This was a cute book with a sweet story. The concept of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in the form of a summer trip to Ireland sounds incredible, especially when it ends in self-growth and a better version of yourself. I found the main character’s hang up on the “life plan” relatable, but redundant at times. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon, Alexandra Paige, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Avon and Net Galley for an early copy of An Irish Summer!

Despite the two stars, I really enjoyed reading book. The writing was great, I liked the plot, and I appreciated most of the characters.

The one character I found to be insufferable was the female main character, unfortunately. By the end of the novel, I was rolling my eyes at most of her comments and decision making, and I couldn’t help but feel like I wouldn’t have such disdain for her if we saw her through someone else’s eyes? Even just a few short chapters from Collin would have helped me see why she was redeemable and worth the fight.

I do wish we got more detailed writing when it came to Ireland. I think the author tried, but I wanted more. I also wish we heard more about Chelsea’s upbringing and Jewish background because I think that could have been a beautiful blend of cultures, but instead it just felt randomly planted throughout the book without any real exploration.

This book was a treat to read. I feel like I want to go to Ireland and find my own Collin ASAP. I felt incredibly connected to the country, traditions and culture. I loved the progression of their Collin and Chelsea's relationship, as well as her relationships with Flo and other people at the hostel. I also loved the the fairy stories. I could've read even more of those. There were only two things I wanted that were not included. First, more closure with Chelsea's parents. There was frequent mention of their opinions and the relationship dynamics, then when she chose to go back to Ireland we didn't get to see how she handled moving away from them, or sharing her choice with them. Second, I kept waiting for her to see twelve wild horses at the end to confirm she had fallen in love, or that she felt validated in her difficult decision. I could understand her deciding she didn't need to see them, but it felt like an intentional omen to share, to then not wrap up more. I loved the book overall and will be looking for more by this author!

I'm a sucker for anything to do with Ireland, and this romance novel was no different. I loved the characters and all the references to places in Ireland. If you love an easy to read romance novel, this is the book for you! A fun and endearing romance with a bit of Irish history and folklore in the mix made it an easy 5* read for me. I'll be looking for more books by Alexandra Paige!

I ready Alexandra Paige's first novel, and loved it. I was hoping to love this one just as much. The setting and the writing were on point, and didn't disappoint. Her first novel dipped it's toes at describing Ireland and this one takes it to the next level. Her description of Ireland makes me want to hop on a plane and go back. Galway is on my bucket list of places to visit.

However, while I loved the writing and the description of the location, I didn't connect with the main character as much as I would have liked. By the end I had warmed up to her a bit more, but I really wanted to jump into the pages and tell her to grow up, she was given a chance that so many would love, and she was focused on how this wasn't how she envisioned her life, instead of how amazing the turn of events was. That sometimes, the path not taken can lead you where you want to go.

Though it started slow, this story turned into one of my favorite romantic comedy stories. I couldn’t put it down! Chelsea and Collin’s chemistry and banter was so captivating, and the author’s depiction of Ireland was so on point and nostalgic of my own visit there. A true feel-good romance that had me grinning cheek to cheek and tearing up!!
This was an ARC read through NetGalley and I’m honored to have had the privilege to read it early.

This book was a lovely story about following your dreams. The found family aspect was heartwarming, and Chelsea and Collin's story was wonderful. Overall, it drew me in, in ways I can't describe. I would definitely recommend this book to my loved ones!

When Chelsea loses her hotel job because the owners are selling, she takes a temporary job at a fancy sort of hostel in Ireland while she regroups and looks for a new job back home in Boston. She's very resistant to exploring and loving Ireland. However, she can't resist the charms of Collin who decides to make himself her personal tour guide as they explore the country and she gets immersed in Irish culture. Will she stay or will she go? Honestly though, aside from the fact that he seemed sweet and nice to everybody he came in contact with, I didn't see the attraction between them. I never saw sparks fly. I don't know how their meeting developed into a romance.

I feel like I need to take a trip to Ireland now! The author did a great job describing the scenery throughout the book. This book was a slow burn romance. Chelsea has been recently laid off from her bed and breakfast job and unfortunately she’s not great with change. Now she’s been offered a summer job at the sister hostel, sounds great until Chelsea is told it’s in Galway, Ireland!! Once she decides that it’s her only option for a job at the moment. Chelsea arrives at the hostel and meets Collin. He’s the gorgeous tour guide who’s also works for the hostel. It’s the last thing on Chelsea’s mind to make friends and to embrace this new experience. However, Collin makes a deal with Chelsea that he will show her all there is to offer about Ireland before her contracts ends. She just needs to give it a chance, so will she??
I enjoyed the book, but it did take me a couple weeks to finish it. It was a little slow for me and I felt like I needed more. Overall, it was cute!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for my honest review and opinions.

I want more!

4.5 ⭐

I loved the characters, setting, growth, stories. I loved them so much, I want more of them.

Chelsea is a born and raised Bostonian who loses her job and apartment at a cherished bed and breakfast and gets offered a summer job at the sister hostel in Galway, IE. She's determined to hate it, despite the resident tour guide's best efforts to show her the magic of his beloved country.

I think each part of the story could have dug a little deeper. More exploring the country, more digging into Collin's family and all that entails, more about the side characters, more of their love story. Just more! Maybe it's just because the parts that were there were so good. Beautiful storytelling and scene descriptions.

The romantic scenes are open door, but vague, so low spice.

Read it! You'll be swept away!

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Alexandra Paige for this eARC.

I made it to about 40% of this book and did not finish it. I didn’t like the personality of the main character or think the chemistry building between the FMC and MMC was particularly believable. I found that the book was missing the humor and banter that usually attracts readers to this genre of novel.

First off, I found a new author to obsess over! Great writing! Amazing imagery of Ireland, I opened my book, began reading & slipped away into the story! Perfection!!

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige is a heartwarming, beautifully written romance that makes you smile and makes you want to read more by this author!

Shout out NetGalley for the ARC!

Reading this book was hard, it’s so hurtful to read about someone living your dream. A whole summer spent in Ireland? Living out the Ed Sheeran Galway Girl fantasy? Hot guys with accents? Sign me tf up. Both in books and in real life if possible.

Our main character Chelsea is having the ultimate 20-something experience of a whole “wtf am I doing with my life?” crisis. Girl, been there. She struggles through the idea of changing her life plan. Of wanting something just because she’s always wanted it and not because it’s right for her anymore. I think that’s a universal experience (though I have to agree that it does seem to be overwhelmingly an American issue).

Enter, Collin Finegan and the whole crew at The Wanderer hostel in Galway, Ireland. Chelsea has to adjust, she literally doesn’t have another option. She’s hesitant to explore all Ireland has to offer (completely unrelateable, personally I think she’s nuts) and has moments of snobbery in my opinion. But through this little found family she has over the summer, she finds herself opening up to new people and new ideas of what she needs in life. What’s important.

The whole time I was yelling at her, like girl WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? Maybe it’s cause if presented with an easy option to get tf out of here, I absolutely would. But it’s so clear to the reader that leaving at the end of the summer is not what serves her anymore. And you’re sitting there just WAITING for her to figure it out.

I've never read anything from this author before but that changes now! I enjoyed this book but not really the main character. She wasn't bad but she wasn't great either. I loved all the Irish scenery since I just went to Ireland a year ago. Totally missed Galway though so I guess I need to go back! Overall, a very enjoyable read! I would read more by this author. It was a fast read too and a great romance.

This was a cute romance with likable characters and a happy ending. I enjoyed how the setting and various well-known sites around Ireland were incorporated into the books, as well as the hostel environment and the cast of characters there. It wasn't quite as engaging as other books I've read in the genre, it felt like the backstory and motivation for both of the main characters could've been more developed and that would have made me more invested in their attraction to and relationship with each other.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Avon and Harper Voyage for providing this ARC. Overall my rating is 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the setting and the cast of supporting characters, but struggled to connect with the FMC.

At the start Chelsea was easy to understand - caught unemployed and struggling to accept moving home with her parents, she chooses a uncomfortable (for her) solution and moves to Ireland for a summer. I could empathize with the situation and even understood her initial unhappiness and unwillingness to allow others in. For me, that unhappiness and surliness continued far too long to be completely believable or enjoyable. Because she was generally so displeased with the situation, it made the chemistry with the MMC less believable as well.

As mentioned, I did enjoy the setting, and the supporting characters, in particular her friends (Ada, from Boston, and Flo, who she meets in Ireland). I ended up wishing she had listened to some of their advice much earlier on.

Unfortunately, I found Chelsea too unlikable to enjoy this. She was constantly mean and rude, which apparently the other characters found cute and sassy, but I sure didn't. Meanwhile the Collin was so over-the-top pleasant to her, which loses its charm when you realize she never indicated she was interested in him, so he was just not taking no for an answer. Plus it bothered me how his Irishness had to be mentioned in every line about him, and he kept speaking for all Irish people like they're all the same and they're all happy all the time (!?) because Ireland is beautiful and they only listen to Irish folk music...and how Chelsea could never think of a single thing she liked about her hometown Boston.

I loved this book so much, it felt like I was actually in Ireland. The romance was so adorable and I loved their witty banter.

I LOVED this book! The author's writing style was fluid and quick-paced, a beautiful blend of romance and self discovery set against the lush, magical backdrop of Ireland. Chelsea's life is upended when the B&B she works for closes. When the owners offer her the opportunity of a lifetime to work at a hostel in Ireland for the summer, she begrudgingly accepts the invitation. Her attitude made it hard to believe she was in her late 20s and not fresh out of high school. I enjoyed her early interactions with the staff....and Collin (*swoon*). The dialogue/banter was hilarious and charming, and it was heartwarming to see the transformation Chelsea went through once she got out of her own way. I'm a sucker for the friends to lovers trope, and I thoroughly enjoyed the escape.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.