Another entertaining trip to Finfarran, this time a sort of side story, involving only a few of the core characters. Cassie Fitzgerald accompanies her recently widowed grandmother, Pat, back to Lissbeg after a visit to Canada. The usually footloose and fancy-free Cassie finds herself drawn to the small community, and to the idea of laying down roots and committing to a place. But as she continues her own journey of self-discovery, she is also compelled to be there for Pat, who seems to be coping well with her new circumstances, but who has a sullen and belligerent son and an overbearing best friend to deal with, as well as a weight of memories that threaten to blossom into regret. As ever, the reader gets to know different perspectives, as the narratives switch from character to character. Cassie finds herself romanced by an enigmatic fellow traveler, and Pat learns of a secret her late husband held even into his death. Meanwhile, Cassie has helped to construct the "Transatlantic book club"--a partnership with a reading group in Resolve, an American town that is the home of many Finfarran expats--and also finds herself drawn to a resident there, even as Pat is lost in her own memories of that town, and time spent there a lifetime ago. As far as I can tell, there is no new Finfarran book imminent, and I will wait for the next installment with bated breath! It's so nice to read a sweet story about lovely people in an interesting, different place. ( )

Thanks to Book Club Cookbook & Harper Perennial for a gifted copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This title was irresistible, and it takes place in Ireland! This was book #5 in the series - how could I have missed the first four? I will definitely be returning to the Finfarran Peninsula. The novel works as a stand-alone, but the characters continue from the first four novels so I look forward to visiting with them again in the earlier books.

This was a heartwarming story that takes place in Ireland, with recently widowed Pat, her adult granddaughter Cassie from Canada, and a collection of quirky small town characters. In addition to the library's new Skype book club between Finfarran and the US town of Resolve, the novel includes family secrets, a bit of romance, a library bookmobile, and beautiful descriptions of the Irish countryside. I recommend curling up with a hot cup of tea and this enjoyable, comfortable read. ( )

The Transatlantic Book Club is actually the latest book in Felicity Hayes-McCoy's 'Finfarran Peninsula' series. It's the first I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I didn't feel out of step at all from not reading the ones before - if anything, I just found some new titles to add to my list!

After the death of her Irish grandfather, Cassie Fitzgerald decides to travel from Canada to Ireland to stay with her grandmother Pat. Cassie easily settles into life in Lissberg, working as a hairdresser and driving the mobile library van. Well, that cemented things for me - a mobile library would be my dream job! The bricks and mortar library also starts an online book group with the US town of Resolve. Most of the members have roots in Finfarran. I thought this was fantastic idea - and discovered in the author's notes that it indeed had its roots in reality.

Hayes-McCoy explores love, loss, grief, hope, friendship and more in this multi-generational tale. I really liked Cassie as a lead character. She's one of those bright moments in a book - not perfect, but giving it her best. She comes off as quite real. I was also drawn to the enigmatic Fury O'Shea, who seems to turn up at the right time and know what is, or isn't needed. But the character who stole the show for me is The Divil - Fury's dog. Loved him! I didn't love Frankie - he's definitely the 'villain' in the book.

I appreciated the descriptions of the Irish countryside. Hayes-McCoy has a cottage of her own in Ireland and the setting details benefitted from this first hand knowledge. And I think I would love to live in Pat's wee flat above the store - it sounds so cosy.

The Transatlantic Book Club was a perfect feel-good read for me . Fans of Jenny Colgan would enjoy this book. ( )

To cheer up her grandmother who just lost her beloved husband, Cassie, a free spirit, decided to start a transatlantic book club.

The book club was going to have readers from Ireland’s Finfarran Peninsula and the town of Resolve in the United States where many Irish folks lived.

This book club had its problems just like any book club....which book to choose that everyone can agree on and which will please everyone as well as the problem that some members do not read the chosen book for whatever reason.

Did the book club stir up things that shouldn’t have been stirred up instead?

There are a lot of quirky but fun characters. Some lovable some not so much.

A book about a book club always catches my attention. We also get lovely descriptions of the countryside and landmarks.

I do have to say it’s a bit wordy, but still interesting.

I may have missed some background on the characters since I hadn’t read the previous novels, but it was still easy to follow.

There also are some love stories mixed in and lovely information about a traveling library.

Readers who enjoy family connections over generations, nostalgic scenes, and joining in on a book club should enjoy THE TRANSATLANTIC BOOK CLUB. 4/5

This book was given to be by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. ( )