When the b&b in Boston, where Chelsea works, shuts down, she reluctantly agrees to work temporarily at their sister company in Ireland. And as it turns out, Chelsea doesn't really like being away from Boston. Her new coworkers, however, are determined to change her mind, especially the charming tour guide Collin. Collin and Chelsea strike up a deal: he’ll show Chelsea everything Ireland has to offer, and only then can she pass judgment.

This was a such sweet, comforting story filled with so many wanderlust moments. Chelsea's character development, or should I say mind development, throughout was fascinating.

I loved Collin & Chelsea's easy banter. They were so right for each other. Apart from the romance, the side characters added an extra charm to the story.
Definitely pick it up if you're looking for something quick and easy!

<i>Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.<i>

I adored this travel rom-com! Alexandra Paige transported me with her descriptions of Ireland and Irish culture. Many of the sites described in the book are places we visited on a trip a few years ago. Paige paid close attention to detail & I loved every second of the Irish infusion in these pages. The language especially was bang on. 👏🏼

I loved the found family at the Wanderer and the banter between Collin and Chelsea was fantastic from the get go. Chelsea's journey of self discovery was sweet and authentic. I was rooting for Ireland (& Collin) throughout because I absolutely love it there and couldn't relate to her lacking interest at first. I recognize it was self-protective because changing the plan was the hard part, not loving Ireland. 💚

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I loved the chance to read this book and only wish I had picked it up sooner!

In AN IRISH SUMMER, twenty-something Chelsea loses her job at a Boston B&B when the owners decide to close up shop, but they offer her a lifeline with a summer job at The Wanderer, a hostel in Galway, Ireland. She reluctantly accepts, even though it doesn't fit with her life plan. She's counting down the days until she can head back to Boston until jack-of-all-trades Collin convinces her to open up and embrace new adventures.

Chelsea was nearly impossible to like for about the first half of the book. She's rude and dismissive to her co-workers and focused on getting home until she starts to get to know Collin and loosens up enough to make other friends.. (Also she doesn't know basic Irish touchstones like Guinness and claddagh rings? Every third girl in my high school had a claddagh ring, and I'm not even from Boston.) Once the romance kicks in, this becomes a sweet romance perfect for a summer vacation read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this eARC. Opinions are my own.

This was a cute book and I loved being taken to Ireland. I liked Collin from the get-go and how adamant he was to show Chelsea around Ireland and really see it and experience it. Their relationship was fun to watch unfold and I loved their interactions. Chelsea's growth and recognizing how she had changed was wonderful to see and I was so happy and excited for her.

The side characters were wonderful, too. Ada is such a great best friend and Flo was an awesome new friend in Ireland. I loved how they both talked to Chelsea, helped her to open her eyes, and challenged her.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige is a sweet romance and a lovely journey of self-discovery.

Working in a hostel in Galway, Ireland was not in Chelsea Gold’s life plan. But when her current employers shut down their B&B, she takes a summer job in Ireland. Chelsea enjoys her co-workers, but she has no interest in seeing anything in Ireland. Will laidback tour guide Collin Finegan change her mind?

Chelsea is a bit uptight and takes a lot of persuading to alter her focus from the future to the here and now. Chelsea has a life plan and when summer is over, she is heading back to her hometown in the US. While she is waiting, she is applying and interviewing for jobs back home. But Collin and her new friends eventually convince her to enjoy what Ireland has to offer.

Collin is charming and loves showing visitors his beloved country. He is a consummate storyteller who brings Irish lore to life. Collin has not always had an easy life yet he does not allow his past to rule his present.

An Irish Summer is a fun romance with beautiful setting. Chelsea is a bit annoying initially but she is much more likable as she begins to loosen up. Collin is delightful with an unlimited amount of patience. The side characters are fantastic and add depth to the story. Ireland is a wonderful setting that Collin brings vibrantly to life. The storyline is engaging but the late in the story conflict is predictable. Alexandra Paige brings this marvelous romance to a sigh-worthy conclusion.

I really wanted to like this one. Between the beautiful setting and the perfect plot set-up, it had so much potential to be a fun, funny romcom. Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me.

There were some good aspects to the book. I found the setting, Galway, Ireland, to be pretty dreamy. Coming from super dry California, I can only dream of such a lush, green setting! I thought the side characters were well done and the overall plot was good and moved along at a good pace.

I didn’t particularly enjoy the two main characters, though. I thought they both came across as immature. The FMC seemed to be so closed-off to the opportunity she had been given and she wasn’t willing to budge on her outlook until the absolute last second.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the digital copy. My review is honest and voluntary.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

An Irish Summer was a quick, easy Hallmark-esque type read. I'm a sucker for books set in Ireland. A 20 something finding her happiness and letting go of the expectations of what she thought her life would be like whilst falling in love with a cute Irish guy? Sign me up.

Unfortunately, this didn't completely work for me. The characters were a bit flat and lacked any real nuance. The FMC, Chelsea was honestly just...whiney and annoying at times. Collin was quintessentially great and everyone loves him.

This is a predictable, fun, beach read set against the beautiful backdrop of Ireland. If you're looking for great character work, it misses the mark.

Pros:
The setting 100% . I absolutely loved reading about the places I've seen, miss and loved so much. The author brought me right back there in vivid color.
Collin, Flo and Ada. These characters were some of the best parts of the story for me. Their wisdom and zest for life completely drew me in. I wanted to spend time with them, work with them and learn from them. Their patience with Chelsea was absolutely heroic in my opinion.
Cons?
Chelsea herself. I understand being uncertain in how your life is going, but I found her so very difficult and whiny. I'm not sure I would have tried so hard to get to know her. This probably says more about me and my age and inability to put up with people who put things, people and places down without giving it even the smidgen of a chance. I didn't see or understand the chemistry at all.

The start of the story was rough. Chelsea was so negative about everything, I worried that she would bring the story down with her constant complaining and comparing to Boston. As the story moved on, she slowly lightened up. It was clearly because of Collin, but I think Ireland may have had a small part to do with it.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the places they visited and the Irish culture infused into the story. I've been to Dublin and it was fun to picture where they were. Even the places I hadn't been, I was able to get clear pictures of them in my mind.

I don't know that I felt the most connection between Chelsea and Collin besides being attracted to each other and Collin being incredibly flirtatious. But they had some good banter, especially when Chelsea was in her grumpy phase, and that was enjoyable to read about.
3.75 rounded up to 4

I adored this book! Chelsea and Collin were everything I wanted in a sweet, summer romance and with Ireland as a backdrop, I was reminiscing on my own trip from Boston years ago. I felt as if I was there and experiencing it all right alongside Chelsea. Looking forward to picking up a finished physical copy!

Thank you to Alexandra Paige, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ebook ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Review will be shared on socials on publication day (July 1st).

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m DNFing at 30%. The main character comes across as rigid and grumpy and really just plain irritating. There’s no reason why anyone around her should like her as much as they do. There’s no real chemistry with the MMC other than he seems like a flirt. The descriptions of Ireland are lackluster and I’m so confused by the way Galway was explained… it’s a decent sized city with a university so her little one road town description doesn’t make sense. I just cannot get I to this at all and I have so many other books I’d rather be filling my time with.

In An Irish Summer, Chelsea’s stable life in Boston is upended when the bed and breakfast she works at is sold. With nowhere else to turn, she reluctantly takes a summer job at its sister hostel in rainy Galway, Ireland, far from everything she knows and loves. Struggling to adjust, she strikes a deal with Collin, a charming tour guide, who promises to show her the best of Ireland. As Chelsea slowly embraces the country’s charm and begins to fall for Collin, she must choose between the comfort of her old life and the possibilities of a new one.

This is a warm, romantic tale of self discovery, adventure, and summer love.
I loved watching Chelsea’s growth throughout the story. Though she initially resists the idea of spending her summer in Ireland, she gradually opens up to the unfamiliar, eventually falling in love not just with the place, but with the people who come to feel like a found family.
The character development is heartfelt and authentic, and the romance is sweet without being overdone. This book offers just the right mix of emotion, laughter, and warmth.
Overall, it’s a cute and charming summer read!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

Reading An Irish Summer felt like taking a mini vacation—full of warmth, scenic vibes, and just enough heart to make it feel meaningful. The story follows Chelsea, a young woman whose summer plans take a surprising turn when she ends up working at a cozy hostel in Galway. Cue the dreamy Irish setting and unexpected adventures!

At first, Chelsea’s attitude made it kinda tough to connect with her—I was like, girl, lighten up! But once Collin enters the scene with his positive vibes and sweet, down-to-earth energy, things start to shift. Their chemistry builds slowly, in a way that feels super real. He really helps Chelsea see there’s more to life than a big-city job and checking boxes.

I loved the Irish details sprinkled throughout—from fun arguments over Guinness to nods to Claddagh rings. The setting gave the story such a nostalgic, summery glow, though I did find myself wanting a few more vivid descriptions of Galway to really soak it all in.

I would’ve loved to peek into Collin’s perspective and get a deeper sense of Chelsea’s cultural background, which felt kind of surface-level. But once she opens up, the story becomes way more enjoyable. All in all, it’s a quick, feel-good read that’s perfect for lounging with a cold drink and dreaming of your own Irish getaway.

Huge thanks to Alexandra Paige, Avon/Harper Voyger, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!

an irish summer is an endearing story about how, sometimes, allowing yourself to get lost is the only way to truly find yourself.

after receiving the abrupt news that the bed & breakfast she works for is closing with the owners' retirement, chelsea finds herself faced with the option to work at the wanderer, a sister hostel in galway, ireland, for the summer or move back in with her parents. against her better judgement, chelsea opts for a summer in galway, expecting to return home as soon as she's able to find a new, permanent job. what chelsea doesn't expect is for collin, one of the wanderer's other employees, to make it his personal mission to spend the summer showing her the magic of ireland. what chelsea doesn't expect is for the wanderer, its employees, and ireland itself to burrow themselves so deeply in her heart that she's no longer sure where home is.

as someone who's experienced firsthand what it's like to fall in love with ireland, i absolutely adored each adventure collin and the wanderer's other employees take chelsea on. ireland's beauty and culture shine through the page. i also adored the found family that chelsea finds at the wanderer. i do wish the resolution was a bit longer. there is no epilogue, so the ending left a little to be desired as far as what the future holds for chelsea and collin.

settle in with a pint of the black stuff, and let yourself fall in love with this story. thank you to netgalley and avon for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

review is live on goodreads, and will be shared to my bookstagram on publication day, july 1st (both linked below).

An Irish Summer delivers exactly what you expect! All the summer vibes with the romantic setting and backdrop of Ireland.

It’s a charming, quick read perfect for vacation, following Chelsea, a twenty-something whose life takes a detour from Boston to a summer working at a hostel in Galway. The story is a lovely reminder that life isn’t just about work and plans, it’s also about living, exploring new places, and letting unexpected opportunities shape you. The Irish backdrop is nostalgic and vivid, even if I wished for more detail at times, and the romance felt genuine and sweet, especially thanks to Collin’s upbeat personality and determination to show Chelsea there’s more to life than a big-city career.

That said, Chelsea herself was often frustrating; her bad attitude made it hard to root for her in the first half of the book, and I found myself wishing we’d gotten Collin’s perspective to help make her more sympathetic. Also, bits of Chelsea’s cultural background felt dropped in without much depth. Still, once she softens, the story becomes a fun escape and the playful moments, like debates over Guinness and Claddagh rings, made me smile.

3/5 stars
An Irish Summer follows Chelsea Gold, a twenty-something Boston girl whose perfectly planned life takes an unexpected turn when she loses her job and ends up spending the summer working at a hostel in Galway, Ireland. While everyone around her sees it as the chance of a lifetime, Chelsea treats it like a punishment—at least for the first half of the book.

The backdrop of Ireland is absolutely charming (especially if you've been there—hello nostalgia!), and Collin, the easygoing, swoony handyman, adds a nice romantic spark. I loved their slow-burn dynamic, especially the "he falls first" vibe and their opposites-attract banter. Side characters like Ada and Flo were also lovely additions.

That said, Chelsea was hard to root for in the beginning. Her grumpiness in the face of kind people and a beautiful setting made her a bit insufferable. Also, nearly every character she meets seems to feel the need to give her unsolicited life advice—it was a lot.

Still, once Chelsea softens and starts embracing her Irish summer, the story picks up. If you're in the mood for a light, scenic romance with a side of self-discovery, this one fits the bill—just be patient with the main character at first.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Chelsea loses her job at a BnB in Boston, and her employer offers her a job in Ireland, working in a hostel. With no other prospects in sight, she goes, and falls under the magic of Ireland. Meeting the handsome bartender Collin is just an added plus. Cute rom-com with a fabulous setting. A perfect summer read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was a really cute read. I loved learning more about Ireland as it is a country I would like to visit one day. The romance in this book was beautiful and classy. If you are looking for a sweet romance to pick up, I recommend this book!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. This book took me to the greens of Ireland, and described the scenery so beautifully. A cute, whimsical romance with the main characters made it a great read.

I enjoyed this debut summer romance that has a Boston girl's life get uprooted when the owners of the BnB she works at decide to sell leaving her without a home or a job. As a stop gap, she flies to Ireland for the summer to work a hostel where she slowly falls in love with both Ireland and a sexy Irish coworker. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Alexadra Kiley or Kat Mackenzie. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.