Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - Oct 2024)

Series: Emerald Bay (Book 5)
 
Christmas trees decked with fairy lights twinkle in every window, carolers fill the streets, and charity worker Hannah is gearing up for the season of giving in the little Irish village. But it's not just the cold winter winds that are chilling her spirits this year…
 
When twenty-three-year-old Hannah Kelly finds out that the beautiful rolling hills around her hometown could be destroyed by a new building development, she rushes back to Emerald Bay to rally the community. But arriving home at The Shamrock Inn, there's another shock in store… the handsome and sparkling-eyed lead developer, Tom Flynn, has checked in as a guest. Is this Hannah's chance to save the village?
 
Hannah tries to convince Tom the beautiful area needs to be protected: even though he's as stubborn as the donkey in the local nativity play. But when sharing that this is also where her late grandfather first met and proposed to her grandmother, his gentle hug as she sobs makes her wonder if maybe they aren't so different…
 
As sparks start to fly, Hannah decides to invite Tom to experience the joys of a Kelly Christmas Day. When Tom's hand catches hers as they peel brussels sprouts together, Hannah's cheeks start to blush. But it turns to a flush of anger as he ducks out to take a call – about work starting in the spot she's fought so hard to save. And the voice on the phone is strangely familiar…
 
Can Hannah figure out who is behind Tom's project and stop the plans? Or will following her heart be the key to saving the little Irish village and Christmas for everyone?
 
Good addition to the Emerald Bay series. This is the story of Hannah, the middle daughter of the Kelly family. In previous books, Hannah stands out as the environmentally conscious activist member of the family. The book opens with Hannah's first foray into protesting for a cause at the age of eight, then moves on to the present day. Hannah works for the non-profit group Feed the World with Bees, where she also has a massive crush on her boss, Dylan. When Dylan shows her an article about a huge garden center planned for her hometown, Hannah rushes home to rally the community. She doesn't expect to find a guest staying in the house. Tom Flynn, an architectural project manager from Dublin, was sent to do the advanced work for the proposed development. Hannah takes an instant dislike to him because of it.
 
The initial meeting between Tom and Hannah was hilarious, leaving Hannah at a slight disadvantage. In addition, she is so focused on her mission that she comes across as very judgmental. I liked seeing Tom call her out on it. They are thrown together on several occasions, and Hannah discovers that there is more to Tom than she realizes. I liked Tom. He is charming and has a sense of humor even in difficult moments. Neither Tom nor Hannah expected the sparks that flared between them, complicating their interactions. A few bumps along the road to their happy ever after are mainly caused by Hannah's distrust. Fortunately, Hannah's journey includes some self-examination and rethinking of her priorities. I loved the scene of Tom and Hannah at the cottage as they finally cleared the air. The ending was sweet, and I loved seeing the whole family together.
 
I love the Kelly family, and this book is full of Kellyisms. The teasing among the sisters is hilarious, but they have each other's backs when support is needed. Kitty Kelly, the grandmother, shows a different side of herself when the proposed development intrudes on a special place in her history. I loved the history she revealed and how it brought her past to life for the sisters. There is also a bit of intrigue involving an American woman who appears to be stalking Hannah's mother, Nora. The resolution of that mystery was a shock to everyone.
 
The village residents add humor and depth to the story. I especially enjoyed Eileen and how she roped Hannah into helping with her latest project. The scenes with the teenagers were funny and moving.

 
 
 

The Little Irish Farm - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - Aug 2024)

Jess Báre moved to the Emerald Isle to chase fairy tales. But when one takes her to an isolated farm in the clover-covered countryside, will she find the happy ending she's been searching for? Or are some tales best left untold?
 
Pursuing her dream life in Ireland, twenty-something Dublin newspaper columnist Jess is now half a world away from her family and feeling pretty lonely. At least she has her childhood collection of antique fairy tales. But she longs to be out exploring all the old stories Ireland is famed for.
 
So when she finds a heart-breaking dedication to a little girl in a new addition to her collection, Jess knows that the story behind it would be perfect for her next column. And, when her research takes her to a tumbledown farmhouse in a tiny Irish village, she can barely contain her joy. The endless rolling hills surrounding the small cottage are just like the scenes in Jess's favourite novels.
 
She even warms to the dark and brooding farmer hosting her, Owen. He may come off a little grumpy, but it doesn't take long for Jess to be swept up by his dark eyes and quiet charms as they walk together across the fresh green fields of the farm. And Jess's heart melts when she discovers he is hiding a tragic secret…
 
One wrapped up in the history of the farm, and very same little girl Jess is here to research. But, with the demands of her job calling her back to the home she hates, she must decide: does their story end here at the farm? Or could following her heart heal the wounds of a devastating past, and set her and Owen on the path to happily ever after?
 
Good book with an interesting storyline. Jess is a New Zealander who moved to Dublin to work as a journalist. She has a weekly column in the newspaper and is always looking for interesting things to write about. She also collects children's fairy tale books. Jess's latest find has a little girl's name in it and she gets the idea to track down the previous owner and see what she's doing now. She connects with the little girl's brother, Owen, a gruff, moody pig farmer, and learns about Amy's tragic fate.
 
Jess has two good friends, Brianna and Nora. Brianna is married with a small son, and Nora is single and constantly looking to set Jess up with blind dates. I loved the fun they had together and how they had each other's backs, whether they needed support or a kick in the pants. In this book, Nora is dating a film star, and sets Jess up with his friend, Nick. Nick is a handsome, wealthy property developer who wines and dines her. Jess wonders if Nick might be The One. At the same time, she feels a connection with Owen as she spends time with him, learning about Amy.
 
I enjoyed watching Jess with the two men in her life. Nick is smooth and flashy and rather full of himself. She's pretty taken with him, but I had reservations about him, mainly when he talked about his work. Being around Owen was like being on a roller coaster. He could go from grumpy and curt to charming and talkative at the drop of a hat. He has issues from his past that make it difficult for him to trust, and Jess frequently bumps up against those issues. Owen and Jess have some work to do before fully trusting each other.
 
Another part of the story deals with the tension between Jess and her mother, Marian. Marian can be quite pushy when "encouraging" Jess to get out and find a man. I laughed at many things she said, but I was also glad I wasn't the one on the receiving end. Jess panics when Marian visits Ireland because she knows what her mom can be like. Matters come to a head when Jess and Marian visit Owen. This time, Jess's insecurities are creating problems. I loved the emotional scene in the car when Jess and Marian finally clear the air between them. The ending was sweet, and I loved the epilogue.
 
Jess's treatment of Amy's story was terrific. I loved the mix of innocent young girls caught up in events beyond her control and its effect on her family's lives. That touch of sadness was a good foil for the amusing parts of the story and gave a good balance. 

 
 

Road Trip Rivalry - Mona Shroff (HSE #3058 - Sept 2024)

The road to romance begins with…one wrong turn.
 
Researcher Poorvi Gupta is desperate to reach her medical conference in Dublin on time to secure grant funding with her presentation. But when her flight is diverted due to bad weather, Poorvi agrees to share a rental car with a fellow passenger -- a man as hot as Madras curry…and just as vexing.
 
Ophthalmologist Kavan Shashane is traveling to Dublin to head off a researcher whose study puts his family's practice at risk. Until then, he's content to ride with the enigmatic woman he met on the plane. Soon, sparks are flying like Holi colors! Their attraction is real, but will they still have eyes for each other when they discover the truth?
 
Fun book with an interesting twist on the enemies-to-lovers theme, in that Poorvi and Kavan don't know they are enemies until near the end of the book.
 
Poorvi is a medical researcher on her way to present a paper at a conference in Dublin. She is under much pressure from her boss - the man who got a promotion instead of her because of unfounded rumors about her. She is determined to do well despite those trying to undermine her.
 
Kavan is an ophthalmologist whose family practice relies heavily on the procedure Poorvi's presentation refers to. His brother sent him to intercept the researcher and talk them into backing off. Kavan feels indebted to his brother, so he gives in to his request even though he disagrees.
 
Poorvi and Kavan first encounter each other before their flight to Dublin during a conflict over a power outlet. Sparks fly, and they aren't all sparks of anger, though neither wants to acknowledge the attraction. They put their differences aside - mostly - to help an older woman who doesn't speak English. When bad weather diverts their flight from Dublin to Cork, they are thrown together again to share a rental car. Complicating matters, they agree to help the older woman, whom they call "Ba" (grandmother), get to her family in Dublin.
 
Ba is a piece of work. She clearly sees the sparks between Poorvi and Kavan and sets about making sure they spend enough time together to see it themselves. I liked how she incorporated seeing the sights of Ireland by appealing to their sympathies over the loss of her husband. She is a feisty granny, and I laughed out loud at her blatant attempts to push them together. She has no trouble calling them out when she thinks they need a kick in the pants. I loved her part of bringing them together.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Poorvi and Kavan. Poorvi is very independent and doesn't accept help easily. Kavan is a nice guy whose attempts to be a gentleman Poorvi frequently rejects. Poorvi loosens up a little as they spend time together, and they discover that they enjoy their interactions. Their feelings for each other grow quickly, but they are hesitant to say anything, resulting in misunderstandings. When their identities are exposed, each feels betrayed. It takes a determined Ba to break through the hurt and bring them back together in a fun and heartwarming reunion. 

Secrets in the Little Irish Village - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - May 2024)

Series: Emerald Bay (Book 4)
 
Grace Kelly can't escape the draws of Emerald Bay; the sweeping cliffs, the sparkling sea… and her gorgeous new flatmate. The problem is, she has to keep him a secret from her family. And she isn't the only one in the village with something to hide this summer…
 
Grace really needs someone to help cover the rent for her London flat, but Christopher Dorrance? Everyone in the little Irish village of Emerald Bay knows about the feud between their families, though no one knows how it started. But, both being in a tight spot, they try and make it work, swearing to tell no one back home. Until a mutual friend and her son in the bay are left homeless after a storm. Grace and Christopher must head back to Ireland to help… together.
 
As they flesh out their idea to raise money for their friend with a village charity concert, Chris's blue eyes light up. Even though they have to hide out for every planning session, and after all her father has said about the Dorrances, Grace can't believe how kind he is. Soon sparks are flying as they laugh together, chasing dairy cows from a field to set up the stage. Could Chris be more than just a flatmate?
 
But their hopes that a good cause will soften the hostility between their dads are dashed. The two men still argue constantly. And with a happy future for their friend depending on the concert running smoothly, the truth behind the feud threatens to come out and destroy everything…
 
Could the events of the past destroy any chance of a future for Chris and Grace? Or, if Grace follows her heart, could she finally heal the rift between their families?
 
The fourth book in the Emerald Bay series focuses primarily on Grace. Though she loves her hometown of Emerald Bay, she loves her life in London. She and her twin settled into their lives there until Ava fell in love and married in the previous book. Grace has a tough time making ends meet after Ava moved out until she found a new flatmate, Chris. The only downside is that she has to keep him a secret from her family. Chris is an old friend from Emerald Bay, but their fathers have been in a feud for many years.
 
When Grace learns that a devastating storm has damaged her best friend's house in Emerald Bay and significantly damaged the local school, she and Chris plan to hold a music festival to raise money to help. Their fathers' feud complicates their planning sessions back in Emerald Bay, but it is impossible to keep their partnership a secret.
 
A lot is going on in this book. Grace and her father have words about her involvement with Chris, but her father refuses to discuss the cause of the feud. This puts a strain on their usually close relationship. Liam is stubborn, and Grace's frustration with him is evident throughout the book. However, a near tragedy makes her wonder if the issue is worth the stress. My curiosity about the cause of the feud was nearly as great as Grace's, and I was glued to pages waiting for a resolution.
 
Grace and Chris work together and involve friends and family in their festival plans. I loved seeing the variety of personalities and how their quirks create a unique blend of teamwork to make the festival happen. I laughed out loud at some of the actions and reactions, from Hannah and her bees to the scooter controversy between two older residents. They encountered a few bumps in the road of making the festival happen, and I enjoyed seeing them work through the obstacles.
 
Complicating matters are Grace's growing feelings for Chris. Their childhood friendship has remained strong, and their time together is easy and comfortable. However, Chris has a girlfriend and has shown no romantic interest in Grace, so she keeps her feelings to herself. It doesn't help that everyone around her can see how she feels, but he seems oblivious. I occasionally saw a glimmer of possibility, but I often wondered if he would ever open his eyes. A misdirected text puts Grace on pins and needles as she worries about repercussions. Chris's reaction was not what she expected, and I loved the result of his face-to-face response. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in future books.
 
One of my favorite parts of the book was the adventures of Napoleon, the kleptomaniac kitty. He's been a regular character in the series, but he outdoes himself in this book. The hilarity that results from his habit of stealing underwear (clean, thank goodness!) had me in stitches, especially at the end.
 
I loved catching up with family members and village residents. Family relationships can be complicated, but there is no doubting the love they feel for each other. Liam's health issues add layers of worry and fun as the family tries to help him heal, from resting to changing his eating habits. The sisters' love and support for each other is undeniable, but they also have no problem teasing or calling out questionable behavior. I'm looking forward to the next book, which should be Hannah's story.