Her Husband’s Secret: A completely heartbreaking and gripping page-turner set in Ireland by Ann O’Loughlin
Cora’s eyes filled with tears as she thought of the only man she had ever loved. She knew suddenly what she had to do. ‘I have to go to Dublin, visit his house when the smell of him is still there. I need to…’ she stuttered over her words, ‘I need to know about his wife.’
Cora smiles as she sees the bouquet of flowers on the kitchen table of her New York home. Her handsome long-term partner Jack never fails to surprise her. But as she leans in to smell the sweet pink roses, there is a sharp rap on the door and her world shatters as she is told that her darling Jack has been killed in a car crash in Ireland.
But Jack wasn’t the only victim. There was another woman in the car: a wife he never told her about. Distraught, she flies to Ireland to learn more about his secret life. She moves into his beautiful townhouse in central Dublin, determined to make sense of all the lies he told her.
As she grieves, she immerses herself in the local community, who need her as much as she needs them. The square they live on is under threat from developers, and Coraonly realises when her new home is in danger how much it has come to mean to her. She must learn to work with her neighbours if they have any chance of protecting the place they all love, and the house that has become a new start to Cora despite her heartbreak.
As Cora’s heart slowly begins to heal, will she be able to move forward from Jack’s betrayal and look towards a hopeful future in Ireland? Or will saving her new home prove impossible and force her back to New York?
Previously published as The Secrets of de Courcy Square and An Ocean Between Us
An absolutely glorious and emotional read about family secrets perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Cathy Kelly and Kathleen McGurl.
Buy link: https://geni.us/B0C6TW9575social
Ann is the Irish author of five novels and has been translated into eleven languages. Her first novel The Ballroom Cafe was also an ebook bestseller and in the top 20 bestselling books of 2015 on Amazon UK. Ann loves to write and often gets up at 5am to get the words down, before starting her other job of writing as a news reporter. A leading journalist in Ireland, Ann has covered all major news events in a long career with Independent Newspapers, Ireland. She is now a senior journalist with the Irish Examiner specialising in legal issues. Ann has also lived in India. Originally from the west of Ireland she now lives on the east coast with her husband and family.
Author social media:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annoloughlinbooks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/annolwriter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annoloughlinbooks/
- Newsletter: https://www.bookouture.com/ann-oloughlin
What’s it about (in a nutshell):
Her Husband’s Secret by Ann O’Loughlin is the moving and masterfully plotted story of the secrets revealed when Cora’s life partner died in a car accident across the ocean in Dublin, Ireland, as well as the complexities of love in all its many forms.
My Reading Experience:
I always enjoy the unearthing of secrets. It’s so compelling and intriguing. How could I not? Not only what the characters lied about but why they are lying is what I tried to figure out alongside the main character as the story unfolds. There are plenty of mysteries and twists to hold my attention, too.
I loved how relatable the characters are and how easy it was to explore their lives with the empathy usually reserved for a close friend. Their causes became my causes, and I felt all the victories and defeats, sending me on an emotional rollercoaster that I didn’t want to end.
I also found interesting the theme of love that ran throughout every vein of the story – the love between strangers, parents, children, spouses, or significant others, and even the redemptive qualities of love to some extent. The novel highlights how broad the concept of love is and how important.
Characters:
Cora was living the good life. A life partner she adored who adored her back. The beginnings of a successful career as an artist. Good friends and an excellent home rounded out her life Until the day her partner’s boss came to the door, and her life turned upside down. Left with lots of questions and a house she didn’t know about in Dublin, Cora sets out to find answers to her many questions.
Lily married a man her parents arranged to marry, leaving behind her true love, who disappeared soon after. Now a senior citizen, mother, and widower, she still finds herself comforted by the memories of lost love. She still lives in the same house she has lived in her whole life and has no thoughts of leaving.
Narration & Pacing:
The narration focuses on two characters. Cora, who is the main character, and Lily, who is her elderly neighbor in Dublin. Not focusing on Cora’s tale slows up the story’s pace. I tended to get a bit irritated when Cora’s findings were interrupted by switching over to Lily and her tale. It could have been two novels – ones set in the same neighborhood type of companion novel.
Setting:
The story is set mainly in Dublin, Ireland, which I love. The setting is used chiefly discreetly by focusing on the changes happening to the city due to growth and increased crime. This is a sad reality, but the characters are fighting both in this story, which is a cause to get behind.
Read if you’re in the mood for:
- A story that is full of insight and enlightenment
- Characters so well-developed that they instantly find a place in your heart
- The good that can come out of a bad situation
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Originality | 8 |
| Writing Quality | 10 |
| Pace | 6 |
| Character Development | 8 |
| ‘Couldn’t Put It Down’-ness | 6 |
| Setting | 10 |
16 responses to “Her Husband’s Secret by Ann O’Loughlin #BlogTour #BookReview #WomensFiction”
Fab review sounds intriguing!
Love a story with lots of secrets!
This sounds interesting steady paced contemporary. Amazing review!
It’s very interesting finding out the secrets
I can imagine your frustrating when switching POVs. Great review!
The stories were so unrelated that it was a disruption.
I’ve been there, when you much prefer one narrative over the other and the transitions become irritating. Glad you were still able to enjoy the story. Excellent review, Tessa💜
Both stories were interesting- so many secrets. That saved the enjoyment overall.
Great review, sounds interesting.
I loved al the secrets!
It is always good when you find the secrets for yourself.
I generally like books that switch back and forth in storylines, but I know that feeling when you’re thoroughly engrossed in one, only to have the other intrude. The idea of multiple mysteries does sound intriguing. As always, an insightful review, Tessa.
Mysteries and secrets definitely dominated both plots. Loved that!
I like hearing secrets too, especially when the characters are relatable and the secrets are believable, great review 😊
Nice review! Sounds like a strong read. I am catching up with all your posts. I’ve been on a work trip the last two weeks.
Oh, wow! That was along trip!