Signed, A Paddy tells the story of a young Irish girl named Rosaleen in Ireland at the time of the Potato Famine whose parents are dead so after entering a workhouse there, she leaves Ireland for Boston, USA. She meets many interesting characters and we learn what it was like for the Irish in the 1850s when many places would post "Irish Need Not Apply" signs. The book is well written and the characters are all likeable - but the novel just ends, as if the author got tired of writing. I understand that this is a planned series of books but I found the ending very unsatisfying.

I love historical fiction particularly about the Irish Famine and the affect on the people who endured it. That said, I would not recommend this book, I just thought that it moved too slowly, the main character was incredibly lucky to immediately find jobs and find people with partial addresses, I did enjoy her connection with the free woman of color and how that lead her to become active in the antislavery movement. But the book just ended suddenly, is this part of a series? So disappointed.

I was given an advanced copy of this book by NetGallery to review. When Roasleen’s mother dies leaving her without any family she embarks on a journey of survival from Ireland to America. This is a debut novel. I found the characters lacked a bit of depth and development. There was no real growth showcased. The conflicts of the chosen time period are all featured but again they lack a depth. Every conflict our heroine faces is very quickly solved without much struggle. I think the modern perspective of historical events is very apparent. It’s a good first book and I believe the writer shows a lot of promise.

Thank you to Victory Editing Net Galley Co-op for an electronic advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am of Irish heritage, and that’s what drew me to this book. I enjoyed reading a story set during the potato famine, and featuring a likeable and plucky heroine, Rosaleen. After her mother’s death, Rosaleen knows her future is not in her small village, and travels on her own to seek help from relatives she’s only heard about. This leads to an adventure through the workhouse, two ships, and eventually to America. In America, she meets a free Black woman and becomes involved in the abolitionist and labor movements.

I liked the coming of age love story between Rosaleen and Emmett, but I found Rosaleen’s attitudes and vocabulary to be too modern and worldly for a 15 year old girl living in the 1850s. I appreciated how she grappled with difficult choices - “Is it better to die an honest death or live as a liar and a thief? I can’t pretend to know.” However, the level of sophistication in her thoughts and dialogue tempered my overall impression of the book. It is appropriate for fans of historical fiction who like a little innocent romance as part of the plot.

So pleased to have discovered this book and author! The first in the series, Signed, A Paddy is a marvelously written book about the cruel effects of the Irish famine in the nineteenth century and those who were affected. Most of the information I have gleaned from this era is Nonfiction so was excited to see this Historical Fiction which is loosely based on facts with lovely descriptions. The author researched a lot for her book and it shows.

Set in Ireland in 1848 and then America, despairing Rosaleen is reeling after burying her mother. Her da had died earlier so she was now an orphan at the age of 14. She literally had no food or furniture left. The only people around were exhausted, skin and bones. The nauseating stench of death permeated everything. Rosaleen's only chance of surviving was to leave. She eventually made it to America (I like the story of the journey to get there) and settled in Baltimore where she made good friends and got a job. She becomes involved in the abolitionist cause. This story describes her life over the next year as she experiences loss and love and the power of friendship and honour.

I cared deeply about the characters. Historical facts really make this wonderful book shine. The writing is gorgeous and engaging, highly addictive! Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction and Fiction readers ought to read this. I am so, so glad I did. Really looking forward to the second in the series.

My sincere thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this poignant and remarkable book. I enjoyed it immensely!

This historical fiction was beautifully written!. I was in awe!
The journey this book takes you on is something magical and beautiful!
The loss love and courage here in the book is beyond breathtaking.
I can't thank NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this amazing ebook!