A cute, cozy romance with all the lovely Ireland vibes you could expect! I liked the enemies to lovers trope, one of my favorites. I always struggle with the unrealistic aspect of contemporary romances set in the real world so that’s just a personal issue of mine. I would definitely recommend it as a cozy spring/summer romance to get excited about a vacation to the lovely Emerald Isle!

My thoughts



Narrative and Plot


We follow Cordelia who lives in New York but goes on a break to Innishmore in Ireland to take a break from life in general after grief struck her big time. Then we have Niall, who is returning to Innishmore from Dublin after his life turned upside down.






Grief and pain are a big part of the book, especially during the first half. It is all about how two broken hearts mend each other and find love. The narrative is a bit muddled as it shifts from Cordelia to Niall in the same chapters. Other than that, the pacing was good, and it didn't overstay its welcome.



















Characters and Conflicts




This is one of those stories where hate to love is executed in the right manner. Cordelia and Niall are in a bad place at the beginning of the book and hate each other because of their own narrow view of the world. As they begin to heal, they see the world and each other in a new light.

This gives them an opportunity to try a second chance at happiness. The story has a rich ensemble cast that keeps things entertaining, to say the least.

The final conflict is realistic, but it came with a lot of flair and drama. But sometimes, things are dramatic in life too, especially where relationships are considered.





Conclusion





Overall, I enjoyed this romance. It was a quick and easy read. If you are looking for a novel that talks about healing and moving on with a bit of an Irish charm and romance, this is your pick.

Oh, this was such a cute, beautiful story 🥹 it reminded me of the series ‘Virgin River’. I really liked the storyline and the characters, Roisin was so funny! I hope that there will be a next book because I want to see how things continue for Cordelia and Niall and I don't want to say goodbye to these characters yet. Highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a small town romance based in Ireland! 🇮🇪
Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for this arc.

Another promising romance that unfortunately went downhill for me. But I think if you're looking for a story to settle a sense of wanderlust, this is a good option. Delivering a fill of Irish folklore, history, and local dialect, the setting of Inishmore was super lovely.

With a grumpy attitude resulting in a broken camera, I really liked the initial hostility between Cordelia and Niall, too. But it was short lived. The hate towards one another was resolved rather quickly, resulting in an overly fast timeline with a questionable romantic development.

In a nutshell, it crammed in a lot of emotions and conflicts for two characters that hardly knew each other. I needed more time spent with Cordelia and Niall as a couple. The intensity of their feelings, especially after a mere one month together, was a little ridiculous and unbelievable for me.

4.5 Stars!

Cordelia James was at the top of her game, until the sudden death of her father. His passing left a huge hole in her heart and Cordelia found herself just going through the paces of life. But when Cordelia sees an ad for a summer opportunity in Ireland, she jumps at the opportunity. The last thing Niall O’Connor wants to do is return home to Inishmore. His heart’s been broken, leaving him grumpier than ever. The last thing he has time for is dealing with sexy American tourists. An instant hate blooms between Niall and Cordelia. It isn’t until fate decides to intervene, that the tide begins to turn…

The Irish Goodbye is a sexy and sweet romance that will capture readers from page one. Cordelia and Niall’s story starts with a hate-at-first-sight vibe but quickly turns into something completely unexpected. The chemistry between Niall and Cordelia was like a bunch of fireworks just waiting to explode. Their banter kept me glued to the pages, wondering what would happen next and when they would finally give in to what’s been building between them.

If that isn’t enough to win you over, the picturesque setting of Inishmore, Ireland definitely will. Its description is like something you’d see in a fairytale and is the perfect small-town setting. Yes, it does fall victim to typical small-town life in the fact that everyone knows everyone and each other’s business, but when someone in the town is in need, the islanders aren’t afraid to step up and offer their support.

The characters in this story are complex and intriguing. There’s more to them than meets the eye, especially the quirky, meddlesome Rosin. Rosin is one of the most unique characters and she definitely steals the show. I loved her fiery attitude and the wild stories she would tell.

The Irish Goodbye is a story of self-discovery, loss, and healing. Naill and Cordelia were searching for something and found love instead. If I had to make one complaint, it would be that the ending felt a bit rushed. I was so consumed by Naill and Cordelia’s story and wasn’t quite ready for it to end.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming romance with the perfect amount of steam, drama, and romance, you won’t want to miss this must-read romance. I hope you’ll give The Irish Goodbye a chance and fall head over heels for Cordelia and Niall just as I have.

Thank you NetGalley, Amy Ewing, and Alcove Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautifully written, emotionally gripping, and wonderfully heartwarming contemporary romance that whisks you away to the charming small island of Inishmore in Ireland!! Journey alongside two souls in search of love, healing, and belonging as a jilted Irish chef and a spirted American tourist collide in unexpected ways. Amidst breathtaking landscapes, tantalizing cuisine, exquisite artwork, and a tapestry of culture richness, this slow burn unfolds, promising to captivate not just your senses but your heart and soul. Overflowing with palpable tension, witty banter, the comforting embrace of found family, undeniable chemistry, poignant heartache, unwavering love, passionate scenes, heartwarming romance, and a captivating array of secondary characters, this story guarantees an immersive experience with its dual point of view narrative. I absolutely cherished this indulgent escape to Ireland!! 🩷🩷🩷💗

<I>Tropes/Themes:</I>
☘️Hate at First Sight (Enemies to Lovers)
☘️Second Chances at Life
☘️Slow burn (so worth the wait)
☘️Small Irish Island
🔥Spicy Scenes

<I> Synopsis: </I>
Once at the peak of her career, Cordelia James was a renowned street photographer with a massive social media following, gallery showings in Chelsea, and a lucrative book deal. However, after the sudden death of her father, Cordelia can barely muster the strength to leave her apartment. That is until she stumbles upon an ad for a summer job at a cozy cottage on Ireland's picturesque Inishmore island. Without hesitation, Cordelia books a flight. As soon as she sets foot on the island, she collides-quite literally- with Niall O'Connor, a grumpy local who has returned home to Inishmore from Dublin. Nursing a broken heart and attempting to piece together a shattered life, Niall has little patience for posh American tourists. The more Cordelia and Niall cross paths, the more they seem to aggravate each other. But as their interactions intensify, their mutual animosity is poised to ignite, heating up the cool coastal nights of Inishmore.

Cordelia and Neill's love story was truly captivating! What transpires is a summer of healing for both of them, where they discover the essence of happiness, trust, and embracing their passions once more. It's a story that beautifully depicts the beauty of second chances and the hope of fresh starts. Despite their individual brokenness, they find solace and completeness in each other.

In conclusion, this is a fun, delightful, and spicy romance that ends with a satisfying ending! I highly recommend and it is the perfect summer read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was a little hesitant to read a first time novel by an American writer set in Ireland as those can be a bit cringy and distract from the story but I thought this was well executed. This has the enemy to lovers, sunshine /grumpy tropes covered.

First of all, who could say no to this cover? It’s flipping adorable and perfectly captures the vibe of The Irish Goodbye (although, perhaps a little too sunny, haha).
Honestly, this is one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read in years. It felt both comfortingly homey but new and exciting (like travel should be) at the same time. I actually found the voice in my head was reading with an Irish accent! If you’re a foodie, be prepared to have some serious cravings! I was literally drooling over the descriptions of every single thing Niall cooked. The side characters were everything: Pocket the border collie is an absolute cutie; Roisin is the wisest most badass lady with all the best stories; Colin, Allison, and Liz the best friends anyone could ask for; and, while complicated, Niall and Cordelia’s families are so loving and supporting.
I devoured this book. And I was so fondly reminded of my honeymoon in Ireland. While we only spent one day on Inishmore, it was the best day and I always wish I’d been able to stay longer. The Irish Goodbye is the cosiest, most heartwarming reading experience. I highly recommend snuggling up in a wooly knit with a glass of cabernet to fully immerse yourself in this incredible romance.

I'm always down for a book that takes place in Ireland, its one of my favorite places. This one hit all the check boxes of what you would want for a small town spicy romance, but set in Ireland. With the customs and ways of the Irish makes this a great read. And it's not just set in Ireland, but Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands, so we get an extra small town!

Two of my favorite things appeared in this book, photography and some Irish dancing. I'm always hoping for an Irish dance scene when the story takes place in Ireland, and the ceili scene in this one was just simply perfect. I could picture the fun and hear the music in my head. As for photography, our main girl Cordelia is a photographer from New York, who is spending three months in the summer renting a cottage, to escape after the recent passing of her father. There she literally bumps into Niall stepping off the ferry, who thinks she is just a dumb tourist. They soon find out they are neighbors and on this small island and can't escape not seeing eachother.

One thing I learned is what an Irish goodbye is! I was uncertain of the title of this book, if it wasn't going to have a happy ending, but I can assure that there is definitely an HEA and an Irish goodbye does not keep these two characters apart!

Overall it was a quick read and would recommend for a small town romance that takes place in Ireland and don't mind a little bit of insta-love.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Obviously, this will make everyone want to plan a trip to Ireland - that's a given. What I didn't expect to love so much were these characters and their stories! Not just Cordelia and Niall but Liz and Roisin, and Owen and Collin. They really created this place and time and I love them!
What really captured this story for me was the plot and pacing. No misunderstandings here, and no love at first sight. I think getting a chance to see these characters grow and change as well and fall in love was perfect! This is the perfect summer, winter, or anytime read!

Cordelia James was once at the top of her game—a renowned street photographer with a massive social media following, gallery showings in Chelsea, and a lucrative book deal. But after the sudden death of her father, Cordelia can barely force herself to leave her apartment. That is, until she sees an ad for a summer gig at a cozy cottage on Ireland’s picturesque Inishmore island. Cordelia is on a plane before she can talk herself out of it.
The moment she steps off the boat, she crashes—literally—into Niall O’Connor, a grumpy local who’s just returned home to Inishmore from Dublin. Niall is nursing a broken heart and trying to patch up a broken life, and he has no time for posh American tourists. The more Cordelia’s and Niall’s paths cross, the more they make each other’s lives hell. But as with all rivalries, their hatred is about to reach a tipping point—and it’s going to heat up their cool coastal nights.

What a sweet, layered romance! Both MCs had really rich and complex emotional burdens and arcs that added a nice layer to the romance of the story — a romance that was steamy and wonderful. The atmosphere of small-town Ireland was well-drawn and I loved the cast of quirky side-characters especially Roisin.

Really enjoy this book.

Now, if it only came with a complimentary ticket to Ireland...

If you enjoy
-Steamy
-Enemies to Lovers
-Quirky side characters
-Swoony HEA's

then this one is for you!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!

Thank you @NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Amy Ewing for this ARC!

This was such a heartwarming, fun, summer rom-com with compelling characters and a great story arc. The setting came to life, and it felt so cozy and warm and it will definitely be my comfort read.

Cordelia and Niall were both going through their own form of heartbreak: losing someone (through death and an ugly breakup) and also losing their dreams they worked so hard for. Niall returns to his childhood home in Inishmore to be with his family after losing his restaurant when his fiancé cheats on him with his partner and Cordelia books a 3 month trip to Inishmore to help her overcome her photographers block that started after her fathers death.

It starts off rocky (which I love) and they slowly start to fall for each other ( duh).

I actually liked the pacing of the story! And the third act breakup didn’t completely get on my nerves. I also feel like it was giving Small Town but it wasn’t as corny as I usually find them.

Niall was so dreamy!!!! He loved her so much omg😭 His “aye”s got me so good y’all😭 And Cordelia was funny and strong and smart and soooo loveable. I’m telling you I loved these characters so much.

I also loved the side characters!!! They brought the story to life!!! ESPECIALLY Roisin!!! Love that woman with my whole soul we all need a Roisin in our lives.

And I liked that the author either really did her research on Ireland and the language and setting or actually is Irish.

It wasn’t perfect but it definitely was a 5 star read for me!!! Can’t wait to buy the physical copy in June!!

The Irish Goodbye was fantastic and such a cute read! Definitely makes me want to plan my own trip to Ireland though lol

This title was a perfect one to try out as I plan my own trip to Ireland. I was not disappointed. I will for sure be looking for more titles by this author!

I really enjoyed this one! Both characters had their own healing journey's to go on that lead them to one another. I loved the town and all the characters that came with it. They all made this book for me honestly, I love a good enemies to lovers/hate to love because the characters really gotta work for that happily ever after and these two did! The setting was perfect, the characters endearing, and the writing very good. Definitely would recommend this one.

This book made me want to plan my own trip to Ireland! The delightful cast of characters, the mouthwatering descriptions of the food, and enticing scenes of the sights all drew me in. The romance was so fun to read and I found myself wanting to just stay in this little world the author created in the Irish isles!

This book was enjoyable! I loved the small town aspects and Roisin in particular. Maybe a little slow in spots but all up a good read

The Irish Goodbye is a sweet rom com following Cordelia, a New York City based photographer trying to rekindle her love of creativity while grieving the loss of her father, and Niall, an Irish chef rebuilding his life in the wake of a broken heart and a lost dream. Their paths collide, literally, when Cordelia comes to Inishmore for a three month gig as the caretaker of a small cottage. Though initially getting off on the entirely wrong foot, Niall and Cordelia get to know each other better before finally giving in to their feelings and the sizzling chemistry between them.

I really enjoyed reading The Irish Goodbye. I thought that it did a great job portraying the realities of grief and fraught family relationships while still managing to strike a balance with the lighthearted sweetness expected from a rom com. The supporting characters are fantastic and add a lot of life to the story. I did feel like the third act conflict was a bit frustrating as it could easily have been solved by taking a minute to think and compromise, something actually pointed out by multiple supporting characters. Once everything gets resolved, there is a nice happy ending. At times, I felt like the pacing was a bit off as there'd be multiple chapters taking place over a relatively short time span and then in a sentence or two a whole month would be skipped. Overall, The Irish Goodbye is a lovely story with a lot of heart and plenty of spice.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the eARC to review!

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!