Book description
24 Merrion Square. The house stands empty, the old stone steps overgrown with thorny rose bushes. But Mary Kate feels a deep connection to the neglected, silent rooms. Could this be the place to help her heal? Dublin 1952. When Mary Kate Ryan receives a surprise inheritance from the woman who abandoned her as a tiny baby, she's stunned. All her life, she has longed to know why her mother disappeared, and now she's devastated to realise that every lonely night she spent without a home or family of her own, her mother knew exactly where she was. Mary Kate is about to refuse the money when she sees a beautiful, deserted house for sale and something sparks in her heart. She will reawaken it, as the Dublin Boarding House for Single Ladies, and provide a shelter for others as lost and alone as her. Can she help the two young girls left at the local orphanage, desperate for a home of their own? Or the pregnant teenager on the run, who only wants to keep her baby safe? The boarding house brings Mary Kate love and friendships she never dreamed of, but just as her heart is about to burst with joy, a new guest arrives. The stern older woman won't speak about her past, but when Mary Kate uncovers her story, it reveals a devastating secret about her mother. With her life in turmoil once more, can Mary Kate draw on the strength of the women in the house to help her face her past, or will the tragedy she uncovers spell disaster for them all...? A heart-wrenching story full of family secrets. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe. What readers are saying about Sandy Taylor: 'Outstanding!... It gripped me from the first page until the last!... When a book makes your heart break it deserves all the stars.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Beautiful... heart-warming, and heartbreaking all at the same time... 5/5 stars.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars '5 stars... Heartbreaking.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'I loved this book - I lost my whole day reading - just couldn't bear to put it down!' Goodreads reviewer 'I fell in love... Such an emotionally raw story can only be written by someone who has left a little piece of their heart behind in such a special place.' Goodreads reviewer 'Rarely do I find a book that can double me over with laughter and break my heart with tears... This book delivers and then some!' Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Brought me to tears numerous times with its emotive words and insightful views on life and love. The writing was simply breathtaking, it was witty and beautiful in the same measure and it has quite frankly stolen my heart.' Stacy is Reading, 5 stars 'Writing this through tears, the funniest, most tearful book I've ever read. Fantastic.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars 'Wow... deserves more than 5 stars. It is a heart-warming as well as a heartbreaking story all at the same time. I absolutely loved this book. Warning: keep the tissues handy!' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
Marine Dre
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Guillotine
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise.
Mr. Fabulous
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used.
Liquid Death
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
X-Dew
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion.
Scare Stone
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Spunky Chick
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Pexxious
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
Kabuki
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Toy Dogwatch
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. 🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Teeder
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
New York Winder
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Uluru Walker
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Trigger Warming
💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 📱 A world of books at my fingertips – this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. 📚📱 Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
VenusLion
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Delirious Supernova
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Fire Queen
I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
Cricket
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Baked ZD
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move.
Venom Petunia
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience