This is a delightful story about three generations of Murphy women navigating various stages of life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which has a charming small-town atmosphere and features a great lineup of characters. I look forward to reading more from Sian O’Gorman in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of If We Could Turn Back Time by Sian O'Gorman,  published by Boldwood Books
Once again Sian O'Gorman delivers a wonderful novel. Now I want an Irish breakfast
I loved these characters, three generations of ladies running a lovely bakery and the rest of the characters that made up this story. Sian has weaved a story with an awesome twist or or two, didn't see those coming, but they were perfect.
You are always guaranteed a great novel from this author and I will continue to read her books

If We Could Turn Back Time by Sian O'Gorman

Alice is back home from Australia for the summer and loving spending time in Sandycove, Dublin, with mum Ciara and grandma Eva in their family business - Murphy's grocer/deli - and with best friend Becca and her new boyfriend Conal. But secrets from 30 years ago are about to come to light, changing their lives forever.

Wow, what a fabulous story - I love everything this author has written and this is no exception. The characters, the stories, the setting... all of it is PERFECT! And I can't be the only one who wants to move to Sandycove! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

If We Could Turn Back Time by Sian O'Gorman was a beautifully written book that will draw you in from the very first few pages. It was a lovely cozy read that just flowed. You follow the lives of three generations of women who are all are related and as time passes their experiences have changed them.
I really enjoyed it was especially as it was a great quick read. perfect for a grey day outside.

I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books the publisher for the ARC.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

When another relationship ends, Alice decides to go back home to Sandycove for the summer and spend time with her Mum, Ciara and grandmother, Eva. They own thel deli and grocers.

Alice begins to settle into her life and spend time with her friend Becca boyfriend Conal. Alice also starts to help out in the shop. Is this what’s missing from the life she leads in Australia?

Ciara’s life is just running the shop and she feels that she’s not done much else, and slowly life is passing her by. Then her friend Mary-Marg makes a suggestion to bring back the disco they used to run as teenagers.

The story is about friendships and enjoying life, having fun. There is a mystery of the Blake family which affects all of them.

I recommend this book.

If We Could Turn Back Time by Sian O'Gorman is an absolute joy of a read that transported me straight to the heart of Sandycove. The picturesque Irish setting, beautifully described by the author, came alive with such vivid detail that I could almost smell the freshly baked soda bread and hear the chatter in the family store.

From the very first page, I felt immersed in the rhythms of small-town life and completely invested in the Littleton family—three generations of women, each with their own challenges, secrets, and dreams. Alice, Ciara, and Eva felt so real and relatable, with their hopes and struggles interwoven into a heartwarming story of love, resilience, and rediscovery.

Alice’s visit home after heartbreak and her journey of healing were beautifully handled, and I loved watching her reconnect with her family and rediscover her roots. Ciara’s storyline, as a single mother grappling with mid-life, was equally touching and empowering—her decision to restart the disco with her best friend Mary-Marg added a wonderful touch of nostalgia and fun to the story. And Eva, with her gentle wisdom and strong presence, was the glue that held the family together.

The secrets revealed as the story progressed were perfectly paced and added just the right amount of intrigue. Conal’s grandmother’s connection to Eva, and the long-buried history between Ciara and Conal’s father, Paddy, kept me hooked. The emotional depth of these revelations, paired with the light-hearted charm of Sandycove life, created a wonderful balance.

I picked this book up as a break from my usual crime and thriller reads, and it was exactly what I needed. The cover drew me in with its fun and vibrant vibe, and the story delivered on every promise. The descriptive narrative allowed me to envision every scene, and by the end, I felt like a part of this delightful community. I’m now eager to explore more books by Sian O’Gorman.

Finally, a special mention must go to the food descriptions—I’m desperate for a taste of the Irish soda bread! I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming read that resonated deeply with me. If you’re looking for a story brimming with charm, heartfelt moments, and delightful surprises, If We Could Turn Back Time is perfect. Five sparkling stars from me!


I have not shared this elsewhere as yet - it will be on my blog on 4th February prior to publication and shared elsewhere on 6 February once published.

This was first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed being taken into the heart of the Murphy family. I loved that the story line was multi generational and everyone was tied to the same point of history.

What a twist and a surprise, I was reading along and with each page turned I was willing them to reveal the secrets to me, there was a point I thought it was going to remain a secret and we would be left to draw our own conclusion, I was so pleased to find out the secret, and also so very shocked. (Don’t want to give too many spoilers).

I enjoyed learning about the history of the shop Murphy’s and watching it change with the times, Alice has some great ideas, inspired from her time in Australia, seems to be just the right injection of sunshine the little Irish village needs. And seeing her grow closer to Max was great, a perfect combination to help keep local shops and live growing well into the future.

A really great read, full of love, family and friendship, great for curling up with and getting lost amongst the pages.

This was quite a sweet book but very slow at times. I found myself wishing that it would hurry along a little quicker. But, saying that the story was good as well as the characters. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I found this book was a slow starter but picked up pace and I found it entrancing. What was the mystery that had been hidden behind closed doors for so long? It makes you think and goes to show how complicated relationships can be. Nothing is straight forward and how even the longest held secrets can be overcome.

A fantastic book with 3 generations of woman. A daughter returns home to spend time with her mother and grandmother. She ends up finding and realizing some things that she didn't know but really missed while she was gone. Transformations happen and surprises occur at the end to make you smile, cry and happy for the everyone and the village they live in. I'd love to run away to this Irish village.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

If We Could Turn Back Time is a heartwarming story about family, friendships, and finding joy in the present. After spending ten years in Australia, Alice returns home to Sandycove, where she reconnects with her mother, Ciara, and grandmother. While life abroad had its appeal, being back home brings its own comforts. Alice helps run the family shop, giving Ciara the freedom to enjoy life more, especially with her best friend, Mary-Marg. Their friendship is a highlight, as they embark on plans to bring fun and excitement to the over-forty-five community in their town.

However, an old family mystery involving Alice’s and Conal’s families lingers in the background. As Alice settles in, questions arise about their past connection. When the truth is finally revealed, it brings a mix of emotions and challenges both families to confront their history.

Filled with warmth, humor, and heartfelt moments, If We Could Turn Back Time is an uplifting novel about second chances, love, and the importance of embracing the present. The charming setting of Sandycove and the engaging storytelling make it a perfect, feel-good read.

This was a fun, cozy read following the lives of a family as they grow together. It was a nice refreshing time compared to some of the other books I've been reading. If you're looking for something lighthearted and hopeful this is the book for you. It was a good quick read and there weren't many mistakes. The characters were enjoyable and no one was annoying.

Thank you to the publisher and author for sending me this book, I enjoyed it.

A return to Sandycove, this time to tell the stories of Alice, Ciara and Eva - daughter, mother and grandmother.
Set around their family shop, Murphys, this is a great story of family and strong female relationships. Just enough complexity of plot, this is a lovely book.

If We Could Turn Back Time is my eighth book by Siàn O' Gorman. I love all the books by her that I've reviewed so far. The ones located in Sandycove, like this one, are extra special because of Sandycove being so atmospheric.

The two families are very complex and expertly created. I really liked how Becca and Alice saw each other again, and I wasn't expecting that. Conal and Becca are good together.

Murphy's is a very atmospheric store, and it is an important place for the community.

Themes are family, community, coming home and where home actually is, as well as the passage of time and what you do with your life.

There are so many characters in this novel, and I did feel a little confused at times because of that and all the backstory and I felt a little lost.

I did like Mary Marg and Ciara and their plans for bringing the nightclub back, that was fun.

4 stars

Thanks to Siân O' Gorman and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

A nice easy read that captures and keeps your attention and hard to put down. Author captures the landscape and views of the locations of the book with their words in a beautiful way.

After another relationship disaster Alice Littleton returns home to spend summer in Dublin’s Sandycove with her Mum, Ciara and beloved grandmother, Eva at their family deli and grocers. As Alice settles back into her old life with best friend Becca and her new boyfriend Conal Blake, she begins to fall back in love with the everyday rhythms of their family shop and Irish life. Is this the tonic she needs to mend a broken heart?

Single and with mid-life looming her mother Ciara is consumed with running the family deli and feels life is passing her by until best friend Mary-Marg suggests they restart the disco they used to run as teenagers.

This is a lovely Irish tale about coming home, friendships and fun times. I loved the dual perspective and the mystery of the family history. Excellent read! 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

If We Could Turn Back Time by Sian O’Gorman is a captivating, multi-generational story about family, secrets, and the ripple effects of the past. Alice Littleton returns to her family’s deli in Dublin after a series of failed relationships, only to find herself reconnecting with both her roots and a mystery involving her mother Ciara, grandmother Eva, and Conal Blake’s family. As the town’s old secrets slowly surface, Alice begins to unravel long-buried truths that threaten to reshape their lives. O’Gorman weaves together heartwarming moments with poignant revelations, creating a compelling read full of warmth, intrigue, and the power of reconciliation. Perfect for readers who enjoy family dramas with rich, emotional depth and a touch of Irish charm.

Thanks to Netgalley & Boldwood Books for the
E-ARC! Really enjoyed! Beautifully written characters & loved the small-town vibes. Will definitely read more from this author.

I just finished a great book. If We Could Turn Back Time by Sian O’Gorman was a great read. I loved it. Don’t skip this one.

Fabulous! This is my first read of a Sian O’Gorman novel but I’m hoping it won’t be my last . If We Could Turn Back Time has everything a reader of the ‘cozy mystery romance ‘ genre could want . Great characters , wonderful storytelling, and so descriptively written it really didn’t matter that I’ve never been to Ireland in my life ! Intrigue, humour, mystery , romance all in one complete package. Highly recommended.