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
Scrapple
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. 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!
Sky Trinity
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Kimono Goddess
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
The Beekeeper
π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Pixy Mox
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner.
Find It Girl
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ
Hidden Tree
Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
21st Street
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Pearl Girl
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
SubWoof330
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ
Paris Boost
π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Brick Mooch
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Thunder Tank
I'm hooked on this app β it's like Netflix for book lovers! Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings.
Sloth
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
SpellTansy
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey.
Alley Cat
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Woodland Beauty
My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Scrapper
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
High Deck
ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Pigeon Woman
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
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