This is a lovely heartwarming story set on the west coast of Ireland. It explores female relationships and the importance of living life to the full. The setting is an immense part of this story giving the women space to breathe and think. The relationship dynamics are relatable, and the author explores topical issues in an enlightened way.

Character-driven, it immerses the reader in the main protagonists' lives, which is an emotional experience. Family drama, heartbreaking decisions and romance are interwoven into this literary puzzle, and despite the shocks and tears, it leaves you feeling uplifted.

I received a copy of this book from 'Head of Zeus' - Aria in return for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book because I love reading about long term female friendships and I was not disappointed. Elizabeth is left with debilitating debt, which is all a surprise, after her husband dies. The secrets involving him continue and it would be easy to hate him. I love that her friend Jo supports her and encourages her to make changes and decisions on her own. I laughed and smiled throughout the book. But, I also sobbed with emotion saved up for years and brought to light with the journey of these women. It was a beautiful journey of strength, love and community.

A beautify story of friendship, family and community. It made me want to pack up and move to Ballycove and jump straight into the Atlantic!
Set on the west coast of Ireland in a small village by the sea, Jo enjoys a a dip in the sea and often tries to encourage her friend Elizabeth to join her. Elizabeth is newly widowed and finally decides to take her up on her offer. Jo’s daughter Lucy, who lives in Dublin working in a busy A and E in a large hospital decides she needs a break. She decides to take a year off from her job, first thing she does is visit her mother with her 15 year old son. She too takes up the invitation of a swim and they all go most nights at midnight. Lucy decides to stay longer than intended as she becomes worried about her mother’s health.
The narrative consists of Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy’s POV and also of Jo’s son Nial and of a writer from London, Dan who goes to Ballycove to unwind and write his first novel. The reason he chooses Ballycove is because he was adopted, all he knows of his birth mother is that she was from Ballycove and possibly a young mother in the institute run by Nun’s. This makes the storyline even more interesting and we go on Dan’s own journey of discovery.
The descriptions of the setting are so vivid and the characters are real and likeable. This was so moving it made me cry real tears. The story moves quickly and although it is sad it is ultimately an uplifting and heartwarming read.

A heart warming tale of friendship. Elizabeth is helped by her friend Jo, who in turn asks her daughter Lucy to help. Following another shock they turn to the cold Irish sea to wash away their troubles. The characters are so likeable and the tale life affirming and heart warming. I cannot recommend it enough.

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is such a beautiful read. You’ll have your heart broken time and again as you’re introduced to the three ladies that the story centres around.

Elizabeth, lives in the big house, her place in society secure, respected as the doctors wife - that is until her world is rocked on its axis when her husband dies and she discovers a hidden secret that is set to leave her not only widowed but destitute and homeless. She needs to lean on best friend Jo who props her up and is the unbiased sounding board she needs. The friend, we’ve all got one, who pushes her outside of her comfort zone - Jo encourages Elizabeth to join her in her passion for swimming in the Irish Sea late at night. The quiet and the darkness, a safe place to talk openly and share their secrets.

Jo’s daughter Lucy arrives from Dublin with her son Niall to visit her mother for some time out and a break from her life as a busy doctor in an A & E department whilst ex husband lives the high life with his new partner in Australia.

Then there’s Dan a writer who rents a cottage to write his next novel, but the location of the cottage has been chosen for a reason - he gets more than he bargains for when he discovers the cottage is already occupied.

The story ebbs and flows as the author peels back the layers of each of the characters laying bare their problems and secrets - my heart wept and tears rolled down my face as Jo and Dan’s stories in particular were told. Lucy steps in to help Elizabeth, providing a sticking plaster on her problems, giving her the space to make her own decisions, to pave a path of her choosing.

The emotional connections, the strong bond of friendship, both long standing and short was beautiful to read as their lives entwined and they supported each other through a difficult time in each of their lives. Lucy uncovers a secret about her mother that sees her life free falling before she’s encouraged to join her mum Jo and Elizabeth swimming under the cover of darkness in the sea at Midnight - virtual hands are held, the sea washing away the tears as plans are made as members of the Ladies Midnight Swimming Club.

I highly recommend this book, it’s so difficult to put into words how uplifting and empowering reading this book was. The characters and scenarios were real, the emotions raw and the words floated around me long after I finished reading. No matter what’s going on in your life when you allow friends in, openly share your worries and fears and happiness too there’s always a solution to be found - not always a happy ending and I’m not sure I’m quite ready for swimming in the cold Irish Sea but Faith Hogan highlighted that openness, acceptance, trust and letting friendship in can be a better medicine than any prescribed drug!

Taken to the West Coast of Ireland in this novel has allowed me to swept away with the story and also out to sea, with the ladies of the midnight swimming club. By the end of the novel I hope more would have embraced the notion of walking into the Irish Sea and allowing the water, the waves and the peace to envelope them and heal them.

For the three main characters in this book, it is what brings them together at very different points in their life.

Elizabeth, recently widowed from the local GP, she finds that whilst she was keeping one of the secrets of her husband for her entire married life, he had a few more and this has resulted in her looking at her future from a penniless point of view.

Jo has been enjoying her dips in the sea for a long time and has encouraged her long standing friend Elizabeth to try it. Elizabeth is rightly distracted and Jo thinks she might have the answer to some of her problems; her own daughter Lucy.

Lucy burnt out as a A & E doctor in Dublin, working nights because it fits in, now her husband has left her and moved to the other side of the world. With a teenage son permanently attached to his computer gaming ,she thinks a change of scene will do them both some good, so she answers her mother’s request.

As Lucy arrives back to the village and things move forward for both Elizabeth and Lucy, it seems that it is now Jo’s turn to need their help. As the news affects them all, a strength of character drives them to bring all the women from the village and beyond to raise money for the local hospice together for a dip in the sea.

I enjoyed this tale of women’s strength and support played out in many different ways, whether it was the simple action of letting someone find their path in life or holding their hand as they embraced another life. A great tale of women’s friendship that warmed the heart and reminded me why friendships like that are so needed. As someone who embraces the outside swimming, I could relate to the peace it can give as it somehow grounds you and washes away that moment of stress.

If you want a book full of friendship and faith then this is the book which will warm your heart, even in the coldest water!

A truly beautiful and moving story. The characters were all really well written and easy to relate to. I actually think this book is crying out for a sequel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this in return for an honest review.

If you are a reader of women's fiction done right and enjoy novels by authors such as Elin Hilderbran and Susanne O'Leary you will love Faith Hogan. After reading this novel I went and found her previous works, and yes, I will say that her novels do live up to the hype I read about her (Faith Hogan) being an excellent book club choice. So grab a drink and your friends and start to answer the questions that Elizabeth was faced with in the novel "The Ladies'Midnight Swimming Club".
What if your whole life you thought you had was all a lie and the person with the answers ...the person you want to scream and yell at...is gone. I loved that Elizabeth didn't just crawl in a while and rot away, no one would have blamed her if she would have. I also loved that her support system was from two different women at two different ages, this allows each character to offer something different to the situations.
All good women's lit will make you laugh and cry....The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club does exactly that. By the time the novel ended, I felt that Elizabeth, Jpo, and Lucy were...are...my friends.

A tale of three strong women; Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy, each with their own tale to tell. They come together to support each other through their own challenges and embrace cold water swimming at Midnight, hence the title.

The author paints a lovely picture of the Irish scenery and the closeness between women and how they support each other through ups and downs. A tale of friendship, community spirit, love and pulling together.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC..

Firstly a huge thank you to Faith Hogan, Aria Fiction and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for a honest review.

Heidi Swain quoted this book to be ‘Joyful, life-affirming and inspirational’ and it’s all of that and more. I read this book back in March and the characters have never left me, it’s one of those stories that stays with you long after finishing.

A story of friendship and family, new beginnings and loss. This book covers every emotion going and an emotional rollercoaster it was. Set in a beautiful Irish village, Faith’s descriptions helped me to set the scene creating a wonderful community spirit.

Three main characters, Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy. All so different, all facing different situations but during that midnight swim they come together and for a short while they are weightless. With a little humour thrown in, the midnight swimming scenes were my favourite.

I love Faith’s writing style, the character change for each chapter is a favourite of mine and it was a joy to read from all the characters point of view. The story was intriguing and left me wanting more, I hated having to put it down to ‘adult’!

This was a pleasure to read from start to end, a heartwarming read that will have you smiling through tears, honestly it’s one that should be on your tbr pile.

This is one of those rare books that comes along that takes hold of you and stays with you after the last page.

Elizabeth's husband, the local GP suddenly dies. It comes to light that he was a proliferate gambler and a closeted gay man. His gambling debts are putting Elizabeth in danger of losing both her home and his medical practice, so she makes arrangements with her best friend Jo's daughter, Lucy, to come to Ballycove and run the practice for a short time and see if it could be saved.

Lucy has recently left her high pressure job in a city ED, and looks forward to spending time with her Mum Jo. She brings along Niall, her son, but he's not particularly happy to be away from his friends and video games. It is good Lucy is there, though, as she discovers that Jo is very ill with what turns out to be cancer.

Dan is a television screenwriter who comes to Ballycove to write a novel after losing his job. He bonds with Niall and the ladies, and begins to feel his life would be better in this lovely small town.

The author has a lovely way with phrasing, using lines like "It felt as if something had clicked into place and it wasn't something she could quite put her finger on, but it was the feeling of coming home, what it meant to really come home, and maybe that was as much as she needed for now". I also loved this line: "....to listen to women whose friendship had sustained them through the unthinkable and was continuing to sustain them. That was what his book would be about - the indomitable spirit of friendship".

Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Faith Hogan is known for good feel books and this is no exception. Taking the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions , it is a celebration of life, love and friendship. No surprise endings but a satisfactory conclusion will please the author's fans. Reminiscence of Maeve Binchy it is a reminder of what it is to be human and the necessity of reaching out when we're at our most vulnerable.

Sometimes you read a book that just makes you want to call all of your girlfriends, get together for a soul-baring evening of gossip, laughter, tears, big hugs all round, and sharing with them a book that has really moved you because it captures everything that is magical, wonderful and life-affirming about female friendship. There has been far too little of that over the past 18 months and it is one of the things I have missed the most throughout the pandemic restrictions. The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is one of those books. Faith Hogan has managed to distil the essence of all that is wonderful about female friendship within its pages.

There is a character in this book for everyone to relate to. Elizabeth, recently widowed, whose life has always looked polished and perfect to the residents of Ballycove, but who is struggling behind closed doors with secrets that blighted her marriage, and more than have come to light since her husband’s death. She is supported throughout, as she always has been, by her generous friend, Jo, but Jo is now bearing a huge burden of her own. Jo’s daughter, Lucy, has come to Ballycove to work out a new path in life after her divorce, but will she be able to find a happy ever after that works for both herself and her unhappy son, Niall? Then there is Dan, who has come to Ballycove searching for a ghost from his past and a new way forward. Somehow, these people find amongst themselves a community and a peace that will see them all through on their different journeys.

This book is soul-warmingly, heart-squeezingly wonderful from beginning to end. From the very start, the stories of each of these women moved me because they were so real and authentic. I absolutely believed every single thing they were going through and all of their responses. The issues that the author addresses in this book – which may not be easy ones for some people to read about because they are so relatable – are something that will have touched each and every one of us in some way or another over the course of our lives, whether directly or through someone we know and we will recognise some of the joy, fear, pain, anguish, love and happiness portrayed here. Faith has really got under the skins of these characters and portrayed what they are going through in a way that communicates every nuance to the reader, so the book carries you along on its tide.

The notion of the Midnight Swimming Club is what will attract a lot of readers to this book, and it plays out exactly the way you hope it would. I adored the scenes involving the women taking to the sea, the feelings the wild swimming evokes in them, the way they talk and share and heal in the water, I believed all of it and was slightly jealous of their experience, even though I know it is fictional. Being able to draw a reader so completely into a world in this way is the skill of a great writer, and the reason we read in the first place. These are the reasons I love Faith’s books.

This is a truly fantastic read for any fans of intelligent and believable women’s fiction. It really moved me, but also left me feeling hopeful and uplifted. If you are a fan of Calendar Girls or The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, this book will give you the same warm feelings that you get from those movies, whilst still feeling that you have read something containing real emotional truth and an insight into the challenges women can overcome in their lives with support, love, friendship and hope. A gorgeous book.

Elizabeth has recently lost her husband who was the village GP. On going through his effects she finds that he was up to his neck in debt from gambling and so she needs to find something to bring money in otherwise she will lose the house. Her friend Jo has a daughter Lucy who is a single parent and looking for a new opportunity. Could the two perhaps fit or is the practice way too out of date for someone who has worked in a much more modern environment. The two older ladies enjoy swimming just for ten minutes or so at night when there is no-one around as they find it invigorating and life affirming.
Some have called this predictable- maybe it is- but in these uncertain times it’s nice to have some predictability and reassurance of fiction. I loved the characters in this especially Lucy who seemed to have so much to deal with but still came shining through with a smile for all those around her. There is a warmth in this book- of care and love and putting the past where it belongs- behind us, not always easy. Being positive and looking forward are a good mantra. An excellent read with a smile and a message- one life - live it!
(amazon done- misfits farm)

It's not often a book can make me cry, even less often a book can make me laugh and cry in the same sitting.
What a wonderfully heartwarming book, that I just had to read as I've started swmming more outside myself.

A superb read! Friendship, family and secrets .. this has them all.

When Elizabeth's husband dies, she discovers he has left her with momentous debts. The only person she can tell is her friend Jo who calls her daughter in the hope she can help. When Lucy returns home, all three women become firm friends and life changes are on the horizon for each of them - some bigger than others. Swimming in the Irish Sea at midnight proves to be an invigorating experience, leading onto the idea to turn it into a community fundraiser. Will it work?

I've read Faith Hogan's books from the very beginning and have simply adored everything single one, and her latest sees a new maturity in her writing, showing the experience she has gained. This is a simply beautiful read, encompassing the difficulties which many of us get foisted upon us in life but it is told in such an uplifting way. I loved everything about it; the characters are beautifully and creatively drawn, the story draws the reader in and the writing makes us really care about it all. This is a novel which will appeal to all ages and leave everyone with the feeling that they have been privileged to share a part of these women's lives. A sheer, unadulterated delight from start to finish earns this one all five sparkling stars and my highest recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Vicky Joss for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

What a truly lovely book. The story was a gentle book about coming home and friendship, it was affirming and heartwarming.
I revelled in Jo and Elizabeth’s gentle warm friendship and the love Lucy and Niall have for coming home and just being.
I really liked the introduction of Dan and his friendship and support.

Excellent book.
This honest review was provided for netgalley in exchange for a free of charge ARC.
Thankyou so much to the publishers

EXCERPT: They had gone to see the old building, a sprawling grey, derelict structure that had angels at the doors and serpents in the remaining stained glass windows.

Although it was emptied over a quarter of a century ago, there was no denying its looming presence; there was an eerie feeling of ghosts who would never fully rest.

'For some, perhaps it was better than the alternative - many of the girls came from simple farming backgrounds. Back then, a respectable man would prefer to have a dead daughter than an illegitimate grandchild.' She shivered then, perhaps remembering things she would prefer to forget. 'Come on, let's walk around the old gardens, this place isn't going to do either of us any good.'

Dan looked once more at the building, mostly boarded up, apart from the occasional window where storms had blown away their covers, revealing stained glass that would have been striking once. He wondered for a moment if he came back again and broke in - would there be files?

ABOUT 'THE LADIES MIDNIGHT SWIMMING CLUB': Three women, three different stages of life, united by one thing: the chance to start again.

When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, she must turn to her friend, Jo for help, who calls in her daughter, Lucy to run the village surgery. Leaving her city life, and past demons, behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.

As life slowly begins to resemble something normal for the three women, Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.

In search of some solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice; to take a dip in the nip.

MY THOUGHTS: Why have I never read anything by this author before? Her characters are stunning. They made themselves at home in my heart and I don't want to say goodbye to them.

Other than Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy, there's Lucy's teenage son Niall, acting out in reaction to his parents divorce and determined to make his mother suffer for bringing him to this backwater. And Dan, who has lost his high profile job in London and rented a cottage in Ballycove to realise his dream of writing a book, is searching for his birth mother, and is mortified to find himself, one evening, standing on a beach with two near naked pensioners and a dog yapping at his feet. He finds far more material for his book in this little village than he ever dreamed!

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is a beautifully paced and plotted story about the indomitable spirit of friendship told from the points of view of all the major characters. Despite, or maybe because of this, it flows seamlessly and seemingly effortlessly through the various crises the characters face.

I loved this read. It warmed my heart, and made my eyes well with tears. Yes, tissues are mandatory. I loved the way Elizabeth's character grew and strengthened, and Jo, what can I say about Jo? If I am ever in her position I only hope that I have her strength of character.

I am going to be reading a lot more from this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1

#MidnightSwimmingClub #NetGalley

I: @faithhoganauthor #ariaandaries

T: @GerHogan @aria_fiction

#contemporaryfiction #mystery #sliceoflife #womensfiction

THE AUTHOR: Faith Hogan is an Irish award-winning and bestselling author. She was born in Ireland. She gained an Honours Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Degree from University College, Galway.

She lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and a very busy Labrador named Penny. She's a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger - except of course when it is raining!

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria and Aries for providing a digital ARC of The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is a heartwarming, uplifting and captivating character-driven piece of contemporary women's fiction and it is packed with so much heart and soul, humour and emotion. It is very much Calendar Girls meets The Lido complete with a gentle poignancy. Set in the fictional small village of Ballycove, Ireland, along the northwest Atlantic coast, we are introduced to three ballsy and inspirational women. Elizabeth O'Shea has recently become the widowed wife of the local GP, Eric, but it has been a long time since there had been any love and care in their marriage. It had become very much a marriage of convenience. When he passes she discovers the extent of the gambling debt he's wracked up as it appeared to become an addiction for him and not even the surgery he set up and had worked from would be enough to cover the crippling debt of €62,000 and possible bankruptcy she is hurtling towards unexpectedly. To make matters worse her large home adjoins the surgery meaning if she loses one then the other will likely have to be sold too. In a state of anxiety and confusion, Elizabeth decides to confide in lifelong friend Jo about everything that is happening, secrets she has, until now, kept private. Jo is a prominent part of the community in Ballycove with a stunning, cosy cottage looking out over the bay where Elizabeth feels more at home than when she's within the four walls of her own house. She's a great listener, a host of social gatherings and a loyal friend through thick and thin and the lynchpin that holds her group of friends together. But Jo has recently received concerning health news and a tough diagnosis, however, she has the seemingly perfect solution to Elizabeth’s quandary.

Jo’s only daughter, Lucy, is currently a burnt-out A&E doctor at a Dublin hospital working long night shifts. She recently got divorced from her husband, Jack, and is still coming to terms with the fact that he has emigrated to sunny Australia and now has a new wife. Lucy has realised life at present is not working for her and she welcomes a much-needed change of pace; her long nights at the hospital have meant she has little time to spend with her son, teenager Niall, who is unhappily attending boarding school. She is at present taking a break from her employment over the summer in an attempt to reconnect with her son but he misses his friends and finds the quiet, slower pace of life in the area boring. Killing two birds with one stone Elizabeth hires Lucy as interim GP at the surgery helping Lucy have more free time while also earning. Elizabeth has an epiphany when she begins to join Jo on her evening skinny dips in the freezing Irish Sea where they chat about life and support one another and soon Lucy joins the midnight swimming club too. This is a captivating, richly atmospheric read; it not only had me weeping but also laughing and smiling with a warm fuzzy feeling inside due to the unbreakable strength of the friendships. The characters are what make this a beautiful and enthralling read and you can't help admire the three protagonists who each have very human, believable problems, trials and tribulations but the setting is also part of the magic too. The rural seclusion of The Emerald Isle is described in an alluring manner. Above all, this book reminds you to take chances, make mistakes and get messy, all while being yourself and cherishing those friends who you currently have and those you may meet in the future. Highly recommended.

Ballycove beach at midnight is when you will hear the sound of three women swimming together. Why do they do this?
The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is a emotionally charged read that has so much going on within the storyline.
Friendships
Grieving
Dreams
Hope
And, most of all compassion.
What a beautiful, inspirational celebration of life!
Three women coming together through issues of divorce, cancer and the loss of a child.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.