Cathy Kelly

Advantages: A good read
Disadvantages: Everyone seems to change for the better in the book a bit too easily

...Cathy Kelly, as usual, has written her book well, full of Irish characters and family. I have read one of Cathy Kelly's book before and this one was along the same lines. Her books delve deep into the bonds between family and friends. There are lots of references to Ireland in the book so you can just imagine all these characters chatting away in the lovely accent that Irish people have. The main characters in the book are Christy Devlin, an art teacher married to James, Maggie MacGuire, a librarian living with her boyfriend Grey, and Faye Reid, a businesswomen who lives with her 18-year old daughter. The three characters are all united when something happens in each of their personal lives, something that makes them all look at a secret they have in their past. For Christy, somebody comes back into her life who should never have... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Good characters, well written, interesting story
Disadvantages: A bit depressing, quite long

...I have quite a few favourite authors whose books I will buy in hardback when they are released, as I am so eager to get their books! However, Cathy Kelly doesn't fall into this category for me. I didn't want to spend loads on this book as I find her books a bit hit and miss, so I actually reserved my copy from the local library and loandbehold, just a week after its release, my copy was ready to be collected. It was a chunky old hardback, not my favourite, but I got ready to read it, hoping it wouldn't be a disappointment as some of her books have been to me. Lessons In Heartbreak follows the lives of 3 women of different generations in one family, and their trials and tribulations. Izzie Silver is a young 39 year old Irish woman living and working in New York at a Modelling Agency. She hasn't yet found the one but has found herself... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Realising the problems foster carers endure.
Disadvantages: The sickening reality of abuse.

...Damaged by Cathy Glass had me gripped from the moment i started reading it. The book is about an 8yr old foster child named Jodie who is extremely disturbed. The extent of her problem does not surface until she is put in the care of Cathy Glass (author of the book), a foster carer with over 20yrs experience. Cathy's was the 5th / 6th placement for Jodie in the space of 4 months. After gaining the trust of Jodie, Cathy discovers the truth of the childs unexceptional behaviour. Through listening and watching, the abuse this child suffered at the hands of her parents and many others comes to light. What i found horrifying is how the previous foster carers and social services hadn't noticed any signs of the abuse. Most disturbing still is that the book is based on a true story.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful