"It may no longer seem “fashionable” to read Maeve Binchy’s novels, but it will always be a joy! As a writer for the Irish Times, whose readers loved and hated her in equal measure for her complete honesty and forthright style, Maeve launched into romance novels in 1982 and never looked back. If you’re not a reader of “Romance” don’t be put off because truly her stories are as much about daily Irish life, ups and downs of families, society, class, religion, opportunities lost and found - I could go on, as they are about love. I’ve chosen her first novel for no other reason than that. It leads the way.

Reading a Maeve Binchy is like having a chat with a chum who does all the talking and is Irish to boot! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll react to her warmth and compassion, and you’ll be for ever infused with Irishness! Maeve was assigned to the London office of the Irish Times in the 1970’s and could write convincingly about life in London in her first novel of two friends growing up together then parting, one to London and the other to Dublin. Be careful about getting hooked on Maeve Binchy, she wrote 17 novels, a host of short stories and a play! Her untimely death at the age of 73 saw her mourned by readers around the world, and described as a national treasure. For an authentic taste of Ireland you can do no better than immersing yourself in the lives and loves of Maeve’s characters."