Coming-of-age, young love, and Irish history await.
I read this novel in July of 2025, starting on a Saturday morning and turning the final page that same afternoon.
Later, while reading more about the book, I discovered something that made me laugh. Where the Heart Should Be is marketed as a young adult novel aimed at readers aged roughly 11 to 16.
It turns out I had accidentally wandered into the young adult section without realising.
The discovery amused both me and my family, but honestly, I never once thought about age categories while reading. The story carries so much emotional depth and historical weight that it simply felt like a good book, regardless of who it was originally written for.
I later passed it on to my daughter, who was thirteen at the time, and she loved it just as much as I did. I always enjoy finding books that can travel naturally between generations, and this felt like one of them.
Why this one caught my eye
I have a habit of choosing books by their covers, and this one immediately stood out. The striking turquoise cover features delicate pink-red blooms and scattered petals, while the book’s lettering sits boldly in white at the centre.
But if I’m being honest, it was the title that drew me in.
A quick look at the book
Where the Heart Should Be is a historical fiction novel in verse by Irish author Sarah Crossan. First published in 2024, it is set during the Irish Great Hunger of 1846-1847 and follows a young girl coming of age against the backdrop of a devastating chapter in Ireland’s history.
Written in short, carefully crafted lines with a large font and generous white space, the novel reads much like poetry. Many pages contain only a handful of words, allowing the 409-page story to unfold at a surprisingly quick pace.
Crossan tackles difficult subject matter with such skill that the story remains accessible, with the emotional weight unfolding naturally through the characters’ experiences.
The novel explores love, family, survival, grief, moral choices, and the resilience of ordinary people living through extraordinary hardship. It asks difficult questions about humanity, power, and what people are willing to do when survival is at stake.
What stayed with me
This is a story about people finding reasons to love, hope, and endure when they seemingly have every reason not to.
One of the things I loved most was the historical setting. Through the eyes of ordinary people, the scale of the tragedy becomes deeply personal. I found myself reflecting not only on the suffering itself, but also on the resilience required to keep going through it.
What moved me most was the way Crossan explores love in its many forms: young love, family devotion, friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. Repeatedly, the story asks what we are willing to do for the people we care about.
The main character’s tenacity stayed with me throughout the book. Despite the hardship surrounding her, she faces the world with courage, curiosity, and a determination that is impossible not to admire. I found myself rooting for her from beginning to end.
It also made me reflect on the remarkable resilience children often showed during periods of hardship. Many were asked to shoulder responsibilities far beyond their years. Young people today face very different challenges of their own, many of them just as complex and demanding. Reading about the courage of children in this story left me reflecting on the resilience required of young people in every generation.
I shed a few tears along the way, which is usually a sign that a story has succeeded in drawing me fully into its world.
Beauty and heartbreak often sit side by side in memorable novels, and this one is no exception. The story never feels unnecessarily sad or emotionally overwhelming. Instead, it handles difficult themes with such care and humanity.
At its heart, this book reminded me that even in the darkest chapters of history, people continue to love, hope, and choose one another. That felt like a message worth carrying with me.
Who it’s for
This book is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, and character-driven novels with plenty of heart.
It’s also likely to appeal to readers interested in Irish history, as well as anyone curious about novels in verse.
Even with its difficult themes, the story remains engaging and easy to read. The verse format creates a natural flow, making it a quick read while still allowing space for the story’s emotional moments to land.
While marketed as a young adult novel, I believe this book has broader appeal. Younger readers will connect with the coming-of-age elements and gentle romance, while adult readers may find themselves drawn to the historical setting, family dynamics, and themes of resilience, love, and hope.
In terms of sensitive themes, the novel deals with famine, starvation, death, grief, poverty, disease, injustice, class inequality, displacement, violence, and abuse of power. These themes are central to the story and reflect the realities of the historical period. Readers should be aware that the book contains occasional swearing.
Where to find it in South Africa
Although I easily picked up a copy in my local bookshop when I bought it in 2025, your experience may vary depending on local stock levels.
Online ordering is still an option, but delivery times may be longer than usual. If you’re hoping to read it sooner rather than later, the eBook could be the more convenient choice.
This may be one of those books that requires a little patience to track down, but in my opinion, it’s well worth the effort.
My verdict
This was one of the most unexpected reading surprises I’ve had in a long time.
I came away captivated by the story, the lyrical writing, and the emotion packed into its pages.
What I perhaps loved most was being able to pass it on to my daughter afterwards and knowing she could enjoy it too. Few reading experiences are as rewarding as sharing a story and discovering it resonates for both of you.
I also came away knowing far more about a chapter of Irish history I knew very little about before reading this book.
If you’re looking for a historical novel that is both accessible and emotionally rich, I would wholeheartedly recommend giving this one a try.
As always, I’ve kept this review spoiler-free, but if you’d like to chat about the book, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Have you ever picked up a book only to discover you weren’t quite the intended audience? Did it matter in the end?
From my shelf to yours,
J
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