The Celtic Connection

Sometimes a book speaks to you, without you realizing that it is. It resonates deep within you. When I first started reading the book, I wasn't exactly captivated by it. It wasn't one of those books that took you in within the first few sentences. But I kept reading because the blurb about it had caught my attention. I wasn't sure why, but something told me I had to read this book.

As the story progressed, the love between Michael and Gus grew, as did my fascination with the book. As it delved deeper into the hidden meaning, I found it speaking to me even more, and no longer as a romance novel.

I am a suicide survivor. I have lost someone very close to me to suicide and shortly after she left this world, I felt the need to do it myself. This book spoke to me in such a way that I was crying by the end. I am a survivor. I battle with my insecurities, my depression, my anxiety, my darkness. Some days I win. Some days, it's hard for me to even get out of bed in the morning.

Overall the book was brilliantly put together. There were some things that had me confused and I felt like the story jumped a little too much for my particular liking. However, all of that aside, this book resonated with me. It took me on a journey within myself.

A wonderful book of discovering who you are and what you actually want out of life. A band is booked of a trip that will either bring them together or tear them apart. The thing is the band has no idea who booked this adventure. Though it all the band pulls together and pull their guide in with them. The road they are on will bring plenty of twists and turns and make you see thinks in a new light.

Lovely read with strong and determined characters. The depths of despair to the strong, healing power of love. This is my first read by this author but won't be my last.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This book was kind of unusual in that the romance is just part of a bigger story. It is not until later in the book that you understand what is going on with Gus and what she has had to deal with in her life. I don't want to give away any plot because I think the author gave the details in the right order.

I have not read any of the previous books and it would have been fun to know the other couples full stories but this book can be read as a stand along. I didn't feel like I was missing anything and just wanted to read the previous books as I really liked all the characters.

The last part of the book was very emotional and inspiring. The way the facts were woven into Gus's story so that we can all be informed about this issue and yet the book still flowed - it was perfect. Loved the ending and all the gang together. I was also glad that Michael started asking the questions for his future career choices and made the right one!

*ARC kindly provided by publisher via NetGalley. The opinions and views stated below are my own and in no way influenced. Thank you for the opportunity.*

Frankly, I struggled a bit through the first half of the story. Simply because this was the fourth book of the series--something I had not realized initially--which meant that there was a world of backstory that I was missing out on. A world of characters, feelings, situations and moments that had brought these characters to where they are now.

It's like seeing a single wisp of colour of the rainbow through a keyhole.

But just like with the glimpse of a rainbow, this book too, required only that much to somehow keep me at it. I didn't want to stop reading simply because these characters had so much depth and life to them. I may not have always gotten their references or connected to their wives/children, but I could read about the fondness they shared. And though I felt an outsider to their stories, it doesn't take away from the beauty of the relationships I did see. Be it between the bandmates, or between spouses, mother and son, father and children....or the protagonists.

The second half of the book made it up to me. Where the story just sinks into a depth that I almost was surprised to experience. I didn't lose my footing even though I wasn't prepared for it, but somehow, the second half of the book makes you steadier in your understanding of the story. Of the characters. The message in the book, the support that each character provides to one another in the time of need, the love they show one another were all a good-read worthy.

I appreciate the way the author had approached this sensitive topic of mental health and illnesses. They are very real. They are as serious and difficult as any physical illness. They are something that the victims are never meant to feel ashamed about or be ostracised for.

Four stars. I recommend this book, preferably read it as a series.

This is the first in this series that I have read and found it fun, frothy and with lots of interesting ‘tasks’ set as the Retreat weekend - imagination..
This is an amusing story about a pop group that goes on a team bonding weekend, except that they all they know is it is a mystery tour.
It was not only good reading but it also tackled a serious issue - that of mental health, depression and suicide. There was an excellent discussion relating to this and explanation of how people can be driven to suicide as a way of making other people happy - or that is what they believe. Very empathetic.

This book was full of surprises for me. It also tackles a very taboo subject that the author has written exquisitely. The way the author portrays depression and suicide it makes me feel as though she has either experienced one or both of these afflictions herself or knows someone who has suffered. As a person who has suffered and continues to suffer with depression I can only praise her for the way she has written this book.

I haven’t read any of the previous books in the Kilts series, but I really don’t think that should worry anyone as I would say that you could class this book as a Stand Alone. If this book is anything to go by I think I have to put the others on to my TBR (To Be Read) List.


The Kilts are an Irish folk band that have been on tour and are due to embark on a weekends retreat. Which all of the band members are looking forward to especially Michael O’Corrain.

Michael needs this retreat, as he needs some down time as he’s got some big decision’s to make about how to take his career forward. Michael’s musical training is in operatic’s, and he’s been given two different options on how to forward his solo career. One option is for him to be the leading man in a new Broadway musical, which will give him instant fame. Except the music isn’t quite right for him. The second option is to sign up with a good agent that will help him launch his solo career, in the type of music he likes to sing. This option will take lots of hard work and time. So which option will he choose?

As the bands private plane lands they are all ushered in to the large hanger to meet the retreat organiser Gus, who will give them tasks that they have to do in an allotted time or they wont win a holiday. Gus is a beautiful petite woman, and Michael is instantly attracted to her, and everyone around them can sense the chemistry between them.

Gus is meant to keep the Kilts off balance all weekend, but it seems that Michael is the one throwing Gus the curve balls instead. Gus does everything that she can to keep her distance from Michael but the pull between them is too much for either of them to resist.

After the weekend of tasks and team building exercises, everyone relocates to a lovely spacious retreat, where the rest of the band members find their wives and children. The only one not to have anyone there for him is Michael, but he ends up spending as much time as he can with Gus. Their relationship seem to be moving fast until Michael puts his foot in it and Gus runs away.

Michael doesn’t understand what he has done to make Gus run but with some guidance from Gus’ best friend Michael is put back on the right track. The only problem is will Gus take him back as the thing he messed up on was, about mental health and suicide which is close to Gus’s heart. Will Michael be able to win Gus back and will Gus open up to Michael?

As I’ve said I really enjoyed this book and the way it tackles mental health and suicide problems. The author has written it so tactfully.

New author for me to read in the addition to A Kilts Book 4. Gus and Michael O’Corrain travel an interesting road to romance .
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

Definitely make sure you read the beginning of the series so you’re not lost. Definitely a great story that will pull you in as you find out the experiences that can shape who you are.