The Lost Promise of Ireland by Susanne O'Leary
Series: Starlight Cottages #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
A completely gorgeous story about lost loves and small-town secrets that will sweep you away to the Irish coast.
Maggie remembers her summers in the village of Sandy Cove in Ireland like they were yesterday. She and her family would swim in the crystal-clear waters, collect beautiful seashells and relax on the sand. So when she sees that her family’s old coastguard cottage is available, she wonders if renting it for the summer will finally help her move on from the man who just broke her heart.
As soon as Maggie arrives, she is delighted to find her childhood bestfriend Sorcha and Sorcha’s cousin Brian still living in town. They enjoy cosy nights in the local harbour pub, with its stunning views across the ocean, as if no time has passed. And when Brian reveals he had a fierce teenage crush on Maggie, she can’t help but notice just how handsome he has become.
But then Maggie finds a worn metal box hidden in the attic of the house, full of love letters she exchanged with a sweet American boy she met one summer. During their last night together, star-gazing on the beach, they promised to find each other again. Soon it becomes clear that Maggie is not the only one returning to Sandy Cove.
Torn between her growing feelings for Brian and the romance she’s held in her heart for many years, Maggie realises that her summer may be more complicated than she’d expected. Will Maggie finally find a true love who can sweep her off her feet or will this holiday in Sandy Cove be her last?
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Review
This is the third book in Susanne O’Leary’s Starlight Cottages series, and although it’s the first one I’ve read by her, it absolutely won me over. It works beautifully as a standalone, but it’s clear that the world she’s built across this series is filled with charm, heart, and strong, relatable characters. I can easily see myself going back to read the first two books after this.
Set in coastal Ireland, the story follows Maggie Ryan, a woman navigating heartbreak, rediscovery, and new beginnings. The moment I started reading, I was captivated by the vivid descriptions—Susanne O’Leary writes with such warmth and sensory detail that I could practically feel the ocean breeze and smell the salt in the air. The Irish countryside, the friendly locals, and the sense of community all come alive in her storytelling.
What stood out to me most was how real and grounded the characters felt. Maggie, Ellie, Lydia, and Sorcha are all strong women facing their own challenges, yet they support one another in ways that feel authentic and deeply moving. Their friendship gives the book its heart. Meanwhile, Rory and Brian bring just the right touch of romance—handsome, caring, and just flawed enough to feel real.
The novel explores themes of love, loss, and renewal, but it also weaves in humor, hope, and a few delicious secrets to keep things interesting. I especially loved how the dual timeline added emotional depth, helping to connect past choices with present realities in a way that felt seamless.
Even though this was my first time reading Susanne O’Leary, I can now see why she’s compared to authors like Debbie Macomber and Sheila O’Flanagan. Her storytelling has that same comforting yet uplifting quality that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and stay lost in her world. The ending was pitch-perfect—a satisfying close that still leaves room for more stories in Sandy Cove.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, romantic escape filled with laughter, friendship, and a dash of Irish sunshine (and rain!), this is one to add to your list. It left me smiling long after I turned the final page.
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