For Alison Gill, mother of three young children, this year's much-needed family holiday at Fitzgerald's Hotel on the southeast coast of Ireland should be, as ever, absolute paradise. So when a work crisis forces her husband to return to Dublin, she is left angry, disappointed and susceptible to the confusing emotions surrounding a chance poolside encounter with Chris, an old flame from nearly twenty years ago.

In seeing him again, Alison cannot help but reflect on the passing of time, and sit in judgement on the life she has made for herself. Is this going to be a turning point, an opportunity to revive the passion and optimism of her youth? A final chance? Will she let herself be tempted?

Rarely does a male writer enter into the mind of a woman as assuredly as Bolger does in this vivid, skilful meditation on family life, the end of youth and the road less travelled. His portrait of Allison, a woman brought alive by his warmth and understanding, is simply stunning. Told with characteristic insight, verve and humour, this novel weaves a wonderful web of conflicting emotions behind the simple story of five eventful nights in an idyllic Irish hotel.