Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I'm going to be honest, I couldn't finish this one. I wanted to but I just couldn't. It could just be because this is an advanced copy but there were a lot of writing mistakes in this story. There were pov changes from first person to third person all in the same sentence, sometimes multiple times during a paragraph. There were a lot of typos too. And the story felt as if I had been dropped into the middle rather than the beginning. I really did want to like this story but I did not enjoy it.

Return to the Irish Boarding House by Sandy Taylor is the second book in this Boarding House Series. Mary Kate has suffered a loss that has down her down so friend Moira encourages her to reopen 24 Merrion Square as a boarding house once again. These friends have a history apart and together that gives them a strong bond.

The life back at the house with the red door brings laughter and a renewed interest in life around Mary Kate. However, it is not without some issues such as ones with Moira’s adopted daughter. Other include new women who come to the boarding house. They come for a place to stay but find a created family over time. Such a lovely resilient look at life.

A enthralling and joyful tale that I quickly became in engrossed in and read in one sitting. We are reunited with the much loved characters as Mary Kate continues life at the boarding house and I was thrilled to be introduced to a few new characters with a lot of baggage in their respective backgrounds. I have to say that my favourite character is Eliza as she made everything seem to be such a joy. Eliza is a kind hearted soul who lights up a room like a shining beacon. There are a few heartbreaking twists and one in particular had me bawling my eyes out. I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil the story but it hit me really hard. On a happier note I loved rejoicing with the characters as they found there happiness. The plot is full of love, sadness and surprising twists!

Dublin, 1956

After two years of married bliss closely followed by heartbreak, Mary Kate leaves her little cottage in the Wicklow Hills and returns to 24 Merrion Square. Her little boarding house with it's bright red door painted so to remind her of her red letter days, as her grandfather had always told her. Kind, compassionate and generous to a fault, Mary Kate and her best friend Moira re-open the doors of the old boarding house, taking in the waifs and strays...and those who need a little help, a little love and a little kindness.

Mrs Lamb returns to her kitchens bringing with her Eliza, a child-like young woman, who runs the halls with young Abby, Moira's adopted daughter once a babe left on the doorstep one frozen morning. Together, they welcome all those that enter the bright red door. The first being "Banana", as Eliza took to calling her, a young woman searching for something or someone. Then came Emma, who was searching for her younger sister Nell who the sisters had shipped off to the Magdelene Laundries. Then came Cathy, a young woman hiding a secret she dare not tell and then Megan, a young Welsh woman on the run from something or someone. And then finally came Isobel, who stayed only for a short time but made wonderful friends and gained lifelong skills before moving into the house she inherited. And then of course there is Guinness who has been there from the beginning, found as a stray as the dilapidated old Georgian building was being renovated into the boarding house it became.

All of these women make he boarding house a home. Their love, their kindness, their laughter. Each of them brings something to the house unique to them. Just like those who have come and gone before them, but are never far away.

I loved this book as much as the first one and aside from the Epilogue at the end, I felt this could have continued as a series because I think the heartfelt warmth of this book and the first one would have made a wonderful series. But The Epilogue kind of ties everything up and life comes full circle by its end.

I laughed and cried along with everyone in these pages but none moreso than with the passing of dear Guinness, my own staffy statue named as such after reading of him in the first book. His passing is reflected on with sensitivity and love, and mentioned only with the passing of time and with them dear Guinness. Naturally, I was bawling as I always am at the passing of a beloved dog. He was much loved and a very dear addition to the boarding house. I miss him already.

A delightful read that I devoured in one sitting. I shall miss everyone from Merrion Square.

I would like to thank #SandyTaylor, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ReturnToTheIrishBoardingHouse in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Mary Kate owns an Irish boarding house with its trademark red door. Along with her friend Moira, Mary Kate is kind and generous, taking in boarders who are down on their luck and just need a helping hand getting back on their feet. Situated in Merrion Square, it’s a house which is full of love and compassion where all residents are a real mix of characters but have all become close friends, offering support to each other when needed. Mary Kate has not had an easy past herself and has recently lost the great love of her life, leaving her devastated.

In the second book in the series, we meet some new characters who have all come with their own story and previously had harrowing experiences. Mary Kate’s heartbreak doesn’t stop her offering each of them a roof over their heads or friendship of this assorted group of women. Most of the women have their own traumatic tales but they all pull together and create a bond that will last a lifetime.

I have been eagerly anticipating this book and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Mary Kate’s world. The new characters Sandy Taylor has introduced make for a hard read with their horrific back stories. I really enjoyed being reacquainted with characters from the first book, seeing them grow and in some cases move on to their own homes with independence encouraged by their friends at the boarding house.

Another great book not to be missed. Sandy is an amazing author with a talent to write such empathetic and enjoyable tales which fully engross you right through to the final page.

And what a welcome return it was! I waited (not patiently) for this book which was well worth the wait. I laughed and cried in equal measures.
While there are some difficult subjects involved, there is always Eliza to lighten the mood, she was my favourite character. Even got me into trouble for laughing aloud, it was early hours.
Merrion Square is a home full of love and understanding, the two leading ladies Mary Kate and Moira seem to adopt waifs and strays regularly.
Abby’s background is quite distressing. I have to say that Thomas was quite easy to take a dislike to.
I liked the way each new character was introduced giving some background. When I read about Charlotte I exclaimed loudly!
I really hope there will be another by this author.

I totally recommend this book, advising reading the first one if you haven’t already.

Return to the Irish Boarding House, is a warm, nostalgic return to a house full of friendship, warmth, laughs and tears too. I had such a lovely time reading this story, perfect for some me time .

Return to the Irish boarding house was started and finished in a day! The storyline was very interesting, it sucked me in and had me glued to my Kindle! Definitely don't miss out on this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Wow this was such a uplifting but heart breaking read .
I loved Mary Kate as a character.
Abby was so sweet.
Her back story was sad and the outcome of it was sad too .

I really must read the first book.
The Irish boarding house was a sanctuary for the lost to be found.
Sandy is a genius of a writer.