It's the 1950s and for Tara Flynn, red-haired, bright and ambitious, Ballygrace House represents everything she hopes for - beautiful, elegant and a world away from the small village where she lives with her grandfather. But the wealthy Fitzgeralds who live at Ballygrace have little time for village girls, until Madeleine, their unstable, delicate daughter, meets Tara. Tara is everything Madeleine isn't, yet the two girls find themselves becoming firm friends. When Tara meets Gabriel, Madeleine's older brother, she becomes painfully aware of the differences between the Fitzgeralds and the Flynns. Without a wealthy family behind her, Tara will have to work her way to the life she dreams of. Then Tara finds herself with a heartbreaking decision to make, and must leave the world of Ballygrace behind her and flee to England ...
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'A winning debut. ' WOMAN'S OWN 'An engaging story about a group of likeable characters with enough twists and turns to keep those pages turning... O'Neill's attention to detail brings an authenticity to the book. She manages effortlessly to bring '40s Ireland to life, transporting you to a little room in a remote cottage - you can almost smell the turf smoke and baking soda bread. So if you fancy a new novel by a new author capable of spinning a good old yarn, you'll definitely love Tara Flynn.' IRISH POST
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Geraldine O'Neill was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Irish/Scottish parents. She has lived in County Offaly, Ireland, for the past ten years. She is married and has two children.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!,
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This review is from: Tara Flynn (Paperback)
Tara Flynn is a good read, especially if you were raised in the north of England. I couldn't put it down and will be first in line for the film if ever there is one. I felt I'd lost an old friend when I had finished the book. The sequel is just as good! Tara's Riches.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A story of romance, awakenings, and making ones dreams clear cut realities...,
By
This review is from: Tara Flynn (Paperback)
I have to say I had this book for months before I decided to read it and maybe it's because of the idea I had of it being about girls in the 50's as opposed to women in the 21st century but the story rings true and these characters are fully developed and unique.
This book somehow makes me think of old black and white movies with fashionable ladies drinking tea and eating cookies while they gossip about the parishioners in their catholic town (being Ireland in the 50's you can imagine the power of the Church) full of secrets and people with no knowledge of toilet seats or electric light, much less of divorce. Tara is a girl whose father is a drunk and not at all who she wants as a role model, her mother is dead and so she is raised by her grandfather and her uncle Mick. She always dreamed of bettering herself and living like the rich Madeleine and Gabriel Fitzgerald. Tara takes you on her own journey to become a lady with manners, work, and resources. She is extremely ambitious and she makes it in a difficult time but she has many challenges and heartaches along the way to her success as a career woman. She is raped by her best friend's father and goes all the way to London to get away from it all but gossip is the name of the game and all sorts of false truths were already going through the grapevine of her small hometown. Her heart belongs to Gabriel, who kissed her several times on the most amazing night of her life but she has to run away since she doesn't want to face the town after the rape and she begins once again her journey to self improvement in England and meets Frank - Oh so handsome Frank - who deceives her like many a man do when they are married and have children... Tara heartbroken and full of voids once her grandfather is gone, and her friend Madeleine dies in a car accident, has to keep working to get where she wants to in life and her steely determination is a her most wonderful virtue. She becomes a landowner and travels to see the Ballet and the Opera, and also to buy new dresses and fashionable hats to be always distinguished and elegant. Finally the romantic end you hope for is delivered and Tara stays with Gabriel Fitzgerald but her secret will always stay with her. This is a compelling read that will definitely keep you entertained and invigorated.
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