Book Synopsis:

When journalist Jessie Daly loses everything she holds dear, she travels home to Ireland’s west coast, and helps an old friend researching life during the famine. Jessie becomes drawn into the heartbreaking story of a brave young mother, Bridget Moloney, and her daughter, Norah.

On the other side of the ocean, in Boston, Kaitlin Wilson is researching her family tree. She unearths a fascinating story, but her research forces her to confront uncomfortable truths about the past, as she uncovers an unexpected connection to Ireland in famine times.

Generations before, in the small town of Boherbreen, a young mother faced a heart-wrenching choice: to watch her baby girl perish with hunger, or to start out for a new life in America, alone, in order to protect the one she loves most…

My Review:

The Letter Home is a powerful dual timeline novel that will stay with me for a long time.

Firstly I knew a little about the Irish Potato Famine but I hadn’t realised how long it lasted and therefore hadn’t realised it’s true impact. It was heartbreaking to see all the families struggling and the awful circumstances they had to live through. It was an absolutely gut wrenching to read about at times, particularly as you know it actually happened. The author has clearly done her research and I often felt that I was actually there experiencing everything alongside them.

Both timelines were beautifully written and I found myself enjoying both of them equally. The wonderful storytelling kept me captivated by what was happening and the many twists ensured I couldn’t put the book down. I found myself lost in the story for hours at a time and has to force myself back into the present. The plot was fantastic and I really liked how the two timelines unravelled and came together at the end.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Headline for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Rachael English is a bestselling novelist and presenter on Ireland’s most popular radio show, Morning Ireland. During more than twenty years as a journalist, she has worked on most of RTE Radio’s leading current affairs programmes, covering a huge range of national and international stories. The American Girl, The Night of the Party and The Paper Bracelet were all top 5 Irish bestsellers.

Book Synopsis:

The incredible untold story of how Ann Lowe, a Black woman and granddaughter of slaves, rose above personal struggles and racial prejudice to design and create one of America’s most famous wedding dresses of all time for Jackie Kennedy.

1953, New York City

Less than a week before the society wedding of the year where Jacqueline Bouvier will marry John F. Kennedy, a pipe bursts at Ann Lowe’s dress shop and ruins eleven dresses, including the expensive wedding dress, a dress that will be judged by thousands. A Black designer who has fought every step of the way, Ann knows this is only one struggle after a lifetime of them. She and her seamstresses will find the way to re-create the dresses. It may take all day and all night for the next week to accomplish the task, but they will do it.

1918, Tampa

Raised in Jim Crow Alabama, Ann learned the art of sewing from her mother and her grandmother, a former slave, who are the most talented seamstresses in the state. After Ann elopes at twelve with an older man who soon proves himself to be an abusive alcoholic, her dreams of becoming a celebrated designer seem to be put on hold. But then a wealthy Tampa socialite sees Ann’s talent and offers her an amazing opportunity—the chance to sew and design clothing for Florida’s society elite. Taking her young son in the middle of the night, Ann escapes her husband and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.

Based on the true story of one of the most famous designers of the twenties through the sixties who has since been unjustly forgotten, By Her Own Design is an unforgettable novel of determination despite countless obstacles and a triumph celebrated by the world.

My Review:

This was a captivating, powerful and emotional story that was very inspirational.

Firstly I hadn’t heard of Ann Lowe before reading this book, which is perhaps unsurprising as she wasn’t always credited for her work. The author does a great job bringing her to life. We get to know Ann from her childhood so I felt I really got to know her and understood what made her tick. I also enjoyed researching her while I was reading and looking up some of her amazing designs.

The story is beautifully told with a great balance between sad moments and the joyful ones. It was so inspiring to see her succeed despite the odds stacked against her. I found myself getting quite angry at times that she was denied the recognition she deserved just because she was black.

Overall I loved this book and will definitely be recommending it to fellow historical fiction lovers. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m excited to read more from her in the future. Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Piper Huguley is the author of the Home to Milford College and the Migrations of the Heart series. She is a multiple-time Golden Heart finalist. Piper blogs about the history behind her novels on her website. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and son.