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Finding Their Way Home #1
Heroine Of Her Own Life
In early 20th century Belfast, working class Meg Preston struggles to accept her own sexuality and yearns for forbidden love.
Battling the customs and hardships of their time, Meg pursues a relationship with her childhood friend, Lillian Watson. But soon, tribulations of war, violence, and emigration threaten to tear everything apart.
Seeking refuge for herself, her love, and her family, can Meg find the courage to become the heroine of her own life?
Battling the customs and hardships of their time, Meg pursues a relationship with her childhood friend, Lillian Watson. But soon, tribulations of war, violence, and emigration threaten to tear everything apart.
Seeking refuge for herself, her love, and her family, can Meg find the courage to become the heroine of her own life?
326 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2019
131 people are currently reading
2977 people want to read
About the author
Constance Emmett
3 books33 followersConstance Emmett was born in Brooklyn, New York, where her mother's family landed after leaving Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Irish family stories formed her as a writer. Everything Will Be All Right (reviewed in the August 2022 Historical Novel Review), is the sequel to Heroine of Her Own Life. Constance is at work on the third book in the series and has completed a novel set in Revolutionary New York, also based on an ancestor, which she hopes will be published in 2026, the 250th anniversary of the War of Independence.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 14, 2020
There are a lot of 5 star ratings for this book. Sorry, I don't feel the same. I'd give it a 2.5. I enjoyed the descriptions of Belfast in WWII. Meg's struggles to protect her friends and family during this time were interesting, but I felt the story could have spent much more time exploring this. OR, in the alternative, spend more time exploring how a young woman in 1922 deals with her sexual awakening and interest in same sex relationships. The restrictions on women during that time were immense, and Meg's journey to become a heroine of her own life was worthy of more exploration- not jumping from plot line to new plot line. I felt the book fell short when trying to cover too many issues. (Can Mary teach Meg how to ride a bike? Will Mary stay with Meg?! Will Jinny, etc. have to move from the big house?! Will Betty take Laurie to Brooklyn?!? Will Lillian and Meg find a new swimming rock?!? And what about the photograph of the Titanic???!!! ) Basically this is a love story that skims the issues of sexuality, poverty, Protestant vs. Catholics and The Troubles, immigration, familial relationships, and, oh, yeah, a big honkin' war. By trying to be an epic novel the book sometimes losses its way. It's a quick read, just not a compelling one.
September 4, 2019
Heroine Of Her Own Life was a joy to read. I was reluctant to say goodbye to the characters--they'd become friends whose lives I felt invested in. The descriptions of daily life in Ireland in the early/ mid-20th century were enchanting and vivid. I rarely reread books, but I could easily envision picking this story back up to visit with the characters again. I appreciated how nuanced and complex the supporting characters were, and felt that Meg's relationships with her siblings in particular were beautifully portrayed. It's meaningful to read an LGBTQ-themed novel that depicts the importance of both romantic and familial relationships simultaneously. I felt the story very realistically touched on the challenges many LGBTQ people have historically felt and still feel in balancing our romantic and family lives. I highly recommend this wonderful book.
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January 30, 2023
This historical novel begins around 1920 when teenage Meg, who lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is fooled by and attacked by an older girl who she thought she could trust. Protected by her superiors, Meg is promoted at work in the local shipyard. She lives with two of her sisters and a brother along with their father in a rickety house, with just enough money to get by. On a trip to the seaside with her brother to exercise race dogs, Meg meets Mary, a well off local young woman. The two become lovers until Mary's betrayal. Then Meg is determined to protect her heart until she finds herself attracted to Lillian, her long time childhood friend.
This is actually a family saga with a romance story within. The settings and characters, especially Meg, are highly engaging. The conflict between Irish Catholics and Protestants is presented in all its complexity and without shying away from violence. I was completely focused on reading this book whenever I could, so much so, that I immediately bought and started reading the sequel.
Highly recommended.
This is actually a family saga with a romance story within. The settings and characters, especially Meg, are highly engaging. The conflict between Irish Catholics and Protestants is presented in all its complexity and without shying away from violence. I was completely focused on reading this book whenever I could, so much so, that I immediately bought and started reading the sequel.
Highly recommended.
September 3, 2019
Heroine of Her Own Life is an immensely satisfying story. Following Meg Preston’s flourishing through four decades in Belfast, through economic struggle, sectarian strife, a world war, and cultural rigidity never lacked authenticity nor lost momentum. Usually there are those occasional passages in a novel where the writer, and hence the reader, lose momentum — reading Heroine of Her Own Life was pure acceleration. And when I had finished the book I was left with that bittersweet sense of mourning that often accompanies the end of an engrossing tale. Even more remarkable —the characters and the many scenes continue to linger vividly.
I have been to Belfast many times, yet learned much from Ms. Emmett’s well-researched book. While my mind quickly summoned the sights and the urban vitality of the city, I suspect readers who have never been to Ulster will have no difficulty envisioning every scene and moment so tellingly told. No doubt readers also will quickly realize that Ms. Emmett writes dialogue with brilliance: the words of her characters and their exchanges are faultlessly credible. Her keen ear for conveying the spoken words renders each character real and each interaction entirely believable.
While I may not be among the core demographic for whom this novel may have keen resonance, I recall that Emmett had said in an interview that she wanted to write a novel that she would want to read — well, she's certainly written a novel that I am glad I read. I finished the book and, so vivid were the characters, felt as if I were saying farewell to very dear friends.
I have been to Belfast many times, yet learned much from Ms. Emmett’s well-researched book. While my mind quickly summoned the sights and the urban vitality of the city, I suspect readers who have never been to Ulster will have no difficulty envisioning every scene and moment so tellingly told. No doubt readers also will quickly realize that Ms. Emmett writes dialogue with brilliance: the words of her characters and their exchanges are faultlessly credible. Her keen ear for conveying the spoken words renders each character real and each interaction entirely believable.
While I may not be among the core demographic for whom this novel may have keen resonance, I recall that Emmett had said in an interview that she wanted to write a novel that she would want to read — well, she's certainly written a novel that I am glad I read. I finished the book and, so vivid were the characters, felt as if I were saying farewell to very dear friends.
September 11, 2019
A gripping story which made this book hard to put down when the real world intruded. I felt like I was with Meg from start to finish...from her life in the city to her days in the Irish countryside, and I could smell the sea air along with her. Thank you Constance for all I learned about the history of Ireland and for bringing these wonderful characters to life.
December 4, 2021
This book was well crafted. It was involving, with good characterisation and a plot which was unpredictable and was a page Turner. Historical fiction, set in Ireland 🇮🇪 with lesbian main characters, but set in a realistic world. A treat. I enjoyed and would recommend to anyone interested in historical fiction
December 23, 2025
This family saga, with the Preston family being central, captured the atmosphere of Northern Ireland in a subtle way, without the differences between the two opposing cultures being shoved in your face.
The religious bigotry and the Republican versus Unionist traditions that existed (and sadly still exist) were evident in the often unspoken attitudes of individual family members on both sides of the divide, usually showing itself in little ways, like the disapproval towards a family member getting involved with someone of the opposite mindset and those in the middle of it having difficulty in admitting to their liaison. Laying another layer on top of that, a developing gay or lesbian relationship, something that could only have nerves jangling, as if life wasn’t difficult enough - well handled.
As a reader living in the Republic of Ireland, I’ve always felt like I was visiting a foreign country any time I went north of the border, solely because of the different mindsets. Emmett’s depiction of northerners’ thinking very much captured the divide that exists in northern communities, something that doesn’t exist with southerners. The author perhaps picked up on it without even having studied the psychological differences. One example was in the scene where Meg’s discomfort at the idea of going south to live in Dublin – a place she felt she wouldn’t fit in as a Protestant Ulsterwoman. This misconception on Meg’s part was largely because of a completely different way of thinking. In reality, she had it back to front. It would never occur to us southerners, or ‘free staters’ as the Protestant Unionists would refer to us mainly Catholics in the south, to even think, whether the person we met was a Protestant, Catholic, Unionist or Republican – we couldn’t care less. So that scene in itself was very authentic as it would be the first thing that would occur to a northerner if a southerner went north, and thereby you’d be judged - so Meg was stuck in that rut.
The handling of Meg’s exploration of her sexuality was dealt with in a sensitive way and her worry that her family would never be able to accept this.
Lots of little touches that brought the home to life, the turf smell of the fire and the Ulster fry for breakfast, and then outside in the street, the underlying nastiness against the ‘other side’ depicted in the awful scene of the man assaulted in the shipyard and nobody taking a stand on it for fear of repercussions either within their own society or within their place of employment.
The bombing of Belfast was terrifying - fingers crossed and under the table seemed to be the only defence they had until they went to Portstewart. Brought war to life in close-up.
I’d have liked a little more development of and interaction with the Orange Order father – I got him in one, I’ve met his type, but if you weren’t Irish, his bigotry might be lost.
While I’m generally not a fan of books set in Northern Ireland, I usually find them dismal, I really enjoyed this one and looked forward to getting stuck into it each evening. It gave me a glimpse behind the hall door of an Ulster Protestant Unionist family, something I hadn’t experienced before.
The religious bigotry and the Republican versus Unionist traditions that existed (and sadly still exist) were evident in the often unspoken attitudes of individual family members on both sides of the divide, usually showing itself in little ways, like the disapproval towards a family member getting involved with someone of the opposite mindset and those in the middle of it having difficulty in admitting to their liaison. Laying another layer on top of that, a developing gay or lesbian relationship, something that could only have nerves jangling, as if life wasn’t difficult enough - well handled.
As a reader living in the Republic of Ireland, I’ve always felt like I was visiting a foreign country any time I went north of the border, solely because of the different mindsets. Emmett’s depiction of northerners’ thinking very much captured the divide that exists in northern communities, something that doesn’t exist with southerners. The author perhaps picked up on it without even having studied the psychological differences. One example was in the scene where Meg’s discomfort at the idea of going south to live in Dublin – a place she felt she wouldn’t fit in as a Protestant Ulsterwoman. This misconception on Meg’s part was largely because of a completely different way of thinking. In reality, she had it back to front. It would never occur to us southerners, or ‘free staters’ as the Protestant Unionists would refer to us mainly Catholics in the south, to even think, whether the person we met was a Protestant, Catholic, Unionist or Republican – we couldn’t care less. So that scene in itself was very authentic as it would be the first thing that would occur to a northerner if a southerner went north, and thereby you’d be judged - so Meg was stuck in that rut.
The handling of Meg’s exploration of her sexuality was dealt with in a sensitive way and her worry that her family would never be able to accept this.
Lots of little touches that brought the home to life, the turf smell of the fire and the Ulster fry for breakfast, and then outside in the street, the underlying nastiness against the ‘other side’ depicted in the awful scene of the man assaulted in the shipyard and nobody taking a stand on it for fear of repercussions either within their own society or within their place of employment.
The bombing of Belfast was terrifying - fingers crossed and under the table seemed to be the only defence they had until they went to Portstewart. Brought war to life in close-up.
I’d have liked a little more development of and interaction with the Orange Order father – I got him in one, I’ve met his type, but if you weren’t Irish, his bigotry might be lost.
While I’m generally not a fan of books set in Northern Ireland, I usually find them dismal, I really enjoyed this one and looked forward to getting stuck into it each evening. It gave me a glimpse behind the hall door of an Ulster Protestant Unionist family, something I hadn’t experienced before.
October 7, 2021
I have read plenty of historical fiction and LGBTQ but never a story that was both. I bought the book because my father's ancestors came from Donegal and my father spent time in Ireland training for reconnaissance in WWII. He fell in love for the scenery of Ireland and I hope to go there in the future.
I read this book while in a knee rehabilitation facility, I had plenty exercises in the daytime and at night, I had to receive blood transfusions. I read this at night and enjoyed the family that the author created and celebrated every time that the author referred to the gorgeous scenery. Meg Preston's reminded me of the large family that my mother came from. Both families were very poor, mother's during the Great Depression and Meg Preston's fictional family before and at the beginning of WWII.
The characters were real to me, and some sisters of this book could have easily fit my aunts! I want to read more of Constance Emmett's books because of the care that she took in painting believable people. I am also encouraged to read more about Ireland in this period of time, the same time that my father trained there. The sweetest and more heartbreaking for me was the relationship between her brother David and his first. I believe that the author can draw men as well as women with a great sensitivity.
The lesson that sticks with me the most is what the author learned from the novelist Sarah Waters at an author interview. Write books that you want to read. The author had not written any books during her career as a biologist but that statement starting her writing career.
I read this book while in a knee rehabilitation facility, I had plenty exercises in the daytime and at night, I had to receive blood transfusions. I read this at night and enjoyed the family that the author created and celebrated every time that the author referred to the gorgeous scenery. Meg Preston's reminded me of the large family that my mother came from. Both families were very poor, mother's during the Great Depression and Meg Preston's fictional family before and at the beginning of WWII.
The characters were real to me, and some sisters of this book could have easily fit my aunts! I want to read more of Constance Emmett's books because of the care that she took in painting believable people. I am also encouraged to read more about Ireland in this period of time, the same time that my father trained there. The sweetest and more heartbreaking for me was the relationship between her brother David and his first. I believe that the author can draw men as well as women with a great sensitivity.
The lesson that sticks with me the most is what the author learned from the novelist Sarah Waters at an author interview. Write books that you want to read. The author had not written any books during her career as a biologist but that statement starting her writing career.
August 24, 2021
THIS BOOK IS GOOD, BUT VERY SAD, ONLY READ IF YOU'RE READY TO BE SAD.
Like you're going to suffer, but you're going to be happy about it.
I listened to this book on audio, but there wasn't an option for that, and since I likely WILL read it on paperback, here I am.
Oh my god this book had SO MUCH going on in it; much like the times were at that point in history in Belfast. It managed to cover a lot, and remain super realistic. And much like realistic fiction this book isn't really wrapped up in a neat bow. However if you're looking for a historical fiction book with LGBTQ+ themes, I recommend this one. Listening to the audiobook was also incredible because the narrator seemed to grasp the characters and the dialects well.
I stumbled upon this book while doing some historical research about my family which hails from Belfast, and this was one of the few book I could find that took place there that was written by a woman, which is sad to say, but it made this title stick out to me. If you're able to pick it up, you should! Have a box of tissues and a therapist handy.
Like you're going to suffer, but you're going to be happy about it.
I listened to this book on audio, but there wasn't an option for that, and since I likely WILL read it on paperback, here I am.
Oh my god this book had SO MUCH going on in it; much like the times were at that point in history in Belfast. It managed to cover a lot, and remain super realistic. And much like realistic fiction this book isn't really wrapped up in a neat bow. However if you're looking for a historical fiction book with LGBTQ+ themes, I recommend this one. Listening to the audiobook was also incredible because the narrator seemed to grasp the characters and the dialects well.
I stumbled upon this book while doing some historical research about my family which hails from Belfast, and this was one of the few book I could find that took place there that was written by a woman, which is sad to say, but it made this title stick out to me. If you're able to pick it up, you should! Have a box of tissues and a therapist handy.
September 16, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed reading Heroine of her Own Life and Everything will be Alright. Constance Emmett is a powerful writer. She captures the struggles of Meg and the families over a lengthy period living alongside so many upheavals both internal and external. The characters are people we all know among our family and friends and paint a vibrant picture of each. We watch them grow and develop. An insightful look at being the outsider and having to live with the trauma of homophobia as well as all the other areas of intolerance. I can visualise this being a drams series on the BBC or other media outlets.
I loved the amount of intricate history detail covered in both novels, fascinating interesting, very engaging.
It is a book to read for the times we live in now.
I would highly recommend both of these wonderful, powerful, poignant books. We should all be the heroines in our own lives after reading them.
I loved the amount of intricate history detail covered in both novels, fascinating interesting, very engaging.
It is a book to read for the times we live in now.
I would highly recommend both of these wonderful, powerful, poignant books. We should all be the heroines in our own lives after reading them.
May 17, 2022
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure what to expect, since I haven't read anything from this author before.
I loved the different characters and their lives and I became invested in their stories which were complex and unpredictable.
Everytime Meg was at the ocean long the cliffs with people or not with people, I could feel the joy of being there and the beauty of it.
I gave 4 stars because I felt the story was a little short for everything the author was trying to cover. I would of liked to hear more about Megs and other women's struggles as they figure out their sexual preferences, in a different time where it is frowned upon. I would of also liked to of heard more about the war and how it affected her life and more stories from the war.
Overall it was an enjoyable read and I would absolutely read other books from this author.
I enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure what to expect, since I haven't read anything from this author before.
I loved the different characters and their lives and I became invested in their stories which were complex and unpredictable.
Everytime Meg was at the ocean long the cliffs with people or not with people, I could feel the joy of being there and the beauty of it.
I gave 4 stars because I felt the story was a little short for everything the author was trying to cover. I would of liked to hear more about Megs and other women's struggles as they figure out their sexual preferences, in a different time where it is frowned upon. I would of also liked to of heard more about the war and how it affected her life and more stories from the war.
Overall it was an enjoyable read and I would absolutely read other books from this author.
March 18, 2026
I don't do book reviews
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
February 28, 2022
This book is beautifully written, and has the attention to detail necessary to bring readers into every scene. The dialogue, family and sexual relationships are realistic, compelling and told in a way that make the reader care how things develop and how it ends. Obviously, this is well-researched and that adds to the believability and the harsh realism that carries throughout this book. This book is a real triumph. I envy Ms. Emmett's writing skills. This one proves literary fiction does not have to be tedious with paragraph long descriptions of the mundane. Heroine of Her Own Life is compelling, humorous, poignant and thrilling from page one to the end. Brilliant
Tim O'Leary
Wakefield, MA
Tim O'Leary
Wakefield, MA
Did not finish
September 27, 2025DNF'd at 25%
This book doesn't have a lot of reviews/ratings but they were high. I thought I would give it a try given that it's a queer historical romance. It went right into action in chapter 1. We got to see the incident happened to Meg at work. And then we learned about her family. In chapter 2 though, there was a big jump of things and I was confused of how long it had been since chapter 1 and everything just felt choppy. The writing was also very average. I got to 25% but wasn't very sure what direction the book was going and decided to give it up.
This book doesn't have a lot of reviews/ratings but they were high. I thought I would give it a try given that it's a queer historical romance. It went right into action in chapter 1. We got to see the incident happened to Meg at work. And then we learned about her family. In chapter 2 though, there was a big jump of things and I was confused of how long it had been since chapter 1 and everything just felt choppy. The writing was also very average. I got to 25% but wasn't very sure what direction the book was going and decided to give it up.
March 6, 2023
A fascinating novel about a working-class lesbian woman and her family in Belfast in the first half of the 20th century. I learned quite a bit about Belfast. The protagonist, Meg Preston, was very relatable. My main criticism is that the author tries to do too much; with so many balls being juggled at once, some are bound to drop. A more streamlined and focused narrative would have enabled the author to delve more deeply into the primary themes and characters.
March 15, 2025
A gentle but profound novel of true love.
History is brought to vivid life in this novel based in Ireland. It is a love story, unusual but deep and sincere. It brings to life how terrible the beginning of World War II and the blitz by the Germans in Ireland. Foremost, it is a declaration of faith brought about by true love. The faith that love is life, against all odds that may be put in it's path.
History is brought to vivid life in this novel based in Ireland. It is a love story, unusual but deep and sincere. It brings to life how terrible the beginning of World War II and the blitz by the Germans in Ireland. Foremost, it is a declaration of faith brought about by true love. The faith that love is life, against all odds that may be put in it's path.
February 18, 2026
Overall I loved how well the characters are depicted without saving an ounce of all the complexities of human nature. The plot is clearly intended to narrate the span of a life. Thus lacks some of the focus I usually prefer, still certain chapters manage to capture your attention.
If you are for a page turner then you'd rather have another book. If you are for an historic fiction of working lass from 20ts till the second war with strong and realistic characters, that's your book.
If you are for a page turner then you'd rather have another book. If you are for an historic fiction of working lass from 20ts till the second war with strong and realistic characters, that's your book.
December 27, 2024
A great tale of growing up in war torn Ireland being gay. Looking forward to the next book in the series
May 11, 2025
DNF these chapters are too long but I might revisit when I'm in the mood
February 27, 2026
Excellent read worth more than 5 Stars
Did not finish
March 19, 2026DNF for now. Might come back to it.
June 14, 2021
I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, but I did. And it was refreshing to read something in genere that I usually don't pick up.
Read
November 1, 2019Constance Emmett’s novel tells the story of Meg, a young, naive woman in early 20th century Belfast. Meg comes ever more alive to us through the characters’ dialogue and the author’s descriptions of her daily life amidst family, work, and close relationships. Added to the struggles in Meg's daily life in the midst of her large, poor family is Meg's growing and troubled awareness that she is attracted to other young women. Meg, capable in business and a deeply caring young woman, experiences the challenges of life during war-time, and eventually she finds love. When the book ended, I was surprised to have tears in my eyes, not from any impending tragedy, but from the sadness of leaving Meg—at least for now. Emmett had accomplished the feat of bringing Meg to life.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews