4⭐️ There something about a story where the main character has to have it one way and realizes it isn’t the best for them. Really enjoyed how this was written. I’ll forgive Chelsea for turning her nose up at the opportunity to go to Ireland.

Chelsea has everything she needs in Boston. Well, until she loses her job and her options are work at a hostel in Ireland or move back in with her parents. She chooses Ireland and doesn’t see how this will work. Everyone is determined to show her all Galway has to offer. Especially, Collin. Just as Chelsea is warming up to the hostel life, the dream job back in Boston calls. Will she stick with what she thinks is best or take the risk?

Thank you Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and the author for the advanced reader copy.

Chelsea had a life plan. All was going well until the B&B where she worked for years is sold. With little notice, and few options, Chelsea accepts a job with the B&B owner's sister who runs a hostel in Ireland. She views it as a chance to reset, a resting point while works to find a job back in Boston and get back on track. She didn't count on Collin.

I enjoyed the up beat feel of this novel. Chelsea finds herself a new group of friends who have traveled from all over and find themselves employed in a hostel that has become home to them all. And there determined to get Chelsea to find a home there as well. For her part Chelsea so busy counting down the days until she can head back Boston, she doesn't even realize she's falling under Ireland's spell.

I loved the cast of characters. Working at a hostel may not have been a dream job, but they have become family and enjoy their work. They're upbeat, fun loving and dedicated to showing the guests at the hostel a good time. I especially liked Collin. He serves many roles, not the least of which is the hostel's tour guide. He's determined to show Chelsea the beauty of the country. As he tells her, "...give Ireland a chance. I promise, she'll be good to you."

As Collin shares day trips through country with Chelsea, the author paints pictures of the beauty of the countryside, the wonder of its history, the essence of its cuisine, and of course, the proper way to pour a Guinness. It gave the arm chair adventurer in me a chance to revisit one of my favorite places.

2.5 ⭐️

Sometimes predictable is needed, others it can be a bit boring. Halfway through the first chapter I knew exactly what was going to happen and how it ended. I was right.

The descriptions of Ireland were beautiful and picturesque. The side characters and guests were interesting. The adventures were fun and captivating.

I personally couldn’t relate to the fmc and found her kind of annoying, this is partly what affected my reading experience. I was more curious about Flo’s story than anyone else’s.

Overall, I enjoyed it and wanted to finish to see when/how Chelsea came to the same conclusion we’d all been at. The writing didn’t feel fully fleshed out. I just needed more…more details, more information, more insight.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, Harper Voyager and Alexandra Paige for the eARC copy of An Irish Summer in exchange for my honest review.

If a book is set in Ireland or Scotland, I will read it. This book was amazing. I loved the story and the characters. It was a great summer read!!

An Irish Summer is a gentle, escapist romance that delivers exactly what it promises: a cozy, feel-good story set against the lush backdrop of Ireland. Chelsea, a Boston native, finds herself working at a Galway hostel after her stable life unravels. There, she meets Collin, a charming tour guide who introduces her to the beauty of Ireland and the possibility of new beginnings.

The novel excels in its setting, capturing the charm of the Irish countryside and the warmth of its people. The slow-burn romance between Chelsea and Collin is sweet and satisfying, though some readers may find it lacks the emotional intensity they desire. Chelsea's journey of self-discovery is relatable, as she learns to embrace uncertainty and let go of her rigid plans.

However, the pacing can be uneven, and Chelsea's initial resistance to her new life may come across as frustrating to some readers. Additionally, the story doesn't delve deeply into secondary characters or the cultural aspects of Ireland, which could have added more depth to the narrative.

Overall, An Irish Summer is a charming, low-angst romance perfect for readers seeking a lighthearted escape. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it offers a satisfying journey of love and self-discovery in a picturesque setting.

I will begin by saying rom/com's are not my favorite category of books. The protagonist, Chelsea, loses her job and living arrangement when the B&B where she works/lives is sold. She takes advantage of working at a hostel in Ireland, owned by the sister of her employer, for the summer. This is where we meet other employees that become her friends and one, Collin, more than a friend. She spends her summer working the front desk at the hostel, sightseeing, learning about Ireland, booking adventures for hostel visitors and spending way too much time lamenting on how she will not remain in Ireland after the summer is over. If you like a slow moving predictable rom/com with shallow character development this one is for you. Unfortunately, I found the main character self centered and at times unlikeable.

Sometimes a book has all the elements I look for and still falls short. That was my experience here.

The premise held promise: A young American woman takes a job in Ireland after her seemingly ideal life in Boston falls apart. The Galway setting in the Irish countryside is idyllic. And there’s a handsome tour guide willing to highlight the best parts of Ireland.

What didn’t work? The FMC. Chelsea was insufferable. She wanted to be miserable and worked hard at making it a self fulfilling prophecy. It was hard to get invested in the story because she made it impossible. Admittedly, we got off on the wrong foot and I didn’t make much of an effort to give her a second chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I had such a great time reading this! I found the main character deeply relatable and was excited to join her on her journey. Also, I’m absolutely obsessed with the main male character. Looking at flights to Galway as we speak.

Overall I enjoyed this book but it I think I wasn’t in the right headspace to read it because I just couldn’t get in to it. I like the premise but I was annoyed with Chelsea and her inability to just let go and enjoy her time. I found all of the other characters likable and Collin was dreamy. I may give this one another try when I’m feeling more romancey.

This was such a lovely summer romance read! Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ireland, the atmosphere in this book completely pulled me in—it honestly made me want to pack my bags and visit.

If you're a fan of slow-burn romance with characters who are driven and passionate, this one’s for you. The love story unfolds gradually and beautifully, with plenty of emotion and depth along the way.

Thank you NetGalley for this read

#IrishSummerAn #NetGalley.

I enjoyed watching the main character as she sets off to explore Ireland. She quickly realizes it’s not the dream she thought it would be. Between staying in a hostel,the rain and gloom it might now be her cup of tea. That is until she meets a strangers who offers to show her the real Ireland. Once she’s seen it she can then make a final decision.
Then the fun and exploration starts. The ending was sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Rating: 4/5

*Thank you to Alexandra Paige, Avon, and NetGalley for this ARC! All reviews are my own opinions.

An Irish Summer is the perfect Summer Romance read! I couldn't help but root for Chelsea as she figures out what the Summer means to her and what she truly wants. Collin was such a fun character with some sassiness to boot. This book made me want to get away to Ireland for a breather and experience life like Chelsea, Collin, and the rest of the gang did.

I enjoyed this! I found Chelsea incredibly relatable and the story was one that was a joy to read!

Seeing her find her happiness and her people was beautiful to witness. Sometimes we have to let go of the life we think we’re supposed to want and go for what actually makes us happy to be alive.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC! I would read more by this author.

Thank you @avonbooks, @harpercollins and @alexandrapaigewrites for the #gifted book and ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.

An Irish Summer is such a feel-good escape. Chelsea’s life in Boston takes a nosedive, and before she knows it, she’s on a one way flight to Galway for a summer job she didn’t ask for. She’s grumpy, she’s skeptical, and she is absolutely not in the mood for charming Irish bartenders who believe in fairies, but Collin doesn’t care. He’s on a mission to win her over, and watching him chip away at her walls with banter, kindness, and straight up heart felt real and unforced. The slow burn hits just right, and I loved that it’s clearly Collin who falls first. Chelsea’s growth was one of the highlights. She starts out wound pretty tight, but being in Ireland and surrounded by people who truly care helps her figure out what she actually wants, not just what feels safe. It’s romantic, warm, and full of those little moments that make you smile while reading. This is one of those books that is the perfect end of summer read. Don’t miss out.

Young woman from Boston goes to Ireland for a summer job, not wanting to anything but work and come back to Boston. But with the help of some friends and an Irish guy intent on making her appreciate Ireland work to change her mind. A bit predictable, but enjoyable an$ a wonderful setting in Ireland.

Another book in the middle for me. The MC’s attitude was suuuper annoying throughout the entire book. I get the part about wanting a plan but she was so negative about the whole trip and extremely rude to everyone, not just sarcastic. She wasn’t even attempting to enjoy her time in the beautiful country and it took away from the enjoyment of the story.

On the other hand, I loved Colin and the hostel and city sounded amazing. It make me really wanted to travel to Ireland and visit all these locations that I could picture so easily. It was disappointing that the MC ruined that piece but I don’t think it took away from the excitement traveling to that country could bring!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for allowing me to read and review An Irish Summer on NetGalley.

Published: 07/01/25

Stars: 2.5

Truly disappointing. The moving away from home storyline appealed to me, and she does move. However, I did not expect the childish dialogue or the sloppy romance. The synopsis described an educated woman who lost her long-time job and with the move to Ireland I expected a smart character.

This may be the book for you if you don't have any expectations.

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige is a travel adventure romance featuring tropes of workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, along with themes of found family, self-actualization, and home away from home. I especially loved the descriptions of Ireland and enjoyed Collin's storytelling and, more generally, his character and the other hostel staff characters. I found Chelsea's character to be rather annoying, one-dimensional, and childish in her refusal to see what was right in front of her. Overall, this was an enjoyable summer read.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this title.

What a wonderful, funny , cozy romantic story, almost like your favorite Hallmark movie. . Taking place in Galway, Ireland, you feel like you can see the castles, the cliffs and all of the green. Chelsea moves from Boston to Galway for a summer job at a hostel, and she is not feeling it. As she is traveling there, she is already looking for jobs for her return in a few months. Chelsea sees that the employees form their own little family and she cant decide whether or not she wants to join in with them. She also meets Collin, who is the local bartender and tour guide, as well as working at the hostel (small town vibes). This was a fun, easy read- perfect for the summer.

Thank you to Avon Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. My opinions are my own.
3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4

Thank you to #NetGalley, Alexandra Paige and the publisher of the book in exchange for an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Boston has everything Chelsea needs. She’s worked and lived at the same B&B since graduating college, and she loves it. That is, until she’s informed that the B&B is being sold and she has little time to find a new job and apartment. Desperate, she takes a summer opening at the B&B’s sister hostel in Ireland. She tries to connivence herself that this is needed to help her get a job back in the States.

Galway has everything Chelsea hates. Chelsea can’t help but feel homesick for everything back in Massachusetts. Her new coworkers are determined to change her mind, especially Collin.

Collin and Chelsea strike up a deal: he’ll show Chelsea everything Ireland has to offer, then she can decide what she thinks. Chelsea finds herself warming up to the hostel and the Irish way of life. She also finds herself falling for Collin. As the summer wraps up though, she finds herself stuck between Boston and Ireland.

A fun and cozy story! It definitely made me want to go back to Ireland!