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
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Waylay Dave
πΌ Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! π»π ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Murder Matter
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Wiccan Trouble
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Simplifying audiobook adventures β this app's ease of use is a delight. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
AirportHobo XD
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
DanimalDaze
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Petite Flurry
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Murmur
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Stickers
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
All Natural
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Woodland Beauty
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Moon Solitaire
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Golden Cougar
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable.
AirportHobo XD
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Old Felix
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. 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.
VisionVoyager
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams!
Saber-RED
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Soda Delirium
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Old Felix
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly.
Twinkle Cocoa
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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