Bohermore

Starred review from March 20, 2017
McMahon’s excellent debut makes a contemporary paranormal mystery feel cozy and romantic. Recent high school graduate Maeve O’Malley isn’t looking forward to entering Boston College. Instead, she feels strongly compelled to travel to her family’s native Ireland in the hopes of getting some answers as to why she experiences confusing and scary “waking dreams.” Against family objections, she settles into classes at the National University of Ireland in Galway, where she senses she’s closer than ever before to uncovering why a long-dead pirate queen is haunting her and members of her family. Maeve also needs to decide whom to trust: a mysterious guitar player, Rory, who ought to be a modern-day laird, or her college instructor, Paul, whom she keeps coincidentally meeting while exploring Irish ruins. The slowly unfurling romance doesn’t go in obvious directions, which adds to the story’s allure. Teen and adult readers alike will be clamoring for the sequel, as Maeve has much to learn of her family’s history.