Can she finally put herself first, in order to find love?
Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.
When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.
But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.
And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?
Book Rating:
📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million
📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.
📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.
📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.
📚📚 = It was okay.
📚 = Um...! 😕
My Review
📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million
The Irish Midwife by Seána Tinley had been sitting patiently on my reading list for a little while, quietly waiting its turn while I caught up with other books and reviews. But it was always there, calling to me. I had a feeling that once I started it, I would be completely drawn in – and I was absolutely right.
What can I say but WOW! This is one of those novels that doesn’t just pull you in, it claims you. From the very first pages, I found myself utterly immersed in the story, the setting, and the lives of the characters. Compelling doesn’t quite cover it – this book is completely addictive. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and sneaking in “just one more chapter” whenever I could.
Tinley’s ability to bring the past vividly to life is remarkable. The sense of time and place is so authentic that I felt as though I had stepped straight into the heart of the story. The characters are richly drawn, deeply human, and impossible not to care about. At the centre of it all is a protagonist whose quiet strength, compassion, and resilience shine through every page. Her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and I was emotionally invested from beginning to end.
What I particularly loved was the way Tinley highlights the often-overlooked role of women and the immense emotional labour they carried. There is no melodrama here – just beautifully observed moments, honest emotion, and a deep respect for the lives being portrayed. The writing is lyrical yet accessible, and every detail feels purposeful.
This novel is a real gem. For anyone who enjoys well-researched historical fiction with strong female characters and an emotionally resonant story, The Irish Midwife is an absolute must-read. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
You can pick up your copy on Amazon.
