Review by Booklist Review
Kelly's latest novel features four women all beautiful, all wounded in one way or another, and all facing life crises at the same time. Sisters Suki and Tess hail from an Irish town where the postmistress, Danae (a woman of mystery to curious townsfolk), is joined by her heartbroken niece, Mara romances ensue. Stories with four main characters are bound to be complex, and this one is no exception, but plots and subplots are well handled. Secondary characters are quirky and add to the reading fun. The omniscient narration covers 20 years in the lives of the women through flashbacks, artfully placed to shed a little light on present-day happenings and just enough information to ensure a suspenseful read. Kelly's readers will take comfort in her recognition of the humor in daily life, the necessity of friendship to women, and the strength of bonds among families. This modern-day fairy tale, which starts out sad and ends up just fine, will please Kelly's fans and appeal to more mature readers of chick lit.--Loughran, Ellen Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A novel for and about women, a tapestry woven of romance and mystery, secrets kept and revealed, hearts broken and mended, dreams shattered and realized as destinies are rediscovered. The author begins by taking the reader on a tour of the small town of Avalon on the Irish Coast, introducing her cast of characters, hinting at their secrets, letting them question, surprise and ultimately support one another. Danae, the postmistress, is kind and discreet, careful not to pry too much into the private lives of the people she serves, knowing from personal experience that some things are just too hard to talk about. Her niece Mara leaves small-town life for a career in the big city only to return to nurse a broken heart. Tess remains home to care for her dying father, marries, has two children and runs an antiques business. When her marriage to Kevin grows bland, she suggests a trial separation to see if absence will make their hearts grow fonder. Tess' older sister Suki left home as soon as she could, seeking a bigger pond, and when her marriage into a famous, wealthy American family ended, she embarked upon an affair with a famous rock star. Additionally, she made a name for herself as the author of a best-selling feminist work titled Women and Their Wars. By the time we meet her, Suki is alone, broke and dealing with writer's block. She is also running from a scandalmonger seeking information about the famous family she was once a part of and decides to hide out with her sister back home. The characters, with all their detailed idiosyncrasies, are authentically portrayed, and the peregrinations of the complex plot make for a fascinating journey and an excellent read.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
