This was my coziest read of the year. I loved the chemistry between Chelsea and Collin- we LOVE a yearning man who will dedicate himself to a woman. The storyline/plot was original and didn't feel like it was directly inspired by something else that I've already watched or read, which was super refreshing.
Chelsea (living and working in Boston) unexpectedly loses her job and is offered the opportunity to pivot and work in Ireland for the summer. She hesitantly takes on the offer and moves to Ireland for the summer, where she has to deal with a bit of Irish culture shock from her living quarters to the food. Upon meeting Collin, he's determined to make her fall in love with Ireland since it seems like she doesn't want to be there. She is a person who is very resistant/uneasy with change. Her bestie back home is such a great friend and keeps up their friendship throughout Chels' extended stay and the banter between them on phone calls is so sweet and reminds me of me and my bestie. Without giving away the entire book, just know that this is a feel good, coming of age, falling in love when you least expect it kind of story. Looking forward to purchasing the paperback when it's officially released :)

This book drew me to it instantly as someone who has traveled to and fallen in love with Ireland. I love a good summer romance and thought this would fit the bill. I loved the inclusion of some Irish slang and different locations like Kylemore Abbey and the Cliffs of Moher; the author really did her research. However, a lot fell short. I did not expect a romance book to blow me away since they often don't. but this one truly let me down. One thing that irked me the most was the writing style. It felt like a middle grade or poorly-written YA novel and that really drew me out of the story. The story was also so predictable to me. There were no plot twists or events that shocked me at all or had me thoroughly entertained. The book was hard to get into until near the end, which is too late in my opinion. The characters also did not feel fleshed-out enough. They were like any basic character you would find in a romance without unique elements added. The main character herself really annoyed me. She is always so negative and unopen to change/unenthusiastic about traveling, which felt super overdone and slightly unrealistic. This is a great light read if you want something fun and low-stakes, but I wanted to have a more memorable experience.

Loved this book and read it in a day! Cute, easy read that is great for the wanderlust - ready to book a trip to Ireland after this one. Recommend for a feel good rom com story, albeit a predictable one. The book ends well positioned for a sequel!

The Irish Summer a nice short plate cleanser for a fantasy reader. I don’t normally read contemporary romance or romcom like novels though I enjoyed the setting and the characters. Due to my interest in travel and Ireland I figured to novel would be a good place to start with the genre.

This was a light, easy read with cheesy rom-com vibes. A little cliche at times, but still had me in tears at the end. A lovely, cozy read

“Americans always think you need to work to earn pleasure, when really pleasure is the only point of being alive.”

An Irish Summer follows Chelsea as she takes a temporary job at a hostel in Ireland to fill time between jobs. This departure from her ten year plan leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about what she wanted out of life and love.

The colorful characters and beautiful descriptions of the Irish scenery make you feel like you’re at The Wanderer. As someone who is also a bit too tied to plans and sometimes forgets to live in the moment, this book was a great reminder to be present.

Chelsea and Collin’s chemistry was good and he was so patient with her while she figured out what she wanted. There was just enough spice to keep your attention without overshadowing the story.

You’ll love An Irish Summer if you like low angst romances with just a bit of spice, Irish culture, and steadfast male main characters with tattoos.

Although this book presents an intriguing premise—set against the picturesque backdrop of Ireland, it promises a tale of love, self-discovery, and adventure. However, despite its potential, the novel falls short in a few key areas that prevented it from fully engaging my interest.

One of the main issues is the narrative style, particularly the tendency to "tell" rather than "show." While the author offers glimpses of emotional depth and character development, these moments are often overshadowed by lengthy exposition. The prose leans heavily on explanation, rather than allowing the readers to experience the characters' growth and emotions through their actions and dialogue. This "telling" approach creates a barrier between the reader and the story, making it harder to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Additionally, the dialogue often feels forced and unnecessary, detracting from the overall flow of the narrative. Rather than contributing to the plot or character development, some conversations seem to linger, pulling the reader out of the moment. In a story set in such an evocative setting, it's unfortunate that these moments of excess dialogue weaken the potential impact of the more poignant scenes.

While the setting of Ireland certainly offers a rich canvas for the story, and the premise holds promise, the lack of emotional immersion and the unnecessary clutter in the dialogue left the book feeling more like an outline of what could have been a compelling story, rather than a fully realized one.

3.9 stars!
An easy, feel good read! My favorite books take place in Ireland so I have a soft spot for anything Ireland related. I loved learning a bit about the slang and the culture. Collin is just a doll, I love him so much. Chelsea frustrated and annoyed me, but i think that was the purpose of her character. There were some parts of the story that I think could’ve been written better and had more detail or elaborated more. Overall, it was a cute, Irish summer romance!!

Thank you to the publisher for the arc copy, all opinions are my own. Liked the Ireland stuff, didn’t love the main character. A lot of the dialogue felt unnatural.

This was a feel good romance! I loved every bit of this book. I felt like I was right there with the characters.

An Irish Summer starts off with a main character who seems desperate not to like Ireland. Seriously, who scoffs at the chance to spend a paid summer in Ireland? Honestly, sign me up! Chelsea was bratty, childish, and at times downright rude. I was surprised how much the supporting characters embraced her anyway but it said a lot about their character. I wouldn't mind a second book about Flo honestly, she was a doll.

That said, the real star of this book is Ireland itself. The descriptions of the landscape, traditions, and even the accents are so vivid and well written I felt like I was there myself.

Overall, this was a cute read even with an irritating main character that redeems herself by the end.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

I loved this story. It was a great reminder to roll with the punches, as life and plans can change. And to always follow your heart and keep it happy.

I really loved Chelsea and Collin. I’d love a follow up of their lives. Or story about Flo or Lars.
This was a bit predictable, but I loved watching the journey unfold.
A great, quick, lighthearted read.

This was a cute book with a sweet story. The concept of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in the form of a summer trip to Ireland sounds incredible, especially when it ends in self-growth and a better version of yourself. I found the main character’s hang up on the “life plan” relatable, but redundant at times. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon, Alexandra Paige, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Avon and Net Galley for an early copy of An Irish Summer!

Despite the two stars, I really enjoyed reading book. The writing was great, I liked the plot, and I appreciated most of the characters.

The one character I found to be insufferable was the female main character, unfortunately. By the end of the novel, I was rolling my eyes at most of her comments and decision making, and I couldn’t help but feel like I wouldn’t have such disdain for her if we saw her through someone else’s eyes? Even just a few short chapters from Collin would have helped me see why she was redeemable and worth the fight.

I do wish we got more detailed writing when it came to Ireland. I think the author tried, but I wanted more. I also wish we heard more about Chelsea’s upbringing and Jewish background because I think that could have been a beautiful blend of cultures, but instead it just felt randomly planted throughout the book without any real exploration.

This book was a treat to read. I feel like I want to go to Ireland and find my own Collin ASAP. I felt incredibly connected to the country, traditions and culture. I loved the progression of their Collin and Chelsea's relationship, as well as her relationships with Flo and other people at the hostel. I also loved the the fairy stories. I could've read even more of those. There were only two things I wanted that were not included. First, more closure with Chelsea's parents. There was frequent mention of their opinions and the relationship dynamics, then when she chose to go back to Ireland we didn't get to see how she handled moving away from them, or sharing her choice with them. Second, I kept waiting for her to see twelve wild horses at the end to confirm she had fallen in love, or that she felt validated in her difficult decision. I could understand her deciding she didn't need to see them, but it felt like an intentional omen to share, to then not wrap up more. I loved the book overall and will be looking for more by this author!

I'm a sucker for anything to do with Ireland, and this romance novel was no different. I loved the characters and all the references to places in Ireland. If you love an easy to read romance novel, this is the book for you! A fun and endearing romance with a bit of Irish history and folklore in the mix made it an easy 5* read for me. I'll be looking for more books by Alexandra Paige!

I ready Alexandra Paige's first novel, and loved it. I was hoping to love this one just as much. The setting and the writing were on point, and didn't disappoint. Her first novel dipped it's toes at describing Ireland and this one takes it to the next level. Her description of Ireland makes me want to hop on a plane and go back. Galway is on my bucket list of places to visit.

However, while I loved the writing and the description of the location, I didn't connect with the main character as much as I would have liked. By the end I had warmed up to her a bit more, but I really wanted to jump into the pages and tell her to grow up, she was given a chance that so many would love, and she was focused on how this wasn't how she envisioned her life, instead of how amazing the turn of events was. That sometimes, the path not taken can lead you where you want to go.

Though it started slow, this story turned into one of my favorite romantic comedy stories. I couldn’t put it down! Chelsea and Collin’s chemistry and banter was so captivating, and the author’s depiction of Ireland was so on point and nostalgic of my own visit there. A true feel-good romance that had me grinning cheek to cheek and tearing up!!
This was an ARC read through NetGalley and I’m honored to have had the privilege to read it early.

This book was a lovely story about following your dreams. The found family aspect was heartwarming, and Chelsea and Collin's story was wonderful. Overall, it drew me in, in ways I can't describe. I would definitely recommend this book to my loved ones!

When Chelsea loses her hotel job because the owners are selling, she takes a temporary job at a fancy sort of hostel in Ireland while she regroups and looks for a new job back home in Boston. She's very resistant to exploring and loving Ireland. However, she can't resist the charms of Collin who decides to make himself her personal tour guide as they explore the country and she gets immersed in Irish culture. Will she stay or will she go? Honestly though, aside from the fact that he seemed sweet and nice to everybody he came in contact with, I didn't see the attraction between them. I never saw sparks fly. I don't know how their meeting developed into a romance.