My thanks to Faber & Faber and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘May All Your Skies Be Blue’ written by Fiona Scarlett in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

From the initial description I thought ‘May All Your Skies Be Blue’ sounded a great story that told of the friendship between Dean and Shauna and as I’d not read anything by this author I was keen to get reading. I wasn’t very far into the story when I started getting confused with the characters and the timespan and decided to stop reading for a while. I tried a second time but by then I’d lost interest in what was happening and couldn’t finish the book which is a rare occurrence for me. I’ve no doubt it’s well-written and from other readers’ reviews it’s a going to be a popular novel but I’m afraid I struggled to get involved in the story and can only apologise for not appreciating this author’s hard work. This is purely my own opinion and I recommend other readers give it a try and make up their own minds.

'May All Your Skies Be Blue' is the first time I read any work by Fíona Scarlett and I very much enjoyed her beautiful writing and fascinating narrative!
The novel tells the story of Shauna and her close group of friends growing up in the northside of Dublin in the 1990's intertwined with events in the present time. This is effectively done in a dual timeline, partly Shauna telling about her coming of age events over the years which is alternating with the course of one day in her Hair Salon. It is a story of family, love, adolescence, friendship, opportunities and regret. Shauna and Dean are great friends but when they grow closer they have to deal with outside events which keep them apart.
This novel is an emotional rollercoaster and will definitely be one of the books to watch out for in 2025.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for the eARC.

I like a book set in Ireland, so was glad to read this. I did have difficulty with getting into the book though, told in a conversational style, I had no trouble with, nor with the different time periods, but it wasn't easy to get to the plot. Now that I have finshed, I can step beack and see the bigger picture, the relationship between Shauna and Dean, but it was less evident when reading the book. The Irish way of talking, Shauna's emotions regarding Dean and her mother are well portrayed. There are a lot of characters to keep track of which added to the confusion.
Not bad, but missed the mark for me. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARc

Fiona Scarlett writes like a streetwise Sally Rooney.
Set in a suburb of northern Belfast the innocence of youth gives way to the realities of adulthood. This is a love story told without the schmaltz where the characters are knocked about by life's challenges.
The clever formatting of the backward and forward narrative reveals the paths that their lives have taken using the memories of hairdresser Shauna, as she attends to her long term clients in a suburb where everyone knows each other's business.
My thanks to Faber and Netgalley for an advance review copy.

Wild, raucous, down to earth, emotional and amazing!!
This is most definitely a novel of our time that will be read by generations.

We see the relationships between a gang of teenagers mature and change over time as does their relationships with parents and siblings. Shawna's mother opens a hairdressing salon and Shawna becomes part of the gang. Over time things change and Shawna is unable to fulfill dream but the decision she made shapes not only her life but others.

This is a engaging and highly entertaining story.

This title was recommended by a friend and after reading the positive reviews about it I was looking forward to settling down for a good read.
I am sorry to say I did not engage with this title.
The characters seemed forced and the setting generic. Some of the colloquialism seemed out of place and consequently jarred slightly.
The story was good and I should probably read another book by this author in order to form a rounded opinion.

4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely adored Boys Don’t Cry by this author so my expectations were high for this book and they were absolutely met! I love books written by Irish authors as I can just relate to them so much. This book was a great mix of literary fiction and romance and I really enjoyed the story. Definitely shed a few tears too! 100% recommend giving this book a go!

Following Dean and Shauna from childhood to adulthood was enjoyable with Scarlett’s prose, at times emotional and others infuriating (miscommunication) but all characters felt authentic and I really felt for Shauna.

The layout of the time jumps was a little confusing at the start but then it started to feel right for the story and the way it was told.

Will be keeping my eyes out for what Scarlett writes next.

"May All Your Skies Be Blue" by Fíona Scarlett is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring impact of childhood friendships. Set in Dublin during the summer of 1991, the novel introduces readers to Dean and Shauna, two teenagers whose bond blossoms amidst personal challenges and societal expectations. As their relationship deepens, they grapple with responsibilities that threaten to separate them, prompting reflections on missed opportunities and the passage of time.

Scarlett's narrative alternates between past and present, effectively capturing the essence of inner-city Dublin life. The unique formatting, interspersed with entries from Shauna's salon booking diary, adds depth to the storytelling and highlights the significance of community ties. The novel delves into universal themes such as grief, sacrifice, and the complexities of human connections, all portrayed with warmth and tenderness.

Critics have lauded the book for its emotional resonance and authentic depiction of working-class life. Elaine Feeney describes it as "poignant," while Donal Ryan praises it as "a beautiful, deeply affecting story." Joseph O'Connor commends Scarlett as "a very major literary talent."
WATERSTONES

Readers have also expressed profound reactions. One reviewer shared, "I will review this book when I stop sobbing, which might be never," underscoring the novel's emotional impact.
GOODREADS

"May All Your Skies Be Blue" is scheduled for publication on February 13, 2025, and is available for pre-order.
BOOKSHOP UK
This novel is a testament to Scarlett's storytelling prowess, offering a heartfelt narrative that lingers long after the final page.

The pacing and writing made this a little difficult to get into and to keep my attention but overall it was an interesting book with characters you could really get behind. It is very sad and I definitely felt for Shauna which is what kept my interest. A solid 3.75.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was such an intense book to read. At the beginning I wasn't feeling it too much, I couldn't get a grasp of the language, too raw for my taste. But once I got into the story, it didn't really matter. I couldn't put it down and needed to know where the story was going. I couldn't understand it initially, but halfway through I got it. I didn't want it to be true, but I knew.
I knew it would completely destroy me.
My heartbeat was going so fast till the last line, when I started crying my eyes out.
I'm giving only 4 stars rather than 5 only because I didn't like that there was no clear separation between the past and the present and it took me a while to figure it out.
Other than that, I can only say this: Absolutely heartbreaking.

Thank you so much to the publishers & Netgalley for this arc!

After reading Boy’s Don’t Cry in 2024, I instantly fell in love with Fiona Scarlett’s writing so when I saw May All Your Skies Be Blue on Netgalley I ran at the chance to get my hands on it early. Her writing is so raw and heartfelt that it gets you right to the bones.

I really adored this book. It was Devastatingly beautiful & heart breaking. It kept me hooked to the point I read it in one sitting and completely blew me away. My only criticism is that at times it was very confusing and I had to read certain sections a few times over to be able to understand what was going on.

I guessed the plot twist a few chapters before it happened but it still completely broke my heart & still shocked me when reading it. It was a very emotionally charged read with hard hitting and complex parts between characters, making it extremely memorable.

Highly recommend both of Fiona Scarlett’s books and she has definitely become an auto buy author for me.

I was asked to review by NetGalley

Wow what a read so enjoyed. Wow this packed a punch, emotion and sadness -have the tissues at hand. This is a story of friendship also. There are four main characters and with the highs and turmoils. The author tackles the impact of alcohol and dementia and the effects. The author has not been afraid to tackle these issues.
it is not all doom and gloom and the author brings to the table irish humour.

So well written and due for publication on the 13 February 2025

Beautiful and emotional, a gorgeously written story. Had me in tears by the end. It’s amazing what Fiona Scarlett can do.

There were many good reviews of this book so i thought i needed to give it a go. Sadly i was a bit disappointed. I nearly gave up halfway through as i just could not get to grips with the writing style, it just didn’t flow smoothly to me, it felt a bit disjointed. The concept of the story was very endearing about a group of friends growing up together and experiencing life in general and the ending was extremely emotional. I will read more by this author and give her another try.

Thanks to Faber and Faber Ltd and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Fiona Scarlett’s May All Your Skies Be Blue is a uniquely Irish tale that blends a conversational tone with literary depth. The book is steeped in Irish culture, particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s, and it’s clear that a familiarity with that era and its cultural touchpoints enhances the experience. From references to pop culture to the distinctive parlance, there’s an authenticity here that feels both nostalgic and immersive—especially for those of us who lived through the 90s and can relate to its subtleties.

The story follows Shauna, who runs a local hair salon in the present day, and her connection to her childhood friends Dean, Pamela, and Mark. Through dual timelines, we’re taken back to when the quartet shared days as children, with Shauna falling in love with Dean. In the present, however, Dean’s return to town stirs up long-buried emotions and unresolved tensions. Something happened in the past—something painful—that makes Shauna hesitant to see him.

The narrative slowly unfolds, revealing a sad and tragic tale that ultimately pieces together Shauna’s life: her relationships, her love for Dean, and, most poignantly, her bond with her mother. While the ending does tie the story together in a satisfying way, this isn’t a romance in the traditional sense. It’s more a story of love in all its messy, complicated, and deeply human forms.

Is it enjoyable? Not overly. The sadness that permeates the story makes it hard to describe as a “pleasure read.” But is it well written? Without question. Scarlett crafts her characters with care and precision, and the conversational style lends the narrative an intimacy that draws you in, even if it leaves your heart a little bruised.

For me, this was a three-star read. It’s a beautifully told story, but its sombre tone makes it a challenging one to truly enjoy. If you’re in the mood for something deeply reflective and uniquely Irish, this might be the book for you.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley - all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was really looking forward to reading this book as I adored Boys Don't Cry. I enjoyed the story and I flew through it. Unfortunately it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Perhaps I had built it up too much in my head. As mentioned I did enjoy the story. Keeping track of everyone was a little confusing at times, I wasn't keen on the format, I found it read like a TV soap drama. This impacted my reading experience. I did think the characters were well written and the banter between them was enjoyable and realistic. I liked Shauna alot. I really felt for her. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Her love and loyalty to her mother was admirable. The last chapter broke me. I'd love to see this adapted for TV and I think this would work really great on audio.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review!

May All Your Skies Be Blue follows the story of four friends Shauna, Dean, Pam and Mark from the early 1990’s to present day. The story opens with Shauna and her mum having moved to a new area to run a hair salon.

The book is told in split timeline charting the friends growing up through the 90’s and early 00’s and also across the course of one day in the present through different appointments with Shauna and various characters in the hair salon.

I enjoyed the 90’s references in the past timeline and I think the way the story was told worked well for me as usually I am not always keen when too long is spent with younger characters in an adult book. The book also touches on issues including alcoholism and dementia.

The ending of the book did seem to be obvious from reasonably early on but this did not have a negative effect on my enjoyment of the book to find out how that point was reached.

I look forward to reading more books by this author having also enjoyed Boys Don’t Cry.

I am rating this book 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher, Faber and Faber Ltd for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

When Shauna leaves Dublin City for the suburbs with her Ma, Dean enters her life as part of a soon-to-be-inseparable foursome of friends navigating the trials and tribulations of adolescence. The spark of friendship quickly blossoms towards something more for Shauna and Dean but, with their own struggles pulling them separate ways, they can’t seem to get to where they are meant to be. From having read her debut novel, Boys Don’t Cry, I already knew that Scarlett deftly captures great depth of emotion and, in this regard, this latest novel picks up beautifully where her last one left off. Moving back and forth in time, between adolescence and adulthood, with the timelines slowly coming closer together, May All Your Skies Be Blue is a heartbreaking and deeply moving story of family, friendship, the complexities of adolescence, love, loss, missed opportunity, regret, and the ties that bind us. The writing style is immediate, emotive, at times almost stream-of-consciousness, getting us right into the moment, into our protagonist’s joys, fears, frustrations, and sorrows, drawing us in and building momentum towards that ending. Loved this book, love Fíona Scarlett as a writer.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the DRC.

I was very excited to receive an ARC of ‘May All Your Skies Be Blue’ by Fiona Scarlett as I absolutely loved her devastating debut ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. In her follow up novel, set in Dublin, it follows the friendship and love between Dean and Shauna from their childhood through to adulthood. They both have incredibly difficult and overwhelming family dynamics which makes their relationship extremely complicated. The story alternates between flashbacks to their past and Shauna’s present (working in the hair salon that was originally opened by her mum). The chapters are short and easy to read, steeped in nostalgia whilst also packing an emotional punch. I really enjoyed it.