Patricia Scanlan Books In Order

Publication Order of City Girls Books

Publication Order of Forgive and Forget Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

Patricia Scanlan

Patricia Scanlan is an Irish author of literature and fiction author. The Dublin born writer has written a good number of bestsellers, including Foreign Affairs, City Girl, and Francesca’s Party, to mention but a few. Scanlan has sold millions of books all over the world, and her work has been translated into many languages. Scanlan enjoys her quiet time in Dublin, where she writes from.

Orange Blossom Days

Orange Blossom Days is a heartwarming story featuring tenants in an apartment building by the seaside. The beautiful seaside Spanish town boasts of sparkling waters and orange blossoms that scent the air. La Joya de Andalucia, as the new apartment is called, becomes home to people from all walks of life.
There is Anna and Austen MacDonald, a couple who want nothing but to enjoy their retirement. However, family demands come with problems that shake their marriage to its core. Their narcissistic daughter is determined to turn their lives into a living hell. The author paints the situation in most homes where selfish kids bring strife to their parents in old age. This story also shows the struggle that parents face when they become grandparents.

There is also Sallyann Connolly Cooper, a Texan mother of two recovering from her husband’s philandering. Sallyann has always been a straight-up woman, and Cal’s actions affect her in more ways than one. All hell breaks loose when Cal’s mistress Lenora learns that Cal wants to end the illicit affair. The author depicts the theme of marriage and the many struggles that women with teenage children often go through as they work to balance marriage and parenthood.
The apartment is also home to Eduardo Sanchez and Consuala. Edwardo is a rigid fellow, so focused on his old-fashioned views and patriarchal ways. Consuala has endured being treated like a doormat throughout their marriage until she decides to stand up for herself.

The last person involved in the story is Jutta Sauer Perez, an apartment seller who dreams of owning an apartment block soon. Jutta is married to a businessman who is just as ambitious even though he conducts most of his business under the table. The author scrutinizes the effects of work pressure and infidelity in a marriage. The couple also struggles to support their aging parents even though the parents live far away.

As the residents of La Joya interact, friendships are formed just as some breed enmity. Even though the apartment owners view La Joya as an escape from the daily grind, the drama is expected. Most of the residents have a hard time connecting with Jutta while the personal dramas in the different households at times attract the attention of other residents.

The Orange Blossom Days novel is divided into three parts. The first part, dubbed Times of Our Lives, tells about the happy moments created by the residents of this luxury apartment. The second part is known as Time for a Change. This part highlights the heartbreaks that the characters are going through. The last part is Time to Move On, and it covers the advantages of accepting change.

Francesca’s Party

Francesca’s Party is a tale about a woman who decides to do the unexpected and get a life. Francesca had been the perfect wife and mother for ages. She was all too happy to take care of her two adult sons and her successful banker husband. One day, she catches her husband with another woman. In her determination to know the truth, Francesca follows the lovers to their hideout. Heartbroken, she realizes that her life is a sad cliché, and with Mark’s infidelity, her routine life is turned upside down. Francesca is left with only two options, sink or swim, and the brave woman chooses to swim.

The first step is to deal with her husband’s ambitious girlfriend. The young lady intends to get her way, but Francesca is not going down without a fight. Francesca has to deal with a teenage son confused about the family changes. This is in addition to a husband who is not ready to face the consequences of his action. Francesca kicks Mark out and starts to rebuild her life with the support of her family and friends.

All is not gloom for the soon to be divorced Francesca. Ralph Casson is showing more than a professional interest in her. All the fun starts when Francesca throws a party. She will soon realize that there is more to life than being the perfect wife to an ungrateful husband. The events that follow help all the characters reflect on their lives and become better versions of themselves.

Read about Francesca’s journey to healing and building some self-confidence. Her first six months are spent wallowing in self-pity, but things get better when she gets a job and starts to live her life on her terms. There are going be exchanges between Francesca and the Mistress and Mark will often be caught in the middle. Towards the end, Mark starts to see just how messed up his life is without his wife. Is there a chance that Mark and Francesca can get back together? Will Nicki, the home wrecker, gets what she wants and become Mark’s wife?

This is a well-written book with the main character many women can identify with. It is refreshing that when faced by difficulties, Francesca decides to make the best out of her life. The story spans over eighteen months, and it’s inspiring to see how Francesca and her family goes through a total transformation. In the end, the main character overcomes all challenges that come her way. All the other characters are well-developed and add a lot of character to the story. The story mostly focuses on Francesca’s family, so it is easy to follow everything that happens from beginning to end.

If you are looking for a feel-good read featuring a philandering husband and a wife who is not a quitter, Francesca’s Party is ideal. Despite the storyline, the book is enjoyable, and it helps that the story does not come with a tragic end. The cast is exciting, and there is enough action throughout the novel — definitely a perfect read for those looking for an uplifting, easy read.

2 Responses to “Patricia Scanlan”

1. june Mackie: 1 year ago

   iam reading a time for friends but don’t know if it is
   from a series as i read mirror mirror and thought some of the same characters were in it. I am enjoying your books and would appreciate a list please

   Reply
   • Graeme: 1 year ago

     As listed above – it is a standalone.

     Reply