Life in 1920s Belfast is tough for the McGuigans. Tommy, a man traumatised by action in the Somme, exerts a powerful influence over his family with bouts of drunken violence and cruelty. In spite of this the McGuigans are a close-knit family with four respectable children emerging into adulthood - until their stability is rocked by Johnny, the oldest son, who is forced to change his life to deal with the shameful consequences of young love...

But Johnny is not the only McGuigan in love. His sister Louise, a beautiful and clever mill girl, has fallen for the educated and handsome Conor O'Rourke - against the wishes of his manipulative mother. But an even greater threat to their relationship is the secret Conor discovers about his past, a shocking revelation that makes him believe Louise will never want to marry him...

Meanwhile, as the troubles continue to affect everyone's lives, and Louise and Conor valiantly try to protect their friends from the dangers of forbidden love, Louise's mother Nora is embarking on a secret relationship of her own - one which threatens to destroy the very foundation of the McGuigan family.

Painful decisions must be made; decisions that bring hurt and anguish - but also a new honesty, bravery, understanding and love.

From the bestselling author of The Best Laid Plans and Sworn to Secrecy comes another spellbinding saga of loves lost and found, deceit and jealousy.