The Moon Over Kilmore Quay: a heartwarming and emotional family drama perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy

Bea O’Connor, one of the second generation of Irish immigrants born in Brooklyn, always felt that Ireland was a large part of her heritage and who she was. She’d grown up listening to the nostalgic stories told by her grandparents and dreamed of Ireland and visiting there one day. She’s torn between her love of New York and the call of Ireland, not knowing quite where she belongs.Everything changed when Bea received the letter she’d written to her future self for a school assignment. The letters from each member of the class had been held in a time capsule by the teacher and, as promised, were sent out when the students reached a certain age.The letter awakened a compulsion to find out more about her mother, who died when Bea was a small child, and also caused her to assess her life to date and make some much needed adjustments in her thinking in order to mend some fences. She longed to know more about the Irish side of her family and where they came from. Her work allowed her the perfect opportunity.The story is split into two timelines — Bea in present day New York, feeling adrift after the break up with the love of her life, and Lucy in Ireland in 1990s. Lucy, her sister Maeve and their best friend Michelle had applied for three of the allotted forty eight thousand American visas.I enjoyed following Bea’s and Lucy’s stories very much while getting to grips with the family dynamics, although I didn’t see the twists coming. Characters are depicted sympathetically and convincingly, the thoughts, emotions and uncertainties of leaving home to start a new life so far away are captured very realistically. Bea was a great character and I loved the friendship between her and her two best friends.Both locations were described so beautifully and evocatively giving a real sense of place, making it easy to visualise the settings.The Moon Over Kilmore Quay kept me invested in the story and the outcome for the characters from the start. It incorporates family, the love and support of friends, joy, sadness, long buried secrets and a moving and unpredictable conclusion which I wasn’t expecting at all.

Omg this has to be one of the best books I have ever read, and I read a lot, everything you thought would happen didn't and everything that did happen was unexpected, a totally marvellous story of love, loss, betrayal and friendship

This is the first book that I have read of Carmel Harrington, and if definitely won't be my last I have laughed and cried, such a well written book. From stars to finnish Carmel had you captivated, I didn't want to put it down. I can tell you I didn't in my wildest dreams think the book would end like that, I definitely did not see that coming won't spoil it for you.This is a writer and a book that you have to follow and read you will be very surprise in such a lovely way.

Another great read from Carmel. Very familiar story for many Irish families with members overse as. It can be difficult to keep relationships alive from a distance but Carmel weaves a story to keep the reader constantly engaged with this Irish group of diaspora.

I loved this book with its great story line and vivid characters who were so real that I still think about them as if I’d actually known them. Although there is plenty of humour in the book, you will need some Kleenex for the final chapters. A must read!