This was an enjoyable escape of a novel in which plenty of things happen - sometimes reading like a recap of a soap opera - but in which it's the characters, not the plot, that keeps you reading. Part of the appeal to a Maeve Binchy novel is in losing yourself (suspending your disbelief!) in Binchy's fictional corner of Dublin and immersing yourself in the characters' lives. I really like Binchy, actually, and I think she's a far better writer than many people give her credit for. That said, there are problems with Tara Road, as engaging as I found it.

For what I expected - a nice, light story with a happy ending, long enough to keep me engaged for an evening laid up with my sprain - this was perfect. Could it have benefited from an editor? Absolutely. It's LONG and very exposition-heavy. I don't think Tara Road is one of Binchy's best but she is a very good storyteller, and there are many glimpses of her talent throughout this book - though not necessarily in the main narrative. My interest was held by the side stories - Colm and Caroline, Hilary and Martin, and I wanted more of them, and less of Ria and Danny.