I read Hope from the Ocean as a sequel to Fireflies. For me, the book supplied much of the background information on Owen Whelan’s life in Ireland before coming to America. This is where the reader gets close and personal to the trials and tribulations that eventually form the man.

After the death of their parents, Dillon, and Patrick (Owen) wait for the only relative who will take in two orphans – Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan and Aunt Noreen absorb the boys into their already large family. The boys struggle to fit into the family. Dillon seems to be the most adaptable and in no time has found his place working with horses in the stable.

Patrick never fits in and eventually, he runs away on a ship bound for America. Much of the details of this voyage are shared in Fireflies. However, one thing is clear. When Patrick meets Rachel Whelan on the ship his life is changed forever. It is here that an unbreakable bond between mother and son is transformed.

I loved this story because it is a character study in detail of a man coming into his own after a difficult past. Owen grows from his experiences and eventually finds Sarah, the love of his life. Much like a life coming full circle, Hope from the Ocean allows the reader a peek into the life of a man with a dark secret that he must come to grips with in order to save the life of his beloved son, Ennis.

There are not as many paranormal aspects to the telling of this tale as compared with the first book, Fireflies, but I still found this to be a lovely read which transported me into another time and era. The themes of family, acceptance, class, and stature, will resonate in today’s modern world.

MY RATING:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars ( )

Hope from the Ocean is a lovely book about a family in Ireland. It is a prequel to Fireflies though I read it second which I think was probably better in some ways. Two brothers become orphans and must go to live with their Uncle Dan and his family in 1820-30's Ireland. While Dillion, the younger brother, fits in almost immediately, Patrick, the older brother, often feels out of place. Finally, he runs away to go to America.
The story switches to a young Owen Whelan who lands in Philadephia with his mother Rachel.Owen studies to become a doctor while they live with his aunt and uncle.
Both stories are well-written and they are two separate stories. Since I read the sequel already, I know how they link together, but I think another reader might find them disjointed and confusing if they hadn't read Fireflies. But taken on their own I enjoyed both stories very much. The Irish family was well-drawn and interesting to read about. The Philadephia story I found slightly less interesting, but still enjoyable. I would read more by this author. ( )

Hope from the Ocean by P.S. Bartlett is a good piece of historical fiction.

After their parents die, Irish brothers Patrick and Dillon go to live with their six cousins on their aunt and uncle’s farm. While the younger brother Dillon fits right in to the new family and learns to care for horses from his uncle, the older brother Patrick never feels at home and runs away after a few years. The story continues to follow Dillon for several more years. (I don’t want to give anything away.)

Then the story jumps to Owen Whelan and his mother Rachel, who just arrive in America from Ireland to begin a new life. They temporarily move in with Rachel’s sister and her husband before eventually moving into their own home. Owen goes to school, earns a scholarship, and eventually becomes a wealthy doctor. The rest of the book follows Owen’s life as he finally discovers life beyond medicine.

Though this book is very well-written, it left me with a couple of unanswered questions. Was Owen actually Patrick? It is hinted, but never stated. If so, why would Rachel Whelan be willing to go along with this subterfuge?

In spite of my unanswered questions, Hope from the Ocean is a good book, and I encourage anyone who enjoys historical fiction to read this book. ( )

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderfully written YA story set in an amazing place. This is for young and old alike. The characters and storyline pull you in and you don't want the story to end. Check this book out - you won't regret it! ( )

Hope From the Ocean by P.S. Bartlett
This book had me from the first page! I enjoyed every bit of it and especially liked reading in accent. I found myself talking in my head to meself with an Irish accent. This was the first book I have read of Bartlett's and will be reading "Fireflies" which this book was a prequel to ASAP. The characters were very loveable and I found myself tear up, laugh and in shock at different parts of the story. I love books that can pull at your heart strings. Yet as I read the last line I was grinning, it was just all around a very enjoyable book for me! A short review, I know, but I could say a million good things in a million different ways or you can just read it for yourself! ( )