2010 is a year of surprises, to say the least.

Mike Fitzpatrick, after moving from Boston, Massachusetts, to Waterford, Ireland, after the loss of his job, house, wife, and baby, finds new life and meaning in his position at his friend Padraig Shanahan's sports magazine and with his new fiancee, Maureen. After all he has suffered, Mike is hopeful once again for his future.

Then tragedy strikes. A massive storm severely damages the entire country, including the Shanahan farm and the office of Shanahan Enterprises. In the midst of the cleanup effort, Padraig falls ill and spends months in physiotherapy. And if all of this isn't enough for Mike to contend with, two abused and abandoned children arrive on the farm. Their arrival brings the Shanahan family together to deal with the turmoil generated by their disgusting father. Just to add to the upset, One Pint Sullivan, former editor of Irish Sports magazine, severely injures himself while angry over his new job. The trials continue with the reappearance of Shane and Pilar, troublemakers from the previous year.

Still, despite all the tragedy, hardship, and drama, 2010 ends on a high note with the delayed marriage of Mike and Maureen finally being celebrated. Life is looking up for Mike once again.

Every chapter brings new problems to this Irish soap opera, a continuation of the first book in the series, The Shanahans. It provides all the ups and downs that soap opera lovers worldwide live for. And in Growing Pains, readers are introduced to an ever-expanding cast of colorful characters that add drama, intrigue, pain and value to the story. Female readers from 20 to 60 who loved The Shanahans will not want to miss this can't-put-down read.