This book was certainly full of surprises! It kinda feels like a long epic saga. At times I felt like it dragged a bit.
It did keep my interest and finished with a bang.
The archeological part of the story was interesting too.

Its lovely to be back in Roone Bay again.
This time the stories of two neighbouring families who for decades have been at war with each other.
Told over two timelines, history appears to repeat itself, but can this be the generation to bring a healing halt to the conflicts?
An enjoyable and easy read.

Interesting mystery story set in Ireland. Two stories connected with two warring families. Good characters but fairly predictable.

A dual time line novel of family secrets and lies that led to a feud. One that Ginny who has just come home for the first time in years is going to comfort head on with the smoldering Ruari, This moves between the 1920s and the sorta present to trace the origins of the animosity between their families. Can these two bury the hatchet? Well first Ginny's got to confess her secret (no spoilers). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good albeit a tad predictable read.

This was really good! I enjoyed the different characters and learning their secrets.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

(rounded up from 3.5 stars)

The Irish Family Secret, by its very title, telescopes what the gist of this story is going to be about. It’s a dual timeline narrative, with the modern story not clearly labeled in time (but I’m thinking maybe the 1970s or so) and the older timeline clearly labeled in the early 1920s. The action all takes place in rural Ireland, in the southwest area around Cork.

The historic portion of the story is basically a Romeo and Juliet tale, with two young lovers and two feuding families. Davan and Molly are the protagonists and their story is both tragic and mysterious. (You eventually find out what happened.) One family name is Savage, a bit too “on the nose.”

The modern story focuses on Ginny Kingston, a descendent of Davan’s family, and Ruari, a descendent of Molly’s family. Ginny is a young archaeologist, specializing in the prehistoric structures found all over Ireland. She has returned home to Roone Bay (a fictional town) after more than 10 years away, to map out the structures remaining in the area. Ruari is a mechanic. There are a lot of family members to keep track of.

The story is a bit predictable but still enjoyable to read. The descriptions of the countryside are wonderful and I learned quite a bit about prehistoric structures (“raths” and “souterrains”) over the course of the book. The author also highlights how badly most unwed mothers were treated in Ireland in the past, a real tragedy.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a powerful read!
Ginny Kingston is an archaeologist, when her job takes her back to Roone Bay, her home town, it makes her realise that she will be forced to face her demons. Which was the reason that she left in the first place.
When she sees Ruari Savage standing looking menacing at her during her talk to the locals it makes her more determined to find out what caused the conflict that historically exists between their families. The families are like a lot were in small communities, intertwined, only adding to the difficulty in discovering the true details, When Ruari comes to her assistance after her car left the road Ginny starts to think that maybe he’s ok . It’s fascinating how as learn more with the developing story then the truth unfolds in a way I truly didn’t see coming. Loved the twists.

The prologue gives really good detail of who’s who, with good detail of changes as the story begins.
It has a lovely balance of family life, feuds, feel good, historical information, oh and don’t forget the tears!
The conclusion was beautiful. Look forward to more by this author.

A quick read where the present meets the past and secrets are finally revealed. Modern day archeologist Ginny returns home to confront her past and also the decisions made by her ancestors particularly Devan and Molly. The story takes place in a small picturesque village in Ireland . Love stories emerge in this book.

Wow what a book thank you ever so much for the opportunity to review. I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to others!
The story line is brilliant no boring parts and kept me guessing to the end. Can't wait for the next one!'⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The third of The Emerald Isles series (although I believe it could be a stand alone too).
Once again we find ourselves in the fictional town of Roone Bay.
Ginny arrives back in town after living away for many years. She knows she has to face the past.
At an event she meets Ruari, who was the younger brother of an old friend.
Ruari and Ginny's families have had conflict for many years and no one knows the real reason.
Together they try to find out about their young ancestors, who had fallen in love but had caused a scandal.
Can they both deal with the past secrets and form a friendship?
A good light read, that has lots of Irish history and myths.

As soon as I saw there was another Daisy O’Shea novel coming out, I had to read it! First off I love the gorgeous cover as it just whisked me away to Ireland before I even opened the e-book. And what a story! I was intrigued from the Prologue that thrust me back to the past in 1923 where I met the O’Brien family who are caught in a war with William Savage. He is a volatile man with a wicked temper accusing the O’Brien’s of numerous things such as infringing on the boundary lines between their properties. But worse is the fact that his only daughter, Molly, caught the eye of Davan O’Brien. And so begins the tragic plot that continues for generations.

When I hit the first chapter, I was already hooked. It is a dual timeline which I enjoy. I felt no jolt in the transition as the narrative led me back and forth through the past and present. In the modern day thread, Ginny Kingston returns to Roone Bay after being away for ten years rebuilding her life. She left a traumatic event behind but now returns home for work purposes as an archaeologist. She loves sharing Irish history, ‘the monuments and mystical legends’ and gives a lecture at the church hall where many are captivated by what she shares. But the locals also wonder what took her away for all these years?

During one of her archaeological explorations, she has some car trouble and meets mechanic Ruari Savage who reminds her a bit of his older brother who taught her a lot about the natural environment when she was a young girl. If fact, it was why she became an archaeologist. Ruari is full of questions that make her very uncomfortable and she must decide what and what not to share about the past. She has a lot of issues to overcome due to their families’ difficult history. Although he seems kind and sincere—can she trust him?

The character growth in this story is well delivered. I truly liked Ginny and Ruari of the modern day thread. They have some obstacles to overcome but as a reader I believed that true restoration and emotional healing were a real possibility. The natural attraction between them is well described and felt—all enhanced by the beautiful settings they were a part of and shared. I also found the story of their ancestors Molly and Davan incredibly moving. There were many gorgeous poetic passages between dreamer Molly and artist Davan. ‘Together they lifted each other’s lives and hopes beyond the boundaries of their farming backgrounds.’ Davan, in his art, was able to capture ‘Molly’s exuberance for life..’ She often quoted poetry… ‘words of long dead poets cleverly expressing what they were unable to express themselves.’ Davan often repeated her words, ‘she is the candle that lights my soul, the sunshine in my darkest day.’ In many ways they reminded me so much of Romeo and Juliet with their pure innocent love. And the tragedy that surrounded them due to the severe friction between their families that kept them apart.

One question that keeps rising: will all this rival between the Kingstons (O’Briens) and Savages ever come to an end? Will the current generation finally bury the hatchet? Ginny’s encounter with the Savage family turns out quite different than she expected but will she and Ruari be able to mend the rift that has caused their families so much pain?

The Irish Family Secret is a riveting novel filled with mystery, romance, secrets, tragedy and shocking discoveries. I enjoyed every page both past and present and how the two threads came together seamlessly at the end. The desire for peace, healing and happiness are definitely part of this age old dilemma. There are quite a range of emotions exhibited throughout the story. Sometimes the author paints a stark reality of what a rivalling family conflict can case. Hatred is a blinding emotion that cuts and destroys all in its path. But in the current day thread of this novel with Ginny and Ruari, we see a bright new picture when these two families face the facts, share and unload years of angst and try to mend the broken fences. The landscape is part of this restoration as it gives up its ghosts and allows the process of healing to begin.

The Irish Family Secret covers so many things but it also highlights the importance of history and the landmarks that remain to remind us of the worlds that have passed. Sometimes, as in this case, it's to teach us about the damage of social inequality and spiritual blindness. Yet one lesson that stands out like a beacon on a hill: is never under estimate the power of young love. A must read! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

The Irish Family Secret is an Irish women’s fiction book that was well written. It was a heartwarming read that kept me up all night.