"If She Only Knew" by Derville Murphy is a captivating tale set against the backdrop of Victorian Dublin and Manchester during the Home Rule debate, skillfully weaving a narrative of love, courage, and betrayal. Fans of historical dramas, particularly those who enjoyed Kristin Hannah's "The Nightingale," will find themselves engrossed in this complex and emotionally charged story.

One of the novel's strengths lies in the vivid portrayal of the protagonist, Julia Benson, an Irish artist and photographer caught between her Unionist family's expectations and her forbidden affair with Fenian Donal O'Keefe. Murphy skillfully explores the complexities of Julia's character, making her relatable and multi-dimensional. The familial tensions, fueled by political and personal conflicts, add depth to the narrative.

The author successfully creates a rich historical atmosphere, immersing readers in the political turmoil of the time. The Home Rule debate serves as a compelling backdrop, enhancing the stakes for the characters and adding an extra layer of tension to the story. The exploration of Fenian espionage adds an intriguing element, blending personal struggles with larger political machinations.

The plot is well-paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. Julia's journey from Dublin to Manchester, driven by her determination to find Donal and her involvement in Fenian activities, provides a dynamic and compelling narrative arc. The author skillfully integrates historical events into the fictional storyline, adding authenticity to the setting.

The supporting characters, particularly Eoin O'Keefe, contribute to the novel's complexity. Eoin's supercilious demeanor and reluctant involvement create an interesting dynamic with Julia, and their evolving relationship adds an additional layer of intrigue to the plot.

While the novel successfully captures the emotional struggles of its characters and the political climate of the time, some readers might find the intricate web of espionage a bit overwhelming. The complexity of the plot, while contributing to the richness of the story, may require careful attention from readers.

In conclusion, "If She Only Knew" is a well-crafted historical drama that transports readers to a tumultuous period in Irish history. Derville Murphy's storytelling prowess shines through in this tale of love, courage, and betrayal, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate intricately woven historical fiction with strong characters and a touch of political intrigue.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it the plot was interesting and the characters made me want to know more about them. I highly recommend.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Love the cover. A great women fiction novel. Highly recommend.

Julia Benson, eldest of two daughters and an artist, had suddenly became dependent on her younger sister and brother-in-law. Her recently deceased father had given everything to her younger sister, Harriet. She lived her life as is (dependent) while also waitng for the love of her life to make her an offer.

There was a lot of deceit/secrecy and waiting that surrounded her. I felt sorry for Julia. But in the end, her determination, and strength rewarded her triumphant independence. It was good to read on a patient heroine, who found happiness in nobody except being self-sufficient/self-reliant.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I enjoyed this book for the most part. I enjoyed reading about an historical event that I had very little knowledge about before this book. That said I did have a hard time connecting to the characters, many of them seemed to run together and I had a hard time keeping them all straight. But, once I was able to keep track of them it became a very enjoyable read.

Sister Julia and Harriet, not young women by the standards of the time, are both unmarried when their father dies, leaving them with a photography business to run. But older sister Julia is horrified to learn that she was passed over in favour of her younger sister Harriet, who is to be married, and the family finances will be mainly handled now by her husband. Free-spirited Julia resents her brother-in-law's control, but there is little chance of her being married to free herself from his rule as her own lover is a Fenian and wholly preoccupied with fighting for Irish independence.

The elements of the plot related to Irish independence were not something I knew much about beforehand so I found it interesting to read. I also found it refreshing to read about an older heroine, because women in their thirties, forties and fifties so frequently get overlooked in historical fiction (once they are past the age where they can still reasonably be expected to marry) and I thought the ending was perfect for this story.

That said, while I thought Julia was a very well formed character, the men were less so and tended to all blend into a mass for me where I started to forget who they all were. But I enjoyed reading the book, and would give it a 3.5 star rating.

With thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I didn’t think the characters were well defined or developed. I thought there could have been more in depth view of that time period. I found it just a so-so novel.

This book is described as Peaky Blinders meet Pride and Prejudice, and even though I haven't read or watched neither, it sounded interesting enough. And it was. But it was not perfect. We follow the main characters, Julia, an Irish artist from a Unionist family who falls in love with an ardent Fenian.

The beginning was a bit confusing, we got introduced to a lot of characters and it seemed a lot of things were happening at the same time. But bit by bit we we began to dive into the world and the whole character dynamics. And going into the characters...I think they really made the book what it is, and without it I really wouldn't like it. We have so many complex and well-built characters, like Julia, who was a bit of an insufferable spoiled women but still likable. What I liked is that every character (well, except for Edward) had its ups and downs and were morally grey, and I ended up empathizing with many of them.

The plot wasn't as good as the characters. The description makes this book seem more of a romance than it really is. The book drowned on in some places, and most of the time I had no idea where the plot was going. We had many subplots and many things happening before what, for me, should have been the main focus of the book. This doesn't mean the story was bad, because it was indeed good and I enjoyed reading it, but I feel the subplots could have been a bit more concise and we got more information on the whole criminal dangerous plot.

It was very interesting reading more about the Irish struggle, as my knowledge about it is quite minimal, and it was indeed quite fascinating to see both the Unionist and Fenian sides and the way sometimes violence and fighting for the "greater good" is so prevalent in politics. It was sad seeing Julia not quite get the resolution for herself or Ireland that she wanted, but the ending was delightful; I expected something different and more cliché, but I enjoyed it so much and I think it fits who Julia and what real life is.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

If Only She Knew is a heartwarming book set in both Ireland and England in the Victorian era during the time of the Fenian Brotherhood. It is about love, pursuing dreams and goals, freedom and taking a firm stand for one's beliefs.

Fiery and fiercely independent Julia Benson was an artist in Ireland who told stories on her own terms through painting. In ways it was not a stellar time to be an artist as many in Ireland simply could not afford to spend on luxuries. Julia's art did not have wide appeal due to the subject matter she chose. Her father shockingly disinherited her in his will so she had to make her own way. Though not poor she was careful with spending, especially as she supported her sister and brother in law. When her beau, Donal O'Keefe went missing, she moved to Manchester to find him. Her search became increasingly dangerous due to political stances and unrest. She found herself enshrouded in something bigger than she expected and was forced to make difficult choices. Inspector Dodd became involved.

The wonderful historical details and interesting characters enliven and enrich the story. I like that there is depth to this multi-layered book. Historical Fiction readers ought to pick this up. This book would also appeal to General Fiction and Women's Fiction fans.

My sincere thank you to Poolbeg Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this beautiful book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I had not previously read any books by this author but was pleasantly pleased and will definitely be on the lookout for future releases. Julia and Harriet were sisters that were used to support the cause and both suffered because of the men in their lives. Julia , was a decent artist could not attain artistic fame and Harriet life was that of struggle and deceit. A sad and dark book that showed how far people will go to achieve what they think they deserve. No spoilers here but the ending was delightful. Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️