The Keeper of the Irish Secret is a captivating new novel by Susanne O'Leary

Lily reminisces about her childhood visits to Magnolia Manor with her sisters to see her grandmother. After a painful divorce and quitting her fast-paced job in Dublin, she returns to Kerry to spend more time with her gran. Once there, she discovers that her beloved grandmother is not quite herself and that the family home needs some much-needed TLC. Can Lily and her sisters find a way to repair both their grandmother and their ancestral house?

While reading this novel, I couldn't help but think that it had the potential to become a series. My excitement knew no bounds when I learned that it is, in fact, the first book of a new series called Magnolia Manor! The narrative is captivating, and the descriptions of the setting are vivid and picturesque. It makes one long to visit Ireland. Don't wait, grab your copy now!

The Keeper of the Irish Secret is the first book in Suzanne O’Leary’s Magnolia Manor series. Octogenarian Sylvia Fleury dwells alone in the family estate, Magnolia Manor, on the Dingle peninsula in Ireland. Having lost both her husband Liam and her son Fred when a tragic sailing accident occurred, Sylvia now lives a solitary, albeit active, life. She belongs to many groups, is active in her parish, and has the company of Nora and Martin, who assist her at the Manor. Sylvia’s three granddaughters, Lily, Rose, and Violet, have united to plan for the future of the manor, their relationship with Sylvia, and their time together as a family. This book focuses on eldest sister Lily.

Lily, a paralegal from Dublin, has moved to Dingle to be close to her beloved grandmother as well as to put a painful and difficult divorce behind her. Gaining a position at Wolfgang Quinn’s legal firm opens the door for Lily’s transformation which is the beginning of deciphering the issues with the manor, her grandmother’s fears, and the question of what her great grandfather may have done.

This is a lovely beginning to a new Irish series highlighting three sisters, their relationship with their grandmother, and what the women have in mind to save their legacy. I very much enjoyed this novel and do recommend it!

If you like easy read novels, with a bit of romance and old rambling houses I think you will enjoy this. I believe this is the first part of a series and there was a good base in this book setting up characters for future novels. The inital setup was great with the drama on the house clearly signaled by both the grandmother and the granddaughter.

At times, the story was a bit clunky - eg the working relationship with Lily's new boss went from zero to hero in a matter of days, but just go with it and it helps you fill out the characters.

Be careful though, you will want to go cycling in Kerry after you've read it.

Happy to be part of the book tour with thanks to @bookouture

Omg! I was thrilled to see this new novel by Susanne o'Leary after falling in love with her Starlight Cottages series!

The Keeper of the Irish Secret is a stunning uplifting read! It's set in the picturesque South West coast of Ireland where we meet Lily Fleury who returns to her old family home from a busy life in Dublin. She encounters family secrets, a new romance, a new career all whilst meeting a host of likeable characters along the way.

Straight away from the first chapter I was captivated by the storyline! I felt as if I was right there in beautiful Dingle! The author has such a warm, gifted writing style that takes you on an enchanting journey with everyone.

It's a perfect cosy read full of love, secrets, relationships, family life and a wonderful escape to the beautiful shores of Co Kerry. I fell in love with the characters and breezed through this enchanting book in two evenings. I cannot wait for the next books in the Magnolia Manor series!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Susanne o'Leary!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for this advanced reader copy in my return for my honest review.

Books by Aisling 💚

Lily is heading back to Dublin, Ireland to her family home. She absolutely loved the time she would spend there, as a child, at her grandmother Sylvia’s house. She has fond memories of walks on the beach, and exploring Magnolia Manor, like it was yesterday. When she arrives at Magnolia Manor, she sees how dilapidated it has become, with its overgrown gardens and unkept house in need of repair. Sylvia is “well-to-do” so the condition of Magnolia Manor takes Lily by surprise. Lily takes on some of the repairs but can’t seem to keep up with them all. While rummaging through the gatehouse she discovers a trunk full of old letters. After reading through the letters, she uncovers a devastating family secret that Sylvia has been hiding about the family home.

The Keeper of the Irish Secret written by Susanne O’Leary is a heartwarming and beautifully written story. O’Leary always pens wonderful and inspiring stories that literally plants your feet firmly on the Irish coast. I felt the breeze in my face and heard the waves lapping the shore and was mesmerized by the beautiful water. I forgot where I was, for a period of time. This book read like a movie in my mind. I loved everything about this story as it hit all the feels. I am so over the moon happy that this is the first book in a brand new series. I loved every character in this story and I can’t wait for book two, Rose’s story. If you want to be transported to Ireland and fall in love with an Irish family near and far, this is the book for you. This is an absolutely unforgettable, captivating and unputdownable story that I highly recommend. Do yourself a favor and immediately put this book on top of your to be read pile. Ten stars for this one.

The Keeper of the Irish Secret by Susanne O'Leary

The first in a series to also be known Magnolia Manor so I expect The manor will play a significant part in further books.
We get to know 3 sisters Liliy , Rose and Violet and their grandmother Sylvia.
Magnolia Manor is set in Ireland and The authors description of it is so good I can almost imagine myself there.
I also loved the way the has set up the plot for the next book in the series which I will certainly look out for.

This first book in a new series from Susanne O’Leary does not disappoint. New beginnings, family secrets, friends and the setting in Dingle made this a pleasure to read. It is predictable in sections, but the story is enjoyable and one I did not want to put down. The little bit of mystery and light romance with a happy ending is what makes Susanne O’Leary’s books a must read for me. Loved this one.

The Keeper of the Irish Secret is the first book in the new Magnolia Manor Series by Susanne O'Leary. This family of women, a grandmother and her three granddaughters find themselves at a crossroads. The beloved family home is in trouble, maybe even lost. As they navigate the way to keep it , restore it, and share the family home they also find new beginning, new friendships, and new love.

A women’s fiction story where you come to love the characters, pulling for them to find the solutions that are best for all, and their way back to what is most important in life. Read today, you will be as invested in this family of women as I did.

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

This is my first read by this author, and she's been on my list a long time because I absolutely adore stories set in Ireland. Dingle is someplace we wanted to visit while we were there and didn't get a chance to, so I loved that this story was set there. It is a sweet family drama with some mystery and romance along with plenty of secrets. I enjoyed the story for the most part, although I did have a few hard eye rolls when it felt like the author was trying too hard to move the story in a certain direction relationship-wise, but all in all, it was an easy, satisfying read.

Generations of family secrets weaving with current day heartbreaks, memories, and new possibilities. Good mix of family, a bit of intrigue, and finding happiness.

Susanne O'Leary's The Keeper of the Irish Secret is a heartwarming tale that blends elements of romance, mystery, and family drama against the picturesque backdrop of the Irish coast. The novel revolves around Lily Fleury, a character whose depth and relatability are instantly established. Her return to her beloved grandmother Sylvia's dilapidated Georgian house, Magnolia Manor, sets the stage for a story rich in emotional complexity and vivid imagery. The wonderful settings and complex, relatable characters makes this book a memorable journey through the trials and triumphs of reconnecting with one's roots--a recommended read for anyone who enjoys stories that intertwine personal growth with the enduring power of family bonds.

The Keeper of the Irish Secret is a new series by Susanne O’Leary. The story revolves around 3 sisters, Lily, Rose, Violet and their grandmother, Sylvia.
The story is full of family drama as they try to figure out if they will be able to keep the family home.
The setting of Ireland is perfect for this lovely story.
Looking forward to the next book in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Keeper of the Irish Secret has a beautiful setting in Dingle in Kerry. It feels very realistic and as well has a beautiful old house in it. Unfortunately we don't really get to explore that, however a lovely gate house is included and we get to see that a little more.

The story centres around a Grandmother and three grand daughters, mainly Lily. As this is going to be a series, no doubt the two other girls may feature more in later books.

Lily finds a new beginning for herself when she comes to Dingle after a divorce and soon finds herself immersed in the countryside and the secrets her grandmother seems to be hiding.

It was a reasonably enjoyable book, although I did find it a little long, with details that sort of slowed the story down. This is a book for you if you like an Irish setting and a gentle meandering story where everything falls into place easily.

What a beautiful story, set in Ireland. I lo Ed the way the story unfolded and just carried you along. I was totally engrossed in it and was sad when I finished it. Seeing that it's book one I can't wait to read book two. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Lily Fleury has returned to her family home of Magnolia Manor. In the process of hoping to rebuild her life, she has an upcoming job interview. More than that, Lily has a mission. Her first concern is her 82-year-old grandmother Sylvia. Something is going on, either with Sylvia or the Manor itself. Sylvia is a busy woman with a lot of social engagements. A legend.

Although eager to start her new job, Lily set boundaries. These boundaries reflect on her past job in the marriage that she had that ended in divorce. Working for her new boss Wolfie could be a good thing, if not a little bit stressful. She’s definitely up for the challenge.

Lily confides in her sister Rose, especially as she begins her new job and also begins what might become an emotional entanglement. However, her former marriage leaves her with the caution of exposing her heart yet again. Meanwhile, there is more Lily has in mind for Magnolia Manor.

Lily is concerned that something strange is going on and she intends on having her grandmother tell her what on earth it is. First, her grandmother was resistant to her staying there, and now Lily hopes to get her troubled grandmother to confide in her.

The Keeper of the Irish Secret is the delightful first book in the Magnolia Manor series. This warm and inviting story really drew me to Lily and the next two books will have Rose and Violet's stories, with Rose's coming next. Also, keep in mind the title of this book as you try to guess the secret and who the keeper is.

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

Lily is headed back to her Granny and Magnolia Manor.
Still reeling from her divorce, she’s just looking for a job and spending time in her family home.
It’s a nice feel good book that I instantly connected with. It was like a Hallmark movie in a book. It’s book one in a new series so I’m looking forward to reading the next one.

A great beginning to a great new series. Can’t wait to see what is next at magnolia manor. Susanne O’Leary writes the best ones.

A beautiful home that has been in the family for over two hundred years is in need of repair. The women of the family are feisty and full of spirit trying to save the mansion and gardens from a distant unknown enemy that claims to own the property. Follow the Fleury women as they find their paths individually learning it is safe to love and trust again and attempting to save the Magnolia Manor as you would expect, as a family.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "The Keeper of the Irish Secret" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book in the Magnolia Manor series and as always Ms. O'Leary has written a beautiful story in South Kerry on the Dingle Peninsula. We meet Sylvia Fleury who came to Magnolia Manor as a young bride 60 years prior. She's planning the annual Magnolia Tea Party but there are secrets that threaten her existence in the house and the legacy that she plans for her granddaughters.

Her husband Liam and son Fred were killed in a sailing accident 25 years ago. Fred's 3 daughters Lily, Rose and Violet are all she has left of her family.

Lily has decided to move back home from Dublin but her grandmother doesn't seem happy about it and she feels that she's hiding something from them. Lily secures a job with Wolfgang Quinn as his legal secretary. The sisters have plans for the Manor. They want to restore it to its former glory and use the formal rooms for weddings and celebrations. The greenhouse could be a garden centre and café.

It seems that their great-grandfather Cornelius Fleury gave the manor and land to Etienne Bernard to pay for this gambling debts. They learn that Cornelius' wife Caroline hid the deeds to the manor to protect it. They have to find the deeds to prove ownership before the Bernard family tries to take over. All they know is that the deed is behind a tree that they have to take down and turn around. Sylvia also has dreams for the Manor, she wants to turn it into Senior Service Apartments where seniors can live independently yet be close to others and form friendships.

Readers will be delighted to learn who the keeper of the secret is and whether they will be able to save the Manor and keep it in the family. There are so many things that can still be discovered in this family so I'm looking forward to future books.

Lily has moved back to stay with her grandmother, Sylvia, following a horrid marriage and divorce.

She arrives to find the house to be in dire need of work, her grandmother hasn’t been looking after the house. There is more to this, and Lily is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on with her grandmother.

The handyman, Martin, has a friend called Dominic, who helps him do some work at the house. Lily finds she has some feelings for him but tries to push her feelings aside as she is still recovering from the divorce.

This was a lovely story, with a ‘will they, won’t they’ theme to it. A feel good book that put a smile on my face from the very start.

The writer made me feel as though I was in Ireland and knew the places she wrote about, the descriptive writing was lovely to read.

I was captivated by this story and it was one that I didn’t put down and read the same day. I was invested in the story and characters and needed to know how the story was going to end.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for my honest review.