The author has taken us back for the 6th time already to the Starlight Cottages in Ireland. The stories she creates are always filled with romance, but there is also always a deeper meaning. There is always a happy ending, but rest assured the books are never too sweet. Of course it's fiction, but there is some history involved sometimes as well and there are scenes that are very real. And if you are looking for the love of your life, you should travel to Sandy Cove. Is it something in the water or in the air? I honestly don't know but there are only happy people in that village. :)

Taking care of older people can be just that. A job. Nothing more, nothing less. But some carers genuinely love their clients and often become firm friends. The clients do appreciate that extra touch and sometimes they leave a gift after they passed away.

It makes the dark days filled with grief easier to bear and even though someone is not very happy with they way things are going, you decide to fight.

Sandy Cove is the place to be when you are a bit down. The villagers open their arms to newcomers and treat them like family. It's the place to recover from whatever you have to recover from. Once you arrive there, you just don't want to leave anymore.

Another heartwarming story in this lovely series. 5 stars

Thank you

What another intriguing and inspiring heart-felt story by Susanne O’Leary! I am always excited to see a new book by this wonderful author. I know when I sit down to read it, I will never be disappointed. And I won’t want to be disturbed or do anything else while I am lost in the plot, wandering across the Irish landscape and meeting old friends in Sandy Cove. This community in the spectacular west region of Ireland is like a family. They have their issues but they are a close knit group who support each other when needs arise. Susanne always shows us an uplifting portrayal of the human heart and how it best thrives on companionship and close social interaction. I am always anxious to see what life event she will devise to draw an unlikely cast together to work out their problems: especially in this gorgeous Irish location where magic, wonder and love flow like shimmering moonlight on the sea. You can bet someone is in need of a fresh start or an escape to a coastal village where he/she can get a better perspective on their lives. And what better place to do that but in an awe-inspiring setting?

The Lost Mother of Ireland is Starlight Cottages Book number 6 and although it is helpful if you have read the previous in the series, they are stand-alone stories. But since various characters often reappear throughout each instalment, it is nice to know their full backstories. I guarantee, though, once you read one book, you will want them all! They’re like your favourite treat, one bite is not enough! They are very more-ish. But keep your tissues close and your tea and cookies nearby, and curl up on a couch with a beautiful fire burning in the fireplace—if you have one. Even if you don’t have some of these comforts, the characters, descriptions and events will keep you mesmerised, warm, uplifted and so glad you came to this village through the magic of words. For I believe you will, as I have, fall in love with these eclectic people and spellbinding location that will have you dreaming about them or jumping on a plane to Ireland so you can view first-hand the breathtaking scenery and experience the magical culture that Susanne skilfully writes about!

Susanne does a beautiful job with character development and in spinning fascinating historical mysteries into her stories. There is always a great mystery at the heart of these novels. With The Lost Mother of Ireland, it is a stunning painting of a mystery woman in the Irish seascape. Susanne’s masterful description makes you feel as though you can actually see it. You are transported through the eyes of certain characters and the mystery that surrounds this piece of artwork hooks you in and leaves you chasing the pages to figure it all out. The trail of breadcrumbs unfolds like a treasure hunt. And what a fascinating hunt it is! I enjoyed every minute of the chase as the facts became visible one by one.

Our lead character Laura is a gentle nurse who works with seniors. She becomes a close friend to Josephine, one of the ladies she is attending. This woman adores Laura for making her last few years happy ones. In many ways, Laura is the daughter Josephine never had. When she dies, she surprises everyone with her gifting of a cottage to her nurse/friend. Not only does Laura receive one of the beautiful Starlight Cottages we have read about previously but she also inherits a dog, and a special painting that has a mission attached to it. Of course, this causes havoc with Michael, the elderly woman’s son, and he tries to take action by threatening to attest the will.

Despite the threats, Laura takes time off from her job and heads to Sandy Cove to the cottage where many wonderful and unexpected things begin to happen. She is greeted by the villagers who adopt her quickly into their hearts but there are two men she also meets that make her question her solitary life. Of course, there is a love conflict and Laura must make difficult personal decisions. Plus, there’s the valuable heirloom painting with its mystery that will shake her heart.

This is a story with many levels of meaning but love, forgiveness, healing, restoration and the magic of a land/seascape swirls throughout The Lost Mother of Ireland. And it is about a piece of artwork that captured a moment in time. Its image is lost for a while before it is found. There’s a forbidden romance, a mother and daughter bond, a broken mother-son relationship and the last wishes of an elderly lady to her best friend.

Beautifully written, heart-felt, uplifting and unforgettably special. I adored The Lost Mother of Ireland with its courageous twists and turns and its uplifting message that you can start again. And you are never too old, too late or too set in your ways to find love or be transformed by it. 5 Shining Irish Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.

Have you ever had something come into your life at just the right moment? Well, this book was that something for me. I was struggling with the anniversary of the death of my dear friend and this book was just what I needed to be lifted up and transported to another place for a bit. Susanne O'Leary is a new author to me but oh my she is a new favorite. I felt transported to Ireland, the west coast county of Kerry to be exact. Susanne's writing is beautiful. Not flowery but simply sweet. I am not usually a romance reader because the author often tells too much but Susanna allows you to use your own imagination for the intimate scenes making them more personal. I fell in love with all the characters and loved how they blended together. A bonus at the end is a snippet from the first book in this series. I already bought it for my kindle. A huge thank you to NetGalley, Susanne O'Leary, and Bookculture for the ARC and this is my honest review.

The Lost Mother of Ireland is another installment in Susanne O’Leary’s Starlight Cottages series. Nurse Laura was gifted with a cottage in Sandy Cove by her last patient. She also was given a portrait of a young woman with the instructions that the picture is to be returned to its rightful owner…whoever that is. Ms. O’Leary is very adept at taking her non-Irish readers to her country. She writes about the feeling of community, good neighbors, and gorgeous scenery. This story continues that tradition with a little mystery regarding the painting and new beginnings for several characters. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

I was transported to Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland while reading this heartwarming book. The setting was perfect and described so beautifully it made me think I was actually there.

Laura is a nurse who has inherited a small seaside cottage from a lady who she has nursed and become very close too. Still grieving she throws caution to the wind and travels to Sandy Cove in the hope of starting a new life.

The local community wrap their arms around Laura and she makes lots of new friends becoming instantly attracted to one handsome local . Along with the cottage Laura had been entrusted with a painting with a mystery that needs solved .

I was rooting for Laura throughout the book. Hoping she would find happiness and love. I was also intrigued with the mystery surrounding the painting and the secrets that were uncovered.

If you like uplifting moving story lines then this is definitely the book for you . My first read by Suzanne O’Leary and it won’t be my last.

Another wonderful read by this author. She continues to write feel good novels set in Ireland and this one does not disappoint. A nurse is left a cottage by the sea by her patient that she had been caring for.. Along with the ownership of the cottage, she is also left a painting with the instructions to try and find the owner. Long lost secrets are found and new friendships are formed with this continuation of the Starlight Cottages series. A book to recommend for a cold winter's day!

A completely gripping and unforgettable story of long-lost family secrets and forbidden romance that will whisk you away to the beautiful village of Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland. Great, great, great - I am giving it a lot of love...read this one! An intense, emotional and utterly compelling narrative!