The Irish Nanny by Sandy Taylor

The Irish Nanny Reviews

• 
  Brenda

  Working at the hotel in Cork with her best friend Polly, Rose Brown was surprised to receive the offer of a position with a family in London. She didn’t want to leave Ballykillen, her home in Ireland, or her Mammy and sisters, but knew the money she sent would benefit them greatly. Alice and David Townsend were newly arrived from America in 1939, with their nine-year-old son Raffi. Alice was pregnant and had lost a child some years before, which meant she was afraid. But gradually Rose and Raffi helped her to see a brighter future – Alice’s attitude changed as she coached Rose in her letters and reading. Sarah was born a happy baby; a delight to all, and Winnie, their new nanny was a delight. But not long after David was called back to New York, everything changed…
  
  War was on the horizon and David couldn’t return to London, so he organized for them to sail to America. Rose was reluctant to accompany them but was eventually persuaded. The torpedo which struck the ship caused chaos and not everyone escaped in the lifeboats. Rose was frightened but knew she had a small baby to care for, so when another ship was heading to America, she was onboard with Sarah. What would life be like for Rose, far away from her home of Ballykillen and her family? Would she make any friends in Brooklyn where David and Aunt Martha lived? Would she ever return to Ireland?
  
  The Irish Nanny is another brilliant historical novel from Sandy Taylor. I’m so glad I found this author – her work is heartfelt, emotional, funny, natural and down to earth. The characters are wonderful, just like part of the family. The enjoyment I received from this book made me wish I had more to read once it was over, and I have no hesitation in recommending The Irish Nanny highly.
  
  With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Michelle

  I was waiting in anticipation for the next book by Sandy Taylor and it was well worth the wait. The author is an expert storyteller that pulls at your heartstrings in her next book The Irish Nanny.
  It is 1939 Rose Brown lives in the small town of Ballykillen Ireland with her mammy and her three sisters. She loves living in the little town with her friends and the other residents that she never wants to leave. Her best friend Polly Butler has other ideas. She wants to leave the small town and find her own path in the big wide world. But things change when both the girls start work as chambermaids in the nearby town of Cork. Rose meets a friendly American. She makes such a good impression that he offers her a job as a nanny in London. But instead of looking after his son Raffy she is charge of looking after his wife Alice instead. She never got over the death of her baby.
  This is a beautifully written, poignant tale and coming of age story of the Rose Brown and her journey across the seas to London and New York. The joy and the love of her new experiences but, also the heartbreak that comes with it. This book is full of emotion and gave me that warm feeling inside but by the ending I shed a small tear or two. I loved it. I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.
  
• 
  Shirin T.

  "Bloody men and their bloody wars."
  
  In 1933 Rose brown, ten years old Irish girl, meet her best and only friend Polly Butler. The story continues till 1945 when she is off to London and New York.
  These two young girls made me laugh, very simple and heartwarming. Rose and Polly worked in a hotel when Rose met an American, David, who offers her a job in London with his family as a nanny, and that was made her life all completely changed.
  
  ‘Nineteen thirty-nine is going to be a wonderful year,’ how couldn’t have been more wrong!
  
  It turns out that Rose is supposed to take care of the lady of the house because she had trauma and try to put herself together. Alice and Raffie, David's wife and son, soon get very fond of Rose and get used to her being there. Alice was so kind and beautiful but also extremely selfish and childish. She tried to teach Rose and encouraged her to read books.
  
  ‘I could never get rid of a book, Rose, it would be like turning my back on a good friend .’ She lifted one down from the shelf and held it up to her face and sighed. ‘It smells so delicious that I want to gobble it up, every page and every word so that it is part of me forever.'
  
  A beautiful story about love and friendship, sometimes made me very sad, sometimes made me laugh, sometimes I was so angry with Alice but, overall I loved all and really enjoyed it. Very well-drawn characters and easy to read with short chapters. My correcting system keeps warning me that I can not use all of these words in sentences. So I mention them alone,
  Amazing
  Fabulous
  Fascinating
  Interesting
  Heartbreaking
  Sweet
  Lovely
  
  'Cry if you must but move on, for there will be better things waiting around the next bend in the road if you only look for them. Oh, and read books, read lots and lots of books. It’s the only way to find Wonderland.'
  
  Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the chance to The Irish Nanny by Sandy Taylor in exchange for an honest review.
  Published Date 30 Jul 2021
• 
  Pauline

  When I open a Sandy Taylor novel I know that I’m in for a treat and her new book The Irish Nanny certainly lived up to my expectations.
  Rose is a young girl living in Ireland in 1939. Her family are poor but happy and hardworking.
  Rose gets a job in a hotel and this sets in motion a very different life than the one she was expecting.
  This story is about family, loyalty, courage and love. It was funny and sad in parts but full of hope with some great characters.
  I can’t wait for the next book by this author.
  Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Kremena Koleva

  The Irish Nanny не е книга, за която мога да говоря. Тя ме накара да я почувствам. С всички мисли, емоции и въпроси, които са се появявали в мен :
  - Усещането , че някои хора около мен, че са твърде красиви, твърде чисти и прекрасни, за да са за този свят! Че са при нас за кратко; за да ни дарят със светлината и добротата си преди да разтопят като сън.
  - Добросърдечната завист към някой, когото въвеждам в света на библиотеката си и знам, че му предстои да открие нови светове и да се срещне с незабравими герои.
  - Неподозираното удоволствие да погледна като възрастен на книги като " Алиса в страната на чудесата " , " Островът на съкровищата " или " Мечо Пух " . И щастието да кръстя детето си на герой от приказка!
  - Най - красивото преживяване - да държа дете в ръцете си! Отговорността, щастието и очакването да го имам в дните си и всеки миг да виждам промяната и израстването му!
  - Богатството да имаш до себе си мил , добър и сърдечен човек. И как топлотата, привързаността и загрижеността между членовете на едно семейство могат да създадат неповторима атмосфера.
  Драматична и откровена книгата, чийто разказ е като водите на реката в малкия ирландски град Баликилън . Тече спокойно, но в дълбините й бушуват страховете, загубите, срещите и душевните откровения на героите. Candy Taylor описва съдбата на Роуз Браун в едни от най - тежките години за Европа и света - Втората световна война. И във всяка глава, с всички думи и случки разкрива как ирландците възприемат своя зелен остров. Как сърцата им са изпълнени с вечнозелените хълмове, с брулените от морето скали и руините на старите абатства и потъналите в забрава кръстове в гробищата на предците им като капките кръв във вените им. Където и да ги отведе живота, част от тях остава в родните земи. И никога не са цели, докато не се върнат обратно.
  
  " Прегърнете промяната и се стремете към индивидуалност. Бъдете най-добрата версия на себе си, която можете да бъдете, но преди всичко никога не се впрягайте в нечий друг вагон; намерете своя собствен. Не си губете времето да копнеете за някой, който никога не може да бъде ваш. Само чрез грешките си намираме мъдрост, така че поемете дълбоко въздух, плачете, ако трябва, но продължете напред, защото ще има по-добри неща, които чакат зад следващия завой на пътя. Само ако ги потърсите."
• 
  Kathy

  I did not care for this book due to it being overemotional for my taste. DNF at 51%
• 
  Shirley McAllister

  Love is where the heart is
  
  This is the story of an Irish chambermaid named Rose and her love for Ireland and family. A chance meeting with an American named David led to her employment as a Nanny in England , her life in America during the war and how she found her way home to Ireland.
  
  It is a story of best friends, new friends and choices to be made. Rose learned to put the life and well being of others above her wishes. She searched for her true love and her path in life. It is about a little girl named Sarah that she grew to love as a daughter when Sarah's mother died and her father went off to war.
  
  It is also a story of the family she loved so dearly, her mother, her sisters and her best friend Polly. About a small town by the sea that she missed so dearly when away and the people and places in her little Irish town.
  
  Her life was often derailed just as she thought all was well and good. She was brought to the depths of despair amid tragedy and misfortune. The war took its toll in many ways. Just when she thought all was lost her faith carried her through.
  
  I loved the characters and the beautiful descriptions of Ireland. It sounds like a beautiful place. This book was a good read . I love the ending. I would recommend this book.
  
  Thanks to Sandy Taylor, Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for my honest review
  
• 
  Rachel

  The Irish Nanny by Sandy Taylor is a unique and entertaining WWII-era historical fiction that is full of suspense, mystery, love, loss, and how decisions that we make can have the potential to affect so many for years to come.
  
  I loved reading the huge transitions Rose experienced internally and externally as she leaves Ireland and experiences so many pivotal moments. Through tragedy, tough choices, mistakes, following her inner voice, and growing up, Rose learns what family, roots, love, and loss really means. Rose discovers that through events that question all that she thought she knew what home really means, what really matters in life, and that all else can be pushed to the side. I loved seeing Rose grow up, find love, and figure out who she really is during this book. She is stronger then she thinks she is. She thinks she needs others, but through all these obstacles, she finds that all she really needs for support is herself, and through that she finds happiness, love, and her way home. It was beautiful, harrowing, heartwarming, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I really, really liked her as a main character, and I really enjoyed reading her journey. I also enjoyed the satisfying ending that brings everything full circle.
  
  I highly recommend this historical fiction.
  
  5/5 stars
  
  Thank you NG and Bookouture for this arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
  
  I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
  
  
  From the Publisher:
  
  Buy Links
  Amazon:
  https://geni.us/B096BR5HBHcover
  Apple:
  http://ow.ly/vgbz50F1QNP
  Kobo:
  http://ow.ly/pGGN50F1QMM
  Google:
  http://ow.ly/E5NN50F1SjS
  
  About the Book:
  ‘We have to go, Miss. We can’t wait any longer.’ I hold the baby tighter as the lifeboat is lowered slowly into the water, hitting the rough sea with a splash. My eyes never leave the ship, searching, hoping to see the others and know they are safe…
  
  London 1940. As the war rages in Europe, Rose Brown steps on board a ship bound for America, hoping to escape the danger. She’s frightened, but her widowed mammy and three sisters in Ireland need the money she earns as nanny to the rich Townsend family. But while Rose plays with baby Sarah in the salty spray on deck, disaster strikes, and the ocean liner begins to sink. In the chaos, Rose and the baby are separated from the family.
  
  Pulled from the sea with the child still in her arms, Rose is afraid as never before. And when she arrives in Brooklyn to search for Sarah’s family she feels completely adrift in this unfamiliar land where looming Brownstones line the streets, and workmen in flat caps jostle her on the sidewalks. But just when Sarah’s father is within reach, the howling air-raid sirens and deafening bombs she thought she’d left behind shatter her plans once again as tragic news arrives from Pearl Harbor.
  
  As fear and panic grips America, what heartbreaking sacrifices will Rose have to make to protect her precious charge? And can she reunite the family before it is too late?
  
  An emotional, heart-wrenching story of love and family set across Ireland and America during the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe.
  
  Author Bio
  Sandy Taylor grew up on a council estate near Brighton. There were no books in the house, so Sandy’s love of the written word was nurtured in the little local library. Leaving school at fifteen, Sandy worked in a series of factories before landing a job at Butlins in Minehead. This career change led her to becoming a singer, a stand up comic and eventually a playwright and novelist.
  
  Social Media
  Facebook:
  https://www.facebook.com/SandyTaylorA...
  Twitter:
  https://twitter.com/SandyTaylorAuth
  
• 
  Kathryn Spurgeon

  A brave girl
  
  This story caught my attention because of the tragedies faced and the bravery of the main character. Wrap up feels a little rushed.
• 
  Sheila

  This was such a good read. Rose is such a strong character, I loved her, her family, Polly, and Winnie.
• 
  Lindsey (Bring My Books)

  Thank you to NetGalley, & Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
  
  
  
  I picked this one from NetGalley on a total whim, only days before it was set to publish (bad NetGalley decisions 101) and I'm actually so stoked I did because it ended up being one of my favorite books this year!
  
  I'm new to Sandy Taylor as an author but I will definitely be looking up her backlist because I just genuinely LOVED reading this book. Her writing erased the world around me and had me totally invested - even as she took me over the course of someone's life over 10 years in 330 pages (easy to lose a reader there).
  
  My favorite part was the relationships between the characters, especially that of Rose & her family. They felt as real to me as my own mother and brothers - there was love, laughter, sadness, snark, quips, and so much warmth. And I liked reading about someone that actually LOVED their small town with it's small ways, that was taken away from that comfort not by their own choosing (aka I'M GOING ON AN ADVENTURE!).
  
  I also really liked the atmosphere of her writing - most especially the Irish bits. I don't see that the author is Irish herself (I could be wrong) but the way she wrote about the area and the way the characters spoke to each other felt so much like Derry Girls it was amazing (Derry Girls being my only real exposure to Irish culture, but I feel like people have said it's fairly accurate??).
  
  There's actually so much more to say about why I loved this so much, but I think a lot of it is best discovered by reading it yourself. Just saying!
  
  Seriously though: The overall story was thoroughly enjoyable - I actually wish we had been given MORE. (That ending, though!!) I would not hesitate to anyone with an interest in historical fiction!
  
  Content Warnings: Loss of a loved one, death of a child’s mother, torpedoed ship during WW2
• 
  Booklover BEV

  WWW2 Irish saga 1933 Ballykillen Ireland
  Rose Brown and Polly Butler ten years old met while hiding in Mr Mulligans Orchards and become life long friends.
  1937 Rose with Polly both get jobs in the Savage swanky hotel and she befriends David Townsend as he is staying as a guest the years after David offers her a job at his family home in London his wife expecting a new baby and they have a son after a visit home on the thrupenny rush to see Mammy she takes up his offer and it's by all means a strange job.
  then WW2 is declared and all their lives are changed and with David already over in Brooklyn America on business the whole family are sent for including Rose.
  This book takes us through a lot of trauma for Rose that is heart breaking, readers are going to enjoy the journey as I did, right till the end, Blackwater River Rose has truly come home, such an inspirational book and will need tissues. thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture
• 
  Michelene (michy.loves.books)

  The Irish Nanny is a WWII-era historical fiction novel that tells the story of Rose Brown, a young Irish girl, who ventures out of her small town in Ireland to work and support her family. After a chance encounter, she becomes a caregiver and eventually a nanny for a wealthy American family. Rose is thrown into a world of turmoil due to the war and you follow along as she struggles to survive and move forward.
  
  For me, this book was just ok but I know that many people will love it. It was a really easy read and the plot progressed really quickly. I would have loved to have more historical information -- my favourite thing about reading historical fiction is learning things about an era. I found that was missing here, but I know that many others will enjoy it as the premise and story were really good -- plus Sandy Taylor's books are so highly rated. So I seem to be in the minority!
  
  Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Pam

  Boy, I'm not sure what to say about this one. I liked it. This book kept me interested. It was written pretty well. The first part of the book we meet Rose Brown, her family and best friend Polly all from a small town/village in Bellykillen, Ireland.
  
  Rose finds herself in London as a nanny to a very unusual family and that is where our adventure begins.
  
  Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced readers copy. This book became available to purchase July 30, 2021.
• 
  Renita D'Silva

  Beautiful. Written with heart. A carefully researched, heart breaking story that gets you invested. This is a story that you will be thinking about long after you've finished reading the book. Just lovely.
• 
  Jayasree B

  What a revelation! A tale full of realistic emotions and survival. Reading The Irish Nanny was as wholesome as a reader can expect from this genre. A wonderful telling that will leave the reader joyous for having found the book!
• 
  Catsalive

  A young, naive, Irish girl, Rose Brown emerges from her tiny village of Ballykillen into the big, wide world to be a nanny in London, just prior to WWI. Her adventures expand her horizons, taking her to New York & meeting new people, but she continues to long for home.
  
  I think Rose rings very true in her naivete & the way she talks about her family & religion. She is a simple, un-educated girl, & very sweet-natured - teeth-achingly sweet at times. I loved the dialogue between Rose & her sisters, & her best friend, Polly Butler.
• 
  Kelly

  I was very excited to see Sandy a Taylor’s latest novel come up on Net Galley. She has previously taken me on journeys back home to Ireland filled with the craic and banter that is definitely amiss on the other side of the pond. The Irish Nanny was another that did not disappoint.
  Rose and her 3 sisters live in a wee cottage in Ballykillen with their mammy. There isn’t much to Ballykillen and when Rose’s best friend Polly shows a desire for something more than the small town they end up going to the big city of Cork to interview for jobs at a hotel.
  The job at the hotel is only the tip of the iceberg for Rose and although she doesn’t know it yet Rose is destined for something a little farther afield and much bigger than even she realizes.
  
  A heartbreaking story that show the many trials and tribulations people had to go through during World War Two and a beautiful look at village life and how they all got by even though they have so very little.
  
  Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the advanced copy.
• 
  Gail

  This story starts in 1939 and we meet Rose Brown, an Irish Chambermaid. Whilst working in a hotel with her friend Polly, she meets David, an American who makes her an offer that throws her into a complete spin. Rose moves to England to work with David’s family, and in particular to be a companion to his fragile wife, Alice. Rose soon settles into this unusual family home and loves her work with there, and even manages to break through the hard prickly exterior of the son, Raffi. Things start to change, and David must travel back to American leaving Rose to take charge and be the one whom everyone relies on, just as war is announced.
  
  Rose and the family set sail to America to join David, but tragedy strikes, leaving Rose to take the reins once more. Rose is left holding baby Sarah and the two of them land on American soil very much the worse for wear, to start their new life. Things slowly settle down and Rose begins to feel at home in America, making new friends and enjoying the company of Aunt Martha. As the war progresses and Pearl Harbour is attacked, David feels compelled to join up and play his part in the war, leaving Rose and little Sarah once more.
  
  Further tragedies hit Rose and she decides it’s time to take Sarah to the only place that she could ever really call home, Ballykillen, Ireland. Once back in the place that she feels most happy, surrounded by her friends and family, Rose settles into her life and appreciates the things she missed while away for so many years. Rose’s family welcome her back with open arms and treat Sarah as one of their own.
  
  This is a beautiful book and one I was so excited to read, having loved all of Sandy’s other books. Following Rose’s journey has you just rooting for her and hoping that she survives the traumas. She is such a strong, positive character and you feel your heart breaking a little for her each time life throws one more thing at her. Having taken responsibility for Sarah, the love Rose shows her just shines out of every page of the book.
  
  The one criticism I have of this book, is that I feel it came to a bit of an abrupt end. The story could have felt more complete if we found out a little bit more about the outcome (which I won’t mention, due to spoilers). Having said that it didn’t detract from my total enjoyment of reading this book.
  
• 
  Sharon Rimmelzwaan

  'The Irish Nanny' by Sandy Taylor is a heartbreaking historical fiction saga set in the Second World War. An expertly weaved story that really does make an emotional read. This is my first Sandy Taylor book and, again, I am so glad I am a blogger. It helps me discover little gems of authors that I wouldn't otherwise discover.
  While working in Cork at a hotel with her best friend Polly, Rose Brown is offered a position within a family working in England. She knows the money will be so welcomed by her family in Ballykillen so takes it. Her postion has her looking after her employers wife as she has never recovered from the loss of their son. As events conspire so David, her employer, has to travel back to America and leaves Rose to take charge of the family and be the one who is relied on in the absence of David as war is announced.
  As Rose and the family set sail to travel back to America and David there is tragedy. Leaving Rose having to take the lead once again. Rose lands on American soil with the baby, Sarah in her sole charge. This is the start of a new chapter for them all. Rose begins to settle in to her new life and starts to make new friends. America gets brought into the war and David makes the decision to go to war, leaving Rose and Sarah alone once again. What is in store for Rose, Sarah and David? Will they get through the war unscathed?
  This is a book that's an excellently written immersive historical fiction saga which easily whisked me away to the war years with Rose on her journey. I could do nothing but hope Rose survived through the traumas she experiences over the years. A character that made me so emotional with everything life throws at her, I was rooting for her from the start. A strong woman who plows through everything with a positivity that makes you want to give her a round of applause. Ultimately as she takes on Sarah she gives her all her love and Sandy Taylor has it all shining through it all in her excellent writing.
  An enthralling book that is overflowing with love, suspense, loss and even romance. The characters are so believable and relatable, especially Rose. Such an heartbreaking read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended for anyone who loves historical fiction sagas.
  Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy of the book.
• 
  Caroline|Page~Turners

  Rose Brown boards a ship traveling from London to America. She is determined to escape the dangers of World War II. She is a nanny and her family in Ireland relies on the income from her job to live. She is traveling with the Townsand family and as she is playing with baby Sarah the ship is begins to sink because it was hit with a torpedo. She hangs onto Sarah to make sure nothing happens to her. Rose and Sarah are separated from the family amongst the chaos. Rose is rescued from the sea while still holding the baby. When she and Sarah arrive in New York, Rose searches desperately for the Townsend family. But as soon as Rose finds Sarah’s father the attack on America, in Hawaii is announced and WWII begins. Rose and Sarah’s life is forever changed as well as the families depending on them, for many different reasons. Pack your bags because this story will transport you from the West Coast of Ireland, to London and to New York on the journey of a lifetime. I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read more by this author. This story is filled with love, loss, suspense and romance, and is one that I highly recommend reading. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, it is an amazing, unputdownable must read.
  
  Thank you Sandy Taylor for such a wonderfully well written story. This heartbreaking historical fiction is both enthralling and entertaining. It hits all the emotions and definitely pulls at the heartstrings. The characters were relatable and the storyline was believable. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
• 
  Ethel

  This story of Rose Brown a young Irish girl takes place in Ireland, England and America in the year before WWII and during that time. Leaving her home town, Rose travels to Cork, where she becomes a chambermaid, eventually travelling to England where she was employed as a "nanny." It was as a chambermaid that she met David, an American man wrote a letter to the supervisor at the hotel offering Rose a job in his home, with his wife and children. That was what the position originally stated, however, she was more of a companion to his wife, , Alice as well as her son, Raffi.. Strange though the household was, Rose brought compassion and kindness in her position. Alice was a fragile woman, Raffi was 9 years old, much older in stature in his protectiveness of his mother. Just as WWII begins, David is called back to America and after a while asks that his family follow him back to the U.S. booking passage on a ship going to New York. Rose, Alice, Raffi and newborn Sarah take that trip back but not without grief. As the ship is attacked, both Alice and Raffi are not on the lifeboats, only Rose and the baby survive. Through all the obstacles, all the struggles, Rose finds strength, she grows, becomes confident and eventually finds happiness. This story was heartwarming, heartbreaking but beautiful. The writing was superb, the characters well developed and I found it an interesting and sweet read.
  
  My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Whitney Adams Mathes

  The Irish Nanny was a rollercoaster of emotions. It started out highlighting Rose Brown’s childhood in her small town in Ireland. Rose and her best friend Polly share a taste of the world outside of their town as they move to a larger town to work in a hotel. Rose is then granted an opportunity to leave Ireland altogether and move to London to help nanny for a wealthy family. This is where the book turned from being innocent to a bit dark. The family Rose went to work for was peculiar and unconventional. Rose actually ended up nannying the mother vs her children. Then the war began and Rose was obligated to accompany this family to America for safety. Tragedy struck along the way and only Rose and the baby made it safely. Once in America, Rose is expected to continue to take care of the family, this time it is the baby girl and her father. It was a strange part of the story and even seemed a bit inappropriate. Rose’s final journey was back home to Ireland where she is set to care for and raise the family’s child.
  I liked Rose’s character and her simple upbringing. She knew the true gift of growing up in a home filled with love and security even though she did not have much. She was forced out of her comfort zone and become more than what she had envisioned her life being. She became a bigger version of herself and although she grew, her simple wants and values never changed. Even though it was a bit different, I enjoyed the book.
• 
  Karen

  Sandy Taylor’s The Irish Nanny has a beautiful cover. I enjoy reading WWII historical fiction and each book I read gives me a new insight into people’s lives during this period. We first meet a young Irish girl Rose Brown who lives in the small town of Ballykillen. Her father was a sailor and died at sea leaving his wife, Rose and her three younger sisters. Rose and her best friend, Polly go to Cork and get jobs as maids in a hotel. Rose has many conversations with David, an American businessman who lives in London with his wife, Alice, and son Raffi. Rose receives a letter from David with an offer to come to London and help take care of Raffi and support his wife. Rose takes the job so she can give more money to help her mom.
  
  For me this book started so many different plots and never really made me get excited about what was going to happen next. Alice has lost her baby daughter and definitely needs some psychological help and Raffi should seek help too. I think this book might be more suited for young adult readers. The author has some interesting ideas for the plots (maybe too many). I think the book needs a good editing and expand a few of the plot lines in depth and take out a few. My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.
• 
  Hannah

  The Irish Nanny is a sweet story, but (*plot twist*) isn’t really about a nanny at all.
  
  Rose Brown is a young girl growing up in a tiny seaside Ireland town. Her best friend convinces her to take jobs together at a hotel in the larger city of Cork, where she meets a gentleman who later becomes her employer by inviting her to London to work for his family: not to nanny, as she originally assumes, but to “watch” his wife, Alice — a sweet but mentally unstable woman. The story chronicles their adventures through the late 1930s and into the beginnings of WWII.
  
  PROS:
  - A sweet, easy read with just enough heart-string pulling.
  - Vivid word pictures that aren’t too wordy, especially of Ireland.
  
  QUIRKS:
  - I feel like the middle section of this book was just one temper tantrum after another... Alice, Raffi, Rose; most of which end in “uncontrollable” laughter, which I found uncomfortable and odd.
  - The love interests (particularly the last guy)... really?
  - When the Lyns (Japanese tailors/friends) get taken to the internment camp from their Brooklyn home, they’re never mentioned again, and the reader is supposed to be convinced that the internment camp is “for their own safety”?? Please. That rubbed me the wrong way.
  - I feel weird for noticing but... apple sponge. The only thing the characters EVER eat (seriously, it’s mentioned like... 13 times).
• 
  Cecly Ann

  The Irish Nanny is an amazing story of love and triumph over adversities.
  Sandy Taylor's unique and entertaining WWII-era historical fiction is filled with suspense, mystery, loss, and love. It forces us to reflect on how decisions we make can impact the lives of people, family, and others for a very long time.
  
  As the UK gets pulled into World War 11, in 1939, Rose Brown, and her friend Polly are Irish chambermaids working in a hotel. Rose has the good fortune to meet an American, David, who offers her the chance of a lifetime and sets Rose and this incredible novel on its way.
  
  Through its uniquely compelling narrative, a protagonist who grips our heart and never lets go, and a cast of unforgettable characters, we are transported to England just as World War 11 is declared, taken on an epic and eventful voyage over the Atlantic to America just before Pearl Harbor, and then back to Ireland, as we witness Rose's life-changing journey and love.
  
  This novel is everything and ranks right up there with Rosamunde Pilcher's epic, 'Coming Home.'
  All the stars in the sky for this novel..