I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The book shows relationships between the English and Irish on a more personal level.
The relationships feel basic and boring. The characters weren't interesting and the historic background didn't add anything. While this may be for fans of romance, this wasn't for me.

I loved the idea of this book and learning more about Irish history but sadly it’s just not my cup of tea. I couldn’t get into the book, with its flat characters and the insta love between Guy and Ellen. After three days, and two times spent one on one, you’re completely in love and willing to wait for each other (this all happens in the first 50 pages)?! I barely know anything about the characters even with an insight into their thoughts but they’re somehow supposed to be in love…unbelievable

'A saga of love and war in Revolutionary Ireland'

This describes it perfectly. I love a good book about Ireland and its people and this one didn't disappoint. This is the story of Ellen Healy, her life, her love, her dreams. But it isn't all that easy.

The story takes you on her journey, and it is an emotional journey, one filled with family, love, war, freedom and making choices. There is history, great characters, politics and so much more in this book. It really does draw you into the lives of these people and the problems of the times.

A great read and one I enjoyed for its history, depth and characters.

A very enjoyable novel! The author weaves Irish history (very beginning of the XIXth century) through the characters' lives: whether they are involved or not in political dealings, the reader experiences what it was like to live in these unruly days. I enjoyed the characters, because they felt real (no superheroes in this novel) which makes the story very credible. Interesting historical background covering Ireland's political situation and position up until the end of WWI. I will definitely read the next book in this series!
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

I totally love Ireland and the Irish. Irish history is not an enigma to me, yet this book doesn´t sit right with me.
1. I wouldn´t say I like the writing. Often the vocabulary seems odd, not from modern times, not from old times, it just doesn't fit in. The tonne, especially towards the end of the book is.. solemn, almost exalted (can´t find the perfect word).
2. Story building. From the very beginning, it´s obvious what will happen and when. 1916 is such an important day in Irish history, that even without reading the blurb you´d know where this is all going. The thing is... there´s a lot of drama going on, only to find its culminating point in the last 20% of the book! It has 41 chapters!
3. Drama and characters. This book follows old and boring schemat: love between people who can´t/shouldn't be together because one is Irish and the other is English, which means Catholic and Protestant; rape and its consequences on a woman in old days; emancipation of women and how society, especially the Church wasn´t happy with it; women role in society; and the cherry on top of the cake (Victoria´s Sponge!) is the eternal love to someone who is already married, ha! Don´t get me wrong, the women's stuff itself is a not boring piece of history, but the way it´s portrayed in this book is so schematic it pains me.
When it comes to characters it´s not getting any better. Everyone is either good or bad, but mostly good, from the very beginning. Except for Fran´s aunty, nobody is evolving! White is white and black is black. And even if someone does something that surely others would condemn (no spoilers here), the inside moral dilemma is quite shallow and short, after which you can almost hear the author whispering: ok, let´s get on with it, shall we? Also... Elen and Guy fell in love with each other almost at the first sight and this deep love lasts a lifetime. Yeah, right... This whole thing is just silly.
So I find the characters shallow, schematic, and totally unbelievable.
The story resembles more of a historical romance than a family saga. Especially when you look at the end of the book when what is supposed to be shown as a heroic and patriotic fight turned out to be a mess made by overgrown children.
The events of 1916 are not easy to write about, especially when you want to throw into that romance and keep it all serious and respectable towards those who fought for freedom.
To summarise it all I give it three stars because the book is likeable and historically correct.

This was mostly about a girl named Ellen who grew up in a war named Ireland. We watch her have two kids and lose someone. It was sad because you want to relate to this character. It was a good book too. This book. Wa approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.