The Irish Key: An utterly heart-wrenching and gripping Irish novel filled with family secrets (Emerald Isles)

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 3,733 ratings

Price: 0.99

Last update: 02-02-2025


About this item

OMG! OMG!!… Beautiful… Absolutely gorgeous!!!… Swept me away from the beginning to the end!!!… I devoured it in one sitting!!!… Gorgeous, heart-warming… Clear your schedules and grab the tissues… stunning' Bookworm86,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Take the key, my pet. I can’t ever go back. The last letter I had from Ireland was clear about that. But one day you may need a safe haven, and it’s the one thing I can give you. Ireland is in your blood, it will keep you safe.’

When
Grace arrives tired, tearful and rain-soaked in Roone Bay, the little Irish village where her grandmother Caitlin grew up, she is overwhelmed with longing for Caitlin’s safe, warm arms. The crumbling wreck of Caitlin’s once-beautiful childhood cottage – whose key Grace was given on her wedding day as a secret refuge if she ever needed it – is not the fresh start she’d hoped for. But with her young daughter Olivia to look after and a painful past to hide from, Grace has to stay strong.

Plucking up the courage to ask for help from her kind new neighbours – including quietly rugged carpenter
Sean Murphy – Grace gets to work making the house habitable. Soon the view of the deep emerald sea has her captivated, Olivia is blossoming, and Sean makes her laugh in a way she’d forgotten she could…

As she learns more about her family history, with Sean by her side, Grace’s curiosity unearths only further mystery. What drove Caitlin away from Ireland, never to return? But when Grace uncovers a long-lost letter to Caitlin that reveals the heartbreaking truth, she is suddenly threatened by her own devastating secrets.

Grace may have finally found a home for her little family. But when faced with everything she ran from,
will the past tear her apart once more? Or will Grace find the strength to stand up for her daughter, her love for Sean, and her new life in Ireland?

This utterly heartbreaking, completely life-affirming story of a family secret that echoes down the generations is perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary and Tricia O’Malley.

What readers are saying about The Irish Key:

The magic of Ireland!... wonderful… Will keep you enthralled to the last page.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stunningtruly carried my heart away to Ireland… It was an emotional journey I won’t forget and yes, I closed the book with a ‘sigh of satisfaction!’… 5 StarsI absolutely adored this novel.’ Cindy L. Spear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story has everything – mystery, intrigue, true love, family, the kindness of strangers and hope… An absolutely wonderful story that I look forward to recommending to my friends.’NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Finds its way into your heartlovely… this really is a memorable story stays with you long after the last pageJaffareadstoo, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fall in love with Roone Bay… I felt as if I were right there, by the seawill stay with you for a long time after you finish I can’t stop thinking about [it] magicalsure to strike the reader’s heartSusanLovesBooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beautifulbreath taking… wonderfully written story of family, friendship, and filled with hopekept me flying through the pageswonderful I felt like I was standing on the shores of Roone Bay and enjoying the beautiful emerald sea… highly recommend’Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A
lovely novel of second chances, family secrets, and ultimately found family… will have you rooting for Grace and Oliviato find their happy place.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Top reviews from the United States

  • Midget
    5.0 out of 5 stars Irish Adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2024
    I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. The story moves along and there is a bit of a twist at the end. I enjoyed getting to know the characters.
  • Deborah A. Cottle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very well written and engaging story. I was disappointed in how hurriedly the author wrapped up the
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025
    end of the story, it felt rushed. Perhaps a prolly was needed to finish out the adequately wrap up the characters stories.
  • Loyal Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story well-told
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2024
    This story caught me off-guard in the best of ways.
    The storyteller’s voice is rather contemplative, almost “stream of consciousness,” so I settled in for a tale I expected to unfold at a m Andre ing pace. But as the story progresses, I realized it has elements of good romance, women’s fiction, and mystery with a dash of psycho-thriller tossed in for good measure. Any detail mentioned “in passing” May turn out to be critical information later!
    My first read from this author, but definitely not my last!
  • Carolyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2024
    I liked the way the characters interacted with each other. I can usually figure out the plot of a book but this one kept me guessing until the last few pages. A good book.
  • jcb23
    3.0 out of 5 stars Cozy and Clean Romance set in Ireland
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
    The Irish Key by Daisy O'Shea is a clean romance with a hint of mystery. It takes place in Ireland pre-1996, as the book mentions that divorce is illegal there. The technology referenced is from the same era - typewriters, Dictaphones, and a slightly terrifying new computer. The writing was descriptive and atmospheric, but the pacing was a bit on the slow side. I also felt like the romance in the book was pretty bland. There isn't a lot of character development, but having never been to Ireland myself, I found the depictions of the area charming.

    I rated The Irish Key 3.5/5 stars, rounded down. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a light read set in Ireland, with a little unexpected twist at the end, and where everything gets tidily wrapped up at the conclusion.

    Thank you to Netgalley, Daisy O'Shea, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read the ARC. I was not required to write a review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
  • M. J. Duda
    4.0 out of 5 stars A love story with a twist
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2025
    Enjoyed The seaside story. Detail about the journey and twist and turns it take through three life times. Make you feel like you are there In Ireland.
  • Debbie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming story.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024
    A very good read. Heart warming, with a good ending. I will read thus author again. She tells a good story.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2024
    I enjoyed this for the most part. The story was very well written, in that it keeps you interested and reading the story. But there is something about it I didn't care for, and it's hard to describe. To me the main character of the story isn't someone I like. First she marries a man because he's rich and can take care of her, to which she becomes a whimpie doormat, then she becomes the strong heroine rescuing her child from her overbarring husband, then promptly falls for the first man that comes along. There are parts of the story that are great, but others that I don't care for.

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