The Guest House by the Sea

I would so love to visit and have some rest at The Guest House!
The cottage has been around for ages and it seems to give its visitors a renewed sense of direction and hope!
Each person in this novel has different challenges, including Esme the elderly lady who is in charge of this magical place. However, nothing stops Esme from listening and helping her guests to find their goals, no matter how hard they might be.
While reading, I could visualize the beautiful house and sea in the backyard!
It is definitely a beautiful read that many will enjoy as well!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Aria &Aries for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

This book wraps you up in love and hope. It is funny and wise, leaving you uplifted and warm.
A charming story with lovely people. I enjoyed it very much.

I loved the cover of this book. I just wanted to sit in that window and look out over the sea. I wanted to do that even more when I began reading the book. Faith Hogan has conjured up such a lovely little community who all find themselves, one way or another, at Esme's guest house in the delightful town of Ballycove. (I actually googled that to see if it was a real place you could go to. Sadly it isn't.)
This story was charming. Easy to read but not twee. I liked the way the characters' stories were interwoven and I'll be seeking out other books by this author - in fact, I've already bought one!

I absolutely loved this book. All the people coming in and out of the guest house sharing their lives with each other and becoming unexpected friends.
Everyone coming to the guest house to try and take a break from what’s going on (good &bad) )in their lives. Some needing time away from their real life to find answers, figure our for themselves what to do and others just wanting to spend time with family while Esme is at the center of everything while recuperating.She listens, gives advise and offers them a welcoming place to stay. In the end everyone became a family of friends.

Esme is the charming owner of this gorgeous guesthouse overlooking the wild Atlantic sea. Getting elderly now but refusing to give in even though she's now forced to sit in a chair with her leg up, having broken her ankle, she still manages to be the beating heart of the hotel. Though almost blind now,she manages to greet every guest and quickly discovers their secrets and worries. She dispenses wisdom and advice through her many stories and also with the aid of her guest book: at the top of each page is a handwritten quotation and when she invites het guests yo open a page at random, it invariably proves to be pertinent to their lives and problems.
This book is a wealth of Irish charm, warmth, humour and love.

Another lovely story set in the Irish village of Ballycove, this time in elderly Esme's guesthouse with her various guests and their stories.

Esme has lived in the guesthouse most of her life, and took over when her mother died. She has seen various comings and goings over the years, especially with guests who regularly return, but she is struggling with the upkeep of the house now, and is practically blind, but it isn't until a fall lays her up for a while that things start to change.

This summer various guests stay - 50-something Cora who needs a break from her marriage, feeling her life is slipping away and her husband takes no notice of her. Phyllis (also a long-time friend of Esme) who visits with her husband, son and grandson. Her husband has health issues that she's trying to cover up, but the situation comes to a head and she has to face up to certain changes. And finally Niamh who is nearly 40 and has a big life-changing decision to make.

There are also some great side-characters, the best of which is Marta, Esme's right hand woman who really runs the guesthouse and has lived with Esme for years after leaving an abusive relationship. There is no way Esme could cope without no-nonsense Marta who is more of a friend than an employee.

All of this is set in a pretty Irish village on the coast, mostly during the summer. There are a few dramas along the way, and lots of advice from Esme for various guest facing problems, but it's all sorted out in the end. A really lovely read.

Having read all this amazing authors books was a sheer delight to read this new book, I was totally captivated from the beginning. The amazing and majestic setting along with outstandingly fabulous and mysterious guests who were going to be frequenting Willow House. The interactions between Esme and her guests was so warm and enchanting I just totally loved everything about this beautiful and magical book.

This book was a sheer delight. A lovely story with engaging characters. Another beautiful story from Faith Hogan. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book

This is a story of life, love, living, second chances, and even death. This is a story that can be from any of our lives and that is what makes it interesting and special.

I love the Irish setting and Esme made me laugh and cry. The characters in this book are people you can relate to and it is such a real story and this I found wonderful. It is a very visual read and one I could play out in my head and I love that about a good book.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria &Aries for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

I loved this delightful story set in that magical place that is Ballycove. It's been great to be back there!
Faith Hogan is proving once again what an amazing storyteller she is. We have a great set of characters with very relatable stories, unfolding in a breathtaking background.
I was captivated from the very beginning and enjoyed every page. It's uplifting, funny at times and overall heart-warming. Definitely recommended.
Thank you to Aria Fiction, Head of Zeus, the author and NetGalley for providing an early copy.

A fantastic read. I really enjoyed this book great writing again by Faith Hogan the characters were interesting and the story was really good. Esme family have owned the guest house in Ballycove for generations but now she is much older things are getting harder for her and after an accident leaves her immobile she spends more time chatting with the new guests that arrive at the beginning of the new season. As we follow the three families they are all struggling with their own problems but their time at Ballycove makes them assess their lives and hopefully bring them some comfort and happiness which they all deserve and Esmie also looks back on her own life and shares her wisdom. I really enjoyed this story

I loved it, loved it, loved it. This was a tremendously good read from beginning to end. I loved Esme. despite her limitations, losing her eyesight, she was a wonderful person. I would loved to have spent a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea just chatting to her. What an astute lady she was focusing on what she could do and not getting upset by the things she could no longer do, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about all the characters especially cora, Niamh and phyllie. It was a very moving read and left the reader with lots of food for thought. Brilliant.

'The house of second chances'
..

Everyone needs a dose of feelgood, hug-in-a-book reading, every once in a while. Yes! there are inevitably a few tears shed along the way and not every ending has roses around the door, but if you are feeling the need of a comforting shoulder to lean on, and a wise word whispered in your ear, then Esme is just the confidante you need, and this is definitely the story for you...

Be aware however, that there are trigger points for any particularly emotionally vulnerable readers, although personally I didn't find them too troubling, as they are all part of the rich tapestry of life as we know it today.

...

The Willows Guest House has been run by Esme Goldthorpe for more decades than she cares to remember, although the place is more than just a business to her, it is also her home and her very lifeblood, having been in her family for almost two hundred years and been run by the women of generations before her. Esme knows that the place isn't perfect - far from it - as its age is beginning to give it away and a gentle dilapidation is gathering pace with the passing seasons. However, its location right on the western coast of Ireland, with the stunning views of the ocean it commands, more than makes up for any cracks which might be showing. Esme is determinedly holding out against the local Fenlon family, who are buying up all such similar properties with a view to building a large luxury hotel complex and are becoming increasingly ruthless in their methods to try and get Esme to sign on the dotted line. With the amount of money the Willows needs spending on it and faced with Esme's advancing years and failing health, the outcome might seem inevitable, especially as this promises to be one of the most challenging seasons ever. However, Esme has underestimated the esteem she is held in, both by her guests and the redoubtable and fiercely loyal Marta, who has been with her for so many years now, that the two are more like mother and daughter.

This year, so many of her guests are amongst her most long-standing patrons, making the trip this time for a whole raft of different reasons and when they have collectively and individually met and been reunited with Esme, they decide that she should on no account be bullied into taking any action about the future of the Willows, which she doesn't want to happen. As the storyline unfolds we learn of the many reasons which have brought them together, as if by fate, at this place, at this time, and their shared experiences are the bedrock of this wonderful book. Esme herself, despite her own physical and emotional limitations, through her wisdom and ability to listen intently to each person, hearing what is left unsaid as much as the words which are spoken, holds the key to many of the answers they seek, although they must work things out for themselves from Esme's guarded observations, as the way forward must be the choices and decisions of their own making.

As a mark of their individual and collective respect for their wonderful hostess, her guests pool their many talents, in their determination to make The Willows a place which will be there for many years to come and a haven where they know they will always be welcome.

...

This richly crafted, multi-layered, cross generational story, transcends the elucidation of everyday domestic intrigue and interest, which it might at first appear to be. There is so much more depth, heart and even moments of unashamed humour, to be garnered from author Faith Hogan's wonderfully textured, evocative, poignant and emotional narrative and dialogue, which wrapped itself around me like a comfort blanket.

Esme, whilst coming to terms with her own frailty of age and health, and no longer with her beloved Colm by her side, still holds deeply locked within her heart the long held secrets which saw her return to her roots all those years ago, never to leave again, a trauma which she has hitherto only shared with one other special person in her life. This makes her even more determined that her home should continue to be a safe place of sanctuary, comfort and healing for those who cross its threshold, whatever their reason for visiting.

Faith unashamedly, yet sympathetically, raises for discussion some of those often complex and difficult to deal with issues, which surround us in our daily lives and can result in such traumatising long-term outcomes for both the sufferers and their loved ones. Dementia, rape, abortion, miscarriage, physical and mental abuse, lone parenting and the fading blooms of a lacklustre marriage. You may think that this list is sad and depressing enough to make you not want to even open that first page; but believe me, Faith made it so easy to step into Esme's world, seeing things through her eyes, as she attempts to help her guests maybe think about things which they consider to be insurmountable problems, from an altogether different perspective, which may help them unravel their often confused thought patterns. At the same time, her guests, in some cases almost against their will, are beguiled by their unassuming hostess, her homely and understated guest house and the calming forces of the ambient coastal surroundings.

Whilst the wider location and the way in which it helps Esme's guests connect with their innermost thoughts, adds texture and depth to the storyline, this is definitely all about the house itself and the wonderfully well drawn and developed, authentic characters who pass through its doors each and every season. Their hopes, dreams, pain, moments of happiness and joy, are all emotions which surround them like a cloak when they are free to be themselves and don't have to put on a brave face to cope with the added pressures of everyday life. Maybe, not having walked in all of their shoes, I couldn't connect with everyone and their unique problems equally. However, their individual vulnerability and that feeling that they were searching for a sense of belonging, was so definitely prevalent when they first arrived at the Willows, but after Esme had worked her magic and they had begun to open up and connect with one another, they seemed to grow in stature, more able to make decisions about their futures and with the confidence to follow through with actions.

Ballycove is a fictional location which has been melded with some real locations, although with the aid of my trusty Google maps, it was quite easy to pinpoint where this small town might be situated. However, this book was never about the places themselves, which are background window dressing for the immediate area around the Willows, the house itself and, more importantly, the people within its four walls. Faith has made full use of of the palette available to her, to paint a picture full of vibrancy and colour, which offered a real sense of time and place that I could almost step into. Taking in the sights, sounds and smells which lift this small coastal corner of the west of Ireland off the pages, for a truly transportive and immersive experience.

What typically makes reading such a wonderful experience for me, is that with each and every book, I am taken on a unique and individual journey, by some amazing authors who fire my imagination, stimulate my senses and stir my emotions, and this storyline over delivered on just about every front, so thanks for some lovely moments and images to treasure, Faith.

This is a story about a lovely vacation resort where people come to rest, relax and reset. Cora is in a loveless marriage, Neve has been sleeping with a married man who doesn't really care for her and Phyllis is coming to the reality that her husband Kurt is sinking into dementia. The owner of Ballycove, Esme is blind, but while recovering from a fall, listens to her visitors and reads quotes written each day in the guest book. This story is full of warmth, characters you will come to love, and a feeling of hope that things will work out.

I love the cover. It makes me want to own a physical copy of this book. The story only reinforces that desire. I felt sorry for Esme owing to her health woes, but the situation makes her an interesting observer through whom we get to experience the lives of others. All the characters in this book are dealing with something, and that gets revealed as the story progresses. Read this book to cultivate empathy and to enjoy how Esme guides them to find their way back to the joy in life.

Saying this was a really nice book sounds as though I am damning it with faint praise, but that isn’t my intention at all. It’s a well put together story about some of the guests who visit a small hotel on the western coast of Ireland, each of whom have a problem to solve. There’s Niamh, who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, Cora, who walks on her boring husband, and Phyllis whose husband is facing dementia.
At the centre of the story is Esme, who is in her eighties has owned the guest house since her mother died, having moved there sixty years before to recover from heartbreak of her own. But now she is blind and incapacitated by a broken leg she still finds a use for herself by chatting to the visitors and letting them discover the useful quotes in her guest book.
I wanted to love this book but felt I couldn’t quite connect with the viewpoint characters enough for that to be the case.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely love Faith Hogan's books. They're always so heartwarming, and have the most beautiful messages inside. I loved this book so much.
How we see different characters and their reason for going to Ballycove to Esme's guest house. They each seek healing. I love how Esme the old woman who owns the guest house sits with each guest and offers words of wisdom.
There's such a beautiful sense of community and kindness at the guest house. How they all help each other.
I personally would love to go to the guest house and sit with Esme for a chat and a cup of tea ☺️✨
I just adored this book, it was such a cute, cosy, book fill of wisdom and friendship.
Faith Hogan does it again!! Highly recommend this book 🙌

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this lovely book.
This is such an enjoyable read and I was totally absorbed in all the lovely heart warming characters. Ballycove is the perfect setting and I could just picture staying at this guest house by the sea and having a good heart to heart with Esme.
I have enjoyed all Faiths books that I have read so far, such an amazing author. 5 star read for me

Faith Hogan does it again! I have now read all of her published titles and enjoyed each one and The Guest House by the Sea is no exception.

I loved Esme with her vulnerabilities and wise words for all of her guests. I admired Cora, was rooting for Niamh and Rob, empathised with Phyllis and Kurt and was suspicious of Tanya and Paschal. I cared about them all and even worried about how much Marta was doing. Really think Joel Lawson needs his own story please!

Faith Hogan has a way of writing that flows and carries you along as you get closer to the many characters and care about them as their stories unfold. By the time the book is finished, you wonder how you will get by without regular updates on their progress through life. Real issues and problems tackled in a gentle way. Bravo!

Tucked between the pages of this feel-good fiction, is a little warning about the need to tackle the ageism that has pervaded modern society. The Willows Guest House in the Irish village of Ballycove has been operated for almost 200 years by the family of Esme Goldthorpe. Guests are treated like family and problems are solved over a cup of tea and a listening ear. Esme is a true custodian of wisdom and I loved how her age and experience contributed to the success of the guest house.

In addition to ageism, another spotlight that got my hackles up was the greedy developers that tended to see dollar signs and opportunities rather than human beings and history. Hogan shows that age doesn’t need to be a factor in guaranteeing a win against gentrification.

I can always count on this author to provide an entertaining read, yet leave me with a thought-provoking concept or two. Hogan’s focus on vulnerability, connectedness, and the benefits of sharing a burden will stay with me for quite some time.

I was gifted this copy by Aria & Aries and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Loved this book, a cosy summer read which I didn't want to put down. The Guest Hous3 by the sea is the kind of place I'd like to go to escape real life for a few days.

Esme has run The Willows guest house for as long as anyone in Ballycove can remember, but as her eye sight fails and she has a fall just before the start of the summer season she is forced to sit back for the first time in her life and let her friend Marta take charge.

From her chair in the entry hall, not much passes Esme by and she shares her pearls of wisdom with the guests who are staying for many different reasons. There's Cora, the wife visiting indefinitely... without her husband; Niamh, the city professional with a life-changing decision to make; and Phyllie, the grandmother whose family is slipping away from her.

Esme's guests provide the colour that helps her keep her grip on the world. All of them have something they want to escape – or to hold on to. But Esme can help them find their way before the summer is over?
Although Ballycove is a fictional coastal village in Ireland, this story took me right back to my childhood holidays in Ireland with my family and it was wonderful. In my head I could imagine the beach and spent a lot of the time comparing the scenery to Bantry where my family are from!!

The book touches on many areas including unwanted pregnancy, a possibly failed marriage, and the heart-breaking dementia storyline – but all the tales are all beautifully woven together with golden thread.

An absolutely wonderful book.

A lovely book by Faith Hogan which makes you want to go and stay in this guest house. Great setting, warm characters and a pleasurable escapist read. Would recommend.

A very enjoyable read that involves you in the lives of a skillfully interwoven group of characters. Although you feel from the outset that the author has happy endings in mind you are swept along with how she resolves all their problems.

The Guest House by the Sea by Irish author Faith Hogan is a lovely book about change. Focusing on several guests facing personal challenges as well as the innkeeper readers will be uplifted as attitude changes bring renewed focus on living life to the fullest. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

Really enjoyed this one. Esme has a guest house on the west side of Ireland, and although she getting quite elderly and injured herself, plus going blind, she still has a lot of life left in her. Listening to her guests, and offering words of wisdom, the book goes along well. There are several story-lines, and they overlap and connect at times too, which is good. Cora and her distant husband Michael, Phyllis and her husband Kurt who is slowly spiraling with dementia, and Niamh, who is pregnant with her married boyfriend's baby. Phyllis' son Rob and grandson Josh are also there, and of course Marta, Esme's friend and helper at the guest house. Almost felt like a small community, and a good balance of each story line. Would highly recommend.

Loved this book, great variety of characters who met and the guesthouse and subsequently their lives became entwined. Have read other books by this author and this was another excellent book

This is not my usual genre of preferred reading, but I found this book a delightful read.
Esme has run her guest house for years, but due to an accident just before the season begins, she is forced to take things easy and a back seat, literally.
From her chair in the hallway, even though her sight is not as good as it once was, Esme misses very little. Her guests arrive, a married woman without her husband, a young professional woman who has a major decision to make, and a grandmother who feels her family is slipping away from her in various ways.
As Esme chats to her guests, not only does it give her an interest in life again, she gets to know them and their various problems, and hopes she can help in some way before the season ends.
A love story in part, a story of strong friendships, and strong women, I enjoyed this book very much.

This is a beautiful read. It is gentle and full of the sea air and a faded guesthouse that is a balm for those that come to stay. Each visitor sucks you in to their take and their pain and their needs and the book weaves them together so well making me care so much for how each come out the other end of the summer season when the wind turns colder. A feel good read that made my day.

This is one of those stories where your faith in humanity can be restored. Where one
feels there is still innate goodness in all of us- even the slightly cynical hardened
beings found in modern society.

We have the guest house in idyllic surroundings in summer (closed during winter not so
idyllic) then the old owner presently incapacitated, thefaithful retainer more family
than anyone else and then the habitual returnees to the guest house. This time around
for most of them its a bolt hole from the pressures or problems of life. They want think
through solutions in a quiet place.

The haven is quite busy though and everyone finds something to occupy them, apart from
their own issues. The influence that one has on another helps one to see things clearly
and all of them are much more clear headed than when they started.

A lovely read.

What an uplifting beautiful story! It quietly wrapped around my heart and tugged on my emotions through its kind and caring atmosphere and messages. I could not help but fall in love with the Irish setting and characters. After reading The Guest House By The Sea, even I wanted to run off and stay in the charming Ballycove accommodation to experience the breathtaking natural beauty, soak up the warm community spirit and enjoy the friendships that abound! This haven is more than just fresh air and Atlantic sea views. It is a place where broken souls can go in need of contemplation, healing, direction and support. It offers a chance to start again.

Esme, the hostess, provides sincere insight for the guests who casually seek her advice. They may not know what they need but after a chat with her, things fall into place and questions get answered. These gentle nudges are more about giving her guests courage to follow their hearts, and to do what is right for themselves—rather than making decisions to please others. Esme’s advice always seems correct and her words flow naturally from one incident to another: through the stories she shares-- based often on her own experience or that of others she has known. Age and experience are wonderfully drawn upon to offer uplifting solutions. I loved the random opening of the guestbook to a page that offers a phrase for the day. Each line always seems appropriate. Is it coincidence or spiritual revelation? Maybe both but there is an interesting story of how these sayings came to be.

The Guest House by The Sea is not only told by Esme the hostess but also through Cora, the wife who has lost passion in her marriage. She arrives after a quarrel with her husband who is stunned by her announced grievances. Cora needs space so goes to the guest house to think about what to do next. Then there is Niamh, the city professional in a forbidden relationship that is disrupted by an unexpected discovery. She retreats to make a tough decision—one that will radically alter her life. Then there is Phyllie, the best friend of Esme. Her husband has received a bad mental health report. She returns to a place of happiness to make more lasting memories before too much slips away.

I was completely engrossed in the happenings of these characters. To see each one grow and find their feet and fulfill their dreams was satisfying. There is true depth and meaning in this story. Friendship, love, self-worth and self- achievement are just a few enriching themes that develop. The advice freely given by Esme is available to all who stay at Willow’s Guest House. She is like a wisdom wizard with the ability to see what others cannot. She reminds us all of the rewards of sharing burdens, the need to be honest with others and ourselves, and the belief that things that are meant to be will work out and people will return to where they belong. These clever truths are all clearly visible on the pages and between the characters who were once strangers until they came together through grief, confusion and loss to find joy, clarity and life. The gift of connectedness came through having the courage to be vulnerable at the right moment with the right people.

Faith Hogan paints a vivid and heart-warming picture in The Guest House by The Sea, that releasing burdens is easy if you have good friends to share with. And that sometimes a little escape to a haven can put things into perspective. And like these guests, let the worries roll away on the waves of the shore under a bright luna sky. Free to live again. 5 Healing Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to publisher Aria and Netgalley for my review copy.

Such a charming story set in a beautiful, Irish coastal town. We've all stayed in Guest houses and hotels but have probably never given a thought to our fellow guests, why are they here? what's their story? Faith manages to tell this through Esme, the wonderful owner of this most lovely guest house
.

A rare 5 star review for me - I just loved this book. A gentle heartwarming read - to be recommended.

Esme runs The Willows Guest house in Ballycove but with her eyesight failing and after a fall, she is forced to take a back seat for the first time. This allows her to have an impact on the guests who join her and Marta over the summer season - all of whom need time out to deal with their personal dilemmas - all helped by the beauty of the location and the wise advice dispensed by Esme.

The author’s focus on connectedness, vulnerability and the benefits of sharing a burden will stay with me.

Just delightful.

A very sweet book about the guests at a bed-and-breakfast by the sea in Ireland.

The book takes place over one summer season, and everyone there is grappling with decisions to be made as they deal with various big life events – children, marriage, retirement, dementia, etc.

The owner, Esme, has been running the place for decades and has suddenly been sidelined by a broken ankle and, while chair bound that summer, is forced to grapple with old age, but still able to give out lots of helpful advise to everyone coming and going. A charming slice-of-life story about everyday people that you want to root for.

Esme is an elderly woman who owns a guest house in Ireland alongside Marta who helps Esme as she’s losing her sight. A new season is upon them as a bunch of new guests arrive. Watch the guests find themselves and interact with each other and Esme. Great book. Lovely characters. Thanks to Faith and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

Another beautiful heart warming read set in Ballycove by Faith Hogan.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Lovely book about 3 visitors to a guest house in Ballycove and about their stories and what happens to them

I enjoyed Faith's previous book and this was also delightful. It was a lovely read and showed the kindness of people and how problems can be solved with thought, work and time.

Definitely a good holiday read

This is a lovely read, with a nice storyline. I enjoyed the premise of everyone coming together with their individual needs to escape and coming together to help each other. The writing is good and brought the Guest House and its occupants to life for me.

This book is full of great characters, of all ages and all with their own difficulties in life. I thought they were well written and enjoyed the way that the Guest Hout and Esme gave them a way forward. I loved Esme and her determination despite her age and a broken leg. It was a pleasure to read a book with characters spanning the age range too.

At times I felt the story dragged a little but this didn't reduce my enjoyment of the book. I think this is a good read and would recommend it.

What a wonderful book.
Esme owns The Willows, a guest house by the sea in Ireland. One summer a number of people visit, some to find themselves, some to find purpose, some to find clarity, some to create memories. Esme is a good listener, she has to be this summer!
Heart warming, gentle, yet also heart wrenching. Happy and sad. But a thoroughly engaging read. I loved it.

I’ve read a few books now by this author set in Ballycove and this latest story did not disappoint. A range if well written characters, all with their own stories but underneath it a tale of string women, friendship and love. A warm, comforting read in a beautiful setting.

This was an excellent story,very emotional. It was set in Ireland with a number of different storylines, all very believable. I would recommend this.

Esme has run her guest house for years, with increasing support from her faithful friend Marta. Now illness and poor sight has reduced Esme to sitting quietly chatting to guests and gently helping them sort out their lives. From deciding whether to keep an unplanned baby to starting a new relationship or ending a faltering marriage, she listens to everyone's problems. A lovely book, perfect for a holiday read.

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

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book.

The Willows Guest house in Ballycove is run by Esme.

But, her eyesight isn’t that good, which causes her to have an accident. So now, she’s got to rest and accept help.

Whilst she rests, she gets to know the guests that are staying for the summer. Each one have their own issues that they are dealing with.

Esme tries to help them if she can and hopes that the place and area will also help them to reach the right decisions.

I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. Written in a way that you feel submerged in the beautiful place it is based.
As strangers travel to Ballycove, be it for a much needed holiday or an escape from their real life, they don’t bank on the invaluable wise words of guest house owner Esme. After suffering a serious injury and facing her own list of trouble, the sweet older lady helps change the lives of all of the people who visit her guest house.
I love how all these strangers are brought together and help each other to move on with their life’s once they go home.
I lovely story to get lost in for a while.
I would definitely read stories from this author again.

Esme's has been the owner of the Guest House by the Sea for a long time. She is losing her eyesight, and worried about who will take over ownership of the guest house. Esme takes a fall and while she is in the hospital, guest start arriving.
The guest are each taking a break from the life they have been living. They each form a friendship, and help Esme. While there, they seem to rejuvenate their soul, see things differently, and maybe have a second chance at a life that makes them happy.
We see who they were when they came to the guest house, who they were becoming while there, and how life is after they leave. Sometimes you just have to take a little vacation by yourself, you realize the things you were missing, while thinking things wasn't as you thought they should be. Esme knows that the guest house by the sea will live on long after she is gone.
I received an ARC from Aria through NetGalley.

May I book at the Guest House ? i think it would be the right place to rest and relax.
A sweet and compelling story that made me smile and travel to lovely places.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I totally loved this book, it was interesting, varied and had lots of everyday situations in. I loved how the characters engaged with each other, just like real life. I couldn’t put it down, just had to get to the end and see what happens. There were lots of heart-warming and heart-breaking life stories going on, but it was wonderful how they entwined with each other, but there was a lot of love in this book, and it really shone through. Very moving and a thoroughly good read.

The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan is a comforting book to read, with stories of the guests who stay at the guest house in Ballycove. Esme has run the guest house as long as people can remember but can she continue in her declining years with her sight failing and a fall which has meant a broken leg at the start of the season.
You meet the guests who all have their own stories to tell and questions that need resolving.
The book is a joy to read and as always Faith Hogan has another excellent book to offer her readers.
Highly recommended

Esme has run the guest house for as long as anyone in Ballycove can remember. But in her declining years, her sight is failing, and when she has a fall on the eve of the summer season, she is forced to take a back seat for the first time in her life.

From her chair in the entry hall, not much passes Esme by. There's Cora, the wife visiting indefinitely... without her husband; Niamh, the city professional with a life-changing decision to make; and Phyllie, the grandmother whose family is slipping away from her.

Esme's guests provide the colour that helps her keep her grip on the world. All of them have something they want to escape – or to hold on to. But can Esme help them find their way before the summer is over?

I adored this lovely gentle read which captivated me right from the very start. The characters were all wonderfully described and Esme was an absolute treasure. Each guest at the guest house were dealing with some problem or another in their lives. A lovely story with a very satisfactory ending.

A fantastic read which I really enjoyed. Esme owns Willow House, a guest house by the sea in Ballycove and though elderly and blind, she is a major part of the holiday experience. Marta, Esme’s right hand woman really runs the guest house now as well as being more of a friend to Esme than an employee. This book encompasses the stories of the guests who visit the guesthouse over a summer.
A beautifully written book, with engaging characters and a great storyline
I enjoyed every minute
Thank you to Netgalley, Aria and Aries and Faith Hogan for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

What can I say about this book besides it’s pleasant, comfortable and pure escapism. It filled my head with ideas of visiting a quaint b & b and making memories and sorting out my thoughts. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a happy ever after story.

It's always exciting to discover a new author. Faith Hogan is new to me and I loved this novel. Brilliant characters, especially the wise old Esme. And a wonderful, almost magical setting in Ireland.

Highly recommended

Esme is getting older but her guesthouse continues.
Her oldest friend Phyllis is worrying
Niamh has a massive decision to make
Cora has had enough

They all meet at The Willows and the gentle environment and advise help move them to places they should be.

I am a Maeve Binchy fan and this had echoes of her quiet, strong writing where nothing happens but attitudes take a seismic shift

The cover of this book enticed me to read it. I have always longed to run a guest house and live by the sea. This is a charming story about Esme, her guest house and all the characters in her little community and who stay in her guest house. A great story, devoured it in an afternoon

This was a lovely easy read. The Willows, the Irish guesthouse by the sea, run by Esme for 60 years. The night before the season opens, Esme has a bad fall and breaks her ankle. Fortunately her friend Marta is there to keep the place going and look after Esme. A stubborn independent 82 year old, Esme doesn't take kindly to being sat with her foot up in the hallway greeting guests. But these guests become friends, new and old. All with their own stories and reasons for escaping to the idyll that is Ballycove. Esme shares the wisdom of her years and all help each other. A beautiful story. #netgalley #theguesthousebythesea

EXCERPT: She remembered so clearly, years earlier, walking up the steep drive with weary legs after a day spent careening in and out of the waves and building sandcastles on the beach.
This evening, the sinking copper sun made the tall Victorian house blush as if it were a great old schoolgirl, still easily swayed by the gentle flattery of the elements around it. It was an assemblage of assorted windows pointing out at odd angles with the blue bangor slates falling like a heavy poncho down through several ravines and more windows jutting from the roof. At the very top, a line of soaring chimneypots rose to attention, like old generals, unwilling to stand down regardless of their futility in a time when the whole country wanted nothing less than carbon-neutral this and eco-friendly that. The window glass caught glints of light from the waves beneath spiking occasional flashes of gold and silver that meant the house was forever catching your eye, even though the view beneath was breathtaking.

ABOUT 'THE GUEST HOUSE': People come to the guest house for fresh air and views across the Atlantic. But if they're lucky, they might just leave with the second chance they didn't know they needed...

Esme has run the guest house for as long as anyone in Ballycove can remember. But in her declining years, her sight is failing, and when she has a fall on the eve of the summer season, she is forced to take a back seat for the first time in her life.

From her chair in the entry hall, not much passes Esme by. There's Cora, the wife visiting indefinitely... without her husband; Niamh, the city professional with a life-changing decision to make; and Phyllie, the grandmother whose family is slipping away from her.

Esme's guests provide the colour that helps her keep her grip on the world. All of them have something they want to escape – or to hold on to. But can Esme can help them find their way before the summer is over?

MY THOUGHTS: Author Faith Hogan said that this was a wonderful book to write. It's also a wonderful book to read. It's a wonderfully heartwarming and uplifting book about taking responsibility for your own happiness and not being afraid of opening your heart to new people in your life.

The characters are wonderful people, the setting magnificent, the plot thought provoking and heartwarming.

Esme, owner of the guest house, is a strong woman. She may be blind, but she sees and understands a lot more than most people. Phyllis, Esme's oldest friend, has always been sure of herself, and everything. But now her husband is showing signs of the dementia that took his father she is suddenly feeling unmoored and struggling with the realization that she's not invincible. Cora is taking time out from a stale marriage. Will she decide to resurrect the marriage or fall for the charms of another? Niamh is also taking time out. She has made a decision, but keeps putting off actually implementing it.

These people and a few others meet at the guest house: A group of random strangers who influence each other's lives in unexpected ways.

Definitely recommended. This is a book I lingered over, in absolutely no hurry to close the cover and say goodbye.

My favourite quote: 'It's true what they say about youth.'
'It's wasted on the young?'
'Yes. It's like happiness and contentment, we don't realise how precious it is until it's gone.'

⭐⭐⭐⭐.3

#TheGuestHouseByTheSea #NetGalley

I: @faithhoganauthor @headofzeus

T: @GerHogan @HoZ_Books

#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #irishfiction #love #romance #sliceoflife #smalltownfiction #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 Head of Zeus, Aria, for providing a digital ARC of The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This heartwarming tale made me want to visit Esme's guest house ASAP and spend weeks by the Irish Sea. Instead, I had this charming story to give me respite and laughs with wonderful guests I grew to love. Ballycove awaits ... don't miss it!

The book felt like a big warm hug, that make you feel safe & secure. I need to visit this guest house soon.

Esme Goldthorpe runs The Willow Guest House in Ballycove with the help of her friend Marta. Cora, Niamh & Phyllis come to stay & Esme shares stories of past friends & visitors that help these ladies to look at their lives & make decisions. She's a very wise woman.
An enjoyable read & highly recommended.

I love all of Faith Hogan's books and this is definitely one of my favourites. This has a great story, great characters and amazing setting. I would highly recommend this book as it is the perfect summer read.

A fantastic book running multiple threads of stories along side each other while Esme sits at the heart of it.
Highly recommend!

A very entertaining read, It seems like Esme has run the guest house by the edge of the sea.forever. It is her life and although her health is failing she has no intention of leaving. Even after a bad fall she still greets the mixed bag of guests from an armchair in the entrance hall. There are many reasons why the guests are there but most seem to be escaping from something. As well as the guests Esme has an amazing liffe story to tell but only when she is ready.!!!

This is the second book I've read by Faith Hogan and really enjoyed the interweaving stories of Esme, Phyllis, Niamh and Cora as they navigate the storms of life that have come upon them in the various seasons of their lives.

Esme runs 'The Willows', a guest house that is much beloved by previous guests but needing some TLC that she just can't afford due to her declining sight and recent accident. Her friend Phyllis comes with her family to escape the brutal reality of her husband's advancing dementia, while Niamh and Cora need reprieve from relationships that have gone stale and problematic.

This is a refreshing and uplifting novel, sweet but never straying into predictable or twee. Faith Hogan creates characters who are funny, wise and realistic and her storytelling gift shines through.

Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love everything that Faith Hogan has written and this one is no exception. Set in Ballycove, Ireland where 93 year old Esme still runs the guest house. After an accident she has to rest up, and so gets to know more about the guests; some new, some returning to a time and place they were happy.
She tries to help each of them with any troubles and get them to allow the place to heal them.
Great characters, great setting and great writing.

Esme has run The Willows Guest House in Ballycove for years and her mother before her.
Always there to lend a listening ear or offer advice especially this summer season following her fall and is now welcoming guests at front of house.

Faith is the perfect storyteller with captivating characters and storylines
A lovely escapist summer novel - I want to stay at the The Willows Guest House
An easy 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read
Thanks @faithhoganauthor @ariafiction & @netgalley for the eARC

Faith Hogan invites us to stay at The Guest House by the Sea with a cast of charming characters, all who need some help solving their own life’s riddles.

As a new season begins at the Willows guest house in Ireland, Esme, the elderly owner, finds herself immobile after breaking her ankle. She very unhappy about this, as she usually would be running around trying to stay on top of the demands of both the guests and the ancient guest house. Cora, a fiftysomething woman, uses her time as a guest as an escape from her 30-year marriage. Niamh, a young professional down from Dublin, needs some distance from her Dublin life to make a decision that will change the course of her life. Phyllie, a longtime friend of Esme, is trying to enjoy a multi-generational holiday at the house, but is struggling. Esme finds that she can still look after her guests from her perch, by dispensing wisdom and anecdotes.

The story is told from alternating viewpoints of the four main protagonists. Hogan puts thought into every character—from the main players to the extras. You won’t soon forget the fleeting appearance of the helpful chatty teenager who helps Esme in the hospital, only to find out that he’s there for his cancer treatment. The coastal location came alive with Hogan’s descriptions, with seaside walks, drinks on the veranda and swims in the cold ocean all featuring heavily.

It’s a charming book, and reading it felt like drinking a mug of hot cocoa I didn’t know I needed on a cold spring day.

What a wonderful storyteller Faith Hogan is. I was totally captivated by the characters, storylines & setting. The Willows is a home from home at Ballycove run by Esme and her mother for many years before her. Now she runs it with her friend Marta. Disaster strikes days before the summer season when Esme falls and breaks her leg. While not able to run after her guests she can lend a listening ear, offer advice & share the daily meaningful quote from the guest book.

Cora, has been married to her Michael a long time & needs some me time, city girl Niamh wants to think about her future while old friend Phyllis wants to hold onto special times with her darling husband Kurt & her family. Cora, meanwhile catches the eye of Dublin based handsome engineer Joel..

They've all come to Ballycove for a reason and being there helps them to see what they must hold onto & what they must let go. Absolutely loved this book. A solid 5* from me.

Hey woman gets pregnant for her lover and doesn’t want to lose him or keep the baby, a woman questions her marriage after her son gets married and moves away, another woman’s husband is suffering from a form of dementia and she needs to come to terms with it these are just three of the stories that you get when you read the great book the Guest House By The Sea by Faith Hogan. The guesthouse is called Willow and it seems when people go there good things happen despite how you may feel when you arrive. I read all the reviews were people were gaga and over the moon for this book and I thought it can’t be that good… But it definitely is! This is a heart warming book but only after a heart wrenching story so many of these stories need tissue alerts and although I am being honest when I say I really felt no sympathy for Samaya the 40 year old pregnant woman who was worried about losing her married lover I mean how low does your self esteem have to be to think you were meant to be with a man who is married to another. When I read these books I try to have an open mind but there are just some lines you don’t cross and sleeping with Maori people it’s one of them . It’s still wants of being a really great story that ends in a great way and I totally enjoyed this whole book it was so good and another reason why I always read Faith Hogan‘s books. I highly recommend this one if you are looking for a Phil Goodreads and want to cry sad and happy tears then you definitely need to read this book a solid four-star read. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review

The Willows is a guest house in Ballycove, Ireland and it has stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Esme Goldthrope has been running the holiday house for years and like the house she’s getting older. Esme’s sight is going, she and Marta are busy getting the Willows ready for the summer season, when Esme does something silly and she will be out of action when the holidaymakers arrive.

From her chair in the entry hall, Esme passes out helpful advice, shares her wisdom and gets one of the guests to read a meaningful quote from one of the visitors books her late mother collected over the years. People stay at the guest house for a variety of reasons, for a quick getaway, a work trip and some have stayed there before and it’s a place full of happy memories.

Cora Doyle lives nearby, she's been married to Michael for over thirty years, her son has recently got hitched and Cora needs some “me time." Niamh Brophy is a busy career woman from Dublin, she must make a life changing decision and the peaceful location is perfect place to do so. Phyllis Courtney is Esme’s best friend, her family have been staying at the Willows for years, and she’s visiting with her husband Kurt, son Rob, grandson Josh and she’s physically and mentally exhausted. Joel Lawson is an engineer, he’s working in Ballycove and checking the church roof.

I received a copy of The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan from NetGalley and Aria and Aries in exchange for an honest review. It’s a thought provoking and insightful narrative about Esme, the Willows and what each of the guests gets out of staying at the holiday house and so much more. Esme shares her wisdom, kindness, gives helpful advice and guidance and new friendships are made. As women we want to do the right thing for everyone else, it's not being selfish to put yourself first and this really resonates with me. Five stars and I’m very keen to read Ms. Hogan’s previous book; The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club.

The author’s books are always rather like a warm hug – whenever you pick one up, it never takes very long for the world around you and any troubles you may have to disappear. I have only to think about Ballycove, the setting for a number of her books, and it makes me relax and smile – and the particularly special corner of it that she’s created in this lovely book really is pretty near perfect. People visit Esme’s guest house, The Willows, to escape from their problems too – or to find the space to make decisions about their lives.

Esme herself is frustrated to be losing her eyesight – in fact, she’s pretty near blind now, unable to read the motivational messages on each page of the guest book – but her friend Marta, having fled from problems of her own, has very willingly taken on an increased workload. And she finds herself needing to do even more when Esme has an accident, breaking her leg and keeping her confined to a chair in the entrance hall, greeting guests as they arrive and dispensing advice whenever it’s needed. The Willows needs major work – the roof is a constant worry – and a local developer is keen to take it off her hands, but Esme is determined to stay put right up to the end.

As well as Esme and Marta’s own story, we share the lives of the individuals who’ve chosen the guest house as their summer refuge. Cara has an unhappy marriage, and arrives alone – she’s just grown to feel that there’s little reason for her to be at home any more. Niamh remembers the place from happy childhood holidays – and needs time to think about her future, and decide what to do about a life-changing personal problem she’s facing. And Phyllis, an old friend, is visiting with her son Rob and young grandson Josh – and her husband Kurt who is slowly succumbing to dementia.

It’s a book largely without major shocks and surprises – the stories are told from the visitors’ own perspectives, the shifts in viewpoint always gentle and clearly signposted, their decision-making helped along by Esme’s well-timed stories and interventions. And, I have to say, I loved every single moment – with the focus on friendship and family, characters I really grew to deeply care about, and a warmth to the unfolding of their stories that’s simply wonderful. Emotionally, it’s totally perfect – there were so many moments that touched my heart and made me smile, often laugh, and then others that had me filling up and wiping away a tear. The storytelling is exceptional – the threads of the story gently wrap themselves around you, draw you in, and The Willows becomes somewhere you really never want to leave either.

I’ve adored every one of Faith Hogan’s books – but, for so many reasons, I think this might just be my personal favourite so far. One for your reading list – I think you might well find you’ll love it too.

A charming heartwarming read with well drawn delightful characters to relate to. Slightly old fashioned world in a run down guest house on the picturesque west coast of Ireland with several stories running concurrently from the guests who all have their own set of problems but gel together to help each other. . A good light and utterly delightful read.

This is a delightful, heart warming book. When Esme breaks her leg she is confined to welcoming guests as they arrive at her guest house, and dispensing words of wisdom. The stories of several guests are woven together over the Summer season. Having recently recovered from a broken ankle, I completely empathised with Esme’s feelings of isolation and dependence on others. I loved this book, and would love to stay at this guesthouse!

Free courtesy of Netgalley

First time I have read a book by Faith Hogan but I absolutely loved it, every character had their own story that interacted with everyone else. I changed my mind on what I wanted some of the outcomes to be, throughout the book.

Set in Ireland, Esme has been running the Guesthouse in Ballycove for the majority of her adult life, she took over from her mother before she passed away and is determined that she will run it until she dies. She is an old lady, who has lost her sight and getting ready for the new summer season she falls off a coffee table and has to rest up for the season. With the help of Martha, she is able to ward off a developer for now and open the Guesthouse for paying customer. Even though she can't do anything but sit in a chair, she does talk to the residents, who comes to the Guesthouse with their own problems. With her wisdom and help they can navigate through this difficult time but will it be enough to keep the Guesthouse open.

I would strongly recommend this book as the characters are relatable and there are many issues dealt with. I couldn't put it down.

What a fabulous book by Faith. Well written with excellent characters, especially Esme. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This book centers around three people all at crossroads in their life. Esme owns the guest house they all escape to.
It was a nice story but at times it rambled a bit too much.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

What an absolutely gorgeous novel! I'm only sorry I've read it already - I would love to just be at the beginning so I can enjoy it all over again.

Esme owns and runs a guest house in Ballycove, by the beach, with the help of Marta. Families have been enjoying holidays there for a long time and the house getting shabbier year by year doesn't really matter; they all leave feeling so much better than when they arrive. However, with a developer desperate to buy the property and her sight failing, Esme wonders if this will be her last summer season. Then, just before they are due to open, Esme takes a tumble with dire consequences, forcing her to take a step back. For the first time, she won't be at the forefront of her business. Is this the end?

For many years, I read everything written by the late Maeve Binchy and I adored her characters and the warmth and wisdom she wrote with. Faith Hogan is her natural successor. She writes such gorgeous books and this is one of her very best. I adored The Girl I Used to Know (highly recommended) and, until this one, would have said it was my favourite but I think it has been usurped. With a fabulous cast of characters and so much going on, I love how Esme at the forefront with everything happening around her. An absolutely wonderful book, which I absolutely highly recommend and one which easily merits all five glowing, shiny and sparkling stars!

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

The Guest House By The Sea was a nice, comforting read.
Some sensitive issues were told, as the abortion, and senile dementia, but they were dealt in a delicate and gentle way.

This book is about four women, of different age, with different lives and a gloomy present. Their stories carefully intertwine from the moment they step into The Willows guest house, they intentionally and unintentionally help each other to take some decisions that will change their future.

I was so caught up in the journey of Esme, Phyllis, Cora and Niamh, I desperately wanted them to have a happy ending.
It was a pleasure to see them start a beautiful friendship and grow fond of each other.

The author wrote this story in such a charming and evocative manner you can smell the fresh sea breeze and see the beautiful landscape from the veranda.

I don't know how Faith does it, but she makes you feel like you're sitting right there in the lounge with Esmé and her guests. You feel like you're part of the conversation and get the desperate urge to share your story and get her opinions.

I felt a connection in small ways with every single character.
I want to visit the Willows in every season, and despite the cold and the storms mentioned, I want to be there in winter too!

I loved how the characters developed friendships with each other and learned that troubles shared are troubles halved.The stunning friendships that spanned ages, the fact that it didn't matter if you were in your 30's or 80's there was a kinship and they're just brought together. I loved the 'found family' aspects as always. This one is a little bit different.
The connections made tugged at my heartstrings and I was sad to leave the Willows.

Esme has run the guest house in Ballycove forever, taking over from her parents, unfortunately due to a fall she is now infirmed for the time being, added to that she is elderly and her eyesight has gone, she is relying more and more on Marta to help her get around and run the guest house. Since her husband died Marta has become like one of the family as they weren't able to have any children. This also means that the roof is in a bit of a state and a developer is determined to get his hands on the guest house - whatever it takes.

The thing is that the guest house by the sea is very special. People come from all over to find themselves, and find new hope. People who meet there can find true love, or realise that true love was with them all the time. This is in no small part to Esme's wisdom, and her special guest book with sayings written in on every day.

A lovely feel- good story with very well crafted characters. I would love to stay in the guest house and meet Esme and her friends. I really enjoyed every page.

A feel good story with some great wisdom!

People at the WIllows guest house when they need a break from their lives, to regroup and figure out what lays ahead. Esme, the owner, doles out interesting and thoughful nuggets of wisdom via her stories and helps the guests walk through their issues.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

I loved it! I’m sitting here with a big smile on my face!… I laughed out loud lots of times… I’m still chuckling. What a wonderfully delightful book this was!… Jam packed full of fun and laughs… Lots of light-hearted moments, emotional scenes and parts which will have you laughing out loud!… Filled with lots of love, family and friendships, this book is truly a delight to read.

A heart warming and uplifting story of the characters that visit the guest house by the sea. A testament to the healing powers of salt water and the ocean. Beautifully drawn characters with sparkling dialogue.

Each character in this tale has unique problems, including Esme, the elderly lady in charge of this magical environment. Nothing, however, can stop Esme from listening and assisting her visitors in achieving their goals, no matter how difficult they may be. Everyone comes to the guest house to escape what’s going on in their lives while reading. Some require time away from their real lives to find answers and figure out what to do for themselves, while others simply want to spend time with family while Esme is recovering. She listens, advises, and offers them a warm place to stay. Everyone eventually became a family of friends.

This summer, 50-year-old Cora, who needs a break from her marriage and feels her life is slipping away, is ignored by her spouse. Phyllis, who comes to see us with her husband, son, and grandchild. Her spouse has health difficulties that she attempts to conceal, but the matter comes to a head, and she is forced to confront some changes. Finally, there’s Niamh, who is nearing 40 and is facing significant life decisions.
Marta, Esme’spropert hand lady who runs the guesthouse and lived with Esme for years after escaping an abusive relationship, is one of the novel’s standout characters. Esme could not function without Marta, who is more of a friend than an employee.

Lovely book!

The Willows, the name of the title guest house, is a place of respite for some, contemplation for others, escape for others and a great place for a family vacation for others. Owned by Esme and managed by Marta, the guest house has seen better days just as its owner has, but it’s still a wonderful home by the sea.

Almost everyone who checked in that summer was at some kind of crossroads in their lives. Phyllis and Kurt were facing a terrible disease, Niamha has a life changing decision to make, and Cora is unsure if her marriage is worth continuing. All found solace and resolution during their time, some coming from the words Esme inscribed in her guest books long ago.

I found this to be a touching story, set in Ballycove where the author has set other great books. I’m looking forward to the next one.

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

Esme might be sitting in the hall of the guest house in Ballycove- she's got a broken leg- but that doesn't mean she doesn't see everything. This is very much a novel of the family we make. In this case it's the family of women who come to the guest house seeking answers about things in their lives. The characters, to be honest, will be familiar to fans of the genre, but it's charming novel with. big heart, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I’ve read some of Faith Hogan’s previous novels but this is a real treat. An uplifting story of a guest house by the sea with the guests, staff and owner all facing challenges. Their individual stories and problems mesh together in a magical setting. An absorbing read which I highly recommend.

First book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading more in the future. A group of women are at crossroads in their lives, can a stay at the Willows guesthouse help them clear their minds, aided by a chat with my favourite character, Esme?
Happy to recommend

This was such a heartwarming and uplifting read.
Esme is the owner of Ballycove, a lovely guesthouse by the sea. Esme is laid up after she has a fall, so it's left to her long-time friend Marta to welcome the guests.
Cora married to Michael for thirty years is fed up. She wants a change, so she stays at the guesthouse to work out what she wants from life.
Niamh finds herself pregnant by a married man. What does she want to do?
Phyllis, whose husband Kurt has the start of dementia.
Esme has wise words for each of her guests.
I would love a week in Ballycove.
I was invited to read this by the publisher Aria and Aries, so many thanks to them and Netgalley for the ARC.