But the secrets—the unspoken longings and regrets that have come to haunt those left behind—will not be silenced. Before long, Connor will have to confront his past.

I know Graham Norton as a tv presenter, an actor and a talk show host. I’m aware that he has published some novels in the last few years but this is the first one I have read and it was enjoyable overall. Not quite a slow burner but the more I read it the more I enjoyed it. Forever Home" was a compelling and interesting blend of literary fiction and mystery. The author expertly and empathetically delved into the complications and intrinsic complexity of step-families while simultaneously offering up a murder mystery linked to long hidden family secrets.

Carol met and fell in love with Declan later in life, and unfortunately, he has developed early onset dementia, forcing her to move out of his house which she shared with him when his children move Declan to a nursing home and decide to sell up. In the ensuing months, some deep, dark secrets emerge from Declan’s past, which leave Carol questioning everything she knew about him. Enter Moira, Carol’s mother, to bring about a crazy resolution to the drama that’s unfolding 😅. Declan's wife left him. He doesn't want to talk about it. Not to his young children, son Killan and daughter Sally, and not to the gossip mongers in the town in Ireland. No one really understands why she let. But one thing is for sure. Her children can't forgive her. When the sale is done and they go to the house, something just doesn't smell right. Carol and Moira find themselves in a horrible situation which they can't tell anyone about, especially Dave and have a mystery they have no idea how to solve.

I really hope readers enjoy losing themselves in the twists and turns of this tale as much as I have." Since Declan seems to be getting worse, he is unable to help him with this problem, so Moira comes up with a plan which Carol reluctantly must agree with. This house which Carol loved and cared for all those years has turned into The Nightmare on Elm Street and they just hope their plan does not land them both in jail! Graham Norton is a wonderful storyteller..... yes it is that Graham Norton. His characters are so real that you feel everything that they feel. You feel as if you are living it with them. This was a heartwarming but powerful story of family, friendships, lies and secrets.heard great things about this author’s previous book so I was really excited to get an early copy of his new release. I figured the wit he shows during his interviews for his TV show would surely factor into the story and it definitely did.

I feel the first half is stronger than the second where there are moments I caught myself daydreaming. There are secrets that are waiting to come out and twists you may or may not have guessed! The conclusion was a happy and satisfying one. Overall, I had a wonderful time listening to Graham Norton's delightful narration. 3.5⭐

Holding

The characters were all so well fleshed out and real. I rooted so much for the protagonist Carol who has to deal with all kinds of stuff—starting with some petty idle gossip because she is a school teacher in a small town, which makes her somewhat of a public figure, and ending with the unexpected darkness in Declan's past that she cannot even discuss with Declan himself. I empathised with Carol so much when she admonished herself for being a passive lump that allows things to happen to her. And I could not but marvel at and admire Carol's mother Moira— an 80-year-old powerhouse of a woman. Between The Covers (6 x 30’) was commissioned by Emma Cahusac for BBC Arts and BBC Two. Created and produced by Cactus TV, Exec Produced by Amanda Ross with Series Producer Pollyanne Conway. The story begins in 1987 when a small Irish community is preparing for a wedding. The day before the wedding tragedy strikes when a group of young friends, including bride and groom, drive out to the beach. There is an accident. Three survive, but three are killed. All the lives of the families are hit by the tragedy but non more than Connor. Connor is one of the survivors but now must live the shame of having been the driver. He leaves Ireland , taking his secrets with him to try and forget his past and start again. But these secrets cannot be left unspoken and sooner or later the truth will come out. I loved the two main characters, Connor and his sister Ellen. The growth from the first time we see them to the last was truly touching and made me tear up. Carol frets: “It wasn’t clear what role she could play in his life now.” As so often for women, we are asked to sublimate our needs to those of others – children, to elderly parents, to partners.