Review of "The Library at the Edge of the World: A Novel" by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

When Hanna Casey discovers that her husband, a hard-hitting London attorney, has been having a twenty-year-long affair, she packs up her teenage daughter Jazz and flees to her childhood home - a purple cottage on the Finfarren Peninsula of Ireland.



Hanna (foolishly) demands nothing in the divorce 😒, and financial constraints make it necessary for her to live with her mother. This is difficult because Hanna's mother, Mary Casey, is a thorny woman who disapproved of Hanna's marriage and has a smug 'I told you so' attitude.



Hanna has a degree in library science, and becomes head librarian in the town of Lissberg.



In this capacity, Hanna oversees activities in the library building AND drives the library van (bookmobile) up and down the peninsula a couple of times a week. During these jaunts, Hanna stops at schoolhouses and senior daycare centers - where the residents celebrate her visits with homemade cake.



Though Hanna is cordial - and helpful to the borrowers - she's a reserved woman, with no interest in small talk or gossip.

Hanna's part-time assistant at the library is Conor - an enthusiastic young farmer who needs the extra money to help his family.



Conor thinks the library should host book clubs and meetings, but Hanna nixes the idea - wanting to keep a buffer between herself and the general public. When Hanna's out with the bookmobile, though, young moms gather in a comfortable nook.....and who knows what they talk about. 😊

After Jazz grows up, finishes school, and becomes an airline hostess, Hanna feels the time is right to get her own place. As it happens, Hanna's Aunt Maggie left her a dilapidated old clifftop house, and - to the dismay of her mother - Hanna announces she's going to renovate the old junker and move in. Hanna gets a loan from the credit union and prepares to start her project.



News of this undertaking spreads through the peninsula like wildfire, and an eccentric jack-of-all-trades named Fury O'Shea shows up at Hanna's fixer upper with his dog ('the divil') and appoints himself Hanna's builder.



Fury borrows a couple of goats to clear the overgrowth, and proceeds to take charge of the restoration. Hanna gives instructions, Fury ignores them.....and their tug-of-war is quite entertaining. Lest you think this is the beginning of a flirtation between Hanna and Fury, think again.....because attraction lies in another direction.

When Hanna needs information about building codes and permits, she stops by the Planning Office and meets Brian - who provides the necessary particulars.



Hanna and Brian's friendship gets off to a rocky start, but before long the seeds of a (glacially slow) romance are sowed. 💖

The book is not a romance however. It's the story of a community that works together for a better future.

During a civic meeting Hanna learns that the city council is about to consider a plan that would use ALL the peninsula's public funds to benefit a small area.....and put money in the pockets of businessmen and politicians. Wanting to help the entire peninsula - and keep her job - Hanna goes into action. She spearheads a movement that would attract tourists, grow heirloom plants, and bring people together. This leads to friendship and fun - and perks for Hanna's future cottage.

I enjoyed the story, the ambiance of coastal Ireland, and the wide array of characters - including humans, goats, and the divil 🐶 - who made me laugh.

I think many readers would like this book.



Rating: 4 stars