The Irish Boarding House

24 Merrion Square. The house stands empty, the old stone steps overgrown with thorny rose bushes. But Mary Kate feels a deep connection to the neglected, silent rooms. Could this be the place to help her heal?

Dublin 1952. When Mary Kate Ryan receives a surprise inheritance from the woman who abandoned her as a tiny baby, she’s stunned. All her life, she has longed to know why her mother disappeared, and now she’s devastated to realise that every lonely night she spent without a home or family of her own, her mother knew exactly where she was.

Mary Kate is about to refuse the money when she sees a beautiful, deserted house for sale and something sparks in her heart. She will reawaken it, as the Dublin Boarding House for Single Ladies, and provide a shelter for others as lost and alone as her. Can she help the two young girls left at the local orphanage, desperate for a home of their own? Or the pregnant teenager on the run, who only wants to keep her baby safe?

The boarding house brings Mary Kate love and friendships she never dreamed of, but just as her heart is about to burst with joy, a new guest arrives. The stern older woman won’t speak about her past, but when Mary Kate uncovers her story, it reveals a devastating secret about her mother. With her life in turmoil once more, can Mary Kate draw on the strength of the women in the house to help her face her past, or will the tragedy she uncovers spell disaster for them all…?

A heart-wrenching story full of family secrets. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe.

What readers are saying about Sandy Taylor:

‘Outstanding!… It gripped me from the first page until the last!… When a book makes your heart break it deserves all the stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Beautiful… heart-warming, and heartbreaking all at the same time… 5/5 stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘5 stars… Heartbreaking.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘I loved this book – I lost my whole day reading – just couldn’t bear to put it down!’ Goodreads reviewer

‘I fell in love… Such an emotionally raw story can only be written by someone who has left a little piece of their heart behind in such a special place.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘Rarely do I find a book that can double me over with laughter and break my heart with tears… This book delivers and then some!’ Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Brought me to tears numerous times with its emotive words and insightful views on life and love. The writing was simply breathtaking, it was witty and beautiful in the same measure and it has quite frankly stolen my heart.’ Stacy is Reading, 5 stars

‘Writing this through tears, the funniest, most tearful book I’ve ever read. Fantastic.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Wow… deserves more than 5 stars. It is a heart-warming as well as a heartbreaking story all at the same time. I absolutely loved this book. Warning: keep the tissues handy!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Once I started I was unable to put it down and devoured this truly enthralling tale in a single evening… heart-warming yet heartbreaking… I completely lost myself for a few hours within this emotional rollercoaster.’ Momo’s Book Diary

‘Oh my word what a story, I loved this book; witty, enchanting, that will definitely pull at your heartstrings as you read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Exquisite perfection. Well crafted, beautifully written, emotional, poignant and immersive. I loved every word. I was enthralled with the story all the way to the end and stayed up too late reading, but it was worth it.’ Goodreads Reviewer