May 20, 2021

The Ballynoon Friendship Circle by Pauline Morgan

Genre/Categories/Settings: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary fiction, Quirky Characters, Romance, Ireland

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Recently widowed and fifty-year-old retired teacher Edel Marston finds a dream cottage in a magazine and makes an impulsive, life-changing decision to move back to Northern Ireland. Faced with a decrepit cottage, a rude neighbor, and no friends, Edel questions the wisdom of her decision and worries that a past secret from her youth might make her the subject of town gossip. Collecting her nerve and embracing a proactive mindset, she joins the local over 50s club (self-named the “Stitch and Bitch” group). The ladies are friendly but gossipy, so she’s reluctant to share details of her private life…..especially a romantic interest in her neighbor, an unpopular member of the community. Can Edel trust her new circle of friends or should she keep her personal life private? Is it too soon after losing her husband to pursue romance?

My Thoughts:

Welcome to my stop on #TheBallynoonFriendshipCircle Blog Tour. Thanks, @paulinemorgan56 @SpellboundBks #SpellboundBooks @zooloo2008 #ZooloosBookTours for a complimentary eARC of #TheBallynoonFriendshipCircle upon my request. All opinions are my own. Happy Pub Day!

My Interest: My curiosity was piqued by quirky characters+quaint village+Ireland+a catchy title+mature characters. I also love to support debut authors.

Premise: I love the premise of an older, quirky character making a major change in her life. In addition, second-chance romance and friendship are themes that appeal to me.

Character: I love Edel and her candidness, self-reflection, honesty, determination, and risk-taking. She is not one to let life “happen” to her. I love her sense of hospitality and her generous gift-giving. I can definitely relate to her gift-making abilities….I love making hand-crafted gifts! #HotGlueGun

Slow Burn Romance: Yes, I love slow-burn romance! There are elements of insta-love attraction, but Edel’s relationship with the unpopular neighbor takes some time to develop…always more realistic. It’s never too late to rediscover love and happiness.

Another Perspective? I wondered throughout the reading experience if another perspective might have added to the intrigue and complexity of the story…maybe the unpopular neighbor or one of the friends in the club?

Recommended: Fans of later-in-life slow-burn romance, quirky characters, a quaint Irish village, and light reads might want to add this charming story to their TBRs.

My Rating: 3 Stars

The Ballynoon Friendship Circle Information Here

Meet the Author, Pauline Morgan

The call to Pauline Morgan’s native Northern Ireland was too strong and, after a fascinating stint overseas, she recently relocated there. Pauline had some unique mystical experiences in various houses she lived in and, as a result, self-published the paranormal Special Houses. She has been a member of the Romantic Novelist Association and participated in their New Writers’ Scheme.  She attended a day course in Editing, tutored by author/mentor Morgen Bailey. Pauline is a member of Writers Ink, a multi-award winning http://www.writing.ie

Pauline has written short stories; published in Woman’s Way and Irelands Own iconic magazine. Pauline enjoyed entering Flash Fiction competitions and was long-listed at Kanturk Arts Festival. Her first poem Airborne, published on Pendemic.ie website March 2020. Pauline has completed a women’s ‘fiction book called The Ballynoon Friendship Circle, her debut novel to be published by SpellBound Books in early 2021. Pauline is working on a standalone Christmas novel. 

Pauline turns her incredible imagination into words to create beautiful stories in different genres. She has a relaxed style of writing, and her mentor describes it as heart-warming and cosy. Pauline never shies away from any given written tasks. 

She engages with an extensive network of social writing groups on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Follow her at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulinemorganachievingauthor/
Instagram: https://twitter.com/paulinemorgan56

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QOTD:

Is The Ballynoon Friendship Circle on your TBR?

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