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ander2ky's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sydinreallife's review
4.0
I've become an inadvertent fan of Nora Roberts over the past two years. Historically, I've read a lot of mystery and not so many light, romance-y books, but it's nice to mix it up every now and again. Jude Murray flees from the States to Ireland in search of a change of pace. What she expects to be a summer-long sabbatical in Ireland quickly develops into something more when she meets Aiden Gallagher (the tall, dark and handsome Irishman who owns the local pub). This book is the first in a trilogy, and it does a great job drawing in the reader and leaving them wanting more. Looking forward to the next two.
estherhutchinson's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
chrys_marin's review
4.0
Number 1 of the Irish Trilogy, this is definitely the best book out of the three. I didn't read them in order: I started with the second (which grabbed my interest in the trilogy), continued with the last one (which was just meh) and finished with this one, and boy I am glad I did! That way I ended the trilogy with an actually pretty entertaining reading rather than with the weakest book of the three (sorry Darcy and Trevor, but your love story just wasn't doing it for me).
Jude and Aidan's pairing is a fun one as they are pretty much opposite personalities. Interestingly enough, this is the book with the least magic of the three (we barely get to see Carrick and almost not at all Lady Gwen), which was fine for me as I rather the story focused on the developing relationship between the two main characters. I must say that the personality of Jude and Aidan were a bit different from what I had imagined having read the second and third books first, but I still enjoyed their story tremendously. In fact, I would say it is enough to just read this story and not read the other two books, unless you want to read a bit more about what happens to Jude and Aidan after the first book ends (which is very little as they are just secondary characters in the other two books).
Overall, loveable characters, good dialogue, and decent plot: a great read for a holiday.
Jude and Aidan's pairing is a fun one as they are pretty much opposite personalities. Interestingly enough, this is the book with the least magic of the three (we barely get to see Carrick and almost not at all Lady Gwen), which was fine for me as I rather the story focused on the developing relationship between the two main characters. I must say that the personality of Jude and Aidan were a bit different from what I had imagined having read the second and third books first, but I still enjoyed their story tremendously. In fact, I would say it is enough to just read this story and not read the other two books, unless you want to read a bit more about what happens to Jude and Aidan after the first book ends (which is very little as they are just secondary characters in the other two books).
Overall, loveable characters, good dialogue, and decent plot: a great read for a holiday.
csdeeter's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
iammaddiebee's review
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
thebookdivareads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mamabears_fabulous_book_finds's review
5.0
Nora Roberts is amazing writing anything in Ireland. I adore her Irish stories
thewordslinger's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I can always count on Nora Roberts to make me smile and laugh and cry in the span of a 6 hour reading session.
I don't really know what to say about this other than it is the definition of cozy romance. The story is sweet and funny and full of whimsy. It's got all the great lore of Ireland with a bit of the paranormal tossed in for good measure.
It also doesn't really take itself too seriously--we're not really here to learn any major life lessons or win any literary awards.
I've never been to Ireland (even though that's my heritage) but this book makes me nostalgic for it regardless. Obviously, this is romanticized to the extreme, but Ardmore's just the sort of place (where everybody knows everybody else and the village is basically one giant extended family) I want for myself--regardless of country.
I loved watching Jude learn what makes her happy. Watching her grow from this neurotic automaton to a woman who's not afraid to stand up for herself was refreshing.
Likewise, I loved Aiden. His confidence, and also his flaws.
And all the side characters--gah. I really just want to pick up and move to a small town now.
The paranormal/faerie stuff was a little confusing. And I'm hoping it's going to be a common thread throughout the trilogy, because that aspect of the story doesn't at all feel like it found any sort of conclusion.
Anyway, these are shaping up to be easy, comfort reads for me; 4 stars just for the vibes.
I don't really know what to say about this other than it is the definition of cozy romance. The story is sweet and funny and full of whimsy. It's got all the great lore of Ireland with a bit of the paranormal tossed in for good measure.
It also doesn't really take itself too seriously--we're not really here to learn any major life lessons or win any literary awards.
I've never been to Ireland (even though that's my heritage) but this book makes me nostalgic for it regardless. Obviously, this is romanticized to the extreme, but Ardmore's just the sort of place (where everybody knows everybody else and the village is basically one giant extended family) I want for myself--regardless of country.
I loved watching Jude learn what makes her happy. Watching her grow from this neurotic automaton to a woman who's not afraid to stand up for herself was refreshing.
Likewise, I loved Aiden. His confidence, and also his flaws.
And all the side characters--gah. I really just want to pick up and move to a small town now.
The paranormal/faerie stuff was a little confusing. And I'm hoping it's going to be a common thread throughout the trilogy, because that aspect of the story doesn't at all feel like it found any sort of conclusion.
Anyway, these are shaping up to be easy, comfort reads for me; 4 stars just for the vibes.
cmcdonnell's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25