"Those children are our life, Rachel. You can't take them from us. And I will not stop until those children are back where they belong, with their blood family!"
When Rachel met handsome Irish widower Lorcan it was a whirlwind romance. Her family back home thought it would never last. But it did, and they were so happy. Bringing up two stepchildren hadn't been in her life plan, but she loved them like her own. She'd say to them "even though you didn't grow in my tummy, you grew in my heart", and they'd all laugh together. Their little family wasn't quite the same as everyone else's, but it was beautiful, it was happy, it was home.
Until now. When Lorcan dies in a tragic accident, Rachel's world collapses in an instant. She knows she has to be strong for her stepchildren. But given the chance to move back to the country she grew up in, she wonders if it could be the new start they need.
However, she doesn't count on the children's own grandparents. Their blood relations, who say Rachel isn't their real mother, and so can't take them away from Ireland. Who say they won't let her.
As Rachel finds herself fighting against the only people who might love the children as much she does, everyone will have to ask - what makes a parent? What makes a home? And with whom do the children of her heart have a future?
An utterly unmissable and powerful story about families, love and heartbreak, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Maeve Binchy and Jodi Picoult.
Readers absolutely love Carmel Harrington:
"This book. There are no words and five stars seems such a low bar when this book is as shockingly good as it is. I evenfound myself screaming NO WAY and almost woke my baby just because the twists and turns had me that shocked. I read this late into the night simply because I had to know how it ended." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
"It's FULL of heart and I'm warning you, it'll SMASH yours - but put it back together again just before the end." USA Today bestselling author Catherine Ryan Howard
"Absolutely wonderful... Draws you in to the story as soon as you open the cover and holds you until the end... The emotional plot twist and turns will have you flying through the pages, unable to stop reading... Sure to pull at your heartstrings... I was swept away. I loved this book so much." Page Turners, 5 stars
"Wow, where do I start... A completely addictive heartfelt story peppered with Carmel's trademark warmth... this gorgeous read truly was the perfect escape from day to day life." No.1 bestselling author Melissa Hill
"Beautiful in every way. You just want to curl up with it and keep reading. It made me cry, laugh and want to hug my best friends... A very beautiful summer read!" Jasminegalsreadinglog
"Unashamedly full of heart... an unputdownable journey... about family and identity, about legacy and secrets, and is ultimately a touching love letter to Ireland... She delivers heartache and laughter, and plenty of surprises along the way." New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor
