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Now That I've Found You
Vinnie is an ordinary man. Ellen is an ordinary woman.
Ellen is unable to move on after a terrible accident that left her mentally and physically scarred.
Taxi driver Vinnie is struggling to cope with bringing up two children on his own.
Everyone deserves to find that one person who's meant for them, don't they?
Fall in love with the story of Vinnie and Ellen. Because ordinary lives can be extraordinary.
Ellen is unable to move on after a terrible accident that left her mentally and physically scarred.
Taxi driver Vinnie is struggling to cope with bringing up two children on his own.
Everyone deserves to find that one person who's meant for them, don't they?
Fall in love with the story of Vinnie and Ellen. Because ordinary lives can be extraordinary.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
27 people are currently reading
1500 people want to read
About the author
Ciara Geraghty
16 books202 followersCiara Geraghty is an Irish bestselling author. She lives in Dublin with one husband and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 16, 2015
"Now That I've Found You" is my first book by Ciara Geraghty that I've read and I can't understand myself why? Please, move over my favourite Irish authors and make a place of honour on my bookshelf for Ciara as from now on. It is now my goal to work my way through all of her novels and I really can't stop wondering what took me so long to discover her books.
The book follows two stories: of Vinnie and Ellen, both your ordinary people, both with luggage of experiences, both having their own cross to bear. Ellen is housebound after a car accident that left her not only with a nasty scar on her face and structured pelvis. Once a week she has her physio and it's the only time that she leaves her house - she used to be a Doctor and work all hours but now she orders everything online, lost touch with her friends and the only people she sees is her mother and Vinnie, who drives her every week to her physio...
Vinnie is forty - something single dad, after his wife, diagnosed after many years of false diagnoses with Bipolar Disorder, has left him and their two children. He's learning how to come to terms with this fact and how to best raise their children: 7 years old Finn who misses his Mam so much, and teenager Kerry, who puts herself in many troubles at school, and how to juggle his work as a taxi - driver with spending time with children. So it's not a wonder he also doesn't see a lot of people, except for his whirlwind of a Ma, his best friend Kenny and Janine, who works for the same taxi company as the two.
Those two people, first only a fare and her driver, seeing but not seeing themselves, start to form a friendship, although it was not at all expected, although they themselves didn't realise they need it.
This is a wonderful, sensitive story with a bunch of the most wonderful, colourful and realistic characters. I so admired Vinnie. He has kept his feet planted firmly on the ground and was thinking very rationally, and he loved his family to bits. He behaved as if he was unbreakable but in fact he was so vulnerable, and Ellen, in fact, was as vulnerable as he was. We have much more Vinnie in the book as Ellen, but from this what we get, she was a person that, I think, would go along with many of us. Yes, what comes to mind is the word "normal" or "ordinary" but this is this "normality" and "ordinariness", them being only human, people who had bad and good moments, people who don't get things for nothing but people who must fight for them, that make them all so outstanding and so exceptional, and I really am totally impressed with all of them.
Then we have Vinnie's family, his never aging Ma and his children, obsessed with his first Holy Communion Finn and Kerry, starting to rebel at school. I loved them all with all my little heart. Vinnie's Ma is like all the typical Irish Mams, loud, full of life and love, always in the centre of events, a member of every imaginable committee, who rarely sits down and who would do anything for her son and her grandchildren. I so loved her laid - back attitude! There is something in those Irish mothers, they are so cool but when it comes to their family, they turn into lionesses, and I totally adore this attitude.
Vinnie's children were brilliantly portrayed, so according to their age. Finn with his sins - and First Communion obsession was totally adorable and he was one smart boy! Kerry didn't make it easy for Vinnie, and my heart so often came out to him, but he coped so well with the teenager malarkey, I'd love to be so laid - back and tolerable and yet so patient and loving as he was, although there were moments that Kerry really tested his patience. But what I admired most was the fact that he was always there for her, no matter what, and I think that somewhere deep Vinnie realised how vulnerable and easy to be hurt Kerry was , and he respected this.
The friendship between Vinnie, Kenny and Janine was so easy and natural, and their banter was brilliant, really showed that those three felt great together, that there is nothing forced. Kenny was a special one with his worship of vintage clothes, would really love to see him in his shirt one day :)
This beautiful, emotional story is mostly told from Vinnie's point of view, but we get to learn Ellen as well through her letters to Neil, her departed in the accident husband. There are not many letters but they're written in such a way that we gradually learn a lot about Ellen, her past, her likes and the tragedy that happened. She's also a part of some scenes with Vinnie, but mostly it's her letters that tells much more. And from those letters there is a picture coming up, of woman who revalued her life, who knows what she's lost and who now knows what's really important in life, but she must have learned a very cruel lesson.
I haven't expected the book being written from Vinnie's point of view but it was one of the best ideas. We don't get much males' point of views in the stories, and it's very rare that they are in fact the main voices - and what voices!
It took me some time to get used to the language, as it was really written in a very literal way, with very short sentences, ( but it's actually just the way we usually speak and describe something that happened to us), with Irish pronunciation, and telling how it is, even if the truth is brutal and can hurt. It was for sure not a flowery, over - descriptive style of telling us the story by Vinnie. After a while I just went with the flow and it was a real joy to hear Vinnie speaking. There were moments that his inner monologues were a tad too long for my liking, and I found myself waiting for something to happen but it's my only "but". And let's be honest, I quickly saw that it's not a book about action but a book about something deeper, more significant and I soon found myself totally absorbed with the characters and the plot and couldn't put the book down.
Ciara Geraghty writes in an extremely observational way and often concentrates on small things, details that we usually take for granted and don't stop over them for a single second, things that are so obvious for us that we stop to see them. She can also add humorous, light - hearted scenes and only some words later hit me hard with the most beautiful, poignant sentence.
This is not your ordinary "boy meets girl" story, and I totally enjoyed the fact. Both Vinnie and Ellen are adults, with their own luggage and experience and they do not rush into anything, and what seized my heart mostly was the fact that they were so honest with each other's feelings. They didn't play any silly games, there was not the usual will they/won't they play, it was all so honest, true and full of emotions. This relationship, friendship, progresses very slowly, there is no haste to this and the way it developed was not too pushy, not too cheesy, not too forced, this all seemed so natural.
It is kind of obvious how the story is going to end but nevertheless, there was a moment that I wasn't sure about it anymore. And also, it was obvious, but not in this obtrusive, predictable way where we know from the first page where it leads. And there is a very difficult way to this ending, a very bumpy road, especially when Paula comes back - because yes, it's also obvious that at some point Paula is going to enter the scenes again, and this, in fact, broke my heart for Vinnie and Ellen.
Normalcy makes this book outstanding. There is nothing over the top in the story, it feels so real. The author is touching such issues as depression, Bipolar Disorder and its consequences on the family, longing, friendship, lost and rediscovered hopes, but the book is not full of morals or some wisdoms, oh no! Miss Geraghty has brilliantly captured all the feelings in every character and made them likeable and believable in their pain or joy. This is an ordinary story, about ordinary people, people like thousands of others but with a lot of feeling, subtlety and I am so glad that I had a chance to read this book! I highly recommend it, as I'm sure every one is going to find there something to relate to or something that sounds familiar. All of the previous books by Ciara Geraghty has just landed on my wish - list and I can't wait to read more from her.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
The book follows two stories: of Vinnie and Ellen, both your ordinary people, both with luggage of experiences, both having their own cross to bear. Ellen is housebound after a car accident that left her not only with a nasty scar on her face and structured pelvis. Once a week she has her physio and it's the only time that she leaves her house - she used to be a Doctor and work all hours but now she orders everything online, lost touch with her friends and the only people she sees is her mother and Vinnie, who drives her every week to her physio...
Vinnie is forty - something single dad, after his wife, diagnosed after many years of false diagnoses with Bipolar Disorder, has left him and their two children. He's learning how to come to terms with this fact and how to best raise their children: 7 years old Finn who misses his Mam so much, and teenager Kerry, who puts herself in many troubles at school, and how to juggle his work as a taxi - driver with spending time with children. So it's not a wonder he also doesn't see a lot of people, except for his whirlwind of a Ma, his best friend Kenny and Janine, who works for the same taxi company as the two.
Those two people, first only a fare and her driver, seeing but not seeing themselves, start to form a friendship, although it was not at all expected, although they themselves didn't realise they need it.
This is a wonderful, sensitive story with a bunch of the most wonderful, colourful and realistic characters. I so admired Vinnie. He has kept his feet planted firmly on the ground and was thinking very rationally, and he loved his family to bits. He behaved as if he was unbreakable but in fact he was so vulnerable, and Ellen, in fact, was as vulnerable as he was. We have much more Vinnie in the book as Ellen, but from this what we get, she was a person that, I think, would go along with many of us. Yes, what comes to mind is the word "normal" or "ordinary" but this is this "normality" and "ordinariness", them being only human, people who had bad and good moments, people who don't get things for nothing but people who must fight for them, that make them all so outstanding and so exceptional, and I really am totally impressed with all of them.
Then we have Vinnie's family, his never aging Ma and his children, obsessed with his first Holy Communion Finn and Kerry, starting to rebel at school. I loved them all with all my little heart. Vinnie's Ma is like all the typical Irish Mams, loud, full of life and love, always in the centre of events, a member of every imaginable committee, who rarely sits down and who would do anything for her son and her grandchildren. I so loved her laid - back attitude! There is something in those Irish mothers, they are so cool but when it comes to their family, they turn into lionesses, and I totally adore this attitude.
Vinnie's children were brilliantly portrayed, so according to their age. Finn with his sins - and First Communion obsession was totally adorable and he was one smart boy! Kerry didn't make it easy for Vinnie, and my heart so often came out to him, but he coped so well with the teenager malarkey, I'd love to be so laid - back and tolerable and yet so patient and loving as he was, although there were moments that Kerry really tested his patience. But what I admired most was the fact that he was always there for her, no matter what, and I think that somewhere deep Vinnie realised how vulnerable and easy to be hurt Kerry was , and he respected this.
The friendship between Vinnie, Kenny and Janine was so easy and natural, and their banter was brilliant, really showed that those three felt great together, that there is nothing forced. Kenny was a special one with his worship of vintage clothes, would really love to see him in his shirt one day :)
This beautiful, emotional story is mostly told from Vinnie's point of view, but we get to learn Ellen as well through her letters to Neil, her departed in the accident husband. There are not many letters but they're written in such a way that we gradually learn a lot about Ellen, her past, her likes and the tragedy that happened. She's also a part of some scenes with Vinnie, but mostly it's her letters that tells much more. And from those letters there is a picture coming up, of woman who revalued her life, who knows what she's lost and who now knows what's really important in life, but she must have learned a very cruel lesson.
I haven't expected the book being written from Vinnie's point of view but it was one of the best ideas. We don't get much males' point of views in the stories, and it's very rare that they are in fact the main voices - and what voices!
It took me some time to get used to the language, as it was really written in a very literal way, with very short sentences, ( but it's actually just the way we usually speak and describe something that happened to us), with Irish pronunciation, and telling how it is, even if the truth is brutal and can hurt. It was for sure not a flowery, over - descriptive style of telling us the story by Vinnie. After a while I just went with the flow and it was a real joy to hear Vinnie speaking. There were moments that his inner monologues were a tad too long for my liking, and I found myself waiting for something to happen but it's my only "but". And let's be honest, I quickly saw that it's not a book about action but a book about something deeper, more significant and I soon found myself totally absorbed with the characters and the plot and couldn't put the book down.
Ciara Geraghty writes in an extremely observational way and often concentrates on small things, details that we usually take for granted and don't stop over them for a single second, things that are so obvious for us that we stop to see them. She can also add humorous, light - hearted scenes and only some words later hit me hard with the most beautiful, poignant sentence.
This is not your ordinary "boy meets girl" story, and I totally enjoyed the fact. Both Vinnie and Ellen are adults, with their own luggage and experience and they do not rush into anything, and what seized my heart mostly was the fact that they were so honest with each other's feelings. They didn't play any silly games, there was not the usual will they/won't they play, it was all so honest, true and full of emotions. This relationship, friendship, progresses very slowly, there is no haste to this and the way it developed was not too pushy, not too cheesy, not too forced, this all seemed so natural.
It is kind of obvious how the story is going to end but nevertheless, there was a moment that I wasn't sure about it anymore. And also, it was obvious, but not in this obtrusive, predictable way where we know from the first page where it leads. And there is a very difficult way to this ending, a very bumpy road, especially when Paula comes back - because yes, it's also obvious that at some point Paula is going to enter the scenes again, and this, in fact, broke my heart for Vinnie and Ellen.
Normalcy makes this book outstanding. There is nothing over the top in the story, it feels so real. The author is touching such issues as depression, Bipolar Disorder and its consequences on the family, longing, friendship, lost and rediscovered hopes, but the book is not full of morals or some wisdoms, oh no! Miss Geraghty has brilliantly captured all the feelings in every character and made them likeable and believable in their pain or joy. This is an ordinary story, about ordinary people, people like thousands of others but with a lot of feeling, subtlety and I am so glad that I had a chance to read this book! I highly recommend it, as I'm sure every one is going to find there something to relate to or something that sounds familiar. All of the previous books by Ciara Geraghty has just landed on my wish - list and I can't wait to read more from her.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
July 25, 2015
Ellen is housebound after an accident, only getting to venture out once a week when she has physiotherapy.
Vinnie is learning to cope with being a single dad and has forgotten what it is like to be himself anymore.
A regular taxi fare eventually leads to a form of friendship that neither person has wanted, expected or even realised that they needed.
Ciara Geraghty is one of Ireland’s best loved contemporary fiction writers. She weaves human stories together with a dash of minute magic and gives her readers a little bit more than the average chick-lit. This novel is not only warm, clever and moving, it has some of the most wonderful supporting characters that I have read in years. Vinnie’s friend, Kenny, is a modern day Fonzie, all swish and swagger, with a vintage wardrobe to die for. Full of random advice and words of wisdom, he would be a welcome addition to any circle of friends. Vinnie’s mother is one of those salt-of-earth Mammies that are well loved in Irish fiction. She would do anything to protect her son and his kids, and has such a huge heart that she forgets about herself most of the time. A regular committee member of many active retirement meetings, including Bingo, Swing Dance, Aqua aerobics and other amazing clubs, she rarely has a moment to sit down. However, she supports Vinnie 100% and spends more time in his house, than her own. A true gem of a woman.
Ellen’s mother does not get as much of a look in, but the reader can see the women relax in each other’s company as the novel progresses. Ellen makes some changes in her life and while they may have been frowned on in previous times, it seems her mother may now see how a life change may be just what the doctor ordered for Ellen.
This story is not one of dramatic events. It has touches of depression, loneliness and broken families and trust. It is not full of lessons to be learned, just basic knowledge that sometimes family and friends are all you need. I admire Ciara Geraghty for not trying too hard to make this a book of morals, as sometimes that comes across as twee. She has a talent for storytelling, similar to Cecelia Ahern, which deserves to be recognised. Give this Irish author a chance, you won’t be disappointed…
Vinnie is learning to cope with being a single dad and has forgotten what it is like to be himself anymore.
A regular taxi fare eventually leads to a form of friendship that neither person has wanted, expected or even realised that they needed.
Ciara Geraghty is one of Ireland’s best loved contemporary fiction writers. She weaves human stories together with a dash of minute magic and gives her readers a little bit more than the average chick-lit. This novel is not only warm, clever and moving, it has some of the most wonderful supporting characters that I have read in years. Vinnie’s friend, Kenny, is a modern day Fonzie, all swish and swagger, with a vintage wardrobe to die for. Full of random advice and words of wisdom, he would be a welcome addition to any circle of friends. Vinnie’s mother is one of those salt-of-earth Mammies that are well loved in Irish fiction. She would do anything to protect her son and his kids, and has such a huge heart that she forgets about herself most of the time. A regular committee member of many active retirement meetings, including Bingo, Swing Dance, Aqua aerobics and other amazing clubs, she rarely has a moment to sit down. However, she supports Vinnie 100% and spends more time in his house, than her own. A true gem of a woman.
Ellen’s mother does not get as much of a look in, but the reader can see the women relax in each other’s company as the novel progresses. Ellen makes some changes in her life and while they may have been frowned on in previous times, it seems her mother may now see how a life change may be just what the doctor ordered for Ellen.
This story is not one of dramatic events. It has touches of depression, loneliness and broken families and trust. It is not full of lessons to be learned, just basic knowledge that sometimes family and friends are all you need. I admire Ciara Geraghty for not trying too hard to make this a book of morals, as sometimes that comes across as twee. She has a talent for storytelling, similar to Cecelia Ahern, which deserves to be recognised. Give this Irish author a chance, you won’t be disappointed…
April 6, 2017
3.5 Stars
It's true what the blurb says, the story is about two very ordinary people, whose lives interconnect in a number of ways. The narrative styles of the two characters is also different. When its Ellen's small chapters, we see her writing letters to Neil, expressing initially her grief, and then moving forward as she slowly starts to make changes to her life.
And then there is Vinnie. He is a single dad to Kerry (14) and Finn (7), works as a taxi and limo driver, and is just trying his hardest to earn an honest living and do the best for his kids. Ellen is one of his regular taxi fares and on one day more interaction between them is needed, and it sows the seeds of a friendship.
I really enjoyed seeing Vinnie's interactions with his kids. Finn is struggling to get used to life without his mum, he doesn't really understand why she isn't living with them anymore, and Kerry is just discovering boys, and also getting into trouble at school. They could be just about any regular family around.
One of Vinnie's mates is Kenny and I couldn't help but end up confused on numerous occasions during the book, as I seemed to only remember Kenny or Kerry as I was reading them, and I kept getting them muddled in my mind, due to the two letter difference in spellings.
Ellen's story was sad but as she talks more to Vinnie, I started to like her a lot more as the story progressed. However as the chapters from her perspective were short and only interspersed in amongst the main Vinnie story, I found it hard to connect with her properly.
The descriptions and speech patterns all were authentic, and gave you a good feel for what was going on, however the book just didn't work as well as it should do for me. I can't help but feel a bit flat after reading this, but without being able to put my finger on why. I would definitely give this author another go, and it could just be that I read the wrong book on the wrong day.
Thank you to everyone that picked Now That I've Found You, its a book I had had my eye on for a while, just a shame I seemed to struggle a bit with it. I am already looking forward to seeing the outcome of this weeks vote.
It's true what the blurb says, the story is about two very ordinary people, whose lives interconnect in a number of ways. The narrative styles of the two characters is also different. When its Ellen's small chapters, we see her writing letters to Neil, expressing initially her grief, and then moving forward as she slowly starts to make changes to her life.
And then there is Vinnie. He is a single dad to Kerry (14) and Finn (7), works as a taxi and limo driver, and is just trying his hardest to earn an honest living and do the best for his kids. Ellen is one of his regular taxi fares and on one day more interaction between them is needed, and it sows the seeds of a friendship.
I really enjoyed seeing Vinnie's interactions with his kids. Finn is struggling to get used to life without his mum, he doesn't really understand why she isn't living with them anymore, and Kerry is just discovering boys, and also getting into trouble at school. They could be just about any regular family around.
One of Vinnie's mates is Kenny and I couldn't help but end up confused on numerous occasions during the book, as I seemed to only remember Kenny or Kerry as I was reading them, and I kept getting them muddled in my mind, due to the two letter difference in spellings.
Ellen's story was sad but as she talks more to Vinnie, I started to like her a lot more as the story progressed. However as the chapters from her perspective were short and only interspersed in amongst the main Vinnie story, I found it hard to connect with her properly.
The descriptions and speech patterns all were authentic, and gave you a good feel for what was going on, however the book just didn't work as well as it should do for me. I can't help but feel a bit flat after reading this, but without being able to put my finger on why. I would definitely give this author another go, and it could just be that I read the wrong book on the wrong day.
Thank you to everyone that picked Now That I've Found You, its a book I had had my eye on for a while, just a shame I seemed to struggle a bit with it. I am already looking forward to seeing the outcome of this weeks vote.
February 11, 2017
A howler........
I blubbered for at least four or five pages straight, the words got all blurry and a bit tricky to read and after that the tears just quietly fell till the end. Two or three chapters before the big wind up it became unputdownable, there was that delicious sense that if I stopped reading the warm kind of explosion in my chest would all evaporate.
This is Ciara Geraghty from Dublin telling us all about them yokes that get in the way when you're not wanting to express your feelings and telling folks you're all grand when clearly you aren't.
Vinnie is struggling with a seven year old boy and a fourteen year old girl sans Paula his wife who has left him. Ellen has had major trauma and is in a vacuum of grief. Both are putting one foot in front of the other, both coping -just. Vinnie's Mother helps, his work mates and close friends are there but the reality is tough going. Ellen has a therapist and a Mother and not much else. That is until Vinnie inadvertently shows how much pressure he is under. The rest is an honest and thoughtful look at how mental health, connection and physical health are inextricably intertwined. Her writing was tender and warm an honest slice of life with the protagonists vulnerable underbelly showing.
Another new find, and I will be on the look out for more.
I blubbered for at least four or five pages straight, the words got all blurry and a bit tricky to read and after that the tears just quietly fell till the end. Two or three chapters before the big wind up it became unputdownable, there was that delicious sense that if I stopped reading the warm kind of explosion in my chest would all evaporate.
This is Ciara Geraghty from Dublin telling us all about them yokes that get in the way when you're not wanting to express your feelings and telling folks you're all grand when clearly you aren't.
Vinnie is struggling with a seven year old boy and a fourteen year old girl sans Paula his wife who has left him. Ellen has had major trauma and is in a vacuum of grief. Both are putting one foot in front of the other, both coping -just. Vinnie's Mother helps, his work mates and close friends are there but the reality is tough going. Ellen has a therapist and a Mother and not much else. That is until Vinnie inadvertently shows how much pressure he is under. The rest is an honest and thoughtful look at how mental health, connection and physical health are inextricably intertwined. Her writing was tender and warm an honest slice of life with the protagonists vulnerable underbelly showing.
Another new find, and I will be on the look out for more.
March 28, 2019
Beautiful, that's what it is!
December 22, 2014
This book caught my eye on bookbridgr, and luckily my request to read it was accepted. Women's Fiction despite me being a man is something I really enjoy reading, I've not read all that many books from Irish authors though and this is something I'm trying to change because the last few I have read have been some of my favourites, and they are usually full of warmth and humour. My favourite thing about this book was that for the most part, the main character was male. Usually in Women's Fiction, more so in Chick Lit, I find male characters to be written as either predictable or weak and as a male myself I often find it very tiring, and lazy. For Ciara as a woman to write a male as the lead was very brave, and it could have failed but it absolutely worked. Vinnie is one of the best characters I've read about in a long time, and this story was truly heartwarming and didn't have me misty eyed towards the end at all! Okay, maybe a little bit.
I did struggle with the book in the opening, it just didn't grab me in the beginning but I didn't want to just stop reading so stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. Vinnie's story is told in the first person, and Ciara writes as a male very well. Ellen's meanwhile is told in the form of letters to 'Neil'. Given that she was involved in a quite nasty car accident, it's not hard to guess who Neil is but I will let readers discover it all for themselves. Using letters was a different and original way to tell the story, but it took me a while to get into it because of it. There's something about letters that leaves you feeling nosy, like you're reading somebody's innermost thoughts, which I guess they are in a way. In terms of the story it allows Ellen to really open up, and reveal thoughts and feelings that otherwise might not have been revealed had her story been told in the conventional manner. It also allows us to discover a lot more about Ellen's past.
The story and the characters are all 'real'. Vinnie and Ellen are two ordinary people, they could be me and you. They could be family or friends that we know. Just normal, everyday people. There's no unrealistic stories here and no over the top scenarios that just wouldn't happen in real life. There is also a wonderful cast of characters alongside Vinnie and Ellen. Some of whom are his two children, both of whom keep him on his toes, a best friend called Kenny who was a little eccentric, and a mother who I just loved. All of these characters add something to the story, they aren't just there for the sake of it and as the book progresses they all have their part to play.
It's kind of obvious where the story will eventually lead, but before we get to its conclusion it's a very bumpy road, with lots of unexpected twists and turns, some of which were quite emotional! I'm a firm believer in fate, it's crazy how different things could be if just one small thing had been different on a certain day. Both of these characters used to be happy, then circumstances changed all of that and Vinnie becoming Ellen's taxi driver to her weekly physio appointments led to the story that you will read should you pick this book up, and I really hope that you do. Ciara, thank you for such a lovely book which for me was perfect for a time of year that I otherwise spend too long reflecting on times past, and times to come. I just lost myself in this book, and it allowed me to take my mind off those things. I have no hesitation in recommending Now That I've Found You, especially to fans of Jojo Moyes. If the book wasn't so obviously Irish I'd have had her down as the author. I really must read more from Ciara very soon.
I did struggle with the book in the opening, it just didn't grab me in the beginning but I didn't want to just stop reading so stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. Vinnie's story is told in the first person, and Ciara writes as a male very well. Ellen's meanwhile is told in the form of letters to 'Neil'. Given that she was involved in a quite nasty car accident, it's not hard to guess who Neil is but I will let readers discover it all for themselves. Using letters was a different and original way to tell the story, but it took me a while to get into it because of it. There's something about letters that leaves you feeling nosy, like you're reading somebody's innermost thoughts, which I guess they are in a way. In terms of the story it allows Ellen to really open up, and reveal thoughts and feelings that otherwise might not have been revealed had her story been told in the conventional manner. It also allows us to discover a lot more about Ellen's past.
The story and the characters are all 'real'. Vinnie and Ellen are two ordinary people, they could be me and you. They could be family or friends that we know. Just normal, everyday people. There's no unrealistic stories here and no over the top scenarios that just wouldn't happen in real life. There is also a wonderful cast of characters alongside Vinnie and Ellen. Some of whom are his two children, both of whom keep him on his toes, a best friend called Kenny who was a little eccentric, and a mother who I just loved. All of these characters add something to the story, they aren't just there for the sake of it and as the book progresses they all have their part to play.
It's kind of obvious where the story will eventually lead, but before we get to its conclusion it's a very bumpy road, with lots of unexpected twists and turns, some of which were quite emotional! I'm a firm believer in fate, it's crazy how different things could be if just one small thing had been different on a certain day. Both of these characters used to be happy, then circumstances changed all of that and Vinnie becoming Ellen's taxi driver to her weekly physio appointments led to the story that you will read should you pick this book up, and I really hope that you do. Ciara, thank you for such a lovely book which for me was perfect for a time of year that I otherwise spend too long reflecting on times past, and times to come. I just lost myself in this book, and it allowed me to take my mind off those things. I have no hesitation in recommending Now That I've Found You, especially to fans of Jojo Moyes. If the book wasn't so obviously Irish I'd have had her down as the author. I really must read more from Ciara very soon.
September 16, 2014
This was a sweet touching story from basically the man's point of view...it was really quite exhilarating at times...
May 19, 2017
Predictable but very funny and suitable for light reading
January 10, 2025
A lovely story true to its name, slow romance and relatable
I'd read this one some 10 years + ago and forgotten the story during that time.
Might be worth another revisit in the next 10 years again
I'd read this one some 10 years + ago and forgotten the story during that time.
Might be worth another revisit in the next 10 years again
November 19, 2023
SUCH a good book! I really got into it and read it in no time. Bought this off the library’s sale table and so glad I did.
January 6, 2015
Originally reviewed for Bookaholic Confessions
In Now That I’ve Found You we meet seemingly ‘ordinary’ characters Vinnie and Ellen. However, it quickly becomes clear that there’s nothing ordinary about these two people. Taxi driver Vinnie is a struggling single dad to two children after his wife walked out on her family, and former Doctor, Ellen is coming to terms with her new solitary life after being in a car accident and losing her unborn baby. It just so happens that Ellen turns out to be one of Vinnie’s fares, and circumstances end up bringing the pair together…
This is a magical, heart wrenching story about life’s struggles, love and the importance of family, with the added bonus of being mainly told from the male perspective, something which isn’t all that common in this genre.
Ciara Geraghty is an author who I have never had the pleasure of reading before, but I fully intend to work my way through her entire collection of novels after discovering Now That I’ve Found You. It was warm, funny, sad and hugely real.
I loved the style in which this novel was presented, particularly as Vinnie’s parts are written exactly how Vinnie speaks. Short sentences, Irish pronunciations, the lot…however I really liked this as I could practically hear Vinnie telling me the story in my head; it really brought him and all of the other characters to life for me.
Ellen’s contributions to the story are through letters which she has been advised to write to her former husband after losing her baby in a tragic car accident, which has left her scarred and on crutches. I really enjoyed reading from both parties perspectives about the relationship and I was immediately engrossed in Ellen and Vinnie’s story right from when they first met.
This is not one of those ‘love at first sight’ stories and that’s one of the things I enjoyed about Now That I’ve Found You. Vinnie and Ellen’s relationship progresses slowly, alongside all of the separate happenings of their lives, giving you time to get to know them as they get to know one another.
I adored both Vinnie and Ellen. You couldn’t find more likeable, vulnerable characters and I desperately wanted a happy ever after for both of them after all that they’d been through. These two are in no way perfect and Ciara never shies away from that, essentially proving that they are only human, just like the rest of us and therefore making the whole story a lot more ‘real’. The characters personalities, including Vinnie’s children Kerry and Finn are captured perfectly. I also loved Vinnie’s friend, Kenny (mainly for his fashion sense…)
Whilst there are humorous, light hearted moments to this story there’s also a much darker side too, particularly with Vinnie’s first wife, Paula and the difficulties that she faced with suffering from Bipolar Disorder. It’s one of those stories that will have you laughing one minute and then bawling your eyes out the next.
Now That I’ve Found You is a delight of a story. There’s so much more to this than your average romance and I found this to be a spectacularly written, touching, extremely addictive story that I struggled to put down.
Whilst I was sad to finish this story I am now really looking forward to reading more from Ciara Geraghty…
In Now That I’ve Found You we meet seemingly ‘ordinary’ characters Vinnie and Ellen. However, it quickly becomes clear that there’s nothing ordinary about these two people. Taxi driver Vinnie is a struggling single dad to two children after his wife walked out on her family, and former Doctor, Ellen is coming to terms with her new solitary life after being in a car accident and losing her unborn baby. It just so happens that Ellen turns out to be one of Vinnie’s fares, and circumstances end up bringing the pair together…
This is a magical, heart wrenching story about life’s struggles, love and the importance of family, with the added bonus of being mainly told from the male perspective, something which isn’t all that common in this genre.
Ciara Geraghty is an author who I have never had the pleasure of reading before, but I fully intend to work my way through her entire collection of novels after discovering Now That I’ve Found You. It was warm, funny, sad and hugely real.
I loved the style in which this novel was presented, particularly as Vinnie’s parts are written exactly how Vinnie speaks. Short sentences, Irish pronunciations, the lot…however I really liked this as I could practically hear Vinnie telling me the story in my head; it really brought him and all of the other characters to life for me.
Ellen’s contributions to the story are through letters which she has been advised to write to her former husband after losing her baby in a tragic car accident, which has left her scarred and on crutches. I really enjoyed reading from both parties perspectives about the relationship and I was immediately engrossed in Ellen and Vinnie’s story right from when they first met.
This is not one of those ‘love at first sight’ stories and that’s one of the things I enjoyed about Now That I’ve Found You. Vinnie and Ellen’s relationship progresses slowly, alongside all of the separate happenings of their lives, giving you time to get to know them as they get to know one another.
I adored both Vinnie and Ellen. You couldn’t find more likeable, vulnerable characters and I desperately wanted a happy ever after for both of them after all that they’d been through. These two are in no way perfect and Ciara never shies away from that, essentially proving that they are only human, just like the rest of us and therefore making the whole story a lot more ‘real’. The characters personalities, including Vinnie’s children Kerry and Finn are captured perfectly. I also loved Vinnie’s friend, Kenny (mainly for his fashion sense…)
Whilst there are humorous, light hearted moments to this story there’s also a much darker side too, particularly with Vinnie’s first wife, Paula and the difficulties that she faced with suffering from Bipolar Disorder. It’s one of those stories that will have you laughing one minute and then bawling your eyes out the next.
Now That I’ve Found You is a delight of a story. There’s so much more to this than your average romance and I found this to be a spectacularly written, touching, extremely addictive story that I struggled to put down.
Whilst I was sad to finish this story I am now really looking forward to reading more from Ciara Geraghty…
January 19, 2015
I received this through goodreads I did read it all but cannt say I enjoyed it and was glad it was over when I'd finished it. I found it did go in to trivial detail at times and away from the story I only really enjoyed the las quarter of the book it is not a book I would re read or recommend to a friend.
April 20, 2018
This book is just nice. It leaves you with that contentment feeling. You feel good about it. It is not exciting. Or awesome. It’s just there to tell you about these characters. Their life. Their actions. Their thoughts. I’m glad i read this. 😊
P/s: My favorite is Finn. Reminds me a lot of my nephew. 😉
P/s: My favorite is Finn. Reminds me a lot of my nephew. 😉
August 25, 2018
I found this gem on the $3 shelf. I pick up a lot of books from there...it's a crap shoot lol. This was one of the best reads I've found there in a while. Yep, I laughed, cried and was so intrigued by the story I read it in under 48 hours, even with a fairly busy life on the go. Loved the way the tale is told, loved the characters. Will now seek out more Ciara Geraghty books :)
July 22, 2014
I loved reading this book .it was a wonderful story. with many twists and turns. I loved all the characters Vinnie was wonderful Paula and Ellen both played their roles. This book made me laugh , cry, get angry but I'd do it all over again a wonderful story
July 18, 2014
I love Ciara's writing style and although her books are easy to read there's always a deeper story behind them. This one touches on life, love and parenting. It's full of warmth and humour and you'll read it in a couple is sittings!
May 15, 2022
This book made me think about how sometimes in life, things won't go our way, and that's alright. However, how we deal with these problems is what really matters. We might just be 'winging it', but the important part is that we're still here and fighting.
July 25, 2014
Really great read. Many twists and turns with an undercurrent of honesty and poignancy. The characters were warm and life like. Highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed!
July 29, 2014
Really great book. The characters stay with you long after you have read the final chapter.
October 8, 2014
I loved this book, it is about real people and life the way it could be (and indeed is in many aspects) for anyone of us. Written in a funny, everyday language, cool characters, lovely story.
February 1, 2016
Voorspelbaar maar toch niet helemaal, heerlijk
August 6, 2015
So disappointed with this book. I bought it based on a magazine review. Perhaps my expectations were too high, however I found the plot boring and predictable. Average read for me.
January 25, 2016
Always a fabulous read. Loved this new book.
August 11, 2017
A lovely romance, not too mushy or overstated, just perfect 👌🏼
May 6, 2023
Finally, a good story about two people 👏 above 👏 30 👏 years 👏 of 👏 age.
June 21, 2020
Picking up Ciara Geraghty's books is always the start of an adventure, one I know is going to take me away somewhere special between the pages of her story. Now That I've Found You is no exception. A gorgeous story about ordinary people making their way through the challenges life has thrown at them. Vinnie (a taxi-driver) and Ellen (a doctor) are each dealing with their own trauma. When they meet, it's an ordinary thing, a routine. As the story develops, we meet Vinnie's family - gorgeous little Finn, teenager Kerry, his working colleagues - Kenny and Janine, and we learn about people. I loved the entire essence of Vinnie and his little family unit, how he tries to hold it all together.
Ellen comes across as distant, cold even, at the start, but again we learn what brought her to this place, to this impersonal apartment on her own. We learn about trauma and counselling, grief, loss, understanding, acceptance. We learn about Vinnie's mother and how her strong hand has guided her son to be the best he can be. We learn about upbringing, parenting, letting go.
There's so much in this book, and yet it remains an ordinary story about ordinary people, told in an extraordinary way.
Ellen comes across as distant, cold even, at the start, but again we learn what brought her to this place, to this impersonal apartment on her own. We learn about trauma and counselling, grief, loss, understanding, acceptance. We learn about Vinnie's mother and how her strong hand has guided her son to be the best he can be. We learn about upbringing, parenting, letting go.
There's so much in this book, and yet it remains an ordinary story about ordinary people, told in an extraordinary way.
November 20, 2022
The book, Now that I’ve found you, by Ciara Geraghty, is a wonderful read, set in a suburb of contemporary Dublin. Ciara is an Irish writer but there is a slight Australian connection in her writing. It is a novel with romantic and comedic tones written about ordinary people. Ciara creates sensitively drawn characters with foibles and quirks that make them both endearing and believable.
She writes from two perspectives throughout the text and alternates this in the chapters. The first perspective is that of a reclusive professional lady. Her voice is recorded in a diary she keeps.
The second perspective is that of a taxi driver, forty-two-year-old Vinnie, who has a lovely Dublin accent. His children, his friends, his mother, and his dog, combine to paint the story with a fresh and exciting mix of both the funny and serious aspects of family life.
What I especially liked was the supreme ordinariness and yet great sensitivity in the defining relationships in both of their lives. Ciara writes so clearly and transparently you hardly know there's a writer telling the story.
I completely love reading this emotional and joyous book, and will often re-read it whenever I need a lift.
She writes from two perspectives throughout the text and alternates this in the chapters. The first perspective is that of a reclusive professional lady. Her voice is recorded in a diary she keeps.
The second perspective is that of a taxi driver, forty-two-year-old Vinnie, who has a lovely Dublin accent. His children, his friends, his mother, and his dog, combine to paint the story with a fresh and exciting mix of both the funny and serious aspects of family life.
What I especially liked was the supreme ordinariness and yet great sensitivity in the defining relationships in both of their lives. Ciara writes so clearly and transparently you hardly know there's a writer telling the story.
I completely love reading this emotional and joyous book, and will often re-read it whenever I need a lift.
February 21, 2024
Thank Goodness I managed to finish this book, the transition between act 2 and 3 felt like it would never happen, but I'm glad I pushed through. I loved this book, but not for the romance part. This probably proves I'm not made for the romance genre but oh well. What I did enjoy were the separate stories of the main characters, their lives, struggles, and very real emotions. I loved Vinnie, trying his best to be a good dad and keep the family afloat while being chased by regrets from the past; I loved Ellen, uncertain and broken, trying to deal with a terrible trauma and move forward. Maybe it felt too cliche to see their relationship's development and know every step from miles away, but I cannot deny that they needed each other to shine so bright at the end, and I'm happy for them
Vinnie's mom is my icon, she carried this whole book on her back, would play bingo with her ngl
Vinnie's mom is my icon, she carried this whole book on her back, would play bingo with her ngl
March 3, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this book. On a broad perspective, the idea behind the story is great – too people finding each other and intertwining their lives – and it was good in the way that’s is so local and true to Dublin and its neighbourhoods. But it’s one among a million. The story’s not that original. The writing is very simple and not far fetched. It’s a good book to waste a bit of time, but it could have been better. 2,5/5
July 25, 2018
I like Geraghty's Irish voice. This is the second of her books that I've read. For me this story wasn't quite as riveting as Finding Mr Flood (her 1st book I read) but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. There's a lovely lightness and humour in her writing, even as she deals with quite serious topics - this book's theme is mental illness and the affect it has on marriage and children. Can highly recommend it.
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