5-STAR REVIEW: YANKEELAND by Lacy Fewer

Publication Date: March 25, 2025

Fiercely independent and passionate, Brigid feels hindered by her family and the strict society of her small Irish town in the early 1900s.

Brigid and her cousin Molly, who is more like a sister, dream of a new life in the seemingly unlimited land of opportunity they call Yankeeland-America. Brigid gets her chance when she emigrates with her husband Ben and her brother James, while Molly stays in Ireland.

But when Brigid’s quest to have a child leads her to seek unconventional help, her mental stability is questioned. She is soon caught up in a patriarchal medical establishment she has little power to fight.

The new life in America Brigid dreamed about takes a drastic turn. Decades later Brigid’s grandniece discovers a sack full of letters between the two cousins. She unravels the story and vows to tell the tale of what really happened to Brigid in Yankeeland.

Young Brigid sets her heart on a future far from the small Irish village, dreaming of the possibilities in that faraway place called America.

Author Lacy Fewer introduces readers to Brigid and her cousin, Molly, in Yankeeland. Their shared dream of leaving Moling together takes a back seat when love comes calling.

A cache of letters between the two cousins is found almost 75 years later, highlighting the challenges Brigid faces with her new husband in America.

With compelling female characters like Brigid, the story features both the triumphs and the tragedies. Failure and lost dreams may come her way, but sheer determination allows her to survive.

The author delves deeply into the experiences of these immigrants who viewed America as the land of plenty, only to encounter unexpected stumbling blocks.

Yankeeland proves that America is more than just a place for a young Irish couple, it is a mindset and a set of experiences far from their small village.

Lacy Fewer is a native of Dublin, Ireland. A graduate of University College Dublin, she has enjoyed a career in banking and finance. Following her passion for storytelling, she has shifted her focus to writing. Yankeeland is her debut novel and was inspired by the discovery of her grandaunts letters, which haunted her. She lives in Dublin with her her husband and children.