The Way We Were - Softcover

WINNER OF THE IRISH BOOK AWARD FOR POPULAR FICTION 2015

'Heartfelt and deeply moving ... I couldn't put it down.' Susan Lewis

'Intriguing and thought provoking ... a great read.' Katie Fforde

When Alice's husband Ben dies suddenly, her world falls apart. They shared twenty years and two daughters and life without him is unimaginable.

Having lost her parents while young, Alice understands her girls' pain. At fifteen, Jools is at that awkward age and only Ben could get through to her. And eleven-year-old Holly looks for the answer to everything in books but this time she's drawing a blank. Alice realizes that for their sakes she must summon up superhuman reserves of strength.

Somehow all three of them come through the dark days. In time, it's even possible for Alice to consider marrying again, with the girls' blessing. So when Ben turns up after three years, her world is again turned upside-down. The girls assume that their family can go back to the way they were. Alice is not so sure.

Once more Alice has to find the strength to be the mother her daughters need her to be. But this time what that means is far from clear ...

'Smart family drama that packs a punch' Heat on The Secrets Sisters Keep

'Fans of Sinéad know they can expect honesty, humour and great story-telling' Hello

'He needed something else. He wanted more.'

Alice and Ben are a couple like any other bound together by love, work, children, familiarity and a shared sense of purpose.

But when Ben decides to pursue a dream of his own, he brings devastation on his family and, as far as they know, their lives will never be the same again.

Alice and Ben are now on different paths: she needs to put their shared life behind her; he needs to remember it to survive.

So, what happens if they get a second chance?

Can they - should they - go back to the way they were?

'Smart family drama that packs a punch'
Heat on The Secrets Sisters Keep

'Fans of Sinéad know they can expect honesty, humour and great story-telling' Hello