Desperately Seeking by Evelyn Cosgrave

This text consists of excerpts from Desperately Seeking..., the debut novel by Evelyn Cosgrave, published in 2008 by Penguin Ireland. The story follows Kate, a solicitor living in Limerick, who experiences a personal crisis after impulsively agreeing to marry her boyfriend, Keith. Throughout the narrative, she grapples with the fallout of a past affair with a married man named Daniel and navigates complex family dynamics involving her sisters and parents. Central to her journey is her developing connection with Mike, her former brother-in-law, which eventually leads her to end her engagement and abandon her legal career. The book explores themes of personal growth, romantic honesty, and the courage required to pursue a more fulfilling life. Ultimately, Kate finds stability by returning to school and building a new future alongside Mike.