The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club

What a great and enjoyable book this was to read. Great characters you could get into and a storyline that was great to read - the sign of a perfect book! Highly recommend.so much that I started to read other books published by Faith Hogan

I just adore Faith Hogan’s books, and she’s one of my top go-to authors for a guaranteed beautiful, atmospheric, and authentic read.

This book focuses on three wonderful women, all at different stages in their lives. Jo is a lover of sea swimming, a brave thing to do in Ireland, and even more unusually, she likes to swim at night. Elizabeth finds herself persuaded to join Jo, and they find healing and comfort in this ritual.

Lucy has recently returned to the West of Ireland, with her son, intending it to be temporary, but the pull of home is strong, and she soon finds herself becoming a vital part of the community.

All the characters are going through, and have gone through, immense change in their lives, and have a lot to deal with. There’s a very strong sense of community and friendship in this book.

Haunting and atmospheric, but real and authentic, with love and loss, humour and sadness, this poignant and thoroughly enthralling and captivating novel will completely draw you in. I could not put it down, and it is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It’s a really special book.

“Perhaps it was the sense of how completely irrelevant all her fears were in the face of the utter vastness of the sea and sky around her. She loved the silence and the roar of the ocean, the velvet sky and the inky water. Mostly she loved the fact that it made her feel alive in a way that nothing else could.”

Set in a small coastal Irish town, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is told from multiple perspectives. There's Elizabeth, whose life feels like it's only just beginning following the death of her husband. There's her best friend Jo, whose daughter Lucy and son Niall visit from Dublin. Lucy agrees to help at Elizabeth's late husband's GP clinic and in the interim becomes a founding member of The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club alongside Jo and Elizabeth. Finally, there's Dan, a visiting writer from London who's come to Ballycove to finally discover where his life began.

The story is broken down into parts (a.k.a months) and effortlessly flows between these multiple points of view. I really enjoyed hearing from each of their perspectives and seeing how the story unfolded. While I saw some reveals coming, others were a pleasant surprise. Hogan's writing style was poignant, with elements of humour to expertly break up the dramatic moments.

To me, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club was simply a joy to read. It was filled with both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments but ultimately felt like a warm hug. It's a story of love and loss, friendship and community. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was also fantastic.

I loved this emotional rollercoaster of a book. The three leads worked well together and were great characters and I enjoyed their stories... definitely a warmhearted uplifting story

My goodness, this pulls at the heartstrings!!

Faith Hogan is the queen of the emotional roller-coaster and this has everything to have you smiling through blinding tears, your heart will burst with love and sadness and you will be sure to get a lump in your throat while reading at the powerful message of hope and friendship.

I loved that to sort through your minds cluttered box, to find a way through the drama which envelopes these women that to simply have a midnight swim in the sea with like-minded women who never judge but encourage and respect and help. It really is the most beautiful thing!

This book speaks to you on so many levels and will resonate with so many. It tells the stories of how three women who are at different stages in life, three women who have their own roads to tread how they come together in the simple act of swimming and in doing so not only through the power of their unique friendship but through the healing power of finding peace in your own mind they start to recover, heal, find courage, find strength and learn to move forward it really is a beautiful yet simplistic story which will touch your heart and soul, I can not recommend it enough.

This is a book I have had on the TBR pile for a while now and having now read it I can't believe it took me so long.
A gorgeous, heartwarming read about Jo, her daughter Lucy and their friend, recently bereaved Elizabeth as they take to the waters of Ireland. Prepare to shed some tears.

A lovely warm story of people finding their way back to a little coastal village and discovering that all they need is right there rather than the big cities they lived in. No is dying from cancer and enjoys midnight swims with Elizabeth who is recovering from the financial fallout of her husband's death. Lucy comes home to her mum and takes over the doctors practice while her son is trying to survive without electronic games. Nicely interwoven stories and well written characters

This book was so good I went right over and took out other books by Hogan. Several! Her books are all cozy and warm with strong characters.

What a great and enjoyable book this was to read. Great characters you could get into and a storyline that was great to read - the sign of a perfect book! Highly recommend.

What a wonderful book!.Full of interesting characters, an emotional storyline and a title that tells you what brings them all together. If you want a good book to make you laugh and cry along with the characters then this is the one for you - oh, and be prepared to put aside whatever you were supposed to be doing to get to the end!

What a feel good book. A great setting, wonderful characters and a lovely uplifting story. I laughed & cried, I loved it.

A sweet book with a good cast of characters and an evocative setting. I warmed to all the characters and was rooting for a Happy Ever After but was also pleased when not every loose end was tied in a bow!! Multiple themes of friendship, keeping up appearances, illness and finding your place.

A quick read - but not light and fluffy - the author has an easy writing style that handles difficult topics well. My first book from this author, I’ll look out for more.

4*

I really enjoyed this book which was very uplifting even though there is death in the story. The characters were well described and I really liked the women in this book. I even wished there was a real Ladies Midnight Swimming Club so I could be a part of it. The only slight detraction for me was that everything ended nicely tied up and was reminiscent of a fairy tale - and they all lived happily ever after. Having said that, I wouldn’t have liked it if everyone‘s life ended up horribly!

Elizabeth and Jo are friends who live in a small town on Ireland’s west coast. When Elizabeth’s physician husband dies and leaves her with a mountain of debt, Jo asks her daughter, Lucy, to take over his surgery while Elizabeth sorts things out. Lucy arrives from Dublin with her teen son and seems in need of healing herself. Jo lets the two in on her secret: midnight plunges in the ocean bring peace.

As the three try to sort out their lives, the midnight swims become central–and become a community rallying point when Jo has her own challenges to face. Charming, heartwarming, and filled with wonderful friendships.

As always with Faith Hogan’s work this story is set in the most beautiful landscape of West Ireland. The author has described the village and coastline so well I could see, hear and smell the vision that nature had created.

This story was so very poignant for me as I too have faced a hurdle that one of the main characters faces. Previously I have found storylines like this hard to read but Faith Hogan didn’t choose this as the main focus and she dealt with it with sensitivity and dignity.

The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is a story about friendship, learning to adapt and overcome life’s hurdles, starting anew and recognising what makes you happy.

We have a widow who learns her late husband wasn’t who she thought he was, a young Dr recently divorced in need of change from the mayhem of a city hospital, her son who is struggling with the changes in his home life, a writer from London desperate to learn of his heritage and a mother/grandmother who loves her coastline and wants the best for her family and friends.

As Faith Hogan sets the scenes so beautifully with her words I was soon invested with all five of our characters and was keen to learn what happens next for them. I’d love a sequel to this story as I feel there’s so much more to give. Maybe also I loved the characters and setting too much and I just don’t want to let them go yet …

A totally absorbing story that is high on emotion but equally filled with Irish charm and warmth. Along the journey of life these ladies find solace with each other but also with nature and the freedom of the midnight swimming club that gives them breathing space to express their thoughts, let their inhibitions go and breathe in the beauty all around them.

This novel of friendships. Life changes and having the courage to start again was a good read. I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful story with characters that really endear themselves to the reader. Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.

I was drawn in by the title and the premise and it certainly delivered on its promise. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

This book was a wonderful chick lit type of story. I think many readers will be able to enjoy these wonderful characters and their journey.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Elizabeth is grieving the loss of her husband. They may not have have the best of marriages but she is feeling lost without him. That is until Elizabeth finds out that he has left her with crippling debts and that she is at risk of losing everything.
Luckily for Elizabeth she has a wonderful friend in Jo who is there to help support her.
Jo decides the best way to help is to get her daughter Lucy on board to help too.
Lucy has been through a messy breakup and after throwing herself into her work is now in desperate need of a break, so when her mum suggests she heads home for a visit she jumps at the chance and brings her teenage son Niall too.
Lucy enjoys being home with her mum and getting back to a slower pace of life.It is helping her heal and make some decisions with regards to how she wants her future to progress.
The three ladies all become closer and when Jo challenges them all to go for a midnight swim they decide to go for it.
The three of them begin to really enjoy their cold swims together and they all feel it really helps them, but when Jo receives some shocking news its Lucy and Elizabeth that surround and support by making plans to bring the community together for a fundraiser.
Life is going to change for Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy, but with their close and supportive relationship between them they know that they can handle whatever life is going to throw at them.
This is such an emotional and heartwarming read that I simply adored and could not put down.
The setting of the small Coastal town of Ballycove in Ireland sounds like the perfect place to gather you thoughts and escape for some peace and quiet. The community of Ballycove sound wonderful too and always ready to support each other.
Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy are all very different but they become a very tight group. They all have secrets between them too which as you read and get to know them begin to surface.
It was really interesting to get an insight into their lives and find out more about their pasts too.
Faith Hogan has done it again with this engaging and addictive read. A story full of friendship, family that community that will stay with you long after reading the last page.

An extremely enjoyable book. Fantastic characters who become real to the reader and a plot which draws the reader in from the start. Set in Ireland, the locations were beautifully described, the book flowed well and community and friendship were strong themes. The supporting cast of characters could have stories in their own right .
A book I would highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, Aria and Aries and Faith Hogan for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Take the plunge
I stated this book and it seemed like a light romantic read, I did not realise that it's insights and revelations would leave me in tears.
West coast of Ireland, a little town loses its Doctor, the repercussions are enormous and far reaching.
Chief characters are Elizabeth the Doctor's long suffering widow, Jo a kind, community minded friend of Elizabeth, Lucy Jo's daughter and her son Niall. All of these people have overwhelming issues to contend with.
Although we may guess at the outcome we can't be certain of a happy ending.
Well written with skilfully described warm characters, just delightful, thank you Faith and NetGalley.

Loved the chracters, the storyline, the flow of the story. Great easy read, a good feel good book. It brought all emtions to the story

I know that I am in safe hands when it comes to a Faith Hogan book and this one did not disappoint. I was warmly welcomed in like an old friend and caught up in the most sincere story imaginable.

Three ladies take us on a truly moving tale of love, loss and friendship that had me smiling one moment and crying the next. Each character captured my heart and I was fully invested in their stories from start to finish. Their narratives beautifully entwined around one another to showcase a stunning story that moved me beyond all measure. It ebbed and flowed at a gorgeous pace and kept me hooked from start to finish.

Character creation has always been a strong point for Faith and we were not left disappointed with Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy who managed to touch every emotion imaginable. I loved Jo's witty and meaningful take on life, Elizabeth's awakening and Lucy's new beginning. They came alive at the turn of a page and left me wanting more.

I don't want to delve into details regarding the narrative as I feel that would spoil the reading experience that Faith has carefully created. But each and every page will pull you further into a story that will leave you moved. There's humour and heartache a plenty and I know I won't be forgetting these three ladies any time soon. The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is a beautiful book of life and love. It's heartwarming and a true delight. Well done Faith, yet another beauty of a book.

3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A sweet story about friendship and family, set in Ireland. Many different narrators and a beautiful setting make this a fun read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is an impressive and thoroughly enjoyable read about three women, Elizabeth O'Shea, her lifelong friend Jo and Jo’s only daughter, Lucy.

Set in the fictional small village of Ballycove along the northwest Atlantic coast, the reader learns the stories of the three women. Elizabeth is recently widowed following the death of her husband, Eric, a GP who she has just discovered had a huge gambling addiction. She is at risk of losing their home. Jo has lived in Ballycove all her life and is a prominent figure in the community, though she has received some bad news concerning her health. She may be able to help Elizabeth. Lucy is an A&E doctor at a Dublin hospital who has recently divorced her husband, Jack who has headed off to Australia to be with someone else. Lucy goes to Ballycove to be near her mother and the sea and hopefully turn her life around.

Faith Hogan's fantastic contemporary tale gives the reader a wonderful slice of life in Ireland. I enjoyed its themes of friendship and the strong sense of community. It is a story of loneliness, grief, heartbreak, forgiveness, second chances, and more. The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is divine, engaging, escapist reading that many will find appealing.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Aria & Aries via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is a heartwarming story about three women facing difficult life changing events that will impact their lives forever. Jo, her adult daughter Lucy, and the neighbor Elizabeth, find themselves forming a special bond. Somehow Lucy and Elizabeth promise to join Jo in her usual midnight swim in the cold ocean. This all takes place in the quaint Irish Village called Ballycove, which is Jo and Elizabeth’s home and was Lucy’s home in her younger years. This little swimming adventure brings them closer together as they share their fears, circumstances and dreams and as a reader you come to understand what each woman’s life was like before they formed the Swim Club.
I enjoyed all three of these likable characters . The story left me feeling a bit nostalgic for the special connection between a mother and daughter and for the special friendship women often form with each other.

A sweet story of friendship in an Irish village. On the whole nice characters and good conversation, though the plot was predictable and a little shallow in places. Niall's (the teenage son) story could have been better fleshed out in places, but at other times it was fine. I think my main criticism is that at times the characters feel a little two dimensional But the book is a light , feel good read leaving the reader to fill in the possibilities in the future of the characters.
The version I read was unedited . There were several instances which could benefit from editing (Mother Agatha regularly became Mother Agnes, sometimes in the same sentence !)
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Calendar Girls meets Long Lost Family! Lots of great characters to get to know in this book, and the connection between each of them is heartwarming. This book covers friendships, secrets, starting afresh, and hope. Characters develop and grow in a beautiful way, particularly Niall and Elizabeth. I also enjoyed the setting and understanding how babies born out of wedlock and their mothers were treated.

Oh my goodness what an emotionally charged and amazing book this one is.

As the synopsis tells you, this is the story of three women and of different generations and each one is a point in their lives when decisions need to be made. The swimming club is something that may sound completely mad to some, I mean swimming in the sea at midnight doesn't sound like something that most women would think about. The author, however, had different thoughts about it and I for one am so glad she did as it was such a fabulous story to get caught up in.

The three women are Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy. Jo and Lucy are mother and daughter, Elizabeth is a long time friend of Jo. They live in a small isolated village on the west coast of Ireland. Changes in their lives bring them together and it is together that they start to work through things.

The author has once again done a wonderful job of creating characters that have so much depth to them and setting up the story for what follows. There is a sort of inevitability for one of them, in fact, for all three there is an inevitability about what will happen. Oh dear! that was so vague!

This is an emotional book and it is very difficult to read when you have eyes full of tears. A mix of happy and sad ones and you will discover more over the course of the story. I want to say so much about what happens in this book but that would spoil it for those of you who have not read it yet.

This is the second book I have read by this author and the second time she has made me cry. If you are after a story that is one about life, love, friendship and change then you really should look at this one. It is a simply gorgeous book that I would absolutely recommend.

This book is heart warming & heart breaking all at once.

I really enjoyed all the characters and following their stories throughout their time in Ballycove.

I liked the layout of the book. Having the chapters dedicated to different characters gave the reader time to get to know each of the characters and how their stories became entwined.

The ending was bittersweet but had an overall sense of calm.

This book also explores some difficult topics such as cancer and mother & baby homes.

I gave this 4 stars!⭐

Thank you to Aria & Aries for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Three women all facing a crisis in their lives - and set in an idyllic little town of Ballycove in Ireland.

Elizabeth faces a financial crisis and personal disillusionment on the death of her husband Eric. He has racked up thousands in debit and she cannot find a way out of it. She is sad at the way her marriage turned out, a sham from beginning to end. Her friend Jo knows that something is wrong with her health, but does not know how serious it is and there is Lucy the young doctor who will be their guiding light and savior though she is unaware of it. Lucy herself in a dead end job with no satisfaction at the end of it, with a son Niall who is unsettled and trying to get to grips with life after a betrayal and a divorce.

Three women completely different lives and the story of how they come together to support each other, find solace and move on from the blows they've received.

I felt so good at the end of this read, a feeling that was necessary in the present climate. A story of companionship, of being supportive without being oppressive, and especially one of kindness.

The Blurb :
Three women, three different stages of life, united by one thing: the chance to start again.
When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, she must turn to her friend, Jo for help, who calls in her daughter, Lucy to run the village surgery. Leaving her city life, and past demons, behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.
As life slowly begins to resemble something normal for the three women, Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.
In search of some solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice; to take a dip in the nip.

My Thoughts :
Set in Ballycove, Ireland. We meet Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy.
After Elizabeth’s husband Eric dies, leaving her with the lots of debt and his GP business, Jo asks her daughter Lucy, who is also a doctor in Dublin, if she can come home to Ballycove with her son Niall to help out for a while in the practice until Elizabeth can get back on her feet and sorted.
Jo has always loved to swim in the sea and suggests to Elizabeth to join her, which then in turn leads to Lucy joining them. They realise its a time when they can dip their toes into the water and have a chat, laugh a little and generally be free. I loved visualizing where they were and could almost smell the sea air and saltiness. The whole swimming in the sea element of the story was one that drew me in to the book as it was different to other books I have read
Although three very different people and ages, it was great they all had a story to tell.
I do really enjoy Faith Hogan’s stories and this one did not disappoint.
I loved all of the characters and learning about their backgrounds.
This story is most definitely about friendships, loss, heartbreak and second chances.
Looking forward to more stories very soon.

What a unique exhilarating storyline! The author dug deep into humanity and relationships! I treasure my friendships with people who are 15 years older and younger than myself. Yet, we all get together with others to form a unique bond.
Jo is the anchor who brings her daughter together with her friend Elizabeth. But yet it’s the draw of the sea and the swimming and others that truly bring everyone together. However, there is so much heartbreak for all of these ladies throughout this book that you can’t help but keep reading to pull for them.
The characters are strong and believable and everything they experience happens to people every day!

I definitely would recommend this book!

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Favorite Quotes:

To be honest, I think we were all a little in awe of your extensive vocabulary when it came to telling her where to go. The parish priest had to run into the pantry to hide his smirk.

The walls held charts that looked as if they could belong in a museum. The blinds that had stuck closed many years earlier had a tatty, neglected air about them. Even the doors creaked onerously as they were opened; it seemed they too were ready to hand notice in.

I’m sorry, Lucy, but consider yourself stepping into the TARDIS and re-emerging somewhere in the early 1970s.

‘It should be in the nip. A dip in the nip! That’s what I’d enjoy most, thinking of all of you, down here, in the altogether and jumping into the water… Think about it, Elizabeth, even old crabby boots O’Neill… herself.’ And they all began to laugh at the notion of Eric’s former receptionist pulling off her interlocking knickers before diving into the cold Atlantic.

What’s she thinking? The sight of her in the buff will be enough to frighten every fish from the bay.

‘I’ll strategically add in a pink ribbon to cover everyone’s jiggly bits at the end,’ she intoned to the startled Elizabeth as she began to unpack a fairly complex-looking camera.

My Review:

I adore Faith Hogan and her latest missive was yet another one to savor. I read it slowly and enjoyed every storyline while keeping my fingers crossed for a happy ending that tied them all together, and of course, she delivered in spades. I am enamored with Ms. Hogan’s agile craft and nimble word skills, she has her own unique brand of insightfully written and poignant storytelling that pulls in just the right amount of wry humor to balance out the drama and tension. I have never been to Ireland and every time I read one of her tales it ignites my desire to see the land of leprechauns and distant ancestors. I have enjoyed every book of hers I’ve had the luck to pick up and I covet the ones I don’t have. She has mad skills and a lifelong fangirl in me.

This wonderful novel took me through a whole gamut of emotions while I was reading it. It was so emotional, heart-warming and poignant that it broke my heart and mended it in one swipe. Be prepared for tears, but I assure you that you will be smiling through those tears.

This was a beautifully constructed story of sisterhood, of the friendships women find with other women, and of hope. The community around the women in this story was warm and welcoming to anyone who arrives in the village. It sounded like the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of city or even town living, and made me want to head to Ireland forthwith.

I loved the idea of swimming at night in the bracing sea, although personally as a person who doesn’t swim, I found myself desperately wishing I could swim, and wondering if I have left it too late to learn. Just after I had finished this touching novel, a friend of mine was on holiday in Cornwall and found herself invited to join in with a group of women who went swimming every day together. The first day she acted as a spotter for some of the women, but the next day found herself braving the chilly waters and not thinking about the onlookers, to join in with them and swim for a few minutes. She found it both liberating and exhilarating, and it just made me feel even more inspired.

In addition to Lucy, Jo and Elizabeth, we also get to know Lucy’s son Niall who is struggling with being moved from Dublin, and coping with his parent’s divorce. We also see Dan, who is visiting the area in order to write a book, and to look for his birth mother.

This book touched me so much that for a few days afterwards I couldn’t read anything else, because the characters and the location were so firmly in my head that I almost didn’t want to part with them. The importance of friendship, and the value of sisterhood and community was so moving and so real, that I was left feeling bereft at the end of the book. The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club was one of my favourite reads so far this year, and one that I can’t recommend highly enough!

This is an amazing read, an emotive story set in a small seaside village on the West coast of Ireland with friendship at its heart.

The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club was founded by Jo, who coerced her daughter and friend to join her. They all have their own problems but their midnight swims help them connect, talk, laugh and be inspired. . . . . This is a story which focuses on these three ladies, Lucy’s son and a writer who has come to stay in the village whilst he writes a novel and searches for his past.

It is a moving story, dealing sensitively with several emotive issues. It is a tale of searching for the truth, coping with grief, overcoming obstacles and making the most of your life and opportunities, even when everything seems to be against you. Throughout the story it is the friendships and support characters give to each other that make it a beautiful, heartwarming read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending.

Thank you to Aria and NetGalley for my copy of this lovely book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

I have read and loved a few of Faith’s books now. By no means have I read everything that she has written but I am getting there. I read the synopsis for ‘The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club’ and it certainly sounded like the emotional but ultimately uplifting story that I have come to expect from Faith. So without further ado, I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for an afternoon of reading. Overall I did enjoy reading ‘The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to be honest and say that for me, the story was a little slow to get going but once I got into the story that was it and I was away so to speak. This wasn’t a book that I could read all in one day but I did manage to binge read over the course of a few days. I found that I became so wrapped up in the story that I would lose all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. I found ‘The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club’ to be an interesting and emotional read, but ultimately an uplifting read.
‘The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club’ is well written but that is certainly true of all of Faith’s books to date. She certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. I love the way in which she describes the three leading ladies. She writes so vividly and realistically that the characters seemed just as real as you and I. Faith certainly makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action so to speak.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading ‘The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Faith’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

One of those life affirming, inspiring reads that stays with you long after you close the book. I was absolutely charmed by this book; Faith Hogan has written a book full of emotion and spirit, with characters you will take instantly to your heart. Touching on Irelands history of forced adoption as well as homosexuality, illness and the true impact that living a lie can have on all the people trying to maintain a level of respectability and responsibility within their local and small community.
Faith Hogan paints a gorgeous scenic picture, it isn’t hard to imagine ourselves in Ballycove and taking a dip in the Irish Sea.
With the focus on the three ladies, Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy, we have three people in very different situations, all dealing with things that are weighing them down. They find some freedom, calm and release in the midnight dips in that freezing water. It was good to see the story told from their points of view and how each character impacted and supported the rest. Each character is special in their own way, seeing the growth and independence of Elizabeth and the inspirational strength of Jo.
Although there are serious themes and emotional moments (grab the tissues!) it is littered with moments of humour that provide a nice balance. Faith Hogan’s writing is brilliant, the story is very well paced and engaging – I didn’t want to put it down!
Heartwarming, tender and will enrich your heart, I highly recommend this book – definitely one of my favourites this year.

Liz, Jo, and Lucy discover that allowing themselves to be one with nature can be cleansing in this insightful novel about letting go of the old and facing the (sometimes daunting) new. It’s a straightforward, pleasant read in a charming setting of an Irish coastal town. There’s not to overthink or figure out, it’s best to just go on the ride that the author has created. Some may say it is predictable, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It allowed me to take a much-needed brain break and swim with the ladies of the club. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.0 for the setting reminding me of a favorite tv show. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to Aria Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC of the book.

Faith Hogan has done it again! Her latest novel, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is an absolutely beautiful book; once again Faith Hogan writes from the heart and will warm the heart of every single reader who picks up this book.

We return to Ballycove (the setting of The Place We Call Home) on the west coast of Ireland to meet three fabulous ladies: Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy. Although it's my second visit to Ballycove, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is a standalone novel with only a brief mention of the Corrigans who featured in Faith Hogan's earlier book. I felt like I was waving to old friends when they were mentioned; that's how deep Faith Hogan's novels bury themselves into your heart, however, nothing could have prepared me for the impact of The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club.

Elizabeth has just discovered the extent of her husband's debt following his death and can't see how she can keep her home, never mind keep the doctor's surgery running when she needs to find a new GP. Jo suggests that her daughter Lucy might be willing to help Elizabeth; Lucy is a doctor in a Dublin hospital and welcomes the change of pace a move back home will bring, besides she can keep a closer eye on Jo as we all know how much our loved ones like to tell us that everything is ok in the brief time we spend with them.

In a story that is a cross between The Calendar Girls and Philomena, the women of the town all come together to take a midnight dip for charity and a stranger arrives in search of answers in the abandoned old convent. I laughed and cried but mainly smiled my way through The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club. Faith Hogan's writing is so uplifting that even the sad bits are heartwarmingly beautiful. This is a truly gorgeous novel that I will never forget and it's one I most definitely want to read again.

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is Faith Hogan's best novel yet (and her others are pretty amazing); I really didn't want my visit to Ballycove to end. This breathtaking novel is so full of life that it beats in time with your own heart and burrows its way in to ensure you will never forget it. Heartwarming, beautiful and filled with emotion, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is an outstanding novel that I really can't recommend highly enough.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

A charming tale of friendship, loss, new beginnings and love in the most delightful seaside village. The star of this tale was definitely Ballycove. The authors ability to help the reader immerse themselves in the small village, with its gentle, decent folk and stunning scenery made the book a treasure to read.
I look forward to reading her other books next.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In fact, it’s pushed my urge to go wild swimming again soon. I loved the friendship between Elisabeth and Jo.
The depiction of rural village life kinda makes me want to move out of the city now. The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is a great read that deals with family, friendship, new beginnings and some things in between and it’s a lovely new addition to the many women’s fiction books I’ve read.

Set on the coast in beautiful Ireland, the community spirit of Ballycove permeates this novel from start to finish. There is a great feeling of comfort and coming home throughout, despite the direst of circumstances. Three women are brought together when they go for a night-time swim in the freezing waters and it seems as though their troubles are lifted from their shoulders as they float weightless in the sea. As we find out, Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy all have their own story to tell. Lucy and Elizabeth's marriages are over and they set about finding a new purpose to their lives. Jo has a different path to tread. But they are not the only ones who are looking for home and acceptance. Lucy's son, Niall and Dan also are looking for a place to belong.

I thoroughly enjoyed following all the stories as they evolved. As each chapter focused on a different character, you discover their lives and see the village through their eyes. Crossing the generations, you get a sense of family and belonging. There is a mystery to be solved which gradually comes centre stage but I liked how the ending left a few things more open. Just like life, not everything is tied up neatly.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

Who says you can’t go home again. Home is the quaint village of Ballycove. We meet newly widowed Elizabeth, whose husband was the town doctor. Jo, whose daughter Lucy and son Niall, are looking for something different from the modern hospital she works at. Dan, newly jobless and looking for something other than London

The indomitable spirit of friendship, finding oneself, and moving forward is front and center in this book. It’s a heartwarming story, with wonderful characters. I especially enjoyed the mature women...so refreshing. The story line draws you in immediately, and the writing is top notch. So nice to read a story where no one is tearing anyone down.

Thanks to Ms. Hogan, Aria and Aries and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone!

A feel good story about love, friendship and new beginnings. An easy read ideal for a holiday. It's the first book I've read by this author but I'm going to look for her others.

When I read the blurb for this book, I knew it would be a story full of emotion and it did not disappoint. A truly wonderful story set against the Irish coastline that made me laugh and want to cry all at the same time.

Elizabeth is a character who when faced with her husbands debt, tries to find a way through the mess he has created and with the love and support of Jo, Lucy & Alice she starts making plans to see what she can rescue of her life.

This story takes you on an emotional journey of love and heartbreaking loss, you get to meet Niall who is struggling since his parents divorce and his Grandmother Jo who is hoping some time away from Dublin for him and his Mum might be the tonic they need. I flew through this book in just a couple of days as once I had picked it up, I was reluctant to put it back down.

I loved the midnight swimming club and how stories from the past helped to create a happier future. A wonderful read that I highly recommend, although you might want a tissue tucked up your sleeve just in case.

This was a sad but uplifting tale if that’s possible, life in a rural Irish village, families , grief loss and illness all feature which make it sad but the friendship, love and family bond give this book the feel good factor.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

A beautiful tale of friendship, hope & happy endings, thoroughly enjoyed another winner from Faith Hogan

Elizabeth is a woman released from a long, but unhappy, marriage after the death of her GP husband Eric. She is unsure what the future holds, but is looking forward to a life out from under Eric's domineering shadow - until that is she finds out he has left her with crippling gambling debts that look likely to leave her with nothing.

Shocked and upset, Elizabeth turns to her oldest friend Jo for advice. Fortunately, Jo has a plan: her daughter Lucy, a doctor, is also trying to piece her life back together in the wake of a divorce and coming back home to run the GP surgery might just be the new start she needs - even if Lucy's teenage son Niall is likely to be a bit reluctant to be dragged to the back of beyond on the west coast of Ireland.

Things start to look up as Elizabeth and Lucy work together to get their lives back on track, with the indefatigable Jo in support. But then Jo's world is turned upside down with some shocking news of her own, and it looks like the time comes for her to need to support of her nearest and dearest.

Heartbreak lies ahead, but the three woman form a strong bond enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish sea, encouraged by Jo who has always been a keen sea swimmer. Although Elizabeth and Lucy are reluctant at first, they soon find themselves enjoying their nightly dips and the freedom to laugh, cry and clear their minds that comes with their midnight swims. They eventually hatch a plan between them that is designed to celebrate Jo's life in the best way imaginable, and raise some money for a good cause at the same time - by getting all the women in the village to join them in a sponsored midnight swim branded as a 'dip in the nip'.

The combined stories of these three women is a masterclass from Faith Hogan in exploring warm friendship, deep love, coping with loss, and new beginnings. But she also weaves some gold in the rest of the novel with Niall's story of finding acceptance and a place to belong, which was joyful, and a delightful thread about a character called Dan who is searching for the mother he never knew in this little corner of west Ireland.

As the stories of Elizabeth, Jo, Lucy, Niall and Dan collide, Hogan uses the theme of the bond between mother and child beautifully, but it also allows her to shine a light on the plight of those women who found themselves in the Irish mother and baby homes. It is shocking to read about the hundreds of women and children that died in these homes, and the babies that were taken from their mothers, in the days when to be an unmarried mother was considered to be shameful in the eyes of God and respectable people, but I really enjoyed the way Hogan examines this through her characters, bringing in some interesting threads about discrimination and hypocrisy along the way - and wraps everything up in a glorious, bittersweet ending.

This is an incredibly emotional story and although you know pretty early on that there is going to be a hefty dollop of sadness to come, this is actually a very uplifting tale that will warm the cockles of your heart, and have you craving the wild beauty of the west coast of Ireland. If you are looking for a book to make your heart full and your eyes brim over with tears, then The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is it.

“She loved the silence and the roar of the ocean, the velvet sky and the inky water. Mostly she loved the fact that it made her feel alive in a way that nothing else could. She even loved the biting cold that ate through her skin and into the very marrow of her bones – in some absurd way, it warmed her from the inside out, as if it lit some fire that would never be extinguished.”

The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is the sixth novel by award-winning, best-selling Irish author, Faith Hogan. It’s not until the death of her husband Eric, Ballycove’s local GP, that Elizabeth O’Shea discovers the extent of his deceit. She knew he drank, but not that he gambled, and to her dismay, he was more prolific at both than he was at being successful as a GP. The level of debt he has left her with in the form of loans is staggering. Will she lose everything?

Elizabeth’s closest friend, Jo Harris is addicted to the natural high she gets from swimming at midnight in the icy Irish Sea off Ireland’s west coast. She manages to draw her friend into trying it, and during this intimacy Elizabeth reveals her problem. Jo is delighted to be able to offer a potential solution in the form of her daughter Lucy.

Lucy Nolan has taken leave of absence from her high-stress A&E position in a Dublin hospital, and is taking her teenaged son, Niall back to Ballycove to catch up with her elderly mother before doing some travelling. She’s not at all sure about filling in for Eric O’Shea, but agrees to help out for two weeks, until more permanent help can be found.

While Niall is quickly bored with village life, wishing he could go to live with his father in Australia, Lucy is enjoying the country practice much more that she would have expected, and then a more compelling, if worrying, reason to stay on is revealed.

Dan’s scriptwriting job in London has come to an ignominious end and he’s taking the opportunity to see if he can write the novel he has always planned, and a quiet cottage in Ballycove is the ideal spot. It also presents what he sees as the last chance to find the birth mother who gave him up thirty years earlier.

On the background of Ireland’s awful legacy of the Catholic homes for unmarried mothers and forced adoptions, Hogan’s story also touches on the toll taken by laws against homosexuality, and the overwhelming imperative to maintain the veneer of respectability in a small Irish community.

As Hogan introduces her characters and fills in their back stories, it seems fairly obvious how the plot will develop, but the journey there is a very agreeable one and her descriptive prose easily evokes the Mayo coastline and her love of it. This is truly a heart-warming and uplifting read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Aria and Aries

This is the first book I have read by Faith Hogan and it most definitely won’t be the last. I laughed, I cried, I was completely engaged from the outset.

The story centres around Jo, her friend Elizabeth, and her daughter Lucy. Each has their own struggle and the book really showcases the power of friendship, especially at those difficult points in life when you aren’t too sure what will happen next.

I really enjoyed having chapters from different characters points of view and loved the descriptions of the landscape. I would highly recommend.

Feel good story with a touch of magic.

The allure of the Irish coast beckons as several people work out life challenges in the picturesque town of Ballycove.
Author Dan decides to leave Dublin and take time out to write a novel, and to investigate a question he’s wondered about most of his life.
Elizabeth, wife of the village doctor, finds herself left with huge debts when her husband dies. As she faces the future she also faces the boundaries of her married life.
Jo, a close friend of Elizabeth’s, persuades her divorced daughter and coincidentally a doctor to takeover the surgery until Elizabeth can move forward. Lucy’s son Niall accompanies her into what he views as a fresh new hell. He’s busting to join his father in Australia,
Jo talks Elizabeth into joining her for late night swims—refreshing and releasing. Magical!
A story with a nicely woven plot and some wonderful highlights—the ladies swimming in the altogether at midnight is a vision of warm friendship and individual courage.
I saw the writing on the wall for one subplot from early on in the novel, making it all too neat, but then I thought, Why Not?
A tight knit story, with occasional lapses where some happenings are maybe a tad too fortuitous. But then this is a novel of hope and stretching oneself, so again, Why Not?
A very enjoyable and warm read!

An Aria & Aries ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is the fourth novel I have reviewed by Faith Hogan after What Happened to Us, The Place We Call Home and My Husband's Wives, all of which I loved.

Elizabeth is a GP who is newly widowed after her husband Eric passed away. Jo is an older lady who has lived in a tiny Irish village all her life and Lucy is her daughter and also a doctor and works in the local A&E department. Lucy has had a hard time too as her husband is now living with another woman in Australia and Lucy has a son.

The women come together to swim in the Irish Sea and share their lives and troubles.

It's the freezing water of the sea itself that opens the book and I could really envisage the visual swimming scene. The word choices were perfect throughout the book and evoked powerful emotions and settings and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.


Another great novel by Faith Hogan which focuses on the importance of family, new found friends as well as an abundance of secrets lies and laughs as well as everybody opening up about hard, happy and sad times.

Faith Hogan's writing always grips me and her richly created characters capture my heart. I wanted to get to know them all. What I love about Faith Hogan's novels is that her love for her native Ireland is present in every page and her books are so atmospheric.

Thanks to Faith Hogan and Aria & Aries for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

I am eagerly awaiting the next Faith Hogan novel and her novels make me feel proud that I have Irish blood and am half Irish as they show how beautiful Ireland is.

Faith Hogan is, hands down, my favourite Irish author.

5 stars.

This is the book – the one that will finally make everyone understand why I’ve always been so passionate about Faith Hogan’s writing. In fact, there’s almost no need to write a review – it would be enough to just place the book, with its glorious cover that promises so much, into your hands and let you read the first few chapters. Whatever the books you usually read, whatever your age, whatever might be happening in your life, you will love this book every bit as much as I did – and that’s something I’ve never been so certain about.

At first, this is Elizabeth’s story, her life falling apart after the death of her doctor husband – not through grief, as theirs was never the most loving or conventional of marriages, but because she discovers that he’s left her with life-changing debts through his drinking and gambling. But she is fortunate to have a close friend she can confide in as she contemplates her past and the uncertain future – and Jo is also able to help in a practical way. Her daughter Lucy is taking a much needed break from her pressurised job in A&E, a breathing space she’s never really taken to recover from the end of her marriage, spending time with her mother while she decides what to do next with her life, and she steps in for a while to run the doctor’s surgery in Elizabeth’s Georgian house on the hill.

Ballymore is the last place on earth that Lucy’s son Niall wants to be – he’s very much a city boy, and although his young life has been far from perfect he wonders how on earth he’s going to survive in the back of beyond. And then there’s Dan – forced to abandon his high-flying life in London as a screen writer, he’s taking some much-needed time to lick his wounds and write his novel, but has also chosen to come to Ballymore for some compelling personal reasons.

The three women become firm friends, and Jo introduces them to her passion for swimming under the stars – the sheer exhilaration, the release, the opportunity to laugh and cry and shed their troubles as they shed their clothes, their friendship deepening with every dip in the ocean. And when it turns out that Jo has significant problems of her own that eclipse Elizabeth’s, that friendship deepens as they plan one big milestone that they’re all able to focus on – a charity event for a cause very close to their hearts, with all the women of the village coming together for one enormous (and naked) midnight swim.

Goodness, I do hate retelling a story – I can’t begin to convey just how wonderful it is, and I do feel I’ve rather squeezed the life out of it. What I really want to talk about is how this book made me feel – it’s all about the female friendships, but captured and told in a way I found so intensely moving. I read the book in one sitting, and nothing on earth could have made me leave the cocoon of love and support that the author created until I’d turned the final page. In so many ways, it’s an incredibly sad story – I had a lump in my throat from the halfway point, and then the tears started. But there’s absolutely no manipulation – it’s just a book where you come to care so deeply for its characters and their relationships that they become women you love, that you know so intimately, and every hurt and setback becomes something you feel at your core.

There is plenty of lightness too, the whole book perfectly balanced – there were so many moments that made me smile, and others when I found myself laughing out loud (the night when Dan discovers how they spend their nights will particularly stay in the memory). And there are so many other strong threads to the story, all impacting on the women’s lives – Dan’s work on his novel and the possibility of his quest reaching resolution, difficult decisions to be made over Niall’s future, the evolving plans for the surgery. The storytelling is entirely compelling, the characters so very real and relatable, the setting so vivid, and the whole book just feels just like the best night you could ever spend watching a great film – where you return to your own world at the end, blinking into the light, wiping away the tears, overwhelmingly empowered and uplifted, flooded with emotion, feeling so very privileged to have spent time with these wonderful women. And as well as that female friendship and closeness, there’s a really compelling theme of finding “home” – which is so much more than where you might choose to live, and more about where your heart really belongs.

This is, without question, one of the best books I’ve read this year – emotional and compelling, all-consuming, life-affirming and uplifting, and the strength of the characterisation and the sheer quality of the writing took my breath away. I’ll never forget how Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy and their love for each other made me feel. You really must add this wonderful book to your reading list – it’ll be a decision you won’t regret for an instant.

This is a lovely heartwarming story set on the west coast of Ireland. It explores female relationships and the importance of living life to the full. The setting is an immense part of this story giving the women space to breathe and think. The relationship dynamics are relatable, and the author explores topical issues in an enlightened way.

Character-driven, it immerses the reader in the main protagonists' lives, which is an emotional experience. Family drama, heartbreaking decisions and romance are interwoven into this literary puzzle, and despite the shocks and tears, it leaves you feeling uplifted.

I received a copy of this book from 'Head of Zeus' - Aria in return for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book because I love reading about long term female friendships and I was not disappointed. Elizabeth is left with debilitating debt, which is all a surprise, after her husband dies. The secrets involving him continue and it would be easy to hate him. I love that her friend Jo supports her and encourages her to make changes and decisions on her own. I laughed and smiled throughout the book. But, I also sobbed with emotion saved up for years and brought to light with the journey of these women. It was a beautiful journey of strength, love and community.

A beautify story of friendship, family and community. It made me want to pack up and move to Ballycove and jump straight into the Atlantic!
Set on the west coast of Ireland in a small village by the sea, Jo enjoys a a dip in the sea and often tries to encourage her friend Elizabeth to join her. Elizabeth is newly widowed and finally decides to take her up on her offer. Jo’s daughter Lucy, who lives in Dublin working in a busy A and E in a large hospital decides she needs a break. She decides to take a year off from her job, first thing she does is visit her mother with her 15 year old son. She too takes up the invitation of a swim and they all go most nights at midnight. Lucy decides to stay longer than intended as she becomes worried about her mother’s health.
The narrative consists of Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy’s POV and also of Jo’s son Nial and of a writer from London, Dan who goes to Ballycove to unwind and write his first novel. The reason he chooses Ballycove is because he was adopted, all he knows of his birth mother is that she was from Ballycove and possibly a young mother in the institute run by Nun’s. This makes the storyline even more interesting and we go on Dan’s own journey of discovery.
The descriptions of the setting are so vivid and the characters are real and likeable. This was so moving it made me cry real tears. The story moves quickly and although it is sad it is ultimately an uplifting and heartwarming read.

A heart warming tale of friendship. Elizabeth is helped by her friend Jo, who in turn asks her daughter Lucy to help. Following another shock they turn to the cold Irish sea to wash away their troubles. The characters are so likeable and the tale life affirming and heart warming. I cannot recommend it enough.

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is such a beautiful read. You’ll have your heart broken time and again as you’re introduced to the three ladies that the story centres around.

Elizabeth, lives in the big house, her place in society secure, respected as the doctors wife - that is until her world is rocked on its axis when her husband dies and she discovers a hidden secret that is set to leave her not only widowed but destitute and homeless. She needs to lean on best friend Jo who props her up and is the unbiased sounding board she needs. The friend, we’ve all got one, who pushes her outside of her comfort zone - Jo encourages Elizabeth to join her in her passion for swimming in the Irish Sea late at night. The quiet and the darkness, a safe place to talk openly and share their secrets.

Jo’s daughter Lucy arrives from Dublin with her son Niall to visit her mother for some time out and a break from her life as a busy doctor in an A & E department whilst ex husband lives the high life with his new partner in Australia.

Then there’s Dan a writer who rents a cottage to write his next novel, but the location of the cottage has been chosen for a reason - he gets more than he bargains for when he discovers the cottage is already occupied.

The story ebbs and flows as the author peels back the layers of each of the characters laying bare their problems and secrets - my heart wept and tears rolled down my face as Jo and Dan’s stories in particular were told. Lucy steps in to help Elizabeth, providing a sticking plaster on her problems, giving her the space to make her own decisions, to pave a path of her choosing.

The emotional connections, the strong bond of friendship, both long standing and short was beautiful to read as their lives entwined and they supported each other through a difficult time in each of their lives. Lucy uncovers a secret about her mother that sees her life free falling before she’s encouraged to join her mum Jo and Elizabeth swimming under the cover of darkness in the sea at Midnight - virtual hands are held, the sea washing away the tears as plans are made as members of the Ladies Midnight Swimming Club.

I highly recommend this book, it’s so difficult to put into words how uplifting and empowering reading this book was. The characters and scenarios were real, the emotions raw and the words floated around me long after I finished reading. No matter what’s going on in your life when you allow friends in, openly share your worries and fears and happiness too there’s always a solution to be found - not always a happy ending and I’m not sure I’m quite ready for swimming in the cold Irish Sea but Faith Hogan highlighted that openness, acceptance, trust and letting friendship in can be a better medicine than any prescribed drug!

Taken to the West Coast of Ireland in this novel has allowed me to swept away with the story and also out to sea, with the ladies of the midnight swimming club. By the end of the novel I hope more would have embraced the notion of walking into the Irish Sea and allowing the water, the waves and the peace to envelope them and heal them.

For the three main characters in this book, it is what brings them together at very different points in their life.

Elizabeth, recently widowed from the local GP, she finds that whilst she was keeping one of the secrets of her husband for her entire married life, he had a few more and this has resulted in her looking at her future from a penniless point of view.

Jo has been enjoying her dips in the sea for a long time and has encouraged her long standing friend Elizabeth to try it. Elizabeth is rightly distracted and Jo thinks she might have the answer to some of her problems; her own daughter Lucy.

Lucy burnt out as a A & E doctor in Dublin, working nights because it fits in, now her husband has left her and moved to the other side of the world. With a teenage son permanently attached to his computer gaming ,she thinks a change of scene will do them both some good, so she answers her mother’s request.

As Lucy arrives back to the village and things move forward for both Elizabeth and Lucy, it seems that it is now Jo’s turn to need their help. As the news affects them all, a strength of character drives them to bring all the women from the village and beyond to raise money for the local hospice together for a dip in the sea.

I enjoyed this tale of women’s strength and support played out in many different ways, whether it was the simple action of letting someone find their path in life or holding their hand as they embraced another life. A great tale of women’s friendship that warmed the heart and reminded me why friendships like that are so needed. As someone who embraces the outside swimming, I could relate to the peace it can give as it somehow grounds you and washes away that moment of stress.

If you want a book full of friendship and faith then this is the book which will warm your heart, even in the coldest water!

A truly beautiful and moving story. The characters were all really well written and easy to relate to. I actually think this book is crying out for a sequel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this in return for an honest review.

If you are a reader of women's fiction done right and enjoy novels by authors such as Elin Hilderbran and Susanne O'Leary you will love Faith Hogan. After reading this novel I went and found her previous works, and yes, I will say that her novels do live up to the hype I read about her (Faith Hogan) being an excellent book club choice. So grab a drink and your friends and start to answer the questions that Elizabeth was faced with in the novel "The Ladies'Midnight Swimming Club".
What if your whole life you thought you had was all a lie and the person with the answers ...the person you want to scream and yell at...is gone. I loved that Elizabeth didn't just crawl in a while and rot away, no one would have blamed her if she would have. I also loved that her support system was from two different women at two different ages, this allows each character to offer something different to the situations.
All good women's lit will make you laugh and cry....The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club does exactly that. By the time the novel ended, I felt that Elizabeth, Jpo, and Lucy were...are...my friends.

A tale of three strong women; Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy, each with their own tale to tell. They come together to support each other through their own challenges and embrace cold water swimming at Midnight, hence the title.

The author paints a lovely picture of the Irish scenery and the closeness between women and how they support each other through ups and downs. A tale of friendship, community spirit, love and pulling together.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC..

Firstly a huge thank you to Faith Hogan, Aria Fiction and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for a honest review.

Heidi Swain quoted this book to be ‘Joyful, life-affirming and inspirational’ and it’s all of that and more. I read this book back in March and the characters have never left me, it’s one of those stories that stays with you long after finishing.

A story of friendship and family, new beginnings and loss. This book covers every emotion going and an emotional rollercoaster it was. Set in a beautiful Irish village, Faith’s descriptions helped me to set the scene creating a wonderful community spirit.

Three main characters, Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy. All so different, all facing different situations but during that midnight swim they come together and for a short while they are weightless. With a little humour thrown in, the midnight swimming scenes were my favourite.

I love Faith’s writing style, the character change for each chapter is a favourite of mine and it was a joy to read from all the characters point of view. The story was intriguing and left me wanting more, I hated having to put it down to ‘adult’!

This was a pleasure to read from start to end, a heartwarming read that will have you smiling through tears, honestly it’s one that should be on your tbr pile.

This is one of those rare books that comes along that takes hold of you and stays with you after the last page.

Elizabeth's husband, the local GP suddenly dies. It comes to light that he was a proliferate gambler and a closeted gay man. His gambling debts are putting Elizabeth in danger of losing both her home and his medical practice, so she makes arrangements with her best friend Jo's daughter, Lucy, to come to Ballycove and run the practice for a short time and see if it could be saved.

Lucy has recently left her high pressure job in a city ED, and looks forward to spending time with her Mum Jo. She brings along Niall, her son, but he's not particularly happy to be away from his friends and video games. It is good Lucy is there, though, as she discovers that Jo is very ill with what turns out to be cancer.

Dan is a television screenwriter who comes to Ballycove to write a novel after losing his job. He bonds with Niall and the ladies, and begins to feel his life would be better in this lovely small town.

The author has a lovely way with phrasing, using lines like "It felt as if something had clicked into place and it wasn't something she could quite put her finger on, but it was the feeling of coming home, what it meant to really come home, and maybe that was as much as she needed for now". I also loved this line: "....to listen to women whose friendship had sustained them through the unthinkable and was continuing to sustain them. That was what his book would be about - the indomitable spirit of friendship".

Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Sometimes you read a book that just makes you want to call all of your girlfriends, get together for a soul-baring evening of gossip, laughter, tears, big hugs all round, and sharing with them a book that has really moved you because it captures everything that is magical, wonderful and life-affirming about female friendship. There has been far too little of that over the past 18 months and it is one of the things I have missed the most throughout the pandemic restrictions. The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is one of those books. Faith Hogan has managed to distil the essence of all that is wonderful about female friendship within its pages.

There is a character in this book for everyone to relate to. Elizabeth, recently widowed, whose life has always looked polished and perfect to the residents of Ballycove, but who is struggling behind closed doors with secrets that blighted her marriage, and more than have come to light since her husband’s death. She is supported throughout, as she always has been, by her generous friend, Jo, but Jo is now bearing a huge burden of her own. Jo’s daughter, Lucy, has come to Ballycove to work out a new path in life after her divorce, but will she be able to find a happy ever after that works for both herself and her unhappy son, Niall? Then there is Dan, who has come to Ballycove searching for a ghost from his past and a new way forward. Somehow, these people find amongst themselves a community and a peace that will see them all through on their different journeys.

This book is soul-warmingly, heart-squeezingly wonderful from beginning to end. From the very start, the stories of each of these women moved me because they were so real and authentic. I absolutely believed every single thing they were going through and all of their responses. The issues that the author addresses in this book – which may not be easy ones for some people to read about because they are so relatable – are something that will have touched each and every one of us in some way or another over the course of our lives, whether directly or through someone we know and we will recognise some of the joy, fear, pain, anguish, love and happiness portrayed here. Faith has really got under the skins of these characters and portrayed what they are going through in a way that communicates every nuance to the reader, so the book carries you along on its tide.

The notion of the Midnight Swimming Club is what will attract a lot of readers to this book, and it plays out exactly the way you hope it would. I adored the scenes involving the women taking to the sea, the feelings the wild swimming evokes in them, the way they talk and share and heal in the water, I believed all of it and was slightly jealous of their experience, even though I know it is fictional. Being able to draw a reader so completely into a world in this way is the skill of a great writer, and the reason we read in the first place. These are the reasons I love Faith’s books.

This is a truly fantastic read for any fans of intelligent and believable women’s fiction. It really moved me, but also left me feeling hopeful and uplifted. If you are a fan of Calendar Girls or The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, this book will give you the same warm feelings that you get from those movies, whilst still feeling that you have read something containing real emotional truth and an insight into the challenges women can overcome in their lives with support, love, friendship and hope. A gorgeous book.

Elizabeth has recently lost her husband who was the village GP. On going through his effects she finds that he was up to his neck in debt from gambling and so she needs to find something to bring money in otherwise she will lose the house. Her friend Jo has a daughter Lucy who is a single parent and looking for a new opportunity. Could the two perhaps fit or is the practice way too out of date for someone who has worked in a much more modern environment. The two older ladies enjoy swimming just for ten minutes or so at night when there is no-one around as they find it invigorating and life affirming.
Some have called this predictable- maybe it is- but in these uncertain times it’s nice to have some predictability and reassurance of fiction. I loved the characters in this especially Lucy who seemed to have so much to deal with but still came shining through with a smile for all those around her. There is a warmth in this book- of care and love and putting the past where it belongs- behind us, not always easy. Being positive and looking forward are a good mantra. An excellent read with a smile and a message- one life - live it!
(amazon done- misfits farm)

Riveting! Dynamic! Powerful!
Faith Hogan has managed to fulfill every emotion within one book.
Honestly, I don't know how she check marked every box with honesty, love, devotion, faith, and humility but she has and was able to consistently bring the compassion, empathy, and riveting characters to life with every turn of the page.
WOW!
The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is an absolute must read as it tackles many difficult and life altering subject matters. Whether it's an alarming health issue as Jo is facing, a life altering event that her daughter Lucy now faces after divorcing Jack, an alarming after-the-fact problem presented with Eric and Elizabeth's past relationship or a simple matter of speaking one's truths to find one's freedoms.
Every bit of it is relevant, timely, and on-point and it hits your hard without even being aware it's coming at you like a full blown train wreck.
It's not often I find a book that can drain me emotionally while fulfilling me at the same time with that tug-and-pull of uncovering one's zest in life.
What will be your legacy?
How will you live out your life?
Will you be happy in your current state? Are you really living the life you're meant to live?
So many questions that are posed for discussion that will make this a lovely book club discussion read for those seeking a book that stirs up plenty of invigorating and inviting topics.
Thank you to Faith Hogan, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

It's not often a book can make me cry, even less often a book can make me laugh and cry in the same sitting.
What a wonderfully heartwarming book, that I just had to read as I've started swmming more outside myself.

A superb read! Friendship, family and secrets .. this has them all.

When Elizabeth's husband dies, she discovers he has left her with momentous debts. The only person she can tell is her friend Jo who calls her daughter in the hope she can help. When Lucy returns home, all three women become firm friends and life changes are on the horizon for each of them - some bigger than others. Swimming in the Irish Sea at midnight proves to be an invigorating experience, leading onto the idea to turn it into a community fundraiser. Will it work?

I've read Faith Hogan's books from the very beginning and have simply adored everything single one, and her latest sees a new maturity in her writing, showing the experience she has gained. This is a simply beautiful read, encompassing the difficulties which many of us get foisted upon us in life but it is told in such an uplifting way. I loved everything about it; the characters are beautifully and creatively drawn, the story draws the reader in and the writing makes us really care about it all. This is a novel which will appeal to all ages and leave everyone with the feeling that they have been privileged to share a part of these women's lives. A sheer, unadulterated delight from start to finish earns this one all five sparkling stars and my highest recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Vicky Joss for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

What a truly lovely book. The story was a gentle book about coming home and friendship, it was affirming and heartwarming.
I revelled in Jo and Elizabeth’s gentle warm friendship and the love Lucy and Niall have for coming home and just being.
I really liked the introduction of Dan and his friendship and support.

Excellent book.
This honest review was provided for netgalley in exchange for a free of charge ARC.
Thankyou so much to the publishers

EXCERPT: They had gone to see the old building, a sprawling grey, derelict structure that had angels at the doors and serpents in the remaining stained glass windows.

Although it was emptied over a quarter of a century ago, there was no denying its looming presence; there was an eerie feeling of ghosts who would never fully rest.

'For some, perhaps it was better than the alternative - many of the girls came from simple farming backgrounds. Back then, a respectable man would prefer to have a dead daughter than an illegitimate grandchild.' She shivered then, perhaps remembering things she would prefer to forget. 'Come on, let's walk around the old gardens, this place isn't going to do either of us any good.'

Dan looked once more at the building, mostly boarded up, apart from the occasional window where storms had blown away their covers, revealing stained glass that would have been striking once. He wondered for a moment if he came back again and broke in - would there be files?

ABOUT 'THE LADIES MIDNIGHT SWIMMING CLUB': Three women, three different stages of life, united by one thing: the chance to start again.

When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, she must turn to her friend, Jo for help, who calls in her daughter, Lucy to run the village surgery. Leaving her city life, and past demons, behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.

As life slowly begins to resemble something normal for the three women, Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.

In search of some solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice; to take a dip in the nip.

MY THOUGHTS: Why have I never read anything by this author before? Her characters are stunning. They made themselves at home in my heart and I don't want to say goodbye to them.

Other than Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy, there's Lucy's teenage son Niall, acting out in reaction to his parents divorce and determined to make his mother suffer for bringing him to this backwater. And Dan, who has lost his high profile job in London and rented a cottage in Ballycove to realise his dream of writing a book, is searching for his birth mother, and is mortified to find himself, one evening, standing on a beach with two near naked pensioners and a dog yapping at his feet. He finds far more material for his book in this little village than he ever dreamed!

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is a beautifully paced and plotted story about the indomitable spirit of friendship told from the points of view of all the major characters. Despite, or maybe because of this, it flows seamlessly and seemingly effortlessly through the various crises the characters face.

I loved this read. It warmed my heart, and made my eyes well with tears. Yes, tissues are mandatory. I loved the way Elizabeth's character grew and strengthened, and Jo, what can I say about Jo? If I am ever in her position I only hope that I have her strength of character.

I am going to be reading a lot more from this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1

#MidnightSwimmingClub #NetGalley

I: @faithhoganauthor #ariaandaries

T: @GerHogan @aria_fiction

#contemporaryfiction #mystery #sliceoflife #womensfiction

THE AUTHOR: Faith Hogan is an Irish award-winning and bestselling author. She was born in Ireland. She gained an Honours Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Degree from University College, Galway.

She lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and a very busy Labrador named Penny. She's a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger - except of course when it is raining!

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria and Aries for providing a digital ARC of The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is a heartwarming, uplifting and captivating character-driven piece of contemporary women's fiction and it is packed with so much heart and soul, humour and emotion. It is very much Calendar Girls meets The Lido complete with a gentle poignancy. Set in the fictional small village of Ballycove, Ireland, along the northwest Atlantic coast, we are introduced to three ballsy and inspirational women. Elizabeth O'Shea has recently become the widowed wife of the local GP, Eric, but it has been a long time since there had been any love and care in their marriage. It had become very much a marriage of convenience. When he passes she discovers the extent of the gambling debt he's wracked up as it appeared to become an addiction for him and not even the surgery he set up and had worked from would be enough to cover the crippling debt of €62,000 and possible bankruptcy she is hurtling towards unexpectedly. To make matters worse her large home adjoins the surgery meaning if she loses one then the other will likely have to be sold too. In a state of anxiety and confusion, Elizabeth decides to confide in lifelong friend Jo about everything that is happening, secrets she has, until now, kept private. Jo is a prominent part of the community in Ballycove with a stunning, cosy cottage looking out over the bay where Elizabeth feels more at home than when she's within the four walls of her own house. She's a great listener, a host of social gatherings and a loyal friend through thick and thin and the lynchpin that holds her group of friends together. But Jo has recently received concerning health news and a tough diagnosis, however, she has the seemingly perfect solution to Elizabeth’s quandary.

Jo’s only daughter, Lucy, is currently a burnt-out A&E doctor at a Dublin hospital working long night shifts. She recently got divorced from her husband, Jack, and is still coming to terms with the fact that he has emigrated to sunny Australia and now has a new wife. Lucy has realised life at present is not working for her and she welcomes a much-needed change of pace; her long nights at the hospital have meant she has little time to spend with her son, teenager Niall, who is unhappily attending boarding school. She is at present taking a break from her employment over the summer in an attempt to reconnect with her son but he misses his friends and finds the quiet, slower pace of life in the area boring. Killing two birds with one stone Elizabeth hires Lucy as interim GP at the surgery helping Lucy have more free time while also earning. Elizabeth has an epiphany when she begins to join Jo on her evening skinny dips in the freezing Irish Sea where they chat about life and support one another and soon Lucy joins the midnight swimming club too. This is a captivating, richly atmospheric read; it not only had me weeping but also laughing and smiling with a warm fuzzy feeling inside due to the unbreakable strength of the friendships. The characters are what make this a beautiful and enthralling read and you can't help admire the three protagonists who each have very human, believable problems, trials and tribulations but the setting is also part of the magic too. The rural seclusion of The Emerald Isle is described in an alluring manner. Above all, this book reminds you to take chances, make mistakes and get messy, all while being yourself and cherishing those friends who you currently have and those you may meet in the future. Highly recommended.

Ballycove beach at midnight is when you will hear the sound of three women swimming together. Why do they do this?
The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is a emotionally charged read that has so much going on within the storyline.
Friendships
Grieving
Dreams
Hope
And, most of all compassion.
What a beautiful, inspirational celebration of life!
Three women coming together through issues of divorce, cancer and the loss of a child.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first book from Faith Hogan and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Lovable characters which at times left me in tears. Set in West Ireland the book focuses on 5 characters so each chapter is from one of their points of view. However the storyline flows well and although I guessed the link between 2 of the characters early on it was still lovely to see that particular part opened up. Thanks Faith Hogan her publishers and NetGalley.

I absolutely fell head-over-heels for this gorgeous book. Elizabeth's husband, the village GP dies leaving her with huge debts. She turns to her friend Jo who suggests that her daughter might be able to lend a hand in the meantime as she's taking time out from her busy hospital job. Lucy is divorced and she and her teenage son, Niall come down to Ballycove from Dublin to check the situation out and see if they could make their home there.

Dan is having some time out from his busy life in London to try and trace someone who means the world to him. He's also planning to write his first novel. He meets Niall in unusual circumstances and becomes a father-figure and friend.

Jo and Elizabeth start taking midnight swims together and share their troubles as well as having a few laughs. When Jo breaks the news to her friends and family everyone is heartbroken and after getting over the shock of it all they plan a big fundraiser - gathering all the women together, young and old to take part in a midnight skinny dip which turns out to be a huge success.

There are some moments in the book which had me in tears, both sad and happy ones. I just loved the storylines and characters and so highly recommend it. One of my favourite reads this year.

Dip your toe in the ocean of love, kindness, friendship and new beginnings in Faith Hogan’s latest novel.

The indomitable spirit of friendship lies at the heart of this sweet and charming novel, one that is perfect for lazy days and Sundays. Disappearing into the pages of this book is like slipping into sugar coated heaven where love and friendship are greatly valued above all else and the complexities of life can pale into insignificance with a smile, a friendly word and maybe a lovely slice of cake or two! The good news is there’s not a single reference to social media in sight! I was carried along on a tide of good emotions as the author introduced me to the wonderful characters living in the sleepy backwater of Ballycove, on the west coast of Ireland. This is the kind of novel that allows you to press your reset button letting the gentle narrative lull you into a relaxed and peaceful state of being.

Meet Elizabeth O’Shea, recently bereaved wife of local GP Eric, a man whose vices in life have left her in a worrying and potentially life changing predicament. In her hour of need who should Elizabeth confide in but good friend Jo who might just have the answer needed to turn her friend’s misfortune into good fortune.

Lucy, Jo’s daughter has decided she needs a change of scenery. Working night shifts as a doctor in A&E in a Dublin hospital she sees little of her teenage son Niall who is unhappily closeted away at boarding school. Divorced from husband Jack who now lives on the opposite side of the world, this mother and son could really benefit from a fresh start and where better to take stock and reevaluate their lives than back home in Ballycove? Spending precious time with mother/grandmother Jo is long overdue especially given the fact this energetic, lively woman is not as robust as she once was.

Dan, over in London is seriously contemplating leaving behind his scriptwriting career to write his first novel and isolation is something he craves after hectic city life. Rural backwater Ballycove could prove to be the perfect author’s retreat; that he also has ties to this part of the world makes his decision to uproot his life that much easier. Is it serendipity that he arrives in Ballycove at the exact same time as Lucy and Niall and quickly becomes part of the community?

This is a gentle tale of decent folk in which the main characters are each awakening to a new dawn, preparing for their lives to take on new directions. It’s a novel about discovering the small pleasures in life, rediscovering your joie de vivre and finding a place that truly feels like home. For Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy that also includes being the only members of the midnight swimming club where together they can laugh and cry, celebrate and commiserate and simply let their cares drift away on the Atlantic waves. Jo, as the founding member invites her friend and daughter to share their troubles and their woes without passing judgment, each one of them offering plenty of love and support turning insurmountable problems into more manageable ones. That it also becomes a way of bringing this small community together in one person’s darkest hour is perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of this novel. Welcoming Dan into their exclusive little group it’s impossible to ignore the power and importance of friendship as these characters divulge their innermost dreams and fears. United in friendship, these characters are invincible; whatever life throws at them, good and bad you know they’ll face their battles side by side.

You’ll fall in love with the setting as much as you will the characters, the idyllic sounding Ballycove the ideal place for fresh starts. With its windswept beaches, breathtaking vistas, unpredictable climate and a sense of community spirit who needs prescriptions for aches and pains when you have this on your doorstep?? Faith Hogan combines the beauty of this landscape with the beauty of these friendships in a warm uplifting tale guaranteed to leave you in a happy state of mind.

You can apply every cliche under the sun to this author’s writing but that isn’t a criticism! Sentimental, cheesy and predictable this novel may be but it’s also a refreshing distraction from reality, almost as invigorating (I imagine!) as a dip in the Atlantic and one that I’d be happy to recommend. Not sure if it would convince me to take a midnight swim anytime soon! I think I prefer to imagine that the Ladies’ Midnight swimming club have enough new recruits to accompany these characters in their nocturnal activity for years to come. Now when I’m in need of a pick me up I’ll do well to remember this author’s name. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

It’s midnight in the Irish town of Ballycove and if you head to the beach you will hear the sounds of Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy having a bracing swim in the sea. Listen closely and you will hear laughter and revelations - one has their life upturned, one is burnt out and one has a secret. Everything is about to change for these women as they swim under the stars.

I really enjoyed this story of female solidarity and friendship. The author paints the picture of Ballycove so well that I felt I was walking along the beach and swimming beside the characters as we learn about their lives.

The women in the book have the most well rounded and developed characters whereas Niall and Dan felt a bit 2D and superficial, as did the conclusion to Dan’s part of the story.

All in all, it’s a cozy but emotional read. I raged at the damage caused to the characters by the ineptitude an old unfulfilled and bitter man. There’s a full range of emotions invoked by the plot. There’s also scope for another book with the characters. I’d recommend it as a great beach read or for a rainy weekend by the fire.

Thanks to Netgalley, Faith Hogan and Aria publishing for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Three wonderful women come together in this book. Lucy after a divorce decided she needed a break from her job as a doctor in a hospital in Dublin. She and her son, Niall, went to visit her Mom in her rural seaside hometown. Her Mom, Jo, is a well-loved community member who gives much to those around her, but she has a secret issue she's not talking about. Elizabeth, the local doctor's wife, has recently become a widow and has found that her husband died leaving her with crippling debt, their large house and his practice. The women, become close friends, and find freedom and relief from their cares and worries when they, led by Jo, go swimming in the cold Atlantic waters at midnight. They form a close bond and provide courage and support for each other.

This book left me feeling upbeat. I loved the closeness of the women and their strength and courage as they faced the ups and downs in their individual lives. This is a story of love, grief, community, and friendship, and it is warm and heartfelt.

Thanks to Aria and Aries through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This is a heartwarming read that draws you into the lives of all the characters. You can guess what is going to unfold, but it is still an enjoyable read. The author's use of language paints vivid pictures.

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan is about three women who go swimming together in the freezing Irish sea as a way of releasing stress. We have Elizabeth, recently widowed and discovering secrets her husband, Eric, left behind. Amongst these are a huge amount of debts and a struggling GP practice. Jo, Elizabeth's long-term friend with her own health challenges, suggesting that her (Jo's) daughter, Lucy, can help with the GP practice for the time being. Lucy, a doctor in a busy A&E city hospital looking for a change after her divorce. These three women form a triple-plaited cord. Faith Hogan's profile states that "she writes grown-up women's fiction which is unashamedly uplifting, feel good and inspiring". She has done it again. This book deals with friendship, love, loss, life-changing decision making, and family in a relatable manner. If you are looking for your next reading group pick, this novel will provide many hours of discussion. Well written, engaging and highly recommended.

The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club is a heartwarming tale of multi generational friendships and love.
Elizabeth’s husband has recently died, leaving her with crippling debts after a loveless marriage. Jo’s is suffering from ill health but battles on while supporting her recently divorced daughter Lucy. Dan has arrived in this quite corner of Ireland in search of peace to write a novel, and to find his mother who gave him up for adoption.
The relationships between all the characters is beautifully played out, and even if the storyline is predictable, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the novel.

Absolutely loved this. Great characters and the descriptions of Ireland were just beautiful. I got really engrossed with the story and loved the ending. Highly recommended.

I loved, loved, loved this story! Warm, engaging and an all round feel good read. The characters were wonderful and I really cared about them all. I laughed and cried. The plot was perhaps a little predictable but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment at all. Beautifully and sensitively written, I have already recommended it and will look for more by this author.

This is such a beautifully written book. It's really centred round Elizabeth, who suddenly widowed, finds that her disagreeable Dr husband left a mountain of gambling debts. However, this never seems to be the central point of the story, as so much emotion is expressed in other areas. The midnignt swimming begins with her friend Jo and takes on a life of its own.
Descriptions of the water, the swimming, the joy of freedom , are so well written. Sadness later in the story is turned into something surprisingly positive. The final swim is very emotional and again, beautifully described.
Thank you for the chance to read and review this book.

I really liked the premise of this book and was in the mood for a feel good novel. Although it was perhaps a little slower than I'd have liked for the first 50%, the last 50% did make up for it in terms of pace and plot. I felt like the characters were really likeable and the plot believable and despite having underlying difficult topics, it was generally a pretty uplifting book.

I feel like the last 30% of the book really made it for me and actually had me in tears which is something that very rarely happens. Hogan is a lovely storyteller and I did finish this with a general feeling of positivity and enjoyment even if I did guess a couple of the plot twists. I would say 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

What a wonderful book I couldn't put it down.
Faith Hogan's wording resonated with my heart and the storyline hit me in the feels.

Elizabeth's husband died leaving huge debts putting to risk her future. Fortunately her friend Jo is there to comfort and to help her. Lucy, Jo's daughter, and her son take some time away from the city to go to Ballycove for a little holiday but destiny has other plans for them. They begin the Midnight Swimming Club to stay together at the end of the day but soon enough it becomes a freeing experience to savour and to enjoy.

Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy have different ages and different living experiences but now that they are together in the same place they have the chance to understand and to help each other.
I loved these women, they are lovely, funny, inspiring and brave. At the end I wanted to sign up for their club and to hug them.

I love the sea and I had to read a story with a title like this. Here the sea is seen as a place where you can just be you, living in the moment, the salty water washes away your thoughts, your troubles and recharges you.

This is definitely a story I recommend.

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan

Jo lives in a cottage overlooking the sea in Ballycove, a village in the west of Ireland, and loves her midnight swims in the bitterly cold but invigorating Atlantic ocean. Elizabeth her lifelong friend joins Jo in her midnight swims after her husband Eric, the village doctor, dies and she discovers he has huge gambling debts which could bankrupt her. Lucy, Jo's daughter, recently divorced, takes a break from her job as an A&E doctor in a Dublin hospital and returns home with her teenage son Niall. She soon joins Jo and Elizabeth in their midnight swims and the three women laugh together and support each other as they face new life-changing challenges.

I have loved everything Faith Hogan has written and this is no exception - brilliant! I loved the characters, the setting, and especially the story of the women supporting each other. Friendship rocks! I also enjoyed Dan's story and Niall finding new friends in Ballycove too. So much to enjoy in this book. A fabulous 5 star read that I finished in a day - very highly recommended!

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

A beautiful emotional story. When Elizabeth is widowed the house and doctors surgery where she lived are too much for her to manage and she has to try and get someone to run things for her until she can sort things out,.Her best friend Jo asks her daughter Lucy take over for a while so she leaves her job in London and goes to Ireland back to her childhood home. with her son ..It is a lovely warmhearted read and it has wonderful characters who you can connect with, and the community spirit shines through making this book a fabulous read. I really loved it and hope there will be a follow up novel

A very poignant book for me especially as a close relative has cancer. However the story is delightful but highly emotional. I enjoyed reading it and can equate with the feelings except the end which I have yet to come

I loved this book. Sad in parts. I won't spoil it but I worked out early on who the mother would be. I loved the swims at midnight. Gosh you felt for Elizabeth dealing with all her husbans secret's but she got her well deserved happy ending. The fund raiser they did for J0 I would loved to have joined in. There were lots of characters to follow . A jolly good read set in a beautiful place. The changes Lucy and Elizabeth did to the surgery was great. There is a lot to this book.

An emotional story of three women of different ages and stages of their lives.
Their midnight swims are a place to share their fears, secrets and dreams.
The author has written a book that has humor, sadness and though their lives are quite different, the time spent on their midnight swim leads to a binding friendship and a chance to start over.
Thank you Netgalley and Aria and Aries for an early copy of this book. The comments and review are my honest opinion.

Three women. Three lives.
Elizabeth has lost her husband. He wasn't the respected Doctor that everyone thought he was and he has left Elizabeth with major debts.
Jo, is her best friend, her confidante and Lucy is her daughter, a Doctor in Dublin, a single mother.
Jo and Elizabeth find midnight sea swimming helps them cope with all their problems and soon Lucy joins them, but another is listening in.

It might be a surprise to her many fans, but I’ve never read a Faith Hogan novel before. I can’t think why, because I absolutely loved this literary mix of the deeply emotional, yet uplifting and funny book set in a small seaside village in Ireland. It focuses on a lifelong friendship between two older women - Jo and Elizabeth. Jo lives in a small cottage overlooking the bay and has one daughter, Lucy. Lucy is a doctor whose having a long break over the summer from working long hours in a busy hospital. She’s still struggling with the aftermath of a divorce and a husband who has a new wife and relocated to the much sunnier and glamorous sounding Australia. Elizabeth is still grieving her husband, the village GP, but is still keeping his secrets. All three women meet in the bay at midnight for a dip in the freezing cold Atlantic. Finally, there’s Dan, a young writer taking a break from script-writing and hoping inspiration hits in the quaint Irish village of Ballycove.

This book hinges on the strength of its characters and I was destined to love Elizabeth. Up until now she seemed to hold herself apart from the village, apart from the abiding friendship she shares with Jo, who knew her before she became the doctor’s wife. Remote from other villagers in her large house with adjoining doctor’s surgery she is in the strange position of knowing some of the most personal aspects of her neighbour’s lives, yet not a single one knows her story. Many might have thought she was destined for the big house and the status it brings, but nothing could be further from the truth. Elizabeth finds her house cold and never truly feels at home there, preferring instead the cosiness of Jo’s small cottage. As the novel progresses she creates a corner for herself with the comfiest chair and the evidence of her hobbies laying round about her. It’s the most comfortable she’s ever been in her beautiful house, that’s never really been a home. She has just lost her husband and is going through all the upheaval that brings, but there were secrets about her marriage that nobody knows. The young doctor’s proposal for Elizabeth’s hand had conditions attached, more than she could ever have realised at the time. It was the only way out of a terrible situation she found herself in - pregnant and afraid she made the bargain, then paid a terrible price for the rest of her life. What we experience with her is an awakening and so many new experiences start to open up, signified powerfully by the midnight skinny dipping she’s enticed into by her friend Jo. She emerges ready to take on the problems she finds herself in, not least the gambling debts racked up by her late husband and the ailing practice he left behind. Firstly hiring Jo’s daughter Lucy as an interim GP for the summer, making plans to sell the house and helping visiting author Dan in his quest to find out more about the local home for unwed mothers. There is more heartache to come, but will Elizabeth have the strength to face it?

Lucy is another character dealing with the aftermath of huge life changes, after the collapse of her marriage. She’s taking a break from work and hoping to reconnect with her son Niall. He finds it hard to accept the quieter pace of life in Ballcraig and hates that he’s left friends behind. He has a heartbreaking conversation with his mum where he discloses that he’d rather go live with his Dad in Australia. He’s imagining his father’s cool apartment overlooking the Sydney harbour and the excitement that living back in a city might bring. Lucy knows her ex- husband will say yes, not because he has a burning need to spend time with his son, but because it will score points. It takes a strong woman to put aside her misgivings and make that phone call, but she does. However, as Niall forms a relationship with Dan after visiting his cottage out on the cliff, then meets the piano seller’s daughter will the magic of this little village rub off on him? Lucy also starts to find friendship, firstly with Elizabeth and also with her mother who encourages her to join the midnight swimming club. She also starts to confide in Dan who is a great listener, but since both of them are only visiting the coast, is this a friendship that can flourish.

Lastly Jo, who is one of those characters who seem to sustain everyone else. She’s the friend with the cosy home that people want to visit, the starter of social gatherings, and the great listener with a cup of tea never far away. As always with good listeners and people used to caring for others, she isn’t always good at sharing her own worries and problems. She’s fiercely loyal to her friends, the evening long ago, where she started an altercation with Elizabeth’s husband over how he was treating her friend is long remembered and talked about. Without seeming to do much she is the lynchpin of this group and is thought well of by her fellow villagers. When it’s clear she does need help, the support comes from all around her. I really enjoyed her acceptance of life with all its heartbreak and absurdities, as well as the way she values her female friends.

These characters are so well drawn I feel that they might exist somewhere. The setting is beautifully romantic, even if the sea is absolutely freezing! Dan’s quest is well handled too, with an honesty about the awful cruelty that did happen within mother and baby homes in Ireland, the true extent of which still hits the headlines today. The author uses her older characters to describe what it is like when a country is so ruled by any religion, and how in small villages the word of the parish priest or Mother Superior was law. I enjoyed the humour though too, often just in the way the characters talk to each other but also in little ‘in-jokes’ with the reader such as Dan imagining the swimming club as one of those films like Calendar Girls. I can imagine this as a film, but until then I have quite a back catalogue to dive into. Thanks to this novel, Faith Hogan has a new fan.

This review will be appearing on the blog tour.

What a lovely story told with gentleness and kindness. I could not put the book down and would definitely recommended this book to readers who enjoy reading this type of book.

This character-driven novel takes you to a small community in Ireland where everybody knows everyone but is supportive and rich in spirit.

Lucy a single mother, recently divorced is tired of her busy job as a Doctor in her local A&E department at the hospital. Her son is away at boarding school and spends most of his time gaming when he is home. She decides to have a 'break' from it all and goes to visit her mother in her hometown of Ballycove.

Jo is delighted in welcoming her daughter and grandson to Ballycove and fusses over them as any mother/grandmother would. Although, Jo realises she needs to admit the truth to her daughter (and herself) about her health, as she has been in denial for a while now.

Elizabeth, a recent widow, finds herself learning to cope after the death of her husband and coming to terms with his secrets that could shatter and pull her under.

These women show bravery, determination and support one another through their hardships. Along the way they find laughter, love and acceptance. It was hard not to get caught up in the lives of these three women and although there were moments of heartbreak and sadness in the book there was also the power of friendship and human kindness. Ballycove really was the place with a big heart and an idyllic place to live.

I loved the concept of the 'Midnight Swimming Club' that Jo inspired the women to participate in although there would be no way I would venture into the Irish Sea at any time of day let alone at midnight! This coming together, stripping back the day's stresses and just being in the moment provided a rawness of emotions which made for a powerful read.

Hogan's writing is poignant, gentle and touching. I got swept along with the plot, the characters and the beautiful setting. Although there is some sadness it also had a feel-good feel to the novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Many thanks to Faith Hogan, NetGalley and Aria & Aries for a proof copy of the book.

I cannot express how much I loved this book! A beautifully written story full of real life issues; love, death, hurt, longing and everything in between. I cried at one part that resonated with me on a personal level - reminding me that the death of a loved one never truly leaves us, no matter how many years have passed. This book made me yearn to visit Ireland, and yearn to live in a little cottage in a quiet sleepy town. I look forward to reading more by this outstanding Author.

In an impulsive moment, Lucy quits her post as a doctor in a busy Dublin hospital. Still adjusting to life after divorce and needing to decompress, Lucy and her son, Niall, return to her sleepy, seaside hometown of Ballycove.

Recently widowed, Elizabeth discovers her deceased husband’s gambling addiction has left her neck-high in debt. Not even the well-established village surgery he left behind will be enough to pay off his debts.

Jo welcomes Lucy and Niall home with sheer joy. Little do they know that the timing of their arrival couldn’t be better. Lucy agrees to practice in the surgery until Elizabeth can find a replacement doctor, and soon after, they are dealt a devastating hand when Jo is diagnosed as terminal.

The midnight swims are what bond and binds these women. Surrounded by the enveloping, curative, buoyant waves, forever friendships are forged. Even when their lives seem to be sinking, the lifesaving link of friendship, keeps them afloat.

A born weaver of words, Faith Hogan delightfully brings to life the majestic beauty and atmosphere of Ireland while reaching readers’ hearts through her heartwarming characters, and their authentic storylines.

Reading Faith’s books is like curling up in your favorite chair, with your mug or beverage of choice, and sitting amongst your dearest friends. I am a forever Faith fan.

Do read The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club.

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the read of Faith Hogan’s, The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club.

The book is set in The Irish Republic in a small costal village where life just seems to drift along at a steady pace..i loved everything about the book, the words just flowed and I was soon engrossed in the story. The charecters were all likeable and formed a strong bond with each other. All in all it's a charming and heartwarming read.

Oh Lordy what a beautiful gentle read, even if it did make me sob. My first book by the author but it definitely won’t be my last. A tale that’s going to stay with me for some time to come.
Three women all at different stages in their lives, find a truth and comfort in their midnight swims in the cold Atlantic. Emotional, this book grabs at your heart and doesn’t let go. I was invested in the characters live’s from the first page and I feel bereft now I’ve left them.
I’d so love a sequel so we could catch with how they are all doing in Ballycove

Three friends bond through deep sea swimming. Elizabeth's husband was the local doctor. When he dies, she has discovers her husband has left her penniless. She needs to locate a doctor to take over the practice and find somewhere cheaper to live. Her friend Jo's daughter, Lucy, is a hospital doctor looking to live nearer her mother. Meanwhile, Jo is trying to keep a secret from them all. Lucy's son Niall is resentful of his parents' divorce. Will he settle in rural Ballycove? Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy's decision to have a moonlit dip in the ocean cements their friendship and helps them deal with the problems ahead. Then there's Dan, who has come to the town to write a novel in peace and find out about his birth parents. How will he fit in? A story full of love, laughter and tears as friends and families rally round to help.

This is the first novel I've read by this author but it certainly won't be the last. The plot and the characters are believable and realistic. As others have said, you can work out what will happen but that didn't stop me getting choked - that doesn't happen often when I read and occurred three times.

The setting of the West Coast of Ireland is beautiful, which along with the themes of friendship and kindness, amongst others, were much needed as we come out of another lockdown. It was the perfect book for escapism and one I could definitely read again.

With thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in advance.

This story grabs at your heart and doesn’t let go till the end. You will get caught up in the plot and the characters. It’s a book you can loose yourself in for a while.

What a delightful novel about life, love, family and surprises. You could not ask for more. Faith Hogan is a very gifted writer. What an ability to make a setting come to life. Ireland is the one place that I would want to go back to and spend more time. Reading The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club was almost as rewarding. Each character was so well crafted and everyone had his or her part in the telling of this story. My emotions were taken on a roller coaster ride. I found several portions very sad, but not depressing. I thought I had figured out the plot and ending but was still pleasantly surprised.

I thank Aria and Aries Publishers for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, the only person she can turn to is her friend, Jo. Soon Jo has called in her daughter, Lucy, to help save Elizabeth from bankruptcy. Leaving her old life behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.

As life slowly begins to return to normal, these three women, thrown together by circumstance, become fast friends. But then Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.

In search of solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish Sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice that will bring the whole community together...

From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is an emotional story about finding new friends and living life to the fullest, that will appeal to fans of Sheila O'Flanagan, Heidi Swain and Liz Fenwick.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early review copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I hadn't read any Faith Hogan books before so was excited to start this one and I wasn't disappointed. The characters in this book are lovable from the start and the whole book is a huge bear hug. I read it in one sitting as I wanted to know what happened but didn't want it to end (always the mark of a good book I think!)

I will definitely look out for more of this author's work in the future.

What a lovely surprise to read a very engaging book, which kept me wanting to know what happens next, without making it too obvious either. The great way that the chapters were titled from each person's point of view was very enlightening and the points of view were from very different perspectives...male and female, young and older.

I loved the characters so much. The story was so intriguing and had lots of humour whilst keeping you wondering the outcomes of the various character journeys. Set in a place I would love to visit...the details sounded so beautiful.

A wonderful read from beginning to end that I couldn't put down. Ms Hogan has a way of creating loveable, incredible characters and make you want to really invest in their story. A fabulous tale with some surprising twists that keep you flicking the pages.

I loved this. An excellent read from one of my favourite writers. A full newspaper review to follow.

Date reviewed/posted: April 8, 2021
Publication date: May 6, 2021

When life for the entire galaxy and planet has turned on its end, you are continuing to #maskup and #lockdown to be in #COVID19 #socialisolation as the #thirdwave ( #fourthwave #fifthwave?) is upon us, superspeed readers like me can read 300+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

Three women, three different stages of life, united by one thing: the chance to start again.

When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, she must turn to her friend, Jo for help, who calls in her daughter, Lucy to run the village surgery. Leaving her city life, and past demons, behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.

As life slowly begins to resemble something normal for the three women, Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.

In search of some solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice; to take a dip in the nip...

An emotional story about taking chances, finding new friends and living life to the fullest.

This was a lovely book - a great storyline, wonderful characters and absolutely full of heart and love. It was enjoyable to read - and I already have my sister reading it off my kindle as I kept telling her about it.

 I will recommend this book to friends, family, patrons, bookclubs and strangers on the tube who are reading: I find that once they figure out that I am a Canadian and not a Trump-loving MAGA-idiot they like to discuss books. (lol!)

Take this book to the beach (or your back yard, porch or balcony) and enjoy it - just wear a tonne of SPF110 as you will lose track of time as you read this. - If we are in the 5th or 6th wave/mutation of COVID19 by then, stay inside: no tan is worth dying for.

As always, I try to find a reason to not rate with stars as I simply adore emojis (outside of their incessant use by "🙏-ed Social Influencer Millennials/#BachelorNation survivors/Tik-Tok and YouTube Millionaires/snowflakes / literally-like-overusers etc. " on Instagram and Twitter... Get a real job, people!) so let's give it 🏖️🏖️🏖️🏖️🏖️

Lucy is working in a busy hospital permanently exhausted and worried that she isn’t spending enough time with her teenage son Niall.
When her mum, Jo, calls her and asks her to go and stay with her in her home village of Ballycove on the west coast of Ireland for a few weeks Lucy jumps at the chance.
Once there Lucy meets her mother’s friend Elizabeth who’s husband has recently died. Eric was the village GP and Elizabeth needs someone to run his surgery for a few weeks while she gets things ready to sell, to pay off the massive gambling debts Eric left her with.
Lucy agrees to run the GP surgery in the short term and is soon working hard with Elizabeth's help to make sense of the chaos Eric left behind.
Although her work seems to be going well Lucy is worried about Niall who isn’t settling very well in the village and about Jo who seems to be hiding something from Lucy.
Jo has long been known to go for a midnight dip in the freezing waters of the Irish Sea and soon Lucy and Elizabeth join her. In the cold and dark the three women open up to each other and share secrets and hopes as their bonds of friendship and love become ever stronger.
I love the characters, the setting and the storyline. I laughed and I cried. Beautifully written.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story of life, of friendship, of family but most of all about women. In particular the strength of women.
Three women all at different points in their lives who's lives cross in a small Irish village. The support they bring to each other in times of struggle is beautiful and uplifting.
Well written with stunning imagery and life like characters. A must read and I will definitely be seeking out more by Faith Hogan.

A lovely book Faith Hogans writing is lovely and always Drew’s me in.An uplifting story a story of friendship of life.I will be recommending.#netgalley #aria&aries

Thank you NetGalley, Faith Hogan and Aria & Aries for the ARC of The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club. This is my personal review.
The story is about three women who are all at different places in their lives. Each have issues in their lives they are dealing with and they get together at a beautiful location to overcome the issues.
It is a beautiful story so beautifully written showing the life changes they can deal with when they have friends and family to lean on for the strength to overcome these life’s changes.
This book is an excellent choice for a book club to read.

I love Faith Hogan books and this one did not disappoint. So beautifully written with gorgeous descriptive writing once again. This book is so uplifting, it’s just what I needed with everything that’s going on!! An absolute joy to read

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is a fantastic book about family and friendship set in a small coastal village in Ireland. Elizabeth, Jo, and Lucy are dealing with their own personal issues but come together to help each other find the strength to overcome and start over. This was a very delightful read. Thanks to the author Faith Hogan, publisher Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for a honest review.

Such a well written and beautiful book about family and friendships. Warmed my heart.
Definitely one to pick up.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

This was a beautiful book! Book about friendship and family. This was an enjoyable read! I loved the characters, the realness, the strength. The story was amazing..... And this writing! Faith really held my attention.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries for this early copy of The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club. What a lovely read about new beginnings, friendships and change. The relationship between the main characters was lovely and the kind of friendships everyone would love to have. My overall take on this book was how gentle and kind everyone was. Sure there was some ugliness dealing with divorce, grief and loneliness but it was a growing process vs a hateful one.
The setting of the book was a character in itself. After reading the book one just longs to be in Ireland watching the storms roll in and embracing warm days when they happen. Taking long walks by sea and dashing into the cold Irish Sea seems very enjoyable too.
This is the first book I have read written by Faith Hogan. I found her style is perfect for when you want to escape into a slightly predictable but very enjoyable read. I equate it to watching a feel good Hallmark movie. You are not taxed at all, you get to smile and shed a tear or two and everything works out in the end.

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is the book to define female friendship and the length to which friends will go to for each other. Faith Hogan was able to make me laugh and make me cry all within the same pages and she did it beautifully. A wonderful story of the strength of women.

Three different woman at three different points in their lives with the backdrop of
Ireland. This is a book not to pass up ! I enjoyed it and I recommend it !

Oh, what a beautiful book!
Three women, three different stories and yet, a bond transcending all.
Elizabeth's husband passed away and left her immersed in debt. Jo's confronting the last challenge. And Lucy is in front of a mayor change, taking a year off of her job and coming back to Ballycove after years.
The author found the way to intersect all the stories into the most delightful journey. She gave the characters that lovable magical Irish touch.
I loved this book and I hope to read more from this author.
Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book set in an Irish village about a mother and daughter, the Mother's friend, and also a newcomer seeking answers.Jo is the midnight swimmer initially, but once her daughter comes back to the village for a while with her son she ropes her in too, along with her friend Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is the previous doctor's wife and lives in a big house. He has died fairly recently and left her with crippling debt, which she knew nothing about. Their marriage wasn't a happy one, more one that benefited them both at the time. But now Elizabeth has to sort out what to do, and as Jo's daughter, Lucy, is at a bit of a crossroads in her life and career she is persuaded to take over the doctor's surgery for a short time to help out. But of course as time goes by Lucy realises that maybe she's in the right place for her now. Her son, Niall, though is a different matter. He's a teenager and living in a 'backwards' Irish village is the last thing he wants, especially as he's also struggling with the fact that his parents divorced and his Dad now lives in Australia.

Also in the mix is Dan, a TV scriptwriter, also at a bit of a crossroads in his life, and in Ireland to try and write his book, and see if he can find some answers to a question he has about where he came from.

The mix of characters worked really well, I liked them all. They eventually worked through their problems and came through it happier. There are some very sad moments too though, so you'll need a tissue, but through the sad moments also come moments of everyone pulling together and appreciating their life a bit more. I do love a Faith Hogan book, she just has a way that draws you into the story and the lives of the characters.

I have always been in love with Ireland so I tend to flock toward stories set there. This was no exception. Filled with compelling characters and beautiful world setting and energy I read the whole of this sweet, heartbreaking and ultimately redemptive story in a day. This is a great read for a book club, it's universal in its appeal.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc, all opinions are my own

Elizabeth has lost her husband and he has left her in debt and with a surgery to run. Her friend Jo is her confidante and support during this time. Jos daughter Lucy is working in a hospital in Dublin, struggling to keep it all together after a tough divorce, when her mother asks her to come home to help Elizabeth. The ladies support each other through the tough times by swimming in the sea at night to was their cares away. Add in a supporting cast of Lucys son, a writer on sabbatical from London and various neighbours and it all adds up to a great story.
Yet again I loved this book from Faith Hogan. She brings everyones lives together brilliantly and examines some tough events through their eyes. The story touches on marriage breakdown, debt, teenage angst, cancer and the fall out from mother and baby homes. But all of this is done with respect and care.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You know that sometimes a book comes along that perfectly fits in not just with your mood, but the moment? A book about women going through adversity and finding friendship and swimming as a tonic was just the tonic I needed.

This should be a feel good movie as it was a feel good book. I wanted to be friends with these women myself. Join the group. I felt as if I had.

I've finished reading and I miss them already. A character led book with a fictional yet cute place in Ireland to get to know as well. you could hear the lilt as they talked and imagine the green grass of the rolling irish hills, the warm waters of the cove....or was that just me?

Ah dip your toe into this one! You'll be swimming in no time.

Loved this book on so many different levels - the characters and the challenges they face. I didn't think I would like the book being written from so many different points of view, but it was seamless and added to the story.

He doesn't even feature in the novel, but I wanted to bop Elizabeth's late husband on the nose, especially towards the end of the book. I was praying for Lucy's son, Niall to make the right choices, shed tears over Jo and Dan. I want to go and stay in Dan's rented house on the hill and take part in the Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club. Great book and I'm off to find the author's other stories.

When Elizabeth's husband dies she is now free to live the life she wants without her drunken , gambling husband. But he has left behind so much debt that Elizabeth might have to change her life more than she thought. With the help of her friend Jo and her daughter things start to look brighter and going swimming at night unites the women even more.
Such a lovely story of friendship and overcoming adversity. This is the first book Ihave read byFaith Hogan but I'm going to catch up with her other ones.

I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I loved this book - it was an easy read and I finished it in one day. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I can say I can't wait to read more. This book has everything the bad, the good and the day to day struggles we all face in life. I highly recommend reading this!

This was a joy to read from the moment I experienced the first swim to the end; it was pure escapism with moments of happiness and sadness. It was refreshing to read a novel based on older, well-developed characters finding their place and growing. Jo’s love of the sea and swimming drew me in, but Elizabeth’s journey as a widow kept me there. The dynamics and relationships were believable, and the cosy setting of Ballycove was just what I needed.
It is beautifully written, emotional, and I could easily see it adapted to the screen for an uplifting movie.

Set in the beautiful, coastal village of Ballycove, Ireland we meet some strong and resilient women who have

weathered much.

Recently widowed Elizabeth feels relief now that she is by herself.. Her husband Eric, the previous village GP ,

was a drunk and a gambler, an unpleasant man. Her best friend Jo is very ill Jo's daughter Lucy arrived to

take over the practice and her grandson Niall is in a permanent strop, Then Dan, an author comes to the

village for some peace and quiet. He wants to write in peace.

Together they manage to be positive about their situations in a most amazing way by forming The Ladies

Midnight Swimming Club.. By being naked in the freezing Atlantic Ocean,, life's difficulties

seem much smaller, solutions appear to be possible, and hope is just over the horizon. This is such a lovely tale

of how. life can be shaken around for the good to appear. It is warm,. uplifting and honest.

Thank you Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the chance to read the advanced copy of The Ladies' midnight swimming club by Faith Hogan. I absolutely loved this book! This book was exactly what I wanted to read for 2021! Three women, three different stages of life, united by one thing: the chance to start again.
When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, she turns to her friend Jo for help. Jo who has been hiding a secret of her own, calls her daughter Lucy in Dublin to help run the village surgery. Lucy, newly divorced, wants to leave the city, is determined to make the most of her fresh start.
In search of some solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice; to take a dip in the nip.
Faith Hogan is a new author for me, but I definitely will be reading more of her books! The characters of Elizabeth and Jo were written so well that you could feel their pain and grief, as well as their joy when they were out in the water. This book shares a lot of emotions, and maybe that is just what this world needs right now.

I loved this book , After visiting Ireland several times, I was particularly interested in the area where the novel takes place. Interesting characters are bought together in a small Irish town. I love the ritual of swimming at night, something that brings the town together for a common cause. Only disappointing part was that I figured out the connection between two of the main characters before the ending.

I loved this from the minute I saw its most intriguing- and brilliant- title, and once I'd read the first chapter was equally hooked. What a fabulous and emotional ride as the story of Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy unfolds. Ireland for me, unfortunately, has only ever been Dublin, but Faith's beautiful and descriptive writing is having me heading for the West Coast, once this damned lockdown allows!! Funnily enough, I was having a bit of a yen for some wild swimming - or at least would love the ability to swim in the sea every day - and now, having devoured every sentence, am totally envious of these three women's naked dips in the cold North Sea.

Faith writes beautifully, her words painting a picture as one reads: "... It was exhilarating, a baptism of biting cold that felt as if it might chew her up in no time. It rattled her nerve endings, sending an extravagant swell of emotion through her. It was initiation, a if she was being culled of her old staid life..." Just fabulous!!

And then there's Dan to add into the mix, secrets to reveal, emotional stories that will have you crying buckets...
A beautifully written, exceptionally well-told story that will pull on every heartstring and have you wanting more.
Five fabulous sparkling stars from me!

Julie Houston

A story about grief, hope and friendship set in a charming Irish village.
I really enjoyed this story and there were some interesting characters.
I read this book in one day as I didn’t want to put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author.
Full review to follow on blog tour.

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan is a book that grabs hold of your heartstrings from the start and does not let go. As you may guess from the title, this book features a swimming club of women who do this activity at midnight. What the title does not share is the sheer volume of love and the emotional journeys these three women encounter. The encouragement and connection is also not highlighted. All are crucial elements that occur because they share this activity.

We fall in love with down on her luck Elizabeth, a recent widow, who finds herself in deep.debt thanks to the gambling her doctor husband his from her. Jo and her daughter Lucy also are endearing as they fight their own battles of health and starting over in a new place.

Ultimately, this book will make you proud of the healing that occurs. Female friendships are crucial to our well being and Hogan creates an unlikely trio of friends. The quirky supporting characters are also fabulous and add greatly to this book.

I loved the descriptions of the geography of the western coast of Ireland but would have probably been reluctant to join in with the swimming in Ballycove! The last scene of the book will have you cheering and crying all at once. Happiness and sorrow are intertwined with grace.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Aria & Aries in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

A dip in the Irish Sea is all it takes to wash away their troubles! After reading this phenomenal book, I just want to dive in there next to Elizabeth, Lucy and Jo – hooting and hollering, starkers crazy!

Faith Hogan has written an emotional, uplifting story set in the sweeping Irish countryside and I have high hopes that The Midnight Ladies’ Swimming Club will be a contender for first place as the best book I read in 2021. This is one of those books that sneaks into your heart instantly and you just know that it will stay with you for a long time. When I wasn’t reading, it’s all I could think about, wishing I could get back to Ballycove sooner rather than later. Being born in Ireland, I’m very familiar with ‘Ballycove’; a hybrid of so many of the little places dotted along the north west Atlantic coast that I’ve visited over the years. It was like going home.

The cast of characters was stellar ~ I loved every one of them. Hogan has put so much thought into each one, making them realistic and appealing to readers. The three main ladies may not have made all the right decisions in life, but buoyed up by each other and a common desire for midnight swims, they find that the solution to their worries isn’t so far away. Hogan takes us on a journey with them as they transform their own lives and the lives of those they love. Despite being different ages, they are united by a chance to start again.

When Elizabeth’s husband, the local doctor, dies, leaving her 62,000 Euro in debt, she turns to her bestie, Jo for help. Jo enlists the help of her daughter, Lucy, also a doctor, to take over the practice. Lucy is glad for the fresh start; unfortunately, her teenage son isn’t so sure.

Just as these lost souls create a life they love, Jo’s world is turned upside down with shocking news. The nightly midnight dips in the freezing Irish Sea give them a chance to forget life for a while and laugh as they wash away their fears.

“Don’t you feel alive? I feel the same thing every day I come here. It anchors me in a place that’s mine within the vastness.”

With a year like we’ve all just experienced, isn’t this what we all need? Grab your swimsuits and meet me at the water’s edge at midnight. Come on, you know you want to!

Quite possibly one of the best books I’ve read in years, this emotional story about taking chances, finding new friends and living life to the fullest needs to be on your radar come May 6, 2021.

A heartfelt thank you to Faith Hogan, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for this five=star advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Reading Faith Hogan comes with a familiar reassurance. She writes incredibly insightfully, does family dynamics exceptionally well and is one of those writer's that you're only reminded of how brilliant they are when you pick up their latest book.

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club centres around three women: Jo, Elizabeth and Lucy. Elizabeth was the local Doctor's wife, who was cruel in life but even worse in death. She is left with a crumbling Doctor's surgery and crippling debt. Jo, her best friend, sees her own life unravelling before her eyes when she receives an awful diagnosis. Lucy, Jo's daughter, is burnt out from working in Dublin's hospital, recovering from a divorce and doing her best with their son. They each find solace in the shallows of Ballycove.

The warmth that I felt for these characters really crept up on me. Jo and Elizabeth, as we learn more about their friendship, have been each other's rock throughout their lives and are fiercely protective of each other. As Lucy joins the surgery as the new local GP, she also befriends Elizabeth, who is rebuilding her life after Eric leaves her with nothing. Their friendships, old and new, provide not only warmth and support but the solutions to each of their problems, and there is more than one new start for our characters.

Alongside three women, we also meet Dan, a writer who has been fired from his day job in London. He comes to Ballycove to find out more about his birth parents and to finally write his novel. He falls for the rolling hills and open shores, and one night happens upon Elizabeth and Jo taking a dip in the sea. They inspire his story, and thus their story becomes immortalised through his words.


The charity dip at the end of the book had me in tears. The strength, the friendships, and the finality of it all were so uplifting and beautiful, and the way it was written was truly breath-taking. I'm pretty sure my friends will hate me as I try to convince them to come open water swimming with me! It sounds like the most invigorating, freezing thing to do and I can't wait. Another thing you shouldn't wait for: reading this book!

Another fantastic Faith Hogan book. Great characters and story line that gets you hooked straight away. Emotional ending that had me sobbing into the pillow. Thanks Faith.

This was a well written book and I loved it! Loved reading about the place and all the wonderful characters whom make the story.

A feel-good, moving, emotion-filled story placed in a sea-side village in Western Ireland.

Three women, all very close but all in different phases of their lives. Jo, the spunky elderly woman and mother to Lucy, whose life is about to be turned upside down. Lucy, a doctor and a recently divorced single-mother, looking for a new lease on life adventures to her hometown before hoping to send much needed time with her son Niall. Elizabeth, with a recently deceased husband who provided a loveless marriage and mountains of debt on his passing, tries to find her way with help from Jo and Lucy. Throw in the new addition to the town, Dan, and you have quite the story that ends with making your heart swell and yours eyes water.
The characters in and their stories were relatable; we all know people who are like these people or maybe we see ourselves in them. Bits and pieces were a bit predictable, but that didn't take away from the greatness of the story. This is the first book I've read by Faith Hogan, but I am now very interested in reading more from her!

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
#succeedingatreading2021

Maeve Bunche or Amanda Prowse meets the Calendar Girls.

I loved this gentle tale of a small community in Ireland. When Elizabeth’s GP husband dies she is horrified to discover that he ran up thousands of pounds of gambling debts, leaving her virtually penniless. Needing to find a way to keep the practice running in order to generate income, she turns to the daughter of her best friend Jo. Lucy is working unhappily in a hospital in Dublin but agrees to act as locum for a couple of weeks to tide Elizabeth over.

Gradually, secrets are revealed and although it was fairly easy to guess the connections between characters, the way they were revealed was done in such a lovely way. I admit to shedding a few tears at the beautiful writing.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I will definitely be reading more. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An emotive read which captures the heart. The characters depicted are wonderful, plus the trials and tribulations they face are . Faith Hogan's descriptions of Ballycove so real hat the reader is immediately transported to a beautiful coastal village on the west coast of Ireland. True empathy depicted between friends and the wider community that I was left wanting to read more.. A truly uplifting and heartwarming book to immerse oneself in..

With thanks to faith hogan netgalley for a truly outstandingly humbling book. I wept buckets at certain times , the care and love shared between Elizabeth lucy and her mum jo was heartwarming ♥ Dan who had come to ballycove to write a book witnessed something very special i really can't praise this book enough and highly recommend it.

I didn't want this book to end! A true celebration of life, and whatever it brings us: the good, the bad and the ordinary. Because that's how lives are lived. Strong characters, a beautiful setting on the Irish coast, and ultimately, uplifting and inspirational.

Thank you NetGalley for this incredible book, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan. I loved everything about this book. It was a bittersweet story with lovable characters. The setting was described in such vivid details that you could envision it as if you were there. The writing style was also so enjoyable. I knew I was hooked as soon as I started it. This is a "must read" and I will be recommending it to everyone.

Book Clubs: Ply your members with THE LADIES’ MIDNIGHT SWIMMING CLUB, cold Guinness, hot Shepherd’s pie, crusty soda bread, and melt-in-your-mouth Baileys truffles as you gab about grief, friendship and the healing power of the Irish Sea. Sure and begorra, you’ll have a grand time!

4 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 06 May 2021
#MidnightSwimmingClub #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

I loved the title of this book and cover, and had never read Faith Hogan's work before. I love its focus on friendship and the healing power of the natural world. Night swimming is intriguing to me, and sounds too daring to be something I would try, but the book descriptions make it very appealing. Highly recommended for those who enjoy atmospheric writing, stories of female friendships, and the joy of the ocean. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A wonderful, emotional journey of three friends as they form a bond of love and hope when life is not all that.
I absolutely adored this story and will remember it for a long time to come!

I encourage everyone who wishes to "feel good, to engage in this novel.
I assure you it will be an unforgettable book!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Aria & Aries publishing for this amazing ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

An emotional but hopeful read.
They strength of these female characters coming together & helping each other along was a joy to read.

A Delightfully Intimate and Deeply Moving Story of Friendship

SUMMARY
Elizabeth O’Shea’s husband had just died, leaving her on the brink of bankruptcy and saddled with a sad and outdated medical practice. She lives on top of a stone cliff in a small Irish village on the western seaboard.

Elizabeth’s best friend, Jo, lives just down the hill. Jo wants to do what she can to help Elizabeth in her time of need, so she calls her daughter Lucy, an emergency room doctor in Dublin. She hopes Lucy will be willing to take over the medical practice and move back to Ballycove.
Lucy is still reeling from a divorce, but she and her son Niall pack up the car for a visit with her mom. After talking with Elizabeth, she feels compelled to give the practice a trial run for a few weeks. It doesn’t take long for her to figure out that a move back to her rural seaside hometown town might be just the thing for her.

These three women, Elizabeth, Jo, and Lucy, are thrown together by circumstance and become fast friends. But Jo's world soon turns upside down, and Elizabeth, Lucy, and Niall rally around her. For peace and relaxation, Jo has been swimming in the frigid Atlantic water in the dark of night for years. It is hard for her friends to understand. But after Elizabeth's husband’s death, Elizabeth, on the spur of the moment, decides to join Jo on a midnight swim and soon realizes how refreshing it is,

In search of solace, Jo and Elizabeth enjoy midnight dips in the freezing sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. The idea takes root with others, and soon, the entire community is involved.

REVIEW
THE LADIES MIDNIGHT SWIMMING CLUB is an inspiring tale of friendship, fortitude, and resilience. The setting is delightfully picturesque, with the golden sand beaches of Ireland’s west Atlantic coast, where a midnight dip in the frigid waters creates a bond and heals more than one troubled soul.

Author Faith Hogan writes a delightfully intimate and deeply moving women’s story of new beginnings and friendships. Her writing is insightful and emotional, and the vibrant characters drive the story. It’s a dramatic story you don’t want to come to an end.

This is a great pick for a bookclub! Thanks to Adela Mitchell for bringing this book to the attention of our book club. Cant wait to talk about it.

Publisher Aria
Published September 30, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Such a lovely story, told from the viewpoints of several of the main characters. Elizabeth is trying to pull her life back together after her husband dies, leaving her with his gambling debts, an old, large, expensive house, and a failing medial practice. Jo, living alone in her charming cottage, cares for the entire community. Her daughter, Lucy, a doctor, newly divorced and needing a change, comes to stay with mom Jo. Lucy's son, Niall, bitter about the divorce, wants to go live with Dad in Australia. Jo swims every night at midnight in the Irish Sea and she convinces Elizabeth and Lucy to swim with her - in the altogether. Dan, newly arrived from London, is trying to write a novel. He is an adoptee, raising in a loving home, but with so many unanswered questions as to who his mother was, and why he might have been given up for adoption.

All these characters come together in interesting, heartfelt ways. Each chapter is told by one of these individuals and the story gradually weaves itself together. We are filled with a lovely sense of community and caring. Descriptions of the small Irish village are great.

First time reading Faith Hogan and won’t be my last. The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is an emotional story about finding new friends and living life to the full. It is warm and heartfelt. I really enjoyed this beautifully written story and loved the three main characters who form a special bond together. The descriptions of the village and sea are so well written, you can place yourself there.
It’s a quick easy feel good read. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend.
Thanks to #NetGallery #Aria #FaithHogan for an arc of #TheLadiesMidnightSwimmingClub in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth's husband recently died leaving behind shocking amounts of debt, she confides in her friend Jo who then calls her daughter Lucy, (who is recently divorced) to help run the dr surgery. The three women start taking midnight swims as an escape from daily life.


I was hooked from the get go, how initially 2 women come together at night to find escspe from daily life, it made me want to go midnight swimming and I don't particularly like swimming or the sea!

After her husband's death Elizabeth discovers quite a few shocking secrets and just how much under his shadow she lived.
Jo has not been facing the truth, ignoring something rightvin front of her, and then the truth is devastatingly faced.
Lucy comes for a short break but lands up by staying longer due to a few circumstances in the book.
Niall, a typical 15 year old boy is angry at his mom for bringing him to a back of the woods town where he doesn't fit in.. or does he?
Dan, a writer in search for answers comes to the small Irish coastal town and discovers much more than he ever could have hoped for.

Told in multiple viewpoints the stunningly interwoven stories hit you in the feels!

This was everything I hoped for and for the last 10% or so I could hardly see through tears.
Ladies midnight swimming club is a beautifully written heart-wrenching, memorable book about love, friendships and regaining oneself. I won't be forgetting this one.

Thank you netgalley and aria and airies for the arc copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.