Very sweet story about a slightly run down guest house on a beautiful piece of Irish coastline. Three different women come to stay at The Willows to get peace and space to reflect on their problems. The formidable owner has had an accident but that doesn't stop her listening to guests and offering wisdom that makes each woman reflect on their situation. A gentle story told well.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**The Guest House by the Sea** by Faith Hogan is a delightful and heartwarming read that deserves a solid four stars! This novel is a perfect escape to the scenic shores of Ballycove, where fresh air, stunning views, and second chances await.

Esme, the long-time owner of the guest house, is a wonderfully endearing character. Despite her failing sight and recent fall, she remains the heart and soul of the place, observing and subtly influencing the lives of her guests from her chair in the entry hall. Her resilience and warmth make her a standout character you'll instantly adore.

The guests at the house are equally intriguing and relatable. There's Cora, who arrives without her husband and stays indefinitely; Niamh, a city professional facing a life-changing decision; and Phyllie, a grandmother grappling with a family that's slipping away from her. Each of their stories adds depth and colour to the narrative, creating a tapestry of emotions and experiences that draw you in from the start.

Hogan's writing is wonderfully uplifting, capturing the magic of the Irish sea air and the healing power it brings. The themes of love, friendship, and personal growth are beautifully woven into the plot, making it a touching and inspiring read.

What I loved most about *The Guest House by the Sea* is its charming setting and the way it brings together a cast of characters who are all searching for something. The story is filled with warmth and hope, making it a perfect read for fans of Sheila O'Flanagan, Heidi Swain, and Susanne O'Leary.

In conclusion, *The Guest House by the Sea* is a thoroughly enjoyable novel that will leave you feeling refreshed and optimistic. It's a testament to the power of new beginnings and the unexpected places where we might find them. Don't miss out on this enchanting tale by Faith Hogan!

A lovely story interwoven with all the characters made it very interesting. A warm and cosy read nice and relaxing just very enjoyable.

Faith Hogan never disappoints! There’s everything in her latest offering - The Bookshop Ladies -:emotion, family secrets, love, intrigue and, of course, books. Once again Hogan takes us to Ireland to the village of Ballycove where Joy, an American living in Paris comes to find answers to burning questions as to the identity of her husband’s former lover and child. As readers, we are tempted and intrigued by anything bookish, and bookshops particularly are special. What reader doesn’t love a story about a bookshop? Faith Hogan has the ability to spin a tale so well that once started it is impossible to put down. Beautifully constructed with characters that are well fleshed out and likeable, this is a pacy novel with a great ending. Five stars from me!

The Guest House by the Sea

by Faith Hogan

Esme, with the help of Marta, an energetic Basque woman, operates the Willows, a 200 year old guest house, following the tradition of the women in her family. The Guest House by the Sea focuses on several weeks during “the season” and the guests who abide there.

Esme is in a high state of frustration because she broke her leg and is mostly blind. So she spends her days in a dome chair welcoming guests and sharing wisdom with those who stop to chat with her. Some of the wisdom comes from the guest register that starts each page with a handwritten quote. When Esme has a guest read a quote, it always seems to apply to that person even though they were written in the book prior to the season’s start.

The cast of characters is diverse and each will tug at your heartstrings as they arrive at Ballycove hoping for space and peace in which to get a grip on their problems. Joel is a lonely engineer staying for weeks to help on expensive repairs to the church’s roof. Cora is a homemaker and teaching assistant with a husband set in routines. After thirty years together, she wonders if she has only staleness left in her future. Phyllis is watching her husband slip away in the same dementia that stole his father. Their son Rob, a widower, and his son Josh join them. As the result of a pregnancy test, Niamh comes to the Willows by herself with a pill to “take care of it” in the words of Jeremy. She is his long-time mistress and co-worker, but she learns a lot about Jeremy, herself, and their relationship through this process.

All of these guests are people you would want to know; they will pull you into their stories. Not all of them will have happily ever afters, but they are all seeking fulfilling lives and you will want that for them. Nothing in this book says that life is easy, but it doesn’t moan and whine while the characters deal with their problems either. Ballycove and the Willows are a great backdrop for their stories and their growth.

Faith Hogan is an Irish writer with lots of books to her credit. I plan on reading more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Publication: June 8, 2023—Aria

Memorable Lines:

Her heart had missed a beat, in the way it does when you’re young and it feels as if the simple things are absolutely momentous.

She was blessed to have a husband like him. Michael was a true blue. He’d be sleeping in that same bed until the day he died, if he had a choice. So why did she feel this heavy weight of emptiness instead, as if her marriage was some black hole and she was in danger of falling in and suffocating while life went on without her? Perhaps being out here in Ballycove would do her good, give her some perspective on things.

“Maybe, but I think you’ve attracted good people to you because you’re kind and you have a generous spirit. You have probably helped more people than you know over the years, with your wise words.”

It is a huge tribute to a book that you can read it in a hospital setting and be transported away, in this case the stunning place of Ballycove, with its stunning views of the sea, where Esme, who runs a guest house, has been in charge for years.

This book dealt with a number of visitors, people who were escaping things that were dragging their life down, as they embraced the beauty and peace of a sanctuary that was perhaps in danger.

The community, friendship and warmth of this book was spellbinding, as was the inspiration of people who had stuff thrown at them who regused to stop (I loved Esme). Cannot recommend enough and one I’ll be buying as presents for people. Thanks so so much to the publisher for the advance copy.

I have wanted to read one of Faith Hogan's books for a long time and now I am wondering what took me so long. The Guest House is located in Ballycove on the ocean and has been run by Esme for too many years to remember. Esme is getting older, she is almost blind and when she falls and breaks her leg, she is worried about the season. Her lifelong friend, Phyllis, calls Esme and asks if she and her husband can come and stay. Her husband has the first stages of dementia and Phyllis is trying to keep things as normal as she can for as long as she can. Their son and grandson plan to meet them there and have a vacation. Next we have Cora, a wife who is trying to figure out what to do about her marriage, and Niamh, a professional from London who has a life-changing decision to make. The Guest House, Esme, Marta, and the other guests all help these women heal, make decisions and move forward in their lives.

I really enjoyed this heartwarming and uplifting story. It is beautifully written with descriptions that allowed me to feel like I was there in Ballycove. The quiet setting, friendships that develop, walks on the beach and listening from Esme and Marta allow the main characters do determine what they are really looking for. It helps them to open their eyes to things that were unclear before their stay, so they could make the right decisions. All the characters were relatable with real problems that anyone could have. I enjoyed every minute of this story and now have many more books to add to my TBR shelf. I highly recommend The Guest House by the Sea.

In 'The Guest House by the Sea" we meet Esme, owner of the guest house in the small town of Ballycove.

Esme is the owner of The Guest House by the Sea, in a small town called Ballycove. She has run the guest house for as long as her parents before her. The day before she re opens for the summer season, welcoming tourists and natives alike. Esme has a tumble whilst trying to clean the guest house. Confined to a chair in the hallway, For the first time in her life Esme has nothing to do and no where to be. All she can do is sit, welcome guests and be a listening ear.

Cora is visiting on her own, indefinitely. Niamh is down from Dublin with a big decision to be made. Phyllie, a grandmother with a fear her family is slipping away.

A heartwarming and uplifting story about second chances, friendship and the power of the Irish Sea Air.

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

A perfect summer read. Full of lovely heartwarming characters and lazy summer landscapes and settings nideal For those summer holidays and bank holidays. Indulge yourself in this warm read this summer time you won’t regret it.

Faith Hogan wrote The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club, a feel-good book about women’s friendships and I loved the fictional, coastal Irish town of Ballycove where her novels are set. This one is about a guest house in Ballycove and the aging owner, Esme, who is losing her sight–but is a keen observer of her guests. She gives them not just a place to stay, but a place to find their next steps in life.

While the guest house and setting are indeed dreamy, this story unfortunately just didn’t connect like Hogan’s previous novel did. The owner seemed to have some sight (though it was fading) at the start, then had an ankle injury, then was suddenly almost fully blind–this small point was disorienting. This is an easy, cozy read, but some of the backstories and relationships just didn’t quite gel for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a great feel good book. Uplifting and hopeful.
Very enjoyable and well written.

Esme has been running the guest house at Balycove for as long as she can remember and this season sees various characters staying with all sorts of life trouble. This story felt like a friend wrapping me up in a warm hug and left me feeling uplifted. A beautiful setting and characters that become treasured friends.

Really charming story, gorgeous setting, very well written, flowed well, great characters that i could really connect too, and it was a lovely read.

This book itself is a wonderful escape. Picturing the house and the ocean. The characters that go through the house and of course, Esme. Without her this book would not exist. It is one of those curl up comfy and melt into it books. Will be picked up again in the future to read again.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Another good read
Perfect book to curl up with and to get lost in
Will have you hooked from the first page
Thanks NetGalley

A lovely story, easy to read and quite perfect. I settled into this one quickly and devoured it. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Esme has been running the B&B in Ballycove for as long as anyone can remember. Just as peak tourist season begins, Esme has a fall and she has to rely on friends to keep her livelihood going. Over the summer guests come and go, bringing their own stories, heartbreak and joy. You'll fall in love with the characters, the B&B and Esme herself...
Faith Hogan is a new author to me, but I'll definitely be reading more of her books.

Esme runs her little guest house by the sea but she's getting old and after a fall is struggling to cope. She isn't ready to give it up though. Her guests this summer all have their own problems but through their time at the guest house, maybe they can all find the answers they seek.

This was a really good read. Its told from many persepectives so you get a really wide picture of everyone's story. The plot is a slow, steady story without the need for a big ending. The ending though was so well done. I liked how every story was settled and especially Esme's final showdown with the developer. The characters all draw you in and i think I enjoyed Cora's story the most but loved how Niamh's story finished up. She was my favourite character she truly grew as the book developed. A fun summer read.

This is a sweet and touching story that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. This is a heartfelt book from a fabulous author. You will not be disappointed.