I'm not sure what it was about this book but I just couldn't get into it.

I will say what did save the book for me was the plot of Morah and Stella.

Although I did dislike Stella when initially reading about her, her story and character development was really interesting. I kind of wish the whole novel has been based on her story as it was the only one that really captured my attention. I will say though to live with a doctor and for him to not notice signs of her breakdown was alarming. Everyone could have helped Stella because they knew something was wrong but didn't think about it. I think that's why I actually hated Bruce. Yes what Stella did was wrong but did he clearly not think to question it, to get her help, to understand why especially when post partum depression is a very common thing (even though it turned out not to be that)! I felt like giving Bruce a new gf was needed for the story because of the direction the writer was going in but I felt it didn't need that.

Morah's story of revenge and the build up was also interesting to read and because of what happened to her I cannot help but hate Evelyn throughout the whole book (and her character was just unlikeable to me).

The other characters were ok but nothing much of interest. There wasn't a single character who I liked or enjoyed reading - Stella was for the plot not the character. The plot was not for me as I think personally I would have preferred the focus be on 1 to 3 of the characters rather than multiple.

Having enjoyed this author’s previous books, I was looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint.

The story follows the assorted residents of 24 Ulysses Crescent and the friendships that are made and betrayed as they live their lives in close proximity to each other.

A great tale of family and friendship with mostly likeable characters which was an easy and enjoyable read.

A really lovely romance which shows that age is no object when falling in love. I really loved the characters in the book and the fresh take that it takes on the typical chick lit.

I really enjoyed reading The Houseshare by Fiona O'Brien.

I liked the characters and found it refreshing that the main character was a glamorous woman in her seventies who related to people like Joanna Lumley. Her character flaws soon became evident, but it was clear she was a product of her era. I enjoyed the new perspective on love and romance and the insights into family and estranged families in particular.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely read from Fiona, thoroughly enjoyed this book as I have with all her other books, great story and lovely ending ..

I received an ARC from NetGalley in turn for an honest review. The quality of the download was poor and made reading rather difficult.

Sorry, I hate to be so negative, but I found this so disappointing. I thought I was going to get one of those super Irish ‘feel-good’ stories like Cathy Kelly, Sheila Flanagan or the late Maeve Binchey wrote. I thought this story would have a collection of engaging, three dimensional characters that I could root for.

Instead we get Evelyn who was truly the most unsympathetic, awful, dishonest woman I’ve come across. I really wanted her to admit her mistakes and feel sorry for the things she had done and the lies she’d told.

That’s not even getting started on the other dark, vicious, unpleasant and thoroughly depressing issues which pop up as we learn about the other residents of the flats in the house.

I seem to be in an absolute minority here. This was not what I expected when I read the blurb, and is definitely not my cup of tea. .

This is my first book by this author and won’t be my last. It was a beautifully written tale of friendship secrets and how events of the past have shaped the future and also of how we all need a little help from our friends or in this case the other residents of
Number 24 Ulysses Crescent who all pull together to help and look out for one another.

This is a contemporary fiction story which charters the lives of the residents of the Ulysses Crescent and how they have all come together to be under one roof residing in their respective flats housed within this property and the events which go on both inside and outside of the closed doors and how they are all fighting their own problems and secrets from the past as the story unravels.

This would make a brilliant tv drama and would be fab to see the character of Evelyn the eccentric elderly lady come alive on the screen.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC

Brilliant author lovely easy read and love that it was based in Dublin

The story
In a house converted into flats on the bay in Dublin, the various occupants consider themselves family. But like families, all is not always what it seems. There is Nessa, a chef not lucky in love. Rory that operates the basement gym while loving Nessa from afar. Mike the sculptor and separated couple Bruce and Stella and their son Freddy. Doctor Ed who owns the house and lives in the bunker in the garden. Elderly Evelyn who was quite the stunner in her day. Morah knows Evelyn from a terrible meeting years before and is on her case. When Evelyn falls and breaks her hip, her granddaughter Truth who she doesn’t know comes to stay and a series of events unfolds while things get chaotic and the truth is revealed.

My thoughts
I love a good Irish setting, multiple characters and their ups and downs, good and bad bits showing off. The irony of the central character Truth, she is truthful, but so many of the others are hiding the truth from each other. It’s all very human and delicious. Highly recommend! 😍

This is a quick, easy and cute read that would be a perfect summer read. Well written with an enchanting storyline and well developed characters that were relatable and lovable. A really enjoyable read,