What She Wants

Four Women, One Village, and the Secrets of the Heart

What She Wants by bestselling author Cathy Kelly, published by HarperCollins in 2002, is a warm, witty, and emotionally rich novel about friendship, love, and the quiet strength it takes to change your life. Set in the charming Irish village of Dunmore, the story follows four very different women as they navigate the turning points in their lives.

Secrets, surprises, and second chances await as each woman faces her own crossroads. Hope has the perfect family—or so it seems. Virginia is hiding a heartbreak that won’t stay buried. Dee is determined to rebuild her life after a painful divorce. And Sally, seemingly content, begins to question if she’s missing out on something more.

As their lives intertwine, the women form unexpected bonds that help them face the truth about what they really want—and what they’re brave enough to go after. With her trademark blend of warmth, humor, and insight, Cathy Kelly paints a touching portrait of modern womanhood and the powerful friendships that shape us.

What She Wants is a feel-good, soul-stirring novel perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy and Jojo Moyes—proof that it's never too late to find happiness on your own terms.