tessla's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
xeyra's review
3.0
Like any collection of short stories, I liked some more than others, and I skipped over a couple that didn't grab me from the beginning. Some were funny, some a bit depressing, most romantic, and I enjoyed this collection of stories by Irish authors. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
musiquedevie's review
4.0
A wonderful book of short stories that gives you insight into Ireland's top female authors. A mixed bag of some great, some good, a few not-so-good and a couple odd stories made this book a mostly enjoyable read. I can't wait to try out other works by the authors whose stories I loved. Joan O'Neill, Catherine Barry, Cathy Kelly, Maeve Binchy, Collette Caddle, Marisa Mackle, Tina Reilly & Morag Prunty had fantastic short stories!
pinkalpaca's review
1.0
~Soulmates by Marian Keyes, 2*
~De-Stress by Joan O'Neill, 2*
~The Twenty-Eighth Day by Catherine Berry, 1*
~Thelma, Louise and the Lurve Gods by Cathy Kelly, 2*
~Your Place or Mine? by Gemma O'Connor, 3*
~A Good Catch by Mary Ryan, 2*
~About That Night by Sarah Webb, 2*
~Carissima by Maeve Binchy, 3*
There's no way I'm reading the rest of these stories. What a complete waste of time. The Maeve Binchy was the best but it still made my blood boil, which isn't a great thing before going to sleep.
~De-Stress by Joan O'Neill, 2*
~The Twenty-Eighth Day by Catherine Berry, 1*
~Thelma, Louise and the Lurve Gods by Cathy Kelly, 2*
~Your Place or Mine? by Gemma O'Connor, 3*
~A Good Catch by Mary Ryan, 2*
~About That Night by Sarah Webb, 2*
~Carissima by Maeve Binchy, 3*
There's no way I'm reading the rest of these stories. What a complete waste of time. The Maeve Binchy was the best but it still made my blood boil, which isn't a great thing before going to sleep.
joelle_cooper's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kateshark's review against another edition
1.0
My only experience with the "Irish women's genre" is Marian Keyes, whose work I quite like. So this anthology of short stories, containing one by Keyes, looked promising. Some of the stories are funny and satisfying, but others are exercises in trite stereotypes. If you like Keyes and Maeve Binchy, it's a nice mild read, but it wasn't enough to engage me.
sparklesandnargles's review
3.0
A collection of short stories from some of Ireland's most loved authors. In "Soulmates", we learn about the pros and cons of having a "soulmate"--someone who is apparently meant for you. In "De-stress", a woman deals with the loss of her fiance--and has to face life head-on. In "The Unlovable Woman", we are treated to a show of laughter and tears--and the stupidity and ignorance that sometimes come with love. There are 9 more stories that will make you laugh, cry, and smile--and maybe pull at your heartstrings. Not the best book, but a good read, yes.
kirstyreadsandcreates's review
4.0
This was a fun book. I don't remember too much about it, but I know that I enjoyed it.
essentiallymeagan's review against another edition
2.0
I liked Maeve Binchy’s short story but I really disliked some of the others in this collection.