What the Wind Knows

An Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post bestseller.

In an unforgettable love story, a woman's impossible journey through the ages could change everything...

Anne Gallagher grew up enchanted by her grandfather's stories of Ireland. Heartbroken at his death, she travels to his childhood home to spread his ashes. There, overcome with memories of the man she adored and consumed by a history she never knew, she is pulled into another time.

The Ireland of 1921, teetering on the edge of war, is a dangerous place in which to awaken. But there Anne finds herself, hurt, disoriented, and under the care of Dr. Thomas Smith, guardian to a young boy who is oddly familiar. Mistaken for the boy's long-missing mother, Anne adopts her identity, convinced the woman's disappearance is connected to her own.

As tensions rise, Thomas joins the struggle for Ireland's independence and Anne is drawn into the conflict beside him. Caught between history and her heart, she must decide whether she's willing to let go of the life she knew for a love she never thought she'd find. But in the end, is the choice actually hers to make?

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Published Mar 1, 2019

416 pages

Average rating: 7.85

216 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Margie Pettersen
Oct 27, 2025
10/10 stars
Amazing

A great historical fiction and love story. A time travel book that tells part of the story of Ireland from 1916-1922. If you like books by Diane Gabaldon and The Time Travelers Wife, you’ll love this one.
Maddie_0513
Aug 20, 2025
7/10 stars
I struggled with this book. I’m not a history buff and found it difficult to understand the beginning. The middle part of the book seemed to drag on but I found that’s what needed to be done to understand the ending. Not sure I’d read this again but I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and finished it. I was very close to just giving up on it for my first ever DNR.
literarily_occupied
Aug 12, 2025
10/10 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brooklyn, NY 2001 / Ireland 1921

A historical fiction romance with a little time travel fantasy; Amy Harmon once again captured my heart with her skillful writing in What the Wind Knows.

I was entranced by the love story unfolding within these pages and even more so by the history of Ireland and the story of her people's fight for freedom from without and within.

“We turn memories into stories, and if we don’t, we lose them. If the stories are gone, then the people are gone too.”

“But the wind and water know all the earth’s secrets. They’ve seen and heard all that has ever been said or done. And if you listen, they will tell you all the stories and sing every song. The stories of everyone who has ever lived. Millions and millions of lives. Millions and millions of stories.”

"Anne Gallagher grew up enchanted by her grandfather’s stories of Ireland. Heartbroken at his death, she travels to his childhood home to spread his ashes. There, overcome with memories of the man she adored and consumed by a history she never knew, she is pulled into another time.

The Ireland of 1921, teetering on the edge of war, is a dangerous place in which to awaken. But there Anne finds herself, hurt, disoriented, and under the care of Dr. Thomas Smith, guardian to a young boy who is oddly familiar. Mistaken for the boy’s long-missing mother, Anne adopts her identity, convinced the woman’s disappearance is connected to her own.

As tensions rise, Thomas joins the struggle for Ireland’s independence and Anne is drawn into the conflict beside him. Caught between history and her heart, she must decide whether she’s willing to let go of the life she knew for a love she never thought she’d find. But in the end, is the choice actually hers to make?"
Harrietaspy
May 04, 2025
6/10 stars
Time travel books are generally not my thing but I did love the characters and it was a well-weaved book.
katemcelliott
Aug 22, 2024
9/10 stars
Takes place in Ireland. BEAUTIFUL writing. I just adored this book! So many quotes I would love to just take out of this book and post around my house too.

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