It might be a surprise to her many fans, but I’ve never read a Faith Hogan novel before. I can’t think why, because I absolutely loved this literary mix of the deeply emotional, yet uplifting and funny book set in a small seaside village in Ireland. It focuses on a lifelong friendship between two older women - Jo and Elizabeth. Jo lives in a small cottage overlooking the bay and has one daughter, Lucy. Lucy is a doctor whose having a long break over the summer from working long hours in a busy hospital. She’s still struggling with the aftermath of a divorce and a husband who has a new wife and relocated to the much sunnier and glamorous sounding Australia. Elizabeth is still grieving her husband, the village GP, but is still keeping his secrets. All three women meet in the bay at midnight for a dip in the freezing cold Atlantic. Finally, there’s Dan, a young writer taking a break from script-writing and hoping inspiration hits in the quaint Irish village of Ballycove.

This book hinges on the strength of its characters and I was destined to love Elizabeth. Up until now she seemed to hold herself apart from the village, apart from the abiding friendship she shares with Jo, who knew her before she became the doctor’s wife. Remote from other villagers in her large house with adjoining doctor’s surgery she is in the strange position of knowing some of the most personal aspects of her neighbour’s lives, yet not a single one knows her story. Many might have thought she was destined for the big house and the status it brings, but nothing could be further from the truth. Elizabeth finds her house cold and never truly feels at home there, preferring instead the cosiness of Jo’s small cottage. As the novel progresses she creates a corner for herself with the comfiest chair and the evidence of her hobbies laying round about her. It’s the most comfortable she’s ever been in her beautiful house, that’s never really been a home. She has just lost her husband and is going through all the upheaval that brings, but there were secrets about her marriage that nobody knows. The young doctor’s proposal for Elizabeth’s hand had conditions attached, more than she could ever have realised at the time. It was the only way out of a terrible situation she found herself in - pregnant and afraid she made the bargain, then paid a terrible price for the rest of her life. What we experience with her is an awakening and so many new experiences start to open up, signified powerfully by the midnight skinny dipping she’s enticed into by her friend Jo. She emerges ready to take on the problems she finds herself in, not least the gambling debts racked up by her late husband and the ailing practice he left behind. Firstly hiring Jo’s daughter Lucy as an interim GP for the summer, making plans to sell the house and helping visiting author Dan in his quest to find out more about the local home for unwed mothers. There is more heartache to come, but will Elizabeth have the strength to face it?

Lucy is another character dealing with the aftermath of huge life changes, after the collapse of her marriage. She’s taking a break from work and hoping to reconnect with her son Niall. He finds it hard to accept the quieter pace of life in Ballcraig and hates that he’s left friends behind. He has a heartbreaking conversation with his mum where he discloses that he’d rather go live with his Dad in Australia. He’s imagining his father’s cool apartment overlooking the Sydney harbour and the excitement that living back in a city might bring. Lucy knows her ex- husband will say yes, not because he has a burning need to spend time with his son, but because it will score points. It takes a strong woman to put aside her misgivings and make that phone call, but she does. However, as Niall forms a relationship with Dan after visiting his cottage out on the cliff, then meets the piano seller’s daughter will the magic of this little village rub off on him? Lucy also starts to find friendship, firstly with Elizabeth and also with her mother who encourages her to join the midnight swimming club. She also starts to confide in Dan who is a great listener, but since both of them are only visiting the coast, is this a friendship that can flourish.

Lastly Jo, who is one of those characters who seem to sustain everyone else. She’s the friend with the cosy home that people want to visit, the starter of social gatherings, and the great listener with a cup of tea never far away. As always with good listeners and people used to caring for others, she isn’t always good at sharing her own worries and problems. She’s fiercely loyal to her friends, the evening long ago, where she started an altercation with Elizabeth’s husband over how he was treating her friend is long remembered and talked about. Without seeming to do much she is the lynchpin of this group and is thought well of by her fellow villagers. When it’s clear she does need help, the support comes from all around her. I really enjoyed her acceptance of life with all its heartbreak and absurdities, as well as the way she values her female friends.

These characters are so well drawn I feel that they might exist somewhere. The setting is beautifully romantic, even if the sea is absolutely freezing! Dan’s quest is well handled too, with an honesty about the awful cruelty that did happen within mother and baby homes in Ireland, the true extent of which still hits the headlines today. The author uses her older characters to describe what it is like when a country is so ruled by any religion, and how in small villages the word of the parish priest or Mother Superior was law. I enjoyed the humour though too, often just in the way the characters talk to each other but also in little ‘in-jokes’ with the reader such as Dan imagining the swimming club as one of those films like Calendar Girls. I can imagine this as a film, but until then I have quite a back catalogue to dive into. Thanks to this novel, Faith Hogan has a new fan.

This review will be appearing on the blog tour.

What a lovely story told with gentleness and kindness. I could not put the book down and would definitely recommended this book to readers who enjoy reading this type of book.

This character-driven novel takes you to a small community in Ireland where everybody knows everyone but is supportive and rich in spirit.

Lucy a single mother, recently divorced is tired of her busy job as a Doctor in her local A&E department at the hospital. Her son is away at boarding school and spends most of his time gaming when he is home. She decides to have a 'break' from it all and goes to visit her mother in her hometown of Ballycove.

Jo is delighted in welcoming her daughter and grandson to Ballycove and fusses over them as any mother/grandmother would. Although, Jo realises she needs to admit the truth to her daughter (and herself) about her health, as she has been in denial for a while now.

Elizabeth, a recent widow, finds herself learning to cope after the death of her husband and coming to terms with his secrets that could shatter and pull her under.

These women show bravery, determination and support one another through their hardships. Along the way they find laughter, love and acceptance. It was hard not to get caught up in the lives of these three women and although there were moments of heartbreak and sadness in the book there was also the power of friendship and human kindness. Ballycove really was the place with a big heart and an idyllic place to live.

I loved the concept of the 'Midnight Swimming Club' that Jo inspired the women to participate in although there would be no way I would venture into the Irish Sea at any time of day let alone at midnight! This coming together, stripping back the day's stresses and just being in the moment provided a rawness of emotions which made for a powerful read.

Hogan's writing is poignant, gentle and touching. I got swept along with the plot, the characters and the beautiful setting. Although there is some sadness it also had a feel-good feel to the novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Many thanks to Faith Hogan, NetGalley and Aria & Aries for a proof copy of the book.

I cannot express how much I loved this book! A beautifully written story full of real life issues; love, death, hurt, longing and everything in between. I cried at one part that resonated with me on a personal level - reminding me that the death of a loved one never truly leaves us, no matter how many years have passed. This book made me yearn to visit Ireland, and yearn to live in a little cottage in a quiet sleepy town. I look forward to reading more by this outstanding Author.

In an impulsive moment, Lucy quits her post as a doctor in a busy Dublin hospital. Still adjusting to life after divorce and needing to decompress, Lucy and her son, Niall, return to her sleepy, seaside hometown of Ballycove.

Recently widowed, Elizabeth discovers her deceased husband’s gambling addiction has left her neck-high in debt. Not even the well-established village surgery he left behind will be enough to pay off his debts.

Jo welcomes Lucy and Niall home with sheer joy. Little do they know that the timing of their arrival couldn’t be better. Lucy agrees to practice in the surgery until Elizabeth can find a replacement doctor, and soon after, they are dealt a devastating hand when Jo is diagnosed as terminal.

The midnight swims are what bond and binds these women. Surrounded by the enveloping, curative, buoyant waves, forever friendships are forged. Even when their lives seem to be sinking, the lifesaving link of friendship, keeps them afloat.

A born weaver of words, Faith Hogan delightfully brings to life the majestic beauty and atmosphere of Ireland while reaching readers’ hearts through her heartwarming characters, and their authentic storylines.

Reading Faith’s books is like curling up in your favorite chair, with your mug or beverage of choice, and sitting amongst your dearest friends. I am a forever Faith fan.

Do read The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club.

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the read of Faith Hogan’s, The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club.

The book is set in The Irish Republic in a small costal village where life just seems to drift along at a steady pace..i loved everything about the book, the words just flowed and I was soon engrossed in the story. The charecters were all likeable and formed a strong bond with each other. All in all it's a charming and heartwarming read.

This is a nice book with nice characters and a lovely Irish coastal setting, but I'm afraid it's really not my cup of tea. I enjoyed it to a point as a gentle read as a change from more challenging fiction and I was moved by Jo's story, but that's about as far as it goes.

I'd rather the ending for all characters had not been so predictable. Maybe it's the safety of neat endings that endears this type of fiction to many readers, bur personally I'd have preferred to be surprised.

I appreciate that this is not the final edit, but there were some glaring errors which I thought would have been spotted before putting the book out for review. In one chapter the village has one pub; later it has three. And Agatha who appears towards the end quickly becomes Agnes. I'm not being pedantic. I just feel that these anomalies need to be picked up pre-publication.

Oh Lordy what a beautiful gentle read, even if it did make me sob. My first book by the author but it definitely won’t be my last. A tale that’s going to stay with me for some time to come.
Three women all at different stages in their lives, find a truth and comfort in their midnight swims in the cold Atlantic. Emotional, this book grabs at your heart and doesn’t let go. I was invested in the characters live’s from the first page and I feel bereft now I’ve left them.
I’d so love a sequel so we could catch with how they are all doing in Ballycove

Three friends bond through deep sea swimming. Elizabeth's husband was the local doctor. When he dies, she has discovers her husband has left her penniless. She needs to locate a doctor to take over the practice and find somewhere cheaper to live. Her friend Jo's daughter, Lucy, is a hospital doctor looking to live nearer her mother. Meanwhile, Jo is trying to keep a secret from them all. Lucy's son Niall is resentful of his parents' divorce. Will he settle in rural Ballycove? Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy's decision to have a moonlit dip in the ocean cements their friendship and helps them deal with the problems ahead. Then there's Dan, who has come to the town to write a novel in peace and find out about his birth parents. How will he fit in? A story full of love, laughter and tears as friends and families rally round to help.

This is the first novel I've read by this author but it certainly won't be the last. The plot and the characters are believable and realistic. As others have said, you can work out what will happen but that didn't stop me getting choked - that doesn't happen often when I read and occurred three times.

The setting of the West Coast of Ireland is beautiful, which along with the themes of friendship and kindness, amongst others, were much needed as we come out of another lockdown. It was the perfect book for escapism and one I could definitely read again.

With thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in advance.

A beautiful story about a small Irish seatown and the people who call it home. Each character is deep and believable and as a whole, they make a lovely group that you truly care for. While predictable, this isn't a huge negative for me as the journey of them getting to what you know the end will likely be is the charming bit. Nice read.

This story grabs at your heart and doesn’t let go till the end. You will get caught up in the plot and the characters. It’s a book you can loose yourself in for a while.

What a delightful novel about life, love, family and surprises. You could not ask for more. Faith Hogan is a very gifted writer. What an ability to make a setting come to life. Ireland is the one place that I would want to go back to and spend more time. Reading The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club was almost as rewarding. Each character was so well crafted and everyone had his or her part in the telling of this story. My emotions were taken on a roller coaster ride. I found several portions very sad, but not depressing. I thought I had figured out the plot and ending but was still pleasantly surprised.

I thank Aria and Aries Publishers for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, the only person she can turn to is her friend, Jo. Soon Jo has called in her daughter, Lucy, to help save Elizabeth from bankruptcy. Leaving her old life behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.

As life slowly begins to return to normal, these three women, thrown together by circumstance, become fast friends. But then Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.

In search of 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 that will bring the whole community together...

From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is an emotional story about finding new friends and living life to the fullest, that will appeal to fans of Sheila O'Flanagan, Heidi Swain and Liz Fenwick.

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

I hadn't read any Faith Hogan books before so was excited to start this one and I wasn't disappointed. The characters in this book are lovable from the start and the whole book is a huge bear hug. I read it in one sitting as I wanted to know what happened but didn't want it to end (always the mark of a good book I think!)

I will definitely look out for more of this author's work in the future.

What a lovely surprise to read a very engaging book, which kept me wanting to know what happens next, without making it too obvious either. The great way that the chapters were titled from each person's point of view was very enlightening and the points of view were from very different perspectives...male and female, young and older.

I loved the characters so much. The story was so intriguing and had lots of humour whilst keeping you wondering the outcomes of the various character journeys. Set in a place I would love to visit...the details sounded so beautiful.

A wonderful read from beginning to end that I couldn't put down. Ms Hogan has a way of creating loveable, incredible characters and make you want to really invest in their story. A fabulous tale with some surprising twists that keep you flicking the pages.

I loved this. An excellent read from one of my favourite writers. A full newspaper review to follow.

Lucy is working in a busy hospital permanently exhausted and worried that she isn’t spending enough time with her teenage son Niall.
When her mum, Jo, calls her and asks her to go and stay with her in her home village of Ballycove on the west coast of Ireland for a few weeks Lucy jumps at the chance.
Once there Lucy meets her mother’s friend Elizabeth who’s husband has recently died. Eric was the village GP and Elizabeth needs someone to run his surgery for a few weeks while she gets things ready to sell, to pay off the massive gambling debts Eric left her with.
Lucy agrees to run the GP surgery in the short term and is soon working hard with Elizabeth's help to make sense of the chaos Eric left behind.
Although her work seems to be going well Lucy is worried about Niall who isn’t settling very well in the village and about Jo who seems to be hiding something from Lucy.
Jo has long been known to go for a midnight dip in the freezing waters of the Irish Sea and soon Lucy and Elizabeth join her. In the cold and dark the three women open up to each other and share secrets and hopes as their bonds of friendship and love become ever stronger.
I love the characters, the setting and the storyline. I laughed and I cried. Beautifully written.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story of life, of friendship, of family but most of all about women. In particular the strength of women.
Three women all at different points in their lives who's lives cross in a small Irish village. The support they bring to each other in times of struggle is beautiful and uplifting.
Well written with stunning imagery and life like characters. A must read and I will definitely be seeking out more by Faith Hogan.

A lovely book Faith Hogans writing is lovely and always Drew’s me in.An uplifting story a story of friendship of life.I will be recommending.#netgalley #aria&aries

Thank you NetGalley, Faith Hogan and Aria & Aries for the ARC of The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club. This is my personal review.
The story is about three women who are all at different places in their lives. Each have issues in their lives they are dealing with and they get together at a beautiful location to overcome the issues.
It is a beautiful story so beautifully written showing the life changes they can deal with when they have friends and family to lean on for the strength to overcome these life’s changes.
This book is an excellent choice for a book club to read.