The Women At Ocean's End by Faith Hogan

 

The Women At Ocean's End by Faith Hogan.

Published in paperback 26th February 2026 by Aria.

Audio book narrated by Flora Montgomery.

From the cover of the book:

Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her.

Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future.

Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back.

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Now in her eighties, Constance Macken reflects upon her long life, and all the triumphs and tragedies that have come with it. The once stately, Art-Deco splendour of Ocean's End, the house her author mother bought at the height of her fame, is crumbling around her. She is lonely and unfinished business is weighing her down.

Then two women grieving the loss of their mothers, and looking for a place to call home come, to Pin Hill Island - newly divorced Heather Banks, daughter of Constance's childhood friend Dotty; and young Ros Stokes, the local wildlife ranger. They bring with them the opportunity for Constance to right some of the wrongs which haunt her...

Off the coast of Ireland, close to Faith Hogan's more familiar, and much-loved community of Ballycove, lies the wild and windswept Pin Hill Island - where this gorgeous story from one of my favourite authors takes place. The novel unfurls from the perspectives of Constance, Heather and Ros in the present, with flashbacks to the past through the eyes of Constance and Dotty, and the threads weave beautifully together to make a wonderful heart-felt tapestry.

As Constance acknowledges the end of her life is close, and with it the chance to reunite with her beloved husband (lost long ago at sea) and her charismatic mother, she longs to make peace with her past. The chance comes through Ros' energetic generosity; and Heather's return to Ocean's End, where she remembers spending heady summer holidays with her mother, before something happened to fracture Dotty and Constance's friendship.

As the women forge a close friendship in the present, whilst trying to bring Ocean's End back to life, Heather and Ros also face up to their own sorrows and regrets, finding healing on Pin Hill Island in warm-hearted Constance's company (and gentle romances too) - they also uncover a literary treasure trove in the work of Constance's mother, Maggie Macken. Meanwhile, in the past, Hogan explores the complexities of the relationship between Constance and Dotty, delving into the impact of the secret that bound them together... and tore them apart.

This story thrums with deep emotion and a wealth of recurring themes around family, friendship, community, environment, and second chances - especially when it comes to mothers and daughters. I completely fell in love with these women as my heart broke in two, and was remade in the kind of tear-stained, uplifting ending Hogan is so good at. 

It is impossible to describe how enchanting this book is, and I so enjoyed revisiting it via the audio book impeccably narrated by Flora Montgomery. It filled me up heart and soul, and left me a blubbering mess in the best possible way. Faith, you always make me sob, and I love you for it.

I cannot wait to return to Pin Hill Island very soon in The Sisters of Hope Square (out in June).

The Women at Ocean's End is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Aria for sending me a proof of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Faith lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and two very fussy cats. She has an Hons Degree in English Literature and Psychology, has worked as a fashion model and in the intellectual disability and mental health sector.