The Lace Makers of Glenmara

This multigenerational, contemporary story by author Heather Barbieri follows Kate Robinson, a struggling fashion designer, as she travels to Ireland to forget a troubled past and reinvent herself. Soon, the 26-year-old American finds herself stranded in a Gaelic village on the west coast, where she develops a bond with members of the local lace-making society. The women work together not only to create a line of exquisite lingerie, but to empower and inspire each other in their personal lives. There is Bernie, widowed in the past year; Aileen, estranged from her teenage daughter, her marriage adrift; Moira, needing to find the strength to leave an abusive relationship; Oona, in remission from breast cancer; and Colleen, worrying about her husband, overdue from a fishing trip in dangerous seas. And Sullivan Deane, an enigmatic man struggling with a tragedy of his own. But not everyone welcomes Kate’s arrival, and soon a sequence of events threatens to unravel everything she and the women have worked for.

Here's what MotherTalk reviewers are saying about The Lace Makers of Glenmara:

Make it Fun says: "There are a lot of 'side stories' that provide little vignettes into each womans life. These helped the story not only remain light hearted but also touch on so many deeper themes- from abuse to widowhood."

Stop Drop and Blog says: "So, how did this book introduce me to something in my own family that I didn’t know about? In the process of reading this book, I went back to Pennsylvania to visit with my family. It was sitting on the kitchen table as my mom, paternal grandmother and I talked one evening. My grandma looked at it and asked as to what the book was about and I told her. She then let me know that my great-grandmother, her mother, used to make similar lace. Polish, not Irish, but lace all the same."

Lady Bug Crossing says: "I read this book late into the night even though I just KNEW I'd be exhausted the next day, but I couldn't put it down! This book is a terrific beach read, waiting room read, or even a lazy Saturday afternoon read. If lace or sewing isn't your thing, it doesn't matter. The book is WAY more than that. It's about relationships, friendships, and more."

Involuntary Simplicity says: "It's a fairly quick read, perfect for summer trips or lounging on the porch swing. And you'll probably never look at lace the same way again."

My Little Patch of Sunshine says: "While there is talk of the scenery, the book focuses on the characters. I liked getting to know about the personalities of this small town, and found myself cheering some of them, while shaking my head at others."

5 Minutes for Books says: "Novels often take us into stories of transformation, with characters poised on a precipice of a major life change in the opening pages. As the reader, it's our role to go along on the journey to discover the new life waiting for them. The Lace Makers of Glenmara, Heather Barbieri's second novel, publishing this month, follows this path and takes us to the western coast of Ireland, introducing a cast of characters who assist in creating the fresh new start at the core of the story."

Stitch With Me says: "The author has woven together a great story with believable characters.  One of the reasons I devoured the book so quickly is because I actually cared about the characters and wanted to see what happened to them.  There is realistic conflict and even more realistic resolutions."

Fractured Toy says: "I was left guessing more than a few times, it's not a predictable story. Written by an author that's won international recognition for her short novels, Heather Barbieri definitely knows how to tell a story. It's a book about Kate but it's about much, much more; it's a book about all of us."

Cattywampus Life says: "Aside from the lovely landscape, author Barbieri stitches together an amazing and interesting tale about searching, sewing, and the strength in womens’ friendships. I was instantly drawn to the various characters and lost myself in their world quite effortlessly, as if I’d stumbled upon the quaint Irish town myself." 
Ladybug Soup says: "This book was such a pleasure to read.  I adore books that I can get lost in, that I look forward to reading each night when my little one is asleep.  A book with characters that I ma rooting for, that I get attached to, and that I miss when my story ends."

In Search of Balance says: "There were multiple tensions with the numerous characters as the point of view shifted throughout the book giving the reader glimpses of diverse lives. The characters pondered and explored friendship, marriage, loss, and romance."

Boojools and Aprilcots says: "Generally when someone loves a book, the cliche is that they couldn't put it down. I loved this book so much that I didn't want to pick it up for fear that it would be over too quickly. And it was. My eyes are actually tearing as I write this as I remember the beauty within these pages."

Simple Inspirations says: " Ten pages in I was not only assured that it was a good read, but it was one of those books that was sure to sit endlessly on my counter with a broken spine waiting to be read as I cook, clean, or steal a few quiet minutes of "me" time.  The book is a well balanced mix of heartbreak, humour, condor, joy, bitterness, and hope that immerses you in poignant story of life, loss, and rebirth...What struck me about this book was not only the captivating story line, but the way in which Barbieri weaves the tale.  A master at her art, it is the beautiful way in which she communicates that make the story so compelling."

Did You See That? says: "...this book is so much more than an easy "beach" read. Barbieri has crafted a fine tale about loss, friendship, family and the rediscovery of one's own self. This book will move you, make you weep (there is a death in the book I absolutely did not expect), and give you hope. One caveat - this book is very hard to put down so do try and pick it up when you have a few hours to spend with it or you will find yourself going without sleep the way I did!"

Life As Lou says: "This is just gripping enough to be considered a beach read, and is perfect for a little summer relaxation. The characters are well developed enough to be likable, but the book is light enough to be quite palatable; it is an easy, summer vacation kind of book."

A Box of Chocolates says: "I was intrigued by each of the women and their story. They each added something unique to the group and the way Ms. Barbieri weaved the characters lives together was beautifully done. I often felt that I was sitting in the countryside peeking into the windows of their lives. The story flowed with ease and was filled with emotion as I related to what the women must be feeling individually and towards each other."

Frequently Wrong But Never In Doubt says: "The book weaves Irish lore and superstition in with the modern day taleof these struggling lacemakers. The descriptions of the lace are lovelyand it's fun to see how the lace and the workmanship that goes behindit makes a difference in the womens' lives."

A Book Blogger's Diary says: "The characterizations themselves are excellent, and the authorskillfully captures the individuality of each woman while depicting thewomen as a whole in the form of the Lace Maker's Society. Which bringsme another important feature of this book, the LACE. It's literally thethread that binds all these myriad storylines together to form a strongcore...Glenmara is representative ofIreland and the Irish themselves, it's history and how the modern lifehas affected it is also thoughtfully presented."

She's Becoming Doughmesstic says: "...I was lost in an Irish village, falling on love, wishing I knew how tomake lace. Wishing I had prettier underwear. Wishing I felt likeputting my fat butt on a bike. (I got over that part.) The characters were like my aunts...I knew them, each of them. I hoped for them."

Here We Go Again says: "The setting of Ireland really added a lovely aspect to the story andmade me want to book an immediate flight on the next plane to Dublin.When I started reading, I immediately knew what was going to happen.Imagine my surprise when it didn't, but instead I discovered this bookhad a unique plot!"

Simple Mom Reviews says: "What I love most about the book is the character development. How we get to know Kate and each of the ladies in the lace society. Through many different stories from the past they all are beautifully intertwined into one main journey, almost effortlessly."

Major Bedhead Reviews says: "Of course there is a love angle to this story but what really spoke to me was the stories of friendship between each woman, how essential that is to all of us, how those friendships satisfy a need we all have. This book illustrated that beautifully and while the love story is fun and well-crafted, it is the women who move the book along and have the most interesting story lines."

Jersey Girl says: "I also liked the message of the book about the importance of doing something for yourself and that even little things do make a big difference. It was definitely a great choice for Mother Talk readers and I’m so glad I got to be one of the lucky ones."