Breeda Looney tells herself she's content with her quiet life in a remote Irish fishing village. She has her routines, her cat, and the familiar rhythm of the sea. But beneath the surface, Breeda is barely holding things together. Her panic attacks have become public spectacles, her world has grown painfully small, and her sharp‑tongued Aunt Nora never lets her forget how little she's accomplished.
Then one discovery changes everything.
A long‑buried family secret suggests that Breeda's beloved father—said to have died when she was a child—might still be alive. The revelation cracks open the story she's lived by for decades, and Breeda finds herself drawn into a past no one ever intended her to uncover.
As she searches for the truth, Breeda stumbles into a tangle of old wounds, shifting loyalties, and unexpected connections. Along the way, she must confront the lies she inherited, the fears that have shaped her, and the possibility of a life larger than the one she's been surviving.
Heartfelt, compelling, and often darkly funny, Breeda Looney Steps Forth is a warm and deeply human story about family, identity, and the courage it takes to step into your own life. Set against the rugged beauty of Ireland's west coast and filled with memorable characters, this debut novel will stay with readers long after the final page.
Praise for Breeda Looney Steps Forth
"Set in modern Ireland and steeped in the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, this story is told with passionate and lyrical grace." — Goodreads
"[Oliver Sands'] lyrical prose consistently impresses... this is a worthy page‑turner." — Publishers Weekly
"Hilarious at times but ultimately totally heartwarming, Breeda Looney Steps Forth is an outstanding debut." — The Book Magnet
Perfect for readers of Graham Norton, Rachel Joyce, Roisin Meaney, and Carmel Harrington.
