Description

Book Synopsis

WINNER OF THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD
__________________________________________________
'Fresh, entertaining, funny and moving' RODDY DOYLE

'A touching tale of how one woman survives a tough beginning to eventually end up exactly where her heart belongs' ANNE GRIFFIN, author of When All is Said
__________________________________________________
'If I could go back to being sixteen again, I'd do things differently.'
'Everyone over the age of forty feels like that, you total gom,' says my best friend Lizzie Magee.

When she was young Mary Rattigan wanted to fly. She was going to take off like an angel from heaven and leave the muck and madness of troubled Northern Ireland behind. Nothing but the Land of Happy Ever After would do for her.

But as a Catholic girl with a B.I.T.C.H. for a Mammy and a silent Daddy, things did not go as she and Lizzie Magee had planned.

Now, five children, twenty-five years, an end to the bombs and bullets, enough whiskey to sink a ship and endless wakes and sandwich teas later, Mary's alone. She's learned plenty of hard lessons and missed a hundred steps towards the life she'd always hoped for.

Will she finally find the courage to ask for the love she deserves? Or is it too late?



Trade Review
This is in many ways a familiar story but it is told in such a fresh, entertaining, funny and moving way, it felt like I was reading something brand new. * Roddy Doyle *
Two pages into this book you know you've unlocked something special . . . the book is brightened up plenty by sunshine characters and the magnificence of Tyrone nature . . . Tish knows what she's talking about. * Irish Examiner *

A really lovely book. I loved reading it.

-- Mariella Frostrup
Delaney's writing is a beautiful wave flowing lyrically through the life of Mary Rattigan. A touching tale of how one woman survives a tough beginning to eventually end up exactly where her heart belongs. -- Anne Griffin author of WHEN ALL IS SAID
I did not expect this debut to turn into the most exquisite love story, but it did, and I was besotted. * Red *

Before My Actual Heart Breaks

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 20 Dec 2025.

A Paperback / softback by Tish Delaney

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    View other formats and editions of Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney

    Publisher: Cornerstone
    Publication Date: 28/10/2021
    ISBN13: 9781786090980, 978-1786090980
    ISBN10: 1786090988

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    WINNER OF THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD
    __________________________________________________
    'Fresh, entertaining, funny and moving' RODDY DOYLE

    'A touching tale of how one woman survives a tough beginning to eventually end up exactly where her heart belongs' ANNE GRIFFIN, author of When All is Said
    __________________________________________________
    'If I could go back to being sixteen again, I'd do things differently.'
    'Everyone over the age of forty feels like that, you total gom,' says my best friend Lizzie Magee.

    When she was young Mary Rattigan wanted to fly. She was going to take off like an angel from heaven and leave the muck and madness of troubled Northern Ireland behind. Nothing but the Land of Happy Ever After would do for her.

    But as a Catholic girl with a B.I.T.C.H. for a Mammy and a silent Daddy, things did not go as she and Lizzie Magee had planned.

    Now, five children, twenty-five years, an end to the bombs and bullets, enough whiskey to sink a ship and endless wakes and sandwich teas later, Mary's alone. She's learned plenty of hard lessons and missed a hundred steps towards the life she'd always hoped for.

    Will she finally find the courage to ask for the love she deserves? Or is it too late?



    Trade Review
    This is in many ways a familiar story but it is told in such a fresh, entertaining, funny and moving way, it felt like I was reading something brand new. * Roddy Doyle *
    Two pages into this book you know you've unlocked something special . . . the book is brightened up plenty by sunshine characters and the magnificence of Tyrone nature . . . Tish knows what she's talking about. * Irish Examiner *

    A really lovely book. I loved reading it.

    -- Mariella Frostrup
    Delaney's writing is a beautiful wave flowing lyrically through the life of Mary Rattigan. A touching tale of how one woman survives a tough beginning to eventually end up exactly where her heart belongs. -- Anne Griffin author of WHEN ALL IS SAID
    I did not expect this debut to turn into the most exquisite love story, but it did, and I was besotted. * Red *

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