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crazyylizard's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
Glad I made it through the first third.
camerynporter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Final installment in the Irish Hearts Trilogy. This follows Keeley, the daughter of the couple from book 1. Extremely cute and fast read!
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Third and last in the Irish Hearts romance series set in Kentucky and revolving around the Grant family. The couple focus is on Keeley Grant and Brian Donnelly.
My Take
Between being a Harlequin and a Nora Roberts story, what more is there to say? It's a sweet, well-written romance revolving around horses and a couple with issues. Brian resents anyone with money. Those lazy gobshites! And the stubborn, toffee-nosed Keeley insists on doing it all herself. Nor is she shy in bed, which is a big surprise all things considered.
It was sweet when Keeley called Brian on his snobbery. I do love her plan for her riding academy. It's brilliant and so very considerate! As is Keeley's insistence on the kids being well-rounded.
Hah! I cannot help laughing. Whoever says animals are stupid is so wrong as Finnegan shows when he "takes care" of business in the stables.
It's a stubborn pride and expectations that create the conflicts in Irish Rebel.
The Story
Paddy may have recommended Brian, but Travis wants a man who'll stay the course, and Brian is known for flitting off after a few years.
Yet the challenges that await him at Royal Meadows may have him reconsidering, and then reconsidering again when he discovers the truth about Keeley.
The Characters
Brian Donnelly is a trainer in Ireland who's jumping ship. A restless boyo, he doesn't like to stay in one place too long. Old Mahan had been Brian's boss in Kildare, Ireland.
Royal Meadows is…
…the world-class thoroughbred farm run by Travis and Adelia Grant (Irish Thoroughbred, 1). Brendon Grant is the heir apparent; Sarah and Patrick are the twins; Keeley is the ice princess and an Olympic medalist; and, Brady is at school. Patrick Cunnane was Adelia's uncle and the Grants' trainer back in the day. Sheamus is the aged dog. Hannah had been the housekeeper until she retired.
The stableboys include Linda, Bobbie, and Reivers; Jim is an exercise boy who lost the draw. The horses include Bad Betty who likes to make trouble. Majesty bred Prince who bred King Zeus who is currently running for Royal Meadows. Additional horses in the stables include Hero who loves to run, Lucy has bronchitis, Brooder, Tempest in a Teacup, Caramel, Giant, and Finnegan, a.k.a., Flight of Fancy, the rescued one.
Keeley's school is…
…Royal Meadows Riding Academy and an unexpected surprise for Brian. Her students include Lynn, Shelly, Willy, and Joey. The horses include Sam, a nine-year-old hunter; Teddy Bear; Mule; and, Honey.
Three Aces is…
…the farm owned by Aunt Erin, their accountant, and Uncle Burke Logan who have three children: Maureen, Trevor, and Jena. Hennessy is one of their horses.
Will Cunningham. Chad Stuart is a condescending nightmare for any intelligent woman. T.D. and Sissy Giles are of Chad's ilk along with Drake and Pamela Larken and Renny. Peter Taramack runs his horses into the ground. Larry is his unhappy jockey.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a landscape with a couple on horseback looking out over the valley, a mansion below them with a line of trees lining the drive and up to the circular drive in front of the house. A soft royal blue arch frames it at the top with a gold curlicue border and the author's name in an embossed gold and white with the title, in white, at the bottom left.
The title could apply to either Brian or Keeley, for they each have a bit of Irish Rebel in 'em.
My Take
Between being a Harlequin and a Nora Roberts story, what more is there to say? It's a sweet, well-written romance revolving around horses and a couple with issues. Brian resents anyone with money. Those lazy gobshites! And the stubborn, toffee-nosed Keeley insists on doing it all herself. Nor is she shy in bed, which is a big surprise all things considered.
It was sweet when Keeley called Brian on his snobbery. I do love her plan for her riding academy. It's brilliant and so very considerate! As is Keeley's insistence on the kids being well-rounded.
Hah! I cannot help laughing. Whoever says animals are stupid is so wrong as Finnegan shows when he "takes care" of business in the stables.
It's a stubborn pride and expectations that create the conflicts in Irish Rebel.
The Story
Paddy may have recommended Brian, but Travis wants a man who'll stay the course, and Brian is known for flitting off after a few years.
Yet the challenges that await him at Royal Meadows may have him reconsidering, and then reconsidering again when he discovers the truth about Keeley.
The Characters
Brian Donnelly is a trainer in Ireland who's jumping ship. A restless boyo, he doesn't like to stay in one place too long. Old Mahan had been Brian's boss in Kildare, Ireland.
Royal Meadows is…
…the world-class thoroughbred farm run by Travis and Adelia Grant (Irish Thoroughbred, 1). Brendon Grant is the heir apparent; Sarah and Patrick are the twins; Keeley is the ice princess and an Olympic medalist; and, Brady is at school. Patrick Cunnane was Adelia's uncle and the Grants' trainer back in the day. Sheamus is the aged dog. Hannah had been the housekeeper until she retired.
The stableboys include Linda, Bobbie, and Reivers; Jim is an exercise boy who lost the draw. The horses include Bad Betty who likes to make trouble. Majesty bred Prince who bred King Zeus who is currently running for Royal Meadows. Additional horses in the stables include Hero who loves to run, Lucy has bronchitis, Brooder, Tempest in a Teacup, Caramel, Giant, and Finnegan, a.k.a., Flight of Fancy, the rescued one.
Keeley's school is…
…Royal Meadows Riding Academy and an unexpected surprise for Brian. Her students include Lynn, Shelly, Willy, and Joey. The horses include Sam, a nine-year-old hunter; Teddy Bear; Mule; and, Honey.
Three Aces is…
…the farm owned by Aunt Erin, their accountant, and Uncle Burke Logan who have three children: Maureen, Trevor, and Jena. Hennessy is one of their horses.
Will Cunningham. Chad Stuart is a condescending nightmare for any intelligent woman. T.D. and Sissy Giles are of Chad's ilk along with Drake and Pamela Larken and Renny. Peter Taramack runs his horses into the ground. Larry is his unhappy jockey.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a landscape with a couple on horseback looking out over the valley, a mansion below them with a line of trees lining the drive and up to the circular drive in front of the house. A soft royal blue arch frames it at the top with a gold curlicue border and the author's name in an embossed gold and white with the title, in white, at the bottom left.
The title could apply to either Brian or Keeley, for they each have a bit of Irish Rebel in 'em.
christilovesbooks_smut's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Keeley is Adelia & Travis’s oldest daughter. Brian has accepted a job from Travis & Adelia as their new horse trainer. Keeley has opened a riding school. They have fireworks between them & miscommunication, of course. They fall in lust & then love. 🥰 This was published in 2000.
anbananova's review against another edition
5.0
this book was delightful, best one in the series. i’d read it as a standalone.
i looved the chemistry.
i looved the chemistry.
“If you'd rather seduce me, go ahead.”
“Panic jingled straight to his head, nearly made him dizzy. "This is no place for crying."
"I'm upset. It's my stable. I can cry when and where I choose."
"All right, all right, all right." Desperately he dug into his pocket for a bandanna. "Here, just blow your nose or something.”
“Please don't cry."
"I'm trying not to. Hurry up."
"I can't be rushed at such a time. Sniffle those back or I'll blunder it.”
“Marry me, Brian."
"Bloody hell. Will you let me do the asking?”
mara_berry's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars.
This book is a delightful mixture of horses, family, and “bodice-ripping” romance that has just enough old fashioned, alpha male/independent female to make it a little nostalgic. You know the kind I’m talking about right? Probably written before the turn of the century, paperback, short book printed on cheap paper?
Well anyway despite a few sentences and moments that had me raising my eyebrow I loved this book.
This book is a delightful mixture of horses, family, and “bodice-ripping” romance that has just enough old fashioned, alpha male/independent female to make it a little nostalgic. You know the kind I’m talking about right? Probably written before the turn of the century, paperback, short book printed on cheap paper?
Well anyway despite a few sentences and moments that had me raising my eyebrow I loved this book.
lara1977's review against another edition
4.0
Satisfying ending to the Irish Hearts Trilogy. The best character in the series is Travis Grant. I loved him in every book. Keeley is definitely Adelia's daughter. It took some time for her character to develop, but it was worth the wait. The character of Brian Donnelly remained very one dimensional throughout the book, which was disappointing. I wanted to know more about one of the lead characters in the romance. I couldn't even place his age reliably, although my guess is he is closer to Travis (Keeley's father and Brian's employer's) age than he is to Keeley's age. The sanctity of virginity and saving yourself for your soulmate is a "trope". There was some "spice" in this one. Once again, I enjoyed that Keeley and Brian had mutual interests and respect for each other. I enjoyed seeing Adelia's development as a woman and a mother. This series did not read to me as "contemporary", if you go into it without that label I think you will enjoy it more. There is a lot of chauvinism that can be "accepted" so to speak if you view the story through a different lens.