This novel is an absolute gem! While it took me a little time to fully immerse myself in the story, my perseverance was richly rewarded—I was completely captivated by a third of the way in. The author’s vivid and evocative descriptions of Canada, Donegal, and Bermuda transported me, making me feel as though I was right there alongside the characters.

Kate, Eliza, and Saoirse are truly unforgettable. Their emotions, struggles, and triumphs felt so real that I couldn’t help but root for them at every turn. Their journey is filled with love, pain, and hope, making for a deeply moving and immersive read.

This is a mesmerising, beautifully written book that I wholeheartedly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have enjoyed books by this author previously; I like her narrative style where readers get to know the characters across several years as the saga unfolds. I enjoyed the storyline of Eliza and young Kate as tragedy throws them together, although I thought some parts were a little odd, e.g. children did not grow up so quickly in 1939 so to describe 13-year-olds as 'on the brink of adulthood' with passionate kisses following quickly seemed unlikely. I didn't like Saoirse's storyline: keeping such a secret from someone you're engaged to was bizarre, and so dishonest, and then to visit Riley! This book didn't seem to have the level of romance this author usually delivers and I think it is only average.

A beautiful book set across a number of years . Set in Ireland and then Bermuda . Following the story of Kate and Eliza .

What will happen to the girl from Donegal?

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

Characters that you love bring this story to life. In this unforgettable love story. Told through the times. The characters have heart.

I love books that are set in Ireland and this was one that I really enjoyed. I liked the writing style and the character development and the storyline was utterly compelling

Sweet story and well written. Beautiful setting and very easy to read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher! This was a good book

This is the second book I’ve read recently involving war time refugees being caught out at sea in a lifeboat. This time this is only a small part of the stories being told. I say ‘stories’, as this book includes the entwinned life experiences of two women of different generations who each have big decisions to make about the love of their lives.
It is a sweet story with some historical background to add extra interest. A great romantic holiday read.

Yet again Carmel Harrington has written a book that had me completely captivated from the very beginning. The story of Eliza and Kate was wonderful and it starts in 1939 . Told in that time and present time of 2022 where Saoirse travels to Bermuda to visit her aunt Kate and Kate’s partner Esme. This was a brilliant read full of emotion .

A lovely quick read set in a nice era.Great family saga with a nice ending.Ideal summer read.Love that part set in Ireland.

Carmel is an amazing writer. This book is so good and I loved the dual timelines. This book will make you smile and cry. and is the perfect book for reading on a sunny day at the beach. Just gorgeous,

Fantastic read. Loved the entire story going from ww2 until present day and the story of soirsca and her past present and future. Expertly written to weave these two women’s story’s together with a fantastic surprising ending .
Loved this book highly recommended read

PR Gifted from @netgalley.

The most loveable characters I’ve read in a while.
Reading this is like a comfort blanket. It is the first Carmel Harrington book I’ve read, and hopefully I’ll get a chance to read more.

It’s a family drama spanning the decades, from Donegal to Canada and Bermuda. I found the boat scenes a bit triggering but appreciate it is based on historical events and it is a critical part of the story.

The Girl from Donegal is a dual timeline historical fiction novel.
1939. Eliza is alone. Having lost her fiancé Davey in the Irish Civil War, her job is all she has. Then she meets Matthew as she takes time on Ballmastocker Bay, and her life veers in a totally unexpected direction. Before she knows it she's aboard the ill fated Athenia, embarking on a new adventure.
2022. Saoirse has travelled to Bermuda to spend time with her aunts Kate & Esmé. She's here to celebrate Kates forthcoming 90th birthday but also to ponder her own future. While making plans for a surprise for Kate she makes a discovery about Kates past that influences her own decisions.
This is a beautiful, well researched novel and I hope Carmel Harrington write more historical fiction!

I absolutely loved this book & once I started reading it was just so hard to put it down.
Wonderfully written the author takes us on an epic journey where the story moves from present day to 1939 & the start of WW11.
Saoirse has gone to Bermuda to visit her aunt Kate & her partner Esme.
She needs time & space to reflect & hopefully talking with Kate will help too.
She has some very unsettling emotions about her engagement with the new man in her life & her previous failed marriage.
Before she can move on she needs to face her past.
I couldn’t get enough of Kate & Eliza’s story which takes us to the start of the war.
They are embarking on a new life & leaving Ireland for a new life.
Eliza is going to meet her fiancé & Kate is travelling with her mother, father & little brother.
They board the ship Athenia & begin what will become a long arduous journey as the very worst befalls them.
It will have one of the biggest impacts on the outcome of their lives & their futures.
The story & the imagery of what they go through will leave you an emotional wreck.
I think most of us have heard the story of what happened to the Athenia at the start of the war.
Although fictional the author has researched this event well.
I was captivated by this very emotional story & it was a definite page turner for me.
You will be faced with quite a few twists throughout too that you don’t see coming.
A wonderful interesting story that left me nearly crying yet with a smile on my face too.

I was initially drawn to this book by its author, who I love, and by the title. Donegal holds a special place in my heart, and I loved the beautiful setting on the wild Atlantic coast, I also loved how the story took me to the Canadian Rockies and then the beautiful island of Bermuda. The warm pink sandy beaches were the perfect escape for me on a cold wet Irish day.

This is a historical fiction book with family, emotion and romance all added, which made it a page turner for me.

Three strong woman, Kate, Elza and Saoirse are all born in different eras but each face similar situations and problems. Elsa and Saoirse both are torn between their first and last loves I marvelled at their strong decisions, wondering if they would follow their heart or their head

This book was beautifully plotted. I was constantly surprised as I never guessed how the story would go . I was educated by the events of the sinking of the SAS, Anthenia which give me a glimpse into an event I had previously never heard off.

This book moved me. I was in engaged in the stories, and the characters, which became like friends to me. This book deserves to top the charts. Bermuda is on my wish list along with a run sizzle . Maybe the second is more realistic than the first .

I just reviewed The Girl from Donegal by Carmel Harrington. #NetGalley

This is a love story that begins in 1939 but the romance continues throughout the years and several generations until 2022.

I read this on holiday and was aware this was a love story so it would be a totally different genre to those I’ve read before.

The cover is lovely and the book is well-written so any romantics out there will love this book but it was just not the genre for me.

Nothing wrong with the book, I’m afraid I’m the old cliche “It isn’t you, it’s me”

Whoa… what an epic story!

The girl from Donegal is a vast epic tale that takes us of course to Donegal, but also brings us on a dangerous war time
journey across the ocean, then to Halifax, Boston, Banff, New York, England and of course to the star of the story, Bermuda.

It is a twisting, winding tale of heartbreak, romance, love and family. A dual timeline and parallel story of Eliza and Saoirse as they navigate their way through the ups and downs of their lives. The story takes many turns in both of the women’s lives and there were certainly more than one surprise event en route. With supporting characters Kate, Esme, Riley and Finn and of course the wonderful Matthew this novel really has it all. If I have one criticism it is in the title. I know Carmel Harrington uses place names in her titles a lot but it didn’t suit this novel. I have read all of Carmel Harringon’s books but this was next level! An excellent read that I would recommend to everyone

What a page turner and a tear jerker in one.
My heart broke for Kate when she lost her family. I admired and loved Eliza so much and was torn by Saoirse's choices she had to make.. They were three strong amazing women who had to make their own decisions and choices.

This is a beautiful story. The locations moved seamlessly from wind swept Donegal to breathtaking Bermuda from the tragedy of the sinking of the Athenia all told in dual story lines of Kate and Eliza which I loved.

All the characters were believable and I was upset when Eliza had to make her life changing decision in Bermuda.

A few twists and turns which were somewhat surprising but realistically told.

Thank you again for this wonderful Arc.

I read this book without reading the synopsis as I knew it would be good no matter what the storyline was as it was written by Carmel Harrington.
The story was in dual timeline form. One part just as war was declared between the UK and Germany and the other in present day.
I 'm always in awe of the way authors eventually bring the timelines together near the end and make sense of everything.
Eliza's story was one of heartache and loss until a chance meeting looks to change that as she is given a chance of happiness. Her story makes you wonder about fate and what part it plays in our own lives.
What if Eliza hadn't taken a chance the day she met Mathew? What different outcome would there have been for all concerned.
I shed tears at Eliza and Kate's story quite a few times through the book.
In present day we follow Saoirse who visits her aunts house in Bermuda from her home in Ireland. They are her aunts through friendship but she counts them as family. One of her aunts will be turning ninety years old and begins reminiscing about her past and how she came to Bermuda.
What a lovely story. I did enjoy the historical part best probably because it was more eventful and I never knew what was going to happen next.
I'm not sure if I liked Saoirse or the way she ran away from things then thinking that after eight years she should stir up a hornets nest to get closure for herself never giving a thought to the other person concerned. She annoyed me.
I think if a book can make you laugh or cry, feel sad or scared or even if a character annoys you then the author has done her work. Emotion is emotion.
Another great book by this author she never lets you down.