It’s a real pleasure today – a few days later than planned – to be sharing my review of the latest book from the wonderful Faith Hogan, The Women at Ocean’s End. Published on 5th June by Aria Fiction, it’s now available as an ebook, in hardcover, and as an audiobook: paperback readers will need to wait a little longer, with the release date set for 26th February 2026. My thanks to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy, provided via netgalley.
You’ll find reviews of every single book Faith has ever written here on Being Anne (just pop her name into the search bar) – I’ve loved her storytelling ever since I read and reviewed her very first, My Husband’s Wives, way back in 2016 (review here). So many wonderful books have followed (her latest is her eleventh), and it’s been a delight to see her writing just get better and better – so many readers are now as eager as I always am to see every new book. Her last one, The Bookshop Ladies, was quite superb – a compelling read, immersing you in the lives and experiences of her sympathetically drawn characters, exploring the power of friendship and the importance of family (you’ll find my review of that one here). I first learned about this latest book when I shared its cover back in October last year (you’ll find that post here) – at the time, it was called The House at Ocean’s End but, as you’ll discover, the story really was always about the women at its heart…
From the author of the ebook bestseller, The Bookshop Ladies, comes a brand new novel guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings as three women, all with secrets waiting to be uncovered, meet on a beautiful island off the Irish Coast.
Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her.
Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future.
Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back.
Now, in a faded art deco house near the ocean’s end, these women must come together to save the house they love, and each other, because they might have run from their troubles but only time will tell if they can overcome their past.
Ocean’s End, the once stunning house perched on the cliff top at the westernmost tip of Pin Hill Island, is showing its age – it certainly needs a new roof, which would cost a fortune, but as Constance never goes upstairs any more, it doesn’t matter too much that there are pigeons nesting in one of the bedrooms. Since moving to the island with her author mother, now long gone, she’s had a full life – a career as a teacher, loved and respected by the small community, and a marriage that came to a sad end. And before that, there was a darker incident in her past that she wishes she could forget – but hopes she’ll still have the opportunity to put things right.
She now looks forward to the daily calls of the postman, her only caller – and although the once beautiful garden is now overgrown with brambles, she can still manage to feed the birds, the island a haven for wildlife. Until, one day, she accidentally locks herself out – her cries for help heard by Ros, temporarily living in a tied cottage and working as the island’s ranger. Ros has found happiness on Pin Hill Island – the wonderful landscape, the sea views, the wild goats, a home of her own for the very first time – but she knows the time will come when she’ll have to move on.
Heather arrives on the island to bury her mother Dotty’s ashes, according to her wishes – but has fond memories of spending time with Constance when she was a child, and before the rift between the two women who were formerly close friends. She’s at a crossroads in her own life – her marriage over, her business sold, wondering how to fill her days – and knows that, however sad the reason for her visit (although she and her mother, who had her demons, were no longer close), visiting the island will be balm to her soul.
The story builds slowly, with flashbacks to Constance and Dotty’s childhood – and once the three women find themselves together the book explores their back stories, along with their present day lives and their hopes and dreams for the future. Their supportive friendship is simply wonderful – there’s a real depth to them all, and an immediate emotional connection as they become closer than any family. And as their stories unfold, we learn about their disappointments, their mistakes, their regrets – but all the time enjoying being part of their newfound closeness, sharing their laughter and their tears. There’s also a strong supporting cast – a few individuals who aren’t quite what they seem to be, along with a few light touches of unexpected and particularly lovely romance. And the book’s central secret, that darkness in Constance’s past, is finally shared – and, with the joy they’ve found in their present day lives and the strong connections between them, the world doesn’t come to an end.
“Captivating” isn’t a word I often use, but it totally sums up how I felt about this book – it’s a powerful story, beautifully crafted, told with exceptional warmth, with a vividly drawn setting and a very special house that becomes another character in the story, tremendously uplifting, and I loved every single moment. The author’s writing has never been better – the perfect descriptions, the very real and touching relationships, the authenticity of every emotional touch – with a story I found exceptionally engaging, very moving, and which will linger in the memory for some considerable time to come. Just wonderful.
About the author
Faith Hogan is an award-winning, million copy best selling author. She is a USA Today Bestseller, Irish Times Top Ten and an Amazon UK Number 1 Best Selling writer of ten contemporary fiction novels. Her books have featured as Book Club Favorites, Net Galley Hot Reads and Summer Must Reads. She writes grown up women’s fiction which is unashamedly uplifting, feel-good and inspiring.
She writes twisty contemporary crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan.
She lives in the west of Ireland with her family and their Labrador named Penny. She’s a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger – except of course when it is raining
Twitter (her favourite) | Facebook | Instagram | Web Page
This is a truly gorgeous book. I loved it.
I’ve loved every book she’s ever written – I’m so glad you’ve discovered and enjoyed her writing too!
Seriously, Anne – this is just so touching, thank you so much for the lovely words, they mean the world – I’m over the moon that you enjoyed the women at ocean’s end xxxx