#BookReview of Love & Other Liabilities by Fiona McCann

‘If Lily Barrett had ever imagined herself returning to this place,
it wouldn’t have been broke, in disguise or with an attention-attracting happy-head in tow’

[ About Love & Other Liabilities ]

When a financial crisis sends emotionally-hardened accountant Lily Barrett to the West Cork island of Inish Ruin, to put her deceased Nana’s beloved cottage on the market, she’s determined to keep ‘the feels’ to a minimum. No trips down Memory Lane with the islanders who once felt like family. And definitely no reunion with the boy who broke her heart.

But the cottage needs fixing and an elderly bride-to-be has moved in with all her belongings. And Lily’s inherited a dog that terrifies her. While her irrepressible flatmate – who’s tagged along uninvited – is falling for the minibus driver and in no hurry to leave.

But as Lily’s woes mount as fast as her bank balance plummets, can the island work its magic? In a place where well-intentioned meddlers run rife, can Lily really hang on to her secrets? Or get past the terrible hurt that made love such a liability?

[ My Review ]

Love & Other Liabilities by Fiona McCann published February 4th with Poolbeg Press and is described as being ‘full of charm, community, and the magic of coming home…a heartwarming tale about second chances and finding joy where you least expect it’. Fiona McCann’s debut novel is set on the fictional island of Inish Ruin in West Cork. Inspired by her family holidays on Sherkin Island it was inevitable that these childhood memories would colour her words and fire her imagination when writing her debut.

Lily Barret left Inish Ruin a decade ago and now has returned to the island to prepare her Granny’s old cottage for sale. Lily had been reared by her Granny and had been made to feel welcome on the island by most residents throughout the years but when she steps off the ferry it is with hesitation and nervousness. Lily never returned for the funeral, something which doesn’t sit well with her but now she has to put sentimentality aside and do her best to get a quick sale.

Lily, although a successful accountant in the UK, is in financial trouble after helping someone out of a difficult situation. There is an eviction notice now hanging over her head and a very real threat of bankruptcy being implied by her boss. The stress is piling on Lily’ shoulders so this trip to Inish Ruin is her last chance to stay afloat.

Lily is accompanied on the trip by Cassandra, her housemate, who Lily is very fond of, most times. But Cassandra is the polar opposite of Lily. She goes with the flow and is perpetually happy, always encouraging Lily to be a little more laid back and to let her emotions show more often. But Lily is fearful of letting her guard down on Inish Ruin as her memories of a decade previously are never too far from her mind. Lily left something very important behind when she left Inish Ruin but can she ever hope to pick up where she left off or has too much water passed under the bridge?

When Lily and Cassandra step off the ferry, the intention is for a short island stay to sort out the house sale but, when they arrive at the cottage, it is clear that they may have to change their plans. Betty, an old friend of Lily’s Granny, has taken up residence in the cottage, as well as a slobbering dog. Lily immediately realises that she cannot evict either but, with the cottage in a right state, action of some kind needs to be taken. Betty is getting married so accommodating her a few more days should be manageable…but the dog?

As familiar faces begin to appear in Lily’s radar, she can’t help but remember what was and what might have been. She refuses to wallow, determined to just keep moving forward, with her ultimate objective being to make the cottage presentable for sale. But life is not that black and white as Lily soon discovers,

Lily has a secret, one that has been responsible for how she has lived her life in recent times but now, back on Inish Ruin, her panic levels are rising as she struggles to keep her composure. With pressure coming from different sources, has the time finally come for her to make some changes?

There are multiple threads running throughout this novel but I would have liked Lily’s backstory to have been given more space as I felt that the final wrap up was just a little rushed. The islanders are all well depicted, with the usual meddlesome, witty and well-meaning characters you would expect to find in a small tight-knit community. Love & Other Liabilities is a sweet tale about self-discovery and learning to love yourself again. An uplifting and heartfelt debut.

[ Bio ]

Fiona McCann lives in the foothills of the Dublin mountains in Ireland with her husband, two children and one exceptionally placid Golden Retriever.

The only kid in class who didn’t groan when the homework was to write an essay, she devoured the regency romances of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer growing up, loving their warmth and wit, before finding her modern-day favourites in the creations of Marian Keyes, Jenny Colgan, Catherine Walsh, Sophie Kinsella and Emily Henry … to name a few!

Born in Cork, but making her way to Dublin via Coventry and London, her formative summers were all spent on a very special West Cork island which inspired the setting for her debut novel.