Aoife and her sisters know exactly what to do when they inherit their Great-aunt Detta’s theatre on Halfpenny Lane:
- Restore the dilapidated building to its former glory.
- Perform together on its stage to packed houses and rapturous applause.
- Live happily ever after.
But they didn’t count on Detta leaving a share in the theatre to her godson, Jonathan. Now they’ll have to persuade him to buy into their vision of stardust and magic – or find the money to buy him out.
As they fight to save the theatre, Aoife also battles her growing feelings for Jonathan. Because she can’t let herself fall for the man who’s about to bring the curtain down on their dreams.
What I Thought:
A very happy publication day to Clodagh Murphy, as The Little Theatre on Halfpenny Lane is published today.
This tale of three sisters who are left reeling when their great aunt’s will is read and they find that the inheritance they’ve been promised has been further split to include a man they all hardly know.
That certainly isn’t to say that the sisters are being mercenary – it’s very clear from the start that they would much rather have their great aunt Detta still with them, than the inheritance. The problems arise when the other party has no interest in owning or running a theatre and wants to sell the little theatre from the title of the book.
What follows is basically a ‘Let’s Put on A Show!’ story, which I am fully in favour of, and which is real fun to read. The sisters devise a plan to raise the money required to buy out Jonathan, the other party, and begin to call in favours from the great and good of Irish theatre who all know and remember the wonderful Detta. Without ever appearing in the book, Detta has a real presence – the goodwill towards her drives the fundraising, but there are very good reasons for including Jonathan in her will, which the sisters must find out for themselves.
As the sisters work hard on raising the huge amount of money needed, Aoife finds herself becoming more attached to Jonathan – unsuitable since he’s the one intruding on their dreams of running the theatre – but could he be the one to help Aoife follow her own dreams for once?
This was a great, really fun novel and I loved the nuts and bolts as the girls went about putting on their show, plus the growing affection between all of them and Jonathan as they realise that he is not the big, bad wolf.
I always think the mark of a good book is that you’re keen to know what happens after the final page, and that’s what I felt with this book – I would really like to know how the theatre fares, and how the sisters thrive in the future – a really great group of characters and a heart-warming story!
About the Author:
Clodagh Murphy lives in Dublin, Ireland. She has worked as a bar waitress, cleaner, secretary, editorial assistant, mystery shopper and movie extra. But she always dreamed of being an author, and after more jobs than she cares to (or can) remember, she now writes full-time. For more information about her books or to sign up to her newsletter, visit her website.
This post is part of a blog tour celebrating the publication of The Little Theatre on Halfpenny Lane. Check out some of the other fantastic blogs below for more reviews and exclusive content.
Please note: I was sent a copy of this book for review. All opinions are, as ever, my own.