The writing of this is very clunky and strange. Socially odd outbursts by the one wife. I couldn't continue reading it. You can't get into the story because the first chapter is so oddly chaotic and misplaced. Poorly done.

Ann O’Loughlin’s books are quickly becoming my guilty pleasure, my escape, my go to when I need what my great friend and fellow reader and Bookouture fan Sheila Dollard calls ‘a cleanser’.
A great easy, but emotional read, there’s all the feels here, grief, loss, illness, resentment, friendship and deep love.
When New Yorkers Maggie the ex wife and Katie the current partner are left a grand if dilapidated house in Ireland their lives will change immeasurably. Not only is the story compelling, just as you think it's all done and dusted there is a very unexpected and poignant twist at the end.
Like all the author’s books when I finish I feel bereft that I've left the characters and I want a sequel to catch up with them again.

Surprised by death!

I’ll be frank. Yes, I did tear up at certain parts in this tale. How could I not?
Katie Williams’s partner of six years dies in a subway shooting. Katie had asked Harry to take an Uber but roadworks made the journey too time consuming. Harry had ended his life in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The reading of the Will has Katie, and Harry’s ex wife and business partner Maggie, discovering that all the money has gone. Harry had secretly bought a place in Ireland that they knew nothing about. Kilcashel House in Wicklow County.
To inherit they must both go to Ireland and live at Kilcashel Housefor ten months. What they find is an empty, half renovated mansion on the sea, with a life tenant occupying the gate lodge. Anna Walker is a somewhat grumpy woman who wants them gone.
Both women have been screwed over by Harry. Katie’s passion is baking. She was to have opened a Bagel Bakery in Manhattan. Maggie is an experienced marketer who could sell pearls to an oyster. She and Harry had maintained their business relationship successfully after divorcing.
The story of these two disparate women settling into the community has its moments. More than enough! They become part of the community as time goes on.
For all that the Irish House pulled at my heartstrings, I found things just a little too contrived and coincidental which ends up predictably where you were channeled.
A reasonable story but I found Her Husband’s Secret a much stronger, less forced read.

A Bookouture ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Bit of a predictable read , with a little bombshell at the end. The lives of two women quickly change with the death of an ex-husband and current partner. They are forced to leave Manhattan to live in Ireland for ten months as dictated by his will. It is in Ireland where these two women come to terms with their lives. Lots of baking , swimming , horse riding and some interesting characters with their own secrets make up the rest of the book.

Secrets of an Irish House is a gripping contemporary triumph. What a complex emotional story of pain, loss, hardship and heartache. I was wiped out by the time I reached the end of this novel. My eyes hurt from the uncontrollable tears I shed. There are so many sad and life-changing events these characters experience that it left me raw and profoundly moved. But it is not all despair and sorrow as there are some touching moments when healing and happiness blossom at the Irish house of Kilcashel. The landscape and residence have a very positive effect on those who dwell in and around it. Unlikely alliances develop through trauma and challenges. Restoration occurs and like a speck of dirt in an oyster, a pearl of great friendship develops.

The characters are well developed and ones we care about. New Yorker Katie receives word her partner Harry has died in a tragic event. Devastated by the news, she tries her best to function. At the reading of his will, she receives another shocking revelation: he owns a house in Ireland and has left it to her and also his ex-wife, Maggie. If that isn’t bizarre enough, there is a stipulation. They must live there for a year, together, to inherit it. This request is a challenge in so many ways. Not to mention they are very different personalities. But since neither of them have any resources left (thanks to Harry’s activities) they must head to the Irish residence. And also to figure out Harry’s secret life and last wishes. Katie arrives first, and meets more surprises, including a woman living on the premises in the gatehouse. Anna has a story of her own that once known explains a lot of her strange behaviour and presence.

There are some quirky local women who get woven into Katie and Maggie’s life and a kind and handsome gardener named Dan. They all play some very important roles in restoring the premises, helping Katie bring about her dream and even provide Maggie an opportunity to exercise her talents. They learn so much more about Harry’s life and who he was. Why he was drawn to Kilcashel. He obviously cared about these two women and their interests as he has put in a state of the art kitchen for Katie and provided a beloved horse for Maggie. As for the residence: it has seen better days and although Harry had begun the work, it still needs some serious renovation. And with the help of a few friends, it happens! This novel oozes community spirit, friendship and love.

Ann once again tackles the hard questions and difficult relationship issues with skill and respect. Death and grief are a big part of this story but we get to see how three different individuals deal with their loss. And how they each find themselves on a road to healing and discover their place of contentment and purpose.

The storyline explores the unusual ‘what ifs.’ Various scenarios are fleshed out such as putting two women together who had been with the same man, in a foreign land in a house they knew nothing about. This is an unimaginable situation but they make something positive out of a negative situation. Maggie and Katie create an amazing new business together in Ireland and their relationship grows. The battles they face draw them closer and they become like sisters.

The number of secrets housed within Kilcashel is off the charts. It is such an intriguing plot and just when you think there cannot be more threads to unravel, more appear. I remained engaged and invested in the plot and characters through every twist and turn. There’s plenty of drama and devastation. And although sadness flows in like the waves on the shore, it also recedes momentarily to allow happiness to appear. And the shocking cold ocean invigorates Katie and Maggie—waking their senses to the world around them.

The lure of the sea, beloved Ireland, an old homestead and its residents charmed me. I love old houses and the stories they harbour. I could feel Katie’s emotions as she looked upon the old kitchen with all its bench marks and the period furniture that was stowed away. The numerous family connections in this story really tugged on my heart strings. My own passion for Ireland and my ancestors made me feel a real connection to this story. A story about dreams in a stunning landscape filled with new adventures. I totally recommend this glorious emotional read. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.

Another lovely book from this author, who doesn't seem to disapoint. An emotional, story but an interesting one. Feisty characters which adds to the charm. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A emotional and beautiful story about friendships, family secrets and finding a place to call home.
When main characters, Katie and Maggie inherit a manor home in Ireland, they have many misgivings. Why would Maggie’s ex-husband, Harry, and Katies partner decide to put it in his will that they have to live together in a house they never even knew he had bought? And, they have to live there together for at least 10 months?
The journey they embark on in Ireland is full of ups and downs. Will they end up friends or enemies after the 10 months is over? Will they get the life they both want?
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.

Another book set in Ireland where an American suddenly finds themselves moving to the emerald Isle. Sorry but I found it boring.

Ann O'Loughlin books are sheer heaven and total escapism, from start to finish.
Anna Maggie and Katie are brought together by circumstancesthat they don't really know the answer to but as time goes by certain incidents come to light.
I want to give nothing away only to say this really is a outstandingly beautiful and heart warming book.

Perched on the edge of the roaring Irish Sea, Kilcashel House was somewhere New Yorker Katie never imagined she would live. But when her partner Harry dies suddenly with a diamond engagement ring in his top pocket, Katie is shocked to learn that he has left a house in Ireland to her. But that is not the only secret Harry was keeping. Katie soon learns that Harry also left the house to his ex-wife Maggie.
The two women could not be more different but are left with no choice but to go to Ireland together to try and uncover Harry’s past.
Kept me awake most of the night as I just had to finish it. A great read… grabbed my attention from the first page… with each new revelation, I just kept wanting to turn the pages…

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "Secrets of an Irish House" in exchange for my honest review.

This story of strong women, friendships and family that that we are not related to but build for ourselves is moving and incredibly powerful. A box of tissues will come in handy because you will get so involved with these women that it will tear at your heart when they are in pain.

The story starts in Manhattan, New York where we meet Katie Williams and Maggie Flint during the reading of Harry Flint's will. Katie being his partner and Maggie being the ex-wife. Harry was shot riding home on the subway. He left everything - Kilcashel House, the grounds/estate and a gate lodge in county Wicklow, Ireland to the two women to share equally. They both have to live in the house for no less than 10 months starting in the spring and they must be there at the same time. Harry had remortgaged the apartment Katie lives as well as the one Maggie lives in - so the basically have no where to live.

The story continues in County Wicklow where the two women have moved. They learn that Anna Walker lives in the gate lodge. She had never met Harry when he bought the property, and Harry not only didn't tell Katie and Maggie about the purchase but they had no idea that someone would be living there. Katie wants to stay in Ireland because she has nothing to go back to in the States - she hopes to set up a café or bakery like she had been planning in Manhattan before everything in her world had changed. Maggie on the other hand wants to sell up and go back to Manhattan as soon as they fulfill their legal obligations.

There are many secrets in this story, that tore a family apart. Bitter feelings that are easier to hide behind than talk about. Why did Harry buy this house? Katie and Maggie decided that the best thing for both of them is if they are partners in the Drawing Room Café. They learn that neither of them ever really knew Harry. They find that he bought both of them identical gifts on every occasion.

The best description of this story is that someday you find that the person you least expected will become your best friend. This can certainly be said about the women in this book. They might not have started out liking each other but they end up being the greatest support network anyone could hope for. An absolutely brilliant read, worth more than 5 stars!

The quirky characters keep this story moving. Two women inherit a home in Ireland. An ex wife and a significant other. They must live there ten months to keep it. Chaos ensues when these two live together. The ex husband died, leaving them a mess. This is a fun quick book. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Enjoy…