Ireland, 1924. For thirteen-year-old Nora Doyle every day is a fight for survival in Ballybun, the rural Irish village she calls home. Each night, as she feels the cold wind blowing through the cracks of her family's cramped cottage, Nora longs to escape the poverty surrounding her, and find her place in the world.
When she meets Edward, from the grand house that looms over her tiny village, she feels an unlikely kinship that is impossible to explain, and as she grows from an impulsive child into a beautiful woman, Nora spends every moment she can with him. But Edward holds the key to a devastating truth about Nora's own family that will change her life forever, leading Nora away from the village, to the bright, dazzling lights of Dublin, and the charming baker Joe Lynch.
But sorrow is never far away for an Irish village girl, and when tragedy strikes, Nora must return to Ballybun and face up to the truth that drove her away. But back amongst the familiar sights and smells of her childhood, Nora feels herself drawn once more to her old life, and love, and she faces an impossible choice. Can she deny her roots, or will she always be the girl from Paradise Alley?
A heart-wrenching story of love, loss and the power of friendship during unimaginable hardship. This book is perfect for fans of Orphan Train and Diney Costeloe's The Girl with No Name.
What readers are saying about Sandy Taylor:
'Oh my word what a fabulous book... I just loved every page of it. This book drew me right in and I was glued to it right up to the final page... A massive 5 stars from me.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'Wow... right from the start I was hooked to the pages... brilliant... full of joy and also heartbreak... my heart was being wrenched out... an absolutely gorgeous story full of highs and lows... I couldn't put this book down.' Katie's Book Cave, 5 stars
'Wow!! What a heartbreaking story I ever read! I absolutely loved that book sooooo much... I definitely will read more books from this author... amazing!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 star
'Oh WOW... What a beautiful heart-warming story this is... drew me in and I loved it from the very first page. I couldn't get enough... I was reading this until 1am.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'I fell in love... fabulous... an enthralling read that I didn't want to put down. I was so wrapped up... heart-warming and beautifully written... will have you hooked until the very last page.' By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars