The Diary at the Irish Adoption House

Ireland, 1939: ‘Please,’ my tearful voice breaks as I press the leather-bound diary into Sister Louise’s hands. ‘Give this to the family who takes care of my baby. It’s all he’ll have to remember his Mammy…’

In the pale light of dawn, Sheila holds her precious baby close, tears welling in her eyes. For weeks she had been planning her escape to America, away from the cruel man she’s been forced to marry, who refuses to raise a child who’s not his own. But war is coming, making the crossing from Ireland far too dangerous for a child. Her chest aches with the most impossible decision: to keep her son truly safe, she must give him away…

As she says her last goodbyes in the shadow of the adoption house, Sheila takes the diary she’s poured her heart into and tucks it in amongst his blankets, whispering a promise: ‘One day, we’ll meet again, little one…’

Now, Sheila must escape her husband, facing the dangerous journey across the ocean, praying that one day she and her son can be reunited. But as she watches Ireland vanish over the horizon from the deck of the boat, her heart stops at a sickening thud, and the ships bells start to ring. Can she survive the perilous crossing to America? And will she ever make it back to her son?

An utterly heartbreaking and emotional novel about hope in dark places and the power of a mother’s love, perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe.

What readers are saying about Michelle Vernal:

‘I absolutely fell in love… Heart-wrenching… Had me reaching for tissues multiple times while reading late into the night.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking… I was moved to tears… Gripping… Held my attention and my heart from beginning to end.’ Robin Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow wow wow!!!! I read this in less than twenty-four hours. So gripping, it had me hooked and unable to put it down.’ diane.likes.to.read, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Omg I went through quite a few tissues… Totally shattered my heart while at the same time putting the pieces back together again… Amazing.’ leannebookstagram, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heart-wrenching… Unputdownable… I couldn’t resist flipping through the pages, my eyes brimming with tears… Phenomenal.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow! I have to say that this page-turner is so outstanding that I read it in a single day! Putting it down was not an option.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A heartbreaking and very powerful book… I couldn’t put it down… Brilliant… This book was magic… Just so heartbreaking… Captivating.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What an incredible read!… Raw and heartbreaking… Attention-grabbing, page-turner… Excellent… Kept me hooked… One to add to your list!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking… Beautiful story that will tug at your heart… You instantly feel drawn… Definitely a must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐