The Ballynoon Friendship Circle by Pauline Morgan
Publisher: SpellBound Books Ltd
Publication Date: May 21, 2021
About the Book:
After finding her dream cottage in a magazine whilst at the hairdressers, Edel Marston, a fifty-year-old retired teacher, makes the life-changing decision to relocate back to Northern Ireland after the death of her husband Ben.
A rocky start with the neighbours and the knowledge of her past is a little too close for comfort, leaves Edel full of self-doubt. Her emotions have become a law unto themselves and she keeps wondering if she’s made the right decision.
After giving herself a good talking to, she decides to join a local over 50’s club, in a bid to embrace her new life. However, after meeting the friendly ladies of the self-proclaimed Stitch & Bitch group, she’s left with further feelings of uncertainty.
Realising quickly how gossipy these ladies can be, Edel finds herself keeping more and more secrets, especially when her relationship with one particular friend develops into something much more.
Ultimately, Edel has to decide whether to trust again and let all of these new people into her life, warts and all or go back to being lonely but safe and with her secrets intact.
Edel Marston has recently lost her husband and is starting her life anew in a quant Ireland town called Ballynoon. She has bought herself a cute cottage with a garden to upkeep to help her take her mind off of things and do something she loves. The story follows her right as she is moving in and experiencing the town. She is excited for her new property and a new group - the Ballynoon Friendship Circle, a meeting of the ladies of the town. She finds herself immersed in the town, their gossip, and even meets the mysterious wealthy man on the hill.
The Ballynoon Friendship Circle is a realistic, yet fantastical tale of romance and friendship. It is a cosy and adorable story including themes of friendship, aging, grief, finding love again, and finding joy in the little things. Edel has her struggles and is trying to love a new life without her past haunting her, but it pricks her at every turn. I really enjoyed all the characters in this book, the women were funny and all had their personalities. There were so many though that it was a little hard to keep track of who was who.
The story is told from Edel's point of view, and so it is a mix of emotions and sometimes panic, so it was realistic. Although some of the 'conflict' I believe could have been left out and there would not have been an impact on the story. I won't say more, I don't want to spoil anything, but there is a part of her past that doesn't really need to be included to make this story worthwhile.
I liked the love interest and their relationship leading up to the ending. I was slightly surprised by the ending but it seemed a bit predictable, although absolutely adorable.
If you are looking for an adult, cozy romance, and tale of friendships this would be a good book to pick up.
About the Author
Pauline is a member of Writers Ink, a multi-award winning www.writing.ie
She has written short stories; published in Woman’s Way and Irelands Own iconic magazine. Pauline enjoyed entering Flash Fiction competitions and was long-listed at Kanturk Arts Festival.
Her first poem Airborne, published on Pendemic.ie website March 2020
Pauline has completed a women’s ‘fiction book called The Ballynoon Friendship Circle, her debut novel to be published by SpellBound Books in early 2021. Pauline is working on a standalone book Christmas novel.
She engages with an extensive network of social writing groups on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Pauline turns her incredible imagination into words to create beautiful stories in different genres. She has a relaxed style of writing, and her mentor describes it as heart-warming and cosy. Pauline never shies away from any given written tasks.
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