Rose Brown boards a ship traveling from London to America. She is determined to escape the dangers of World War II. She is a nanny and her family in Ireland relies on the income from her job to live. She is traveling with the Townsand family and as she is playing with baby Sarah the ship is begins to sink because it was hit with a torpedo. She hangs onto Sarah to make sure nothing happens to her. Rose and Sarah are separated from the family amongst the chaos. Rose is rescued from the sea while still holding the baby. When she and Sarah arrive in New York, Rose searches desperately for the Townsend family. But as soon as Rose finds Sarah’s father the attack on America, in Hawaii is announced and WWII begins. Rose and Sarah’s life is forever changed as well as the families depending on them, for many different reasons. Pack your bags because this story will transport you from the West Coast of Ireland, to London and to New York on the journey of a lifetime. I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read more by this author. This story is filled with love, loss, suspense and romance, and is one that I highly recommend reading. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, it is an amazing, unputdownable must read.

Thank you Sandy Taylor for such a wonderfully well written story. This heartbreaking historical fiction is both enthralling and entertaining. It hits all the emotions and definitely pulls at the heartstrings. The characters were relatable and the storyline was believable. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

Man, Poor Rose. I don't think anything else terrible could happen to her, but she seems to have the worst luck of anyone. EVER. This was a beautiful and heartwrenching story of someone who is up against everything but still tries to do the right thing and take care of innocent children. I am always grateful to be living in this century when I read books based in this time frame!

The Irish Nanny by Sandy Taylor is the story of a young Irish girl who leaves home to find a new life and ends up across the ocean in New York, surrounded by death of those she has come to love. It is a heart-breaking story but shows a side of World War II that is not concentration camps, but just as poignant. She matures from a girl to a woman in these times as she copes with first one death and then another. She witnesses the harsh treatment of her Japanese friends, at the same time witnessing kindness from those in authority. Rose Brown was 10 years old when she met Polly Butler and went along with all her schemes from there on. The suggestion that they go to Cork and work in a hotel was so foreign to her that she said no out of hand. She went home and spoke to her mother, who realized there was not much in Ballykillen for her daughter, so off they went. There she met and American man, strange though he was, who some months later, wrote a letter to the supervisor at the hotel offering Rose a job in his home, with his wife and two children. After having her parish priest contact the man she decided to go and she was off to London. There she found the oddest, yet loving, household she had ever encountered. David the man she'd met, his wife, Alice, and their son, Raffi (Raphael), and their unborn child. She soon discovered it was Alice, who was very fragile, that was really in need of her care.

It's a long and complicated story, as stories at wartime tend to be. Alice got somewhat better, their daughter, Sarah was born, and David went home to the US. After a time, he sent for them, including Rose. Once again, Rose was the adult. She and Sarah made it to New York; Alice and Raffi were lost along the way. Martha, Alice's aunt welcomed them into her home and for a long time life was good. Then Pearl Harbor and the rounding up of Japanese, and David leaving to fight, and went missing. Things happened quickly and although Rose was still very young, she managed. She always managed. Until she couldn't any longer. She and Sarah went home, to Ballykillen, where her trials didn't exactly stop. A really lovely story about first loves, about people who can't always live up to who they should be, and of learning to cope. Beautifully written, interesting to read. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Irish Nanny by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #theirishnanny

This book will break your heart. It tells the story of Rose who becomes nanny for the Townsend family. Rose is asked to take the family to safety in America. Travelling during the war when safety is not guaranteed. Couldn’t put it down.

The Irish Nanny is a WWII-era historical fiction novel that tells the story of Rose Brown, a young Irish girl, who ventures out of her small town in Ireland to work and support her family. After a chance encounter, she becomes a caregiver and eventually a nanny for a wealthy American family. Rose is thrown into a world of turmoil due to the war and you follow along as she struggles to survive and move forward.

For me, this book was just ok but I know that many people will love it. It was a really easy read and the plot progressed really quickly. I would have loved to have more historical information -- my favourite thing about reading historical fiction is learning things about an era. I found that was missing here, but I know that many others will enjoy it as the premise and story were really good -- plus Sandy Taylor's books are so highly rated. So I seem to be in the minority!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Working at the hotel in Cork with her best friend Polly, Rose Brown was surprised to receive the offer of a position with a family in London. She didn’t want to leave Ballykillen, her home in Ireland, or her Mammy and sisters, but knew the money she sent would benefit them greatly. Alice and David Townsend were newly arrived from America in 1939, with their nine-year-old son Raffi. Alice was pregnant and had lost a child some years before, which meant she was afraid. But gradually Rose and Raffi helped her to see a brighter future – Alice’s attitude changed as she coached Rose in her letters and reading. Sarah was born a happy baby; a delight to all, and Winnie, their new nanny was a delight. But not long after David was called back to New York, everything changed…

War was on the horizon and David couldn’t return to London, so he organized for them to sail to America. Rose was reluctant to accompany them but was eventually persuaded. The torpedo which struck the ship caused chaos and not everyone escaped in the lifeboats. Rose was frightened but knew she had a small baby to care for, so when another ship was heading to America, she was onboard with Sarah. What would life be like for Rose, far away from her home of Ballykillen and her family? Would she make any friends in Brooklyn where David and Aunt Martha lived? Would she ever return to Ireland?

The Irish Nanny is another brilliant historical novel from Sandy Taylor. I’m so glad I found this author – her work is heartfelt, emotional, funny, natural and down to earth. The characters are wonderful, just like part of the family. The enjoyment I received from this book made me wish I had more to read once it was over, and I have no hesitation in recommending The Irish Nanny highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful story of a poor Irish girl, that leaves her family to work as a chambermaid in a neighboring city. She comes home on her days off, but misses her family immensely. She strikes up a friendship with a visiting American man that later contacts the hotel, to offer her a job as a Nanny to his young son in London. She is sad to leave her family, but the earnings will help her family, so she goes.
So starts a strange journey for Rose, as she is caring for not only the son, but his disturbed, fragile mother, who is expecting another child. When the baby girl is born, Rose becomes the surrogate mother, as the child’s mother is too disturbed to provide it.
War comes to the country and the father David enlists, leaving Rose the burden of caring for the entire family. The story of her survival and those of her
Adopted family are in jeopardy.
This is a story of poverty, struggle, family love and strength, and the ability to endure even the most dire situations.
Sandy Taylor’s character’s were well developed and likable and the story kept you sharing the challenges she faced, trying to save herself and her charges.
My thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC and the pleasure of reviewing this wonderful novel. All opinions are my own.

A big emotional book. Rose never expected what will eventually happen in her life. A young girl from a small town in Ireland, she, along with her friend, gets a job at a hotel in London and then is hired by David to help care for his pregnant wife and son during their voyage to New York. A tragedy leaves Rose the only one to care for Baby Sarah and then another tragedy leads her to head home to Ireland with Sarah. It may be a tad melodramatic but it's also a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This title is full of charm as well as emotions.

Even though I've yet to visit Ireland, I could easily imagine Rose's childhood home and the way she, her family and friends would sound. Plus the description of her hometown has me ready to book a trip.

Overall, the story is a good one. The first chapter has her arriving with a baby on the shores of the United States. Then you are quickly transported back in time to see how she came to be there.

About halfway through the title, you journey with Rose as she navigates life in New York and then her eventual return to Ireland.

During the years of the story, you see an awkward young gal blossom into a mature young woman accepting responsibility for a child that isn't her own.

While I adored this title (and give it 5 stars), the last pages of the story bugged me. Mostly because I can't decifer if it is real or her dream.

What I do know is that I'd be all for another title by Ms. Taylor!

"Bloody men and their bloody wars."

In 1933 Rose brown, ten years old Irish girl, meet her best and only friend Polly Butler. The story continues till 1945 when she is off to London and New York.
These two young girls made me laugh, very simple and heartwarming. Rose and Polly worked in a hotel when Rose met an American, David, who offers her a job in London with his family as a nanny, and that was made her life all completely changed.

‘Nineteen thirty-nine is going to be a wonderful year,’ how couldn’t have been more wrong!

It turns out that Rose is supposed to take care of the lady of the house because she had trauma and try to put herself together. Alice and Raffie, David's wife and son, soon get very fond of Rose and get used to her being there. Alice was so kind and beautiful but also extremely selfish and childish. She tried to teach Rose and encouraged her to read books.

‘I could never get rid of a book, Rose, it would be like turning my back on a good friend .’ She lifted one down from the shelf and held it up to her face and sighed. ‘It smells so delicious that I want to gobble it up, every page and every word so that it is part of me forever.'

A beautiful story about love and friendship, sometimes made me very sad, sometimes made me laugh, sometimes I was so angry with Alice but, overall I loved all and really enjoyed it. Very well-drawn characters and easy to read with short chapters. My correcting system keeps warning me that I can not use all of these words in sentences. So I mention them alone,
Amazing
Fabulous
Fascinating
Interesting
Heartbreaking
Sweet
Lovely

'Cry if you must but move on, for there will be better things waiting around the next bend in the road if you only look for them. Oh, and read books, read lots and lots of books. It’s the only way to find Wonderland.'

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the chance to The Irish Nanny by Sandy Taylor in exchange for an honest review.
Published Date 30 Jul 2021
My review on 17 Jul 2021

This was a fabulous saga set during World War 2 . It takes us on a journey from the west coast of Ireland to London and onwards to New York. I have read all of Sandy Taylor’s books and this one was as good as all the others have been. A wonderful story of love and friendship that had me enthralled the whole way through the book. This book was just a perfect read for me and I totally adored reading it.

A story about a young girl who is a homebody, but circumstances have her traveling the world for employment. Rose becomes a nanny for a man she meets while working in a hotel in Ireland. She travels to England to care for his son and soon is off to American. Since a war is brewing, finding a job with another family is not feasible.

This is an interesting story. It is written well and reads easily. Most of the characters are endearing. Alice, though, is selfish and uncaring. Just as the reader becomes frustrated with her self-serving character, more information is disclosed to understand her character flaws. Parts of the book are funny, parts are sad. It is overall a good story and one that will be quick to read.


I received an ARC from Bookouture from NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

The Irish Nanny is an amazing story of love and triumph over adversities.
Sandy Taylor's unique and entertaining WWII-era historical fiction is filled with suspense, mystery, loss, and love. It forces us to reflect on how decisions we make can impact the lives of people, family, and others for a very long time.

As the UK gets pulled into World War 11, in 1939, Rose Brown, and her friend Polly are Irish chambermaids working in a hotel. Rose has the good fortune to meet an American, David, who offers her the chance of a lifetime and sets Rose and this incredible novel on its way.

Through its uniquely compelling narrative, a protagonist who grips our heart and never lets go, and a cast of unforgettable characters, we are transported to England just as World War 11 is declared, taken on an epic and eventful voyage over the Atlantic to America just before Pearl Harbor, and then back to Ireland, as we witness Rose's life-changing journey and love.

This novel is everything and ranks right up there with Rosamunde Pilcher's epic, 'Coming Home.'
All the stars in the sky for this novel..

Rose, a chambermaid from Ireland, ends up leaving and by chance meets an American and ends up becoming the family’s nanny and his wife’s companion. This ultimately leads to a story of compassion, relationships and friendships, most of which ends up being heartbreaking.

Ultimately, what kept me from giving this book a higher rating was that the writing style came of as telling the reader what happened, not showing the details and emotions behind it all. The writing style was fairly simplistic and despite some of Rose’s heartbreaks, I never was really able to connect with her character. I thought the second half of the book kept my attention better than the first and Rose’s ending mostly tied up her story nicely. I also did enjoy reading about the Irish countryside and could picture it perfectly, especially since I’ve spent a bit of time in Ireland.

Rose is a young Irish woman hired by the Townsend family to help the pregnant mother. Soon after the baby is born, World War II breaks out. The family is summoned to America by David, the man of the house. As they make the long trek across the sea, the liner is attacked and the mother and son drown leaving Rose to help raise the new baby, Sarah, in America. After David is called the war and is believed dead, Rose takes Sarah home to Ireland to raise her as she sees fit.

This was my first time reading Sandy Taylor and I found this story to be endearing. The take seemed to move at a fairly steady clip and I was able to finish it quickly. Rose is a likable character and I found the addition of her moving to Brooklyn quaint. Brooklyn was a home base for many Irish Americans upon their arrival and they felt most comfortable there. I would be interested in reading more of Taylor's story.

I loved the book it was a feel good story, loved the adventures of Rose and Sarah, overall it's an amazing book but it's full of sudden blessings at every turn suddenly everything goes right while in the book it's explained as god's will it's something that did not set good for me but everything else was amazing be it the sisters or Polly or in the end Aunt Martha every character was well written

When I open a Sandy Taylor novel I know that I’m in for a treat and her new book The Irish Nanny certainly lived up to my expectations.
Rose is a young girl living in Ireland in 1939. Her family are poor but happy and hardworking. Rose gets a job in a hotel and this sets in motion a very different life than the one she was expecting.
This story about family, loyalty, courage and love. It was funny and sad in parts but full of hope and some great characters.
I can’t wait for the next book by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book right from the start I just wanted to keep reading, loved reading all about Rose and her life in Ireland even found the voice in my head reading it with an Irish accent,wonderfully written and had me happy and sad throughout reading
Fantastic characters especially Rose and Polly and great description of Ireland as well
Highly recommended read

Thanks to Net Galley opportunity to read this book by a new author to me. What a fantastic story - loved reading about Rose and her close knit family from Ireland. From page one I was totally hooked and it had me laughing out loud in parts. The style of writing makes it so easy to totally immerse yourself and be carried along on a roller coaster of emotions, one minute laughing and the next feeling quite sad. Love loved it and would definitely recommend. In fact I’m looking for other books by this author now.

I was waiting in anticipation for the next book by Sandy Taylor and it was well worth the wait. The author is an expert storyteller that pulls at your heartstrings in her next book The Irish Nanny.
It is 1939 Rose Brown lives in the small town of Ballykillen Ireland with her mammy and her three sisters. She loves living in the little town with her friends and the other residents that she never wants to leave. Her best friend Polly Butler has other ideas. She wants to leave the small town and find her own path in the big wide world. But things change when both the girls start work as chambermaids in the nearby town of Cork. Rose meets a friendly American. She makes such a good impression that he offers her a job as a nanny in London. But instead of looking after his son Raffy she is charge of looking after his wife Alice instead. She never got over the death of her baby.
This is a beautifully written, poignant tale and coming of age story of the Rose Brown and her journey across the seas to London and New York. The joy and the love of her new experiences but, also the heartbreak that comes with it. This book is full of emotion and gave me that warm feeling inside but by the ending I shed a small tear or two. I loved it. I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.