Reminds me very much of Jojo Moyes! A new to me author and I will be checking out her backlist. A character-driven family drama with a warm and cozy ending.

Trigger Warnings: parental abandonment, infidelity, and death of grandparent

Beautifully written. I loved Bea. My heart went out to her. It doesn't take much does it, to become homeless? Poignant, heart-warming, this story is one that holds your attention. Just one thing, I would have liked a little more in terms of an epilogue, to see a bit more of Shayne and Bea together. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

EXCERPT: I pause outside the main hospital entrance. Icy wind claws at my cheeks and I cup my hands, bring them to my mouth and blow hard. Eccles Street is beautifully still, as if the usual hustle of Dublin City is on mute. Moonlight shines through a blanket of cloud, casting shadows at my feet. Inside my head is blissfully silent too. And I know to enjoy it. The sweet spot of calm when one day winds to an end before another begins never lasts long.
An approaching siren slices through the air in the distance. I glance overhead as the clouds part. The sun will be up soon. I take a deep breath and step forward. The huge, glass automatic doors part and a grey-haired man in chequered pyjamas shuffles out. He slips a cigarette between his lips and bobs his head up and down as he asks, 'Do you have a lighter, love?'
'I don't smoke, sorry,' I say. 'But I think they sell matches in the tuck shop. It's open after nine.' I glance at my watch and realise that's more than an hour away. 'Or they might be able to help at the nurses' station.'
Without a word, he turns and shuffles back inside, struggling to keep his slippers on.
A lady in a black bomber jacket and with car keys in her hand races towards me from the car park.
'Are you a nurse?' she asks, breathless. 'Where should I go?'
I cup my ear to hear her better as the siren grows louder.
'It's my grandfather. He had a fall. They asked me to hurry. Room 114, they said. Or 124. I can't remember.'
'Mr Cullen,' I say, thinking of the jolly ninety-six-year-old who loves to dance, even an IV line and oxygen tank not slowing him down. My heart pinches, knowing that, if someone called his granddaughter at this hour, his time is limited.
She nods and her keys rattle in her shaking hand. 'Yes. Yes. Tom Cullen. Do you know where he is?'
I smile, happy to help at a time I can only imagine must be so difficult for her. 'Room 124. Reception is just through here, on the right.' I point over my shoulder at the glass door behind us. You have to check in there first.' I look at her teary eyes and shaking hands and realise she's not taking in a word I'm saying.' I can show you, if it helps.'
She nods and we jump aside together as the ambulance comes skidding into the bay. Blue scrubs and white coats hurry out of the doors to meet the paramedics and the patient and I know the chaos of another day at St Helens has begun.

ABOUT 'THE SECRET LIFE OF BEATRICE ALRIGHT': Beatrice Alright is the queen of silver linings. She can find a spark of hope in any situation. Even when her partner delivers earth-shattering news that leaves Bea and their four-year-old, Ellie, without a home, she refuses to panic.

Because Bea believes that what she does have is more important – her job at St Helen’s Hospital, which offers a warm, dry shelter for her and Ellie to stay while she figures things out. By day Bea cleans the wards, by night she tucks her daughter into bed between mops and buckets.

And tries so hard to hold on to hope.

When Bea sees an old man sitting on a cold and lonely bench outside the hospital, she really doesn’t have time to stop. She should be clearing up her own mess, not worrying about this cantankerous stranger. But Bea can’t help herself…

As she slowly starts to draw out Malcolm’s heartbreaking story, could this simple act of kindness begin to heal a decades-old pain? And might finding peace for Malcolm help Bea in ways she didn’t even know she needed?

MY THOUGHTS: There were many things in this read that confused or puzzled me, but they didn't stop me enjoying this sweet and poignant story.

While on the surface (and the cover) this may look like a light-hearted read, and it certainly is in places, Brooke Harris shows just how easy it is for fortunes to change and for a person to become homeless through no fault of their own, and just how hard it is to turn things around again.

Even though this book is heart wrenchingly sad, it is never depressing, although I felt that Bea was quite understandably bordering on depression in places. The poor woman just couldn't catch a break! I did feel frustrated by her at many points. She just wouldn't stand up for herself. I would assume Declan is named on Ellie's birth certificate, so why was he not paying maintenance? Why didn't Bea go to the police over being scammed? And surely there must be something akin to Women's Refuge centres in Ireland where she could have gone rather than sleeping with a child in the cleaners' cupboard on the ward. Realistically, she never could have gotten away with this, as other cleaners would have come in on her days off to do Bea's job and other staff do access the cleaner's cupboard when the cleaner is not on duty. So you are going to have to suspend belief a little here.

Malcolm was a wonderful character. He is the old man on the park bench who Beatrice stops to chat to. He is warm and wise in his own curmudgeonly way while also trying to write a wrong and heal a family rift. His grandson Shayne is almost too good to be true, although Brook Harris's portrayal of his relationship with Malcolm was spot on when it comes to how many people treat their elderly relatives. Even Bea finds herself falling into this trap. Ellie, Bea's four-year-old daughter is a joy. A very typical four-year-old! I found it interesting that she didn't appear to miss her father at all when Declan left. She certainly didn't ask about him at all in the 'When's Daddy coming home again?' way that I would have expected.

There is just a wee sprinkling of romance to this story, but I liked the way that a friendship develops first, and the romance isn't introduced until late in the book.

Despite these 'wrinkles', I enjoyed this read. It is a moving blend of kindness and tragedy with mostly wonderful characters who will fill your heart.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#TheSecretLifeofBeatriceAlright #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Brooke Harris loves nothing more than opening a book in the middle and inhaling deeply. A self-confessed arty-type, she enjoys playing piano, sketching and painting. But her greatest love is stories.

Brooke writes heart-breaking and emotionally led fiction, often with a sprinkling of romance. Brooke lives in county Kildare, Ireland with her husband and five children. She is a keen supporter of mental health charities and creating a greater understanding of mental illness. She is the owner of the bestest, fluffiest, lickiest dog in the world. (Source: Storm Publishing)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This was both a heart-breaking and heart-warming story of Bea Alright. I enjoy a book when it taps into all of your emotions. I recommend this quick story that will stay with you for a long time.

You could call this a feel good story because there are characters here who care and help each other in need and that in itself makes this a hopeful story. However, it’s not a light one with themes of loneliness, regret, abandonment, family estrangement, homelessness. Oh, there are some funny and sweet moments, but there’s a lot of sadness and heartbreak. I’m not going to say much about the plot because the book description tells most of that. I’ll just say that a revelation early on turns a woman’s and her four year old daughter’s lives upside down. It’s one that I had assumed before it was revealed even though only in the third chapter, but the story isn’t always predictable.

This is the second novel I’ve read recently that portrays an unexpected and unlikely friendship between a younger woman and an elderly man, a friendship that changes both of their lives. Connecting with these characters, I couldn’t help but feel that they changed mine in some way, too.


I received a copy of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley.

The Secret Life of Beatrice Albright by Brooke Harris is the story of Bea and her daughter Ellie who become homeless after a break-up. I'm a little weary of books that show men at their worst and women as naive and overly trusting, but I enjoyed this. The characters were interesting, all with fairly realistic lives. I find Bea engaging and the way she reacts to her out-of-control life understandable.

What an emotional story this was. I enjoyed every minute following the ups and downs of Beatrice and her daughter Ellie. I desperately wanted things to work out well for them . This is a story I will think of for a long time.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read an ARC in return for an honest review

An emotional story about family relationships. Bea is upset when her boyfriend and father of her 4 year old daughter breaks up with her. He is married with children. Sadly Bea has nowhere else to go and after sleeping on the sofa at her friend's flat doesn't work out, she and Ellie sleep in a cupboard in the hospital where she works. She meets an older man who sits outside the hospital waiting every day and gradually gets to know why in a developing friendship with him and his grandson.
This book is poignant, with plenty of messages about romantic relationships, friendships and problems of single motherhood, childcare and homelessness. The characters are well portrayed and emotions well described and I`ll be thinking about this book for a while yet as it has touched my heart.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

This book follows Beatrice, a single mother facing homelessness after her partner leaves her. Despite the challenges, Bea maintains a positive outlook and finds ways to make the best of her situation for herself and her young daughter, Ellie. I loved Bea's resilience and her determination to create a better life for herself and Ellie. The story is heartwarming and uplifting, showing that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. I loved all the characters and it is a “feel good” kind of book.

This was a really good story, showing that circumstances can change in an instant leaving you in a place you never thought you could be, homeless. Bea (Beatrice Alright) battles on to get herself out of the situation and protecting her little daughter at all costs, she is a wonderful mother and a good person, always helping and looking out for others. The mystery of Malcolm and the relationship that develops is wonderful and very satisfying, the storyline there weaving it's way through to the very satisfying ending, which isn't necessarily the one you would guess at thankfully.

I truly enjoyed this story of down on her luck Beatrice “Bea” Alright. Declan, the father of their daughter Ellie, has news to share and she is hoping that he will be proposing. Instead, he delivers news that will crush her and is gone. How will she go on as she must move out of the Dublin apartment he rented. With very little money and no place to live, she is fortunate to have her job at the hospital. She cleans the rooms, but after paying for child care, there is little left. Where will she stay with Ellie, she can’t lose her too? They now play a game to see who can be quiet, as they sleep on the storage room floor. She hopes to stay unobserved by her supervisor, Elaine, as her life continues to fall apart. Ellie is with her when she sees the elderly man named Malcolm who sits outside the hospital. Worried about him, they eventually meet his grandson, Shayne. She still has not told them that she is homeless, but realizes that Malcolm is not well and has family issues that are complicated. How can she help Malcolm when her own “house of cards” is slowly falling apart? Emotional story! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Brooke Harris for this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This book will tug on your heartstrings and you will need some tissues. If you enjoy Fredrick Backman's A Man Called Ove you will love this book.

This book captures the real life downfalls of life and how it can all pile up around us. From a heartbreaking split to having to find a place to live with a child this book will take you on a rollercoaster. Along with trying to find those bright little moments in each day. Beatrice befriends an old curmudgeon of a man who is set in his ways but befriends her little girl, Ellie. The innocence of Ellie, a 4 year old, is captured perfectly.

I highly recommend this book. It will give you all the feelings.

Book Synopsis
Beatrice Alright is the queen of silver linings. She can find a spark of hope in any situation. Even when her partner delivers earth-shattering news that leaves Bea and their four-year-old, Ellie, without a home, she refuses to panic.

Because Bea believes that what she does have is more important – her job at St Helen’s Hospital, which offers a warm, dry shelter for her and Ellie to stay while she figures things out. By day Bea cleans the wards, by night she tucks her daughter into bed between mops and buckets.

And tries so hard to hold on to hope.

When Bea sees an old man sitting on a cold and lonely bench outside the hospital, she really doesn’t have time to stop. She should be clearing up her own mess, not worrying about this cantankerous stranger. But Bea can’t help herself…

As she slowly starts to draw out Malcolm’s heartbreaking story, could this simple act of kindness begin to heal a decades-old pain? And might finding peace for Malcolm help Bea in ways she didn’t even know she needed?

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #stormpublishing #thesecrectlifeofbeatricealright #brookeharris

Another lovely book by Brooke. A book that I was drawn into the storyline and struggled to put down. Thank you for the ARC.

Loved these characters & their unforgettable Dublin holiday season😍

What a powerful, emotional gem!

I can't ignore the sad desperation that poor Bea suffers through most of the story, but I loved her strength, her unwavering devotion to her young daughter Ellie, and her kindness to others even when her life was at its most difficult. She never gave up and I could totally see why she attracted friendship and loyalty, even from strangers. Author Brooke Harris has created a long-suffering young Irish woman heroine whose troubles rip your heart out. She's won't tell others just how bad things have gotten because she can't let anyone separate her from Ellie, the only family she has.

I was so taken with Bea's fortitude and resourcefulness as she deals with homelessness, and horrified by the hard knocks she suffers in the weeks leading up to Christmas. She gives love and gets betrayal, scrounges together resources to start over and gets scammed, even finds her daughter's dream Christmas upended by her best friend's boyfriend, yet she corrects course and carries on. And even though she has plenty of her own problems to deal with she's aware and open to helping others, including a lonely elderly stranger on a bench estranged from his daughter.

Highly recommended. This story made me reflect on the blessings I have that should never be taken for granted.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared with Barnes & Noble and Goodreads on 1/23/25. Shared with Waterstones, kobo, Bookbub and Google Play on 2/7/25.

Sometimes you just read a book and love it from the very first page and this was definitely one of those. Beatrice Alright was one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever read about and I found myself getting really upset for her throughout the story. I did love all of the characters (except Declan and Finton) and I think this was written so well. The ending was a perfect fit for the book too. A firm 5⭐️ from me.

Bea was in med school when she met the father of her daughter. They started a relationship quickly and easily and started living together when there was a baby on the way. She dropped out of school and took a cleaner's job at the hospital. But when Bea learns shocking news, she loses her home - right at Christmastime. Try as she might, one disappointment after another forces her into a situation that she can barely tolerate. She develops a friendship when she is concerned about an elderly man that she sees outside the hospital. She needs to keep her situation a secret from the few people she knows, including the elderly man.

This is a heartbreaking story that will pull at your heartstrings.

In a Nutshell: An emotional contemporary drama tackling an important issue faced by Dublin today. A loveable but overly naïve main character, excellent supporting characters, great themes, beautiful ending. Not a light read. NOT A ROMANCE!

Plot Preview:
Dublin. Twenty-nine-year-old Beatrice thought that her future was set. But when her partner Declan delivers some unexpected news, Beatrice and their-four-year-old daughter Ellie are left without a home. Ever the optimist, Beatrice believes that she will find a new place soon, as long as she can manage the house hunt in between her hectic work schedule as a cleaner at St. Helen’s hospital.
As is evident, Beatrice Alright isn't alright. But when Beatrice bumps into an old man sitting on a park bench outside the hospital, she doesn’t realise that her life is about to change yet again.
The story comes to us in Beatrice’s first-person perspective.

Bookish Yays:
😍 The fictional age-gap friendship between an old man and a young woman might leave you thinking of Ove and Parvaneh from ‘A Man Called Ove’, but this is not at similar. The connection between Beatrice and Malcolm works with their mutual effort, and neither is badgered into a forced affiliation.
😍 Malcolm – Most senior citizens in fiction are either curmudgeonly or charming or vulnerable. Malcolm manages to be all three in turn. An excellent supporting character.
😍 Ellie – such a darling! I love how she was treated as a vital part of the narrative instead of being an afterthought as most fictional children are. More importantly, she always sounded and behaved her age.
😍 The rest of the characters come in a variety of behavioural shades. Shayne is too good to be true. Cora is a fabulous friend. Elaine is a tough boss. Declan is a jerk as you might have guessed. Except for Declan, the rest have personalities that make you want to know them more.
😍 The first-person narration is used excellently to show us Beatrice’s thoughts without too much rambling. There is a little bit of repetition, but that’s more because of her character than the writing. I think this story worked better because of this writing choice.
😍 While there is a tiny shade of romance in the book, at no point does the book become about the romance. The focus is always on Beatrice’s situation and how she handles her experiences. I always appreciate books that stick to their core plotline right till the end.
😍 Several relevant themes such as loneliness in the elderly, relationship troubles, foster care problems, day-care constraints, but what I appreciated the most is the focus on the homelessness issue in Ireland, specifically Dublin. It is quite jarring to learn how severe the problem is.
😍 Another theme I loved was the stress on having a strong support system (whether family or found family) and asking for help when needed. Mothers especially have a bad habit of assuming that they can do it all alone. But for our own sanity, it is always better to learn to accept help when offered. (Oh, and also to know household finances instead of leaving everything monetary to the *man of the house*.)
😍 The use of the location, not just for the social issue but also in its routine life and its wintry feels. A realistic depiction by highlighting the city’s strengths without glossing over its flaws.
😍 The ending – perfect for the story. Emotional and a bit too convenient, as is normal for the genre, but no forced HEA.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
🤔 The title somehow makes the book sound quaint and fun, not sad or emotional. The pastel cover also adds to the lighthearted feel. However, most of the story is more distressing than feelgood. I appreciated the book better for this reason, but those who want a light read might not be so happy.
🤔 Beatrice is not an unlikeable character by any means, but she certainly is a frustrating character! Overly naïve for her age, she keeps making choices that she thinks are for the good of everyone, but are neither logical nor practical. A part of me excused her ignorance as an outcome of growing up in foster care, but for a twenty-nine-year-old, her ignorance was jarring. Her behaviour was also contradictory at times. For a long time, I couldn’t see Beatrice growing in maturity or self-respect. So while she was still a gem of a person in many ways and I was still rooting for her mess to be sorted out soon, I couldn’t support her unreservedly. The toughest task for me was to stop judging her for her mothering. Don’t get me wrong: she adored Ellie, but taking hasty decisions without thinking about how they would impact Ellie, lying to Ellie and even asking her to lie to others about their situation, drinking even when alone with Ellie, offering chocolate cookies and apple juice for dinner, buying whatever Ellie asked for and justifying it as a necessary purchase to make Ellie happy… All parenting red-flags. I’d have rated this book higher had Beatrice been more reasonable overall. Then again, so many women are like her… 🙁
🤔 A couple of cuss words and an uncomfortable scene in the final quarter sullied the vibes for a bit. This might have been a realistic depiction, but I would have liked the content to be toned down a little considering the genre and the overall clean tone of the book.


Bookish Nays:
😕 Many plot points that weren’t sorted out neatly and left me with numerous questions. How could a child of foster care afford medical school? How do characters keep purchasing alcohol even when they don't have money? Why no follow-up on the 500 euros? How are Malcolm and Shayne the “closest thing to a family” Beatrice has ever had when her parents had been a loving part of her life till age eleven? (Many more questions, but those venture in major-spoiler territory.) Basically logic doesn't help while reading some genres, but I never learn. 🤷🏻‍♀️


All in all, I did have a great time reading this, despite how many times I came close to shaking Beatrice and saying, “Enough! Start thinking with your head now!” Malcolm and Ellie were more than enough to keep me contented. The themes were also to my taste, and the lack of a forced romantic arc was an added bonus.

This was my first Brooke Harris, and based on this experience, I’d definitely love to explore more works by her as she stuck to the essence of women’s fiction without turning it into a melodramatic romance.

Much recommended to those looking for an emotional story that balances 'heartrending' and 'heartwarming'. If you have read/watched ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ and liked it, this novel offers similar vibes. Not for those looking for a light romance or a relaxing uplit.

4 stars. (Which could have been higher but for Beatrice.)

My thanks to Storm Publishing for providing the DRC of “The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Do you need an Up Lit book? A lighter read with substance? Look no further!

This book promises to break your heart and stitch it back together again and it does just that.

Bea’s partner delivers a bombshell that leaves her and their 4-year-old daughter Ellie, homeless. She has a housekeeping job at a hospital, St Helen’s, which becomes their safe haven as Bea is desperate to find a solution to their dilemma.

One day as she’s leaving work, anxious to pick up her daughter from day care before she’s charged a late fee she can’t afford, she sees an older gentleman sitting on a bench in the cold.

But soft-hearted Bea can’t walk by without trying to help. She befriends Malcolm and discovers he’s holding onto some hurts too. As they get to know one another they are able to help each other in surprising ways.

I love a good underdog story and Bea, who is knocked down repeatedly by life, is a great character to root for, even as she makes some frustrating decisions. Ellie is adorable and realistic, neither precocious nor annoying (both of which are pet peeves of mine). Ellie is refreshingly normal.

It’s a lighthearted book but it really brings home how people with no safety net can so easily fall into homelessness.

I appreciated that the story wasn’t completely predictable and had some surprises in store. Despite the serious situations depicted, the story is full of optimism and hope which left me with a full heart as I closed the last page.

Oh My! This book was EXACTLY what I needed. So sweet! Perfectly predictable and I have zero complaints about it! Getting there was the absolute sweetest and heart wrenching journey. The relationship forged between Ellie and Malco melted my heart from the very beginning, while Bea's journey had me rooting for her the whole time. This was my first novel by Brooke Harris. The writing style was perfect and I loved every minute of it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review was posted (Instagram, Goodreads, bookishlytara blog, Storygraph) on February 7, 2025. An additional post was posted on Instagram on the publication day as well as an Amazon Canada review (pending review). (links below)

I'm still not over this book!! It's heartbreaking and quite a sad read. But I loved it.
I cried and cried, but I enjoyed reading it. It brought up so many emotions and I'm really grateful to have read it. I'll definitely read more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.