A. O'Connor

This was hard for me to read. People, there is no “and” in three digit numbers. We don’t say 1 and 0 for ten, so we wouldn’t say 100 and 70 even when spelling it out. The story itself was well enough. I liked that it spread across 170 years - showing who lived in the house. Sadly though, I couldn’t even share the main names except for one but only because it’s my sisters name. I might have enjoyed this story more if it weren’t for all the errors in the book. It made it hard for me. I didn’t DNF it fully because I’m buddy reading it.… (más)

"A Great Beauty," by A. O'Connor tells the unlikly pairing of Hazel Lavery and Michael Collins during the War of Independence for Ireland.
Hazel Lavery, an Irish American from Chicago Illinois, leaves America with her young daughter and Irish Artist husband Sir John Lavery, after the death of Hazel's sister. Hazel b comes part of high society and finds compassion to help out Ireland in their quest for freedom.
Michael Collins, a wanted man on the run, is doing this best for family and country to bring freedom to Ireland. Often times sacrificing his or friends' well being. He is then introduced to Hazel, who together are a force to be reckoned with.

I gave this novel two stars because I felt like the story dragged on. I was often bored with the writing. The author would write about Hazel, leaving me to wonder what happen to Michael; then would write about Michael, making me think what happened to Hazel. It was a time of history I didn't know anything about and was entice by it, but at the same time I was waiting for more.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.… (más)

I won this book as part of the Library Thing’s Early Review Program. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review and received no compensation for writing this review.

O’Conner wrote a great romance between three star-crossed lovers, Michael Collins, Lady Hazel Lavery and Kitty Kiernan based in Ireland around the events of the early 1920's, the fight for Irish independence and the much disputed Anglo-Irish treaty which lead to the civil war.

This is the first story I have read by A. O’Conner which dragged for me and I actually put it down and read a couple of other books in between. Thus I struggled between giving it 3 or 4 stars. Due to editing issues and the difficulty I had staying captured in the book I decided to give it 3 1/2 stars.… (más)