A salty breeze whips the tears from my eyes as I stare out at the emerald Irish Sea. Everything I've lost, the child my great grandmother Nellie lost, all feels so present here, in the land my family left years ago. How will I ever move on? Will I ever uncover the truth about the little girl who went missing all those years ago?
When Boston-born Erin arrives in wind-tossed Roone Bay, she's heart-sore, tired and lonely. Her marriage is over: she's come to build a new life for herself on Ireland's rugged southern coast. And to unravel the story behind the mysterious note in her family's ancient Bible that has haunted her since childhood. But hazel-eyed former lifeboat volunteer Finn, the only local historian around, quietly refuses her pleas to help.
So Erin settles in to the town, with its whitewashed cottages and ruddy-cheeked fishermen, and begins her quest alone. Who was her ancestor, Nellie, and why did she leave Ireland for America? What happened to her missing child, Annie, and did Nellie ever see her again?
Just as Erin despairs ever uncovering the truth, one rain-soaked night she is rescued by Finn, who finally agrees to help. And by firelight and candlelight each evening, just as it would have been in her great-grandmother's time, Finn and Erin grow closer as they share their stories.
But just as Erin wonders if Roone Bay could be her forever home, she makes a devastating discovery. Will she be able to face the truth, which changes everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her family's Irish legacy? Or will she run, just as Nellie did all those years ago, and lose the best chance at happiness she's ever had...?
This gorgeous, heart-breaking, totally immersive story of an Irish family's legacy is perfect for fans of Susanne O'Leary, Kathleen McGurl and Tricia O'Malley.
What readers are saying about Daisy O'Shea:
'OMG! OMG!!... Beautiful... Absolutely gorgeous!!!... Swept me away from the beginning to the end!!!... I devoured it in one sitting!!!... Gorgeous, heart-warming... Clear your schedules and grab the tissues... stunning'Bookworm86,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The magic of Ireland!... wonderful... Will keep you enthralled to the last page.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This story has everything - mystery, intrigue, true love, family, the kindness of strangers and hope... An absolutely wonderful story that I look forward to recommending to my friends.'NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'What happens when life throws you an unexpected curve? It takes courage to start over again. The setting... a little Irish village, sounds like such a lovely place... The Irish Key will pull on your heartstrings... beautiful... All in all, a very enjoyable read!'@shortbookthyme
'My heart is still racing, hands trembling, emotions swirling... Incredible.'Goodreads reviewer
'A lovely novel of second chances, family secrets, and ultimately found family... will have you rooting for Grace and Oliviato find their happy place.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
