In her latest offering, Siân O’Gorman delivers a tender exploration of family, forgiveness, and finding your place in the world with If We Could Turn Back Time. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Sandycove, this multigenerational saga weaves together the lives of the Murphy women with a deft touch that has become O’Gorman’s signature style.
The novel follows thirty-year-old Alice Murphy as she returns from Perth to spend a month in her beloved Irish hometown. What begins as a temporary escape from a failed relationship becomes a journey of self-discovery that encompasses three generations of women: Alice, her mother Ciara, and her indomitable grandmother Eva. At its heart, this is a story about the pull of home and the courage required to embrace your true path.
A Tapestry of Secrets and Second Chances
O’Gorman masterfully constructs a narrative that unfolds like layers of Irish folklore. The Murphy family’s deli serves as more than just a setting—it becomes a character in its own right, holding decades of memories, secrets, and dreams within its navy-blue painted walls. The author’s intimate knowledge of small-town Irish life shines through every page, creating an authentic atmosphere that makes Sandycove feel like a place you could visit tomorrow.
The revelation that Alice and Conal Blake are half-siblings provides the novel’s central twist, but O’Gorman handles this potentially melodramatic plot point with remarkable restraint. Rather than sensationalizing the discovery, she uses it as a catalyst to explore deeper themes about identity, belonging, and the weight of family secrets. The thirty-year silence between Ciara and Paddy Blake serves as a haunting reminder that sometimes our past decisions echo through generations.
Ciara’s character arc proves particularly compelling as she navigates midlife awakening alongside her daughter’s homecoming. Her decision to restart the “See The Stars” disco with her friend Mary-Marg injects the narrative with infectious energy and humor. O’Gorman captures the particular vulnerability of middle-aged women rediscovering their zest for life with both humor and poignancy.
Characters That Feel Like Family
The strength of O’Gorman’s writing lies in her ability to create characters who feel utterly real. Alice’s internal struggle between the freedom of her Australian life and the deep roots calling her home resonates with anyone who has ever felt torn between adventure and belonging. Her gradual realization that true freedom might actually come from embracing responsibility and community feels earned rather than imposed.
Eva Murphy emerges as the novel’s emotional anchor, a grandmother whose quiet wisdom and fierce love provide stability for her family. Her strained relationship with Dolores Blake adds layers of complexity to the narrative, suggesting that even the most seemingly perfect relationships can harbor unexpected darkness.
The romantic elements, particularly the slow-burn attraction between Alice and Max the bookshop owner, unfold with refreshing authenticity. O’Gorman avoids the trap of overwrought passion, instead crafting relationships built on genuine connection and shared humor.
The Rhythm of Irish Life
O’Gorman’s prose flows with the natural rhythm of Irish conversation, peppered with authentic dialogue that brings each character vividly to life. Her descriptions of Sandycove—from the Forty Foot swimming spot to the cozy interior of Murphy’s deli—create a sense of place so vivid you can almost smell the fresh soda bread and hear the church bells ringing.
The author’s background in radio production is evident in her ear for dialogue and natural storytelling pace. Conversations feel organic, moving the plot forward while revealing character depths. The banter between friends, the comfortable silences between family members, and the loaded exchanges between former lovers all ring true.
Areas for Improvement
While O’Gorman’s storytelling is generally strong, certain plot elements feel somewhat predictable. The family secret at the novel’s heart, though emotionally satisfying, follows familiar patterns that genre readers will likely anticipate. Additionally, some secondary characters, particularly the younger generation friends, occasionally feel underdeveloped compared to the richly drawn Murphy women.
The pacing occasionally slows during the middle sections, particularly when dealing with the disco planning subplot. While these scenes provide necessary character development and comic relief, they sometimes feel disconnected from the main emotional throughline of the story.
The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, arrives perhaps too neatly. Real-life family reconciliations rarely unfold with such convenient timing, and some readers may find the ending slightly rushed given the complexity of the issues addressed.
Themes That Resonate
“If We Could Turn Back Time” explores several compelling themes that elevate it beyond simple romance. The idea that “the past will always catch up with you” runs throughout the narrative, but O’Gorman balances this with the hopeful message that understanding and forgiveness can transform even the most painful legacies.
The tension between tradition and progress plays out beautifully through the family business. Murphy’s deli represents continuity and community values, while Alice’s modern innovations demonstrate how honoring the past doesn’t require rejecting change. This theme feels particularly relevant in our current cultural moment.
The exploration of women’s lives across different generations adds depth to the narrative. Eva’s acceptance of her limited choices, Ciara’s midlife reckoning with dreams deferred, and Alice’s struggle to balance freedom with responsibility create a rich tapestry of female experience.
A Worthy Addition to O’Gorman’s Sandycove Series
For readers familiar with O’Gorman’s previous Sandycove novels, this installment maintains the quality and warmth that has made the series beloved. The interconnected nature of the books creates a sense of returning to a familiar community, though new readers can easily enter the series here without feeling lost.
“If We Could Turn Back Time” succeeds in capturing the particular magic of Irish small-town life without falling into stereotypes or sentimentality. O’Gorman’s Sandycove feels lived-in and real, populated by characters who struggle with genuine problems while maintaining the resilience and humor that defines the best of Irish literature.
Final Thoughts
If We Could Turn Back Time offers exactly what readers expect from Siân O’Gorman: a heartwarming story about family, community, and the courage to embrace who you’re meant to be. While it may not break new ground in terms of plot innovation, it succeeds brilliantly in what it sets out to do—create a compelling, emotionally satisfying story about the power of home and forgiveness.
This is comfort reading at its finest, the literary equivalent of a warm hug from someone who truly understands you. O’Gorman has crafted a novel that celebrates the ordinary magic of daily life while acknowledging the very real struggles that shape our choices.
If We Could Turn Back Time will particularly appeal to readers who enjoyed previous books in the Sandycove series, fans of Maeve Binchy’s community-centered stories, and anyone who appreciates thoughtful examinations of family dynamics. It’s a perfect choice for book clubs, offering plenty of material for discussion about family loyalty, second chances, and the meaning of home.
While “If We Could Turn Back Time” may not surprise seasoned readers of women’s fiction, it succeeds in delivering exactly what it promises: a beautifully told story about love, family, and finding your way home. Sometimes that’s precisely what we need.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
If you loved If We Could Turn Back Time, consider these similar reads:
- The Girls from Sandycove by Siân O’Gorman – Previous installment in the series
- The Post Box at the North Pole by Maeve Binchy – Irish community storytelling
- The Island Villa by Lily Graham – Multi-generational family secrets
- The Lemon Tree Café by Cathy Bramley – Small business and romance
- The Little Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan – Community-centered narrative
- The Midnight Girls by Alicia Heber – Irish family saga
- What If You & Me by Rona Halsall – Second chances and homecoming