Member Reviews

A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal was a really good read, read in one sitting I could not put it down. Easy to read but you feel you are there, part of the family, in the pub watching events fold around you. A great page turner that won’t let you down

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A new author to me, very sweet and engaging. I enjoyed it. Lovely characters and dynamics. Michelle Vernal has done a great job with this book. Recommended as a Christmas build up read or gift.

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I thoroughly enjoyed it! Characters are fun and the story moves quickly along. Beautiful descriptions of the county side and good chuckles from the so very Irish sayings.

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This book follows Ava Kelly's annual return to Emerald Bay, where she hopes to reconcile with her ex, Shane, amidst the festive atmosphere. As Ava and her twin sister Grace navigate their holiday visit from bustling London, the story unfolds with themes of redemption and new beginnings. Vernal's heartwarming narrative captures the essence of Irish Christmas traditions and offers a charming tale of reconciliation and second chances, making it a delightful read for those seeking holiday cheer.

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I absolutely adored this holiday romance set in a small Irish town. This is a cute series that has set its hooks into me and won't let go. I think I would move here if I could. Story lights up your heart like a christmas tree and I loved every word of it! I Love the writing style and storyline of this series and by Michelle Vernal. 5 stars.
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A Christmas Miracle in theLittle Irish Village
Michelle Vernal
2023
5 Stars


Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Bookouture for my copy of A Christmas Miracle in theLittle Irish Village by Michelle Vernal. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: An Irish second chance Holiday romance story

This is my first book by Michelle Vernal.

I love this book! From the writing, the character development, the romance arc - absolutely fabulous! I loved how the author took the reader on a fun trip through a small Irish village. I could not fault any part of this book!
Ava is a twin and followed her sister to London to try to forget the love of her life Shane. To her sister, Shane has no prospects assumed he is a dullard fisherman who doesn’t know how to have fun. Ava wold be better off with her and find a better life in London. Ava reluctantly agrees to follow. When news of an accident reaches Ava she knows she has to go home to help look for Shane. When he is rescued, Ava quickly reevaluates her life much to her sister’s chagrin. Ava then decides to cut her sister out of her life and rekindle her love with Shane.
Overall, I found it hard to put the book down. I would read more of this author’s work when available.

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I love Christmas all year long so I am always up for a good Christmas/holiday read. And I was disappointed. First I must say I just love the cover and this is the first thing that drew me in. But having said that once I started reading I just couldn't put it down.

Ava returns home, to The Shamrock Inn and her family for Christmas. But will her heart get what it wants and will she be able to reignite an old love story. There is more to this story than romance for sure. The setting is ideal and the story is well written and easy to read. It is a book you can sit down with and not look up until you are finished (which is what I did).

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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This was a lovely, clean, romance for the holiday. The characters were well written and it had good pacing. Overall, an enjoyable read.

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A beautiful heartwarming read from Michelle. Eva Kelly who has moved to London with her twin sister Grace has to return home to the West of Ireland following an accident at sea involving her ex boyfriend Shane. The Kelly’s are a very lively family with some great characters.. it does prove that miracles can happen at Christmas.

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A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Ava Kelly loves returning to Emerald Bay for Christmas. Snowflakes fall on the green rolling hills and mulled wine fills The Shamrock Inn with the smell of winter spice. But this year, the Kelly family is hoping for a miracle…

When twenty-four-year-old Ava Kelly and her adventurous twin Grace return home to The Shamrock Inn, their Ma’s favourite baubles bring back so many memories of Christmases past. They have always done everything together, even leaving their little Irish village for the excitement of London. But with the locket her handsome ex Shane gave her hanging just above her heart, Ava has just one wish this festive season…

After a year stuck in a job she can’t stand and going on dreadful dates, Ava longs to be back with Shane. Curling up in front of the fire with him, the brooding fisherman everyone else sees melts away as his blue eyes meet hers. But planning a future with Shane would mean telling Grace she’ll be moving back to the village for good. Ava knows it will break her sister’s heart for them to be parted.

But, before Ava can build up the courage to talk to her twin, terrible tidings about Shane hit The Shamrock Inn like a winter storm. With everyone but Grace rushing to the harbour, will Ava’s hopes for a future with both Shane and her sister in it be dashed? Or could a Christmas miracle bring them all together?

My Opinion

This is the second book I have read in this series but it is the third book that has been released, however missing the second book has not spoilt my enjoyment. A heart-warming, charming story that will leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling that you can expect from a festive book.

Rating 4/5

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This is a sweet, squeaky clean, second-chance romance set in a small seaside village on the west coast of Ireland at Christmas. Ava and Grace Kelly are identical twins and the youngest of five daughters whose parents run the Shamrock Inn in Emerald Bay. As the story opens, the twins are moving to London and Ava is leaving her boyfriend of five years, Shane Egan. It’s clear from the start that, despite wanting to see the world outside their small village, Ava is making the move reluctantly and, after one year in London, she’s regretting her decision, especially since Shane ignored her the two times she went home. So, when she gets a call from her mother telling her that Shane is missing after falling off a fishing boat during a freak storm, she doesn’t hesitate to get on the next plane to be there when he’s found. She refuses to consider that she won’t get a second chance with him. The question is whether he’ll take her back and, if he does, if she’ll have to choose between him and her sister since the two people she cares about most don’t get along.

Like all small-town romances, this one features a cast of quirky, nosy characters who make everything their business. There’s plenty of humor, but there’s also Shane’s enduring and stifling grief over losing his mother to cancer at 17 and Ava’s unsustainable role as the peacemaker (pushover?) in a family of strong-minded women. Unfortunately, if you’re not Irish, it’s often difficult to understand what’s being said with the large number of words and phrases that are unknown to American audiences., so it disrupts the flow of the narrative. In the crowded market of Christmas romances, this one fails to stand out.

I received a complimentary ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are strictly my own.

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Liked the characters, very descriptive. For me the story was very protracted and slow moving in the story. Unfortunately it didn’t keep me engaged to want to read the book like it should.be. I felt that there was too much day to day tasks written in the story. Sorry that I couldn’t write a more positive review..

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This is my second book I’ve read by Michelle Vernal and it didn't disappoint.

If you love romance, drama, Christmas and family - this book is for you.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

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What sets "A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village" apart is its beautifully balanced blend of lighthearted moments, heartfelt emotions, and a touch of magic. The story touches on themes of forgiveness, healing, and the importance of community, making it a perfect read for the holiday season when we are reminded of the power of love and unity.

Vernal's writing is both captivating and evocative, immersing readers in the enchanting setting and drawing them into the lives of the characters. The pacing is spot-on, keeping you engaged from the first page to the last. It's a story that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own relationships, all while filling you with the warm and fuzzy feelings of Christmas.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

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The latest in the little Irish village series is definitely a must read this Christmas. There is lots of humour and a storyline which will tug at your heartstrings!

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A couple of things didn't work in this book for me. Second chance romances are not usually my thing, so that was instantly a turn off. I was also a little apprehensive at the beginning about how Ireland would be portrayed, and to be honest I was right to be. It felt like a very romanticised, idealised, Hollywood version of Ireland which I truly despise reading.

Sadly, not for me.

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Another heart warming and tear jerking read from the amazing, Michelle Vernal.
Out of the 5 sisters, this time it is Ava's turn to start her happily ever after. We have come to know and love all the eclectic characters in Emerald Bay over the last 2 books and this one did not disappoint, with spottings of them all and their antics dotted throughout the book.
It was a lovely read, full of misunderstandings and reunions and relationships foibles and makeups.
Can't wait for the next installment!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

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A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal is a delightful novel of hope during the Christmas season. When her former boyfriend Shane goes missing, Ava Kelly must decide whether to stay in London with her twin sister Grace or return to her small Irish town to help in the search and face her feelings for him and how she's living her life. A perfect read for the holidays! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

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this is a very sweet Christmas story. loved going back to the little Irish village. highly recommend.

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I started reading Michelle’s O’Mara series when she was likened to Maeve Binchy. The Little Viilage books are just as good. The Kelly family of Nan, Mum, Dad and five daughters own the loacal pub. There is a close knit community who tend to congregate there regularly especially in times of hardship. In this instance a local fisherman is lost in a storm. The youngest daughter had been his girlfriend some time ago so returned from London to wait for news and found 3 of her sisters had done the same. This is a lovely story of family, friendship and love. I highly recommend you read it.

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