[New post] A Mother’s Heart by Carmel Harrington #BookReview @Bookouture @happymrsh
Carla posted: " A Mother's Heart by Carmel Harrington Published May 26th 2022 by Bookouture A completely gripping and unforgettable tear-jerker by Carmel Harrington "Do you know lots of people believe that when you die, you become a star? I think so to" Carla Loves To Read
A completely gripping and unforgettable tear-jerker by Carmel Harrington
"Do you know lots of people believe that when you die, you become a star? I think so too. And that your mammy and daddy are now stars in the sky, shining their light on us all." Rachel pulled her two stepchildren into her arms. "And they know you're safe down here with me."
When Rachel met handsome Irish widower Lorcan it was a whirlwind romance. Her family back in New Zealand thought it would never last. But it did, and they were so happy. Bringing up two children hadn't been in her life plan, but it had become her joy, and she was as proud of them as if they were her own.
She'd say to them "even though you didn't grow in my tummy, you grew in my heart", and they'd all laugh, knowing they were loved. Their little family wasn't quite the same as everyone else's, but it was beautiful, it was happy, it was home.
Until now. Because when Lorcan's life is taken in a tragic accident, it feels like Rachel's world has died with him. She knows in her heart that she wants to take the children back to the country she grew up in. Where she'd have support, because they'd be surrounded by her family. Where she could grieve and heal; and the children could have a new start.
However, she doesn't count on the children's own grandparents. Their blood relations, who say Rachel isn't their real mother, and so can't take them away from Ireland. Who say they won't let her.
As Rachel finds herself fighting against the only people who might love the children as much she does, everyone will have to ask – what makes a parent? What makes a home? And with whom do the children of her heart have a future?
An utterly unmissable and powerful story about families, love and heartbreak, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Maeve Binchy and Jodi Picoult.
5 Stars:
Rachel met the love of her life Lorcan, when she was just 18. Lorcan was visiting New Zealand for the summer and they spent every moment together. Lorcan returned to Dublin at the end of the summer an life moved on. Years later while Rachel and her sister are in Ireland for a European tour, Lorcan and Rachel meet again. He is now a widower with two children, but those feelings are still there and after a whirlwind courtship, they marry and Rachel becomes a mom to Dylan and Olivia. Rachel loves not only Lorcan but his children who become part of her heart. They made a wonderful family unit until the day Lorcan died. Rachel has now taken on an even stronger role for her children and she will do anything for them. One of the things that she considers is moving back to New Zealand, so they can all start over, but realizes she can't take the children away from their grandparents. Their birth mother's parents have very strong feelings about the well-being of Olivia and Dylan and Sheila, undermines Rachel at every turn. Rachel does everything she can to keep the peace, but it is so difficult. Lorcan's parents have been estranged but Rachel wants to reestablish a relationship between them and their grandchildren. When Niamh's parents get it into their heads that Rachel is planning to move back to New Zealand with their grandchildren, they decide they must stop her in whatever way they can.
This was a heartbreaking story. Family drama can pull at your heartstrings for so many reasons and this book has more than one. Carmel Harrington has written a story full of great characters that had my emotions all over the place. I loved Rachel, Olivia and Dylan. They were a great family that loved each other so much. They had been through so much in their lives and were so good together. Dylan was a normal four year old with cute reactions, excitement, silliness, energy and very emotional. Olivia was a big sister who loved her brother one minute and yelled at him the next. All the family members were well developed, with flaws, secrets and baggage. Grief plays a huge part in this story and how it can affect lives for years. I also have to mention the setting. Both Ireland and New Zealand were wonderfully described, but if I had to choose, I think I would love to live in the area of New Zealand described. This was a story about mother's love and what it drives them to do for their children whether it is the right thing or not. It is a story of family, love, forgiveness, and grief. I recommend this book to those who enjoy women's fiction and stories of families.
Carmel Harrington is an internationally published novelist from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her family and rescue dog, George Bailey. She has published eight novels, sold into fourteen territories, been shortlisted twice (2016 & 2017) for an Irish Book Award, and won Kindle Book of the Year and Romantic eBook of the Year in 2013. An Irish Times bestseller often compared to Maeve Binchy, Carmel has established herself as a warm, contemporary storyteller who writes with heart, humour and hope, capturing the issues facing families and relationships in modern Ireland.
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