‘Life’s What You Make It’ by Sian O’Gorman is a heartwarming and beautiful story of hopes, dreams and family. This is my first time reading anything by Sian O’Gorman and it won’t be my last.
A story set between London and Sandycove a picturesque seaside village close to Dublin in Ireland. I must say, the location was gorgeous and the descriptions really captured the spirit and bought the place to live for me. I very easily became invested in Liv, the main character in the story. She has returned for a short break to Ireland to help her Mum run her shop. Liv is not at her best when she comes back home and is keen to take the pressure off of her mother whilst she recovers.
As she settles back into village life, she begins to realise how easily she has slotted back into this tight-knit community and how much freedom she has compared to her rat-race life back in London. Just having the choice to do as she wishes and not what she has to do as well as dressing as she wants to. It seems her return to her village is the key to finally finding happiness and having the life she really wants.
I was cheering Liz on from the minute I started reading. A woman who has been downtrodden by her boss at work and is floundering. I saw she was still a kind and caring woman who loves her family and friends with her whole self. Her flatmate Roberto is also her best friend and their relationship is so supportive of each other and real. As she connects with her real self after she comes home it is beautiful to see her begin to unfurl as a flower in the sun does.
A story that has been written so well it is seamless and just flows. Along the way, we have joyous moments but also emotional moments. These have been dealt with sensitively by Sian O’Gormen. The sense of place is perfect, I could picture myself living in Sandycove, a village where everyone knows everything and everyone very easily. A perfectly woven story that touches your heart as you read it so you never want it to end.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the copy of the book.
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