The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal
Published in SEPTEMBER 2021
Reviews:
“This is much more than a rose-tinted, nostalgic Downtonesque homage to a lost era... Horuican incisively questions the gender values and social mores of the aristocratic circles within which the Guinness family move.”
- The Sunday Independent
“Masterfully and glamorously told... essential reading for history and gossip lovers alike.”
- Sunday Business Post
“The book is an utterly captivating insight into these fascinating women and the times they lived in... It’s an absolute page-turner.”
- The Irish Independent
The Glorious Guinness Girls
Reviews:
“...huge amounts of meticulous research in a bright, pacy, readable account of the early lives of these extraordinary women and the wider social circles in which they travelled. Fans of Downton Abbey will adore this...”
- The Sunday Times
“The story combines the intimacy of a family drama, set against the most opulent of backdrops, with sweeping historical themes... Hourican brings an emotional depth to what she does, which is applied here to tease out the social dynamics of the upper classes, the limited scope of even the most affluent women's lives during that period, what it was to be a dependent woman, burgeoning feminism and the social upheaval of the time.”
- The Sunday Independent
“Emily Hourican creates a ... nuanced and complex portrait of not only the Guinness family and their associates, but of the unstable, ever-changing world they live in... It is [her] meditations on the politics of class and gender that really shine. Hourican’s treatment of these issues are reminiscent of Jane Austen—but more overtly political.”
- Books Ireland magazine
The Outsider
Published in JUNE 2019
Reviews:
“A brilliant blend of sweeping satisfying family drama with a tense undercurrent of psychological thriller.”
- The Sunday Independent
“Almost impossible to put down.”
- The Irish Independent
“Sharp, compelling … maybe her best novel yet.”
- Louise O’Neill
“An atmospheric sizzler.”
- The Gloss
“An intelligent and fascinating portrayal of human behaviour with equally intriguing characters… quite simply a wonderful read.”
- writing.ie
The Blamed
published In jUNE 2018
Reviews:
“Part psychological thriller, part literary family drama, part sun-soaked nostalgic noir and a must-read for this summer.”
- The Sunday Independent
“Skillful, evocative and moving… This is one of those books that stays with you after you’ve read it.”
- Sinead Moriarty
“Insightful and astute writing… Emily Hourican has a wonderful understanding of human nature.”
- Louise O’Neill
White Villa
Published in August 2017
Reviews:
“The Privileged was a compelling, cleverly-constructed page-turner… White Villa is every bit as good, with such well-drawn characters you just have to find out what happens to them… the perfect holiday read.”
- The Gloss
“A gripping, page-turner about an incident that tears friends apart.”
- Irish Country Magazine
“Hourican displays an acute insight into women who consider themselves better than other women, and men who use them for any gain; a litany of jealousy, suspicion and underhand competition marks this novel as a psychological review of pathological characters.”
- The Sunday Independent
“Currently reading White Villa by @EmilyH71 and it's reminding me what a pleasure that well written, thoughtful commercial fiction can be.”
- Louise O’Neill, Twitter★★★★
4.6 stars on Good Reads
The Privileged
Published in 2016
Reviews:
"Beautifully constructed and elegantly told"
- Liz Loves Books (Read the full review here)
“A cross between Jilly Cooper and Jane Austen...”
- The Sunday Independent (Read the full interview with Emily here)
“It's so good, I couldn't put it down”
- Louise O’Neill
"Hourican has managed to breathe new life ... with a new atmospheric tone; one that registers close to that of Maggie O'Farrell or Louise O'Neill... As with most great writing, The Privileged packs plenty of truth and social commentary beneath its story"
- The Irish Independent (Read the full review here)
"The Privileged is a character-driven drama in the vein of Maeve Binchy, a Circle of Friends for the 21st century"
- The Irish Times (Read the full review here)
"It is ultimately a story of survival and redemption - but not without the learning that only experience can deliver"
- The Sunday Independent (Read the full review here)
"You won't be able to put it down"
- Stella Magazine
How to (Really) be a Mother
Published in 2013
Reviews:
"I have read innumerable other books trying to do the same job but this is really excellent: well done! A splendid book. If I get a chance to recommend it I shall take that chance..."
- Oliver James, psychologist and author of They F*** You Up and Affluenza.
"How To Really Be A Mother is hilarious. I identified with a lot. Wish you'd written it 14 years ago!"
- Rachel Allen, chef, author, mother of three
"A refreshingly honest book which gives an insight into the truth about real motherhood. This book is a must-read for those who want to have a better understanding of the obstacles that mothers face today."
- The Irish Independent, Reader's Corner
"An honest account of being a mother, and a rejection of the kinds of endless pressures that mother's find themselves subject to these days. A funny, witty and relatable must-read."
- Mums and Tots magazine
“Motherhood is a lifetime contract; this book will start you on the road.”
- The Sunday Independent (Read the full review here)
“Emily Hourican is frighteningly honest about motherhood in her hilarious new book How to (Really) Be a Mother. Hourican approaches the very touchy subject of parenting with a humorous angle and mums will be able to relate to a lot of what is written.”
- ★★★★★
5/5 review at Mummy Pages! (Read the full review here)