I love a book set in Ireland, but sadly I couldn't make it through this one. It was a DNF. I was board and couldn't connect to the FMC. She was rude and annoying and I didn't want to spend time in that mind.

Did not finish at 17%. I was not invested in the story by this point and I have picked it up/ put it down so many times.

I think the main character struggling with what her next steps should be is relatable. The story line and her attitude is just one that I haven’t connected with yet. Will try re reading again in the future but not for me right now.


Two stars because I have to include a star rating

I was really excited for Paige's new book but was pretty disappointed with 'An Irish Summer.''. When Chelsea loses her job at a Boston bed-and-breakfast, she's offered a summer job at a Galway hostel. She has no desire to head to Ireland but without other options and fearing that she'll have to move in with her parents, Chelsea heads to Galway to become a receptionist/event planner for a few months. From the get-go, Chelsea is incredibly negative and pretty surly toward her new city and coworkers; her love interest, Collin, is smitten right from the start but to be honest, I wasn't even sure why. She dislikes everything and can't wait to head home. The entire book is filled with statements that Boston is better and Galway is not a 'real life' but there aren't any reasons supporting either of those statements. The author could literally be talking about Toronto or Honolulu for how specific or special she makes Boston sound. I love the setting itself though, I didn't know much about Galway, or hostels for that matter, and I wish there was more of that to make the story interesting in some way. This was a miss for me, unfortunately.

Chelsea's job at the B&B is suddenly lost with the sale of the inn, but the owners suggest she take a summer job at a relative's hostel in Ireland. After not finding her dream job in Boston, and not wanting to work at her parent's practice, she reluctantly takes the job in Ireland.
The hostel is a bustling place, and Chelsea uses her skills at event planning to bring new options for guests. She makes fast friends with the other workers, especially Collin who takes her on tours of Ireland on their days off, and they hang out with each other and with the other workers in the evenings. 
Chelsea has made it clear she's going home at the end of summer and continues to look for jobs in Boston while keeping in touch with her best friend at home. Chelsea takes chances and starts falling in love with Ireland and the lifestyle there. Will the call of Boston take her home for good, or will the promise of a new life in Ireland and possibilities with Collin keep her on the Emerald Isle.
A summer romance combined with finding oneself makes this heartfelt story a winner.

3.49


A sweet story at the heart of it, but maybe skewing towards younger people. In fact, maybe making her in her late 20s is a bit much because this seems like a story for somebody a little closer to coming out of college. Plus, for somebody focused on her career and being successful, even with flexible and expanding responsibilities, her role as a receptionist for six years seems a little complacent and not unlike those at the Wanderer.

As I said, a sweet story with some sweet characters, but Chelsea is maybe a little too much. She is annoyingly opposed to going to Ireland and it’s a little repetitive in that vain before we finally get to Ireland, where the contrary attitude continues. Her attitude, while hers to own, seems about as unattractive as the other characters could find, which is disappointing. Even though it’s usually true in books like this—even when they try to make it look like it isn’t—if you are hot enough, it doesn’t matter how crazy or annoying or mean you are. You still get the guy.


The other characters, especially Galway and Ireland in general, are beguiling and largely too good for Chelsea. An instant low-key job in Ireland would be nice right now—hot tour-guide bartender notwithstanding!

Thank you to Alexandra Paige, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

#AnIrishSummer #NetGalley #bookreview #ADHDreader #AlexandraPaige #Ireland #Galway #romance #romcom #avon #harpervoyager #hostels #history

This book would have been so much better if the female main character wasn't such a difficult rigid person. She's living in beautiful Ireland for the summer and a handsome nice man is trying to get her to like Ireland. She's awful the whole time. It was a tad torturous to read the book. I loved the setting and the adventures in Ireland. Now I really want to travel to Ireland.

This book was a quick and cute read! It is a perfect summer/beach romance. I liked the FMC’s character progression and the sweet excursions she went on with the MMC. However, this book didn’t feel all that original/didn’t stand out to me.

This was a perfect Summer read! I absolutely adored it! Loved the main female character, Chelsea. I related to her a lots. Not knowing what she wanted in life. The job she was currently at sold so she had an opportunity to go to Ireland, but was not happy. She met friends there and a man/tour guide Collin. The relationship between them was so cute and I rooted for them to be together. I really enjoyed this book and think everyone should read it!!

Chelsea is a planner. If she doesn’t have a plan, she’s not comfortable.

So naturally, this book begins when her plans are abruptly taken away from her.

She ends up working at a hostel in Ireland. She doesn’t like the idea, but it’s better than the thought of moving back into her parents’ home. Everything about the job is different from her orderly, predictable life.

But, naturally, she gradually loosens up. She starts by helping to plan experiences and events for the guests of the hostel. She makes friends with the other employees. She starts to…have fun.

Of course, Collin is a big part of that. He makes it clear from the start that he’s interested in Chelsea as more than a coworker, and she eventually opens herself up to the idea. Still, she’s clear that she’s going back to Boston at the end of the summer. She wants a job with a big hotel chain, and she pursues it. When her dream job becomes available near the end of her stay in Ireland, she is conflicted, but leaves Collin behind.

This is told entirely from Chelsea’s POV. Her experiences as she learns to love Ireland were probably the best part of the book for me. While she does show growth over most of the book, I find the ending to be a bit of a stretch. I won’t explain, since that would spoil it, but…yeah. Too much change too quickly.

We don’t really get to see much of Collin’s internal life or struggle. He has a job he likes. He finds a woman he likes. He loves showing her why he loves his homeland. I don’t think there’s much growth or change or even conflict for him, so he comes off as kind of a flat character.

Possible Objectionable Material:
A gay couple. Unmarried sex (open door, but not overly descriptive). Adults drink. Some swearing, including the F-word.

Who Might Like This Book:
Romance fans. Anyone with an interest in Ireland.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2025/07/an-irish-summer.html

#IrishSummerAn #NetGalley #HarperCollins #BookReview #Romance

3 ⭐️ but don’t mistake that for me not enjoying parts of it. The writing flowed well, the story had some good moments & most of the characters were easy enough to get behind.

Chelsea, though? She was a whole vibe I couldn’t vibe with. By the time I finished, I was side-eyeing almost every choice and comment she made. I kept thinking, “If only we got a peek from Collin’s perspective,” because maybe then I’d get why she was worth it. Seeing her only from her own POV made her feel kinda one-note and, frankly, a bit grating.

Also, the Ireland setting? I wanted more. The author gave us the basics, but I craved the kind of details that make you feel like you’re actually there—the little sounds, smells, and moods that bring a place alive.

And Chelsea’s Jewish heritage was sprinkled in like an afterthought. I was curious about how that part of her shaped her, especially alongside the Irish setting, but it barely got explored.

Was hoping for a little more but overall a decent enough read with moments that worked, but it left me wishing for more texture and depth all around.

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the early copy of An Irish Summer!

I was lucky enough to recieve this copy before publishing & only recently had time to fully review it ! Thank you for the opportunity to the author & netgalley.

3.5/5 : I enjoyed this read however I did find myself a bit trailed off in thoughts at times but overall it was entertaining and I would still recommend it as a summer recommendation. You follow chelsea in her life and having to step out of her normal routine and redirect her life when she finds out the job she has been working for since grad school is being sold. This leads to her stepping out of her comfort zone and heading to Galway & this is where she begins to meet collin.

It is a very cliche base but it was really well done and I loved it.

If you’re craving a warm, feel-good romance that reads like a mini getaway, An Irish Summer offers the perfect escape. 4⭐️ thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A heartwarming romance that transported me to the lush, rolling hills of the Irish countryside. I love stories set abroad and the summer timeline was an added bonus! The small-town vibe, warmth of the locals, and tradition and history of Ireland contributed to themes of community, connection and self-discovery. I loved Collin’s charm and easygoing personality but Chelsea took me a little bit to warm up to. After about losing her job, she’s faced with making a tough decision for the summer. While I understand her frustration, I wish she was more open and willing to embrace this exciting change from the start. Love is a major theme but the story also focuses on trust and embracing the uncertainties in life. If you’re looking to escape this summer, add to this your list!

this was so cute!!!!! The fmc was a little annoying in the beginning of the book but honestly she turned herself around, Collin and Flo are absolute gems loved them! But totally recommend this for a cute fast summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Paige and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC!

This was such a sweet, easy summer read—set in coastal Ireland, complete with a charming local bartender and a skeptical American who’s allergic to fun (at first).

Chelsea isn’t exactly the adventurous type, so when she loses her job (and home) at a New England Inn, she reluctantly takes a seasonal gig at a hostel in Ireland. She treats it like a layover on the way to her “real” life, but of course Ireland—and Collin, the fun-loving bartender/tour guide—have other plans.

The romance is a slow simmer, full of gentle moments, culture clashes, and some magical Irish charm (Collin’s love for his homeland and belief in fairies was one of my favorite things). Chelsea took a while to warm up to, but I appreciated her journey—figuring out what she really wants instead of just what feels safe.

This book doesn’t reinvent anything, but it doesn’t need to—it’s soft, cozy, and full of feel-good charm. A cozy, Hallmark-style romance, it’s perfect for a weekend by the pool or anyone who believes the biggest risks sometimes lead to the best surprises.

An Irish Summer is the second novel by Alexandra Paige. Young Boston hotel worker Chelsea Gold has worked at the O’Shea Bed and Breakfast since she graduated with her hospitality degree. She had managed all aspects, including event planning, of the operation and had enjoyed having her own onsite apartment. Now her bosses, Helen and Jack O’Shea, were closing and selling the property, taking away both Chelsea’s career and residence.

Helen and Jack are sincerely sorry for the effect the sale has on Chelsea and proffer an opportunity for her to relocate to work for Helen’s sister Lori at the Wanderer hostel in Galway, Ireland, with room and board included, until she can find her dream job. Of course, this would necessitate Chelsea moving to Galway, at least for the summer.

While Chelsea is quite good at what she does, leaving Boston, her parents, and her best friend Ava sounds like a nightmare. However, the alternative seems to be to move home to her childhood bedroom and work as a receptionist in her parents podiatry office. Unsure which is a scarier prospect, Ava helps Chelsea find the courage to take the adventure to Ireland. After all, it will add a lot to her resume working internationally.

So with trepidation, Chelsea boards the flight for Dublin and then takes a taxi east to Galway once she lands, arriving at the Wanderer that evening. Upon arrival, Chelsea is greeted by Lori and shown around the somewhat dilapidated hostel, ending with her tiny room.

Lori introduces Chelsea to Collin Finegan in the hallway, but she will meet some of the other working residents later that evening. While Chelsea is regretting her decision from the beginning, the days are busy, the folks are welcoming, and Collin in particular is dead set on making her love Ireland and the folks who live there.

This is a sweet story of change and self discovery. Finding her way in a foreign land, Chelsea comes into her own and will never be the same again. I did enjoy this story and do recommend it.

I wanted to like An Irish Summer. However, the main female girl character was unlikeable and I don't usually have a problem with main characters. She complained a lot, about having to give up her apartment in Boston and about being laid off from her job, about having an opportunity to go to Ireland for the summer, about socializing, about being obvious her hair would clog the communal shower, about even just trying to make the best. She was just determined to get back to Boston.

I do get being laid off, I do get letting go of apartment but her best friend was right, she didn't have anything that was keeping her there she had to try to make an adjustment to the country. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review this book. It was a cute idea, but it fell flat to me because of the main character. I did not finish this book.

2 stars

Imagine the most insufferable, rude, and entitled female main character you’ve ever met. Once you’ve imagined that, times it by ten. The way I could not stand this woman from almost the second after she was let go. The way she talks to everyone was like nails on a chalkboard to me. And listen, this could have been a great book because the setting really hit, but we couldn’t even enjoy that because this Beantown groupie wouldn’t shut up about how her life was in Boston. There is no way this woman is good at any people facing job.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.

Cute story that was a great palate cleanser to a lot of heavier books I had been reading. This was a new to me author and look forward to more.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for a review!

I didn’t love it. It put me in a reading slump. I really wanted to love it but it was incredibly slow and just wasn’t my cup of tea. I am thankful for the ARC nonetheless