265 pages Bookouture Publisher Publication date

July 31, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

‘It devastates me that this will be the first you’re hearing of the bookshop. But it’s yours now, and I hope it can heal you despite everything you might hear about our family. Good luck, dear Ciara, and remember to never give up…’

Standing amongst the wildflowers that border the abandoned bookshop, Ciara’s heart begins to swell. She never met her mysterious distant relative Martha, but there’s no denying that this place, filled with beautiful old books, is captivating. Trapped in a dead-end job and a tiny apartment in Dublin, this inheritance could change everything for her.

As visitors from Cherrywood village arrive to welcome Ciara, and she learns to love each priceless edition she now owns, it’s Ronan, the handsome lawyer with hazel eyes and husky voice who makes a lasting impression. Can he help her learn more about Martha? Why was Ciara chosen to protect the bookshop’s legacy, and why all the secrecy? The only certainty is the butterflies Ciara feels every time she locks eyes with Ronan. Is it crazy to imagine herself re-opening the bookshop and staying forever?

But nothing prepares Ciara for the letter she finds hidden high on the rickety shelves, for the heart shattering story of an abandoned baby and a devastating family secret. The truth about Martha could mean Ciara loses the bookshop forever.

Ciara is faced with an impossible choice: close the doors of her new home and return to her old life in Dublin, or stay to find out the truth and risk everything for a new life in Cherrywood…

MY THOUGHTS

The Secret Bookshop in Ireland is the first exciting book in the Sisters of Cherrywood.
A young woman is shocked when receiving her daily post she opens it to learn she has inherited a house from someone she had never met.
A life changing event happens to a young woman and she visits the house and sees so much potential in it and her dog loves the area too.
The small town has declined in people living there and property value as the older folks living there have died off and no one younger wants to live there and improve the houses.
Through her solicitor she learns about the woman she has inherited the house from and her father’s family history. I loved learning about the past lives of the characters she researched that lived in the small town many years ago. Their lives were not easy and tragedy paid them a visit more than once. At first I didn’t like her mother’s character she seemed to want to take control of her daughter’s life but then she became more likable and was a big help to her daughter.
There may be a romance brewing but with several men seeming to be interested who will be the best fit?
I absolutely loved the idea of bringing the bookshop back to life in Cherrywood and there are several older characters who remembered how it was in the past and they are willing to help bring it back the way it was.
I also enjoyed getting to know the solicitor and his mother, both pleasant characters.
I greatly look forward to seeing how things are progressing in the next book and hopefully there will start to be a regeneration of the small town now. Excellent read!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She’s been inspired to write about people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.

When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Walking through the thick fog clouding San Francisco, Maggie lifts her chin and forces a smile to her lips. “We must rebuild our lives and fight for our future, no matter what…”

San Francisco, 1893: When Maggie O’Halloran steps off the train in California, she knows she must be brave for her friend Brendan and her brother Danny. Having fled both New York and Chicago, they all have broken spirits and fear having to start again. Can Maggie find courage and strength for them all?

Maggie soon finds a boarding house that will take them in. In a lively part of town, and with a colourful clientele, it is not somewhere she ever imagined staying. Until one night when they are woken by a distressing cry, and Maggie finds herself assisting a doctor to save a young woman’s life.

Working through the night by candlelight, Maggie realises this may be her true calling. When the doctor asks if she would consider training as a nurse, she says yes immediately, hopeful she might have finally found her purpose in life. Will this now give her the courage to tell Brendan how she truly feels?

But before she can risk her heart, Brendan reveals that Danny is in trouble once more. They are leaving at dawn for Alaska to mine for gold, and Maggie is both shocked and heartbroken. Should she stay, and continue the work that has given her life such meaning? Or should she sacrifice everything, and follow those she loves even further into the unknown?

UK: https://ow.ly/af8X50ZrQcQ US: https://ow.ly/pM2T50ZrQcR

MY THOUGHTS

I have read this series the whole way through, this is the third and final book in it I believe.
Though each book can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading the series in order for a richer reading experience.
The series has taken us to so many places.
I can see the character growth in the characters. Starting out Danny was a little tike, finishing up he was in his early twenties. He started out scared and Maggie was essentially his mother because she passed away and their father was gone destination unknown at the time.
As the series progresses, he becomes a product of his environment after arriving in America from Ireland and doesn’t always make the best choices for himself and he and Maggie as a group either.
Upon arriving in America thy met Brendan who only wants the best for them and is with them for the most part throughout the three books.
Maggie doesn’t have it easy, coming to a brand-new country, responsible for a young child, her brother Danny as a young person herself. Of course, she makes mistakes along the way, but she always has their best interest at heart.
From the first to last book, we see her going from a scared young woman with not much experience to a more mature woman who has put up with a lot, more than she thought she could handle and her experiences have made her a stronger woman and given her gumption.
I loved reading about the different traveling experiences and how they fared in each place, some better than others. The descriptions of the places and their activities were very realistic and I enjoyed them.
Highly recommend all of the authors books.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Kate Hewitt is the author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels have been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers.

An American ex-pat for many years, she now lives in New Jersey with her husband, two of her five children (the others are scattered across the globe!), their two Golden Retrievers and their independent cat. Join her newsletter to receive updates and giveaways, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads, to discuss all manner of books. Links can be found on her website, katehewittbooks (.com).

Her latest releases are A New Home for the Irish Daughter, a saga centering around an ambitious Irish immigrant during the Chicago World’s Fair, Summer Skies over Starr’s Fall, the fourth standalone in her new heartwarming series inspired by the Gilmore Girls, and Second time Around the sixtih in her Wildflower Valley’s series about modern homesteading and inspired by Little House on the Prairie. There’s something for everyone so do check them all out, and be in touch as Kate loves to hear from readers. You can discuss Kate’s books as well as others on her private Facebook group, Kate’s Reads or read her thoughts on Substack.