I fell in love with this book right from the very start and that love just grew in my heart and mind.
I didn't want it to end

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion,

I love a nice feel-good read every now and then. This author's books always lesve me smiling, they are light-heartyed romances with a back story that is always interesting. Sandy Cove would be a lovely place to visit, I have enjoyed every book that takes place near Wild Rose Bay and reading these books is like catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

Laura inherits a cottage in Sandy Cove at Starlight Cottages from a dear lady for whom she had been a caretaker along with a pianitng and a cryptic letter. Laura is overwhelmed but that shocked to find out the lady's estranged son has decided to contest the will. Laura decides to move to the cottage and enjoy as much as she can before it is taken from her, if she loses and to try to solve the mystery of the painting. Laura meets the residents of Sandy Cove and instantly feels like part of an extended family and hopes she never has to leave. Its a lovely story of finding love at a point when you think it could no longer happen and being a part of something bigger, a community. Just a lovely feel-good story.

Laura is a nurse and inherits a cottage and a mystery after the death of a patient who became a friend. She heads to Sandy Cove and tries to reunite a painting with its owner...
The Lost Mother of Ireland is the 6th book in the Starlight Cottages series. Each book works as a stand alone but it is lovely to catch up with the locals from the earlier books.
Laura is at the centre of a will dispute after opera singer Josephine leaves her a cottage and a painting. She quickly moves to Sandy Cove to fulfil Josephine's final wish of finding the true owner of the painting. But is that the artist or the beautiful woman it depicts, and how can she find out the answer 50 years later?
I really liked Laura's character and was almost shouting at her when she is debating whether she likes Gino or Adam. She sees potential in exploring both relationships but it was clear who she should choose!
There is a lovely warmth to this series, bolstered by impressive and vivid descriptions. The characters and locations spring to life and are easy for the reader to imagine. I really liked that the main characters are all older than me and it shows that age is just a number. Love can happen at any time and is perhaps more appreciated as we get more mature. This book has a really strong and positive message.
The Lost Mother of Ireland is a warm and lovely gentle romance.

The Lost Mother of Ireland is book 6 in the Starlight Cottages series by Susanne O'Leary and it was fantastic to revisit the Wild Atlantic Way with the vivid descriptions of the scenery and Laura's heartwarming tale.

Laura is 52 and never conventionally married although she was married to her work; initially a nurse in a city hospital then taking a break to care for the older people who needed it. This is how she met a woman who was to become so close to that it felt as though she had a second mum! She is devastated when her friend dies and astonished to discover she had inherited a cottage in Sandy Cove, Kerry.

After discussions with her family, she decides that visiting the Cottage may just help her with her grief. What transpires from this visit is life changing for Laura.

I love Susanne's wonderful descriptions of the scenery and I'd love to be able to book one of the Cottages as a holiday let! The characters are all so friendly and welcoming, that in fact, I'd actually love to be a permanent part of the community!

Susanne O’Leary’s The Lost Mother of Ireland is a compelling and captivating tale of hope, renewal and second chances perfect for Faith Hogan and Cathy Kelly fans.

Laura is desperate for a fresh start so when she inherits a small cottage from a friend who was like a mother to her in Sandy Cove, a village on the coast of Ireland, she thinks that this might be the new beginning she had been hoping for. From the second Laura sets foot in Sandy Cove, things begin to look up for her – especially when she meets handsome Gino. As a friendship quickly gives way to an attraction that simply cannot be denied, Laura thinks that Sandy Cove might just be the place she can call home for the foreseeable future – until her friend’s son turns up disputing his mother’s will. Is Laura about to lose everything she has grown to cherish just when happiness had been within her reach?

Laura hadn’t just inherited her friend’s cottage, but also a valuable heirloom that tells the story of a forbidden love, a family secret and a bond between mother and child that simply could not be broken. As Laura begins to solve the mystery behind this painting, she discovers that Gino might not be the knight in shining armour she had initially thought him to be. Will their romance be over before it’s even had a chance to get off the ground? Have Laura’s dreams for a future in Sandy Cove been dashed? Or will there be further surprises in store for her that will prove beyond doubt that Sandy Cove is where she needs to be?

Susanne O’Leary’s The Lost Mother of Ireland is storytelling at its best. A gentle, engaging and emotional tale about finding your place in the world, healing, belonging and falling in love, The Lost Mother of Ireland is a gorgeous page-turner that effortlessly tugs at the heartstrings and will have readers reaching for the tissues on many an occassion.

A first-class tale perfect for sinking oneself into, The Lost Mother of Ireland is another must-read by Susanne O’Leary.

So good to return to Sandy Cove and the Starlight Cottages once more,
With a new mystery and new folks with dreams to explore.
It starts with grief and unexpected bequest
What follows is an adventure, romance and simply the best!

A letter, a painting, a cottage and a mystery,
Research is needed, a delve into local history.
The Sandy Cove community to get to know
Settling in, trying to take things slow.

Possible romance to add to the mix
Whilst still endeavouring the mystery to fix.
So hard to not share what you're seeking to find
But the letter told Laura she must keep that in mind.

A heartwarming read with a great community, too,
With friendships and memories being created anew.
There are potential problems that Laura's trying hard to ignore
As she settles in to life on the West Ireland shore.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. That's not to say I didn't think (hope) it would be good, but I was afraid it would be a sappy romance, and while there was a subplot of romance, it certainly wasn't the focal point of the whole book.

I requested this because having visited Ireland last summer, I wanted to read something that would help me relive the trip, and it did. Laura inherited a cottage from a wealthy older woman that she'd cared for and I rooted for her the entire way. All of the characters were extremely likable and helped the story flow smoothly. I was happy with the ending, even though it snuck up on me!

While this wasn't a book that makes you turn the pages because you can't bear to now know what happens next, somehow it is that sort of book. I found myself staying up late just to read a few pages more. I liked this so much, I also got the book featured at the end.

Another great entry in the Starlight Cottages series. Laura finds home and a community in Sandy Cove when she inherits a cottage from the woman she cared for in her final years. A beautiful setting, a mysterious painting, and romance for Laura are the highlights of this book.

Laura inherits a cottage in Sandy Cove from a friend who was like a mother to her. The village is on the west coast of Ireland and seems like a fresh start. There she meets Gino, a handsome local she's attracted to. As they grow closer and Laura settles into village life, her friend's son disputes the will. In addition to the house, Laura had also gotten an heirloom that reveals a long-forgotten family secret. And as if that isn't enough, Laura finds out that Gino might love someone else. With all of this, how can she rebuild her life?

The Lost Mother of Ireland is book six in the Starlight Cottages series but can be read as a standalone. Laura is 52, and had a full life nursing and caring for others, which is how she met Josephine, who left her the cottage and painting. She settled into village life, appreciating the community and friendliness. Because if said village life, she sees a photo of the painting's subject, and people remembered the sixties, allowing her to track down the woman and try figuring out who the painter was. At the same time, she has a growing attraction to Gino, and an art gallery owner wining and dining her. The romantic aspect doesn't get spicier than kissing on the page, and I honestly was more focused on the mystery painting. I appreciated that she and her new friends are older and have full, fun lives. Romance is a bonus, not a necessity as it sometimes feels like in romances starring young adults. The book takes its time so that you get to know everyone, a really nice and cozy feeling.

Sandy Cove is the setting of a beautiful village where Susanne O’Leary presents another delightful story in the Starlight Cottages series. These warm stories are always like coming home and this latest book is another example of a truly touching story.

Laura has received a very unusual inheritance after her charge that she cared for passes away. Laura did everything she could to make Josephine’s life comfortable at the end as her nurse and caregiver but there relationship also became one of a very strong friendship. Laura was left a cottage in the village of Sandy Cove, so she travels to Ireland to perhaps restart her life.

Laura is about 50, which is a wonderful age to see someone who still loves life and who just might find her future and perhaps love in a new place where she really fits in. Meanwhile, Laura discovers a painting in the cottage and tries to learn the history behind that painting, and this gives the story a bit more flavor. There is so much to this wonderful story in a very touching series, one that will no doubt leave the reader feeling more than pleased.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

The Lost Mother of Ireland by Susanne O’Leary is another of her feel-good romance series loosely based on a set of cottages (Starlight Cottages) in a small Irish coastal town that have been refurbished. Laura was taking some time off after the death of her latest patient, an opera singer, when Josephine’s son, Michael, called to tell her he was going to contest his mother’s will on the basis that Laura had used undue influence to be included in it. Laura was aghast, but later when the envelope from Josephine’s lawyer arrived, she discovered she had inherited a cottage in Kerry, Josephine’s dog, Ken, a painting (that she had to find the true owner for) and a goodly sum of money. She had already contacted a lawyer of her own and he though it unlikely that Michael would be successful, but his threat still hung over her head.

As all of this series, this is a gentle love story with plenty of warm Irish characters to help it on it’s way. Laura is 52 years old and has pretty much given up on love, but she still loves a good time so partying with a villager Becky and her friends come as a welcome occurrence, as does the invitation to substitute for Bridget, the nurse in the local doctor’s office. Laura and Ken take long walks and she visits with people in town, often searching for the woman in the painting, whom she eventually sees in a school photo from the 60’s. She adapts well to life in Sandy Cove. It is the life she had been looking for for years. Nothing deep and meaningful about this book but good characters and a wonderful setting, with the addition of a small mystery. Enjoyable read. Thanks, Ms O’Leary.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lost Mother of Ireland by Bookoutre, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #SusanneOLeary #TheLostMotherOfIreland

The Lost Mother of Ireland is book six in the wonderful Starlight Cottages by Susanne O'Leary. While each book has connections based on the setting, each could be considered a stand-alone. Marvelous landscape descriptions and wonderful people make this an enjoyable read.

Laura inherits a small cottage from a former patient and close friend so she moves to the cottage in Sandy Cove. Laura finds a home, friends, and even romance along with a mystery to be solved. Someone comes along wanting to take from Laura all that she has found. It is not difficult to side with Laura while wondering why this son was so intent on seeking what would not really give him the peace that he needed. However, it is the positive and gracious manner of Laura that stands out in this story.

The Starlight Cottages are so well written with characters that you grow to love that starting with The Lost Mother of Ireland will only entice you to read the entire series.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Laura is in much need of a new beginning and when she inherits a small cottage from a friend, she knows her life is about to change. This could be the new beginning she needs. Laura was a nurse and a caregiver to Josephine after Josephine had a stroke. They became close friends and when Josephine passed away, she left Laura a small cottage in the beautiful village of Sandy Cove. Laura has never visited Sandy Cove, located on the west coast of Ireland. While Laura is walking on the beautiful white sand beach, she meets Gino, a handsome local, and they immediately develop a friendship. It was as if they had known each other all of their lives. Laura is adapting to life in the village, and is fitting in perfectly. Soon, Jennifer’s son disputes his mother’s will, Laura is afraid she will lose everything, not just the cozy cottage but also, her new found love…Gino.

This is the sixth installment of the amazing Starlight Cottages series. I always look forward to the escape of traveling to the beautiful white sand beaches of Sandy Cove. I still love the villagers as they feel like close friends and family. This is a wonderful story of new friendships, a bit of intriguing mystery, and romance. I loved everything about this story and, even though it is a series this book can be read as a standalone. If you are in need of a wonderful escape to a land far away, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.

I really loved this story and it is a VERY GOOD READ. This story is about Laura , a nurse who took care of Josephine. Josephine, passed away and left a Cottage in Kerry to her and a valuable painting with a note to get it to its rightful owner. Michael , Josephine's son is going to contest the will. Laura did not even know that Josephine left her anything. she moved to Kerry to the cottage and took the painting with her. Now the excitement begins. Laura makes lots of friends and even does some nursing while she is there. Does she get to stay at the cottage.
Follow Laura's and enjoy this story.

A heartwarming read about a lady called Laura who inherits a cottage in Kerry and how she settles in. She was also left a painting and has to find out the history of the painting and find the owner. She meets a very handsome man called Gino. A beautiful story and the setting sounds idyllic.

A wonderful story about long lost family secrets.
The setting is on the west coast of Ireland.
A journey to honor the request of a loved one reveals forbidden love and lots of mystery.
Lovely characters that draw you into the story.
A heartwarming story in the continuation of the Starlight Cottages series.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was an easy read and it had everything it needed to be a good book - a well written plot, a bit of romance, a bit of mystery plus a beautiful friendly town. The descriptions of Ireland were so beautiful that I felt like I was there and that I should pack my suitcase and make a trip to this rugged area on the Irish coast.

Laura was a nurse and a care giver to Josephine after her stroke. They spent two years together and became good friends. When Josephine died, she left Laura a cottage in the beautiful village of Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland, a painting and her beloved old dog Ken. Laura decides to visit the cottage and falls in love with the town and the people who lived there. She misses her old friend and needs to recuperate from her loss. Even though Laura was in her 50s, she was still happily single even though she still hoped that she would find love in the future and the town has several men who could make that wish come true. The painting is a bit of a mystery because Josephine asked her to find out who is in the painting and to return it to its real owner. As she learns more about the painting, she finds out that its very valuable and was painted on the beach below her cottage. But how will she find the real owner? As she is falling in love with her new town and one of the men in town, Josephine's only son is planning to contest the will claiming that Laura somehow got his mother to leave valuable items to her instead of her family. Laura isn't sure whether she'll be able to stay in Sandy Cove or lose the ownership of the beautiful cottage.

Laura is a well written main character - she works hard and appreciates all she's been given. Her upbeat personality makes it easy for her to become friends with everyone in the village and she's overall just a nice person. The descriptions of Ireland are beautiful and made me wish (for a short time) that I was living in one of the Starlight cottages. The Lost Mother of Ireland is book 6 in a series but can be read as a standalone with no confusion. I enjoyed this book so much that I plan to read all of the earlier books in the series to learn more about the people who live in Sandy Cove.

This is the 6th book of Starlight Cottages series, it can be read as stand alone. My first in this series and this book is good. Laura story really heatwarming, her friendship with Josephine was so good and Josephine show her gratitude to plan a nice life for Laura. In new place Laura have new friendship, new job, new life also new man. Laura journey to finish the last request from Josephine unfold another mystery, forbidden love.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#TheLostMotherofIreland #StarlightCottages #SusanneOLeary #Bookouture #NetGalley #ARC

Laura inherits a cottage in the charming village of Sandy Cove. As she falls in love with the cottage she finds out that her inheritance is being challenged. Can she keep her new life and romance? Great read!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "The Lost Mother of Ireland" in exchange for my honest review.

This is book #6 in the Starlight Cottages series. The story focuses on Laura Keene a nurse from Dublin who inherits one of the Coastguard Station cottages after one of her patients leaves it to her in her will. Josephine had been a favourite patient of Laura's and she spent 2 years caring for the lovely older lady who not only willed her the cottage but also her beloved dog Ken. Laura moves to Sandy Cove and into the cottage - which Josephine's estranged son threatens to take Laura to court over as he contests the will. He never had time for his mother, never visited her but his wife wants to cottage. We meet some of the people from previous Starlight Cottage books, including Dr. Shane who Laura knows from having worked in A & E with him. When the nurse at the surgery needs to take time off to care for her husband, Laura seamlessly fits into her job to help out. Laura isn't short of admirers with Alan (the art expert) and Gino (the village baker) expressing interest in her. Laura was also tasked my Josephine to find the rightful owner of a painting that was also left to her.

This book is a wonderful addition to the series. The descriptions of the scenery on the Ring of Kerry are spectacular and the reader feels that they are there seeing it with the author.