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Roone #3
I'll Be Home for Christmas
A festive, feel-good tale about family and new beginnings from the author of Life Before Us and The Restaurant'The many fans of Meaney would be delighted to find this book in their Christmas stocking' Irish IndependentIt's three days before Christmas . . .Tilly boards a plane on the other side of the world. She's determined to reach Roone, a small island off the west coast of Ireland, in time for Christmas Day. Tilly carries a troubling secret and Laura, a woman she's never met, might be the only one who can help her.Except that Laura has no idea that Tilly exists. And with five children, a mother-in-law stranded on the island and a husband with whom she's barely on speaking terms, an unexpected Christmas guest is the last thing she needs.As Tilly's journey brings her ever closer to Roone, a storm is also heading for the island - will she make it in time for Christmas?
425 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2015
About the author
Roisin Meaney
36 books350 followersBorn on 3rd September.
A published author of twenty books for adults and three for children, Roisin worked as an advertising copywriter for a number of years, and brings a vast amount of experience to the editing team. Her first novel, The Daisy Picker, won a Write a Bestseller competition. Her third novel, The Last Week of May reached number one on the Irish bestseller list and her fourth, The People Next Door reached number two. Her books have been translated into several languages, and two, Semi-Sweet and Life Drawing for Beginners, have been published in the US. She is currently working on her next book, which is scheduled for publication in autumn 2023. She is also plotting another children's book - shhhhh.
A published author of twenty books for adults and three for children, Roisin worked as an advertising copywriter for a number of years, and brings a vast amount of experience to the editing team. Her first novel, The Daisy Picker, won a Write a Bestseller competition. Her third novel, The Last Week of May reached number one on the Irish bestseller list and her fourth, The People Next Door reached number two. Her books have been translated into several languages, and two, Semi-Sweet and Life Drawing for Beginners, have been published in the US. She is currently working on her next book, which is scheduled for publication in autumn 2023. She is also plotting another children's book - shhhhh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
December 28, 2017
Wow. I did not like this book at all. This is the third book taking place on the Island of Roone. I am a sucker for series books and this one just turned into a mess. Maybe because the story just focuses on two characters (Laura and Tilly). I just had a hard time with how things worked out in this book, and also how we just heard about but never saw characters. I maybe rolled my eyes at how Nell's stepson seemed to just walk into a room and some teen girl falls for him (just like in book #2). Though it was a Christmas book, it barely figured into this story I thought.
Laura has dealt with some tragic things in the two years we have seen this character. She had another baby and is constantly fighting with her husband Gavin. She seems to hate the air he breathes and is angry that he invited his mother to visit before the holidays. Laura is a pill in this almost until the end. You find out what is going on with her and why she's acting the way she is, but I started to run out of sympathy for her at the halfway point.
Tilly was born and raised in Australia. You initially don't get who she is, but Meaney lets you know after a few chapters why Tilly is so focused on getting to Ireland and Roone. Tilly just makes a terrible decision after terrible decision. I also didn't get her parents in this book. They barely felt present to me. Considering everything that Tilly is involved with before she leaves Australia, I had a hard time buying her parents would let her leave the country during Christmas.
We get some sightings of Nell, James, and Jame's son. We hear about characters such as Eve and Nell's father. I felt disappointed in this one, cause Laura and Tilly are not that exciting on their own.
The book dragged for me until the very end when things magically get wrapped up. I thought there was too much going on in this one though. We get storms, a death, fighting every five seconds, etc. I just thought it was too much to read about happening in just a few days.
Laura has dealt with some tragic things in the two years we have seen this character. She had another baby and is constantly fighting with her husband Gavin. She seems to hate the air he breathes and is angry that he invited his mother to visit before the holidays. Laura is a pill in this almost until the end. You find out what is going on with her and why she's acting the way she is, but I started to run out of sympathy for her at the halfway point.
Tilly was born and raised in Australia. You initially don't get who she is, but Meaney lets you know after a few chapters why Tilly is so focused on getting to Ireland and Roone. Tilly just makes a terrible decision after terrible decision. I also didn't get her parents in this book. They barely felt present to me. Considering everything that Tilly is involved with before she leaves Australia, I had a hard time buying her parents would let her leave the country during Christmas.
We get some sightings of Nell, James, and Jame's son. We hear about characters such as Eve and Nell's father. I felt disappointed in this one, cause Laura and Tilly are not that exciting on their own.
The book dragged for me until the very end when things magically get wrapped up. I thought there was too much going on in this one though. We get storms, a death, fighting every five seconds, etc. I just thought it was too much to read about happening in just a few days.
January 17, 2016
I finally grabbed a copy of this, after Christmas, and was delighted to plonk myself down by the fire and get my Christmas reading on...
Tilly is on a mission. Onboard a flight halfway around the world, she is trying to find answers. The questions have only just surfaced but time is not on her side.
Laura is in a dark place. A recent illness has caused her life to change and she fears it will never be the same again. Despite the love of her family, she struggles to wear a smile these days.
Can the two strangers bring each other some comfort or is distance more than a measure of miles?
This is Roisin Meaney's twelfth female fiction title and her words are by no means drying up. Although marketed as a Christmas book, this could be read at anytime of the year. It is a novel of hope, the concept of family and new beginnings. It tells the stories of two very different girls, yet with something in common. They have had polar opposite lives, in vastly different countries, yet have both been hurt by the same man. They may not realise it, but they could do with each other. Tilly is lost and alone, with childlike innocence that she needs helps growing out of. In contrast, Laura could do with some of her innocence back. She has battled demons and is struggling to come out the other side. The Irish author combines the two strong characters with a more abstract, geographical one: Roone, a small island off the coast of Ireland. Here the reader learns that sometimes things happen for a reason, not always fathomable...
Roisin Meaney has a knack of bringing Ireland to life, even if it seems a bit cliché. The ramblings of the islanders may seem extreme, but I have heard many a conversation similar in cities, as well as villages. We Irish love to talk! The sense of community is also realistic, as many have seen over the past few weeks during the floods in Ireland and the UK. There is also a calm certainty to the relationships formed throughout the book. There is no need for bells and whistles, or grand gestures of romance or thrills. The everyday lives of the characters are more than enough. We all know you can have Prosecco and Macaroons, but sometimes a fruit scone and a cup of tea is all you need. Likewise with a good book. No matter what the season is, the key is to sit down, relax and escape into another world for a bit. Maybe with a scone and a cuppa on the side...
A lovely, warm read. Ideal for fans of Freya North and Jane Greene.
Tilly is on a mission. Onboard a flight halfway around the world, she is trying to find answers. The questions have only just surfaced but time is not on her side.
Laura is in a dark place. A recent illness has caused her life to change and she fears it will never be the same again. Despite the love of her family, she struggles to wear a smile these days.
Can the two strangers bring each other some comfort or is distance more than a measure of miles?
This is Roisin Meaney's twelfth female fiction title and her words are by no means drying up. Although marketed as a Christmas book, this could be read at anytime of the year. It is a novel of hope, the concept of family and new beginnings. It tells the stories of two very different girls, yet with something in common. They have had polar opposite lives, in vastly different countries, yet have both been hurt by the same man. They may not realise it, but they could do with each other. Tilly is lost and alone, with childlike innocence that she needs helps growing out of. In contrast, Laura could do with some of her innocence back. She has battled demons and is struggling to come out the other side. The Irish author combines the two strong characters with a more abstract, geographical one: Roone, a small island off the coast of Ireland. Here the reader learns that sometimes things happen for a reason, not always fathomable...
Roisin Meaney has a knack of bringing Ireland to life, even if it seems a bit cliché. The ramblings of the islanders may seem extreme, but I have heard many a conversation similar in cities, as well as villages. We Irish love to talk! The sense of community is also realistic, as many have seen over the past few weeks during the floods in Ireland and the UK. There is also a calm certainty to the relationships formed throughout the book. There is no need for bells and whistles, or grand gestures of romance or thrills. The everyday lives of the characters are more than enough. We all know you can have Prosecco and Macaroons, but sometimes a fruit scone and a cup of tea is all you need. Likewise with a good book. No matter what the season is, the key is to sit down, relax and escape into another world for a bit. Maybe with a scone and a cuppa on the side...
A lovely, warm read. Ideal for fans of Freya North and Jane Greene.
December 29, 2016
I loved every whimsical corner of the mysterious Roone Island. An Island where miracles happen, where apples grow all year round, and where the cemetery smells of orange or chocolate.
Where the community are resilient, over friendly and come bearing gossip. This was a lovely easy read with heart warming characters and all the feel good feels.
I realised while reading that this is a standalone book but there are a series of books set on Roone Island and I'm off now to buy them all.
Where the community are resilient, over friendly and come bearing gossip. This was a lovely easy read with heart warming characters and all the feel good feels.
I realised while reading that this is a standalone book but there are a series of books set on Roone Island and I'm off now to buy them all.
February 10, 2017
I loved this book! This is really not my genre as I would normally class this as 'chick lit' but I picked it up in beautifully new condition at a local sale and the title appealed to me as it was almost Christmas! Well I was immediately drawn into the story and the author has a knack of slowly revealing more about each character and their background until you find yourself missing the characters after you've read the book! I liked it because it was unexpected, kept me guessing and isn;t sentimental. The fact that I realised half way through that this books belongs as part of a series didn't matter - you don;t feel you need to have read the other books to understand this one. When I finished the book I found myself Googling 'Roone', the beautiful island where the book takes place. I was so disappointed to learn it doesn't exist! But it has made me curious to visit Valencia as the author painted such a nice picture of Roone which I think was based on Valencia! This book is simple and uncomplicated but a 'comfort read' and wonderfully uplifting, the type of book you want to pass on and recommend to a friend - a joy to read.
October 4, 2016
I loved this book and really enjoy Roisin Meaney's writing style. I didn't want the book to end. The characters were all very interesting, especially Laura and her new found sister Tilly. I loved all the magic that occurred on Roone. I can't wait to read Roisin Meaney's next book.
December 22, 2017
A really enjoyable Christmas read that i really enjoyed. Recommended.
November 1, 2015
Over the past few years I have been attracted to Roisin Meaney books when I have spotted them in various Kindle sales, and then unfortunately I have forgotten to start reading them, and so my collection for the author has grown until this book.
I'll Be Home For Christmas is the first Roisin Meaney I have read, and all I can say is I'm so glad I have a stock pile of others to read already, as I need to read more from this fabulous author. This was obviously also my first trip to Roone Island, and I can see why I've seen people raving about the location. There is just something special about this tiny island off the west coast of Ireland, that draws visitors and readers into it.
I'll Be Home For Christmas can definitely be read as a standalone book, I am guessing at what was background info from the previous books, and felt like I knew more than enough to get a good idea of what may have happened. However the main focus of this book is on Laura's family.
Laura has five children, one husband, a menagerie of farm animals, and is recovering from Cancer. She also has her mother in law visiting just before Christmas. Between some awful weather conditions, she last thing she wants or needs is her mother in law stuck on the island for Christmas, and then on Christmas day she gets a surprise visitor.
Tilly had boarded a plane, from Australia, via Singapore and London, to Ireland,three days before Christmas to meet a woman she has never met, and doesn't know that Tilly exists.
The book alternates viewpoints between Laura's and Tilly, and from Tilly's early story we see a lot of kindness of strangers, and some fabulous examples of that famous Irish hospitality.
This is a story of warmth towards everyone, and also of families, of all kinds. Adoptive families, birth parents, extended family and also features some lovely children. Laura's twin girls and Poppy, are all utterly adorable, and Laura although clearly stressed, and scared, is someone who we get to know in great detail. And see her thoughts on the new arrival, and then on other occurrences to the family, and on Roone Island.
I got a great feeling for the island of Roone, and its fabulous community spirit. I think if I was to read the other books set their I would get a stronger feeling of its beauty, which is harder to tell in winter.
I'll Be Home For Christmas is a truly remarkable book, set over the Christmas period. It isn't the sort of book that will make you run out and want to put the tree up early, but it is, a heart warming tale, that you won't want to put down.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hatchette Ireland for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
I'll Be Home For Christmas is the first Roisin Meaney I have read, and all I can say is I'm so glad I have a stock pile of others to read already, as I need to read more from this fabulous author. This was obviously also my first trip to Roone Island, and I can see why I've seen people raving about the location. There is just something special about this tiny island off the west coast of Ireland, that draws visitors and readers into it.
I'll Be Home For Christmas can definitely be read as a standalone book, I am guessing at what was background info from the previous books, and felt like I knew more than enough to get a good idea of what may have happened. However the main focus of this book is on Laura's family.
Laura has five children, one husband, a menagerie of farm animals, and is recovering from Cancer. She also has her mother in law visiting just before Christmas. Between some awful weather conditions, she last thing she wants or needs is her mother in law stuck on the island for Christmas, and then on Christmas day she gets a surprise visitor.
Tilly had boarded a plane, from Australia, via Singapore and London, to Ireland,three days before Christmas to meet a woman she has never met, and doesn't know that Tilly exists.
The book alternates viewpoints between Laura's and Tilly, and from Tilly's early story we see a lot of kindness of strangers, and some fabulous examples of that famous Irish hospitality.
This is a story of warmth towards everyone, and also of families, of all kinds. Adoptive families, birth parents, extended family and also features some lovely children. Laura's twin girls and Poppy, are all utterly adorable, and Laura although clearly stressed, and scared, is someone who we get to know in great detail. And see her thoughts on the new arrival, and then on other occurrences to the family, and on Roone Island.
I got a great feeling for the island of Roone, and its fabulous community spirit. I think if I was to read the other books set their I would get a stronger feeling of its beauty, which is harder to tell in winter.
I'll Be Home For Christmas is a truly remarkable book, set over the Christmas period. It isn't the sort of book that will make you run out and want to put the tree up early, but it is, a heart warming tale, that you won't want to put down.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hatchette Ireland for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
March 10, 2016
I have been reading Roisin Meaney's books for years there is something about her style of writing that makes me feel that I'm curled up by an old fashioned fireplace with an old friend.that warm cosy feeling fills me up every time I get stuck in to one of her books this one was no different. We are back on Roone in I'll be home for Christmas and the story focuses on Gavin and Laura and Laura's new acquired sister Tilly. Kick off your shoes curl up and enjoy this charming story not to be missed in my opinion
November 29, 2015
I've never read any of Roisin Meaney's books before but as she was compared to Maeve Binchey I thought I would enjoy this and I wasn't wrong. This is a lovely story of Tilly coming from Australia to meet the sister she has only just found out exists. There are a wonderful cast of characters and Roisin Meaney really captures the atmosphere of that Christmas on the island of Roone. I loved this book and will be looking for more of her books. Thanks to Netgallery for giving me the chance to read & review this book.
December 30, 2015
A perfect winter holiday read. This third Roone novel is as sincere as the other two, but perhaps a little less sparkly. It concentrates on the development of Laura’s story, strongly crafted, but I think it misses Nell, who barely features. Perhaps the writer doesn’t want the series to be as long running as the Archers, but why ever not please?
January 19, 2023
Great to catch up with the residents of Roone, old and new.
December 13, 2017
I loved this story, was a nice "don't think too hard" easy read and I found myself very invested in the characters and wondering how it would all play out in the end.
A lovely holiday read.
A lovely holiday read.
Read
February 19, 2016I received this book through NetGalley and from Hachette Books Ireland. Roisin Meaney is a master storyteller of the highest caliber. This was a wonderful, magical, heartwarming book. I loved the main character, Tilly, and her bravery at such a young age. The characters are all well developed and you will feel what they all feel. Magic and love of family abounds on Roone. The story flowed effortlessly from beginning to end. It was a very warm and fuzzy read and I loved every minute of it. I am hoping to read all of the authors other books as I love her style of writing and how heartfelt they are written. The plot will draw you in and you will be captivated by this story. This is a book that I would love to read again and again, it is that captivating. I would highly recommend this read to everyone. It is a wonderful ride, filled with love and emotion. I loved this book!
December 28, 2016
This is the third book by Roisin Meaney that is set on the Island of Roone. Hear books can be read as standalone but to get an insight into the characters it would be good to read the other two books first
I loved this book and found it an easy read. In this book we meet Tilly who travels half way across the world to Roone to find out who she really is. She is also,carrying a secret that she cannot tell anyone about. Laura who lives on Roone is married with five children and is stressed out from dealing with the children, her mother in law and running a b&b. She is also recovering from a very serious illness.
Will Laura be able to help Tilly ?
I loved this book and found it an easy read. In this book we meet Tilly who travels half way across the world to Roone to find out who she really is. She is also,carrying a secret that she cannot tell anyone about. Laura who lives on Roone is married with five children and is stressed out from dealing with the children, her mother in law and running a b&b. She is also recovering from a very serious illness.
Will Laura be able to help Tilly ?
February 10, 2017
This was part of my Christmas reading and I really enjoyed it. Although this is the third book based on Roone it can be read as a standalone which I've done.
This story is based on Laura and Tilly. I found these two to be very likeable characters and found myself feeling as if I was on the Roone island with them.
Really loved visiting the magical Roone Island. I'm so looking forward to reading more from this author.
This story is based on Laura and Tilly. I found these two to be very likeable characters and found myself feeling as if I was on the Roone island with them.
Really loved visiting the magical Roone Island. I'm so looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 21, 2016
I absolutely loved this book, it was set on the Irish Island of Roone and the third novel about Roone. I read it in 1 day I was so engrossed I couldn't put it down.
July 19, 2016
Loved this book right from the start...an enjoyable read!
February 28, 2017
A warm and cosy read
Enjoyed every word didn't need to skip any of the chapters. Would recommend to anyone needing a cosy afternoon in
Enjoyed every word didn't need to skip any of the chapters. Would recommend to anyone needing a cosy afternoon in
February 18, 2019
I loved this book .... it’s a delightful story.
December 30, 2018
3.5 Stars
Well, a lot has happened on Roone since I last visited - most notably Laura has added to her family with another baby daughter. In fact, this caused me to spend the first few pages convinced I'd been here before but something just didn't quite match up for me then George the Donkey got a namecheck and I remembered reading about this rather odd Irish Isle previously and it all began to slot in to place for me. To be honest, the book did get slightly more enjoyable from that point on as I realised these were a set of characters I had already been introduced to (I must read the first of the 3 books set on Roone).
This tale though is all about Tilly and her search for her sister. You see, she was born in Australia and found out 5 years ago that she had been adopted; now she is 17 she has finally traced her rather disinterested birth mother and found out that she has a full sister. After a disastrous event in her personal life she decides to travel to Roone to meet her sister in the hope she can run away from her problems and hide out with her. She lies to her adoptive family and manufactures a Balinese holiday with a friend's family to explain her absence and off she sets.
As with most of Ms Meaney's novels the book covers the lives of disparate people, so, interspersed with tales of Tilly's fateful (and very eventful) journey we get regular updates from Laura. This isn't a Laura we recognise from previous books - this is a struggling Laura, her sunny disposition lost to personal circumstance and a trying mother-in-law. When the storm hits Roone all communication with the outside world is lost and, most worryingly, so is the strange apple tree that fruits all year round. Does the storm bring good with it too? It certainly blows more "trouble" in to Laura's life and leaves Tilly stranded.
As with all of her books this deals with the eternal themes of love and loss. Even though this book is set at Christmas we still have death to contend with and severe illness alongside the usual family borne frictions. The huge dollop of real life could add a depressing dimension to the read but somehow it lifts it in this reader's estimation. Whilst escapism and happy ever afters are nice something with a bit more bite is always welcome.
Unfortunately, for me, the characters just didn't come alive in the way I felt they should have done. Gavin's Mother (Gloria) and Laura's Father in particular are very two dimensional and the characters that Tilly meets on her long journey from Heathrow to Dublin to Roone are either ne'er do well Southerners or salt of the earth Irish and it did begin to grate a little with me. Tilly and Laura are at least very full feeling characters and I loved the changes wrought in Laura and her attempts to get her old self back - this rang so true (fortunately my reasons for the massive change in my personality were far less traumatic than hers) and was dealt with beautifully. Tilly is 17 and it shows but the author managed to get all the insecurities and constant self-doubt of this age on to the page without making Tilly a caricature.
This is a very good read but it was the lack of characterisation of the supporting cast that marked this one down for me.
Well, a lot has happened on Roone since I last visited - most notably Laura has added to her family with another baby daughter. In fact, this caused me to spend the first few pages convinced I'd been here before but something just didn't quite match up for me then George the Donkey got a namecheck and I remembered reading about this rather odd Irish Isle previously and it all began to slot in to place for me. To be honest, the book did get slightly more enjoyable from that point on as I realised these were a set of characters I had already been introduced to (I must read the first of the 3 books set on Roone).
This tale though is all about Tilly and her search for her sister. You see, she was born in Australia and found out 5 years ago that she had been adopted; now she is 17 she has finally traced her rather disinterested birth mother and found out that she has a full sister. After a disastrous event in her personal life she decides to travel to Roone to meet her sister in the hope she can run away from her problems and hide out with her. She lies to her adoptive family and manufactures a Balinese holiday with a friend's family to explain her absence and off she sets.
As with most of Ms Meaney's novels the book covers the lives of disparate people, so, interspersed with tales of Tilly's fateful (and very eventful) journey we get regular updates from Laura. This isn't a Laura we recognise from previous books - this is a struggling Laura, her sunny disposition lost to personal circumstance and a trying mother-in-law. When the storm hits Roone all communication with the outside world is lost and, most worryingly, so is the strange apple tree that fruits all year round. Does the storm bring good with it too? It certainly blows more "trouble" in to Laura's life and leaves Tilly stranded.
As with all of her books this deals with the eternal themes of love and loss. Even though this book is set at Christmas we still have death to contend with and severe illness alongside the usual family borne frictions. The huge dollop of real life could add a depressing dimension to the read but somehow it lifts it in this reader's estimation. Whilst escapism and happy ever afters are nice something with a bit more bite is always welcome.
Unfortunately, for me, the characters just didn't come alive in the way I felt they should have done. Gavin's Mother (Gloria) and Laura's Father in particular are very two dimensional and the characters that Tilly meets on her long journey from Heathrow to Dublin to Roone are either ne'er do well Southerners or salt of the earth Irish and it did begin to grate a little with me. Tilly and Laura are at least very full feeling characters and I loved the changes wrought in Laura and her attempts to get her old self back - this rang so true (fortunately my reasons for the massive change in my personality were far less traumatic than hers) and was dealt with beautifully. Tilly is 17 and it shows but the author managed to get all the insecurities and constant self-doubt of this age on to the page without making Tilly a caricature.
This is a very good read but it was the lack of characterisation of the supporting cast that marked this one down for me.
November 29, 2017
Very thoughtful story set over Christmas, with lots going on and some quite hard subjects (cancer, marriage problems, shock pregnancy, long-lost unknown sister etc.) but because it was set on the quite mystical, very friendly Irish island of Roone in Kerry it balanced it out with the characters and made for a very entertaining read.
Laura really has her hands full, she's recently recovering from cancer, has 5 young children (2 sets of twins and a baby), isn't getting on with her husband at the moment, has to put up with her cranky mother-in-law over Christmas, and then a sister she didn't even know she had landed on her doorstep from Australia on Christmas Day. I really felt for Laura, she really needed a break!
Seventeen year old Tilly has flown halfway around the world from Australia to Ireland to meet a sister she never knew about until fairly recently, without telling anyone, including the new sister. Her adoptive parents think she's with a friend in Bali for Christmas. She gets robbed en-route and misses flights etc., so her journey takes her twice as long as it should have, and to top it all off she's pregnant, which she's also been keeping a secret from her parents. But she's helped along the way by the legendary kindness of the Irish people and finally makes it to her destination.
So lots of drama and family secrets going on, but it all just worked and you were really hoping for a happy ending for everyone. There was a big storm at one point, right over Christmas, and buildings were damaged, but the local community is the sort that rallies around and helps everyone else out, very close-knit and friendly. For animal lovers like me, as I did have a little hiccup at one point(!), the animals are all OK!
Really good book set mainly from the two perspectives of Laura and Tilly. I wouldn't call it a particularly happy book as there was so much angst going on, but it was quite a riveting read about all the intricacies of extended families. I've read the first book set on Roone, which I also found really enjoyable, lighter than this one, but have missed the middle one, so I'm off to get that one now, and really hope that there's a follow-up to this one as I really want to know more about how Tilly's life turns out.
Laura really has her hands full, she's recently recovering from cancer, has 5 young children (2 sets of twins and a baby), isn't getting on with her husband at the moment, has to put up with her cranky mother-in-law over Christmas, and then a sister she didn't even know she had landed on her doorstep from Australia on Christmas Day. I really felt for Laura, she really needed a break!
Seventeen year old Tilly has flown halfway around the world from Australia to Ireland to meet a sister she never knew about until fairly recently, without telling anyone, including the new sister. Her adoptive parents think she's with a friend in Bali for Christmas. She gets robbed en-route and misses flights etc., so her journey takes her twice as long as it should have, and to top it all off she's pregnant, which she's also been keeping a secret from her parents. But she's helped along the way by the legendary kindness of the Irish people and finally makes it to her destination.
So lots of drama and family secrets going on, but it all just worked and you were really hoping for a happy ending for everyone. There was a big storm at one point, right over Christmas, and buildings were damaged, but the local community is the sort that rallies around and helps everyone else out, very close-knit and friendly. For animal lovers like me, as I did have a little hiccup at one point(!), the animals are all OK!
Really good book set mainly from the two perspectives of Laura and Tilly. I wouldn't call it a particularly happy book as there was so much angst going on, but it was quite a riveting read about all the intricacies of extended families. I've read the first book set on Roone, which I also found really enjoyable, lighter than this one, but have missed the middle one, so I'm off to get that one now, and really hope that there's a follow-up to this one as I really want to know more about how Tilly's life turns out.
October 9, 2017
Spoilers!!!
Meaney does it again! I had high expectations for the novel; Meaney did not let me down. The strength of the novel lied in Laura and Tilly. Tilly was just lovely. She was a good kid with a mature head on her shoulders. She wasn't perfect, however. Without giving too much away, Tilly got herself into a serious mess, and her secret trip to Ireland only made the chaos messier. Meaney mangaed to give Tilly the endearment of a child together with the shortsightedness of a teenager. So many teenager are depicted as shallow and too immature, so I love how much Meaney did her characters justice. Laura had just gotten through her battle with Cancer. Meaney researched the post-effects of Cancer treatment, and it really showed. There were so many little details about Laura's experience that the whole story line rang true. For example, Laura's hair color and texture changed and Laura suddenly felt uncomfortable with her body. It was a truly rough read because someone very close to me also battled Cancer, but I must say Meaney handled the topic with grace. What really made the novel stand out was how Tilly's relationship with her teacher was handled. Many people in the entertainment industry are fond of the illicit relationship of a teacher with an under aged student, and it is disturbing. There is nothing romantic about statutory rape. I was worried that Meaney would romanticize the relationship, but she didn't. She treated it like the crime it is.
If you love Meaney's work, you'll love this. If you haven't read any of her work, what are you waiting for!
Meaney does it again! I had high expectations for the novel; Meaney did not let me down. The strength of the novel lied in Laura and Tilly. Tilly was just lovely. She was a good kid with a mature head on her shoulders. She wasn't perfect, however. Without giving too much away, Tilly got herself into a serious mess, and her secret trip to Ireland only made the chaos messier. Meaney mangaed to give Tilly the endearment of a child together with the shortsightedness of a teenager. So many teenager are depicted as shallow and too immature, so I love how much Meaney did her characters justice. Laura had just gotten through her battle with Cancer. Meaney researched the post-effects of Cancer treatment, and it really showed. There were so many little details about Laura's experience that the whole story line rang true. For example, Laura's hair color and texture changed and Laura suddenly felt uncomfortable with her body. It was a truly rough read because someone very close to me also battled Cancer, but I must say Meaney handled the topic with grace. What really made the novel stand out was how Tilly's relationship with her teacher was handled. Many people in the entertainment industry are fond of the illicit relationship of a teacher with an under aged student, and it is disturbing. There is nothing romantic about statutory rape. I was worried that Meaney would romanticize the relationship, but she didn't. She treated it like the crime it is.
If you love Meaney's work, you'll love this. If you haven't read any of her work, what are you waiting for!
November 21, 2022
This was not so much a Christmas story, but more a story of a young Australian woman, Tilly, searching, and beginning to understand herself and her place within the newly found family she has discovered halfway around the world to a tiny island off the Irish coast. It just so happens it takes place during the week of Christmas, so there are some cozy details and holiday events on the island of Roone. It seems like everyone here has had a bit of heartache to deal with, with more mishaps and disasters occurring still during the week. I did like these characters, and their strong bond of friendship and family helping them cope. In the end, almost everyone has been affected positively by Tilly's visit, with plans made for her return.
As for Tilly herself, her life is now forever changed, for the better. "She felt like she was opening up, like everything in her was unfurling and reaching out to the sea, and being nourished by it. She thought this must be what people meant when they talked about something touching their souls."
As for Tilly herself, her life is now forever changed, for the better. "She felt like she was opening up, like everything in her was unfurling and reaching out to the sea, and being nourished by it. She thought this must be what people meant when they talked about something touching their souls."
February 26, 2018
Such fun to continue my love affair with the residents of this island off Ireland! Concentrating this time on Laura and a surprise visitor from Australia, old favourites are not neglected, but relegated to the periphery of the real life struggles facing Laura. (Minor annoyance, this is set in Ireland at Christmas, it is cold, really cold; the Australian visitor comes from inland Queensland and has seen the ocean once in her 17 years - why does the cover of this paperback edition feature two woman on a sunshine kissed beach!!?)
January 3, 2024
This book was amazing! I was hooked on the story but from around the halfway point I couldn't put it down. The switching perspectives was done excellently and there was a natural end yet it made me want to know more. The characters were well developed and the author showed what they were like and how they behaved. I enjoyed their interactions with each other. I loved how Ireland and the people there were portrayed. It gave me such a homey feeling and made me feel extra grateful for where I am from. I'd love to read a sequel to find out what happens to the main characters in the future.
December 17, 2018
This was a very whimsical holiday story that I enjoyed a lot. I liked that the main focus was on friendship and family and not romance. Tilly was a great character and I forgave her for her stupid decisions because of her young age. I loved Laura and felt a lot if empathy for what she had gone through, though my sympathy for her started to decrease a little by the end. But her story was very relatable. I loved all the townspeople and the wonderful island of Roone. Great read!
December 16, 2018
I loved visiting Roon again, a very small island off the west coast of Ireland, especially at Christmas. Nell and Laura still live there with their families and are in for a huge surprise when Tilly, a 17-year-old girl from Australia, appears on Laura's doorstep Christmas Day. I like these characters more with each book of the series. Best to read One Summer and After the Wedding first.
August 24, 2020
This was such a warm, wonderful read. I was so happy to return to all the characters and check in with them. I love how there’s always just a bit of magic and the accepted extraordinary on Roone, and this book was certainly magic on its own. Lovely holiday (or any day) read by this masterful storyteller!
August 9, 2017
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I really loved this book and felt drawn into this beautiful story.The author's description of the magical island and it's residents was amazing and she completely captured the atmosphere and quirkiness of Ireland and Irish people.
Look forward to more from this author.
I really loved this book and felt drawn into this beautiful story.The author's description of the magical island and it's residents was amazing and she completely captured the atmosphere and quirkiness of Ireland and Irish people.
Look forward to more from this author.
June 24, 2020
A WonderFULL book to get lost in!
So many characters with intertwining lives. Easy to get drawn in for a heartwarming saga on this Irish island again.
They stay in my thoughts long after I take a break from reading.
So many characters with intertwining lives. Easy to get drawn in for a heartwarming saga on this Irish island again.
They stay in my thoughts long after I take a break from reading.
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