the developing stories in the present. Loved all the characters except maybe one male! Read and enjoy

An interesting and spellbinding story that is poignant and full of emotion. You delve into the lives and intrigues surrounding the characters that bring them together on the wonderfully described Irish island

This is the first book that I have read, written by Faith Hogan and I am certain it will not be the last.
Beautifully written both in the descriptions of the area and the characters. This is a story that will stay with me for some time, I am drying my eyes after crying tears of both sadness and joy.
A wonderful book that I thoroughly recommend.

This is a great story. I found it hard to read at times but rightly so. Excellent characters really pull you in. I've reccomended it to all my friends.

A lovely story set over six decades featuring the lives of Constance, Heather and Ros and is set onan island of off the West Coast of Ireland.. Constance has a lot of issues from her past to deal with and clear up which she does with the help of Heather and Ros.

This moving book tells the story of three women of different generations and their developing friendship. The book goes back in time for Heather and Constance, revealing incidents from their childhood and how these shaped the women they became. The characters are beautifully drawn, and stayed with me long after I had finished the book. The descriptions of the island are delightful. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.

Faith Hogan is clever, and her new novel proves why she is such a good storyteller. This carefully woven tale spans six decades and is told through four distinct points of view. It is heartwarming and deeply moving, with a perfect blend of joy and sorrow. Page-turning and almost impossible to put down, this uplifting and poignant read lingers long after the final page. Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC copy.

Another fantastic Faith Hogan book following the stories of Constance, Dotty, Heather and Ros. Had me engaged from the start and whilst not always easy reading the friendships of the women was heartwarming and genuine.

I loved this book, a powerful powerful story! Which left me crying many times! The book is an incredibly moving 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.
Set in Ireland on one of the small islands off the Mayo Coast, but references Ballycove.

Thanks to Aria publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

After reading this book, I have managed to read all of Faith's wonderful books, and cannot wait for her next novel.

A beautifully woven heart warming read. The author brings all the characters to life and you care what happens to them. Caring friendships are at the heart of the story.

Wow! This book blew me away. I couldn't believe how good it was. It was emotional and being a book about second chances I absolutely connected with it. Highly recommend.

This is a gentle but thought provoking story of three women. Their lives become entwined and their stories are played out against a rugged landscape of a tiny island. It felt odd going back into the 1950s but it was so well written. I enjoyed reading this book, and thank NetGalley for the chance to review i.

A heartwarming and compassionate story set on an island and shifts between the present day and the 1950s. Three disparate women are drawn together by Ocean’s End, the house Constance has lived in for most of her life. Elderly Constance is struggling by herself. Ros is grieving for her mother but enjoying her new job as the island’s ranger. Heather is the daughter of Dotty, who was Constance’s childhood friend until they fell out. She has come to visit the island to scatter her mother’s ashes. The three women are drawn together to save Ocean’s End, help Constance and save her mother’s literary legacy

The story shifts between the present day and the 1950s when Constance and Dotty were good friends until something happened to upset their friendship. A book to savour as Faith Hogan’s books always are.

Faith Hogan's The Women at Ocean’s End is a deeply emotional and beautifully crafted novel about three women whose lives intertwine on a remote island off the Irish coast. Each woman carries her burden of secrets and pain, and the stunning backdrop of the island provides the perfect setting for healing, transformation, and the uncovering of the past.

Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, has lived a life full of both joy and sorrow. As she reflects on her past, she realises it is time to confront the wrongs that have haunted her for years. Heather Banks, freshly divorced and while burying her mother, comes to the island hoping for a fresh start. Finally, Ros Stokes seems to have found everything she ever wanted—perfect job, perfect home, and a family of friends—until the threads of her life begin to unravel, forcing her to face what has been holding her back.

The three women come together at a faded Art Deco house near the ocean’s edge, determined to save the house they all love. As they share their stories, the novel explores themes of lasting friendships, family bonds, grief, and the courage to let go of the past. The women support each other as they navigate trauma, loss, and the possibilities of new beginnings.

Hogan’s writing is poignant and powerful, offering a raw, honest look at grief and how it manifests in different forms. The depiction of mother-daughter relationships, the lingering effects of abuse, and the challenges of starting over after loss are all handled with care and depth. Ireland’s breathtaking landscape becomes almost a character in itself, adding a layer of beauty and solace to the story.

The Women at Ocean’s End is a moving, thought-provoking tale of healing, friendship, and redemption that will leave readers reflecting long after the last page. A truly touching read for anyone who enjoys deeply emotional stories set against a beautifully evocative backdrop.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

What an emotional rollercoaster this was. I cried buckets
Constance and Dotty form a friendship from an early age. Their bond so strong even after they fall out many years later after something devastating happens, and they make a pact to keep it secret.
Their lives turn out very diffently.
Dotty's daughter Heather decides to visit Constance after her divorce and mother's death. It's been many years since she has seen her.
Ros is filling in as temporary Ranger on the island off Ireland and befriends Constance after she accidentally locks herself out of her house.
This was such a heartwarming story of how these women's lives and friendships come together.
There is some drama along the way it they all find solutions.
This is definitely a different read from Faith's other books, which mainly centre around Ballycove, although it is mentioned.
Have plenty of tissues to hand. You'll need them.
It's a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.
Loved it.
Thanks to Aria and Aries for the invitation to read this in return for an honest review.

A lovely book about found family and community. I loved the setting on the island and the relationship between the women. Highly recommended.

The book begins in the 1950s, with Constance as a young girl, moving on to her becoming an old women in her 90s recounting her past.

There is a real sense of character and setting, a remote island off the Scottish coast, with chapters written by Constance, Ros and Heather. Constance’s old home, Ocean’s End, has become delapidated and needs repair. Ros, who has a temporary job on the island, has been providing friendship and support to Constance. Heather, following a divorce, is feeling lost and alone, and the three women become friends, all having hidden secrets which are explored as this moving story unfolds.

This is a steady paced book, with beautiful descriptions of the old faded house, flora and fauna, and rugged coastlines surrounding the area. The two timelines and chapters written by the three women make a more rounded story, adding depth. Sensitively written, the story is about friendships, relationship, abuse with a hint of romance. Recommended.

The Women at Ocean's End by Faith Hogan

Set on an island off the west coast of Ireland, this book tells the story of Constance, Heather (daughter of Constance's childhood friend Dotty) and Ros (newcomer to the island) in the present day and by returning to 1957 when Constance and Dotty were young.

Love, love, LOVE this book - what a beautiful and poignant read, I couldn't put it down! Faith Hogan is an auto-buy author for me - I've loved everything she's written and this is no exception... it may even be her best book yet! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

My first book from acclaimed writer Faith Hogan, and although it wasn’t as expected it surpassed my expectations.
Intriguing and poignant, charming and enthralling.
This is the tale of three ladies and the house on an island off Ireland who come together with some shared history and reasons to change their lives from their pasts, to right some wrongs and make their way forward.
The build up of the characters and their lives is brilliant and beautifully written. The island is atmospheric with hard subject matter composed sensibly and in a down to earth fashion. Friendship’s and relationships and how they evolve in time. Brilliant.
This book is touching, moving, and hard to read at times whilst altogether inspiring and gratifying at others. For me this was quite the unique read.
Hugely recommend this heart filling tale from Ireland.
Thank you NetGalley and Aria books for the early read.

A really lovely read set on a small Irish island, set around a crumbling Art Deco house right by the sea.

There are three main characters - Constance is an elderly lady living on her own at Ocean's End. Heather arrives on the island to scatter her mother's ashes, but is also at a bit of a crossroads in her life after both her marriage and business came to an end. Heather's mother Dotty was a great friend of Constance and both Dotty and Heather used to visit the island regularly when Heather was young, until they fell out years ago and never spoke again. And finally we have Ros, the youngest, who is on the island in a temporary capacity working for Parks & Wildlife and has no family and always feels very alone.

Ros comes across Constance one day when she gets locked out of her house and they forge a friendship, each one helping the other. Then Heather visits, bringing back lots of memories for Constance, and the three ladies all form a very special friendship. Constance's mother was a famous author whose books have gone out of print, so both Heather and Ros help her to re-issue the books and make some money in order to save the crumbling Ocean's End house.

A lot of the story centres around Constance and Dotty's relationship and why they fell out years ago. A very emotional story, but a real page-turner, lots of happy moments, but also some very sad ones, I did shed quite a few tears especially towards the end! A really wonderful book.

"The Women at Ocean's End" are 3 women of different generations who form a friendship on the small Irish island of Pin Hill. As the relationships build they help each other to overcome various issues. This is a warm tale of life in more remote locations, and includes some romance as well as friendship. Issues dealt with include child abuse, alcoholism, lack of work and housing in rural areas and life after divorce. This is a well written and gentle story which is easy to lose yourself in.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A book on friendship, Constance and Dotty were childhood friends and after a horrendous experience they never spoke again.
Constance's mother moves them to a large Art Deco house on a small island off Ireland after her books have been published.
Years later Dotty dies and her daughter Heather returns to the island to bury her mother's ashes and stays with Constance.
Ros is on the island on a temporary job looking after the island's wildlife, she is alone in life until she meets Constance and they form a deep friendship.
All three women are brought together through difficult and hard times, very emotional and a brilliant storyline.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

Oh my, what a book. The sheer wildness and beauty of Pin Hill island, the constant movement of the sea and sky, the bleating of the goats… I was there.
The characters are wonderful too, as the way the story is woven. Constance; lonely, waiting out her days with resilience, forbearance, and only small joys. We see her now and as a terrified child who falls down a well in 1957, and at points in between, teased out as the mystery which binds her to Heather’s late mother is slowly revealed. Then Heather herself, discovering the books which will pull her from London and back to the place of her happiest childhood memories. And finally Ros, the youngest of the three, an incomer who perhaps loves the island more than anyone else.
I love stories of friendship and there is a real magic to this one, perhaps because the tensions which drive the novel forwards are not between the women, but around them. And Faith Hogan is such a skilled writer, mistress of her genre, and for me this wonderfully uplifting book is her best yet.

I absolutely adored 'The Women at Ocean's End'!

Constance, Heather and Ros each have such interesting back stories and are all three equally well-rounded characters whose lives come together on Pin Hill Island.

This is a warm-hearted, feel-good novel that is filled with a generous helping of kindness and compassion.

Yes, it might be a little predictable in places, but I hugely enjoyed reading it from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

A beautiful story of three women who come together on the small Pin Island in the west of Ireland. The island is so well represented that it’s a character in its own right. Elderly Constance’s life is drawing to a close while Ros is young and struggling to become established without any backup or security. Heather’s mid life change of circumstances has left her feeling adrift. There are themes of grief and loss and the impact of past events blighting lives for many years but the ramshackle house Oceans End provides redemption and healing for all three women. A wonderful atmospheric book which I wholeheartedly recommend.

Though a slow burn, I enjoyed connecting with the characters in Pin Hill. The characters and their lives stole the show and I found them to be so wholesome and lovable. Ros, Heather and Constance each have a story to tell and there’s an underlying mystery of the history between Constance and the late Dotty (Heathers mother, and Constance’s childhood friend).

This was beautifully written with multiple important themes demonstrated-grief, end of life planning, chosen family, friendship and career aspirations.

I found myself rooting for each character and their respective challenges or relationships. This was my first read from the author. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc and to the publisher!

This beautifully written story is about 3 women. Constance who is in her nineties, Heather who is the daughter of Constance's childhood friend Dotty and Ros who comes to the Island to work.

Their lives connect with love and tragedy as they help each other to overcome, understand and accept their sad past.

A brilliant book and a must read!

The preface of this book threw me a little and I was unsure as to whether it would flow. My concerns proved to be unfounded. I very quickly got to know the characters and loved them (mostly). The pacing of the book was great and the descriptors just detailed enough to whet my appetite to see the beautiful island but without going into tedious detail which often causes blocks to the flow of a book. No such problems here. Constance, Ris and Heather kept me happily turning the pages as their stories played out and their friendships blossomed. I really enjoyed the story and the writing style . Four and a half stars .

I loved this book set on Pin Hill island just off the coast from Ballycove in the west of Ireland (the setting of previous Ruth Logan books). The focus of the book is the deep friendship between Dotty and Constance, their relationship not only with each other but with their mothers too. Into this we also meet Ros, a wildlife ranger on the island and Dotty's estranged daughter Heather. It is a very empathetic and moving story which spans from the 1950s to the present day. It shows not only the complicated family relationships but also the consequences and aftermath of one tragic event when the girls are 10 years old. To mention it would spoil the book for the reader! I really couldn't put this book down and did shed a tear or two (as well as laugh!0 in places! Thanks to Netgalley letting me read this book.

What a lovely read! I wasn’t too sure what to expect as I began this one (although I loved the authors previous book) but I soon found myself drawn in and unable to put this down.

This book is predominantly about three women, a very youthful older lady Constance, her childhood friends’ daughter Heather and Ros, a newcomer to the island where Constance lives. This story brings these three wonderful characters together, through events in their past or things happening now.

Everything just flowed really well, some may say it’s a slow burn, but I feel it’s a story of really getting to know the characters, understanding their pasts and how this affects their present. It follows their lives as they all come to terms with different tragedies and things life has thrown at them.

The author is sensitive and loving in her writing, you really will come to love all the characters (well almost all!)
She describes everything so well that you will feel you are sat at Ocean’s End with the characters, seeing the house as it is and as it was.

I really loved how friendship is portrayed in this story, how it doesn’t matter your age, your background, you can become friends with anyone. I loved the friendships that build between the other characters too, not just our main characters. There’s a real sense of community and connection and it’s so beautifully written that you really will struggle to put it down.

A lovely and moving read. The multiple view point added extra dimension and allows you to connect with a number of different characters. The timeline jump backs are really interesting as well as they add a lot of insight into the friendship of Constance and Dotty and show how their childhood shaped the women they become.

Ros was an interesting side character who I felt really helped tie everything together. She offered a different view point and she was able to give Constance comfort that she needed whilst she herself gained love and protection which she lacked and desperately needed.

Heather is part of the story, almost as Dotty’s representative. Dotty is her mother and she’s not had the best relationship with her and she really doesn’t know why. Through spending time at Pin Hill and with Constance Heather learns more about her mother’s childhood, which she rarely spoke about and she discovers that her mother was a remarkable woman who did love her. Both Heather and Constance get the closure that they need to be able to move on.

Maggie, Constance’s mother wasn’t a major character but I really found her interesting. Being a single mother and a romance author in Ireland in the 1950 had to be scarily amazing. She was so brave to follow her dream and defy convention. She provided for Constance and later Dotty and her mother. I loved how Heather was the one to realise that Maggie could have her ultimate dream of never being forgotten. As the book ends it’s clear to see that the help Maggie gave to Heather’s family is going to be extended to the whole island as her estate is going to boost the local economy.

It was a deeply moving story at times that really touched my heart. A great read to get lost in for the weekend.

I can't quite believe it but I think this is my first of Faith's books. I've definitely been missing out so I'll be looking out for her others.

I really enjoy multi viewpoint books, but they can be difficult to get on with unless managed well. And I was worried I might get lost within the various stories, but it all felt very natural. They've all got such distinctive voices that it would be hard to get them mixed up, which isn't an easy thing to achieve.

The story is good, the pacing is good, the characters are good, and I very much enjoyed it. But what really stood out for me, and forgive me if this is a little corny, but is Faith's writing, her use of language, her ability to form sentences that explore everything from mundane things like the weather to the extremities of loneliness and grief.

We get to know four women. Dotty (but we only get to know her as a child and young woman), her daughter Heather, Dotty's childhood best friend Constance, and her island neighbour Ros. They're all gorgeous women and I was so sad to leave them by the end of the story, it's like they had become my own friends. There are other characters, male and female, but for me, this story belonged to those women.

There are elements in the story that aren't pleasant at all, and really quite hard to read about but they don't feel sensationalised in this. They're hard to read, but unfortunately they are very real, and so you can't ignore them. But, in a way, it also helps make the happier moments shine more.

Yes there are difficult parts, bit that are emotional, some happier and sadder bits, some anger and grief. But my overriding feeling of it was a feeling of hope. There's old and new friends, lost friends, reconnected friends, love lost and found. It's just full of joy, love, hope, friendship, relationships, new love, the restorative power of nature, forgiveness, passions, dreams.

I can almost guarantee this will end up on my "favourite books of the year" list. It's simply perfection.

A gentle read about female friendships that cross the age divide well written by Faith Hogan. Set on Pin Hill Island this book brings together three main characters, Constance, Ros and Heather, and tells their stories. As well as delving into their pasts, it also investigates their relationships with their mothers. A good summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and for the advance copy of this book.

I loved this book, a story of friendship and how it grew then was lost and missed, and how time goes by with regrets. It was thought provoking, making me think how time goes so quickly, i thought about the people i had known and lost contact with, i then sent messages to say hi how are you, because before we know it time is gone and you cant do that. I loved reading Constance story, and how Ros and Heather came into her life and how her legacy the cottage was going to be saved.
A nice easy read

Another beautiful, emotional read by Faith Hogan. Loved the setting and the beautiful friendship between Constance, Heather and Ros (and my heart just broke for Dotty).

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

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.

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.

Faith Hogan never fails to deliver a good story. The rugged, beautiful setting of a tiny island in the Atlantic ocean provides the perfect setting for a poignant, emotional, bittersweet story that is full of hope and warms your heart. I didn’t expect it to be so dark but it wasn’t disturbing in the end. I’ve loved every single one of Ruth Hogan’s books and this is no exception.
Faith Hogan never fails to deliver a good story. The rugged, beautiful setting of a tiny island in the Atlantic ocean provides the perfect setting for a poignant, emotional, bittersweet story that is full of hope and warms your heart. I didn’t expect it to be so dark but it wasn’t disturbing in the end. I’ve loved every single one of Ruth Hogan’s books and this is no exception.
Thank you to Aria, Head of Zeus, the author and NetGalley for an early copy.

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