A lovely festive read, I enjoyed listening to the narrator and the story really got me in the mood for the holiday season

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the audiobook.

I love Christmas romance novels but this one wasn't for me. I've had it on my shelf for a very long time, gave it multiple chances but nothing worked.

I adore a cozy mystery/romance with a Christmas theme, throw in an Irish setting and I’m all in! This book did not disappoint and I’m so happy to get to read it.

I really enjoy cozy little holiday stories to enjoy during the month of December. This is a perfectly wholesome holiday treat wrapped in a bow.

This is such a sweet lil Christmas romance. Romance finds these two in the most unexpected place. I enjoyed this quaint little village.

This was such a sweet heartwarming story! While typically out of my normal genre, I absolutely enjoyed this story. It made me laugh out loud at some points and sad at others - well done!

What a lovely, heart warming, cosy and touching Christmas read set in a small village by the Irish Sea. I also loved the family members, the family pub, the lovely neighbour. The audio book is greatly narrated by Jessica Regan. I hope there will be more stories set in this village. This is my first book by Michelle Vernal but certainly not the last.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Such a good Christmas romance book. I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed it.
I recommend.

This was such a cozy contemporary with a smidge of romance. I loved the small town feel at the Shamrock Inn. The Irish traditions were so interesting to read about. Shannon is so lovable. James is the dreamy tourist. I love Christmas books and this one did not disappoint. I cannot wait to read the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

I am such a mood reader, and right now I want ALL THESE darling books. A sweet romance, charming characters, and gorgeous setting.....so adorable.

Not for me. First of all, this is marketed as a Christmas romance. The main character, Shannon, does not meet James until 1/4 through the book. Then, the rarely even interact. According to the other characters, their chemistry is 'explosive'. James is as interesting as a wet noodle, and Shannon nearly so. There is no chemistry. None. (Of course, you'd have to interact to have chemistry) This is also kind of light on the Christmas aspect, too.

I was also hung up on the description of Napoleon, the cat. He is described as being a tortie. Male torties are EXTREMELY rare. As in 0.03% (as in 0.0003) of torties are male. Not 0.03% of cats are male torties. Nope. 0.03% of torties are male. Basically, it almost never happens.

I listened to the audiobook. James's Boston accent was horrendous and when in dialogue, many words were not pronounced the American way, as he would have said them.

Eh, this one wasn't for me. Obviously others like it.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by Michelle Vernal, but it won't be my last. Shannon has returned home for Christmas after a breakup, and is helping to run the family business, The Shamrock Inn. While she is there, she meets a handsome American, litterally falling for him. There is a lot of humor in the initial couple of meet ups and Shannon doesn't know how she can face him, especially as he is staying at the Inn. When she finds out the reason he is in Ireland, she decides she needs to get to know him better in order to watch out for her neighbour, her adopted grandmother. Trying to get to know more about him and his motives, they take a tour of Emerald Bay and end up snowed in together. They begin to have feelings toward one another, but there is more angst to come. Can they get beyond the issues and have a magical Christmas and a Happily Ever After?

I really enjoyed this lovely story, with beautiful scenery and fun, well developed characters. There was a surprise theme of unwed mothers and forced adoption in Ireland's past interwoven in the story. I really liked both Shannon and James. They were both looking for something and I was glad they both found it. The setting of a quaint Irish Village with some quirky and lovable characters, including an adorable cat named Napoleon made the story even more enjoyable. This was a story with some romance, but it was more about finding your roots and reconnecting with family. With hot chocolate, twinkling lights, Christmas decorations and goodies galore, this Christmas book will have you smiling and keeping you warm during this winter season. Christmas in the Little Irish Village would make a wonderful Hallmark movie. The narration by Jessica Reagan was wonderful. Her tone and expression gave just the right feel and emotion to this story to make it an enjoyable listening experience.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of Christmas in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal Narrated by Jessica Regan in exchange for an honest review. It published October 14, 2022.
First off, I really enjoy Jessica Regan"s narration off this book. Definitely very listen-friendly!
I thought this was a cute little Christmas read this season. I feel like it was the perfect length. I loved the family and little Irish village. I liked the various story lines and didn't feel there was anything lacking.

This was a delightful book, full of family, community and Christmas cheer, not to mention Napoleon the cat.
I loved this book, really uplifting and a pleasure to listen to on audio, made all the better by an Irish narrator to give it the proper feel to where it is set.

This is 2 firsts for me....an audio book and a new author...and not disappointed on both fronts.

Shannon is getting over her breakup with the love of her life, and goes back to her big Irish home and family. Taking her beloved cat, she settles back into the family pub, with her 4 other sisters coming home for Christmas. As well as her job as a community nurse she decides to join the local choir ready for the Carol singing, green tights adorned.

Shannon is certainly off men at the moment but is intrigued by an American who not only rents a room in the family pub but also seems to becoming over friendly with dear Meave, an elderly resident of the village who is very trusting of everybody, despite not knowing them. Shannon remains very suspicious of his motives and despite being attracted to him, cannot totally feel at ease.

A real warm hug of a book....highly recommend.

Such a fun audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator and found she really made the story come to life.
A good fun story to read if you want a nice clean Christmas book this season!

A beautiful heartwarming story of the Kelly Family of Emerald Bay in Ireland. After a bad breakup, Shannon moves back to her family home in Emerald Bay and discovers that an elderly neighbor, Maeve, has someone visiting her who claims to be her long lost grandson (James). Are they destined to end up together? Is James who he claims to be? I really enjoyed this story and the characters. I especially loved the Irish traditions and Irish celebrations in the book. Her writing keeps you reading!!
So much Christmas joy in this book!!
You’ll need to read this one and find out what happens!!!!
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for an Advanced Audio Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas season, a quaint Irish village, a clean, second chance at romance trope, family reunions and an assortment of lovely characters made Christmas in the Little Irish Village a wonderful audiobook to listen to. It was wholesome, funny and a lovely book and I liked that the story's emphasis was more on reuniting and reconnecting with family and familial roots with a bit of romance added to complete the holiday season spirit of finding new love and new beginnings. Each chapter began with an Irish Christmas prayer/saying which were a lovely addition to the book.

The narration done by Jessica Reagan was wonderful: her soothing voice created a pleasurable listening experience. A lovely book written by Michelle Vernal which can be made into a good Hallmark movie.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author for the audio Arc of the book.

Heartbroken after her fiance ends their relationship, Shannon Kelly can no longer afford the flat they had together and has to return home to the village of Emerald Bay. The family pub is the hub of the village and with her sisters returning home for Christmas she is bound to be kept busy and her mind off her broken relationship. Shannon swears off relationships completely but fate has other plans when she meets a handsome American tourist.

I was quickly drawn into the story, particularly when the narrator has a beautiful Irish accent. Shannon comes across as very real and down to earth. You immediately sympathise with her because of her relationship ending and this having the knock on effect of her having to move out of her flat.

The village of Emerald Bay is one of those magical places that we all dream of stumbling across on our travels or living in. There are a host of eccentric characters and everyone knows each other and watches out for their neighbours.

When Shannon meets a handsome American stranger you know exactly how the story is going to end. The problem for me is that throughout the story Shannon repeatedly pushed James away, rebuffing his advances on more than one occasion. When they do eventually get together the climax seemed very rushed, I wanted fireworks and bells, a spark of magic.

While the majority of the storyline is light and fluffy there is also a serious element which looks at one of the darker sides of Irish history. This really added some depth to what could have been a very run of the mill romance.

Narrated by Jessica Regan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story Michelle Vernal ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5

This was a nice story with some really beautiful moments in it. Overall I didn't love the story but I also didn't dislike it. I just didn't have any strong emotions towards any of the characters.

First time hearing / trying this author and I would definitely read another book by Michelle Vernal.