ljbar's review
4.0
After I rated this book 4 stars I had a quick look at the other Cathy Kelly novels in my 'read' list - I'd rated all of them 4 stars. There is something about Cathy Kelly's writing that draws me in. As other reviews have stated, there are quite a few characters to get your head around, but I found each of their stories moving in their own way.
There was a lovely sense of community - both large and small - in the novel and I found myself invested in each of the storylines. There was also a real sense of finding the positive in something negative. Freya's backstory was heartbreaking, as was Peggy's, yet these two young women had an admirable inner strength. And I couldn't help but think how great it would be to have a friend like Bobbi in your corner!
I found myself choking up through the last couple of chapters. This was a heart-warming read and one I would recommend.
There was a lovely sense of community - both large and small - in the novel and I found myself invested in each of the storylines. There was also a real sense of finding the positive in something negative. Freya's backstory was heartbreaking, as was Peggy's, yet these two young women had an admirable inner strength. And I couldn't help but think how great it would be to have a friend like Bobbi in your corner!
I found myself choking up through the last couple of chapters. This was a heart-warming read and one I would recommend.
sally_ann_t's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
zayzaysays_hi's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
donnareadathon2021's review
4.0
A classic Cathy Kelly story... Similar to her other books, this is a story profiling a slice of life in small town Ireland.
Lillie has recently lost her husband Sam when her sons track down the brother she has never known back in Ireland. She is travelling there to meet Seth and his wife Frankie. She finds a couple struggling to navigate the next stage of their marriage.
Also new to Redmond is Peggy, a victim of abuse who is scared to settle down. She has longed for a knitting and craft shop and finally found a place to start one in Redmond. She bears the terrible scars of an abusive father and abused mother.
Peggy meets David and the story delves into his family, his siblings - mostly his sister Meredith, mother Opal and his teenage cousin who is living with his parents after the death of her father.
It’s a touching story about the trials of life, finding love and appreciating the family that you have. A sweet read with the thread of honey and beekeeping woven in
Lillie has recently lost her husband Sam when her sons track down the brother she has never known back in Ireland. She is travelling there to meet Seth and his wife Frankie. She finds a couple struggling to navigate the next stage of their marriage.
Also new to Redmond is Peggy, a victim of abuse who is scared to settle down. She has longed for a knitting and craft shop and finally found a place to start one in Redmond. She bears the terrible scars of an abusive father and abused mother.
Peggy meets David and the story delves into his family, his siblings - mostly his sister Meredith, mother Opal and his teenage cousin who is living with his parents after the death of her father.
It’s a touching story about the trials of life, finding love and appreciating the family that you have. A sweet read with the thread of honey and beekeeping woven in
terryliz's review
4.0
Of all Cathy Kelly's books, this one really reminds me of a Maeve Binchy book in tone and format. There are a good number of characters whose stories are all connected in some way and there's a general air of coziness throughout. There's definitely room for a sequel or two as no one's story was completely tied up at the end. I would welcome such a treat!
malinowy's review
3.0
To be fair, this is more of a 2.5-star book in its predictability. Basically this is one of those feel-good books where you know exactly what you're going to get once you start reading it, like a romantic comedy in paper format. Not a bad thing, but to talk about the plot or development or anything of the sort would feel weird because those are not reasons why one reads books like this. Perfect for a hot day on the beach, and serves its purpose for making you happy and fearing cavities with all the sweetness it contains. Does deal with some surprisingly hard and difficult themes, and offers some gently wisdom, but nothing groundbreaking. I did enjoy all the allusions and references to actual recent events, made it feel a bit more real.
wordsofclover's review
4.0
This is my first Cathy Kelly book to read and I'm really glad I decided to pick it up and read it as I really enjoyed it. Even before picking it up in a car-boot sale, I had seen this book in various shops and the beautiful cover and the lovely title constantly called out to me, and obviously for a reason!
Everything about Redstone reminds me of any Irish villages/towns you can end up travelling through when driving through Ireland. The close-knit community and the welcoming of newcomers is all so lovely and Irish, it makes me smile.
Lillie, was a lovely, warm character who immediately shines bright out of the book and comes alive. There is a real spark in her that makes her special, something I found in the characters of Peggy and Freya as well. Her mourning of Sam is moving and I love how she slowly begins to deal with his passing inside herself as she also becomes involved in the lives of Redstone natives. Her meeting with Seth as extremely touching and I found it rather emotional but it made me smile as it was so lovely.
I really loved Peggy and although I usually scoff at the whole, love at first sight, this relationship will be so easy stuff you normally see in books, I didn't with David and Peggy. There was something so real about their connection, I really felt how strong it was and the intense moment they sat across from somewhere made me breathless as it felt like this recognition of two souls was happening right across from me. I got a bit annoyed about her treatment of David and comparing him to her horrible father but again, I thought her back story was pretty interesting and the brave choice her mam made in the end.
All the characters are very bright and although there is a lot of them, I find all of their stories easy to follow and I enjoyed reading them.
This is a book for any season! I would highly recommend it for a nice comfortable read any day!
Everything about Redstone reminds me of any Irish villages/towns you can end up travelling through when driving through Ireland. The close-knit community and the welcoming of newcomers is all so lovely and Irish, it makes me smile.
Lillie, was a lovely, warm character who immediately shines bright out of the book and comes alive. There is a real spark in her that makes her special, something I found in the characters of Peggy and Freya as well. Her mourning of Sam is moving and I love how she slowly begins to deal with his passing inside herself as she also becomes involved in the lives of Redstone natives. Her meeting with Seth as extremely touching and I found it rather emotional but it made me smile as it was so lovely.
I really loved Peggy and although I usually scoff at the whole, love at first sight, this relationship will be so easy stuff you normally see in books, I didn't with David and Peggy. There was something so real about their connection, I really felt how strong it was and the intense moment they sat across from somewhere made me breathless as it felt like this recognition of two souls was happening right across from me. I got a bit annoyed about her treatment of David and comparing him to her horrible father but again, I thought her back story was pretty interesting and the brave choice her mam made in the end.
All the characters are very bright and although there is a lot of them, I find all of their stories easy to follow and I enjoyed reading them.
This is a book for any season! I would highly recommend it for a nice comfortable read any day!
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