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September 24, 2008 9:32 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Where The Heart Is by Mairead O’Driscoll

Reviewed by Fionnuala Kearney

I felt looking at the cover and blurb of this book that I’d get a great holiday read and beach fodder, in the best sense, this definitely is. A big book, one, if you can, to curl up with under the sun brolly, sangria or bevy of choice perched by your side, just as I did.

The story centres around the fictional ‘passing through’ village of Rathmollin in Ireland and where I think it’s particularly successful is in the mix of modern day characters plus the quintessential old Irish village busy body. Emily Gordon returns to Rathmollin to her parent’s supportive home following a broken engagement. Her dilemma, to buy or not to buy that cute village cottage.

Spoilt and indulged by her hard working husband, Jennie Kelleher seems to have it all, but something’s nagging her. Sandra Coyne, a single mother with a no good boyfriend, needs to change her space in the world for her sake and the sake of her young son. And Jack Rooney, resident hunk and successful property developer ends out impacting all their lives in different ways. Aggie, the village busy body knows everything about everyone – or so she thinks.

This is a titan novel (546 pages) and at times I felt it’s pace a little slow and so would put it down for that reason only. The characters were absorbing and Rathmollin seemed real but I felt that it was a tad too long and the story could have done without a couple of the sub plots, speeding up the pace a bit. That said, it was an enjoyable holiday read and the last section of the last chapter was so worth waiting for, it made me chuckle out loud by the pool!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

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Posted by Aigua Media on September 24, 2008 in Rating: 4/5 | Permalink

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