The Lost Letters of Aisling: A Novel

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 22,618 ratings

Price: 26.33

Last update: 11-15-2024


About this item

A woman faces the past she fled in a heart-stirring novel about unforgettable love and indomitable courage by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper.

Rainey’s grandmother makes a startling request: Take me home. To Ireland, the country she fled post-World War II. Though they’re inseparably close, Rainey knows few of her grandmother’s secrets. Until they arrive at Aisling—the majestic estate on the southern coast of Ireland where her grandmother was raised—and Rainey discovers a collection of seventy-year-old letters in a trunk.

Dublin, 1945. The Germans surrender, celebrants crowd the streets, and fourteen-year-old Evie meets her best friend, the spirited Harding McGovern. Years on, they are more like sisters when rumors begin that Harding works in the black market trade—a source of wealth that could give her a dream life in America but could also cause great danger. Evie is uncertain of the truth but will stand by Harding, whatever the cost.

As Rainey uses the letters to reunite her grandmother with the past, what unfolds is a never-forgotten story of family, friendship, and love, and the healing that comes from letting go of secrets.


Top reviews from the United States

dONNA aBERCROMBIE
5.0 out of 5 stars First Reads
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024
Excellent book!
VERY Well written.
A well developed storyline and characters.
A very easy read and relaxing book for anyone.
Katherine Galvez
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful novel
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2024
Beautiful novel. Well written, so redeeming and touching. I loved the story, the characters, and the adventures. This book has really good lessons about friendship, love and forgiveness.
Cheryl Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner story you will love
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
This is the first book I've read by Cynthia Ellingsen although I have several others of hers on my list to read. This is an excellent story and it pulled me in from the beginning. I wanted to keep reading til the end. It is a dual timeline told through the eyes of Rainey and her grandmother, Evie. Evie's past held many secrets that she never shared with her family.

Rainey sets out on a journey to Ireland with her grandmother, Evie, whose wish is to return to her homeland to confront her past. During Evie's teen years she becomes best friends with Harding. Rumors begin to circulate that Harding is involved in the black market. Harding has a desire to flee to America and this would be a financial source to get her there. Evie doesn't want to believe her best friend is involved in this type of operation.

Rainey's grandmother has been ill and she is determined to find these missing letters. They arrive at Aisling, a grand estate where her grandmother grew up. It has now been converted into a bed and breakfast. Rainey and her mom never knew Evie had such a grand lifestyle in Ireland. Rainey discovers the collection of very old letters written by Evie. She uses these letters to connect Evie to her past and also to reveal secrets that have impacted her family over the generations.

How did Evie end up living in America? What happened to Harding? How did all of this affect Evie's family? What has caused Evie so much pain over the years? The story was about love, redemption, pain, loss, and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book to read! I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
D. Fitzgerald
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2024
This story kept your interest all the way through. It transitioned from present to past and back again with a distinct but fluid story. I thought all the characters were well defined. I shed a few tears toward the end. I'm not giving a synopsis of the story, you can read that elsewhere. I will say it touches on true friendship, love, and loyalty. It's just the unpredictable way life rolls.
Bow
4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2024
I didn’t have high expectations for this story, but it was such a pleasant read- the characters held my interest throughout and the descriptions of Aisling were perfectly drawn. As said, it was lovely. Thank you Cynthia!
Jjspina
5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional and heartfelt story of secrets in the past!
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024
The Lost Letters of Aisling is full of mystery, romance, heartbreak and secrets. It is told in two timelines, one present and the other in Ireland during WWII when food was scarce and danger was always around the corner.

Part of the story is about a young woman, Rainey, who is close to her grandmother but doesn’t really know anything about her past. When her grandmother is failing she requests that Rainey take her back home to Dublin to find some letters she left there.

Once they arrive in Ireland, Rainey meets a handsome young man in the place they are staying who tugs at her heartstrings. He offers to help Rainey find her grandmother’s lost letters. As they continued the search they find themselves falling for one another.

The story continues with an unexpected outcome about the letters and those involved with Rainey’s grandmother when she was young. Rainey has time to contemplate whether her job back home is making her happy or causing her to be discontent.

This was enjoyable up until the ending which stopped abruptly leaving me with more questions about what happened next.
Zakiya
3.0 out of 5 stars It was interesting enough
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024
I almost felt as though I was reading a Hallmark movie. I enjoyed Rainey and Grady's storyline; I feel like there was heat and passion between the two of them. He had an interesting storyline. However, her friendship and conflict with Tia bored the heck out of me. I also enjoyed Evie and Sullivan, he was an absolute sweetheart and I wanted more for them. The setting was great, I could picture Aisling and the countryside in my mind as I read.

“Harding McGovern” is the true villain of this novel and it drove me crazy how loyal and devoted Evie was to her. In hindsight, she hardly knew the girl. Harding was extremely selfish and unlikeable. Evie was far too so forgiving; Harding practically ruined her life, and everyone saw it but her. Perhaps if we were able to experience more of their friendship building, I would understand such a deep loyalty. Harding was a true narcissist and was constantly guilt-tripping Evie and forcing her into terrible situations. She was not her friend. This was part of the story I simply found unbelievable. What person risks their life for a “friend” they hardly know?

Overall, the story was interesting enough. I would have loved to learn more about her trip to America, the ending was abrupt.
SJC
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and Deeply Moving
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
I loved this book. I loved the story of friendships, of love romantic and fraternal, of adventure, the closure to a life well-lived. It has it all!

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