The Keeper of the Irish Secret is the first installment of the Magnolia Manor series set in Ireland featuring three sisters.
The Keeper of the Irish Secret by Susanne O’Leary
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Sisters, Family Life, Multigenerational, (closed-door) Romance, Series, Ireland
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My Summary:
The Keeper of the Irish Secret is the first installment of the Magnolia Manor series. The story introduces the main characters: three sisters and a grandmother. We are immersed in an Irish setting which includes the Magnolia Manor. The oldest sister, Lily is the central character in this first installment. Lily returns to Magnolia Manor after the heartbreaking and unexpected end of her marriage, and she hopes to find comfort from her childhood home and reconnect with her dear grandmother, Sylvia. Upon her arrival, Lily finds the manor in disrepair and the grounds overgrown. Lily is determined to stay for a while to contemplate her future and to help Sylvia. Enter Dominic, a mysterious and handsome local builder, who offers his help. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that Sylvia is keeping a secret, and Lily finds an old trunk containing correspondence which may shed light on the secret. Will Lily save the manor and have a chance to rebuild her life?
My Thoughts:
Reading Experience
Although this story is simply told, it has poignant themes and came to me at the exact time I needed an easy, uplit read. Has this ever happened to you before?
Prior to opening the pages of this book, I was in the midst of reading an arc by a popular author whose writing I’ve always admired. However, her new story is dysfunctional family fiction with mostly unlikable characters. Now, I enjoy a complicated family drama, but I rarely enjoy a dysfunctional family story where children are neglected or mistreated and become adults with troubled lives (reminds me of Commonwealth by Ann Patchett). I had set aside the book several times to take breaks and if it were not an ARC that I’m obligated to review, I probably would have DNF’d it.
It was during a time that I was taking a break from the book that I stumbled across The Keeper of the Irish Secret and since I was also looking for books to read during March for #ReadIrelandMonth25 hosted by Cathy @ 746Books, I impulsively bought it. It was the right light read at the right time, and I ended up binging three installments in two days! I also preordered the fourth and final installment publishing in April. I’m an incorrigible mood reader!
Irish Setting
As I mentioned above, I’m seeking out a few new titles to read during Read Ireland Month. You can check out other books I’ve read with Irish settings in this post. Are you reading books set in Ireland or books by Irish authors this month? This entire Magnolia Manor series has vivid descriptions of the Irish countryside, village life, and atmospheric pubs.
Sisters
One element of this series that I love is the theme of sisterhood in each of the books. Lily is the oldest; Rose is the middle sister, and Violet is the youngest. The first three installments of the series focus on one of the sisters. It seems like the fourth installment will focus on their mother whom we have not yet met. The three sisters are deeply devoted to their lovely grandmother, Sylvia. I appreciate a multigenerational story!
Sweet Side of Romance
Each sister enjoys a sweet side of romance and an HEA. Since the romance is not the primary focus, I categorize these stories as women’s fiction. The romance in each story is closed door.
Recommending The Keeper of the Irish Secret (Magnolia Manor Series):
I recommend this entire series for fans of stories about sisters and for fans of gently-told, uplit, women’s fiction with closed-door and no profanity.
The next two installments: The Granddaughter’s Irish Secret and The Girl with the Irish Secret.
My Rating: 3.5 (rounded to 4) Stars
Meet the Author of The Keeper of the Irish Secret (series), Susanne O’Leary
Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She’s been inspired to write about people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.
When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.
QOTD:
Do you read Irish stories by Irish authors during March?
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All books I review are purchased or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).
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I love it when a book finds you in the right moment!
Thank goodness for brain breaks!
Great post, Carol. Yes, I have had books jump out at me and it turned out to be just what I needed at the time. Funny thing, this one is on my Reading Ireland list and I almost started it today. I picked up a different one that ended up being a DNF after about 1/3 into it. I will start this one tomorrow. I should have gone with my gut.
I think I first saw the title on your list! I binged the 3 book series in 2 days because I dreaded going back to the arc I’m supposed to be reading! My only gripe with the series was that people refer to mature women as old ladies….annoying! 😂
I was reading a review of a book featuring mature women, and the writer of the review referred to the as ‘old ladies’! They’re younger than me! Yes, annoying, Carol.
Now get back to your ARC and skim it! 💖📚
Yes…it’s of skimming!
***lots of***
Well, we are not old ladies! 😁 I am starting the first one today. Hoopla has them all, so it could be a binge read/listen.
They are quick and easy reads!
Btw…. Do you have a rec for Reading Wales? I started one that I’m not loving.
I just saw one on someone’s blog, I will get the title and let you know.
Sounds like a great series. It’s funny how my definition of “old” changes every year….usually around my birthday! Lol
Right?! 😂
[…] Series (in order): The Keeper of the Irish Secret (Lily and her grandmother, Sylvia); The Granddaughter’s Irish Secret (Rose); The Girl with […]
[…] Contemporary Women’s FictionWHY: I’ve read the first three installments of the Magnolia Manor series for #ReadingIrelandMonth25, and I want to finish the series with this fourth one. Pub Date: […]