This book absolutely blew me away! From the very first page all the way to the very end, I was swept up in Amy Harmon’s beautifully crafted, enchanting story of American-born Anne Gallagher, who travels to Ireland for the first time in her life to fulfill her beloved grandfather Eoin’s dying wish to have his ashes spread in the lake at his childhood home. Once there, overcome by grief and memories of her grandfather, Anne finds herself pulled back into time to the 1920s -- a tumultuous time period in Ireland during its fight for independence, which she had researched and read about extensively as a writer back in 2001 but never dreamed that she would experience firsthand. She wakes up in the world of her grandfather’s childhood, where she is reunited with him as a little boy of 6 years old, and after being mistaken for his mother, she gradually uncovers a complex family history that she inadvertently becomes a part of when she falls in love with the boy’s guardian, Thomas Smith. Soon, her past and future start to intertwine as she encounters people she only knew of in history as well as relatives she never even knew she had. In the end, the struggle becomes a question of whether she should – or could – stay in a time period she doesn’t belong in but has become home for her.

Let me say straight out that I’m neither a fan of time travel stories nor historical romances – I’ve read books in both genres and to be quite honest, very few have ever had an impact on me emotionally or captivated me enough to make me continue thinking about the story and characters long after I’ve finished reading. Well, there is a first for everything I guess, and this book is the first time travel + romance + historical fiction novel that has truly won me over. This book awed me in the fantastic way it was able to weave the elements of these 3 genres so seamlessly into a story that was both compelling and emotional, with characters that felt so real and a time and place in history that felt so authentic, it drew me in completely, to the point that I felt like I was actually right there with Anne, living in her world for the few days that I was engrossed in the story.

This was a book that tugged at my heartstrings, made me cry and made me smile and basically made me feel the entire roller coaster of emotions that a great, momentous read has a way of doing. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that I fell in love with nearly all of the characters in this story…not only that though, I also fell in love with the writing -- a feeling that is impossible for me to describe accurately and to which I can only say is something that needs to be experienced for yourself.

Amy Harmon is an absolutely talented writer -- to be able to weave the elements of time travel, romance, and historical fiction into such a complex tale and do it so brilliantly is a momentous feat in and of itself and Harmon absolutely nailed it! I can’t wait to read some of her other novels that I’ve had on my TBR for ages already and yes, I am a most definitely looking forward to what she comes out with next!

This book is highly recommended -- one that was a 5 star read for me from beginning to end and that I already feel like re-reading, which is not something that happens often with me (though I will refrain from re-reading because I have too many other books I need to get to). In case you are still debating whether to read this one or not, I will leave you with these words that pretty much sum up my feelings towards this book: beautiful, unforgettable, and absolutely well-done!

Received ARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley

Amy Harmon is one of my favourite authors. Her multifaceted gift of writing includes historical novels, inspirational romances and young adult fantasy.
What The Wind Knows is an unforgettable love story!
Anne Gallagher travels from America to Ireland to scatter her grandfather's ashes. While dusting his ashes in the lake something terrifying, yet magical happens. She travels back in time where she finds echoes of history that had long been forgotten.
What The Wind Knows is a fictional account loosely based on the author's ancestors and the events during the period of reformation and revolution in Ireland in the early 1900's. Her love of Ireland is evident and her characters are realistic and memorable.
As per the author's wish I now have a greater respect for the men and women who came before and a desire to make the world a better place.
Perfection!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I am a massive fan of Amy Harmon. She has yet to write a book that I haven’t adored. So you can imagine my excitement at getting the ARC for her newest book!

The author writes a very beautiful note at the end citing her own journey to Ireland, the homeland of her great-grandfather, to discover her heritage. It was amazing to find out about all the little details from her life that she added to her book. That note added to the poignancy of the story.

After Anne’s best friend in the world, the man who alone raised her, her grandfather Eoin dies, she travels to his hometown in Ireland to fulfill his last wish of spreading his ashes in the lake he grew up around. A renowned author, Anne has only ever heard and read stories about Ireland from Eoin but never allowed to visit the place until now. Something out of a fairytale happens to her in Eoin’s hometown. She finds herself in the Ireland of 1921. A spitting image of Eoin’s mother also called Anne, a six year old Eoin thinks he got his mother back who everyone thought had perished with his father back during the revolution. Eoin lives with his grandmother under the care of his father’s best friend Doctor Thomas Smith now. Thomas Smith and everyone else are mystified at her supposed reappearance and Anne is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Suddenly all the cryptic words of her grandfather makes sense. Did he know this would happen? Did he always know that Anne would go back in time to be with him again? Should Anne tell Thomas the truth? Will anyone believe her? How can she go back? Does she want to go back leaving behind the only person she ever loved to a time where he is dead?

The writing and the story is just something else! How beautifully does Amy Harmon portray the feelings of Anne here? The suspicions and confusion of Thomas and everyone else was also amazingly brought to life. My only complaint from the story is that the love story did not get enough time to grow and breathe on its own. But there was so much emotions in this book that everything else can be forgiven. I particularly liked the element of suspense. Also, despite it being a historical romance in its essence, the pace never felt too slow or boring. Even though I knew the bare minimum about Ireland’s history, I was completely engaged by the story.

I give this story an extra star just for the emotions it aroused in me and for how well-researched it is. Highly recommended!

What The Wind Knows is a slow moving beautiful story rich in history and historical events. It blends history, romance and a touch of fantasy into one book.

“Thomas was still caught between the memory of them and the prospect of me, and I was snagged between a future that was my past, and a past that might be my future.”

Annie is a wonderful heroine, both vulnerable and strong. She rolls with the punches and adapts to whatever is thrown at her.

“I am changed utterly. Irrevocably. And though love is indeed a terrible beauty, especially given the circumstances, I can only revel in all its gory gloriousness.”

This story has a very Irish Outlander feel and Ireland and its history play a giant part, coming to life like another character in the book.
-4 Stars!-
-Diane-

have to admit I wasn’t sure when I first stated reading this book.
This isn’t my first rodeo with Amy Harmon as I have read many of her books!
I got this one from netgalley and went on to get it as a Kindle first-reads As well. Figured why not.
Anyhoo I started it and it drew me in page after page after page.
I followed the story of Anne, Thomas and Eoin, in the future and time travel. Eoin is Anne’s grandfather but with time travel he is her son or actually the son of her great grandmother but they look the same.
This book drew me in and kept me interested. Definitely not without twists but you’ll have to read it yourself. Publication date is March 1st so get your copy today. Amy I think we need a sequel. Definitely would love to read more of this story.

Amy Harmon brings to life Irish history and the Easter Rising in this historical romance. It is a breathtaking and beautifully written book that tells the story of Annie Gallagher, who goes to Ireland to scatter her grandfathers ashes. She stays to search out her family history and is drawn into that history herself. I loved the book, the characters, the love story and the history of Ireland and it's struggle for Independence. I highly recommend reading.

A sweeping, romantic tale, Amy Harmon takes readers on the adventure of a lifetime with What the Wind Knows. Anne Gallagher cannot imagine a life without her grandfather; he's been her best friend, the man who raised her, the one who encouraged her writing. Eoin has never taken her to Ireland, to the place he once called home, but his dying wish is that she go, that she discovers the truth of their family's past and that she spread his ashes there. In his last moments he gives her photos and journals, revealing to Anne that she looks so much like her namesake, her great-grandmother Anne. Once in Ireland she finds herself in awe of the country, of those living in the town who still remember, and closer to Eoin. The journals do more than make her feel closer to him, they take her back to the 1920's, to a time of political revolution and into the arms of the man who Eoin considered his father. At first alarmed, Anne soon adapts to this new life and finds herself falling for the warm, caring Thomas.

Present and past Ireland mold into one as Amy Harmon takes readers through the foggy lough and into the beautiful estate of Eoin's youth. A magical story of time travel, family, and love, What the Wind Knows is one of the most incredible historical romances I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I was immediately caught up in this tale, my own feet placed into the shoes of Anne's as she awoke to a world she didn't recognize. I too felt her resistance to accept her fate, her discomfort at the clothing of the past, her frustration as other's expressed anger and disbelief at her arrival. I also felt her joy as she grasped the opportunity to know a young Eoin, the butterflies as Thomas captured her heart, and her shock when she realized how vital her trip to the past is to the future of Ireland.

What the Wind Knows isn't your typical historical romance, nor is it your typical fantasy time travel. Anne's trip to the 1920s takes her back into a time of upheaval, distrust, and suffering. Anne must quickly act the part of the previous Anne Gallagher, despite not knowing what happened to her. With the journals missing, Anne learns quickly to dress and act the part and discovers that she must ensure certain events happen properly. Her romance with Thomas isn't the sole focus of the novel, though their coming together is certainly the cherry on top. He is a doctor who is at the center of a group hoping for political change, he isn't young and classically handsome, but he is honest and caring. Anne soon believes in a free Ireland as well, becoming the constant companion to Thomas as they travel to Dublin. I loved how facts mixed with fiction in this novel, Amy really makes the setting, the suspense, the romance come to life.

What the Wind Knows is easily one of my Top 10 for 2019, I so loved the adventure Amy Harmon took us on. The story is romantic and unexpected, a truly beautiful story that I read, with tears dripping down my cheeks, in just one sitting. I highly recommend this fascinating story to historical romance fans and those who love a well-done time travel novel.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

This book was awesome! It's a historical with some fantasy that I don't see often but loved. Anne was an amazing character and I loved Thomas. The side characters added so much too. This book kept me hooked from beginning to end. I learned quite a bit about Ireland and it's history and it makes me want to know more.

Amy proves once again why she is a master storyteller! He writing has a way of transporting into the world she created and getting lost in the story of the characters. Her writing is lyrical, beautiful and emotional. I can say I never wanted this story to end, as I never wanted to leave this world.

What the Wind Knows is not only a magical love story that transcends time but a love letter to Ireland and its history. I"m a big history nerd and I loved how the novel interweaves Ireland's fight for independence into the haunting beautiful love story between Anne and Thomas. Amy did a fantastic job of bringing Ireland to life I now have an intense desire to visit this country and to learn all of its secrets.

Anne and Thomas story/journey was heartbreaking as it was magical. It was full of twist and turns and you can't help but go on an emotional journey with them. I cried throughout the whole book not because it was sad but because it felt real. In a fight for independence and freedom from an opposer and for yourself there is going to pain and triumph, heartbreak and joy. It was a story of life and all that goes with it, the good, the bad and the ugly and it was a wonderful journey to take

******received an ARC from the publisher via the Netgalley*****

Wow! I am in love with this masterpiece. This was fantastic writing. This author gets better with each book she writes. I would highly recommend this and all of her books.

Thank you netgalley and Amy Harmon for my copy of What the Wind Knows in exchange for my honest review.
Distraught over the death of her grandfather, Anne Gallagher, travels to his childhood home of Ireland to spread his ashes. Once there, she is somehow pulled into 1921 Ireland. There she meets the charming doctor Thomas Smith. Anne must decide whether to stay with the man she has grown to care for or go back to her own time.
I honestly didn’t read the blurb for this book before starting so I wasn’t prepared for the time travel aspect but I was totally here for it. This is my second Amy Harmon book and I enjoyed it just as much as I did my first one.

Time travel romances aren't always my cup of tea – strange as it may seem, Outlander was just okay for me. However, when I learned that Amy Harmon, who happens to be one of my very favorite authors, was coming out with a new novel that happened to feature time travel, I knew I had to read it.

All her life, Anne Gallagher has felt strangely connected to Ireland. Throughout her childhood, her grandfather Eoin, who is Anne's only living relative, has told her countless stories of the land of his birth, but no matter how much Anne begged, he always refused to accompany her on a trip there. Now though, Eoin has died, and Anne is determined to honor his last request that she travel to Ireland to spread his ashes, even though she’s not sure how she'll cope without him in her life. Perhaps she'll even feel closer to him once she actually sets foot on Irish soil for the first time.

Ireland is everything Anne dreamed it would be, and yet she can't shake the deep feelings of loss she's carried with her since her grandfather died. She feels strangely adrift and without purpose, and she can't figure out what to do to help herself feel better. Hoping for a few hours of respite from her all-consuming grief, Anne rents a small boat and sets out for an afternoon sail. Suddenly, a huge wave washes over the boat, sweeping Anne overboard, and when she is eventually pulled ashore, she finds herself transported back in time to 1921.

Dr. Thomas Smith isn't sure what to make of the water-logged woman he's just fished out of the lake. It's obvious she has sustained some serious injuries, so he takes her to his home where he treats her wounds and puts her to bed. All the while, he's struck by her uncanny resemblance to Anne, the wife of his best friend, and a woman Thomas has believed dead for the last five years. Could this stranger possibly be Anne, and if so, where has she been all these years? What could have possessed her to abandon her young son, especially given the fact that the boy's father was killed in the Irish Uprising of 1916?

When Anne eventually regains consciousness, she finds herself in a house surrounded by people she doesn't know, one of whom is a six-year-old boy who seems awfully familiar to her. After asking a few careful questions, Anne figures out what has happened. She's living in her family home, and the child seated beside her bed is none other than the six-year-old boy who will one day become her grandfather, and to make matters even more confusing, everyone seems to think she's Eoin's long-absent mother, a woman who also happens to be named Anne. As one might imagine, Anne is astonished by what has happened, but she manages to keep a clear head. She knows she can't simply blurt out the truth to her rescuers, and so she decides to assume the identity of the missing Anne and see what happens.

As time passes, Anne begins to feel more and more at home in the Ireland of the past. She and Thomas begin to develop deep feelings for one another, a situation complicated by Thomas' loyalty to his best friend, the man to whom he thinks Anne was once married. Anne also forms quite a strong attachment to Eoin, and she eventually decides to stay in the past if at all possible.

At first, I wasn't sure I could buy into Anne's easy acceptance of her predicament. I mean, wouldn't you be shocked if you found yourself in another time, surrounded by strangers? Fortunately though, Ms. Harmon did a great job convincing me that the Ireland of the 1920s was exactly where Anne belonged. She brings both the characters and the time period to life, and it didn't take long for me to realize that Anne's previous existence couldn't hold a candle to the life she was living in the past.

It's obvious Ms. Harmon did a great deal of research into what life would have been like for someone living in this tumultuous time period, and I love how she wove the political unrest of the early 1900's into the story. Some authors make me feel like I'm being hit over the head with a specific political message or viewpoint, but Ms. Harmon didn't fall into this trap. Instead, the politics of the time are just one facet of this complex and lovely story.

Anne and Thomas have fantastic chemistry, and I adored witnessing their growing attraction. There are quite a few obstacles in their way, the truth of Anne's identity being chief among them, but I never doubted their commitment to one another. I wasn't sure how they would make things work long-term, but I trusted Ms. Harmon's ability to craft a HEA worthy of these two fantastic people. Of course, I can't tell you how things turn out, but I can assure you the ending is definitely satisfying.

What the Wind Knows is a lovely story of love, forgiveness, and redemption that is sure to delight long-time fans of Ms. Harmon's work as well as those who are reading her writing for the first time. There's something so magical about the way she tells a story, something that makes me want to linger in the worlds she creates long after I have finished the book. I'm not someone who rereads books very often, but something tells me it won't be long before I find myself needing to revisit Anne and Thomas once again. Their love story really is that good!

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Hands down What the Wind Knows is a top 5 of all time for me. I couldn't put this book down, nor did I want it to end. I'm hoping Amy Harmon can somehow make this a series. Historically interesting as evidenced by the author's research, sweet love story, and time travel to boot! A trip to Ireland is now on my bucket list. There aren't enough words to describe my feelings for this fabulous book. It's a MUST read!
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

2.5ish stars but the ending is enough to bump it up to 3.

unfortunately i really struggled through this one. i wanted to love it, i expected to, but it was very slow and confusing. i really thought this would be more of a romance and it was such a small part of the book. i expected more, more development, more build up. i really felt nothing, no connection. it was plodding along fine and i was like okay, the romance is going to become a bigger part now, and then all of a sudden they are declaring their love and i'm like wtf? slow down! thomas was the shining star in this book though, truly. i just wish i felt something for anne, and the two of them together. but, nope.

also, i have to admit, it's a little disappointing that she was magically transported to a time she knew lots about. convenient. if i ever time travelled, i wouldn't know jack shit about anything.

i almost DNF'd at about 40% but people kept saying it got better after 80% - which is a bit ridiculous, isn't it, you shouldn't need to read 80% of a book to get to the good parts. but i'm a curious person so kept going, and it really did end well, absolutely wonderfully... i just wish the whole book was as good as the last 20%.

overall, think i was expecting equal parts historical fiction and romance, and that's not what i got. definitely more HF than romance.. super bummed i didn't love this as several of my friends did. but, just not for me.

4.5 Stars

Anne Gallagher is an American author who is completely passionate about storytelling. As a result, Anne’s work has taken precedence in her life. Having been raised by her grandfather, they formed a close relationship, and upon his passing, Anne is left to pick up the pieces of losing her best friend. Adhering to her grandfather’s wishes, Anne journeys to her ancestral country of Ireland where her own story begins to unfold.

Thomas Smith is a widely respected physician and a man dedicated to protecting the Irish in 1921. As Anne comes under his care, there is skepticism as to her appearance and motivations, but soon a friendship develops despite the turbulent time.

Throughout this narrative, the POV shifts between Anne’s experience and journal entries penned by Thomas, with each parallel to the ongoing story. Both Anne and Thomas are incredibly good natured and willing to sacrifice for the love of family and friends. Getting a sense of what each fears and values is evident in their perspectives.

The theme of this book is complex as it involves the lives of so many characters along with a country’s rebellion. Though the historical nature of the plot was interesting, at times the details felt overwhelming when I wanted to focus on the plight of the characters. However, Thomas is such a memorable character who makes an incredible impact with his generosity and sense of duty. Together, Anne and Thomas create a perfect balance.

What the Wind Knows is a historical romance that offers a poetic and poignant story amidst struggle, loss, discovery and ultimately love.

WTWK was an absolute joy to read. The story and characters were so vivid and captivating luring you in from the very first page.

I have always had a fascination with Ireland and have read many books based there. I was finally able to cross visiting Ireland off my bucket list recently and seeing it made me fall even more in love with it. So for me to step into the pages of a place that I love and written so phenomenally was just a balm to my readers soul.

This book very easily made it onto my top reads list for this year and I foresee it staying there and being one of my all time fave reads.

**Received an ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

I always thought that a short and concise review was the best for those books that were not easy to explain and comment on. So I'm going to do some sort of outline of my thoughts, dividing the pros and cons of the book.
Let's start with the Cons:
The book is very long and, having to deal with a single theme (the love story), I expected the book itself more engaging. If the historical contest (which I will discuss later) is excellent and useful to the story, at the same time it slows down the reading and expands the moments inherent to the love story. Many people compare this book to Outlander and I can understand why: Nevertheless, personally I do not think it is at the same level with the novel by Gabaldon, which has much more action and, above all, loads the characters of much more personality. In this case, however, both the protagonist and the characters that revolve around Anne seemed stereotypical and opaque, as already seen, already known. This is why, in the end, the romance did not excite me: starting with two characters for which I have no interest… I'm not even interested as a couple at the end either.
This is one of the cons. Another factor that did not make me fully appreciate the reading was the initial contrast between the chapters written by the narrator and the parts of Thomas's diary: This problem was resolved then with the advance of reading, because the two time lines flow into a single temporal container a the end.

Let's go to pros. I already mentioned the historical analysis. It is clear that the author has done a great study and a lot of research on the historical period . At the same time, however, the book seemed slow because of the excessive historical argument, which distancing attention from the story.It's just like Eoin says at the beginning: the context is not so important, the story is important. the story is what readers will remember, more than context. Readers will remember the characters and their actions more than the battles that are the backdrop to the personal story of the protagonists.
Despite the writing style is fluid and common, the phrases have a particular musicality, which make them memorable and poetic. Moreover, very beautiful are the parts that tell or dealing with writing and reading: Each reader can see him/herself in the sentences inside this novel. Share the love of books through them too!

To finish, I want to present the main reason why I liked the book, namely the relationship between Anne and Eoin. I won't say anything because you have to enjoy it all. It is the main reason why I recommend this book. The novel deserves to be read mainly because of this relationship.

If you are interested in these issues I'll put them in short, otherwise the review comes long, too long: Ireland, , parents-children relationships, grandparents-grandchildren relationships, timetravel, love, literature, poetry, history, folklore, legends, wonderful landscapes.

Amy Harmon never fails! This is an amazing story, so rich with history and love. I know very little of Ireland’s story, and I was captivated by the weaving of history, magic, and passion. A love story that spans the test of time. This is a must read for all.

I did not remember the blurb when I started reading this book (as it often happens, to my own advantage)and this meant parts of it came as a welcome surprise. The blurb does give some of it away but I will continue to refrain from doing so, just to be stubborn. Anne Gallagher is proud of her Irish heritage, she was brought up by her grandfather and under whose guidance she honed her artistic skills in storytelling. Her imagination and words are filled with depth and the quotes from Yeats at the beginning of every page add an atmosphere to the tale.He passes away in the beginning and as a dying wish she is finally allowed to visit Ireland (he had never wanted her to go before then) but unfortunately it is to scatter his ashes. The minute she lands in the country and finds her way to places where her family once lived, the tone changes.

The book then takes a surprising turn and we are thrown into the 1920's and the rebellion that is festering. I do not have much prior experience with the Irish freedom struggle but the story is as old as time, years of oppression causes bottled rage until things cannot be contained. There are a few men at the helm, trying to make way for a better future but the struggle seems long and arduous and maybe not completely resolved even to this day! This tale is more than just Anne's or her family past and future but of the people who called Ireland home, and those who felt it ran in their blood.After a point, there was no judgement but weariness in the characters and this alternated with Anne's predicament and how she made the best of things. I liked the book because of all the things I just mentioned and Anne's romance was but part of the bigger picture. I know there is a need to suspend belief to see the ending through but the tone of narration does make it easier to see it in the realm of partial magical realism. The story is well told and the only reason it was not a full five-star read was the length. I would have liked it a lot more if it was even slightly shorter