Like One Of The Family

Thirteen year old Claire Shannon knows happiness for the first time when she becomes best friends with Sheena and is drawn into the warmth of the McArdle's family circle. She shares their hopes and dreams, is included in all of the family outings and holidays. The mother is kindly and careful of her but the father abuses her and she becomes pregnant. In the aftermath of a double tragedy in the family she believes her childhood secret is buried and forgotten…until she falls in love with the son of the man who abused her.


Like One Of The Family is a moving, heart-wrenching tale. Primarily a love story it's theme is sexual abuse compounded by tragedy, in the aftermath of which the family struggles to come to terms with the shocking events and to recover from the trauma. In their grief and pain they draw closer together and Claire looks more and more to Jane and the McArdles for love and support.


'Moving and memorable, this page-turner is one you will not be able to put down. Sensitive, powerfully written and one of the best books by an Irish author this year.'

Alice Sheridan Commuting Times.


'Tuomey wastes no time in pushing the boundaries of the sensitivities of recent Irish social history.'

Evening Herald.


'This is a remarkable tale - although this book is primarily a love story, its theme is one of sexual abuse compounded by tragedy. All the ingredients of a best-seller.'

The Examiner.