Oh my, what a wonderful heart-warming return to the Irish Boarding House! It was so uplifting to pick up where the original story left off; to learn what has developed and to become reacquainted with old faces and to meet new ones. This story blossoms with hope and healing. For this residence built by hands of love, attracts the wayward, wounded and disadvantaged and gives them a second chance. All thanks to the noble vision of one woman: Mary Kate.

This second and final instalment is quite soul stirring and made my heart ache on more than one occasion. It covers a number of circumstances of visitors in need who land at the red door of Mary Kate’s rescue home. I call it that because many of the girls and women who end up on her doorstep are coming from some horrific traumas and are met with love and acceptance from the moment they step across the threshold of this residence. It is truly a beacon of hope for the lost, anguished and afraid who need food, shelter, a tender hand and a non-judgemental listening ear.

Mary Kate, the owner, who inherited a fair sum of money in the past from a wealthy mother she never knew growing up (until towards the end of the woman’s life) put the funds to good use when she came across this dilapidated building. Many thought her mad taking on such a project. But the old building captured her heart and represented in many ways the souls of those who would find their way to her door one day. And like the building be transformed. Once she purchased it, with the help of many hands, she turned it into a magnificent boarding house for the less privileged. It was both visually and spiritually captivating. The red door is significant for two reasons: it stands out and can be seen easily but it also represents her grandfather’s red-letter days. Significant days of special memories or opportunities: of rainbows and miracles fuelled by hope when good things come after a soul perseveres and does not give up.

Mary Kate has a heart of gold and changes so many lives with her kindness. She even finds love in the first novel and marries the builder Sean who restored the boarding house with her. They have two happy married years together before the unimaginable happens. Now, alone, she is dealing with the grief of her loss, until her friend Moira encourages her to reopen the boarding house. Which she does and in doing so, reopens her heart and gives her life purpose again. What better way to soften your own suffering than to help others who are in even greater distress?

What follows is an update on those we met in the previous novel but also a stream of new faces and stories—each one quite heart breaking but uplifting when they meet Mary Kate and she puts her gifts to work again helping them. But she does not do it alone as she has amassed a blessed team of supporters who understand pain and what it is like to be lost and abandoned. They are a magnificent support group for each other. I won’t list names of favourites as there are too many to mention but anyone who has read the first book, should read this one—it won’t disappoint. And for those who have never read Sandy’s books, get these two and her previous ones and read them! They are beautiful Irish tales that will put a smile on your face and a new spring in your step! As for Return to the Irish Boarding House, it will restore your faith in human kindness and remind you there are still caring people in this world like Mary Kate and her friends. I loved this novel with its bold beliefs and Good Samaritan theme and was sad to read the last chapter (or Epilogue in this case) which brought many tears to my eyes. But it is a triumphant and fitting conclusion in many ways: at least, in a spiritual sense. 5 Heart filled stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I'm going to be honest, I couldn't finish this one. I wanted to but I just couldn't. It could just be because this is an advanced copy but there were a lot of writing mistakes in this story. There were pov changes from first person to third person all in the same sentence, sometimes multiple times during a paragraph. There were a lot of typos too. And the story felt as if I had been dropped into the middle rather than the beginning. I really did want to like this story but I did not enjoy it.

Return to the Irish Boarding House by Sandy Taylor is the second book in this Boarding House Series. Mary Kate has suffered a loss that has down her down so friend Moira encourages her to reopen 24 Merrion Square as a boarding house once again. These friends have a history apart and together that gives them a strong bond.

The life back at the house with the red door brings laughter and a renewed interest in life around Mary Kate. However, it is not without some issues such as ones with Moira’s adopted daughter. Other include new women who come to the boarding house. They come for a place to stay but find a created family over time. Such a lovely resilient look at life.

A enthralling and joyful tale that I quickly became in engrossed in and read in one sitting. We are reunited with the much loved characters as Mary Kate continues life at the boarding house and I was thrilled to be introduced to a few new characters with a lot of baggage in their respective backgrounds. I have to say that my favourite character is Eliza as she made everything seem to be such a joy. Eliza is a kind hearted soul who lights up a room like a shining beacon. There are a few heartbreaking twists and one in particular had me bawling my eyes out. I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil the story but it hit me really hard. On a happier note I loved rejoicing with the characters as they found there happiness. The plot is full of love, sadness and surprising twists!

Dublin, 1956

After two years of married bliss closely followed by heartbreak, Mary Kate leaves her little cottage in the Wicklow Hills and returns to 24 Merrion Square. Her little boarding house with it's bright red door painted so to remind her of her red letter days, as her grandfather had always told her. Kind, compassionate and generous to a fault, Mary Kate and her best friend Moira re-open the doors of the old boarding house, taking in the waifs and strays...and those who need a little help, a little love and a little kindness.

Mrs Lamb returns to her kitchens bringing with her Eliza, a child-like young woman, who runs the halls with young Abby, Moira's adopted daughter once a babe left on the doorstep one frozen morning. Together, they welcome all those that enter the bright red door. The first being "Banana", as Eliza took to calling her, a young woman searching for something or someone. Then came Emma, who was searching for her younger sister Nell who the sisters had shipped off to the Magdelene Laundries. Then came Cathy, a young woman hiding a secret she dare not tell and then Megan, a young Welsh woman on the run from something or someone. And then finally came Isobel, who stayed only for a short time but made wonderful friends and gained lifelong skills before moving into the house she inherited. And then of course there is Guinness who has been there from the beginning, found as a stray as the dilapidated old Georgian building was being renovated into the boarding house it became.

All of these women make he boarding house a home. Their love, their kindness, their laughter. Each of them brings something to the house unique to them. Just like those who have come and gone before them, but are never far away.

I loved this book as much as the first one and aside from the Epilogue at the end, I felt this could have continued as a series because I think the heartfelt warmth of this book and the first one would have made a wonderful series. But The Epilogue kind of ties everything up and life comes full circle by its end.

I laughed and cried along with everyone in these pages but none moreso than with the passing of dear Guinness, my own staffy statue named as such after reading of him in the first book. His passing is reflected on with sensitivity and love, and mentioned only with the passing of time and with them dear Guinness. Naturally, I was bawling as I always am at the passing of a beloved dog. He was much loved and a very dear addition to the boarding house. I miss him already.

A delightful read that I devoured in one sitting. I shall miss everyone from Merrion Square.

I would like to thank #SandyTaylor, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ReturnToTheIrishBoardingHouse in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Mary Kate owns an Irish boarding house with its trademark red door. Along with her friend Moira, Mary Kate is kind and generous, taking in boarders who are down on their luck and just need a helping hand getting back on their feet. Situated in Merrion Square, it’s a house which is full of love and compassion where all residents are a real mix of characters but have all become close friends, offering support to each other when needed. Mary Kate has not had an easy past herself and has recently lost the great love of her life, leaving her devastated.

In the second book in the series, we meet some new characters who have all come with their own story and previously had harrowing experiences. Mary Kate’s heartbreak doesn’t stop her offering each of them a roof over their heads or friendship of this assorted group of women. Most of the women have their own traumatic tales but they all pull together and create a bond that will last a lifetime.

I have been eagerly anticipating this book and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Mary Kate’s world. The new characters Sandy Taylor has introduced make for a hard read with their horrific back stories. I really enjoyed being reacquainted with characters from the first book, seeing them grow and in some cases move on to their own homes with independence encouraged by their friends at the boarding house.

Another great book not to be missed. Sandy is an amazing author with a talent to write such empathetic and enjoyable tales which fully engross you right through to the final page.

And what a welcome return it was! I waited (not patiently) for this book which was well worth the wait. I laughed and cried in equal measures.
While there are some difficult subjects involved, there is always Eliza to lighten the mood, she was my favourite character. Even got me into trouble for laughing aloud, it was early hours.
Merrion Square is a home full of love and understanding, the two leading ladies Mary Kate and Moira seem to adopt waifs and strays regularly.
Abby’s background is quite distressing. I have to say that Thomas was quite easy to take a dislike to.
I liked the way each new character was introduced giving some background. When I read about Charlotte I exclaimed loudly!
I really hope there will be another by this author.

I totally recommend this book, advising reading the first one if you haven’t already.

Return to the Irish Boarding House, is a warm, nostalgic return to a house full of friendship, warmth, laughs and tears too. I had such a lovely time reading this story, perfect for some me time .

Return to the Irish boarding house was started and finished in a day! The storyline was very interesting, it sucked me in and had me glued to my Kindle! Definitely don't miss out on this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Wow this was such a uplifting but heart breaking read .
I loved Mary Kate as a character.
Abby was so sweet.
Her back story was sad and the outcome of it was sad too .

I really must read the first book.
The Irish boarding house was a sanctuary for the lost to be found.
Sandy is a genius of a writer.