First, let's get out of the way the fact that this book takes place mostly on the Titanic, so I'm not giving anything away if I tell you the ship sinks - unless you've been living under a rock. From there, the focus of the book is really about Maggie, one of the ship passengers, and how leaving her boyfriend and country behind to start a new life in America is even further exacerbated by being a part of one of the most well-known naval disasters of all time. The book starts off stiff and awkward, then moves to overwritten (there's a lot of giggling going on running around the ship until the Titanic makes too close of an acquaintance with an iceberg), and it's not really until disaster strikes that Gaynor's writing really starts to shine. She does a great job of putting you in the panicked position of a passenger trying to get off the ship, wondering about the people they were traveling with and finally the coping and recovery process. And while I love that she made the focus of the story people in third class instead of the usual first class route, I wish that she'd made the whole story focused on that. I don't really feel like the popular dual timeline is necessary (her great-granddaughter Grace is hearing the story as a burgeoning writer in 1982). I also feel like if she'd focused only on Maggie's experience in 1912, instead of throwing in occasional storytelling from at least four other POVs it would have made the story stronger. This one is kind of a mixed bag for me.

Loved this book. I don't normally read books that possibly might make you sad but the cover drew me in and it was so well written I didn't want to stop reading. The truth to the story made it that much more interesting. I would definitely read it again

I can never resist a Titanic story, and this one did not disappoint. There are 2 timelines going on I. This book, one set in the time of a college aged girl named Grace and the other set when her great grandmother is 17 and setting out on the Titanic. Grace’s story line isn’t really necessary but I understand why it is there. The author did a great job with Maggie, the great grandmother’s, story. There are some predictable spots, other than the Titanic’s demise of course, but all in all a great read.

Thank you to Book Club Girls, Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read in exchange for my honest opinions.

Rarely do I give a book a 5 star rating but this is one that truly deserves it. The Girl Who Came Home is a richly told tale of a group of 14 people from the same small town in Ireland who set out for a new life in America; setting sail on the maiden voyage of Titanic. Titanic’s story is well known but the author does an incredible job of creating a tale rich with emotion that hold the reader throughout. Told in two time frames, 1912 and 1982, it focuses on the story of Maggie Murphy a young woman leaving Ireland with her aunt and the story of 87 year old Maggie and her great granddaughter Grace who is trying to find her own way after a terrible loss. Between the backdrop of the two times, Maggie’s story, and Titanic’s as well is laid out in beautiful prose. The characters are richly drawn and the story, with all of its tragedy and sorrow, is masterfully told. A perfect book for anyone interested in Titanic or historical fiction.

The Girl Who Came Home is a spin on traditional stories about the sinking of the Titanic. From her idyllic home in Ireland, Maggie embarks on a journey to set sail with 13 of her neighbors, family and friends, leaving her true love behind. The author weaves a tale through time, spanning 70 years and uses Maggie's Granddaughter to help tell her story. There is a little bit of suspense and by the end, everything gets wrapped up gracefully, leaving the reader satisfied.

I appreciated this story whose theme seems to be enjoy life and don’t let opportunities get away. I really liked Maggie, Grace, and Harry who were believable and sympathetic. The character, Maggie, sums up life in these sentences: “To people like me the Titanic wasn’t about impressive bedrooms and huge boilers to make her go faster than any liner before her. To me, Titanic was about real people, real lives, real hopes for the future.” I recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction with a love story thrown in for extra enjoyment.

My birthday is on April 15th, so I guess I have always been drawn to books about the Titanic. This book was outstanding. It had me on page 1 and I didn't not want to put it down. H. Gaynor enveloped the Titanic and I felt like I was on it. Loved the characters especially Maggie, Harry, and Grace. I felt so many different emotions while reading--excitement, joy, sadness, fear, and disgust (in humankind--when the Titanic was sinking)! I will definitely be recommending this book.

A very sentimental book with romantic language and imagery. It’s an easy read, but I never felt very connected to the characters and their stories. If you like reading historical fiction that centers on romantic relationships, you will likely enjoy.

The unexpected is always a treat. Like many stories of the Titanic, the reader expects the disaster to look heavy over the tale. Instead, through the writing of a great grand-daughter, we meet a group of delightful Irish teens who are bound for America to make their homes & fortunes. These young men & women are not the elite, but are 3rd class ticket holders for the steerage. The description of the cabins and the 4 days on the Titanic are splendid. The details of the sinking are tragic and similar to what we all have read before.

This is just the start of the story. The story of the youth continues. The story of the survivor's grand-daughter continues as well.

It was delightful to read. The sections on the sinking were typical. Some of the book reminded me too much of the movie we all saw. I will recommend to readers who are not heavy history scholars, but just those that enjoy a story of Irish immigrants.

This is a beautiful story of a great grandmother’s story surviving the tragedy of the Titanic. She carried this secret through most of her life until she share it it’s her great grand daughter, Grace. They both navigate through the pain and history of those lost together. This Is a sweet, emotional read. Thank you to the Book Club Girl, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an ebook copy. This is my honest review.

I really enjoyed The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor. The book tells the story of Maggie and 13 others from a village in Ireland and their journey on Titanic. It is told in the present and also as Maggie shares her story with her granddaughter. The Titanic is a timeless story and the author makes you feel like you are there in third class along with Maggie and her friends. I recommend this book for any fans of historical fiction.

I love historical fiction, but I tend to only read novels from the World War 2 era. This was a pleasant surprise, although at times, it was difficult to read. Based loosely on a group of Irish emigrants who almost all went down with the Titanic, this novel features a dual timeline which I love. Reading of the loss of life was heartbreaking, imagining what they suffered as the ship slowly disappeared into the Atlantic. I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to more from this author.

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor is a sweet little story about a young Irish girl named Maggie who survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and, years later, shares the stories of that time with her great granddaughter, Grace. There are simple parallels and overlaps between the two women, which ties the story together and provides for a satisfying ending.

The story is told on both lookbacks and present day interactions. It's a well-traveled technique which allow the reader to learn key pieces of the story from those who lived it, including Maggie as a young girl, but also a steward named Harry, and Maggie's aunt and the aunt's sister and...well, a few too many people. The story is also told from the perspective of Maggie as an old woman, and present day Grace. There are a lot of narrators and, although they each present a different piece of the story, they don't always move the story as a whole forward.

Which is distracting, but not a deal breaker.

This is still an enjoyable read. There is quality dialog, good scene and getting descriptions, enough historical accuracy to be believable, likable characters and relatable and consistent character development (the main two, at least, Maggie and Grace). There's been a lot written about the sinking of the Titanic, and there was nothing new in The Girl Who Came Home. Again, that was ok by me. It is a character-driven story, after all.

I enjoyed this book.. It was a quick, easy read with a well-developed story involving characters I got to like and care about. They won't reside in my heart for years, but they did provide a nice little respite from life for a few hours.

This review was based on an advance copy read.

Absolutely loved this story...I felt like the characters were well developed. It’s a story of inspiration and believing in yourself. Loved the details of the period, such as the music, class differences, and fashion. A must read and it ended way too soon!

This is the first Hazel Gaynor book I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although, I'll admit it almost feels weird to describe the experience of this novel as enjoyment.

Anytime I read about devastating historical events, it grounds me. It reminds me that so many awful things have happened in the world and I find myself thanking God that you didn't have to go through something like this. The titanic is such a tragic event. To read personalized accounts, even when it is historical fiction, makes it more relatable. You're better able to put yourself in the shoes of the passengers and it's incredibly sad.

My goodreads review for this book was short, because I was still digesting the trauma of this book. I called it gut-wrenching. And it was. I look forward to reading more novels by Hazel Gaynor and continuing to learn about events that aren't always widely known through stories that are engrossing and engaging. I found myself absorbed in the story and with Gaynor's writing style.

Maggie's journey is one you won't soon forget.

This was a great novel following an immigrant's story from the titanic, and I couldn't stop thinking about it long after I finished! I'll read anything by this author!

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor is a historical fiction that also serves as a dual timeline between 1912 and 1982. Maggie, a young Irish girl traveling on the ill-fated Titanic gives us a glimpse of the “below deck” classes and accommodations, as well as, the harrowing tale of destruction in person. Alternating that from the story line of Maggie conversing with her great-granddaughter in 1982, adds an additional component to the novel.

Anyone that enjoys history or fiction involving the fascinating Titanic should enjoy this book as well.

4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this digital copy and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, and Amazon accounts immediately.

We read this in our book club a few years ago and it provoked a great discussion on immigration and class differences. I remember it had great attention to detail and a touching story. I look forward to rereading it.