An unexpected inheritance from a total stranger
Has Daisy Clarke travelling to Ireland - will she be in danger?
She's going to the place from which her Mum ran
Hoping to learn more about her life there, if only she can.

The lawyer handling the inheritance is charming
Though some of the locals can be alarming!
Will this be the time she learns about her Mum's past?
Can she settle here and find love that will last?

What a gorgeous read this proved to be
With unknown family history and a mystery.
The sense of community is strong all the way through
And the characters feel like someone you knew.

There's surprises, romance and secrets, too,
As Daisy tries to decide just what to do.
A delightful escape, a heartwarming read
It proved to be just what I need!

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

A lovely feel good easy read, transported me back home to Ireland and Inisfree for a visit.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This book is like being wrapped in your favourite soft fleecy blanket, in front of a roaring fire, sipping a hot chocolate. Yes it’s maybe a bit predictable from the word go but it’s all the more lovely because of it.
A grand gentle read

I picked this book up because I seem to enjoy books set in Ireland for some reason, and no I don't have an Irish heritage, but there's something magical about the country to me. This is the first book I've read by Colleen Coleman, and I enjoyed the experience. Here writing conveyed feeling and beauty and that is quite a talent.

Daisy was a perfect main character for this story. Her artist's eye came alive on the page as she scanned the landscape and captured images. She had a difficult time with the loss of her mother and had hurdles to with her job and her boyfriend, but she faced them bravely. I liked the quirky characters Daisy met in Innisfree, especially Moya, Daisy's mother's friend - she seemed like such a free spirit.

I enjoyed the budding romance between Daisy and James. It was fun to witness their relationship begin. James' backstory was interesting too.

Thanks to Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Daisy doesn’t know anything about her late mother’s past, other than she left Innisfree, Ireland, when she was pregnant with her.

Daisy’s life in London isn’t going too well. She is a book illustrator and is struggling with her latest work. Her boyfriend, Ash, wants them to live together but she’s starting to have doubts about the relationship. Daisy is very much a people pleaser.

When an Irish lawyer called James, seeks her out, she finds she has been left an inheritance in Ireland. With her best friend, Kayla, they head off to Ireland for some excitement and for Daisy to hopefully find herself and her roots.

I loved this story, I found myself well and truly stuck in the tale, I was rooting for Daisy throughout. You could feel the love and friendship between Daisy and Kayla, with both being brought up in care, they needed each other. I didn’t care for Ash at all, he came across as a spoilt and needy child.

The story was well written and the descriptive writing meant that I could picture Innisfree in my head. I found myself smiling throughout the story, it was romantic with an air of mystery to it.

I hadn’t read anything by this author before and I will definitely be reading more from her.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Colleen Coleman: The Irish Lake House

I don’t know what it is, but if you slap Irish in the title of a book, I want to read it!
I loved the sound of #TheIrishLakeHouse and couldn’t wait to dive in.

This gorgeous book caught me from chapter one.
I completely fell for its charm and beauty.

The Irish setting is breathtaking. Who wouldn’t fall in love with a cottage in rural Ireland? Colleen Coleman does a spectacular job of bringing the Irish countryside to life with vivid clarity.

I liked Daisy from the start. I wasn’t so keen on some of the people around her, but her best friend Kayla and her mother’s friend Moya were both brilliant.

#TheIrishLakeHouse is a cracking read. It’s full of twists, turns and secrets that I wasn’t expecting. With some characters who I really took to my heart and a setting to die for, this is a book that you will absolutely fall in love with.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a digital arc of this title.

Daisy Clarke is in much need of a new beginning, but where does she start? The news of her inheriting a house on the lake, located on Ireland’s west coast, couldn’t come at a better time. It’s exactly the fresh start she is looking for. Daisy has never been to the tiny village of Innisfree. Upon her arrival she meets James, the lawyer that is handling her inheritance. She sees the charm of the village and finds herself loving everything about it, and understanding why her late mother Rose loved it so much. James offers to help Daisy fix up the lake house while at the same time, helping her to find the truth about her past. What she discovers is more than she expected. Is this the new beginning she has been searching for or will it just be more heartbreak?

The Irish Lake House, written by author Colleen Coleman was a wonderful and heartwarming story. Oh my goodness I loved everything about this story. From the moment I opened the cover until the very last page, this book had all the feels. It was completely unputdownable and it left a lasting impression in my heart. I absolutely loved every person in the story and Daisy feels like a new best friend. The author describes the beautiful village of Innisfree so wonderfully. I loved it from the moment I arrived and I never wanted to leave. The west coast of Ireland was beautiful and I could feel the warm sun on my face as I found the ripples in the lake to be mesmerizing. This was a phenomenal escape to Ireland and will definitely be remembered for a very long time. This is a new author for me and she immediately just landed on my auto-buy list. I look forward to reading more of this author’s books. This is for sure a ten star read and I highly recommend it. I love, love, loved this book!!

Oh, what a joy! New (to me) author writing about one of my favorite places (Ireland) in a deliciously delightful chick lit (and God, I hate that term but as the author uses it, I will this once) novel.

Enter Daisy Clark, a talented book illustrator working feverishly to please her boss (which is near to impossible) and her status driven boyfriend Ash (only concerned with money and appearances). She is in a rut. She had a wonderful relationship with her Mom Rose who tragically passed away when Daisy was a child. No father around so Daisy was shipped off to foster care where she became lifelong friends with Kayla (as a sidekick, she's adorable). Enter James, a lawyer with news of an inheritance of a house on the Isle of Innisfree, the very place where her Mom was from. Exit London for Ireland, where Daisy can check out the scenery and claim the house. Ash wants her to put it up for sale so they can buy a large home together. Kayla joins Daisy (and thank you for leaving the Ash(ole) behind) as they travel there together. The house is in much disrepair and will take many months to fix it up. Oh darn. The people of Innisfree are all wonderful, friendly and a hoot.

I loved loved loved this story, the characters and while it is somewhat predictable, the journey to the end is soooo enjoyable. I will definitely be reading more of Coleman's books.

Thanks very much to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

I thought this was a nice story. It moves fairly quickly but at times did feel a bit wordy. It’s a nice sweet romance with a tiny bit of a mystery

Fresh and realistic...

Daisy is 32, took a leap of faith with an illustrator career that isn't exactly panning out. She then gets a chance to go to Innisfree in Ireland and starts to unravel the mystery of her mother and how she came to inherit the Lake House (I would like a lake house in Ireland. Just saying...). The lovely James was looking for her mother, Rose but now is helping Daisy (flower themed names, get it).

I really did enjoy The Irish Lake House. It felt freah, real (especially Daisy and how her career is going at the start). Ireland feels like a fantasy, but it was such an enjoyable read.
Recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "The Irish Lake House" in exchange for my honest review.

Daisy Clarke is an illustrator for a classic book. Her boss is very hard on her drawings and when a chance to go to Ireland and trace her family roots comes along she happily goes to Innisfree. Her mother was from Innisfree but she never spoke of her time in Ireland. Her mum died in an accident when Daisy was young and she grew up in a care home with her bestfriend Kayla.

James O'Connor a lawyer from Ireland comes looking for Rose but when he learns that she has passed away he informs Daisy that she has inherited The Lake House when Mick Kennedy left it to her mother in his will. As next-of-kin, she is now to sole heir.

Daisy has a boyfriend - Ash Saunders - who it is incredibly hard to like. He's pushy and only seems to be interested in Daisy to gain her inheritance so that he can "climb the property ladder."

Daisy has so many questions and over time she learns all the secrets that her mother was keeping and all the secrets that the town of Innisfree has been keeping as well. An important thing she learns is that friends and those we love become family even though we are not related by blood.

In The Irish Lake House, Coleman's storytelling prowess shines as she explores themes of new beginnings and self-discovery. The chemistry between Daisy and James, the affable lawyer who becomes a cornerstone in her quest, is electric. James is more than just a romantic interest; he is a partner in piecing together the puzzle of Daisy’s lineage. Their dynamic encapsulates the intoxicating blend of romance and companionship, coupled with a humor that warms like the Irish sun.

But it’s not just the blossoming love story that captivates. Coleman delivers a potent narrative punch as Daisy uncovers the poignant truths about her inheritance and her family’s history. The revelations are handled with a deft touch, striking the perfect balance between heartache and hope. As Daisy’s understanding of her mother’s choices unfolds, readers are reminded that the legacy of family is often more complex and more beautiful than one could imagine.

A cute book that can be read quickly . Most of the events are predictable and the characters are either charming, quirky or have a few issues. Daisy, the main character life has not been easy but she manages to surmount several obstacles to achieve what she really wants. The Irish village is quaint and adds to the charm of the book. An easy read with likeable characters, mystery , romance and some soul searching.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Colleen Coleman for a copy of this ARC to read and review!

The Irish Lake house gives you all the feelings of a weary traveler finally coming home. It’s romantic, sweet and comforting with a splash of mystery as you join Daisy in her search to uncover secrets of her mother’s mysterious past. Her journey to the truth reveals not only her family’s history … but the strength within herself to reshape her future.

The writing is beautiful and the author does an amazing job of bringing you right into the green and lush countryside of the west coast of Ireland with vivid and breathtaking descriptions and charming characters that will win you over! I enjoyed this book so much … it’s just one of those stories that makes your heart smile!

DNF'd at 50%

This book had so much potential but unfortunately the storyline moved way too slow. It's taken my a week of reading to get to the 50% mark so I thought it was best to DNF. I love the setting of the Irish countryside.

This charming story invites you in from the very first chapter. It’s vivid and engaging. First Daisy’s life in London as an illustrator, the pub, the characters, the first contact with James. Then Daisy travels to Ireland with her bestie Kayla to claim the house she has inherited.

I cared so much about Daisy and as this warm romance twists and turns we find out about Daisy’s history just as she does. The plot around her illustration work pootles alongside her family story and Daisy grows into it all. James is harder to know, and has less of a character arc, but it’s still so good. Small town Ireland is a key character here, it’s evoked with such affection, I almost booked a ticket to visit for myself!

Overall this is low-angst, but still eventful, and recommended as a cosy and sweet read. Not much steam, but plenty of emotion.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Colleen Coleman and Bookouture for the ARC.

This is a heartwarming story about Daisy Clarke. Her life has not been easy since her mother passed away when she was young. She was put into foster care and knows nothing about her mother’s past. When she receives the unexpected news that she has inherited a house in Ireland, she is very confused. Secrets from her mother’s past has Daisy looking for answers. Will she finally find out what happened all those years ago?
It was fun going with Daisy on her journey of discovering what happened so many years ago. Along the way she finds romance, new beginnings and closure to her mothers mysterious past.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was drawn in by the cover, title and synopsis of this book, and it was exactly the book I was expecting when I picked it up to read, predictable but in an interesting setting. A sweet story of discovering family roots, and shedding past expectations, diverging from the path we expected for ourselves.

Wow, where do I begin! The Irish Lake House really seized and inspired my heart! It echoed so many of my own feelings about Irish roots (which I have), connection to family, sense of belonging, kindred spirits, soul-mates, the purging effects of the elements, the important matters of the soul. And in it all, it showcases how identity is unveiled through stepping outside of one’s comfort zone to find the answers. How to receive and provide forgiveness and healing. And the importance of passing on the ingredients for restoration to the next generation. There must be change to move forward—to break bad cycles. I could go on forever saying all the things I saw in this story which is a stunning piece of work. It flows flawlessly with both silence and thunder from the heart. Passion at its core—making it real and lasting.

This is my first experience with Colleen Coleman’s writing and I am now dying to read more of her works! She has captured the Irish landscape, Irish psyche and the pull of this gorgeous island on many hearts who have a thread woven in them—a connection that once encountered will bring completeness. Ireland has some very rich creative history. It has inspired poets, novelists, photographers, artists, architects, musicians, etc. It is a glorious hotbed of talent. The aura, spirit and feel of the place is stellar. On my own visits there I would just sit in the fields, on the cliffs and sense all the voices from the past. Intriguing history would just fall around me like a centuries old blanket and I could feel the love, anguish, tears, triumphs and tragedies and I would write like mad caught in its spell. So, I can relate to character Daisy, the artist, who was deeply moved by the landscape and its spiritual essence. Of course, not all of its history was grand and glorious. These people underwent much pain and suffering through the wars and famine. Untold separation and loss. But under that quiet broken beauty is the flaming colour of passion and an unquenchable drive of perseverance. And a thirst among the creative to keep telling Ireland’s story.

The cover of this novel is gorgeous and its title reveals it is set in Ireland in a residence by a lake. The descriptions made me long to visit its location. But this story begins in London with Daisy Clarke who had a rough start in life. Her mother fled Ireland and never went back. She never wanted to talk about it, nor tell Daisy who is her father. Daisy knows nothing really of her mother’s past except that she cherished a special postcard from Innisfree. Sadly, her mother was killed in an accident when Daisy was young. Daisy grew up in foster care as a result but became close friends with another girl named Kayla. They clung to each other like sisters and got through the hard times.

Today Daisy is an artist and working on a very important project for a famous children’s writer. She has a boyfriend, Ash, who I would call pushy, career aggressive and always seeking how to make his wealth. He works in real estate and dabbles in cryptocurrency. Daisy has convinced herself she is sort of happy with him but when a handsome lawyer named James shows up and tells her she has inherited a home in Ireland from a man she does not know, she is shocked and challenged to begin a different path. The house was left to her mother but since she has died, it goes to Daisy. After getting over the shock, Daisy decides to make that journey to Ireland (with her best friend as emotional support) to discover or uncover her roots—her mother’s past life and why she has inherited a house. And in doing so understand herself better. She soon becomes involved in a community that on the surface is close knit and friendly but there are some dark secrets and flames of jealousy lurking underneath. This whole experience will radically alter her life and her love focus. She will be challenged in many areas but also will encounter a kindred spirit in her new lawyer friend.

I loved the relationship between Daisy and James. How they affect each other in some unexpected ways. Daisy has to make some difficult decisions when she is standing on the brink of change. Which way will she go? Innisfree, Ireland has so much to offer her but her life has been tied up in London, England. Will her mother’s intriguing best friend help her decide which path to take? It is a full, exciting journey with positives, negatives, challenges and loss. But love and completeness are waiting for her if she makes the right choice.

A warm, exceptional, huge hug of a story that left a special clover imprint on my heart. Memorable and mesmerising, magical and more-ish. It deserves more than 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

Daisy Clarke is working as a self employed illustrator in London. She was raised by a single mother who died when Daisy was a child, which resulted in her being put in a care home. She is scraping by trying to make ends meet, with a boyfriend, Ash, who wants them to buy a flat together and a current project for a boss who seems less than pleased with her work. She knew nothing of her Irish mother’s background, except that she was from the village of Innisfree and cherished a scenic postcard from there.

When handsome attorney James appears on the scene with news that Daisy has inherited a lake house in Innisfree, she travels there to sell the property to satisfy Ash’s dream and also to try to find out something about her mother’s history, including who her father was.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I thought it a mystery. However, although there are questions to be answered, it is a romance/women’s fiction. It is a sweet, not cloying story. full of charming (and a few not so charming) characters. The descriptions of the Irish countryside are beautiful and evocative. There is a bit of whimsy here, as well as poignancy for those things we have missed in life and hope for the future that awaits us. In addition to a beguiling romance, this book is about making choices in life….weighing gains and losses involved in them, forging new bonds and finding our selves.