Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village" in exchange for my honest opinion.

The story starts out with 8 year old Hannah Kelly tying herself to a pole with a placard to "Save Ireland's Trees". When she grow up she moves to Cork City where she works for Feed the World with Bees. She is crushing on her co-worker Dylan but he doesn't seem to know she exists. Her family owns the Shamrock Inn. Hannah has 2 older sisters - Imogen and Shannon and younger sisters Grace and Ava who are twins. We have met the Kelly family in other books and I still will state that the best character is Napoleon the knicker thieving cat.

Hannah is back home in Emerald Bay because she has heard that a one stop-shopping centre with a Christmas Tree Farm is to be built - destroying an abandoned farm with a famine cottage on it that is very important to her family. Though at the start she isn't aware just how important.

Tom Flynn arrives to scope out the site for an investor and is staying with the Kelly family in Room 5. Hannah takes an instant dislike to him for working for someone that would destroy a piece of history.

There is a bit of intrigue in this story as an American woman in a red coat appears to be stalking Nora. What she has to say will shake the family and rewrite their oral history. The reader will learn a lot more about the Kelly family to add to what we know from previous books.

Hannah soon sees Dylan in a different light after a violent protest. And questions whether there is something else out there for her that she could be doing to help others.

Ms. Vernal has beautifully woven the past and the present together seamlessly. The stories are easy to follow and all the characters are ones we have grown to love from the previous books. Hopefully there are still many Kelly family stories to tell.

I read this as an ARC on Netgalley. I love, love, love the Kelly family and was happy to be back in Emerald Bay and at the Shamrock in. This was a wonderful Christmas read that fit in wonderfully with the rest of the series! I absolutely loved it.

I think I started on the backfoot here. Because I never realised this was part of a series. And I don't like to do that with books.
It couod easily be a standalone.
It had a gutsy and stubborn heroine. It had the bad guy but is he a good guy hero. And you had the two falling for eachother. Add in a community, a village described beautifully and a cosy written story and you've got a brilliant festive read.
I now need to go back and get to know the rest of the village and hopefully a few more romances for them too!

Okay let’s just say that I love holiday romances I love them could read them the entire year.
But because I do O have read many and many of them. So I might be a bit more critical because i either love it or it’s a meh for me personally.

To the book now.
Hannah works for a small non profit company, her boss shows her an article about the village she grew up in.
The article shows that a company wants ti buy ground in the village to build a mall and a Christmas tree farm.
Hannah can’t let this happen so she goes home earlier than planned to hopefully stop this. Because that ground is sacred to the community.
Will Hannah stop the build? Or will she lose her heart in the process?
The architect assigned to the project is just her ideal guy, if he weren’t trying to ruin the town.

Now my thoughts I really love the concept of the story. It really grabbed me in the start and i was into the book.
Also the first meeting between Hannah and the architect. Chefs kiss and the earlier moments you could feel it sizzling.

But the she found out who he was and she became a real judgmental character. It actually quite annoyed me.
It also got really slow and i had to barrel trough the story.
Then at like 65-70% it picked up again.
And did the story get good again that I couldn’t put it down.

If we don’t count the middle part I would’ve given it 5 stars, because i also got a little emotional with grandma’s love story. And I was laughing quite a bit.

Lets end this with the saying that princess Lea was the star of the book. For a little chihuahua she got a lot of spirit and fight in her.

And I loved Hannahs family, this was my first book of hets but I do want to know how her sisters got their men.

This is the fifth book in the "Little Irish Village" series, though it works well as a standalone. The story follows Hannah Kelly, an environmental campaigner who returns to her hometown, Emerald Bay, after hearing about a development threatening the village's conserved land. Determined to protect the village’s heritage, she takes on the fight while staying at her parents’ inn for Christmas.

There, she meets Tom, a businessman from Dublin staying for the festive season. Initially clashing with him, Hannah must navigate both her campaign against the development and various family dynamics, all while dealing with the village's past and present troubles. Though the book is marketed as a romance, the main focus is on Hannah's personal journey and her battle to preserve the village, with romance only coming into play towards the end.

The novel offers a cosy, enjoyable atmosphere, with vibrant characters, especially the Kelly family. However, it lacks momentum in the middle, and the Christmas vibe fades at times. Despite some frustrations with the pacing and character development, the charming dialogue, vivid Irish setting, and touching moments, particularly related to the famine cottage, make it an engaging read.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Another brilliant book in this series from a brilliant author

Another cute Christmas romance in the Little Irish Village series, following Hannah this time. Nice to 'visit' Emerald Bay again and catch up with the chaos that is the Kelly family.

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

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Saving Christmas In The Little Irish Village.

Hannah returns to her hometown and realizes that a building developer is planning some big changes. She decides to fight to protect her town. She does not bank on falling for Tom the developer. But enemies turns into lovers.

I was not a fan of this book. I honestly could not stand Hannah, she came off as very full of herself and honestly rude. The book was also very slow for me.

I was delighted to read this Christmas catch up with the quirky Kelly family. There was certainly no dull moments as Hannah tries to save their village. I did find her slightly annoying to start with but I suspect it was meant to be that way. A warm hug in book form which I recommend for a fabulous Christmas read.

ARC Review: Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal

Oh, what a sparkling delight! Michelle Vernal has gifted us a holiday gem that will make you want to cozy up with a cup of tea, a warm blanket, and maybe even a sprig of mistletoe. *Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village* wraps you in the charm of Emerald Bay, a place where Christmas cheer and community spirit are just as important as saving the rolling hills from being bulldozed.

At the heart of it all is Hannah Kelly, a young woman with a fierce love for her hometown. She's everything you'd want in a small-town heroine: determined, compassionate, and just the right amount of stubborn. When she discovers her beloved Emerald Bay is under threat from a new building development, she returns home ready to rally the villagers. What she *doesn't* expect is to fall headfirst into a slow-burn romance with the charming (yet frustrating!) developer, Tom Flynn.

Cue the microtropes we love:
- **Enemies-to-lovers**: There’s tension and sparks as Hannah and Tom butt heads over the development.
- **The cozy Christmas challenge**: Inviting Tom to experience a Kelly Christmas Day, hoping it will soften his heart.
- **A near-kiss while peeling brussels sprouts**: Because how could peeling veggies *not* bring out the romance?
- **Grandparent nostalgia**: When Hannah shares her grandparents’ love story tied to the land, we get all the feels.
- **The meddling village matchmakers**: With a sprinkle of holiday cheer, of course.

One of the sweetest moments comes when Hannah shares her family history with Tom—the very land he's planning to develop holds deep emotional ties to her past. And when Tom starts to soften, peeling brussels sprouts alongside her at a Kelly Christmas Day, the sparks feel just as warm as the hearth at The Shamrock Inn. But just when you think things are snowballing into happily-ever-after territory, a mysterious phone call shakes everything up, revealing there’s more to this building project than either of them realized.

What I adored most about this book is how it balances romance with the deeper themes of preserving heritage and fighting for what truly matters. Vernal weaves in moments of heartwarming holiday magic, from twinkling Christmas lights to heartfelt caroling, giving the village a vibrancy that makes you want to book a ticket to Ireland yourself.

The tension between following your heart and protecting your home makes this not only a perfect Christmas read but also a story about finding where you truly belong. *Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village* is a snow-kissed tale of love, hope, and holiday spirit that’ll leave you believing in the magic of community—and maybe even a second chance at love.

**Rating**: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5 stars)
**Verdict**: If you’re a fan of warm holiday romances with a dash of Irish charm, this one’s a must-read. Grab your ugliest Christmas sweater, and get ready to fall in love with Emerald Bay!

As a lover of Christmas and holiday romance, I was thrilled to dive into "Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village" by Michelle Vernal. This charming tale immerses readers in the festive spirit of a quaint Irish village, filled with warmth, community, and a sprinkle of romance.

The story centers around a determined protagonist who embarks on a mission to save the village's Christmas celebrations.

While there were parts of the plot that felt a bit predictable, the feel-good vibes kept me engaged throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

I've just recently started reading cozy romances and if you are new to the genre, like me, Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village is an excellent book to start your journey.
Most cozy romances are centered around fall with pumpkin spice and crunchy leaves. Christmas literally jumps off the pages in this book.
It's a quick read and kept this reader engaged with every page.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

I love Michelle Vernal books, and this was a sweet story during Christmas. great characters and a lovely setting..

It takes a village to save a village. Hannah is determined that development isn't going to take over Emerald Bay but then she meets Tom, who is meant to be the one to bring the garden center to town. There's more to Tom than meets the eye but these two have to work through their differences to get there. I liked this because although it's trope-y, it's got good characters in the people of the village and Hannah's family and delightful atmospherics. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

A lovely read about a large Irish family who don’t want something built in their village. The gran is amazing . You get a mystery lady and a handsome assistant developer . You have a cute dog who only likes ladies. It is a great easy happy Christmas read. Loved it and a neat ending.

Book Review: Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal

In Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village, Michelle Vernal delivers an enchanting holiday romance that wrapped around my heart like a cozy blanket. From the moment I stepped into the twinkling, festive atmosphere of Emerald Bay, I was hooked. The charming village, with its carollers and fairy-lit trees, instantly put me in the holiday spirit.

Hannah Kelly, our determined protagonist, is a character I connected with deeply. Her passion for preserving her hometown’s beauty shines through, especially when faced with the threat of a new development. The stakes felt personal for her, and I admired her tenacity and dedication to her community.

When Hannah encounters Tom Flynn, the handsome lead developer, the tension between them is palpable. Their interactions—filled with both conflict and chemistry—kept me eagerly turning pages. I loved how Vernal balanced their growing connection with the underlying struggle over the village’s future. The moments of vulnerability, especially when Hannah opens up about her family history, added layers to their relationship that made it even more compelling.

The festive setting served as a perfect backdrop for their romance. I could practically smell the mulled wine and taste the brussels sprouts as they prepared for Christmas Day together. However, the arrival of work-related tensions brought a bittersweet twist to the story that had me rooting for both their love and the village’s preservation.

Overall, Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village is a delightful mix of heart, humor, and holiday spirit. Michelle Vernal has crafted a beautiful tale that reminds us of the importance of community, love, and standing up for what we believe in. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a cozy escape this winter!

Life in Emerald Bay is always entertaining with the Kelly family. There are plenty of siblings to carry the stories and a general feeling of joyousness and warmth in the Shamrock Inn. This festive novel centres on Hannah, who has a social conscious and is heart and soul living for projects which will make the world a better place. The environment is her passion. The fear that a conglomerate will take over part of the village and build a huge garden centre spurs her to come home early, to scupper the plans. It seems she is a chip off the old block where her gran is concerned and she is not the only one ready for a protest.
When Tom appears as part of the planning process, Hannah leaps to all kinds of conclusions about him and spends most of the book discovering that he has hidden depths. There is so much warmth and family love in the story, as Christmas approaches. The sisters are all fiercely loyal to each other and I do enjoy their banter. in the background is a family mystery to solve. The villagers add all sorts of humour and in all, this is a joyful and heartwarming festive tale.
In short: enemies to lovers with a Christmas twist

'Saving Christmas in the Little Irish Village' is a heartwarming story following Hannah Kelly, a headstrong and contrary environmentalist and her quest to preserve her village's heritage. It is the fifth book in the 'Little Irish Village' series but is also completely accessible as a standalone.

Hannah Kelly, the middle sister in the large Kelly household, works as an environmental campaigner away from home. When she hears that her precious village Emerald Bay is threatened by a large organisation attempting to build on conserved land, she leaves for Christmas early and takes matters into her own hands. At her parents' village inn, she meets Tom, a businessman from Dublin, here to stay for most of the festive season. As she struggles to win her campaign against the new proposed development, Hannah and Tom lock heads, but not without other family issues joining in, too. Not only this, but the ghosts of the past- and present- threaten to open holes in this quiet village and loving family.

I enjoyed this book; it was fun and cosy and I really enjoyed getting to know the Kelly family. However, I felt that the plot lacked drive in the middle of the book. It was also slow to begin and the description of the book was not marketed to reflect the actual plot. Whilst the description emphasised romance, the main driving force behind this book was actually Hannah and her journey in warring with the planned development and discovering herself. Indeed, the "romance" element did not start until the last 25% of the book. I also felt that the Christmas atmosphere was lost in the middle and at times I was frustrated with the main character.

All this being said, I adored the speech of the characters and could hear the accents so clearly. At times, the setting descriptions were truly beautiful and I loved the focus on the famine cottage which gave it a sombre atmosphere. Kitty Kelly is also the best person ever!

Overall, a firm 3-star read. Thank you so much to Bookouture for providing me with an advanced reading copy. I look forward to its publication!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I was turned off by the appearance of unnecessary curse words in the first ten pages. As much as I tried to continue reading, I could not.

Releases Oct. 2nd. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookoture for my ARC copy.

3.5⭐️
When I first requested this i didn't realise it was part of a series, however it can 100% be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this and loved watching the relationship grow between Hannah and Tom. Although I think Kitty is 100% the best part of this book. I will be going back and reading the previous books in the series now.