A Maid on Fifth Avenue

I’m not a huge historical fiction fan, but I know many readers are and I’m on the hunt to always find a good one to add to our collection. A Maid On FifthbAvenud looked very interesting and intriguing. It was filled with a juicy plot, great characters, and I love both the past/present storylines. I look forward to sharing my full review and thoughts upon completion.

Gosh this was an amazing book. I didn’t immediately warm to Emer’s character but was utterly gripped by Annie and her yearning to explore the world, it blows my mind to think of how brave she was to leave all she knew for her new life in New York. I loved reading about her and Elena, even the challenges they faced. Her devotion and loyalty to her best friend was genuinely incredible. The story worked well flitting between eras and I grew to like Emer and was pleased that she settled into life back “home”- the twist in the tale with his mum I absolutely didn’t see coming, but I won’t ruin it! Really enjoyed the story and was sad to have finished it too quickly.

I did very much enjoy this. I think I expected too much as I loved The Belladonna Maze and that is hard to live up to but this is still a really good read. I loved the two timeframes and I think the characters in Annie's world were wonderfully well done. I enjoyed Meg in particular. Elena, I felt, never really got a chance to be a rounded character, which was a pity because it was hard to understand the depth of the attraction and the effect on Annie's life when we barely saw them interact and most of those interactions were soured by Elena. The story in the later years was definitely intriguing and .gathered pace as it approached the end; Emer herself was a great character and I enjoyed the meetings with Siobhan and the developing relationship with Rob. The settings were probably the strongest part of the book. very vivid and real. I look forward to the next book by this author!

A Maid on Fifth Avenue, is told in dual timeline and is the story of an Irish dreamer - Annie who dreams of traveling the world.

The story is bittersweet for our heroine Annie , it is a layered story with it's characters who pull you in for a cosy, emotional storytelling time throughout.

I enjoyed this book by Sinead Crowley, a dual timeline novel set in early 1900s New York and in present day Ireland.
Annie dreams of travelling the world but she has lingering doubts after living through her mother's traumatic illness. She has a huge loyalty to her family and friends but finally decides to go to New York to make a new life for herself. The descriptions of Annie's life as a new Irish immigrant are excellent and at times one could really feel the heat of the crowded dance room or the feeling of suffering under an icy glare from a housekeeper.

Emer's storyline develops as she finds herself back in Ireland, having emigrated to California years earlier. The pandemic has taken its toll on her mental and physical well being so she comes home to find out who she really is. The possibility of romance blossoms for them both but barriers stand in the way of each of their potential relationships

Overall this was an enjoyable read with some unpredictable twists. I felt some of the secondary characters - May, Elena and the American relative could have been more well rounded but didn't really detract from the storyline. 4/5
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful read a story I was drawn in to from the first page.I enjoyed the dual timeline and Annie impressed me with her desire to travel see the world.I will look forward to more by this author.#netgalley #amaidonfifthavenue.

I have been a long time fan of Sinead Crowley's books, especially the Ds Clare Boyle series. A Maid on Fifth Avenue, her latest novel, is also a gripping read, with a dual timeline, and is set mainly in Kerry and New York. I feel it will really resonate with her Irish fan base, as there cannot be a family in Ireland that has not had somebody emigrate to the USA due to the economic climate. It is a well crafted story of love, loss and hidden secrets that are eventually exposed. The two protagonists, Annie and Emer, are vividly drawn and it is easy to get invested in their stories. The twists and turns throughout are unpredictable and well thought out. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Really loved this book! It was told on a dual timeline, which almost felt as though I was reading two very different books at the same time, but when they started to come together it was such a great read, I loved the story of Annie who was desperate to leave her home town in Ireland in search of adventures in New York. She gets a job as a maid in a beautiful home on 5th Avenue and begins to make a new life for herself. Meanwhile, in the present day, Emer returns to Ireland from the US looking for some quiet time at home to rest and recuperate. What is the thread that joins these two very different women, one from the past and one from the present? I really enjoyed finding out.

This fascinating story is set in two timelines – Annie’s story is set in the early 1920s, and she dreams of travelling to see America. Whereas Emer is returning to her old home in Ireland after being away for a long while. Her story is set in the present time.

The Irish countryside is described so beautifully you feel you are there, with the contrasting vibrancy of New York, which Annie experiences working as a maid. The two women are well rounded characters who develop as the story unfolds. Annie becomes romantically absorbed in a forbidden love, which is sensitively explored by the author.

In contrast, Emer is desperate to leave her demanding job and lifestyle in America and relax enjoying her old home again. Learning to surf and re visiting old haunts, romance develops between her and Rob.

I enjoyed reading about the past catching up with the two women, their diverse circumstances with various secrets explored, and the connection between them. With difficult decisions which must be made, this is a steadily building plot with a dramatic unexpected ending.

This is a story about escaping your past life, but can you really escape the past? Annie thinks so but is she in for a surprise? And in a dual-timeline story Emer is running from the past two. How do both their stories entwine?

This is a very interesting historical fiction that takes you on a journey of two women trying to escape their pasts. This is a well written and interesting read, great characters and flowed well between the two timelines. There are a few twists within the story and overall it was a wonderful read which I enjoyed very much.

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

This is a great split-time read, with Annie, off on the boat to America, desperate to change her life but still tied to her family and best friend in Ireland and dealing with the laws and societal attitudes of the 1920s contrasted with Emer, who decades later finds herself in Annie's part of Ireland, caught up in an intriguing search for the truth.
The author has brilliantly divided the 2 worlds by the fashions, attitudes, careers and freedoms of the 2 time periods whilst still intertwining the stories of Annie and Emer through the commonalities of family, love and loyalty.

This is part historical fiction and part modern day as it skips between Emer in 2022 and Annie starting in 1908 and progressing from her childhood to adulthood young woman.

Annie has wanted to go to America for a long time and leave Ballydrynanwn but when she was younger her mother was so poorly and she is scared to leave her. Her mother however encourages her to follow her dream and Annie leaves for a whole new life across the ocean. She gets a job working for the Cavendish family in a mansion on Fifth Avenue.

Emer has returned home after being in America all alone during the pandemic. Her parents are shocked to see her as they were about to leave and visit Emer on the way to visit her brother who is soon to become a father. Emer tells them to continue with their trip as it will coincide with the birth of the baby and Emer decided to go stay at the family holiday let in Ballydrynawn. Little does she know that a chance meeting and a surf lesson will make it a summer to remember.

I really enjoyed the dual aspect of this book and Annie and Emers stories and how they intertwine as you progress through the book and the story. I enjoyed the storyline and the ending had a twist that I wasn’t expecting. I have definitely loved reading this book.

Annie Thornton lives in the small village of Ballydrynawn, in County Kerry, she dreams of a different life, her mother Eileen knows she’s unhappy and gives her blessing for her to leave Ireland and travel to America. Annie wants to go but she's worried about her best friend best friend May, who’s married to a bully and there's nothing Annie can do about it.

Annie boards a ship bound for New York and she's never been further than Dingle in her life, Irish women have no trouble finding work in America, the nuns help and there's a big demand for maids. Annie is employed by Mrs. Cavendish, they own a mansion on Fifth Avenue, and she sends letters and money home to her family.

Annie meets an Italian waitress called Elena, her family are very strict and have a man picked out for her to marry. Annie and Elena’s friendship changes, Annie finds herself day dreaming about Elena, both women are confused by their feelings for each other, can women love each other and surely not?

A Maid on Fifth Avenue has a dual timeline, it’s set in the 1920’s and 2022, and told from the two main characters points of view, Annie and Emer.

Emer Molloy leaves Los Angeles, California, to return home to Ireland and she’s suffering from Covid burnout and, her parents own a holiday cottage in Ballydrynawn, County Kerry and she spent her summers here as a child. Emer’s goes for a walk to look at the Fairy Tree, it’s over a hundred years old and the beach and meets a handsome surfer Robert Lynch. He owns a surfing school, Emer takes lessons and can’t believe how much she enjoys it.

Annie and Emer’s lives are intertwined, a hundred years apart, and it’s up to Emer and Rob to try unravel the tangled web of secrets, hidden clues and then lighting strikes!

I received a digital copy of A Maid of Fifth Avenue by Sinéad Crowley from Aria & Aries and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A fascinating and captivating story about living in a small Irish village and dreaming about exploring the world, the Fairy Tree where people have left messages and tokens for over a hundred years, homesickness, mystery and Annie was my favourite character.

Not only was she a wonderful sister, daughter, friend, unselfish, reliable and loyal. Annie had no idea women loved and were attracted to other woman, my guess is in the 1920’s the topic was never mention, no wonder Annie was so confused and it's a narrative about discovering love is love. A dual timeline mystery, full of unexpected twist and turns and five stars from me.

Told in two different storyline’s between Annie in the 1800’s and Emer now, this book tells the story of a hardworking girl who made sacrifices to help her friends and those she loved. In the present time, Emer is drawn into a family history mystery with her summer fling, Rob. I really enjoyed the family history stuff and felt in my heart the hardness of life for women in the 1800’s. Not being Irish, I did find some of the language that was used difficult to understand, and although sometimes another language is used in a story, it’s usually French/italian/German and I find that much easier to understand and work out what they’re saying even though I don’t know those languages either and this was the reason for 4 and not 5 stars.

A Maid in Fifth Avenue is a wonderful story taking the reader from rural Ireland to New York following Annie in the 1920's who yearns for a different life and Emer in 2022 visiting Ireland from America .Annie's and Emer's lives are intertwined even though they are 100 years apart a joyful story of love and hope .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

A Maid on Fifth Avenue by Sinead Crowley is a wonderful dual timeline story that spans the distance between rural Kerry and the streets of New York, and the decades from the turbulent 1920s to the modern post pandemic world.
Emer, a freelance film director with roots in Kerry is feeling burnt out post pandemic, and a few months in her family's second home by the beach might be just what her therapist ordered. When she meets local surf instructor Rob and decides to take lessons, she meets another recent American transplant, Alison who is helping out at the surf school but may also be hiding a secret.
Meanwhile in the same West Kerry village in the 1920's Annie Thornton is dreaming of seeing the world, even if it means leaving her family and her best friend May behind in less than ideal circumstances. When she gets the opportunity to travel to New York and finds herself working as a maid for a wealthy family on fifth avenue she embraces her new life whole heartedly and soon finds herself befriending a young Italian waitress, Elena. As this friendship begins to develop into something more Annie finds herself questioning what her future holds, and how she fits into society, but when a dangerous face from her past reappears she is forced to flee and leave Elena behind , with tragic consequences for everyone that will not come to light for decades .
Often in dual timeline stories like this I find myself more drawn to one of the stories , and in this case it was Annie's story that really captured my heart and my imagination. I loved her strength and determination and seeing her grow into her potential, so it broke my heart when she lost so much. While I enjoyed Emer's storyline it just did not hold my attention in quite the same way. That being said, the mystery subplot involving Alison in this timeline did keep me guessing even if the resolution was just a little too convenient for my liking.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I loved this book! It is a very well-told story that provides relevant historical information about people of Irish origin. I confess that I was surprised by the happy ending!

I am not usually keen on historical fiction, but this book starts in two different time periods, with a village in County Kerry being the common denominator in both parts of the story. As the book starts, Annie moves to New York to work. Her experiences are portrayed in an interesting way and there are a couple of unexpected twists in her story.
In the present day, Emer is at home in Ireland from her home in California. Life has been tough during the pandemic and she has decided to take some time out. The book describes her summer, the people she meets and as the book moves on, the stories of Emer and Annie start to converge as people connected to both of them become apparent.
I loved the descriptions in this book, both the lives of the main characters are well documented and interesting. The other characters are also well portrayed and realistic. The twists in the plot give the book a modern feel (the lack of which is my main reason to dislike historical fiction) and the Irish and New York locations add a little humour at times.
A great read, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Great read and felt like I’d got two books in one with the story moving very smoothly between the 1920’s and today. We are introduced to the main character from the 20’s when she moves from Ireland to America to start a new life. We then find ourselves in the present time, in the village in Ireland she left behind all those years ago.
The story unfolds and we are given a taste of how the people from the past and present are linked. At this point, I really didn’t want to put this book down.
I got a real feeling of life in New York in those early days for our protagonist and then, whisked back to the present time we find there is still a link between the families from past and present. What happened all those years ago to cause reverberations of it to echo down the years? Great read and I loved the revelations that came right up to the ending. Definitely one to read.

I loved this dual time-line it was so well described and written that I completely lost myself in it. All the characters were lovely and I was sorry to finish it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I may not be a devoted historical fiction enthusiast, but I recognize its appeal to many readers. I'm currently exploring new additions to our collection, and "A Maid On Fifth Avenue" caught my attention with its intriguing premise. The book boasts a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and dual timelines, blending the past and present, which I find particularly engaging.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if it were in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I might have set my expectations high due to my love for The Belladonna Maze, this novel stands on its own as a compelling read. The dual timeframes added depth, and the characters in Annie's world were exceptionally well-crafted. Meg, in particular, captured my interest. Unfortunately, Elena seemed somewhat underdeveloped, hindering a comprehensive understanding of her impact on Annie's life. The narrative in the later years gained momentum, especially towards the end. Emer was a standout character, and I appreciated the dynamics with Siobhan and the evolving relationship with Rob. The settings were a definite highlight, vivid and authentic. I eagerly anticipate the author's next book!

Annie, an Irish woman, ventures to New York for employment under Mrs. Cavendish, the owner of a Fifth Avenue mansion. "A Maid of Fifth Avenue" unfolds in two timelines, delving into the stories of women seeking to break free from their pasts. Brimming with family histories, secrets, and the raw experiences of womanhood, the book offers a captivating read. The intricate exploration of emotions, character growth, and unexpected turns adds to the overall enjoyment. My thanks to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for providing a digital copy of Sinéad Crowley's novel in exchange for this sincere review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set in dual timelines, there is clearly a link somewhere and that is part of the mystery. The historical part around 1922 was fascinating, both for the glimpse of life in Ireland, and then life in New York. The present day was intriguing as there are several possible interpretations of events. The characters were well developed and the main ones very likeable and realistic. All in all, this kept me engrossed as the very clever and satisfying ending emerged. I would like to read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader copy to read and freely review.

Annie Thornton is a young woman living in Couny Kerry in 1920s Ireland. She is desperate to leave her home and see the world. America has always been calling to her…

After her best friend, May, marries Seánie Lynch, a man of wealth and statue in the area, Annie soon sees his true colours. Seánie is a bully who resolves to fists to solve his issues. Poor May is too shy and nice to stand up to her husband.

Annie vows to herself that being married and having children is not what she wants from her life, at least not for a good while.

Her wish of leaving for America comes true the next year, after saving up her hard earned money.

She sails to New York where she successfully secures a job as a maid in a prominent household on Fifth Avenue.

In America, everything is different and better than her home life in Ireland. When Annie meets Elena, an Italian immigrant, life will never be same again…

In 2022, Emer Molloy, arrives in County Kerry for the summer after being diagnosed with “post Covid burnout”. She normally resides in California where she works as a director. In Ireland, she is staying in her family’s holiday home.

Emer reluctantly attends a surfing lesson with a handsome instructor, Rob Lynch. However, she ends up loving the session, and books another one.

Soon, her and Rob’s paths will cross more than once…

I really enjoyed this dual timeline historical mystery. There is a secret that binds the Lynches and the Thorntons that gets discovered later on (I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it).

I was really rooting for Annie and Elena, but I was gutted when life got in the way and Annie had to do what was right for her family.

There are other likeable characters in the story, including Rob and his mother, Siobhan, who was a true force of nature, not to be messed with.

Overall, it’s a great story that will grip you from the beginning.

Thank you to Aria Books for the NetGalley widget in exchange for a fair review.

This captivating book tells the story of two women who lived in different centuries, connected through a Fairy Tree and a mystery that spans the same time. Annie Thornton, a resident of the small village of Ballydrynawn in County Kerry, Ireland, in the 1920s, longs to see more than her hometown. Her dream takes her to New York City, where she secures a job as a maid in a prominent household on Fifth Avenue. When Annie meets Elena, an Italian immigrant, her life will never be the same again.

In 2022, Emer Molloy leaves Los Angeles, California, to return home to Ireland, suffering from Covid burnout. Her parents own a holiday cottage in Ballydrynawn, County Kerry, where she spent her summers as a child. The book weaves together the stories of these two women, each on their own journey of discovery, and the impact they have on each other's lives. A must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and a touch of mystery.

Annie's story truly touched me. Her strength and determination were inspiring, and watching her journey towards self-discovery was one of the highlights of the book for me. I enjoyed both stories and appreciated the unexpected plot twists towards the end, which made for an engaging read.

This book is written in two different timelines. It was a pleasure to read and I enjoyed going between the timelines. Characters were great and relatable. I look forward to the next book by this author.

I adore this author , I was so looking forward to reading her new novel and am so grateful to have access. The characters always feel so relatable and the sense of loss and great hope are always balanced in the end. Thank you.

I thoroughly enjoyed this dual time novel. I felt immediately drawn to both time periods which were perfectly portrayed. The romance storylines were far from ordinary and really sucked the reader into the story. The references to covid were very accurate and helped the reader to empathise with the characters we all have those memories of covid times. This was an excellent novel I'd highly recommend.

I was thrilled to be offered to read this book, as I absolutely loved The Belladonna Maze, and I'm so in love with this story. It was emotional, so beautifully written and I couldn't put it down. Such a hard hitting, yet romantic story. The characters were fantastic. Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this novel with its two time lines, but reading they slowly merge and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The author writes well and what was most impressive was that it was full of surprises and totally unpredictable. Annie and Emer were great characters and easy to like.

A glimpse of life in America in the late 1920s where Irish Annie worked as a maid, and develops a close relationship with an Italian girl. Back in Ireland the reader has an insight into the culture of the era and the close knit families, both in the 1920s and the present. Annie is placed in the difficult situation where she has to decide between her new American friend and her loyalty towards her childhood friend in Ireland. Meanwhile in the present, Emer is enjoying a summer of love away from her busy American lifestyle but even her promises to herself cannot be kept when the past catches.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-APC.

I thought this was a thoroughly engaging read featuring two charismatic, independent women.

Annie who emigrated from Kerry to New York in the 1920s to work as a maid in Manhattan
Emer who has moved from Dublin to California, but is spending the 2022 summer in Kerry as she is burnt out from work.

I loved how the timelines replicated their journeys back and forth between Ireland and America, both seeking fresh starts and job opportunities not available locally to them. The vivid settings and attention to detail immersed me in rural Kerry where I could feel the wildness of the Atlantic, and then to a crowded 1920s New York full of excitement and with so much potential to chase dreams. Even forbidden ones.

Both Annie and Emer face challenges, and detours in their lives, and I appreciated how courageously they face up to them. There is romance for both characters, and I enjoyed how they unfolded, but they are not a central theme. The focus is on the fresh beginnings and stepping into the unknown.

A lovely uplifting read. I'd highly recommend it if you enjoy dual timelines, Irish/US settings, a touch of suspense and independent female characters.

This is like two books in one! You really get into the story from the past and next minute you are reading about modern times! The author gradually weaves the two time lines together to make a most enjoyable read.

This book started differently to what I was expecting, but it then transferred to 5th Avenue in New York. A lovely read with interesting characters who defied the relationship norms of the day, which I loved. I also loved the unexpected ending.

Annie Thornton, a spirited young woman residing in County Kerry during the 1920s, yearns to escape her stifling surroundings and explore the world beyond Ireland's shores. However, her aspirations clash with the harsh reality of her best friend May's marriage to Seánie Lynch, a man of means known for his brutish demeanor. Witnessing May's plight, Annie vows to chart her own path, determined to delay marriage and children.

In pursuit of her dreams, Annie embarks on a journey to America the following year, diligently saving her earnings to fund her voyage. Landing in New York City, she secures employment as a maid in a prestigious Fifth Avenue household. America's vibrant energy and opportunities offer Annie a fresh start far removed from the hardships of her Irish home.

An unexpected encounter with Elena, an Italian immigrant, sets Annie on an unforeseen path, forever altering her perspective. Yet, as Annie embraces her newfound freedom, she grapples with the complexities of life and love, navigating the challenges of her adopted homeland.

Meanwhile, in 2022, Emer Molloy finds herself in County Kerry, seeking solace from the burdens of post-COVID burnout. Despite her initial reluctance, Emer discovers a newfound passion for surfing under the tutelage of Rob Lynch, a charming instructor. As their paths intertwine, Emer is drawn into a web of secrets that connect the Lynch and Thornton families, unraveling mysteries buried in the sands of time.

Throughout the narrative, compelling characters such as Rob and his indomitable mother, Siobhan, captivate readers with their resilience and tenacity. As the story unfolds, Annie's journey of self-discovery resonates across generations, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and emotion.

With its richly drawn characters and enthralling plot twists, this dual timeline historical mystery grips readers from the opening pages, offering a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of family.

This was a book, that I picked up not sure if I woukd enjoy and 3 hours later I was still sat in the same place, hooked!.
I loved the story, it was sk beautiful written.

This is a duel timeline book set in Ireland and New York.
In the 1920's Annie wants to travel the world and starts with sailing to New York where she has a job as a maid on 5th Avenue. Annie gets on well and makes friends, one in particular who she wants to go away from New York with. She is also worried about her best friend in Ireland who married a man who everyone knew was not a good man and her friend is now finding that out to be true.

The other part of the book is post pandemic when Emer who moved to New York years ago is back at her parent's house in Ireland but has just missed her parents as they have gone to Australia to visit her brother. She meets Rob,a surfing instructor and gets involved with secrets going on among his family and friends.
I enjoyed this book. I felt so sorry about Annie worrying about her friend in Ireland and the other in New York. She puts her life on hold for one of them even after her life being in danger.
The characters were good. I didn't really like Elena in New York. I know she had a hard life but she always seemed to moan to Annie every time she saw her so I didn't understand the attraction.
Alison in present day was a bit strange as well. I didn't understand why she wasn't just upfront at the beginning about her family history instead of making it a big secret.
A good read.

1920s: Annie travels from Ireland to New York to make a better life for herself, but nightmares from home follow her and she has difficult choices to make.
2022: Emer is taking a time out in Ireland from her busy life in LA when she meets and falls for a local surfer and gets drawn into a mystery that spans generations.

☆

This book kept my interest the whole time. I was so invested in both stories and was eager to find out what would happen to both Annie and Emer, as well as find out how their stories would inevitably intertwine.

Great book. Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for letting me read and review it. I would definitely recommend it.

Beautifully written. Loved the dual time line. Would love to read more from this author.

I love books set in New York and the historical aspect of this one was a treat to read.

I really fell in love with the characters too.

A charming and compelling historical drama about an Irish woman who emigrates to New York and works as a maid for a wealthy family. The story unfolds along two timelines and viewpoints, Annie in 1920s New York, and Emer in present day Ireland. An enjoyable and well-written story with engaging and believable characters.

With thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

I really enjoy historical fiction and this book attracted me because I’d enjoyed other stories of immigrants making their way in New York, such as Brooklyn or The Shoemaker’s Wife. Our first timeline is the 1920’s and we meet Annie who is from Ireland and has ambitions to see the world. Plans have a habit of changing though and life happens in it’s own way. Annie sails to New York for a job as a maid on 5th Avenue. Annie is a likeable character who makes friends easily and begins to enjoy her new life. She even finds someone that she could imagine travelling with, perhaps a little further afield. However, there’s one heartstring that’s still firmly tied to her best friend back in Ireland. Annie, and most of their neighbourhood, knew that her boyfriend wasn’t the man he made himself out to be. Her friend married him anyway and is finding out the hard way that the one she’s chosen is not a good man. I thought Annie was a really good friend, never forgetting her friend and always worrying whether she’s okay. New York is a long way from Ireland when you’re waiting for a letter.

The second timeline is after the COVID pandemic and focuses on Emer, who is from New York but has family back in Ireland. Once she can fly back to Ireland she goes back to her parents house, only to find they have left to visit her brother who is living in Australia. So instead she has to make the most of her trip, get over the self-consciousness of being alone and meet people. She meets a surfer called Rob and becomes pulled into his inner circle, where there are many secrets between friends. Although there were some secrets, like those of Alison and her family, that were a drama that needn’t have happened. All she needed was to be open. Emer takes instruction from Rob on how to surf and finds a childhood passion reignited.I was taken with Annie mostly, especially her loyalty to friends, even putting all her plans on hold for one of them. It’s her relationship with Elena, who has come to New York from Italy, that changes her and her outlook on life. I thought Annie came of age beautifully in her New York Centre, able to explore and experiment more in a place where no one knows her. This sees her navigating through some challenges, but also love. It’s her journey of self-discovery that compelled me to keep reading, because I was sure that her actions would still be pertinent, generations later. This is an easy read, with a heroine you’ll enjoy and root for, as well as a mystery that has a few twists up it’s sleeve.

I really enjoyed the dual perspective storyline and the character of Annie. Her dreams of travel and a new life were highly relatable. This book is a treat for historical fiction

4.5 stars rounded up

This is the first book I've read by Sinead Crowley and I'll be looking for more. I loved her writing style, and the dual timeline was very easy to follow and tied the two stories together perfectly. I enjoyed Annie's story more than Emer's, but still loved everything about this book. In the past, set in the 1920's, the story offers a glimpse into the lives of the residents of County Kelly in Ireland, as well as wealthy New Yorkers and their staff. This novel touches on the adventure of travelling from Ireland to America for a better life, the hardships & inequality of the time, confusing emotions & forbidden love. I feel that the living conditions and relationships were perfectly portrayed, and I felt a connection with Annie & May in particular. Seanie Lynch is a despicable husband. His actions felt very real, and it was hard to read the scenes featuring his character. In the present, set in 2022, Emer has returned to Ireland to recover from Covid burnout, and she meets Rob, a surfing instructor. As time passes, Emer recovers and Rob discovers some family secrets.
I would love to have had more of Annie & Elena's story, but all in all, I thought the story came to a perfect conclusion. I highly recommend this book - I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries Publishers and Sinead Crowley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A captivating dual timeline novel, this heart-stopping narrative intertwines the lives of two women, separated by a century but connected by their struggles, secrets, and the pursuit of freedom.

The story begins with Annie, a young woman from the west coast of Ireland in the 1920s. Seeking a new life, she leaves behind her past and boards a ship for New York, where Irish maids are in high demand. Annie quickly finds employment with the wealthy Cavendish family, living in their opulent mansion on Fifth Avenue. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she befriends Elena, an Italian waitress. Their friendship soon blossoms into a passionate and perilous romance, threatening the security Annie has fought so hard to gain. As Annie's past resurfaces, she is forced to flee once again, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they follow her journey.

Parallel to Annie’s story is that of Emer, living a century later in post-pandemic Ireland. Emer, too, is running from her own demons and seeks refuge in her family's ancestral home in West Kerry. However, the past refuses to remain buried, and Emer finds herself unraveling the long-hidden secrets of family history. As the lives of Annie and Emer intersect, the novel delves into themes of identity, legacy, and the enduring impact of history.

The author masterfully weaves together these two timelines, creating a richly layered narrative that is both poignant and suspenseful. The vivid descriptions of 1920s New York and contemporary Ireland bring the settings to life, while the well-developed characters evoke deep empathy and connection. Annie’s and Emer’s stories are compelling on their own, but their intertwining fates add a profound depth to the novel, highlighting the cyclical nature of history and the resilience of the human spirit.

A Maid on Fifth Avenue excels in its portrayal of the struggles faced by women across different eras. It tackles issues of social class, sexual orientation, and the search for belonging with sensitivity and insight.

Overall, this is a beautifully crafted novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and dual timeline narratives. Its blend of romance, mystery, and historical drama ensures that readers will be captivated from beginning to end.

I did not know what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find my two favourite genres of historical fiction and mystery intertwined.
The story is told in two timelines, present day and early 1900s and moves between Ireland and New York. It is well written, the reader is transported to the scenes by the descriptions, the characters are interesting and the twists keep coming. Sinead Crowley has a new fan!
I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book ,and I highly recommend it,a story about friendship,love and finding yourself in a society that thinks that love is a taboo.
Love all the characters,and how the characters are built up over time ,also the way the book moves from past to present to give the reader the plot.

I absolutely loved The Belladonna Maze so this book had a lot to live up to. It certainly did not disappoint. A Maid on Fifth Avenue is beautifully written and you are instantly transported with Annie, whether it be in Ireland or New York. This story is both bittersweet and heartwarming and I couldn't get enough of it. Such a wonderful novel.

Enjoyable read. Loved the way the story came together, going back and forth between modern day and where it all started. Great characters. Would recommend this book.

An enjoyable dual timeline book set in 1920's New York and post Covid Co. Kerry. Of the two main characters I preferred Annie's story. It seemed more complete and relevant than that of Emer although both were eminently readable and brought the story together nicely at the end. It did take me a little while to settle into the stories but once I did I was totally hooked. I've not read any Sinead Crowley books before but I shall certainly look up her other books now. Definitely a 5* recommendation from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the dual timeline in this novel and the intertwining tale of two women, Annie in the 1920s in New York and Emer in the present day in Ireland.

The struggles that these women face is not to be ignored. The book addresses these sensitively and with compassion.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

A Maid on Fifth Avenue by Sinead Crowley is an interesting book set in two time periods - the 1920’s and more recently in 2022.

Annie Thornton lives in Ballydrynawn, a small country town in County Kerry of Ireland. She wishes and dreams of another life in America and not happy with the life she is currently living. Eileen her mother understands how her daughter feels, grants her wish and gives her blessings for Annie’s safe journey to fulfill her desires and dreams. Annie is looking forward to her new adventure, but she is concerned and frightened about her best friend May who is married to a mean and bully of a man.

Annie begins her journey boarding a ship destined for New York. She has never traveled outside of Ireland. America has many different opportunities for working especially for Irish women. Annie soon find work as a Maid for Mrs Cavendish the affluent owner of a Mansion on Fifth Avenue. Annie settles in quickly, enjoying her work and new life. She writes letter back home and sends money to her family.

The next part of the story is not something that usually happened in the 1920’s. Annie soon meets Elena an Italian waitress, who has a strict family with traditional upbringing and a man has been arranged for Elena to marry. Will Elena go ahead with this marriage? Annie finds herself falling for Elena, both so confused about what is happening between them. Is this relationship acceptable or are they going to be criticised for their behaviour?

Fast forward to 2022, covid, isolation and everyone going digital, brings us to Emer Molloy who is suffering from COVID Burnout. She leaves Los Angeles California and returns home to Ireland, to her parents Maura and George. Emer wants to surprise them with her return. She discovers that they too wanted to surprise her and her brother’s family with a holiday to LA and Australia where her brother is living. Emer’s parents leave the next day. They suggest Emer go and stay at the cottage they own in Ballydrynawn. So Emer borrows her parents Ford Focus taking up her parents idea and drives to her parents cottage and where they spent her summers as a child.

Emer arrives soon after deciding to go for a seaside walk in search of the over 100 year old fairly tree. On the beach she meets a Robert Lynch a handsome young surfer and owner of his surfing school named ‘Breaking Waves’. Robert introduces and teaches Emer to the wonderful world of surfing. Emer is amazed how much she is enjoying her new hobby. She didn’t think she would.

There is a connection between Annie and Emer even with 100 years apart. Emer and Rob find an interesting revelation, many secrets, and hidden discoveries are revealed as try to price together their findings what this all means for Annie.

I received this fascinating book by Sinead Crowley, from NetGalley and the publishers Aria and Aries for an honest review. Let’s say it’s beginning is interesting and draws you into the story with surprising insights to life in the Irish country side, a taboo topic for the 1920 America and the reality of a worldwide pandemic of 2022.

Take your time to enjoy this novel, well written and leaves you feeling like you have personally been part of the story. I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

As you all know I love reading. Recently I was given the opportunity to read an early copy of Sinead Crowley "A maid on fifth avenue". I'm extremely grateful to #NetGalley and #headofzeus for sharing this story with me.
If you read "Belladonna Maze" you'd be already familiar with Sinead's writing style and seamless transitions in dual timeliness. In this story we meet Annie who left Ireland and went to America in the search of the better life and Emer who came to Ireland post-covid to relax and give her mind a well deserved break. Both stories describe romance as well as secrets that no matter how hard you try to keep them hidden - they always come out.
It's a beautiful description of social class differences, struggles that women are facing in a daily lifes, love taboos, family bonds and searching for your true self.
I'd absolutely recommend this book and I'm pretty sure it will make my top 10 (out of my yearly 300 reads) of the year just like her previous novel

1908 and Annie Thornton aged eight year old lives with her parents and younger sister Eve in a little house near the Atlantic Ocean, Ballydrynawn in county Kerry.
Annie has a best friend called May.
2022 Emer Molloy Irish by birth, but now living in America has arrived at her parents holiday home in County Kerry. After the Covid epidemic she is suffering from Covid burnout and needs to take time out from her busy life.
Annie as she grows in age looks over the ocean longingly, she wants to travel to America, sail over the ocean.
Emer wants a summer to restore herself and get her life back on track.
Will the two women find what they are looking for?

Told in timelines of 1908, 1920’s, 1940’s and 2022 the book moves through the chapters telling the story.
Although it has various characters its two main characters are Annie and Emer.
I enjoyed reading the book and found it interesting. The setting in County Kerry and New York City adding further interest.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

An absolutely brilliant duel time read which follows the lives of two women from Ireland.
Annie a young women from the early part of the twentieth century and Emer from the current period of time.
It is a beautiful love story which transcends the years.
It will entrance you from the very first page with a very satisfying ending
Can’t recommend it enough

I really enjoy a dual timeline novel, and this story of Annie, a young Irish woman, who travels to New York in the 1920s, intertwined with the modern day tale of Emer, a film producer who needs to decompress, is a good one.
In the 1920s timeline, Annie is a very modern, determined young woman, who finds friendship and with a young Italian woman. When this blossoms into passion, they are both at risk. Meanwhile, back in Ireland, terrible things are happening to Annie’s friend.
In the present strand, Emer finds herself learning to surf, and developing a friendship with her instructor. When this develops into something more, the past and present start to collide.
This is a light read, but with some themes which are a bit grittier. I enjoyed the author’s last book and think this is better. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A brilliantly written novel set in two different time periods. The first is set in 1920's New York the second is set in a small village in Ireland, I enjoyed how the two stories connected.

This is one of those dual time line novels- it's set in the 1920s and 2020- when the earlier time line is both more compelling and more interesting. Annie leaves Ireland for the US in the 1920s and Emer leaves the US for Ireland in 2020. It's Annie you'll care about as she navigates life on her own and tries to understand her feelings for Elena. And when she finds herself an outcast in her hometown. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read that's very much a portrait of a woman of her class and time.

A beautiful story intertwining the past with the present. Set in the rugged coast of county Kerry we get to know Annie who sailed off to New York in the 1920s. Whilst also meeting the descendants of the characters post COVID.
The characters develop well with tales of love, deep friendships and a mystery thrown in.
Highly recommend this, I couldn’t put it down.

Crowley is back with another beautifully written historical fiction/mystery in her book A Maid of Fifth Avenue. Set in two timelines, the story follows young Annie who dreams of travelling the world and escaping life in rural Kerry. When she gets the opportunity to travel to New York and find work as a maid for a wealthy family living on Fifth Avenue, she jumps at the chance. Annie soon makes a friend, an Italian waitress named Elena. But soon friendship evolves into something much more and they find themselves in a dangerous situation as Annie’s past catches up with her.

A century later, Emer finds herself in her family’s holiday home in West Kerry. But here too, the past refuses to die and Annie and Emer’s lives become inextricably linked with long buried secrets bubbling to the surface.

Crowley’s ability to write the most genuine characters is one of my favourite aspects of her storytelling. The story of these two women is carefully untangled on the pages- the dual timelines allowing the reader to jump between the 1920s and 2020s and see the connections between the protagonists reveal themselves. Like Crowley’s The Belladonna Maze, the author fuses together mystery and historical fiction to give her readers a powerful and poignant story that will grab your attention from the very first page.

Annie is a fierce character, a loyal friend and a woman who doesn’t want to settle. She’s willing to leave everything she knows to find a new life for herself at a time when women were expected to marry and have children. Her adventurous spirit and her love of new experiences is heartwarming; the love she has for Carla is beautiful and the development of their romance and relationship is so perfectly captured by the author. I would have been happy to focus solely on Annie’s story but the addition of Emer’s story and how these two women are so closely linked really adds another dimension to the book. Emer’s role is to unravel the tangled web of secrets with the help of Rob.

Be warned that there is discussion of domestic violence and assault but these topics are handled with great care by Crowley - they’re integral to the story rather than an add on for dramatic effect.

The contrast between 1920s New York, the hustle and bustle of life there in comparison to the quiet life of those in West Kerry is visualised perfectly by Crowley. She deals with some big topics here like racism, the wealth divide, homophobia, the influence of religion, homesickness and more in this and it makes for a captivating and engaging story.

A Maid on Fifth Avenue is out tomorrow (26th) . 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thanks to NetGalley & Aria & Aries for the arc.

In 2022, Emer returns to the West Kerry home, where she spent her childhood summers to relax and recover in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Surprisingly alone, she seeks companionship and finds what she needs in Rob and his friends. In the early twentieth century, Annie's close-knit family was everything to her, as was her friendship with her childhood friend, May. As an adult in the 1920s, she goes to America with her family's support and becomes a maid in an affluent house on Fifth Avenue. Her life changes as she makes new friends and comes of age before the problems she left behind return and force her back to her homeland. I enjoyed the characterisation and the family and friendship relationships. They are believable and define both Annie and Emer. I like the historical timeline's descriptive and insightful writing that immerses you in 1920s New York. I like the romance and tension in post-pandemic Kerry, which builds to an impactful ending. The twists are cleverly written and draw the two women together across time.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.