I have literally just finished reading the book Our Song, by the Irish author Anna Carey this morning. It was first published last year, in 2025 by Hachette Books Ireland, and although she has published several books for young adults, this is her first book for adults.
Set between the past (the late 1990’s and the early 2000’s) and the present (2017 – 2019), this romance novel had me enthralled the entire way through. To be honest I don’t actually read many romance novels but this was on my TBR (to be read) List, and it was due back in Gorey Library soon, so I picked it up and began reading, and reading, and reading! I was hooked.
The book is set in Ireland, and mainly in Dublin but also in Cork and Galway. The characters speak some cúpla focal in the book too, which I do really like, as they went to an Irish College (Gaeltacht) for Easter, and all of the names were in Irish too.
Some parts of the book had me on the brink of tears, and other parts had me nearly wetting myself with laughter. I think people anywhere in the world will appreciate this book, but it is definitely typical Irish humour, and phrases
Our Song: the blurb
“Laura used to have big dreams, but she gave them up – because that’s what grown-ups do. Trying to turn her love of music into a career would have been absolutely ridiculous.
But when she hears one of Tadhg’s songs on the radio, she isn’t so sure.
Tadhg and Laura used to be in a band. They used to be a lot of things. Now he’s a superstar, touring the world with his songs, reminding Laura of what might have been.
Then she gets an email that could change everything: Tadhg wants to finish a song they started writing together sixteen years ago. Making music again would literally be a dream come true, even if it’s with a person she swore she’d never speak to again. And they can keep things professional, right?
As Tadhg and Laura start working together though, sparks begin to fly. Maybe music isn’t the only thing that deserves a second chance…”
Broken Hearts and Misunderstandings
This book is about love, loss, broken hearts and misunderstandings, as well as about friendships family and of course music, if the title Our Song, and the guitar on the front cover didn’t give that away. The talented Lauren Mortimer did the cover illustration for the book.
Sixteen years is a long time with no contact and people can change in many, many different ways, and the same can be said for feelings. Reading this book was a joy and reminds us of the importance of hope. They do say third time is the charm!
With it having been just Pride month, I wanted to mention that two of the female characters are in love and married, so LGBTQIA+ is in there even though it’s not actually a huge part of the story, which is nice to see more diversity in books. Endometriosis is also addressed briefly in the book too, which it is great to see medical conditions put into stories for awareness and understanding.
I am 42 and only in April just gone, did I take the plunge and join Voices of Gorey, a female choir. I had forgotten my passion for singing when I was a child, teenager and in my early to mid-20’s, so it may not be sixteen years exactly, but I rediscovered my love of singing and could relate to Laura in Our Song.
It is a separate book entirely but I will add Anna’s later book entitled Love Scene to my TBR List!
(c) Grace O’Reilly
Order your copy of Our Song by Anna Carey online here.
And read more from Grace O’Reilly on Writing.ie here.
