The House on Seaview Road

by Alison Walsh

The House on Seaview Road is a story about first love, growing up and about the enduring bonds of sisterhood. Perfect reading for fans of Joanna Trollope and Maggie O'Farrell.

Marie Stephenson has decided that it's her last summer in Seaview - just a few months left before she can break free of her suburban home, go out into the world and make her mark. If only it weren't for the promise she made to her dying mother. This promise, to look after her younger sister, is one she has always kept, even though Marie sometimes feels that the cosseted Grainne doesn't deserve it.

But then the sudden appearance of intense, rebellious Con on Seaview Beach one afternoon changes everything.

As her innocence comes to a sudden and shocking end, Marie must make some choices about her future.

But will she find the courage to become the woman she was meant to be?

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2016

About the author

Alison Walsh has been a book editor for many years. A contributor to the books page of the Sunday Independent, her first book, In My Mother's Shoes, was published in 2010. She lives in Dublin with her family.

Reviews

[Emanuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

It didn't give me that feeling I used to feel for other books, when I kept stuffing my brain with big spoons of pages, running through, curious to get to the end. It walked towards my heart slowly and gently. Just that kind of peaceful reading unfolding day by day, filling your spare time without demands, being a quite companion who whispers softly.
The last chapter was completed with a tissue in my hand and tears rolling down my face.
I loved it. It's one of those books which left a stamp on my heart

[Stella Stenroos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I did enjoy visiting the time before the internet and mobile phones - very nostalgic!

But the characters were as frustrating as their relationships..

It was unfair of Dada to stop being a parent when his wife died, but at least he was wealthy enough to hire someone to look after the girls - sort of. Still, Marie had way too much responsibility of her sister, and never really got any time for herself, or to spend carefree time with her friends.

Often, Marie made idiotic choices, but that is quite typical of someone her age, especially when there hasn't been any parental guidance.

Grainne could have done with a few more rewrites.. Especially after her time in London, she seemed to have been through a whole personality transplant! Yes, people change and grow up, but she had her limitations, since birth, and then she didn't? That just wouldn't happen.

Dada made it to the Disney ending as well, which was almost worse than the new Grainne..

Mixed feelings..

[Mary Geraghty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories

This book was very good. The characters and the family dynamics made it impossible to put down. The memories came from my old Ireland and the portrayal of the nuns. Great read.

[Clare Briscoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it, didn't finish it unfortunately

[Gillian Halton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irish family read , religion and sisters living together looking out for each other
Good read

[Saxonjus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. It felt to whimsy and the term Dada really got on my nerves. We never found out much about her father or what he did in that study. We had lil plots within the book that often distracted me grom the main character. The sister i couldn't quite work out how her character had changed it didnt quite relate to the story. A little unbelievable given the events. Why do all chick flick style books have such a rushed frenzied positive end?

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Irish and aggravating,
the main character came good in the end but how she and we struggled to get there.

[Gloria Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very slow start to the book could not get into this book Found it quite boring and glad to finish it