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See the Stars by Eleanor Ray #Review

  See the Stars by Eleanor Ray will be  published on February 5th 2026 by Piatkus .  Do you ever feel that life isn't going to plan?   When Alice Thorington collapses in the street after a particularly hellish day at work, she must finally admit to herself that her outwardly happy life - steady relationship, well-paid job, beautiful flat in the city - isn't everything she'd hoped it would be. Burnt out by long hours and living a life that doesn't fulfil her dreams, Alice returns home to Yorkshire.  Her childhood home brings complicated family dynamics, a rediscovery of her passion for stargazing and two new friends: Berti, a boy who finds it easier to count the stars than interact with people, and Matt, her brother's best friend and Alice's teenage crush. With each of them facing their own struggles, can the stars that meant so much to Alice in her past help them to find their way in the present?  Filled with heart and warmth, this uplifting novel...

The Sandycove Supper Club by Sian O'Gorman #Review

 

The Sandycove Supper Club was published by Boldwood Books on July 20th and is another uplifting read by Irish author Sian O'Gorman. 


Do what you love. Love what you do…

After a whirlwind courtship, Roisin Kelly ignored the sceptics and objectors and married aspiring novelist Brody Brady.

Fast forward one year and Roisin’s honeymoon is well and truly over. Brody has become her reclusive, freeloading lodger whilst he pens his masterpiece and she walks on eggshells.

Working in the Council Planning office, Roisin dreams to escape the mundanity of her life. Her true passions are cooking and entertaining her family and friends but she lacks the confidence to take it any further. When a charity supper club is suggested by best friends Jools and Richard, Roisin has no choice and is reluctantly swept along to be head chef for the fundraiser.

With the help of her friends, Roisin starts to believe that there is more to life that moody writers, hamsters and poor hygiene and that maybe she has a few dreams of her own.

And that just when you think life has nothing left to give, your whole world can change.


 


My Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting this large Irish family and group of friends for what is a lovely, uplifting read.  From the beginning, when Roisin impulsively marries the would-be author, Brody, you have a feeling that her story is going to be a bit complicated and far from humdrum. The humour is what stood out in the story for me. Brody's pet hamster and some of Roisin's work fellows were great sources of laughter but most of all, was Brody himself, the self-centred writer and spinner of yarns. 

    The idea for the Supper Club is a challenge for Roisin, set by her friends who can see that her heart is not totally in her job as an admin assistant in the Planning Department. She is a talented chef but has zero confidence in her abilities and has to slowly build up her self- esteem. Her family have their own complicated dynamics but their family love shines through. Above all, the Supper Club sounds quite idyllic, situated in Roisin's childhood garden. It sounds like just the sort of place I'd love to go. With romance, laughter and a few exasperating moments, you are always aware that these are real human beings with faults and virtues. It is a romp of a read.

In short: Facing up to your heart's desire

About the Author

Sian O’Gorman was born in Galway and now lives just along the coast from Dublin. She works as a radio producer alongside writing contemporary women’s fiction inspired by friend and family relationships.

You can follow Sian here:  Instagram  |  Twitter |  Facebook      

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Book links: Amazon UK

You can read my review of Life After You here and Lifr's What You Make It  here

Thanks to Sian O'Gorman, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book amd a place on the tour. 

Check out the rest of the tour!

 

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