If you had the power to see what life would have been like had you made a different choice in your life, would you use that power? That is the question for Erin as chaotic life gets turned upside down in author Melanie Murphy’s novel “If Only”.
The Synopsis
Erin is about to turn thirty and her life is definitely not where she thought it would be. She hates her job, she’s jealous of her perfect flatmate – and she has just called off her wedding.
A trip home to Ireland to celebrate her birthday with her beloved grandmother is exactly what Erin needs, and she’s spent days preparing herself to break the news about her broken engagement.
What she’s not prepared for is the gift she receives: a secret family heirloom that will change everything.
Could this be the answer Erin has been looking for – the key to the happy life she’s always dreamed of? Only time will tell…
The Review
Wow, what an incredible read. I had to get that out there right away. While author Melanie Murphy has received wide acclaim on my website for her first novel Fully Functioning Human (Almost), the author’s second novel and debut fiction book was a massive success in every way.
The author does a masterful job of creating a cast of characters readers can relate to. From protagonist Erin and her journey of self-discovery while dealing with the struggles of life, to her core group of friend she rallies behind when dealing with these struggles, all the while trying to manage their own lives and issues, each character brings an important element into Erin’s story and makes the reader truly care about these fictitious people.
The author’s ability to create such descriptive atmospheres truly immerses the reader into the settings of this novel, from the bustling streets of London to the cosy warmth of the Irish countryside and small town villages, readers will instantly fall in love with this novel at every turn. For me personally as a reader, I instantly connected with Erin and her relationship with her grandmother.
For some of you who know this already, this year hasn’t been easy as I lost my own grandmother in early January. She was one of my best friends and truest supporters, and not a day goes by where I don’t miss her. Reading this story and the close relationship Erin had with her grandmother made me instantly feel closer to my own, bringing a small bit of tears of joy to my eyes as the author’s characterization of the protagonist brought fresh memories into this reader’s mind.
The Verdict
This is a must read novel of the year. A top contender for contemporary romance of the year, Melanie Murphy has cemented herself as a not only entertaining author but a writer who creates characters readers will instantly connect with and be entertained by. What the author does best in this novel is use the more supernatural elements of the other lives that could have been lived sparsely, focusing more on the lessons learned from these trips and the life Erin is constructing for herself. It is a fantastic novel that everyone should check out, so be sure to grab your copy of “If Only” by Melanie Murphy today!
Rating: 10/10
After reading a book that deals so much with relationships and finding the right person for you, one starts to think about their own relationships and keeping it healthy and maintained. In that regard, sites like Regain have the resources to help those seeking counseling or advice. Click this link https://www.regain.us/advice/counseling/ to learn more.
About the Author
Melanie Murphy is an author and online content creator from a small village in Dublin.
Her YouTube videos have amassed more than sixty million views online, reaching people with warm personality and her life lessons as well as her views on divisive topics such as sexuality, women’s rights, health and relationships. Also some silly fun stuff, just ’cause.
In 2017, Melanie published her first non-fiction book, “Fully Functioning Human (Almost)” which sold thousands of copies, received many positive reviews and topped the Irish book charts. Her debut novel, ‘If Only’, was released in the summer of 2019. It spent weeks in the Irish fiction chart and was chosen as one of the Diet Coke Book Club summer reads!
She lives in her home country of Ireland with her pilot partner, Thomas, her modern family and her two glorious rescue kitties, Bilbo and Molly Weasley. Her BSc (hons) degree in education & training from DCU catches dust above the fireplace as she writes books and uploads random videos to the internet for a living.
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