I loved this delightful story set in that magical place that is Ballycove. It's been great to be back there!
Faith Hogan is proving once again what an amazing storyteller she is. We have a great set of characters with very relatable stories, unfolding in a breathtaking background.
I was captivated from the very beginning and enjoyed every page. It's uplifting, funny at times and overall heart-warming. Definitely recommended.
Thank you to Aria Fiction, Head of Zeus, the author and NetGalley for providing an early copy.

This book was a sheer delight. A lovely story with engaging characters. Another beautiful story from Faith Hogan. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book

Having read all this amazing authors books was a sheer delight to read this new book, I was totally captivated from the beginning. The amazing and majestic setting along with outstandingly fabulous and mysterious guests who were going to be frequenting Willow House. The interactions between Esme and her guests was so warm and enchanting I just totally loved everything about this beautiful and magical book.

Another lovely story set in the Irish village of Ballycove, this time in elderly Esme's guesthouse with her various guests and their stories.

Esme has lived in the guesthouse most of her life, and took over when her mother died. She has seen various comings and goings over the years, especially with guests who regularly return, but she is struggling with the upkeep of the house now, and is practically blind, but it isn't until a fall lays her up for a while that things start to change.

This summer various guests stay - 50-something Cora who needs a break from her marriage, feeling her life is slipping away and her husband takes no notice of her. Phyllis (also a long-time friend of Esme) who visits with her husband, son and grandson. Her husband has health issues that she's trying to cover up, but the situation comes to a head and she has to face up to certain changes. And finally Niamh who is nearly 40 and has a big life-changing decision to make.

There are also some great side-characters, the best of which is Marta, Esme's right hand woman who really runs the guesthouse and has lived with Esme for years after leaving an abusive relationship. There is no way Esme could cope without no-nonsense Marta who is more of a friend than an employee.

All of this is set in a pretty Irish village on the coast, mostly during the summer. There are a few dramas along the way, and lots of advice from Esme for various guest facing problems, but it's all sorted out in the end. A really lovely read.

A beautiful depiction showing the struggles different people throughout different fazes of life face and how you can always overcome the darkest of times. The writing was beautiful and I loved seeing every characters story connect and everyone's growth throughout the bool. This was a really sweet, heart-warming book and a great read.

Esme is the charming owner of this gorgeous guesthouse overlooking the wild Atlantic sea. Getting elderly now but refusing to give in even though she's now forced to sit in a chair with her leg up, having broken her ankle, she still manages to be the beating heart of the hotel. Though almost blind now,she manages to greet every guest and quickly discovers their secrets and worries. She dispenses wisdom and advice through her many stories and also with the aid of her guest book: at the top of each page is a handwritten quotation and when she invites het guests yo open a page at random, it invariably proves to be pertinent to their lives and problems.
This book is a wealth of Irish charm, warmth, humour and love.

I absolutely loved this book. All the people coming in and out of the guest house sharing their lives with each other and becoming unexpected friends.
Everyone coming to the guest house to try and take a break from what’s going on (good &bad) )in their lives. Some needing time away from their real life to find answers, figure our for themselves what to do and others just wanting to spend time with family while Esme is at the center of everything while recuperating.She listens, gives advise and offers them a welcoming place to stay. In the end everyone became a family of friends.

The descriptions were described so well that I wanted to visit with the characters at the Willows (guest house). There are wonderful, real situations presented in each of the characters. Not everything goes smoothly for each of them, but there are lessons learned without an iron hand. At the center of the guest house is the wise lady that has sweet tidbits to share about every situation. The story lines are so well woven together and the characters are so real that it's as if you are stepping into the story. When the book was wrapped up, I honestly wanted more.

An enjoyable story that touches on several current social issues and makes you think about what it was like to be a woman years ago when you had no agency. Well written, with well developed and sympathetic characters. You won't be disappointed.

I loved the cover of this book. I just wanted to sit in that window and look out over the sea. I wanted to do that even more when I began reading the book. Faith Hogan has conjured up such a lovely little community who all find themselves, one way or another, at Esme's guest house in the delightful town of Ballycove. (I actually googled that to see if it was a real place you could go to. Sadly it isn't.)
This story was charming. Easy to read but not twee. I liked the way the characters' stories were interwoven and I'll be seeking out other books by this author - in fact, I've already bought one!

This book wraps you up in love and hope. It is funny and wise, leaving you uplifted and warm.
A charming story with lovely people. I enjoyed it very much.

I would so love to visit and have some rest at The Guest House!
The cottage has been around for ages and it seems to give its visitors a renewed sense of direction and hope!
Each person in this novel has different challenges, including Esme the elderly lady who is in charge of this magical place. However, nothing stops Esme from listening and helping her guests to find their goals, no matter how hard they might be.
While reading, I could visualize the beautiful house and sea in the backyard!
It is definitely a beautiful read that many will enjoy as well!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Aria &Aries for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

I received a free copy of, The Guest House by the sea, by Faith Hogan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I could not finish this book. I read book for joy and the love of reading, but I do not like stories about termination.