The Paper Bracelet: Inspired by heartbreaking true events in a home for unwed mothers, the moving Top Ten historical bestseller

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About this ebook

Every paper bracelet held a mother's heartbreaking secret...

The must-read Top Ten bestseller, inspired by true events in a home for unwed mothers. Set in Ireland, Boston and London, and perfect for readers of The Girl Behind the Gates, Philomena and The Letter.

'Just heartwrenching and I was riveted with each page, wanting so badly to change the outcomes of what those poor young girls endured. I literally stayed up all night to read it ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' Reader review

'It broke my heart. Rachael has managed to tell a truly heartbreaking story beautifully and with real grace and dignity ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' Reader review

'This book handles a massive and heartbreaking history with a touch as warm and delicate as a baby's blanket ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' Reader review

For almost fifty years, Katie Carroll has kept a box tucked away inside her wardrobe. It dates from her time working as a nurse in a west of Ireland home for unwed mothers in the 1970s. The box contains a notebook holding the details of the babies and young women she met there. It also holds many of the babies' identity bracelets.

Following the death of her husband, Katie makes a decision. The information she possesses could help reunite adopted people with their birth mothers, and she decides to post a message on an internet forum. Soon the replies are rolling in, and Katie finds herself returning many of the bracelets to their original owners. She encounters success and failure, heartbreak and joy. But is she prepared for old secrets to be uncovered in her own life?

Readers adore The Paper Bracelet:

'I was hooked right away. I loved the main characters ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'

'A beautifully written story, uncovering untold truths ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'

'One of the best books I've read for a long time ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'

'Emotional and thought provoking ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'

'Wonderful and brilliant ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'

Your favourite authors love the novels of Rachael English:

'A true storyteller who keeps you turning the pages' Cathy Kelly

'Utterly moving and compelling. That first line...wow! I was hooked' Patricia Scanlan

'Fantastic storytelling looking back at Ireland's dark past'
Liz Nugent

'A powerful, important, beautiful book'
Sinéad Crowley

'A compelling read' Sheila O'Flanagan

Every paper bracelet held a mother's heartbreaking secret... The must-read Top Ten bestseller, inspired by true events in a home for unwed mothers. Set in Ireland, Boston and London, and perfect for readers of The Girl Behind the Gates, Philomena and The Letter. 'Just heartwrenching and I was ri...

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Ratings and reviews

12 reviews
Wanda Wildrick
January 19, 2026
I loved the characters and their stories entangled in telling the sordid facts of the past. I do remember the "being sent away" and was actually labeled as such upon arriving in a tiny Midwest town to spend my senior year at relatives. I was watched and there were bets.... even teachers treated me differently. I left home willingly to seize an opportunity..... unlike these poor women.
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Katherine Moreland
July 7, 2020
The Paper Bracelet
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Patricia Nunley
January 30, 2026
love this book wonderful
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About the author

Rachael English is a bestselling novelist and presenter on Ireland's most popular radio show, Morning Ireland. During more than twenty years as a journalist, she has worked on most of RTE Radio's leading current affairs programmes, covering a huge range of national and international stories. The American Girl, The Night of the Party and The Paper Bracelet were all top 5 Irish bestsellers.
Rachael English is a bestselling novelist and presenter on Ireland's most popular radio show, Morning Ireland. During more than twenty years as a journalist, she has worked on most of RTE Radio's leading current affairs programmes, covering a huge range of national and international stories. The ...

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