Book review: The Lost Girls of Ireland


Set on the dreamy coast of Ireland, this book offers inspiration and reassuring that when someone dies not everything is lost. There is still hope for a different future if not the same kind of life once enjoyed.

When her husband dies and leaves a hefty debt to pay she had to sacrifice everything she owns - her house, her jewelry, and almost all the things in her possession. Lydia and her teenage daughter Sunny seek refuge at a house her great-aunt left for her. The worst of all, her husband had been involved in money laundering for all these years of his business and she didnt have a clue about it till now. As a last resort when her solicitor says her great aunt Nellie had written her Starlight Cottage to Lydia in her will, she moves to Killarny. When Lydia wanted to escape the disgrace her husband brought up in Dublin, moving to Killarny seemed the only option to live low. 

Living in Killarny seemed difficult at first but gradually they get used to it. Lydia's struggles at first get slowly wiped off as she takes up new roles to survive. She begins to work as a house-help to earn some. She begins to make new friends and Sunny slowly gets attuned to her new school. 

Even though the pace is slow I never wanted to put it down until I finished the book. The writing is addictive and breezy. The way Lydia transforms from day one in Killarny to how she has become at the end of the book is magical. As new opportunities begin to unfurl she takes charge of her life and rages forward. Jason her next-door neighbour who seems to be mystical in the beginning is helpful and becomes a friend...The relationship they share is amazingly captured with her heart's fluctuations a 40-year-old will experience being a widow. The longing for a partner whom she could confide and love is something Jason wants too.

Without explicit scenes, the author has brought out the tender romance between the two. A thin line between Lydia and Jason is holding them from going any further. She wants to wait until her daughter is well settled in college and he needs to give her time until the relationship ripens yet they both couldn't live without the emotional support of each other. 

A new life, although with limited means Lydia is happy in this small village with a bunch of friends and Jason. New opportunities await her and give her fresh hope to continue and flourish in her new life. Seeing the title I thought it gonna shatter my peace of mind but the book is the total opposite. I wish the story continued even after I finished it. 

A thoroughly edited book that offers harmony and hope to rebuild from scratch. This story has a series of books called Starlight Cottages. 

The way they accepted their new life is beautifully portrayed by the author. A slow-paced yet engaging story with the right dose of twists and turns in proper places that fuel the plot forward, and the language is so good. The book feels just like the comforting breeze at the beach!

Comments