The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill – Audio
ARC from Macmillan Audio, Henry Holt books and Netgalley for an honest review
Book Blurb:
It’s been years since the three Ryan sisters were all home together at their family’s beloved house on the eastern shore of Long Island. Two decades ago, their lives were upended by an accident on their brother Topher’s boat, a friend’s brother was killed, the lawsuit nearly bankrupted their parents, and Topher spiraled into a depression, eventually taking his life. Now the Ryan women are back for Thanksgiving, eager to reconnect, but each carrying a heavy secret. The eldest, Cait, still holding guilt for the role no one knows she played in the boat accident, rekindles a flame with her high school crush, Topher’s best friend and the brother of the boy who died. Middle sister Alice’s been thrown a curveball threatening the career she’s restarting and faces a difficult decision that may doom her marriage. And the youngest, Maggie, is finally taking the risk to bring the woman she loves home to her devoutly Catholic mother. Infusing everything is the grief for Topher that none of the Ryans have figured out how to carry together. When Cait invites a guest to Thanksgiving dinner, old tensions boil over and new truths surface, nearly overpowering the flickering light of their family bond.
My Review: 4 stars
The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill is a perfect combination of an emotionally dysfunctional family, excellent writing with the shadow of grief woven into every character’s DNA.
I know that the phrase “Irish goodbye” means leaving without saying goodbye and the title sums up the emotions of the characters after the three Ryan sisters lose their brother to suicide. The book is told from each of the sister’s POV which gives interesting and informative perspectives.
When the three sisters reunite after quite a long time, there is tension, surprise, anxiety and resolve. Each of three sisters were excellently portrayed, so much so that I easily saw them in my mind’s eye. Their relationships with their parents, with each other and within the confines of their own hearts were palpable to the reader. I want to say more, especially about Topher, the brother that passed, but I don’t want any spoilers.
Quotes I liked:
We don’t see things as they are,’” she said. “‘We see them as we are.”
“She was a master at not knowing what she knew.”
“Wanting that and living that are two different things.”
Shop on Amazon Here!
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
